Scentsational Season Cards

When I first saw the Holiday Mini Catalog, I admit, I wasn't very excited about the Scentsational Season Bundle.  However, it was included in the preview bundle that Sr. Supervisors could purchase at an additional discount.  And you know I can't resist a good discount.  And I'm so glad that I bought it because I have loved using it.  And I love that these cute, simple shapes don't have to be cut out because they have matching framelits.

Today I am featuring two cards made with this set:

Colors: Whisper White and Real Red.  Stamps: Snowflake Soiree and Scentsational Season. Big Shot: Windows and Holiday Collections Framlits and Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Bright Glitter Brads, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack.

This card was CASed from a card by Jennifer Weide at SunflowerStamper.  When I saw her card, I knew I wanted to make something similar, if for no other reason than I have a ton of that Red Polka Dot paper left after my Halloween Class. I added an extra candy cane to it and changed up the greeting (I just love that Merry stamps).  And since I also have a ton of Real Red Glimmer Brads left over from my Halloween Class as well (I used the other colors that come in the pack) I added them too.  To make the card more mailable, you could leave them off too.  I originally embossed these with the peppermint embossing powder but they have discontinued it due to quality issues.

Colors: Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Greetings of the Season and Scentsational Season.  Big Shot: Labels and Holiday Collection Framelits, Tasteful Trim XL Bigz.  Accessories: Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Sugar and Spice Embossing Powder, Rhinestone Jewels, Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper. 

I was also trying to make this card mailable so I didn't want to add too much dimension to it.  But I did emboss it with the Sugar and Spice Embossing Powder.  It made my craft room smell so yummy!  This little gingerbread man is just so adorable.

These are just two of the cards available at my Christmas Stampin' Buffet this weekend.  The last day to RSVP is tomorrow (Tuesday, November 13) so let me know you are coming ASAP!

Christmas Frame Insert

These frame inserts have been a fun way to mark different seasons this year. So of course I had to make a Christmas-themed one. 

Colors: Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, and Cherry Cobbler. Stamps: Snowflake Soiree.  Big Shot: Window Collection Framelits; Typeset Alphabet Bigz, Snow Flurry Bigz.  Punches: Decorative Label Punch, 1-3/4" Circle, X-Large Oval, Large Oval, Butterfly, Cupcake, and Owl.  Accessories: Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, & Rhinestone Jewels, White Gel Pen.

I love the look of punch art but I just don't do it enough.  I found inspiration for this Santa by looking at several other punch art Santas on Pintrest.  My original addition to it was to use the top of the butterfly punch for the mustache.  Others had used the wing from bird punch to make it, but I don't have that punch so I improvised. 

This is just one of the projects you can make at my Christmas Stampin' Buffet on November 16 or 17.  It is $6.  I am currently not offering it as a kit because I am doing a bit of traveling over Thanksgiving and I am not sure I'll be able to get them shipped in time.  But if there is a demand for them, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

And as promised (drum roll please . . .) the winner of the One Big Sale-Bration CD  full of MDS content is NANC.  So Nanc, please email me your mailing address (paulastamps@gmail.com) and I will get it right out to you!

Christmas Printer's Tray

So I lied, just a little bit about not featuring MDS projects on my blog for the next little bit because I actually did use MDS to design today's project.  But it is not Monday, so it was only a small fib.

Colors: Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla.  Digital Stamp Brushes: Jolly Jingles, Chock Full of Cheer, Wishes and Greetings.  Digital Kit: Be of Good Cheer.  Other: Glitter Paper, Glitter Brads, Designer Buttons, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Rhinestone Jewels, Linen Thread.

Because I recruited during the Spook-tacular promotion, I had the opportunity to get my hands on a few more of these trays.  So I am offering this as one of my projects at my Christmas Stampin' Buffet on November 16 & 17.  However, I only have 5 trays, so if you want to make one, sign up for this class today! 

MDS Monday: Blog Hop Follow up

I hope you enjoyed the Stampin' Addict's MDS Blog Hop this weekend.  I loved some of the out-of-box ways to use My Digital Studio.  If you missed it, all the sites are deep linked together so you can still see the five sites, just start here.  And if you've come back because I promised a GIVEAWAY, stay tuned!

My blog hop projects showcased the custom-size feature.  I showed how to do this on an MDS Monday in August with screen shots so I'm not going to go into detail about that today.  But I will tell you a little more about each project.

12"x16" Custom Size Project.  Digital Stamp Brushes: You're a Gem, Creative Elements and Pedaling Past.

The only thing that I did a little different on this one was the flourish around the "Key to my Heart" title.  I used the frame from Creative Elements and used the crop stamp feature to select just the left flourishy end of  frame.  Then I copied, pasted and mirrored it to give me the other end (three clicks was easier for me than inserting the stamp and cropping it again to get the right side, but you could do that as an alternative as well.  The rest of the project is fairly self explanatory.  I just uploaded it to the photo center at my local warehouse store and in 5-7 business days, I went and picked up the canvas.

 7"x10" Custom Size project.  Digital Stamp Brushes: Creative Elements, Frames with a Flourish and Elements of Style.  Non Digital Stampin' Up!: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Antique Brads, Rhinestones. Other: Glossy Decopage Medium, Black Paint and Wood Block.

But my second project does have a story.  I actually first saw pictures of Temples adhered to wood block on pinterest.  I liked the idea and thought it would be fun to make some for Christmas gifts this year.  So when I was at the wood shop buying the owls and witches hat, I also picked up three 5"x7" wood blocks.  But there, they also had family pictures on the wood blocks and the ideas starting churning.  So the big DUH question is: WHY THE HECK DID I NOT BUY MORE BLOCKS? And not just 5"x7" but 8"x10" and 4"x6" too.

I kept thinking I'd get back to the store to buy more of these but with the store being about 30 miles away and gas being $3.80 for my SUV, I just couldn't justify the trip down there for a $3 piece of wood. In the mean time, I designed this 8"x10" to go on the wood and had it printed at a photo center:

Then I had the idea to go to my local hardware/lumber store to buy a wood board. I heard they would cut the wood for me if I asked nicely and paid for it of course.  I found one marked 2"x8" by 8 feet.  So I had it cut into 10" pieces and brought it home.  But this is where I probably should have asked for advice from my wood-working-hobbiest Father.  I had no idea that a 2"x8" is not even close to 8".  It is actually 7". The print I made did not fit the wood and I couldn't just cut an inch off because I didn't leave any wiggle room to trim it.  So I did have to recreate a print that was 7"x10" at the last minute to make this all work. (I might have been able to print at home, but I was a little concerned about applying anything over the top of a home-printed photo.)

To finish the block, I sanded it (and since you know I hate sanding, I cheated and broke out my finishing sander.  It might have been a bit of an over kill, but it worked and it saved my carpal tunnel).   I painted it black with regular acrylic craft paint and then used Glossy Mod Podge to adhere the photo to the wood.  I then applied two layers of Mod Podge to the top (allowing it to dry in between): one with the brush strokes running horizontally and the other with them running vertically.  This gave it a bit more of a "canvas" texture.  Next, I sprayed it with a sealer so that it would lose that "tacky" feeling you some times get with Mod Podge.  Finally, I added the ribbon and brads.  I thought about some other things, but they were all retired and I didn't want to feature anything on the blog hop that wasn't current.

I actually made three more of these featuring another photo for another Christmas present but I can't show you those yet since I want it to be a surprise.  But I will show them after they are received.

Now the reward for coming back today and sticking with me through this rambling post: THE GIVEAWAY!  I have a  One Big Sale-a-bration MDS Content CD to give away to one lucky blog reader.  Here is how to enter.  First of all, you must have a United States mailing address and be a google follower of my blog OR my facebook page.  So if you aren't already, click on the links on the left and become one.  Second, leave a comment here in the comment section.  (My blog allows for anonymous comments, but you have to leave an email or someway for me to get hold of you if you win).  Everyone who does that will get an entry.  To get additional entries, visit my online store and download the free downloads available for Digital Scrapbook Week, and/or your 30-day free trial of MDS2.  But hurry, because today is the last day for the free downloads.  (The 30-day trial offer is ongoing). Remember, you can use these downloads and the CD of content in other digital scrapbooking programs (even PhotoShop).  I will announce the winner on Friday this week so come back then.

One more note, I am going to discontinue MDS Monday as a regular weekly-feature on my blog.  I will continue to do the occasional MDS Monday post, but I am so far behind on my regular stamping projects to share, I want to focus on those as I prepare for my upcoming Christmas Stampin' Buffet and other holiday crafting.

Stampin' Addicts MDS2 Blog Hop

Welcome to stop number three on the Stampin' Addicts MDS2 Blog Hop.  If you are hopping in order than you just came from Yapha Mason's blog. Designing in spreads is one of my favorite new features.  If this is your first stop on the hop, don't worry.  All the blogs are linked together in a circle so you won't miss a thing. If you get lost or want to chat about what you've seen, head on over to  Stampin' Addicts.

I get to show you how I used the custom-size feature on some fun projects.  And since Christmas is right around the corner, I thought I'd give you some ideas on how to use the custom-size feature to make some gifts for someone you love.  And if you come back next Monday, I'll share with you more details about how to make the projects I'm sharing with you.

Are you wondering why you would ever need to do a custom size when Stampin' Up! has a wide variety of print products to choose from?  Those size and projects are great for cards, albums and scrapbook pages.  But with custom-sizes, a whole world of possibilities opens up to you.

For my first project, I had a little help from my favorite warehouse store.  Several professional print shops are now offering a print on canvas feature.  I have been looking for some "art" to go on the wall in my dining room.  With MDS2 I was able to customize a 12x16 layout and then upload it to this photo center to get my very own piece of canvas art.  First what I designed in MDS2:

I just picked it up from the photo center yesterday and I just love the way it turned out (the picture turned out a little warmer than it really is, but you get the idea):

I knew my in laws would love to have this same picture of my boys, but I didn't just want to give it to them in a boring frame (and no way was a parting with my canvas. I love it too much!).  So my second project was inspired by something I saw at a craft store about six weeks ago. Unfortunately, the store is about 30 miles from my house and I just haven't made it back, so I did what all good crafters do: I improvised!  (Come back on Monday to hear all about that improvisation).   To start with, I needed a 7"x10" photo (another improvise because I thought I really needed a 8"x10" photo).  This is what I came up with in MDS2:

You can see it is pretty similar to the one above.  I let my husband pick out the words to go on it since they are his parents and changed up the flourishes and accents.  And I wanted the picture to be black and white.  I sent it off to a local one hour print shop.  Then I went to work prepping a piece of wood to mount the picture too.  (I promise there is a great story behind the wood, but again, you'll have to come back on Monday to read all about it).  After I adhered it to the wood and applied the finish to it, I took some ribbon and other embellishment and my mixed media/hybrid project turned out like this:

So let your imagination run wild with the custom sizes.  I was surprised how easy it was to work on the larger projects, especially with the SVG digital stamp files in MDS2.

If you haven't already decided to come back on Monday, how about I sweeten the pot?  Come back on Monday for your chance to win an MDS Content CD from last year's Sale-A-Bration.  If you are new to MDS, these are files you won't have already.  And don't forget to take advantage of the free downloads Stampin' Up! is offering through Monday as well!

And now you are off to the next stop, Heidi's Runningwscissorsstamper blog to get a fresh look at converting templates.  Enjoy!

Digital Scrapbooking Week Continues

Happy November.  I think November might be my favorite month of the year.  I love that the hot weather is over and we usually don't get a lot of snow in November either.  (Knock on wood!) And we get to celebrate all that we are thankful for this time of year too.  Love that part of November.

Today's post features another Digital Kit that is 50% off though next Monday, November 5.  It's called Bandstand and it is based on the Simply Scrappin' Kit by the same name in the main catalog.  I love the bright fun colors in it.  And it has chevron paper and embellishments which are so hot right now.  Here is the page I made with it:

Colors: Pool Party, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron and Whisper White. All elements from the Bandstand Digital Kit except flag punch.

 I always forget that a white background does not work well on my blog.  You'll just have to pretend you can tell where the edges of the page are. I started out using as sketch from Susan Stringfellow at Sketch Savvy for this page, but I changed it so much I don't know that I could really say it is from that at all.  I love these pictures because they are from one of the highlights of our summer: our "family" reunion with our friends that we knew when we were first married and living in apartments.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the Stampin' Addicts MDS2 Blog Hop.  We are a smaller group this time, but the six that are participating are fabulous.  You won't want to miss it.  But in the mean time, I have to go get some wood putty and paint to finish up my projects.

Happy Halloween, MDS Style

In addition to the free downloads Stampin' Up! is offering for Digital Scrapbook Day this week, all Digital Scrapbook Kits are also 50% off.  There are over 70 to choose from including two with a Halloween theme.  So since today is Halloween, I decided to share the Wicked Fun Kit.

I don't make a lot of cards with My Digital Studio because that is one thing I enjoy making on my own.  But I thought it would be fun to put this on Facebook today to wish all my friends a WICKED Halloween. I used the recoloring feature to color the books.  For the hat, I placed a punch behind the band to color it (in the negative space of the stamp).

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Basic Black and Dusty Durango.  Digital Stamps and Designer Series Paper: Wicked Fun Kit.  Other: Antique Brads Digital Embellishments, and assorted punches.

This kit also comes with a 12x12 scrapbook template.  So all I did for this page was to plug in my own pictures from last Halloween and add my journaling.

Wicked Fun Digital Kit 12x12 Template.

You can check out all the 50% off Digital Kits by clicking on the Shop Now button above and click through to the online store.  Choose My Digital Studio and Digital Content.  There will be a box showing 50% off items.  Don't forget to download your free items while you are there too.

I hope you all have a wonderfully wicked and safe Halloween!

MDS Free Downloads!

First of all, a big thanks to all who made the one-day stamp sale a big success for me!  I appreciate my loyal customers.  

Second of all, no, I don't usually post on Tuesdays, but this week is an exception.  This week I am celebrating Digital Scrapbook Day with posts about the free and discounted downloads that are available through November 5.

Yesterday, I showed you a project with the free Split Second Template Kit.  Today, I'm showing the also FREE Enjoying Everything Kit and the Days in December Kit:

Enjoying Everything Kit

Now, this kit is a little girly. If you know me, you know that we are lacking in the girly department around my house. But I thought it was perfect for an Easter picture of my boys.  The kit comes with a 4-piece digital stamp brush kit, four embellishments and four designer series papers.  It does not come with a template, but I CASE'd the sample layout Stampin' Up! shows for the kit.

Days in December Kit

The Days in December kit comes with a 33-piece digital stamp brush set, 29 embellishments and a 1-page template.  What I have above is the template that I simply added "December" too.  It would make a great cover for a scrapbook about your December Traditions.  Or leave December off, and you can use the squares for an advent calendar.

To get the three free kits, visit my online store at paula.stampinup.net and click shop now. On the right side of the screen, under the FREE Trial of MDS2, you will see three boxes with the free downloads.  Don't have My Digital Studio?  Well by all means, download the freebies anyway.  You can use them with other digital scrapbooking software.  Just choose "other application" when downloading.  But I know if you try MDS2, you will love it, so you might as well get your free 30 day trial at the same time and get using it!

Come back tomorrow to see some of the kits you can get 50% off this week too.  I will see you then!

MDS Monday All Week!

 Welcome to Digital Scrapbooking Week!  Stampin' Up! will be celebrating all week, so I have decided to also join in the celebration.  Stampin' Up! is giving away three free downloads and offering 50% off all Digital Scrapbooking Kits.  Each day this week, I will feature one of the free or discounted kits on my page.  Also, Friday will be the Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop featuring My Digital Studio.

Today, I am featuring the Split Second Kit that is available free from my online store.  I love this kit because it isn't too girly and you know we don't have too many girls around my house. It was the perfect kit to showcase these beach pictures of my boys:

All elements from Split Second Designer Template Pages.

The kit comes with two 12x12 templates and all I did here was put my own pictures and journaling on the pages and voila!  The kit comes with a 12-piece stamp brush set, two designer series papers, and two embellishments as well as the templates.  You will want this one for sure!


Also, when you are over visiting my online store, don't forget all stamp sets are 15% off TODAY only.  You don't want to miss out on this sale.  And come back tomorrow to see another free download.

Sell-A-Stamp Spooktacular & WICKED Wood Projects

Have you heard the news?  Stampin' Up! is doing something I have never seen them do: discounting all stamp sets 15% for one day only, Monday, October 29!  So get your wish lists out get them all at  fantastic savings!   You can shop online on Monday, or contact me by 8 p.m. that night if you are local and want to save on shipping.  But you won't want to miss out on this special!



And in case you missed my story last week about my wood projects, no, I haven't suddenly become a wood crafter.  And no, this will not become a regular feature on my blog.  In fact, while I still have some wood projects to finish, I won't be posting another one for while because I am a procrastinator and well, they are Christmas projects.  So I have weeks to get around to doing those.

But I promised to show you the Halloween projects I made at the same time as the Owls so here we go:

Current Stampin' Up!: Brights Glimmer Brad, Vintage Faceted Designer Button.  Retired Stampin' Up!: Cast-A-Spell Designer Series Paper, Black Jewel Flourish, 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon. 

Current Stampin' Up!: Round Designer Ribbon Sliders, Elegant Eggplant Dotted Scallop Ribbon, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie, Brights and Subtles Designer Buttons, 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon, Vintage Brad.  Retired Stampin' Up!: Cast-A-Spell Designer Series Paper, 1/4 in grosgrain in Perfect Plum, Basic Black, Whisper White, and Old Olive.

If you saw my post about the Owls, then you know that I made these to "save some money," (ya, right!).    But they were a fabulous way to use up some of my stash that I've hoarded over the past five years. 

Also, Stampin' Up! will be celebrating Digital Scrapbooking Day all next week with free downloads and savings on Digital Scrapbooking Kits!  And I will be celebrating every day next week here on my blog, including a chance to win some a CD of downloads.  So be sure to come back and see what all the fuss is about!