MDS Monday: SA Recycle Challenge #4

I'm back!  It's been a little crazy around here.  First, we bought a car and had to get the old one ready to sell.  Then my husband had a milestone birthday this past weekend, complete with a BBQ that got rained out so we had to get the yard ready, and then the house.  But I'm back now.  My youngest son is back in school now and I'm ready to get back to work!

So what's the best way to get back to work?  How about with an MDS Monday and a challenge!!  The Stampin' Addicts Recycle Pinterest Challenges are now on week 4.  I haven't had time to play the past two weeks, but Adriana posted a great Scrapbook challenge this morning for us so I opened up MDS to play along.

Colors: Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, More Mustard and Soft Suede.  Digital Stamps: Natural Composition Overlays.  Digital Punches: Stars and Circle.  Digital Embellishments: Hodgepodge Hardware.

I love this picture of my boys with their cousins.  We were in St. George, Utah for my family reunion this past summer.  It was toasty hot most of the time we were there, but we still managed to squeeze in trip up the Sugar Loaf.  If you are familiar with St. George, the Sugar Loaf is the big red rock with Dixie painted on it.  It is just above the old family property so when we were kids we used to walk up there and play on those rocks and it's a tradition we have continued with our children as well.  Only now, we have to drive up there since they built a busy bypass road between it and the old family property.  But it is still just as fun to run around and climb those rocks as it was 30 years ago.

If you would like to play along in the challenge, head on over to Stampin' Addicts and check out this week's sketch:

And if you don't have time to play along this week, head on over to the challenge board on pinterest and help pick the winner of this weeks challenge by liking and repinning your favorite.  (Including this mine!!)

Convention Display: Gorgeous Grunge Scrapbook Page

This year, I had the honor of being an Event Display Stamper and got to create samples that went on the actual display boards at the actual convention.  I was so excited to be asked and then so overwhelmed by the task.  But I would definitely do it again if given the opportunity.

Over the next few weeks (and maybe months) I will be sharing the projects I made.  Today, I'm sharing one of the three scrapbook pages I submitted:

Colors: Gumball Green, Crushed Curry, Pool Party, Basic Gray, Whisper White.  Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge and Hello Lovely.  Big Shot: Labels Collection Framelits, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL.  Accessories: Hung Up Cute Clips, Pool Party Seam Binding.

The Gorgeous Grunge stamp set should be on everyone's wish list.  It is perfect for adding some interest to the background of any card, scrapbook page or any other project.  And that "You Make Me Happy" from Hello Lovely is perfect for so many occasions.

One of the fun parts of being a display stamper is finding your name on the big "Thank You" board:

And then seeing your projects actually on the board is a bit of a thrill too:

I have plenty of swaps to be sharing with you over the next few weeks too so be sure to check back each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Scrapping the Old Fashioned Way

Recently, Stampin' Up! put out a call for demonstrators to apply to be Event Display Stampers.  I figured I might as well apply since I had several projects already made that fit the criteria.  However, there was one project I didn't have and it was something I haven't done in a LONG, long time.  I needed to design a one page scrapbook layout.  And not with My Digital Studio.  The old fashioned way.  Eek!

It's been a very long time since I've done it, but I set out one day a couple of weeks back to do just that:

Colors: Real Red, Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Whisper White.  Stamps: The Open Seas, Perfect Punches. Big Shot: Apothecary Accents and Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL, Typeset Alphabet Bigz, Honeycomb and Textured Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.  Punches: XL Oval and 1-3/8" Circle.  Accessories: Real Red and Pool Party Core'dinations Card Stock, Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper and Ribbon, Silver Basic Buttons, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Sanding System.

I probably should have shared this page a week or so ago because it does have a touch of Sale-A-Bration on it: the Designer Series Paper and the Island Indigo ribbon in the top corner. But it also features some fun products from the Spring Catalog: the Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing folder, the Core'dinations Card Stock and the Silver buttons. 

I haven't used the Core'dinations Card Stock nearly enough, but it is a great way to add a little texture to your project.  The paper itself is textured and then when you sand it, you reveal a lighter version of the same color underneath.  Here I used it to give the title a weathered, beachy kind of look:

I don't know that I will go back to old fashioned scrapbooking very often, but it was fun to challenge myself a little bit. 


And are you surprised that Stampin' Up! is running yet another promotion?  This time it is one week only so if you want to take advantage, jump on board now!!

Yep, this week all fabric is 50% off.  The sale starts today and ends next Sunday.  Contact me today if you would like to take advantage or click the shop now button above.

August: So much to share!

Once again, the months are just slipping right on by and now we find ourselves in August already.  Still not sure how that happens. August 1 is a busy day for Stampin Up! and I have a lot of news to share. So much news I'm having trouble deciding where to start because they are all very exciting things.  One thing is for sure, I will be taking a break from sharing a project today and convention pictures just so my post doesn't get tooooooooooo long.

HOLIDAY CATALOG

The Holiday Catalog is now live with so many things to love.  For the first time, Stampin' Up! is offering bundles of coordinating products at discounted prices to customers. There are four bundles featuring a stamp set with matching framelits for the Big Shot, two that include a stamp set and a project kit, and one that is a desk calendar with a holder all 15% off when you purchase them together.  Click on the Holiday Catalog on the left to take a look for yourself and let me know if you'd like a catalog sent to you.  You can also shop on line anytime.  I will be sharing more projects and showcasing some bundles in the coming weeks.

SPOOKTACULAR RECRUIT SPECIAL

Ever thought about joining Stampin' Up!  August is a fabulous time to do just that.  If you haven't already heard, the starter kit is now completely customizable.  You can pick any products from any current catalog, up to $125, for only $99.  So if you've had your eye on the Big Shot, the Many Marvelous Markers, or My Digital Studio, or just lots of fun stamps, buying the starter kit will save you some $$$$.   And in August, the deal is even better.   All new recruits this month will receive the Howl-O-Ween Printer's Tray Project Kit.

This kit is only available to new recruits and the demonstrators who recruit them and is not available to purchase.  Contact me today if you would like more information.

MY DIGITAL STUDIO 2

I love My Digital Studio.  I've love using it to make scrapbook pages, albums, cards, invitations and so much more.  But I am over the moon about the new features available in My Digital Studio 2.  I've been chomping at the bit to get my hands on it since Stampin' Up! showed us just a few of the 75 new features of this updated software package.  Some of the highlights:

• Design in spreads
• Create with custom canvas sizes
• Add more than one color to a single stamp image
• Resize vector stamp images while keeping them crisp
• Retint embellishments, Designer Series Paper and more.

You can download your free 30-day trial version of the software starting today, even if you've already used a free trial of the original MDS.  Just head on over to my online store for your free trial. If you've purchased My Digital Studio in the past, you can update to MDS2 for $19.95.  The full-version of the software is still $39.95 and MDS2+ features the full software and over $500 in downloads for $79.95. All of these versions are also available in my online store.  I will be downloading mine today and will have more information to share on Friday.

31% OFF FOR 31 DAYS

To celebrate the release of MDS2, Stampin' Up! is offering 31% off of 31 different digital content options during August and nearly all print products as well. The Floral District Content CD can be added to any order, but the other 30 digital downloads are only available online.  You can get them at my online store: paula.stampinup.net.

I know I will be busy creating with MDS2 this month so I can take advantage of 31% off albums, individual pages and much more.

WHEW!!!  That was a lot of information to share. And can you see why I didn't know which to share first?  What are you most excited about this month?

Get Your Scrap On! Contest

May is National Scrapbook Month and to celebrate I'm holding my first ever contest on my Facebook page. If you are already a fan on my Facebook page, entering as easy as uploading a scrapbook project made with Stampin' Up! products to the contest page.  Then tell your friends to come vote for your project. The one with the most votes wins.  If you aren't a fan, then become one and follow the above steps.

Projects can be created either traditionally or digitally and must incorporate at least one photo.  They can be a scrapbook page 6x6 or larger, a mini album or any 3D project that has a photo on it.

All traditional projects must use at least three different Stampin' Up! products (current or retired). All stamps and inks used must be Stampin' Up!. You may use other company's papers or embellishments as long as you meet the above criteria. All Digital projects must be created using My Digital Studio.  I reserve the right to disqualify and delete any entry that does not meet the requirements.

The winner will receive his/her choice of a digital prize pack (includes the My Digital Studio Express Booster Pack and the One Big Sale-A-Bration content DVDs) or a traditional scrapbook package that contains the Tickets and Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit and matching embellishments.

Don't have a large stash of Stampin' Up! product to use?  Download your free 30 day trial of My Digital Studio and get creating!  You must be a resident of the US to enter and be at least 18 years old.  I can't wait to see what everyone creates!

I also promised the details on my scrapbook page from this weekend's blog hop today:

Colors: Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Boarderlines (r), Falling Leaves (r), Fabulous Phrases.  Punches: Round Tab(r).  Accessories: Very Vanilla 1/4 grosgrain ribbon (r).