My Digital Studio Contest

About a month ago, I entered the My Digital Studio Contest on MydigitalStudio.net.  I had to submit a scrapbook page and a card. It was right before I was leaving for vacation and I never did quite get the page the way I wanted it, but here is what I submitted:

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo and Whisper White.  Digital Designer Series Paper: Night and Day. Digital Punches: Decorative Label. Digital Stamps: Daring Adventure. Digital Accessories: In Color Buttons, Silver Brad.

Colors: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Basic Black and Whisper White.  Digital Designer Series Paper: Night and Day.  Digital Punches: Key Tag and Wide Oval.  Digital Stamps: Bliss.  Digital Accessories: Satin Ribbon, Antique Brads.

One of my favorite techniques in My Digital Studio is to play around with the opacity of objects. You can see how I did that with the stamps, but I also did it with the Night and Day Paper on both projects. After I picked the background colors, I laid a punch over the top of them and filled them with a patterned paper from Night and Day.  This one works best because it's black and white.  Then I adjusted the opacity on it so it looks like a completely different Designer Series Paper in a different color.

I learned that technique from MyDigitalStudio.net.  There are all kinds of videos and tips there for you to learn too.  Don't own My Digital Studio?  You can download a basic version of the software from my online store.

And just a reminder:  if you are making My Digital Studio Christmas gifts like I am, the deadline to get those projects to the printer is December 7 for guaranteed Christmas delivery.  I know I need to get busy.

Also, Stampin' Up's Online Extravaganza is almost here.  Starting Monday, November 21, Stampin' Up! will have amazing deals on several items and bundles and maybe even a deal on My Digital Studio?  You'll have to come back Monday to see!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

I know a lot of people complain about how Thanksgiving gets overlooked in our rush to Christmas. Halloween comes and goes and then it seems like everyone starts to focus on Christmas.  As a crafter, I do that as a survival tactic.  Holding a Christmas Class in December isn't going to cut it most of the time.  So I start my Christmas crafting even before Halloween.

But I do LOVE Thanksgiving.  There is something about a day set aside to thank God for all the goodness in our lives, to gather with family, friends and feast on our bounty.  It probably doesn't hurt that my birthday sometimes falls on Thanksgiving too.

So today, I'm sharing with you a Thanksgiving project instead of a Christmas one.  I made these turkeys for the Sweet Treats Cup Swap I hosted at Convention this year:

Colors: Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Early Espresso.  Big Shot: Scallop Circle #2. Punches: 2-1/2", 1-3/4" and 1-3/8" circles, modern label, Owl and Cupcake Builder Punch. Accessories: Sweet Treat Cups.

I know I looked at a few other punch art turkeys to inspire this but took ideas from all of them to create this.  I used the Owl Builder Punch for the eyes and beak (it's the heart) and the cupcake punch (the flame from candle) for the waddle. I inked all the pieces to give it a bit more dimension too.  Wouldn't they be cute sitting on your Thanksgiving table?

And it's been a while since I shared with you a song.  So in honor of the Christmas crazies that strike earlier and earlier each year, I'm going to share a song by one of my favorite acappella groups, Straight No Chaser, that celebrates the time between Halloween and Christmas.  Enjoy!

WWSD?

WWSD?  That's become my new mantra in my stamp room.  It means "What would Shelli Do?"  See, I like to think that I'm a pretty OK stamper when it comes to basic cards and 3D items for my class participants to recreate.

But, when it comes to the vintage/shabby chic look, I need some more practice and Shelli Gardner, the founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! is a master at these things.  She makes the most beautiful creations with all the little extra special touches on them.  She goes a few steps further on things than I usually do.  So when I've been working on some over-the-top projects the past few weeks, I ask myself, what would Shelli do? And then I try to add a few extra special touches to the projects just like Shelli would. How has it worked?  I'll let you be the judge with these ornaments:

Colors: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Always Artichoke.  Stamp Set: Pines & Poinsettias. Big Shot: Square Scallop Duo.  Tools: Simply Scored. Punches: 1-1/4" circle punch, Curly and Modern Label, Jewelry Tag.  Accessories: Markers, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Champagne Glass Stampin' Glitter, Antique and Metallic Brads, Victoria Lace, Velvet Stitched and Quilted Satin Ribbon, Seam Binding, Pearl Jewels and Vintage Trinkets, Shimmer Paint.

Just the list of accessories I used alone is about twice what I would normally have used on any given project. So maybe that is a step in the right direction. It's hard to tell from the picture, but when these were all put together, I spritz them with a combination of Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol so they really do just sparkle.  They'd look so pretty on a tree or as an extra special gift tag.

These were inspired by some ornaments I saw on Kimberley VanDiepen's stampinbythesea.com.  I'm offering them at my class this next weekend if you want to make some of your own. Last day to RSVP is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15.   I also plan to make several more both for my own tree and as gifts this holiday season.

So when you find yourself with a project in front of you and you just aren't sure what it's missing, just ask yourself, WWSD?  I hope it works for you too.

Merry & Type

I have a confession to make.  I love stamps.  (Maybe you already knew that?)  But not just any old stamps, but Christmas stamps.  I have a lot of them.   And every year I swear I am NOT going to buy a single new Christmas stamp set because I already have more than I can show during one holiday period.

This year was no different.  Stampin' Up didn't retire a lot of Christmas stamps last year so I still have several current, perfectly nice Christmas images.  But when I started planning for my Christmas card class, I just couldn't bring myself to use the same stamps I've had for years.  I wanted NEW and I wanted it NOW!

Thank goodness for FREE rubbah!!!  Through a few fortunate turns of events, I won Christmas Lodge at convention, then got Snow Much Fun for the So Shelli challenge and Polar Party for a focus group.  So three new Christmas stamp sets should be enough, right?

WRONG!!!  On my order for supplies, I had hostess dollars to spend (yep, demonstrators get hostess benefits too.  I love this company).  I debated what to do with them and looked at a lot of other non-Christmas stamp sets that are still on my wish list.  But guess what I ended up with instead  -- another Christmas set:  Merry & Type.  And I'm so glad that I did because I just LOVE it.

Here are two cards we'll be making with it at my Christmas Card and Gift Crank next weekend:

Colors: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red.  Stamps: Merry & Type.  Accessories: Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper, Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Jewels.

 You probably notice that this isn't a regular cut card.  It is a modified kick stand card.  Kind of a fun design that is simple to make but adds just a bit of "wow" to the card.

Colors: Whisper White, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red.  Stamps: Merry & Type.  Big Shot: Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder.  Punches: Postage Stamp and 1-1/4" square.  Accessories: Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper, brads, markers.

For this one, I just wanted a simple card that would be fast to produce.  I love the stamp that looks like a postage stamp.  And it matches the paper so wonderfully.


Also, November 11 is a big day in my family.  This would have been my grandfather's 94th birthday but he isn't here to celebrate with us any more.  But it is also the 15th anniversary of me becoming and aunt for the first time. So Happy Birthday wishes to my cute niece Emma today too.

And of course, a big thank you to the men and women who have served our country so valiantly over the years, and to their families as well.  Not a day goes by when I am not amazed by the sacrifices of so many on my behalf.  Happy Veterans Day.

Stocking Die for the Big Shot

I was stamping with my friend Missi several weeks ago and I was talking about what I was going to do for my Christmas class.  I had just finished my Halloween banner and I knew that I wanted a different banner for Christmas.  That's when the idea hit me: string stockings together from the brand new, super cute Holiday Stocking Big Shot Die.  I finally had a chance to get it on paper:

Colors: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Whisper White.  Big Shot: Holiday Stocking Bigz L, Serif Essentials Alphabet.  Punches: Five Petal Flower, Large Oval, 1/2" Circle, Postage Stamp.  Accessories: Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon, Old Olive Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon, Brads, Mini Clothes Pins, Brights Buttons, Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper, Glitter Paper.

I love the little clothes pins that hold the stockings in place on the ribbon.  I forgot I bought these and almost ordered more before I found them in my extra embellishment drawer.  And I need to give another shout out to Missi for suggesting the embellishments on the cuff of the stockings too.  It needed a little something and her suggestion was right on.

I also wanted to offer a card made out of this cute die but then came across one on the internet that turned it into a gift card holder.  I wish I could find it again so I could give credit to the creator. (I really need to be better about writing down where I see things.)

Colors: Marina Mist, Cherry and Whisper White on Left.  Real Red, Garden Green and Whisper White on right. Stamps: Four the Holidays. Big Shot: Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die, Snowburst Textured Embossing Folder. Punches: Word Window, Scallop Border Punch, 1-1/4" Circle.  Accessories: Buttons, Bakers Twine, Ribbon.

On the back side of these, the Word Window punch creates a slot for the gift card to slide into like so:

Isn't that clever?  I will be offering both of these projects at my Christmas Card and Gift Crank on November 18 and 19.  You can check out all the details here: http://paulastamps.blogspot.com/p/christmas-crank-class.html

Snow Much Fun!!

Remember a couple of months back when I won the So Shelli challenge?  Maybe not?  Well, the only really important part of winning it was the free RUBBAH that came with the honor. I told you almost six weeks ago to stay tuned to see what stamp set I won.  Well, I'm finally ready to show it off: Snow Much Fun!  It's also fitting that I share these today because we had our first snow of the season this weekend too.  We don't get as much snow in Farmington as my Salt Lake Valley friends do, but we did get enough for my boys to get out and play. 

Colors: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White.  Stamps: Snow Much Fun. Punches: Snowflake. Accessories: Markers, Glitter Paper, Crop-A-Dial, In Color Designer Brads, White Grosgrain, Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon and Riding Hood Red Taffeta.

I based this on a really cute swap I got at convention from my good friend, Missi.  Her's was Halloween-themed and held pop rocks.  I modified it just a titch to put a cocoa packet and candy cane inside for a cute little gift for a co-worker or friend.

Colors: Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Basic Black, Whisper White.  Stamps: Snow Much Fun and Curly Cute. Big Shot: Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Crystal Effects, Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon

The colors for this card were based on another swap I received at convention that I just loved from my friend, Mary Ann. I loved how the black really makes the card pop.  I changed her layout quite a bit but the stamped scene is pretty close to hers too. 

I will be offering both of these projects at my Christmas Card and Gift Crank on November 18 and 19.  You can get all the details here: http://paulastamps.blogspot.com/p/christmas-crank-class.html

Digital Scrapbooking Day!

Now through November 7, Stampin' Up! is offering four free digital download kits for My Digital Studio.  Don't have My Digital Studio?  You can also use the downloads in other software.

Just this morning I started playing with the free downloads.  The templates make it quick and easy to create these in just a matter of minutes:

This one is from the Home for the Holidays download.  It would be perfect for a post Christmas Thank You card.

I used the page templates from the Delight in the Day download for this.  Such a cute page and all you have to do is add the photos and journaling and you are done.

The Neutral Delightful Digital Tape download is perfect for boy pages and you all know I need a lot of boy pages around here.

Don't miss out on this fun offer.  To get the downloads, simply fill out this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DigitalDay  and for more information about My Digital Studio, visit MyDigitalStudio.net.

Lotion and Lip Balm Holders

I had a special request to figure out a box for a bottle of lotion in the same vane as the hand sanitizer holder.  The hand sanitizers make a nice small gift but sometimes you need to give a little more than that for a neighbor, close co-worker or teacher.

So I set off to make one.  Here is how it turned out:

Colors: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White.  Stamps: Merry & Type.  Punches: 1-1/4" and  2-1/2" circles, Medium Oval, Decorative Label.  Accessories: Simply Scored, Olive Satin Ribbon, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon and Rhinestones. Other: Super thin craft magnets.

Then one of my demonstrator friends showed me a picture of some lip balm holders she was making for a boutique and I had to try them myself too:

.

Colors: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White.  Stamps: Merry & Type.  Punches: 3/4" circle punch, 1" square and postage stamp.  Accessories: Simply Scored, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon. Other: super thin craft magnets.

And of course, I showed you the Hand Sanitizer last week too:

I've had lots of questions about how to make these so I'm going to provide you with the measurements and scoring instructions for each of these.

LOTION BOX

• Take a piece of 3-1/2" x 11" card stock and place it in the Simply Scored the long way.  (piece A)
• Score piece A at 3/4", 2-1/2", 7-1/4", and 9"
• Take another piece of 3-1/2 x 11 card stock and place it in the Simply Scored the long way. (piece B)
• Score piece B at 6" and 7-3/4"
• Fold on all score lines the same direction
• On piece A, fold the 3/4" section down and punch a hole in the middle of the second section with the 1-1/4" circle punch (the punch will take a notch out of the first section too as shown in the picture:

• Place strong adhesive, like Sticky Strip, to the opposite end of piece A (the 2" piece at the end) and adhere to piece B (the 6" section on piece B should line up with the fold on the 2" section of piece A as shown in the picture):

• Place strong adhesive on the first section of piece A. (The 3/4" one with the partial circle punched in it.
• To "square" the box so that it is nice and even, fold the box as shown in the picture and adhere the tab down:

•  Finish your box by embellishing it as you desire.  To hold the box closed, I use super thin, neodymium magnets underneath the layer of Designer Series Paper on the box.  You can get these at your local craft store or do a search online.  I used two glue dots on the bottom to hold the lotion in place.

I won't go into as much detail for the Lip Balm and Hand Sanitizer holders because they use basically the same instructions, only they use one strip of card stock:

LIP BALM HOLDERS:

• Cut card stock to 1-1/2" x 9-3/4".
• Place on Simply Scored the long way and score at 1/2", 1-1/2", 3-1/4", 4-1/4", 7, and 8
• Fold along the score lines going in the same direction.
• Fold the first flap under the second flap (1/2" into the 1" section) and punch a 3/4" circle in the center of the second section (again, you'll get the notch in the 1/2" piece but that doesn't matter).
• Place strong adhesive on the 1/2" flap, fold and adhere to the longest panel as shown above in the last picture.
• Embellish your box as you desire. I used the same magnets on these and I placed a glue dot along the bottom of the lip balm to hold it in place.

HAND SANITIZER HOLDERS:

• Cut card stock to 2" x 11
• Place on Simply Scored the long way and score at 1/2", 1-1/2", 3-1/2", 7-3/4" and 8-3/4"
• Fold along the score lines going in the same direction.
• Fold the first flap under and using the large oval punch, punch an opening in the center of that second section.
• Place strong adhesive on the first 1/2" flap, and fold and adhere to the longest panel as shown above.
• Embellish your box as you desire.  Again, I used the same magnets.  You don't have to use a glue dot to hold these in place, they will stay by themselves.

I will be offering the lip balm holders and lotion holders at my class on November 18 and 19.  Watch for more details soon.

Stocking Builder Punch

Imagine, if you will, that you are sitting in a room full of rubber stamp-crazed women and an executive from the Stampin' Up! home office is sharing sneak peeks of products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  The crowd is oohing and ahhing over all the pretty things.  And then she introduces something that the crowd goes wild over.  It really doesn't take much to cause this, but this time it's over the introduction of a matching stamp set and punch that makes Christmas Stockings.

That really happened at convention in July in Salt Lake City.  It's easy to get swept up in the madness and suddenly need absolutely everything in the Holiday Mini catalog.  I tried to pace myself but did break down and use some hostess benefits on some supplies I was ordering for a class to get these really cute items.  And last week, I finally got around to using them.

Colors: Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Whisper White. Stamps: Stitched Stockings, Warmest of Wishes. Punches: Stocking Builder Punch. Big Shot: Snow Burst Textured Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Mini Jingle Bells.

Just about everything on this card is from the Holiday Mini Catalog: the stamps, the punch the embossing folder and those really cute little jingle bells.  This is one of the cards that will be featured at my Christmas Card Crank November 18 & 19.  The Jingle Bells on it make it a little difficult to mail so you will have the option of placing the rhinestone jewels on it instead.

Colors: Real Red, Garden Green. Stamps: Stitched Stockings.  Punches: Stocking Builder Punch. Accessories: Sliver Glitter Paper, Garden Green Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Jingle Bell, Cello Bag.

This was the project we made at Lynne's workshop the other night.  It was a huge hit and so simple to make.  I could easily be persuaded into offering this at my Christmas Class too.  Or get your friends together and host your own workshop and we can make these there!  With Stampin' Up offering extra hostesses benefits to qualifying workshops, now is a great time to do it too.

Colors: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White.  Stamps: Stitched Stockings, Tiny Tags. Punches: Stocking Builder Punch, and Jewelry Tag.  Big Shot: Polka Dot Embossing Folder. Accessories: Vintage Trinkets, Subtles Designer Paper Pack

I wanted to show a project at the workshop that used this stamp set and punch but not for Christmas.  I've seen this punch used for so many things, but the baby booty so so simple and so cute!  I used a safety pin from the Vintage Trinkets embellishments to pin a little tag to the booties to add to the cute baby factor.

I hope you can tell just how much fun and how versatile this stamp set really is and why the convention crowd went a little wild when they showed these.  I love anything that makes my life easier and stamps that match punches definitely do that. You can order your own set right now by heading over to my online store.  The Stitched Stockings in clear mount (item 123784) is $19.95 and wood mount (item 123782) is $27.95.  The matching Builder Punch (item 124095) is $16.95. 

Happy November!!

I love November.  It really is my favorite month of the year.  Might have something to do with a certain someone's birthday that is this month.  But I also love that you get to enjoy the last lingering days of fall and the first early days of winter.  And Thanksgiving with all it's food, friends, family and fun followed by the beginning of the Holiday Season.

Oh and usually, we have the beginning of basketball season in November too.  (If you don't know, I'm a huge Utah Jazz fan).  But alas, this year the NBA lockout is getting in the way of that.  But that does leave more time for stamping and blogging.

October was a fabulous for me and my business.  Thanks to some wonderful hostesses and my great friends and customers who let me share what I love with them and their friends.  And I really want to keep that momentum going.  This month Stampin' Up! is sweetening the pot too: host a workshop from now through December 15 and Stampin' Up! will through in an extra $35 in hostess benefits when your workshop reaches $350 or more.

Also this month will be my annual Christmas Card (and Gift) Crank!  You won't want to miss out on this great chance to get all your Christmas cards and even some handmade gifts done and out of the way.  Right now, I have this class scheduled for November 18 and 19.  But I'm looking to add one more date if you have a suggestion.  I'll be previewing projects for the class over the next week or so.

Last of all, Stampin' Up has extended it's FREE BIG SHOT promotion until November 11.  This is the best sign up bonus I've ever seen.  Join Stampin' Up and get a Big Shot die cut machine absolutely free.

My favorite part of November is spending some time reflecting on my blessings.  Stampin' Up has been a big blessing in my life.  It allows me to run my own business how I choose and I get to make all kinds of new friends in the process.  Thank you for being part of my Stampin' Up! world. :)

You probably noticed the change to Christmas decorations here on my blog.  I know that puts me in the doghouse with those of you that would rather wait until after Thanksgiving to see them.  But I will be showcasing lots of Holiday products over the next few weeks so I thought I'd get into the spirit a little early.  The images are from the Savor the Season MDS kit that is available to Hostesses for a limited time only.