Spring Is Blossoming!

Spring is in the air and Spring is Blossoming at Stampin' Up with Sneak Peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

• Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
• Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE!
• Promotion Date: April 1-30, 2011 These products won’t be available again until July 1st.
• Four Frames Stamp Set Coordinates with Decorative Label Punch

 These pictures do NOT do this Designer Series Paper (DSP) justice. I just received it and it is so fabulous in person, I can't wait to make LOTS of projects from what is probably my favorite DSP so far!  I'm also excited about the Four Frames Stamp Set because they are so classic and versitile.  Stay tuned for future projects from both of these products.

Botanical Gazette Hybrid Card Set

I needed to make a gift and really love the Botanical Gazette DSP so I combined the two.  I never have enough cards so I assume that other people don't either and would appreciate a card set.

I wanted to make this a hybrid project so that it had some dimension so I used Botanical Gazette DSP and then layered script and a flourish and decreased the opacity so that the DSP was prominent.  Mounting my new DSP on card stock created a mat to set it off.  The circle was punched out and green faux ribbon (paper strip) were added after printing out the paper.

I used the script, distressed ink and flourish to create the envelope paper.  I took apart an envelope to use as a template to cut out the envelope.  For the inside of the card I used the Tulip Embossing Folder and inked it with Old Olive ink. A belly band keeps the set together.

Card Set

Inside Cards

Envelope to match set

Birthday Card for my Step-Daughter

Inside Card

 The Birthday card was inspired from a sketch from Mojo Monday (No. 183 - link in right column). I designed the card so that I could cut and punch and texturize some of the embellishments along with some ribbon. I'm just learning these techniques and am very excited to learn more.  If anyone would like to learn these techniques let me know and I'll show you how it's done.

Being able to personalize a card or gift set is so great!  The artist at Stampin' Up keep bringing us beautiful artwork.  My next card is for my Grandson and I'll be using monsters...very versatile!

Sew Much Fun Scrapbooking

When I was trying to decide whether to join Stampin' Up I had to really consider my current habits.  You see I had become a Digital Girl!  I love the quality of Stampin' Up products and everything else about it but I prefer to do most of my projects digitally or hybrid (combination of digital and traditional paper crafting).  When I saw that MDS (My Digital Studio) was being introduced my decision became much easier.

Since I have such a large and photographic family I always want to make copies of my scrapbook pages for everyone.  This isn't very practical in traditional scrapbooking.  Digital scrapbooking makes this so easy!  I can make multiple prints and even add embellishments or stamps afterwards...in other words, it isn't so overwhelming.

Following are two scrapbook pages that I made using Sweet Stitches DSP (Designer Series Paper).  I was visiting my sister in Oregon and helped her teach a class at the church.  This church is located in the middle of farm country and the congregation lives in a large geographic area so it is really fun to all gather together to socialize and learn.  As you can see it was a stormy day but that only added to the beauty of the day.  It also helped that we had a wonderful luncheon to keep us warm.  When I saw the Sweet Stitches DSP I knew that I had to use it for this sewing scrapbook page.

Another wonderful thing about MDS is that you can match the colors of all of the embellishments, text and stamps!  If you've never used MDS or any other digital design software, don't worry, there are LOTS of video tutorials to train you.  There is even a website dedicated to MDS called My Digital Studio (of course) where people can share their projects and also share tutorials with basic training and new ideas.  There are also lots of hybrid projects that I can't wait to make and share.

Supplies Used:
MDS (My Digital Studio) Item No. 118108  from the Occasions Mini Catalog (Expires on April 30, 2011)
MDS Sweet Stitches DSP Item No. 122170 from the Occasions Mini Catalog (Expires on April 30, 2011)
MDS Sweet Stitches Designer Big Buttons Item No. 122302 from the Occasions Mini Catalog (Expires on April 30, 2011)
MDS Modern Label-XL Included with MDS program

This scrapbooking style is so easy that I can't wait to make lots more. I can then send them to Stampin' Up, my local printer, or my own printer for printing.  It can't get any easier than that.  In fact Stampin' Up will print and bind a whole scrapbook!

Get a Jump On Your Jingle UStamp FREE pass!

The next UStamp with Dawn and friends event will run from November 12th through December 1st and it is going to be really great!  One surprise, for me, is that I was asked to be a Guest Designer!    Wow, I’m very excited to be able to participate as a designer and am super excited that I get to give away one free pass to one of YOU!  Just so that you understand what this entitles you to, here’s a breakdown of the event:

This event runs for $24.99 but if you sign up before October 15th you get the Early Bird price of $19.99.  If you don’t win the free pass just click here to join!

Here is what you can expect when you join us...
* 40 Projects with Color Combos – These are going to be so much fun!
* 40 coordinating cards with coordinating envelope
* All Projects include downloadable PDF with Photo's
* Designer hosted chats with even MORE prizes
* Open Chat Room 24x7
* Gallery to share your re-creations
* A totally cool blinkie for your website/blog

These projects are from Designers all over the world!  Since we are choosing color combinations you will get to see interesting combinations that you never thought of before that really inspire.

You don’t have to be a Stampin’ Up customer to participate, come have fun and download lots of great and inspiring projects.  Here’s the perfect place to get ideas for Christmas cards and gifts! 

I have to submit the winner of the free pass by October 9th so the deadline for anyone interested is October 9th at Noon MST.  I will need your full name and email address so be sure that in the comment section you have registered with an email account so that I can contact you to get the information. 

So here are my rules for submittal:  Leave a comment stating what your favorite Christmas movie is (White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Christmas Story, etc.).

This is a difficult question for me because I love so many of them for different reasons.  I love It’s a Wonderful Life because of the message of self worth and Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors. I love White Christmas because of the music, dancing and humor and while I love all the actors I think Danny Kaye is my favorite! The Christmas Story is just so funny!  I remember wrapping my three sons up to go out to play in the snow and of course one of them always had to go to the bathroom just as I finished so I can relate…and who of us hasn’t had our tongue stuck to a pole, railroad track or popsicle!  I love all of the animated stories, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, etc.  I’m sad that we don’t see The Little Drummer Boy any more.  I can still remember all the music and the sweet reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.  I apologize for bringing up Christmas so soon but since that is the theme of the event I felt it was appropriate….sorry Halloween and Thanksgiving!  Enough from me, what is your favorite?