Temptation Tuesday: Love Is In The Air

Hi there!

I hope the holiday season finds you happy and healthy.  Here at home, my daughter and I had a lovely Christmas hosting both sides of the family on Christmas Day.  Dinner went off without a hitch and we have enough leftovers to feed a small army.  I think I'll have to make up lunch-size portions and freeze them so I can pull them out one meal at a time over the next couple of weeks.

Even though Christmas has come and gone in a flash, Stampin' Up! has still released new My Digital Studio digital downloads today.  Woo hoo!  Love is in the air (so-to-speak) with some great new Valentine's Day themed downloads.  I love them!!

Click HERE to browse for more details or shop from the comfort of home.  Reminder: Digital Download purchases are ready to download and install instantly after purchase.  No shipping costs or wait times!!

Happy Holidays and Happy MDS'ing!

Lori

MDS for School Projects? You bet!!

Hi there!  Can you believe there are only 4 more sleeps until Santa comes to town?  I'm just a little excited!

My daughter is vice-president of her high school's student council and their school will be celebrating it's 100th birthday in 2012.  The festivities will take place throughout January to June 2012 and one of the first events of the year is a school dance.

Normally, school dance tickets are hand-drawn onto paper and then photocopied but this 100th birthday dance deserves something a little more presentable and a lot more fun.  So...I took a picture of the school council's 100th birthday t-shirts and modelled a page of tickets after them.  The best part is that the tickets only took me about 30 minutes to create.  Hooray for MDS!!

How fun is this, eh?  

Until next time...happy MDS'ing,

Lori

Temptation Tuesday: Mocha Morning...YES!!!

Stampin' Up!  I loooooooooove you!  Today, you made one of my favourite sets of Designer Series Paper available as a digital download and I couldn't be more excited!!

Click the image below for a larger view of today's new MDS Digital Downloads or click HERE to purchase any of these goodies for yourself.  Remember...digital downloads are available instantly after purchase.  As much as I love it when the men & women in brown stop by to deliver Stampin' Up! goodies, the instantaneous gratification of digital downloads just can't be beat!

Tomorrow, I have an MDS project I did for my daughter's high school for you to see.

Until then,

Lori

Every boxed set needs cards...

One of my favourite ways to use up old DSP is to cut it into squares or strips, adhere them to a piece of white card stock and run them through the Big Shot with my Top Note die.    A little ribbon and a button or two and voila, several quick, simple cards for my boxed sets.

Tomorrow is Tuesday so hopefully we'll have some new My Digital Studio downloads to drool over!

Lori

I have another addiction...BOXES!

The Stampin' Up! demonstrator website is an endless source of inspiration.  I recently spotted a video showing how to make this cute little box that holds 3-4 cards.  Normally, boxes require 12 x 12" paper which I don't typically have on  hand because I'm more of a card-maker than a scrapbooker (except for digital, OF COURSE!) but this box uses letter size card stock.  So...I looooove this little box set.

Take an 8 1/2 x 11" piece of card stock (letter size).  Cut it down to 6 x 11".  On the 11" side, score it at 3 1/8", 3 1/2", 8" and 8 3/8".  Then decorate the end of the right hand side like I've done in the picture.  Check out the sneak peak in the picture.  I've trimmed the end with new a new Edgelit die that you can look forward to in the Occasions Mini catalogue that starts January 4th/2012.  Until this new die is available to customers, you could use your favourite edge punch.

Using the piece of card stock that you trimmed off to make the box, cut 2 pieces 3 1/8 x 1 1/8".  On the short side, score at 3/8" and 3/4".  These wee pieces will fill in the sides of your box.  Fold on the score lines and use Tombow glue or Sticky Strip to adhere it on the inside edge of your box.

If you wish to decorate the box with Designer Series Paper as I've done, the front flap piece is 5 3/4 x 2 1/2" (trim again with the punch/die of your choice).  The front box bottom piece is 5 3/4 x 2 7/8" and the box back piece is 5 3/4 x 4 1/4".

Note:    The DSP I've used is retired...but wait until you see the new DSP coming in the Occasions Mini and during Sale-A-Bration.  You'll want to make oodles and oodles of card sets when you see the gorgeous DSP!

I'll post some of the cards I made for this set tomorrow.

Until then,

Lori

Clearance Rack Blitz! Save up to 80%

WOW!!!  Stampin' Up! certainly laid a fantastic surprise on us yesterday.  Between December 15th/2011 and January 5th/2012, they're adding up to 200 items to the Clearance Rack with prices up to 80% off.

It's AMAZING!  If you like punches, Big Shot dies or ribbon...RUN NOW and check it out!  Click the image above to see what's on sale.  Grab a tissue...you're going to drool!

Happy MDS'ing (or shopping!!)

Lori

Temptation Tuesday: I Mustache You A Question!

Hi there!  Can you believe that there are only 12 sleeps left until Christmas?!  Time flies.  We're having one of those years when there isn't anything significant on our "wish lists" so we're focusing on having both sides of the family over and eating until we can barely move.  There was a time when Christmas wasn't Christmas unless all of the little traditions and routines were followed to the letter.  As time has gone by though...many of those intricacies just aren't important any more.   Compared to other places in the world, we have so much to be thankful for so I'm just delighted to have a couple of days off work, a treat or two and hopefully, enough gravy to drown my turkey!

Today's new Stampin' Up! Digital Downloads are awesome.  I particularly love the Many Mustaches set. The little pun that they've thrown into it is adorable.  You can click the image for a larger picture or click here to visit my online store if any of these new downloads catch your eye.

Happy MDS'ing everyone,

Lori

Temptation Tuesday: Playing Catch Up

Hey everyone!  I'm a bit of a slacker so I'm catching up on 2 weeks of fabulous My Digital Studio digital download new releases.  Click on either of the pictures for a larger image.  If anything catches your fancy, you can browse my website HERE.

Until next time...Happy MDS'ing!!

Lori

Close To My Heart...

I am head over heels in love with everything related to Spice Cake DSP from the Holiday Mini catalogue (available until January 3rd).  This includes the Spice Cake paper, fabric, buttons, the Gently Falling stamp set, etc, etc...  I'll be so sad to see it go when the Holiday Mini catalogue sales period ends.

Anyone who knows me closely, knows that throughout my adult life I've experienced an exceptional amount of tragedy and loss.  I have always chosen to make "what doesn't kill me makes me stronger" my mantra.  In times of crisis, you'll catch me muttering this under my breath as a little pep talk to myself.

So...long story short, the sentiment on this lovely card (cased from Jodi-Danielle Kutz & Ann Schach) is near and dear to my heart.  (Click the photo to see a larger image)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I can't wait to see what digital downloads Stampin' Up! has in store for us tomorrow.  Woo hoo!

Lori

Flashback: Punch Art Galore!

Hi there!  I hope everyone's had a great week.  I have throughly enjoyed having my new computer.  The ability to be able to multi-task in any room of the house has improved my productivity so much and that makes me one very happy girl.

Here's a card from over a year and a half ago.  When my co-workers first included me in their monthly card-making nights, they would have a monthly challenge and the winner would win a gift certificate for SU products.  One of the monthly challenges was a colour combo challenge...purple & green.  First, I confirmed with the group that we all agreed that Rich Razzleberry and Orchid Opulence (now retired) fell in the purple category in our opinion.  I was off to the races!

I didn't have many supplies in these colours to choose from so a punch art card was the perfect choice to use up my scraps.  I made 11 of these cards and they took FOREVER to complete but I was so delighted with the end result.  Check out those buttons: they're made of paper and coated with Crystal Effects to make them glossy.

The punches used here were the Scalloped Square, 1 1/4" Square, Boho Blossoms and Itty Bitty Punch pack.

Have a great time on "Black Friday" and happy MDS'ing!

Lori

Flashback: Sophisticated Lattice

Happy Friday Eve!  LOL.  My co-workers and I loooove Friday so much after some weeks at work that we've deemed Thursday "Friday Eve".  I hope you're having a terrific week so far.

Here's the second in my series of flashback posts.  Today, I'm featuring another card I made en masse and I've kept them without sentiments so that I can add something appropriate when the situation presents itself. So far, I've used this card for anniversaries, masculine birthdays and a wedding card!

Here's the "recipe":
4 1/4 x 5 1/2" Very Vanilla card stock base
4" square, Basic Black cardstock contrast layer
3 3/4" square Very Vanilla dry embossed layer
Basic Black cut out with Stampin' Up!'s lattice die
Very Vanilla circle heat embossed with black embossing powder using the medallion stamp in the Artistic Etchings Stamp Set
Basic Black punched with Decorative Label punch
Very Vanilla circle with stamped sentiment of your choice

I'll do my best to recreate some of these Flashback cards in MDS so you can see how easy it is to do.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow US demonstrators and readers,
Lori

Flashback: Springtime Vintage Quilt Card

In the process of transitioning from my old computer to my new one, I also managed to do some reorganizing in my craft room, too!  While doing so, I found some of the cards I made earlier this year before I started blogging.

So...without further ado,  here's my Springtime Vintage Quilt Card.  I had a blast making about a dozen of these.  It's one of the best ways to use up tiny scraps of that favourite DSP of yours that you couldn't bear to throw out.

Here's the "recipe" to recreate it:
4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card base with fold on the left or the top
3 7/8 x 4 3/4" contrast colour cardstock
3 5/8 x 4 1/2" neutral cardstock (quilt backing)
16- 3/4" squares of DSP

Adhere DSP to quilt backing leaving 1/8" gap around the outside edge and between the rows of squares.  Run through your Big Shot using the Stampin' Up! Lattice embossing folder.  Tie ribbon of your choice around this layer.  Adhere your "quilt" to the contrast card stock and then the contrast to your card base.  Stamp and punch the sentiment of your choice and pop it with Dimensionals in the bottom corner of your card.  Voila!  A quick quilt card for any occasion.

Oh, and if you're not a "paper pusher" like I am, this card is a cinch to re-create in MDS (without the embossing).

Until next time...keep on MDS'ing,

Lori

Temptation Tuesday: Christmas Style

Hey there!  Stampin' Up! pulled a fast one on me this week...though this turned out to be a good thing!  With all of the excitement going on with the Online Extravaganza sale, Stampin' Up! released this Tuesday's Digital Downloads a day early.  I only wish I'd been paying better attention yesterday.

Here's a screen shot of all of the Christmas goodies.  Click HERE to pop on over to my website if temptation gets the better of you.

You'll be proud of me.  I've managed to finally get pictures of some of the previous cards I've made and I'll post them over the course of the next week as a trip down memory lane.

Until next time...Happy MDS'ing,

Lori

Online Extravaganza!!!

Oh, my goodness!  Stampin' Up! has absolutely outdone themselves with their pre-Black Friday Online Extravaganza sale!  Select My Digital Studio digital downloads, stamps, fabric, cookie press stamps, dies and Sizzlits for the Big Shot and much more is all on sale!  Check it out!

I have to head off to work soon but have fun browsing through all of these great deals!  Remember, if you order through my online store, your order ships right to your home and any MDS Digital Downloads that you purchase can be downloaded within minutes after submitting your order!

Happy MDS'ing everyone!

Lori

We Have Lift Off!!

It didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped but I've got all of my software and files transferred over from my old computer to my new laptop.  This is going to make digital scrapbooking and blogging SO much easier!

As promised, I have a craft-related post tonight!  I made this Stitched Stockings card for the demonstrator quarterly meeting a month ago.  It's a case from demonstrators Jennifer Picard and Kirsten Gill.  I think it's just adorable!

Isn't that Stocking Builder Punch and Silver Glimmer Paper adorable?  My next goal is to see if I can make something similar in My Digital Studio.  I can't believe Christmas is just over a month away.  I'm actually excited this year!

Set your alarm clocks to wake you up a little earlier than normal tomorrow.  Stampin' Up! tipped us off to a huge Online Extravaganza sale starting tomorrow morning!  It must be a big deal because they haven't even told the demonstrators about all of the things that will be on sale.  So, I'll get up extra early, too and get all of the details posted for you here before I head off to work.

Until then...Happy MDS'ing!
Lori

There is light at the end of the tunnel...

It's a frustrating thing when the modern conveniences we've become so reliant on, no longer live up to our expectations.  My computer's been a pain in the behind for some time now and it's seriously hampering my ability to blog, use My Digital Studio, upload pictures, etc.
The good news is that my new computer will (hopefully!) be delivered tomorrow!  Finally, I'll have a machine that can keep up with me again!  I'm kind of demanding when it comes to my computer (multiple browsers and programs all running simultaneously and I flit back and forth between all of the things I have on the go)!!

I'll be back by the end of the weekend with a crafting post if it's the last thing I do!!

Happy MDS'ing,
Lori

It Really IS An Honour Just To Be Nominated!

You know, it always sounds so cliche when celebrities are nominated for awards and they claim "it's an honour just to be nominated".  I've learned today though, that this really is true.  By no means am I a celebrity however, I am honoured and sincerely humbled to announce that I was chosen by Stampin' Up! as one of their 5 demonstrator finalists in their My Digital Studio Contest.  Each entrant had to make one scrapbook page and one greeting card of any size or design and submit them to Stampin' Up! by October 15th.

Today, Stampin' Up! posted the finalists (5 demonstrators and 5 customers) and have posted their submissions on www.mydigitalstudio.net/notes/contests to open the contest up to the public now for voting.  I am so excited to be among the company of my MDS "hero" Heather Summers.  Heather was the number one demonstrator in Canada for the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! year and luckily she lives in the same city as I do so I get a chance to see her in action on a regular basis.  She's an amazing wife, a wickedly cool Mom to 4 great kids and a papercrafter/digital scrapbooker unlike anyone else I know, all the while maintaining such a quick wit and an informal ease with people that makes you feel like you've known her forever.

So...if you want to see some gorgeous digital scrapbooking/card making, pop on over to www.mydigitalstudio.net/notes/contests to check out everyone's submissions and vote for your favourites!  Voting will take place until 11:59pm MST, Friday, November 4th (that's 1:59am EDT, Saturday, November 5th for my time zone here in Ontario).

Thanks so much for voting and Happy MDS'ing!
Lori

Slap On The Wrist!!

Well, it's official!  I'm a HORRIBLE blogger!  My last post was October 4th and I've barely had a moment to sit at the computer ever since.  I'm sure you don't need me to bore you with a bunch of excuses...let's just say, I've been a busy beaver!!  So, now that I'm back I'll use this post as a "round up" for the month to get anyone out there who might have been paying attention before I fell off the face of the planet caught up on all of the exciting things going on in the paper crafting world at Stampin' Up!!

Okay, we'll start with the most amazing starter kit promotion!  If you want to save 20% on your Stampin' Up! supplies (or more!) and you love free stuff...this is for you!

Next, there's a great promotion that's perfect for anyone who doesn't think they're creative or the Simply Sent kits make GREAT gift items.  Check it out!

Last (but not least!) there's a NEW kind of stamp in town! Silicone cookie stamps!  Have you ever seen anything so cute?

Now I wouldn't be the MDS Enthusiast that I claim to be if I didn't bring you up to date on all of the WICKED new digital downloads!  I'll post the .pdf files for each week's releases (summarizing September) and the 3 weeks so far this month in October.  I dare you to check it out without ordering!

September 2011 Stampin' Up! Digital Downloads

October 4th, 2011 Stampin' Up! Digital Downloads

October 11th, 2011 Stampin' Up! Digital Downloads

October 18th, 2011 Stampin' Up! Digital Downloads

Whew!  That was a long one!  Well, if you're still with me by the end of this post...pat yourself on the back for your perseverance.  Well done.  This brings us up to date for the moment and in the next few days I'll have some posts showcasing the cards I've been making recently.  

Take care & happy MDS'ing!!

Lori

Temptation Tuesdays: Christmas Came EARLY!!!

Well fellow MDS'ers...if you haven't already checked out the new Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio digital downloads released today, you're in for a really big treat right now.  Stampin' Up! released an unprecedented number of new downloads today...17!  Yes, you read that right...there are 17 new downloads available today.
Now I should add a minor disclaimer...1 of the 17 downloads is a new Digital Content CD called Savor The Season Ensemble.  This item is available as a hostess reward only.  Do not despair though!  If you shop through my online store, a $200 order qualifies for $35 in Hostess Reward Dollars and the Savor The Season Ensemble is only $20 Hostess dollars which still leaves you $15 to spend on MORE DOWNLOADS.  You could also consider hosting a workshop and letting your friend's and families orders earn those Hostess Rewards for you!

Click here to check out the .pdf of all of today's new goodies.  You will NOT be disappointed!

Happy shopping and MDS'ing!!

Lori

Want To Win $500 In FREE MDS Digital Downloads?

 

Aha!!  I thought that would get your attention!  That's correct...Stampin' Up! is so proud of My Digital Studio that they're just itching to see what you can do with it and they're going to give away $500 of FREE MDS Digital Downloads!  Stampin' Up! will choose 10 finalists (5 demonstrators and 5 customers) and they'll each win $125 in FREE MDS Downloads.  Then 6 winners (3 demonstrators and 3 customers) will be chosen through online voting and those winners will have their prize upgraded to $500 in FREE MDS Digital Downloads!

Just create and submit an MDS scrapbook page of any size and an MDS greeting card of any style and email it to the specified entry email at Stampin' Up! by October 15th/2011.  Then cross your fingers and hope you're chosen as a finalist!!

Now I know you have lots of questions and don't worry, all of the answers are available.  Just pop on over to the Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio Contest page found HERE.