Wednesday, June 30, 2010

New cards from MDS

I've made a few cards using My Digital Studio. I love that program! You can quickly make a card using the premade designs, tweak the design to make it your own, or just start from scratch and design your own card. I designed my own for these two.

For the "True Friend" card, I added a drop shadow to the stamps. Since you don't have a shadow when you are stamping with ink and rubber, I moved the shadow directly under the image by using the arrow keys to shift it to the pixel offset of X:0, Y:0. I reduced the blur to 3 and increased the opacity to 75%. All of these options are available under the "Drop Shadow" window that comes up after you select drop shadow. I also changed the color to be the same as the "ink". This gave my flowers a heat embossed look. I will be posting more details on how to achieve this effect.

The second card is fairly simple and straight forward. Let me know if you have any questions!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Stampin' Up! "Because I Care"


It's been a while since I have posted, the new puppy does not allow for much time stamping!

Today I was able to get some time to work on a card. I used one of the hostess sets from the NEW catalog set to debut July 1st. I am very excited about the new catalog - not only new stamps and accessories this year, but new colors! I have a few of them and I am so excited to use them. Well, back to my card.

This card uses a few techniques, first I used blurred water coloring for the flower. To do this, ink up your stamp using dye ink. For this card I used Pacific Point, one of Stampin' Up!'s returning In Colors. I didn't really want a blue stem and leaves so I used my Always Artichoke marker to color over the blue ink after inking my stamp. I stamped the image onto Whisper White card stock. Using an aqua painter, available from SU, I colored over the stamped image to spread the color out. When finished, I trimmed my paper down to the size I wanted. After, I layered that onto a piece of Melon Mambo card stock (a current In Color that will become one of the "core" colors July 1). I decided I like the look of setting it diagonal along the layer. Using the scallop trim punch, I created the Pacific Point bottom layer. I took white grosgrain ribbon across the bottom of the Pacific Point card stock and created a "faux bow". The bow was so easy to make, and added a bit of fun to the card. It may be difficult to see on the image, but I used the single flower image on the Pumpkin Pie base using Versamark ink. I then attached the Pacific Point layer to the Pumpkin Pie base, stamped "thank you" along the bottom in Pacific Point, and voila, my card was finished!

I am really happy with how this card turned out. It wasn't quite how I planned it out, but as I was working, ideas just popped into my head. The card really created itself. I used a few new (to me) techniques and elements in this card, as well as some old ones. The border punch is a new one for me, and not one I would have thought to use a few months ago. I am really glad I added this punch to my supplies! I love the look it gives to my layers. There are a few other border punches in the new catalog, and I plan on adding a few to my collection.

The faux bow is another technique that I tried for the first time on this card. Again, I love how it turned out! I took my longer piece of ribbon, attached it to the layer and at first was going to leave it at that. Then I remembered the faux bow technique. To make this bow, you just need a few more pieces of ribbon and some SNAIL adhesive. I made a circle with a piece of ribbon about 2.5 inches long by putting some SNAIL on one end of the ribbon and looping the other end around. I then took a smaller (about 1 in.) ribbon and put some SNAIL on that, as well as the seam of the the larger loop. Then I wrapped the smaller ribbon around the larger one, pinching it in the middle. I used some SNAIL along the back of the bow and placed over the the ribbon already on the Pacific Point!

I hope you like the card!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Hoh Rainforest Scrapbook Pages


Using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio has taken scrapbooking to a new level! Everything needed to get started is included in the program! Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors are included, for backgrounds, designer papers, and stamps. I used the program to create a 2 page layout from my recent trip to the Hoh Rainforest. One of the things I love most about the program is how easy it is to use! For this project, I created my own layout using a map found at page-maps.com. If you are in a hurry you can always use one of the predesigned layouts. If you already use another scrapbooking program (gasp!) you can still purchase and use the SU digital downloads. There are many to choose from now, and more being added monthly. Check back often to see what is new in SU's world of digital scrapbooking!

Hoh Rainforest


Yesterday I headed to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park with some friends. It was absolutely incredible! We did a short hike, only about 3/4 of a mile through the temperate rainforest and saw some beautiful sights! I took lots of pictures that I will be working on a scrapbook page later today.

The trees there were incredible - there was one that had fallen and was over 190ft tall, quite possibly the biggest trees I have ever seen. Walking along side the tree I realized it was almost as wide as I was tall. Standing next to it, the tree was up to my shoulder. One of the coolest things about it was the way it had conformed itself to the terrain. The trunk of the tree was at the top of an incline and the tree eventually molded itself down the slope.

It was a wonderful experience. I am looking forward to going again and seeing more, but for now, I will have to get scrapping!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Birthday Wishes


This is a card I made using the Black Magic Technique. Stamp your image on dark cardstock using white craft ink, heat set with embossing tool, then color with colored pencils. Outline with white gel pen.
Project Recipe:
Stamp Sets: SU Watercolor Trio from Summer Mini Catalog
Paper: SU Ruby Red, Pixie Pink, and Basic Black CS, SU Bermuda Bay Script DSP
Ink: SU White Craft ink

Welcome Back! (to me!)

Wow! Things have changed in the world of Stampin' Up! I was a demo several years ago and unfortunately had to stop. Over the past few years, I did not have much time to devote to stamping and scrapbooking (I was working on my master's degree). I recently moved and started stamping again. When I saw Stampin' Up! was offering a "mini" starter kit this month, I had to jump on it! I am amazed at all the changes that have happened while I was away. The demonstrator website, where customers can place their orders online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is FANTASTIC! I think my favorite addition is Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio. Keep on the lookout for projects I make with the program, as well as tutorials as I learn the ins and outs of it!

Enjoy!

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Disclaimer

This is my personal blog. While I am a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, Stampin’ Up! does not endorse any non-Stampin’ Up! products I may offer here, nor do they endorse the content of classes or services I provide. This blog is my sole responsibility. Any images here may not be used for your own contests or profit without my permission.