Design 101 Part 2

So Monday night, I had the second in a series of three classes on how to design your own cards.  I was really worried about it because the first of the series I only had two people attend.  The second class, I had seven people attending and I was worried about the logistics of it and if it was too complicated for some or too easy for others.  Turns out I had nothing to worry about.  No one got too frustrated, (at least they didn't tell me they were) and they created some great cards on their own, with some guidance from some challenge sketches I gave them.






There were some guidelines to follow and some pieces already cut except for the last project, which they had to cut the pieces and choose the colours and stamps and everything.

At the end, I asked each one to choose their favourite of the three projects they did and I took a photo of the card for my blog, with their permission.  Everyone was so proud of what they had accomplished, with good reason.  I am going to share them with you today.  Please leave some kind comments for the ladies to encourage them:

Margaret Knoess

Shirley Wilding

Alice Stutters

Rebecca Hendricks

Eunice Stoneman

Jill Clifton

Just One More Sleep!!

Yes, just one more day until you can order the Magnetic Platform for the Big Shot.  If you remember, back early in the summer, the demand was so great for these, that the manufacturer couldn't keep up and they were backordered for ages, so Stampin' Up took them off the order list until they could catch up.

Well, they did and now you will be able to order them again, starting Thursday, Sept. 12.  My advice to you, if you want one (and who wouldn't - they're the best thing since sliced bread!), is to get your order in right away.  Call or email me or go to my online store, but I personally know of dozens of people who want one, and multiply that by all the distributors and you've got a mighty big demand again.

Stampin' Up has added more new MDS downloads!  Check them out here.  Here's some of the latest ones released Sept. 10:

Burlap Ribbon - Digital Download

Grateful Hearts Frameables

Halloween Banner - Digital Download

Halloween Hello Stamp Brush Set

Perfect Blend Stamp Brush Set

Simply Life Photo Templates

Tape It Stamp Brush Set

Toil and Trouble Stamp Brush Set

Thanks for dropping by, and please leave a kind comment for my Design 101 class to encourage them to keep creating!

New Stuff from Stampin' Up

Woo hoo!  It's the weekend!  Hope you've got some fun planned!  I'm planning a display at the local Farmer's Market to sell some cards and retired products.  Hope the weather will cooperate!

I just wanted to let you in on some new Stampin' Up Products.  First, Stampin' Up has released some new Christmas Single Stamps, available until January 31, 2014.  They are beautiful and unique - never before seen.  All are available in clear mount only.  Here's what they look like:

SINGLE STAMPS

                                                 1.                                                     2.                                                  

                                                       3.                                                4.

                                                         

 5.                                               6.

7.                                               8.

1              $10.95          134767       Be Merry                   Block E

2              $8.95            134771       Joy and Love             Block E

3              $8.95            134811       Prince of Peace          Block E

4              $5.95            134765      A Gift for You             Block C

5              $7.95            134769      Cheers                        Block D

6              $11.95          134813      Christmas Star             Block F

7              $7.95            134777      Magical Season           Block D

8              $10.95          134779      Wonderful Blessing      Block E

Also there are some more MDS Seasonal Downloads available.  Check them out here:

What's New from MDS?

Well, yesterday was Tuesday and My Digital Studio always brings some new downloads out on Tuesdays, so I think I'll mosey on over and see what's new.  I'll be back in a minute.

Aha!  There is some great stuff over there.  Check it out here.  I'll highlight just the newest downloads for you in today's post, but there are many others to look at if you haven't visited the MDS page in a while.

Amped Up Ampersands - (134844)

Chalk Talk Stamp Brush Set - (134800)

Feathered Woodcut Kit - (134849)

Modern Medley Overlays - (134839)

Of course, you need the My Digital Studio Software to use it all, but you can download it easily from here.

And you can even get a 30 Day Free Trial.

For any downloads, just purchase on-line by adding the software or the downloads into your shopping cart and after you check out, you will be give a link where you can download your purchases!  Easy!
And remember, when you go to clean up with MDS, you just save, close and click out!  That part is probably the most awesome! (See yesterday's post!)

See you tomorrow with a new card!  Have a great day!

Summer Reading

When I was a kid, summertime heaven meant a comfortable chair in a shady spot and a stack of books to keep me happy!

From there I would be transported to lands unknown or just down the street. I would encounter magic, danger, friendship, and adventure with just the turn of a page.

Although I truly appreciate the convenience and the ecological advantages of an ebook,  the smell and feel of a stack of books fresh from the library shelves is one I will always remember with a special fondness.

My favourite books were The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and my lifelong love of mysteries started with Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew.  I also read almost every book written by Enid Blyton, and she had me convinced that I had to move to England and go to boarding school, just like her characters did.

Later, as a teacher, I would look forward to being able to read all summer.  I did not dare pick up a book during the school year, because I was never able to put them down at night, and I couldn't afford the lack of sleep if I was to do my joy properly!!
Anyway, I hope you are able to pick up a book and get some reading time in this summer, and here's a bookmark to help you keep your place:

• Okay, okay, I know.  I have to stop using this colour combo of Smoky Slate and Strawberry Slush so much.  I can't help loving it, but I am almost out of Smoky Slate card stock so you'll have a break for awhile, until my new order arrives!
• Check out the cool embossing on the Strawberry Slush panel!  It comes from the new Alphabet Press embossing folder.  I thought it was appropriate for a bookmark!

• Do you see the little button on the Happy Day medallion image on the left?  I made it using Simply Pressed Clay and the Buttons and Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay molds!  The clay comes only in white, but you can colour it in many ways.  This time I added a couple of drops of Strawberry Slush reinker to a small amount of the clay and kneaded the clay until the colour was evenly distributed.  I will show you a Crafty Clues by Heather video on this product in the near future.
• The gray flag is a piece of Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon clipped using the chevrons as a guide to make a flagged end.
• The medallion can be punched with a 1 3/4" Circle Punch, or you can cut it by hand.  There are no Scallop Circle punches that coordinate with it.
• I used a snippet of Strawberry Slush 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim for the bit of ribbon on the top.

If this doesn't get you to read, nothing will!

Stampin' Up released some new My Digital Studio downloads yesterday that I thought you might be interested in:

Hooray for Today Stamp Brush Set

Everybody's Business Designer Series Paper

Memory Milestones Baby Photo Book

Lovely Romance Stamp Brush Set ( one of my favourites)

Chores and More Designer Template

(Useful for summer chores organization with all the kids at home!)

Check these and more out at my online store under digital downloads.

Please leave me a comment about your summer reading experiences now or as a child!  I'd love to share memories with you.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Day (w130294; c130297)

Paper:  Smoky Slate (131202) and Strawberry Slush (131295) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Smoky Slate (131179) and Strawberry Slush (131178); Strawberry Slush Ink Refill (131167)

Embellishments:  3/4" Chevron Ribbon in Smoky Slate (131152); 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim in Strawberry Slush (130023); Simply Pressed Clay (130685) button

Tools:  Alphabet Press Embossing Folder (130916); Blossoms and Buttons Simply Pressed Clay molds (131272), 

1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850)

Alphabet Press Embossing Folder

1 3/4" Chevron Ribbon in Smoky Slate

3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim in Strawberry Slush

Classic Stampin' Pad in Strawberry Slush

Simply Pressed Clay and Buttons and Blossoms Molds