IT'S MY 7TH FUN-IVERSARY

Today is a special day . . . an anniversary.  Seven years ago, I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I can still remember my excitement about showing others how easy it is to create cards and gift items with stamps, but I can also remember that I had a lot to learn and a lot of supplies to purchase.  It was so frustrating when I'd find a technique that I wanted to try, but I didn't have all of the items needed.  I thought that I would never have "everything," but I think I just about have it now . . . except for all of the new stuff.  It was almost a year before I had my first workshop, and I am happy to say that some of those first customers are still customers but, better still, they're like sisters to me.  In honor of my anniversary, I used Stampin'  Up!'s My Digital Studio software to design this "bliss" card because that is a good description of my seven-year association with Stampin' Up!  Becoming a demonstrator is one of the best things that a shy girl like me ever did for herself.  I still am not comfortable when all eyes are on me (at workshops, classes, etc.), but the friendships I've made along the way have been awesome!  My demoship has been rewarding and fun, it has paved the way for my hobby to support itself, and that's why today I celebrate my 7th FUN-iversary!

"SPRING TIME" DIGITAL WATERCOLORING

Today I worked on another digitally watercolored project, and this one was the most time-consuming yet . . . but it was worth it!  All images used to create this card are digital, some of which are downloads that I purchased from Stampin' Up!  I used the same watercoloring technique as before, but I lowered the drop-shadow opacity on the floral image to give the tips of the colored flowers the look of being sponged with ink.

"SNAPPY MONDAY" EASTER TREAT

This week's MISM project wouldn't actually be so snappy if I hadn't found the designer paper and the punched and embossed pieces laying around waiting to be used.  I began this project by using the Sizzix Box #2 die to cut the textured Pink Pirouette card stock and added a die-cut piece of Ice Cream Parlor designer paper to the lid.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this project include the "Four Frames" and "Easter Blossoms" stamp sets, Two-Step Bird XL punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Oval punches (large and scallop), 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, and Decorative Label punch.  I had a strip of Whisper White card stock that had been embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and edged with the Scallop Trim Border punch, so I cut it to size for use on this project.  The Easter sentiment is from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set.  I used a scrap of acetate to line the oval-punched window, placed paper shred in the box, and added chocolate Easter eggs to complete the project.  Tip:  When you have punched, die-cut, or stamped pieces that you end up not using for a project, keep them together in a container to use later.  Once you start a new project, go through the stash of prepared elements and pull out the ones that will coordinate with the colors you are using and try to incorporate them in your design.

WATERCOLORED BUTTERFLY WISHES

Yes, I'm still designing with My Digital Studio and the (digital) watercoloring technique.  I don't know if there's a 12-step program or a painless cure, but at least it's a harmless way to spend my time.  I hope my MDS projects don't bore you because I just purchased 12 digital downloads this evening, and I am anxious to work with them.  I'm not a pushy salesperson, but this is the truth . . . if you haven't purchased Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software, you are MISSING OUT!!!!! 

WATERCOLORED EASTER WISHES

Sharing today yet another digitally watercolored project created with Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio.  This digital technique is addictive!

WATERCOLORING WITH "MY DIGITAL STUDIO"

Last night, I learned a totally AWESOME "digital watercoloring" technique using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio.  I cannot begin to tell you how exciting this technique is, but you can see for yourself the striking result that it produces.  I don't know that I could have ever discovered this on my own, but Cindy Schuster (a fellow demo) was kind enough to share how to accomplish the look of a watercolored image using MDS.  This card is a 100% digital creation using Stampin' Up! images found on the MDS software.  The focal point is the circular floral image from the "Just Believe" stamp brush set (an available download for the software found HERE).   The image that I used is shown in the black & white  picture (below) with a yellow box around it.  You can see that it's an image with positive and negative spaces, and Cindy's watercoloring technique calls for the use of colored punch shapes and other stamp images to complete the digital coloring.  As I mentioned, my card is all digital, and I used the following Stampin' Up! products (all available on My Digital Studio, some of which are downloads that I purchased):

Stamp Brush Sets:  Always, Just Believe, Extreme Elements

Punches:  Modern Label, Curly Label, Circle, Oval

Accessories:  Antique brad, Basic Black brads, 1/4" Riding Hood Red grosgrain ribbon

Designer Paper:  Basic Black Script, Strength & Hope digital kit

Colors:  Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler

SHIMMERY, GLIMMERY PEARL EX

With her Freestyle Fridays post last week, Julie issued a mission for me to create something with Pearl Ex.  On the first card, I stamped the "Inspired by Nature" image with VersaMark and then brushed the PE onto the stamped image.  I used a different brush to swipe off the excess, sealed with hair spray, and then sprayed the card stock with a shimmer mist (which shows up in the picture as tiny white specks) that I created with a mix of water of about 10 drops of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.  The second card is actually my favorite of the three.  Again, I used "Inspired by Nature," but I stamped the image with white Craft ink and then brushed on the PE.  I used hair spray to seal the PE, but I didn't use the shimmer mist on this card.  The taffeta ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz, and Whisper White card stock, flower brad, rhinestone jewel, "Elegant Lines" embossing folder, and sentiment are from Stampin' Up!  To create the third card, I used the "Upsy Daisy" stamp set, white Craft ink, Scallop Edge Border punch, Basic Gray and Whisper White card stock, and a retired designer paper from Stampin' Up!  I can't remember using white Craft ink with PE years ago, but it apparently works perfectly, and I like that it produces a brighter/lighter finished image.  At the time Stampin' Up! stopped carrying Pearl Ex a few years ago, I had just begun to love it.  I have to admit that I haven't touched it in years, but I'm glad that I loved it enough to hold onto it! 

EMBOSS RESIST WITH "MY DIGITAL STUDIO"

This morning I worked with Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software and created two digital cards featuring the Emboss Resist technique a la digital and the "Strength & Hope" digital kit which will be available in May.  There are so many fun and creative ways to use My Digital Studio--the possibilities seem endless!  The stamp images and designer papers on these two cards are from the "Strength & Hope" digital kit, and I also have used digital antique brads, seam binding, pearl jewels, stitching, and assorted punches.  Of course, any of the embellishments and punched elements could have been added after printing the cards, and I could also add other card stock layers for added dimension.  That's the beauty of My Digital Studio . . . you can create your projects and then take them to any design level that you desire!  To see the details on these two cards, click on the pictures for a larger view.  Last, but not least, be sure to visit me at http://www.regina.stampinup.net/ and order your My Digital Studio software ASAP!

GRADUATION PROJECTS

It's almost time to start thinking about graduation cards and gifts, and I wanted to share a card that I made a week or so ago.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Gray, and So Saffron card stock, Owl punch, rhinestone jewels, Go Go Boots alphabet dies, "Teeny Tiny Wishes" and "Word Play" stamp sets, star punch, gold brad, grosgrain ribbon, and the Word Window and Modern Label punches.  The tassel is a bit rough, but a tassel nonetheless.  I'm also sharing the graduation gift box (with "built in" card) that my Inkerbelles' got to make during class last Friday.  Stampin' Up!'s Petal Cone die was used to create the box, as well as the Tasteful Trim die and Round Tab punch. 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's snappy project is another square card which features Stampin' Up!'s "Sew Suite" stamp set, Square Lattice embossing folder, Baja Breeze seam binding, and a super fun frame created with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.  You'll notice that this card doesn't have a sentiment/greeting.  I believe that every stash of cards should include several with no apparent theme or sentiment because they can be quite handy in certain situations--such as when you need a card ASAP and don't have time to make one.