Archive for the ‘My Digital Studio’ Category:
My Digital Studio: not just for scrapbooking
Guess what? My Digital Studio (MDS) is great for ALL kinds of projects! I wanted to share this poster (about 4 ft by 2 1/2 ft) that I created to advertise a recent PTO activity. It’s huge! And it attracted lots of attention, which is the point of advertising. I’ve actually used MDS for school projects loads of times.
The big orange frame came from the Fancy Frames Digital download (see it online here). You’ll notice that it doesn’t include an orange frame. No problem! One of the fabulous features of the most recent MDS updates is that you can re-color an element. So all I did was re-color the white frame from the download so that it matches our school colors.
For printing, I just exported my poster as a jpg, and then had it printed at a print shop on a large format printer. For things that you can’t print at home, and that Stampin’ Up! doesn’t offer, it’s great that you can take your MDS creations anywhere.
Have you looked at My Digital Studio lately? There are a lot of great updates! Best of all, the cost for the software and content package is now only $19.95!
And if you have MDS purchased prior to August 2012, you can catch up to your friends who have already been all the new features. And the cost is free! The links to get those downloads are here on mydigitalstudio.net
Keep in mind that if you’re updating to the new software for free you’ll get all the super tools, but not the new content. If you want the new content, I’d highly recommend just getting the $19.95 version, which will contain all the updated fabulous content.
And have you been using MDS? Be sure you check the latest digital downloads!
Or looking for MDS project ideas? Here are a variety of MDS project ideas on my blog.
Or looking for some free MDS training? Here are some free MDS tutorials from my blog that you might find helpful!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Subscribe to the comments for this postOne Week Boutique – 10 Year Celebration
You’ve come a long way, baby! Hard to believe 10 years has gone by that I’ve been scrapbooking for Donna Pepper and her One Week Boutique kid’s consignment sale. From a tiny little space and about 5 small racks of clothing to what now could probably span a football field (and DOES fill an entire big-box storefront)…definitely has been 10 years to celebrate!
I found this old photo from an early sale (maybe the first?):
Like I said, definitely a lot of change, as here is what a recent sale looked like at the old Best Buy building in Champaign:
It has been fun to see the sale grow, and to have the chance to help capture it in a scrapbook. The original book is pretty much bursting at the seams. Perhaps it’s time to put the 2nd 10 years into a new volume? One Week Boutique: Volume 2?
What things in your life would you like to capture in a scrapbook? What stories would you like to tell or watch blossom over the years?
I’d be happy to help you get started, either digitally (I offer free digital scrapping classes every month) or on paper with traditional supplies (I’ll have a scapbook-in-a-day class coming up this spring).
Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter below or drop me an email now to let me know if you are interested:
And if you want to shop, get ready! You can find the One Week Boutique on their Facebook page, and get all the details on shopping times. If you have kids, know kids or like kids, this is THE PLACE to shop for them and pick up some fantastic items at fantastic prices!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Ice Skating: Hazardous to your health?
Really? Who takes pictures in the emergency room so that she’ll be able to scrapbook her broken leg?? Okay, it was me. Last Monday I took my daughter ice skating and managed to fall and break my leg and destroy my ankle.
So I might as well get a few fun scrapbooking pages out of it, right? This page was created from the Downtown Grunge Photobook Template (see it online – 126056) for My Digital Studio. (learn more about MDS)
All I did was move around a few photo frames (love that tape look with the frames) and add text boxes in a variety of fun fonts:
- Warning – Bauhaus 93
- ICE SKATING – Impact
- can be hazardous to your health -Futura
- (and to your favorite jeans) – Gabriola
And the scissors are from the Keep This Memory Designer Kit (129879 – see it online). They add a nice touch and a fitting farewell to my favorite jeans! Who knew that you wouldn’t be able to get jeans off once you had a cast put on?? Darn scissors…
Never fear, me and my crutches will be hobbling around for the next several weeks, but my fingers can still blog and my arms have a long reach at my craft table!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Lego Minifig Valentines: You COLOR My World!
Preschool Valentine idea? Sure! How about Lego Valentines? I created this card for my son to take to school using My Digital Studio 2 (learn more about it) and a free font I found online – LegoThick.
We weren’t sure if his class party was candy-free, so crayons seemed like a great alternative treat.
It was simple to use MDS to create a block pattern (square punches stretched) and add the circles (Big Bold Birthday circle pattern digital stamp). The white word blurb is the Round Bubble Punch, stretched to accommodate our greeting.
After the graphics were done, we got to work on our crayons! When I was in Orlando last month for the Stampin’ Up! Leadership Conference (too much fun!), we stopped at Downtown Disney and I picked up a Lego ice cube tray from the Lego Store.
We didn’t use the ice cube tray for ice…we used it to make custom Lego minifig crayons!
A few tips for making your own Lego Minifigure Crayons from the ice cube mold:
- We found that a sharp knife worked best for cutting the peeled crayons (thank you Pampered Chef!)
- The crayons settled quite a bit so it helped to heap the crayon pieces on the mold
- Our oven was set to 350 degrees
- The crayons turned out most colorful when we didn’t melt them too long
My son is SO excited to share these with his class today!! Happy Valentine’s Day parties to all of you who don’t have school tomorrow!
If you already have your Valentines finished for this year, don’t despair! These would be cute for a birthday party or any other seasonal treat.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Bubblegum Valentine Idea: “Chews” Me?
D
id you CHEWS your Valentine idea yet? Are you looking for a cute bubblegum saying?
Here’s an idea for you!
My daughter and I created these for her class using My Digital Studio 2 (love it!).
We printed them at home, cut them out and attached them to tubes of gumballs.
Want to learn more about My Digital Studio?
Last week I posted a Family Banner project, complete with Video Tutorial.
My Digital Studio 2 (learn more about it) is a terrific tool for whatever you want to create!
Here are some other Valentine ideas & inspiration:
- Simple Lollipop Valentines
- Embossed Resist Technique
- Pop-Up Matchbook Valentines
- Petal Cone Artisan Valentine Card (with video tutorial)
- Lollipop Cover for school treats
Another MDS tip for you — did you know that all the fonts on your computer will be available to you in MDS2? The font I used for the “CHEWS” is called Party LET, and you can get it here!
Or try learning more about how I’ve used My Digital Studio for school projects, home decor, treats and more!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Make Your Own Family Valentine Banner
What says “love” more than family? I created a fun and simple banner using My Digital Studio 2 (learn more about it) and the Valentine Love Ensemble Download (see it now) from Stampin’ Up!.
The basic design work is already done for you with this sweet template. It’s simple to add a few extra panels, photos of your family or friends, embellish with digital embellishments, then print at home! Cut out, add a ribbon, and you’re set for a quick and fun memory project that will brighten your home!
Want to learn the details of the ‘how to’ on this project? Good news! I have an MDS with Meg Tutorial for you!
There are 3 lessons for this banner — you may find that you only need a few minutes of the first one if you’re an MDS user already. If you’re new to MDS, you’ll probably like the detail in all the lessons.
(getting this feed via email? you’ll need to click to visit my blog to get the videos)
Looking for more tips? Check out my other MDS with Meg Tutorials!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Soda Pop Tops: It’s the DIY Bottlecap Jewelry Trend
Do you love the look of this trend? It’s everywhere — these little medallions are popping up everywhere, and they’re amazingly simple to make at home as a DIY craft project.
You can use any bottlecap, but I’ve found that the Soda Pop Tops from Stampin’ Up! are really nice to work with — they smash easily and they have a great metallic finish. (see them online – 129388). They come as a package of 8 ‘regular’ sized ones (1″ circle punch will fit) and 8 little ones (1/2″ circle punch for the center) for $3.95.
I’m starting a “bottlecaps anonymous” group, in case anyone else needs to join me. I think you qualify if you purchase more than 5 little boxes of these 
They’re so easy!! Here are the directions:
- Stamp or print image and punch with ¾” Circle Punch (see it online – 119873).
- Punch 1” Circle (see it online – 119868) of First Edition Designer Paper.
- Run Soda Pop Top (see them online – 129388) through your Big Shot (see it online – 113439) to flatten (no tabs, between two Cutting Plates)
- Use a thin layer of Crystal Effects clear glaze (see it online – 101055) to attach all layers and coat over top. Add rhinestone.
- Poke a little hole with your Piercing Tool, toss on a jump ring from the craft store, and add a strip of ribbon.
Okay, here’s where you’ll see the difference on these little treats. It’s in the Tricks & Tips:
- Having trouble with your image bleeding? To prevent this, stamp, punch and then press your circle into a VersaMark Ink Pad (see it online – 102283 ). Sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder (see it online – 109130) and heat to melt. No more bleeding!
- Need a smaller monogram? No problem! I used Broadsheet Alphabet Digital Download (122159) on this one. I added my letters into a project on My Digital Studio (learn more about this software) and then printed them so they’d fit in a 3/4″ Circle Punch. Don’t have MDS? NOT a problem! You can get the Broadsheet Alphabet Digital Download and use it in ANY program… Microsoft Word, Photoshop Elements, etc. And there’s no shipping on Digital Downloads, AND you get it right away — instantly (see the download online).
Too much fun. These make terrific crafty gifts, or a fun weekend or spring break project to do with kids. You can even use the Circle Punches to cut out magazine photos or images that strike your fancy. There’s pretty much no end to the creativity.
We’ve been making these this month at several of my events — at Stamp Club with Meg which meets here monthly, and also at our January Demonstrator Stamp & Share Event. Don’t forget to let me know if you’re interested in learning more about all the fun we have as demonstrators!!
Oh, and yes, you can use these bottlecaps on cards or scrapbooking projects! Click here to see some other ideas from my blog.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Broadsheet Alphabet (Digital Download); Paper: First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Whisper White; Accessories: Big Shot, Soda Pop Tops, 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, Crystal Effects;
Classroom Christmas Treats: MDS Style
I’m a big fan of using MDS for school projects. (check out some MDS school projects on my blog) So recently I volunteered to teach a My Digital Studio class at a local school, showcasing a few ideas on how MDS can come in handy. Every teacher can use a little time saving help, right?
Each teacher had the chance to make a classroom set of holiday goodies for his or her classroom — my treat. The projects used the Very Merry Twenty-Five Designer Tags Template (see it online - 127756) with the My Digital Studio software (see MDS2 online – including the free 30 day trial).
Are you a teacher? Ask me how you can get the MDS software free for your entire school! Just drop me an email.
Are you a digital crafter? Be sure to think about how you can use printed items from MDS or MDS2 (quick to personalize) and combine them with “real” elements to create projects.
Here we printed out the triangle pennants on one sheet, then the circles on another sheet. The triangles were cut with the new Paper Trimmer (see it online – 126889) and the circles were punched with the 1-3/8″ Circle Punch (see it online – 119860).
We layered the pieces with Stampin’ Dimensionals (see them online – 104330) and added bling — Rhinestone Jewel Accents (see them online – 119246).
Add the tags to 1″ x 8″ Cello Bags (see them online – 124134) and you’re all set! And you’re not limited to just pencils. The 1×8″ cello bags are great for lots of treats. Here are some other ideas from my blog.
Or want to learn more about MDS2? Here’s a link to your software options, including upgrades from MDS and the free 30-day trial (which I highly recommend!!).
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies: Very Merry Twenty-Five Digital Download, My Digital Studio, 1 x 8″ Cello Bags, 1-3/8″ Circle Punch, Paper Trimmer
My Digital Studio: Winter Bulletin Boards for School
Do you love My Digital Studio yet? I’ve been posting lots of ideas, and using the program at home for even more projects. But here’s one that I wanted to share for teacher ideas. I got volunteered to put a winter bulletin board together for a local school (that’s what happens when you don’t go to meetings 
) so I pulled out my MDS2 and got to work!
The words are printed from MDS2, and the SNOW part of the title is done with alphabet ‘punches’. Here’s what I did:
- arrange punches on page and fill with snowflake designer paper
- print everything on Whisper White card stock
- use Dazzling Details (see it online) to add sparkle to the letter edges
The snowmen are digital stamps from MDS2, and I ‘stamped’ them on my digital project, sized them, and printed them.
After printing, I embellished the snowmen with Rhinestone Jewels (see them online). Everyone needs a little bling, right?
To pull the whole board together, I used my Big Shot die cut machine (see it online) and the Snow Flurry Die (see it online – 127813). The Silver Glimmer Paper (see it online) definitely added some gorgeous sparkle.
Finally, I cut some edges for the board from polyester batting that I had tucked away. Voila!
Want to learn more about MDS2 from Stampin’ Up!? Of course you do! It’s a fabulous program for all kinds of digital crafting – photobooks, greeting cards, classroom materials and bulletin boards! You can see some of my recent projects here on my blog.
Or you can learn more about MDS2 and what it can do for you.
Are you a teacher? Ask me how you can get the MDS software free for your entire school! Just drop me an email.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Meg’s MDS Minute: How to Color Your Stamps
Last evening was my monthly Laptops & Lattes class, and we created a fun card using My Digital Studio 2 (check out the free 30-day trial). When I teach an MDS Class, my favorite method is to start with a pre-made card and re-create it in MDS. That way we can focus on using the program, rather than have to think about the ‘art’ at the same time.
So this month’s card came from my basket of swaps, and it was created in ‘real’ card stock by my friend Jill Hilliard. She used the Up, Up & Away stamp set, but we modified it a bit to feature the digital Adventure Awaits stamp set that is included with MDS2.
The balloons are colored with two different colors — it’s a new feature of MDS2! If you have MDS and want to try an update, you can download a free 30 day trial of MDS2 and decide if you’d like to upgrade your program. I have a list of your options on my blog here.
Here’s a video tutorial on coloring your digital stamps:
The inside of the card has both panels colored – you can see how that will look in the ‘check project’ tool.
You can check out some of the past MDS projects on my blog. And even with the fun new features, you’ll be able to continue using my step-by-step MDS Tutorials (free on my blog!), both Video and PDF.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
