My very generous friend, Patty Bennett, sent me these cards that she created using My Digital Studio. Patty is a very talented artist and demonstrator. Here's what she sent:
And inside this card is this:
Inside the card she created even more art:
Lastly, this is a panel card (does not open):
As a demonstrator, I can choose to be "certified" as being knowledgeable in our new product, My Digital Studio. Part of the certification process involves going through the process of creating, then having SU print, one card. I wanted to use an existing template offered in the program then add my own personal touches. I did that to see how truly quickly I could whip one out. I think it took me 5-10 minutes, max.
This software is NOT all about digital scrapbooking. It's a creative tool that does allow you to digitally scrapbook PLUS a whole lot more! I know what I pay for other software and I think that given what this does, it's really an excellent value. After my cards, I'm going to share (tomorrow) my friend Patty's cards that she generously mailed to me. The ideas are endless!
The front of the card. The sentiment was in the template. I added the line saying it was from our family. Not the best photo, sorry.
Inside, I added another personal touch plus I used the color matching tool to match the font color on the inside with one of the blue letters on the front. That took about 2 seconds to do.
And, finally, we card makers feel compelled to give ourselves credit for our creation on the back of the card but the MDS product does not have the ability (yet) to customize this area. Beyond giving ourselves credit, I am also a business woman so I need to advertise to anyone looking at my card how they can get the product to make her own cards (and more) for herself as well. So, I took my friend Patty's lead and had a stamp made for me (page 137 of the main catalog). Remember that personalized stamps do not have to be all about name and address.
I was playing with My Digital Studio tonight and here's the progress I have made on our family Christmas card. It was fun and easy! The photo will go on the front. Or... I'll change my mind and make a whole new one. The great thing is, that I can play all I want until I am satisfied.
Dates: November 1, 2009-January 4, 2010
Details: You'll love the convenience of our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! With gift ideas for kids, teens, neighbors, and more, it's your one-stop shop for all your holiday needs.
Plus, when you spend $50 on products in the guide, you'll get a Décor Elements for FREE (up to a $16.95 value)!
Here's our Holiday Gift Giving Guide - it's 4 pages.
Page one - Download Holiday_Extravaganza_GGG_US_1009 1
Page two - Download Holiday_Extravaganza_GGG_US_1009 2
Page three - Download Holiday_Extravaganza_GGG_US_1009 3
Page four - Download Holiday_Extravaganza_GGG_US_1009 4
... do not give alcohol to pumpkins!
Totally unexpectedly, I stumbled upon a shoebox swap among stampers in my area today. It sounded like a great way to get away from the business end of this (night and day, it seems) and be a stamper again so I signed up. I'm eager to make new stamping friends :) Here's the card I made and, below, its inspiration.
Products used to make card:
Dimensions of cuts to create card in inches:
At convention, my 2nd level downline, Trina Hanson, swapped this gorgeous card that I just fell in love with so I pretty much copied it for my swap with her blessing. Thanks Trina!
Lisa Freeman designed this card using Delightful Decorations (pg. 24 Holiday mini), the new Ornament punch (pg. 25 Holiday mini) and the Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (pg. 195 IB&C).
Created by the hands of Barb Mullikin.
Joann Wiemers designed this card.
Another terrific card using Delightful Decorations (pg. 24 of the Holiday mini) and the new Ornaments punch (pg. 25) by Kim Cagle.
Cindy Sheets designed this interpretation.
Sadly, these next two have no names of their creators on the back.
Stay tuned for Part 3 of Delightful Decorations coming tomorrow....
Delightful Decorations (pg. 24 Holiday mini) was a very popular set during this swap -- and deservedly so! Many samples also used the new Ornament punch (pg. 25 Holiday mini).
This is one of two of my favorite cards that I received in the whole swap. The artist is Christie Daugherty.
This card created by Sharon McNeely.
Dawn Olchefske made this lovely card.
Kim Evans created this one below.
Stay tuned for Part II of the Delightful Decorations coming tomorrow....
The third deals of the week are from October 19, 10 AM (MT) through October 26, 9:50 AM (MT).
|
Item |
Page |
Description |
Regular Price |
Special Price |
|
114348 |
179 |
Basic Jumbo grommets |
$6.95 |
$4.49 |
|
109857 |
179 |
Mini Library clips |
$12.95 |
$8.99 |
|
112571 |
179 |
Circle Designer brads |
$5.95 |
$3.99 |
|
112581 |
179 |
1/2" Library clips |
$6.95 |
$3.99 |
Here's a card I made using one of the Jumbo Grommets. They are so easy to affix to your card. They have pointy parts that pierce the paper then I just tapped down the pointy ends with my hammer.
Per the Associated Press: "The Crimson Tide jumped Florida and landed at No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday." WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Both Matt and Kirsten (senior and sophomore, respectively) were at last night's homecoming game vs. South Carolina. This is the 2nd year in a row that they were #1 at some point in their season (last year they were #1 for 5 weeks). So far, Bama is undefeated.
When Matt was considering university options, he indicated he wanted to attend a school with "crazy a** sports". Looks like he found the right one! Super exciting to be a student there today. (I will never miss an opportunity to spotlight the university that gave my two elder children an undergrad education for free! I know they earned those academic scholarships BUT I thank the university - forever - for offering them & pursuing my kids till they caught them.)
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!
... chocolate decadence, that is!
Our son's elementary school has a fundraiser tonight and I volunteered to donate two desserts for the dessert auction table. I made two of the same. First saw this recipe, one year ago, featured in our local newspaper. It is the easiest thing to make and the most delicious you can imagine. Recipe below as found on a news network site (!) - even they were promoting it a year ago!
Looks sort of blah, doesn't it? It's only about 1" high.
Once 150% cool (overnight) you can add a stencil (I cut out letters just by printing them on a piece of paper on my computer) and then sift powdered sugar all over then removed them with tweasers so I didn't tip them when lifting straight up and off. Here I used the school's initials but the first time I made it, I put a big star on it. If the cake is not cool when you do this, the sugar will melt. I know as that happened the first time I made this a year ago.
Note that it is very rich and very crumbly. When my family eats it, I tease that they have to take a Barbie-doll sized portion as that's as much as you can handle in one sitting.
Now to jazz it up for its presentation on the auction table. I went over to a dollar store last night for clear cellophane and some embellishments and ribbon. The platters are from Goodwill ($4 total). Oh, and rather than lay the cake on the fake leaves or the red ribbony stuff, I cut out 9" circles out of a priority mail box and slid the cake onto that then onto the decorative platter. Makes it more stabilized since the plates curve up and I also didn't want the cake to crack if it was not sitting flat. Voila! A red version and a silver version.
Now to drive them to school without them sliding anywhere!
Now, here's the recipe I found an ABC News' site (I just Googled it and this was the handiest source):
This dense, rich chocolate cake oozes holiday decadence, yet is fast and easy enough for anyone to make. Pastry Chef Francois Payard borrows the recipe from his brother, Charlie, a pastry instructor, for his recent book, "Chocolate Epiphany."
Payard says the cakes can be wrapped in plastic and frozen for up to a month. Serve with ice cream, creme fraiche, whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
———
CHARLIE'S AFTERNOON CHOCOLATE CAKE
Start to finish: 35 minutes (15 minutes active)
Servings: 8 to 10
Baking spray (cooking spray blend of oil and flour)
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 ounces 60 percent cacao chocolate, chopped - Stella's note = don't use any other percentage of cacao - I tried 63% once and it looked wrong. Ghirardelli makes the right 60% chips and every grocery store should have it in the baking section
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Place a rack at the center of the oven. Heat the oven to 350 F. Use the baking spray to coat the sides and bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan.
In a small saucepan over medium-high, bring the butter to a boil, stirring several times to prevent it from burning. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate, stirring until melted and smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar. Add the flour and mix well. Add the chocolate and butter mixture, then mix only until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
Bake the cake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 F and bake for an additional 8 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool completely in the pan. Unmold and serve.
(Recipe from Francois Payard's "Chocolate Epiphany," Clarkson Potter, 2008)
I am sure this is old news to many but I thought I'd bring it up since I just took care of this today. I had my catalog front and back covers laminated and the spine spiral bound. I do it every year right when the catalog comes out but this year time got away from me so I only got to it now. I took my catalog to a large office supply store and in a matter of a few minutes, and $4.49 later, I had my catalog primped like it was going to the prom! No corsages necessary ;-)
I have a few olders ones I'm showing here too but the new one is on top. They cut the spine off, then they laminate the front and back ($1 each) then they add the white spiral ($3.49), then they punch the holes in it (free, LOL!) and then they put it all together. I love the ability to refer to the catalog while I'm using it as an idea book and having it lay/lie (I never know which word is correct!) down on a table or on an easel. It's just an extra little thing I like to do since I keep my catalogs forever and continually refer to them for ideas.
See how it now lies flat for ease of using it as a pattern or template?
Want to order anything??? Click here and order 24/7.
Twick or Tweet (pg. 10 Holiday mini) was the stamp set of choice for Denise Sullivan.
And.... Laura Milligan.
Jane Wike created with Pumpkin Patch (pg. 9 Holiday mini).
Steady hand Christy Schroeger used Halloween Hoot for her card. Note the perfect placement of the three elements from that set (witch, cauldron and sign). I'm guessing she used a Stamp-a-ma-jig. Great job!
Very clever and creative embellishment by Tami White. Tami heated a half pearl from our Pretties Kit, dipped it in Heat & Stick Powder (pg. 188) then dipped it in black embossing powder and heated again. Voila - spider body! Tami used From the Crypt (pg. 21 IB&C) which includes bleach stamping a large image from the set onto the background.
A close-up of Tami's spidery masterpiece.
Buy any of these sets online, right now, at my Stampin' Up! store
