Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a little treat (perfect since we all eat way too much today) for family members to share today. I sincerely hope you that you have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving with your family/friends. I am grateful to be heading to my in-laws to celebrate with them. I have wonderful memories growing up heading to my aunt's to celebrate with my Mom's side of the family.

My 'skinny' bag treat is very easy to make you could crank out a bunch while watching tv. For the turkey I did use the digital download so I guess you could call this a hybrid project. I printed I think 15 turkeys on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and punched them out with my circle punch. I used scraps left over from the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created kit for two of the punched elements. The thread is the wonderful Burlap ribbon (I just stocked up!) I cut it in half and then pulled off a thread at a time. Last but not least the bling is the Champagne glimmer paper for the scallop circle.

This is a cute project to start making for Christmas you can decorate the topper as an elf, Santa, reindeer, etc. I will be making a bunch for family, friends, & coworkers this holiday season. If you want to make some too you can find all the supplies listed below in my Online Store by clicking here. The 'skinny' bags are only $2.50 for 50 bags - what a bargain!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Stampin' Up! supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Early Espresso marker
Paper: Whisper White cardstock, Champagne glimmer paper
Other: Thankful Tablescape Simply Created kit, 1 1/4" Burlap ribbon, Modern label punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 3/4 circle punch, 2 3/8 scallop circle punch, Cropadile, 1" x 8" cellophane bags, Harvest of Thanks Stamp Brush set Digital Download, printer, Fall m&m's

My Digital Studio Tuesday & Special Offers!

So there is a lot going on with My Digital Studio right now. We have some amazing sales in honor of our 25th Anniversary. I still can't believe how generous this company is being lately. I should also mention that if you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator you get your discount on all the sales as well. Let me know if you want to chat about that.

# 1 - Today's steal of the day is Be Brave Pocket Cards # 134840 for only $2.98

# 2 - There are some holiday downloads on sale for the month of November. I will be sharing those throughout the month.

# 3 - Today is Download Day we announced some brand new downloads. There is an adorable Baby's First Christmas postcard # 136510 for only $2.95

Quick post since I need to go get ready for work. I will be back tomorrow with the deal of the day I promise. I have been just a little busy this week getting ready for a big Holiday Fair this Saturday in Wilmington. I hope to see some familiar faces there!

Click here to visit my Online Store and check out all the amazing sales. Also, don't forget you can shop in our Clearance Rack for some deep discounts.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Stamp Out Breast Cancer Gifts

Another super quick post tonight. I am finally getting myself on track now that the weekend is behind me. We had a super response for our 4th Annual Stamp Out Breast Cancer Fundraiser. I believe our total is over $3,300. There were a few special ladies that came on Saturday and I wanted to acknowledge that they were fabulous. So once I found out that Alex & Ani came out with a new bracelet for Breast Cancer research off I went to Portsmouth, NH to the store. I found out that our Decorative boxes hold the bracelet perfectly. Maybe Stampin' Up! designed the boxes just for Alex & Ani LOL! The pink ribbon on my box was printed on the computer from My Digital Studio then I stamped the sentiment on top. 

In other Stampin' Up! news you have until tomorrow Tuesday 10/22 to join my small but mighty team. We are running a special offer right now you can sign up for only $25 in honor of our 25th Anniversary. You can get more details on my website. Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Stampin',

Christine

Supplies: My Digital Studio, Ribbon of Hope Stamp Brush Digital Download, Decorative Window Gift box, Crochet trim ribbon, Very Vanilla & Pink Pirouette cardstock, 2 3/8 scallop circle punch, mini glue dots, Fabulous Phrases clear mount stamp set

Stamp Out Breast Cancer Candles

Super quick post today! We have a work event in two hours and I need to finish getting ready. Tomorrow is the big day! Stamp Out Breast Cancer 2013 I am so excited for this year's event. It will be our fourth and I have tried to make it special. I picked up lots of items for prize patrol. What is prize patrol? At Stampin' Up! corporate events it is when the audience members win free stuff for just being in the room. So much fun.

I picked up these candles at Christmas Tree Shop a few weeks ago during a super clearance sale and just decorated them very simply. If you wear pink tomorrow you could go home with a prize.

If you are local see you at Harmony Hall in Dracut in the morning. Doors open at 10am.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Supplies:
My Digital Studio, burlap ribbon, Whisper White cardstock, glue dots

31 Halloween Projects: Toxic Frame

Sorry this picture is not the greatest. I am hoping I can take the frame pictures outside next time, but it is raining today so that option is out. I am getting caught up sharing one Halloween project a day for this month. This frame was one I shared before, but I made it a little nicer this week for my fair yesterday.

Start to finish this is probably about 30 minutes to make depending on how fast your printer works. Printer you say? Yes, the 8.5 x 11 insert is a template printed out from Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software. The software itself is a steal for $19.95, but what is even better? You don't have to buy the software to use the downloads. You can purchase the download and open it in Microsoft Word or other programs on your computer. I love that!

After your template is printed you will have to cut it to size to fit your 8 x 10 frame. I ended up having to trim a bit off the top and bottom to fit my frame. I added some ribbon through the top corner edge of the frame and tied in a bow. Then you stamp your sentiment and add to a layering piece of cardstock. Poke a hole in the corner and add your linen thread and add to the ribbon. Easy peasy.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Stampin',

Christine

Supplies:

Stamps: Halloween Bash Clear mount # 130580

Ink: Basic Black marker # 100082 and Tangerine Tango marker (sold in marker kit)

Paper: Very Vanilla cardstock # 101650 and Basic Black cardstock # 121045

Other: Toxic Framable Designer Template # 128139, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta ribbon # 119261, Linen Thread # 104199, Multipurpose Liquid glue # 110755, Frame (local dollar store)

31 Halloween Projects: 10/1 Blog Header and Button

     

Happy October! While I was working on items for fall fairs I had this crazy idea to share 31 Halloween related projects in October ... a new project every day! So welcome to Day 1 which is my blog header and button.

I created my Blog Header and Shop button in Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software. I kept them both fairly simple using the Toxic Framable Designer Template.

I absolutely love that in only a few minutes I can create a different look every month or two depending on the holiday or season. I am hoping by the next time I create a blog header I will be able to record myself using a screen capture program so stay tuned for that.

Let me know if you have any questions about today's project. I'll be back tomorrow with Day 2.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Latest Digital Downloads!

Hi friends! Thanks for stopping by today. Yesterday Stampin' Up! released the weekly Tuesday digital downloads. Remember you do not need the My Digital Studio software to use these downloads. I can't imagine why you wouldn't want the software for only $19.95 it is a steal of a deal! Here are this week's downloads:

Cherry Cobbler Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon $2.95

 

Christmas Banner Simply Created Kit $6.95 - so pretty!

     

Occasional Tags Designer Template $4.95

  

Snowflake Season Kit $2.95

  

Starlight October Kit $9.95

Starlight October Wallpaper FREE! 

Wishing You Stamp Brush Set $2.95 

As always let me know if you have any questions. You can check out these products in more detail at my Online Store open 24/7.

Happy Stampin',

Christine

My Digital Studio Download Day

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by today. It's Tuesday which means it is download day. Check out the new Stampin' Up! downloads that were released today for My Digital Studio. Lots of great options for upcoming holidays. Full details on these downloads can be found in my Online Store.

          

          

     

Kim's Baby Shower

Happy September! I hope you are enjoying the long holiday weekend. It has been very busy here with day trip activities and catching up with family and friends. Yesterday was my friend Kim's baby shower. Of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make something crafty for her and the guests. I totally fell in love with the Hello World Ensemble for Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software. For $19.95 it gives you everything you need for a baby shower, but I only used a few pieces for yesterday. Also remember you don't need the My Digital Studio software to use the downloads you can open them up in software you already own on your computer.

For the banner I did not change a thing just printed out the template and cut, added some ribbon, glue dots, and staples. Easy peasy!

For the favors I printed out the template as is, but turned the project into a hybrid (using digital and traditional paper supplies) by adding Marina Mist cardstock, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper cut with my Chalk Talk framelit (thank you Selene!), white taffeta ribbon, and some Marina Mist coloring with my marker on the little banner. The favor was inspired by Becky Roberts.

For the frame again I just printed out the template as is and cut it to size to fit in my 8 x 10 frame. I believe this frame came from Dollar Tree. I have purchased a bunch lately and I am starting to forget which is which.

Could not be easier! You can see me and my tripod in the glass of the frame. I guess next time I should take the picture a different way. LOL

For part of my gift to Kim I made her a dozen thank you notecards. I kept the design super simple sorry that the picture did not come out better. I used the Chalk Talk stamp set and stamped with Whisper White craft ink on Basic Black cardstock then cut out with the coordinating Chalk Talk framelit. I cut out the hearts with my Fashionable Hearts Embosslits die using scrap of the Designer Series Paper from the favors. I used three hearts in total putting a small one on the inside of the card in the bottom right corner and adding a large one to the back of the envelope. I also added one rhinestone on the heart on the card. If you don't already know the Whisper White notecards come with envelopes 20 to a pack for $5.95 and they are cut and scored for you. What a great deal!

Let me know if you have any questions on these projects. I hope I inspired you to make something crafty. More details on the products used can be found in my Online Store.

Happy Stampin',

Christine

Supplies:

Hello World Ensemble Digital Download # 133528

Glue dots # 103683 

Whisper White 3/8" taffeta ribbon # 109070

Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper # 126902

Marina Mist 8.5 x 11 cardstock # 119682

Dimensionals # 104430

Marina Mist marker # 119679

Chalk Talk Clear bundle # 132730

Fashionable Hearts Embosslit die # 125596

Whisper White Notecards & Envelopes # 131527

Basic Rhinestones Jewel accents # 119246

Whisper White Craft pad # 101731

My Digital Studio: 8 x 10 Halloween Frame

Thanks for stopping by today! I have a super simple project to share using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio products. Halloween will be here before you know it so I am starting to work on decor projects for home or work.

I downloaded the Toxic Framable Designer Template Item # 128139 for $3.95. This download includes a 8.5 x 11 template and a 34 piece stamp brush set. I didn't change the template at all because it is AWESOME! I printed the template on a piece of Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla 8.5 x 11 cardstock then trimmed the size to fit my 8 x 10 frame. I picked up this cool distressed frame for $1.00 at a local Dollar store. So my project cost $5.00, but what is a fabulous value is that I have the template and 34 piece set to use for coordinating projects.

What I absolutely love about the My Digital Studio downloads is that you don't need our software to use them although for $19.95 the software is an AMAZING value. You can download and open the images in software you already have on your computer - Microsoft Word, Paint, Adobe Photoshop, etc. Every Tuesday Stampin' Up! releases brand new downloads for My Digital Studio. Check out the new downloads at my Online Store! If you are shopping in my store my name Christine Crutcher will be in the top right corner.

Stay tuned to see what else I come up with using this Toxic Framable Designer Template download.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Supplies:
My Digital Studio Toxic Framable Designer Template (Item # 128139 ), 8.5 x 11 Very Vanilla Cardstock (Item # 101650), frame from local dollar store

My Digital Studio Monday: Hybrid Card

I needed a quick thank you card for an unexpected gift and challenged myself to create it in My Digital Studio. I received our May Stampin' Success magazine recently and there is an article on the My Digital Studio collections that I really enjoyed and inspired me to make a MDS card.

Since I don't have the MDS collections I pulled up a FREE download that I got last year from Stampin' Up! 90% of the card is the template, but I made it my own by doing the following:

- Changed the stamp from 'hello' to ' thanks'  Tip: When you are looking for a stamp you can use the search box and type thanks and it will display all thanks stamps you have available in MDS
- Added three digital buttons to three flowers
- Added three in-color brads (non-digital)

This card would be an example of a hybrid card since I used the digital component, but added traditional papercrafting supplies. I saved the image as a .jpg file copied it into Word and resized it to 4 x 5 1/4. Then I saved two on a page and saved this file as a PDF. I then printed on my home printer on a piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Are you interested in trying out My Digital Studio? There is currently a FREE 30 day trial in my Online Store. Let me know if you have any questions. Also don't forget every Tuesday Stampin' Up! releases new digital downloads.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Supplies:
Stamps: Fundamental Phrases - digital
Ink: None
Paper: Whisper White & Wisteria Wonder cardstock
Other: My Digital Studio, Fruit & Flowers Designer Greeting Card Template - Digital Download, Digital buttons, Printed 2011 In Color Designer Brads, Dimensionals

My Digital Studio Tuesday

Every Tuesday Stampin' Up! unveils new downloads for our digital design program My Digital Studio. The Fantabulous You stamp brush set is pictured here one of several new downloads available today March 13th. As soon as I saw the various fun text sayings I was in love. 

They immediately reminded me of my little sister that I have missed terribly the past year that she has lived out of state. We just don't get to chat and catch up as often as we both would like. 

Would you like to learn more about My Digital Studio?

You can check out lots of information here at mydigitalstudio.net - blog, forum, over 14,000 samples to inspire you.

You can also download a FREE 30 day trial of the limited software at my Online Store.

Let me know if you have questions about My Digital Studio and I would be happy to help.

Happy Designing,

Christine

My Digital Studio: ABC Book

Today was my nephew's 3rd birthday party and I saw a ABC swatchbook on Mydigitalstudio.net and knew I wanted to make one as a gift for him. This project was CASE'd from Andrea Bowden one of the My Digital Studio designers and blogger at Mydigitalstudio.net. This is the first project I have ever had printed directly with Stampin' Up! and I am very impressed.

The swatchbook's are 5 1/2 x 3 1/4 have 13 pages and you can print on the front & back so you get 26 pages total. They come printed with a clear cover on the front and back and the metal rivet to hold it all together. I thought this would be a perfect size for a 3 year old and help him learn his letters.

The My Digital Studio downloads I used are Nursery Alphabet letters & Nursery Alphabet images. 

I kept the colors on the left panels blue, red or green and I altered the colors of the images as appropriate trying not to have the left panel and the image the same color. 

Tips for swatchbooks in My Digital Studio - make sure to put your bleeds on so you can see where your rivet will be and your book margins. I also learned with this type of book you actually build your Z page on the back of  A (so the order of your book will be A, Z, B, Y, etc.) and so forth so when you get the book you have A-M on one side then you flip over for N-Z. When you preview the book in My Digital Studio your back or N-Z pages will be upside down and that is totally correct.

I am already excited to make another swatchbook - there are some pre-designed templates where you can just add your pictures and have a nice mini book for yourself or for a gift.

There is a wealth of knowledge on MyDigitalStudio.net. Also, there is a FREE 30 day trial of My Digital Studio in my Online Store.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Stampin',

Christine

Supplies:

My Digital Studio software - Nursery Alphabet letters & Nursery Alphabet images downloads

My Digital Studio: Birthday Invitation

When I got the invite for my nephew's birthday party I had the idea to recreate it using the My Digital Studio template Piece of Cake ensemble. The Piece of Cake ensemble is a FREE CD that you can get during Sale-A-Bration through March 31st when you place a $50 order of any Stampin' Up! merchandise.

The template I used is a postcard and it is designed that you can print on the front & back. I decided to incorporate both the front & back into a one-sided postcard. For this style you could print 4 to one 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock and then mat onto a colored piece of cardstock.

In this ensemble you get a 37-piece stamp brush set, 5 Designer Series Paper patterns, 72 embellishments, 1 punch and 5 templates (2 greeting cards, 1 postcard, 1 tag, 9 page decor)

You can check out more about My Digital Studio here. There is a FREE download 30 day trial of the software in my Online Store. Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Supplies:
Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio software - Piece of Cake ensemble

My Digital Studio FREE Trial now available!

You can actually test out our My Digital Studio Express product for FREE for 30 days! I can't believe this incredible deal. This could not be better time to try it out and see if you like it. If you place an order before March 31st and spend $50 you can get an item for FREE out of our Sale-A-Bration catalog and this would include My Digital Studio software.

How do you get the FREE trial? Visit my Online Store and you will see the MDS logo on the right side that says Express Trial $0.00 add to your bag and checkout. If you are a new customer you do need to create a login, but no payment will be necessary for just the trial.

The trial content includes the following:
- One stamp brush set
- 12 Designer Series Paper patterns
- 81 embellishments
- 26 punches
- 5 designer templates

You can discover more about My Digital Studio at mydigitalstudio.net the possibilities are endless with this software - digital scrapbooking, digital cards, hybrid projects, invitations, birth announcements, party favors,  etc. Let me know if you want more information.

Happy Stampin',
Christine

My Digital Studio Today's Downloads

Did you know that every Tuesday Stampin' Up! reveals new downloads for Digital Designing? You can check these out at my Online Store every week. You can click on Digital Designing when you get to my store then Newest Downloads then the date.

January 10, 2012 downloads include downloads for Valentines, Tea lovers & more.  

Happy Stampin',
Christine

Coburn Woods Holiday Bazaar

I will be up in Nashua on Saturday at the Coburn Woods Holiday Bazaar and would love to see you there. Isn't this invite super cute? I created it in Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software. Since over 5,000 people downloaded free downloads this past weekend we got another free download and that is what I used as the start of this invite. I added a few embellishments and text and voila!

This is a FREE event with the following vendors:

Scentsy Candles

Miche Bags

Pampered Chef

Tastefully Simple

Dog Treats & Scarfs

Good Gaud Designs

Gift Baskets

Stampin' Up! - that's me :-)

Thirty One

Tupperware

NYR Organic

Lia Sophia

Let me know if you have any questions.

Christine

Home for the Holidays Invite

Here is an invitation I came up with yesterday using the FREE digital download that Stampin' Up! is offering this weekend Home for the Holidays Ensemble. I am having my annual Holiday Open House on November 18th so this was a perfect use of the download to create an invitation.

If you haven't checked out MyDigitalStudio.net to get your FREE downloads what are you waiting for? There are also lots of wonderful samples for you to check out on that site. Andrea one of the Stampin' Up! designers made an adorable swatchbook advent calendar using the Home for the Holidays ensemble and Monika another demonstrator made a really cute holiday planner.

I would like to send a shout out to the lovely ladies and gents that stopped by my table on Friday night over at PMA in Methuen. It was very nice to meet you. To those of you that joined my mailing list I will be sending you this invite later today to my Holiday Open House.

If you didn't see my post yesterday you can view it here. The FREE downloads expire tomorrow 11/7.

Happy Downloading,

Christine

FREE Digital Scrapbooking Downloads!

Stampin' Up! is celebrating Digital Scrapbooking Day with a weekend of FREE downloads. Now through November 7th you can visit MyDigitalStudio.net to get your FREE downloads. You will have to complete a very short survey. You do not have to have Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software to use the downloads. They are compatible with design software such as Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and even Microsoft Word.

 Isn't there a day for everything these days? Digital Scrapbooking Day is officially celebrated the first Saturday of November, but I love that Stampin' Up! is celebrating all weekend long. 

There are four FREE downloads (shown below) and get this if 5,000 people download them then we will all get a 5th FREE download! I love FREE stuff how about you? My favorite is definitely the Home for the Holidays Ensemble and I will come back tomorrow and show you a few samples that I created using this ensemble. 

Let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Downloading,

Christine

My Digital Studio: BBQ Invitation

I'll admit I am a My Digital Studio newbie, but for my first project I am really happy with the way this came out! I saw a barbecue invitation on etsy.com that I fell in love with so I got to work looking for a similar font online for free then creating my invitation in Stampin' Up!'s digital software program My Digital Studio. If you are interested in the name of the BBQ font, the one I used is Carnivalee Freakshow (who comes up with these names?)

I find the software to be very user friendly, but I think I am also pretty computer savvy. For this invite I kept it all very simple using a custom gingham background Designer Series Paper, text and punches! I found the tutorial for the custom gingham paper from another Stampin' Up! demonstrator Trina here.

Stampin' Up! has an entire website dedicated to My Digital Studio where you can see samples of projects, video tutorials, blogs and training resources. I also love that the software is now available in DVD format or just a download format for those of us on mini laptops with no DVD drive. On Tuesdays Stampin' Up! releases new digital downloads updates to the full software version and you can see the most current downloads in my Online Store.

I look forward to sharing more My Digital Studio projects with you. Let me know if you have any questions. 

Supplies:

My Digital Studio