My Digital Studio

I've been playing with My Digital Studio™. I'm finding this software to be very versatile and easy to use. Corporate headquarters at Stampin' Up!™ is presently taking demonstrators through webinar training and certifications to be sure we are fully versed in this product now that it is available for purchase by customers. I'm working on my certifications and have just created my first card. I'll be sending this to the professional printers through Stampin' Up! so that I will have the finished product on display at upcoming classes and workshops.

Since my Stampin' Up! anniversary is approaching, I decided to make an invitation to my upcoming Open House. I will likely use this as part of the evites I will be sending out for the Open House. Again, all the work was done in My Digital Studio.

Here is the front of the card (note, the copyright information is added only for posting on the blog):

And the inside:

One of the things I like about My Digital Studio is that it allows me to create some simple projects without committing anything to paper right away. I can play with colors, layouts, and stamp sets before I start cutting and gluing at my desk. The card layout shown here can easily be transitioned into a traditional paper card using all the products available through Stampin' Up! Although I'm sure I'll be using My Digital Studio for a variety of projects, I think I'll particularly enjoy having the ability to plan my projects electronically before I actually dive into the actual project.

This software will also allow me to better serve you, my customers. If you are struggling with an idea for a project, I can easily produce some layout ideas with a variety of color combinations and then provide them via email. The convenience of a demonstrator living in your craft room!

Be sure to come to my upcoming workshops and of course, the Open House on November 6 so you can see My Digital Studio in action.

God Bless and Happy Stamping!

October Technique Workshop - DATE CHANGE

Most of you have should have seen the updated Evite, but I wanted to be sure to update here as well. Due to illness, I'm moving our October Technique Class from tonight to October 25 at 4:00 PM. We will still be making the Advent Calendars and I'll have a few October projects you might enjoy- including the new Build A Bear Diecuts. Class fee will be $10, guests are welcome. We are limited to a total of 10 participants so be sure to register in advance.

Please update your calendars and plan to join me on October 24th for this fun class!

God Bless and Happy Stamping!

OPEN STUDIO NIGHT - July 17th at 6:30 PM

You are invited to join me for Open Studio in my home on July 17th at 6:30 PM. Open Studio is a chance to have some fun with like minded stampers creating some great projects. Bring a project you are working on and have full access to my tools and stamp sets, including many of the new items from the new Idea Book as well as the Big Shot.

Not currently working on a project? I will have some kits available for purchase, including a 10 for $10 card kits for birthdays and thank yous.

This event will earn you one ticket in the Summer Attendance Challenge. If you also make a purchase, you can earn even more tickets! I look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, please email me for details.

God Bless and Happy Stamping!

Open House Preview

Just a very quick post to share the projects you'll get to see at my Open House tomorrow, June 25 at 6:30 PM. The first is our Make & Take, key fobs. There are two designs, one with a key chain ring and the other with a clasp (necklace type closure). Everyone who attends the open house will get to make one key fob. I was inspired by a similar project I saw on Splitcoaststampers, but I failed to write down the name. I'll try to track her name down and post at another time. For now, thank you mystery stamper! The stamp sets are from the Wings of Friendship Hostess set available in the upcoming Idea Book and Catalog. This is a Level II hostess set and will be available for hostesses to earn beginning July 1. If you like this set, you can sign up to host a show in your home in July.

Next, the corner bookmarks that each person will receive as a gift from me. You can use them to mark your favorite page in the new Idea Book and Catalog. As with the key fobs, these sets feature hostess sets available in the new Idea Book and Catalog.

I'll post details on making each of these projects after the Open House.

The Open House will begin at 6:30 PM. We'll have the Make & Take key fobs for each person, you can place your orders for those Last Chance Items you want, pre-order your personal copy of the upcoming Idea Book and Catalog, and have a sneak peek at products coming in the new catalog! There will also be door prizes, yummy food and great company! You won't want to miss out on any of the fun!

I look forward to seeing you!

God Bless and Happy Stamping!

OPEN HOUSE - June 25th

Out with the old, in with the new. The Last Chance List has been posted and it is time to say goodbye to some old favorites. But don't be too sad, seeing the Last Chance List means the new catalog is just around the corner!



Join me on June 25th at 6:30 PM for an Open House. We'll have a free make and take and you'll get an exclusive preview of some of the new items coming in July, including a sneak peek of the new catalog!

And, you'll earn a ticket in our Perfect Attendance Challenge.

Email me at stampinfrog@yahoo.com for more details or to reserve your spot!

God Bless & Happy Stamping!

My Mother's Day Present

For Mother's Day, my husband gave me a pre-paid Mastercard gift card for $25 so that I could pick out some Stampin' Up! product for me. Anyone want to know what I ordered?

I have ordered some additional Big Shot items, items to allow me to use the Texturz Plates. I ordered the Impressions Pad with my last order to get me started so with my Mother's Day Gift, I ordered the Silicone Rubber and both sets of Texturz plates. They might ship in time to arrive for Open Studio on May 15th. Of course, when you head to the catalog to check out these items, you will notice that when you add up all the prices, it is a bit over $25. As a demonstrator, I get a discount on orders for myself, so I only had to add a bit extra to cover shipping and tax.

Just had to share my excitement about my new fun toys coming soon to my home. :0)

I've mentioned the Open Studio a few times, so here are the details. On Friday, May 15th at 6:00 PM, I'm hosting my first Open Studio. Open Studio is your chance to come to my home and use my tools, ink and stamps. You bring your own paper or project and just enjoy an evening out with a chance to have access to a few tools and stamp sets that you may not have. And, if you are not currently working on a project, I will have a few kits available for purchase for $10 or less. These kits will include the flower pot card design, mini purses, altoid albums, and an origami shirt card. Also, I'll have some door prize drawings and those who place an order on May 15 will be entered into a drawing to win any hostess benefits.*

*Sum of all orders must total at least $150 to earn hostess benefits. If orders do not total at least $150, another prize will be given to the winner of the drawing.

God Bless and Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Up! Regionals

My apologies for not posting prior to today, but between having wisdom teeth pulled, a nasty sore throat and preparations for Stampin' Up! Regionals, I sort of lost track of what I was doing and fell behind!

I'm home from Regionals and basking in the light of new ideas, inspiration, SWAPs, and projects. I was also the winner of a free stamp set! I have the pleasure of adding "Soft Summer" to my collection of stamps. I hope to highlight this fabulous set in upcoming workshops. It was great fun to spend the day just focusing on my Stampin' Up! business and sharing the experience with likeminded folks. The folks from the home office were so energetic and shared such wonderful ideas and information about upcoming promotions and products. I even got to chat with Shelli (co-founder and CEO) for a few brief minutes (which by the way, has my four year old green with envy!).

As soon as I have some photos downloaded, I will share with you all my treasures from the day.

Also, you'll see I've updated the tagline for my blog, crediting my daughter, Tessa. This is a phrase coined by Tessa in the midst of a difficult stamping project. After providing a bit of encouragement, she agreed to keep trying and said, "Do you know why I'll keep trying? Because Stampin' girls don't quit." So, that is our motto, Stampin' girls don't quit.

Please be sure to vote for your favorite stamp set that you'd like to see me receive for my SAB incentive.

I'm signing off for tonight, I hope to post more tomorrow. Until then, Happy Stamping and God Bless!

Charity

Still Deciding...

Don't forget to help me decide what stamp set I should select for my Sale-A-Bration bonus. Between now and April 24, 2009, submit your vote from the following sets. Highest number of votes is the stamp set I will get and everyone who cast a vote for the winning stamp set will receive a hand made card from me using that set.

Here are the stamp sets under consideration, page numbers refer to the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and Idea Book:

• Best Kind of Friend, page 96
• Branch Out, page100
• Fresh Cuts, page 92
• Garden Greetings, page 55
• Heard from the Heart, page 138
• A Kind Word, page 57
• Nature Sillouttes, page 102
• Prehistoric pals, page 72
• Pretty Amazing, page 93
• Zoofari, page 67

If you don't have the current catalog and idea book, you can view the stamp sets at my website, http://www.charityl.stampinup.net/ (you may have to follow the Shop Now button to browse the catalog but you don't have to make a purchase). Cast your vote by sending an email to stampinfrog@yahoo.com with "Pick My Stamp Set" in the subject line.

Help Me Decide!

Those of you familiar with Stampin' Up! know all about Sale-A-Bration. We just completed this promotion and as a demonstrator, I am eligible to earn additional stamp sets based on my sales. Thanks to all my fabulous customers, I have over $600 in sales for this promotion and I have earned a free stamp set from the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and Idea Book. The value of the stamp set can not exceed $22.95. I've been browsing the catalog since the day I found out that I earned this set, trying to make my decision and I've decided that since all of you helped me get here, you can help me decide! Between now and April 24, 2009, submit your vote from the following sets. Highest number of votes is the stamp set I will get and everyone who cast a vote for the winning stamp set will receive a hand made card from me using that set.

Here are the stamp sets under consideration, page numbers refer to the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and Idea Book:

1. Best Kind of Friend, page 96
2. Branch Out, page100
3. Fresh Cuts, page 92
4. Garden Greetings, page 55
5. Heard from the Heart, page 138
6. A Kind Word, page 57
7. Nature Sillouttes, page 102
8. Prehistoric pals, page 72
9. Pretty Amazing, page 93
10. Zoofari, page 67

If you don't have the current catalog and idea book, you can view the stamp sets at my website, http://www.charityl.stampinup.net (you may have to follow the Shop Now button to browse the catalog but you don't have to make a purchase). Cast your vote by sending an email to stampinfrog@yahoo.com with "Pick My Stamp Set" in the subject line.

Altoid Mini Albums

So, I'm ready to share a project! For Christmas this past year, I made my father and father-in-law a mini photo album using empty Altoid containers. I also made one for my husband and using the same technique, I "published" the story I wrote for my daughter about her and her cat going to the zoo. The one shown in the pictures is my Dad's album. These albums were inspired by several similar items shown on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

As I promised in my first post, I plan to share news of upcoming events. On April 24, I will be holding a workshop in my home to make one of these cute little albums. The workshop fee is $10 and that includes all the materials necessary to make an album. The paper and materials will vary from that shown in the photo and you will have some options to choose from at the workshop. For more information, visit the Events section of my website, http://www.charityl.stampinup.net/.

Can't attend the workshop, but still want an email? For $10 + S&H, I can send you a kit that will include the instructions, paper, Altoid tin and miscellaneous embellishments necessary to complete the project. You can then add your own stamped images and photos to personalize your pages. I can accept paypal or checks/money orders. Just send me an email for more details!