Thursday, October 29, 2009

Missing in Action

I know I said I would be a weekend poster and yet another weekend has passed without a post. We had missions conference at church last week, I did the "Race for the Cure" Sat morning along with about 25,000 other people, we participated in our church's gospel blitz and handed out packets Sat afternoon, I took a nap later Sat afternoon, then got up and made 3 special cards that I was commissioned to make. I can't show them to you yet, but I am happy at how they turned out. We had our youngest grandchild's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's Sun afternoon. Dylan turned 2!!! Another busy weekend.

Card I made with My Digital Studio

I just completed the certification course from Stampin'Up! for My Digital Studio. I had to complete a card and order it, so here is the card that I made. I will have the real thing when it ships.


Front of the card
inside view


I used old olive, rich razzleberry, and some certainly celery. The best thing about this program for cards is the ability to make a "virtual" card, then recreate it with paper and stamps. It is easy to waste paper in the creation process or just make do with how it ends up. This way, you can create and try different colors and layouts until you are totally happy with the card or any other creation. It also does scrapbook pages, photo books, calendars, and multimedia presentations. I'll have to play with that for the upcoming wedding.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

BUSY WEEKEND

I didn't post anything last weekend. Today is my day off, so I'm trying to catch up. I had stamp club at my home Sat morning, so had to clean my house as well as prep for club. Then we had our granddaughter's birthday party to go to at 1 pm, then a wedding at 2. We knew we'd be late for that but arrived at 2:30 to see the end of the wedding and greet the couple. To top it off, I made the gift early Sat morning. After that we picked up our almost 2 yr old grandson to spend the night and go to church with us. Thank goodness we were in the nursery, he's such a mama's boy and doesn't do well with grandparents much less strangers. So I hope you understand why I took a nap Sun afternoon instead of posting.

Stamp Club Dress Cards

I gave my stamp club members a scallop die dress and challenged them to make a card. Here's what they came up with! Quite the talented bunch. Teena's card
Paula's angel card
Melba Genell's card
Marlene's card
Marilyn's card
Jackie's card
Dorris's card
Diane's card
Alison's over the rainbow card

Saturday, October 10, 2009

My Digital Studio-caution: very long post



As of October 1st, Stampin'Up!'s My Digital Studio is available for purchase. I don't have it yet, but from those who do, it sounds like a wonderful investment. I'm anxious to get mine and play!!!

Features and Benefits of My Digital Studio
Exclusive Stampin' Up! Content
Stampin' Up! artwork and accessories available in a digital format.
Stampin' Up! colors allow for perfect coordination when embellishing professional print projects with traditional embellishments. Add depth and dimension when you combine digital with handcrafted.
With My Digital Studio, your favorite images and colors need not retire--you can keep using them for years to come!
My Digital Studio is competitively priced at $79.95.
Software
My Digital Studio starts with nearly 2,000 unique elements--stamps, embellishments, templates, kits, punches, Designer Series papers, card stock, borders, and more.
Intuitive design for easy navigation and project creation.
Plenty to do for more advanced users including
Customizable stamps and embellishments
Photo, background, accent, and page editing
Multimedia features including music, videos, and links
Automatic photo fill for effortless design.
Program is on 3 DVDs, making downloading quick and simple.
The program is stored on your computer, not on the web, so you can take it with you.
PC and Mac compatible.
Training and quick start materials available to help you learn more.
Use My Digital Studio as a design tool--create projects digitally before crafting it in paper, or create flyers to print or e-mail to customers.
Digital Downloads
Download new embellishments, stamps, kits, and templates to My Digital Studio on a regular basis. Digital downloads are also compatible with other design tools.
Digital downloads feature exclusive Stampin' Up! artwork and colors.
Embellishments are true to size, making it easier to combine digital projects with paper crafting.
Print
Professional print service available--print your photo albums, calendars, cards, and individual pages.
Stampin' Up!'s professional print services ensure that printed colors match with our paper products. Because personal printers and other print services use different settings, their prints may not match Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors within acceptable tolerances. Stampin' Up! has worked to make sure that our professional print services match our colors perfectly!
Don't limit yourself to print projects! You can also create digital projects like DVDs, interactive albums, and e-cards.
With My Digital Studio, you can print your projects from your home printer (depending on your printer's settings, printed colors may not match Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors).
Stampin' Up!'s professional print services use only the highest quality products--papers, album covers (linen, leather, and photo covers).


Q: What is My Digital Studio?
A: My Digital Studio is new software from Stampin' Up! that allows both demonstrators and customers to digitally create a variety of products including (but not limited to) photo albums, cards, calendars, individual scrapbook pages, and multimedia projects that use exclusive Stampin' Up! art, accessories, and colors. When printed with Stampin' Up!'s professional print services, your projects can be combined with traditional Stampin' Up! products to create unique, multidimensional "hybrid" projects. My Digital Studio is available in English only and will be sold in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec).There are three different components to My Digital Studio:
Software: The My Digital Studio software will install directly on to your computer. The software contains nearly 2,000 unique elements including stamp brush sets, embellishments, templates, kits, punches, Designer Series papers, card stock, borders and more--all in exclusive Stampin' Up! designs and colors.
Professional Print Services: When you are done creating your projects, you have the option to have your projects professionally printed and delivered right to your door. Our professional print services are the best way to insure correct color matching with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors.*
Digital Downloads: You'll have access to an ever-increasing library of downloadable digital images that are perfect for seasonal projects, important events, or just everyday creativity.
My Digital Studio Software
Q: Is this software web-based or will I receive an installation disk?
A: You will receive installation disks that you will install on your computer. You will only need an Internet connection to register the product when you install it, to purchase professional print products, or to purchase digital downloads.
Q: What are the computer system requirements for My Digital Studio?
A: My Digital Studio is compatible with PC and MAC operating systems. Before you install My Digital Studio, make sure your computer meets the following requirements:
Computers running Microsoft Windows:
Windows XP or Vista
Pentium 4, 1 GHz or better (1.6 GHz recommended) or comparable AMD processor
512 MB RAM available (1 GB or more recommended, 1 GB required for Windows Vista users)
16 MB video RAM (64 MB recommended)
Available hard disk space: 5GB minimum
DVD-ROM drive
Computers running Macintosh:
OS X 10.4.x or greater (with the latest Java update)
G4 500 MHz or faster (G5 1 GHz or better recommended)
512 MB RAM (1 GB or more recommended)
8 MB video RAM (64 MB recommended)
Available hard disk space: 5GB minimum
DVD-ROM drive
Other Requirements
QuickTime Player version 7.5 or higher (available on the My Digital Studio Installation DVD or at http://www.quicktime.com/)
Monitor resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher (1152 x 864 or higher recommended)
Recommended additional equipment My Digital Studio User Guide - 8
CD or DVD burner (required for interactive album and DVD-video output options)
Printer
Speakers
Digital camera
Microphone
Digital camcorder
Scanner
System requirements will also be posted on our web site at www.stampinup.com/mydigitalstudio.
Q: Can I share my software with my family/friends/downline?
A: During the installation process, each demonstrator or customer will be asked to accept an End User License Agreement. This agreement allows each copy of the software to be installed on two computers in the household.
Q: How much does My Digital Studio cost?
A: My Digital Studio costs $79.95.
Q: What is the difference between selecting to create a Photo Album, Card, Calendar, and Multiple Output Options?
A: The Photo Album, Card, or Calendar options allow you to select your project size and type up front. The Multiple Output Options allows you to select the size up front, or change the size of the project after you are finished.
Q: The software agreement allows for installation on two computers in my home. Can I also install the application on a second computer where I work or in another location outside of my home?
A: The software license agreement allows you to install one copy of the software on two computers in your primary residence. If you want to also install the software on a computer in another location you can purchase another copy to do so.My Digital Downloads
Q: Are the images in the digital download already included in the My Digital Studio software?
A: Yes. As of now, all of the images in the digital downloads are already included in the My Digital Studio software . If you purchase the software, you do not need to purchase the downloads separately. Later, we will release new images that are not included in the software, and make them available for you to download.
Q: Can I purchase digital downloads without purchasing My Digital Studio?
A: Yes. Our digital downloads are compatible with other software programs. You cannot, however take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s professional print services without purchasing My Digital Studio.
Q: What other software programs are compatible with My Digital Studio downloads?
A: Any program that supports .jpg and .png files & layers such as: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Jasc Paint Shop Pro (PSP), Microsoft Digital Image Pro (DIP), Ulead Photo Impact (PI), Corel Draw.
Q: What are the download prices?
A: Pricing of digital downloads will vary based on size and type of kits to be downloaded.
Q: Will there be any Digital Download Hostess Sets/Kits?
A: There will not be a Hostess Digital Download when we launch. We will continue to assess our product offering after launch.
My Digital Studio Projects
Q: What are the prices of print products?
A: Pricing of print products will vary based on size, number of pages, and cover option. Pricing information will be posted on the web site when we announce the launch date.
Q: Are there minimum and maximum page limits on print products?
A: Minimum and maximum pages for each print output type are as follows:
Photo albums must have a minimum of 22 pages, and can have up to 100 pages.
Calendars have a minimum and maximum of 25 project pages. You can create a front cover page and two pages for each month.
Cards have a minimum of one project page and a maximum of three project pages. The customer has the option to create the front and both inside pages.
Individual pages can be printed in multiples of no less than five.
Q: Do I have to use the professional print service or can I print at home?
A: My Digital Studio has several output options including your own printer and multimedia/DVD creation. Using Stampin' Up!'s professional print services is the best way, however, to make sure Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors print correctly.
Q: What can we expect for shipping times for print products?
A: Professionally printed products will be printed and shipped directly from our print vendor. There will be a processing time of two to three days to have your project actually printed, and then our standard shipping times will apply.
Q: Will the copyright appear on the back of my home-printed cards?
A: The Stampin' Up!/My Digital Studio copyright will appear on the back of all cards printed through the professional print services. It will not appear on the back of cards you print from home.
Q: Will my pages print back-to-back from my home printer?
A: Different printers have varying functionality. You will need to check your printer manual to determine if this functionality is available.
Q: What home printer do you recommend I buy?
A: Stampin' Up! cannot recommend a specific printer for you, but the system requirements information and knowing what types of projects you want to create will help you decide which printer will work best for you.
Other Information
Q: My Digital Studio is featured in the Holiday Mini catalog. Is it only available until January 4, 2010?
A: Since the change to an annual Idea Book & Catalog, the Mini Catalogs will now offer product that may or may not be available after the mini promotional period. My Digital Studio is a product line that we intend to support and have available long after this mini catalog expires.
Q: In what countries is My Digital Studio available?
A: My Digital Studio is sold in the US and Canada only. My Digital Studio cannot be sold or supported in Quebec.
Q: Can I use hostess free dollars for My Digital Studio?
A: Hostess free dollars can be used to purchase the My Digital Studio software at a workshop or Stampin' Rewards may be used to purchase digital downloads on a qualifying order in the online store. If you do not have enough hostess free dollars to cover the entire cost of the software/downloads, the hostess will pay for the overage. Hostess free dollars cannot be used to pay for professional print services. Your print product will be the first item in your shopping cart and will help you earn hostess free dollars to be used for other traditional product.
Q: Can I create projects with My Digital Studio and sell the completed projects to customers?
A: The Stampin' Up! Angel Policy has been updated to include digital products and restricts the sale of digital products for commercial use. The policy states that you can sell up to 150 completed products annually. The Angel Policy includes both demonstrators and customers. Commercial selling will require specific arrangements and permission from Stampin' Up! The sale of digital files is strictly forbidden.
Q: What is a hybrid project?
A: Hybrid projects combine traditional Stampin' Up! products layered on top of digital creations.
Q: Will all of Stampin' Up!'s images, embellishments, and paper be available digitally?
A: My Digital Studio comes with a rich digital collection of exclusive Stampin' Up! art, papers, colors, and accessories. While not all of Stampin' Up!'s catalog products are included, there may be future products that are only available as digital downloads.

Friday, October 9, 2009

RANDOM MUSINGS

Today is my day off, so I've added 2 cards that I've made recently. I'm off to our church to help with cleanup in preparation for returning to the remodeled main building.

Yesterday I saw my hand surgeon to have my thumb joint injected with cortisone and schedule my thumb joint replacement for Dec 30th. My thumb was very painful last evening, so I did next to nothing, but I woke up this morning with minimal pain. Praise God!! Today I get my last of 5 Supartz injections in my knee. I'm not old, why do I have arthritis anyway? :)

Our church group is going to Pumpkinville in Mitchelleville Sat night for a bonfire, weiner roast, hayride, and corn maze. We are taking the grandkids. Sounds like it will be cold though. We will look like scarecrows with all of our warm clothes on!

We have 2 birthday parties and a wedding in the next couple of weeks. Our grandaughter Mady turned 7 on the 7th. Dylan, our only grandson, will be 2 on the 26th, and family friend gets married next weekend.

Wedding Medallion card

Click on photo to enlarge image! This medallion background stamp has been on my wish list from day 1 of the new catalog, but I just got it with last month's order. This is the first card that I have made with it. I stamped with versamark and heat embossed with clear ep. Then I sponged the colors-bermuda bay, crushed curry, and soft suede. The center of the medallion has a fire circle rhinestone brad. The card edge is torn and a strip of bermuda bay cardstock lines the inside edge of the card. I used happiness from Warm Words on the word window punch layered over the modern label punch so decided to make this a wedding card. See picture of the inside of card next. I stamped the medallion in crushed curry and overstamped the wedding wish with bermuda bay.

Sizzix Scallop Circle Dress card

Click on photo to enlarge image! I gave my stamp club members "scallop circle die dresses" to make their own card. Sometimes I am making mine at the last minute, but this month mine has been done for several days now!! I used up all the patterned paper of one design so decided to use paper from the new day and night pack in the holiday mini catalog. The white ruffle is a piece of computer paper that I made into another scallop layer. The red square fire rhinestone brad is the perfect bling to set this dress off perfectly, I think. I used the round tab punch to make a purse. I don't know who to credit this idea to as I have seen it several places. I used a red triangle and silver brad as well as silver cord to finish the purse. If you enlarge the picture, you can see the word happy stamped all over the background. It is from a retired set called Happy Everything. The next picture is the inside of the card. I used a scrap of paper and the scallop circle punch to make the small dress.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Fifth Avenue Floral Reinker Spread Technique

Click on photo to enlarge image! This is not a new technique, but one of my favorites especially for this stamp set-Fifth Avenue Floral. It is called reinker spread and I have taught this technique to my stamp club and to Heartland Stampers-a group who meet monthly at Urbandale library. First heat emboss an image with lots of lines to create closed spaces. I really like to use Stampin'Up! shimmer white cardstock. Heavily spritz cardstock with water and use an aqua painter to lightly touch reinker to the water and watch it spread. Allow to dry and cut out image for your focal point. I completed my cards with Stampin'Up! exclusive top note sizzix die and little leaves sizzlet.

Pick A Petal Dragonfly

Click on photo to enlarge image! I received a card similar to this at convention last year and had used it, so decided to recreate it. It is an out of the box way to use Pick A Petal which many of you have. I had intended to cut out the petals for the wings, but got them positioned to my satisfaction on my first playful attempt. I used our new in colors of melon mambo and crushed curry. A black marker or pen made the face and antennae with silver brads to finish it off. I lightly sponged the background with ballet blue to look like sky. The new melon mambo polka dot ribbon and a sentiment with the oval punches and some textured cardstock complete the card. Altogether very fun and quick.

Bright Blessings and Wood Cuts

Click on photo to enlarge image! I used our texture cuts wood sheets to make the leaves with the leaves #2 sizzix die. I then used stamp pads direct to paper (or in this case wood). I used old olive, ruby red, summer sun and really rust. The background is the jumbo Bright Blessings wheel. I finished the card off with an olive button.