A Touch From the Heart

I Scrapbooked!!!!!

Hold onto your hats folks!!!!  I scrapbooked!!!!  Although scrapbooking is how I got started in the art of papercrafting, I haven't really played around with it for such a long time.

Today's project for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge isn't really considered traditional papercrafting because I created this page digitally using My Digital Studio.

Here's this week's sketch:

Here's my project: 

Digital papercrafting is so addicting!!!!  I love how I can combine paper patterns, ribbon, punches, stamps and fun embellishments all without leaving the confines of my couch!!!!   Fun for the creative side of my brain while the family watches TV.

I kept this page pretty simple to let the photos shine.  My brother and his family have a brand new family member......a cute little golden retriever puppie named Chewy (short for Chewbacca).  Do you think they are serious Star Wars fans?

Chewy joined the family for our annual family 4th of July BBQ/pool party.  As you can see from the photos, the little pup got quite wet on this adventurous day.  Isn't thay spiky hair the cutest?  She partied hard, and finally fell asleep in the arms of her sister Alex.  Chewy and Dimples got along famously.  It was funny to watch Chewy follow Dimps all around like she was her mother.  

Here's a tip for you:  use the colors from an element in the photo to use for your background.  In my layout, I used the colors from Alex's swimsuit.  See how the pictures just pop.  Just be careful that the background papers don't overpower your photos.  If you patterned paper is very bold, they tend to work better as smaller elements on your pages.  Just play around and have fun!!!  That's the best part about digital papercrafting.  There's no waste of product when you are experimenting!!!!

Well, I am off to hopefully enjoy a relaxing weekend.  We just returned from a two week roadtrip visiting family and friends on the east coast.  As much as I love visiting everyone, the trip is exhausting.  We decided to take the 16 hour drive home in all one shot.  We're all still recovering from being overtired and in everyone else's space.  Ahhhhhh.....family togetherness!!!!  

Tomorrow is my first weigh in since I left for vacation over two weeks ago.  I only need a loss of .2 to reach the 75 lb mark.  That will leave me with 3 lbs left to lose until I reach goal!!!!  Goal.....what an exciting word!!!!!  I sure hope it comes soon!!!!

I wish all of you a fabulous weekend.  Be sure to check out the fabulous projects on the Stamping 411 blog.  My fellow operators always make the prettiest projects!!!!!

 

Pick of the Patch

Have you heard that Stampin' Up! released some new digital downloads?

What's a digital download?  Well, they are digital brushes that work with My Digital Studio as well as other papercrafting digital software or photo software you may already own. 

For this page I used the Pumpkin Patch (for the jack-o-lanterns and grass) and Cast a Spell (for the patterned paper) downloads. 

Scrappin' a page was never so easy.  I created the pumpkins once...then used cut and paste to recreate them along my border.

Would you like to see all the digital downloads available for purchase?  It's easy......go to my demonstrator website and click on "Shop Now".  Click on "Digital Crafting" and then "My Digital Downloads". 

If you have any questions about My Digital Studio or any of the downloads, just send me an email.  Remember, I'm here to help!!!!

Click here to order your Stampin' Up! products

My Digital Studio

I'm sure you've heard all the buzz about Stampin' Up's digital software called My Digital Studio which is available for purchase on October 1st.

Well, let me tell you.......My Digital Studio is so wicked cool (as my teens would say)!!!!

Last week, I played around with it and quickly made a new blog banner.  Isn't it pretty?

Last night, I decided to make my first digital scrapbook page.

First thing to know about MDS....it's perfect for both the beginner and advanced user.  You can:

1. use pre-designed pages (i.e. everything is done for you......just add your photos)
2. use photo layouts and then add your own papers and embellishments
3. design from scratch

I've seen option 1 on training videos.....I wanted to try designing something from scratch.

Guess what?  It was SO stinkin' easy to do!!!

Here's what I did:

• picked my background paper
• created the flower strip by adding a "square punch"....then just dragged my mouse to make it the shape of a rectangle.  I then clicked a button to give it a mat.
• created a scallop circle punch......then dragged my mouse to make it bigger
• added some text......and moved it on top of my scallop circle
• added another "square punch".....made it bigger.....picked a color.....now I have a journaling area
• typed the text and moved it over the journaling area
• added the photos (clicked a button to give each of them a mat)
• added the ribbon

I told you......so easy.....everything is controlled by clicking and dragging your mouse!!!!  

Even if you are a traditional scrapper, MDS is perfect to help you plan your pages.  It's nice to see what your layout is going to look like without wasting any cardstock and embellishments to experiment.

I am currently working on being certified on My Digital Studio so I can answer any questions you may have.

Until next time.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!