April 29, 2015

How I'm Backing Up MDS: How is everybody doing?

I wanted to give everyone enough time to get everything downloaded in all the formats they wanted before moving onto the next step. So how is everyone doing? I finally finished all my downloading this past weekend (I've got A LOT of them- I was a bit addicted to tuesdays :) ) so I plan to get the next video recorded very soon!

So make sure you finish up downloading all your content and be ready to move on with me later this week.

Flutterby again soon!

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Creative Connections Event

Recently I attended the Creative Connections Event for MN demonstrators and it was a BLAST! It was like our own mini convention right here in Minnesota.


We had an awesome day! When the doors opened they had amazing displays up all around the room. It was so much fun walking around and taking in all that creative inspiration- I can't wait to try out some of the ideas I saw! I think one of my favorite spots was Rachel Tessman's Paper Pumpkin spread. Isn't it just fun to see all the alternate projects she comes up with :)


After soaking in all that inspiration it was time for our first general session. They started with a Prize Patrol! The theme for the day was everything sparkly- so all the prizes they gave out that day were shiny (rhinestones, embossing powder, you get the idea :) ). Then some of the top demonstrators in our area shared business and creative tips with us. My favorite presentation was a spread of 3-D items that were gorgeous. They were themed towards wedding decor or bridal gifts, but could be altered for any theme. Here's a visual I snapped during the gathering time afterwards. Isn't it fun!


There is still so much more to tell you about this awesome day, but you'll have to flutterby again soon :)

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April 27, 2015

April Paper Pumpkin

Have you seen this month's Paper Pumpkin yet? It is so cute!


The day it arrived my mini crafter helped me make up a set of the tags. Aren't they just cute! She was so excited- I even let her ink up her own stamps and scatter it about the card to her hearts content. She has been carrying our projects around with her and hanging them all over the house :)

Here is an shot of my card out of it's hanger. So sweet looking right :)


Just a little over a week ago I attended the Creative Connections event for MN demos and it was a blast! They showed how to make a pop-up card for one of the demonstrations, and I thought the idea would work perfectly with this kit. Here is how it turned out (with the help of my tiniest crafter- less than 2!)


Closed all you can see is the little hey message poking out. But then you pull up on the message and TA DA!


It can stand on it's own :) Isn't that adorable!

To recreate this look score your card ever 1 1/4" from the center fold. In the center cut all but the outside 1/4"- then slide your stamped sheet through this slit.

Proceed to fold at all the scoremarks inward- then glue the outermost two panels together with the bottom edge of your stamped sheet between them. Then all you have to do is embellish as desired! I found that the belly band from the tag was just the right length to decorate the three front panels (the middle strip is much shorter, but you can't tell with the bow over the end).

Hope you enjoyed this new idea for your PP this month. Flutterby again soon!

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April 24, 2015

Sheltering Tree: Winter

This month's class focused on the Sheltering Tree stamp set. This is one of my absolute favorite sets in the Occasions Mini catalog this spring. There are just so many possibilities for it- no matter what time of year.

The last card from class is for winter. I love how serene this scene turned out.


To achieve the night sky look in the background I punched a small circle out of a post it note. I stuck the circle down on the cardstock and then sponged smoky slate all over the rest of the surface.

Remember the bold flowers on the spring card? You can see that same stamped image used here for the snowflakes! (Did I mention yet that I LOVE all the multi-purpose stamps in this set!). Although you can't see it in the picture, I added some dazzling details sparkles to many of the snowflakes. In person it gives it a wonderful shimmer :)

And of course don't forget the Silver Glimmer Paper. I feel like the extra sparkle gives this winter card it's finishing touches.

Hope you've enjoyed seeing all the Sheltering Tree cards we made this month in class :)

Flutterby again soon!

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April 22, 2015

Mother's Day Card

I showed off the present I made for Mother's Day back on monday for the Creative Inking blog hop, and today there is a card to match :)


Isn't it just the perfect match for the present! I even added a little 3-D butterfly to match the one on the picture frame.


Did you notice how the sky in the background has a bit of a texture to it? Can you guess how I created that effect? I actually made the background one color and then used the rose stamp brush (blown up to a larger size) over and over on top of it. I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out!

Flutterby again soon!

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April 21, 2015

The Retirement List is HERE

It is that time of year again when we say goodbye to some dear stamp sets and accessories in order to make way for new ones in the upcoming catalog. I always find this bittersweet. I hate to see some of my favorites go, but I'm also filled with the excitement and anticipation of what is to come!

So check out the list HERE and see what we are saying goodbye to this year. Some of the items are even up to 50% off- which absolutely rocks! And don't forget- all MDS items are 30% (this includes not only downloads but also software and print products) so make sure to stock up on your favorites before they are gone.

Everything is while supplies last, so get your order in right away! Just use the code 6D2XZDJJ for my online retirement party order :)

Flutterby again soon!

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April 20, 2015

Creative Inking Blog Hop: Happy Mother's Day!

It's time again for another Creative Inking Blog Hop. This month we are inspiring you to make something special for you Mom for Mother's Day next month!


Since my Mom will be seeing her present today (Hi Mom!) I figured I had better give it to her early this weekend. I think she loved it... in fact I was worried it was going to make her cry ;) So I hope you enjoy it as much as she did.


I went back and forth this month about what I wanted to make- but ultimately I was inspired by a Shutterfly advertisement of all things :) It was a photobook cover geared towards a Mother's Day gift- but I loved the layout of a picture with flowers... and that sparked the idea for this frame!

I made the photo insert using MDS. I figure I only have two more months to feature this awesome program on our hop, so I'm making the most of it!

In addition to printing up the large 8x10 I also created a smaller version. From it I punched out a bunch of the flowers and added to the outside of the glass. I love the depth it added to project- just check out some of the close ups.



And of course nothing is complete without a butterfly as well :)


Hope you enjoyed :)
Flutterby again soon to see the matching card!

Now it's time to keep hopping...




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April 17, 2015

Sheltering Tree: Fall

This month's class focused on the Sheltering Tree stamp set. This is one of my absolute favorite sets in the Occasions Mini catalog this spring. There are just so many possibilities for it- no matter what time of year.

For the fall card I started with a wooden looking base using the Woodgrain Texture Folder. To make the pattern really pop I lightly rubbed a sponge with chocolate ink on it across the impression. I love the dimension it gives to the background.


Remember the small spotted stamp I used as flowers last week? Well this week it works perfectly to make the tree look like it just has a couple of leaves left on it :) And of course there needs to be a bunch of leaves that have fallen off and are scattered on the ground. Win win again for the multi-use images in this stamp set!

To finish this card off I gave all the white edges a distressed look using a sponge and some chocolate ink. I also added a little shape to my word banner by sticking the ends into the Modern Label Punch. Last, but not least, I added some of the pumpkin cotton ribbon. Have you tried this style of ribbon yet? I LOVE it so MUCH! It is so soft and easy to work with- you have to give it a try if you have not played with it yet :)

Flutterby again soon!

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April 16, 2015

Happy Birthday to Me :)

Belated of course... On one hand I can't believe that I didn't get around to posting my birthday card sooner. But then I remember the past month (hello sickness spreading like fire in my house only to make way for quarter end craziness at my job) and I remember why it is so late in coming :)


All this adorable-ness was of course made for me by my wonderful mom. The stamps come from the fun Crazy About You set, which also has some amazingly cool word thinlits that coordinate with it (not pictured on this card though). There are so many sayings you can create with the words in this set- it reminds me of the magnet words people buy for their fridges :)

And check out the fun center of the flower she created. It is easy to add glitz to your cards too. Just use scraps left over of your glimmer paper and the 1/4" handheld punch. Tada- instant rhinestone like embellishments. Just add using a drop of Tombow glue and you are good to go!


Flutterby again soon!

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April 14, 2015

Great News!

Need to stock up on MDS downloads before they retire? Well then this news is for you. Stampin' Up! just announced that they will be having a retirement sale on ALL MDS items from April 21st - June 2nd. EVERYTHING (software, downloads, and print products) will all be 30% off. Yay!!

So start making your wish list and finishing up those products to print this week. That way you can get in on the sale right away next tuesday (which gives you plenty of time to then back everything up).

In addition to the sale news, Stampin' Up! also announced that they would extend the MDS ending support date until June 9th. That gives you about an extra week to backup your purchases, call support for assistance, and check out everything on the MDS social sites (mydigitalstudio.net, YouTube channel, Facebook, & Pinterest pages).

Hopefully all this news brightens your day!

Flutterby again soon!

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April 8, 2015

Sheltering Tree: Summer

This month's class focused on the Sheltering Tree stamp set. This is one of my absolute favorite sets in the Occasions Mini catalog this spring. There are just so many possibilities for it- no matter what time of year.

For the summer card I used a bright cheery base of Daffodil Delight embossed with the Decorative Dots Texture Folder. And there is the rest of the Top Note die :) I used the scrap I cut off of this card for the spring card last week- it gave the perfect pop of green.


I love how the grass stamp doubles as stems for little flowers. Wasn't that a cool design?! It matches up perfectly with the dots on the small spotted stamp to create the floral look. There are so many stamps in this set with multiple uses it is awesome :)

Flutterby again soon!

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April 7, 2015

FREE SHIPPING

Yay! Did you hear the great news yet? All this week Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING on any size order. Woot woot!


This offer doesn't come around very often- so get it while it's HOT :)

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April 6, 2015

How I'm Backing Up MDS: Part 3 Downloading Everything

In case you have missed this series thus far here is a recap:

Part 1- Includes a Digital Downloads Catalog. The steps in this post involve figuring out what content you have and selecting the downloads you still want to purchase before they are discontinued May 31st.
Part 2- A video to show you where your downloads manager is located.

Once you have completed these steps you are ready to Download Everything :)

Step 1:
You should at the very least download each piece of content twice- once for the platform you are on (Mac vs. Windows) and then again for the Other Applications option. The reason for the later is this: although MDS will continue to work for the time being, eventually you are going to want to update your operating system. Since there will be no program support at this time they will not be any updates that make it compatible with new operating systems, and so the program is likely to stop working at that point. However, if you have the download that allows you to use the content for other applications you will still be able to access it outside the program- that way your investment in images remains safe :)

Now, that said, I am personally going to download all three versions of each. That way if I ever switch to a different computer I will still have everything I need. At the moment I can't ever imagine myself leaving my Mac... but stranger things have happened and you never know.

Step 2:
Once you download each file you can tell the difference by looking at the extension type. Anything with a .dmg is a Mac installer, a .exe is a Windows installer, and a .zip file is for other applications. I'm separating them into respective folders, but you can organize in whatever manner you wish :)

Step 3:
Download the most up-to-date program upgrades. You can find them HERE.

Here is why you need this file: Imagine in the near future that your computer crashes and you have to reinstall programs. You would be able to reinstall MDS via your CD (or download if you bought it digitally- and backed it up in Step 2 above). However, this would give you the original version of the program. There have been A LOT of additions and improvements made since then, and you would be missing them all. However, with this file you can install the update and you will be right back to the final version of the software. So make sure you grab the one for your operating system... or both operating systems like me ;)

Here is a video that walks you through everything I have discussed today. Hope it helps you out!


Flutterby again soon.

Update:
I just learned of some additional software updates you will want if you had the original MDS program. You can grab them HERE. There is a software update (that you will install after the original software and before MDS2) and then some freebie cardstock Stampin' Up! had provided. Make sure to grab it before the 9th when the site is taken down!

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April 5, 2015

Happy Easter

Hope you are having a Blessed Day!

Just wanted to send some quick cuteness your way today. My mom made these little bunny butt favors for our family get-together today. Aren't the adorable :)


She really likes to use the 1/8" punch to make little 'rhinestones' for her projects. It is an easy and fun way to add some sparkle without having to color in real rhinestones. Fun idea, huh?


Flutterby again soon!

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April 3, 2015

Sheltering Tree: Spring

This month's class will be focusing on the Sheltering Tree stamp set. This is one of my absolute favorite sets in the Occasions Mini catalog this spring. There are just so many possibilities for it- no matter what time of year.

For the spring card I focused on the colors Blushing Bride and Calypso Coral. If you look at the background of the card you will notice that I added some texture by stamping the tree leaves in two of the corners. This is a fun stamp to use on it's own to give that spotted look :)


The flowers on the tree use the leaves stamp in the lighter shade and the snowflake stamp (fun extra use!) in the darker shade to give it the flowers that pop :)

I added a sliver from the Top Note die (the rest is used in the summer card- stay tuned) and half a doily behind the main image. Also, everything on white cardstock has a little bit of brown sponged around the edges to soften them up.

And that's it! Pretty simple, and really pretty :)

Flutterby again soon to see more Sheltering Tree inspiration

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