Constantly Stamping

My Quinceanera Invitation

Last summer I was contacted by a really nice gal from California about creating custom quinceanera invitations for her daughter's event. Life was really crazy at that particular time, so I asked her if she would mind if I used my computer to save some time. It really was the only option if I was to have them ready for her in time. The digital download for this set is an outline image, so I pulled the artwork into a photo editing software program and added the coloring. I printed the layers, trimmed them down, and mounted everything on Basic Black card stock to create the feel of a traditional card. The results were simply gorgeous.

One of my favorite things about this card is the addition of rhinestones for the earrings and to the tiarra. I even completed the inside with the details of the event. I don't know if I would want to do this for a living, because it was a ton of work, but it was very gratifying. If you are interested in purchasing the digital download the item number is #129020. You can visit my website here.

The funny thing about all of this is that I don't speak a word of Spanish. I couldn't roll my r's if my life depended on it. I studied French as my second language in high school and college. Even funnier is that I have been trying to learn a little German so that I can help my son study for his class. He laughs at me because I pronounce all of the German words like they would be pronounced in French with a little bit of a southern accent. LOL!

One Step Further...Another Video Tutorial about the Silhouette and MDS2

I know that some of you aren't really getting into this video tutorial series that I have been doing, but for those of you who are the response has been amazing. I have one more tutorial today. This one picks up where I left off a few videos ago. Today I am going to show you how to put a frame around that MDS2 artwork using the Silhouette Studio software.

This is a card that I created with the finished print and cut file. Obviously the focal image is colored in MDS2 and then cut with the Silhouette Cameo. Then I went totally traditional from there. I used the new Core'dintions Card Stock in Early Espresso (#127848) and embossed it with the Woodgrain embossing folder (#127821). I used a sanding block to reveal some of the white inner core of the cardstock. I stamped the greeting and added everything to the card with some Lucky Limeade bakers twine and a button. Since I only made a card front I was trying to figure out how to take the picture. I came up with the idea of putting it on the front of a picture frame that I had on my desk. It was really cool how it turned out.

 

 

Video Tutorial: How to Print and Cut MDS2 Artwork with your Electronic Cutter

I am back with another tutorial. Today's video teaches you how to use MDS2 software and the Print & Cut feature on your electronic cutter to create fun and easy paper crafting projects. Here I made a napkin ring by attaching my cut artwork to a strip of card stock. I used the Tweet Leaves Digital Stamp Brush that is available for download. I am not sure exactly how this process works for all e-cutters, but this video takes you step-by-step on how I did it on my Silhouette Cameo. I used Silhouette Studio Designer Edition, but I am fairly certain this will work with the standard software that is included with the machine. Let me just say again that I am certainly not an expert on this, but I thought I would share what I have learned so far. (NOTE: I want to clarify that you use your own home printer to print the artwork. It is necessary to add the registration marks beforehand. Then when you put the printed artwork on your cutting mat and place it in the machine, the electronic eye will recognize the registration marks and know exactly where to cut.)

I know that digital paper crafting isn't for everyone. But if you are comfortable with your computer and especially if you love using your MDS2 software, then I am confident you can master using an electronic cutter.

 

2012 Artisan Finalists Blog Hop - Day 9

Thanks for joining us for day nine of our blog hop. Tomorrow is out big finale, so you don't want to miss it. I have saved the best for last. I hope you are taking the time to visit every blog. There are some amazing projects being shared this week. If you are making the rounds in order, then you just arrived from Mindy Bingamon's blog.

This precious little girl is my great niece, Patty. She has the most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen. Todays project is another MDS digital hybrid 12"x12" page. It has so many layers on it that if it were made with traditional elements it would have weighed a ton. One of the many things I love about digital scrapbooking is that you can try different elements on a layout. If they don't work you can easily start over without feeling guilty about wasting paper.

I really wanted to add some "real" ribbon to this page, so I printed the background layers and the top layers seperately. I added the ribbon, bow, and button, and then placed the additional layers over it with dimensionals. I used some of the bleached seam binding ribbon that I told you about yesterday. To make the page look even more traditional, I printed the tag, trimmed it out, and slipped it between layers. I also sponged the edges of the different layers and the tag. I saved a lot of time by creating this page in MDS and then assembling it. 

Well, that is all for today. Be sure to head on over to see which awesome project Holly VanDyne has in store for us today. This blog hop will take you in a complete circle, but if you happen to lose your way, here is a list you can refer to. Tomorrow is the final day of our ten day event, so don't miss it!

  

1. Connie Collins (you are here!)
2. Holly VanDyne
3. Melissa Stout
4. Amy O'Neill
5. Sandie Conner
6. Amy Rogers
7. Mercedes Weber
8. Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin
9. Mindy Bingamon

INGREDIENTS: My Digital Studio software; Digital DSP: Attic Botique, Beau Chateau, My Sweet Pea, Geometric Lines; Beau Chateau Elements - Note 3; Rock-a-Bye - Frame 2; Spring Fever Stamp Brush Set - Pretty Sweet; Font: CK Ali’s Hand; Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon (Bleached White), Pretty in Pink Designer Button, Dimensionals, Tea Stain Ink from Distressing Kit.

2012 Artisan Finalists Blog Hop - Day 8

I hope you are enjoying our ten day blog hop. Many of you have just arrived from Mindy Bingamon's blog. Don't you just love her projects? She is definitely on the top of my blog list.

Todays project is one of my favorite...EVER! That is because it's a baby book of my son's first year. The problem with this book is that you have to open it to appreciate it. So while you may have seen it open on the shelf at convention, you really couldn't appreciate it unless you held it in your hands and really studied it. I was a little concerned that the judges would over-look it. It was a little difficult to photograph as well, so I hope the following pictures do it justice.

This 3D project is a digital hybrid on steriods. I am not going to mislead you and tell you it was easy, but with a little planning and preparation I was able to actually make the book itself in about a day. Right off the bat you may notice something unusual. Stampin' Up! doesn't carry Whisper White seam binding ribbon, so I bleached some Very Vanilla. It worked great. As a matter of fact, I purchased a separate spool, bleached it, and after it dried, I put it back on the spool for later use.

I started by using the pre-designed template download, "Oh Baby". I knew I was going to reduce it to a much smaller size, so I picked only the templates that had one or two photos on them.

After I designed each page, I saved it as a .jpg file and exported it. Then I created a new document and pulled each page back in as a 4"x4".  I printed those out four to a page and trimmed them down so that I could adhere them to the pages of the book.

You may also notice the gingham background. I created my own matching designer paper by using the gingham digital stamp from the "House & Home" digital download and lining up several together to form a 5"x5" square. Then I used the color matching tool in MDS to match the colors to those in the kit.

I kept the embellishments at a minimum because I didn't want the finished book to have too much bulk. Since there wouldn't be any protective finish over the pages I wanted to avoid anything that would scratch or dent the pages. I made matching embellishments by using a circle punch and punching out about five or six circles of scrap paper and stacked them together to make something similar to chipboard. Then I punched out the "months" and adhered them on the top of each stack. Because I printed them from the same kit on the same paper they coordinated perfectly.

I haven't mentioned how to create the book itself. I glued the background papers to chipboard and then used my Big Shot and the Scallop Square die to cut it. I had to plan out the page order so that the book would have two-page spreads. After I completed the pages, I used a Crop-a-Dile to punch two holes in each page. I assembled the book with notebook rings.

Well, that is all for today. I am sure that Holly VanDyne has something wonderful planned for us today. This blog hop will take you in a complete circle, but if you happen to lose your way, here is a list you can refer to.

1. Connie Collins (you are here!)
2. Holly VanDyne
3. Melissa Stout
4. Amy O'Neill
5. Sandie Conner
6. Amy Rogers
7. Mercedes Weber
8. Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin
9. Mindy Bingamon

INGREDIENTS: My Digital Studio: 1" Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Glue Stick, Tombow Multipurose Adhesive, Large Scallop Square Clear Die, Crop-a-Dile, Chipboard, Oh Baby Digital Kit; Chat Room-Baby Stamp Brush Kit; House & Home Stamp Brush Kit Fonts: CK Ali’s Hand; Ariel; Other: Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon (Bleached White), Basic Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Notebook Rings, 3/4" Circle Punch, Floral Fusion Sizzlits Die, Big Shot Machine, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Color Printer, Premium Matte Photo Presentation Paper.

 

2012 Artisan Finalists Blog Hop - Day 7

Today is day seven of our ten day blog hop. If you are making the rounds, you should have just arrived from Mindy Bingamon's blog.

 
The glamorous lady is my mother. I was so flattered when someone came up to me at convention and said I looked a lot like her. Yes, it is true, I definitely favor her, but I also have quite a bit of my dad's side of the family in me too. I have to tell you the story behind this photo. A few years ago my parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. My dad had this graduation photo of my mom restored for the event. When he gave me a copy of it he smiled and said, "This is why I married your mother!" I think she is beautiful and obviously he does too!

This page is proof positive that digital layouts can have some depth and character. I love adding unexpected embellishments to my pages. Here I gave my mother a pearl necklace with matching pearl earring. I also printed some of the elements out twice, cut them out and then layered them on top of existing ones using dimensional adhesive. I also added some glitter to the flowers just to give it a little more bling. In case you haven't noticed, I am really into digital hybrid scrapbooking.

Well, that is all for today. Be sure to head on over to see which awesome project Holly VanDyne has in store for us today. This blog hop will take you in a complete circle, but if you happen to lose your way, here is a list you can refer to. Just three more days to go, so don't miss it! 

 

1. Connie Collins (you are here!)
2. Holly VanDyne
3. Melissa Stout
4. Amy O'Neill
5. Sandie Conner
6. Amy Rogers
7. Mercedes Weber
8. Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin
9. Mindy Bingamon

INGREDIENTS: My Digital Studio Software; Digital DSP: Everyday Enchantment, Beau Chateau; Beau Chateau Elements; Attic Botique Embellishments; Font: Bickman Scrpit Fancy 2; Digital Cardstock: Whisper White, Early Espresso; Curly Label Digital Punch; Dimensionals, Basic Pearls, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-Way Glue Pen.

CAS MDS Hybrid Wedding Card

Life has been coming at me hard and fast the past few weeks. We had a lot of hail damage back in March, so I have been busy dealing with the insurance company trying to work out all the details of the repairs. This is also achievement test week and the last week of tutorial at our son's homeschool group, so needless to say, I have been a bit distracted from my blogging. I needed a quick card for a wedding, so today's card is clean and simple. I created the card front using the flower image from the recently released "Earth Laughs" MDS digital download and the "Happy Greeting" digital stamp brush set. I printed it out on Whisper White card stock and then colored it with Daffodil Delight & Lucky Limeaid markers. To create a glow around the image, I sponged Tea Stain distress ink from the Distressing Essential Kit around the edges. I trimmed it down and added it to a Daffodil Delight card base. That's all here is to it. I may go back later and add a little bling, but for now this is a great, simple card that I can put in the mail without any worries.

MDS Hybrid Sweet Shop Card

I've got lots going on these days, so today's post is short and "sweet". This is a card that I created with the My Digital Studio Sweet Shop Tri-fold Card download (#125617). I switched out the background and used the striped digital DSP from Sale-a-bration. Basically, I just played around with this card to see what it would look like if I printed it at home. It is cute if you print it straight out, but I stepped it up a notch and turned it into an 5.5"x4.25" card using some Calypso Cafe and Chocolate Chip card stock. I printed the focal image separately from the card base. I printed it twice so that I could cut it out and layer each piece with dimensionals. I used a little Dazzling Diamonds on the cherry to give it a little extra bring. Some ribbon and buttons give this card some needed texture.

BTW, there are some cute new digital downloads today available over in my Stampin' Up! store, so be sure to go check those out!

That is pretty much it for today. Hope it is as beautiful outside where you are as it is here. Have a wonderful day!