Mad Scientist Party Suite - and dry-ice icecream recipes!

I recently held a party for my 12 year old son - it took a couple of months for me to get organised, what with working and bushfires, and all I can say is "thank goodness for MDS!!"
I started out with a theme of sorts in mind, using the "Howlstooth and Scaringbone" DSP, as his favourite colour has always been orange.  The party was to be a "Mad Scientist" party, and it went from "Mum, no one will come!" to a hefty 24 kids.  Gulp.  Just as well I'm now a highschoool science teacher!  In the end it turned out to be quite a bit of fun, for me and them.  We did nine different activities in 3 jam-packed hours, and judging by the smiles on their faces and parental comments in the days afterwards, it was a big success! 

 

I printed invitations three to an A4 page on glossy photo paper, using one of my favourite pics of Einstein.

I made personalised white cotton aprons, with name labels printed onto T-shirt transfer.  I used a selection of labels and embellishments from the MDS program, and arranged them on an orange chevron background on A4 paper, to maximise the number I could print on each sheet of transfer.  I made one template in MDS, and added names in Word so I could save successive versions (and reuse the original!).  I also used more printouts of these tags for their goodie bags.

For the activities, I printed out instructions using a similar template, as the kids were going to be doing some of the activities themselves.  The icecream turned out to be spectacular, using just reasonably readily available dry ice.  The "recipe" was as follows - 600ml thickened cream, 500g carton custard, 1/4 cup milk, squirt of vanilla paste and 3 tablespoons icing mixture.  Blend in a stand mixer, and add flavourings of choice.  In a blender, crush about a cup worth of dry ice pellets into powder, and tip slowly into the stand mixer while it is running.  Keep running until the fog is mostly gone, scraping down at least once, the bottom of the bowl will be the coldest part.  Add more crushed dry ice if the consistency isn't firm enough, otherwise scoop into cones or store in a plastic tub and put in the freezer until you want it.   On party day I made a batch of vanilla and a batch of cookies and cream using crushed Oreos.  The next day I made subsequent batches using the left over dry ice with a tin of mango halves and a small tin of passionfruit pulp (seriously yum!), 2 tablespoons nutella spread and half a cup of choc chips (also yum), plain vanilla using vanilla bean paste and crushed oreos. The surprise was the fact that tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide trapped in the icecream give it a slightly fizzy taste.

Another activity the kids did was making sherbet, and I had prepared all the ingredients in labelled tubs. The funniest part was watching the faces of a couple of brave souls who dared to taste the tartaric and citric acid crystals, even after being told they would be sour.  The very best learning by doing!  It would also have highlighted the interesting chemical reaction between the sour and the sweet, and the bubbles from the acid and carbonate reaction.  Not to mention the importance of following instructions ;-p

 

And finally, there were the thankyou cards, that I printed four to an A4 page.  This one was a super quick production using a designer template from the Lemonade Stand MDS suite, and I switched out the pre-designed DSPs for the Howlstooth and Scaringbone patterns,  I changed the sentiment, and voila!

Available for purchase - MDS Christmas Class - Learn and Create at the same time!

 The three cards shown here are all made with Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio Software, and were designed by me to include a range of different techniques, exploring the functionality of the program.  The cards use only the stamp sets and contents of the standard installation of the MDS software.  The class includes full written instructions to create each of these cards step by step, along with instructions for printing them to create an A4 page of each containing 4 card fronts.

You'll learn to use the program as you create, and will soon be zooming off to customise and modify, making new projects of your own.

The cost of the tutorial is just $15, and you'll be sent a file with the instructions after your payment has been received.    If you don't already own the software, are located within Australia and purchase it via my online store at this link HERE , I will post you a package of cardstock and envelopes to complete two of each card (six cards in total), with instructions for embellishing the cards for a handmade touch.

Payment can be made via Paypal with the address michelle.dyson@bigpond.com

Any questions?  Just email me at the same address!

A special MDS card

Our neighbours lost their lovely old doggy Stella recently, quite suddenly.  She'd emigrated all the way from the UK with them, and had been around for the whole of the kid's lives as a beloved family pet.  Stella was a sweet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and loved having short walks and cuddles with her family, and was always so friendly when we visited so it was a big loss.  I made this card to give them to show that we cared, using the MDS program.  The Storybook embellishment doggie was quite similar to Stella (well, the nose wasn't quite right) and I used the alphabet embellishment to make the sentiments.  The card front panel was printed, and then it was mounted onto some base layers in co-ordinating colours.

MDS Monday Challenge #1

The lovely and talented Nicole Derendorf has been using My Digital Studio for several years as a past Canadian demo, and has arranged a weekly MDS challenge to help everyone get familiar and have fun with the new program here.  This is the first week, and the sketch provided is this one:

And, here's my take:

Feel free to join in and email me with your version!

Tutorial Time - Downloading My Digital Studio software for Technophobes!

In the process of helping some of my team members get their MDS software up and running, I created a step-by-step tutorial with screen shots to guide even the most computer-phobic crafter into happy success with My Digital Studio.  It is a PDF file, and by clicking this link you can save the file to your computer and print it for guidance.

Why bother?  It's so much fun, and once downloaded, very easy to jump in and play.  Imagine being able to sit and watch a DVD and catch up on much-neglected scrapbooking?  With just a laptop to pack away?  To be able to make your own custom photobooks, cards and more? 

Here's a taster of things I have made recently, and also an ad for our upcoming Mother's Day Blog Hop!

Specials Galore!

Have you downloaded your free trial of My Digital Studio yet?  No?  Then click on the link below and give it a go!  If you have, then it might be time to add a few more goodies to your digital library with our 25% off  sale.  Click on the sale banner above to find out more - there are some great kits packed with stamps, papers, embellishments and more.  You can purchase them via my online store, just click the button in the right sidebar.

If you would like some extra help with downloading instructions, stay tuned as I have made a step by step tutorial with screen shots to help you along.   I'll post it next! 

My Digital Studio - a whole craft room on your laptop, just $24.95!

It's here at last!!  I have had My Digital Studio software for a few years now, since my hubby saw it while in the US.  I've used it for blog headers (like this one above!), party invites, thank you cards, custom powerpoint presentations, and lots more, and I've barely scratched the surface.

I have to say, it is MUCH easier to use than any of the other major graphics programs, like Corel and Photoshop - I can't get my head around those at all! It's very intuitive, versatile, and works alongside all the products you already own.  There is also lots of videos and tutorials available if you need them, but sitting down for a bit of a play will have you creating pages and cards to be proud of in no time.

Best of all, the full version software download is just $24.95.  Not a typo!

Not convinced?  You can try it for FREE for 30 days!  Click the button below, and you'll be taken to my Demonstrator Business Website, where you can pop it in your cart.  Have a browse around in the Digital Downloads section while you are there, there are quite a few freebies to add to the content that comes with the free trial.

Here's a button link to a flyer for you with some more info:

Class:  Introduction to Digital Creating with My Digital Studio

Because I am already familiar with this amazing software, I'm planning a class to introduce people to digital creating, which will be suitable for anyone with basic computer skills (operating Windows, and perhaps a word processing program or similar).  The class will include written notes, and several guided sample projects for you to practice your new skills on, including at least one digital-only project and at least one hybrid project (all materials for this supplied).  I'd like to get an idea of level of interest before I schedule some dates, but it will probably be a weekend afternoon 2-5pm

Cost:  A total of $40 - being $15 for class tuition, plus $24.95 for purchase of the full version software from my online store HERE  - this will need to be downloaded/installed on your laptop/netbook before the class.  Download might take several hours, and it is recommended that you temporarily alter your computer settings to prevent it going into 'sleep mode'

Where:  Cherrybrook, North Western Sydney

What to Bring: A laptop or similar with power cord, purchased MDS software downloaded, a notebook.

Please email me for more information, or to express your interest.

Online ordering is HERE NOW!

*BREAKING NEWS* 

 ONLINE ORDERING IS AVAILABLE NOW!

You can now place an order with me 24/7 via my Demonstrator Business Website (DBWS) - which looks like this (at least until I update the graphics again!):
Just click on the image below to go to my site, and there is also a sidebar image to click on on the main front page of my blog.

Once you are on my DBWS, you will see a button at the top right, that says 'Shop Now', and when you click on that, you will see a page like this:

For your first shopping visit, you'll need to click "create account" at the top left side of the page - it's a simple procedure, and only takes a minute or two, and then you'll be ready to shop!  For future visits, simply log in, and if you forget your password, there is a secret hint question to help you regain access to your account.

Online ordering works very much like ordering from me direct, however I am unable to offer 5% shipping and handling for local pickup orders, as the system will apply the minimum postage charge of $5.95 for orders up to about $119, thereafter 5%.

You can search, browse, and sort by price, name etc.   If you have the item code handy, just type it into the search box, and the product will appear.  Then click on the product thumbnail image, and click the 'add to my cart' button.   Add each item to your cart, and then select "continue shopping" from the top right of the cart page, under "my account" to add further items.
Click CHECKOUT, and enter you chosen payment details, just like other online shopping sites you are accustomed to.

Online orders can include My Digital Studio software downloads, and items from the Clearance Rack, as well as items from the current catalogues.  There will also be links and information for current promotions.

For Hostesses and their invited guests:

Each Party held will have a special 8 digit code, that can be entered by guests who place an order online - either adding to their order placed at the Party, or guests who were unable to attend the scheduled date.  While the Party order is open, these online orders will count towards your hostess benefits!  So, go ahead and invite your stamping-mad friend interstate, they can join in the fun!

So exciting - it's a new world!  If you have any queries, or want to have a bit of a test run, you can complete an order up to the last couple of steps, then cancel it if you wish before submitting it.  See my next post about the incredible My Digital Studio software for tips on ordering free downloads online!