Extra goodies for Hostesses, Extra goodies for new demonstrators!

There are 2 more weeks on the great promo running right now, so it's a great time to be a Hostess!  Until 30th May, when party sales reach a very achievable $400 you get an extra $60 to spend on whatever catalogue products you fancy - that's TWICE as much free fun!  Being a Hostess is easy-as - there is even an online system for sending invites and accepting RSVP's  - and all you need is a few friends, a dining table and a cuppa.  I come to you with everything we need to make a hand-stamped card or two.  Take a look at the "Host a party" tab at the top of the blog for lots more info, and call me to book a date!

Or, if you have a hefty wishlist (don't we all!), why not consider joining my StampInkPaper team by becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!   There are extra goodies for you too - pay just $169 for the Starter Kit, and choose $295 worth of catalogue products  - that's an extra $60, so it is great value.  There is no requirement to host workshops or parties unless you want to, although the kit comes with catalogues and other business supplies on top of your $295 in product, so you have a business in a box for just $169  - TOTAL no brainer!  There is lots more detail in the "Become a Demonstrator" tab, or give me a call to chat

Mother's Day Inspiration - StampInkPaper Team Bloghop!

Welcome to our StampInkPaper Team Mother's Day Blog Hop. A blog hop is where you 'hop' from blog to blog linked by the same theme, you may have arrived here from Vanessa's blog, or just happened upon the tour by chance. Our theme is of course Mother's Day. Each of our team members has made a card using Stampin'Up! products.

Here are the projects I made, using our fabulous new My Digital Studio software (click the link to try a free 30 Day trial!).  I have had an earlier version of this software for a few years now, and I love it!  I get that some people really enjoy the physical cutting and sticking with traditional papercrafts, so today I am showing you two Hybrid versions of the card below,  turned into real paper creations.  The best bit is being able to multitask and create while catching a DVD, and all without making the mess of my craft room that I am famous for!  You can design online and build from scratch using your design, or print the front panel to mount and embellish as I have done here.  I used a standard inkjet printer, and printed onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  I also test printed on (retired) Confetti White, and that looked great as well!
 

Here's the digital only version, converted into a common jpeg image, so it could be emailed around the world if you wished.  I have used drop shadows and lots of layers to give it a dimensional effect.

The elements used are:

Taffeta trimmings (Very Vanilla ribbon) - included in MDS full version

Delightful Dozen (sentiment) - included in MDS full version

Tea for two designer easel calendar kit (130664, just $14.63 until June 15th)

Soft Blooms paper embellishment (130080, $4.50)

Daydream Medallions Stamp Brush set (130854, $4.50) 

   

 

 In this real-life version, I mounted the printed panel onto So Saffron cardstock, and an Old Olive base.  I added a snip of seam binding from the Artisan Embellishments kit and some Basics Pearls to the faux paper flowers.  A bit of ink to the edges and some adhesive - all done!

 I just changed the colour scheme for this one, making it an Old Olive layer and a Primrose Petals card base, and switched the seam binding for a piece of the cotton lace, again from the Artisan Embellishment Kit.

I hope you enjoy seeing what can be easily created with this powerful software, stay tuned for my upcoming Introduction to Digital Designing class.  Want to download some simple instructions for installing the software?  Click here for my step by step screen shot PDF

When you have finished here on my blog (comment love very much appreciated!), you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member's creations.

Lost? Here's a list of links to all the participants so you can find your way again.

Vanessa Cook - www.stampness.blogspot.com

Michelle Dyson - www.stampinkpaper.blogspot.com

Clare McIlhatton - http://craftycowcreations.blogspot.com.au/

Anne Farrar - http://stampinannies.blogspot.com.au/

Carolyn Campbell-McLean - http://carolyncampbell-mclean.blogspot.com.au/

Marilyn Scholtz - http://www.marilynscholz.typepad.com/justcallmemars

Karen Fowler - http://karenfowler61.blogspot.com.au/

You'll find lots of great ideas as you hop through the chain of seven different team members’ fantastic blogs. Why not add my blog to your "follow" list, or subscribe to my newsletter for info about my upcoming events.

Want to win some Free Stuff? Simply leave a comment on each blog in the hop and then email Vanessa and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of handmade cards plus other goodies from each of the participants. Sorry, prizes not available to current demonstrators, but you are most welcome to leave a comment!

Next up on the hop is Clare McIlhatton, AKA Crafty Cow, the world famous Punch Art Queen!

Enjoy the rest of the tour!

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!