My Digital Studio: 5 Ways on Fridays

My Digital Studio is a Sweet digital designing Suite from Stampin' Up! that has evolved to become quite an intuitive user experience. If you are like I (was), you may have just turned off and tuned out...

"I'm computer challenged," you were thinking, "and I'll never be able to learn digital stuff. It sounds too complicated."

Stop. Right. There. 

MDS is INTUITIVE (look it up if you don't know the meaning) and it's EASY...and there are step-by-step training videos. Hello?! And templates that you can drag & drop pictures into (or customize). And you can try it FREE for 30 days. Duh. This is a no-brainer. (As long as you have an hour or two to play with it, so don't download the free trial the week your daughter is getting married) 

Obviously, it is optimal for creating photo albums and cards...but THAT'S NOT ALL it's good for! Today I'm sharing 5 different ways to use My Digital Studio:

1. Fabric Transfers

When I saw this on the SU! blog with instructions for using MDS to print on transfer paper, I was so delighted! How fun and easy to dress up not only our mini muslin bags, but a t-shirt, a backpack or a piece of fabric to frame in an embroidery hoop. Crafters...start your irons!

2. Chalkboard Quote Template

There are plenty of ways to add the look of chalkboard to your card and pages in My Digital studio (I like this video by Kimberly Van Diepen) but did you know you can also print a template to use on a chalkboard wall (or frame)? Check out the tutorial here or click on the picture above.

3. Recipe/Cook Books

There are actually quite a few recipe book templates to choose from in MDS and you can print them as board books, hard bound books, single pages or in this case (and my favorite) as a free-standing recipe book using the Easel Calendar format :) How cool would it be to gather family comfort food recipes (and pictures of family members cooking them) to compile as a gift for a family reunion or Christmas?

4. E-Cutters & MDS

(Personalized Water Bottle by Connie Collins)

Oh, yes, digi-crafters...you read that CORRECTLY! My Digital Studio has SVG files that can be used with E-CUTTERS! Which means that you can cut paper and VINYL (and who knows what else) with an E-Cutter that can import any SVG file. 

Video Tutorials that may be helpful in learning how-to: 

Kimberly Van Diepen shows you the basics of SVG files and e-Cutters

Erica Cerwin also teaches MDS & SVG here

While there are a few e-cutters that seem to work, Silhouette Cameo is a popular choice and
Connie Collins walks you through the process from start to finish in this video

5. Home Decor

Create a year's worth of interchangeable quotes to showcase in a lovely frame. If you create 5x7 postcards in My Digital Studio, you can print on both sides of the card: 6 cards will give you 12 personalized quotes or pictures (and through November 30, 2013, printing through MDS is 30% off). You can even peek at a friend's Pinterest board to find her favorite quotes and make it a very thoughtful gift.

DO YOU HAVE MORE IDEAS FOR MY DIGITAL STUDIO? Share them (or links) in the comments so we can compile a resource of MDS ideas that are "outside the book" :)

If you are fortunate enough to be visiting this list in November 2013, you can take advantage of the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"...for digi crafters, anyway...because many digital downloads AND print services are 30% off through November 30, 2013! Check out the awesomeness HERE.

A Week of Digital Delights Begins Tomorrow

 The official Digital Scrapbooking Day is Saturday, November 2. But one day just isn't enough, so we're celebrating for eight! Here's what we have lined up: 

1. Guest bloggers: A talented group of demonstrators, customers, and designers from around the industry will share project inspiration on the blog. 
2. FREE download: Be sure to check in on Saturday, November 2 to get your freebie.
3. Videos: We'll share some more ideas with training videos to help you get started. 
4. Daily deals: Every day, we'll feature a new download for 50% off! 
5. Challenges: Use the daily deal download to create a project for your chance to win free downloads. (Upload your samples to the gallery with the matching tag to enter.)

Here's the list of daily deal downloads: 

• 11/1 Amped Up Ampersands Kit
• 11/2 Hello There Kit + FREE Moments Ago Stamp Brush Set
• 11/3 All Time Fave Photobook Template
• 11/4 Modern Medley Overlays Kit
• 11/5 Be Brave Pocket Cards
• 11/6 Nobody's Business Photobook Template
• 11/7 Autumn Traditions Kit
• 11/8 Afternoon Daydream Kit

It's all happening at MyDigitalStudio.net!

Thanks for choosing me as your demonstrator while you celebrate Digital Days! And don't forget that the MDS Sale (including many print products) last through November 30th...plenty of time to design and order your Christmas Cards and gifts.

When One Party Ends, Another Begins...

Not surprisingly, we like to celebrate at Stampin' Up! And having been around for 25 years, that's something to commemorate, certainly :)

In keeping with that theme, here are a few awesome products on sale for one week (click pic to shop)

It never ceases to amaze me what people can create with a little rubber, ink and paper...now I just revel in the incredible ways you can manipulate a little card stock. But Stampin' Up! isn't ONLY about rubber stamps: It's about handmade gifts, unique home decor, gorgeous packaging and preserving memories.

While I resisted the move to digital scrapbooking, I have to say that I don't regret coming to the "dark side" one bit! With My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! there are INFINITE crafting possibilities outside of memory albums! My next project is going to be a family recipe book and watch for a blog post coming soon about a really fun gift idea you can personalize for your friends...

So with that introduction: HAVE YOU TRIED My Digital Studio? With a price of just $19.95, you don't really have an excuse NOT to try it...but just in case you are hesitant, you can try it FREE for 30 days by downloading it here.

The best news is the Digital Party we are getting started TODAY~

Now is the time to print your own Christmas Cards, yearly scrapbook or prepare for a "December Daily" with a template that will make your Christmas merry...VERY! Not only are select digital and print products on sale, but we are starting a week of Digital Delights from November 1-November 8~  including a FREE download on Saturday, Nov. 2. Set a reminder to visit www.mydigitalstudio.net each day!

For my friends who have already taken the plunge with MDS, you'll be happy to hear about the new My Library App:

Isn't She Lovely? Isn't She Wonderful?

It's like Christmas morning when I get my hands on the new Stampin' Up! catalog...do you feel the same way? This beautiful new cover makes me grin every time I see it!! What's inside is just as freakin' awesome (as my kids say).  To flip through the catalog virtually, click on the picture above. To order from it, CLICK HERE!

Along with the new catalog comes a few other fun announcements! First, the new "Best of" set for June:

Second, a chance to grab some greeting stamps at a discount:

And finally, a few updates for My Digital Studio: Get the new colors FREE next time you have an internet connection and update your software:

Yes, You MAY: My Digital Studio

This makes me happy! I've been needing to order some graduation announcements and print some scrapbooks, plus I've had my eye on a few swatchbook templates, so this is sale is like "Permission Granted!"

Creating with My Digital Studio is SO EASY: If you are a beginner, I suggest starting with a template and then personalizing it as you go. Here is an example of a template included in the Sunshine & Sprinkles Digital Ensemble from the Spring Catalog that I recently used for a bridal shower invitation (names/address have been blotted out to protect the innocent)

This is the front of the invite...all I did was change the name:

And this is the back of the template, which I did a little more personalization of:

I ordered them through Stampin' Up! and the quality is A.MAZ.ING and includes an envelope for each card...easy peasy!

Did I mention that the My Digital Studio Software is only $19.95???!!!!

It used to be $79.95, so the software is now 75% off and during this sale, the following is 25% off:

Digital content~includes: ALL ensemble, calendar, photobook, and swatchbook digital content.
Print products~include: ALL photobooks, swatchbooks, cards, tags, individual pages, and calendars.

To take advantage of this offer, click on the top picture or HERE to go to my online store.

MDS Valentine: To Infinity & Beyond!

Time again for the annual Spendlove Valentine! While we love getting cards ANYTIME, over the years our family has chosen to check in with family and friends at a holiday other than Christmas...just to break the mold and to celebrate friendships all year long :) 

Our first 20 years of marriage, we sent Thanksgiving cards, and the kids got used to the assembly line as we stamped, embossed, glued, sealed and sent our cards (about 150!). Then a few years ago we thought, "Since we are the Spendloves, maybe Valentines is the time to send our cards." Not to mention we can see who sends us a Christmas card and cut everyone else off our list...

We are mailing wedding announcements for our son and his fiance this week, so we decided to make it easy and save time/money/postage by adding our Valentine to the envelope.  I used My Digital Studio and opened up one of the scrapbook templates to create this full page valentine letter! Change a few colors, add our own words, put in a few pictures and voila! It was finished! And I love how it turned out :) And the kids don't really miss the assembly line.

Speaking of Valentines, there are some awesome new downloads for My Digital Studio today, including SAD templates (Singles Awareness Day!) and of course, don't forget to download the MDS2 30-day Trial FREE from my website. Need instruction? Come to the FREE MDS CLASS this Thursday, January 17th and learn more!
 
And BTW, we really let a LOT of people stay on our mailing list who never send us anything, but we keep them on the list because we love them. I'm just saying...

A Split Second: Resized MDS2 Page

Have you got your FREE digital downloads this weekend?  

This is the Split Second layout you can get while Stampin' Up! is celebrating Digital Scrapbook Day all weekend long! I added the sun/moon image for the Eclipse theme. Granted, you get it as a 12x12 page spread and I may be the ONLY person on the planet who still does 8x11 pages (besides my sister Megan) so I am so excited that with My Digital Studio 2, you can RESIZE your projects:

If you haven't downloaded your FREE downloads, click below and get them before November 5th!!! And don't forget: You can download and try out My Digital Studio 2 for 30 days free in my store, too.

Make Monday Your Favorite Day of the Week!

This Monday (October 29th) may give you a reason to change your mind about the first day of the week: Mot only does the Stampin' Up! Digital Designing week kick off with some fabulous free downloads, but MOST of our stamps are 15% off on Monday only! Living for the weekend is so last decade: Monday is the new Friday! Okay, at least this Monday gives you something to look forward to :D

Digi-Tastic Tuesday

I haven't put out many Halloween decorations this year since we are still getting settled in our new home, but this framed piece (created at Jill Olsen's stamp day in September) adorns the top of my piano today:

  

Created from the "Toxic Frameable" digital download for My Digital Studio
 and embellished with some stamps, paper and ribbon, we call this a "hybrid" project: A combination of digital AND paper crafting! It makes me happy.

Guess what else makes me happy...and will make YOU happy too? Stampin' Up! is celebrating Digital Scrapbooking DAY with a WEEK'S worth of fun:

 

If you just can't wait until then, there are also NEW DIGITAL DOWNLOADS TODAY, since it's Tuesday!

MDS Printing Prices Slashed! New Downloads, too!

And since yesterday was Tuesday, there are also NEW downloads for My Digital Studio...and did you notice that MDS isn't just for scrapbooking? It can be used to create cards, calendars, home decor, tags, DVDs and even HALLOWEEN COSTUMES! How fun is that?

I think my favorite is the Year End Review Infographic...that's UBER trendy!

I haven't tried using MDS for fabric yet but there are a few great samples Here (Creepy Quilt by Heather Summers), Here (Pillows by Lindsey Horton) and Here (Baby Owl Set) . If you try it, come back and share in the comments, please!

Digital Tuesday

I've been working on a family photo album in My Digital Studio...trying to get it finished in time to take advantage of the 31% Off MDS Print Sale that ends this Friday...so I thought I'd share a few of the pages from my book :)

First, this is a page right out of one of the templates that comes with MDS. I just dropped my pictures in and typed in the journaling:

Simple. Beautiful. Easy!

Of course, you can create a page from scratch, too, so here's an original by Loni:

And as a reminder, there are new digital downloads every TUESDAY...here's a peek at today's downloads that you can purchase individually:

To order them, go to my store and choose "My Digital Studio". New to Digital Designing? TRY MY DIGITAL STUDIO 2 FREE FOR 30 DAYS! Stampin' Up! has uploaded many wonderful training videos on YouTube to help you get the most of it, too.

Here's to Another 20 Years!

 This month is my 20 year Anniversary with Stampin' Up! and I am so grateful for the blessings that have come to my life because of it: Amazing, creative and caring friends (both customers and demonstrators), the discovery of my own inner artist, the confidence to speak in front of people, the opportunity to travel, and so much more, but I can see your eyes glazing over, so let's move on...

To celebrate 20 years with SU!, I have a lot of fun things in store for September!

1. EVERY ORDER (online, customer or workshop order) in September will receive a free gift!
2. EVERYTHING I create and share on my blog will be mailed to someone who leaves a comment!
3. EXTRA STAMPS for hostesses this month only!
4. GIVEAWAYS on my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/creativejuicebyloni

 And that is IN ADDITION to the great things happening at Stampin' Up! this month, including:

While the kids are heading back to school, Stampin' Up! is going back to 'spool'! For the month of September, get a FREE package of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon-an $8.95 value-for every $40 you spend! Choose from Gumball Green (Item #126848), Midnight Muse (Item #126847), Primrose Petals (Item #126844), Raspberry Ripple (Item #126845) or Summer Starfruit (Item #126846)

Also EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14th: 

31% OFF MY DIGITAL STUDIO DIGITAL CONTENT 

AND MOST PRINT PRODUCTS

What's on sale? ALL cards, photobooks, individual pages, and tags. That's right: print any photobook, board book, swatchbook, individual pages, greeting card, postcard, trifold card, or tag-all for 31% off. Some of our best digital content. 30 downloads and 1 content disc. Yup, that equals 31.

Item	Digital Content	Retail Price	31% Off Price
127217	Floral District Collection Disc	$  23.95	$ 16.53
118115	Night and Day Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
129929	Candid Frames	$    2.95	$   2.04
129921	Check This Out Page Templates	$    4.95	$   3.42
129609	Blossom Builders Embellishments	$    5.95	$   4.11
128999	It's All Me Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127441	Whimsical Note Journal Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
128342	Pinwheel Daily Calendar Template	$    9.95	$   6.87
127599	Party Animal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127600	Autumn Traditions Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127620	Grateful Heart Thanksgiving Ensemble	$  14.95	$ 10.32
126027	Playful Polka Dots Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
130066	World Traveler Photobook Template	$  17.95	$ 12.39
131221	Storybook Specialty Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
130850	Joyful Times Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
124463	One Great Year Digital Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127175	Limited Edition Embellishments	$    2.95	$   2.04
129607	Walk in the Park II Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129934	#HASHTHIS Stamp Brush Set	$    7.95	$   5.49
129923	Book of Birthdays Swatchbook Template	$  12.95	$   8.94
121071	Travel Journal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129924	Get it Done Kit	$    5.95	$   4.11
129005	Sweetly Nested Framable	$    4.95	$   3.42
127758	Delight in the Day Photobook Template	$  19.95	$ 13.77
130862	Blast Off Ensemble	$  19.95	$ 13.77
129890	Little Milestone Birthdays Greeting Card	$    7.95	$   5.49
128892	Designer Gift Cards	$    4.95	$   3.42
127580	And a Happy New Year Photocard Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
127435	Thanks Tons Greeting Card Template Set	$    2.95	$   2.04
127587	Sending Glad Tidings Designer Tags Kit	$    7.95	$   5.49
127762	Gratitude Framable Designer Template	$    1.95	$   1.35

And last, but not least, the Howl-O-Ween Printers Tray offer is also extended through September 16th for NEW Demonstrators:

Go ahead, make my day and join my Stampin' Up! family...because it's always more fun to stamp with friends!! And the next 20 years would be delightful if I can share it with you :)

More MDS...

Download MDS2 FREE from my online store (choose the free trial) for 30 days and then go to THIS POST and leave a comment by September 30 to win MDS Blog Candy!

MDS2...your new Guilty Pleasure (and BLOG CANDY)

In February when I went to Beth's Scrapbook getaway, I took my computer and created an album of my trip to Prince Edward Island with My Digital Studio and FINALLY had it printed last month by Stampin' Up!'s professional print partner. It is abso-freakin-lutely GORGEOUS! AND it has the same number of pages that my hand-made scrapbooks hold (which are 3" thick) while my new MDS album is only 3/8" thick!

For a gal who just packed and carried 32 BIG ALBUMS in a house move, I am SO IN LOVE with MDS right now. And I'm ordering MDS2+ because I NEED it! AND I'm making a commitment to use it before Beth's next getaway. In fact I ought to get another album finished this month to take advantage of THIS offer:

Try MDS FREE for 30 days (click on "Buy MDS2" and then choose the Free Trial in my store) then come back here to tell me how much you love it here and I will choose a random commenter on September 30th to win a MDS "So Much To Sale-A-Brate" CD which includes:

• Five Stamp Brush Sets
  • Bliss Stamp Brush Set (five pieces)
  • Notes Stamp Brush Set (three pieces)
  • Punch Bunch Stamp Brush Set (five pieces)
  • So Happy For You Stamp Brush Set (ten pieces)
  • Sweet Summer Stamp Brush Set (nine pieces)
• Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon & Button Kit
  • Ribbon (three images)
  • Flower buttons (three images)
• Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Accents Kit
          a. Six Designer Series Paper  Patterns
          b. Quick Accents – nine borders, 20 elements, and 27 flowers

So let me hear how much you love it!!

What is Special About Tuesday?

Everybody's working for the weekend...so what is so special about TUESDAY? If you are a digital designer with My Digital Studio, there is a LOT to look forward to! Each Tuesday, Stampin' Up! releases NEW digital downloads starting at just 95 cents (and up to $20). You can choose what you need in your digital library and just pay for the ones you want!

Here is a peek at the downloads released today, April 10th: helping you wish "Congrats" to all your Rad Grads!

















CLICK HERE for the .pdf of today's downloads. 

If you haven't tried your hand at digital designing yet, you can download My Digital Studio Express FREE for 30 days from my Stampin' Store to see if you like it! For training, ideas and to learn more about MDS, visit www.mydigitalstudio.net or click on the banner, below

Learn a Little More About My Digital Studio

And don't forget that you can download the MDS Express FREE for 30 days from my website (click on "Shop Now")!

Try Digital Designing with Stampin' Up! FREE!!!

I am so excited to share My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! with you...and now you can try it FREE for 30 days!!!
If you are a new customer, you will need to create an account, then once you have "ordered" My Digital Studio, go into your account to download the 30-day trial here:

 

Since our last name is "Spendlove", we send Valentine cards (instead of Christmas Cards) and this year I created the cards using MDS. This is the front of the card and I used a new download you can purchase (and customize) for only $1.95 called "Be Mine Framable Designer Template" that has some great "Subway Art" images that I customized to create our card:

The cool thing is that you can print them on your own printer OR the professional print service (my favorite!!!) and when you use the professional print service, you can print in COLOR on the front, inside AND back...and my cards all came with envelopes! There is also bulk pricing, so the more you order, they less it costs to print :) Check out more about the print services here then go to my online store to order MDS FREE!

Calling all Digi-Divas!

 

I'd love to see what you create, so leave a comment with a link to your Digital Creations made with Stampin' Up!'s MY DIGITAL STUDIO products.

And...

Stampin' Up! has introduced BULK PRICING for you to print your Holiday Greeting cards, gift tags and much, much more! Can't wait to see what you design!

Fruits & Flowers (Digitally) for You

If you haven't had a chance to play with My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up, make it your summer creative goal!

A Free Designer Template As a "hurray" to the new catalog and beginning of a Stampin' Up! year, we're offering customers a FREE greeting card designer template! Download this adorable Fruit & Flowers 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" template for a quick glance at some mixing and matching of the new catalog content and the new 2011-2013 In Colors! Your free download will be available immediately if you already have an online ordering account, or within 24 hours when you create a new account.

Already an MDS user? Update Your MDS Color Palette with 2011-2013 In Colors FREE!

You can update your My Digital Studio color palette by downloading the latest 1.0.7 update to the software by going to "Check for Updates" in the Help menu of your My Digital Studio software or by installing from the Updates section of MyDigitalStudio.net. Once installed, the color palette in your software will be updated with this year's In Colors: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, and Wisteria Wonder. And be sure to check out the July 5 downloads for additional In Color downloads for purchase!

Did you know...the new Idea Book & Catalog has 26 NEW My Digital Studio downloads! The new downloads coordinate with your favorite traditional stamps, embellishments, and Designer Series Paper from the catalog. You can purchase all of this content as individual downloads or as four large DVD collections, priced at over a 10 percent discount from the individual download prices.

Ditch the Scissors and Adhesive...