A happy birthday and a baby card!

First, I need to wish my little brother Jeff a happy 40th birthday!  I remember coming home from the hospital, my brother in my mom's arms and me peering at him from behind leaning over the front seat! Can you believed we all survived childhood without child seats?  I thought he was going to be my new baby doll!  He was so cute...then he grew up! ;)  Although there were some crazy times, I still love him--even more today than when my parents brought him home (and he's much more interesting)!  I can't ever be around Jeff and not completely laugh out loud!  He's funny and smart (almost as smart as me!) and he's even running for public office ( I could never do that!!) And even though he's bigger than me now, he'll always be my "little brother"!  Happy birthday, Jeff!

My friend Anjuli had a new baby boy on Wednesday!  He is so precious!  I'm sure he and his big brother Porter are going to be best friends!  To welcome baby Foster, I'll share the card I gave his mom at her baby shower!  This is the darling card that I CASEd (copy and share everything) from Pinterest!  It was done by Lisa Lara and I thought I could recreate it using My Digital Studio!  I think it turned out cute!

I'm outta here for a few days, I'll post the fun happenings of my quick weekend getaway on Monday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Julie

St. George Stamp Camp--part 3

The reason I love to go to Jill's get togethers, besides all the great people I get to be with, is to stamp...all. day. long!  Who wouldn't love that?  This time we made 14 projects!  Some fall themed, some winter themed, all darling!  The little bird card was so much fun! I had to redo it because I was in such a hurry that all my watercoloring started running together, and don't even get me started about the Dazzling Details glitter that smeared all over everything, so I just flipped it over and started again (that's why paper has two sides!!)!  I also loved the No. 1 LOVE card in Calypso Coral and Real Red!  That's something I never would've done, but it looks hot!  The only project missing is the Halloween frame and I will be posting that next week!  Which one is your favorite?

If you would like me to demonstrate any of these at your workshop or if you would like to know what supplies were used, please leave a comment and I will get back to you!  Enjoy your day!

Julie

Please forgive me...

I had to completely wipe my Mac and have been without a computer for a few days!  Once I get all my backups installed, I will have another blog post!  So sorry!  In the meantime, here's an awesome song with the very talented Piano Guys!  Their album comes out next week--I've got to have it!

Julie

St. George Stamp Camp--part 2

So, besides the excitement of winning "best MDS card", we swapped and stamped and took photos of wonderful samples!  We had several demonstrations and I got a lot of ideas for classes and workshops! I met new friends and reconnected with old friends and even though it's good to be home--I so enjoy spending time with these great, totally talented ladies!  Enjoy these samples--it's crazy how cute everything is!

Christy Hollowood, Julie Davidse, Jeanna Bohanon

Wasn't that amazing? And that's just a few photos!  There were several tables full of beautiful creations!  It was all wonderful!

Julie

St. George Stamp Camp

Well, I'm back from St. George and Jill Olsen's stamp camp!  We had a blast!  I went up with my friend Jeanna and my daughter Kylie and went straight to the Dixie Center to set up for the My Digital Studio class that Jeanna was teaching, it turned out great!  There were 22 wonderful ladies there wanting to learn more about how to use their My Digital Studio software and Jeanna taught them some great techniques.  Erica Shaw and I were helpers who were able to go around the room and assist those who needed some extra help, but mostly people were able to follow along with her and they all created beautiful layouts and received some great training!

Jeanna Bohanon, Erica Shaw, and Julie Davidse

After the class was over and we got everything cleaned up, Jeanna and I went to Kneader's to get a bite to eat, but it was 9:00 pm, so they were out of a few things (turkey and ciabatta bread) so instead of my favorite Turkey Cranberry Croissant I had a ham and cheese sandwich and although it was good (isn't pretty much everything good at Kneader's?), I missed my fave!  I dropped Jeanna off at Jill's and I went to my dad's and had a great visit with my dad and step-mom until Kylie got home from her date at 11:45.  I didn't sleep more than an hour that night because my brain wouldn't shut down!  I so hate that!!!  I was running late all morning and was trying to finish my swap card (which I'm glad I brought, by the way...) and all of a sudden, Kylie said, "Hey mom, aren't you supposed to be at the Dixie Center now?"  Oh, yeah!  My hair was still wet and I hadn't eaten anything--thank goodness my dad loves me and he made me an omelet while I finished getting ready, yum!  I got to the convention center and I still hadn't finished my swaps, and I realized that I had left a few of my tools at my dad's!  Luckily, Jill and Christy had the tools I needed and I was able to finish my card!  After a day of stamping, there was a contest for all of the swaps and guess what?  I won best MDS card!  (told you I was glad I brought my swap cards!)  I was so stunned, I've never won anything for my cards!  Thanks, Jill, I'm so honored! And thanks to Jeanna for letting me bum a ride and always encouraging me with kind words!

Winning MDS (hybrid) card!  Monster Munchies stamp set, Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP, Lucky Limeade cs and ribbon, Basic Black and Whisper White cs, Tangerine Tango pad, Basic Gray marker.

Jeanna Bohanon, Jill Olsen, and Julie Davidse

Well, I'll post more about some of the wonderful projects we made later!  I better go unpack!


Julie

My Digital Studio 2 video--Editing punches

I was very surprised to see this feature!  Maybe I skipped over it on the list of 70 + new features on My Digital Studio 2, but I started playing with it and it was fun!  *Now here's a disclaimer: Some of the punches compress when brought into the editor, once they compress, it doesn't go back to it's uncompressed size, it's basically a new shape that you save with a different name in your "user" file.  Your "original" punch is fine, though.*  Maybe that's something that Stampin' Up! will change, but until then, you just have to play with this feature and see which punches work for your project.  I've taken the little cherry from the cupcake punch set and separated it so I can fill each part with different DSP or color fill!  Check out the little flower pot--I changed that from the cupcake "cup" punch and then I used the Freeform feature to give it some dimension! This is a pretty simple tool, but it just takes time to move, delete, and shape your punch to where you want it and you can't be too picky, because there's really nothing to line up with, so with that said, I hope you'll try this fun little tool!  I'd love to see the punches you create!


Julie

22 years...all amazing!

It's hard to believe that I married my best friend 22 years ago today!  I could never have imagined such a blessing in my life!  I always wonder to myself (and out loud) "What did I do to deserve this man?"  He has been my rock, my confidant, the father of our two beautiful children, and the love of my life!  He has been so supportive of me being a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, a youth group leader, a camp leader, a women's group leader, a children's group leader, and a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  He does dishes, he vacuums (with HIS Dyson), he fixes things, he works hard, and he bikes harder!  If we go to Target and I loose track of him, I know exactly where to find him--near the Dyson vacuums! Who does that?  He calms me down, lifts me up, and loves me even when I'm not very lovable!  What an honor it is to be sealed for time and all eternity to this man--I can't wait to see what the future brings!  We've only just begun... Love you, babe!

Julie and David 1990

My Digital Studio 2 video--Freeform layers

I went to a class given by my friend and fellow demonstrator Jeanna Bohanon, and while she was teaching about using the freeform feature to color in our line stamp brushes, I had a little "light bulb moment"!  I pulled up the rose from Fifth Avenue floral and started coloring it in, then I picked another color to give it some shading!  Now, I know I'm not the first one to think of this, but I thought it was a fun technique!  I went home and gave it a little bit more shading and added some highlight and after I brought the stamp to the front, I was really pleased with the result!  This takes a little more time, but I'm sure you can follow along!  Have fun!

Julie

Weekly MDS Challenge 9/15/12--scrapbook page

Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!  This was a hard challenge!  I haven't quite transitioned to scrapbooking with My Digital Studio! (I know, weird huh!)  I just feel like I'm committed or something, which is completely wrong!  I can change everything with a click of the "undo" button, but still, it is a struggle for me!  Oh well...on to the challenge!  This weeks challenge was a scrapbook page using 10 or more photos, so I'm really out of my comfort zone!  This is my final project, I keep wanting to go back and change it, but I'm drawing the line--NO MORE CHANGES!  This page is from my daughter's first date/formal with her BFF!  They were the only girls who could keep dancing all night with their cute Converse shoes (all the girls with heels were jealous!) Thanks for looking!

Julie

Soft Blooms, Bright Blooms, eyelets, seam binding, glimmer brads, Hip and Handsome Overlay stamp

Stampin' Up! Video--Home Decor with My Digital Studio

This is the reason why I started using My Digital Studio!  Home Decor!  I love being able to make items for my home and for the homes of my friends and customers (I should say that they are my friends, too!)  This is just a small sampling of projects that you can make, if you would like any more information, please feel free to ask!  Although I like to think I know everything about My Digital Studio, the truth is, I don't!  I will do my best to help you in any way I can, but the best way to get help on any computer issues pertaining to MDS is Stampin' Up!'s technical support!  They are great to walk you through software problems or computer glitches!  You can reach them at 1(800)STAMPUP.  Get your free 30-day trial of My Digital Studio 2 here!

Julie

Digital Downloads--Sept 18, 2012

It's almost fall and that means Halloween, Election Day, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas is right around the corner!  Here are some great downloads for My Digital Studio that will fill some of those holiday needs (you could even use the red and white for Valentine's day).  And as always, please let me know if I can be of assistance to you! 

Ghostly Greetings Designer Series Paper

Homemade Happiness Frameable

Make a Mitten Stamp set

Sweet Peppermint Ensemble

Timeless Taffeta

My Digital Studio 2--Freeform font fill

I have to admit, when I first saw the Freeform feature on My Digital Studio 2 at convention, I was a little bit confused!  I mean, why would I want to draw if I have all these stamp "brushes"?  But after I started playing with it, I had some great ideas pop into my head!  I had several fonts on my computer that I love to use, but other than just changing the color of the font, there wasn't much more I could do to them!  Enter My Digital Studio 2 Freeform feature!  I colored the inside of the fonts with different colors and it gave them a whole different look and feel!  It's very easy to do, but don't just take my word for it--Try it yourself free for 30 days!  If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know!


Julie

Sun Garden Designer Series Paper, Pear Pizazz baker's twine, Button Bouquet and Button In-color.

My Digital Studio 2 video--Freeform line stitched hearts

The card in today's video was inspired by this card by Courtney Kelley that I came across on Pinterest!  I LOVE this card, and when I saw it, I just knew that I could translate it into a digital card using My Digital Studio!  Then along came My Digital Studio 2 and I updated the card and can I tell you--It's so much better than the first one I did! (You'll just have to trust me, I don't have the proof!)  So, this card uses the Freeform line feature, which is great to use when doing "text on a path", but I tried this out on a fluke and I made a heart out of a circle!  I was thrilled that I could do this!  I love using the Freeform feature, it's just one more reason why I love My Digital Studio 2! (It's hard to tell, right?)  Enjoy!

Julie

This card uses Love Letters Designer Series Paper, rhinestone and stitching embellishments, heart punches, and Vintage Overlay stamp brush.

My Digital Studio 2 Video--Smart guides and text as a frame

Today's video will show you how to use the new smart guides in My Digital Studio 2 instead of the old grid from the previous software!  You will be able to put your guides anywhere you want and they stay throughout the whole project!  So, let's say you want to line up something on both scrapbook pages or on the front and the inside of a card, with the old grid you could get pretty close but the lines were only every 1/4 to 1/2 inch!  With the new smart guides you can place the line exactly where you want it anywhere on the ruler!  1/8 inch, 15/16 inch--it doesn't even matter!  Cool, right?  Also, I will show you how you can take your text and wrap it around a frame or any shape for that matter!  Please feel free to comment or ask questions--I'll do my best to get back to you quickly!

Julie

My Digital Studio 2 Video--Recolor comparison

Ok, today's video will show you the differences when you change the color of your embellishments and Designer Series Paper!  You might think, "Hey, maybe I should pick the Whisper White or the Very Vanilla and recolor that!"  Not so fast!  I will show you that picking a darker color embellishment to recolor actually gives you a better, deeper, richer color than using a light color to start with.  And the Designer Series Paper is completely different depending on what color you start with!  It's all a great experiment in color and I hope that you will try the free 30-day trial of My Digital Studio 2 and experiment all you want!

Julie

My Digital Studio 2 videos--Card Template

My Digital Studio 2 is a great digital crafting software that will help you do more than just scrapbooking!  In the next few days I am going to post several videos that will guide you through some of the new features that MDS2 has.  If you have the original My Digital Studio, you may notice a few new tools and features that we didn't have before! Stampin' Up! really listened to us and gave us more than 70 new tools and features! The videos touch on many of the new options we have.  If you are interested, you can try out a 30-day free trial of My Digital Studio 2! There's no pressure but I think that once you try it, you will love it!  If you ever have any questions please let me know and I will do my best to answer them or connect you to someone who can. (Disclaimer: I'm not a techie, I'm a dabbler!)   I know from experience that Stampin' Up! has a great technical support team who can help you with most computer or software issues!  Please leave a comment and let me know if you would like to see other tools and features in a video tutorial, I will do my best to make one!
This first video is a basic card which I taught to some demonstrators in Utah.  It starts with a Designer template so you don't have to think of a new idea for a card!  It uses several new features including: color combos, recoloring embellishments, recoloring Designer Series Paper, text on a path, and freeform stitched line.  This is a good place to start if you are new to My Digital Studio.  I hope you enjoy them!

Julie

New Blog!

This is my new blog...WELCOME!  Please visit often!

Julie