Thankful Thursday

This will be short because I just do not have the strength to write more.  I am thankful for all the prayers offered on my family's behalf...they were truly felt today!

Julie

In memorial...

Sad day...

My beautiful step mom passed away this morning.  She and my dad have been married for more than 26 years and she has been sick for most of those years, but you probably wouldn't have known it if you met her!  It has been such an honor to know her and to love her.  She has suffered for so long but has always been happy and joyful about life.  She adored my dad, her soulmate.  My heart is breaking for my dad, who has loved her and cared for her for all these years!  I'm so grateful to have been able to have her here as long as we did--she is a miracle!  She was a true disciple of Christ and she is finally in his loving embrace! I love you, sweet Dolly!  Enjoy your long-awaited reunion with your daughters and granddaughter and all those who have gone before!

Sweet Sabbath

I learned many things at a wonderful women's conference yesterday.  I learned that life is never like a balanced scale.  We are always chasing the "balanced life", but it isn't that simple.  Life is more like juggling several balls all at once.  We may have a few balls in our hands and several more up in the air, but they are all still in play.  If we do these few things well at a time, then many of the little things will fall into place.

1. Stay centered on the Savior--"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" Matt. 6:33

2. Focus on the most important things--faith, family

3. Simplify your life--let the trivial things go

4. Love yourself--find something that you enjoy and that makes you happy

I also was reminded not to compare myself to others.  That is something that I struggle with.  I have to remind myself everyday that I can't be someone else, I can only be myself, and that I am good enough! I'm getting better at it, the older I get, so I hope that one day I won't really care what other people think of me, only what my Savior thinks of me.  My life is a daily juggling act, but I hope that I can focus on the right things so that I can be blessed and in turn, bless my family.

Have a happy Sabbath!

Julie

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm just glad it's just raining in Las Vegas, not freezing rain like in Utah!  I hope all my friends made it safely home!

Stay warm!

Julie

Card Trek

You probably thought I was talking about "boldly going" into my messy stamp room!!!  Nope, not today!  The IT guys at Stampin' Up! are letting their inner "Trekkie" ooze out all over the place--not a pretty sight!

Even my boys got a chuckle out of this!  Shhhhh, don't tell them that I may be making this card for them soon!  I think even Dr. Sheldon Cooper would be mildly amused!

Julie

MDS Blog Hop--New Discovery

Welcome to this week's MDS Blog Hop!  The theme this week is basically whatever we are working on or something we've discovered using My Digital Studio 2.  So, I've done a little of both!

Background, Natural Composition overlay; Snowflakes, Old St. Nick stamp brush; "Merry", Simple Letters punch; Hip and Handsome overlays stamp cropped with washi tape punch shape; Jingle Bell, Jolly Bingo Bits stamp brush; Freeform line stitching.

I grabbed our photo from Christmas and as I was adding a few embellishments I thought I would try a few new things.  First, I used the punch editor and created my own washi tape shape.  That allowed me to choose a background stamp and then crop it using my washi tape punch.  Fun, eh?  Then, I saw a cute title on a scrapbook page that had stitching on it, and I thought that I could try to replicate the look with the freeform line tool--it worked!  I takes a little bit of time and some adjusting, but I like the end result.  I finished it off with a woven background and some snowflakes.  I hope you enjoy the rest of the blog hop!  Have fun!

Mandy Grant Amber Meadows Rochelle Gould Jeanna Bohanon Erica Shaw Cindy Schuster Holly VanDyne Aly Schilling Julie Leblanc Kimberly Van Diepen Guest Blogger - Julie Davidse InLinkz.com

Julie

Make sure you check out the video on how I created the faux washi tape and added the stitching on the letters!

Download Tuesday

Fun day for downloads!  Sale-a-bration is starting and I'd love to help you earn some fun free stuff!  Contact me and we'll get you started!  Anyway, here's today's great digital downloads--I really think I'm going to like the Family History Photobook Template!

Label This Laundry template

Simple Serif stamp brush

So Sorry stamp brush

Designer Threads embellishment

Family History Photobook template

Make sure you download your free 30 day trial of My Digital Studio so you can purchase these great downloads! (You can use them with other programs, too)  Download your free trial here!  Make sure you stop back in tomorrow to see the second installment of January's MDS Blog Hop!  This is gonna be a good one!

Julie

Sale-a-bration is here!

Are you ready?  Sale-a-bration is here!  You are gonna want to earn as many of these products as you can!  How can you earn free products, you might ask? Well, the first way is to host a workshop!  Invite your friends for some stamping fun and light snacks!  The second way is for every $50 in Stampin' Up! product you purchase, you can choose one free item from the Sale-a-bration brochure!  The third way is to sign up to do what I do--be a demonstrator!  Everyone who signs up to be a demonstrator during Sale-a-bration will get 25% more in their starter kit!  Let's get together and see what fun we can have!  I've got a few dates on my calendar, so contact me if you are interested in hosting a workshop--you will love it!  You can view the brochure here.  Happy Sale-a-bration!

Julie

Sweet Sabbath

Today we had an excellent special Stake conference!  A stake is a congregational unit made up of 8-10 smaller congregations. There had been a valley wide training which meant that there were general authorities here in Vegas to instruct the leaders.  We were able to hear from Elder Ronald A. Rasband, President of the Quorums of the Seventy.  He shared so many wonderful thoughts and touching stories.  He focused on families and the truth about families being eternal. I was so glad to be there and feel the spirit.  It is a blessing to hear from servants of the Lord and be instructed by them.  I know that families are eternal.  I know that what is bound on earth is bound in heaven.  I am grateful for the knowledge that my Savior lives and loves me and that he suffered for my sins and died and was resurrected so that I can have that same opportunity.  He is my elder brother and my perfect example.  What a blessing his gospel is to me and my family!

Julie

Thankful Thursday

I've been a bit out of sorts so this is a bit late, but today I'm thankful for my friend Peg who invited me to lunch at Olive Garden!  I haven't been there for a few months and it's one of my favorites!  She had  her 5 kids there, a daughter-in-law, all six grandkids, and 4 of her youngest daughter's friends (my daughter being one of them).  It was fun to spend time with all 17 of them (those poor waiters)!  I got to love on her newest grandbaby and giggle and play hid-and-seek with the toddlers, the teenagers were all buzzing about midterms and there I was with my breadsticks and alfredo sauce, smiling!  Was it completely crazy?  You bet!  But it was fun to spend a few hours with some of my favorite people in the world!  Life is good because of good friends like Peg!  Thanks, girlie!

Julie

More New Single Stamps

The single stamps have been so popular, that Stampin' Up! has created more!  These are never before seen designs!  Yay!

As always, you can purchase them 24/7 on my website!

Julie

Twirling

New MDS Monday challenge, and I'm getting into the swing of things.  I found a cute photo of my daughter and her BFF, Katie twirling.  This was not a new thing for them, but the photo in their matching baptismal dresses was very special.  And the sun glare on the lens gives it a "heavenly" glow.  I wish I could say that I planned it that way, but I'm really not that good, it was a complete accident!  I CASE'd (copy and share everything!) a cute layout from Pinterest--I just LOVE the string of hearts!

Winner-MDS Monday Challenge January 27, 2013!

Supplies used:
Freeform line
Heart punches
"Together" embellishment from Sunny Day ensemble (recolored)
Decorative Overlays stamp brush
DSP from Bella Rose and Mocha Morning
In-color Ruffled Ribbon (recolored and cropped)
You can order any of these downloads or My Digital Studio 2 here!

Julie

Download Tuesday

Fun new downloads for today!  I think the Singles Awareness Day templates are hilarious!  The Nobody's Business photobook template had some great, bright and fun components--I may need to get this one!  As always, try My Digital Studio for 30 days FREE!

Shape Clips

Clockworks stamp brush set

Single Awareness Day template

Nobody's Business Photobook template

Have fun!

Julie

Dude, You're Welcome!

As a stamper/paper crafter/all-types-of-crafts dabbler, I tend to have lots of supplies to make lovely works of art, ok I have a whole room!  Some people tend to think of that as "girlie". Not me!  I remember the first card my husband made for me using my stamps!  He was so thoughtful and wanted to make me something creative!  He hasn't done many handmade cards since, probably because he doesn't even know where all my stuff is in my messy craft room, but Stampin' Up! has the solution: Dude, You're Welcome!

This is a kit made for men by men to be manly, yet creative and very simple!  It has 4 stamps (2 double mount stamps), 1 Basic Gray classic stamp pad and several blank cards and envelopes to keep you going for several occasions!  Watch this funny video for more info:

"Real men make cards!"

Seriously, I would rather have one of these cards with a personal message inside than the most extravagant store bought card!  You can order one of these kits from me starting today!  Make sure you go to my website to get yours!  You can be manly and make cards without having your "man card" taken away!!!

Julie

Introducing...Paper Pumpkin!

Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!

I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .

I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.

I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:

All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy!

Get Started

It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

Of course, you'll want to know more. So here's the nitty gritty:

• Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you and your customer a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.  
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10th, we'll send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, we'll send your first kit around June 15th.)
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month (and shipping is included!) 
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
• Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.

Here's How You Order

Sign up for your monthly Paper Pumpkin starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. **Make sure you select Julie Davidse as your demonstrator!**

Starting in early March, you can try Paper Pumpkin for one month by visiting our online store.

A Free Gift in Your Very First Kit

The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. The Welcome Kit includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block!

Trial kit

Welcome kit

Go to www.mypaperpumpkin.com and sign up today!

Julie

Sweet Sabbath

After spending time with some great friends yesterday, I decided today was a great day to post a wonderful video!  Women, many times, have some difficult things to do!  We are caregivers, but because of that wonderful talent and calling, we sometimes over-do!  It happens!  We ignore our own discomfort, sleeplessness, hurt, sadness, and do for others first!  We always need to remember that we need to go to him who lightens our burdens!  He will help us carry all those things that cause us to be heavy laden. We need to remember to "fill the fountain in ourselves" so that we can help others.  We need to add to that fountain, drop by drop, cup by cup, of living water!  It isn't a one time thing!  It is the daily offering of scripture study, prayer, and service to others that fills us with the living water that the Savior offered the woman at the well, and to us!  "Drink deep and get your fill"!

Have a sweet Sabbath!

Julie

Lots of Love

Just a quick post today.  I have some new printables for you!  Since Valentine's Day is just about a month away, you need to get ready!  I even have some iPhone and iPad wallpaper so you can feel the "LOVE" wherever you go!  Enjoy!

iPad Wallpaper download

iPhone wallpaper download

Download

Download

Julie

Shared on WhipperBerry, Skip to my Lou, Tatertots and Jello, Somewhat Simple

Thankful Thursday

Do you believe in miracles?  I certainly do!  I believe that prayers are answered, not always the way we want or expect, but they are answered.  I believe that angels are close, and not just the unseen ones.  I believe that people all around us are inspired to help, encourage, protect, and love us.  Most people may not even know that they have been the answer to our prayers and we may not know all the times when we have answered someone else's prayer.  I know that sometimes I don't recognize the miracle until I look back on it--sometimes years later.  I hope that I can be more aware of the miracles that happen every day, and not just the ones that scream "THAT was a miracle!" I've had quite a few miracles happen in the last few days, and maybe one day I will share them, but for now, I'm just so thankful for the people in my life (and some complete strangers) who have been a part of my miracles!

Julie

My first MDS Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to have been asked to participate as a guest blogger with the talented ladies in the MDS Blog Hop!  I'm a new blogger, just since October, but I'm not new to being crafty!  I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for more than 16 years and I love paper crafting, although my new passion is digital crafting!  I've always loved seeing cute sayings and quotes on Pinterest and I thought, "Hey, I can do that with My Digital Studio!"  Now, I'm kind of addicted!  I love making cards and printables with My Digital Studio, but I have to admit, I struggle with scrapbooking with it!  I love the way some designers (including our own talented MDS blog hop girls) can just put all sorts of paper, photos, embellishments, and textures together and make a darling layout--that is not the way my brain thinks!  I'm a CASE girl!  I love to see ideas from other designers and change them up to make them my own!  I did this on today's project!  I saw a cute page using the grouped photo technique, I changed it up a bit and added my photo and fun winter details and I came up with this:

I used the "Winter Wonderland" title from the new Let it Snow ensemble (recolored), the background paper is from Number One DSP,  the chevron paper is from the On the Go kit, and the snowflake is from the Old St. Nick stamp brush set. I added a few stitches around the edge.  I'm sure by now, you've seen all the lovely creations from all the creative ladies on this blog hop, it's always nice to leave a comment so they know how much you enjoy their projects!!

1.  Amber Meadows
2.  Jeanna Bohanon
3.  Julie LeBlanc
4.  Rochelle Gould
5.  Aly Schilling
6.  Mandy Grant
7.  Kimberly Van Diepen
8.  Holly VanDyne
9.  Erica Shaw
10. Cindy Schuster
11. Guest Blogger Julie Davidse--that's me!

Thanks for visiting!

Julie

Entered in MDS Monday Challenge

Creative Journal Challenge

This week's Mydigitalstudio.net challenge is a creative journal challenge.  Did you know that you can make a beautiful, personalized journal with My Digital Studio?  Well, you can!  They are hard-bound with lined pages and they are great for gifts, but you can make one just for you, which is what I did.

I saw the leaf pattern idea on Pinterest and I used My Digital Studio to make it the style and color I wanted, then I added the cute Timeless Taffeta ribbon (recolored), Twitterpated button (recolored), the tag punch, the baker's twine (which I cropped), and finally the Downtown Grunge frame, Natural Composition overlay and text.  I like the way it turned out!  Make sure you try the 30-day free trial for My Digital Studio!

Julie

Download Tuesday

Here's today's digital downloads!  I hope you enjoy them!  What's that? You don't have My Digital Studio YET?  Well, you don't have an excuse if you can use it 30 days for FREE!  Go get it now and start working on all those Christmas/New Year's pictures you still have on your camera!!  There are templates all ready for you to just add your photos too--it's really simple!  If you're interested in learning more, please contact me and we can set up a time for you to learn the basics about My Digital Studio.

Affection Collection stamp brush set

Delicate Adornments embellishments

Officially Awesome Valentines

Two Toned Ribbon

Get ready because Valentine's Day is just 5 weeks away!  Oh, and make sure you come back tomorrow!  I will be a special guest blogger with MDS blog hop this month!  These ladies have talent oozing out all over!  You're gonna wanna see what they've created!

Julie

Sweet Sabbath

As I have been preparing for the new Primary year, I have been spending time thinking about how we all serve in different capacities.  We love and care for our family, help a neighbor, volunteer at church or school, smile at a stranger, encourage a friend.  There are numerous ways in which we can serve.  I know I don't do everything I'm supposed to do, but I do try to help others when I can.  Friday, I was able to read to the young women from church during their read-a-thon.  I loved reading the scriptures with them and I truly felt the spirit sitting with those beautiful young girls who were working towards their Young Womanhood medallion.  They were learning about their Savior and I was glad I was able to help, even if it was just for an hour!

I enjoyed watching my primary children as they giggled and laughed while they wrapped the teachers up in toilet paper to make a sunday outfit!  It was so much fun!

I hope that one day, the service I have rendered in my life will be accepted by my Savior!  He is my example, and I want so much to be like him. I know that the only way I can be like him is to become like a little child; loving, humble, meek, innocent--my darling primary children teach me how to be more Christ-like every day.  We are his hands here on earth, and I hope that as I serve each day, "I will make my hands like those of Galilee."

"His Hands" by Jenny Jordan Frogley

Julie

For You, with Love!

For you with love!

Julie