MDS Blog Hop--Home Decor

If you have followed my blog at all, you've probably noticed that I love to create beautiful things for my home with MDS.  That is actually how I got started using MDS, I had a need and I knew that I could make some of the creative things I had seen all over the internet and Pinterest...enter MDS! For this post, I dug out an old project and updated it for my new home!  Although I haven't found the perfect place for this, I have a few ideas that I'm playing around with (that is usually the hardest thing for me, deciding on a place to put something!)  I uploaded this project to Walmart and had them create a faux wrapped canvas, it looks just like the real thing, but if you want, you can also upload to other online canvas printers if you so choose.  I just love the look of wrapped canvas, very clean and modern.

You may not be able to see the woodgrain background, but it is very similar to our espresso cabinets. Here is the project that I uploaded.

I had originally planned on doing portrait instead of landscape orientation, but I didn't want to change the whole project, so I just turned it the way I wanted it.  (This download is meant to be used either way depending on the size of the final project)  This would be a great wedding gift and you can customize it to go with the couple's home dec colors (I simply check their registry to see what colors they are using).  To make this project you need the Lots of Love and Naturals Composition downloads and of course MDS!

Julie L. is next on the blog hop, check out her and the rest of the girls...they all amaze me with their talent!

Julie

MDS Blog Hop--New Families

It's time for MDS Blog Hop again and while I haven't been spending a whole bunch of time on MDS, but I do have a few things that I need to be finishing up in the near future.  I have a few weddings coming up and while I can't reveal what I'm working on for the next wedding, I would like to share some of the wedding "gifts" I've made previously.  I love making personalized framed art for the new family with their name and wedding date and add it to a nice frame. Here are a few of my favorites!

I try to use the colors that the couple has chosen for their new home (I love online wedding registries!!) along with a style that they seem to like.  Sometimes I even have to pick the brains of friends and parents to find out more info.  Each framed gift is made especially for them.  It's always nice to get a note from the couple saying that they have it hanging up in their new home/apartment!  It's a gift that is kinda "return proof", at least they can use the frame for something else later if they want ;).
Time to hop around to all the other bloggers, but you can start with the other Julie (glad she's back from vacation!!)

Just a few more days left for Sale-a-bration...don't miss out!

Julie

MDS Blog Hop--What do you LOVE about MDS?

I LOVE MDS! I know that's quite a shock to many of you! {wink} You may not know that the reason I purchased MDS was so that I could make home decor items, not really to scrapbook.  Even though I have broadened my horizons and use MDS for more than what I bought it for, home decor is still my favorite thing to use it for.
Now, if you promise not to tell my husband, I'll share my Valentine's Day gift for him!

I took one of our wedding photos and added one of my favorite sayings.  I love that I can change the photo to black and white or sepia with just a click.  I only added a frame from Downtown Grunge and background from Natural Composition Overlay.  It was very simple, but the sentiment is so sweet and tender.  David is my best friend and I am blessed to be his wife.  We have been together for almost 25 years and recently celebrated our 23rd anniversary. We are moving in to a new phase of life soon and I'm looking forward to whatever the future may bring.

Make sure you hop through all of my friend's blogs--they have some great projects to share.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Julie

MDS Blog Hop--Subway Art

Welcome to everyone coming from Jeanna B's blog--I'm sure you were amazed at her talent!

Last year I did a fun subway art project for Christmas and because I really did it for myself, I used the colors in my home...silly me!  I thought I'd re-do it in more bright traditional colors, since some people may like that, so here you go:

Download

I printed the original as a 16 x 20 poster at Costco, or you could print it as an 8 x 10 also.  Make sure if you upload it to a photo printer, you turn off the auto correct or it may change the colors drastically!

It was so easy to change the colors on MDS, as well as change the space between the letters for subway art (kerning), just some of the many reasons to get the software for yourself! You can try it out for free for 30 days, but at $19.95, it's a perfect gift for the crafter in your life (YOU!!!) And on top of that, Stampin' Up! is still having their MDS print product sale and several downloads are also discounted, so now is the time to do those Christmas cards you've been promising everyone!  

Now, hop over to the other Julie, she recently returned from a fun trip to Disney World! LUCKY!!!

It's time for bed!  It's been a long day!

Julie

Shared on Mydigitastudio.net, The Party Bunch

Sweater Weather

I always enjoy this time of year!  The high is in the 70's here and it's just cool enough that I can throw a sweater on and not bake during the day!!  Definitely the perfect time of year in Vegas!
A few weeks ago, my friend Jane posted this darling woodcut acorn covered with our fun Sweater Weather DSP--It. Is. So. Freakin'. Cute!  I soooo had to CASE her idea.  So, off I went to the wood store and not only found the cute acorn, but a little baby pumpkin as well.  So I got BOTH!  Here's my completed pumpkin:

I appreciate how well all the DSP in the pack coordinates together so I don't have to wonder if the patterns go together. (That has always been a struggle!) I added a bit of Sahara Sand ink on the edges along with some linen thread and natural trim to tie up the little tag.  It will be the perfect addition to my fall decor. Thanks Jane!!  I think I'll work on my little acorn later this week, so check back in to see how it turned out!!

Julie

MDS Blog Hop--Christmas is Coming!

Yes, it really is, no matter how not ready I am!
My project is something I wanted to do last Christmas, but never got to.  I know there are some of you out there with the same issue...I start things, but I don't always finish!!!  I'm trying to do better, but it's just so hard!  And don't even ask me what I bought today, because I don't want anyone asking me later how the project is coming (Jeanna!!!)  Well, that said, I did this project at the last minute (it shows) and I may change it later, but I just wanted you to see the different ideas.

I've had these little black and red frames for a few years (sigh) and wanted to use them as ornaments on my tree but coming up with the inside has been a struggle, imagine that!!  I chose an 8 1/2 x 11 custom page on MDS and used the photo box option in the Design Center to create several small 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 photo boxes to "decorate".  I used the photo box instead of the punch option because you can change the color of the DSP, which is only a feature with photos (or DSP selected as a layer) and embellishments, not punches.  Also, if you are buying little frames, be aware that most of them do not allow for any layers or embellishments, so keep your "extras" digital (or take the glass out). I used many different downloads, so if you have a question on a specific frame, leave a comment and I will get you the info.

Download MDS for FREE for 30 days and also right now there are many wonderful downloads on sale along with the print products (see post).
Hop over to Julie L. to see her beautiful holiday project along with all the rest of the hoppers!  Remember, we have our very own brand-spankin'-new Stampin' Up! MDS Design team members; Amber, Holly, and Cori!  They are so deserving of this opportunity!  Congrats to them!

Hmmm, maybe now I should get out some of my other old projects...Nah!

Julie

MDS Hop--Home Decor

So sorry it's been so long since I posted.  Life just got in the way--as it always seems to! This project is one that I used as my 3D Artisan entry.  This is definitely a labor of love!  I won't tell you how many hours were spent on this project, but it was a lot!  The letters are not fonts, they are all punches or stamp brushes that were cropped!  Yep, you got it, all of these letters are from MDS!  The original Artisan entry was done with a faux canvas wrap in 12 x 12 and it looked like a real wrapped canvas (sorry, no picture)!  I plan on doing more of these for gifts--the only problem is that when I pull up this particular project in MDS it is so component heavy that it takes FOR-EVER to load and change, GRRR!  Hopefully, if I get my upgraded OS for my Mac, it will help a bit.  Anyway, it still looks good in a regular frame.

Download (featured on WhipperBerry)

It might be hard to see, but it does have a woodgrain background.  Here is a list of stamps/punches I used in this project:
Stamps  
    A Split Second - smile
    Topsy Turvy Celebration - sugar & spice
    Bring on the Cake - bring on the cake
    Bring on the Cake - wish big
    Bring on the Cake - wish big
    Bring on the Cake - happy birthday
    Celebrate Any Day - thank you
    Creative Elements - create
    Jolly Jingles - jolly
    Lots of Love - background
    Lots of Love - background
    Notes - notes
    Cake & Ice Cream - cake & ice cream
    Thank You Kindly - thank you
    Spooky Things - happy halloween
    Delightful Dozen - mother
    Old Saint Nick - santa cheer
    Bold Branches - fancy family
Punches
    Simple Letters - a
    Alphabet Soup - uppercase x
    Timeless Type Junior Lowercase - z
    Alphabet Soup - uppercase o
    Smitten Alphabet Punch - q
    1.25 Circle Punch
    Timeless Type Junior Lowercase - p
    Alphabet Soup - uppercase k
    Alphabet Soup - lowercase d

I hope you enjoy following along with this hop!  It's so much fun to create with MDS and it's even more fun to participate with these talented girls!

1. Julie Leblanc 2. Cindy Schuster 3. Cori Kozak 4. Amber Meadows 5. Rochelle Gould 6. Julie Davidse 7. Jeanna Bohanon 8. Erica Shaw

InLinkz.com
Well, it's been raining for about 20 days straight here in Vegas and I'm just ready for the fall to be here already!  I hope you're enjoying the fall where you are!  Create something fun today!

Julie

Shared on Mydigitalstudio.net, WhipperBerry, JustUsFourBlog, Craftberry Bush

Merry and Bright

It's not even beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Vegas!  Yesterday it was 72 degrees and today is going to be 70!  Now, I'm not complaining by any stretch of the imagination, oh no, I absolutely love this temperature!  I do have to admit that a little part of me wishes it would snow just to start off the holiday with a bang!  Contrary to popular belief, it does snow here in Southern Nevada, usually once or twice a year.  Very rarely does it stick, but it does snow.  So, I'm just hoping for a few flakes to fall out of the sky one of these days so that I can know that winter is coming and not just because it says it on the calendar.  Here is a printable to decorate your home with (I'll have snowflakes, even if I have to make them myself!!)!  I hope that your Christmas season is merry and bright!

Merry & Bright black download

Enjoy!

Julie

Shared on Skip to my Lou, Simply Kierste, WhipperBerry Somewhat Simple

One more day...

Ok, I think I'm ready!

 I do not do well with large dinners, so Thanksgiving is usually stressful for me!  If I have more than two dishes that need to be ready to eat at the same time, I get a bit crazy!  Over the last few years, we've been up to Salt Lake at my mom's and then last year we were invited by some friends here in Vegas, but before that we actually went to the buffet at the Red Rock Station casino and it was really good.  The best thing was that there were no dishes to clean up, the worst thing was there were no leftovers to have sandwiches with!  This year, the vote was taken and we are doing ham instead of turkey (phew!!). I love turkey, but a ham is much easier for me since it's already cooked and I just have to warm it!  Yay!  I've also delegated most of the dishes to my family!  My kids are old enough that they could really make the whole meal, but I'll go easy on them this year and just give them a dish or two to prepare.  My sweetie is doing the potatoes and stuffing, the boy is making his oma's mac and cheese dish and some corn, and the girl is making a Jello salad and a dessert!  I have the ham and rolls--I think we are set!  I am more relaxed this year and I know that tomorrow will be great!  Hopefully we will be able to Skype with the rest of the family after dinner.  Here is a little framed decor item I made with Autumn Accents Bigz die (and the Big Shot) and the houndstooth and chevron embossing folders, Orchard Harvest DSP and a small piece of Crumb Cake seam binding.  I was going to put some words in there, and maybe I will later, but I think I like it just plain.  What do you think?

I added just a bit of Glitter paper to tie in with my brushed silver furniture and I used glue dots to ruffle up the seam binding.
I hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving and remember, there's always something to be thankful for!

Julie

Trick-or-treat printable

I am planning on doing a few more videos for My Digital Studio 2, but until they are done, I have more Halloween projects!  This project can be framed in a square frame and you could even print a few and cut out some of the squares and pop them up with some Stampin' Dimensionals and add brads or rhinestones!  When I find my square frame, I will post a photo!  My Digital Studio 2 is available as a free 30-day trial, so you have nothing to loose!  Click "shop now" and "digital crafting" for your downloadable trial! As always, this is for personal use only!

Julie

Download

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