Warning: Website Based Scrapbooks Aren't Intuitive or Creative!

Yes, it does sound like I'm biased, but it's totally true!  We were crunched for time this Christmas so I went to the S******h website to make some quick calendars and "save some money."  Hahahaha!  Joke's on me!  After struggling with the program (which doesn't let you resize your photos) and after many many MANY messages of "warning: low resolution", I gave up and went back to My Digital Studio.  (Yes, My Digital Studio also helps you design calendars....)  Wow, what a difference!  And at the advice of another SU person, I got it printed at C****o and saved a ton of money there, too!  Only $9.99 per calendar!  Yes, I really have learned my lesson.  Here are a few of the pages that I made....

This first page is for January on my Mom and Dad's calendar.  I used a background snowflake Designer Paper, put a few snowflake stamps on it and colored them white, then added a shadow behind the snowflakes so that they would stand out a bit.  Simple and fun!  And best of all, I got to decide how the pics would be arranged and if I wanted a mat and what size and color for the mats!  Sure adds a lot to the page.

This is February on my Mom and Dad's calendar.  It features my only niece on this side of the family and some of her cousins who love her dearly!  After selecting the Designer Paper from my Love Letters set, I put torn edges around the upper and sides, then added the curlies across the bottom.  I also added the two hearts, chose the color that matched the curlies and the DP, then added the shadow behind them to add dimension.

This is the February page from my in-laws' calendar.  These are my only two nieces from this side of the family.  (Both families are woefully short on the female offspring!)  After putting the heart stamps on this one, I recolored them, using the color picker.  I chose one of the pinks that's in my niece's dress.  How wonderful to be able to dress up your pages by matching up the colors in the photos to your embellishments!

 So now can you see why I wasn't satisfied with the crazy placement and limitations of the online program?  I'm never going back again.  I've learned my lesson and learned it well!

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.  I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year's. 

Blessings,
Julie

3-D Christmas Tree

Oh yes, I love this idea of the 3-D Christmas tree!  Whoever thought this one up is a genius!  The tree is stamped with the Pennant Parade stamp set and punched out with the Pennant Punch.  Scallops on the edge of the Designer Paper (Berry Bouquet) is the edge of the Ribbon Border punch.  The yellow star is a clear Rhinestone colored with a yellow Sharpie. 

I have a bunch of this project leftover from the workshop, so I think I'll be making some for my own cards to send out this year.  Yay!

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie

Snowy Easel Card

How about this for a fun card?  We made this easel card at the last workshop at the request of the hostess.  She saw one on display and wanted to learn how to make the easel.  We used the glitter window technique (packing tape and Dazzling Diamonds glitter) for the window to see the little girl.  The snowflake was cut with the snowflake decorative strip and the silver glimmer paper.  I have a few of these cut out and ready to go, so some people on my Christmas list might be receiving these.  Hey, it's fair game if it's already cut out, right?

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie

Christmas Card Crank

 It's Christmas Card Crank time again!  20 cards for $28.  I'll even tie your bows for you if you ask.  I'll try to add the registration form on the sidebar, but if that's not successful, email me and I'll email it back to you. 
This first card uses the stocking punch, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, and glimmer paper. 

 Here's the second card.  Heat embossed in Copper, it also combines Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, and Real Red.

 This third card uses the Lovely as a Tree and Delighful Decorations stamp sets.  The colors are Garden Green and Riding Hood Red.  In case you can't see it, there is a pearl in the center of the ornament.

 This is one of my favorites.  White on White with double scoring lines around the images.  And I totally love the blue and white look for Christmas.

Here's the last one.  Two textured scallop circles and you have a wreath.  The Cherry Cobbler color is one of my all-time favorites and really jazzes up this card.

So, what do you think?  Want to come over on December 2, 3, or 10?  Let me know.  These projects are also available through mail order, without the stamps and adhesives. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful.  This year I would like to say thanks to my wonderful stamping friends who are fun to be around and such a blessing to me!  Of course, I'm also thankful for many other things.  Thank you for being a part of this crafting forum.

Thanks and God bless you this day and all year.

Julie

Online Extravaganza Sale

Yes!  It's finally here!  I love sales and this one is great!   Looks like there will be a daily special, besides all of the other items that Stampin' Up! has put on sale.  Just wait until you see!

This great tool is the new Simply Scored tool  Regularly, it sells for $29.95.  TODAY ONLY, you can buy it for $23.95 online!  Just click here to place your order.  Oh, and don't forget to look at the rest of the things on sale.  My pocket book isn't going to be nearly as full after I shop on this one!

 

 And I know some of you are trying to figure out what you would do with the Simply Scored tool.  Oh, the fun you can have!  I'll be featuring some of the techniques in future posts, but here's an idea...the lollies that are so hot right now in the crafting world.  I made this wreath using Designer Papers and buttons.  Adorable, right?  All I had to do was use my Simply Scored to score either every 1/4" or every 3/8", fan fold, then glue on to a circle with the Sticky Strip adhesive or hot glue.  I prefer the Sticky Strip because then you don't have to worry about the glue cooling off too quickly before you can get the lolli just right. 

I also used my Circle Scissors Plus to cut one of the back pieces of cardboard from a Designer Paper pack to make the wreath circle.  The lollies are attached with glue dots.  So, let's see what you can do with your Simply Scored.  Here's the link to the Online Extravaganza Sale.  Let's see how much fun YOU can have!  :-D

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings,
Julie

CAS Workshop Card

No, I can't take any credit for the wonderful idea of threading taffeta ribbon through the holes of the Pennant Die Doily.  But I do love the idea!  I've seen a few of these around.  The one that really caught my eye had the doily cut out of Garden Green cardstock and had a Real Red taffeta ribbon woven through it.  A Christmas sentiment was coming out through the center.  Wish I could remember where I saw it!  (Isn't that always the problem with the best ideas?)  Anyway, this is a super simple.  The colors are Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White. 

Ok, it's time to clean up the living room after the free work night at my house.  We had 10 people here last night working on various projects.  I love it!

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings,
Julie

Workshop Project and Remake

 Last Friday night's workshop was great!  I didn't know how many of the guests had previous stamping experience, so I tried to keep a couple of the projects pretty simple, while throwing in a technique.  This is a remake of the watercoloring with markers project.  I've added the Espresso layer behind the flower and the frame behind the greeting. 

Here's the original workshop project.  I love watercoloring with markers on the watercolor paper.  It looks so wonderful and is so super easy!  What have you made with your watercolor paper lately? 

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie

Birthday Money Holder

 My oldest son just had his birthday a few weeks ago.  He's a teenager, so of course, he wants cash!  My challenge now is how to make the money cards look unique.  This card measures 7 1/4" x 3 3/4".  They fit into some envelopes that were given to me by someone at a print shop.  They're PERFECT for holding cash!  Oh, and let's not forget that fun stamp set It's a Wrap Occassions from the IB&C.  This is the first time that I've used it for anything other than wrapping a nugget, but I think it's the perfect shaepe for this card size!  The leaves were cut out with the Big Shote and the Leaves Bigz Die, then brushed with a sponge and Early Espresso ink.  Colors here are Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Paisley Petals DP, and Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain.

On the inside, you can see how the money holder is formed.  The whole piece of cardstock measures 7 1/4" x 10".  Score marks were made at 3 3/4" and 7 1/2".  Before gluing the flap down, a half oval was punched out of the center with my wide oval punch.  Make sure you use sticky strip or Tombow so that when the recipient rips the cash out of there, you don't end up with "what was formerly known as a card". 

So, there you go.  Finally the measurements on the money holder card.  Thanks for your patience.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings,
Julie

Remake of an easy card....

This card was made with leftovers from this project, a Father's Day card from a previous workshop.  I needed a card for a birthday party that my son will be attending, so what better way to use up leftovers than to experiment a little?  This is the first time that I've used the Ain't Love Grand stamp set.  It's a new Hostess Only item from Stampin' Up! and I love it!  I colored this image in with my blender pen after stamping it in Early Espresso.  The background netting?  It's from a pack of Costco onions.  :-)  The DP is retired, so don't worry about looking through your IB&C to buy it.  Sorry.  Just another reason to buy it while you see it!  Ok, I'd better get back to the rest of my duties.  I have some new workshop projects to show you.  Let's hope I can find the time to photo them!

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings,
Julie