MDS Monday - Favorites

So this week is the last challenge over at MDS Monday.  I've enjoyed playing along with their sketches and truly love all things MDS.  This week, the challenge is to create a layout using your favorite download.  I have several -- Downtown Grunge (I think I use those frames on almost every layout), The Best Year (so great for quick monthly pages) and the Game Day Photobook Template.

I've been working on several pages so I can get them printed through Stampin' Up! before their print services are gone for good.  (sniff, sniff)  I've used template pages from the above downloads to get them done quickly!  It's pretty amazing how you can change a few elements and colors and it looks completely different!  Here, are some pages I did using the Game Day Photobook Template download.

I kind of feel like I'm cheating when I use the template pages -- but I'm always so happy with the results!!  I changed colors, added some different stamps and journaling and then the pages are perfect for my photos!! Love it!  I recently purchased several other downloads that have photobook templates while they're on sale. I can't wait to get these pages printed!

I'll post some layouts later this week using my other two favorite downloads. Thanks to the ladies over at MDS Monday for the inspiration.  :) 

Have a great day!

PLxSU Trio Challenge #10 - B&W Photo

Woot - double digits!  We are on week #10 of the PLxSU Trio Challenge!  I'm so enjoying getting caught up with Project Life pages!  This week, the challenge is to use a black and white photo(s) on your page.  I had a hard time finding photos to use in black & white for this challenge.  Maybe it's because I don't have babies, or girls, or fancy family photos…?  So, baseball it is!

I added a little pop of color - in our team colors, of course.

Products Used:

Happiness Is Project Life Digital Download

Essential Wooden Elements

Mini Flag Banner
Staples & Stitching

We'd love to see your Project Life pages using black and white photos.  You can upload them on our PLxSU Trio Challenge Facebook Page.  And don't forget to stop by Holly and Amber's blogs to see what they've created this week!

Have a wonderful day!!

My Little Champ

I finally sat down and created this layout just in the nick of time!  Beth has a very cool sketch and challenge over at MDS Monday this week.  I've had the layout in my mind for a few days and finally did it tonight!

Products Used:
Game Day, Game Day Baseball, Everybody's Business, Hello Fall Flag Punch

I knew this sketch would work well with one of the thousands of sports photos I have of the boys.  I decided on one of Carter pitching.  I love the way it showcases him "in the zone".  I wasn't too sure what colors to use so I ended up color matching the blue from the sleeve of his undershirt - love that feature in MDS!  I can't wait to see this page in print!

Lucky for me, print products are on sale through July 31st!!  Click here to see the print sale prices!

Well, it's late so I'm off to catch some zzzzzz's.  Thanks for stopping by!!

Reminders:

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• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here.

Headed to Cooperstown!

Hi there!  We are back with another MDS Blog Hop!  Today we are sharing with you what we've been working on!  This is a crazy time of year… end of the year school parties, graduations, field day, room mom duties, vacation planning, etc.  I haven't had a lot of time for creating this week!  I did however, make some little gift tags yesterday that I can show you.  My son's baseball team is going to play baseball in Cooperstown in a couple of weeks!  This Southern girl is excited to go to NY!  Anyhoo, the team stays in the barracks by the ballpark for the week.  We wanted to give them a little goody bag when we arrive.  I created tags in MDS so they can keep up with who's is who!

Nothing fancy, but pretty cute and simple to make!

Here's what it looked like in MDS:

Download Used:
Game Day Baseball
Font:  Headline

I used our team colors and coordinating (retired) ribbon.  I alternated the colors just to make them a little different.  I cut them out into circles and the moms put them on the bags tonight at practice. :)  They are ready to go!!

I'm anxious to see what MDS goodness the other designers have been working on! Next up along our hop is Beth Rush!  Click the button below to hop on over to her blog!

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!!

Reminders:

• Get monthly craft kits to your door!  Sign up for The Paper Pumpkin here.
• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here.

Baseball Mom Scrapbook Layout

Welcome back to another round of the MDS Blog Hop!  Today our hop is all about MOMS! :)  I love being a mom and had a wonderful role model growing up!  It was hard to decide what photos to scrapbook but decided to work on some photos from Mother's Day last year.  My youngest son had a baseball tournament and my older son caught some photos of us together.  :)  Here's my layout:

I had so much fun with one of my new downloads:  Endless Birthday Wishes - even though this layout is not about birthdays.. the colors are so fun! :)

MDS Downloads Used:

Endless Birthday Wishes, Game Day, Staples & Stitching, Rhinestone Jewels

I'm looking forward to this weekend and creating more wonderful Mother's Day memories!!

Next up on our hop is Beth… click the button below to see what she created!!  We hope you'll follow along with us!

Thanks for visiting!!

Reminders:

• Get monthly craft kits to your door!  Sign up for The Paper Pumpkin here.
• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here.

MDS Hop - Home Decor

Hi there!!  It's time for the MDS Hop and this month it's all about Home Decor!!

I love to see all of the creative things others do with MDS - so this should be a fun month!! I chose to make some wall decor for my son's room.

If you're not into the lacrosse scene then you might not know that "lax" is short for lacrosse.  A friend of mine posted a picture on Facebook last year with something similar to what I did, but without the images.  I've been wanting to recreate it myself - and our Game Day & Lacrosse downloads are perfect!!

All I did was create my own images in MDS.  First, I created my project with the custom size I needed to fit the letters.  I used Sahara Sand as the background color for the first two letters (they look like different shades in this picture but they're the same).  I added a stamp from the Game Day Photobook Template to give it a little extra color and grunge look.  

For the last three letters I selected a custom blue color and added stamps from the Game Day Lacrosse download.  After I printed out the paper, I traced the letters onto the paper, cut them out with an exacto knife, and mod-podged the paper onto the wooden letters.  I sanded the edges a bit before adding a coat of Mod Podge to the top. I love how the "lax" stands out.  The project didn't turn out perfectly, but my son is going to love it!!

The most difficult part was getting the stickers off of the letters.  Seriously... a man must've been the one to apply stickers to the front of wooden letters?!  But, come to find out, my Stampin' Up! Bone Folder (#102300) and Adhesive Remover (#103684) worked like a charm to help get all of the residue off!  LOL!  I also realized after I finished that there weren't any hooks or holes on the back for hanging... so, I had to prop it up on my fireplace for photos -- sorry!!

Make sure and follow along with the rest of the Blog Hop so you can see the home decor the other designers created!  :)

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

Also, did you know that we have an MDS Hop Pinterest Board?  You can check it out HERE!!  :)  We'll be back in a couple of weeks with more MDS inspiration!  Thanks for stopping by!!

MDS Challenge

Happy Friday!  Hubby is away so the mouse will play...  I snuck some creative time in this afternoon and played along with the challenge over at MDS Monday.  Here's the result:

I know, I know... I'm always posting boyish/sports pages... but the sketch over at MDS Monday was just perfect to showcase my boy's first goal with his summer lacrosse team!!  So glad I was there to see it!  And love that it's already scrapbooked!  (yay, me!)

I used a mix of downloads for this layout:

Back to School, Delightful Digital Tape, Natural Composition Overlays, Large Polka Dot DSP, This & That Epic Day, Nobody's Business, Timeless Type Alphabet, Game Day Football (I cropped the "1st" out of the 1st Down stamp).  

I've done lots of scrapbooking this month!  I love making a dent in the thousands of photos on my laptop!  ;)  MDS makes it sooo easy and there are fun, new downloads released each week!!  Trust me... you won't get bored!!

Ok, time to talk shop!  There are a few Stampin' Up! promotions going on that you don't want to miss.....

The PAPER PROMTION ends July 31st!  Don't forget that you can buy 3 packs of DSP and get 1 FREE!  Stock up on your favorite paper now!!

Do you feel overwhelmed when it comes to papercrafting?  Need a quick creative escape?  Check out my Paper Pumpkin - a fun craft kit that comes straight to your door each month!  Check out this video showing this month's kit.  You can join now for 50% off for the first 2 months!!  Only $10/month by using promo code PUMPKINDEAL.  Click here to join today!!

$99 STARTER KIT BONUS!!  Get a FREE Project Kit (value up to $29.95) when you purchase the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit from now through August 31st.  The kit includes your choice of $125 of Stampin' Up! product (digi too), for $99 plus tax and free shipping!   Click HERE for a flyer that lists the bonus kits available with this promotion! Questions?  Click here for more info about joining Stampin' Up!.

Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions!!  Thanks for visiting and have a fabulous weekend!

Reminders:

• Get monthly craft kits to your door!  Sign up for The Paper Pumpkin here.
• Celebrating the best of 25 years stamp sets!  Check them out here!
• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here

Braves Fan

Hi there!  I had some time today to play along with the challenge over at MDS Monday. They have a sketch challenge where you combine photo boxes and fill them with one photo.  Here's my layout:

This is a fun technique and really easy in MDS!  And of course I love how it highlights my sweet boy's face.  ;)  Here he is at the Braves game.... wishing that he could be down there playing someday.  

Well, off to take my other boy to lacrosse practice.  Always some kind of sports-something going on around here!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Reminders:

• Get monthly craft kits to your door!  Sign up for The Paper Pumpkin here.
• Celebrating the best of 25 years stamp sets!  Check them out here!
• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here

Eat. Sleep. Play Ball.

Hi there!  It looks like it's been awhile since I've posted a scrapbook layout.  I have several pages I've created in MDS that I haven't posted.  Here's one of my favorites:

Baseball season just ended... and I think we're having withdrawals over here.  My 11 yo eats, sleeps and breathes baseball.  He's already asking how long until it starts up again!!  And we just returned from his World Series in Gulf Shores, AL.  Beach and baseball... it doesn't get much better than that!!

I created the layout above based on a sketch by Kimberly and Heather over at their Simply My Digital Studio Challenge Facebook Page.  It's lots of fun - check it out!

So... I'm a little behind the times and just realized that Google Reader retired on July 1st. I was researching some other blog readers out there and decided to switch over to Bloglovin'.  It was so easy to import all of the blogs that I stalk follow.  Plus, there's a great app for my ipad/iphone.  Once the kids go back to school, I love to browse my favorite blogs while I'm sitting in carline.  So, this will be perfect!!  You should check it out - and while you're at it, follow my blog too!  :)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Also, have you checked out the recent MDS downloads lately?  It's not just for scrapbooking....  Look at this fun Tags For All Designer Template download:

Make sure and check out the new downloads released each Tuesday in my Online Store here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Reminders:

• Get monthly craft kits to your door!  Sign up for The Paper Pumpkin here.
• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here

Having a Ball...

Happy Friday!!  It's been a crazy-busy week and I'm happy the weekend is here!  (Even though the weekend will be just as busy!)  I did find time this week for another scrapbook layout.  I'm loving digi layouts in MDS!  I decided to play along again with the sketch over at MDS Monday.  This sketch is just so versatile - I love it!

I thought it would be cute to use a baseball as the circle in the sketch.  And I am never short on baseball photos over here!  I'm also entering this into the "Boys Will Be Boys" challenge over on the MDS site.  (You can pop over and leave me some love HERE!) These photos are from last year... we love watching our Braves!  ;)

Lots of exciting stuff going on at Stampin' Up!  

The retired list is posted... there are always things I'm so sad to see go.  Make sure and check out the retired list before these products are gone for good.

Retiring stamps will be available April 24-June 3rd.  Stampin' Up! will continue to product the stamps to meet demand through June 3rd.  Click to View Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamps.

Retiring accessories are available April 24-June 3rd but ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.  You can save up to 60% on select items.  Click to View Stampin' Up! Retiring Accessories.

This is always a fun time to be a demo - as we can view the NEW upcoming catalog early!  We can even pre-order items!!  Whoa.... wait until you see the new goods!!  So fun!!!!  I can't wait to get my hands on the new stuff!!  :P

Have you ordered your This & That Bundle yet?  I love the colors in this kit and the stamp and embellies are super cute!  This item will be available in the new Annual Catalog that comes out in June, but the discounted bundle is only available through April 30th.  You can see more details and purchase it here in My Online Store.

Look at all that's included in the Bundle!!  So fun!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend!

Reminders:

• Get monthly craft kits to your door!  Sign up for The Paper Pumpkin here.
• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here

Stampin Celebration Sketch Challenge

Hi there!!  The last week has been crazy but I FINALLY had some creative time!  I won't bore you with the details... but let's just say the flu and a stomach virus hit us last week! Ugh!

It's time for the Mid-monthspiration over at Stampin' Celebration - and that means a Sketch Challenge!! Woo hoo!  This layout really came together quickly:

My son is playing for his middle school lacrosse team this year.  He's really having a great time!  I love watching my boys do their thing at their games.  :)

Products Used:
Software:  My Digital Studio 2
Downloads:  Game Day, Game Day Lacrosse, Staples & Stitching

And here's this month's sketch (SCIC #64):

We'd love for you to join us over at Stampin' Celebration!  Create a project using the above sketch or the photo inspiration shown here.  Link your creations up by the 25th of the month for a chance to be this month's "Pick of the Party."

Make sure and check out the other Design Team creations as well:

Stampin' Celebration Blog Hop:
Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions 

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun! (you are here!)

Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Don't forget -- there's only one week left for Sale-a-Bration!!  Earn FREE products with every $50 order!!  You have until March 22nd to earn the exclusive Sale-a-Bration products - and then they're gone!

Reminders:

• Earn FREE products during Sale-a-Bration!!  Get the scoop here.
• Get monthly craft kits to your door!  Sign up for The Paper Pumpkin here.
• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Come Stamp with Me!  Check out my upcoming events here!
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here

  

#1 Fan Scrapbook Layout & New Downloads!

Hi!  The boys are out of school for Christmas break!! Yay - that means no alarm clarks and more time together!  This makes me happy!  While they're sleeping in this morning, I thought I'd share a super quick layout I did in MDS.  (My Digital Studio)

Isn't this cute?  I used the Game Day Photobook Template so it took me about 15 minutes.  All I did was insert my photo, text and added the Flag and Football stamps.  So easy!  I matched the red color in one of the boys jerseys - love that feature!

Make sure and check out My Digital Studio here.  If you haven't tried it, you can download a 30-day free trial - but be prepared to get hooked on MDS!  It's so fun and so easy - and such a great way to make a dent in those hundreds of photos stuck in your computer!!

Have you seen the new downloads that were released on Tuesday!!  (Click on the title below to view in my online store).

All Time Fave Photobook Template

Glimmer Designer Series Paper

A to Z Woodpress Embellishments

I'm looking forward to sharing My Digital Studio with my local friends and customers in January!  Join me for a free MDS class where we'll create a scrapbook page together.  

Don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack Blitz.  Lots of awesome deals - including stamps!!  You can shop My Online Store 24/7 and have your goodies shipped straight to your door!   :)

Thanks for visiting and happy creating!

Reminders:

• Clearance Rack Blitz!  Shop the Clearance rack here!
• Come Stamp with Me!  Check out my upcoming events here!
• Single Stamps for Sale!!  Check them out here!
• Get your favorite Stampin' Up! products - Shop 24/7!  Visit my online store.
• Host a Workshop or Private Class!  Earn free products with the new Hostess Benefits.
• Try My Digital Studio Express for FREE!  Download a 30-day trial here.
• Follow me on Facebook!  Click here.
• Going digi?  Check out the latest My Digital Studio downloads here.