A Fresh Start On Project Life!

So I thought I would give Project Life another try. I've done previous versions here but needed more room for journaling and photos than that template allowed me. I even attempted the paper/divided sheet protectors style and found I just got frustrated with my lack of supplies. Digital is where I feel at home because I have such a selection of designs at my fingertips. And finding what I need is as easy as going online to a digital shop (I'm no longer a SU demo, so I am using many companies' products) and purchasing a kit or downloading a freebie! (see freebies used below). I'll keep it easy every week, trying to stick to one kit per week so that the color scheme is unified and embellishments are easy to pick. I'm thinking of sticking with one font and mostly word art from Ali Edwards. I have tons of great products I'd like to use and ideas on my Project Life Pinterest Board if you want inspiration. I'm really hoping this is the year I end up documenting more everyday moments of our life and telling stories, rather than just putting photos in layouts with pretty paper.

This week the template I used was a freebie from Becky Higgins' site and the kit is another freebie from Erica Zane. That's what I call a project on a dime! Now, does anyone want to purchase the Project Life Honey core kit I just purchased but won't be using?

Supplies used:

*FREE* Project Life® Starter Pack Erica Zane That's Life Freebie Photography Hand Drawn Brushes by Ali Edwards

InLinkz.com

Digital Scrapbooking Day (Free Downloads!)

I should have posted this yesterday when it was actually Digital Scrapbooking Day, but I wanted to let you know about some free downloads Stampin' Up! is offering. Three downloads to be exact! Make sure you go get yours right away as there is only one day left. I recolored some of the elements in these kits and created the layout below.

Also, all kits are 50% off! Now's a great time to stock up.

Supplies used:

InLinkz.com

MDS Blog Hop: One Year Anniversary!

The MDS Blog Hop is celebrating our one-year anniversary! Yippee! What a fun year it has been. Our first challenge was to create a school-themed project. I remember how exciting it was to see what everyone had created. We all have very different styles but I think you'll all agree with me when I say that THESE WOMEN ARE SO CREATIVE! I'm grateful they all said yes when I asked them to join last year.

To celebrate, we are making celebration-themed projects. This is a card I designed for Convention that didn't end up on display. I also created a page of matching tags for you to download and use. Just punch a hole in the corner and use ribbon to attach them to a gift. These would be great on back-to-school gifts for the kids or teacher gifts. For downloading these, I only ask that you click on the right side of my blog to "like" me on Facebook ----->

I have a Blog Hop bonus project today just for members of my online class My Secret Studio- another card + a video showing how to create your own printables. The class will be open for a while, so you don't have to worry about playing along live with us. Go at your own pace and learn when you have time. Are you excited to use the new MDS 2? I've been creating video tutorials on how to use all the new features.

 

Supplies used: (click to purchase)

InLinkz.com

 

Do you like our festive bunny? :)

1. Jeanna Bohanon
2. Rochelle Gould

3. Mandy Grant

4. Julie Leblanc

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Aly Schilling

8. Cindy Schuster

9. Erica Shaw (you're here)

10. Heather Summers

11. Holly VanDyne

MDS Blog Hop: Vacations (and a giveaway!)

When it came time to make my page this week, I realized that A.) I haven't gone on many vacations in the last few years and B.) Of the ones I have, I've already scrapbooked the pictures. One thing I never did was scrapbook any pictures from the trip I took to Disneyland five years ago. (hence, why I probably look a lot different in these pictures.) I absolutely LOVED the page Holly VanDyne made (inspired by Heather Summers) and knew I wanted to CASE it. I really need to take Esper to Disneyland so that I'll have fun pictures to scrapbook. I love the ability to color match in My Digital Studio. The orange I used was taken from Tigger in the picture.

The paper I used in the background is from the Piece of Cake Ensemble Digital Content CD that was available during Sale-A-Bration. For those of you who didn't have a chance to get one of these, I am giving one away today! Just be sure to leave a comment here by Sunday, May 20 at 2pm, when I'll be picking a winner. See below to see what comes on the CD.

Purchase the digital supplies you need to make this project:

InLinkz.com

 

1. Jeanna Bohanon

2. Mandy Grant

3. Julie Leblanc

4. Amber Meadows

5. Terri Mongeon

6. Cindy Schuster

7. Erica Shaw (you're here)

8. Heather Summers

My Digital Studio Free Trial

*In honor of this being my 100th blog post, and the fact that I'm almost at 10,000 blog visitors, I have a special treat for you today. BLOG CANDY! Leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win a box of Stampin' Up! retired goodies sent right to your doorstep. (The goodies will be a surprise but there will be awesome things included like stamp sets!)

 Have you wanted to try My Digital Studio but have been unsure if you'll like using the software? Well now's the time to try it for FREE before you buy!

Go here to download the free software.

You may need to create a new account to purchase from Stampin' Up online if you haven't before. That link should select me as your demonstrator, but if it doesn't, go ahead and do a search for Erica Shaw in Utah.

• The free trial includes the My Digital Studio Express software. This means full design functionality, access to our print services, and the opportunity to purchase My Digital Studio downloads.   
• At the end of the 30-day trial period, you can purchase either My Digital Studio or My Digital Studio Express to continue using the software. You will not need to re-download the program, but will simply enter the product key you receive after purchasing the software. (If you purchase the disc version you'll find it along with the shipped software, and if you purchase the downloadable My Digital Studio Express, you'll receive the product key via e-mail.)
• You will be able to keep any downloads you purchase during the 30-day trial period.  

If you have any other questions, go here to see a Q&A about this offer.

Free My Digital Studio Introduction class

Now here's the best part. Once you've played with the software this month and have discovered how fun it is, but need some help and want to know more, come to my free My Digital Studio introduction class! On February 21 from 6:30-8:30 pm in Herriman, Utah. Email me if you're interested in coming and I will send you directions. Hurry! Space is limited. Bring your laptop and play along with me, or just sit back and watch me create in My Digital Studio. Bring a list of questions you need answered or techniques you want to see. I will have my laptop hooked up to a big screen TV. If you can't come to the class, I will record a video of what I teach and post it online!

So, just a recap:

1. Leave a comment to be entered to win stamping goodies.

2. Go download My Digital Studio Express for free.

3. Attend my free class.

MDS Blog Hop: Halloween Party

This week our theme is Halloween Party. This could be anything you would use to throw a Halloween party: invitations, games, favors, etc. I chose to focus on favors and treat bags. First I created my tags (design inspired by Michelle Wooderson) and bag toppers in My Digital Studio. Then I printed them on Whisper White card stock and cut them out. Then I used them on multiple projects to show you all the ways you could use them for a party.

Stampin' Up!'s new long skinny cello bags are perfect for favors! Just fill them with candy or Halloween pencils.

I played with dressing them up. Attach them to cello bags with ribbon, twine, or a clip. Attach real buttons to add dimension.

Wrap an Oreo brownie with ribbon and attach a tag for a quick, cute treat! I also added a scallop border, paper piercing, and a flower punch and glimmer brad to dress up the tag.

I stapled the bag toppers to cello bags filled with candy and Halloween Oreos. Basic Black card stock punched with a scallop border punch behind the toppers adds a finished look.

And finally, I created a card to show the tags' versatility. I created a black pocket with sticky strip and slipped a candy corn filled cello bag into the pocket. I used a Textured Impressions Folder on the card base that was sponged in black to give the spider web a little bit of oomph. I also punched another Pumpkin face out of an extra tag and popped it up using Dimensionals.

Now for the fabulously awesome good news: YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THESE TAGS AND TOPPERS AS A FREE PRINTABLE TO USE FOR YOUR PROJECTS!
Just click on the links below and then on "Click here to start download from MediaFire"
Halloween Tags Printable
Halloween Party Toppers Printable

Please show me what you create with them! (As a thank you, please click over on the right > and become one of my followers.)

Digital supplies used:

InLinkz.com

Paper supplies used:

InLinkz.com

Now go check out some spooky party projects!

1. Jeanna Bohanon
2. Rochelle Gould 

3. Mandy Grant

4. Julie Leblanc 

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Cindy Schuster

8. Erica Shaw (you're here)

9. Heather Summers

10. Alesha Walls

11. Holly VanDyne