Desk Set

Inspired by my Upline Michelle - who saw these wonderful trays. She had added paper and shared them on her site - I just adored them so had to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) her project. As I was working on the tray, I glanced around my office and wondered.... what else could I do here. And poof! I had a desk set - great for the start of the school year for teachers.

My project really started with the tray - I saw the bright teal and instantly thought of the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper. So then I grabbed a nearby composition book....

To the Summer Smooches DSP, I added some of the new Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Daffodil Delight. A couple of the Blossom punches, with a Boho Blossom punch and a button from the Brights collection. Notes is spelled out with the Morning Post Alphabet stamp set and punched out using the Postage Stamp punch.

Here's a little note pad - how simple but a cute gift!  And finally - I saw this online, a bobby pin from the jewelery making section of a craft store turned into a paper clip.  The new In Color Dahlias are just perfect for these!

I hope you enjoyed this desk set idea. Keep your eyes searching for anything out there that you can add paper and your personal touch to!

Aye Matey!

Shiver me timbers!!!! How easy is it to create a fun sign for your home or office with My Digital Studio!  I saw this quote out and about and as soon as I got home, I knew I just had to create it! What a fun gift for all the "pirates" in your life. If you don't currently have any pirates in your life, well then your friends REALLY need this posted where they can see it  :o)  Arrrgggghhhh

A week and a day.....

until the new MDS2 arrives!!!

Get it on your calendar - the newest version of My Digital Studio will be available August 1.  Oh the possibilities, like I wasn't already addicted to the current version?  Stampin' Up! has added some great new features - custom sizing for projects, multiple color stamps, and even added the Color Coach!  I can't wait.... yes, you know exactly what I will be doing on August 1 :o)

If you want to find out more about My Digital Studio, check out the linke to my website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/hilarysmith/productline12

Or if you would rather see a first hand demonstration of how easy it is to use this software, contact me today! 

Triple the Fun!

I just saw this and had to try it! It is called triple stamping and I love the way it looks! Yes, dress it up with ribbon and a brad and it would be over the top, but I kept it simple so you could see the stamping effect. 

To make the card, cut your card base 8 1/2x 5 1/2 folded in half.
Cut two mats in the same color as your card base.
     4 1/2 x 3 1/4   and 3 1/2 x 2 1/4
Cut three pieces of cardstock that you plan to stamp on
     5 1/4 x 4,     4 1/4 x 3,    and 3 1/4 x 2

Take the pieces to stamp on, and using temporary adhesive, stack them from largest to smallest, keeping them centered.  Go ahead and stamp them - don't worry if there are gaps where the stamp goes from one piece to another. when you are done stamping, unlayer the pieces and remove the adhesive.  Now you can build your card, adding the mats.

Yes, now you know the secret, it looks really difficult but it is so easy!!! If you have any trouble, please contact me and I can help you make this card.

For this card I used Daffodil Delight cardstock to stamp on and Early Espresso as the card base. The stamp set is the July only special of Reason to Smile. 

Ornaments....they are not just for Christmas

So after spending a day at the zoo, walking at least three miles in over 90 degree heat... I was not feeling Christmasy no matter how I tried.  I did still like flowers though! So I turned one of the stamps from the Ornament Keepsakes set into petas, and another into the center of the flower. The designs on these stamps are so beautiful!  I don't want to limit myself to just Christmas :o) Do you know what is even better? You can bundle it with the matching Framelits Dies that match. Quick and easy cutting of all the ornaments. Can I hear a Yippee???

If you haven't received your Holiday catalog yet, contact me to get your copy.

Love My Color Coach!

A couple of days ago I was determined to do a gray and yellow card. Well, since I had the gray out to work with, and just love the richness of the color... I thought to myself what else can I do? Since I was not on another "mission" with a set color scheme in my head, I turned to my trusty Stampin' Up! Color Coach. If you are not familar with the Color Coach, it is a wonderfullly handy set of cards you can easily flip though for ideas and inspiration. One side of the card is a solid Stampin' Up color, the other side has two color combinations using three colors. So for this one, I went to the Basic Gray color card and chose the combination of Basic Gray, Old Olive and Melon Mambo. Love the balance of darker shades and the bright Melon Mambo. The other suggested combination was Basic Gray, Real Red and Pumpkin Pie.  I have found that some days when I am feeling stuck and not sure what I want to be working on, I just play with the Color Coach until I stumble upon a color combination that gets my mind flowing. 

Get  you color coach today, item 121046. You can order 24/7 on my website www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net 

Snowflakes in July?

You had better believe it!!!  I have had a sneak peek at the Stampin' Up holiday catalog - and you won't be disappointed. Wowie, the only problem will be which items to order first. Since I won't have to shovel it, I adore this set called Snowflake Soiree. I have kept it simple with a Basic Gray card base, a layer of Basic Black and then I embossed the stamps and word on the page with Silver embossing powder. 

Contact me today to make sure you are going to get your Holiday Catalog! Stampin' Up is starting a little earlier this year with this catalog to give us plenty of time to get all those holiday projects completed! Yeah!!!!

Shades of Gray

Well, one shade of gray - Basic Gray.  I just had a strong urge to use the Basic Gray and Daffodil Delight together. And in the crazy world I call my office, no other card was going to be created until I experimented with those two colors. I am so glad I give in to those urges. The printed piece is from the Floral District Designer Series Paper. The stamp is the July special Reason to Smile stamp - it is only available this month for $5 with a $50 purchase. I love this new 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon too. 

Paper Work - or Play?

Who wants a boring old clipboard?  This one I brightened up with the Floral District Designer Series Paper. If you have to do paperwork, you might as well be surrounded by beautiful things, right?

Do you have some extra pages? You can get them in a pretty binder clip too.

Such a simple way to brighten every work day,  Enjoy!

Dinoroar

A Birthday card for a three year old - and made by a three year old. Yes, I recruited my little helper to make the card for his friend's birthday party. I did the stamping, he did the sticking and "straw work." We were even able to make it educational by sorting the straw colors and the pointing out all the numbers.  My little guy was so proud of his work.

If you have small children (or know any) this Dinoroar is a "must have" stamp set for your household! I have used it for just about everything, cards, gifts, even valentines. Don't limit yourself to children though, a lot of grown ups still love dinosaurs :o)

Here's what you get in the entire stamp set - also on page 64 of the new catalog. Enjoy and ROAR!!!

Vvvrrrooom

Now this is the fun you can have with My Digital Studio! You can really personalize for your friends - you won't find this in your corner card shop!  I pulled the motorcycle, the distressed background, and the photo corners from my Digital Studio art. Then I added the text. I printed the card front on Crumb Cake cardstock (love that color!) then added the layers of black and then a Crumb Cake card base. I think I am going to go see what I can come up with next.....

Birthday flowers

Having a little fun playing with the Reason to Smile stamp set. If you saw my July 1 post, you might recognize this. This is the wonderful flower set that is only available this month.  And even better - it is only $5 when you have a purchase of $50 or more!  I love the sunny feeling from the combination of the Daffodil Delight and the Pumpkin Pie cardstock together (happy combo). The Daffodil stitched ribbon is a new item in the catalog too.  If you are looking for a good selection of phrases in one stamp set - Curly Cute is one of my favorites.

A Reason to Smile

Even though Stampin' Up! just rolled out the new catalog a month ago - they already have another treat in store for us!  During the month of July, you can get this Reason to Smile stamp set for only $5 when you spend $50.  Don't wait too long though, this stamp set will only be available for the month of July!

Reason to Smile set
Wood #131274   $5.00
Clear #131275    $5.00

Limit one set per customer

Contact me to place your order
Tel: 704-787-8444
Email: MightyOakStampers@yahoo.com
or you can order directly though my website 24/7  at www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net