This girl cracks me UP!  Her crazy faces make me smile BIG time.  

Tonight I wanted a picture with her and this is what she gave me-

It's time for another Blog Hop! Our theme this week is what are you working on.  This makes me giggle a little.  It's more like what am I NOT working on.  

Do you do this? Do you get crazy and have TONS of different projects going on at once? If you could see my desk right now it's a disaster. I have stamps, ink, and paper EVERYWHERE!  One of the many reasons I love My Digital Studio and creating digitally is NO MESS! Easy cleanup ALL the time.  

Ya know, I've been asked SEVERAL times why I became SO involved in My Digital Studio.  I've always been 100% a paper crafter/scrapbooker. When My Digital Studio came out I can remember being SO overwhelmed. Honestly, afraid of it.  I thought it was just another electronic piece that I could potentially break.  

I decided to take the plunge with My Digital Studio when my kids turned me into a Taxi service.  Can anyone relate?  I found myself sitting at a gym for 2 hours twiddling my thumbs.  

I started watching Stampin' Up!'s videos and playing around with all the elements in the software and then needed a little inspiration to get started.  I hoped onto Pinterest and found tons of Digital pages that I loved and started creating away.  

My Digital Studio became my 2 hour escape three days a week.  

Crazy as this sounds… I started wanting more time with it.  It became fun, exciting and I wanted to create more. 

Yes, there are SO many things you can do with My Digital Studio. The sky is the limit with this program.  I love to look back at all the great memories we've created over the years. I'm telling my story… are YOU?

Here are a few things you should know…

1. It does NOT have to be perfect!

2. You WILL make mistakes!

3. If not now, WHEN? When will you start writing your story? 

Are you ready to learn the basics? Click HERE and you can see tons of videos teaching you the basics of MDS.  

Get started with MDS, click HERE. 

Now it's time to see what all of these great digital designers have been working on.  Their work is always incredible and I love that we can share our ideas together. 

1. Amber Meadows             2. Jeanna Bohanon             3. Julie Leblanc             4. Rochelle Gould             5. Aly Schilling             6. Kimberly Van Diepen             7. Holly VanDyne             8. Erica Shaw             9. Cindy Schuster             10. Beth Rush – guest blogger!

Shop and enjoy the REWARDS with ME!

Connect with ME! 

Facebook- I share, uplift, inspire, and create… It's ALL fun!

Instagram- Let's connect! My FAV Social Network!! 

Pinterest- inspiration pinner-load! I'm a late night pinner…

Twitter-   You never know what I'm going to say!

XOXOXO

Check out my Online Digital Store for awesome deals and beautiful digital art!!

Make today filled with creativity!!
XO

Time for a little Show & Tell.  How fun that this is the name of this stamp set.  SO cute and it's one of Stampin' Up!'s Photopolymer Clear stamp sets. 

This stamp set is SUPER trendy with amazing sayings, arrows and banners.  What I love the most is the crisp way these images stamp. 

Here is the Show & Tell 2 stamp set. I used the numbers from this set on my card.  

Again, you can see these great arrow images as well as fun Chevrons. *LOVE*

It's another exciting Digital Monday.  This weeks challenge is more of an explanation of our Print Options inside MDS.  It's also a GREAT week to get caught up on previous challenges. <smile>  Any layout goes this week.  That's right.  PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!!  Get into the program and really enjoy it.  

Watch the video below to see how you can send your projects to the printer whether it's Stampin' Up! or your own personal printer.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYwBqbSeuwM

My layout this week was inspired from a layout I had seen on Pinterest and I'm sharing a BIG achievment for Brandon.  He is now a First Class Boy Scout.  This was a big goal of his and I'm so proud to see him achieve this. It's amazing what happens when we set goals and STICK to them. 

I always tell my kids to dream BIG and try HARD! It's even more rewarding watching them achieve their goals and see their big smiling faces.  They know they did something big and they are proud, just as they should be.  

Make sure to see what Heather has up her sleeve this week. Click HERE.  Anything goes this week so you know she will cook up something Ah-Mazing!

Ready to learn how to use My Digital Studio? Join our Simply My Digital Studio Facebook Group and see what all the excitement is all about.  This a free group for anyone to join. It's all about learning how to use MDS. 

Make sure to check out the GREAT Digital Special that is going on now until June 15th. This includes PRINTING! 

Shop and enjoy the REWARDS with ME!

Connect with ME! 

Facebook- I share, uplift, inspire, and create… It's ALL fun!

Instagram- Let's connect! My FAV Social Network!! 

Pinterest- inspiration pinner-load! I'm a late night pinner…

Twitter-   You never know what I'm going to say!

XOXOXO

Here is the thing, I love color & I love a good challenge.  So why did I let go of the challenges? I didn't think you liked them.  Truth! 

Then I started hearing from a few of you that YOU did like them.  Imagine my smile.  Pretty cheesy actually. 

So… I'm bringing the color challenge back.  It's going to be a bit different.  I love to find color inspiration all over the internet, magazines, and even while I'm out and about.  

Once I have the color inspiration I love the fun of going to my Stampin' Up! color palette and making it work the Stampin' Up! way.  

Are you in? I hope so. We can all be inspired by color. 

I found this beautiful color palette from The Ardent Sparrow.  

I think the Stampin' Up! colors would be: 

So Saffron

Crushed Curry

Calypso Coral

Melon Mambo

Strawberry Slush (not pictured yet)

You don't have to use all the colors.  Choose 3!

Leave a link to your project in my comments section.

 I can't wait to see what you do with these colors.  

I'll be posting a new Color Challenge on Fridays.  This gives us a weekend to play and enjoy.  

Time for a card share or TWO!

I'm using the Postage Collection stamp set again.  I love the tiny images and it works great with the Artisan Label punch. 

Check out this new DSP called Birthday Basics.  Do you love the bikes? I would like one of my own.  

Stamp set: Postage Collection (New Hostess Set) Cardstock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry,  Ink: Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral

Accessories:  Brights Buttons, Artisan Label (130920), 3/4" Circle punch (119873), Natural Trim (129287), Linen Thread, Basic Rhinestones, Tea Doily (129399), Birthday Basics DSP (130145)

Time to share a little MORE! 

I'm excited to be a part of a fun Virtual Swap.  I have beautiful cards to share with you.  

I love how this demonstrator used the new Washi Tape on our Butterfly Die Cut.  Just place your Washi Tape over the die cut and trim.  

Our new Tag a Bag Gift Boxes are going to be a really big hit. They are simple and easy to decorate and will make your gift packaging simplistic.  What do you think? I love how this demonstrator used our new Gingham Garden DSP around the box. It's a happy gift.  

Tell me what YOU think of these amazing creative pieces? 

Shop and enjoy the REWARDS with ME!

Connect with ME! 

Facebook- I share, uplift, inspire, and create… It's ALL fun!

Instagram- Let's connect! My FAV Social Network!! 

Pinterest- inspiration pinner-load! I'm a late night pinner…

Twitter-   You never know what I'm going to say!

XOXOXO

Darn. It's the silly little hot air balloon. It gets me EVERY time. Do you own a stamp set with ONE image that just takes YOU in?   If it has a hot air balloon, I have to have it.  I love them.  The more vintage it looks the more I swoon over it.  Truth!

This is a new Hostess stamp set in the NEW catalog called Postage Collection.  I love that Stampin' Up! gives us the option to purchase 2 of these during our pre-order season.  This is a fantastic collection of images in this set.  

In fact, there are bonus images.  Say what, Kimberly?? 

Do you see the itty bitty squares on the right of the card? These are the inside extra rubbah pieces from a stamp image in the set.  So you know how geometric shapes are a hot trend? DO NO THROW THESE AWAY.  

I see many more cool cards made with just the tiny squares.  *LOVE*

Check out the new vintagie buttons—> real name is Very Vintage Designer Buttons. <in love sigh>

If you look close enough you can see the new Smoky Slate color.  I already was in love with the color Gray so this just makes me do cartwheels that we have a new shade of gray.  

Stamp set: Postage Collection (New Hostess Set) Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Soft Sky, Crushed Curry Ink: Smoky Slate, VersaMark

Accessories:  Very Vintage Buttons (129327), Artisan Label (130920), 3/4" Circle punch (119873), Natural Trim (129287), Epic Day Washi Tape (131269), Soho Subway Designer Paper (130140), Basic Rhinestones, Tea Doily (129399), Stitched Satin Ribbon (126846)

I have a few things you do not want to forget…….

Do you love to papercraft? Do you love a good deal? Join my Stampin' by the Sea Community of ah-MAZ-ing ladies and get your products at a MUCH better price.  For just $99 you will get $155 worth of products  of YOUR choice.  

Seriously… THAT's SO awesome. You can read all about it HERE.    Just remember…. there is NO obligation to stick around.  You can get a GREAT deal on products and then say, "kimberly… thank you for the great deal!"

In other great news: 

Who doesn't like FREE? 

Digital Lovers… this is a fun template that you can print, cut and play.  Download today HERE.  

Lastly, I have to share a proud Mama moment.  Hope you don't mind… 

Lil man is now a First Class Scout.  So proud as he worked hard towards this.  HUGE accomplishment.  He loves Scouts. 

Now to convince him the hair needs to be cut.  Something about this pre-teen thing where they do NOT like to shower or get a hair cut.  I may pencil this into his Scout Requirement book.  Jeesh! 

Shop and enjoy the REWARDS with ME!

Connect with ME! 

Facebook- I share, uplift, inspire, and create… It's ALL fun!

Instagram- Let's connect! My FAV Social Network!! 

Pinterest- inspiration pinner-load! I'm a late night pinner…

Twitter-   You never know what I'm going to say!

XOXOXO

Truth be told, I'm not a huge flowers fan. No idea why, just not my gig. There are some images that really do tickle my fancy and Stippled Blossoms is one. 

I wanted to recreate a card I had seen from Dawn McVey. A simple card but her flowers were beautifully done. Stippled blossoms was a perfect match. She used the same color choices although her White background on the flowers was a little more vibrant.

At first I wasn't feeling the "black" flowers and felt like I was making a sympathy card.  Then the more I looked at it the more elegant it became to me.  The end result I loved. 

At the top you can see a swirly image. That is from the Sale-a-Bration stamp set Vintage Verses. What a great stamp set that is and I just can't part with it. I I used a Basic Black marker and stamped the image in the corner. I then laid a piece of Burlap over the center.  

You will notice that the burlap is hanging over the side of the card.  I made my card base a little smaller so I could hang the burlap over and it still fits in my envelope.  

Lastly, I used a new stamp set called Sketched Birthday which is a new stamp set.  Just stamped on Whisper White and hand cut to fit perfectly over my burlap. 

The last touch was alittle "shimmer" spray across the entire card and dazzled up the center of the flowers with Dazzling Diamonds. 

It's different, but pretty simple and I'm in love with burlap.  

Stamp set: Stippled Blossoms (126747), Sketched Birthday (130426) Vintage Verses- Retired Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White Ink: Whisper White, Basic Black Craft Ink

Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones (119246),  Burlap, Dazzling Diamonds, Basic Black Marker, Scissors

Do you have all of your retired products you want and need on your list? 

Have you seen the new Digital Downloads released yesterday? 

NEW FREE Digital Download HERE! 

It's like a fresh Spring day at my house.  You can smell Spring and you can smell the FRESH NEW STAMPS! I love it.  

Although the craziness to catch up on all my work related things has me bouncing off the walls I am able to focus for a minute on NEW stuff.  The Mosaic Madness stamp set is perfect for so many reasons.  If you are the type of stamper that loves to stamp, punch and run… this stamp set is for YOU.  

Stampin' Up! makes your stamping life perfectly sweet with coordinating punches and stamps.  It only gets better when we also have coordinating Textured Embossing Folders to match the set as well.  

You will also notice a new In Color- Strawberry Slush! Almost edible.  Have you noticed these colors in your department stores yet? I took a trip to one of my favorite places this past weekend- Charming Charlies.  This is a COLORFUL clothing and accessory store. Every where I turned I was seeing our new In Colors.  So fun!

You can see in this pic below my Gold "splash" marks.  I recently did a video on how I achieved this look.  You can see it HERE. 

Have you ordered this product off of the Clearance Rack yet? 

Stamp set: Mosaic Madness (130249), Express Yourself (hostess #130399) Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White  Ink: Strawberry Slush, Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones (119246),  Tea Doily (129399), Designer Buttons Brights (130028), Linen Thread, 7/8" Natural Trim (129287), Modern Mosaic Textured Embossing Folder (129984), Mosaic Punch (131267)

Things to Remember:

It's been a very busy two weeks for me. Such a GREAT two weeks. Today my parents head back to Florida.  While it's always extremely sad for me to say goodbye to them it won't be long until I see them again.  I'll explain that piece in more detail in another post soon.  Good things are coming for my little family. 

Today I'm back in the office. After being out of my office for two weeks  I have my work cut out for me now as I get my office back in order and get re-organized.  Oh boy… what a mess.  

Bare with me as I play catch up. From the looks of my desk it could take two weeks to get there. I'm a little overwhelmed as to where to begin. Have  you ever felt this way? 

Today I have a fun layout to share using My Digital Studio and stamp brushes for our MDS Challenge week.  While this is a basic skill it's good to refresh our memories of these skills so that they stay fresh in our brains. 

Watch the video below  to see how I cropped the stamp brush sentiment and then colored them using the stamp brush coloring tool.  I love how we have this option in the MDS software.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijDGihWmRYA

I used my iPhone to take these fun pictures of my mom yesterday.  I also did all the photo editing on my phone first then dropped and dragged the photos into  MDS.

I love doing this because my photo editing is FAST and the apps are super easy to use.  A few of my favorites that I used for these photos was bubbleframe, PicFx, and Phonto.  

You can see all the supplies I used for this layout HERE.  

Make sure to check out Heather's Summer's layout HERE. She's always an inspiration to MDS users. I like to call her the Queen of MDS. Seriously, she is one of my favorite people and seriously talented.   

Are you a part of the Simply MDS Challenge Facebook Group? This group keeps growing and growing and it's filled with amazing sharing.  With over 550+ members our goal is to help each other learn MDS.  

From beginner to advanced this group is for everyone. Join us as we continue to learn & share.  Click HERE to join the group.  

Shop and enjoy the REWARDS with ME!

Connect with ME! 

Facebook- I share, uplift, inspire, and create… It's ALL fun!

Instagram- Let's connect! My FAV Social Network!! 

Pinterest- inspiration pinner-load! I'm a late night pinner…

Twitter-   You never know what I'm going to say!

XOXOXO

I cannot express enough gratitude to my ah-Mazing customers. Really! I can't! I do love their guts. I truly appreciate them. 

For the month of April this is one of the cards I sent my customers.  

It's glammed up with all kinds of fun stuff but most of all made with love.  

It's one of those cards I kinda got carried away with.  You know the kind that you just cannot STOP adding something? They are little elements, but just the same… they are pretty. I love my April Paper Pumpkin stamp images.  Seriously, I do!

When you shop from my store I get busy stamping. Learn about my Customer Rewards Program! I'd LOVE to send you a card too. 

Stamp set: Paper Pumpkin- April, Blue Ribbon (125981)  Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake,  Ink: Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, 

Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones (119246), First Edition DSP (121878 ), Cute Clips ( 129389), Dazzling Diamonds (102023 ), Victoria Lace Trim ( ), Pop Up Posies Designer Kit (131395), Tea Doily (129399), 1 3/8" Circle punch (119860), Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122977)