Stamping with Karen

Beautiful Stampin' Up! Fabric Projects

2012-02-16T00:43:00-06:00

At the Leadership Conference in San Antonio last month there were some beautiful Stampin' Up! fabric projects on display. Stampin' Up! doesn't JUST do stamps, ink, and paper right! They do fabric, too!

Dresden Designs Die #125597 and Twitterpated Designer Fabric #125412

Dresden Die and Twitterpated Fabric Pillows

Using the Pleated Satin Ribbon on a quilted pillow

Love these little Twitterpated Designer Buttons #125579

Using the Elegant Bird Bigz Die on a quilted wall hanging

Riding Hood Red Pleated Satin Ribbon for fringe on pillow

Use the Dresden Designs Die for the Big Shot with fabric or with paper!

My Digital Studio New Heights Kit....New Digital Downloads!

2012-02-15T08:59:01-06:00

Here are the latest My Digital Studio downloads by Stampin' Up!, and I think they are really great ones! When you purchase My Digital Studio you will have plenty of images to play with for your projects....but rest assured that there will always be something new coming out to inspire and delight you! Click HERE or on the images above for a better look. Then you can zoom in a bit with your computer to see them even better or go to my Online Store and check them out there.

And for a BONUS.....you can get a 30-day FREE trial with My Digital Studio Express! For more information, read my posts HERE and HERE.

What can you do with a digital program? More than you think.....almost anything! Contact me at Karen@Karenstamps.com if you have questions!

You're My Type Valentine Card

2012-02-14T09:28:04-06:00

I love this "You're My Type" stamp set and thought it would make a good Valentine card for my husband. Then I saw a sample online where someone used the Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper along with the typewriter since it looks a little like typewriter keys! I thought it was brilliant and wondered why I didn't think of that! So here is the paper as a background for my card, plus bits of the "notebook" paper also in that pack, plus the First Edition Specialty Paper.

Here's the inside....just going crazy with my valentine stamps!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Valentine Petal Cone Die Candy Holder Gift

2012-02-13T10:25:49-06:00

The Petal Cone Die #121810 can make a beautiful Valentine gift, holding candy or whatever treat you want to put in it. I felt like a school girl decorating this one for Valentine's Day! I just kept sticking on more stuff and hoping I would know when to stop! Isn't that what you remember when you were little and decorating a valentine shoebox for school or making your own valentines? We had our scissors, probably that school paste stuff, construction paper, doilies, and maybe some stickers or those little stars that teachers would put on your paper. Aren't those some of the best memories, making our own cards and gifts for our parents and family?!

I hope you will take some time to have some old-fashioned Valentine fun! Make a Valentine or gift for someone.

Valentine Ideas from Stampin' Up! Leadership 2012

2012-02-12T00:07:00-06:00

Here are some valentine ideas from Stampin' Up! Leadership last month. These are samples on display made mostly by other demonstrators and some Stampin' Up! samples. Enjoy.....and then go make someone a valentine!

A Valentine Card

2012-02-11T12:37:34-06:00

You may be looking for more valentine card ideas this weekend so here is a valentine I made while ago and don't think I ever posted. You could make the card base Whisper White as I did or you could just make it Real Red. I embossed some scraps of paper and cut into squares for the focal point, plus stamped a heart and added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Everything is better with a little Dazzling Diamonds, isn't it?! The cupid stamped on the background is from the Occasions Mini Catalog stamp set P.S. I Love You. Just stamp the cupid with either Versamark ink for that watermark look or the same color ink, Real Red, to provide that same light monochromatic look.

Just get out some colored paper and your stamping accessories and see what you come up with!

Fashionable Hearts Valentine Card

2012-02-10T12:16:32-06:00

I noticed I had a few stacks of die cut hearts from the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die #125596 in the Occasions Mini just sitting on my table....

so of course I thought "I should make something with those!"

So here's a simple card you could make for Valentine's Day or really any occasion! This is a 4 1/4"x 4 1/4" card and I just glued on some of the smallest and next size up hearts on to the card. At the end I had to use a little bling by putting on some basic Rhinestones. This would even be cute as a very small 3"x 3" gift card or note card. So here is one!

Isn't that fun??! You could do the same with a heart punch....but what a versatile idea!

Check my Online Store and place your order so you, too, can make hearts!

New My Digital Studio Downloads---and Free 30-Day Trial! Try It!

2012-02-09T08:53:40-06:00

More new My Digital Studio downloads for this week! To see them, click HERE or on the image above. My Digital Studio is the Stampin' Up! digital papercrafting program that you can learn to use easily to make digital scrapbook pages, albums, calendars, cards, gifts...anything you can come up with! Use either a predesigned template that you only have to add a photo to or print out as is or delete and change anything you want to and make it your own!

Don't worry that you've never done digital scrapbooking or cardmaking before...or didn't have success with it. This program is intuitive and easy to learn. For additional help and ideas, check out www.mydigitalstudio.net, a website for both customers and Stampin' Up! demonstrators alike.

Try the My Digital Studio Express FREE 30-Day Trial right now!

Here's a little bit of information about it:

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.
To get the free trial version, add My Digital Studio Express Trial (item 129600) to your online shopping cart, and then download and install it from your Download Manager.

One of the best parts of My Digital Studio....no charge for shipping for My Digital Studio Express or the extra downloads! And you can download and install right away!

Click HERE to go to my Online Store and order the Free Trial today!

Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment Card

2012-02-08T10:10:31-06:00

One of my two favorite products you can earn for free during the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration promotion is the beautiful Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper. With just a $50 Stampin' Up! purchase, you can choose one free product in the special Sale-A-Bration Catalog...spend more, earn more! For more details about Sale-A-Bration, click HERE.

I originally planned to make a valentine, but I think it turned into more of an all-occasion card.....not that it can't BE a valentine!

Here is the inside of the card.

And if you noticed, I used the new Adorning Accents Edgelit Die #125595 to cut the beautiful edge on the front of the card. The Big Shot does make a little bit of a horrible noise as it goes over that die, but don't worry. I already had my designer paper attached to the Very Vanilla card base.

AFTER cutting, I then embossed with the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder #125601 that matches the Edgelit Die. This is a regular embossing folder but narrow to place exactly where you want it.

Remember to cut first, emboss second! This keeps the embossing from getting smooshed when you cut.

The greeting inside my card was stamped with the Sale-A-Bration stamp set Elementary Elegance stamp set.

If you need some valentine card ideas, just get out your paper, ink and stamps and play....you'll come up with something, perhaps unexpected!

Need a Valentine Gift?

2012-02-07T09:22:50-06:00

Need a Valentine gift? This is the Stampin' Up! Simply Adorned Charm and Chain and the valentine insert that I designed myself. It is so much fun to design your own jewelry by making a little insert for each side of the Simply Adorned Charm.

I just stamped a little flower from Tiny Tags, tore a little piece of First Edition Designer Series Paper, punched two hearts with my Small Heart Punch, made a tiny little border with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch and added a cute little Rhinestone Jewel.

And you can also design something on the backside of your insert or make another one to show through on the other side of the charm.

Here's the other side using the same Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, a string of rhinestones and an embossed heart from the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die.

The Simply Adorned line from Stampin' Up! is going to be discontinued so if you are interested in owning this unique jewelry, be sure to get the pieces you want. My charm is the 1"x1 1/4" Charm #116798 with the Simply Adorned 24" Chain #116800.

You can find this Simply Adorned line in the Stampin' Up! 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalog on page 189.

View-Master Stampin' Up! Regional Card

2012-02-06T09:20:20-06:00

I'm not sure but I think I've heard this kind of card called a "View-Master" card because it has this circle that you turn to see various images. It was a Make & Take at the Stampin' Up! San Antonio Regional. This card was made with the very cute stamp set Send Me Soaring in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I think we fell in love with this stamp set after making this card!

Here's another image when you turn the circle to see another kite!

If you need any stamping supplies, you can purchase them easily at my Online Store!

Super Bowl Sunday 2012 My Digital Studio Scrapbook Page

2012-02-05T11:19:53-06:00

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

Before you go off to your big Super Bowl 2012 party this afternoon, why not make a scrapbook page in My Digital Studio (or the traditional way with paper!) so that when you come home with some photos of your friends, you'll be ready to make a Super Bowl scrapbook page right away!

This is one that started with a template already in the program and I just changed the colors to reflect this year's Super Bowl. That's the great thing about My Digital Studio....even if you start with a professional template, you can change anything and everything on it to suit your own tastes!

Even if you prefer traditional scrapbooking, My Digital Studio is great for designing....design your digital page without wasting any paper or embellishments....then copy it the traditional way!

And the "hybrid" way, is a little of both! Design some parts in My Digital Studio but add "real" embellishments or stamps or punches. It's great any way you do it!

Why not try My Digital Studio Express FREE for 30 days from Stampin' Up!....You can read all about it on my blog post HERE. And for even more details on the free trial, click HERE. Then play with it and see if it works for you!

The more you use it, the easier it gets....and it's pretty easy to start with!

Work From Home: Sell Stamps!

2012-02-04T12:54:40-06:00

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2012

If you want to work from home, I have an business opportunity for you! It's not stuffing envelopes, but you might be stamping envelopes, making your own envelopes, or stuffing them with your beautiful handmade cards! Stampin' Up! has a great business opportunity for you, right now, if you would like to start your own business! Work from home, do it "your way" as Stampin' Up! proclaimed at Leadership conference a couple weeks ago.

Be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and work your own business from home...and have fun at the same time! What is more fun than paper, ink and stamps....unless it is getting together with friends and other stampers you will meet to make cards, scrapbook pages and other projects together!

You can make money selling stamps, ink, paper and the myriad of accessories and other products Stampin' Up! showcases in their Idea Book & Catalog. Or if you prefer digital, there is My Digital Studio for digital papercrafting of all kinds and new downloads every week. Interested in the Hispanic market? We have Celebrando Creatividad!

And right now, during the biggest promotion of the Stampin' Up! year, Sale-A-Bration, you can join by purchasing a Starter Kit for only $125 (regularly $175) AND the following month after you join, you can order yourself a free pack of Designer Series Paper or a digital download free each month for the rest of 2012! The earlier you sign up, the more free paper or downloads you get! What a treat to know you have something free coming in your order every month!

Email me at Karen@Karenstamps.com if I can send you more information or answer any questions! We have lots of fun being Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and there are lots of opportunities to take your business to whatever level you want!

To sign up online in minutes, all you have to do it go to my website HERE and click the JOIN NOW button on the left. I'll get an email from Stampin' Up! saying you joined and I'll be in touch with you!

A Handmade Thanks Card for Ronald McDonald House Charities

2012-02-03T10:40:24-06:00

This handmade thanks card was one of our Make & Takes at Stampin' Up! Leadership....but we got to make two...one to keep and one to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities^®.Even though, as I have said before, I am not good at doing Make & Takes, I decided to at least make this card so I could turn one in for Ronald McDonald House. Did you know Stampin' Up! is a supporter of this charity? You can read about it HERE on the Stampin' Up! page.

The flower is punched with the new Blossom Punch #125603 in the Occasions Mini Catalog. There are more creative things you can do with this punch, too! On this flower, we cut into the petals with our Paper Snips just to add some interest and texture. The little die-cut flower on top is from the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit #125410. The "designer paper" on the card is actually handmade with stamping! And the little squiggle we learned to do with the Scallop Edge Border Punch #119882 by offsetting on the other side.

Nice bright simple card for a dreary cloudy day! Daffodil Delight card stock sure brightens up a day, doesn't it?

FAQ's About the Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio Trial Offer

2012-02-02T00:30:00-06:00

I think the Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio Express 30-Day Trial Offer is an amazing one and I hope many of you will take advantage of it! You probably have some questions and Stampin' Up! has supplied some answers!

Here are some FAQ's and then I'll give you a link to more information:

Q: What's the difference between My Digital Studio and My Digital Studio Express?
A: My Digital Studio Express is My Digital Studio software that you can download directly to your computer without having to wait for discs to be shipped to you. The program functionality is exactly the same as the disc version of the software with less digital content. (To see what content is included in My Digital Studio Express, click here.) You can watch a quick video explaining the difference between My Digital Studio and My Digital Studio Express here.

Q: Do I have to have access to the Internet to use the trial?
A: Yes. You need access to the Internet both to place your order online and to download the program.

Q: Can I get the My Digital Studio Express Trial on a disc?
A: No. The My Digital Studio Express Trial is only available as a download over the Internet. However, the file is not large, so even if you have a dial-up internet connection, you will still be able to download the program.

Q: What are the system requirements to use My Digital Studio?
A: You can see the system requirements for My Digital Studio here.

Q: How do I order the My Digital Studio Express Trial?

A: You can order My Digital Studio Express through my online store HERE. You can order the free trial by itself, or you can add it to an order with stamping supplies or digital downloads. If the My Digital Studio Express Trial is the only item you order, you will not be asked for any credit card or payment information. If you are a new customer, you will need to create an account.

Q: How do my customers install the My Digital Studio Express Trial software after they have ordered it?

A: Customers can access their My Digital Studio Express Trial download through the Downloads section of their account. Make sure they select Mac or Windows, and the download and install wizards will walk them through the rest of the process.

Q: Is the trial version of the software different from the paid version of My Digital Studio Express?
A: No. When you order the My Digital Studio Express Trial, you will receive the full version of My Digital Studio Express. The software will function exactly the same as if you had purchased the software--you can design, purchase downloads, and print. The only difference is that you can only use the trial version for 30 days.

Q: Can I place a print order with the trial version?
A: Yes. You have full access to everything you can do in My Digital Studio for a full 30 days. This includes full designing functionality, printing, and the ability to purchase downloads.

Q: Do my 30 days start as soon as I download My Digital Studio?
A: Your 30 day trial period starts as soon as you launch the program. It does not matter when you download the program, your 30 days will start as soon as you actually launch (open) the program.

Q: Will the trial still last 30 days even if I order it in the middle or end of the month?
A: You can order the My Digital Studio Trial at any time. The trial period is not tied to the calendar. The trial period will begin as soon as you launch the program, and you will be able to use it for the next 30 days.

Q: What happens after the 30 day trial period is over?
A: When you launch the software after the 30 day trial period is over, you will be prompted to enter a product key. You will not be able to use the software again until you have entered a product key. You can get a product key by purchasing My Digital Studio or My Digital Studio Express. The product key prompt will include a link to the software page of MyDigitalStudio.net, which will tell you where to order the software.

Q: How do I purchase My Digital Studio after the trial period is over?
A: Simply add My Digital Studio (item 118108) or My Digital Studio Express (item 124483) to your next order. If you order My Digital Studio Express, you will not need to reinstall the software. A product key will be e-mailed to you; after you complete your purchase, just enter that product key when the program prompts you to. If you purchase the disc version of My Digital Studio, you will need to use the installation discs in order to access the included digital content. The installation wizard will walk you through the process, including entering the product key (which you'll receive with your shipped discs). You will not lose any downloads or projects from your 30-day trial period.

Q: What happens to digital downloads I purchase during the 30 day trial period?
A: You will have continued access to any downloads you purchase during the trial period. If you choose to purchase the software, you will simply need to enter a product key, and you will be able to use all your downloads like normal. If you do not purchase the software, you will still have access to your downloads through your download manager, and you will be able to load them to the digital design software of your choice.

Q: Can I use My Digital Studio digital downloads in other design programs?
A: Yes. The My Digital Studio digital downloads will work with any digital design program.

Q: Will my saved projects be lost when the free trial ends?
A: You will not be able to edit any of your projects through My Digital Studio after the trial period has ended unless you purchase the software. If you do chose to purchase the software, you will be able to access all your projects. If you don't choose to purchase the software, we recommend you save your projects as jpg files. You will then be able to use them like you use any of your jpg (picture) files.

Q: What if I don't want to purchase the software at the end of the trial period?

A: You can uninstall the software at any time.

Q: Will My Digital Studio work on my iPad?

A: No. We do not have a My Digital Studio app at this time.

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Stampin' Up! has a fantastic website available to both demonstrators and customers at www.mydigitalstudio.net. There you will find tons of questions, answers, videos, samples, blogs....everything about My Digital Studio!

Click HERE to find all kinds of training available to you!

Click HERE for more questions and answers about My Digital Studio.

OK, that's a lot of information! Let me know if there is anything you need more explanation or information about. It really is fun and after you figure out the basics of the program, you will quickly catch on to more ways to use the program. The most important thing is to use it often in the beginning so you can build on what you learn.

Try Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio FREE for 30 Days!

2012-02-01T09:24:21-06:00

Want to know more about the Stampin' Up! digital papercrafting program called My Digital Studio? Never tried anything like this before?? Starting today, you can try My Digital Studio Express FREE for 30 days!

With the FREE trial, you'll get:

Full access to the software at NO COST.
Full design functionality.
Exclusive artwork that comes with My Digital Studio Express.
Opportunity to purchase additional downloads from designer templates to stamp brush sets--and everything in between.
Access to our professional print services.

Add the free My Digital Studio Express trial (item #129600) to your online shopping cart. Then you will download and install it from your Download Manager. Just go to my Online Store HERE!

This offer begins Feb. 1st AND is ongoing!!

What a great chance to try out My Digital Studio for free! It's not just about scrapbooking.....make cards, party favors, postcards, calendars, recipe books, banners and more!

I love mine and learn more every time I play with it! If you need help, there is www.mydigitalstudio.net with PLENTY of conversation, tips, samples, and videos about how to use it. Or you can ask me! Just give it a try and see what you think....but be sure to play with it and use it while you have it!

New downloads come out every Tuesday as well! You'll never get bored!!

Go right now to my Online Store, enter #129600, and you'll be ready to use My Digital Studio in minutes!

Are You On My "Stamping With Karen" Newsletter Mailing List?

2012-01-31T00:33:00-06:00

My "Stamping With Karen" monthly newsletter will be coming out this week for February. Lots of news from Stampin' Up! Leadership to share with you, Valentine ideas, stamping tips, and more! Be sure you are on my mailing list to receive it! Just sign up in the Mailing List Sign Up Box in the upper left.

Stampin' Up! Mouthwatering Cherry-Scented Popsicle Card

2012-01-30T11:30:45-06:00

I wish you could smell my Mouthwatering cherry-scented popsicle card! I stamped this card with the popsicle in the Mouthwatering stamp set in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog (page 34) and used the new Cherry Scented Stampin' Emboss Powder #127035. I have a banana popsicle (although I hate bananas!) colored with the Daffodil Delight marker, a chocolate popsicle (would that be a fudgesicle?) colored with the Chocolate Chip marker, and a cherry popsicle colored with the Cherry Cobbler marker.

The cherry popsicle was also stamped separately on a piece of Whisper White card stock and then colored in over the Cherry Cobbler marker ink with the Versamarker. After applying the Versamark ink this way you can then emboss. I then cut it out and popped it up on Stampin' Dimensionals. The Cherry Embossing Powder is clear and has a very yummy cherry scent! You can also purchase it in Vanilla and Melon scents. Be sure to put your favorite scent (or all three!) on your next order! And of course you also need the Stampin' Up! Heat Tool #100005!

The greeting I chose from another new set in the Occasions Mini...Sweet Cake. Be sure to check out the adorable Product Suite of coordinating products "Sweet Shop" starting on page 32 You'll love it all!

You can order online anytime at my Stampin' Up! Online Store HERE.

Stampin' Up! Leadership 2012 Display

2012-01-29T00:37:00-06:00

Here are just a few of the beautiful displays Stampin' Up! had up at Leadership! Each one is creative, beautiful and exquisite!! You can probably click on the photos to enlarge them.

Fashionable Hearts Embossed Valentine Card

2012-01-28T00:10:00-06:00

I made this card with the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die #125596, in the Occasions Mini Catalog, as I was trying to decide on what to make for the Stampin' Up! Leadership swap card. This was one of those cards that I absolutely loved for it's simplicity after I made it! The new Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die made it easy to have a whole assortment of little hearts to create with. The little die cuts and embosses five hearts at one time so if you run the die through your Big Shot with a different color of card stock each time, you will have a multi-colored assortment!

The large center heart is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335 and punched with the Full Heart Punch #119883. Adhering a little bow of the new Pool Party Baker's Twine #125574 is also a simple little touch.

You could make this card for a valentine or any occasion!

To order the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die and any other valentine-making supplies, please go to my Stampin' Up! Online Store HERE.