My Digital Studio is helping me design my projects!

Okay, despite the fact that I am having major computer problems, here I am posting a quick post to show how MDS can help save your materials and design your projects. I've been more than 48 hours now battling an impossible computer virus so DON'T DOWNLOAD OR SAVE ANYTHING FROM MY BLOG, please!!
I don't know if a virus could be contained within any of my photos, I scanned them before uploading and I would assume that blogger probably does some sort of scan of its own, but I just want to be careful because I don't want anyone else to have the trouble I have.
This is the design of a cover of one of those little plastic photo albums with the cover inserts. I designed the layout on MDS first so that I wouldn't use up any of my precious simply scrappin' kit needlessly! Tomorrow I'll post a photo of the finished project... I didn't get a chance to take a photo of it today.
If you have the opportunity to give MDS a try, I would really suggest doing it - it's a wonderful program!

another neat gift idea!

So, a little while ago I was at Walmart and noticed these Cambridge legal size notepads in orchid colour. Immediately, I thought of the Cottage Wall DSP, so of course, they came in packages of 3 and I bought like 4 packages :-) This is the first notepad I've finished so far and I do quite like how it turned out. Doesn't that rose in Orchid Oppulence just look amazing? I wasn't sooo impressed with the one in Rich Razzleberry, but it passes. I do really love the colours in the Cottage Wall DSP, even though I'm not a purple person. Isn'tthat weird? Anyway, doesn't this make a beautiful gift for someone special? If you wanted to, you could even personalize it with a name.
I'm sure that I'll b creating a few more of these over the next couple of weeks, so I'll post a couple of other designs when they're done.
Happy stampin'!

crafting gifts...

I know that I said that I would probably be posting another Christmas project today, but I actually didn't get around to any Christmas crafting since my last post, so I thought that I post this project that I worked on recently. I've been coming up with some creative ways to package mason jars because I plan to give some homemade treats for Christmas this year. I created this box out of thin cardboard and then covered it with designer paper. The lid of the jar has a paper insert and the jar itself has a belly band. The best part? The lid insert, belly band and tag are all removeable so when the recipient is finished the treats inside, she can take those parts off, wash it out, fill it with something different and then package it back up to regift - yay! Very green, don't ya think?
I have another of these jars done with a birthday theme and I'll post that one as soon as the birthday girl has seen her gift!
Thanks for visiting,

another sneak peek!

As promised, another card from the upcoming 10-4-30 class I've been planning. As soon as I figure out some scheduling issues, I'll be posting more details on this class. But in the meantime I figured I would tease you with peeks at the cute cards we'll be making!
I'm getting so excited about the holidays... Christmas is my favorite time of year. And Christmas crafting is a highlight for me.
Anyway, I better go and eat my dinner and hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with another post... probably Christmas, but it won't be from this class - have to save some surprises for ya!

a peak at upcoming Christmas classes...

I thought that I'd showcase a couple of the Christmas cards I've designed for an upcoming class I'm planning to offer - 10 Chistmas cards for $30. The date is not set in stone yet, but I'm sure I'll have more details for you soon. The class will offer you the opportunity to create 2 each of 5 cards designs and will be one of at least two 10-4-30 classes I'll be offering between now and the beginning of December. My recent holidays and some out of town appointments have set me back a little in my holiday classes, but I'm trying my best to offer as much as possible because I've been getting many calls and emails about Christmas crafting opportunities!
And, that being said, I'd just like to take a minute to thank my friends and customers for making me feel so valued - that's a really special thing! Tomorrow I'll be back again with a photo of one of the other cards for this class. Stay tuned...

Winter Wedding Invitation

Since we are heading into the winter season, I decided to share a winter wedding invitation that I designed as a sample for a winter bride. I am really in love with this invitation and really really in love with the stamp set Serene Snowflakes. The color combination and design of this invitation is so simple, but it is very elegant. Colors are Not Quite Navy, Brocade Blue, Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla.
This design is available as part of my Simplicity line of wedding invitations. My passion is designing wedding invitations - especially custom designs. But I do have stock samples on hand to show brides and this is one of those samples.
Hope you've enjoyed looking!
Have a great day.

Check out the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide!

Since we returned from our month of holidays a few days ago, I've been trying to switch my brain from vacation-holiday mode into Christmas holiday mode. I've been taking a few spare minutes here and there and working on Christmas gifts ideas. For a couple of the people left on my list, I'd rather buy them supplies for their own craft endeavours and I was so thrilled to see the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide that Stampin' Up has put together for the upcoming holiday season. This little guide has hints and tips for everyone on your shopping list - from stocking stuffers to gift suggestions for children, there is an idea for everyone! And of course, if you don't plan on buying stampin' and scrappin' supplies for people on your list, you could always email the link to the guide to the people whose list you're on!!!

Clever, aren't I?

Hope that everyone is getting into full swing with crafting your holiday gifts... I'll be back tomorrow with some more holiday hints!