Total CASE

 Laser  cut, high tech crafty beauty. These cards are in the Stampin' Up! mini catalog. They are card sized, scored and laser cut. All these beautiful flowers are already cut out of the card.  On Patty Bennet's blog, I saw this gorgeous technique! All she did was cut a square of vellum, hold it over the heart. Use the SU markers to color over each element of the cut flowers. When finished, let the vellum dry, then adhere it to the inside of the heart, aligning all the colored elements. I then used another panel of Very Vanilla cardstock to cover the vellum.  This card is so easy, so elegant and so fabulous! I'd love to share this technique with you, just drop me a line or leave a comment here.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Playing with Metal

The Doily is one of the hottest trends in crafting right now, so of course, Stampin' Up! has a beautiful Doily die for the Big Shot, just offered in the current mini catalog. It is gorgeous, so full of details. . . ovals and circles and dots and dashes, all precision cut from your cardstock or sheet metal. What? Sheet metal? This product is widely available in craft stores, internet and hardware stores. My buddy Catherine ordered some for me over a year ago and I finally found the perfect use for it!

The doily die is so detailed that it offers new challenges to crafters. All those teeny tiny pieces need to be coaxed out after cutting the cardstock. There are lots of tips and tricks, but when I used the sheet metal, every one of them was just hanging and needed to be simply pulled away. I will be experimenting with card stock and wax paper and shims, so I can give you a full review of the doily die, but for now, I have no complaints at all!

After the doily worked so well, I went on to cut a frame using the new label dies. Then I used a frame embossing folder to add texture. It is so cool! I stamped the birthday sentiment and over-stamped with some flowers, and punched with an oval punch. So easy!

 After I added some more texture and color with the beautiful wide striped ribbon, I had to stop myself from messing around any further. Plus I had to fine a nice cellophane bag for presentation, since I felt I needed to leave the ribbon hanging off the sides of the card.

I haven't heard from the birthday girl, I hope she liked the card.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Candy Boxes

When the ladies come to play cards, of course there are some snacks put out, right? And when the host is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, those snacks are sometimes . . . fancy!

This month I went to the trouble to make cute little boxes for the candies. With the Big Shot machine, it was super easy.

First I cut scalloped squares. There is a nice die that cuts these perfectly, every time. Then I used the Simply Scored tool to make the folding lines. I snipped the lines to create flaps and added a bit of double stick tape to hold it all together.

The scallops made this project super easy, because I never measured anything, I just scored at the third scallop on the vertical, and the second scallop on the horizontal side.

If you have ever seen me with a ruler, you know why carpenters teach "measure twice, cut once." Except for me, it is usually "measure a million times, because my brain is elsewhere and I don't remember very well anymore..."

Then I got out the fancy flower die and cut a bunch of scrap card stock into flower pieces, layered them up into flowers and used a bit of glue to hold them all together. Back to the tape, I stuck the flower onto the box and it was all done.  Super easy and fast. And cute!

Then give everyone a little sugary love and we are ready to deal the game cards and chat.

I hope you have plans to gather with your friends and gift them with a special sugary treat!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Blackhawks honor local Marine, win game

Hockey fans know, the Chicago Blackhawks honor the military at every game, during the National Anthem. There are seats reserved for the USO and a retired Military member and an active Military member are invited to stand on the ice during the singing of the anthem.

This past Sunday, my son was the young Marine on the ice. We had the honor of attending the game, and I have never felt more proud!

They are unbelievably wonderful to these guests. Each one gets to bring a guest, they are invited to arrive early and are given a gift at the end of the game.  The camera even goes back to these guests during the 3rd period and they wave to the crowd. The fans stand and give them a standing ovation. OMG! It is so moving every time, but when it is your own son. . . unbelievable!

So, he has a few thank you notes to send! His Father-in-law nominated him for the honor, the team, the donor of the gift after the game, the folks who gave us their tickets, the friends who also gave him tickets to the Bulls game on Monday. And of course the cards have to be handmade!

This "Land of the Free" stamp is retired, but perfect. I used the marker direct to rubber technique, to be able to have two colors on one stamp. The silver glimmer paper is actually leftovers from making Christmas stockings. The stars were cut on the BigShot and the square of paper was the "waste." Of course I knew it would have another life!

We have one more day with our son home on leave, so I will soon be back to stamping and sharing here. In the meantime. . . Sell-a-bration continues.

Happy Stamping
Dee Tollaksen

Party On!

Come on, you gotta admit this looks like fun. Lots of ladies, sharing some good fun, crafting, snacking and  making Valentine cards for their loved ones.

We made three cards, each with a Valentine option or non-Valentine option.  All 12 ladies enjoyed the hospitality of their hostess as well as the chance to use punches, stamps, ink, ribbon and markers.

Now it is your turn! I have a few dates available if you have the table and the popcorn!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Oxymoron

Fresh vintage stamp set, free during Sell-a-bration, is starting to rise to the top. . . current favorite free stamps!  What's not to love, right? It's fresh, it's vintage and I got it absolutely free!

Sorry for the glare, but I used the shiny whisper white paper, and it looks gorgeous on the card, but a little hard to photograph.  Also, the gorgeous ribbon has retired, but I have an entire roll of it, and it was just the perfect product for this Cherry Cobbler masterpiece.

I have lots of dates available for you to gather 2 or 3 friends for a little workshop (or a bunch of friends, your choice) at my place or yours. Get yourself this beautiful stamp set or one of the  many other Sell-a-Bration freebies.  Leave me a comment or shoot me an email, let's compare calendars.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Tasty Treat

Valentine's Day is approaching, quickly! I have been spending a good bit of time looking at pretty ideas on Pinterest and came across a recipe for a vanilla version of Puppy Chow.

Off to the grocery store, and I whipped up a batch. Add in some Valentine M&Ms and some pink sprinkles, and VOILA!  I have a big bag of yummy-ness to send back to school with my DD. She has just moved up to a 4-year college and living on-campus. I am doing everything I can to avoid being a "helicopter parent" so I will send the treat, and I won't bring it to her and check out her living conditions.

If anyone is near her room and can peek in and check out the neatness or messiness, I'd love a report!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Birthday typewriter

Still struggling with masculine cards?  Stamps are not a "guy thing" but we know that our guys still have birthdays and special occasions that we want to honor with a card. So we have to put away our ribbon and leave the flowers behind, occasionally, to produce a masculine card.

The typewriter in "Your My Type" stamp set does the job for me. I think it is better than the sports/fishing/golf options stamps usually offer. This card was totally CASEd (copy and steal everything) from a blog post, but I cannot read the watermark on the sample I saved. It might be by Christine Miller? If you know this card, just leave me a comment and I'll be happy to give correct credit.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Little Thank You gifts

Wouldn't you like to have a bunch of colors of the Bakers Twine that is so popular right now?   A little bit of pretty-ness that you can add to a card for that final touch of texture and color? A present you can receive and then share?

Place an order with me by email, online or by phone, anytime Sunday, and you will find a little pretty gift from me in your package or in the mail.

Place your order on Sunday, and I will even sweeten the deal with FREE SHIPPING! To take advantage of this bonus, you have to email your order to me anytime Sunday, it's a Superbowl Special!

Of course, you will have the opportunity to receive Sale-a-Bration bonuses with every $50 product ordered.

And I'm sharing hostess benefits with one lucky shopper. For every $25 in merchandise, you will have a chance to win hostess benefits! You will get a great shopping tote from Stampin' Up! if your name is drawn. And the hostess dollars to spend on catalog merchandise! And if the orders exceed $400, the winner will get a great Sale-a-Bration bundle as well!

Don't want to take a chance? Then book a party, invite your friends and earn all the hostess benefits, for sure!

Go get your catalog or come shop online, get your wish list ready, and email me on Superbowl Sunday.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Free Trial of Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio

MY DIGITAL STUDIO EXPRESS TRIAL FAQ

Q: How long can we take advantage of the My Digital Studio Express trial?
A: This is an ongoing offer. 

Q: What digital content comes with the My Digital Studio Express Trial?A: My Digital Studio Express includes one stamp brush set, 12 Designer Series Paper patterns, 81 embellishments, 26 punches, and 5 designer templates. 

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. 

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

A: You can order My Digital Studio Express through my online store. 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 new customers, you will need to create an account.

Q: How do I install the My Digital Studio Express Trail software after I have ordered it?

A: You can access their My Digital Studio Express Trial download through the Downloads section of your account. Make sure to select Mac or Windows, and the download and install wizards will walk you 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. 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: Can I have two free trials?
A: No. The My Digital Studio Express Trial will only work once. After your 30 days are over, you need to purchase the software to continue using the program.

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.

Q: Who can I talk to if I have questions?
A: Call or e-mail demonstrator support if you have questions about the My Digital Studio Trial.