Rubber Stamping & Card Making with Yapha

Today’s digital downloads from Stampin’ Up include three separate designer templates that coordinate together for one beautiful wedding ensemble! These downloads work with My Digital Studio and any other digital scrapbooking program that allows you to import PNG and JPG files, which is most graphics programs, and even Microsoft Word! (Clicking on the pictures will take you right to the store to purchase these downloads.)

Don’t have My Digital Studio? Starting on February 1st you will be able to download a free trial of My Digital Studio Express. Head over to my online store, add the free My Digital Studio Express trial (item 129600) to your online shopping cart. Once you check out, you will be able to download it and install it. You can see all of the artwork that is included with the Express version here. I will have some more information about this for you tomorrow.

129357 Loving Thoughts Stamp Brush Set $5.95

Download includes:
* 11-piece stamp brush set

129356 Meant to Be Designer Congratulations $1.95

Download includes:
* 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ greeting card designer template
* 6-piece stamp brush set
* 1 label punch

Features:
* Digital-exclusive.
* Congratulations greeting card.
* Classic black and vanilla design, or change the color of any piece to coordinate with your wedding colors; all images included as stamp brushes or punches, allowing for customization of colors or use on other projects.
* Pair with our Meant to Be Designer Invitation Template and Meant to Be Ensemble for complete wedding coordination. Meant to Be template and ensemble contain the label punch to customize with the wedding date.

Coordinating colors:
Basic Black, Very Vanilla

129354 Meant to Be Designer Invitation Templates $7.95

Download includes:
* 4 double-sided postcard designer templates (two 5″ x 3-1/2″, 3-1/2″ x 5″, 5″ x 7″)
* 24-piece stamp brush set
* 1 label punch

Features:
* Digital-exclusive.
* Portrait or horizontal postcard options.
* Coordinating save-the-date, invitation, and RSVP card options.
* Classic black and vanilla design, or change the color of any piece to coordinate with your wedding colors; all images included as stamp brushes or punches, allowing for customization of colors or use on other projects.
* Pair with our Meant to Be Ensemble and Meant to Be Designer Congratulations Template for complete wedding coordination. Meant to Be Congratulations template and ensemble contain the same 0-9 numbers and label punch to customize with the wedding date.

Coordinating colors:
Basic Black, Very Vanilla

129355 Meant to Be Ensemble $5.95

Download includes:
* 5″ x 3-1/2″ greeting card designer template
* 2 décor designer templates (one-page 11″ x 8-1/2″ and one-page 8-1/2″ x 11″)
* 16-piece stamp brush set
* 2 punches

Features:
* Digital-exclusive.
* Pillow-box favors, table tents, and thank you card.
* Classic black and vanilla design, or change the color of any piece to coordinate with your wedding colors; all images included as stamp brushes or punches, allowing for customization of colors or use on other projects.
* Pair with our Meant to Be Designer Invitation Templates and Meant to Be Designer Congratulations Template for complete wedding coordination. Meant to Be Invitation and Congratulations templates contain the same 0-9 numbers and label punch to customize with the wedding date.

Coordinating colors:
Basic Black, Very Vanilla

You can purchase these or any other digital downloads through my online store. (Clicking on the pictures above will take you there as well.) They great news is that they are available for immediate use, with no shipping charges! Just click on Digital Crafting, then Digital Downloads, then Newest Downloads to see all of the recent additions! If you registered your copy of My Digital Studio, you may also receive end-of-the month emails from Stampin’ Up featuring that month’s digital releases.

There is a My Digital Studio tab to the top right hand corner of this blog. It is a handy reference to a variety of My Digital Studio resources, including a list of all of the downloads and a break down of the printing costs. There is also a Resources page on MyDigitalStudio.net that includes an MDS Catalog. It shows all of the MDS software artwork (contained in the boxed-version) and downloads from the October 2009 launch through January 4, 2012! The catalog gives a snapshot of the entire product line with artwork thumbnails followed by product details, which includes the colors of the designer papers! Because MDS is regularly coming out with new artwork, the catalog will be updated every month.

Remember the fabulous Valentine’s Card that I showed you a last week, with Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler? Well, while my after school class and I were making the cards, we used up the roll of Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to get more before the workshop where I wanted to make the same card. So I put my thinking cap on, and came up with this alternate version of the card. And it came out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!

Stamps: Take it to Heart, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Real Red, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Other: Real Red Satin Ribbon, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Hearts Collection Framelits, Big Shot

One nice thing about using Teeny Tiny Wishes for the sentiment on the card was that people were able to customize it. Some put on “Happy Anniversary,” or “Sweet Treats,” and one woman even chose to use “Happy Mother’s Day,” since her mom has a son and a daughter! That is one of the beautiful things about making your own cards — you can really make them fit your life.

Did you have fun on the Stampin’ Addicts blog hop? Wow! I am always so impressed with the amazing projects that my fellow demonstrators come up with! If you didn’t have a chance to join us this weekend, you can always see the full list of links on Stampin’ Addicts. It’s a great way to help you decide which Sale-a-Bration freebies you want to earn!

I have one card I made that didn’t end up making the cut for the blog hop. It’s cute, I just didn’t feel like it was “wow” enough, if you know what I mean. I do like it though, so I wanted to share it with you today.

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions
Ink: Blushing Bride, Regal Rose, Rose Red
Paper: Regal Rose, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Other: Bitty Buttons, Heart to Heart Punch

Can you see those faint lines above and below the hearts? I used my Simply Scored to make them, and to add a bit of texture to the card. Did you hear that a diagonal insert for the Simply Scored is coming in March? Oh yes! I can’t wait! I’ll keep you posted on the details.

Welcome to the Stampin’ Addict’s Sale-a-Bration Blog Hop! I am super excited to be featuring a Sale-a-Bration exclusive stamp set called Sprinkled Expressions. You may have arrived here from Tanya’s Blog, Tinkerin’ in Ink (Aren’t her projects spectacular?!) If you are just starting here, that’s fine too. All of the blogs link in a circle, so you can start wherever you like, and make your way around.

Sprinkled Expressions is a set of six stamps that work together in three pairs. I have a project for each of these pairs, so you’ll see what I mean. For your Sale-a-Bration freebie, you have the choice of either Wood Mount or Clear Mount. My first project is a simple card that can work as a Valentine or anytime someone needs a little extra love.

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions
Ink: Poppy Parade, Soft Suede
Paper: Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment
Other: Poppy Parade Poly Ribbon

As soon as I saw the star stamp in this set, I knew I wanted to heat emboss it. I used gold embossing powder on black because it matched the amazing Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper. This could be a great graduation card!

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions
Ink: VersaMark
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Brushed Gold, Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper
Other: Gold Embossing Powder, Adorning Accents Edgelit Die, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Scallop Square Duo Die

My final project is a Telescoping Card. You can find tutorials for these all over. People made some great snowmen out of these, and I think they work just as well for flowers, too. This is what the card looks like all closed up:

And here is what it looks like when you open it out:

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions
Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Paper: Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper
Other: Everyday Enchantment Brads, 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, 2 3/8″ Scallop Punch, 3 1/2″ Circle Die, Scallop Circle #2 Die, Clear Circle Die, Scallop Circle Die, Big Shot

Now that you have seen these, you can head on over to Twila’s Blog where she is also  featuring Sprinkled Expressions. Wait until you see her super cute projects!

Stampin’ Up has some great new digital downloads again this week, including one based on the new Candy Conversations stamp set. These downloads work with My Digital Studio and any other digital scrapbooking program that allows you to import PNG and JPG files, which is most graphics programs, and even Microsoft Word! (Clicking on the pictures will take you right to the store to purchase these downloads.)

Don’t have My Digital Studio? Starting on February 1st you will be able to download a free trial of My Digital Studio Express. Come back then and I will have some more information for you.

129345 Candy Conversations Stamp Brush Set $5.95

Download includes:
* 12-piece stamp brush set

Features:
* Additional digital pieces for even more versatility.

129353 Grand Soiree Stamp Brush Set $3.95

Download includes:
* 5-piece stamp brush set

129350 Oh Baby Photobook Template $17.95

Download includes:
* 24-page 8″ x 8″ photobook designer template
* 28-piece stamp brush set
* 9 Designer Series Paper patterns
* 14 embellishments

Features:
* Digital-exclusive
* Perfect for documenting a baby’s first 12 months.
* Elements included individually for use on other coordinating projects—iron-on baby onesies, journals, cards, and more.

Coordinating colors:
Almost Amethyst, Baja Breeze, Going Gray, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

Wild About You Envelopes & Tags Designer Template $4.95

Download includes:
* 4-page 8-1/2″ x 11″ décor designer template
* 10-piece stamp brush set
* 6 embellishments

Features:
* Digital-exclusive.
* Three Valentine printables with three coordinating envelope templates.
* Artwork sized perfectly for 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ tags.
* Images included as stamp brushes and embellishments allowing for customization of colors or use on other projects.

Coordinating colors:
Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla

You can purchase these or any other digital downloads through my online store. (Clicking on the pictures above will take you there as well.) They great news is that they are available for immediate use, with no shipping charges! Just click on Digital Crafting, then Digital Downloads, then Newest Downloads to see all of the recent additions! If you registered your copy of My Digital Studio, you may also receive end-of-the month emails from Stampin’ Up featuring that month’s digital releases.

There is a My Digital Studio tab to the top right hand corner of this blog. It is a handy reference to a variety of My Digital Studio resources, including a list of all of the downloads and a break down of the printing costs. There is also a Resources page on MyDigitalStudio.net that includes an MDS Catalog. It shows all of the MDS software artwork (contained in the boxed-version) and downloads from the October 2009 launch through January 4, 2012! The catalog gives a snapshot of the entire product line with artwork thumbnails followed by product details, which includes the colors of the designer papers! Because MDS is regularly coming out with new artwork, the catalog will be updated every month.

The colors from this week’s ColourQ challenge could really go two ways this week — either something floral or Christmas.

As I was looking through my different pictures, I realized that my parents’ tablecloth reminded me of the the skirt in this challenge!

How much do you love that font? I saw it on one of Tanya’s pages, and I knew I had to get it! You can download it for free here!

Have you been wanting to try My Digital Studio? Well, I have great news for you! Starting February 1st you will be able to download My Digital Studio Express for a 30-day FREE trial! I’ll have more info about this next week.

It’s the happiest time of the year! Sale-a-Bration! There is no better time to purchase from Stampin’ Up or to join as a demonstrator! Stampin’ Up has all kinds of freebies for everybody — customers, current demonstrators, and especially people who choose to become demonstrators.

There are three ways to “Sale-A-Brate.” Here are the details:

• As a customer, with every $50 you spend (before tax & shipping), you can choose something for FREE from the Sale-A-Bration brochure. This brochure includes exclusive items that are available ONLY during Sale-A-Bration as well as some handpicked items from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. There is no limit to the number of Sale-A-Bration items that you can earn, so get out your wish list and start reaping the rewards!

• As a hostess, when your workshop sales reach $150, you will automatically receive a free reusable shopping tote that sports a design from the Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper. (Love this paper!) And when your sales reach $400, you will also receive a free bundle of Sale-A-Bration products that includes the Fresh Vintage stamp set and the coordinating Everyday Enchantment paper and accessories. All of this is in addition to the fantastic Hostess Rewards that you get all year ‘round! For more info, click here.

• As a new demonstrator, when you join Stampin’ Up! during Sale-A-Bration, you can start your own stamping business for only $125! It includes either of the customizable Starter Kit and all of the perks and benefits, for $50 off!. And when you join, you’ll get additional benefits for the rest of the year because each month that you place an order, you will get to choose either a free pack of Designer Series Paper or a free digital download. Click here for more information and to sign up in less than 15 minutes!

As you can see, there’s no better time than during Sale-A-Bration to be a Stampin’ Up! customer, hostess, or new demonstrator. So contact me today to place your order, book your Sale-A-Bration workshop, or to find out more about becoming a demonstrator and starting your own stamping business. Or maybe you’ll decide to do all 3! Sale-a-Bration 5 years ago is when I joined — and I’ve truly loved every minute of being a demonstrator. Happy Sale-a-Bration to you, however you decide to Sale-a-Brate!

If you are interested in seeing the Sale-a-Bration products in action, the Stampin’ Addicts Sale-a-Bration blog hop starts on Friday. You can start right here.

I was inspired by two fabulous cards by Robin Merriman that I first saw on Pinterest (here and here) to make this clean and simple Valentine. I changed up the colors a little. I really like how it came out! We’ll be making these today at the After-School Kids’ Class and at my Sale-a-Bration workshop next weekend.(Contact me if you still need to schedule yours!)

Stamps: Take it to Heart, Delightful Dozen
Ink: VersaMark
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Other: Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Hearts Collection Framelits, Big Shot

I’m looking forward to starting up my kids’ class again this afternoon. I love watching people fall in love with stamping!

Really fun challenge for the Friday Mashup this week! (Yes, I know it is Sunday, but hey, I play when I can.)

1. Make a project using “Paper Piercing”.
2. Or Make a project using the colors “Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red & Early Espresso”.
3. Or “Mash it Up” and create a project with the “Color Combo & Paper Piercing”.

I decided to try and make a heart shaped card using my new Framelits, but I wasn’t sure if they were able to cut through two pieces of cardstock. The answer, as you can see below, is that yes you can. I will tell you, though, that it is not recommended by Stampin’ Up or Sizzix. So only do what you feel comfortable with. You can see the hinge for the card on the top left, where I kept the fold inside the Framelit. For the paper piercing part of the Mashup, I poked a hole in each of the scallops of the base heart. And really, even though it looks black, that is Early Espresso!

Stamps: Word Play, Woodgrain
Ink: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride
Other: Hearts Collection Framelits, Small Heart Punch, Big Shot, Paper Piercer

I stamped the Early Espresso heart with Very Vanilla Craft Ink and the Woodgrain background stamp to make it look more like wood.  I can’t remember the last time I used that ink pad. I was pleasantly surprised that it worked great!

There are very few things better than waking up on a rainy Saturday morning and heading into the craft room to stamp! Especially when there is a new Stamping 411 sketch challenge!

I decided to use the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper again, and built my card around that. You can’t buy this paper anywhere, but when Sale-a-Bration starts (in 3 days!!), you’ll be able to earn it for free! It’s so pretty! I haven’t shown my butterflies much love lately, but they go great with this paper.

Stamps: none (seriously? Wow!)
Ink: Poppy Parade, Soft Suede (both used for sponging edges)
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper
Other: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Folder, Basic Pearls, Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, 3/4 inch circle punch, 1 inch circle punch

Now back to the craft room — I’ve got to get ready for the Stampin’ Addicts Sale-a-Bration blog hop next weekend!