Blog Candy Contest – ends December 15th

If you haven’t entered my blog candy contest, you have until December 15th.  You have a shot at winning a FREE stamp set & wheel (images shown below).  Check out the details here.

Easy Access Blog Features

I’m sure it’s safe to say that my tutorials and Scrapbooking 101 posts are the most popular features of my blog.  So, I’ve added links to each of these individual posts in my sidebar.  Though you can still search for Tutorials and Scrapbooking 101 posts under Categories in my sidebar, this new easy access system will make it faster for you to jump to the exact post you’re interested in.  I’ll be adding more tutorials and Scrapbooking 101 posts to my blog on a regular basis, so be sure to check back often.  Or better yet, subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss any posts!

MDS Tutorial: Remove Photo Box From Template

With the release of our My Digital Studio software, Stampin’ Up! offered a series of webinars, quizzes, and assignments to their demonstrators under a certification program.  I’m pleased to announce that I am now My Digital Studio Certified!  This means that I am here to answer your questions and help you with your projects.  While I can obviously only offer this personal service to those who purchase the software from me, I thought it would be a great idea to share some My Digital Studio tutorials here on my blog for everyone. 

If you want to purchase My Digital Studio (Item #118108, $79.95), click the Certification button in my left sidebar and then go to Shop Now.  My Digital Studio software and MDS extra downloads can be found under the Digital Crafting category there.  Or email me with your order!

I thought I would start by showing you how to remove a photo box from a pre-made Designer template.  In this example, I started with the Christmas Cocoa II Designer 12x12 Template (available as part of an extra download to MDS, Item #120880).  As you can see from the screen shot below, this template has 4 photo boxes.  

Now, let’s say that I only want 3 of those boxes because I only have 3 photos.  It’s easy to remove the extra one.

1) Click on the photo box you want to remove.  In this case, I want to remove the lower box.  When you click on the box, a set of gray “handles” will appear around the digital element to indicate that it is selected.

2) Now that the photo box is selected, click the Delete key on your computer keypad (or in your software, go to the Edit menu bar and select Delete Object from the dropdown choices).  Here’s how your page will look with the photo box removed.

3)  Now I want to resize the white cardstock digital element to remove the extra white space below the remaining photo boxes.  Click on the white cardstock element until the gray selection handles appear.

4) Now move your computer mouse over the bottom middle handle until an up/down arrow appears.  Drag the handle up while holding down the left mouse button until your cardstock is resized as desired (in this case, just shy of the bottom black photo box).  Here’s how your page will look.

5) Now drag & drop your photos into the photo boxes and type in your journaling into the text box to complete your page. 

Here’s my finished page with bottom photo box removed from the designer template.

My Digital Studio elements: christmas cocoa II 12x12 designer template 

My Digital Studio Software Updates

As of December 3rd, there is now a software update available for your My Digital Studio software. This update resolves some of the issues Stampin’ Up! discovered after the initial software release. This update also provides some enhancements to make the software even easier to use. Please note, once you download and install the update, your My Digital Studio software will display as “My Digital Studio 1.0.1.611” in the About My Digital Studio screen under the Help menu.

Download this update within My Digital Studio by checking for software updates under the Help menu, or click on the links on the Customer Web Site under Our Products>Product Lines>My Digital Studio>Updates.

Airmail From Santa

It’s been awhile since I’ve stamped a card so I don’t have any new ones to share.  But I wanted to feature a card here on my blog for a change, so I decided to create one tonight using My Digital Studio.  I love using this digital software for several  reasons:

1) I can “stamp” using images that I don’t own in person like the images from Old Saint Nick used on this digital card. 

2) I can also adjust the opacity of the stamped image.  If you lighten the opacity, it looks like you “stamped off” once before stamping your image. 

3) I have access to digital grosgrain ribbon in just about any Stampin’ Up! color, which is not the case with our actual ribbon.

4) I can add drop shadows to my cardstock and other digital elements to make them appear raised.  It’s like using a digital version of our stampin’ dimensionals!

Have you purchased your copy of My Digital Studio yet?  Email me if you’re interested or shop online at http://tarakieninger.stampinup.net.  Click Shop Now and order Item #118108 for the low price of $79.95.  Or give my contact information to your friends or family, so you get what you really want this Christmas!   

Also, don’t forget to enter my blog candy contest for a chance to win a FREE stamp set & wheel!  See my top blog post for details (you may need to refresh my page if you entered my blog via a specific post rather than the home page).  Then all you need to do is comment on that post, subscribe to my blog, and share my blog candy contest via any social media you can (Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.).    

My Digital Studio software elements:

• Stamps: old saint nick
• Inks: basic black, basic gray
• Cardstock: real red, basic black, basic gray
• Embellishments: basic gray grosgrain ribbon, basic gray grosgrain ribbon knot

Double Torn-Edge

If you like torn paper edges on your scrapbook pages, mix it up with a double torn-edge.  You can do it with a mix of solid or designer cardstock.  Or try something a little different.  On this Dress-Up Bride page, I layered a vellum torn-edge under my cardstock torn-edge.  The torn edge on the vellum was very thin and hard to see, so I enhanced the torn look by brushing my whisper white craft ink pad on the torn edge of the vellum.  This also mimicked the look of my organza ribbon, which has sheer sections rimmed with a white edge.  Note: when using vellum as a torn-edge, make sure you do not apply adhesive to exposed edge as it will show through when you adhere it to your page.

Here’s a close-up of the vellum torn-edge:

Stamp sets: lovely letters alphabet, simple type alphabet (I think!); Inks: real red, soft suede, whisper white; Cardstock: christmas cocoa DSP, soft suede, whisper white, sahara sand, whisper white; Embellishments: whisper white organza ribbon

Blog Candy in Celebration of my Weight Loss

It’s been awhile since I’ve offered blog candy.  In honor of passing a 25 lb weight loss milestone in just 9 weeks with the Isagenix 30-day Cleansing and Fat Burning System, I’m offering this free stamp set & coordinating wheel from the current  Stampin’ Up! catalog to one lucky winner.  Besides being thankful for Isagenix products, which will help me continue to lose weight, I’m thankful for all of you….my blog readers.

I discovered Isagenix several months ago and signed up once I saw my friend Cindy having such fast & easy weight-loss success.  Let me tell you, these products will make you feel fantastic.  Within days of starting the 30-day System, I noticed the my energy level was through the roof.  I no longer felt bloated, lethargic, and moody.  In 9 short weeks, I have lost 26 lbs & 48 inches and that’s just a bonus to how I feel.  These products truly will make a difference in your life.  I had my doubts at first, but now I know that these products really work for real people like you and me.  I was addicted to soda and other sugar products as well as carbohydrates.  Now I crave fruits, vegetables, and protein and I haven’t had a soda in over 2 months!  I never thought it could happen.  And I’ve even started earning money from Isagenix just by sharing my story.  Once people hear about my success, they want to sign up themselves as part of my team.  Now they are qualified to earn product introduction bonuses & promotional bonuses as well as other commissions.

Here’s a photo collage showing my transformation before Isagenix and then at 1-month and 2-month intervals.   

For more information about Isagenix, email me and/or visit the following links:

• My Isagenix website
• 30-day Cleansing & Fat Burning System Basics
• How to Sign Up as an Isagenix Associate
• My weight loss blog

Here are images from the free stamp set & wheel (not shown true to size): 

Falling Leaves stamp set

Bright Blessings wheel

This blog candy contest, which ends at 10pm on December 15th, is open to anyone who meets all 3 qualifications below:

1) Leave a comment on this post.  If someone else referred you to this contest, please include their name in the comment.  If you win the contest, you friend will win a special gift package from me.  Be sure to let me know how you shared this contest too.

2) Subscribe to my blog.

3) Share this blog candy info every way you can: include a post or sidebar link on your blog, post to Facebook, tweet on Twitter, or email to all your friends.  The more you share, the more referrals you’ll get and you’ll have more chances to win a special gift package even if you’re not the winner (see #1).

SPECIAL BONUS: Anyone who signs up as an Isagenix Associate under me by December 15th will get their own set of the Falling Leaves stamp set & Bright Blessings wheel FREE!  With Isagenix’s offer of FREE membership (a $39 value) now, it’s a great time to sign up.  Make money while you lose weight – how great is that?! !! Email me if you’d like more information about this option.  If you live outside the U.S., let me know and I’ll see about getting you signed up.

Scrapbooking 101: String of Embellishments

Here’s a fun little technique to jazz up your page.  Create a string of embellishments to draw your eye across the page.  On this Bathtime Fun page, I have a string of stamped images over a piece of ribbon.  I stamped various fish images onto white cardstock and then punched them out.  Then I placed them along a strip of polka-dot ribbon.  To give the string a whimsical look, I tilted the images a bit.

Though I used stamped images in this example, you could create a string using other embellishments or even a mix of embellishments.  Think buttons, brads, eyelets, punched shapes, stamped images, etc.

For additional Scrapbooking 101 posts, see the links in my left sidebar.  Be sure to check out the FREE tutorials in my sidebar as well. 

Stamp sets: just beachy, antiques upper alphabet, outline lower alphabet; Inks: basic black, summer sun, bermuda bay, green galore, tempting turquoise; Cardstock: summer sun, bermuda bay, tempting turquoise, whisper white; Embellishments: bermuda bay polka-dot grosgrain ribbon; Tools: square punch  

Thanksgiving Place Cards

Hi all.  Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It was a quiet affair here….just my hubby, kids, and my mom.  A nice relaxing day, though we ate a little too much.

I wanted to share my Thanksgiving Place Card project with you.  Since it was just the 5 of us, I knew I could add a little stamped decor to the dining room table without having to spend hours on a project.  So, I decided to make place cards.

These are simply 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inch pieces of cardstock folded in half on the short side.  I made slightly different cards for the male and female diners.  Here are photos of the cards along with close-ups and a shot of of them on the dinner table.

Stamp set: defining alphabet, cornelli lace wheel; Inks: old olive, versamark; Cardstock: dusty durango, whisper white, chocolate chip, riding hood red; Embellishments: riding hood red & chocolate chip taffeta ribbon; Tools: big shot, cutting pads, leaves #2 originals die, stylus

Online Extravaganza – Shop our Holiday Sales!

Dates: November 23-30, 2009

For one week only, you can get amazing discounts....up to 50 percent off....on over 40 products and product bundles!

Click here to go to my Stampin' Up! website to view them.  Once you are on my website, click on the Shop Now button and then click on the buttons to see the product in each category.   Don’t forget to check out the Clearance Rack while you are there too – get products up to 80% off! 

Things to Remember:

• Orders may be placed online or through me.
• The sale begins Monday, November 23, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Monday November 30, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
• Discounts range between 30 percent and 50 percent.
• For online orders, discounts will be shown in the shopping bag at checkout.

Question: Are sale items only while supplies last?
Answer: With the exception of the Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle, all sale prices will be honored through the sales period, even if items go on backorder. Please note: The Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle is only available in a limited quantity; if we run out of any of the products included in this bundle, the bundle will no longer be available and the sale price will no longer be honored.

Week 9 Weigh-Loss Update

I lost 2.6 lbs this week.  And since, starting the Isagenix 30-day Cleansing and Fat-Burning System 9 weeks ago, I’ve lost a total of

26 lbs & 48 inches!!!

Here’s a photo comparison I put together last week.  From left to right: before Isagenix, 1-month photo, and 2-month photo.  Notice how my arms hang straight down at my side now since I’ve lost alot of weight and inches in my hip area  My pants also hang straight down and have become boxy on me.  In fact, I will be taking future photos in different pants so you can see more of my shape underneath.

Can I get a big HOORRAY!!  I’m so excited.  And I feel so incredible…..Isagenix products give you so much ENERGY.  I can’t believe I’ve finally found a system that works for me.  From now through January 3rd, 2010 when you sign up as an Associate with the 30-day System and choose Autoship (your order automatically delivered each month), the $39 membership fee is waived.  That’s an awesome deal!  Plus, there’s a 30-day money back guarantee on the products.  What are you waiting for?!! 

For details, check out my weight-loss blog and read the links in the Isagenix Info section in my right sidebar, especially the 30-day System Basics and How to Sign Up as an Associate links.  Feel free to email me with questions too.  Whether you want to lose weight, make money, or BOTH….there is opportunity for everyone.  I’d love to have you join my growing (but shrinking) Isagenix team!!

Here are some other weight loss/health examples from other people using Isagenix:

• My upline Cindy has lost 42 lbs and 55 inches in 4 months and dropped her total cholesterol by 76 points!
• My friend Lia has lost 50 lbs and 83 inches in 3.5 months!
• My mom has lost 12 lbs in 7 weeks without doing the full-day cleanses (for those of you worried that the cleanse isn’t for you).

In honor of passing the 25 lb weight loss mark, I will be offering some blog candy here.  Stay tuned for details in the next few days.

Scrapbooking 101: Don’t Be Afraid of White Space

When I first started scrapbooking, I thought I had to fill every part of my page.  Since then, I’ve discovered that some of my favorite pages are those on which I leave white space (aka undecorated space).  Check out this So Happy Together 2-page layout below featuring photos of Brian and the kids fishing at my cousin’s farm. 

Here’s a closeup of the left side of the layout.  I kept plenty of white space around my title/photo block.  This technique works to draws the eye across the left page and over across the right page when the 2 pages are side-by-side. And here’s the right side of the layout.

The white space around the decorated parts of the page really make the photos “pop”.  Try leaving a little white space on your next page….I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Stamp set: happiness always; Inks: old olive, rich razzleberry; Cardstock: sahara sand, old olive, whisper white, rich razzleberry, cottage wall DSP; Embellishments: rich razzleberry polka-dot grosgrain ribbon; Tools: scallop edge punch, curly label punch, wide oval punch, big shot, stampin’ up! timeless type alphabet junior medium sizzlits dies, multi-purpose platform, cutting pads

Scrapbooking 101: Create a 12 x 12 Page From an 8-1/2 x 11 Sketch

There are many times when I’m perusing scrapbook magazines and come across a sketch that I just love, but the size is 8-1/2 x 11, when I typically scrapbook in size 12 x 12.  If you are in that same boat, I’ll show you an example of how you can still use the sketch on your page.

Here’s the sketch (from the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of Scrapbooks, etc.):

And here’s the page they featured in the magazine:

Now here’s my pageI started by creating my 8-1/2 x 11 page based on the sketch and then placed it almost to the very right edge of my 12x12 piece of cardstock.  There was a little too much white space on the left edge of my page, so I added a button & 2 brads to the lower left corner.  But that still wasn’t enough…..I felt that the left side was still way too overpowered by the right side.  So, I used strips of olive & white cardstock to make it seem as though my title block extended all the way to the left side of the page.  As you can see, this helps to draw the eye across my page and over to my photos, which I want as the focus.  I also used the Rule of 3’s to draw the eye to various parts of the page…..using olive & rose red embellishments in 2 areas to coordinate with the olive & rose used in the title circle.

By creating an 8-1/2 x 11 page from the sketch and then building it up, I was able to successfully create my 12 x 12 page.  Give it a try sometime!

For more Scrapbooking 101 posts, see the links in my left sidebar or subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a post!

Stamp sets: antiques upper alphabet, simple serif alphabet & numbers; Inks: old olive, rose red, whisper white; Cardstock: pink pirouette, old olive, rose red, whisper white, bali breeze DSP; Embellishments: old olive & rose red 1/4” grosgrain ribbon, rich regals brads, playground designer buttons, white embroidery floss; Tools: circle scissors plus, glass mat, cutter tool, paper piercer, mat pack

3 x 6 Christmas Card Set

I created these 3x6 Christmas cards with our Berry Christmas & Four the Holidays stamp sets from the Holiday Mini catalog.  I love the 3x6 size because you can create 4 cards from a single piece of 12x12 cardstock.  Sweet!   These cards are nearly all no-layer cards, which is even better, because you save paper and time.  Plus, you don’t need many products to make them….typically just Stamps, Ink, & Paper.  Love that elegant simplicity!  Scroll down for photos of the individual cards.

And for a great gift idea, place four 3x6 cards and four Small Open-End Envelopes in my 3 x 6 Card Pouch.  If you missed the tutorial for the pouch, click here.

Stamp set: berry christmas, four the holidays; Inks: always artichoke, rich razzleberry; Cardstock: whisper white, rich razzleberry; Tools: 1/2” circle punch

3 x 6 Card Pouch Tutorial

I needed a pouch to hold some 3 x 6 inch cards, so I came up with this design.  The pouch holds four 3 x 6 cards and four of our small open-end envelopes, which measure 3-1/2 x 6-3/4 inches.  This set would make a great Christmas or birthday gift for a friend or teacher and it’s pretty easy to put together.  Stay tuned for my next post and I’ll show you pictures of the 3 x 6 cards inside!

Stamps: berry christmas; Inks: always artichoke, rich razzleberry; Cardstock: always artichoke, rich razzleberry, whisper white; Embellishments: white gel pen; Tools: big shot, stampin’ up! petals-a-plenty textured impressions folder, paper snips, 1/2” circle punch; Other: sticky strip

3 x 6 Card Pouch Tutorial

1) Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 6 x 12 inches.  Score it along the short side at 3/4”, 1”, 5”, and 5-1/4”.

2) Now score it along the long side at 4-3/4” and 5”.  Here’s how your cardstock piece should look.

3) Now cut off the outer two upper corners at the inner vertical fold & the lower horizontal fold.  (I bent my cardstock at the bottom horizontal score line to make this step a little more obvious in the photo) 

4) Now bend your cardstock inward at all the folds and crease with a bone folder.  Use a circle punch to notch out a half circle on the bottom edge.

5) Apply Sticky Strip adhesive to the folded edges.

6) Now remove the backing on the adhesive and fold the top flap of the pouch down over the folded edges making sure that your bottom corners are square (it’s hard to tell, but the bottom of the pouch is in the lower left side of the photo, the top edge of the pouch is in the upper right side off the photo). This is what the base pouch should look like when you are done.

7)  Apply Sticky Strip adhesive to the back of the base pouch.

8) Now to make the front flap, take a piece of cardstock measuring 3-15/16 x 12 inches.  Score it on the long side at 6-15/16” and 7-3/16”.  Now bend the cardstock inward at the folds and crease with a bone folder.

9)  Place the pouch base in the flap so that the top of the base meets the bottom scored line.  Remove the adhesive from the back of the base and stick the 2 pieces together.

10) Here’s the finished card pouch with front flap.  Decorate as desired and then fill with 3x6 cards and envelopes.

 Note: the belly band was created from a 1 x 12 inch piece of cardstock.  Score the strip on the longest side at 3-11/16”, 4”, 8”, and 8-5/16”.

I’d love to see your creations.  If you make one of these for yourself, please leave a comment with a link to your project!