Friday, August 26, 2011

Messing around with My Digital Studio

Hello, Dear {Neglected} Readers! I have been busy getting unpacked and back in order from our Great American Wild West Road Trip this month. I've also been getting the Crazy3 ready for school, which begins for us on September 7 (my *birthday*!). On the road trip, I enjoyed some fiddle time with My Digital Studio (MDS)...



One of the things I've been working on is making a "favicon." I was thrilled to discover that my sweet little blog, too, can have its own little icon on the Internet Explorer tab or in the address window when my blog is open. Stampin' Up! has a capital 'S', Blogger's got its orange and white 'B', Martha's got her pretty face, etc. I wanted one of my own!



I used MDS to make a simple icon -- I used a punched image with the letters "SS" inside. It's got to be S-I-M-P-L-E, as it's going to be so small. In Blogger's Design window, there's an easy button to upload a picture (they have to be 100 x 100 pixels big and that's it). I also used the following to aid me in my creating: here and here.



Here's what I came up with:


I hope that when you see this image, you think "Studio Sara!"

Monday, August 8, 2011

Triple Word Score!

I have to say that this layout and design is one of my favorites... I am imagining how many different elements could take the place of the Daffodil Delight flower in the lower right... An image stamped on a punched circle, matted upon a scalloped circle, maybe? Or how about a bird, cupcake or owl made with our fabulous Builder Punches? The options are many...


The Square Lattice Bigz die makes for a simple, yet effective backdrop, giving monochromatic dimension to the project.


Finally, a row of card stock, punched first with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, cut in half lengthwise adds a bit of color for visual interest. I'll be posting more variations of this layout soon...


Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps: Fabulous Phrases (cut up)


Papers: Whisper White, Pool Party (In Color 2011-13), Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray card stocks


Inks: Calypso Coral Classic (In Color 2011-13)


Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Bigz die, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Five-Petal Flower punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for the visit -- I hope your day is a great one!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

On the Grow!

Boy, this title says it all... It's been a summer "on the grow" for sure. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been busy finishing my teaching coursework and now we're knee-deep in summer camps and travel. In the midst of all of this personal fun, the new Idea Book and Catalog came out and I've gotten to see the Holiday Mini Catalog, which goes into effect on September 1. So many fun things! I can't wait to show you what I've made!



I made this card for a paper piecing challenge. I *LOVE* hydrangea blooms and I'm lucky to have a garden full of them (lace leaf and PGs), which mean a lot of pruning. :)


This layout is a versatile one that can be easily changed up for various occasions and themes.

Studio Suggestions: I used my distressing tool to rough up the edges of my punched circle and my paper snips to get the super-close cuts for the hydrangea blooms.


Stampin' Up! Supplies:




Stamps: On the Grow (Summer Mini Catalog, available until August 31)



Papers: Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette and Early Espresso smooth card stocks



Inks: Early Espresso Classic



Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, paper snips, distressing tool, Modern Label Punch, Very Vanilla 1/4-inch grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals



Thanks for your visit! I look forward to sharing my next project with you! Please drop me a line or leave me a comment if you've got a question...