Create a Project Life MDS Page Template

So far the only thing that I am at all bummed about is with my digital version of the Project Life kits is that I don't have the nifty plastic page pages as a digital template, so I decided to make one.  I went to my trusty friend Pintrest, and found some great Project Life inspiration, and created a spread.  I noticed that most plastic pages seem to take up the whole page, and my first few attempts at making a page fit didn't work because I was trying to squish them into the bleed margins of a 12x12 page.  New plan...Ignore the bleed lines.  That isn't to say I put important stuff there, but I planned on using the whole space with imagery.

So... I created a photo layout page for myself using the Add Photo Box feature, and then editing the size.  I used 4 boxes that were 3.9x5.86, but if you want no gaps, just use the 4x6.  Those went on each corner.  Then in my center colomn, I placed 4 more boxes that were 3.86x2.9.  Again, 4x3 would work.  I moved and aligned until everything was just as I wanted it. Then I selected everything and went to File>Save as Page Photo Layout, so I don't have to do this next time.  Now, when I work, I can use the Photo template again and again.  Yeah!

Did you know that you can drag an embellishment into a photo box?  Well, you can!  Woot Woot! Go to your Add Embellishment tab, Choose the Project Life one you want, Under >Designer Kits, and go from there.

You can also rotate them too when you place them if you need them to go the other direction.  And if you dislike the one you chose, delete it and the photo box wipes back to grey and you start over.

So go through, select your happy little embellishments and photos and finish out the page.  Easy Peasy!

I added a background paper in Gumball Green, and recolored a burlap ribbon to match and used a stamp from the School DaysII set. I added journaling in the yellow box, but removed it to take this picture for privacy reasons.

What do you think?  I'd love to see some other Project Life Templates you come up with using this method so please email me, or comment below so I can check it out!

MDS Project Life by Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! started working with Becky Higgins Project Life this year and I had to try out the new My Digital Studio Playground download for Project Lifeby Stampin' Up!.  I looked at some Project Life sample scrapbook pages to get a few ideas of layouts since I am fairly new to Project Life, and discovered I was easily able to modify some photo layouts in MDS to fit the sizes of the new embellishments.  I did not find a premade template under the other designer pages when you start a new document, which is why I put my own together.  I am working on these for my sister, and love how easy they were to pull together. 

Just a quick tip, I found the Project Life items under Designer Kits>Embellishments, and under the Designer Kits in the Stamp category as well.  They did not pop up as a new heading like "Round Buttons" which I had expected.

One of my favorite parts was that I could resize the size of the stamp sets so that it could work as a title, or little header.  I also love that it coordinates with our SU colors so I can pull in other things with MDS to make it all work together and keep it fresh and fun.  More pages will be coming soon asI have barely begun to play with my new download!

Turn a Page Layout into a Page - MDS

I am teaching an MDS page layout class this weekend.  We will be covering how you work on different layout concepts.  We will cover Photo layouts, Designer Templates, Blank, and Scrap Maps.  I thought I'd post one example.  I love using Pintrest to get and easily store scrapbooking layouts that appeal to me.  I also adore my very wide monitor which lets me have one window on each half of my screen so I can work on MDS and see my inspiration piece at the same time.

In my latest tutorial I explained how I get from my layout on Pintrest, to a template built in MDS to a completed page.  Here is an example of one of my pages.

If you can't make it to the class, email me about the latest 12 page tutorial.  If you purchase MDS from me, I will send you the tutorial for free.

Recently Completed Scrapbook Pages

As I mentioned earlier I have finally finished putting together my 2011 scrapbook.  Here are a few of my favorite pages.  I really enjoy working off the photo layout mode, then tweaking the layouts as my pages allow.   I love that I can scale a group now in MDS2, such an improvement.

MDS Error Tips

So because of the 30% off MDS sale until November 30th, I have been working hard on my 2011 scrapbook.  I finally got it wrapped up yesterday, and went to publish.  Yikes, I got an error message I have never seen before. 

It told me the Background on two pages was Null, and two pictures were missing on another page.  I went to the specified pages, but no matter what I tried, I could not get the error to change or to go away.  Finally I decided to delete the page missing images and rebuild it since nothing was working.  The window opened asking me if I want to delete page 12.  I was working on the page that said #10 not the actual #10.

I didn't realize that that program was  counting my Front and Back pages at the beginning of the book as the first 2 pages, so all my error messages I had tried to fix had been on the wrong pages.  I was off by 2.  Smack the head. Simple mistake but I spent a ton of time trying to fix it, so if you get a similar message, save yourself some time and frustration and subtract 2!!

Free Chore Chart Printable

I am working on a new chore chart system for my kiddos, and wanted to offer this free printable version. My plan is to print off a chore chart each week for my older two girls so that we can let them see what needs to happen each day, and then when they have time, complete their weekly chores.  I randomly chose 6 weekly chores, and 12 daily, so here's hoping this will work for you as well!

Download the Printable version here

I designed this chart using My Digital Studio 2.  I can't say enough good things about this program, I just love it!  You can get a free trial of MDS2 here.


My one trick on this printable was that I used a round corner punch at the end of a page layer of dsp to get my rounded corners on the header.  I then just shifted the scale of the punch and placement of the dsp so that it all lined up and looked like it was one piece.

After browsing around on Pintrest for awhile, It seems like an owl version of my chart would be even more fun!  I love all the cute owls that I saw today!  So...here you go!  You can download this one as well here.

If you like them, please give feedback in the comments section!  If you have made your own version using MDS, please post a link in the comments so I can see what you made! 

Customizable Birthday Party Invitations, Thank You card, Bottle Wrapper, and Goodie Bag tags

I used MyDigitalStudio2 to design a set of Rollerskating themed birthday party invitations, thank you card, Party banner, bottle wrappers, gift tags, and goodie bag tags for my daughter's 11th birthday.

I posted them for sale on etsy!  Now you can have an adorable customized rollerskating party without all the hard work!  Contact me to get a pdf you can print out for your own party!

I created a 4x6 Party Invitation, a 5x7 Thank You postcard, a goodie tag,  Water Bottle wrapper, a happy birthday banner, and a bottlecap insert to make a personalized party favor for your guests!

The party favor goodie tag is designed to work with the largest Stampin Up punch #118874 and the bottlecap inserts will work with either the 1" Circle punch #119868 or the 1 1/4" circle punch #119861, depending on the bottlecaps you choose.  You can use the smallest circle punch to assemble the banner.  The Bottle Caps Stampin Up have work well with the 1" punch.  You can shop my SU Online store to purchase any needed cardstock, punches, or adhesive!  Coordinating colors are Bermuda Bay and Basic Black.
   

My Digital Studio Baby Shower Invite

I am hosting a Baby Shower with 2 other friends for a friend of ours who is pregnant.  naturally I called dibs for the invitations!  We are doing a mixture of digital and physical invitations, so My Digital Studio is perfect for the job!

I used the Digital version of Little Additions to create an adorable little nursery room. I also used a stamp for the Inviting set to give myself prewritten Who, What, Where spaces.  I created a different version with the correct info, but this one is great if you need to write them out!  I also added a line below for the registry information.  I'll be posting more favors and cute baby shower ideas in the next few weeks so stay tuned!

If you would like to try My Digital Studio for Free, shop online with me and add the free My Digital Studio Express trial (item 129600) for a 30 day trial!  It is an incredible program and I know you will love it!

Win $400 in Free My Digital Studio Downloads

 


Stampin’ Up!  invites YOU to participate in our digital design contest using Stampin’ Up!’s My Digital Studio digital artwork. You can win up to $400 in FREE downloads! Find more information on MyDigitalStudio.net. The contest ends October 15, so start designing today. 
 
We’ve got something to help you get started—the latest downloads of fresh and irresistible digital designs! Check out August’s new downloads as well as downloads from our Holiday Mini Catalog here. 
 
With your new downloads ready to go, click over to MyDigitalStudio.net for ideas and inspiration using your latest digital additions.

I entered this contest last year, and have high hopes for my entry this year.  The prize is worth it though!  Everyone is welcome to enter.  

Holiday Sketch My Digital Studio Father's Day

So this is incredible late, but I wanted to post my Father's Day card I made for my church group.  It is also Holiday Week for The Creative-Sketches.com blog challenge.  We are doing Holidays this week.

I normally don't do MDS cards for the site challenge, but I really loved this one.  My plan was to print it and turn it into a hybrid card.  I should have planned ahead and had it printed out.  My laser printer does not do a great job color matching with SU colors, which is truly disappointing.

Please visit the site to add your sketch to the site list.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!

My Digital Studio 30% off Starter Kit Special till May 31st

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you know I love Digital Scrapbooking.  It is fantastic, and if you have not tried My Digital Studio, you are missing out on a truly wonderful program.  I just finished making a hybrid Wedding invitation Suite for my wonderful niece, and I so enjoyed using MDS.  I took a slightly different approach given my design background and did the layout of the invite in a different program, then imported an image of my design as a stamp.  That way I was able to change the color properly so that when I printed it, I could mount it on Cardstock that would match perfectly.  I am on pins and needles waiting for the printed pages to come in.  I made a 6x6 invite, which means I was able to print 4 per 12x12 page, and I lucked out given that this month we had a special printing discount!  3 days left on that 30% off single sheets!  What a savings when you print out many pages.

But I digress, the point of this post is to let you know about the incredible deal on the My Digital Studio Starter Kit.This month only is is available for $122.50-normally $175, and worth over $300.  The full software alone runs for $80 so for only a little bit more money, you get a lot more product!  I love sales!

The Digital+ Starter Kit includes

• My Digital Studio software suite
• Three complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block)
• Assortment of card stock
• Four Classic Stampin' Pads
• Two Stampin' Write markers
• Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Brights Designer buttons
• Songbird Décor Elements and applicator
• Adhesives
• Stampin' Scrub and Mist 
• Box of Idea Book & Catalogs
• Business forms and tools 

For anyone who would like to sign up and take advantage of this incredible offer, I will also include, from me personally not SU, $20 of digital downloads of your choice for your new incredible software.  You can sign up on my website, or email me and and I will help you sign up online. 

Non MDS File Installation Tutorial

I know My Digital Studio isn't the only digital scrapbooking software out there, and I know that theoretically we are compatible with other files, but to date, I have not experimented with that.  So  I went looking for a Girl Scout themed Digital Scrapbook paper and embellishments.  I  wanted to test out and see how tricky the installation process was to do to help guide anyone importing existing files into MDS. Plus, I have 2 girl scouts in my house and I have been taking a bunch of pictures at their events so I hoped to find the troop numbers we use somewhere. 

So here goes.  I  found a really cute kit page on Scrapmatters.com.  I purchased it and downloaded the 5 files.  Then I did a quick google search for instructions. Once I knew what I was doing, I got started.

On a Mac- this is what you do.  Find your application folder, and got to My Digital Studio.

 

It should look a little like this with 3 main folders.  Open the Components Folder

 

To install your items, you will be working from this point on.  Paper will go in Backgrounds, Embellishments, in their folder, and so forth. So, start with paper

Go to the Designer Series Paper Folder>Designer Kits and create a new folder for your new download.  Unzip the file you have downloaded, and open the new folder you just downloaded.  Drag the new files into the new MDS folder.   Repeat for any other papers you need to install.

Repeat the same sequence when you install the other files just be sure to find the proper folder.  Embellishments need their folder, and I gave them a new folder under the main embellishments folder instead of in Designer Kits as I did for the paper.  I did find that an "alpha" I had downloaded in my kit needed to be placed in the embellishments folder not the stamp folder.  It did not display properly as a stamp.  I changed it over while the software was running, but in order to view the new placement, I had to quit and restart the software.  After that is worked perfectly.

Scrapbooking- Month at a Time

While I no longer remember how I found Debbie Hodge, but I want to share a great scrapbooking resource I found popping up on Facebook.  I know at some point in the last week, I liked her blog, but I must be having a senior moment, because that liking moment is gone from the data banks! Anyway....she is doing a great challenge this year, and doing 1 month at a time.  I love this idea because it means you will always stay current for the year, and at the end in Jan 2012, you can go get your book printed, if you are working digitally, or you can start all over again if working traditionally.

So... here is her challenge page on her blog,  but she also has some incredible design ideas and resources that are worth browsing around on her site.  I will be playing with a few of her sketches tonight as I work on January 2011.

This image is actually from December and I have scrapbooked it already, but in a  different format.  I decided I really do want to stick with 12x12 for Family scrapbooking.  I love to use lots of pictures, and that really gives me plenty of space!  I experimented with one of her sketches for a 2 page spread.  I am pretty pleased with what I was able to create last night.  My title is a little hard to read though, gotta work on that.  At any rate, I love the Duplicate mirrored feature in My Digital Studio.  It made the creating process easier for me!!

Digital Scrapbooking

I have a friend who is going through a bit of a crisis right now, and she asked her friends who had pictures of her daughter to help her out and create some 8.5x11 scrapbook pages to help her get caught up.  So I pulled out my trusty sidekick, My Digital Studio, and went to town.  Our daughters had attended preschool together, and I went to most all of the fieldtrip, so I had a good deal of material to work with.  I was able to create 9 pages for her.  I am excited to get them back from the printers.  I have only created bound albums before, so single sheets will be fun to see!

Here area few of my favorite pages.

New My Digital Studio Downloads and MDS Card

I just went online and downloaded about 8 new brush sets, embellishments, and papers for My Digital Studio.  I had to take a stab at a Digital card before going to bed. I love the new Springtime Vintage paper, but mine has not arrived yet, so the instant download is really fun.  I didn't get to download the Baby Blossom Stamp set, since it isn't available yet, but I think Simple Friendship works really well with the paper I have chosen. 

My upcoming class on My Digital Studio will cover my tutorial, making a card and scrapbook page, as well as creating a hybrid card using the tutorial card.  I absolutely love digital crafting!!!  There is never any mess to clean up, and I never run out of supplies!

Late Night Stampers Challenge 103 Brrr

This challenge at LateNightStampers was focused on things that make you say Brrrr!  Since we have  had a shocking amount of snow lately, I chose to do a scrapbook page of our last snow storm.  The snow storm thoughtfully came while the kids were on winter break, and everyone loved it!  The city basically shut down for 2 days while people waited for the road crews to dig us all out!  So fun to be snug inside drinking cocoa, watching movies, then diving into snow drifts!

So I created this in My Digital Studio, using the Candy Cane Lane Paper, and A Cute Christmas mittens stamp.  I added as embellishments a snowflake punch, a round Baja Breeze button and a silver brad.  I also added a grosgrain ribbon as well peaking out underneath the designer series paper.  I would love to color in the stamped mittens, but I loved resizing them to fit the space I needed perfectly!

Family Photo Card

I am running behind on this, but I hope I still have time to get these printed and mailed before Christmas.  IN an extra stroke of luck, I wrote the Christmas letter for the family, and did that for the back side so I don't have to print out anything else!  Yeah My Digital Studio!!!

This was all designed in MDS using the Candy Cane Lane Photo Card Bundle, however I chose to design my own card instead of the predesigned one.  We also took the picture ourselves using a timer and tripod.  That was insane, but that is another story!

Christmas cookies and Free recipe!

My neighborhood had a cookie swap and had prizes for taste and presentation. So I had to throw my hat in the ring. I used my all time favorite Cowboy Cookie recipe and created a recipe card in My Digital Studio. I used my A Cute Christmas download stamp set in MDS so that I could also use my matching Candy Cane Christmas fabric, (#121715) cardstock, and Candy Cane Buttons (#121718) to make the recipe card and bag work together.


I bought a white ceramic plate from the dollar store and dressed it up with a coordinating decor elements rub on.(Candy Cane Christmas #120912) I can make about 15 different things with that set and they all make great gifts!!


Since I wanted the cookies to stay on the plate I had to use a cookie bag to hold everything. I found a simple red and white candy one, but I would have preferred a clear one.


If you would like the recipe, comment below and I will email the cookie card.
I didn't win, but I'll try again next year!