Pals Blog Hop: Out with the Old…

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for May where we are preparing for the retirement of some Stampin’ Up! products.  Though it may be goodbye to some very loved supplies, it will make room for the much anticipated new catalog products.  We hope you enjoy the Pals’ creative projects.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from the crafting mastermind Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery’s Owlery, number 32 on the Pals Hop.  If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all the projects.

Father's Day

Of all the product that will retire next month, there is only ONE that I will miss the most! My Digital Studio (MDS).   It’s the only thing that saddens me because the only space MDS uses is on computer.  I do a lot of custom orders with it and I have it backed up on FIVE different hard-drives.  Yes, I’m that paranoid about losing the program.  Don’t laugh at me…I can almost hear you.

Father's Day

Both of my cards were designed and colored in MDS and printed with my sweet Color Laser Jet printer.  I love the smooth print it creates on our Whisper White card stock.

The next stop is the wonderfully talented Becky Volpp at Inkblossomwithbecky, number 2 on the Pals Blog Hop!  Thanks for visiting; I hope to see you on next month’s Pals Hop!

  1. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
  2. Becky Volpp at Inkblossomwithbecky
  3. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
  4. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
  5. Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps!
  6. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
  7. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven’s Retreat
  8. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
  9. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
  10. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
  11. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti
  12. Natalie Bradley at Soirée by Natalie Bradley
  13. Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stampin’ Habit!
  14. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
  15. Jackie Diediker at Stampin’ Jackie
  16. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
  17. Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
  18. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
  19. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You
  20. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
  21. Debra Simonis at Deb’s Stampin’ Grounds 
  22. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
  23. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
  24. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
  25. Sherrie Gross at Stampin’ Sunshine
  26. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers
  27. Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
  28. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
  29. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
  30. Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
  31. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
  32. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery’s Owlery

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Blog Hop Line-up:

You’ll Need These Supplies to Make This Card:
Print the Supply List to make ordering easy for your projects.

Happy Retirement Major Gill

Retirement

Ever find yourself wanting to do more with your Stampin’ Up! stamps and ink? Well you can do so much more than you’ve ever imagined with My Digital Studio, but first let me tell you about my co-worker & friend Dave.

Dave is a fellow hospital administrator (like me) and he joined the Air Force December 1989 just five months shy after me.

Today we celebrate his retirement and I wanted him to have a card that is extremely personal. It doesn’t get any more personal than having your name printed on the front with the logo that represents 25 years of service to our country.

Dave knows I have a blog, but he doesn’t check it, so you know what’s the next best thing since sliced bread? For YOU to leave him a comment and thank him for his 25 years of honorable and dedicated service to our great country.

Now, on to how I made the card.

Retirement

I used My Digital Studio to print the words and then used my Cameo to cut out the Air Force Logo, which I downloaded from the internet. It made it easier to cut out the blue outline that overlapped the silver. I then used Stampin’ Dimensionals to give the AF logo a 3-D finish.

MAGGIE MADE TIPS: Not in cash, but great crafting recommendations

  • When Stampin’ Up! doesn’t have an ink, paper, or anything that can personalize a special card, break out with My Digital Studio. You can try it FREE for 30 days and play with it. It really is FREE to try.
  • Or you can submit an order to me for that special card. Simply send me an email (maggie@maggiemadecards.com) with your name and phone number and we’ll connect to go over the details. It’ll be cheaper than Hallmark and much more personal.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Click on titles for additional information.

  • FREE Shipping From Me: How? Make a $50 minimum purchase (before taxes) and receive the following:
    • One FREE product from the Sale-a-bration Brochure
    • FREE shipping paid by me!
    • Use this Order Form and view Occasions Catalog HERE.
    • Include your full name, mailing address, and product number with quantity and I will invoice you.
    • This offer has been so popular and I thank all of you who have submitted orders that I’ve decided to offer it through the end of Sale-a-bration… March 31st.
  • Mini Paper Share w/FREE Washi Sheets: Thank you to those that took advantage of this awesome share. I have just ONE left and it’s up for grabs and will order more once this one is sold.
  • Earn FREE Sale-A-Bration Product: With the purchase a 3-month Pre-Paid My Paper Pumpkin kit receive FREE product instantly!
  • Become a Member Not a Recruit!: When you join the my Circle with the Circle of Pals during Sale-A-Bration Stampin’ Up! is giving every new member a choice of additional FREE product!

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Retirement

Stampin’ Up! Product Recipe:

Notecard Gifts in My Digital Studio

Note Cards MDS

Do you use My Digital Studio? If you do…have you used it to make notecards like these for gifts? If you don’t…you should. Why? Just look at what you can make for gifts! LOL

Seriously, I made a few sets of classic his & her notecards and gave them as Christmas gifts. But hey, you can still make them for Birthday, Anniversary, or Congratulations gifts. Imagine all the money you can save AND how much more a handmade gifts are appreciated.

Notecards MDS

Notecards MDS

If it’s not obvious these to lucky friends are from New Orleans, LA and they just happen to be Saints fans (just in case you missed it)… HA!

MAGGIE MADE THOUGHTS:

  • Did you know that men’s and women’s teeth are shaped slightly different? What does this have to do with this post!?
  • Well, when I made these notecards I made the fleur-de-lis just slightly different in each card. Bryan’s set has a rigid sharp cornered fleur-de-lis and Sindy’s is more rounded with delicate curves.
  • So, in the same way teeth are slightly different, so are the watermarks in each card. Now does the first bullet make sense? LOL

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

I’ve been a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator for three years now and I’ve grown successfully in each year. In about a week or so I’m going to make a super announcement that has me ‘all shook up’ (in Elvis Presley’s voice). I’m so excited because when I was initially given the news I couldn’t stop smiling. When one door closed another opened and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Weekly Deals

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Stampin’ Up! Product Recipe:

 

Tools of the Trade:

Digital Meets Burlap

MM 1

Can you tell which part of this card was done via My Digital Studio? You already know it’s not the burlap… LOL.  It’s the sentiment not the cake.  The cake is a new stamp set that comes out June 2nd.  If you don’t have your paper catalog and would like to become one of my preferred customer’s click here to get your FREE catalog today!

How did I make this cool card?  I printed a card front with My Digital Studio then I simply stamped the pretty little cake and colored it with my new Blendabilities alcohol ink markers (coming out soon)!  The burlap corners were slimply snipped from the corners.

Birthday

Retired List Blowout Sale: Get up to 50% off retired items.  Click here and don’t miss out.  I’ve seen items on Ebay for ridiculous prices!

My Paper Pumpkin Kit 1/2 half for June: Get My Paper Pumpkin at 1/2 off for June with promo code shellideal.  Make purchase before May 23rd.  Check it out here.

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Products Used To Make Card: (Life’s Adenture not available for purchase until June 1st)

Stampin’ Up! is In This Together

Birthday

I’m in love with the alcohol based coloring pens, Blendabilties that will soon be out from Stampin’ Up! You are going to be blown away when you see them with your own eyes and they are perfect for those of us that do not know how to color, like me. LoL

Happy Birthday

The super cute lady is from the upcoming In This Together Clear Stamp Set.  It’s way cute and I can’t wait to use the other two stamps and paint them with my Blendabilities.  I will surely post them as soon as I make cards with them.

Please help me improve my blog by answering this two questions:  Click here to take survey.  Your two responses will help me give you a better crafting experience.  Thank you kindly.  I am grateful for your participation.

Products Used to Make Card:

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Thank you so much for visiting me today. Blogging is a lot of work and I appreciate many of your kind comments and emails. If you haven’t click on the link to take a quick 10 second two question survey please do so right now.

Paper Hugs,
Maggie

Another Great Year… Another Great Birthday

Birthday

When I finished this card I had to say “WoW!”  I think it’s the best hybrid digital card I’ve made to date.  Check my earlier one’s here and you tell me which you like best by leaving a comment below.

Birthday

The digital version of Water Color designer series paper is definitely a WOW!  I was able to choose where I wanted the colors to blend on the butterfly digital punch.  Yes, the butterflies are not digital stamps they’re digital punches.  It’s just amazing all you can do with My Digital Studio!  Get your free trail below.

Birthday

Do You Want a Free 2014-2015 Stampin’ Up! Catalog?  All of my customers receive free catalogs year round for FREE.  If you want to become my customer, please email me your mailing address here or email it to me at maggie@maggiemadecards.com and I’ll get one out to you ASAP!

Products Used To Make Card:

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Stampin’ Up! Even More Coffee

Friendship

Today I realized that I drink way too much coffee… LOL.  My friend Pam comes over often and we often just sit around and drink cup after cup of coffee.  We love it!

Friendship

This stamp set is NOT retiring, but I have both the set and digital files!  Thank you Ms. Jennifer for correcting me… LoL. But,  Not only do I have the digital version of this stamp set, I also have the paper too.  Yes, the paper, the cups, and the sentiment are all digital.

Friendship

Point, drag, and click.  That’s all I did to bring this card together in My Digital Studio and as always you can try it for FREE for 30 days!  Download now by clicking on the MDS Free Trial – Digital Download icon.

Here’s what I want you to do… please leave a comment below and tell me what is your favorite drink.  Me, I love a small cafe latte with some peppermint syrup… makes me feel like I’ll still have fresh breath… LOL

Products Used to Make Card:

 Get Your Free 2014-2015 Catalog Here

Click Here to View Retiring Product List

Coffee News… Will You Spot It?

Coffee News

I spent the morning with my cup of coffee and making a few more Mother’s Day cards.  Normally, I only drink coffee Monday thru Friday, but today is a special day.  Why?  Because I decided to advertise in the Coffee News® and offer FREE classes!!!

I met a wonderful lady, Linda (if it wasn’t obvious) who owns this little publication in Solano County.  It’s my first time taking out an ad like this and I wanted to try it just once.  So, here’s to you Linda and a successful future stamping while drinking coffee.

Coffee

Now, about the card… it’s 90% digital… can you tell?  Since I also have the stamp set, I stamped the cup on some left over scrap designer series paper and snipped that piece out and simply glued it to the card.  Get your FREE 30-day trial of My Digital Studio below and print away all the cards you can make in 30 days using your own printer.

Products Used to Make Card:

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Sssssscore!… Soccer Mom

Thank you Soccer Ball

Are you a soccer mom?  Or just know one?  This creation came from the inspiration of my BFF Michelle.  She asked if I could come up with a soccer themed card and with the help of My Digital Studio… I scored!  LOL.

Leave a Comment Below

Tell me if you know a soccer mom or dad who you think deserves this card and I will send you TWO of these cards to pass along.

Thank you Soccer Ball2

What is so great about My Digital Studio?  The images NEVER retire.  HA!  Add a little piece of paper, embellishment, and you’ve got yourself a hybrid card!  Easy peasy.

 CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL RETIRING PRODUCTS

AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Products Used:

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Renewed Wedding Vows

Renew Vows

I think I have everyone fooled into thinking I am crafty… LoL.  When in reality, it’s about 40% me and 60% Stampin’ Up!  It takes me an average of 3 days to a week to come up with an orginal sketch/project on my own.  I have to go into my thinking spot and bring into my mind different shapes, textures, and colors in my brain.

I have a network of 500 plus friends and fellow stampers/crafters that share their ideas, thoughts, and even help me when I’m stuck or have card block… similar to writer’s block… HAHA!

However, this beauty was printed with My Digital Studio and scored to resemble a matchbox.  Doesn’t get any simpler that my friends.  I would say “a monkey could do it”, but then again… I am often referred to as a monkey… and that would make that statement true… LOL.

The card was made for my cousin Jenny and husband Ray who will renew their Marriage Vows in a ceremony to celebrate their Tenth Wedding Anniversary.

Saleabration Free ProductsCome on over and stamp with some of the FREE products I just happen to own.

Pencil yourself into my calendar… have a workshop… a girls night out…
join my shoebox card share… learn about our kits…

EventsI would love to hear from you… if time was no object… which class would you attend?  What would you like to learn, regardless of your skill level?

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Hello with My Digital Studio Hybrid

Hello MDS Hybrid

Have your ever been minding your own business going about your day when suddenly in your thoughts someone you know pops into it?  I have heard that when this happens that we should pause and pray for that person.  Yesterday as I was preparing my service dress uniform ready to attend a Celebration of Life memorial, I received a text from a very good friend and it said, “Hi Maggie, I’ve been thinking of you and I just wanted to say hello, how are you?”

It was the second message I received tht morning and it brightened up my day and felt very grateful that I have friends who stop whatever they are doing to let me know they thought of me and wish me well.  It is proof to me that my friends and I connect on a spiritual level.

As a carmaker,  I know that when the Holy Spirit leads me to send this card to someone it is because I’m being used to bless someone.  Snail mail brings so much joy that one smiles from ear to ear.  Go on give it a try… send someone a card.

Hello MDS Hybrid

I can produce this card on my My Digital Studio software in multiples to have readily available, so that when a loved one pops into my mind, I can send them this card and make their day.

LESSON LEARNED:  To dress up a My Digital Studio card simply add a strip of ribbon with a little pop of color and in a minute you have a beautiful clean and simple card.

EventsLive in my area?  Check out my events calendar here.  Come stamp with me or attend one of my free beginners classes where I will introduce you to the basics of card making.  You will make new friends and if you’ve never made a handmade card before you will discover a new passion.  The best FREE therapy that will release your stress.  Let’s just call it Paper Yoga!

Saleabration Details

Click HERE to see the Sale-a-bration brochure or send me a message HERE to get a FREE one mailed to you.

Events

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MDS Free Trial – Digital Download $0.00


Chalk Talk Framelits Dies $24.95

 

 

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Love You To The Moon Stamp Brush Set – Digital Download $4.95


Big Shot Die-Cut Machine $99.95

 

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Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock $8.50

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Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2X11 Card Stock $6.95[/one-fourth]