by Joanne James3. December 2013 12:30Today I have a quick post with the last of my Convention-related makes to share with you. One of the things we have to do for Convention is make a bag tag featuring our names. Why? Well, we are each given a Convention rucksack full of goodies and everything we will need to get us through the event. The rucksacks are great, but there's only one problem - they're all the same! So it's really important that we have a name tag that enables us to identify our bags, and each other, in the crowd. I made bag tags for each of the team members travelling with me that featured our team logo - The Crafty Owl:

Cute, eh?! I made these by printing onto shrink plastic at 250% of finished size, then cut out the shapes, punched a hole for the keyring and shrunk them in the oven. I was so pleased with the result, I made a few more for some of my good friends and members of my wider Stampin' Up! team, this time using My Digital Studio (my logo was created using alternative software when UK demos didn't have access to MDS). I used the butterfly stamp that comes as part of the Creative Elements stamp set, and coloured the sections individually using the brush tool, using various shades of greens and turquoise - here are a couple of them:

What do you think? These bag tags are really eye-catching and certainly helped my team stand out from the crowd - my friends loved theirs too, especially Michelle whose team is a called the Butterfly Belles - how appropriate! I just thought I would share to show how versatile MDS can be - it's not just for cards!
The MDS shop links are included below if you don't already have it; Creative Elements is part of the standard software version so there is no product link for this, however as today is Digital Downloads Weekly Release Day I've also included the links to all of this week's new MDS downloads - some lovely festive sets here.
Right, off to attend my son's Christingle service at school; I'm hoping for a nice photo or two for my December photo journal (another MDS project that I'll be sharing with you another day!) Back tomorrow with another project - I'm thinking we might need to get back to Christmas, it is the 3rd December after all! Until then, happy stampin'!
Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
by Joanne James22. November 2013 12:09So no blog posts for a couple of days due to last minute preparations getting ready for our first European Stampin' Up! Convention in Manchester - and now we're here! There's so much going on - my downline Barbara and I have just attended a 'Say yes to MDS!' class and created this beautiful Christmas card that I thought I would share with you:

This was created entirely using images in the free MDS downloads that come with the full version of the software. So what are you waiting for? Go get creating!
Back soon with more fun projects; until then, happy stampin'!
by Joanne James12. November 2013 15:24Today is Digital Download Tuesday so I'm doing a quick digital-focused post with a link to both this week's and last week's weekly digital downloads (I forgot to post last week's links with all of the Digital Scrapbooking Days offers going on):

If you look at this week's downloads, you will see a new and exciting development for those of us new to MDS - online project classes! Three have been added to the store today, with a new class to be added on every last Tuesday of the month. These classes will vary in price depending on what is included in the accompanying brushsets and they are great as a means to learn both beginner and more advanced techniques. Here's a quick look at the brushsets for the first three classes to be released - click on the images for more information:
Theses video classes are not meant as a replacement for the many technique-based videos available free of charge at MyDigitalStudio.net, rather they will supplement these. Instead of focusing on one technique only they will cover a number of different aspects through the creation of a variety of projects. To access these classes, you simply purchase via my online store then download your file and log into MDS as usual.
Lastly, follow the link from my Facebook page (it would be great if you 'liked' my page first if you haven't already!) or go directly to the My Digital Studio Facebook page here and enter the competition to win the November bonus class absolutely free!
Back shortly with today's creative post; until then, happy digital stampin'!
by Joanne James8. November 2013 13:44I hope you've all been enjoying Digital Scrapbooking Days this past week Daydream scrapbook kit:
Once again, check out today's post at MyDigitalStudio.net to see what the MDS designers have created using this kit. Lastly, if you missed any of this week's daily deals, you are in luck: for today only, each of the offers of the last 8 days is available again today! Just click on the images below to go to my online store to download your copies.
by Joanne James7. November 2013 10:17It's nearly the end of the Digital Downloads Offers week - we are at Day 7 already! Today's 50% off kit is the Autumn Traditions Kit:
Check out today's blog post at MyDigitalStudio.net to see how the designers have used this set to create Thanksgiving dinner invitations and a lovely autumnal scrapbook page. If this leaves you inspired enough to want to create your own items using this kit, just click on the image above and hop over to my online shop to download your copy today whilst there is 50% off.
Back later with today's creative post. Until then, happy (digital!) stampin'!
by Joanne James5. November 2013 21:37I've had a busy day today and have another tomorrow, so a couple of short and sweet posts from me today as I may not be able to squeeze in a post tomorrow before my next class this week. So, firstly, today's digital scrapbooking day 50% offer - today it's the turn of the Be Brave Pocket Cards:
There are a couple of very different layouts using this set over at MyDigitalStudio.net, so if you need some inspiration, pop over and take a look. Remember, the set is only available at half-price for today only, so click on the image and pop over to my online store if you would like to purchase it.
Back shortly with today's creative post!
by Joanne James4. November 2013 20:01Today is Day 4 of Digital Scrapbooking Days Offer Week and today it's the turn of the Modern Medleys overlay kit for the 50% offer - here it is:
This is a set of papers that are available as 'traditional' DSP and come in a black/vanilla colourway, but don't forget as a digital download they can be recoloured so that you can create your own custom DSP if you like - check out today's post over at MyDigitalStudio.net to see what the designers have created using this staple set of background overlays.
Remember - 50% off for today only, so don't miss out - if you like the look of this paper set, click on the picture and pop over to my online store to download it today!
Back shortly with today's creative post - and a video for you too!
by Joanne James3. November 2013 15:47There will be a creative post today, I promise, but firstly a quick post with today's digital download offer. Today is Day 3 of Digital Scrapbooking Days and for today only you can order the All Time Fave Photobook at 50% off. Here's a picture of some of the things in this great kit - if you'd like to buy it, just click on the image and it will take you directly to my online store.
Check back tomorrow for the next Digital Scrapbooking deal! Back in a bit with today's creative post.
by Joanne James2. November 2013 21:52Today is officially Digital Scrapbooking Day and today there are two ways to celebrate! Today's 50% off set is the Hello There Kit:
This is a really versatile set. If you would like to see some great projects made with this set, then go to today's post at MyDigitalStudio.net to see what some of the designers have created with this kit - and just for today you can purchase it by clicking on the image above for just £3.48. And if that wasn't enough, there is a TOTALLY FREE digital download kit available to everyone for one day only! Here it is - the Moments Ago stamp brush set:
This set of handwritten phrases would be great for cards and scrapbook projects alike and I can think of lots of uses for them. If you haven't already, go and download your copy - only a couple more hours to go! Don't forget to check back tomorrow for another set with 50% off - tomorrow it's the turn of the All Time Favourite Photobook template.
That's my digital post for today; back soon with another fun project, but until then, happy stampin'!
by Joanne James30. October 2013 21:14My second post today with the second new offer of the week:

Stampin' Up! are offering a fantastic 30% off selected holiday digital downloads from now until 30th November. There's a wide variety of downloads that are reduced, everything from cards to tags, from pictures to frameables.
With downloads starting at as little as £1.05, it's never been a better time to embrace the digital festivities!
Lastly, here's the link for this week's new digital downloads:

If digital is your thing, keep watching my blog for more news later this week to coincide with Digital Scrapbooking Day!
That's me caught up with all the news! If you need any more information on either of this week's new offers, do get in touch. Back tomorrow with a creative project. Until then, happy stampin'!