MDS Blog Hop - Monochromatic

I had more fun with this challenge then I expected....I searched and searched....LOVE the search button with stamps and embellishments but it's not always easy for Background Papers so I decided to use a "trick" to make them the color I wanted. I've added a video at the bottom to show you how!

Oh and some of you told me you couldn't SEE the video last time so I've made it bigger. LOL But you can also click the HD arrows and make it full screen without it being blurry. Sorry, last time I was trying a new way to upload my videos that DIDN'T work...I'll try to go back and fix that soon! 


There's about a 30 second delay halfway through where MDS was updating (CRAZY) so hang in there I didn't go anywhere. LOL

Check out some of the other Monochromatic Schemes! 

1. Jeanna Bohanon 

2. Rochelle Gould 

3. Mandy Grant (that's me!) 

4. Julie Leblanc  (she's your next stop on the HOP)

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Aly Schilling

8. Cindy Schuster

9. Erica Shaw

10. Heather Summers

11. Alesha Walls

12. Holly VanDyne

Digital Christmas Cards...MDS Blog Hop

It always makes me smile when I can create with pictures of theses beautiful people! Is my sisters family not just gorgeous?! She had these pictures taken by on old friend who has a photography business - Lisa Rappa Photography. I love that my sister helped a FAMILY OWNED business! Since were going to spend the money this season shouldn't it be with Local Artists?! 

 Here's a few MDS tips: Creating all 3 designs inside a Tri Fold card project will help with the cost of printing!  Plus, if your like me and can't decide which you like best you could have them printed just like this and get 3 postcard designs out of one card. hahaha

No, really I would make a decision and change all 3 panels of the card to look the same. The next image shows the back side of the card so they could be cut into postcards when they arrive. 

*Save some cash* Adding your designs into a full card is the most cost effective way to order them without sacrificing quality! Prints sent off to Stampin' Up! are a heavy weight cardstock with a matte finish that look and feel like you paid a fortune - but you didn't - and your helping a small business owner, and friend, YOUR Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. 

 If you don't have a local demonstrator, I'd love to help you with your cards and gift giving this season! 

Since inquiring minds (mostly just me) what to know... I created two polls on the top right of my blog.

 I sure hope you'll take a minute and answer them. 

 Which design you like the best? 

What kind of cards do you typically send and What kind of crafter are you? 

The ornaments

Stamps:  Merry & Type, Friends 24/7, Season of Cheer

Paper: Elegant Soiree

Happy Holidays 

Stamps: Season of Cheer, Friends 24/7

Merry and Bright - Indigo 

Stamps: Thoughtful Overlays, Merry & Type

Punch: Flag 

Merry and Bright - Cobbler

Wether your a digital designer, traditional crafter, or not crafty at all I'd love to help you with all your Holiday needs. I teach gift and card making classes, offer gift making kits, and have ready to give items for sale! How may I help you, this season? linkedtogether@gmail.com

For all you Digital Designers, thanks for following the HOP!  It's time to gather some more inspiration from these super talented ladies.

1. Jeanna Bohanon 

2. Rochelle Gould 

3. Mandy Grant (that's me!) 

4. Julie Leblanc  (she's your next stop on the HOP)

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Aly Schilling

8. Cindy Schuster

9. Erica Shaw

10. Heather Summers

11. Alesha Walls

12. Holly VanDyne

MDS blog hop week 7

I thought it would be fun to show y'all the first page I ever created in MDS since the theme this week is FALL and this page fits the bill! And Honestly I just didn't have time to create something new. LOL

When I first downloaded MDS in 2009 I also bought a few downloads because I couldn't resist having some FUN designer series papers. When you fist get the program there are over 2000 images in it but we have so many great paper downloads that's where I'd say you should add to the program first. So, I ordered the Wright Stuff II and Sweet Pea Kit as my fist two downloads and I still use them both a ton. Great selections of papers and embellishments!

Here's my fist ever MDS layout - drumroll please.......

What makes this page even more fun is that when I had it printed from Stamping Up! I was able to add the Sweet Pea felt embellishments right over the top of the the little circles and it just adds a nice pop!

This is a simple layout but you know what I still love it and for me that's a big deal. LOL

                                          Go check out the rest of the group and their fun fall projects.

1. Jeanna Bohanon

2. Rochelle Gould 

3. Mandy Grant (that's me!)

4. Julie Leblanc 

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Aly Schilling

8. Cindy Schuster

9. Erica Shaw

10. Heather Summers

11. Alesha Walls

Who's in charge around here, anyway?

MDS blog hop week 4 was all about the boys!  So I decided to scrap my boys and their friend building a tree house about 4 years ago. Fun stuff! I love they way these turned out :)

These pictures NEEDED some explaining so I incorporated the title and the text into a conversation.
After trying several background colors I landed on gray it's just such a great neutral and I really need to use it more!

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Timeless Portrait (tree) & Vintage Overlays (dark splotchy background)
Embellishments: Downtown Grunge Template (frames & stitching) This is a MUST have kit!
Paper: Basic Gray Background & Pocket full of Posies DSP
Font: PR8 Charade

There several out this week for the Blog Hop but here's the link to all the ladies. 

Check out what they have going on, even if it's not MDS, I'm sure it's awesome :)

1. Jeanna Bohanon

2. Rochelle Gould 

3. Mandy Grant (that's me!)

4. Julie Leblanc 

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Aly Schilling

8. Cindy Schuster

9. Erica Shaw

10. Heather Summers

11. Alesha Walls

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear what you think about the layout.
Mandy

cards, gifts, layouts and chocolate

At my place this Friday night for Chics & Chocolate! If you missed any of this months classes here's your chance to make them up! Sign up for one or two of the kits below, $10 each, bring your adhesive and something chocolate to share. I'll have coffee (decafe and reg) and hot water for tea.

Card kits have 4 cards (2 of each design) with fun techniques!

(cased and adapted from my sweet friend Jenny)

Scrapbook kit includes the 2nd half of last months layout too!

Gift class is a DVD case with 4 matching cards

Please RSVP here and let me know what I need to cut for you! See ya Friday night :)

Cupcakes Made Simple

It's the 3rd week of our MDS blog hop and I know you've been inspired. I sure hope you've sat down to play in MDS and create something special!

This weeks Alesha picked a CUPCAKE theme. How fun! Well back in December I fell in love with a card that Dawn Olchefske created and it's been sitting in my "cards to case" file for way too long. So I thought this would be the perfect time to use it. I love how her card had all the cupcakes stacked on top of each other but (you know me) I just can't spend that much time on one card. So my solution was to make it all in MDS so I could print 6 cards from one sheet of cardstock! Plus, anything HYBRID get me excited! Yes, even more excited then I was in the picture on the right. LOL

So what do you think? It's so full of texture and not a FLAT printed card, right! I wonder if you can TELL what's printed and what's real...Go ahead, get a little closer!

The only thing stamped is the birthday tag and it was "masked" out of the Delightful Dozens stamp set. 

 After I printed and put together the first one, I started thinking, we all need guy birthday cards and I think this could work. 

 I made a few changes and Voila, it's fit to give a guy...no bows, no bling, just cupcakes!

They went together quick and easy, with the help of the YUMMY new Smitten Alphabet download.
You'll get to create these cards tomorrow(Sat, August 20th) at our MDS class... in real life and digitally!

Downloads used for these cards:
Cupcake Punch $0.95 (if you attended my class with the cute trees you already have this one)
Smitten Alphabet Punch  $7.95
Pocket full of Poises $4.95 not required for the class but oh so worth it!
If you already own these downloads any $10 will cover your class fee. 

I used the Grunge Kit for the texture you see in the Masculine card. I love how it looks like the cupcake wrapper is wrinkled! Did you see that?!

If you'r not already, I'm sure you'll be drooling after you see what the others have created with CUPCAKES!

1. Jeanna Bohanon

2. Rochelle Gould 

3. Mandy Grant (that's me!)

4. Julie Leblanc 

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Aly Schilling

8. Cindy Schuster

9. Erica Shaw

10. Heather Summers

11. Alesha Walls

My quick video below will show you how I laid out the elements
to get 6 cards out of one sheet of cardstock!

(If you are reading this in your email you'll need to go to my blog to watch the video)

Friday are for....a MDS blog hop!

Yes, I went digging through old photos again and found these fun birthday pictures of Erika when she was in the 1st grade! That's what scrapbooking is all about memories, right?! I hope you'll scrapbook a few memories today! 

Our MDS Blog Hop Challenge was a Birthday Theme. There are some great new Birthday Downloads in the digital shop - that came out on Tuesday. You can log on to Stampinup.com click the Store button (on the top, far right) and then you'll see all the new downloads on the right side of the page. Just scroll down to see everything they have added for the week. 

I check that page every Tuesday and you should, too!

Well, that's my fun birthday layout of my dramatic little girl. I did a double page layout this time and just for you to see I should have added an outline... but I think you'll get the drift :) One of my favorite downloads is Word Play. You get the same fun images as the stamp set but they are broken up so you can use multiple colors and place them where you'd like! I used Word Play to stamp the WISH BIG on bottom of this layout. 

Digital Supplies Used: highlighted items indicate downloads that I've purchased in addition to the 2000+ images in the full version of MDS. All downloads, even those included in MDS, can be purchased and used with your current digital design program! Ask me for more details.  

Punches: Oval, Square, Scallop Square (overlapping to create the pink border under the pictures), Top Note Die, Tasteful Trim # 2, Scallop Trim Border

Stamps: Big Bold Birthday (Candle and Make a Wish), Word Play, Nursery Alphabet Images (Giraffe)

Embellishments: Clouds in Sunny Day Kit

Designer Papers (DSP): Sweet Stiches

Tips & Tricks with MDS: Here's a quick view of how I used the oval and square punches, to fill the giraffes holes brown. Now you would just bring the giraffe to the front! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Now, hurry on over to see the rest of the amazing digital designs from the MDS Blog Hop team! 

Remember to play in MDS today and leave me a comment because I'd love to hear all about what YOU created with MDS :) 

1. Jeanna Bohanon

2. Rochelle Gould 

3. Mandy Grant (that's me!)

4. Julie Leblanc 

5. Amber Meadows

6. Terri Mongeon

7. Aly Schilling

8. Cindy Schuster

9. Erica Shaw

10. Heather Summers

11. Alesha Walls

Don't forget about the Buy three get one FREE sale we have on our yummy designer series paper!

L-inked around the US!

This picture makes me smile!  It was taken during Convention at the Riverton home office and it reminds me we're L-inked Together even though we're spread all over the US! 

I'm missing y'all already!!! Hugs

I'd love to have you join our group at Convention next year! 

The $175 starter kit gives you a discount on products you love, cultivates creativity, encourages personal growth and builds friendships that will last a lifetime. 

Over the past 2 years I've had the honor of watching my team receive leadership awards and I'm so proud of their growth. To celebrate, we spent a fun night together as I spoiled them with food, fellowship and NEW products. I'll be sending my out of town girls their goodies in the mail. 

Check out the NEW Button Buddies stamp set. It was made to fit our buttons - super fun! 

Here's the cards we created, all cased from swaps I got at convention! 

Mark August 14th on your calendar and join us at 2:00 for our monthly team gathering. 

Guest are encouraged!

Did you miss anything special....

If you missed a class in July I'd say so! Check out the samples we created in July using ALL NEW PRODUCTS!!! Spend a fun evening with Chics and Chocolate this Friday, July 29th at 7pm creating any of the projects you missed this month. Let me know which class kits I need to have ready for you. Remember there's a max of 2 class kits per night and I only have 3 spots left.

Card Class Kit: 
Two of each design using the brand new Delicate Doilies Stamp Set!

Big Shot Class Kit: 

One of each project showcasing the exclusive Petite Pocket Die, from the NEW 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog, and the must have Designer Frames Texture Folders! If you don't have your copy of the IB&C, you'll want to take it home from Chics & Chocolate!

gift box created with the Petite Pocket die

gift card holder created with the Petite Pocket die

Traditional Scrapbooking Kit:

Is always three pages. A vintage, double page layout featuring two NEW stamp sets.....Letter It Alphabet and Best Friends Forever! 

PLUS... the first half of a bright, birthday layout showcasing our new Designer Series Paper (DSP) called Just Add Cake. Don't you just love the fabulous Pennant Parade and the matching PUNCH!!!

 You won't want to miss the other half of this layout during our August Scrapbook Class! 

Her's a quick easy way for you to RSVP for Chic & Chocolate July 29th at 7pm - Please enter your full name in the first name section and the kits I need to cut for in the last name section! 

Or "like" L-inked Together on Facebook  and RVSP there.  

Downloads for MDS class Sat, July 23rd 1:00pm

127352 Petite Pennants Punch - Digital Download

124222 $4.95 Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper

124223  $3.95 Beau Château Embllishments  I can't wait to work on party favors and other beautiful designs with these yummy downloads!

New Suites showcased in the Product Park!

WOW I was in love with the new suites as soon as I opened the catalog but SU hit a home run with the Product Park at convention. Everyday the park grew with fresh new ideas....Stampin' Up! employes are the best! They worked late into the night to impress us every morning. I LOVE this company and they love their demonstrators!

I want to start with the Beau Chateau suite because that's what we'll be using for our MDS class on Sat! I'll see you with your laptops at 1:00 for some MDS fun. Check back for a 2nd post today with all the links for the products to download. 

I'm in love with the fabric, too. Check out the long bow on the hat!! How easy and fun :) 

Because Stampin' Up! events are all about relationships I have to post a few group shots.

 Our team is GROWING and I'd love to have you in our group photo next year!

Convention 2012, July 18th, mark it in your planner now :)

You can join out team during July for just $99 and we'll get together to create an exclusive Christmas box. What could be better then tons of free product and a chance to earn even 

more free within your first 6 months? Ask me for more details! 

linkedtogether@gmail.com

BIG Projects for Thursday's class

using the Big Shot, Baby!


Last month you all fell in love with a few of my sweet friend Lisa's projects and so I promised we'd make them! Now,  I usually do 2 projects with one die but this month we'll be using 2 of the dies in the mini catalog (get them before the end of the month, you just never know what will return in the big catalog) the Petal Cone die and Fun Flowers.


Here is a preview but colors will vary because I only have so many button colors!

The 2nd project is a fabric bookmark using the Fun flower die and our Springtime Vintage Fabric line! 

There are only 12 seats available and I know there are at least half already claimed so email me today to save your spot! Class is $10 or free with a $20 order. 

mandysu@comcast.net

L-inked Together, 

Mandy