Here's a few questions for you to think about;

• Do you love preserving memories of your kids, family, trips and those special times you have had?
• Scrapbooking is something that you've thought about or dabble at but, don't have time?
• Is it too much work to get everything out and then put all of your supplies away after only a few pages done?

Well, I may have an answer or two for you.  First, starting today, you can order an express version of My Digital Studio FREE for 30 days!  It's not hard to use, doesn't come with the mess or fuss.  And you can create beautiful pages and albums in just a few moments!  I love the instant gratification!  You can print single pages or a whole book.  This page is part of a calendar I create every year for my prince.  It's commemorating our Stampin' Up! trip to Alaska!

If you are looking for a girls weekend away – time to get a little scrapbooking done – then I have a solution for that too!  My friend Beth has secured Liberty Lodge near Mora for a weekend scrap retreat – of course you can work on anything you like!  It's a great price – $158 for lodging and food!  Give me a call for more info!  Only a couple of spots left!

Blessings!

This layout is created in My Digital Studio and was July's page in my husbands calendar which he received for Christmas.  Last summer, Jim took our oldest grandson Danny up to visit my Dad for a weekend.  Of course they spend a bunch of time fishing.  That's my dad fishing with them.  Pretty good looking gentleman too for a 78 year old! 

If you haven't yet looked into My Digital Studio, I would recommend it.  While I didn't think I would be a fan – I truly am.  Here's what I am lovin;

• versatility – calendars, scrapbooks, DVD slide shows, multiple sizes, etc
• efficiency – we all would like more time – this program allows me to complete my scrapbooks quickly and easily with impressive layouts.  Plus I don't have the mess of getting my stuff out – doing a bit and then putting it away.
• Cost – oh man – at $79 – this is a steal!  There are over $500 worth of stamp sets, punches, papers, accessories, etc in the program.  Sure, I can purchase more downloads – but, I can choose what I want – and they are still cheaper than buying all of the paper and accessories I used to by
• Printing – so many options – hardcover, softcover, leather.  Print on your own or for an awesome print and binding job – I totally recommed ordering through Stampin' Up!  Ladies, there is a big difference in quality.

Stampin' Up! provides new downloads most every week so it is easy to check them out and see if there is something that is in your style or fits your needs.  The beauty is that you only have to buy it once to use again and again – no more running out of your favorite paper!

Here are the latest downloads this week;

• Sweet details alphabet & numbers  125745
• Tickets and Tokens II digital Kit  125757
• Sunset Serenade kit  124229
• Sunset serenade stamp brush set  125754
• Delightful Digital Tape  125752
• Lovely as a Tree stamp bursh set  125779
• Dot, Dot, Dot stamp brush  125760
• A to Z stamp Brush  125761
• Solid Stripes Stamp Brush  125762
• Fine Flourish stamp brush  125763

Here's the sweet spot kicker. . .. Stampin' Up! has created a "space" for everyone to share ideas and get inspired.  This isn't just for Stampin' Up! demonstrators (we demos have access to TONS of ideas!).  So check out this space at www.mydigitalstudio.net    When you go, you'll see the headlines of "Exciting News!"

Blessings!

I love My Digital Studio – If you missed my class, you'll have to just come over and see my sample basket – it's full of ideas to tantalize you!  Whether you are a scrapbooker, picture card sender, or invitation maker – there are uses for you!

When you purchase My Digital Studio, it comes pre-loaded with $500 worth of downloads – during Sale-a-Bration with your purchase, you can get a FREE digital download CD as well. 

Check it out!

Blessings to you.

You will be “wow’d” by this fabulous project! Use for any occasion, since spring colors coordinate with any event. Not a scrapbooker? TRY IT ANYWAY!! This is a quick and easy way to test-run the hobby!  Plus, I think the simply scrappin' kits are one of the best values in the catalog.  Check them out on page 178 of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog!  Not a scrapbooker?  Here are several reasons why you should attend this class;

• Thinker – if you are thinking of doing some scrapbooking for a trip, a special event (wedding, birth, etc) – this is a quick and easy way to get started.  Everything is provided for you in the Simply Scrappin' Kit
• Gifter – This makes a FABULOUS gift for a wedding or baby shower.  With the holidays coming up, you could create yours with the Chrismas Cheer simply scrappin' kit.  This would be a perfect place to put those picture Christmas cards!
• Scrapbooker - a mini album that is soooo stinkin' cute, you'll love the pattern you'll receive as part of the class. 

Are you excited?   Here are the class details;  Monday, August 23 6:30pm   Cost is $22 and you'll get a Simply Scrappin' Kit with your class fee.  Please note that I have to order your Simply Scrappin' Sets in advance so, late registrations will not work!  Please register no later than Aug 17. 

From left to right;  Mandy, Grandson Joey, Jim and I, Chrissy.  We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Grandma's birthday.  I got to see all of my siblings – which was very special!

From left to right;  Bonnie from Hastings, Sally from Fort Collins, Dad from Otter tail, MN, me, Bob from Indianapolis, Jim from Terra Haute.

And the queen for the day was Grandma – doesn't she look awesome at 100?

I am about exactly half of grandma's age.  Both of our birthday's are in November – we celebrated early to cooincide with a family reunion and everyone's travel plans.  So, yes – I'll have a BIG birthday this year. 

This year on cruise since it was later in the year (close to fishing season) and Jim had concerns about his health, he opted to not go on cruise.  Now I can tell you when I left home that he was sad that he chose not to go as he knows how much fun I'll have and how well Stampin' Up! will treat us.  But, he also knows that I will have fun and will treasure the time I will be spending with my sister.  My older sister, Sally from Fort Collins Colorado is cruising with me.  Some of you know that I have only known this sis for about 17 years and with the distance, we don't get to spend as much time together as we would like.  So, we will enjoy this time with great pleasure!

As I got ready for cruise, I thought that I should bring a little gift for my sis to add some of her favorite pictures to.  She already has a My Digital Studio but, knew that she would appreciate something like this.  I used one of the chipboard albums from the current mini catalog (ladies – here's the deal – these are fantastic and you can do so much more than make scrapbooks with them – you will be said if you don't buy 1 or 2 of them before the end of the month when they go away!)  The paper I used is a sneak peak from the upcoming summer mini catalog – I thought it was fun, bright and reminded me of the fun colors I will be seeing in the caribbean.  This album only took a bit to put together but, the memories will last a lifetime. 

Happy Stamping!

I am loving the Occastions Mini Catalog.  get a load of this VERY cute box shown at our recent Stampin' Up! leadership conference.  It uses 2 of the chipboard hearts (On Board Heart Book – $4.95!)and the new jumbo flower punch and the sweet pea felt flowers.  A perfect gift for valentines day for that someone special.  Here's another sample using the book – a great gift for Valentines Day that is quick and easy!

If you haven't yet checked out the Occasions Mini Catalog, click on the link in the left sidebar.   You won't be disappointed! 

You'll also see and make some awesome ideas at my upcoming events!

• Jan 18 Stampin' Up! class – just 4U!
• Jan 20 Chicks, Chocolate and Cards!
• Jan 21 Scrapbooking Club
• Jan 23 North Starz Get Together
• Jan 24 Fun with Fabrics
• Jan 25 Big Shot Box class
• Jan 30 Birthday Card Bonanza

A couple of weeks ago, I had a "scrapbooking date" with my daughter Chrissy.  She had called me up and said she had a bunch of pictures she wanted to scrapbook.  When she got home she had over 150 pictures and she thought we would get them done in a day. . . well, she arrived home around 6pm and had to leave at noon on Sunday – yeah right!   Well, we got 26 pages done!  Pretty good I thought.  We made a great team, she bunched the pictures, I chose the colors, she helped with layouts, titles and taping in place.   We even decorated the front of her new album using the decor elementsand ribbon.  We cut her initials from the chocolate vinyl available in our catalog and that was the finishing touch.  Chrissy had a great time showing all of her friends her new scrapbook. 

Oh, you might wonder how many pictures were left?  Well, quite a few – no new dates scheduled but, she did leave the pictures home for me to work on in my spare time! 

Can I say, I love quick and easy?  This was made in l hour from concept to finish – including journaling!  What do you think?  I am sure you can find an hour to make this memory that will look great on your coffee table – and your friends will think it’s great too!

This scrapbook celebrates the fun I had at the Stampin’ Up! convention in 2008.  Many of my downline went and we had a great time celebrating with each other.  In this pic, Sue, Tatiana and myself enjoyed a great night of entertainment from a Minnesota group – Tonic Sol Fa!  They were awesome – and they are coming back this year!  (If you want to go to convention with me – it’s not too late.  Give me a call and I’ll tell you when and where)

To make this scrapbook, you will need the clear Card, Telephone & Address die from the bigz clear die sizzix line.  The clear die is just that, clear so that you can place over your picture and see what the result will be.  Then you just flip and send through your sizzix!  I bought the holder from WM.