We are almost home from spending Christmas in Seattle with our daughters, grandkids, and great grandkids. Now we are in Ketchikan waiting for the ferry this afternoon to take us home to Craig on Prince of Wales Island in SE Alaska. This wait gives me the opportunity to look back over the year at the various projects I have shared with you.

This is my all time favorite using one of the leaves from the French Foliage stamp set (120845, wood) (121166, clear) that is in the Holiday Mini catalog. You can see the details here:

To show the way My Digital Studio works well with other digital image editing programs, I created this church bulletin cover. This post gives you the details.

Finally, I think this is my favorite 3-D item. I made cork coasters using the Big Shot and Scallop square Bigz die. Here is the original post.

I thank all of you have followed my blog over the year. I especially love the comments you have left for me. They give me feedback and let me know you have visited. Do come to visit often in 2011. Hey…to make it easier for you, why don't you sign up to receive my blog posts in a reader? That way they are delivered right to your inbox. The sign-up box is to the right.

Happy New Year all,

Sue

Oh how I love My Digital Studio! I am currently in Seattle house/dog sitting for our daughter Erin but can still enjoy stamping. I have a virtual stamp studio right in my computer and I am excited to share with you this card I made this morning. Although I am really attached to my hands-on stamps and supplies, I am rapidly learning that I can't do without My Digital Studio just like I can't do without my lattes! One of he beauties of My Digital Studio is that you can resize punches and accessories to fit your project. I shrank both the Snowflake punch and the rhinestones to fit. Give yourself a Christmas gift that will bring you hours of creating pleasure where ever you are. This the ultimate portable stamp studio. Order your copy today!

This is the front of the card. But there's more…. 

All images created by My Digital Studio.

Stamp Set: A Cardinal Christmas

Background Papers: Baja Breeze Card Stock
    Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, design 1

Punch: Snowflake Punch color filled with Whisper White

Other: Very Vanilla Seam Binding ribbon and bow
    Rhinestone accents

Thanks for coming to visit today. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

Blessings,

Sue

Did I say how much I love My Digital Studio? Here I am, hundreds of miles away from home and my stamp supply and am happily creating cards with random…no mess…no wasted card stock…no left over scraps to clean up. Here is the sketch from Stamping 411 for this weekend:

and here is my card I created with My Digital Studio:

Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs
            Jolly Jingles

Paper: Cherry Cobbler Card Stock
            Very Vanilla Card Stock
            Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper #4

Other: Self-adhesive Pearls
           Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

Visit my online store to order the supplies to make
this card or to order My Digital Studio.

One of the most loved stories at Christmas is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It was first published on Dec 19, 1843. But there are several other Christmas stories he wrote that you have probably never heard of like What Christmas is as We Grow Older, The Wreck of the Golden Mary, and Mugsby Junction. Charles Dickens wrote Christmas stories annually for over 35 years but A Christmas Carol, which was written in the middle of those 35 years, is the only one most people know and treasure. Dickens just continued to work at his story writing faithfully and finally one of those Christmas stories became a legend. If he had given up after the first few stories, we would not have A Christmas Carol to enjoy each year.

What does this have to do with stamping you ask? Sometimes we have to try and try again to release our creative side. What is nice about rubber stamping is that the art work is all done for us. All we have to do is ink the stamp and then put it to paper. Our creative expression is in how we use those stamps. So if you are struggling with your stamping right now, take heart! Just keep on keeping on and, with time, that creative genius will show its face. I am always here to help you as well. Don't hesitate to email me with your questions or even post them in the comment sections of my blogs. I will be sure to respond to you.

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Sign up for The Soggy Stamper Newsletter which I publish monthly? Why not? You not only get great card, scrapbooking and 3D item projects on a monthly basis, but you also get tool tips and answers to your questions. In addition, you will get up to the minute information on Stampin' Up! specials and promotions as well as occasionally getting a special offer from me. When you sign up, also include your birthday and you will receive a Birthday card by email from me. There are two weeks left of the 12 Weeks of Christmas campaign I am offering my mailing list subscribers. Every Wednesday my subscribers receive an exclusive Christmas project with complete directions. Sign up by noon tomorrow to get in on these last two weeks. It is so easy to do. Just fill out the form on my sidebar.

See you on the list,

Sue

I followed directions shared by Marisol Gutierrez to make this tea bag folded tree. After I had finished the card, I spied the frame leftover from cutting out the Top Note die for a different project. I added it to this card as it frames the tree perfectly. If you have used this technique to make a Christmas tree, email me a copy of the photo and I will be happy to share it here. If you would like to purchase the supplies needed for this card, visit my online store. It is always open!

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (1153700)

Ink: Always Artichoke Classic Stamp Pad (105219)

Paper: Cherry Cobbler card stock (119685)
           Baja Breeze card stock (111352)
           Chocolate Chip card stock (102128)
           Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper (120810)

Other: Top Note Bigz die (113463)
           Modern Label Extra-Large punch (119849)
           Circle Fire Rhinestone brad (109110)
           Petals a Plenty Embossing folder (116824)

Sometime this past couple of weeks, my stats counter tells me that I passed the 10,000 visitors mark! Wow! I know this isn't a big number for bloggers with larger groups of followers, but for me this is exciting. Here is a big THANK YOU to all who come to visit. Sign up to follow my blog in a reader and my posts will come directly to your inbox. This way you won't have to check my blog each day to keep from missing seeing my creations. Click on the link in the sidebars to sign up.

I created this simple card of Thanks on my computer using My Digital Studio. It took me just a very short time and I didn't have to clean up my mess on my stamping table to make space to stamp the card. I could go on and on about the benefits of owning My Digital Studio! Click here to place your order. You will be so happy you did!

As always, I appreciate your visit today. Do come again soon.

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Sir Henry Cole (1818 – 1874) of England created the first commercial Christmas Card in 1843. He comissioned John Collcott Horsley to design the card. 2050 cards were produced and sold for a schilling a piece. Now it is a multi-billion dollar industry with 1.9 million cards sent each year. Here is a picture of the card John Horsley designed:

I created this Christmas card using My Digital Studio to send to soldiers overseas. I thought the wording fit better than Merry Christmas as their Christmas may be a far cry from being merry.

  Visit my online store to place your order for My Digital Studio. With this software, you have a virtual stamping studio in your computer. An added bonus is that you can purchase additional files which keep your digital stamping studio as current as Stampin' Up!'s most recent mini catalog!

Thanks for stopping by today. Do come to visit again soon!

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

It is not too late to order supplies to make your own Christmas and New Year cards. Visit my online store

While I was making the card welcoming our new great-grandchild yesterday, I made this birthday card for her sister who celebrated her 2nd birthday this month as well. I love this little whale since we see lots of whales here in SE Alaska. I used one of Stampin' Up!'s new colors, Pacific Point, on this card. Again, I used some of my retired Designer Series paper. Thanks for visiting today. Do come back to visit soon. Or….sign up to receive my blog posts directly to your email. The sign-up link is located to the right.

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Stamps: Animal Stories (116716)
          On Your Birthday (111664)

Ink: Pacific Point Classic Stamp Pad (111837)

Paper: So Saffron card stock (105118)
       Retired Designer Seriec paper

Other: Scallop Trim Border punch (118402)
       Decorative Label punch (120907)
       Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119257)

I want to welcome our 7th great-grandchild, little Emery Faith Johnson! She was born November 5th and joins two sisters, Delilah and Madison. I am sending a blanket I knitted off to the happy family and made this card to send as well. The background paper is some retired paper I have in my stash….gotta use it up sometime! The stamp set Animal Stories by Stampin' Up! is still available. I think it is perfect for baby and small children's cards. Since we live in SE Alaska where we see lots of whales, I particularly like this set and its whale. If you would like to order this stamp set or other supplies, visit my online store. It is always open and your items are shipped directly to you.  Thanks for visiting today.

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Stamp Sets: Animal Stories (116716)
           Short and Sweet (115060)

Inks: So Saffron Classic Stamp Pad (105213)
            Old Olive Classic Stamp Pad (102277)
            Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker

Paper: So Saffron card stock (105118)
             retired Designer Series Paper

Other: Scallop Oval Extra-Large punch (119856)
              Latte button (retired)

Did you know December is 'Write a Friend' month? No…well neither did I. However it is a good idea! So write or send a card to a friend this month. Ohhh….don't procrastinate! Do it this week! When you do, post a comment on this blog that you have completed the challenge. An independent source (my husband) will draw a name from those posting comments now through December 7th. What is your prize if your name is chosen? A set of 5 of the Christmas cards I have posted on this blog. So…get busy! Mail a card or letter and then post here that you have.

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Today is the last day to take advantage of spectacularly low prices on selected Stampin' Up! products. Don't put off clicking on the image below and beginning your shopping now. Think great gifts for your stamping friends and yourself.

It is also the last day to start your own business for just  $87.50! You can begin 2011 by taking charge of how much you earn by owning your own paper crafting business. Click on the image for more information and then contact me for a sign-up password.

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

I just had to try my hand at making one of those poinsettias from the French Foliage stamp set that Stampin' Up! introduced in the Holiday Mini Catalog. My long-time cyber friend Connie Babbert first shared this technique. Thanks, Connie! I am not excited about the band of pink across the middle as I have a hard time getting used to non-traditional colors for Christmas. However, I do like the total sum of the parts of this card. Thanks for coming by to visit today.

By the way, this is Cyber Monday and the last day of Stampin' Up!'s Spectacular savings. Don't put off clicking on this link to see what is on sale for up to 50% off! You will be so sorry if you miss this spectacular sale!

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

Stamps: French Foliage (120845 w) (121166 c)
             Bells & Boughs (120831 w) (121142 c)

Card Stock: Regal Rose (105130)
             Always Artichoke (105119)

Inks: Rose Red Classic Ink Pad (101778)
             Always Artichoke (105219)

Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)
             Basic Pearls (119247)

I really wanted to be in my stamp room creating a card to share with you but I spent yesterday and part of today creating the covers for our worship bulletins for advent.

The design I have used in the past did not work for our new pastor. I printed out one of the old ones and traced the outline of the two different size candles, then scanned them back into my computer. I uploaded the smaller one into My Digital Studio and copied and pasted it to have four candles. Then I used text frames to add the words.

Next I uploaded the flame into MDS and adjusted the size and put flames on each of the candles. I put on only one for the first Sunday in Advent and added a flame for each week.

I used the poinsettia stamp brush from Bells and Boughs to add greenery at the base of the candles. However, the candle lines showed through the poinsettia image. So I saved just the candles and opened the image in Adobe Photoshop Elements 3. There I could erase parts of the lines. I switched back and forth between PSE and MDS saving several versions of the candles until I got just the right amount erased. Once I got the image with four candles done, I had to go through the whole process again to add the Christ candle for Christmas Eve. It was a lot of fussing and some frustration but I am happy with the end results.

Now I have the bulletin covers all ready for Advent. Yay! Thanks for coming to visit today. Let me know you were here by leaving a comment. If you would like to play with My Digital Studio, hop on over to my online store. My Digital Studio is 50% off through Nov 30. You can't beat that deal!!!

Happy Holiday Stamping,

Sue

I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving yesterday. Having a grateful heart is one of the keys to a contented and happy life. Today I want you all to know how grateful I am that you take time to visit my blog. I am also grateful for all my customers and good friends who support me in my stamping business. Thank you all so much!
Blessings,
Sue