Rock Stars!

My son Alex's 8th birthday was last weekend. He wanted a rock star theme, so that's what we did! The kids got tattoos, new hairstyles with colored hairspray, and a couple of them even wanted black nail polish. Sweeeeet!

I took a few pictures of them posing with our Guitar Hero instruments (and one real guitar!) and printed them up. I had made the scrap elements the day before using the Grunge Rock set. I also embossed the large swirly stamp from Baroque Motifs in clear under the picture spot. While the boys were playing Guitar Hero, I assembled the pages. Then they all signed their "autographs" on them with a silver Sharpie marker. The moms loved them!

I love them, too!

Shari

Playing with Jack

On VC Rocks this week, we have a challenge to make a page all about "one." One color, one stamp, one sentiment, one accessory, one person. So far, I've done three pages on My Digital Studio with some favorite pictures of my pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow.

My Digital Studio is fun! It's great for designing your layouts, because you can tweak to your heart's content without wasting any paper or accessories. Once you have it the way you like it, you can re-create it with physical products, or have it printed! Don't forget that you can make DVDs with video and music included, cards, calendars, the list goes on and on.

The brilliant Ellen Kemper said something a couple weeks ago that stopped me in my tracks: "Will your kids want to inherit a bunch of heavy books, or a few CDs?" Wow, I'll bet you can answer that one in a hurry. My kids will be inheriting both. I still love a physical scrapbook! But I love that I can plan sizes for the pictures I'll need to print out for my layouts.

You can order MDS online anytime, day or night! Click on the "Feeling Inspired?" button in the right column. From that page, click on Shop Now at the top right, then Digital Designing on the left. The program comes with TONS of digital stamp sets and accessories, plus Stampin' Up! adds new downloads every Tuesday! You can get MDS express, and if you want all the artwork later, you can add on the expansion pack to get the rest. There are SO MANY GOODIES for MDS! It can be addicting - you have been warned.

Happy Stampin' & Scrappin'

Shari

VC Rocks Big Shot Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog! If you've been hopping along, you should have arrived here from The Love of Stamping. If you'd like to start at the beginning, click here to go to the VC Rocks blog.

This month, our theme is the Big Shot. Oh, how we love Mr. Big Shot! There are so many great things you can do with it. My favorite is the embossing folders, which I used on a project for our hop. I also love the dies, so I used my new Matchbox die, too. I had a comment last time around regarding the lack of pirates, so I'm making up for that today!

Nary a day goes by without thoughts of my gorgeous scoundrel, Captain Jack Sparrow. In his honor, I 'ave made some grand booty. Feast yer eyes on the treasure before ye. I 'ave used a fine set by the name of "Beware, Pirates" fer this project. It is Captain Jack approved, an' only available fer a few more days! Waste not yer time getting yer hands on this one, says I. Buy it online, ye can!

The pirate image is clear embossed on Basic Black card stock. I then used some Moonlight Smooch Accent Ink on it. I put some on a tissue and wiped it around the embossed pirate. It's hard to tell in the picture, but it is shimmery. For some extra treasure, I added three of our Rhinestone Jewels. The box is made from Basic Gray card stock and is sponged with Basic Black. The box is tied shut with black hemp twine which, sadly, we no longer carry. You could probably dye our natural hemp black if you really wanted to do it! Just be careful - our Basic Black is a permanent ink.

For you non-piratey folks (*gasp!*) I have also made a little treat box that would be perfect for wedding table favors. I copied most of it off another stamper, just changing the color and embossing folder used. The blue is Baja Breeze. The stamp set is Artistic Etchings, and the embossing folder is Elegant Lines. The ribbon is white taffeta. Of course, there are a couple Rhinestone Jewels for some bling. The label is one of three on the Matchbox die! Bonus!

A random commenter will get some BLOG CANDY! Ooooo what will it be??? Hmmm.... good question. How about some Big Shot die cuts? I have a few, you can pick when you win!

Thanks for stopping by! The next blog on your hop is Inkspiration by Dawn. I am sure she'll have something great to share, although there probably won't be pirates. ;o)

Aarrrrrg!

Shari

Retirement Stamp-a-Stack: June 17th @ 7PM

It's time for another Stamp-a-Stack! It will be on Friday, June 17th at 7PM. This time, we'll be using retiring stamp sets, and even a couple retiring punches!

The top three cards are those we made at the Retirement Party last week. I've added two more cards using retiring sets.

As always, you just choose your favorite cards and decide how many of each you'd like to make. You can click on the picture to see it larger. (The button on the top right card will be replaced by an embossed card stock version). Let's call them purple flower, green leaf, blue flower, blue bird, and giraffe when you choose your cards.

They are $1 each, including the envelope.

See you soon!
Shari

Just a little note - come back to my blog this weekend for a Big Shot Blog Hop! There are over 30 bloggers in this hop, I think, so you won't want to miss it!

It's Retirement Time!

No, not me, but lots of stamps and accessories! It's your last chance to get these goodies before they go, to make room for all the new products we'll get in the new Idea Book & Catalog.

Join us on Friday, June 3rd at 7PM for my Annual Mystery Hostess Retirement Party. What is a Mystery Hostess Party, you ask? Here’s how it works: You come to my house for a fun night of stamping. We’ll do three projects using sets and accessories on the Retiring List. After orders are complete, we’ll pass out tickets.

You will get one ticket for each of the following:

· RSVP by June 1st

· Every $15 you spend in catalog merchandise

· Being on time

· Just showing up!

You will get TWO tickets for:

· Booking a workshop (firm date) the night of the party for August or Sept.

· Bringing a friend that I did not invite

You will get FIVE tickets for:

· Booking a workshop (firm date) for August or September when you RSVP

We will have at least two winners. One person will win a Level 1, 2 or 3 Hostess Set, depending on the total. Another person will win the Hostess Credits. If the party goes over $500, we’ll split the Hostess Credits between two or three people. Everyone has a chance to win!

Call or e-mail (by June 1st for an extra ticket!) if you plan to attend.

Happy Stampin'!

Shari