MDS Converting stamps to punches

So I have seen lots of ways to convert My Digital Studio stamps to punches, but I thought I would write up some of my own directions since I was so proud of myself for figuring it out!
Ok, here goes... this is how I converted My Digital Studio stamps to punches and then filled them with photos to get these pages!

First you have to download the free Inkscape program from the Internet. This is a good program for lots of things and I have never heard of anyone with any problems downloading it.

After you download it, open Inkscape and you have to go to File (at the top menu), then choose Import. Import any stamp of your choice, I used the Noteworthy alphabet for the first page and the Holiday Blitz flip flops for the second page. Below is a screen shot of the letter after I imported it in Inkscape. (So proud of myself for figuring out this screen shot thing and getting it into my blog post no less!! Hooray for me!)

(You can find your MDS stamp files by going on your computer to your program files, then choose My Digital Studio. Then click on the components folder, then punches.)

Once your stamp is imported, click on it to select it, and you will see the selection handles around it. Then go to Path at the top menu bar and then choose Trace bitmap.

A new box will open up and you want to hit update and then OK. Once you hit OK, you should see your image in this box. (If you do not, you have to make sure your imported image is selected) Now you can close this little window with the red X at the top right of it.

Now go to File (top menu bar) and then Document Properties. When this box opens you will see Custom size towards the bottom. I have the size set to 148 x 158 mm for the letters but you can try any size until it fits right around the edge of your letter. This makes the page size smaller so when you save your new letter file (or any stamp image), there is not a ton of space around it when you select it.
***If there is lots of space around the image on the page, when you bring your new punch file into MDS, the selection handles for it will be way outside of the actual shape and make it very difficult to edit.

Now go to File and then Save as. When you save your file you want to save it as a Plain SVG, not an Inkscape SVG. Save it right onto your desktop. You are finished with Inkscape for this letter.

Now open the folder that contains the punched images from MDS, the same way you got to it before. You are going to right click on the new svg. file that is saved on your desktop and choose copy. Now put your cursor over the punches file, where ever you want it saved in. I saved all mine in the Extras folder withing the MDS punches folder. Then right click and choose paste. A box will come up telling you this is locked and you want to choose continue. Your new punch is now in the MDS program!

Now open up MDS and choose punches on the right menu and add a punch. When you go to Extras (or whatever file you saved it into) you should see your new punch there! Choose your new punch!
Once you have the punch shown on your page, it will come in very large. Just double click on it and a box will open. Change the height to 3" (or whatever height you want it) and then close the box.

Click on the new punch and choose paper fill on the options in the menu on the right. Choose any type of designer series paper you want. (If you want to fill the punch with a photo, you still do this step but it will not matter which paper you choose since you are going to replace it with a photo.) If you only wanted DSP filled letters, then you are all finished!
If you want to fill it with a photo, like I did with the sandals above, then double click on the letter after it has the DSP in it. A window will open and you want to choose replace image. Pick a picture that you have saved on your computer and choose it. It will now show up in the punch! You can move it around on that screen and place it how you want and then hit OK. It is now replaced in your project with a photo in the shape of your punch!

I am very good at coming up with projects but I was very proud of myself for figuring out how to do this on the computer!! This is not my strong point!

Hope this was helpful, if you used this, show me some of the pages you make! I would love to see them!

Dump Truck Card - FREE Tutorial!

I got a Birthday Invitation from my friend, Danielle Pearson, and this was the card I got! The back of the dump truck opens and closes to have the message on the inside!

I liked it so much I made a template and mini tutorial for it that fits in a standard envelope. Here is her card that I got below.

You can get the FREE template and tutorial below!

Dump Truck Card Mini Tutorial
Dump Truck Template

Decorative Jar Gift Set

Here is my Decorative Jar Gift Set Project! This is a great way to decorate your homemade jam and jelly jars to give as gifts. You can make this set and give it to someone who makes their own jam too.

The box will also fit 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” cards and envelopes so you can store a set of cards to give as a present! Easily change up the colors and fabric to give it any look you want for any type of jam or occasion. You can also fill the canning jars with anything else, like candy or a baking mix, and decorate the tops to match!

To see more details for this project or get the tutorial

CLICK HERE!

Don't Miss the $99 Starter Kit!

There are only FOUR days left to get the $99 starter kit!!

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On top of that you also get this exclusive Christmas Keepsake Project Kit for FREE!

Another $40 value!

The Christmas Keepsake Box Project Kit--a $40 value--contains the following products (quantities are 1 unless otherwise noted):

•Pines & Poinsettias Set* (wood-mount)
•Keepsake box
•Scallop borders (cut from Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die)
◦First Edition Designer Series Paper (3)
◦Holly Berry Designer Series Paper (6)
•First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper strip (2)
•Holly Berry Designer Series Paper piece*
•Real Red Top Note (cut from Top Note Bigz Die)
•Real Red Decorative Label (cut from Matchbook Bigz XL Die)
•Wild Wasabi Card Stock strips (3)
•Naturals Ivory Card Stock piece
•Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Fabric*
•Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
•Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
•Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim
•Linen Thread
•Champagne Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
•Vanilla Pearl 1/2" Simply Adorned Bauble
•Pearl Basic Jewels (1 pkg.)
•Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons* ◦Large Wild Wasabi
◦Small Real Red
•Mini Vintage Tags

See more about all the extra benefits you will get for joining my team HERE

or email me for more details:

pratt.lynn@gmail.com

This is an offer that you don't want to miss!

Whether you are looking to start a new business, or just want a great on discount on quality products for yourself, becoming a Stampin' Up Demonstrator is a lot of fun!

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Airplane Punch Art Card - FREE Tutorial

As promised I made another card with my little punch art airplane and took better photos so I could show you how I did it! I also used the Word Play stamp set for the sentiment and the cupcake punch for the clouds. I'm not so fond of the rest of this card but I love the airplanes!

Below is my Clothesline Thank You Card that I did before with my little airplane.

And here is how I made the airplane:

I used the large oval punch with Cajun Craze cardstock and trimmed the sides like shown for the body of the airplane.

Then I punched a Word Window shape and cut it in half at an angle. I slightly rounded the end of the front wing piece to look like the wing at an angle. Glue one if front and one in back at the same angle.

Punch another word window and cut a smaller shape from one half. This will be the tail of the plane. Glue it at the same angle as the wings.

Then I cut a tiny shape from the other side and it was the little tail fin thingy... (not sure of the names for these parts!) That goes right on the end.

Then punch a Black Word Window and put it back in the punch to trim it about in half. I cut the propeller out of this. Just angle in from the ends and then cut the little circle in the middle. You could also cut two teardrop shapes and a circle and put it together that way. The end of the word window is the little cockpit area.

And here is the finished little airplane! I added some marker to the bottom and edges to give it some depth.

Hope you have fun with him!

Clothesline Thank You Card

Here is my Clothesline Thank You Card! I have a friend who so generously gives us her sons old clothes for Timmy. These clothes are great and Timmy loves to be wearing "Brett's clothes", it's so cute! This is the thank you card that I made for her. I thought this could also be an adorable baby card with onesies on the line. I'm sure that's going to be my next one, so check back soon!

Here is how I made it:

I scored a 12" x 4-3/8" piece of Bashful Blue cardstock at 4-1/4" in from both sides. This makes the middle section 3-1/2". I then folded it and centered it in the scallop square die on the Big Shot to get my main card shape.

Then I used the 2-1/2" Circle Punch in the center square as far up as it could go. Then I folded over each side one at a time, and used the center as a guide to punch the other two.

To make the airplane I used the Large Oval and Word Window punches. I did not take good pictures while I was doing this, so I will do another one with better instructions. I basically just trimmed each piece a bit to get it the length I wanted. Check back for better directions to come soon!

For the clothes I used the template below and printed it out on Whisper White cardstock and colored them in. The I used twine for the clothes line and the new mini clothespins to keep the clothes on. The twine is attached with Mini Glue Dots and then I used the Cupcake punch to make the clouds and cover them up. The "thanks" is from the Word Play stamp set and just cut into a banner shape.

CLICK HERE for the template!

The New Catalog is Here!

The new Idea Book & Catalog is here and it is great!

CLICK HERE to shop online or let me know if you want a printed copy! You will want to see all the great new stamps and accessories they have come out with!

You can print out this great wish list to keep track of what you want!

You also don't want to miss this great time to join my team and get the starter package!

It is only $99 until the end of July!!

That's over $180 worth of products for only $99!

On top of that you also get this exclusive Christmas Keepsake Project Kit for FREE!

The Christmas Keepsake Box Project Kit--a $40 value--contains the following products (quantities are 1 unless otherwise noted):

•Pines & Poinsettias Set* (wood-mount)
•Keepsake box
•Scallop borders (cut from Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die)
◦First Edition Designer Series Paper (3)
◦Holly Berry Designer Series Paper (6)
•First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper strip (2)
•Holly Berry Designer Series Paper piece*
•Real Red Top Note (cut from Top Note Bigz Die)
•Real Red Decorative Label (cut from Matchbook Bigz XL Die)
•Wild Wasabi Card Stock strips (3)
•Naturals Ivory Card Stock piece
•Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Fabric*
•Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
•Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
•Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim
•Linen Thread
•Champagne Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
•Vanilla Pearl 1/2" Simply Adorned Bauble
•Pearl Basic Jewels (1 pkg.)
•Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons* ◦Large Wild Wasabi
◦Small Real Red
•Mini Vintage Tags

See more about all the extra benefits you will get for joining my team HERE or email me for more details:

pratt.lynn@gmail.com

SU Owl Demo Card!

Here is my Stampin' Up Demonstrator Owl card!

I made this for Convention as one of my swaps, I made over 100 of these little owl cards! I used my Owl Cards Addition templates to make her!

I just made the dress template in black and added the little pocket on the bottom. The stamp in her hand is just freehand cut. The Stampin' Up logo is from the Stampin' Up site and just printed out.

Here are some of the other cards below you can make using this template and tutorial.

CLICK HERE

to see more!

Hidden Pocket Glider Card

Here is my Hidden Pocket Glider Card! I had so much fun with my Ultimate Glider Card that I had to change it up and simplify it a bit to make them for swaps for Convention! This card is really easy to do and simple to prepare so it would be perfect for classes! You can even put a message or a gift card inside the hidden pocket!

You can watch the video below to see how the card opens and closes.

CLICK HERE

to see more details for this card or get the tutorial!

Mommo's Christmas Swap from Convention

Here is another one of Mommo's Christmas swaps from Convention. The base is 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” in marina mist card stock. The white is 4” x 5-1/4” embossed with the swiss dots embossing folder. The marina mist is a 3-1/2” square with a red 3-3/8” square. The white inside are 1-1/2” squares. She put them together on the table and stamped them, and then taped them to the card with space in the middle. These are stamped with soft suede ink and sponged around the edges lightly with marina mist ink. The sentiment is stamped with the stamps set and then cut out.

Mommo's Convention Christmas Wow Swap

Here is my moms Christmas wow swap from convention!

The card is a Baja Breeze 6-1/2” x 5-1/2”, scored at 4-1/4” for the fold to make a standard sized card that only opens half way from the top. The white piece is 4” x 5-1/4” on the inside. The front white is 5-1/4” x 2”. She used the Northern Frost strip die cut and then used the negative paper that’s been cut out of to sponge in the snowflakes with baja ink. She stamped the Heard from the heart sentiment and used Organza ribbon tied at an angle across the front and taped under the sides of the white. All of the white edges are sponged also with baja ink.