All wrapped up!

Hello!

It's time for a new challenge at The Friday Mashup, and Lisa is our host this week with a great challenge!

For my project, I decorated a Kraft Gift Box to give my neighbours some treats in. I used the fun, new Bold Snowflake single stamp and inked it in Pool Party. Before stamping it, I added some shimmer paint to the centre areas and faded it out towards the end. Then just stamp and punch it out with the Blossom Punch! How cool is that, right? Now you can use your 'summer' flower punch all through the winter too :)

I finished it off with some pearls, Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon and a bit of DSP from International Bazaar.

So lets get to the challenge!

1. Make a project using "the inspiration photo".
2. Or Make a "Gift project". 
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "project for a gift using the inspiration photo above".

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

My November Project at Craft Project Central!

What's Christmas without a little bit of magic? With this wall art and decorations, you'll be able to spruce up your mantle at Christmas, and let the world know you believe! Believe in the magic of Christmas, the love and friendship, and the joy and hope!

I hope you like my November project for Craft Project Central! Don't forget, for a $10 monthly subscription you'll get access to 10 wonderful projects with beautifully written/pictured tutorials!

But wait... there's more!!

BLOG CANDY ALERT!

Leave me a comment here on my project by Sunday December 2nd at 9:00pm EST and you'll be entered to win a subscription to CPC for the month of November!

Thanks for stopping by :)

-Tara
xox

:: CYBER MONDAY SALE ::

It's a Cyber Monday sale - Can't Stamp the Rain style!!

Can't get enough of My Digital Studio (MDS)? Want to earn some free downloads?

Keep reading to find out how!

Start shopping MDS through my online store on MONDAY ONLY to earn free digital downloads!

See chart above for incentives. Please be sure to read the fine print below!

The fine print:

• Orders must be placed through my online store (taramurphy.stampinup.net)
• Orders must be placed on Monday, November 26th between 12:01am and 11:59pm
• "Spend" amount is based on pre-tax total 
• This is a personal promotion and can only be redeemed through Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin ("Can't Stamp the Rain").
• Once your order has been placed, I will receive notification, but please email me at tarabourgoin@yahoo.ca to place your free download order -- as this is a personal promotion, you will not be prompted at checkout! 
• Free downloads must be redeemed by December 15th, 2012

HAPPY SHOPPING!

-Tara

xox

Soft & Bright at Sunday Stamps

Hello!

It seems I have an obsession with making cards with a subtle/bright combination! My current favourite is blue and red... I thought it would be fun to see what you do with these colours as well - so come visit us at Sunday Stamps and play along :)

I started with a Real Red card base, and then a layer of Bashful Blue run through the Polka Dot embossing folder. I kept the 'polka dot' theme with a strip of Real Red Polka Dot Parade DSP and piecing the mailbox with the flip side. The clouds were made by punching the Whisper White out with various size circle punches.

The little banner was inspired by a gift bag we have that has lots of little flags all over it with different textures.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

List of Supplies: 

Stamps: For the Birds

Paper: Real Red CS, Bashful Blue CS, Crumb Cake CS, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Embellishments: Crumb Cake Seem Binding ribbon, Baker's Twine

Tools: Perfect Polka Dots EF, Lots of Tags sizzlet, Vintage Trinkets 

Beep! Beep!

Beep Beep! Watch out, Christmas coming through!

Well folks, I hope you're ready for the challenge this week at The Friday Mashup! Heidi has such a fun one that's going to make you think a bit.

I had tons of fun making this card. The snow is made from ripped cardstock that is highlighted with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter. The clouds are from the top of the cupcake from the cupcake punch (hello, versatility!), and the presents are cut from scraps of Snow Festival DSP.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a holiday project using "Non-Holiday Image(s)".
2. Or Make a project with a "Messy Technique", such as spritzing, smooching, shimmer painting, or splattering with an aquapainter.
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Holiday Project from Non-Holiday Stamps and a Messy Technique".

As if Dazzling Diamonds isn't "messy" enough, I also did some spritzing with the Colour Spritzer tool. I sprayed the snow and clouds with a little bit of Pool Party to give it some depth. Though this may be hard to see from the photo.

So, what do you think? Up for the challenge? We'd love to see you play along this week and get really creative!

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies: 
Stamps: I Dig You, More Merry Messages
Paper: Gumball Green CS, Cherry Cobbler CS, Whisper White CS, Snow Festival DSP
Embellishments: White Baker's Twine, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
Tools: Cupcake punch, Colour Spritzer

Our snowman family!

It's been forever since I played along with Dynamics Duos. I wasn't able to make it down to my craft room tonight, so I just pulled up MDS2 instead!

Among a million other reasons, being able to create on 'the fly' is one of my favourite things about MDS2! I can sit on the couch with my hubby and watch a documentary on JJ Cale while I create a scrapbook page :)

Dynamic Duos challenge this week!

Download a free trial of MDS2 now! If you're not quite ready to take the plunge yet, you can at least give it a whirl. If you decide you love it, then you can take advantage of the Online Extravaganza sale and get MDS2 or MDS2+ at 50% off!

Don't forget about MDS Monday challenge blog - it's open for 2 weeks, so you've still got plenty of time to play along :)

Thanks for stopping by today.

-Tara
xox

MDS Monday is HERE!

Good Monday morning!

Yup, that's right, I said "good" Monday morning! It's good because there's a brand new challenge blog on the block and I'm SO excited about it!

MDS Monday was created to have a fun and unique challenge for digital designing. The Design Team is all Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, so we will be using My Digital Studio (MDS), but you are more than welcome to use any digital design software!

Each challenge, I will be featuring a new/fun technique!

For our first challenge, I filled a punch with a stamp!

Here's our first sketch from the fabulous Heidi!

Although the sketches are designed for scrapbooking, you're encouraged to think outside the box. Holly took the sketch and made a card. Now we want to know what you can do!

Come and visit us at MDS Monday and play along in our first challenge - The winner of our first challenge will get a Stampin' Up! Digital Download valued at $9.95 (USD)!

The MDS Monday Design Team

Holly

Tara

Heidi

Joan

Can't wait to see you there!

-Tara
xox

Online Extravaganza!!

Online Extravaganza

Nov 19 - Nov 28

It's time for the Online Extravaganza sale! 

You do NOT want to miss this wonderful promotion!

Save 20-50% off stamps, select tools and MDS2!

See the PDF for a listing of all sale items - up to 50% off!

Don't miss these 24-hour ONLY sales!

Monday

Save 20% on the following items!

Simply Scored Diagonal Scoring Plate

Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Big Shot Doctor's Bag

Wednesday

Save 20% on the following items!

Clear Block Bundle (Blocks A-I)

Clear Block Storage Caddy

Stack & Store Caddy

**You do not have to place an online order to take advantage of these sales! Email or call me with your order during the promotion period and I'll get your order in!**

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the "go-live" of the new My Digital Studio challenge blog "MDS Monday"! We'll have a wonderful sketch for you to try, as well as some surprises!

And what perfect timing!! With the Online Extravaganza sale, you can get MDS2 for 50% off!!!

Christmas is knocking!

Good morning!

Let's see what's happening at Sunday Stamps this week!!

I've been wanting to make a card like this for a long time, but I just wasn't sure how I was going to pull it all together. Then, it hit me - Window Sheet!

The wreath is made from the largest flower from the Boho Blossom punch. The little berries are from the parts that are punched out from the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch. The card itself is standard card size, just folded a bit differently. The wreath is kept on by a sleeve made from a 1" strip of window sheet. This also helps keep the doors closed!

Hayley's got a great sketch for us this week. Come on over and see what the Design Team has to show and then play along with us :)

-Tara

xox

List of Supplies

Stamp: Winter Memories

Paper: Soft Suede, Gumball Green, Lucky Limeade, Always Artichoke

Embellishments: Gold brad, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding 

Tools/Other: Boho Blossom punch, Sponges, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Window Sheet

A time to be thankful

Good Friday morning, friends!

Back at you today with another Friday Mashup challenge. This week, Rita's got us thinking thankful thoughts. Up here in Canada, Thanksgiving has come and gone; but there is never a wrong time to be thankful or to be making Thank You cards!

For this card I stamped the En Francais background stamp over a piece of Always Artichoke. I embossed it with Gold embossing powder. The leaves (and this might seem a bit backwards to you!) are cut from the Autumn Accents Bigz Die and then embossed in Gold using the French Foliage stamp set.

I thought about embossing using the Wonderfall set that coordinates with the Die, but I was looking for something a little more 'natural' and less 'playful' for this card. The "Thank You" part of this challenge is actually on the inside only. The sentiment is from Blooming with Kindness and is embossed in gold as well.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with "Leaves".
2. Or Make a project saying "Thank You".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Thank You project with Leaves".

Hope to see you playing along this week! Please hop on over to The Friday Mashup and see the lovely creations from the rest of the Design Team!

-Tara

xox

List of Supplies:

Stamps: French Foliage, En Francais

Paper: Basic Black CS, Always Artichoke CS, Very Vanilla CS

Embellishments: 7/8" Cotton Ribbon, Antique Brad, Gold embossing powder

Tools: Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Heat Tool, Dotted Scallop Border punch

A lot of (exciting!) news!

Ok folks, hold on to your hats - there's a lot of really awesome thing happening right now!

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine!

**This product is only available while supplies last - and there are only 4000! Order today!**

Texture Boutique Bundle (132700) - $45.95 

Includes: Machine, Embossing Pads, Shim and 2 Embossing Folders!

Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine (132657) - $36.95

Includes: Machine, Embossing Pads, Shim

Simply Sent Smartphone App!

This iPhone app allows you to create an e-card—from a template or completely on your own—and send it via e-mail or post it on Facebook. And it’s free!

Here’s something you should know about this app: it’s not My Digital Studio on a mobile device, not even close. It's a scaled-back version to give you a taste of what you can create when you buy MDS. 

Download it from iTunes or the App Store, share it with all your friends, and post a review! The more positive reviews it gets, the more prominent place it takes in the iTunes store.  

Digital Content on Workshop Orders!

Hurrah! Now you can add digital content to your orders when you're at a workshop or class! No more "waiting" to put it in through an online order - simply list the items you want on your order form!

Talking Tags!

With Talking Tag, you can send a gift that is uniquely you. Talking Tag is a message label you can attach to cards, invitations, gifts . . . anything! Personalize birthday cards, Christmas gifts or even record quick instructions for a project. Now your pictures really can say a thousand words!

Buy 'em by the sheet! You get 10 tags for just $9.95 (129723).

Don't forget some of the other amazing things Stampin' Up! is offering these days:

• Single Stamps!
• INK-redible promotion!
• Stampin' Trimmer now available! Watch this video to learn more.
• Customer Stampin' Success articles!

Well, if that wasn't enough excitement for you, stay tuned, because I've got something else for you real soon ;)

-Tara

xox

MDS Monday is coming!

There's a new challenge blog on the block ~ MDS Monday! Want to know what all the fuss is about?
Come and join us on Monday, November 19th for our very first challenge!

We've got a great Design Team ready to show you what we can do with MDS, and now we want to see what you can do!

It's time to get those digital photos off your camera and start making lasting memories with them. Click on the header and come check us out!

-Tara
xox

Craft Project Central for November!

Check out these great projects for November at Craft Project Central!!

Gingerbread House and Card

designed by Amanda

 Owl Box & Card

designed by Monika

Candlelight Christmas Tree & Card

designed by Christy

Elements of Style Purse Box & Card

designed by Sharon

Be sure to check back throughout the month for more awesome projects frmo Craft Project Central!! Want to get instructions on how to make these wonderful projects (plus 6 more?), sign up at CPC for only $10!

My November proejct will be up later this month :)

-Tara

xox

Still feelin' like fall

Good morning, Friends!

Before I get to the new challenge at Sunday Stamps, I just want to share this:

Soft and Free

Red and round, soft and free

Shows the ones that died for me.

The ones that left to say farewell

And those that fought and lived to tell.

A Poppy is now what I wear

In memory of those who cared.

I hope I’ll live to see the day

When war will end and peace will stay.

Until then, my Poppy will stand

A sign of respect throughout this land

Red and round, soft and free

Shows the ones that died for me.

From Royal Canadian Legion Website

Junior Poetry Winner - 2012

Today's challenge at Sunday Stamps is a colour challenge from Holly! Let's get some more fall-themed projects in before the snow starts to fly! 

Also, don't forget, there are 2 Stampin' Up! gift certificates to be won this month valued at $25 each. All you have to do is link up!

See you over at Sunday Stamps!

-Tara

xox

List of Supplies:

Stamps: French Foliage

Paper: More Mustard CS, Cajun Craze CS, Early Espresso Core'dinations

Embellishments: Early Espresso Tulle 

Tools: Sponge, Woodgrain embossing folder, Sanding block.

A pop of colour at The Friday Mashup!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

It's Friday :)

Ready for another Friday Mashup?! I thought so!

**See end of this post for a list of supplies**

I needed something simple for a friend of mine. I wanted to sound a "what up?" kind of card, but needed it to be a little low-key... yet still cute ;) Moving Forward is the perfect set! I can't believe it has taken me this long to get it.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with "Dry Embossing".
2. Or Make a project using the colors " Daffodil Delight, Basic Grey & Basic Black".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with "Dry Embossing & The Color Combo".

We'd love to see you join us this week for such a hip/modern colour combo!

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:
Stamps: Moving Forward, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Basic Black CS, Basic Grey CS, Daffodil Delight CS
Embellishments: Basic Black Tafetta Ribbon, Pearls
Tools: Word Window punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Argyle Embossing Folder

Hurry! Don't miss out on FREE downloads and 50% off Digital Kits!

Today is the last day to get your FREE downloads and 50% off ALL Digital Kits! Even if you don't have MDS2 yet, download these goodies to be used later :)

Don't miss your chance to get your hands on these great freebies!

Days in December - 132558

 

 Download includes:* 33-piece SVG stamp brush set
* 29 embellishments
* 1-page designer template (11" x 8-1/2")

Enjoying Everything - 132557

Download includes:* 4 piece SVG stamp brush set*
* 4 Designer Series Papers
* 4 embellishments

A Split Second  - 132562

Download includes:* 2-page designer template (12" x 12")
* 12-piece SVG stamp brush set*
* 2 Designer Series Papers
* 4 embellishments
* 3-piece SVG splatters

Visit my online store to get yours today!

-Tara
xox

Sketch time at Sunday Stamps!

Hello!

Guess what? Sunday Stamps has a sketch for you this week - and it's awesome :)

**See end of this post for a list of supplies**

I used the Fan Fair DSP in my card this week, and I just LOVE it. I love it so much that instead of stamping my main image, I punched out a section of the DSP and framed it with some modified Fancy Flower punch bits.

The sentiment is from the Word Play set, which you can now order single stamps from!! How awesome is that, eh?

Joan is hosting this week, and she worked her magic to come up with this beauty:

And we have a new face over at Sunday Stamps, so hop on over there and see who it is!!

Can't wait to see what you create this week!

-Tara
xox

List of supplies: 
Stamps: Word Play
Colour: Island Indigo, Ivory, Basic Gray
Papers: Island Indigo CS, Naturals Ivory CS, Fan Fair DSP
Embellishments: Metallic brads
Tools: Fancy Flower punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, sanding block

More Digital Scrapbooking Week!

Well, we're halfway into Digital Scrapbooking Week with Stampin' Up! and I've got another FREE download to feature!

This is such a great kit - Beautifully colours and embellishments, and some wonderful stamp brush sets as well. Check it out!

Enjoying Everything Kit - 132557

This download includes:

• 4 piece SVG stamp brush set
• 4 Designer Series Papers
• 4 embellishments

Make sure to grab your free downloads this week! Visit my online store and be sure to check out mydigitalstudio.net each day for news, tips, videos and so much more!

- Tara

xox