May 16, 2015 | MDS (Digital), What's NEW!? |
In March 2015 Stampin' Up! announced that they would be discontinuing the MDS (My Digital Studio™) line: software, downloads, demonstrator support, tech support, social media sites, etc.
Some of you are anxiously awaiting solutions for what to do before & after Stampin' Up! discontinues the MDS (My Digital Studio™) line.
First of all…the deadline for purchases has been moved from May 31st to June 2nd. And it includes discounted pricing. Digital downloads, software, and print products are all discounted by 30 percent and are guaranteed to be available through June 2nd (MDS software discs are available while supplies last). Click here to see a list of products, including promotional prices for each item.
Secondly…the deadline for support has been moved from May 31st to June 9th. This includes the digital download manager (being able to access your downloads in your online account or OEX if you are a demonstrator), MyDigitalStudio.net, the MDS YouTube videos put out by Stampin' Up!**, the MDS Facebook Page, the MDS Pinterest Page, and support* at Stampin' Up! (1-800-stampup) for both demonstrators and customers.
Please take note and keep these dates in mind.
So…What to do now?
I'm keeping everything and planning on using it long after Stampin' Up! isn't connected to it anymore. And you can do the same. There are resources that are out there available to help. And Stampin' Up! has told us they are working on a solution to offer us so we can continue to use our downloads and order print products. Demonstrators in the meantime have been brainstorming, researching and sharing options for us all. I'm planning to hang on until SU shares their suggestions. But in the meantime,…
1. Be sure your MDS program is installed, working and updated.
2. Access your downloads (sign into your account through the online store, click on "my account", then click on "downloads"), make sure they are all downloaded and installed into your MDS program, and then save these downloads somewhere safe so you can access them again after June 2nd. (So download them again even IF they are already installed.)
You'll want to save them somewhere so that you can access them again if you need to (computer crash, getting a new computer, etc.). One demonstrator suggested uploading them to Dropbox. Other ideas would be putting these onto a zip drive or external hard drive. But definitely have them somewhere so you can access them again if you need to. ALSO, you may want to download them for Windows and/or Mac AND for "other applications" (to use them in other programs down the road IF MDS stops working on ya).
3. Now that you've done that, check to see if there is anything else you want to purchase before it's gone and go through step #1 again. After all, everything is on sale for 30% off through June 2nd.
There will be lots of other images out there that you will be able to get and use once the MDS downloads are unavailable. I just put in a Google search for "where to buy vector images for digital scrapbooking," and lots of choices came up…
- shutterstock.com
- vectorstock.com
- fotolia.com
- graphicstock.com…
I haven't researched any of them, but I just want you to know there are options for finding more images to use with your MDS program.
4. Another thing you will want to do before June 9th is to go to MyDigitalStudio.net. Gather any info from the Resources and Q&A section that you may want to save for reference. You can access these areas by scrolling down to the bottom of the home page and clicking on either "Resources" or "Q&A."
What will be out there so we can continue creating and printing when Stampin' Up! is no longer the option?
This is what I am unsure of right now. But here is what other demonstrators have share with me. Because this information is not directly coming from Stampin' Up, I think it is best to just use your own judgement at this point. Again,…I'm going to wait a little longer to see if SU makes any suggestions or gives ideas for resources we can use later. But here are some thoughts that others have shared…
1. One demonstrator said that Persnickity Prints will print our MDS creations: calendars, greeting cards and many other things. So that's promising for all those projects I haven't finished yet! 😉
2. My Memories Shared is another website being talked up a lot by fellow demonstrators right now. With MMS, you can switch to their program and not have to worry about MDS dying out. In fact there are several MDS users who are migrating their MDS program and downloads over to MMS already. With this option I'm guessing that you would have peace of mind. You can also print through them, but they do not offer print services for greeting cards.
3. Sue Madex, a demonstrator from Australia posted lots of details and advice on her blog on March 24th. Her visuals and explanations are great. Click here to read through her suggestions and tips.
4. Also this posting on Integrant Services was shared by Mary Fish, another fellow demonstrator. It appears they have done their research and are persuading us to go with the migration to My Memories Shared.
I hope this helps all of you!
I will convert this post into a page that you can access. And I'll update you when/if Stampin' Up! has any more announcements.
P.S. By the way, for you Project Life Digital users…all Stampin' Up! Digital Project Life card collections will be made available through the ProjectLife.com store.
**The videos will still be out there on YouTube but will become "Unlisted." You can still access the playlist of videos after June 9th through this link.
*until 7 PM (MT) on June 9th, 2015
Mar 24, 2015 | MDS (Digital), What's NEW!? |
I have some unfortunate news to share with all you digital crafters/MDS users.
Stampin' Up!'s digital line will be discontinued as of May 31st.
This includes My Digital Studio (MDS), MDS Digital Downloads, MyDigitalStudio.net, professional print services, tech support & assistance from Stampin' Up, etc. This product line was not profitable for our company with all the other digital offerings out there in the market. Digital crafting is still quite popular, and you can continue to use this program and its downloads after May 31st. But Stampin' Up! will not be able to provide any support or product after May 31, 2015.
I was sad when I first heard this news last week. In fact I had a hard time figuring out how to break the news to you all when I was still going through the "mourning process" myself. But you need to know, because this may affect you. And those of us that love My Digital Studio WILL get through this.
Please read through the Q&A below to see what you should do if you own MDS, and let me know if you have any questions.
Q & A
SOFTWARE
Q: When is the last day that users may order print products using Stampin’ Up!’s professional print services?
A: May 31, 2015.
Q: After May 31, 2015, will users still be able to create projects using MDS and export them to be printed at other locations?
A: Yes.
Q: How long will MDS be available to new users?
A: The MDS trial and software discs will be available while supplies last. The trial and software downloads will be available until May 31, 2015.
SUPPORT
Q: How long will Stampin’ Up! provide support for MDS?
A: You may call Demonstrator Support for assistance with MDS until May 31, 2015.
Q: How long will mydigitalstudio.net remain online?
A: Mydigitalstudio.net will be available until May 31, 2015.
Q: What will happen to MDS Facebook, Pinterest, as well as the My Library app?
A: They will be unavailable after May 31, 2015.
PRINT PRODUCTS
Q: Are all of our print products being discontinued?
A: Yes.
Q: What will happen to the digital downloads available on the online store?
A: They will be unavailable after May 31, 2015.
Q: Will Monthly Downloads and Weekly Deals digital downloads be discontinued?
A: Yes. The last available Monthly Downloads was released on March 17, 2015. Weekly Deals will no longer offer digital downloads.
Q: Will Digital Download Manager be discontinued on May 31, 2015?
A: Yes. We recommend that you download and back up any digital downloads you have purchased.
Sep 17, 2014 | Celebrate/Hooray!, Love & Wedding, MDS (Digital) |
In 2 days my parents celebrate 50 years of marriage!
(I designed their invitation using My Digital Studio.)
http://www.mydigitalstudio.net/
Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad! We love you.
Jun 7, 2014 | Baby/Kids, MDS (Digital), Scrapbook Pages |
We are in the midst of another fun-filled baseball season. This year our kiddos are on two different teams, so the calendar is pretty crazy. But we are having fun. And it's good to see that our youngest is independent enough and doesn't seem to need the security of his brother anymore.
Luke (age 7-1/2) is playing Rookie Ball and is on the Twins team this year.
And Nick (age 8-3/4) is playing A Ball and is on the Iron Birds team.
I was the "team photographer" last year when both boys played for the Mets in Rookie Ball, so I took LOTS and LOTS of photos.
This one below is one of my favorites.
I used it to create a simple 12×12 digital page with a photo as "background paper" for my MDS/digital designing class a couple months ago.
Thank you, Heather Summers for your inspiration!
(Heather is one of Stampin' Up!'s MDS queens! You can see lots of ideas from her and other digital designers at www.mydigitalstudio.net.)
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Stamp Your Art Out! ~Rachel
Mar 9, 2014 | 3-D Projects & Containers, Baby/Kids, Die-cutting/Embossing, Family News, MDS (Digital) |
Oh, my gosh! I'm gonna be a "great" aunt. That didn't even occur to me until today when my sister-in-law posted a photo from my neice's baby shower on Facebook and tagged me in it with that title. But that's okay, I guess. "Great" is a positive title. 🙂
Here's my beautiful neice, Erin at her March 8th baby shower. What a fun weekend.
She's getting near her due date. Thankfully the baby's room is almost ready.
I made the invitations and helped to make some of the decorations, and I used Stampin' Up! products to do so (of course). Thanks to My Digital Studio, I was able to recreate an adorable invitation from ideas we found on Pinterest.
Then I took the cute little bee and enlarged it to make the accent images for the "Mommy to Bee" banner (another idea we found on Pinterest).
Erin's name tag was also designed using images from the invite.
And then I created some "Wishes for Baby" sheets for the guests to fill out at the shower (ANOTHER idea we all found on Pinterest). Gotta love Pinterest!
Here are some detailed photos of the items I made with some tips on how I made them. And further below are more photos from the shower. (There were other fun decorations with the bee theme. And the cake! Oh my gosh…the cake! Be sure to scroll down.)
I die-cut the Mommy to Bee banner's letters using the Cricut and Simply Sweet cartridge. The black scallop circle was die-cut using the Scallop Circle Bigz Die. The yellow one was die-cut using the largest framelit from the Circle Collection Framelits.
Then I strung the letters together with Whisper White Baker's Twine and Mini Metallic Clothespins from the Occasions Catalog. The end accents are just flowers punched with the Pansy Punch and embellished with a Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain bow.
I thought the gold clothespins looked best on the banner. (Silver is also included in the container.)
The beehive is made of hexagons cut from the Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die. (When die-cutting, be sure to put a piece of wax paper between the die and the card stock. This will aid in removing the card stock with ease.)
To ensure that the banner didn't fall off the wall I first taped each section to the wall with masking tape. Then I attached the twine with the clothespins.
My sister-in-law, Terri (the proud grandmother-to-be) did a fabulous job with the other decorations. She's a talented lady and helped create a fabulous display of food and treats, too.
The cake (made by a local baker) was quite the centerpiece and stirred up a lot of Ooooo's and Ahhhhh's. This gal also made tasty little creme-filled cupcakes that Terri embellished with more little bees.
There was candy everywhere to my boys' delight. They never tried the Bit O' Honey treats, but look how cute they are displayed!
No worries… Nicholas and Luke had lots of other treats to try and have been on a sugar high since.
Cousin Jocelyn planned, prepared and led the fun shower games. Edie, my mother-in-law (on the left in the photo below) helped with the food and sent out the invites to the guests. And Halle, Erin's sister (on the right) co-planned and prepared all the details with her mom, Terri. She's gonna make a wonderful auntie!
Blessings to you, Erin & Justin! You'll make great parents!
Stamp Your Art Out! ~Rachel
SU! Supplies Used to Make the Banner
Card Stock/Paper:
Accessories:
Adhesives:
Tools:
SU! Supplies Used to Make the Name Tag
Card Stock/Paper:
Accessories:
Adhesives:
Tools:
SU! Supplies Used to Make the Wishes For Baby Sheets and Shower Invites
Feb 12, 2014 | 3-D Projects & Containers, Love & Wedding, MDS (Digital) |
Short on time to go out and buy a bunch of Valentines? Download the Valentine Love Ensemble to make quick cards and embellished treats such as candy bar wrappers & treat toppers. And you can do it today.
I designed these items using the Valentine Love Ensemble digital download and then printed right from my computer at home!
#133327 Valentine Love Ensemble $6.95
Includes:
* 6-page décor designer template (8-1/2" x 11")
*14-piece stamp brush set
* 2 Designer Series Papers
*10 embellishments
* 5 punches
The download is quick and easy to purchase, download and install and can land in your MDS program within minutes! Then all you need to do is start with a custom 8.5×11 portrait project and start adding the images (stamp sets, papers, punches, and embellishments) OR better yet just use the 8.5×11 6-page pre-designed templates that are already perfect and ready to go! Don't have the MDS program on your computer yet? Download it for $19.95 OR download the 30-day FREE trial version to try it out.
There are lots of videos out there to help you learn how to use this program. You can become a member of MyDigitalStudio.net and have access to all sorts of how-to videos, project ideas, inspiration, and other resources. (Membership is free.) If you live locally (near Andover, Minnesota), you can even attend my Digital Designing classes and learn lots of ways to use this program.
Stamp Your Art Out! ~Rachel
