Review: My Digital Studio

My Digital Studio is a new software program from Stampin’ Up!  that allows you to create digital scrapbooks, cards, calendars and more.  While digital software is nothing new, there is so much more to the SU! My Digital Studio (MDS)!

First of all, if you are not familiar with Stampin’ Up!, it is a rubber stamp, home decor and paper crafting direct sales company.  Stampin’ Up! has exclusive artwork for all their images, that you won’t find anywhere else.  They are consistently on the cutting edge of rubber stamping trends, techniques and products.  In case you couldn’t tell, I LOVE STAMPIN’ UP!  I used to be a demonstrator for almost 10 years.  I can’t tell you  how much I miss rubber stamping – one of my favorite all time crafts.  However, I don’t have much time right now with my two baby girls.

And that is what intrigued me to their MDS software.  I was very interested in the MDS software for two main reasons.  One, is that it would give me a way to start my girls’ scrapbook quickly, before I forget about the pictures and the memories.  Secondly, it was a way for me to still be creative when I had a chance, and there was no  supplies to take out and put away.  No messy kitchen table is a good thing.  (One of these days I will have to post a picture of my craft room.  Tons of goodies and craft supplies, but very messy.)

The My Digital Software far exceeded my expectations.  While I am very familiar with Stampin’ Up’s! quality and exclusive artwork, the digital software was more than that.  Sure, there are the main things that SU! is known for, great pattern paper, exclusive color palette, etc.  But the software has the ability to add elements from a punch, embellishments like brads, of course text in many different fonts, and…stamps!

Yes, you read that correctly, you can stamp digitally with this software.  It’s like the best of both worlds for me!  I love to stamp, but I am also OC about it (an obsessive compulsive perfectionist!)  When I would work on cards or any project, it has to be just right, perfectly lined up, trimmed, you get the picture.  I know, the beauty of a handmade card is the imperfection, but I couldn’t get there for myself.  I loved it when other people would create these beautiful works of art, and create patterned paper with their stamps.  But I personally could never get there.  I think I lack the “random” gene that allows for that kind of creativity!

Anyway, I keep digressing from this amazing software.  There are templates and sample cards and scrapbook page layouts, but you can totally create your own.  Once you’ve created your masterpiece, you can save it (even in JPEG and PDF format) and print it.  You have a few options for printing:  print at home on your personal printer, print through an online printing facility or print through SU!’s exclusive print partner.

This software has so many capabilities, I think I may have to blog about some of my creations as I go along.  I created a simple Thank You card in less than 5 minutes.  I started my oldest daughter’s scrapbook and finished 6 pages within about an hour.  The software is VERY easy to use, and you can create masterpieces in minutes.  I think this software is great for everyone, but especially for busy, creative people.

There are a couple of special things about this software from Stampin’ UP! that I have to mention.  First, once you purchase the software, you have the license to use it on 2 personal computers.  This is a big deal to me because I have a desktop and a laptop.  All other software I have purchased thus far, requires a separate copy (license) for each computer.  I think this is a huge benefit from SU!  I think part of their reasoning for this was for situations like mine where people have a desktop computer and a laptap.  I can imagine taking my laptop to a scrapbooking party some day!  The other special thing is that Stampin’ UP! has offered their demonstrators to participate in a My Digital Software certification process.  This certification establishes some demonstrators apart in their knowledge and ability to help others use the software.  Stampin’ UP! will be releasing additional downloads for purchase to expand the software possiblities.

I’d like to thank Stella MacKay for providing this software for me to try in exchange for an honest review.  You can purchase this software and all other Stampin’ Up! merchandise directly from her.  She has a wonderful new blog at www.stellarstamps.com where she posts ideas, specials, samples and more!  Stella is a certified My Digital Studio demonstrator, and the #15 demonstrator of the year in 2009!  Besides being the #15 demonstrator of the year, she also attended a cruise to the Bahamas.  All of this is a testament to Stella’s hard work and dedication to customer service with her Stampin’ Up! business.  If you have been looking for a work at home opportunity, you should talk to Stella about the Stampin’ Up! opportunity.  As you can see by Stella’s accomplishments, she would be a great mentor to have!

And, as a special offer to my readers, Stella is offering FREE SHIPPING on any order of $69.95 or more!  Just mention coupon code: WB01 for your discount.  Contact Stella directly through her blog at www.stellarstamps.com . Expires February 15, 2010. 

This is a great gift to give yourself or someone you love  — just in time for the holidays!