A New Look

You’ll notice that I’ve got a new blog header today. . . what do you think? In case you’re wondering, it was created using our new My Digital Studio. It’s pretty amazing what you can do with this digital software! I haven’t spent the time I want to become familiar with it, but I can hardly wait to see what I can come up with! I’ll have to post the first page I create.  (Does that sound like a commitment?)

You may notice that the photo on this header looks a little different than  most of the photos of me. It’s a little different approach, but I like it. It’s part of a series of photos--What Defines You--that my son-in-law Jon is doing.

Of course, most of us share some common things that define us—our relationships (family, friends, etc.) primarily, along with our values or beliefs, etc. But once you get beyond those, you start to discover the things that make us each individual and unique.

For this series, Jon takes a photo of a person holding something that they are known for. For example, he took Shalae’s photo with shopping bags hanging from her arms, Sara is holding a pan of Texas sheet cake, and Sterling has a saddle.

When we were trying to decide what I should be holding, I thought of bling (love it!), antiques (our home is full of them). . . all sorts of things. I even asked my granddaughter Sidney what she thought of when she thought of Grandma Shelli. Her answer? Beautiful. Made me smile and I gave her a big hug, but I didn’t know how to hold that and wasn’t comfortable with that word defining me anyway.

I don’t know why it took us so long to decide on a stamp. Duh! They’ve only been my one of my main focuses for the past 20 years! So that’s the story behind this photo.

In case you’re wondering, Jon has posted the “What Defines You?” series on his blog (seeingbrown.blogspot.com), so you can check it out. 

Comments

[Kathy]

I love the new header. I'm still waiting for my copy of MDS to arrive (expect it early next week) and I can't wait to get started creating with it.

[Terry Molineux]

Shelli I love the new look of your blog. These are my favorite colors. Love the picture too! What else could you be holding but a stamp as being the CEO of SU!!!! I am waiting on my MDS and hope I can work it as easily as you have. I didn't even know we could use that for our blogs....that's awesome!

Thank you for sharing!

[Mindy Gray]

Your SIL does beautiful work. I enjoyed looking at his work on his blog.

[Charissa Syvinski]

Gorgeous header and beautiful picture (of course!) I can't wait to get the copy of MDS that I won at convention! Thank you very much!

[Comeka]

Love the new look . . . Mr. Brown (not Jon, but my UPS guy!) should be here any minute with my MDS and then I have a long weekend to play with it! Oh YEAH!

You ARE going to scapbook the story about what Sidney said, right? What a wonderful complement!

[Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek]

I got my MDS yesterday and I can't believe how quickly and easily I whipped together an album. Everything is very intuitive and it comes with SO MUCH STUFF!! It is totally loaded with goodies. Thanks for such an awesome product!

[Lindy]

Oh Shelli -- The stamping world is abuzz with negative information and comments re: SU's changes in policy and banning people from freedom on their own web sites and blogs. You need to re think this and FAST - many of us love SU but not to the point where you can control us. You have driven many people away already and this is happening so fast I can't keep up with the comments (check out gingerstamp.com if you care.) I didn't know how to get a message to you so I'm leaving it here... you can remove it - I'm sure you will! I feel so sorry for a company that is afraid of competition! And so sorry for you as well.

[Liz]

Jon's photos are wonderful. He really captured the beauty of LaVonne and Seans home. Has he done a series of photos of yours and Sterlings home? Would love to see those also! Thanks for sharing!

[Jennifer]

I like it. And you're holding one of my favorite stamps! Thanks for sharing Jon's blog...he's a gifted photographer.

[Sharon Bridwell]

Love,love, love the new look of the blog and can I just say that My Digital Studio TOTALLY ROCKS! I had is shipped overnight and I've been playing with it for three days! It's just amazing and I know I haven't even scratched the surface yet! I'm off to check Jon's blog as this collection sounds wonderful! Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend Shelli and hey, can I suggest you do a My Digital Studio challenge?

[Cindy]

What a sweet thing for Sidney to say!!! And as my husband would say "you're beautiful inside and out", but the stamp is perfect for this. Love MDS from seeing the webinar! Hope you're feeling better. Have a nice long weekend!

[Ellie Augustin]

OHH VA VA VA VOOM Love the new dress on your blog :) has all my favs.-paper,stamp and Fearless leader!!lol LOVE IT!! (((HUGS))) 2 you have a wonderful and blessed weekend! YOU DESERVE IT!!! :)

[Maxine Conrad]

LOVE IT! :)

[Deb]

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Can't wait to play with mine....
Thanks again for sharing you!

Deb

[Diana Gibbs]

I can hardly wait to get my copy too, and I hope I can do a new header for my blog as cute as yours! Love the Medallion stamp!!!

Hugs,
Di

[DeMaris]

I just love the banner.

I got my copy of My Digital Studio day before yesterday and I just love it. I have already done my son's Christmas scrapbook from 2005 and it looks soooooo gooood!!!!!

Thanks for such a great product.

I love the ease of use. It is wonderful and I will use it a lot over time. I can't wait to get a book printed up and go from there.

Thanks again.

[Michelle Sturgeon]

It's amazing how we can overlook the simplest of answers when trying to define ourselves.
Actually, stamps are a given, but when I think Shelli Gardner, I think clothes. You really do have beautiful clothes and a defining style.

[Michelle Sturgeon]

also wanted to add...I LOVE the blog look...this is my newfavourite paper and matching stamp set. I would never have thought of Tempting Turquoise as an autumn colour...but it is GORGEOUS and I am almost out of the paper I bought.

[Ann]

Love the new header - great picture of you too (as always)! Woohoo - I JUST got my MDS this evening...can't wait to play along. Thanks for sharing - Ann

[Christine Blain]

I LOVE your new blog header, Shelli - the colours and images are gorgeous, and the Medallion stamp is divine (patiently waiting to get it in Australia!!!???!!!). Simply beautiful.

[Dena]

I do like the new header and the picture....and I wanted to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE My Digital Studio. I received mine this afternoon, downloaded it immediately and haven't walked away from my laptop since!! OH MY GOSH!!! Thank you for this AWESOME product!! I always get excited about new things introduced by Stampin' Up! but I have to admit that I haven't been THIS excited about a new product in quite awhile....jus' sayin'!! :oD

[Lisa]

I think it is very appropriate that you are holding a beautiful stamp from, imo, the best stamp company! Love you Shelli. Oh and bty - I really like the new look of your blog. Can't wait to get MDS for myself!!

[Sarah Yagla]

I love the new look and love reading your blog. I hope you continue to share with us.

[Sam Slimak]

Shelli: so glad you posted a photo of you SMILING. That's SO you. On Jon's blog no one is smiling and it looks like he was torturing all of you to pose for him! LOL

Can't WAIT to get my copy of MDS!

[Christina]

I can't wait to order a copy. I'm not a demonstrater so I guess I'll have to wait for the release date everyone else? Jon is very gifted, as everyone has said. Great job to everyone. I am in love with Stampin up! Thanks for your hard work, Shelli.