My aunt's 90th birthday!

I need to get going on all my "heritage" photos I have.  But here is a family layout I just completed using Studio J.  These photos are more current, from last year.  I'm so glad my Dad thought of giving me some copies.  I really appreciate the opportunity to document my family history.  Hopefully some day my grandchildren will appreciate these.

Close To My Heart Holiday Wishes

HOLIDAY WISHES

I love this stamp set!  It's gorgeous and coordinates with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  I can't wait to make some Christmas cards with these stamps!  You can get this set, regularly a $17.95 value, for only $5 if you buy $25 in My Acrylix stamp sets*.  But you have to hurry, this deal only lasts through November.  You can buy one Holiday Wishes stamp set for every $25 in qualifying stamp sets you purchase.  They'd make a great gift!  Contact me if you're interested in this great deal!

*Stamp of the Month, K-size customized name stamps, Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection, and Workshops on the Go™ kits do not counttoward a qualifying purchase. Offer valid November 1–30, 2011. Tax and shipping apply.

More "Shape-A-Day"

I have chip board flourishes, sticker flourishes, sparkly flourishes, etc.  It's nice to think that I don't have to buy and keep an inventory of flourishes; I can make them when I need them, and I'll always be able to have them coordinate with my papers.  Awesome.  Here's the latest post from Jeanette Lynton from Close to My Heart regarding how to make flourishes using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

Many of you are sure to recognize my dear friend Monica and her sweet new baby, Maya, in this layout. If you’re looking for flourishes to add a big WOW to your layouts, the Art Philosophy has several to choose from. This gorgeous splash of color calls on a few different flourishes to achieve its effect.

Shape instructions: You can see several flourishes on page 76 of your Art Philosophy booklet. For the large flourishes used on the left page of this layout, push the “Font Layer” feature key, then shift, and then the second key from the right on the fourth row. These flourishes were cut at 2 ½”.

Jeanette Lynton's Shape-A-Day

Here's the latest Shape-A-Day from Jeanette Lynton's blog.  I like the simplicity of this card, and the colors really work for me!  The Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge makes it so easy.  Love it!

In today’s card, all three heart shapes were cut using different features found on the same button – and, as a result, you can see how the card cut-out, the heart, and the heart outline are perfectly matched.

Shape Instructions: For the basic heart shape, push the sixth key from the left on the top row, with the size set at 1 ¾”. For the outline, leave the size at the same setting and push the same key with the “Layer” feature key activated. For the card, you’ll set the size to 4 ½” and push the same key with the “Card” feature key and shift activated.

My plan to get current (or at least closer to current) on my scrapbooking, is to use Studio J for the "new stuff". The older photos I'll use the traditional scrapbooking.

So here's a layout of my day at the pool with Pam and Charlotte!  I love this paper for pool pictures.  And Charlotte was such fun!

This layout uses the Dreamin' Kit from Studio J.  I tried the Double Mat technique on the photograph on the left.  

Love Your Layout

I didn't realize you could crop the My Stickease in the Studio J program.  I guess I never thought of it.  Another reason I love the Studio J videos that come out.  They really remind me to experiment and try new things.  Here's a video that shows how they cropped the stickease to make this beautiful layout.  You really need to try Studio J, and it's free!  Just click here to access it from my CTMH site.

I feel overwhelmed with all the projects I want to do!  Cards seem to get done first because they seem easier and quicker.  You can see something for your effort much quicker then with a layout.  Here are some cards I made.  I love this first one, it uses the Close to My Heart Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain ribbon that I love. I was looking for a project to use it with and this is what I came up with.  I also used the Dreamin' paper packet.  I need more of this paper, it is so versatile.  

This second one uses the Sweethome paper packet and the Neighborhood stamp set.

This last one also uses the Sweet home paper packet.  The stamp set is Welcome Home and Thank you.

Become a Close to My Heart Consultant Now!

Now is a great time to become a Close to My Heart Consultant!  If you sign up in October, you not only get the new consultant kit for $99, but you get a free add-on! Click here to see more.

Sign up as a new Consultant between October 1–31 and receive one New Consultant Kit add-on collection of your choice FREE! Add-on collections are priced at $40 each and have a retail value of $80, making this an incredible deal!

For just a $99 enrollment fee, you'll receive a New Consultant Kit packed with business essentials and new products valued at over $280, plus a FREE add-on collection to enhance your kit! Then you can choose to buy one or both of the other add-on collections for just $40 each. It's an incredible deal!  Contact me today to get in on this great deal! 


Not sure if you would want to be a Close to My Heart Consultant?  As a consultant you can purchase CTMH product at great discount.  Many people sign up just for the discounts, and then end up making it a career.  There are many incentive programs that make it worthwhile.  It's also a great way to make money doing something you love.  You can work it as much or as little as you want.  It's a great company to work with and the quality of the products are something of which you can be proud.  Interested?  Let's talk!

Check out the October Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart!  The link will take you to the CTMH site where there are examples of layouts and cards you can make with the set.  You can get this beautiful stamp set, just in time for the holidays, for just $5 - that's over 70% off retail!!!  You can get this special price when you place an order of $50 or more in Close to My Heart products.  But hurry, it's only available until October 31!  Let me know if you're interested.

Here's a great video from Close to My Heart Studio J, which shows you different techniques to increase the flexibility of Studio J.  It shows how to best use your photos and size them correctly in Studio J.  I love how they use to photo wells for one photo.  Check it out, it's very clever!

Halloween Cards Using CTMH Spray Pen

I got the idea for this card from Heather Jane Design.  I changed it up a bit.  I used the Close to My Heart (all products are CTMH) Spray Pen to give the moon some dimension.  I used the Color Ready Craft Borders, the August Stamp of the Month - Wicked, Mischief paper packet, Black Brads, and the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge (for the moon!).

Studio J Basics

Do you or a friend want to learn the step-by-step basics of Close to My Heart Studio J online scrapbooking program?  Here's a video from CTMH that will have you scrapping like a pro in no time!

Thank You and Congratulation Cards!

I received an order for Thank You and Congratulation cards.  The customer will be using them in her real estate business, so we want a professional and simple.  Here'a a few of them.

(All products are Close to My Heart unless stated otherwise.)

This first card uses the Mischief paper packet and the September Stamp of the Month-Limited Edition and Chocolate stamp pad.  The Colonial White cardstock is embossed using the Cuttlebug embossing folder, Leafy Branch.

The second card is very simple, using the Cuttlebug Scrollwork embossing folder, For Every Occasion stamp set, Flutter Just Blooms Paper Shapes, and the Bling Assortment for the stick pin.

This last one uses Cuttlebug Allegro embossing folder, Silhouette paper packet with Cranberry cardstock and ink, and Life is So Good stamp set.

Photo Editing with Studio J

I used to think I needed to edit my photos prior to loading them into Studio J.  But Studio J provides flexibility for you to edit your photos right in Studio J.  You can edit settings, such as brightness and contrast, and many others.  This video helps you understand all the editing options available.  Close to My Heart provides many videos and tips for using Studio J, so you're never left in the dark!

September Stamp of the Month

September 2011 Limited Edition

CLOSE TO MY HEART OFFERS BEAUTIFUL STAMPS AT AMAZING DISCOUNTS

Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing. If you want, you can purchase it for the retail price of $17.95, but why would you?  If you're interested, contact me.  But hurry, this offer expires September 30!

Limited Edition, set of 21

Recommended Blocks:
1" × 3 1/2" (Y1002)
2" × 2" (Y1003)
2" × 3 1/2" (Y1009)

Studio J Tips

The templates in Studio J are very helpful to get started on your scrapbook layout.  But you're not limited to the template design.  This video from Close to My Heart shows you many different ways to change the template, by changing the paper colors and designs, adding photo mats, deleting and adding accents and embellishments, and much, much more!  Enjoy!

Back-to-School Scrapbooking Layout Ideas

I've talked about Studio J a lot, and how easy it is to use.  But I love the tips from StudioJ.com!  They not only help me understand the flexibility in Studio J, they give me great tips on how to make my layouts more interesting.  Most of the time the tips are for techniques I hadn't thought of.  Here's a tip related to those back to school photos.

Take a peek at this this back-to-school Studio J^® layout by Joanne Watchak using the Class Act kit.  I love the way she added journaling along each of the two strips of ribbon. To get this look, just click on the Text toolbox and drag two new text areas onto your page, resizing them to fit along the ribbon. Change the background of each text box to "none."

Pattern: Snapshot™
Kit: Class Act
Courtesy of: Joanne Watchak

The middle box on the right page that Joanne filled with journaling was originally a photo well, while the vertical photo to the right of her journaling was originally a text well. If you'd like to change a photo well to a text well or vice versa, click on the well. From the pop-up menu, click on one of these buttons:

Converts a photo well to a text well

Converts a text well to a photo well.

You can switch back and forth as many times as you need until you decide what balance of photos and journaling works best for you. Remember, though, you can only change text wells to photos—new text areas that you drag from the Text toolbox cannot be converted to photos. 

Have you taken any back-to-school photos this year? Or maybe you have some photos from yesteryear lurking in the hidden corners of your hard drive. Either way, go into Studio J to preserve your schooltime memories. Once you've created a layout, post it online and leave them a comment with a link to your artwork. They'd love to see what you come up with!

While Supplies Last!

A plethora of discounted and retired Close to My Heart products are available to you at phenomenal prices. Check back often to take advantage of these products that are offered while supplies last at MyCTMH website. There are a few items just in time for Christmas! Happy shopping!

Close to My Heart Cricut Expression Give Away

Close To My Heart is giving away a Cricut Expression® Machine to one random winner!  Go to their Facebook page and click on the Cricut® Giveaway tab on the left of the screen for details and to enter.