Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Too Many Photos? Not Enough Time?

Is that you?  Too many photos and not enough time?  I have told you about our Studio J online scrapbooking in earlier posts, not I am here to tell you about a special we are having in February!

Normally our Studio J layouts are $6.95 (this is a 2 page layout) but in February they are only $5!  This is a GREAT deal!


So get out there and start creating NOW!  And by the end of February you will have your layouts done and ready to purchase.  

I love to do BIG projects with Studio J!  It makes them faster, less layouts and they are DONE!  And with our new Express Collections you can even complete them even FASTER!

We even have a School Days express collection for all of you who have Seniors this year!  Check them out!

I am also having a free Studio J workshop on Tuesday, February 19th at 7:00.  I will show you how to create using Studio J fast!  Please RSVP if you would like to attend.  Bring your laptop (if you have one) and I will help you get started on your own!

Shipping is $5.95 for 4 - 50 layouts, so make sure you get as many as you can in that box!  

Simply go to my website, click on the Studio J tab, set up an account (it's free) and start creating!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Stamp Resist

Oh my gosh!  This is a technique you can't RESIST!  This is an old technique, but I have really forgotten about it...and I can't wait to make some cards using this technique.  Check out the video that Close to my Heart created and then get out that embossing powder and heat gun!


Ok...now off to make a few birthday cards using this technique!  I will share them with you soon!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Time for Snowmen!

How cute are these guys!  I made these for my downlines and those who attend my crop last weekend. They were fun to make and VERY EASY!  I used our Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to make these.

First I got 3 Pearson Mints (they come wrapped around versus York that are in a little bag).  I cut a       1 3/4" scallop (circle 3) on page 41in black, then Sky cardstock circle from page 21 at 1 1/2", then white cardstock I cut 1.40 mm (you need to change the settings to mm instead of inches for this one).
 The carrot is the heart on pages 69 and I cut it off to make the carrot.  Very inventive!  lol  I cut the hat from a square that I rounded the top 2 corners, then cut a strip for the hat brim.  I stamped snowflakes all over the white cardstock, added eyes, mouth and heart buttons.  (all stamps).
 I put them in pretzel bags that they sell at Michaels and JoAnn Craft stores.  Tied with some curling ribbon and tada...cute gift and inexpensive too!


Here is a side view of the mint inside.  
Time to make these cute little treats for coworkers, kids school etc.  They were a lot of fun to create!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Get Your Scrapbooking DONE!

I have the answer for getting your scrapbooking DONE!  It's Close to my Heart's Studio J.  There are NO fees, NO software just fast scrapbooking DONE!  You only pay for your finished layout and shipping.

In September we went to visit our friends in Seattle.  I had LOTS of pictures, but didn't want to scrapbook them all in the "classic" way.  So I decided, whenever I go on vacation and there are a LOT of pictures, I will do them in Studio J so I don't feel so bogged down.  I can do the "classic" hands on scrapbooking for all the other cool things we do throughout the year.

Here are a few of my layouts.  Studio J has our Express Collections that has 6 FAST and easy themed layouts (each of the 6 have 10 two page layouts) that are already DONE...all you do is drop your pictures in the photo wells and journal.  That is it!

Here are some of my layouts from the Travels collection.  I just dropped my pictures in the photo wells, changed the title and journaled. All that other cool stuff was there already!  These layouts took me about 5 - 10 minutes TOPS!
Are you starting to see the benefit to Studio J?

In our Express Collections we have the following themes, All About Me, Little Man, Little Miss, School Days, Travels (featured here) and Year in Review.  AND, coming soon...Sports!  I can't wait for this one!!!

Another great feature of Studio J is if you would like multiple layouts, maybe for family or all your kids albums, you can do it!  All you have to do is click the quantity button and you now have more layouts! IT IS THAT EASY!


The above is one of my favorite layouts.  Look at all the cool things on the layout that I didn't have to recreate!  AMAZING!  And, if you notice I have 8 pictures on this layouts.  Studio J will resize your pictures so you don't have to worry about ordering the right size picture like you do in classic scrapbooking.  

If you would like to learn more about Studio J, simply go to my website and click on the Studio J link.  There is no costs to set up an account.  You can actually create layouts...free...just try it.  The only time you pay is when you want to purchase your layout.  AND, it is ONLY $6.95 for a 2 page layout.  I think I spent at least that on developing my pictures and time to get them not to count the paper.  And, when you order 4 - 50  2 page layouts for $6.95 a layout, you get shipping for just $5.95 AND you will get free jpegs (like the ones here) so you can share them with your family and friends on blogs, facebook and emails.  

Studio J also has ALL of our past and present paper packs.  So you can go to Studio J and make your own layouts too!  These will take just a little bit longer...not much, but this way you can totally customize it to just how you want them.

Want to learn even more?  I am having a FREE Studio J class on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7:00.  I will take you through a quick tour of Studio J and then I will help you create your own layouts.  So bring your laptop if you would like and I will show you how to get your memories preserves!  If you would like to attend this workshop, email me to reserve your spot.

It is time to get your scrapbooking done...no one needs to know it only took you MINUTES!



Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Retiring Close to my Heart Products!

Here is a list of our products that are retiring.   If you want any, you need to act fast..you will not be able to order after February 1st or while supplies last!!    You can either email or call me, or go to my website and place the order there.

Item # Item Description Page # Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book
Z1349 Shimmer Designer Brads 127
Z1360 Rhinestone Designer Brads 127
Z1361 Brads Red Assortment 127
Z1362 Brads Pink Assortment 127
Z1363 Brads Blue Assortment 127
Z1364 Brads Green Assortment 127
Z1365 Brads Basic Assortment 127
Z1387 Wooden Designer Buttons 125
Z1391 Buttons Clear Assortment 125
Z1395 Irresistibles™ Eclectic Chipboard Die-Cuts (the alphabet) 130
Z1465 Irresistibles™ Make-It-Count Numbers 130
Z1681 Dimensional Elements  Numbers 131
Z1761 Dimensional Elements Ornaments 131
Z1762 Dimensional Elements Snowflakes 131
Z1765 Color-Ready Arbor Wooden Shapes 130
X7147C Stella Complements Canvas Shapes 68
X7148C My Stickease® Pemberley Assortment 68
X7150C My Stickease® Victory Assortment 69




X7160C Flirty Complements Dimensional Elements 50
X7161C Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements 56
X7162C Pear & Partridge Complements Glittery Rub-Ons 62
Z1464 Milepost Shapes 128
Z1466 Bling Assortment 128
Z1695 Urban Felt Alphabet 130
Z1696 Keepsake Felt Alphabet 130
Z1709 Just Blooms® Petals Paper Flowers 129
Z1460 Foundry® Ribbon Slides 126
Z1711 Foundry® Binder Clips 126
Z1712 Foundry® Number Plates 126
Z1461 Décor Journaling Spots 129
Z1687 Bohemian Assortment 128
Z1689 Timeless Charms 128
Z1692 Tough Tags 128
Z1694 Bouquet Assortment 128
Z1741 Haunted Assortment 128
Z1749 Autumn Lane Assortment 128
Z1763 Boutique Assortment 128
Z1772 Dimensional Elements In Color—Holiday 128
Z1393 Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection 126
Z1316 Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection                                                                                124
Z1385 Designer Ribbon Blue Collection 124
Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection 124
Z1616 Designer Ribbon Green Collection 124
Z1388 Newsprint Rub-Ons 130
Z1700 Dark Chocolate Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126
Z1733 Black Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons 126
Z1743 Festive Velvet Rub-Ons 126
Z1742 Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons 126
Z1407 6" x 6" Olive Quick Pic™ Album 122
Z1408 6" x 6" Pansy Purple Quick Pic™ Album 122
BULK254 Bulk Glitter Button  
BULK152 Cranberry Brads  
BULK213 Black Button Brads  
BULK263 Avonlea Workshop Guide  
BULK264 Clementine Workshop Guide  
BULK265 Dakota Workshop Guide  
BULK266 La Belle Vie Workshop Guide  
BULK267 Scholastic Workshop Guide  
BULK268 Flirty Workshop Guide  
BULK269 Moonlight Workshop Guide  
BULK270 Pear & Partridge Workshop Guide  
BULK258 La Belle Vie B&T Duos® Combo Pack  
BULK260 Flirty B&T Duos® Combo Pack  
BULK261 Moonlight B&T Duos® Combo Pack  
BULK262 Pear & Partridge B&T Duos® Combo Pack  
BULK231 Bling Buttons (12 mm)  
BULK234 Milepost Shapes Corrugated Stars (1 1/2")  


 
BULK274 Pearl Badge Buttons  
Z1054 My Creations® Display Album 132
Z1378 My Creations® Banner 132
Z1614 My Creations® Memory Game 132
Z188 Craft Jars 120
Z1352 4 1/2" Colonial White Circle Cards 123
Z1353 4 1/2" White Daisy Circle Cards 123
Z1731 My Originals® Sweet Surprises Card Kit 123



X7148B My Reflections® Pemberley Paper Packet 68
X7150B My Reflections® Victory Paper Packet 69



X7158B La Belle Vie Paper Packet 38
X7160B Flirty Paper Packet 50
X7161B Moonlight Paper Packet 56
X7162B Pear & Partridge Paper Packet 62
Z1252 Cutting Knife 135
G1041 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Cardmaking Kit 22
G1043 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Cardmaking Kit 66
G1040 Workshops on the Go® Spellbound Cricut® Kit 14
G1042 Workshops on the Go® Scroll Album Kit 23
G1044 Workshops on the Go® Advent Calendar Kit 67
G1045 Workshops on the Go® Avonlea Scrapbooking Kit 21
G1046 Workshops on the Go® Clementine Scrapbooking Kit 29
G1047 Workshops on the Go® Dakota Scrapbooking Kit 35
G1048 Workshops on the Go® La Belle Vie Scrapbooking Kit 41
G1049 Workshops on the Go® Scholastic Scrapbooking Kit 47
G1050 Workshops on the Go® Flirty Scrapbooking Kit 53
G1051 Workshops on the Go® Moonlight Scrapbooking Kit 59
G1052 Workshops on the Go® Pear & Partridge Scrapbooking Kit 65
Item # Item Description Page # Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book
A1104 A Tweet 90
A1111 A Tulip 68
A1116 A Melody 94
A1122 Bravo 92
A1128 Quick Cards—Shell 80
A1129 A Rainbow 85
B1365 Spring Up 71
B1369 Rosy Regards 67
B1374 Bee Happy 83
B1397 He Is Risen 74
B1402 My Peeps 72
C1439 Enjoy Life 95
C1440 Take a Picture 93
C1442 Tailor-Made 94
C1450 Eclectic Edges 99
C1452 Delight 71
C1455 Aspire 96
C1456 Heartfelt Treasures 68
C1457 Happy Camper 84
C1458 Paper Lantern 90
C1473 Remarkable Wreath 70
C1474 10 Things 105
C1485 Super Powers 47
C1498 Country Life 82
C1499 Perfect Day 80
D1195 The Works Alphabet 117
D1222 Tiny Typewriter Alphabet 117
D1296 Chocolate Alphabet Small 114
D1301 Hodge Podge Alphabet 114
D1303 Classmate Alphabet 114
D1462 Splendid Day 77
D1464 Card Chatter—Love 106
D1467 Trees & Things 76
D1472 Simple Memories 66
D1478 Bingo Alphabet 113
D1505 Roar! 89
D1508 Diverse Backgrounds 102
D1509 Magic Adventures 78
D1511 Kick Back 81
E1013 Field Trip Alphabet 114



Friday, January 4, 2013

Random Stamping

I LOVE this video...it shows you how you can use the stamps that you have and create backgrounds!  This is GREAT!  If you don't have the paper you need, you can create your own by using your stamps to make your customized paper.

So check this video out, BUT, be ready to grab those stamps and start creating!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

USE WHAT YOU HAVE!

Do you ever feel like you have SO MUCH STUFF that your house needs to go on a diet?  I DO!  And if you know me...then you know that I REALLY try hard to use what I have...from kitchen items, craft supplies, scrapbooking materials...just about everything.  

And you might not know that I have been crocheting since I was in 3rd grade.  And, that means you get lots of EXTRA yarn and it starts to accumulate.  I have 3 shelves just like this one with EXTRA yarn..what is a girl to do with it all.  I really don't want to throw it away and in the past I have made squares for Warm Up America...but recently I got another idea.

Our church was collecting scarfs for the homeless...so I thought...ok, I will go out and buy some and get them to church...then I remembered all this yarn!  So I started to make scarfs with extra yarn!  YEA!  I get rid of yarn, make things that will help keep the homeless warm AND it didn't cost me a penny!  AND as an extra bonus, my shelfs are starting to become less crowded.


So I found a stitch that I liked and off I went.  Here are a few that I made.  They specifically needed scarfs for men...so I grabbed manly colors and the rest is history!  I made 9 of them.  I will continue to make scarfs from my extra yarn and keep them until the next time we need to donate them.  It made me feel good, I don't have to put my house on a yarn diet and 9 homeless men will have a warm homemade scarf!  YEA!
Do you have something you would like to use and help someone else?  Then I challenge you to get it out and create whatever it is!  


I also made a scarf for me...then my husband saw the colors I was using and said, "hey, I want one that color...make me one?"  So I did.  So now we are up to 11 scarfs.

I then got a CRAZY idea while "spending quality time" with my husband when he was watching football.  LOL  The Seattle Seahawks were on...and their uniforms caught my eye.  They were cool colors.  I kept thinking...I need to use those colors for a scrapbook layout.  The colors are Outdoor Denim, Pear & Slate.  The next day I got our NEW SPRING/SUMMER catalog and saw one of the kits WAS those colors!!!!  YAHOOO!  

For years...we have had a tradition that every New Years Day, we take our picture for the first page of  my album, so today we will take our picture for our 2013 album.  BUT, of course you have to have color coordinating clothes!  Our coats worked GREAT!  (I knew I wanted to take it outside).  BUT, wouldn't it be fun to have scarfs to match the layout!  LOL  Of course!  So off I went to make both my husband & I scarfs to match the layout (ok, I wanted one that color anyway...but this was a good opportunity to use it in the picture too!)  

So if you are counting I am up to 13!  I think I am done...well wait!  I now have EXTRA yarn in these colors so I must make ONE MORE!  UGH!  I think scarf burn out has set in!  LOL  But I will make ONE MORE to use up what I have!

What do you have that you can USE UP?  I encourage you to not only use what you have, but do something good with it!
And here is our January 1st 2013 photo for that first page of my 2013 album. As soon as I print it I will officially be caught up with 2013 photos!  LOL