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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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