Kassie's Turn

While Allie was doing this. . .

I decided to take some pictures of Kassie instead.  I didn't do much better. . .

But eventually I did get these faces. . .

Much better!

Allie - 18 month photoshoot

  Today we had a little photo shoot at my house.  I had to try out my new lens and take Allie's 18 month pictures.  As you can see from this first picture we got off to a rough start.

 This next batch of photos really capture Allie's personality and some of her many facial expressions.

This was Jason's favorite.  It is obvious how Allie felt at this point.

This one was probably my favorite.  I just think it is artistically pleasing.

This last one is your traditional wall photo.  I am kicking myself because this was a great full body shot but because of my cramped space where I was taking the pictures I totally cut off her foot. Big no no! Oh well it is a cute close up too.

January Workshop - Wings

   Last week my wonderful friends and workshop members were scrapbooking away at my house.  We created 3 beautiful 2 page 12x12 layouts and a banner.  We used the brand new Wings Reflections paper packet and coordinating accessories and stamps.  We also tried out the new spray pen that came in our workshop kit and will also be available to order from the new Spring/Summer idea book.
  For the banner project I decided to title mine "My Happy Place" and will be putting pictures of my amazing workshop members.  It is already hanging up in my scrapbook room above my workspace cabinet.  Ironically although I mentioned at each class that I would be taking their pictures I only took pictures of this 4 cuties!  So if you missed your photo op last month be ready because I will be taking your picture at the February class!

  I love what I do and I am great full I get to spend time sharing what I love with amazing people.  There are so many of you that I would never have come in contact with if it wasn't for Close To My Heart!  Thank you for being loyal customers and friends and a part of my life!!
  If you would like to join one of my workshop groups or join my team as a consultant yourself please contact me.  I would love to have you join us!
  On to the projects we made.  I did post some of these layouts without pictures on the previous post but now I have the pictures on the layouts and I think it really brings the layouts to life! These layouts were inspired by the talented Karen Pedersen and feature my youngest daughter Allie.  She is now an energetic 19 month old so it was extra fun to look back at these sweet pictures when she was only a month old.  My friend and photographer Kassandra Namba took the pictures of Allie on the second and third layout.

  The products used on all three layouts; including the Wings workshop on the go kit which includes your spray pen and the Mini-medley accents black collection, the Wings level 2 assortment of ruffled ribbon used to make the flowers on the second layout and the new Bohemian E-size alphabet stamp set used for the titles are found in the Inspirations brochure.  You can still take advantage of the great deals on these supplies but only until January 31st! Read more about the amazing promotion going on now here.  Call or email to order or you can order online anytime from my website.  Well I am headed off to work on February's workshop layouts which will feature the new Sweetheart reflections kit found in the brand new Spring/Summer 2011 idea book!

Studio J: Tips & Tricks - Stickease Gone Wild!

   I love using Close To My Heart stickease on my traditional scrapbook layouts!  They are fast and easy and add the perfect finishing touch.  They are even better in Studio J! Why? Because you can re-size them to fit perfectly on your layout!  On this top layout I used stickease for the "Our" and "Vacation" to create the title "Our Family Vacation."  I was able to re-size the stickease to fit perfectly in the space available. 

 On the this second layout I added the castle stickease next to the title the quote stickease to the bottom of the page and the little corner stickease to the right hand page.  The corner stickease helps draw your eye to the picture of the castle. On almost all of my Disney World layouts I added a stickease tag and then with the title tool labeled each tag with what day of the trip we visited that park. To tack down the tag to the layout I added a brad just like I would on a traditional layout.All the stickease are found in the left hand drop down menu and are sorted by category: titles, quotes, borders, large accents, medium accents and small accents and tags.  Don't be afraid to pull from the different sizes of accents and just re-size them to fit with your layout.
  Another fun little accessory is the button stitches.  Yes the little "x" shaped stitches are intended for the inside of the buttons.  But who says you can't use them on your layout without the button?  This is another fun finishing touch that you often find on traditional layouts but is honestly easier to do in Studio J.  You don't have to poke holes in your layout, thread a needle, stitch your page, knot the thread. Just drag and drop the stitch onto your layout.  You can also add multiple stitches like I did on the top layout.  Then to line them all up just select each one while holding the shift key, right click on your mouse and select the direction you want them to be lined up (either horizontally or vertically).  The stitching on my journaling boxes adds interest to that piece of the layout.
  If you haven't tried out Studio J head on over to my website and create an account for FREE! You only pay for the layouts you have printed.  For the best pricing, free shipping and free sheet protectors check out our membership options.  Also, stay tuned to hear about an amazing February promotion that is sure to score a "Perfect 10!"

Spray Pen Unplugged

Close to My Heart has a fun new tool that we will be using at my January workshop.  CTMH also posted on youtube a tutorial with one way to use this nifty neat-o spray pen.



  Now that you have seen how it works lets look at what you can create!  Here are a few pieces of artwork I used the spray pen on.

National Papercrafing Month

  National Paper-crafting Month is in full force!  I have just completed my National Paper-crafting project; this very cute and versatile banner.  I am planning on putting pictures of my workshop class members on mine because my scrapbook night with the friends and workshop members is "my happy place."  Check out all the details here. This month we will be making 3- 12x12 2 page layouts in addition to the banner.  These layouts were inspired by my amazingly talented friend Karen Pedersen.  If you would like to join in the fun call or email me today and we can get you all set up for February's class.

Great Clearance Deals Online!

  Right now on my MYCTMH website are some great deals including the caboodle L2 paper packet for only $5. (reg $12.95).  The layout shown is using the caboodle paper packet. There are also stickease, card kits and accessories.  Items are while supplies last so don't delay!  You can find all the discounted items by clicking here. Or just go to my MYCTMH website click on shop online from the left hand menu and then select discounted items from the list under shop online.

  Also don't forget the other great deals going on this month with our new Inspirations brochure.  You can read all about it here.

Studio J: Tips & Tricks

   Today I would like to share with you a few more great feature when working with Studio J.  The first is that Studio J automatically crops your photos to fit in the photo spots. Just drag and drop you photo into place and Studio J does the rest.  From there you can click on the "hand" in the center of the pictures and slide the photo around so that it is just how you want it.  You can also scale in on the photos to cut out empty space so the focus of the photo is what is most important to you.  Remember that if you can't slide the photo over (up, down, left or right) it may be because it is already slid over as far as it can with out going past the edge of the photo.  Simple solution is to scale in on the photo using the tool in the photo menu box and then you can adjust the placement of the photo.

  Another way to spice up your layout is to add text right to a photo.  On this layout I have the picture on the left hand side that has all the kids lined up along the edge of the pool.  Although I know who they all are today others may not and I might forget so I used the title tool to create little titles with their names and then stuck them right on the photo following the edge of the pool.  You can also add other embellishments like the stickease and place them right on your pictures.  The "Good Times" stickease on the second layout or the diamond shapes on the top layout are just two examples.
  I hope these fun tips and tricks make your Studio J experience even better!  If you haven't tried Studio J yet WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR????  It is free to log on and create an account.  All you pay for is your finished layouts!  So get on today and try it out.  Here is a link to my Close To My Heart website.  Just click on the Studio J link in the left hand menu or click on any of the Studio J words in this post and it will take you right to the page to set up an account. I would love to hear what you think.

January Crafty Club Project

    Crafty Club Night is a fun new class I am offering each month!  This month at Crafty Club night we will be making these three elegant cards. The class will be on Wednesday, January 26th from 6:30 to 7:30.  Your pieces will be pre-cut to make assembly fast and easy. This class is $5.00 or FREE with a $25+ order. The class fee includes all the paper and accessories needed to create all 3 cards, 3 envelopes, the use of my stamp pads, stamp sets and embossing supplies. You will need to bring just your basic supplies including scissors, foam squares and adhesive (I recommend tombow, glue dots and bonding memory glue). You can read all the details about Crafty Club Night here.

inspired by the inspirations brochure

inspired by Karen Pedersen

inspired by the inspirations brochure

This class is FREE with a $25+ order! If you would like to go with that option let me direct your attention to the Inspirations Brochure. It is full of amazing deals that are only available this month! Do you just love the stamped images on these cards? They are all from the January stamp of the month Find Your Style! Getting this set FREE is even EASIER than ever before. This month, and this month only, if you purchase the Wings Workshop on the Go (see page 2-3 of the Inspirations brochure), and 4 other items from the Inspirations brochure, you get the Stamp of the Month FREE!

Call or email  me today to reserve your seat at Crafty Club Night and to place your 25+ order!

Monthly (no-commitment) Crafty Club Night

  Do you like to make fun projects at a great price or for FREE? Do you like to learn new techniques? Do you need a night away doing something you love with people who love it too? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, my Crafty Club Night  is for you!
  Starting in January, my Crafty Club Night will meet the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm at my house, however, you do not need to be local to be part of the club. My long distance members get their kits mailed to them and any orders they place will be drop shipped to them directly from the Close to my Heart office. The class will usually be just 1 hour.


Here is more information on the Crafty Club Night: You may join the club at any time and there is no commitment to stay in the club for any length of time or to place an order. There will be a small fee (depending on the project) for the supplies used for the projects we make which will range from cards to small gift items, to home decor, and more. Class Costs will range from $5.00 to $20.00 depending on the supplies needed for the project. So how do you get your kit for FREE?  When you reserve you spot in the class, if you also place a $25+ order you get $5 OFF the class fee.  So if the class is $10 and you place a $25+ order then you only pay $5 for the class.  If the class is $5 and you place a $25+ order then you get the class for FREE!! Long distance members pay an additional $5 to have their project kits mailed to them.

I will provide all the materials needed to create the projects. I will also be pre-cutting most of your pieces. You will need to bring just your basic supplies including scissors, paper trimmer, 3D Foam Tape and Adhesive (I recommend tombow, glue dots and bonding memories glue).

Contact me for more information, to sign up for  classes, or to order your own club kit(s).  Check my blog regularly for upcoming crafty club night projects, promotions, Studio J tips and for details about my workshop group.

January Brings "Inspirations"

   Close To My Heart had done it again! They have introduced an amazing line of paper and products that are absolutely GORGEOUS!!!  Close To My Heart is making a transition from a triannual catalog to a biannual catalog.  So to cover the month of January (the new biannual catalogs run from February-July and then August-January) they have released the Inspirations Brochure.  You can flip through this gorgeous 12 page brochure online by clicking on the link or by going to my website and clicking on the image in the bottom right hand corner. You will find it full of amazing deals including a beautiful new E-size Bohemian alphabet set for only $25! (regular price is $34.95).  You can unlock all the amazing deals with your purchase of the Wings Workshop kit.  All the items in the Inspirations brochure can be purchased on my website or by calling or emailing me directly.

  It is also National Papercrafting Month! So to celebrate you will also receive inside your workshop kit the instructions to create the beautiful banner found on the back of the Inspirations brochure. To complete the project you will want to add the brand new My Creations Banner and the Bohemian Alphabet stamp set I mentioned before to your cart. (All promotional items can be found by clicking on the "shop online" button in the left hand menu and then click "special promotions" from the list on the left or by simply clicking on this link)

Event: Disney World 2010 - DONE! Made possible with Studio J

  Back in August my family took an amazing 10 day vacation to Florida.  I love taking these trips and always come home with literally HUNDREDS of pictures.  In fact, from this trip alone I had over 400 pictures. As you might already know, I create a family album and then another album  for each of my kids.  Thinking about scrapbooking the entire trip and then duplicating those layouts for each of my kids use to be very overwhelming! Sadly, I haven't even finished duplicating the layouts from our last Disney trip in 2005 and I only had 2 kids back then! :(  But all that stress is eliminated with Studio J! Yep that is right, I have already created all 10 layouts and duplicated them 5 times (family album plus 4 kid albums)!!! That means I completed 50 layouts!!! Are you impressed?
   I have posted the first two layout here and will continue to post them over the next couple of weeks.  With each layout I want to point out a few little tricks or tips that I used that will help make your Studio J experience even better.

   I would like to point out 2 quick features that I use all the time when I am creating a Studio J layout.  The first one is the quick title tool.  On the "Island of Adventures" layout I used the quick title tool to create the title.  I was able to space, size and stick the letter stickease all at once instead of one letter at a time.  Also, with this particular alphabet set I was able to choose whether I wanted a red or blue letter.  Some of the alphabets have the option of choosing capital or lowercase letters.  Once I had the title looking just perfect I was able to stick it all at once to the page.  This is a lot faster then dragging each letter over individually.  Try it out for your next title!
  The next feature that I use ALL the time is adding journaling boxes to my layouts.  I had a lot to say about our trip so I had to add extra journaling boxes to almost every layout.  This is easy to do as well.  Just select the "text" bar in the left hand menu bar. Then click and drag a journaling area onto your layout.  You can re-size the box to fit in the space perfectly.  Then type away.  Don't forget to check out the different font options and photo mat options.  Oh and if you are like me I always spell check and reread my work before ordering my layouts. I added a journaling box to the bottom left hand page of both layouts. The journaling box on the right hand page of the "Making Magical Memories" layout is backed with vellum.  You can also distress the edges of your journaling boxes. 
   If you have set a new year resolution to get caught up on your scrapbooking or to just make some major progress let me recommend you hop on over and check out Studio J.  You won't be disappointed! It is so fast and easy to use and perfect if you don't have the space to create traditional scrapbooks. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions.  If you would like to sign up for a 3 month or 12 month membership and get 1/2 price layouts, free shipping and free sheet protectors I can help you with that too.