Studio J®: Photo Editing Tool

Here is another great How-To video tutorial for Studio J.  In this 5 minute video you will learn how to edit your photos inside Studio J from the experts at Close To My Heart. Take a quick tour of all the editing tools and see examples of the tools used right on a photo.  If you have any questions please feel free to call or email me.

If you haven't tried Studio J just hop on over to my website and create your account for free.  Then play, explore and create to your hearts content. To get the best pricing on your printed layouts be sure to either check out the Membership options or call or email me and I can give you all the details! Also, watch for upcoming Studio J classes. The next class will be in May.

Blog Candy and Last Reminder about the April Promotions

While I am enjoying a nice sugar high as I snitch from my kids' Easter basket, I thought I should share the joy with a little blog candy! Doesn't that sound yummy!  Make sure you read clear to the end of this post to see how you can win the April Stamp of the Month: Blessed.

There are just a few days left to take advantage of ALL the promotions going on this month. Let review the deals available right now through the end of April:

1. The April Stamp of the Month looks like this (remember, the actual size of the carrier sheet is 6" x 6"):
The artwork at the beginning of this post feature this stamp set. Now, let me tell you how you can get this set at a discounted price...or even for FREE!

* earn it FREE when you spend $100 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 75% off ($5.74) when you spend $75 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 50% off ($11.74) when you spend $50 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 25% off ($17.21) when you spend $25 or more (before shipping and tax)
* purchase it for full retail price ($22.95)

You'll notice in #2 below that special hinges on spending $100 as well. When you spend $100 in April you not only get the Stamp of the Month ($22.95 value) FREE, but you also get a Level 1 Kit ($9.95 value) FREE. That is a total of $32.90 FREE when you spend $100 on my website in April. So what are you waiting for? Start shopping!

2. April's "Lovin' Level 1" Special: During April, when you place an order of $100 on my website, you’ll receive one My Reflections^® Level 1 kit ($9.95 value) of your choice FREE. Choose from several popular Level 1 kits. You’ll also qualify for a free April Stamp of the Month ($22.95 value) set! Now that’s a deal. Start shopping on my website here.

Also don't forget while you are shopping online to check out the "while supplies last" section.  New discounted items have been added!



 
3. April's "Sparkle with Studio J" Special: This April, it’s time to let your Studio J^® layouts shine with this exclusive, members-only campaign! Studio J members get free bling when they buy 10 layouts this month. Bling it up and bling it on with FREE packages (one of each) self-adhesive Sparkles and Opaques Pearl gems! Click here to start with Studio J.

On Friday I will also be posting another video tutorial about the editing so be sure to come back and watch this very informative tutorial.

Finally it is time to tell you how you could win that Blog Candy! This is really easy. I will be giving away the April Stamp of the Month: Blessed to one of my FOLLOWERS!!! Just leave a comment here that you have signed up as a follower and you are entered into the drawing! How easy is that. You can either sign up to follow by email (this option is right below the "about me" info on the right hand side of my blog) or you can become a follower by clicking on "follow" that is right under the "follow by email" option. I will announce the winner here on my blog on Monday, May 2nd. Good luck!

All In The Family

I have been totally neglecting my blog lately. Sorry about that! We made a quick trip to my parents house over the weekend and I was able to take some pictures of my family.  This should help explain a lot about why I am the way I am. ;)

Ok I did get a few photos that are a little less crazy.

Join My Workshop Group and get a FREE Basic Kit!!!

I am just finishing up another 6 month workshop rotation and will be starting a new rotation that will run from May through October.

The workshop class is set up to use the products you buy each month so you stop collecting and start finishing layouts! We create 3- 2 page 12x12 layouts at the class. These layouts can easily be adapted to work with your pictures. You can view past month's layouts here. Classes are held on the third Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 9:30.  I provide a cutting guide for all three layouts and my personal assistance and supplies to help you create beautiful layouts you can be proud of.

Another benefit to committing to the 6 months is that you get to be the hostess one month out of the six. That means FREE product!!! I guarantee $25 in free product but usually my hostesses receive between $40 and $80 and at least 1 half price item.

I have 5 spots that need to be filled so as an added incentive if you and a friend (who has not attended for the last 6 months) both sign up and commit for the 6 months I will reward you both with a FREE Basic kit on the month you are hostess!!! That is a $29.95 value!!! For EACH OF YOU!!! This offer is only good until May 5th.  I am happy to send you a brochure with all the details about the workshop group. Email or call me today to get your brochure, sign up and to pick your hostess month. (Hostess month is picked on a first come first serve basis). There won't be a better time to join!!!

I can't wait to hear from you!

I don't get SICK!

  For the record I really don't get sick.  We don't believe in getting sick at our house and I don't allow sick germs through the front door or any other door or window for that matter. I can't even remember the last time I had a fever. So the fact that I have been sick TWICE in the last 3 weeks is really making me grumpy!
  As a result all my great plans of things I was going to get done this week have been put on hold. I am barely getting to my laundry which I normally do on Wednesdays. I was working on next month's workshop layouts and have the 3 layouts all cut out and ready to assemble and accessorize but that has been put on hold and I was going to work on some cards using next month's very cute stamp of the month. That project hasn't even been started. :(
  Needless to say I am rather annoyed with this whole germ thing. That said, have a great weekend, enjoy the sunshine that the weather man has promised and I hope to see you back here next week and me 100% healthy.

My Acrylix® On This Day Inspiration & Tutorial

  Get inspired by artwork featuring the My Acrylix^® On This Day (D1468) stamp set in this short, fun video. You’ll love the paper piecing technique that really makes the stamped images stand out! The tutorial is full of great ideas that is a short 2 minutes will get those creative juices flowing!
  You can find the set in your Spring/Summer 2011 idea book on page 104 or by searching for it on my website. This set can be ordered online anytime or by calling or emailing me today.
  If you order this set online it counts towards the  Lovin' Level 1 promotion and towards getting the April stamp of the month set for FREE or at a discount.  You can read all the details about both promotions here.

April Crafty Club Night - Spring Berry Topiary

  At this month's Crafty Club Night we will be making this fun berry topiary that is sure to add color to any room in your house.  This beautiful home decor project was inspired by my friend and fellow consultant, Trish Morton.
  Your kit includes a 5" foam ball, the dowel, paper to cover the dowel, the cardstock of your color choice to make your berries to cover the foam ball and peat moss.  You can also emboss a butterfly to finish off your berry topiary and pick from my collection of ribbon to tie a bow around your dowel.
  You will need to bring a hot glue gun and plenty of glue sticks, your own pot and foam base that fits in your pot to stick your finished topiary in. 
  The class will be on Wednesday, April 27th at 7:00. The class will be held at my home (121 W 100 S Millville).  The cost of the class is $10.00
  Please email, call or leave a comment on this post to sign up. You can pick from any of Close To My Heart's exclusive 60 color palette for your berries.  When you sign up for the class please tell me what color of cardstock you would like for your berries.  I used cranberry cardstock (red is my favorite color) but would also recommend Sorbet, Smoothie, Sunset, Vineyard Berry, Smokey Plum or Indian Corn Blue.  You can view all 60 colors here or on page 124 and 125 of the Spring/Summer idea book. Last day to sign up for this class is Thursday, April 21st.
  Don't forget that you can get $5 off your kit when you place a $25 order either when you sign up for the class or at the class.  I can't wait to see you there! Read all the details about crafty club night here.

Photo Friday - Papa

  I mentioned last week that I was taking a photography class.  Well sadly the class is over. I always learn and grow so much when I take one of Brooke's classes.  Photography is something that I truly love especially when I capture moments like in the picture above, my Dad and two of my kids. This will be a moment that would have easily passed by and been forgotten but because I was able to capture it with my camera it will be preserved for a lifetime. If you would like to check out more of my photography including my last assignment for my Lifestyle photography class - an intense chess game between my Dad and my son, click here.

Studio J®: Step-by-Step Basics

  You must know by now that I do LOVE Studio J.  It has a place in my scrapbooks right along side my traditional scrapbook pages. This quick video will walk you through the very basics of creating with Studio J.  After you have watched this video if you would like to learn more then I would like to invite you to my home for a FREE Studio J class and crop.  I will be teaching tricks to really customize your layouts and use tools in ways you may not have thought about before.
  The class is Wednesday, April 13th at 7:00 pm.  All you need to bring is your laptop with your digital pictures that you want to scrapbook. Please RSVP by either leaving a comment on this post, emailing or calling me. I can't wait to hear from you!!!
   Oh and I can't have a post without sharing some artwork. Here is another Studio J layout created by yours truly. See you on the 13th!

April Workshop - Sophia

  This month our workshop layouts will be focused on all things spring!  The Sophia kit just screams sunshine and spring to me!  The layout above is the first of three we will be creating the 3rd week of this month.  Check out the goldrush flowers.  I have added texture to the flowers with Fun Flock a  "fun" product that Close To My Heart offers. (appropriate name don't you think) Come learn how to color and add Fun Flock to your projects at the workshop. Listed below you will find a full shopping list for the workshop. You can also read about all the April Promotions in the post after this one or by clicking here.   All items can be ordered online anytime or by contacting yours truly.
  Here are the other two layouts we will be creating at this month's class.

 On the second layout I have added a card slide that reveals a hidden picture and journaling.  Pretty cool hu!  The instructions and templates are in the Magic book or you can come to the workshop and I will help you create your own card slide!
  The second and third layout also feature our new Irresistibles Eclectic Die-cuts.  I love that I had 3-4 options of every letter to choose from for my titles. You can pick all one pattern or mix it up like I did in my titles.  I tell ya Close To My Heart has some fun stuff!
  I would love to have you join us. Email or call me to sign up and order your workshop kit. Deadline to join this month's class is Friday, April 8th. I can't wait to hear from you!

Sophia Workshop Shopping List:

April Specials and Stamp of the Month

In this post you'll see the following:

1. Information about the April Stamp of the Month: D1455-"Blessed" and artwork that my good friend Karen Pedersen made with it
2. Information about the wonderful April "Lovin' Level 1" Special
3. Information about the April "Let Your Studio J Layouts Shine" Special

Here we go..

1. The April Stamp of the Month looks like this (remember, the actual size of the carrier sheet is 6" x 6"):
The gorgeous cards at the beginning of this post feature this stamp set. Now, let me tell you how you can get this set at a discounted price...or even for FREE!

* earn it FREE when you spend $100 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 75% off ($5.74) when you spend $75 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 50% off ($11.74) when you spend $50 or more (before shipping and tax)
* earn it for 25% off ($17.21) when you spend $25 or more (before shipping and tax)
* purchase it for full retail price ($22.95)

You'll notice in #2 below that special hinges on spending $100 as well. When you spend $100 in April you not only get the Stamp of the Month ($22.95 value) FREE, but you also get a Level 1 Kit ($9.95 value) FREE. That is a total of $32.90 FREE when you spend $100 on my website in April. So what are you waiting for? Start shopping!

2. April's "Lovin' Level 1" Special: During April, when you place an order of $100 on my website, you’ll receive one My Reflections^® Level 1 kit ($9.95 value) of your choice FREE. Choose from several popular Level 1 kits. You’ll also qualify for a free April Stamp of the Month ($22.95 value) set! Now that’s a deal. Start shopping on my website here.

Also don't forget while you are shopping online to check out the "while supplies last" section.  New discounted items have been added!



 
3. April's "Sparkle with Studio J" Special: This April, it’s time to let your Studio J^® layouts shine with this exclusive, members-only campaign! Studio J members get free bling when they buy 10 layouts this month. Bling it up and bling it on with FREE packages (one of each) self-adhesive Sparkles and Opaques Pearl gems! Click here to start with Studio J.

If you would like some instructions and help with Studio J, I will be hosting a free class on Wednesday, April 13th at 7:00 at my house.  Just bring your laptop with your digital pictures and I can help you get started. Space is limited for this free class so email, leave a comment or call me today to reserve your spot.