Crafty Club Night: March Super Cards!

At Crafty Club Night we will be making 6 SUPER cards! (2 each of 3 designs)  Let me show you what I mean by SUPER cards. 

The first SUPER card is not only a card but a gift card holder. It is your sister's birthday and you want to give her a truly fabulous gift. Oh I know a Studio J membership! Talk to me about guying a 3 month or 12 month Studio J membership and then you can slip the gift card into this SUPER card and she will be amazed at your creativity and talent! She will be telling everyone that you are her favorite sister for months to come. She will even be more excited about the Studio J membership ;)  Really you can put any standard size gift card in the pocket.

The second SUPER card is not just a card but has a drawer too! This is a perfect little Easter card.  Write your cute little note inside the card and then fill the drawer with Easter treats. May I suggest those yummy Reese's Pieces pastel eggs. You could give this cute SUPER card to your kids, grandkids, neighbors, preschool class, friends, ect the list is endless!

Finally our last SUPER card is a cute little purse with a front pocket.  Write a quick little note on the card inside the pocket and then slip your gift into the main pocket of the purse. You could put jewelry, treats or a pair of socks to give you a few idea. (ok the socks are kind of random but you get the idea).  They say the wrapping is just as important as what is inside and with this SUPER card/purse you won't go wrong!

So where, when and for how much?  Just email or call me to reserve your spot for this SUPER card class on two different nights:  Wednesday, March 23rd at 6:30 or Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30. You will be making TWO of each SUPER card! That is right you will go home with 6 SUPER cards and the cutting templates so you can make more.  For the class I will have your pieces pre-cut for faster assembly.  The class is $10 or just $5 with a $25 Close To My Heart order. My scrapbook room can host a limited number of people so don't procrastinate signing up for this SUPER card class!

*I want to give credit where credit is due.  All three of these SUPER cards are not my original design but inspired and templates shared by fellow Close to My Heart consultants. Thank you specifically to Brenda Frerichs, Lisa Stenz and Deneen for sharing your creations and templates.

CTMH Studio J Tips and Tricks: Tutorial #8 (Mat to Your Heart's Content)

I am so excited to share with you this great video tutorial created by a fellow Studio J fan and Close to My Heart Consultant, Amy Ulen. I am a visual learner so a video tutorial is golden to me. The more I learn and play with Studio J the more I love it! It is amazing to me how much control you have over your layout to really create a beautiful masterpiece.  Check out this video and then log in to Studio J and start playing.  I am sure this won't be the last of Amy's videos that I share with you so check back ofter for more Studio J tips and tricks.

Lets get LUCKY!

  This month we will be creating our workshop layouts with one of my favorite new paper packets, LUCKY! I love how masculine this paper is especially for my boy only workshop members. But just because this doesn't have an ounce of pink doesn't mean it can't be used for girls. As you will see from the variety of themes for my layouts this paper is very versatile.  I feel like I say that about every paper packet but it is true that you can take one paper packet and collection of accessories and create three very different layouts.

   Did you see my cute Bingo board that says "Go Fight Win?" I made that with the adorable Bingo Alphabet stamp set. I just love this set. I also created my "south cache" on the second layout and "country" on the third layout with the same set.  Another feature I love about this stamp set is that it comes with the numbers and letters. This would be a perfect option to take advantage of the March Promotion: Free Blocks for You.

Do you want to make these layouts? It isn't to late to sign up!  Call or email me by Saturday, March 5th. Listed below is the shopping list for this class:

Basic Kit: G1018 (this kit includes the Lucky level 2 paper packet, Lucky stamp set, wooden designer buttons, natural hemp and workshop guide) $29.95 plus shipping and tax

Better Kit: Basic Kit plus Lucky Level 2 assortments, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Mini-Medley Accents Sunset Collection. $42.77 plus shipping and tax

Cards made by the talented Karen Pedersen

Add-On's:
D1478 Bingo Alphabet $22.95
E1002 Rustic Alphabet $34.95
D1453 March SOM: Sensational Season $22.95 or less. (note the cards to the right use this stamp set)

If you can't come to the class but would still like to make these layout you can still order the supplies 24/7 online.

Studio J: There's an App for that!

  Did you know that Studio J has an app for your iphone or ipod touch? Seriously there is an app for everything! The app is called Studio J Snapshot. To set up the account just enter your user name and password.  The app will sync with your online Studio J account. You will be able to view your purchased layouts right on your iphone or ipod touch. This is a great way to show your family and friends what you have been creating!
  You can also view all 70 paper packets in the app.  I really like this feature because I can quickly browse all the paper packets and plan out what paper I am going to use on my next layout.  This also will allow you to share with your friends and family all the paper options there is to choose from.  Whenever you open the app it will give you the option to sync with your online Studio J account.  When it syncs it will update your purchased layout folder as well as the kits.  With each new catalog (in February and August) there will be 9 new kits added.  Here is a link to the app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/studio-j-snapshot/id384469679?mt=8 or from the app store on your iphone or ipod just search Studio J Snapshots.
  Now I have mentioned twice about sharing Studio J with your family and friends. Why? Because I have a special offer for you.  For the month of March if you refer two friends to Studio J and they purchase a 3 month or 12 month membership, I will reward you with a brand new 12x12 post bound My Legacy Faux Leather Album of your color choice! There are 6 colors to choose from: black, dark chocolate, dark cranberry, dark new england ivy, hollyhock or outdoor denim. These albums are gorgeous, high quality and long-lasting.  They will protect your layouts for years to come.  If you don't have a Studio J membership your membership counts as one of the two! So what are you waiting for? This will be the easiest album you have ever earned!
   To sign up just go to my website (http://iotamaker.myctmh.com) click on Studio J and set up your free online account.  From the "My Account" tab inside Studio J click on membership and you can purchase a membership from there.  Or you are welcome to call me and I will order your membership for you and then send you your 16 digit code to activate the membership from your Studio J account.  If you have any questions and/or would like me to talk to your friends or family please call or email me with their contact information.  I would be happy to help you earn your free album!

March Campaign: Free Blocks For You!

  At Close To My Heart, we know we've got the best clear stamps and blocks —and we'll prove it! Throughout March, when you buy My Acrylix^® stamps, we'll give you a free My Acrylix^® block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you'll have the best block, too! Just purchase $25 in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile sizes: 3" x 3" (Y1006) or 2" x 6 1/2" (Y1010).

Dates: Offer valid March 1–31, 2011.

Details: Limit one free My Acrylix^® block per order per customer. Qualifying stamp purchases include A-, B-, C-, D-, E-size stamp sets, and Stamp of the Month sets purchased at full retail or at a discount. K-size stamp sets, Stamp of the Months earned for free, and Workshops on the Go™ are excluded. Tax and shipping/handling may apply. Close To My Heart reserves the right to substitute a block of a similar size or price.
  Hop on over to my website and order your My Acrylix stamps then at check out you will be prompted to add your free block to your order or you can call or email me and I will order your My Acrylix stamps and free block for you.

PrismaGlitter Video Tutorial

  Here is another quick and easy way to add sparkle to your stamped images. I used this technique on the banner for my daughter's room.  This whole project was all about the sparkle. I also added sparkle to the striped b&t paper by tracing the pear colored stripes with Glitz Glitter Gel. Finally I added clear sparkles to the center of the flowers on the floral paper and to the center of the buttons.
  This was such a fun project. My only problem now is that Kassie wants one for her room too!

Studio J: Tips & Tricks - Create Your Own Title

   For today's Studio J tips and tricks lets talk about titles. Sometimes the title space recommended for the layout is just not as big as I want it to be. This can easily be fixed by deleting the recommended title and adding my own title with the title tool under the text tab. This way I can size it to be as large or small as I want it to be. You can control the font, font color, background and placement of your title.

  Check out these last two layouts.  They look basically the same except for the Title. I used the quick title tool to create "Animal Kingdom" using the coordinating stickease.  The difference is the size of the title. Bigger is sometimes better! I like the interaction between the title and the focal picture on the bottom layout.  

  One last title tip. On many of the alphabet stickease you have options as to what letter you use. In this case I was able to choose whether the letter was cranberry red or indian corn blue. Your options could be about color or whether the letter is capital or lower case. Some sets have multiple options while other sets don't have any options.  To see your options and change the letters simply select your letter and pick from the options shown in the pop up menu box. 

  *One last reminder to you Studio J members.  There are only a few days left to take advantage of the February Perfect 10 Promotion! I hope you are able to spend your weekend scrapbooking and don't forget to submit your order by the end of the day Monday, February 28th. You can read all the details of the promotion here.  If you have any questions please feel free to call or email me.

Pinwheel Flower Video Tutorial

  If you love to make paper flowers but don't always love how bulky they are on your scrapbooking layout then this is a great option for you!

Feburary Workshop - Sweetheart

 Last week at the workshop classes we created these 3 Sweet layouts with the new Sweetheart paper packet.  This paper is so fun and as you can see by the variety of the pictures it isn't just for Valentines day.  I created the title on the first layout with the very versatile E-size alphabet stamp set, Pennant.  I love this set because you really get two full alphabet sets.  The pennant letters and then the letters that stamp inside the pennants which can also be used completely separate.  The date on the second layout and the subtitles, "Idaho" and "Open House" were stamped with the letters from the Pennant set.
   We embellished our layouts with the new Sweetheart Level 2 assortment.  There are 32 epoxy stickers in various shapes and sizes that coordinate perfectly with the sweetheart paper. We finished embellishing our layouts with the following items: White Daisy Grosgrain ribbon and Liquid applique.

 
  In March we will be using the new Lucky workshop on the go kit.  Orders are do on the 5th of each month classes are held on the third week of the month.  If you would like to join us for a fun filled night with great company, amazing products and lots of laughs call or email me today! I will send you all the details as well as a complete shopping list.

Designer Ribbon Pink CollectionDesigner Ribbon Pink Collection

  Here is another great new product from the Spring/Summer 2011 idea book!  I love this ribbon and used it on the layout shown below.  You can order this adorable ribbon collection as well as all the other new products online anytime on my website.
  As a little side note on the left hand layout I created the border below and above the ribbon using those very versatile kraft color-ready borders that were in the technique video last week.