Help! What do I do with all of my digital photos?

Many of us have literally hundreds, if not thousands, of digital photos on our harddrive. But what do we do with them now? Many of us store them there for safe keeping - fully intending to do "something" later, but later never comes.

I've got a quick, easy, and economical solution for you! I'd love to set up a time to show you Studio J in your home or anywhere there is internet. The consultation/training session is FREE, no software to purchase or download. We could even meet at McDonalds or Panera or Starbucks and I'll buy you a smoothie to enjoy while we create your layout!

Contact me today to set up time for you alone or a group of friends to discover the ease, style, and joy of Studio J and MOVE your photos from "the invisible realm" to the coffee table or internet to share with your friends and loved ones!

Read more here to see why Studio J might be the perfect solution for you!

MORE Director Gifts!!!

Wow!! I KNEW this goal of reaching Director would come with MANY benefits - including special treatment at convention - but the unexpected gifts and rewards just KEEP COMING!

Look what came in the mail yesterday?



It's an absolutely beautiful logo tote with a protected space for a laptop and cell phone in addition to plenty of space for creative and business supplies! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!

In addition, there was an elegantly packaged set of heart-shaped spoons with the following engraved on them: a pinch of joy, a dash of tenderness, a spoonful of affection, a heap of love. I call these my Measuring Spoons for Success! So CUTE!



Thank you Close To My Heart! You never cease to make us feel so pampered and special at each stage in our business and leadership!! I LOVE my job!

You & Me Stronger Together

Purchase the You & Me kit to help those affected by the severe weather. Together we can make a difference!

SEVERE FLOODING, TORNADOES, AND STORMS have affected the lives of thousands across the United States, but together we can make a difference. During the month of June, purchase the You & Me scrapbooking kit for only $15 (a retail value of $34.95), and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Spring 2011 Floods and Tornadoes relief operations.

With the You & Me kit, you’ll create two fully embellished two-page layouts using the included instructions, papers, D-size stamp set, and accessories. At only $15, this kit is more than 50% off the retail price. You’ll win by getting the kit at a phenomenal price, and those in the weather-devastated regions will benefit from your charitable contribution. Together we can make a difference; together we are stronger!



To see a video of how easy it is to create the step-by-step techniques and layouts in this kit, click here.

And don't forget, there are many new items added to our clearance sale! Up to 80% off of your favorite Close To My Heart products! Check it out here and add a You & Me kit to your cart for only $15 too! The You & Me kit and sale items would make excellent Christmas or Birthday gifts for your scrapbooking family and friends! Stock up now!!

Broccoli Salad Recipe

I HATE that I can't post a picture of this salad - it's so colorful and FRESH looking! Perfect for a summer picnic, BBQ, or pot-luck. That's just where I took it last week - to our home group BBQ. Let me know if you like it! Enjoy!!

2 bunches fresh broccoli

1 red onion

2 cans red kidney beans (drained)

1 pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)

Cherry tomatoes (halved) or Grape tomatoes

1 bag Fritos (crushed)

Italian Dressing

Cut broccoli into bite sized pieces. Dice or cut onion into small strips.

Marinate the broccoli, onion, kidney beans and cheese in the dressing in a large bowl for up to 2 days. (Do NOT use a metal bowl.) *Note - I usually don't plan that far enough ahead and just make it that morning and it's marinated enough.

Just before serving, drain the salad or pour off the liquid. Add the tomatoes and the crushed Fritos, mix and serve!

Creativity with Trees & Things Stamp Set

My Acrylix® Trees & Things is the perfect stamp set for showing off lots of neat techniques, including rock 'n' roll, second generation, masking, and more! In this short video, we take these stamping methods to the next level of creativity on cards, a scrapbook page, and even a journal. Easy and fun for all your stamping-crazy customers or those just learning!

Dreams Come True Banner

I had a chance to see this piece of artwork in person at Team Builders this year. It is absolutely gorgeous in real life! Here's how they made it....and you can too!

So Grateful.......

I don't often give my husband the credit he deserves. For many years he has worked very hard and diligently in the construction field to provide for our family. And now, after a back injury, he has taken an early retirement. He always wakes up with aches and pains that sometimes go away as the day progresses and sometimes not. But he still finds something to do everyday regardless.

Our neighbor has recently had some physical problems that has rendered him chair-bound - unable to walk. This neighbor LOVES his yard and you could find him outside every single day carefully manicuring his lawn. Since his injury, he obviously hasn't been able to get outside. So my husband took it upon himself to just start mowing his lawn and pulling weeds, etc. It might sound like a little task, but believe me, it's A LOT of work! We both have big, sloped yards - add in heat and humidity and it is a great chore! I'm so proud of him for taking on this task to "love his neighbor as himself". It has been a huge blessing for our neighbor and a great example for me to watch.

I'm proud of you honey and so grateful to have you in my life. Love you......

Chief Logan Lodge Fall Retreat

Fall Scrapbook Retreat

October 28-29th

Save the date!!!! You won't want to miss this event! I've just been up to the Chief Logan Lodge Hotel & Conference Center to stake out a claim for a falll scrapbook retreat. I can't tell you the number of times I must have squealed with delight - inwardly of course - as the group coordinator (Kathy) took me on a tour. But I couldn't hold back my smile! I LOVE this facility! It's practically new, so clean and beautiful, and the surroundings are breathtaking! I'm currently working on getting you the best price possible for your stay and as many perks as possible! But I wanted you to be aware and SAVE THE DATE NOW for this event you WON'T WANT TO MISS! I've got some BIG give aways planned and lots of fun activities for ALL paper crafters - scrapbookers, card makers, and 3-D gift projects. Even if you aren't a paper crafter, bring along whatever project you are working on for a fun weekend getaway!

Here are a couple of pics from my drive there. I didn't take pictures inside, but you can view a virtual tour online here. If you live in WV, these vistas and mountains become common place, but today I was captured by an overwhelming awe of my surroundings - sunlight filtering through the leaves and the beauty of the rolling hills covered with lush green trees! Simply breathtaking! I wish I had taken pics to help capture that beauty - instead why don't you plan on coming out yourself for the fall weekend so you can etch in your own mind the beauty of this place!



Meet Chief Logan:


If you choose to stay overnight, you will have access to the indoor gym, pool and jacuzzi along with other perks. You can also jog or walk in the beautiful outdoors (God's Country!) where the leaves will be a profuse display of color! Let me know if you think you are interested in attending so that I can rent enough space for everyone! I can't WAIT for fall!!!

Magic Makers

Have you heard about my new group The Magic Makers? If you are a member of my team, you are invited to my house this Wednesday at 6:30 to create an interactive layout from our new Magic scrapbook how-to book. We have been meeting for the past several months - each month a different consultant gets to pick the layout we will all be doing, and brings snacks to share! This month we will be doing the On With The Show layout on pg. 62.

Everyone brings their own supplies and we learn together how to incorporate the interactive technique taught with each layout! It's so much fun! Plus, you will be putting together an album of interactive layouts to share with YOUR customers and friends too! But the absolute BEST part is just getting together with my team! They are truely like family - the sisters I never had! We love to stay connected and catch up with what's going on in each others' lives - to celebrate blessings and successes, to give support through hardships. I love my team SISTAS! And look forward to another fun evening this Wednesday at my house! See you then, Magic Makers!

Convention 2011

Woo Hoo!!! I'm SO excited about this year's convention for MANY reasons!! Our annual convention is the most anticipated event among consultants all year long!! And each year is better than the last! (How do they DO that?) This year holds a few NEW reasons for my excited anticipation.....

The opportunity to purchase special convention attendee only logo items! There were many available - here are the few I purchased:



I LOVE every single one of these!!! The table top trash can is collapsable with springs, the bling thermal cup is SO CUTE, and the crop caddy is amazing!! It has pockets all around, 6 divided sections inside, an elastic strap sewn on each side with 8 slots to hold markers and other tools, and is collapsable as well! Stinkin' cute, huh?


I LOVE this new cardigan - the color is close to our Smoothie color - my new fave! I asked my hubby to take the picture so I could hold the cardigan straight and smooth and I wanted to make sure he got the logo. (Looks like he focused more on my boob than the logo!)


I LOVE the bling tees! And I love the fun color of this one!! (Excuse the turkey neck - I took this one myself and was trying to hold my double chin up and out of the photo!)

This year I get to participate in the many Director benefits at convention - front row seats in the Black Chair, a Directors Dinner with Jeanette and her executive team, a special Director gift, and hanging out with some of the most successful, loving, supportive and wonderful people you could ever meet! After our special dinner, the Directors will have complimentary entrance into Disney’s California Adventure® Park where we can play the night away! We also have a reserved special viewing area for the 10:00 pm showing of “World of Color,” which is an amazing spectacle of water, fire, lights, and color at Paradise Bay.

Also new this year, I'm teaching at our Art Extravaganza classes for the very first time! In fact, I have been spending all my creative energies on making "top secret" artwork to display at convention, so I haven't had anything new to post in a very long time. (Sorry.) BUT, I can't wait to share with you the little bits I have been creating with my new product and to tell you all about the many other new and wonderful product releases once they are announced. And of course, to actually see and purchase them, you will want to attend my New Idea Book unveiling party the end of July.

That's it for now! Just wanted to share a little about what's goin' on and why I haven't posted anything new lately. I'm really LOVIN' the new product I'm working with - and just LOVE being able to "create" for my job! Even though the pressure to create artwork that will inspire others at convention is very daunting, the joy of creating is overtaking that stress! Can't wait to share.....

Look what I got in the mail.....

I was so surprised to open my mail and find TWO exciting gifts in the mail!! A certificate from Close To My Heart memorializing my promotion to Director! (Woo Hoo!!) In addition to that, I also received a gift from my upline and dear, sweet friend Lisa Stenz - a Brighton key chain! I love Brighton - ANYTHING from Brighton!! And she included a sweet sentiment inside the heart! I will treasure it forever!! Thank you TONS Lisa!