Paradise Found Mini Album

Last year, my husband and I took a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean - compliments of Close To My Heart! It's one of the many fabulous perks of being a consultant for a company that truly rewards your hard work!

 I had some left-over Footloose DE's and partial packs of the Sparkle Flourishes left over, so I used those to create a memory box with a mini album inside!

Okay - let me explain.......the top of the box is a little bright and gaudy, but it reminded me of San Diego and even Tijuana - such a magical place where these bright colors abound and you never know when you might find a pink flamingo in someones front yard! LOL!

So...on to the project.....on the front of the box, the flap, I added one of the large DE scallop pieces, embellished with a few pearls.

I used some of the coordinating Footloose papers for the outside of the box.

Open the box and you will see that I have decorated the lid, and inside the box is a photo with a ribbon tab - pull the tab and....

...out comes the mini album! All 4x6 photos attached to an accordion folded cardstock base that is anchored to the inside of the box.

Here is the inside of the box with the mini album extended.

I even added photos to the back side of the cardstock!

There are a total of 9 photos. I journaled directly on the photos in Photoshop so I wouldn't have to create a separate journaling piece and added some DE's and sparkles to the photos.

Here's the FUN part....this is my July workshop! Which means that I will show you how easy it is to create one of these as a keepsake for your recent cruise or beach vacation. This would make a great family treasure, but also a great treasure for each of your kids to remember their get-a-way!

Since I was working with leftovers, I have 7 kits that include partial Footloose DE's and partial Sparkle Flourishes plus everything you need to create my version of the box. After those kits are gone, I will include full sets of the Footloose DE's and Flourishes.

When:

Monday, July 23rd at 6pm

Cost:

7 Kits @ $16 each which includes:

My Creations Card Box

Footloose DE's (partial pack)

Sparkle Flourishes (partial pack)

Pre-cut Paper for project

Pearl Opaques (1/2 pack)

After those are gone the kits will jump to $20 and include:

My Creations Card Box

Footloose DE's (full pack)

Sparkle Flourishes (full pack)

Pre-cut Paper for project

Pearl Opaques (1/2 pack)

Would you like to purchase a kit to make at home? No problem! If you are not local, shipping will be extra. 

Contact me today to order your kit or reserve your spot or place your order below!

Mini Album - local (no shipping)

Partial Kit$16.00 USD Complete Kit$20.00 USD

Mini Album - with shipping

Partial Kit$16.00 USD Complete Kit$20.00 USD

Color-Ready Ribbon Inspiration

Make this pretty, soft white Color-Ready seam binding ribbon a stunning color to match your layouts, cards, and home décor projects. Our Close To My Heart expert shows you how easy it is to do.

Click here to start video then click here to order this special color-ready ribbon so you can coordinate your ribbon with ANY project or color!

The Next Tiger layout

Here is the fifth and last layout that I created in Studio J using the step-by-step instructions provided by Close To My Heart. This one features our Victory Kit - perfect for masculine layouts and outdoor photos. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

The techniques I learned creating this layout include:

• Making pleated ribbon out of ribbon tabs
• Rotating a page
• Cropping My Stickease images
• Camouflaging with a text box
• Changing the color intensity of a B&T design

I love how easy it is to journal and creating titles in coordinating fonts and colors, making my layouts look even better! Would you like to learn how to use this quick and easy tool to get caught up on your scrapbooking? Contact me to schedule a FREE one-on-one tutorial to get you started or let me know if you are interested in FREE group classes!

Click here to create a FREE account and start playing in Studio J now!

I was featured on Jeanette Lynton's Blog!

Wow! Imagine my delight when I saw my artwork featured on Jeanette Lynton's blog today! So cool!

   

 Thank you Jeanette!

At the Zoo layout

Here is the fourth layout in a series of five that CTMH gave us for convention! They gave us complete step-by-step instructions along with a gift card to pay for them! One of the many benefits for being a consultant for the best company around! (click on the image to enlarge it)

This layout features one of our kits that is no longer available in real paper - only online in Studio J - called Magic Moments. I love that my favorite kits will always "live" in Studio J even when I can no longer purchase the paper packs. 

The techniques I learned in making this layout include:

• Using a My Stickease image to make a border
• Creating a layered ribbon bow
• Creating striped ribbon using a text box

I love re-living these memories! My son was only about 1 1/2 years old - not too sure about the animals in the petting zoo, but thrilled with the water fountain! He was such a cutie. When they are this age, you just want to scoop them up in your arms and love all over them all day long!

Would you like to learn this fast, easy, and beautiful method of scrapbooking? Contact me to arrange a FREE one-on-one training session or click here to start playing on your own!

My Best Friend layout

Here is the next layout in the series of five that I made using our online scrapbooking program - Studio J. This layout features our Lucky kit. (Click on the image to see it larger.)

The techniques I learned while making this layout include:

• Adding a photo mat behind your photo using a journaling box
• Using letters as embellishments
• Add "tabs" of cardstock or paper with journaling boxes
• Creating a title using several journaling boxes
• Using a My Stickease image to make a border

This is a great kit for boys or outdoor or water pictures. Are you interested in learning how to use Studio J? I'd love to show you! Contact me to join a group class or schedule a one-on-one class. Or click here to start playing and creating on your own!

Time for Something Sweet

Here is another one of the five layouts we got to make for convention in our Studio J online scrapbooking program. This one amazingly features our fall/halloween kit called Mischief - can you tell? (Click on the image to see it larger.)

We've changed the colors to blues and pinks instead of the black/orange/cream colors! And it gave me the opportunity to preserve my fun time with friends at a Close To My Heart Studio J Boot Camp in Salt Lake City last year. It was so much fun! I loved learning a ton of new techniques AND spending quality time with the girls!

It's so cool how I made the table with cupcakes! I started with a table from the My Stickease collection that had a book and candle on top. I cropped off the book and candle. Next I took a piece of the honey colored candy wrapper and cropped off all but one of the ends, then rotated it to sit on the table. Next I added an oval accent to the top of the cupcake paper and clicked "send to back" to tuck it behind the cupcake paper. The I added a tulip colored brad for the cherry and a tulip colored staple for the stem! Once I had one cupcake done, all I had to do is copy and paste the entire cluster for the other two! So easy!

The techniques featured in this layout are:

• Altering the look by changing the colors of B&T papers
• Rotating a page
• Using vellum text box to lighten a color
• Converting a photo well to a text box
• Creating your own embellishments

Would you like to learn how to make this layout while learning these techniques? Contact me about attending a group class or a one-on-one class!

Click here to start playing and creating in Studio J!

Lucy Layout in Studio J

I'm so busy working on "TOP SECRET PROJECTS" that I can't share just yet, so I decided to share something I just made in Studio J - our fabulous online digital scrapbooking program!

This year for convention, each attendee received a FREE 5-pack to purchase 5 layouts in Studio J. These 5 layouts came with step-by-step instructions -- I LOVE that! It's like working with one of our workshop-on-the-go kits - I just follow the instructions and then tweak as desired to fit my photos!

Here is the first of the five layouts - this one features our Lucy kit and is perfect for a darling little girl. But since I don't have a little girl, I used photos of my little Molly instead!

We got her in Temecula, CA back in October 2004 at a little doggie boutique. It was love at first sight! (click on the image to see it larger)

You can see how darling this layout would look with pictures of your little girl or granddaughter, can't you? I'd love to host a class and show you how easy it is to create these five layouts. This particular layout teaches the following techniques:

• Deleting unwanted photo wells
• Using text boxes to cover up portions of the pattern
• Cropping My Stickease borders to make ribbon streamers

Contact me if you are interested in a group class or one-on-one training in this great program! Or click here to start using Studio J now! It's FREE to use - nothing to download. Just create to your heart's content, then if you decide to purchase the layouts, let me know and I'll help you get the best deal possible!

 

Nifty Neighbor Gifts

With just a few crafty products, it's fun and easy to create heartfelt gifts for your neighbors and friends. Find out how simple it is to make these gorgeous gifts filled with delicious delicacies! In this Close To My Heart video, we show you how to create the gift packaging featured on page 82 of our Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.

 

Click on the video above or click here to watch.

With Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy cartridge - I can make ANYTHING! I love this cartridge! If you don't have one, contact me to see how you can get a DEAL on one so YOU TOO can start making gifts and decorating your own theme parties, as well as endless ideas for cards and layouts! And THIS month you can get a deal on all stamp purchases! Buy two - get one free! Click here for more details or contact me today!

Click on the image above to start shopping for your stamp deals this month!

My Acrylix® Stamps: Did You Know?

My Acrylix® stamps are clearly the best in the stamping industry, giving you incredible creative freedom loaded with possibilities. Now is a great time for a refresher on our stamps with the beginning of June’s Stampaganza campaign—it’s buy two stamps, get one free. (Read the details here.) 

Did you know? 

• My Acrylix stamps are ready to use right out of the package—no cutting out, mounting, or applying stickers required. Just place the stamp on your block, apply ink, and you’re set! 
• My Acrylix stamps and blocks are clear, making it easy to stamp in exactly the right spot.

•  My Acrylix stamps can be used to create a variety of popular looks, including: 
• base and shade stamping







•  creating your own patterned paper 

•  sponging on multiple inks for single-impression, multi-color images 

•  Many My Acrylix stamps coordinate with Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge shapes, giving you lots of creative possibilities. Cut the shape on your Cricut® machine, stamp the image on the shape, and attach to your project! In the Idea Book, the images outlined in red coordinate with Cricut® shapes.







My Acrylix stamps are easy to maintain, store, and transport!


Now you can see why Close To My Heart My Acrlylix Stamps are CLEARLY the best on the market! 


Click here to browse our current stamp collection online.

A Single Stamp and You're Done!

(Click on the image or click here to watch the video.)

Create a finished card in five seconds flat with the new series of single-image A-size My Acrylix® stamp sets from Close To My Heart. Use them for quick scrapbook layout titles or easy, one-step cardmaking. Each one is designed to complete your project with a single stamp, and at just $6.95 each, these stamps are super affordable!

And this month, they are even MORE affordable! During the month of June, for every 2 stamp sets you purchase, you get a third one of equal or lesser value for FREE! Now is the time to stock up!

Click here to browse our current stamps online or click here to browse my clearance stamp sets - new and used!