Extra! Extra! Studio J Savings Extended!

All Layouts are $5 through March 15!

In order to allow even more time for you to create and purchase Studio J^®layouts at the wonderful $5 per layout price, this offer has been extended. Now through March 15, 2013, all Studio J layouts will be $5!* That’s $1.95 savings per each two-page layout!

It’s the perfect time to get clicking with ready-made Express Collections or customize layouts with embellishments, My Stickease^® accents, and unique papers and color combinations of your own. If you’ve never tried Studio J before, what are you waiting for? You’ve taken the photos. Now keep the memories!

*Shipping/handling applies. Studio J credits must be redeemed before this promotion can be applied. Offer valid February 1–March 15, 2013.

Get started with Studio J »

Jump For Joy in March!

Jump to the Next Level of Hostess Rewards

During the month of March, hostesses “jump” to the next level of Hostess Rewards when a Gathering reaches $250 or more!* More discounts and free product for hostesses. Now that’s a reason to jump for joy!

*Shipping/handling and tax applies. Only Gatherings with a total of $250 or more will qualify for the jump in Hostess Rewards or Hostess Rewards Plus! Qualifying hostesses will receive Hostess Rewards from one level only—the level that is one higher than their sales total. Offer valid March 1–31, 2013.

This is a perfect time to host a home gathering, Studio J party, online party or book party to receive even MORE in rewards! Contact me today to schedule a date before they all fill up!

And good news - all club hostess will JUMP to the next level too! Woo Hoo!

Fun Cricut Foldables!

Learn how to create foldable Cricut®-cut pieces that you can add to a scrapbook page, card, or home décor item for extra dimension! From yo-yos to bows, embellishments cut with the Cricut® Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges add something special to your artwork.

Note: If you are receiving this in a blog update, you may need to click here to activate the above video in YouTube.

My Creations Cubby Display

Here is another display I created for convention last year. I used one of our new My Creations Cubbys to display photos and treasures of my great grandmother.

The Cubby comes in a heavy chipboard kraft color. You can ink, paint or cover with paper as desired. In this case, I laid the cubby in a box and used my spray pen filled with black reinker and alcohol to give the cubby a nice basic black color. I then took one of our new black pigments inks and inked the outside edges of each cubby. Why? Water based dye inks will fade over time when exposed to light. So home decor projects really need a pigment based ink which is color fast and won't fade over time. I felt it would be too cumbersome to coat the entire cubby with pigment ink, so I only did the exposed edges.

The cubby sections are permanent,  however if you wanted you could cut sections out. I chose to leave them in, but create a photo mat that would allow me to cover more than one cubby section at a time. For example, the photo on the left takes up 6 cubby sections and is approximately 5" x 7". I created a notched photo mat that would slide over top of each cubby divider.

I did the same thing with the photo on the right. The other three small photos I created a mat that would slide into each individual cubby, recessed, to give the display more dimension. I also covered the exposed cubby's with Avonlea BandT paper - as well as the sides of the cubby.

For those of you who purchased the Advent Calendar Workshop Kit last year, you could remove the boxes and display photos and treasures or even decorate seasonally, then pull the boxes back out at Christmas time, making your project even more valuable!

Click here to order your cubby and create your own display today!

Open House this weekend!

Just a reminder that my Open House is this weekend where you can see tons of new artwork with all of the new paper packs, see new products first hand before ordering, and make FREE projects! PLUS be entered to win $100 in FREE Product!

Here are the details:

Friday, February 22st 

3pm - 9pm

Saturday, February 23nd 

10am - 4pm

Location - my home in Cross Lanes

(contact me if you need directions)

Receive a FREE Idea Book if you don't have one already. You will also be able to make FREE projects using new products such as our new paper pouches, stamp of the month, glitter paper, and more! Here are some samples:

A simple card using the cricut for the conversation bubble and dots on the cardstock, plus a little shimmer trim!

Here is one of our new Paper Pouches - large size - colored with spray pen and reinker with our stamp of the month on the front and a bag of micro popcorn inside! The sentiment reads: "There is nothing like staying home for real comfort" Jane Austen. Wouldn't this be cute in a little basket with matching card and a deck of cards, or a game, or video rental gift card (does anyone do that anymore?).

Here is one of our small paper pouches with a glitter paper tag for a birthday gift idea. Actually, these make even better coordinating treat bags for your party guests! 

Learn how to create two-tone colors by inking in one and rolling in a darker color before stamping!

PLUS get a free Studio J demo! Bring your laptop if you'd like OR a flash drive with photos if desired. Studio J is always a great deal, but this month it's a FANTASTIC deal!

DOOR PRIZE

$100 in FREE Product

I will be drawing five $20 prizes - you could win all five for a total of $100!

For simply showing up, you get one ticket.

For every $20 spent in cash & carry get one ticket.

For every $20 in orders get one ticket.

For every $20 ordered online get one ticket.

(Click here to order now. Be sure to "join" the Open House party link.)

PLUS, purchase $50 and you qualify for the stamp of the month for only $5!

PLUS, purchase $100 or more and receive all of the above AND a FREE gift from me! One of our new drawstring muslin bags stamped with our pigments inks and filled with an adorable mini stamp set called Critter Expressions.

RSVP so I can have project supplies and snacks ready for you! Can't wait to see you!

NEW Drawstring Muslin Bags!

When I first saw these beauties in the new Idea Book, I knew I had to have them! They are My Creations Drawstring Bags in a muslin fabric with silk ribbon pull strings.

They can be dyed, as seen in the stamp of the month artwork below:

or stamped on using our pigment inks, as seen in the artwork in the video below. Take a minute to watch this short tutorial on how easy it is to dress up these adorable gift bags!

CLICK HERE to watch the video.

Quick Mini Album using Studio J!

Want some more Studio J inspiration? For convention last year, I wanted to incorporate some Studio J into my displays. So I chose to do a mini album. Currently, Studio J only provides 12" x 12" page layouts. You can certainly create layouts - order just the jpeg files and print them in any size you choose! However, I didn't want to be concerned about being able to read journaling when it was reproduced in a smaller size, so I decided to find 12" x 12" layouts that would divide evenly into 6" x 6" squares. Here is what I did.

I used one of our 6" x 6" My Creations Memory Showcase - accordian style display album. At only $3.95 it's a bargain for this personalized gift item!

In Studio J, I chose the Avonlea Kit - the the Primadonna pattern layout (search for it under the 10 photo layouts). I rotated the left and right pages then loaded my photos. I turned off the toggle accents under the Embellishments tab. I removed the title and journal boxes then added my own where I wanted them.

On the left page I added stickease titles "Family" and "ties". Then I added a few of the floral images for an accent. This page was framed as a gift or could be used as an album cover page.

On the right page I turned the middle 4x6 photo well into a text box and added the script B and T paper. I added some chocolate back stitching and journal boxes. I flipped the 3 photos on the bottom left side so that when I cut the page in squares they would be oriented the way I wanted them.

Here is how it looks cut and added to the front of the mini album:

Simple - huh? Now for the other side of the 6" x 6" mini album.

For the second layout I chose the Avonlea Kit and the Timeline pattern layout (search for it under 6 photo layouts). This one required minimal changes. I removed the buttons and thread on the left side by the title. Then I changed the title box to a photo well. I loaded my photos - using a single photo on the bottom that would cut down the middle without chopping off anyone's head! Then I added titles, stickease, and names on each of the photos of the kids. (LOVE this feature in Studio J!)

The right page was used as a baby layout that could be framed or used as a cover page in an album!

Here is the layout cut and added to the back side of the mini album:

After cutting the pages and putting the mini album together I added journaling pockets with a story about how the couple met - one told from his perspective and one told from her perspective! 

The finishing touch was a metal key from the Brocade Assortment.

Simply look for layouts that can be divided evenly and you too can create beautiful personalized gifts for just pennies - especially THIS month! Click here to start using Studio J today!

Digital Delights Extended!

This month we have a fantastic special on a fabulous program - Studio J! Studio J is our online scrapbooking program that makes scrapbooking fast, simple, EASY for anyone! It's especially great for busy parents, kids who want to create memories of school or life events, college students who spend most of their time online already, and elderly who have trouble creating with their hands anymore.

AND the layouts are processed, not printed, using a silver-halide process considered the highest standard in the photo developing industry. Unlike printed papers or images you might print from a home photo printer, the silver-halide process yields "100-year+ quality" that has long been tested and used by the top photo labs in the world! We use the same papers and equipment used by leading labs to produce long-lasting photo prints, so you know your layout will be reproduced with high fidelity and will last throughout the years so you can pass them on from generation to generation!

Studio J two-page layouts normally cost $6.95 each, but from February 1st - March 15th they are only $5 per two-page layout! That's a $1.95 savings per layout on an already great deal!

I'm working on my cruise album now and once I'm done I'll post pictures. Another bonus about Studio J is I can create my album and then just order TWO copies to give one to Renee, my guest on the cruise! I don't have to actually make TWO albums by hand! LOVE that!

Here is another idea. For those of you who like to have a wall of family photos, I used one of our layout patterns called No Limits which is just a 12"x12" photo well on both sides. I added one of my great grandmother on one side and my grandparents on the other side. Then I framed them separately.

I could have added stickease and other Studio J embellishments, but chose to leave it plain and add some personal items in the shadow box instead. I included one of my great grandmother's hankies and a piece of lace along with a journaling pocket to tell a little bit about her with a bit of our Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon on the tag. I added a decorative metal piece from the Brocade Assortment and added a monogram with her initial (love these monogram stamps!), with a finishing touch of a stick pin flower from the Slate Mini Medley Collection and two leaves from the Avonlea Canvas Stickease. All of the above accessories coordinate perfectly with the Avonlea kit.

Even though this layout is just one giant photo, I can add coordinating embellishments and font colors to the photo. In this case, I added her name at the top right using the color "Avonlea Off-White" which is a color specific to this kit only! And it matches my Avonlea Off-White monogram paper and journal tag paper! I've ALWAYS loved how Close To My Heart perfectly coordinates their product line!

Have you tried Studio J yet? I strongly encourage you to check it out today! It's FREE to use! You only pay if you decide to purchase the layouts you have created! Click here to get started today OR contact me to set up a time for a hands-on demonstration!

Cricut Craft Room Basics!

Have you tried the Cricut Craft Room? It is a FREE program offered by Provo Craft to use with your Cricut Machine to do even MORE fun things with the cartridges you already own!

Below is a short video highlighting a few of the fun features available in the Craft Room. If you want more instruction, please contact me. I'd be happy to get together with you to help you create using this awesome tool!

Having trouble viewing the above video? Click here to view in YouTube.

Canvas Art Workshop Kit

I LOVE this new 12" x 12" canvas art kit! The kit is $39.95 and includes:
 (1) 12"x 12" pre-printed canvas display
(1) C-sized Canvas Art Workshop on the Go stamp set
(1) 1 yard of Cashmere Baker’s Twine
(10) Clear Sparkles (10mm) (1) Sheet of Sparkles Flourishes
 (2) 12" x 6" sheets of Dimensional Elements In Color - Art Shapes
(1) Instructional Brochure

With the many options in this kit, you can pick up another canvas at a craft or art supply store OR create a 12" x 12" layout in addition to your canvas! I'm making a seperate 12' x 12" layout for an album cover page or framed art! Watch this cool video to see some of the options available to you!

Ready to order yours today? Click here to start shopping and get all the supplies you need! Or come to my Open House to see this project in person!

Additional supplies recommended:

Cocoa Pigment Ink

3-D Foam Tape

Liquid Glass

Paper Panic Contest

Close To My Heart is giving away 20 paper collections this month! YOU can be one of the lucky winners by simply leaving a comment on Jeanette Lynton's blog post here! Be sure to watch the video of Kristine Widtfeldt explaining the contest then leave your comment on THAT POST for a chance to WIN! 

Click here to begin! I hope you WIN!!!

Tommy

Anchors away! This nautical themed paper pack features warm red, blue and yellows to compliment your summer fun! 

Set sail for a nautical project with the canvas flags and circle cork labels in the Tommy accessory assortment. These embellishements are ideal for highlighting any adventure on life's open seas!

Here is one of the layouts included in the scrapbook workshop kit!

As you can see, there is a LOT to get excited about! Stay tuned for more artwork, ideas and opportunities! And don't forget to mark your calendars for my open house on Friday 2/22 and Saturday 2/23!

Surf's Up

Our Surf's Up paper pack is just what you need to celebrate your fun in the sun! The coordinating accessory pack include pinwheels, yo-yo's and printed wooden buttons to bring your summer parties and memories to life!

Here is one of the layouts from the scrapbooking workshop kit!

Stay tuned, there is one more for tomorrow!

Later Sk8r

Later Sk8r papers work great with photos of your favorite boys! But the blues and greens also make it perfect for outdoor and water themes too!

There is a coordinating accessory pack that includes trendy rubber images that will grip your attention for a gnarly project any tween or teen will love!

Here is one of the layouts from the scrapbooking workshop kit!

Check back for more tomorrow!

Claire

Claire is a fun and feminine paper pack - however, the neutral pollka-dot, outdoor denim color and jean papers can be used for boys too! The artwork above features another new product - our 6" x 6" canvas displays! So fun!

Here is one of the layouts from the scrapbooking workshop kit!

Check back for more tomorrow!

Buzz and Bumble

Buzz and Bumble is another new paper pack filled with beautiful patterns in neutral tones. This kit can be used for anything from everyday to fun and funky to heritage!

Here is one of the layouts from the scrapbooking workshop kit.

There is a coordinating embellishement assortment that includes some very cool self adhesive wax seals and wooden bees and flowers!

Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

For Always

This beautiful paper pack features classic black and white patterns that are perfect on their own, but they also compliment a pop of color too!

There is another set of textiles to match this paper pack too!! 3 sheets of cotton fabric with pinked edges in black damask, white with black polka-dots, and black with white script! Each one is 14" x 24". I'm going to stock up on this fabric!!!!

Here is one of the layouts from the scrapbooking workshop kit.

Here are the cards featured in the card workshop kit!

More3 tomorrow!!