Artbooking Made Easy: Happy Springtime

Even with the sporadic snow squalls (like today), I promise you SPRING IS HERE! Just listen to the birds, they will tell you!

If you live in an area with harsh winters, Springtime is a big deal! So even if it's frosty outside, let's create some of our Springtime inside with Spring layouts inspired by our Artbooking Cricut Cartridge! 

Here are the two keys that feature Spring-themed images! As you can see, Close To My Heart has designed two different layouts (one on each key) using these images and overlays. All you have to do is  set your Cricut Machine to an 11" cut size and then cut out the images you want to use. They will be automatically sized to coordinate with the layout - you don't have to do the math to figure out what size to make them! Cool huh? Want a bigger title or smaller butterfly? No problem, simple select the "real dial size" key and set the cut size as desired!

In this video Jen will show you how easy it is to create the layout as designed on the cartridge, as well as tips and tricks to change it up or use on a card!

If you don't have your very own Artbooking Collection yet, click here to order it today so you can create layouts, cards, mini-albums, home decor and party decor today!

Want to get your Cricut Collection for FREE? Join my team in the month of April and you can select a FREE Artbooking Cricut Collection* to be added to your kit! Click here beginning April 1st to receive over $400 in Close To My Heart products for only $99!

*Choose from any of our 3 Cricut Collections to be added to your kit FREE - while supplies last! Don't delay if you want to guarantee your choice of Cricut Collection!

Studio Savings Ends Monday at midnight!

During the month of March we have been running a fabulous Studio Savings special! All of our Studio J two-page layouts are only $5 each! That's less than $2.50 per page!

I took advantage of this special to create a childhood album of my brother - from birth to graduation! I know he will treasure it! Here are just a couple of layouts:

I also re-printed a copy of my recent Close To My Heart Caribbean Cruise album so I can have one for myself! (I already gave one to my guest and sis Renee last year!) Did you know your purchased layouts remain in your account for one full year? That way you can order another set without having to recreate it! Or if you need to make any changes, simply load the layout and edit it! Then add it to your cart with your next order! Here are just a couple of layouts from our cruise:

Studio J makes it SO easy to get caught up on your memory keeping and create beautiful layouts that everyone can enjoy and that you can pass down to generations to help them celebrate their heritage!

Click here to get started now, it's so easy to use on your own OR contact me to schedule a time for a one-on-one tutorial and I'll help you create 2 layouts in just minutes!

Ariana Club Cards

Next month in my clubs we will be working with our gorgeous Ariana papers. And this month's technique will be FUNKY FOLDS! Instead of just adhering our paper flat and smooth, we are going to try some different folding techniques to create added design and dimension!

This first card was inspired by the incredible Bren Yule. 

I love this folding technique! It really shows off our two-sided pattern papers and creates a whole new dynamic! I call it the Chevron Fold.

And the silk bows that come in the Ariana Assortment are just adorable!!

This next set of cards features a different kind of fold - a box pleat fold.

I added a paper doilie for fun and I used our DOT Embossing Flder on the top 2/3 of the card base and the flowers.

Our scallop punch makes a nice border transition for the box pleat. And our ProPlayer Assortment makes a nice center for the flower!

The last set of cards is supposed to give the illusion of a quilt pattern. This fold turns a circle into a square and again shows off our two-sided pattern papers!

I embossed the card base with our Damask Embossing Folder to give it more of a quilted feel.

You can make your cards for Birthday or Mother's Day or BOTH!

Let me know if you would like to join our club and make these cards! We meet in both Danville, WV on the 2nd Friday of each month and Cross Lanes, WV on the 4th Friday of each month. Or you can form a club of your own and I will come to YOU!

Not interested in a club but want to order a kit to make at home?

Ariana Basic Card Kit $15

includes:

12 cards/envelopes

1/2 Ariana Paper Packet

Pre-cut cricut shapes

Embossed Card bases on 8 cards

Doilies, bows, metal accessories

Assembly instructions

(shipping is extra)

Ariana Club Layouts

Next month my clubs will be using the beautiful new Ariana Papers!  Here are the layouts we will be making. Our technique this month will be Funky Folds!

This first one was also inspired by the incredible Bren Yule!

In addition to the Funky Folds on this layout, I've added some Damask embossed Cricut cut pieces from the Artiste! I LOVE the depth and dimension and character it adds!

Funky pleated folds at the top with zip strips adds a LOT of character.

The next Funky Fold is featured on these two dovetailed strips. They have been scrunched at the other end like fabric which adds plenty of dimension!

And at the bottom of this layout is a box pleat fold! So simple, yet it really adds so much!

Our second layout can really be a masculine layout! Can you believe THIS came out of the feminine and floral Ariana papers? Yep!

The Funky Fold on this layout is what I call the Chevron Fold! So cool!

On the right page, I embossed the cardstock pieces with our new Chevron Embossing Folder and added one of our Glass Circle Covers (from the Base and Bling line) to the camera.

Would you like to join us? We meet on the second Friday of the month in Danville, WV and the fourth Friday of the month in Cross Lanes, WV. We would love to have you join us!

Would you like to start your own club with your friends? We can meet at my house or yours! 

Are you not local or would you just prefer to have a kit to make at home? Order your kit below!

Ariana Basic Layout Kit - $15

Includes:

Ariana Paper Pack

Ariana Complements

Optional Add Ons:

Ariana Assortment (bows) - $6

Glass Circle Cover (3 pack) - $2

Sparkle Flourishes - Small - $5

Damask Embossing Folder - $9

Chevron Embossing Folder - $9

And the Winner is…..

This weekend I had my open house and jewelry buffet! It was great to see everyone! And I loved seeing all of the different jewelry designs and Picture My Life layout designs! You guys are true artists! Or is it just that Close To My Heart products are easy to create beautiful projects with? Maybe a little of both! 

There were many ways to earn door prize tickets at the Open House or by ordering online. The prize is one of our new Picture My Life Kits - Surf's Up!

I have everyone's tickets in the basket now……and the winner is……NICOLE FINCH!!!! Congratulations Nicole! I know you will enjoy using this kit and can't wait to see your summer fun pictures and layouts!

Thank you again everyone for coming! You make my "job" a JOY!

Ariana Display Card

Last year I was inspired by one of Brenda Rose's FABULOUS designs. It was a Christmas themed display card. When I saw our new Ariana Papers I knew I had to recreate this display card for Mother's Day or really any special occasion or simply an "I love you" gift! 

Do you have a favorite picture of your daughter or your children? Your mother? Your family? Or a generational photo? Any of those options would be PERFECT for the center of this card to display on your credenza at work or on a shelf or table at home! It also makes a very special, personalized gift! It really makes a beautiful display.

The front says: "Life is like a camera…FOCUS on what's important, CAPTURE the good things, DEVELOP from the negative, And if things don't work out, TAKE ANOTHER SHOT.

There are a few white cardstock pieces that were cut with images from our Artiste Cricut cartridge and then embossed with our new Damask Embossing Folder. It really adds a LOT of texture and an extra Shabby-chiqueness!

This one reads: "Be who you are and no one else." What a powerful message for those who struggle with identity or confidence!

On the sides I used some of our Slate Striped Twist Ties for flower stems, the adorable bows from the Ariana Assortment, and a Circle Glass Cover (from our Base and Bling line) for the camera lens!

This is one of the projects that I will be offering in my clubs next month! Would you like to attend? Let me know! We would love to have you join us in Cross Lanes, WV or Danville, WV. Or start a new club with you and a couple of friends - at your house or mine, local or online!

Don't want to join a club? Don't have any friends? Order a kit* to make at home!

The Basic Kit is only $12

and includes:

Step-by-step instructions

All paper needed for this project

Ariana Dimensional Elements

Slate Bakers Twine

Slate Striped Twist Ties

Circle Glass Cover

2 Sparkle Flourishes

(shipping is extra)

Optional Add Ons:

Ariana Assortment (Bows) $6

Slate Ink (for distressing) $6

*Kits will be ready to mail by mid April.

Open House and Jewelry Buffet!

Just a reminder that my Open House is this coming weekend in Cross Lanes:

Friday, March 21st
1pm - 7pm

Saturday, March 22nd
10am - 4pm

You can make a FREE Easter Card featuring our new Skylark paper and resin flowers AND our new Damask Embossing folder! (Inside sentiment: Warmest Wishes this Easter season. I will have other stamps to choose from as well.)

Also, come make a FREE Picture My Life Page with our Skylark kit!

Choose from 4"x3" and 4"x6" cards for your page. The cards are double-sided, so you will actually have a completed front and back side! Bring photos if you like or add them later. Each pocket page protector has 8-9 slots for cards and photos. Typically, you will want a 50/50 mix of cards and photos, but you decide. (Below is a sample with our Babycakes kit.)

Also, help yourself to the Jewelry Buffet and create your own custom necklace for only $10! I'll even have a card for you to attach it to - perfect for gift giving! Choose a gold or silver chain, a gold or silver pennant (square or circle), a glass cover, a style sheet (or bring a 1x1 photo), and two charms! (Let me know if you would like me to print a 1x1 photo one for you.)

I'll have other kits you can purchase (Artbooking Mini-Album and Card/Box set) to take home to complete OR have a seat and complete them right here! I even have finished layouts for sale!

I have LOTS of Clearance Items available! Items from $.25 - $4. Stamps from $5 - $10.

AND I'm offering a PRIZE that everyone can enter to win! Our Surf's Up Picture My Life Kit! This is the perfect prize because the Picture My Life program is a fabulous product for busy teens, mom's and grandmothers to quickly and easily create albums to showcase their treasured memories. (And who isn't thinking about the BEACH about now?) 

But also, these cards are AMAZING! You can use them on ANY project. Add them to your traditional layouts, to card bases, use them as tags, and journaling cards, tuck them in a lunch box with a note, use them to decorate a binder or canvas wall hanging. I promise, you will LOVE these cards!

How do you enter to win? 

Here's how you can earn tickets for the drawing:

Attend Open House - 1 ticket

Jewelry Buffet - 1 ticket

Place an order with me or online - 1 ticket for every $25

Purchase Cash and Carry items - 1 ticket for every $25

Join or start a Club - 5 tickets

Join my team April 1st - 5 tickets

Do you have to attend to enter to win?

Not at all! You can order online by clicking here. Or join my team by clicking here (wait until April 1st to receive a FREE Cricut Collection, but let me know your intention so I can put tickets in for you). Or contact me about starting a local or online club!

We have so many wonderful new products for every occasion! I can't wait to see you and share them with you! Be sure to RSVP and let me know you are coming! I want to have plenty of supplies and snacks ready for you!