Amazing Grace layout

This is the last item I submitted in my application. It is actually my favorite layout I've done in awhile. It's also the first layout I've done with Miss Grace's photos. It is also the first time I sized and printed pictures directly from my computer!

I used a layout from the new "Make It From Your Heart, vol. 1" book in the Avonlea paper pack and added a few Flourishes and embellishments from the "Lucy" accessories (retired).  I loved how the gray, pink, and greens work well together with just enough punch from each color not to overwhelm her beautiful face.

O Holy Night Layout

Here is one layout I submitted for my applicaiton:

It is a design out of a previous year's Idea Book but I switched out the papers because I love purple and green (hmm, really?!?). It features the stamp set "John 3:16", and I ventured out of my comfort zone and added some stitching. I also used the zip strips from the paper pack add some punch to the layout.

(Yes, I whited out his face to protect his identity since he's not my kid)

Shadow Box for Nate

One of the things I've been meaning to do for a long time (okay, 3 years 48 weeks and 5 days ago) is to make a shadow box of the outfit little man wore home from the hospital. I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to make the letters and Sparkles to embellish the top letters. The background is from Miracle, a retired paper pack.

In the picture, you can see how tiny he was compared to the outfit he wore. I will put in the pacifier and ID bracelet from his ankle at a later time.

More Scrapbooking layouts

Here are three more layouts I added pictures to this past weekend at a day crop I went to.

The first layout is the Workshop on the Go layout from Winter Wonderland. I used some photos of my son in a blue snowsuit - I don't even remember him ever wearing it other than these pictures until I read the journaling notes on the back of them and remembered the story behind them. That's why we scrapbook, huh? To remember all those moments we would otherwise forget.

Scrapbooking pages

Now that the holiday rush is over, I have put away the last of the Christmas decorations and thrown away the last of the toy packaging. Now, it is time for me to scrapbook. I love the doldrums of January and February because, to me, it means I get to spend a lot of time in my craft room! It also means hunting will soon be over and when that happens, not only do I get my husband back, but I get to go to crops! I did a day crop this past weekend and finished up my son's first year album (it only took me 3 1/2 years to do) but I have a few more scheduled for the next few weeks.

If you are a customer of mine, check your January newsletter - I made some changes to my Crop in February. Payments are due to me to hold your spot and it is filling up quickly!

Now on to some of my scrapbook pages.

Here are two layouts I did this weekend to finish up my son's album. One of the ways I can get a lot done at these crops is that I use up my stash of layouts I make for workshops, classes and swaps I participate in so you'll see some old and new paper packs. I'll share some more layouts with you over the next few days. Enjoy!

My 2012 Class Schedule

I have just updated my Class Schedule for the new year. Check it out on the above tab! See you in 2012!

I have all the final details in place for my Winter Weekend Crop in February. Check out the "Upcoming Events" tab for more information or email me for an application.

Farm Show scrapbook page

Our town puts on the last farm show of the season in our county - and it is a really big deal for us. I married into this town and I have had a blast getting involved in the community since I've lived here. Celebrating my son's first farm show was a big deal and considering we live right down the road we were there every day, all day! This is one of my favorite photos of all time with my husband and son - when I close my eyes this is what I see when I think of them - and I had to preserve it in a beautiful layout. My sister consultant, Vicki Melhuish, is a very talented designer (she can do things with embellishments that just astound you) and this is her layout I was fortunate enough to get during a team swap.

Scrapbooking catch up

Having a second child on the way has increased the pressure to finish my firstborn's baby book. Currently, I am on the second album of his first year but only up to six months of age.... I think I have a problem brewing on my hands! I have started something I will have to continue for the next one, I can only hope that this one will be as cooperative in front of the camera as my son.

I am learning some things as I go along, one being that CTMH still has the photo storage pages that hold 12 photos in a 12" x 12" size page. They are available in either horizontal or vertical pockets. They are a great way to add a bunch of photos to your layout without Flip Flaps (that's another story for another time). This layout is from the Baby Parade I entered my son when he was 6 months old. My husband is a truck driver so I decorated the stroller to look like Daddy's truck, complete with the swan hood ornament! He won first place in his division and was invited to participate in the main parade a few days later but considering I would be the one to walk the whole thing while he slept (the parade would have been at his bedtime) I declined the offer but it was still an honor!

Upcoming Class Schedule

I have updated my September Class schedule to include a picture of the 2 scrapbooking layouts we'll be doing on Saturday, September 24th at 10am. I need to have your payment by 9/12 to hold your spot. If you can't join me that day but still want to do the project, let me know by 9/12 so I can mail your project with instructions to you.

You may recognize these layouts - they are on page 16 & 18 in the current Idea Book. I liked these so much better than the Workshop on the Go kits for this paper pack that I figured you might like them too! (Of course, if you like the WOTG kits better, please let me know so I can schedule something for you!)

I also wanted to apologize that I haven't posted anything new recently, I am working my designing butt into the ground for a Christmas Card Workshop I am teaching in a few weeks with a few other consultants. I can always whip up a pleasant looking card when I'm late for a birthday party or baby shower but when I'm asked to teach - whoa! My brain shuts down. I have designed at least six cards for this event and I'm not happy with any of them. I have to figure something out soon - the event has sold out and I need to start prepping the materials! It's a good problem to have, I guess but I will post the cards once I figure out which one I'm using. Until then, have a great day!

Christmas Layout using Sonoma

Here is the design I made for my team swap using Sonoma. I used the "Oh Holy Night" scrapbook page from the Idea Book (page 83) and matched it with the Quartet: Offset pattern from Reflections. It's kept me pretty busy to make so many but now I can concentrate on my Christmas Card Workshop and Scrapbook Workshop (using Typeset) in September. I am updating my Calendar with dates for the next few months so make sure you check your calendar too - I have lots of great papers and embellishments to show you!

Studio J layouts

I have been working digitally most of this month preparing for the Studio J classes I offered to help customers with learning to scrapbook in this new format. I have so much fun working digitally - it won't replace traditional scrapbooking for me but the way my life is currently, digital scrapbooking fits me so well! I love that I can do it while my three year old is sitting on my lap - no worries about microtip scissors or paper piercers! I even get journaling ideas from him - as I upload the photos, he tells me what is going on in them and from there I will usually get a great quote to use. Plus it helps him to identify more with the layouts because they are in his words.

I placed my order for the month of June and since I'm a member I saved so much money! I don't usually see any savings in traditional scrapbooking and so I got to do a little bragging to my hubby - "Look! I'm saving money!" If you haven't tried Studio J and you missed the June promotion - don't worry! Studio J is still free to set up an account and play for three months - I bet you won't need all three months to decide it's great! If you want hands-on help, please contact me so I can show you how easy it truely is!

I am currently working on getting ready for Convention in Anaheim CA in a few short days! I cannot believe I am actually going - and that my business paid for it! I am truely humbled by how successful my Close to My Heart business has become in such a short time (I've only been with the company since October) and my hobby has not come out of our personal budget at all! I will have so much more to post towards the end of July so I will be on hiatus until then but here are some Studio J layouts I've done. I'll be posting a few each day this week.

Magnifique - Studio J layout

Sophia - Studio J layout

Studio J: Day 7 - Love Your Layout

This my last day of my Studio J tutorials, hopefully I will have some more crafting to show you in the next few days if I'm not still glued to my computer! Between training some new team members and "cramming" for my Studio J classes, I haven't had too much time creating traditional artwork - but that's okay, I can just create some more!

This is the last of the videos CTMH has published on Studio J but if they post more, I will post it here too. Have you checked out Studio J yet? What are you waiting for? CTMH is giving a free .jpg file to everyone until the end of June - who doesn't love free?

I only have spots for my Studio J class on Saturday if you have your own laptop but the crop is all day so if you come after 11am, I should have a laptop you can use to play around on Studio J. If you've made your free .jpg layout - I'd love to see it!

Studio J: Day 6 - Love Your Layout!

As you may have figured out - I am spending a lot of my spare time on Studio J. I love how simple and easy it is to make a fantastic layout! My son has been helping me and it is rejuvenating to see how excited he gets when he sees himself in photos - it makes me feel like I'm doing something that matters to him. 

These videos have helped me expand my knowledge of Studio J so that I am making better layouts in less time. I saw an advertisement that CTMH has for 2 layouts in 30 minutes. I have been working in Studio J for months now and it never took me less then an hour to do one layout - how was I supposed to do 2 in half the time? Well, watch and learn! I have one more video after today and you too will know all I know about Studio J. It really is possible to get more done in less time, but you have to devote some time to learning first.

I still have a spot or two for my Studio J class on Saturday at 10am. If you have a laptop with wi-fi capabilities I can squeeze you in too. Please let me know so I can save you a spot. I do have a babysitter if you want to share. If you are on the fence about trying Studio J - it's free! The class, the layout you'll make, it's free so there's no reason not to try it! Come out and see how easy it is!

Studio J: Day 5 - Perfect Placement

So sorry this didn't post yesterday, apparently you have to specify you want to schedule the post and not just leave it in the drafts folder - obviously I'm still learning to blog but Studio J is much easier to figure out! Especially when Close to My Heart posts so many videos to show you how to use it! Here is another video, this one on "Perfect Placement". Take a look!

Remember that I have a Studio J class on Saturday at 10am and there is still room available. You will be able to make your free Studio J layout while you see how easy it is! Just let me know you are coming so I can have a computer for you.

If you've already made your free .jpg - I'd love to see what you created!

Studio J: Day 3

Since the company is giving away a free electronic file of a layout you create in Studio J, I am spending some time focusing on Studio J. I have been using the online scrapbooking software for awhile now and I love how easy it is to create beautiful scrapbook layouts! I have a preschool- aged child at home with me and he is very interested in whatever I am doing when I sit down at the computer. Studio J is a great way for him to get involved in my scrapbooking without worrying about scissors and glue. He helps me pick out photos and even gives me journaling ideas. He helps me pick out colors and some of the Stickease. He loves looking at the layouts once they arrive and because they are just as archival safe as traditional scrapbooking layouts they will last through his lifetime and his kids' too. And if something does happen to the pages (crayons?) I still have the .jpg file from when I created the layout to print them out again! Here is another video describing additional techniques in using Studio J. And check your calendar to get to one of my Studio J classes this month - you'll get to use Studio J and leave with a free .jpg  of your creation!

New Workshops and Upcoming Events

I updated my Upcoming Events page through August. I have a Workshop class and Free Crop every month through the summer. I have some open dates for you to host your own Workshop with your friends and earn some free product. Check out the photos below.

Also, be sure to check back soon because Close to My Heart has some AMAZING specials for you in May since it is National Scrapbooking Month! Check out my website to see all those specials deals!

Miracle Scrapbooking Workshop

Miracle Card Workshop

Sophia Workshop

I will be hosting a Workshop on April 17th from 6-9pm. YOU WILL WANT TO BE HERE! In addition to the two layouts will do using a beautiful paper pack, I will teach you some new, fun techniques to make 3D flowers to add to your layouts, cards, gifts and home decor. You do not want to miss this!



Payment is due in my hand by April 2nd  (I accept credit cards) to reserve your spot. Due to the extra technique, I am only having 5 spots for this event! This my only event this month so don't miss it!

Studio J Layouts - #2

Here are the last 7 layouts from yesterday's post on the Studio J layouts I just ordered. Remember, it's not too late to get one of your layouts for free - you have till midnight to submit your orders. It doesn't take long to design your pages! You still have time!

Here they are in no particular order.... Enjoy!

Studio J Layouts

I can say I am caught up in my scrapbooking for the year! Yea! CTMH had a special in February (it's not too late!!!) of "Buy 9, Get 1 Free". I took advantage - I had not tried Studio J yet! How am I supposed to be teaching you how to do it if I don't know how? In about two afternoons, I designed 10 layouts - I use the term "design" loosely has the Studio J software is so magical that all I *had* to do was upload my photos and place them into pre-designed layouts. I could add additional embellishments (some are already loaded into the layouts) or not. It was up to me! I kept some of the layouts simple to show you what comes pre-designed but other layouts I really added embellishments and manipulated papers and textures.

There are a few different ways to pay - but being a member is worth the investment! Regular price is $12.95 for a 2 page layout + shipping and handling. When you are a member (3 month membership is $30 or a 12 month membership is $99) you receive free page protectors, free shipping and handling once a month for up to 20 layouts, plus free .jpg files of your layouts to post to your blog, FaceBook, email to Grandma or to re-print at a local store. You earn back your membership costs fast with all the savings you get by being a member. The best part - if you're not sure you want to commit to membership right away, you can play for free for 3 months. You will not be charged anything until you try to buy your layouts. You will then be asked if you want the membership to reduce your costs - but that's up to you!

Check out the layouts I made and judge for yourself. If you would like more information or to see the layouts in person (to judge the quality) please contact me - I'd love to hear from you!

Since the post is long I will continue to post more tomorrow. Have a great day!

Quartet photo page

This is a layout I used from "Reflections", a layout design book from Close to my Heart. The paper kit and Stickease are from "Cutie Pie" (discontinued).

I ink distressed all the edges before assembling with "Brown Bag" ink pad.