Winter Weekend Crop

Now that the holiday rush is over, it's time to sit down and enjoy some peace and quiet... and get some scrapbooking done! I am hosting a Winter Weekend Crop in Lancaster February 10-12.

Get the application here.

Each guest will get a large work space in a well-lit room in a very comfy chair, a goodie bag, meals, contest and giveaways all weekend, a brand new Spring/Summer Idea Book and be undisturbed from your family while you crop till you drop! I will have supplies on hand for sale and mini-classes throughout the weekend. Cost is $150 and due by February 1. Space is very limited so don't wait - this will fill up!

Get the application here.
Email me for more information.

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

Hope for Japan stamp set

I wanted to show the versatility of the "Hope for Japan" stamp set and saw this design on another website. I loved the straightforward simplicity of the layout and the colors are beautiful together.

I used Sophia B&T, black and Hollyhock cardstock. I actually sewed the buttons onto the cardstock before adhering to the card, something I only do when I have the time. I love using Liquid Glass to adhere my buttons but wanted to try something different. Enjoy!

I found the original - it came from Big Red Scraps. Check out her blog here.

Sophia Gift Basket

I was asked to donate a gift basket to a fundraiser for a program I volunteer for and I wanted to share with you what I did. Most of it was handmade (cards, bookmarks, etc) but there was some product too. I chose to use the "Sophia" paper pack because of the bright, spring colors.

How to Help Japan

We are all devastated by the destruction in Japan and many of us are looking for a way to help. One reason I love Close to My Heart is because this is a company that truely cares - for customers, consultants and those in need throughout the world. Our founder, Jeanette Lynton, has designed a special stamp set specifically to offer Hope for Japan. This size stamp set normally sells for $7.95 but this set is available for only $5. Please visit my website or contact me to order this stamp set. All proceeds will go directly to help in Japan. Visit the link below for the announcement from Jeanette's blog. Together, we can make a difference.



Hope for Japan

We've all been reeling with the images of tragedy and devastation in Japan. If you're looking for an easy, real, practical way to help relief efforts, then I invite you to contact your Close To My Heart Consultant!

Typically, our A-size sets retail for $7.95/$8.75 CAN, but the "Hope for Japan" set will be available through April 30 for just $5--and Close To My Heart will be donating 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan.

If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!