August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Baroque Borders

August is such an exciting month at Close To My Heart!  The Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book is now available, so that means tons of new products!  (Let me know if you don't have your complimentary copy so that I can get one to you.)  Of course we have a beautiful stamp of the month, Baroque Borders, a set of 5 stamps.  If you'd like to see lots of artwork and new products, be sure to hop along from one blog to the next.  (You can start here or anywhere along the hop because it makes a circle.  If you've already started, then you should have arrived here from Sarita's blog.  You'll visit Sheila Bennett's blog next by clicking this link or the one at the bottom of my post.)

Both my cards began with the romantic NEW La Belle Vie paper pack and black ink.  (As a former French teacher, how could I not love paper with such belle French flair?)  I added the NEW Monograms stamp in my initial, H.  (They are only $2.95 and would make such a great gift!)  Of course the Monogram stamp fits perfectly in our 1-1/4" circle punch.  I also used the 2" scallop circle to accent the monogram.  Don't you love the NEW black sparkles?  For the first card, I cut around the edge of the stamped image and used a zip strip for the bottom.  (I did use a scrap of Colonial White cardstock for my monogram.)

For this card, I used our NEW black tulle ribbon and chose the smoky gray sparkles from the black collection. 

At my card class on 8/18, we'll be using this stamp set (and several others), along with lots of NEW goodies, to create several beautiful cards.  Let me know if you'd like more info!

Before you go to Sheila's blog, I'd love to know what you think about all these exciting new products and the beautiful August stamp of the month.  Thanks for hopping by!

H2H Challenges: Use Your Scraps

This final Heart 2 Heart July challenge is to use your scraps!  That's right, dig into your CTMH paper stash and create something from those bits and pieces.  After putting together my 10-page Footloose scrapbook worshop, I had lots of pieces left, so I knew they were the perfect starting point.  I also grabbed my 4 My Friend stamp set with its cute sayings.  A little bakers twine, Paradise paper flowers, and a few gemstones were the odds and ends to finish them off.

For this first card, I did grab a White Daisy card base (also from my stash) and used one of my favorite trendy uses for scraps: pennants or banners.  Staggering the length and width is easy.  For several of these, I just had to cut the "triangle" out of the bottom.  I did ink all the edges in Cocoa ink.

Another fun use for scraps is to create a mosaic using paper pieces as tiles.  This Lagoon card base was made with one of the large pieces of cardstock in the scraps pile.  As you can see, I began laying out the pieces to make a design, trimming them as needed to fit the space.  To help with any overlap or gaps, and to give each piece definition, I also edged them in Cocoa ink.

If you'd like some more inspiration, be sure to go check out what the H2H Design Team has in shared with you this week.  You have until Saturday to link up to any of our July challenges, so pull out those scraps and get busy!

Don't forget that many Close To My Heart products are retiring July 31 (like this Footloose paper pack and 24 ink/cardstock colors and all current markers), so be sure to get your favorites before they're gone!  If you don't already have a CTMH consultant, feel free to visit my website.

Card Share: Footloose

My sweet 11-year-old needed a card for a friend, so she got into my stash, designed, and executed this adorable card.  (She used the Footloose paper pack; For My Friend and Chocolate Alphabet Small stamp sets.)

She then went on to create a card for her Daddy's birthday this past Monday using the Footloose papers again and a multitude of stamp sets.  Isn't she talented?  (Nothing like a proud mama!)

By the way, we attended hubby's annual family reunion recently, and can you believe how much she (the tall blond) looks like her distant cousin on the right?  I believe they are third cousins once removed.  I kept mistaking Hollyn for my daughter! 

Two Videos to Share

This first one is just for fun: my oldest nephew is the cute little fellow you see waving first- about 12 seconds in to the video.  Yes, I also know the talented singer/producer of this cute video.  (And if you want to come to the Green Bean Festival, I'll meet you there!)


This second is more serious and deeply moving.  If you're already a scrapper, then you probably already know Stacy Julian and Big Picture Classes.  If not, then let me tell you, she is a wonderful inspiration on telling our stories and preserving our memories- guilt free.  Here's a beautiful tribute to her family.  She reminds all of us to let go of the guilt; it's unnecessary.

You better believe that I'll be looking up the lyrics to this song and getting downloaded to my iTunes account.

Studio J Enhancements (Part 2 of 2)

Close To My Heart is making Studio J online scrapbooking better than ever!  (If you'd like a printable version of these improvements, click HERE.)  If you haven't already read my Q&A about Studio J, scroll down to the next post (or to the bottom of this one for a link) first, then come back here.  Thanks!

Here’s a list of the improvements:

*No more membership requirements for amazing benefits! Members-only layouts and patterns are available to everyone! (If you already have a current membership, you can read about the transition period below.)

*Express Collections are ready-made layouts (10 in each of six albums): drop in your photos, add your journaling, and order your layouts! They are fully embellished and finished for you! You can personalize them more if you’d like, and you can even mix and match between different Express Collections and other Studio J layouts.

*Receive FREE JPGs with every layout purchase OR purchase the JPGs only.

*There is a minimum purchase of 4 layouts at a time on an order (max 50); if you are only ordering JPGs then there is no minimum order quantity.

*Pricing for layouts will now be $6.95 for physical layouts and only $2.95 for JPGs! Remember, if you purchase the physical, printed layout, your JPGs are free!

*You will no longer receive free page protectors, but we can fit up to 50 layouts into a box for only $5.95 shipping! (Contact me to get your page protectors and albums, or order them directly from my website http://haleyd.ctmh.com.)

*Five-packs will only cost $39.95! (These make great gifts!)

*Hostesses can now get credit for Studio J orders! You will have the opportunity at checkout to add the order to an open gathering on your consultant’s website! Of course five-packs can still be purchased at a home gathering, online, or through me.

*You can get Studio J credits as hostess rewards!

*The new color palette will include the recommended colors for each kit, now or old.

WHAT IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A STUDIO J MEMBERSHIP?
*Continue to enjoy the lower Studio J pricing, free shipping, and free page protectors until 9/30/12.

*On 10/1/12, all member accounts will be converted to non-member accounts.

*For every month of active membership that you have beginning July 2012, you will receive credit for one free layout in your account for every calendar month of active membership, even if membership expires before the month’s end. For example, my Studio J membership will expire 9/7/12, so that means that I have three months of membership (July, August, and September) that will give me 3 free layout credits in my Studio J account on 10/1/12.

*What if you have a membership code that hasn’t been activated? No problem! Whenever you’re ready to activate it, you will automatically receive these benefits. (A three-month membership, for example, will give you three free layout credits.) Just go to your account in Studio J and click on the “membership” tab.

Be sure to also read my Studio J Q &A to learn more about Studio J online scrapbooking! 

If you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comments section, and I'll get back to you.  (Add your email if you'd like a private response.)  Thanks!

Studio J Q & A (Part 1 of 2)

Studio J online scrapbooking has helped me scrapbook my photos and memories faster, simpler, easier!  It is perfect for anyone with a digital camera who wants to scrapbook, and it's especially beneficial for those who say they don't have time.  Here's one of my favorites:

I've put together a question & answer document that you can access by clicking HERE.  I hope you'll read through it and give Studio J a try for yourself!

Here are the questions I cover in this installment:

1. What is Studio J?
2. What if I get started but don’t have time to finish?
3. What are the benefits of Studio J scrapbooking?
4. How do I get started?
5. What if I need help?
6. What are some of the unique features available on Studio J?
7. How long are my projects saved?
8. Once I’ve created my layouts, how do I get them from my computer into my albums?
9. Can I print my layouts from a personal printer?
10. Can I share or email my studio layouts?
11. What is the smallest and largest size order that I can purchase?
12. Can I order only one page of a two-page layout?
13. Can I reorder a previously purchased project?
14. Okay, this all sounds great, but how much does it cost?
15. Can Studio J purchases help hostesses earn hostess rewards?

So, if you'd like to learn the answers, just click HERE.  Then, visit my website to get started!  If you still have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments, and I'll get back to you.  Thanks!

Hunting Island Footloose Layout

My family has loved to camp at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina many, many times, and here are pictures from our very first trip there.  Our baby was two and having a great time! 

I used a 6"x12" flip flap to extend this page and show off more of my picures.  It is closed, above, and open, below.

Most of my projects get some type of distressing to them, and this one is no exception. My go-to distressing technique is direct-to-paper, where you swipe the edges of the paper with an ink pad.  You can add a lot of ink or only a little.  Any of our neutral ink colors work well, but you can even distress with the same color or a darker one.  Two reasons that I love this technique are that it helps to disguise any flaws in your project ;) and it also can add dimension and texture without bulk.  Each piece of card stock and B&T paper from the Footloose paper pack was distressed with Desert Sand ink before adhering onto my layout.

 Below is a close up of some of the distressing on this page.

I used a 6"x12" flip flap to expand my right side page.  (The photos below show it closed and then it open.) Here's a close up of the right page with the flip flap closed.  (Sorry for the glare!)  When the entire page is in its page protector, I will adhere the left side of the turtle Dimensional Elements chipboard piece to the page protector, which will allow me to tuck the flap behind its legs.

Since Heart 2 Heart Challenges has thrown down a "water fun" challenge for July, I have to link this layout up!  You too can add your water fun project to the H2H challenge blog IF it includes some CTMH products.  What better way to cool off- some water fun and then some crafty time?

**Many thanks to Tresa Black who designed the 10-page workshop that I used to create this layout!

CTMH Supplies used: Fooloose paper pack and Dimensional Elements chipboard Complements; The Works alphabet stamp set; Desert Sand and Cocoa inks; blue and green button assortments; natural hemp; Stardust glitter glitz gel; flip flaps

H2H Sketch Challenge

Heart 2 Heart Challenges has a great sketch for you to try this month!  (You can participate in any of our July challenges until Aug. 4!)

As you can see, I turned the sketch but stayed pretty true to the original.  I used the beautiful Soar butterfly image from the July stamp of the month, Live Out Loud as my focal piece.  (I inked it up in Creme Brulee, Sunset, Tulip, Lagoon, Olive, and Cocoa to achieve this rainbow effect.)  The papers are from the Stella paper pack.  (To get the zip strip in the middle, I cut a piece to fit my card front, and then cut off an inch and brought that bottom piece up to the top.)  My half circles are Just Blooms Paradise paper flowers assortment: I just folded the paper flowers in half and tucked them behind the zip strip.  They are really pretty in person!  The flourishes are the bottom left scroll of the "S" in Soar.

Here's a close up of the Soar image:

Now, it's your turn to try this sketch!  Just remember to use some CTMH products and link up to the H2H blog before the end of the month.  Go check out my team's beautiful projects this week for more inspiration!

Perfect Pairs Special: Lucky Paper Pack & My Stickease

Now through 7/20 (or while supplies last), the Lucky paper pack and My Stickease assortment are available on my website as part of the Perfect Pairs promotions (details on tab above).

This layout was actually made in Studio J but its elements are very similar to the paper pack and My Stickease.

CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Distressing Tools

This month, a small group of CTMH consultants have joined together to show you how to de-stress by distressing. (This hop makes a complete circle, so you can jump on anywhere you like. If you're already hopping, then you should have arrived from Wendy's blog and you'll visit Luisa or Lori next.)   

 For this card, I used the edge distresser to roughen up the edges of the card base and the sentiment piece.  I used the direct-to-paper ink distressing technique on each banner and the chipboard flower (from the Footloose Complements).

 To make the Lagoon patterned banners pop off the Lagoon background, I sanded them with the sanding block.  It sanded off the edges and showed the white core.  A little lucky distressing happened when the edge of the banner pulled up and curled (thanks to the sanding block; not intentional at all!).  I decided to ink the edges in Cocoa to give them even more definition.

I also pounced the sentiment strip with Cocoa ink and the black stubble tool to make it look a bit sandy. 

Now don't stress; head to Luisa's blog or Lori's next!

Retiring Soon!

Here's a list of all the wonderful Close To My Heart products that will be retiring soon (as in the end of this month or while supplies last).  ALL of our markers are going as are ALL of the cardstock shades packs.  We're also losing some favorite colors- inkpads, markers, cardstock, etc.- so if you love some of these (see list below), you will want to get them before they are gone!  Also, some of my favorite paper packs and their accompanying accessories from the Summer Idea Book won't be back: Footloose, Cruisin', Lucy, and Superhero.  Get 'em before they're gone!

If you'd like to order anything, either contact me directly or visit my website.  Feel free to "join" the Cruisin' Scrapbook Class (bottom right) to help Ann get credit towards her gathering.  It doesn't hurt you in any way and could help her.  Thanks!

Here are the colors that won't be available after 7/31:
Grey Wool
Grey Flannel
Vanilla Cream
Parchment
Brown Bag
Baby Pink
Taffy
Sunkiss Yellow
Key Lime
Heavenly Blue
Lilac Mist
Amethyst
Holiday Red
Sunflower
Sunny Yellow
Dutch Blue
Moonstruck
Vineyard Berry
Tulip
Garden Green
Spring Iris
Petal
Garnet
Pansy Purple

And the rest of the products by item # and description:

Item # Description

9030 Imagine™

9034 Magic™ Scrapbook Program

G1032 Workshops on the Go™ Stella Kit

G1033 Workshops on the Go™ Pemberley Kit

X7149B Lucy Paper Packet & X7149C Lucy Complements Glittery Rub-Ons

G1034 Workshops on the Go™ Lucy Kit

G1035 Workshops on the Go™ Victory Kit

X7151B Footloose Paper Packet & X7151C Footloose Complements Dimensional Elements

G1036 Workshops on the Go™ Footloose Kit

X7152B Superhero Paper Packet & X7152C Superhero Complements Rub-Ons

G1037 Workshops on the Go™ Superhero Kit

G1038 Workshops on the Go™ Florentine Kit

X7154B Cruisin’ Paper Packet & X7154C Cruisin’ Complements Silver Foil Images

G1039 Workshops on the Go™ Cruisin’ Kit

X7139B Typeset Paper Packet & X7139C Typeset Complements Canvas Shapes

X7140B Roxie Paper Packet & X7140C Roxie My Stickease Assortment

X7141B Elemental Paper Packet & X7141C Elemental Complements Dimensional Elements

X7143B Sonoma Paper Packet & X7143C Sonoma My Stickease Assortment

Z2300 Marker Amethyst

Z2301 Marker Autumn Terracotta 

Z2302 Marker Baby Pink

Z2303 Marker Bamboo

Z2304 Marker Barn Red

Z2305 Marker Black          

Z2306 Marker Blush          

Z2308 Marker Brown Bag

Z2310 Marker Buttercup

Z2311 Marker Chocolate

Z2314 Marker Cocoa         

Z2315 Marker Colonial White        

Z2316 Marker Cranberry

Z2317 Marker Crystal Blue

Z2318 Marker Desert Sand           

Z2319 Marker Dutch Blue

Z2320 Marker Garden Green        

Z2321 Marker Garnet        

Z2323 Marker Goldrush

Z2324 Marker Grey Flannel          

Z2325 Marker Grey Wool

Z2326 Marker Heavenly Blue        

Z2327 Marker Holiday Red           

Z2328 Marker Hollyhock

Z2330 Marker Indian Corn Blue    

Z2331 Marker Key Lime

Z2333 Marker Lilac Mist    

Z2334 Marker Moonstruck

Z2335 Marker New England Ivy    

Z2337 Marker Olive           

Z2340 Marker Outdoor Denim      

Z2341 Marker Pansy Purple          

Z2342 Marker Parchment

Z2345 Marker Ponderosa Pine      

Z2347 Marker Smokey Plum        

Z2348 Marker Spring Iris   

Z2350 Marker Sunflower

Z2351 Marker Sunkiss Yellow       

Z2352 Marker Sunny Yellow         

Z2353 Marker Sweet Leaf           

Z2354 Marker Taffy           

Z2355 Marker Topiary       

Z2356 Marker Vanilla Cream        

Z2357 Marker Vineyard Berry       

Z2359 Marker White Daisy

Z2360 Marker Twilight       

Z2361 Marker Petal           

Z2362 Marker Honey         

Z2364 Marker Sorbet         

Z2365 Marker Juniper       

Z2366 Marker Tulip

Z2367 Marker Crème Brulee         

Z2390 Marker Gypsy         

Z2391 Marker Sunset        

Z2392 Marker Pacifica      

Z2393 Marker Cotton Candy         

Z2394 Marker Sky

Z2395 Marker Lagoon

Z2396 Marker Smoothie

Z2397 Marker Pear

X5902 Bright Blue Cardstock Shade Pack

X5903 Light Blue Cardstock Shade Pack 

X5904 Dark Blue Cardstock Shade Pack 

X5905 Bright Green Cardstock Shade Pack         

X5906 Dark Green Cardstock Shade Pack          

X5907 Light Green Cardstock Shade Pack          

X5908 Bright Red and Pink Cardstock Shade Pack         

X5909 Light Red and Pink Cardstock Shade Pack           

X5910 Dark Red and Pink Cardstock Shade Pack          

X5911 Black and Grey Cardstock Shade Pack    

X5912 Dark Neutral Cardstock Shade Pack         

X5913 Light Neutral Cardstock Shade Pack         

X5914 Light Yellow and Orange Cardstock Shade Pack  

X5915 Dark Yellow and Orange Cardstock Shade Pack 

X5916 Purple Cardstock Shade Pack       

Perfect Pairs Special: Fanfare Paper & Assortment

From now through 7/15 (or while supplies last), the Perfect Pairs special offer is the Fanfare paper pack and Level 2 assortment.  (See the tab above for complete details.)  Here are a few past Fanfare projects to inspire you: