Make Cardstock the Star of the Show (Inspiration)

Here's another fabulous video from Close to my Heart's Art & Soul. Catch all the Art & Soul episodes, including the newest one, on my website.

Fourth of July Card

This week's challenge at Heart 2 Heart Challenges is Stars & Stripes! I took it quite literally and made my version of an American flag. I made the stars with my Cricut...the George cartridge at 2.5", 2", 1.5", 1", and a star rhinestone in the middle that I found at a craft store.



Colors: Outdoor denim, White daisy, and Cranberry
Stamp set: Shining Star
Supplies: Bitty sparkles, Outdoor denim ink

Now head on over to Heart 2 Heart's blog and create your own masterpiece!

Studio J is FABULOUS in My Book!

When Studio J was first released for Consultants to try out last year, I thought it was really cool, but didn't think I'd use it much. Maybe just to catch up on my scrapbooking when I’m behind, I thought. I’m such a paper-to-hands person that I thought I’d just want to continue scrapping traditionally.

Well, although I do still love the touch, feel, smell, and look of real paper, I am also in love with Studio J! Close to my Heart has created this FREE online software that is so intuitive, so fool-proof, and so professional, that you can’t help but love it. Studio J online scrapbooking makes me feel more productive because I can get a layout done so much more quickly than with paper. Now, don’t get me wrong, as I said I will always be a real paper scrapper, but there’s nothing wrong with also being a studio scrapper. Especially when you can scrapbook ANYWHERE you have an internet connection...because there's no software to buy or install. You don’t need to lug all your scrapbook supplies around to get your mojo flowing. You can even start scrapbooking your vacation photos while you’re still on vacation! What a trip!

Here are four layouts I ordered last week and received just 2 days later. They look AMAZING in person! They are professionally printed and professionally packed for safe delivery.

For this first layout I knew I wanted to use the Back Country paper, but I don't own it, nor would I use it often so I didn't want to buy the paper kit. But with Studio J, you have access to every CTMH paper kit...perfect! There are even some retired paper kits on Studio J, plus with every Idea book, CTMH creates a paper kit JUST for Studio J!

I can't tell you how much Aspen paper I go through. We go to Mammoth several times every winter. Our dog, Oslo, LOVES the snow...it's definitely where he feels at home. I have so many Mammoth pictures I don't know how to be creative with them anymore, so Studio J was the perfect way to change things up!
This Magic Moments paper pack is my very favorite kit from Close to my Heart, so I love that it goes perfectly with our family photo shoot. I was running low on my stock, plus I don't usually buy the My Stickease, but with Studio J you have access to all the My Stickease, and you can resize and rotate them, too! Plus, look how big these photos are! I would have had to print two 8"x10" photos to create this layout, costing at least as much as the whole Studio J layout cost!
This last one was a challenge for me. I love the Jingle paper pack, but wanted to use it in a non-Christmas layout. So this is what I created. I couldn't use many of the My Stickease, because most are Christmas-themed, but the "Happy Moments" sticker was just what I wanted.
So, What Can Studio J Do for You?

Go check it out for yourself...it's free to try it out on my website. There are some great introductory offers for ordering the 12 x 12 layouts...like free page protectors and free shipping with minimum purchase.

Catch up on your scrapbooking today!

A Ladybug from Punches

I had this card in my head for days before trying to actually create it with paper. Heart 2 Heart's challenge for this week is to use the colors Tulip, Black, and Buttercup...so I immediately thought "ladybug!" I was afraid it wouldn't turn out as cute as I pictured it in my head...but I think it did. I used only punches...for the body and wings I used Close to my Heart's new 1-1/4" circle punch. Its head is a 3/8" circle punch and the polka dots are from a hole punch. I then covered them with liquid glass to give them a 3D and shiny effect.

I kept this card very simple, which is unlike me. I always love Lisa Stenz's simple, clean designs, and I was inspired by these cards she made. It was so hard for me not to add any sponging or just more of anything, but I wanted it clean. And I like it :) I'm going to have to do this more often, because sometimes less is more.

I'm going to send this to my sister. She's my very best friend and lives in San Diego ("home" to me), and I just moved to Fresno from LA, so now I'm a 5-hour drive instead of 2. :( Just knowing it's not as easy to drive home makes me miss her—and my niece and nephew—even more. (Although so far I LOVE Fresno.) I think this cute little ladybug will brighten her day when she gets it in the mail :)

Head over to the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog and check out the other designers' creations...and I hope you'll play along too!
Supplies: Dainty Thoughts stamp set, Buttercup cardstock, Black cardstock, Tulip cardstock, Black ink, liquid glass, black Zig pen 05

Father's Day & Birthday Card Rolled into One!

I love this Good Times paper pack...so much so that all I have left is scraps (I need to order another one!). One of the things I love is that it's very flexible...the colors AND the patterns can be masculine or feminine. So this paper was perfect for Heart 2 Heart's challenge this week: Make a card for dad and use your scraps! My dad's birthday is right after Father's day, so I made one card for both occasions. (After all, it's not like the guys really care about the cards.) I kept the embellishments simple and let the fun paper speak for itself. The stamp is from February's Stamp of the Month, A Little Everything...what a great set! I hope it comes back to the catalog permanently next year!

To see the lovely vintage-looking, dad-inspired June Stamp of the Month, click here. Use it to make your dad's card this year...remember Father's Day is this Sunday, June 20! If you order NOW you may get it in time to make a card for this weekend. Or maybe your dad's birthday is coming up. Be sure to also check out CTMH's Jackpot June Deal of the Day each day on my website!

Well, I just moved to Fresno from LA, so I'm up to my ears in unpacking and settling, so I'll be MIA for a little while. I'll try to be back to blogging soon! In the meantime, head over to Heart 2 Heart's blog and participate in this week's challenge yourself!

Ink or Cover for Perfect Chipboard Accents (How-To)

Here's another one of Close to my Heart's Art & Soul clips. I always learn a something from them, and I hope you do too! You can watch the entire episode (12-15 min) and many more episodes in the "CTMH TV" section of my CTMH website. Be sure to also check out the new Studio J online scrapbooking...it's free to play with and SO much fun!

Photo Frame Hanger: Heart 2 Heart Challenge

I love scrapbooking. But recently I haven't been very into it...I've been making cards and other altered items instead. I think it's because I'm so behind right now since I have a niece and nephew to keep up with that I'm overwhelmed. I don't know how you moms do it! I started using Studio J to scrapbook my nephew, and now that my laptop is back from the repair shop I'm going to get back to it.

But...I have been making these adorable photo hangers. I have 5 of them adorning my cubicle walls at work now, and my co-worker admires them whenever she visits my desk. Well, this Friday is my last day in the office, as I'm moving to Fresno on Saturday (I'll be working from home at my same job, though!). So I made this photo hanger for my co-worker. This is her adorable 7-month-old daughter, Ellie. She's going to be so tickled when she gets this! She gave me the pictures a while ago and I think she totally forgot about them :)

Visit the Heart 2 Heart blog and participate in this challenge: make a scrapbook page or something else with photos. You could be the winner of a lovely prize package from Heather!

Paper: Topstitch
Embellishments: Irresistibles Pizzazz Dimensional Elements, Eyelets
Ink colors: Heavenly blue, Blush

Switching It Up with Embossed Resist (How-To)

If you follow my blog you've probably noticed I've been putting up some of Close to my Heart's Art & Soul clips lately. They've been posting clips on YouTube and I always learn a something from them, so I wanted to share them with you! You can watch the entire episode (12-15 min) and many more episodes in the "CTMH TV" section of my CTMH website. While you're at it, check out the new Studio J online scrapbooking...it's free to play with and SO much fun!