CTMH Paper Pack Blog Hop - Kaleidoscope

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring artwork made with the beautiful and fun paper pack, Kaleidoscope!  I absolutely love the color combination and fun patterns of this product line and know you will too!

If you are coming from Katy's Blog, you are on the right track.  You can find a list of participants at the bottom of this post.

I decided to use Studio J to create a layout, using one of the layouts in the Expression Collection.  Do you know this layout took me only 19 minutes to complete?  It's true, it did.  That is because all I did was upload my photos, drag them into the photo wells, resized them and then added the journaling and titles.  Don't I look like a seasoned artist?!

This layout commemorates the time spent this Thanksgiving with my Niece, Grandpa and Uncle.  I so love the saying, "Keeping It Real".  It totally describes the personalities of these three family members.  I love them all!

Aren't the colors just pretty?  Someone would look at it and think it's girly but you can see the colors of this paper pack reflected in our clothing.  The guys will just have to accept it.  LOL

Thanks for stopping by and...if you have never taken a stab at Studio J, you should try it out!  Did you know it is FREE TO USE and you only pay when you want the layouts printed?  Yep.  You read that correctly.  If you have any questions about Studio J, just ask.  I love that I can scrapbook my most recent memories in minutes...and with no mess!

Now, head on over to Tonya's Blog so you can see her beautiful artwork!  As always, please consider leaving a comment. I love to hear from you!

Happy hoppin' and don't forget to Make It From Your Heart!

This is a list of the participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Tonya Whitehurst
3. Marianne Hancock
4. Katy Taylor

CTMH Paper Focus Blog Hop - Zoe

This paper pack, "Zoe", debuted on the 1st and it is so fun!  I can totally predict it is going to be a popular one and we are excited to share some fun artwork incorporating it.  If you are coming from Sheila's Blog, you are on the right track.  You can find a complete list of participants at the end of this post.  Now...to check out the Zoe goodness...

An "Express Collection", using Zoe, was released in Studio J on the 1st and I decided to take advantage of it.  In fact, I created four layouts using it, in less than an hour.  How is that for speedy scrapbooking?!  Gotta love when that happens!

This layout highlights the fun I enjoyed with my papercraftin' sisters when we attended the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington, TX, in June.  My friend and team member, Angie, owns a retreat spot in Mansfield and so we went to spread the Crafty Creations Retreat goodness.  

What I love about these layouts and the Expression Collection is I simply uploaded my photos, dragged them into the photo boxes where I wanted them and added some journaling.  That was it!  I loved the title for this layout and felt it was perfect for commemorating these memories.

This is a screen shot of what the Express Collection looks like in Studio J.  (Click on it for a larger view.)  There are five layouts that are ready for your photos and journaling!  You will be amazed at how fast you can get layouts done when using Studio J.  I love it!

Some people say they can't get away from the touch and feel of paper and embellishments and... neither can I, but I sure love being able to whip out some fun and quality layouts while not making a mess and I can do so soon after the memories are created.  I love that!  So while it doesn't replace papercrafting for me, it definitely has its place in my life!  

One of the best things about Studio J, besides the quality of the layouts and the ease of creating them, is being able to try it out for FREE!  All you do is create a FREE account, if you don't already have one, and give it a try!  You only pay for the layouts, at a great price of just $6.95 per layout, when you are ready to have them printed and shipped to your door!  How is that for service?!  Check it out and let me know if you have any questions.  Imagine yourself...sitting on the sofa, with your family - maybe watching a movie, with a laptop on your lap and your preserved memories coming to life!  

I always love reading comments so please consider leaving one before heading over to Melissa David's Blog.  Thanks for hopping with us this month!

A list of participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE*
2. Melissa David
3. Maxine Johnson
4. Aggie Peters
5. Tonya Whitehurst
6. Lisa Lawson
7. Marianne Hancock
8. Michelle Brooks
9. Sheila Wilkerson

Happy hoppin'!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Life Is Good!

Studio J assisted me in creating artwork for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, "Life is Good".  I have enjoyed using Studio J to preserve my 2015 Convention memories and love the bright and fun colors used here.  It was created using "Chantilly", a retired but fun paper pack!

With more use of Studio J, I have learned how to create banners like what you see on the title.  The white portion was a rectangle but I created a 1" x 1" square, made with Outdoor Denim (a retiring color), and rotated it so it would blend in with the background and make the dove-tailed look.  Fun right?!  There are so many fun things to do with Studio J or you can keep it quick and simple. 

The sticker, "Blessed Beyond Measure", totally reflected how I feel because Close To My Heart has brought me together with so many wonderful women across the country.  I love being a member of this wonderful company and am thankful for the joy and fun it brings to my life.

Be sure to participant in the challenges at Heart 2 Heart.  We would love to have you and I look forward to seeing your creations!  Thank you for stopping by.

Life IS Good...

Stampers with an Attitude - Summer/Vacation Blog Hop

The Stampers with an Attitude Team is focusing on Summer/Vacation artwork this month and I am thrilled you have joined us.  I am the start to this Hop and a list of participants are listed at the bottom of this post.  If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right track.

I chose to use Studio J for this month's artwork.  There was no perfect time than now to use Studio J (there is a special going on - click HERE for those details) and to highlight some of my photos from my recent Close To My Heart Convention experience.  

This paper pack has a "summer/swimming pool" focus in Studio J and I love that it worked perfectly for these photos.  Here are close-ups of the pages.

If you are interested in joining Close To My Heart and sharing in the fun Convention experience, contact your Consultant or me.  We are happy to answer your questions and would love to have you.

Please head on over to Catherine's Blog.  She is always sure to please with her fun artwork!  Thanks for stopping by!

Here is a list of participants:

Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE
Catherine Nowak
Melinda Everitt
Wendy Taylor

Happy hoppin'!

Studio J Flash Sale

Close To My Heart is having a fabulous special through the end of this month on Studio J!  

Do you have an account full of Studio J® layouts waiting to be printed? How about a big photo order you keep meaning to make? Well, now is the time to log in to Studio J and order all your layouts and photos! From July 15, 2015, 9:00 am MDT to July 31, 2015, 5:00 pm MDT, all layouts in Studio J are only $5!

As a reminder for Consultants, your discounted amount is commissionable. Plus, the discounted amount also counts toward earning Hostess Rewards and Gathering totals when connected to an EZ Invite™ published Gathering. Remember, this sale applies only to layouts ordered before the cutoff time on July 31, so get ‘em while they’re hot and start designing—and ordering—as soon as possible!

*Considerations:

• Layout credits are used first before the discounted price takes effect
• Discounted amount counts toward earning Hostess Rewards and Gathering totals when connected to an EZ Invite™ published Gathering
• Discounted amount does not count toward earning the discounted Stamp of the Month
• Normal shipping/handling rates apply

Contact me with any questions you may have about Studio J.  You can find complete details on my website by clicking HERE.  In fact, if you stop by my blog tomorrow, I will have a Studio J layout for you to view.

Be blessed today and always!

Disney in Studio J!

In not carrying a current Disney-associated paper pack, I decided to use Studio J to create some 4" x 6" and 3" x 4" Picture My Life-type cards for some of my team gifts.  I am extremely pleased how they turned out and hope you love them as much as I do!

I cut them up and placed them in our My Creations Black Mini Album to give to my team members who have joined me for the national celebration at Disneyland.

I was excited to try this and then became a little concerned, not sure I could pull it off, but I did!  I will be doing this in the future, even using them as accents on scrapbook pages and cards.  Gotta love that you the possibilities are endless in Studio J!  If you don't know what Studio J is, click on the links provided to find out more or contact me!  I am happy to answer your questions!

Enjoying the Disney experience,

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you!  I am thankful I can remain focused during the holiday season, not getting too wrapped up in the crazy.  One thing I do enjoy though, even throughout the year, is giving gifts.  It really is too fun but always remember...

Have fun today, remembering to be thankful for all that you have and all that is yet to come, even despite any challenges that may arise during the course!

Merry Christmas!

Just 5 Days Remain - Studio J Special

On the November 19th post, I shared how I assisted my cousin in working on some layouts for her daughter's soccer banquet.  What I failed to mention is that it is her Senior soccer banquet which adds that much more sentimental value to the photos and her thoughts of them.  The banquet has since been held and she said her daughter loved them (and started crying when she saw and looked over them).  Wouldn't you love that kind of a reaction for a loved one who were to see memories you have preserved for them?

Here are three more layouts I created for her...

This one I do not believe I changed at all from the standard design of the layout.  I just uploaded the gorgeous photos, dragged and dropped them into the wells, and added some titles and journaling.  I love how this paper pack, intended for Valentine's Day, worked perfectly with these photos and the color scheme of their outfits.

Click on image to enlarge photo.

 This layout...I absolutely love!  I used the "No Limits" template for creating both pages.  And it is just that - it has no limits so you can design the pages as you choose!  The page on the left was created as the title page for her book.  I simply increased the size of the photo to fit the entire page and then added her name to the front, allowing the photo to show through the title.  Awesome, right?

The right page...I decided to do a little it of the "subway art" idea you see on the web these days.  I asked her mom to provide me some words that would describe her daughter and I used most of them to create a frame around the photo.  This page would serve as the back page.  LOVE being able to use various fonts to the words which created a fun appeal to the page.

Click on image to enlarge photo.

When I created this layout, I did switch out the color schemes some so I could get the chevron paper to be red in order to coordinate with the school colors.  I liked being able to draw the viewers eye to the photos so kept it simple.

Click on image to enlarge photo.

These layouts were created in Studio J, where you can play with and create layouts for FREE!  You only pay when you want them printed and for the rest of this month they are just $5!  November is a great reason to it out.  (I will even help in creating your layouts if you would like.  We can also make various other items with the program - watch my posts over the next few days.  When the layouts are not on sale, they are still a deal for just $6.95!  You cannot beat that price!

Contact me with any questions you have or let me know how Studio J can help you make progress through your papercrafting projects!  Wishing you a great day with two days left until Thanksgiving!

Grateful,

Celebrating Studio J All Month Long!

Where can you go to buy a layout - or the supplies - for a beautiful and quality layout for JUST $5?  Nowhere but to Studio J!  What is Studio J, you ask?  It is Close To My Heart's online digital scrapbooking program that is completely FREE to use; you only pay when you want your layouts printed and shipped to your door!  Sound too good to be true?  It is not and it is even better than that...

I created eight layouts for my cousin who needed scrapbook layouts to present to her daughter at this year's soccer banquet.  She was not quite sure where to head when she contacted me late last month.  With this month's Studio J promotion, I knew this was the perfect solution for her and I was right!  Here are two of them - I'll be sharing other Studio J creations throughout the month - from her daughter's early years in soccer.

This "Game On" layout (above) was designed for me.  It's from the Designer Collection.  Would you believe I just made a few simple edits - enlarging a photo well and adding in a few stars?  That is it!  Isn't it fun to see the years inserted on the photos?  I did that.  Just typed it in and changed the font to white.  Cool, huh?

I did very few edits to the above layout as well.  I kept it pretty simple, wanting to draw attention to the photos.  A ribbon and a few buttons was all it took to make this layout attractive and athletic-looking.

She provided the photos, some of the titles, and the journaling information.  I created these layouts for her and she received them, in her hands, just three business days after she placed the order.  She paid just $5 per layout and they did arrive on her doorstep.  More importantly, she absolutely loved them saying they were more beautiful in person.  I tried not to say, "I told you so."  lol  The quality of Studio J layouts is absolutely phenomenal.  

If you are interested in knowing more about Studio J or would like for me to create some layouts for you and/or your loved ones, let me know.  They are on sale this month - at 25% off - but are only $6.95 in a typical month - still very affordable for a high-quality product.  Let me know what you think of them.

Have a Wacky Wednesday!

Studio Savings

Get your Studio J™ layouts for only $5 each during the month of March!

Fast and easy layouts for a fraction of the price!

During the month of March, order your Studio J™ layouts—including ones using our new Photo Express Collection—for only $5 each! Quickly create gorgeous, personalized studio layouts using our wide selection of papers, collections, patterns, and embellishments. And don’t forget to check out the templates in our new Photo Express Collection, which allow you to design layouts entirely comprised of photos in minutes. You’ve taken the photos. Now keep the memories.™

Create your account your FREE and see what all the hoopla is about by clicking here!  This special only lasts through the end of March!

$5 Layouts for Ten More Days!

During the month of March, order your Studio J™ layouts—including ones using our new
Photo Express Collection—for only $5 each! Quickly create gorgeous, personalized studio
layouts using our wide selection of papers, collections, patterns, and embellishments.

And don’t forget to check out the templates in our new Photo Express Collection, which
allow you to design layouts entirely comprised of photos in minutes.**

Sign up for a FREE account by clicking HERE and give Studio J a try!  I am always available should you have questions.  You will love it once you try it!

*Offer valid March 1–31, 2014. Studio J layouts ship in a protected box that can hold from 4 to 50 two-page layouts. Minimum order of 4 layouts. Free JPEG of every printed layout. For additional information about shipping and handling, please visit StudioJ.com > Products and Pricing > Shipping Options.

**It is recommended that the matting feature not be used with the photo-only templates, the Photo Express
Collection, as matting may cause photos to appear misaligned. Close To My Heart does not assume any
liability for photos and Photo Express Collection layouts that have been created using the matting option
and will give no reprints or refunds in such cases.

Studio J Rocks!

Studio Savings - Digital Layouts Just $5 This Month!

You HAVE to watch this video if even for the option of having your photos printed in a professional manner.  It is such a fun option and I am soooo taking advantage of this as I have layouts that were fun to make but which required small sizes of photos and the photo sizes I had would just not work.



This is a great special this month!  You can sign up for a FREE account and use the online program for FREE!  You only pay when you are ready for them to printed and they are top-notch quality.

If you have any questions about Studio J, or if I can help you get started with your first layout, please let me know!  You will love me for it!

Have a wonderful week!

Living on the St. John's

One of my favorite things about last living in Florida was our condominium right on the St. John's River.  Our backyard was a playground for alligators, fish, crab and who knows what else.  I loved pulling back the blinds to check out the gorgeous view.

I had worked on this layout sometime back and just purchased it and a few other Studio J layouts.  It is too fun to select papers that work perfectly with your photos without having to take out all of my scrapbook products to create.  It is a great option when I want to create scrapbook layouts digitally.  Can't wait for them to arrive!

Here are close-ups of the pages.

I would be happy to conduct a Studio J overview for you through Skype.  Just contact me to schedule a date and time that work for you.  I know you will be amazed at the simplicity of this program but...there is also room for plenty of creativity, if you so desire.

Lovin' the digital twist,

Family is forever

Would you believe this layout was created online using our Studio J online scrapbooking program?!  IT WAS!  And...look at the next image to see how it looked initially.

Click to view enlarged image

I started out with the Sonoma paper packet and it truly did look like this.  But...with a little Studio J magic - and lots of potential - I was able to make the background & texture paper ANY color I wanted.  So the layout ended up being somewhat monochromatic, with some hue changes, and I love it!  With Studio J you are also able to keep your photos in full color or change them to black & white or sepia.  I chose black and white.

Studio J layouts are just $5 through March 15, 2013 - a savings of $1.95 per layout.  If you are interested in finding out more about Studio J, please contact me.  I can share more over the phone, via email or even conduct a Skype training with you!  Once you try it...you'll love it!

Enjoy the rest of your week!