Studio J & Flip Flaps, Oh My!

My boys had their first experience on the Slip n Slide a couple years ago at Grandmas house in Arkansas, and boy did they have a BLAST!! I took so many pictures, I had a hard time thinning them out so they could be scrapbooked! Even after going through them several times to pick my favorites, I couldn't fit them all on one layout, so I created 2 in Studio J!

But, I didn't want to have "2" layouts in the album, so I used our 12" Flip Flaps and put it into the album as one layout!

By cutting the first layout into 8" and 4" pieces on both the left and right pages, I was able to place them into an 8x12" and 4x12" Flip flap and adhere it over the left page of the 2nd layout. So what you're seeing above, is how it looks in my album.

This is the left page, with the left side flap opened.

Here is the left page with both the left and right flip flaps opened to show the inner layout.

I love how the flip flaps allow me to make my layouts interactive...and also gives me the ability to put 2 complete layouts (and all those pictures), into 1 layout!

Wanna see more about Studio J...and of course, I've gotta BRAG about these pictures...check out the NEWEST How-To Studio J Video on Personalizing Your Layouts (below or on StudioJ.com)! These same photos were featured in Close to My Hearts how-to video. Check it out today! I'd love to hear what you think!

CTMH Workshops on the Go: Bliss

Love is in the air! Make it last forever by creating this beautiful layout to preserve your love-filled photos and thoughts. The Bliss Workshops on the Go (G1020) workshop uses the Bliss Level 2 paper packet, the exclusive My Acrylix® Bliss Workshop stamp set, and Irresistibles die-cuts for creative embellishing.

I love the cards we created for this workshop...ever go shopping for a wedding card...WHEW, those are expensive! These cards are elegant, romantic...and best of all, inexpensive! Make yourself a few for those upcoming Spring/Summer weddings!

Hosting a Bridal Shower or need a gift idea? Our My Creations Journal is great for the Bride to use as her wedding planner notebook; or you can use it to capture advice, recipes, and well-wishes from guests at her Bridal Shower...or as the Guest Book at the Wedding! So many versatile uses, and the ability to personalize the front cover...Priceless!

CTMH Miracle All Sorts Mini-Album

It's been a while since I've played with our My Creations All Sorts Mini Album (Z1224), and with our NEW Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain ribbon (Z1383) and Miracle Collection, this album is just adorable (if I do say so myself!)

(Please excuse the "brightness" of the pics...I'm also playing with adjusting my photos, and got a little "bright" on this set of pictures!)

Isn't the button adorable on the front cover!?! These are our NEW Canvas Badge Buttons (Z1397) which are adhesive backed and can be stamped directly on! I used our Miracle Workshop stamp set to stamp Blessed on the button, then rolled the edges in the inkpad to give it a little outline color.

Our Kraft Borders (Z1377): so much fun to play with and add that extra little accent to the pages!

A few of our Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems (Z1333) to add a little "bling"...again of the self-adhesive variety...just love how fast, simple, and easy it is to embellish with Close to My Heart!!

YEAH, the cool Pinwheel stamps that are included in our Miracle Workshops on the Go (G1023)! I've added a Mocha Opaque to the center to keep the edges in and add a little texture!

And the Sweet Leaf Ribbon! Since this album will be "exposed" and handled, I used a lighter to sear the edges of the ribbon to keep it from fraying!

CTMH Workshops on the Go: Miracle

You'll enjoy the soothing colors of our new Miracle collection! The combinations of Bamboo, Crystal Blue, Heavenly Blue and Sweet Leaf complement any photos AND can easily be accented with an additional color to make your layouts POP!

These are pictures from last years Band Banquet where Mandy was recognized as "Most Outstanding Sophomore" and received a band scholarship for extra instrument lessons!!! We are so very proud of her accomplishments!!

The Workshops on the Go: Miracle Collection (G1023) includes the Miracle Level 2 Paper packet, Kraft Color Ready Borders (Z1377), Workshop Guide AND the MUST HAVE Miracle Workshop stampset which includes the stamps to make these adorable pinwheels!

The color ready borders are quickly becoming my newest "tool box" embellishment! They are self-adhesive, can be stamped, inked, and painted, or adhered just as they are! Use them as a template with our Spray Pens to add a fun backdrop or flip them over, remove the adhesive backing and sprinkle glitter and you have a quick "bling" embellishment to add to your project! So versatile and so many different ways they can be used! And with 50 - 12" strips in each package, you'll have plenty to try tons of unique techniques!

I love how the pin wheels can be used on both cards and layouts, providing a great embellishment with dimension and style!

CTMH Lucky with Studio J

I am so in love with our Studio J online design program! It makes it super simple to quickly complete beautiful layouts, with embellishments, stickease, distressing, and journaling! I love how quickly the layouts come together, and how easy it is to "stitch" buttons on, without fear of piercing my finger in the process!

These layouts are using our beautiful Lucky Collection through Studio J! I think what I enjoy the most is the ability to swap the papers out and keep rotating them until I find the perfect combination! It's so quick and simple, and I get to see the completed layout before I spend a penny on the layout! No printing photos to find out I need a different size!!

Oh, how I love you Studio J!! I hope you'll give it a try! It's FREE, create as many layouts as you want, test it out...then decide! If you like what you've created, contact me and I'll share all the details of the Studio J membership and getting 50% off all of your layouts! Your'e gonna LOVE 'em!!
These pictures are from last June, the boys Pre-K Graduation ceremonies! So fun!!

CTMH Workshops on the Go: Lucky

It's amazing that we have 8 NEW beautiful paper collections with Close to My Heart...and even moreso is that I was quickly able to identify my FAVORITE of the 8!! They truly are all beautiful collections, so why is LUCKY the one for me?

It could be that it features one of my favorite colors, Outdoor Denim! Couple that with the tons of photos of my little guys, that this collection so perfectly fits! Or is it the name that was the weighing factor for me?

John and I celebrated our anniversary this month on St Patricks day! And we know how lucky we are with our many blessings! We have a beautiful horseshoe above our door that says "Lucky In Love", ahhh, so Lucky, what a wonderful name for this versatile collection!!

This is the layout from our Workshops on the Go Lucky kit (G1018). The kit includes the Level 2 Paper Packet, an exclusive stamp set, our NEW Wooden Designer Buttons (z1387), Natural Hemp (Z280) and the matching Workshop Guide to guide you through creating this layout and the matching cards!

I'm really enjoying these wooden buttons, they add an additional dimension and texture to my projects and are just stinkin' cute!

This is my Lucky Stickease (x7137c) layout! I love how our Stickease make creating layouts Faster, Simpler and Easier than ever! With example layouts featured on the back of the stickease, combined with our wonderful How To Program books like Magic (9034)! I've also added some of our Lucky Level 2 Assortment chipboard (Z1356).
These are photos from Easter 2010 when the boys were learning to ride their bikes...I'm sure I'm rationalizing my procrastinating behavior by saying, "Isn't it a good thing I hadn't scrapbooked these photos yet? This collection so perfectly works with these photos!!!"

Okay, maybe I'm justifying how behind I am in my layouts, but boy, these pages really work for me!!

This layout I've also added some of our NEW Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots (Z1359), of course the Lucky Chipboard and the Stickease, combined with the Natural Hemp for some additional texture.

These are some more of our family photos taken at our photo shoot with Through His Eyes Photograph, LeaAnn Gardner (http://leaanngardner.com). She is so awesome and always takes such wonderful pictures for us!

Be sure to get your own Lucky collection, you'll love the beautiful colors and inspiration!!!

Studio J: Wings

I am so in love with our Studio J Online Design Software! Full access to all our NEW papers, to include the 8 NEW packs released TODAY (9 if you include the Members Only Studio J collection "Take the Cake"! That's right...all ready for us to play with right at our fingertips! PLUS, we have the ability to change the paper colors, rotate pages, embellish and distress till our hearts content!

You should check it out and see what's NEW in Studio J! Meanwhile, here are some layouts I've created in Studio J using our Wings collection! Amazing how versatile this paper is, making each layout unique!
(Don't criticize...yes, these are the first of my layouts for my New Zealand Album from 1 year ago!! BUT, with our Fabulous February Studio J Special (Buy 9 layouts, get the 10th one FREE) I believe I'll have alot more of New Zealand done, if not FINISHED, by the end of the month...stay tuned!!!)

CTMH Wings Banner

Our NEW My Creations Banner (Z1378) is super fun to create with! Banners, pennants, mini-albums, oh the possibilities are endless! What can you do with one?

More of our family pictures and the Wings paper!
Aren't my little guys perfect for a Kindergarden GQ magazine? And my teen? So pretty! How blessed we are!!

CTMH FREE Consultant Kit!!

WHEN YOU BECOME A CLOSE TO MY HEART CONSULTANT DURING February and achieve Straight To The Top, you will receive a rebate of $129 on your New Consultant Kit, plus $100 in select product credit rewards. That's a total retail value of up to $491 in products and business supplies for FREE! Your kit's free, your select products are free-how fabulous! Contact me to join our team in February and earn the Free, Free, & Fabulous rewards.

View the Consultant Kit: https://orders.closetomyheart.com/CTMHConsultants/marketing/pdf/ConsultantKitFlyer11US.pdf

See the February Flier: https://orders.closetomyheart.com/CTMHConsultants/marketing/pdf/Feb11_CCFlyerUS.pdf

Email me with any questions: noreen@myctmh.com

Sign Up Today! It is easy to sign up!! You can do everything electronically by going to my website:
1. Go to http://noreen.myctmh.com
2. Click on "Your Opportunities"
3. At the bottom of the screen, locate the line: To sign up or for more information to become a Consultant. "Click Here"
4. It'll take you into the application.
5. It should only take about 5 minutes to complete the application.
6. You'll receive a confirmation e-mail from CTMH within a few days (and sometimes immediately), at which time you'll have access to the website (with the username and password you input on the application). You will receive your kit in about 1 week!

CTMH Workshops on The Go: Wings

This new collection from Close to My Heart is absolutely gorgeous and so versatile! Stay tuned for several projects using this beautiful paper collection...and when you purchase the Wings Workshop on the Go (G1016), you'll receive the kit complete with an exclusive stamp set, full Level 2 Paper Pack, Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection, NEW Spray Pen, and the workshop guide!

These are our latest family pictures (more to follow) taken by Through His Eyes Photography - LeaAnn Gardner! (http://leaanngardner.com/)

The Wings WOTG Cards...as you can see, I was a little spray happy with my Spray Pen! It was such fun to play with, so in some cases I went a little overboard, but I enjoy the colors!

CTMH Magnifique Flip Flap Mini Album

Here's one of the many ways you can use our fabulous 4x6 Flip Flaps! This is such an inexpensive and yet fun project to create! Using our Plain Chipboard (Z1164) which includes 2 - 9x12 sheets of chipboard for only $2.95, you'll cover the front of the chipboard base, then adhere the Flip Flaps to it and use a smaller strip of chipboard to cover the adhesive stripes. For added security, I like to use our Bigger Brads to secure everything in place, then cover the back of the base (hiding the brad backs). And wallah, you have a mini-album ready for 4x6 photos, mini layouts or a combination!

Check out our beautiful NEW Blue & Green Sparkles (Z1327)! I've always been big on BLING...but now we have colors to choose from...such fun!
I also added some of our Mocha Opaques (Z1333) and Foundry Flourish accents (Z1331)!

And since I was in a playful mood, I incorporated some of our lovely new Lagoon Mini-Medleys (Z1340)