Mall Rat {Studio J}

This is my secret name for this layout. Shh, don't tell Brook! (I don't want to scar her for life with my outdated vernacular, at least, not any more than I already have.) It's said with affection!

My sweet baby girl is growing up so fast! These pictures of Brook are from a few years ago, just after she turned seven. Seven is Heaven! They are a collection of random shots of her being girly over a few months that summer that just didn't go with anything else. Together, they paint the picture of a pre-tween tomboy who is just starting to pay attention to girl stuff (but don't tell anyone).

The focal shot is of Brook on a girls outing at the mall - just the two of us and no boys. In our house, this a real rarity! Brook was so excited to be doing Mall Stuff. We shopped (and bought!) just for her, we found some gifts for others and we had an Orange Julius at the food court which is what I remember most about being a kid and going to the mall. It became a tradition of my best friend and I to hit the Hello Kitty store and have an Orange Julius (remember when you used to be able to go places alone as a kid?)

When I met Brandon, he would always have a fresh, hot pretzel, so that became a tradition for us that we have shared with our kids as a family. For me and my princess, though, we did the girl thang and got Juliuses! Enjoy the moments.

Warm wishes,

P.S. - Don't forget Cyber Monday lasts through 11:59pm!

Small Business Saturday and a Layout {Studio J}

The Mortons in Avonlea, inspired by Karen Pedersen.

Welcome to Small Business Saturday! What is Small Business Saturday? Let Wikipedia enlighten us:

Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. First celebrated on November 27, 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local.

I appreciate your patronage this day especially and invite you to stop by my Brick and Mortar for a spell and some great Black Friday fun, still going on through the end of Cyber Monday. Go here to see what exclusive hourly deals I have to offer today in thanks!

Along with Mom & Pop shops, comes Family. This is one of those typical family portraits for photographers. Since we are usually behind the lens, it can be a challenge to get a good shot of your family with you actually in it (the self-timer option is our friend). You're at somebody's wedding (in this case, my niece, Paige's) and the setting is beautiful, so you gather the family and ask someone to take your picture and hope for the best! Will everybody be looking at the camera, did the makeshift photographer frame it up right, are your faces now in shadow? I find these can be very frustrating if you let them. So I don't!

Now, I find they are the best portraits of our family and often reveal the real McCoy (in this case, Garrett). He's such a character! If anyone is going to be doing something off, it will be him. Mind you, he's only three, so it's okay. It reminds me of the many years previous when it was first Brook, then Aidan who gave this photographer grief. I'm learning to let it go, finally, and just enjoy the moments! I hope you have had or will have many moments this weekend as you celebrate within your own friends and family all the wonderful ideas and character that has made this nation great. Give thanks for the American Dream and thanks for stopping by!

Warm wishes,

Cricut Artiste or Art Philosophy for 78 Bucks! {Black Friday}

Bridal card I made with Cricut Artiste for my niece, Paige.

Man, oh, man, you can't beat that deal! This offer is available only valid through me (facebook, twitter or email/text/phone). On my website (there are some FANTASTIC While Supplies Last deals there, too!) click on JOIN the Black Friday Deals! gathering and click, click, click to shop 24/7 in the comfort of your pajamas!* Starting now through 10pm MST on Cyber Monday, November 26, 2012, I am offering the Close To My Heart Cricut Artiste or Art Philosophy cartridge packs for only $78 plus tax and shipping! Now, if you want to order off the website and get this amazing deal, you must let me know by joining the Black Friday Deals! gathering so I can refund you the difference on your purchase price because the website is not set up to handle this exclusive deal only through me.

Detail of the embossing. You can see how to make this card here.

Let's Get to the Goods
Both of these collections (and I say that because you get MORE than just the amazing cartridge) have a whopping 700 images EACH - averaging 600 MORE than your regular full Cricut cartridge retailing at $50+ and include matching Dimensional Elements and My Acrylix Stamp Sets to perfectly coordinate your next project Faster, Simpler and Easier! Look at what you get:

Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection

Featuring hundreds of basic, versatile shapes and fonts you'll use every day, many of which coordinate with dozens of our My Acrylix® stamps, this collection is a must-have for every crafter!

Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: font, shapes, and 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
3 – 9" × 12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Cricut® Artiste Collection

With just the touch of one Cricut® Artiste key you can take your creativity over the top with wonderful 3-D projects, party favors, interactive cards, awards, and more! From robots and spooks to weddings and Valentines, your cupcake wrappers, invitations, and party essentials will coordinate and come together for any celebration! Includes a step-by-step assembly booklet for the 3-D projects.

Collection includes:

• 1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, fonts, shapes, and 3-D items)
• 3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
• 3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Ok, here's the rest of the deal
Your Cricut cartridge collection will only sweeten these rewards inspired by Lisa Stenz's 2011 Black Friday. I've put my own spin on it, of course, but special thanks to her for the original idea! Now. Here's the goods!

Place an order of $25 - $49 

Get a free Dye-Based Ink Pad of your choice ($5.25 value.)

Place an order of $51 - $75
Get an A size stamp set of your choice or any accessory valued at $6.95 or less for free. This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for $5! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off!

Place an order of $76 - $99
Get a free B size stamp set or Level 2 Paper Pack of your choice (up to $9.95 value.) This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for $5! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off!

Place an order of $100 - $149
Get a free Cardstock color pack (Single color, 24 sheets) or a size C stamp set of your choice (up to $14.50 value). You can also get TWO Stamp of the Month sets for only $5 each! One for you, one for your Bestie! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off! (This is a total value of $49.36!)

Place an order of $150 or more
Get $25 in free products of your choice, PLUS either a free Level 2 Paper Pack or B size stamp set of your choice (valued at $9.95.)  You will also get up to 3 Stamp of the Month sets for only $5 each! You can also get TWO Stamp of the Month sets for only $5 each! One for you, one for your Bestie and a great gift for the neighbor! When you purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can ALSO pick any stamp set** at 50% off! (This is a total value of $82.82!)



Call, text, email or facebook, tweet me Right. Now. to get this amazing deal! Happy shopping!


Warm wishes,

*Purchases of Cricut Artiste or Art Philosophy will drop in the cart at full retail price of $99. Difference will be refunded to you by ME. Thanks!

**Shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid November 1–30, 2012. Offer valid for A, B, C, D, and E size stamp sets only; K-size, Workshops on the Go^®, Cricut^® collection, and Stamp of the Month stamp sets are not eligible for this promotion. Maximum of one 50% off stamp set per order.

Family Ties {Studio J} and Black Friday Preview

Paige & Zac's wedding. Some photos shared courtesy of the family.

Weddings are a great time to get family pictures. This Thanksgiving I am grateful for all of the Family Ties I have accumulated in life. Each one has had an impact on me and I know I am a better person because of these wonderful people. I am so grateful to have my family and sincere friends!

I think hands down, Avonlea is becoming my very favorite paper pack in the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. I love the colors and patterns. So classy! Of course it may be that I am fixated on wedding stuff lately, too! Don't forget, with Studio J, you can use and re-use all of your favorite patterns and Complements again and again as you make beautiful EASY scrapbook pages in a snap to preserve for generations to come.

Okay, okay. I'll get to the point you've been waiting for. My Black Friday Sale will start tomorrow morning at 6 AM MST. Check my blog to get the deets on the best Black Friday specials. EVER. Right Here. Then see the exclusive deals and updates on my Facebook and Twitter posts, to stay abreast of developments as they come throughout the day. I will have some deals that run the whole weekend, through Cyber Monday, ending at 10 PM MST. Other deals will be spur of the moment sales and items for just a few hours during the day. Hint: Jaw-dropping prices on CRICUT!! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving and remember the things that mean the most. 

Then shop 'til you drop!!

Warm wishes,