Studio J is an awesome deal!

Okay ladies here's the nitty on the gritty. Learn about 3 lovely ladies in a series detailing their journey towards peace of mind over the next few days and how they found the courage to get 'er done! All models here are based on 10 2-page layouts every month. If you take Tons of pictures like me, you know that's spot on.

Most price breaks across the board are at 10 so this is very comparable to other programs. The difference with Close To My Heart's Studio J and other competitors is we do 2pages vs their singles (10 vs 20.) Read on!

Patty Pictures has many pictures saved and wants to get that album done but seems to spend a lot of time trying to decide where to start. She has a whole shelf of traditional scrapbook materials and seems overwhelmed. When she prints pictures she wastes money printing pictures she doesn't need or in the wrong sizes and they sit nicely in a box gathering dust. This is NOT where we want them to be. Lost. Discarded. Forgotten.

Enter Studio J. Patty can scrapbook anywhere she has an internet connection. SJ is 100% online! These days you may be able to do that on your phone! Lol! So no software, external hard drive storage or paper kits to purchase. The drag and drop technology is to easy work with and you Don't need Mad Skillz to do this! Your pictures are automatically resized for the layout. You can choose a layout based on the number of pictures just like our popular How-to books!

Mess around with it and design your paper layouts without purchasing prints, too! If Patty decides to print her 2-page layout she will pay a base price of $12.95 plus tax and shipping.

Let us not stop there. No, we are savvy shoppers, ladies! Patty gets a better deal if she creates 10 2-page layouts and purchases them together. Currently, she can get 10 memory protectors and free shipping. She only pays tax on her $129.50 purchase and they come ready to add to her album!

This is not the best deal, however. Patty can sign up for a membership for 12 mos starting September 1st and for only $99 GET 50% off all printing! Free 5 pack memory protectors for every 5 2-page layouts purchased and ship once per month for FREE! She pays $69.45 (include Ut sales tax) out the door every month after membership. You only need 16 2-page layouts in a year to break even. For Patty that's 45 days and she starts making a return on her money!

As a member, Patty gets access to all the current kits and exclusive retired kits only available online. New kits and Jeanette's exclusive patterns are frequently added and members get special deals and campaigns along the way! Most of all, Patty gets a beautiful finished album in a month and a half and all of her artwork is saved online, preserved. She has digital copies to reprint as gifts for friends and family and peace of mind. Patty's savings over one year is a phenomenal at $781.20! Learn more at http://slvrlining.myctmh.com > Studio J Online Scrapbooking

Warmly,

Trish

$99 Kit ending this week!

The last day to pay the LEAST amount of money on your Consultant Kit is July 31st. Starting August 1st, the price is going up to $129. If you're on the fence, hop on over because I want you on my team - AND at the best deal possible because we're savvy!



PLUS, if you're into Studio J - even if you don't want to sell CTMH, this is the most fabulous way to get your online pages CHEAP!! I'm talking 120 2-page layouts for $535 - That's a WHOLE YEAR of layouts (10 2page layouts EVERY MONTH!) Get your Baby's first year, Disneyland or your Family History done for more than $1000 off competitors' programs! I'll go into the price break down for SJ later this week so stay tuned for the deets, but if you want over $300 retail worth of your favorite CTMH - buy this kit now, before the price goes up! Sign up here.

*To clarify, the amount of product you will get in August ALSO goes up and is a better percentage of free - but your out of pocket cost is higher at $129 vs $99. Shipping and tax apply.

Fine Art

..from the stationer's point of view. I am working on some items to sell at an upcoming craft fair this Christmas. (Stay tuned for details!) One of the items I am considering is fine art. Okay, that may be a biiit of a stretch. Scrapbook art on a canvas? Sculpture for your walls? Anyhoo, here is a preliminary. This piece will be mounted on a 12x12 canvas, suitable for hanging. I haven't got that done yet, just playing around with the layout. Let me know what you think of the idea. I think they are great, but then, I am biased, however fair and balanced...

Warmly,

Trish

Have you watched the new Art & Soul?

I just did and I learned a lot! You’ve arrived at party central, where every project is a blast and every new technique is reason to celebrate. From sentiments that speak to dazzling clear cards, we have an abundance of easy techniques and fun projects to share with you! Plus, learn how to create show-stopping paper embellishments with a circle punch and glean insider tips for photo matting in Studio J™—you won’t want to miss it! Check out the fabulous artwork in every episode of Art & Soul for inspiration. This month you'll love the cute handmade party ware for your summer events and the fun new ways to use our clear cards! Then.. Create! Let me see what you're made of!

Don't forget the card swap is still on. It's Christmas in July - make 6 fab cards and switch them with other budding artists. Get your cards done early and take the fuss out of the Holidays and save yourself some serious time! Entries must be in my hands by Friday, July 30. Best of Luck!

Warmly,

Trish

August Play Dates

Hello Ladies,

I am absolutely LOVING the Cherry-O paper pack. I know, I know, famous last words! I said at the beginning it wasn't my first choice, but it has really been adorable to work with. You have got to see it! You know my rule, though - if you don't like it, TRY it! I always find inspiration in overcoming my challenges - well at least with paper anyway...

You can still book classes from now until July 31st and class times and dates will be available after that while supplies last. For best choice, choose now!! You may choose to do either the 2 page layout or the set of 6 cards. If you book now, I'll have your kits pre-cut because I know you love that and want to get started right away!

Here is the art we will be doing in class:


Techniques covered in class will be sponging, rock n' roll stamping and overstamping. Your basic Play Date kit includes a My Acrylix stamp set, Level 2 paper pack, Mini-medley in Tulip and guide for $29.95. You can upgrade to the better kit by adding Chocolate Waxy Flax and Colonial White designer brads for only $7.90 more. Shipping and tax apply. Best of all you keep the extras to make the additional artwork pictured or to do with as you please! Come on over. Let's Play!

Fun with Level 2's

We do so much stamping, we often forget the fun of the simplistic layout. They can be just as cute or punchy as Level 3's and they are soooo fast! Here's a quick review of Close To My Heart's Level 1, 2 and 3 art.

1. Level 1's are pre-printed cardstock sheets in the patterns you love. They can include some embellishments and My Stickease. Primarily used for fast and easy scrapbooking, but they make great cards with little effort as well!
2. Level 2's are layouts or cards you choose and assemble based on patterns from our how -to books: Scrapbook - Reflections, Cherish, Imagine and Magic or Cards - Originals or Wishes. They usually include My Stickease and embellishments.
3. Level 3's are everything above with the addition of stamping. Close To My Heart's clear My Acrylix stamps make proper placement and cleanup a breeze!

Check this out. All I used for these layouts was the Level 2 paper pack and matching My Stickease. I didn't have to think much about the design because they are pictured on the back of the My Stickease sheets. I simply flipped to the Cherish or Imagine page for verification of cutting dimensions and snipped away! Assemble all of your paper pieces and then slap some My Stickease on - Voila'! I didn't have to worry about the title either - My Stickease handled that for me!

These two layouts are going to look so cute with my pictures added. Brook will be highlighted on the Cherry-O layout. She just loves to cook and my Cookie Brookie will look so darling! Our August trip to lagoon will be featured on the Zippidee layouts. What a Thrill! Try these simple and fast layouts from your My Stickease when you need something fast and hassle-free. For even faster, simpler and easier - try Level 1's!

Warmly,

Trish

July Play Dates!

Here is all of the artwork available to complete in class this next week. There are 3 other 2 page layouts pictured as well as an additional 6 cards in the included brochures to make with your remaining supplies! If you would still like a Zippidee Play Date kit, contact me today! For more information on how Play Dates work, please see the sidebar to the right.


For the scrapbook pages, you'll learn to use both sides of your stamps! Whaaat, you say? That's right, for this layout you will stamp the arrow on the reverse side of the stamp to get a slightly larger and solid image. It's awesome! Come to class and see it in action!


For those completing cards, here are all 4. For those at home, your stamped-on pieces are precut. If the image is cut out, you'll need to do so as well as any other stand-alone pieces and bases. Instructions are as follows:

Cut your card bases. To score your cards for the fold, simply place them on your paper trimmer and move the trimmer out of the way. Using your dry embosser, run the stylus along the cutting groove with mild pressure at the appropriate measurement. Super easy and straight lines every time!

The first card, Thanks, designed by Karen Pedersen, is a standard sized card. Assemble your card base by adding the Bamboo diamond B&T to the face (with the the stamped Thank You right side up =), round your corners and sponge with Cocoa ink.

1. Layer your Indian Corn Blue Cardstock stamped and embossed with Indian Corn Blue dots over the Cocoa CS and adhere to your base above the stamped Thank You.

2. Using your corner rounder, with the corner guard removed, stamp around the Cocoa Cardstock circle to create a scalloped edge. The picture is shown with a straight strip (from next month's Play Date) but the process is the same.

3. Layer pieces as shown until you're ready for the chipboard T.

4. Taking the small colonial white scrap stamped and embossed with Indian Corn Blue dots and lay face down. Place your T over the back of the cardstock (right side down) and trace lightly with pencil. Cut out the T and adhere to your chipboard T. Sand the edges to finish. Adhere to the card over the Tulip stripe B&T circle (from Cherry-O). Voila!

Hit The Spot - 8x3

1. Colonial White Base. Set aside.
2. This is a bit tricky to get the brads through only the black face and get your B&Ts lined up. I assemble them on the face (without adhering) and mark the spot for the brads with a light pencil mark. Then cut and tie your ribbon appropriately, but don't adhere. Just place over your pencil mark and then use your pierce tool to make your hole. Add your brads. Now when you assemble your card, your brads won't show when you open the card!
3. Working with the black embossed face, adhere your B&Ts following the Originals pattern. You can adhere everything now to the face and tack down the knot end of your ribbon.
4. The stars are cardstock over chipboard. (See above for directions.)

So Happy - 3x3 Originals Side Accent

1. Indian Corn Blue base.
2. All pieces are sponged in Desert Sand.
3. Adhere argyle B&T per directions. The Honey cardstock piece is a 1/2" from the bottom (along the bottom of the pieces listed in the Originals pattern.) Add 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" Colonial White square.
4. Ink chipboard heart in Cranberry and let dry. You can use your pierce tool on the back of the chipboard to move around the surface of your ink pad.

Missing You - 3x3 Originals Squares Overlay

1. Colonial White base.
2. All pieces sponged in Desert Sand.
3. Add the B&Ts on the left side and then add the Cranberry Cardstock strip right over the seam. Add the Bamboo Sparkle B&T.
4. Using a pierce tool and some plastic canvas as a guide, pierce holes around the B&T, then adhere the sentiment over the remaining Indian Corn Blue mat and adhere to card.

In Remembrance

*Card finally uploaded!*Today my sister-in-law laid her mother to rest. Fern Wong Carter passed away this week at the age of 51 after a 3 year battle with cancer. It's something we know must come eventually but we hope will be later rather than sooner. No matter when it comes, we are ill-prepared. Liz, know that we love you, Steve and the girls and we hope our love may be of some comfort and that you may draw strength from your Roses.

Your mother was an amazing woman and I see the same strength and courage in you and your girls. She leaves behind an eternal legacy. We will see her again. But not today.


Warmly,

Trish

The card is on a 5x7 Vanilla Cream base and features That's Amore papers, Cocoa and Tulip inks. Grown With Love is the stamp set and then finally, twill ribbon was added.

A Night at the Carney

We headed to Riverton this year again for the fireworks and Carney. We've been going to fireworks with our extended family for several years but this is the second time we have been to this park. The fireworks are great and the kids love the carnival and their yearly funnel cake! Nothing like a Carney for sure! We even tried the Carney burger last year... and we didn't try it again this year.. Lol! Lotta grease, but it was good I'll admit. We decided there was no way that gutbomb could sit on our stomachs again this year, though!

This layout features Blue Ribbon papers and I used the rainbow from Over the Rainbow My Acrylix to make the patriotic banners. The butterfly came from Whimsical Wings and the sentiment from Make it Count. The element block on the lower right side uses the overstamping technique. The butterfly is 2nd generation stamped to make it not only match the lighter percentage of the Indian Corn Blue B&T but to make it appear "behind" the sentiment which is stamped over the top.

Thanks for all the teachers!

Yesterday was Brook's last day of school, so we had cards to hand out to those teachers who spent tireless days - and I mean days - being an inspiration to my little darling. Despite having a rocky start we stuck with it and she made it through! Whew! Now it's her first official day of summer and sleeping in for Two. Whole. Months. How many bets she'll be bored by the end of the second week? Lol!

The card we made was super simple and pretty quick to assemble. Even a novice stamper can pull this one off! Well, you know me. When it's multiples of anything it better be simple so they ALL get done! The base is a 3x3 Hollyhock cardstock dry embossed with the stylus and your trimmer. This technique is really easy. Just line your card up where you want the embossing line and instead of cutting, move the orange trim piece out of the way and run your embossing stylus along the seam where the blade normally goes. Straight lines and the perfect depth every time! Then sand lightly on the front with your block to expose the white core of our cardstock. The remaining edges are distressed with the edge distresser and buttons are tied with White Daisy Embroidery floss and adhered with Glue Dots. Voila! It took about an hour to do 8 of them.

Supplies used:
Originals Card Confidence Program
My Acrylix stamps (retired.)
Green dot (&reverse buttercup) B&T from Boom Di-Ada Level2
Winter Craft Buttons
Sanding Kit
Edge Distresser
Tombow
Trimmer
Micro-Tip Scissors
Mini Glue Dots (green box)