Great Gifts {Video}

This is one of the best things about the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge - the endless gift ideas and creativity! The fabulous Art Dept. at Close To My Heart has put this cool vid together to give you some great ideas on how to use your Art Philosophy cartridge and make some wonderful handmade gifts in a snap. Just Click and Like!

Warm wishes,

Cheetos and Trouble {Studio J}

Can you see I love My Reflections Manmade? With 4 boys in the family it seems to be useful for a lot of my photos! And speaking of boys, here are two of my favorite! This two-page layout could easily be turned into 2 separate one-page layouts in Studio J. And I admit I kind of had that idea when I started. But after I placed all my photos and then added an extra journalling box, I couldn't resist adding the title "Two Boys." 

Despite being totally separate events about separate kids, there seemed to be a unity in theme, "What's going on now?" Aidan's page talks about one afternoon where it really hit me how much we had been counting - everything - over the past few weeks. Garrett's shirt says, "Trouble is my middle name." Both sets of photos brought to mind the milestones each child was making at their particular age, and it telegraphed into the journalling. (You can click on the photo and see the enlarged version to read the journalling.) 

Studio J is an online Scrapbooking software and is totally free to play with. Check it out here. You don't have to commit to anything to play, just a user name and password so your projects can be saved for you. This layout can be completed in Studio J in about 15 minutes and can be two one-page layouts or a two-page layout. If you'd like to join my 30 minute online Studio J Class or host a Studio J Class in your home, please contact me (801.910.8698, slvrlinin@live.com). Easy peasy!

Warm wishes,

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge {All Boy}




Out of four boys in the family, it was difficult to pick just one to submit for the i heart faces contest: All Boy. G is definitely the most boy in our family. He is two going on 200 MPH and willing to try anything including a dare by his older brother to go down the big slide at the park. Love that face!

Warm wishes,




A Little Birdie Told Me... {SOTM}

Life is "tweet"! After spending the past few days sicker than a dog with food poisoning I am thankfully back in the office. It was a rough couple'a days there, but I'm glad to be back!

This stamp set is just the cutest little thing and I've had so much fun making cards for the first time in like, a bazillion years! The best part is they're super simple and easy to bust out a few. And these days, with four littles, I'm ALL about the easy! And here is the latest little, mouth open, just like a bird!

Life Is Tweet is available at regular price for only $17.95 this month only or you can get it for $5 with your $50 purchase. And don't forget it's Stampaganza this month! Purchase 2 regular priced A, B, C, D or E sized stamp sets and get the 3rd set of equal or lesser value for FREE! SOTM's can't be free under this promotion because of their already insanely cheap price, but you can use the sets you actually pay for as part of your $50 to get it for 5 bucks. This is one amazing deal and only happens every few years, so don't let it pass you by and go the way of the Dodo. This bird's too "tweet" for that!

Warm wishes,

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Five Mile Pass {Studio J}

Here's a fun layout featuring an exclusive members-only My Reflections kit in Studio J, Manmade. It's rough and tumble and perfectly illustrates the boys (and girls!) in our house! (You can read more about becoming a member here and  here - and you can try Studio J Online scrapbooking suite here for free. Only pay when you print!)

Four wheels are better than two whenever possible, whether it's in the truck or on the ATVs. Last spring we went out for a little evening drive to an area just southwest of us about 45 min. A lot of people come here to play in the dirt and we certainly shamed none of 'em! Gram and Papa came with us so it was truly a family affair! Brandon just put new knobby tires on and wanted to try them out, so we piled in and away we went!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you can get out and play!

Warm wishes,

Happy Birthday My Love {Studio J}

This page is dedicated to my man, my main squeeze, my partner in crime, Brandon. Yeah. I know he's not pictured here. (He hates his picture being taken.) This is what he gets to wake up to every day.. one perfect princess, one tough guy an adorable baby and ... the three year old. (Garrett :)

He's an amazing man to deal with these crazy kids (did I mention Garrett is THREE?) and keep this household running like a well-oiled machine while I am working all day. The amazing thing is he's still sane *mostly* and he loves them all to pieces. Happy birthday to the best Daddy and Husband ever! I love you so much and I am so privileged to spend this life with you now and forever!

(This page was a particularly difficult morning for the then-two year old, Garrett. These pictures, taken by Brandon, perfectly captured the feeling of getting up too early because Aidan was just a little too loud waking and couldn't resist getting his brother up to *help* with breakfast. You gotta love it. One day we will. Right? ~Lol)

Page created in the Studio J Online Srapbooking suite here using My Reflections Roughing It.

Summer Means Disneyland Right?

Ok, not for us this year, but for many families, summer vacation means a trip to the great unknown ..or a more beloved tradition like Disneyland. While we are not going again this year (need to wait until Colt gets a few years on him!) we can easily reminisce about the wonderful trip we had as we finish creating our Disneyland album from December 2010 in Studio J. We took the family to California for our Christmas present to each other and it was one of the best things we have ever done for our loved ones! I highly recommend it if you get the chance (though the traditionalist in me had a hard time with 70s and no snow in December!)

Before we get to the next layout though, let me quickly tell you the best thing ever: It's Stampaganza time at Close To My Heart! I know! Isn't it just fabulous?! For every 2 A, B, C, D, or E-sized stamp sets you buy during the month of June, you can get a third of equal or lesser value FREE! You heard it, sistah! Stop on over to my website to shop 24/7 or contact me (801.910.8698, slvrlinin@live.com) to put you down! LOVE IT! Okay, now back to the creatin'!

I just have to say, one of the very best attributes of Studio J (aside from it's ease of use for beginners to scrap-masters) is that you can use any kit from the past few years, even if they're retired. Route 66 couldn't have been more perfect for a trip to Radiator Springs!

All of these layouts were created very quickly using the preexisting template provided for in the kit pattern. If you want to customize, you simple click on the Embellishments tab and toggle off the embellishments on the page. This will "hide" those ready made-ready placed buttons, metals and ribbons that come ready to color on each and every kit. I love the freedom you have to do it your way - fast, easy or fussy!

Have a great summer vacation somewhere (even on your own back porch) and photograph it!

Warm wishes,

June Specials and Stampaganza!

I just couldn't contain my excitement this morning, so here's my second post of the day featuring all of the fabulous June specials! (Scroll down or click here to see my earlier post.)


There are three fabulous things happening this month with Close To My Heart:


1.  Stampaganza
2.  Play Dates
3.  June Stamp of the Month

I know the cat's out of the bag on the first event, but read through because they all will knock your socks off! What a great way to kick off summer vacation!
-------------------

1.  Stampaganza:  

From June 1-30, purchase any two stamp sets (sizes A, B, C, D, or E) at full retail price and receive a third stamp set of your choice FREE (of equal or lesser value)—a savings of up to $29.95!

Stamp sets that count toward the qualifying purchase include full-priced A, B, C, D, and E sets only. Stamps that do not count toward a qualifying purchase include customizable (K), Workshops on the Go™, Cricut^® collection, and Stamp of the Month (both discounted and full-priced) sets.

CTMH stamp sets truly can't be beat in quality or style.  

You can contact me at 801.910.8698, slvrlinin@live.com to take advantage of this special, or you can order on my website 24/7!

2. July Play Dates:  (Photos below are courtesy of Karen Pedersen).  Here is a great way to get 3 beautiful 2 page layouts of  your Workshop On the Go kit. Join Play Dates in June by purchasing the kit ($31.55 before shipping and tax) and signing up for a class {in person or long-distance} in July. Now the bonus is, with a 10 month commitment you will receive a FREE $25 shopping spree from the current Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book from me!  $25 to spend however you'd like. Not too shabby!

We will be making three beautiful 12" x 12" layouts with the Stella Kit in July. You can see the photos of those layouts at the bottom of #2 below.  

Dates to choose from in July to attend in person are:

A.  Saturday, July 7 from 10 am - 1 pm

B.  Friday, July 13, from 7 - 10 pm

Or you can participate long-distance.

Here's how Play Dates Work:  

Each month we use one of the 'to die for' Level 2 paper packs as well as other accessories to create three two page 12" x 12" layouts. Trust me! You'll love it!

There are two ways to attend:

1. You can watch my monthly emails (please email me at slvrlinin@live.com to be added to this list) or posts on my blog about Play Dates to see what we are doing the next month and to call and order your kit and sign up for a specific date and time.

2. You can join Play Dates for a 10 month commitment. You still get at least 2 dates and times to choose from each month. The difference is that when you join you will get a FREE CLOSE TO MY HEART SHOPPING SPREE in one of your 10 months. This month will be assigned to you when you join. Most shopping sprees average between $40-$100 in free product.

Either way you choose to attend, the following information is pertinent:
*You are required to purchase the Basic Kit, but are welcome to upgrade to the Better or Best Kits, or just to pick and choose things from them to add to your Basic Kit. Basic Kits are usually approximately $30-$33 (before shipping and tax). You purchase the month before for the following month and then your kits are here waiting for you when you come. For instance, you would buy your July kit in June.
*You are always welcome to purchase additional items from the Idea Book, but are not obligated to in any way.
*If you sign up and for some reason can't attend, you will still get your packet and cutting guide and there will be pictures on my website that you can look at to complete your layout on your own.

A few Benefits to joining Play Dates:
*You will have the option to host your own gathering with your friends during your Shopping Spree month if you would like to. This will help you get an even bigger free shopping spree.
*You will get each new Idea Book one month before everyone else.
*If you are a member during December, you will get a special Holiday gift from me.
*You will never miss out on hearing about a Close To My Heart special.
*You will have the opportunity and excuse to have at least one evening or morning out per month with your girlfriends.

Contact me to take advantage of this special (801.910.8698, slvrlinin@live.com).

Layouts we are making in the July classes (feel free to click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail):

3.  June Stamp of the Month:  You'll love this fun and flirty stamp set filled with 'tweets' and more.  

This set (valued at $17.95) is yours for only $5 when you spend $50.  If you call me to order, I'll be sure to remind you about this special. If you're ordering on my website, once you spend $50, you'll be prompted to add it before you check out.

Warm wishes for a fabulous summer!

It's Stampaganza Time!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! (Hey, isn't that a line from a popular Christmas song?!) YES and while it isn't Christmas just yet it sure feels like it! This is one of the ABSOLUTE best campaigns by Close To My Heart and it only happens every other year or so. So DON'T miss it!

Our June Constant Campaign, Stampaganza, starts today at 9:00 am (MDT) sharp and continues through June 30. Throughout the month, you can purchase any two stamp sets (sizes A, B, C, D, or E) at full retail price and receive a third stamp set of your choice FREE (of equal or lesser value)—a savings of up to $29.95!

So now is the time to get those Alpha Sets you've been holding out for, or the sets that you have sitting on the waiting list. Because who can pass up FREE?!

Go to my website now at http://slvrlinin.ctmh.com or contact me by email (slvrlinin@live.com) or by phone (801.910.8698) to get your free stamps! You'll never look back, I promise!

Warm wishes,
Trish

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Becky Higgins: even kids can do this

even kids can do this. « Becky's Blog

Saw this on Becky's blog. The note from 14 year old Katharine of Colorado is patricularly touching. Smell the roses.

Warmly,

Trish

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