Skagway and on Board Ship Studio J Layouts

Skagway was our least favorite, only because we didn't book any excursions, and there wasn't a lot to do there.  On top of that, Austin got hurt goofing around, and we had to go back to the ship.  Crazy boy!  Victory papers again--this time using the tans and yellows more than the blue and green.

These next tow layouts use the NEW Tommy papers.  With a nautical theme, they are PERFECT for cruise photos.  I used them for most of our on board pictures.  

Even out at sea, the boys had the opportunity to play build with Legos.  They had a family ship building activity.  Perfect. 

Studio J--Ketchikan and One More Juneau

Ketchikan was my favorite place on the trip.  It was beautiful the day we were there, and the people were so friendly.  It reminded me a little of Crestline, CA, where we lived when I was little.  Just a gorgeous little town. 

The boys favorite part of Ketchikan was all the Totem Poles.  Brendan wanted his photo with every one.  I used Victory papers again for this one.  

For this layout, I used Back Country.  It coordinates nicely with the Victory papers color-wise, with a little different look.  

One more Juneau layout I missed yesterday.  These were taken from the ship.

Have you tried Studio J, yet?  Try it here.

Juneau, Alaska Studio J Layouts

As I said yesterday, over the next week or so, I'm going to share the Studio J layouts I created of our Alaska Cruise.  Today's photos are from our first stop, Juneau and Mendenhall Glacier.  I used the Victory papers for all of these layouts.   The blues and greens work so well with the stunning Alaska landscape.  

Remember, just $5 for Studio J digital layouts this month.  No charge to try it out, here.

One last shot to leave you with today.  It snowed last night.  Just a little, but it reminds me to keep those on the East Coast in our prayers as they prepare for the coming blizzard.  Stay safe!  

29 Alaska Layouts Completed!!

I can't believe I am still down sick.  I went ahead and took the rest of the week off because I just can't kick this bug.  Went to the doctor, and her best guess is the flu, a different strain than the vaccine.  I have never had to take a week off of work before, but since I still keep getting fevers, I can't go back, not that I'd feel like it anyway.  I'm not as weak and achy, but now I've got a horrid cough and all the medication she gave me makes me feel nauseous.  Plus, my Austin is still down with it and home with me, so we're a mess.

However, I am very blessed with wonderful family, friends, and co-workers who have been there for me and done everything they can to make me feel better.  Mike's been running Bren to school, making dinner and bringing me fun birthday goodies, including delicious cupcakes, flowers, candy, shoes (purple!), and even a singing Brad Paisley cards :)  My mom has been picking Brendan up, as well as bringing me lunch and goodies yesterday.  Then one of my friends is subbing for me, and she has been fantastic.  She even told me she's getting everything graded, and will have what I need copied for me for Monday, when I return.  Blessed, I tell you!

I haven't been completely out of commission the last couple days.  I've been getting caught up on grades, though I still have a long way to go.  My biggest accomplishment has been to complete all the layouts from our Alaska Cruise in Studio J.  I finished the last couple yesterday, and got them all ordered.  There are 29 layouts!  I can't wait until they get here!  It feels good to have that done.  It seems our vacation photos never get scrapped, other than a layout or two highlight for our regular scrapbooks.  Case in point, we went to Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania four summers ago, and I have 0 layouts completed.  Oregon Coast trip two years ago, I have two beach layouts completed.  It seems like such a huge task to scrap so many photos.

I've learned that Studio J is the way to go.  Working probably a total of 4 hours this week, I scrapped the whole trip.  I took over 400 photos on the trip.  Now we'll be able to look at and enjoy the album and the memories.  The only problem is what in the world I'm going to do with all the photos I had printed to show family.  Maybe I'll let the boys make their own albums.

Anyway, I'm going to be sharing the layouts over the next week or so on here.  Here are the first few.

These first two layouts use the Travel Express Collections.  With the Express Collections, you get 10 coordinating layouts to make one album.  They are themed and embellished, so they are quick and easy.  However, because Studio J is versatile, you can make changes and use as many or as few as you want.  I thought the Travel ones were perfect for the first couple layouts.  Preview, I used them on the last day, too :)


Boarding Double Spread

Leaving Seattle

Pool Time AKA Brendan's favorite phrase, "Can We Go To The Pool?"

Don't forget, all Studio J Layouts are only $5 for each double page spread.   This month only!  Click here to try it out!    

Enabler Alert: New Products Available in the Clearance Section!

I just looked on my website and CTMH has added new items to the While Supplies Last section!  Pear and Partridge and Flirty papers and embellishments have been added, as well as other goodies, like rub-ons, ribbons, and more.

Click here to check it out for yourself and order online!

Knocked Out

Well today is the first day I've been out of bed since Saturday evening.  Whatever this bug is that's going around, it's a nasty one.  I can't remember the last time I was sick like this.  I still have no energy, but I can sit up, so that's progress.

The only good news is that I've had lots of time to read.  Since I couldn't sit up and looking at a screen would hurt my eyes, I finally got to read two books my students have been raving about all year.  I bought both of them at Christmas with gift cards, and they've been sitting there mocking me.  They are Divergent and Insurgent.  Fabulous books--I couldn't put them down (except to take naps).  I'm just sad it's going to be a while before the third one comes out.  I highly recommend these books.  They are dark, as most dystopian books are, but worth the time.

Last night and this morning, I've been taking advantage of the Studio J $5 special.  My goal is to get all of the photos from our Alaska Cruise last summer scrapbooked.  I'm up to 12 two page layouts.  I think I have about 16 more to go.  Unfortunately, I can't post them until I order them, and I won't order until I finish all of them.  Did you know you can order up to 50 layouts and pay just $5.95 in shipping?  So, until then, I'll be sharing some of  my past Studio J layouts.

Here are some from our last Trip to Disneyland.  I love that you can coordinate pages, resize photos, and embellish as much or as little as you want!

Spring/Summer Idea Book and Studio J Special

The new Idea Book is full of absolutely gorgeous, fabulous goodies!  I LOVE every paper pack in there!  We also have new bling, new stamps, and even fabric to coordinate with these fun papers!  Click the above photo to check it out online.  Contact me to get a hard copy of the Idea Book.  Trust me, it will be love at first sight.

February is a great time to try Close To My Heart's online scrapooking program, Studio J.   During the month of February, you can order a two page layout for just $5 (regular price $6.95).  With Studio J, scrapbooking is as easy as uploading your photos and dropping them into layouts.  Choose Express collections for quick easy pages, or traditional layouts for more creativity.   Click on the photo to try Studio J for yourself.  You need to create a username and password to try it, but it's free to play.  You  only pay when you order your layouts.  All new papers from the catalog are on there, as well as papers that are no longer available.  

If you are ordering, please click to add it to "March Club" to receive bonus product from me!