Idaho Travel Album Using Cruisin'

You'd think with summer off, I'd get around to blogging more.  That hasn't happened so far.  I did want to share this little 6x6 album I made yesterday.  My grandparents came for a visit and I wanted to put something together to document their trip and share the photos I took.

I used Cruisin' papers from CTMH, along with the coordinating foil stickers and bottle caps.  I also used a few miscellaneous stamps and rub-ons.  The pages are fairly simple because I wanted the photos to stand out and my grandparents don't really care for fancy, heavily embellished items.  I was so happy to get this out in the mail for them today.  I hope they love it :)

Studio J Layout--Limo Ride with Jingle Papers

Over Christmas break, we took a limousine Christmas light tour.  We had won the trip at our school's dinner auction.  I thought the bright colors of the Jingle papers worked nicely with the photos.  I pretty much used the layout as is.  the only things I changed were adding a mat to the title and adding the stitching around the journaling on the second page.

Larger view of left page

Larger view of right page

Studio J Layout using Superhero papers

The other night I sat and created a few Studio J layouts because I hadn't taken advantage of my membership the last couple months.  This first layout was from our Ice Skating outing over Christmas break.  I thought about using more wintery papers, but the colors of this went so well with the boys' hats and jackets.  

Bigger versions, if you want to see details.  

I figured at some point I would buy these papers, since I have a house full of boys, but this showed me just how versatile they are!  I love the coordinating Stickease!  Another advantage of Studio J--playing with papers and embellishments before I buy them :)

May Special--Become a consultant for 50% off!

If you have ever thought about being a consultant, May is the PERFECT time. For the month of May, you can sign up to be a consultant for 50% off the regular price. That's just $64.50 for the new consultant kit!

With your kit, you get all the business essentials, plus you get to pick 3 of the following collections. To sign up or see these collections in more detail, click here.

Studio J

Stamping Collection: Stamp sets, ink, and scrubber


Album Collection: Albums, stamp set, ink, and block

Lucky Collection:

Mayberry Collection

If that wasn't enough, you also get the You and Me kit FREE. Remember, you can also get this kit for just $15 when you spend $50 this month.

Here's one of my You and Me layouts:

Lucky Level One Pages

I decided to order a Level One kit to show at the party I'm having this week. We are focusing on creating layouts easily and quickly, or as Close To My Heart says, "faster, simpler, easier." The Level One kits come with four pre-printed pages, Stickease and extra cardstock ans B & T. This layout came together in about 15 minutes from beginning to end. The kit is called Lucky. Perfect for boys and summer pictures!

Sophia Sneak Peek and H2H Challenge

Just a few more days until the new Close To My Heart catalog goes live! I am just loving each and every paper pack in there! I wish I could buy them all :) In the meantime, I've been playing with Sophia today. The fun pinks and green aren't my usual pallette with two boys, but with Valentine's Day coming up, I figure they work.

The card is one I created for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog. The challenge this week was to use an animal, bird, or insect. The stamps in this card come from the Sophia Workshop On The Go.

I am doing a scrapbook party for my friend Michelle this week. This layout is the project we'll be creating as the make n' take. I used the new Sophia papers again. I also used the new Bohemian Alphabet, which I am LOVING! This may well be my favorite alphabet set ever! I also used Affection, which features the adorable heart flowers, Mini Sparkles, and Blush buttons.

A Layout From last Night's Crop

Last night I actually attended a scrapbook crop! Back in October at the school auction, I purchased a spot for my mom and I in a scrapbook crop at the local scrapbook store. We had a great time! It was fun to scrap with other teachers and parents. We decided to try and do it once a month. I didn't accomplish too much thanks to too much talking and shopping. I did manage to get one layout finished. It's from the Magnifique Workshop on the Go. I wasn't sure I'd like the peacock-themed papers when I ordered them, but in person, the colors are STUNNING! I used it for some pictures from our Seattle trip over the summer. We drove over to Tacoma and found this pier where Mike used to fish as a kid. Yes, I realize I spelled pier wrong on the layout. I got my stamps out of order. Not sure how I'm going to fix it yet. Probably a little layering.

Yesterday was a big day for Brendan. It was kindergarten's turn to lead the Friday school Mass. He had a big two paragraph reading. He did so great in front of the 350+ people there. He read so clearly and did everything he was supposed to do. All my 7th graders were saying what a great job "Mini Schuette" did. It was a proud mama moment for sure :)

First Day of School--Studio J layouts

I LOVE Studio J, Close To My Heart's digital scrapbook program! It only takes minutes to create gorgeous, fun layouts. Plus, with the new membership program, each 2 page layout costs only $6.50, with free shipping on 4-20 layouts. I ordered 5 this morning.

While digital scrapping will never fully replace paper scrapping for me, I love the ease and cost of these digital layouts. When I purchase a layout, I also get a JPEG file to share. I also love that current and older paper packs are on there. Which means I can even use Studio J to plan paper layouts to see how they will look before I create them. I can even add coordinating embellishments to the layouts after I receive them for more of a 3-d effect.

These are a couple layouts I did of the first day of school. The paper pack is an exclusive digital only Studio J pack. To play with Studio J, be sure to visit my website: http://www.moments2treasure.myctmh.com/ It's free to try. You pay for the layouts you want to purchase. Be sure to check out membership packages for an even better deal.

Brendan:

Austin:

Disney Pages

I finished two more layouts from our March Disney trip. I have one more layout to do, and I'm finished. Good thing because I just printed 164 more pictures from our summer fun. I still have lots more to print, but it's a start.

For these layouts, I used CTMH Zippidee papers and Stickease. Also my Mickey Font Cricut cartridge and a few other Disney embellishments I had laying around.

Customer Appreciation Sale!!

Close To My Heart is having a customer appreciation sale! Sale starts tomorrow, August 4th and runs through August 11th. In my 7 years with Close To My Heart, this is one of the BEST sales I've seen!! Price points are $2 My Stickease, $4 Level 1 Kits, $6 Level 2 Paper Packs. There couldn't be a better time to stock up on paper!

For a list of items on sale click here

For photos of the products, click here

To shop this great sale, click here tomorrow.

These are just a few of the paper packs and Stickease available:

Moon Doggie

That's Amore

Tinkerin'

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