Sunday Special-Print Ten Studio J Layouts for FREE

Close to My Heart will be launching Studio J in the spring 2010. It is an awesome online digital scrapbook studio that will allow you to create 2 page 12x12 layouts using CTMH layouts, papers, colors, and embellishments. Studio J will be free to use and you pay only for the layouts you order. If you would like to get a sneak peek and be able to print 10 layouts for free, consider joining my team as an independent consultant in October. For just $99, you'll receive our awesome consultant kit with over $300 in CTMH products and credit for 10 FREE Studio J layouts you'll create using Studio J. That is a $130 additional value! If you enjoy digital scrapbooking or have friends that do, this is an awesome time to join CTMH. All consultants will have access to Studio J and will receive commission on all Studio J layouts that are created through their website.

You can check out Studio J at http://www.studioj.com/

If you have questions or would like more information, contact me today at juliedecker@comcast.net. I would love to help you be one of the first to play with Studio J.

Fast and Easy Friday-Check Out My Stickease Backside

If you have brain dead moments like me when the creative juices dry up, consider flipping over your My Stickease sheets for inspiration. On the back you'll find layout ideas and tips for enhancing your pages. Of course, the stickers on the front will help you too! CTMH offers My Stickease for every paper pack. You can view them all on my website.

So the next time you need inspiration, just flip your Stickease!

What's Up Wednesday-Stamp Inventory Organizer

One of the greatest things about being a CTMH independent consultant are the ideas you get from other consultants. One project I completed at this weekend's retreat was an inventory binder of all my stamp sets. It is just a decorated 3 ring binder with blank paper and dividers inside. While there are several ways to get images of the stamp sets, I choose to cut pictures of the stamp sets I own from old Idea Books. I made a section for each category of stamps we sell and taped the picture to a blank paper in the right section.

This is a great way for me to keep track of the sets I have, mark which ones are discontinued, and it's easy to revise. I know I have many friends and customers who ask how to keep track of their stamp sets so they don't purchase similar (or even the same) set twice. I hope this is an idea that will help some of you.

Other organizational ideas include making a spreadsheet of your stamps sets or creating a 6x6 album of the sets you have.

I wonder how many sets I have...Do I really want to know???

Sunday Special (Belated)-Become a Follower and Win!

My special offer continues for just 9 more days! Sign up as a follower of my blog by Sept. 30th and you'll be entered to win the fabulous Everyday Celebration Card Kit ($39.95 value). You'll love this kit complete with a stamp set, mini ink pads, card bases, envelopes, 12x12 paper, embellishments, and directions!

I love to see new faces on my blog so make my day and join. :)

Fast and Easy Friday-Date Your Pages

My husband is always reminding to include the date somewhere on my layouts since it won't be long until we forget just when the event happened. One of the first stamp sets I ever purchased from CTMH is called Calendar so I can quickly do just that. Here is a quick sample of a journaling box where I included the date at the bottom. Consider adding a calendar stamp set to your scrapbooking supplies to make adding the date to your page fast n' easy!

What's Up Wednesday-Altered Binder Clips

I love these little clips. Just a small scrap of paper attached to a binder clip with Tombow Adhesive, an embellishment attached with a foam square, and a little ribbon and you have an instant memo/photo holder. A great project for using up your scraps. Have fun!

Sunday Special-Free is Now Tax Free!

Great news! Now when you earn a free Stamp of the Month, or any other special promotion, like our current Everyday Celebration Card Kit, it's tax free too! In these difficult times, every little bit helps so enjoy this additional savings.

Fast and Easy Friday (Belated)-Photo Pages

Sorry for this belated post. I was in a great back to school groove until Friday-the day went well but went by too fast! Anyway, here is "Friday's" fast n' easy tip.

I love our photo storage pages. CTMH carries two styles. One holds four photos (z4117) and another six (4113). I use them when I have lots of pictures of an event I want to include in my scrapbook but don't want to create layouts for every photo. I also like to put journaling and embellishments in some of the photo squares. You can even stamp right onto the pages with Staz-On ink if so inspired. The example on the left uses one of each and the sample on the right has one traditional layout page and a 6-photo storage page.

Hope this gives you some ideas of how to quickly add photos of your next big event to your scrapbook fast n' easy!

What's Up Wednesday-Home Organizer

Well school has started here. I have already filled out forms and put dozens of events on the calendar. Sometimes the paperwork can be overwhelming.

I got the idea for this organizer from one of my customers. For me, I have a hanging folder for each of my girls, one for food coupons (i.e. pizza), one for other coupons (i.e. Bed, Bath, and Beyond), one for newsletters, and the all important "Other."

I picked up the crate at a garage sale and decorated it with some Close to My Heart Animal Cookies paper and My Stickease to cover up the logos that were on it.

It's not a foolproof system but it sure has helped. Hope you can be inspired in some way.

Sunday Special-Become a Follower and Win!

As a way to thank you for following my blog, I am giving away an Everyday Celebrations Card Kit ($39.95 value) to one lucky person this month. To enter, just become a follower of my blog during the month of September. On October 1st, I'll draw the winner.

This incredible kit includes everything you need to make 16 cards including an exclusive stamp set, mini inks, embellishments, cards, and envelopes. You can even use the 12x12 paper to make a layouts if you wish.

You do have to create a Google account to become a follower but you do not need to create a Google e-mail. You use your current e-mail address for your Google account.

Thanks for looking and good luck!

Fast and Easy Friday-Layout

Here is another fast and easy layout for you. You will need 2 strips about 2 inches wide and 12 inches long. You will need 2 more strips about 2.5 inches wide and 8 inches long. I used 2 different B&T from CTMH Expedition papers. Create a border around the base with the strips. Add your pictures, title, journaling, and you're done. I did sponge my base with some brown ink to add a bit of color and depth. Hope this helps you create some quick and easy pages!

What's Up Wednesday-Make Your Own Shimmery Mist

One of the hot products in the stores is Glimmer Mist-a spray that adds a fine glittery shimmer to your project. Here is a quick and inexpensive way to create your own. Here's what you'll need.

-small spray bottle (look in the beauty-travel products section)
-water
-CTMH Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint (z1039) $2.95 for a 2 oz. tube that will probably make gallons!
-optional CTMH Re-Inker 60 Colors to choose from! $4.95 1 0z. bottle that will probably make gallons!

Add 1-2 drops of the Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint to the bottle. Add water and shake. If you want to color your spray, add 8-12 drops of your favorite reinker. Without reinker, the spray will be iridescent.

Depending on how fine a mist your bottle produces, hold the bottle about 6 inches from your item and spray! I would test on a scrap first. Works great for cardstock, Just Blooms flowers, and dimensional elements. I suggest spraying once and let it dry for a moment and then reapply if you want more shimmer. If you have stamped your project, be careful not to wet it too much or your ink may run.

This is a perfect way to add some custom sparkle to your holiday cards, layouts, and other projects!

I sprayed a Just Bloom and dried it in a snap with my heat gun. It's hard to capture the shimmer on camera but it's there. The possibilities are endless...

Enjoy!