Disney Pages

It's all Pinterest's fault!  I got sucked in to pinning Disney pages after seeing so many cute ones on Pinterest.  I still have not scrapped our Disney photos from back in the dark ages...when the entrance to Disney had a sign saying "Future Home of Epcot Center".  Yes...it was a long time ago!  1981!

So, as I pinned away, I ran across a free Disney digital kit.  I downloaded it to try in CTMH's Studio J.  Remember last week, I was posting about how much I loved the changes to Studio J and using the No Limits layout template.  I wondered if I could upload these digital papers and embellishments as photos and be able to use them in Studio J.  YES, you can!!

Here's a quick double page layout I did using a free kit download from No Reimer Reason.

I didn't take time at the moment to do a really fancy page as I just wanted to see if it could be done :)  I'll go back later and gussy it up and add photos, but it's going to be a hot day today in Upstate NY and I need to get the lawn mowed and weeds whacked before it gets really hot.

Being able to use other digital kits in Studio J means you don't need to have Photoshop or one of the other programs like it.  Plus, you'll be able to get top quality digital prints from Close To My Heart!

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Dream Pop is almost gone!!

Just a quick post to let you know that today is the last day to order the Dream Pop kit and there's only 4% of stock left.

        

They can be yours for only $10 with a $35 purchase!  How, you ask? 

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 card stock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

What is included in the Dream Pop paper packet?
The Dream Pop paper packet, created specifically for National Scrapbooking Month in May, includes:

• 12 exclusive B&T Duos^® papers (2 each of 6 designs)
• 12 coordinating card stock sheets (2 each of 6 kit-exclusive colors)
• an artwork idea insert

The card stock sheets have glossy patterns on one side that coordinate with the B&T patterns for a pop of shine on the colorful card stock. The colors of the cards tock sheets and B&T papers are specialty colors exclusive to this paper packet only. It has a retail value of $19.95.

Be sure to click on the flyer as you'll have a much better idea how gorgeous this paper really is!

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 Relief for Oklahoma

The tornado in Oklahoma has had a devastating effect and Close To My Heart wants to help. To aid relief efforts, Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You ($2.95 retail), available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross. Help us provide relief to those affected by the Oklahoma tornado by promoting the A True Thank You stamp set (M1029).

 Thank you to CTMH for stepping in and helping in the recovery efforts.  My heart goes out to each and everyone affected by this horrible disaster!
Have a wonderful Friday!!

Are you signed up for the Pajama Party?

If not, you better hurry!  It's tonight and I wouldn't want you to miss it.  It looks like it's going to be a lot of fun!

Close To My Heart is excited to announce that they are partnering with Big Picture Classes. One of the first events is the free online "Pajama Party" coming up on May 30 at 7:00 pm (MDT). During this live event, you'll get ideas and inspiration from Stacy Julian and friends, plus you'll get to watch a short, fun (slightly wacky) creative class made with Close To My Heart products. During the Pajama Party, you can chat LIVE with Stacy Julian and friends, complete fun creative challenges, and enter to win prizes!  You can also create the feature project - "Think Happy Thoughts" Kraft Container.

Visit the Big Picture Classes site to register (remember, it's free!), and get a little more information about the event and the projects. You can get more information about the “Think Happy Thoughts” project that will be sponsored by Close To My Heart and see a list of recommended supplies to create the featured project.  Thousands of happy crafters will be participating!

To purchase all or some of the supplies needed to create your own "Think Happy Thoughts" Kraft container, see the list below and visit my Close To My Heart website to order today.  While you won't have them in time for this evening, you can order them after and still do the project.

• My Acrylix® Frame Flair (D1546)
  
• My Acrylix® Happy Thoughts (C1536)
  
• 2" x 3 1/2" My Acrylix® block (Y1009)
  
• 4" x 5" My Acrylix® block (Y1012)
  
• My Acrylix® spritz cleaner (1778)
  
• My Acrylix® stamp scrubber (Z1782)
  
• Cricut® Art Philosophy collection (Z1790)
  
• Whisper Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2172)
  
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2195)
  
• micro-tip scissors (Z534)
  
• corner rounder (Z578)
  
• paper trimmer
  
• My Creations® kraft container (Z1833)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Crème Brulee cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5754)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Lagoon cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5762)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, 1385)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Whisper cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5929)
  
• one sheet Pink B&T Duos® paper from Chantilly paper packet (comes with 6 sheets, X7163B)
  
• two yards Grey Wool baker's twine from neutral assortment (comes with ten yards, Z1701)
  
• three butterflies from Color-Ready Trinkets wooden shapes (comes with 57 shapes, Z1844)
  
• three grey Sparkles from Sparkles black & grey assortment (comes with 108, Z1754)
  
• 3-D foam tape

Bonus: Join the Dream Pop Party on my website to place your order and you will be entered to win $25 in Hostess Rewards.

Register for the Big Picture Pajama Party

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I was just going through my camera's sd card to see what I can move from it to a permanent file and ran across these gorgeous pictures.  I just had to share them with you.  They were taken with my back to my house and over to the neighbors' direction.

Out here in the boonies, away from street lights, we get some of the most amazing sunrises (which these are) and sunsets.  I try to remember to take a moment each day and check out the sky just to enjoy the beauty.

Have a great Thursday, everybody!!

Create a Card

Happy Wednesday!  Hope you have sun shiny weather where you are!  Rain here this morning, but it's going to be close to 90 by the end of the week!  Bring it!

Today's Create a Card.  It was created using CTMH's Claire My Reflections Kit.  The stamp set used is the April Stamp of the Month, which is no longer available.

Here are the instructions:

4 ¼” x 5 ½” side fold card base

1 ¼” x 4” Claire Floral Background and Texture paper

1 ½” x 4” Claire Floral Background and Texture paper

1 ½” x 4” Claire Sunset side Background and Texture paper

2” x 3 ¼” Claire Sunset side Background and Texture paper

2 ¼” x 3 ½” Outdoor Denim card stock

1 ½” x 4 ¼” Outdoor Denim card stock

Attach 1 ¼” x 4” Claire Floral Background and Texture paper to left side of card.  Attach the other floral piece to right of card front.  Attach the sunset Background and Texture paper in the middle. 

Attach the larger Sunset Background and Texture paper piece to Outdoor Denim card stock.  Attach to card front 2” from bottom and 3/8” from right side.

Stamp bird with Hollyhock and sentiment with Outdoor Denim

Cut one 4 ¾” piece of ribbon and insert through ribbon slide.  Cut another piece of ribbon 3 ½” long. Cut V on both ends and insert through ribbon slide. Attach to card front.

  Each month in the Stamp a Stack Club, one creates 10 unique cards designed by me.  In your Stamp a Stack Club package, you receive a stamp set, and all the paper and embellishments to create these cards for only $27!  If you'd like to join the club, whether you are near or far, please email me and I'll get you set up.

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Dream Pop Anyone?

It seems like everywhere I go lately, I seem Dream Pop colors!  Here's a picture of yarn from AC Moore that I snapped yesterday.  I also saw some storage boxes at another store, but I can't remember which one :)

The supplies of the Dream Pop paper are dangerously low.  There's only 11% of stock left and the promotion doesn't end until Friday.  So, if this fabulous paper was on your must have list, it's best to get that order in today.  Once it gets this low, we could sell out at any time.

        

They can be yours for only $10 with a $35 purchase!  How, you ask? 

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 card stock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

What is included in the Dream Pop paper packet?
The Dream Pop paper packet, created specifically for National Scrapbooking Month in May, includes:

• 12 exclusive B&T Duos^® papers (2 each of 6 designs)
• 12 coordinating card stock sheets (2 each of 6 kit-exclusive colors)
• an artwork idea insert

The card stock sheets have glossy patterns on one side that coordinate with the B&T patterns for a pop of shine on the colorful card stock. The colors of the cards tock sheets and B&T papers are specialty colors exclusive to this paper packet only. It has a retail value of $19.95.

Be sure to click on the flyer as you'll have a much better idea how gorgeous this paper really is!

Magic Monday

As we begin this Memorial Day, let us remember all those men and women who have served our country so admirably.   A special Thank You to those we have lost in all the wars.  I think the most poignant visual is to look at the Viet Nam Memorial.  It will hit you hard to see the names of over 58,000 service men and women who never made it back home.

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This week's Magic Monday is another layout that the Magic Club did in March.

This layout was created with Close To My Heart's X7169B Tommy papers.  The pattern is called "One Way Mirror".

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Stamp a Stack Club

Happy Friday everybody!  Boy, did this week fly or what?!

These are the cards that the Stamp a Stack Club created for the month of April.  We used CTMH's April Stamp of the Month, My Sunshine.

The papers used are CTMH's X7166B Claire and X7169B Tommy.  The green/blue card was created using a retired paper called Stardust.

 Each month in the Stamp a Stack Club, one creates 10 unique cards designed by me.  In your Stamp a Stack Club package, you receive a stamp set, and all the paper and embellishments to create these cards for only $27!  If you'd like to join the club, whether you are near or far, please email me and I'll get you set up.

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 Relief for Oklahoma

The tornado in Oklahoma has had a devastating effect and Close To My Heart wants to help. To aid relief efforts, Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You ($2.95 retail), available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross. Help us provide relief to those affected by the Oklahoma tornado by promoting the A True Thank You stamp set (M1029).

 Thank you to CTMH for stepping in and helping in the recovery efforts.  My heart goes out to each and everyone affected by this horrible disaster!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How pretty are these Dream Pop papers?

        

They can be yours for only $10 with a $35 purchase!  How, you ask? 

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

What is included in the Dream Pop paper packet?
The Dream Pop paper packet, created specifically for National Scrapbooking Month in May, includes:

• 12 exclusive B&T Duos^® papers (2 each of 6 designs)
• 12 coordinating cardstock sheets (2 each of 6 kit-exclusive colors)
• an artwork idea insert

The cardstock sheets have glossy patterns on one side that coordinate with the B&T patterns for a pop of shine on the colorful cardstock. The colors of the cardstock sheets and B&T papers are specialty colors exclusive to this paper packet only. It has a retail value of $19.95.

Be sure to click on the flyer as you'll have a much better idea how gorgeous this paper really is!


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And, one more thing :)  Have you signed up yet for the Pajama Party?  Time is running out to sign up.

Close To My Heart is excited to announce that they are partnering with Big Picture Classes. One of the first events is the free online "Pajama Party" coming up on May 30 at 7:00 pm (MDT). During this live event, you'll get ideas and inspiration from Stacy Julian and friends, plus you'll get to watch a short, fun (slightly wacky) creative class made with Close To My Heart products. During the Pajama Party, you can chat LIVE with Stacy Julian and friends, complete fun creative challenges, and enter to win prizes!  You can also create the feature project - "Think Happy Thoughts" Kraft Container.

Visit the Big Picture Classes site to register (remember, it's free!), and get a little more information about the event and the projects. You can get more information about the “Think Happy Thoughts” project that will be sponsored by Close To My Heart and see a list of recommended supplies to create the featured project.  Thousands of happy crafters will be participating!

To purchase all or some of the supplies needed to create your own "Think Happy Thoughts" Kraft container, see the list below and visit my Close To My Heart website to order today.  There's still plenty of time to have them in hand in time for the party.

• My Acrylix® Frame Flair (D1546)
  
• My Acrylix® Happy Thoughts (C1536)
  
• 2" x 3 1/2" My Acrylix® block (Y1009)
  
• 4" x 5" My Acrylix® block (Y1012)
  
• My Acrylix® spritz cleaner (1778)
  
• My Acrylix® stamp scrubber (Z1782)
  
• Cricut® Art Philosophy collection (Z1790)
  
• Whisper Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2172)
  
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2195)
  
• micro-tip scissors (Z534)
  
• corner rounder (Z578)
  
• paper trimmer
  
• My Creations® kraft container (Z1833)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Crème Brulee cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5754)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Lagoon cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5762)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, 1385)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Whisper cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5929)
  
• one sheet Pink B&T Duos® paper from Chantilly paper packet (comes with 6 sheets, X7163B)
  
• two yards Grey Wool baker's twine from neutral assortment (comes with ten yards, Z1701)
  
• three butterflies from Color-Ready Trinkets wooden shapes (comes with 57 shapes, Z1844)
  
• three grey Sparkles from Sparkles black & grey assortment (comes with 108, Z1754)
  
• 3-D foam tape

Bonus: Join the Dream Pop Party on my website to place your order and you will be entered to win $25 in Hostess Rewards.

Register for the Big Picture Pajama Party

Create a Card

I'm a day late posting this.  We've been having some nice weather and I got carried away at Lowe's getting flowers, so I've been planting like a crazy woman.  I can't wait for them all to fill out.

So, without further ado :)  here is this week's card.

This card was created using CTMH's Avonlea paper and C1539 Scrapbook Sentiments - Poets stamp set.

Here are the directions:

4 ¼” x 5 ½” side fold card base

4 ¼” x 5 ½” Whisper card stock

2 ½” x 4” Whisper card stock

4” X 5 ¼” Avonlea Background and Texture paper

2 ¾” x 4 ¼” Chocolate card stock

Stamp sentiment with Chocolate ink on Whisper card stock. Attach to Chocolate card stock.

Attach Avonlea Background and Texture paper to Whisper card stock.  Attach matted image to card front ½” from right and bottom of card front.

Cut 4 ½” of satin dot ribbon and cut V on one end.  Attach to card front.  Attach a piece of Chocolate ribbon and gray ribbon on top of satin ribbon.  Insert waxy flax through holes of button and tie in bow.

Magic Monday

Another Monday!  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  We had rain most of yesterday, but Saturday was gorgeous!  I got a ton of flowers planted.  It's still gloomy out, but I hope it clears up quickly, as I still have a ton more to plant.

Today's Magic Monday layout is one that was created traditionally for our Magic Club.

The layout is called Hocus Pocus.  The paper packet used is CTMH's Tommy My Reflections Kit.  The film strips were cut using my Cricut and the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge.

Have a wonderful day!

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Dream Pop!

How pretty are these papers?

They can be yours for only $10 with a $35 purchase!  How, you ask? 

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

What is included in the Dream Pop paper packet?
The Dream Pop paper packet, created specifically for National Scrapbooking Month in May, includes:

• 12 exclusive B&T Duos^® papers (2 each of 6 designs)
• 12 coordinating cardstock sheets (2 each of 6 kit-exclusive colors)
• an artwork idea insert

The cardstock sheets have glossy patterns on one side that coordinate with the B&T patterns for a pop of shine on the colorful cardstock. The colors of the cardstock sheets and B&T papers are specialty colors exclusive to this paper packet only. It has a retail value of $19.95.

Be sure to click on the flyer as you'll have a much better idea how gorgeous this paper really is!

Custom Size Prints and More

Happy Friday!  As you can see this week, I'm pretty excited about all the new things that Studio J can do.

First, let me show you custom size photo prints!  No more having to crop a photo and have the subject be small.  You can set up the No Limits layout to be your custom printer.  Your photos will be printed using CTMH's high quality silver halide photo processers to obtain prints of your photos in exactly the sizes and orientations that you want by using Studio J!

Check this out!

 All you have to do is create the photo well sizes that you would like, then drop your photos into the spots you have created. 

Here's a more basic layout that I created using lots of wells.

And, here's one with photos scattered.

I hope this gives you all an idea of how versatile Studio J is.

Working with the No Limits Layout in Studio J

Today I'm posting a little tutorial to show how easy it is to create a layout from scratch in Studio J.  While using the pre-designed layouts is great, having the freedom to do whatever you'd like is great also!

In this first picture, you will see what the No Limits layout looks like before you do anything with it.

You'll want to change these photo wells into text wells.  When you click within the photo well, an option box will pop up looking like this.

See the option box on the upper right page.  At the top line of it, the second item from the right gives you the option to change each of these photo wells into the text wells.  Click on that and you'll have a page that looks like this.

Notice in the upper left of each of the pages, it says "Add Journaling".  Just click the "Edit Text" option and delete that.  Once you have this, you'll want to start adding your papers to the page.  I went for really simple so that it would be easy to see what I'm doing.  I'm using the Avonlea paper packet.

First...you may be wondering how I am losing the Toolset and the thumbnails of the pages I've worked on.  You'll see the words under the green section where you can hide or show them.  As you can see, the left page I've left at the 12x12 and dragged and dropped the one Background paper into it.  On the right page, I've created a new text box that is 4" x 12".  I deleted the "Add Journaling" and then dragged my choice of paper into that spot.  I then created another text box that was 8" x 12", deleted the "Add Journaling" and it's ready to drop my choice of paper into it.In this picture, on the left, you can see all of your options for spots, whether it's "add picture", "add journaling", "add title" or "quick title tool".

Before I added my photo wells and journaling spot, I used one of the My Stickease borders to cover the seam on the right page.

Once I've drop papers in to all the spots, I'll go through and put my photo wells wherever I would like them.

The automatic default size is 4" x 6", but you'll have the pop up just like in the second photo above to change your photo wells to whatever size you would like them.

Following that, I added my photo mats to each, again using the pop up tool.

I then used some of the My Stickease to dress up the pages.

See the little "On this Day" pull out.  It's a My Stickease, and then I did the option of sending it to the back so that it would be behind the picture.  I added a Title spot on the upper right page, then used the Quick Title Tool to add "My Family.  Since this page was created as a demo, I didn't put a lot of embellishments on it so that you'd be better able to see the options that you have. 

I'm so excited about these new options for the No Limits layout.  I can see so many ways to use this. 

Create a Card

It's Wednesday, so it must be Create a Card day!

This card was created using the CTMH paper called Chantilly.  This paper is so bright and springy feeling.  The stamp set used is also by CTMH.   C1539 Scrapbook Sentiments-Poets  The colors used are Ruby and Pear.  Here are the directions to recreate it.

4 ¼” x 5 ½” top fold card base

4 ¼” x 5 ½” Pear card stock

1 ¾” x 3” Chantilly Floral Background and Texture paper (2)

1 ½” x 3” Pear side of Floral Background and Texture paper

1” x 5 ¼” Pear side of Floral Background and Texture paper

1 5/8” x 3 ¾” Ruby card stock

1 ¼” x 3 ½” White card stock

Stamp sentiment with Ruby ink and ink edges of white card stock.  Attach to Ruby card stock

Attach two Chantilly Floral Background and Texture paper pieces on left and right.  Attach the Pear side up of Background and Texture paper in center.  Attach Pear side up across the bottom.  Attach zip strip across seam.

Attach matted sentiment ¼” from right and 1” from top.

Wrap Baker’s Twine 3 times and through yellow button.  Attach two small red brads in top corners

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Dream Pop!

How pretty are these papers?

They can be yours for only $10 with a $35 purchase!  How, you ask? 

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

What is included in the Dream Pop paper packet?
The Dream Pop paper packet, created specifically for National Scrapbooking Month in May, includes:

• 12 exclusive B&T Duos^® papers (2 each of 6 designs)
• 12 coordinating cardstock sheets (2 each of 6 kit-exclusive colors)
• an artwork idea insert

The cardstock sheets have glossy patterns on one side that coordinate with the B&T patterns for a pop of shine on the colorful cardstock. The colors of the cardstock sheets and B&T papers are specialty colors exclusive to this paper packet only. It has a retail value of $19.95.

Be sure to click on the flyer as you'll have a much better idea how gorgeous this paper really is!

Country Style Picket Fence

I was perusing Facebook one day...ok, who am I kidding, I peruse it at least once a day. :)  Anyway, I saw this really cool accent piece created by Country Craft House and I just had to have one.  Here's a link to the Country Craft House Facebook page.  I love all of their primitive items!

 So, I set out to find the items I would need to create it.  I found the pickets on sale at Lowe's.  I hunted the internet, AC Moore, Walmart, Target, Dollar Tree and I'm sure some places that I missed to find the word Home.  I bought the individual letters to create it at AC Moore.  But, before I had a chance to glue them together, I had to take my husband's truck in for service.  So, in that small town they have a Yankee Dollar.  Of course I had to hit it and, and low and behold, they had the Home plaques.  So, I grabbed two as I was also making one of these for our daughter for Mother's Day.  I found the burlap ribbon in AC Moore at 40% off.  I had a star stencil, so I painted the stars on the ribbon with the same True Burgundy paint that I used on my Home sign.  The lanterns I found in Walmart.  They come in black and I spray painted mine blue. They're meant to be oil lanterns, so you'll find them in the area with the candles.  Fabulous!  Now, the star was easy to find.  After looking online and not having ordered one yet, I had to go into Tractor Supply for something else and found the patriotic stars.  The grapevine came from AC Moore.  It's a round spool of it and I went across the pickets twice to use up the spool and make it look fuller.  So...without further ado, here's my version.

I made a second one for our daughter for Mother's Day.  The only thing different on hers is that I left the lantern black, as she has a white house with black trim and a red door.

Oh, one more thing.  In order to make it stand up without driving the pickets into the ground, I purchased those green metal fence posts and bolted them onto the back of the two outer pickets.  Well, not really the pickets but the cross pieces. The stakes are the ones that are 48" long.  Now..that was another story :)  I had bought some shorter stakes, but they weren't going to work (we have a lot of wind), so I headed to Lowe's to get these metal ones.  Ran into an employee who tried to talk me out of them.  He thought I should put wooden stakes on it, but they only come in 36".  I tried to explain to him how it was going to look, but ended up having to take him to the outside area where they had fence sections so he could see what I meant by a picket fence.  Then he wanted to sell me long boards for me to cut and make the point on the end.  After telling him I didn't want to go to that much work, he suggested the green fence pieces.  LOL!  It only took about an hour for him to come around.  LOL!  Nice guy though and I'm taking a picture in next time I go so that I can show him if he's working.

Magic Monday

Happy Monday morning!  Today's Magic Monday layout was created in Studio J® using CTMH's Scholastic paper packet.  This paper packet was first featured in the Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book and will retire at the end of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book. 

CTMH has just launched an update to Studio J® which will give you more flexibility in creating your layouts. You can now resize, reposition, and rotate photo wells, and add as many new photo wells as you like. This gives you many more options for customizing the patterns to fit the photos that you have taken. Whether you are creating with one of our gorgeous Express Collections or building your own custom layout using a kit and pattern, you can personalize the layouts to make them truly your own. 

 This change also opens new avenues for your classic scrapbooking, as you can now take advantage of our high quality silver halide photo processers to obtain prints of your photos in exactly the sizes and orientations that you want by using Studio J! 

 This is the original layout as shown in Studio J® before I started adding photos.

I removed the Add Title space and replaced it with the "School Days" My Stickease®. I then removed the "Add Journaling" spot and added a custom photo well.


 To demonstrate the change in functionality and help explore some of the new possibilities, we have prepared a short video for you.


Be sure to stop by my blog again on Thursday as I'll be posting some more ideas using the No Limits Studio J layout to create a collage type page and to show you how you can create just about any type page you want with these new improvements to Studio J.

It's a Pajama Party!

And, you are invited!

Close To My Heart is excited to announce that they are partnering with Big Picture Classes. One of the first events is the free online "Pajama Party" coming up on May 30 at 7:00 pm (MDT). During this live event, you'll get ideas and inspiration from Stacy Julian and friends, plus you'll get to watch a short, fun (slightly wacky) creative class made with Close To My Heart products. During the Pajama Party, you can chat LIVE with Stacy Julian and friends, complete fun creative challenges, and enter to win prizes!  You can also create the feature project - "Think Happy Thoughts" Kraft Container.

Visit the Big Picture Classes site to register (remember, it's free!), and get a little more information about the event and the projects. You can get more information about the “Think Happy Thoughts” project that will be sponsored by Close To My Heart and see a list of recommended supplies to create the featured project.  Thousands of happy crafters will be participating!

To purchase all or some of the supplies needed to create your own "Think Happy Thoughts" Kraft container, see the list below and visit my Close To My Heart website to order today.  There's still plenty of time to have them in hand in time for the party.

• My Acrylix® Frame Flair (D1546)
  
• My Acrylix® Happy Thoughts (C1536)
  
• 2" x 3 1/2" My Acrylix® block (Y1009)
  
• 4" x 5" My Acrylix® block (Y1012)
  
• My Acrylix® spritz cleaner (1778)
  
• My Acrylix® stamp scrubber (Z1782)
  
• Cricut® Art Philosophy collection (Z1790)
  
• Whisper Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2172)
  
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2195)
  
• micro-tip scissors (Z534)
  
• corner rounder (Z578)
  
• paper trimmer
  
• My Creations® kraft container (Z1833)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Crème Brulee cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5754)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Lagoon cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5762)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, 1385)
  
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Whisper cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5929)
  
• one sheet Pink B&T Duos® paper from Chantilly paper packet (comes with 6 sheets, X7163B)
  
• two yards Grey Wool baker's twine from neutral assortment (comes with ten yards, Z1701)
  
• three butterflies from Color-Ready Trinkets wooden shapes (comes with 57 shapes, Z1844)
  
• three grey Sparkles from Sparkles black & grey assortment (comes with 108, Z1754)
  
• 3-D foam tape

Bonus: Join the Dream Pop Party on my website to place your order and you will be entered to win $25 in Hostess Rewards.

Register for the Big Picture Pajama Party

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Dream Pop!

How pretty are these papers?

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the gorgeous Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 Background and Texture Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

Dates: Offer valid May 1–31, 2013.

Download your copy of the Dream Pop Workshop.  It contains the sketches for two layouts and three cards, plus a recipe list of what you'll need to create these projects.