My Scrapbooking Blog » Misc.

Close to My Heart Consultant Kit

Wendy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:54:22 +0000

The release of a new Idea Book is a great time to become a Close to My Heart consultant. For only $99 you can get the New Consultant Kit with a retail value of over $288.

And to top that off Close to My Heart offers additional Add-Ons Collections that you can choose at reduced prices:

Florentine Add-On Collection ($40)

Pemberley Add-On Collection ($40)

Studio J Add-On Collection ($40)

to learn how you can start your new Close to My Heart business in 2012 or visit my website for more information.

Join My Club!

Wendy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:27:18 +0000

Now is the time to join my Scrapbooking Club! Sign up now and get this stamp set for free! Complete multiple pages each month and earn free product!

today for more information!

February 2012 Stamp of the Month

Wendy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:56 +0000

The Close to My Heart February Stamp of the Month is Thoughtful Tidings. It’s perfect for thank you cards and gifts! Spend $50 and get this set for just $5. And do you see all those outlined images? That means that they coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection!

New CTMH 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book!

Wendy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:20 +0000

The time has finally arrived! The 2012 Spring/Summer Close to My Heart Idea Book is ready for your viewing pleasure. Visit Close to My Heart and click Products/Idea Book to see all the great new products.

Shop online for new product today!

Last day to order!

Wendy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:38:03 +0000

Today is the last day to order from the 2011 Autumn/Winter Close to My Heart Idea Book. Be sure to order by 11:59pm MST if there are any retiring items you want. The only exceptions to this are the Workshop on the Go Kits which are while supplies last, and stamp sets are available for the current Idea Book and the one previous. This means if there are any stamps in the 2011 Spring/Summer Idea Book that you like, today is the last day to order.

Visit my CTMH website.

CTMH February Constant Campaign

Wendy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:24 +0000

If you love Studio J, then you are going to love the Close to My Heart February special:

Double your layouts with our FIVE for FREE promotion! For each Studio J 5-pack (SJ4P) you purchase this February, you’ll get one free 5-pack. That means you get 10 layouts for just $55 – that’s just $2.75 per page, with free shipping! Even if you’re already taking advantage of Studio J’s incredibly low members-only pricing, you’ll save even more when you purchase 5-packs through this special February deal! Studio J 5-packs include everything you need to have 5 two-page layouts (that’s 10 scrapbook pages!) shipped to your door ready for your scrapbook album. Each 5-pack can be redeemed for up to:

• 5 two-page layouts
• 5 Memory Protectors®
• Free shipping and handling

Whether you’re looking for an affordable gift or a way to save money on your own layouts, Studio J 5-packs offer you convenience and savings. Keep one for yourself and give one as a gift!

Available February 1-29, 2012. Shop now!

Studio J Love Your Layout Video – January 2012

Wendy — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:00:23 +0000

This Studio J video will show you how to use My Stickease for journaling and how to create layered clusters with My Stickease.

Blogs to check out

Wendy — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:50:20 +0000

First off, I have to apologize to fellow blogger and CTMH sister Patti for not addressing this sooner! She has graciously giving me a blog award (my first) and I am very excited. It was before the holidays and I was busy. Now I’m feeling like I’m back on a normal schedule.

The rules of the award are:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blog who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award onto your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all, HAVE FUN!

The goal of the award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. Below are the Bloggers I have chosen to award. Please take some time to visit their blogs.

1. Lori - http://scrapinglori.blogspot.com
2. Rachel Ventura - http://thehappyscrappinsquad.blogspot.com
3. Laurie Flannery - http://westmanscrapbooks.blogspot.com
4. Judy Faye - http://judyfaye.blogspot.com
5. Jody Gustafson - http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com

Are these “curtains” cute or what?!?

Wendy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:23:24 +0000

Pin It

Okay, so this isn’t exactly scrapbooking but it is crafty! I found this idea on Pinterest (my latest obsession). Since we’ve moved I haven’t found the right curtains for my daughter’s room. This seemed to be a great solution. The original link said it was a cheap alternative to curtains….I’m not sure that’s the case. My window is about 72″ wide and about 68″ long. I used over 100 yards. I’m tempted to make it a bit thicker but can’t justify the added cost. Most of the ribbon I bought came in 4-yard spools so I just cut them in half and luckily that gave me just enough extra to tie the knot and still have the length. You are supposed to cut them off at the ends when you are finished but I kinda like the uneven look so I’m leaving it. I definitely like the wider ribbon better. I’m also glad I’m not a guy because making those necktie knots was a real pain. I don’t think I was any better at it by the time I was finished, I just didn’t care as much how they looked. After cutting them all I melted the ends of all the ribbon so they wouldn’t fray. Then it was an evening of tying knots. I will admit I had to google how to do it! I’m happy it’s done and I think it turned out cute. I found the cute curtain rod with the butterfly ends at Target. Now painting is for sure on my list for summer, just can’t decide if I want to go a light pink or green.

Update: Below is maybe a better picture without the sun shining through. You can also see some of the sparkly ribbon that I used. My daughter was watching them this morning when she woke up. They move because they are right above the vent, kinda cool. In answer to Karen’s question, it’s blinds behind them.

Pin It

Product Highlight – Acrylic Stamps

Wendy — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:00:12 +0000

Acrylic stamps are one of Close to My Hearts most popular products and understandably so. Each clear stamp set comes in an envelope that is great for storage, a foam sheet that is used under your paper when stamping, and instructions. To use the stamps carefully remove from the carrier sheet and stick it to an acrylic block. Acrylic stamps are easy to position because you can clearly see exactly where you are placing your image. Close to My Heart offers a wide variety of stamp sets. You can check them out on My CTMH Website. I have tried many different brands of acrylic stamps and have found CTMH to be the best. They don’t lose their stickiness and fall off the block and they are high quality. If any of your stamps due seem less sticky (due to dust and oil from your hands) simply wash in warm soapy water and let air dry. They will be good as new.

For stamping ideas, visit my blog every Sunday this year for Stamp Sunday featuring a different set each week.

Stamp Sunday #2 (postponed)

Wendy — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:00:13 +0000

Due to the upcoming blog hops today and tomorrow, Stamp Sunday will be posted on Monday. Please come back then.

Organizing photos and scrapbook layouts

Wendy — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:00:26 +0000

I think I have finally figured out a system that is improved and complete. Since I have been doing it this way for awhile (with tweaking along the way) I thought I would share with you. In the past I have ended up doubling up on photos and layouts and if I had a layout without journaling (not my favorite thing) I wouldn’t know who’s book the layout was supposed to go in.

First, I go through my digital photos on the computer and determine which ones I will print. I make books for each of the kids and a family set so I go through my pictures with one book in mind at a time. So I would go through and pick out all the photos I want to scrapbook for my family book. I copy these photos into a folder on my desktop that is labeled “photos to print – delete when done”. Inside that folder I have a family one and one for each of the kids. As photo deals come up, I upload from this folder. Once uploaded, I move them to another folder (ex. Walgreens). I know these prints are on the way and within the Walgreens folder they are still sorted into family, kids, so I know where they belong. Once I receive the prints, I refer back to these folders and from here they go into a photo box with tabs labeled the same as my computer folders (family, kids). They are filed in the back and I work the oldest (front) pictures first.

Photo Box to store sorted pictures

From the photo box, I will take out a set of pictures and either make a page or create a page kit. My page kits will consist of pictures, paper, embellishments, and a sketch. I have 12×12 boxes to hold the page kits. Once again, these boxes are all labeled the same (family, kids) keeping my system consistent. The boxes are then filled with pages to scrap or take to a crop. Once the pages are complete, I write on the back of the page which book it belongs in.

12x12 boxes used to store page kits

Next, I have 3-ring binders for each set of books (family, kids). Completed pages go in these books and when they are filled I move them to a post-bound album.

Storage for completed pages before they go in post-bound albums

I used to have all my pages chronological by photo dates. This was a lot of work so I’ve gotten a little slack with this and now just put them in the book as I scrapbook them. Since I do the oldest photos first and work my way to the current I figure it’s close enough.

Goal setting for the New Year

Wendy — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:31:40 +0000

Happy New Year to everyone! One of my plans for the new year is to make time to scrapbook and craft. I had the same idea last year but there were always other things that needed to be done. This year I am going to set aside the time and other things will just have to wait.

I’m going to do three new things on my blog this year. (1) I will post reviews on Close to My Heart products. These posts will explain the products, give you ideas on how to use them, and examples as well. (2) Each month I am going to name a Stash Buster product. This is my personal challenge to use up as much of that product as I can for the month. For the month of January I have two Stash Busters – Border Stickers and Metal Embellishments. You can expect to see a lot of them in my projects! I can’t remember the last time I used either of those. (3) Stamp Sunday…my idea is to post a project every Sunday featuring a different stamp set. Now I have to be totally honest and say that I’m not sure how long this will last or how well I will be able to keep up with it but I think it would be a great way for me to dig into my stamp stash and get some use out of them.

Here’s to you and to me and all of our ambitious goals for 2012!

CTMH January 2012 Stamp of the Month

Wendy — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:00:55 +0000

The January 2012 Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month (Little Reminder) is such a cute little stamp set! Spend $50 and get the stamp set for only $5! Available January 1-31, 2012 only.

To purchase this stamp set, visit my CTMH website.

For additional project ideas using this stamp set, visit the Close to My Heart website.

CTMH January Special

Wendy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:12 +0000

The Close to My Heart Constant Campaign for January is just for Studio J members!

If you’re a Studio J member, you can take advantage of this great opportunity to
fill up your scrapbook — get your holiday photos in albums right away! For every
9 custom-printedStudio J layouts you buy, you’ll receive the 10th layout free. 
To receive the discount,just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You’ll see a 
discount reflected in your order total. and you can totally take advantage of
this promotion by ordering in multiples of 10.  Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get
2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. and so on! If you’re not a member yet, now’s a
great time to join!

today for more info or visit my website.

Studio J – Easy to learn videos!

Wendy — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:00:39 +0000

Studio J is a great scrapbooking option for those who do not have the time to scrapbook. It is so easy to use and below are some great how-to videos that will make it even easier!

Try Studio J today! It is free to try – you will only pay if you decide to purchase your layouts.

How to: Step by Step Basics

How to: Personalize Your Layouts

How to: Focus on Your Photos

How to: Photo Editing Tool

How to: Perfect Placement

Try Studio J today!

Love Your Layout – December 2011

Wendy — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:27:19 +0000

Here’s the December 2011 Studio J Love Your Layout video featuring the Wonderland paper. Learn how to change the colors of patterned papers to suit the needs of your layout and how to make a border with My Stickease.

CTMH December Rock the Block Campaign

Wendy — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:00:54 +0000

Beginning December 18, 2011 – January 31, 2012, when you place a minimum order of $25 from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book you can get two new products for just $15! The My Creations Collage Cubes and the exclusive My Acrylix Rock Around the Block E-size stamp set. That’s a retail savings of almost $30! The My Creations Collage Cubes is a sneak peek from the 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book. The Rock Around the Block stamp set is an exclusive that will only be available for this promotion. Both products work together for interactive, 3D fun!

Here’s a picture of the stamp set and scroll down for a video.

Come back on December 19 (just 2 days) for a blog hop featuring this great special!

A great scrapbooking deal today only!

Wendy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:43:49 +0000

Check out this deal on Plum District to get $50 of scrapbooking supplies at Scrap Dazzle for only $30 plus free shipping!

You can use the code local30 at checkout for an extra 30% off which brings it down to $21.

If you are new to Plum District, you will get a $5 credit. With this and the above code you can get it for just $16!!

CLICK HERE to view this great deal!

CTMH December 2011 Stamp of the Month

Wendy — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:00:14 +0000

The December Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month (Mad about You) is one that is sure to look LOVELY on all your projects! There are also many shapes on the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge that coordinate! Spend $50 and get the stamp set for only $5! Available December 1-31, 2011 only.

To purchase this stamp set, visit my CTMH website.

For additional project ideas using this stamp set, visit the Close to My Heart website.