My Favorite Digital Scrapbook Pages

I just love our Studio J digital scrapbooking studio. I can scrapbook while watching TV -- and no mess to clean up!! In order to stay (or try to get?) caught up, I recommend doing your most memorable events using traditional scrapbooking, but then Studio J for all your photos that you want to keep in your album, but don't necessary warrant 2-4 hours of planning, cutting, inking & stamping.


Give it a try absolutely FREE! It never costs anything to create your Studio J layouts. You can up load your photos and create to your hearts content. Nothing to download onto your computer and you don't pay a cent until you want to order your layouts. 


Click here to learn more!


Check out some of my favorites:

Retiring Stamp Sets

Although the official list of retiring products has not yet been released, I wanted to put together a list of "potentially" retiring stamp sets so you could take advantage of the June 'Stampaganza' special. This list of stamps are those that you might see on the retiring list in July.
If there are any you like, you might as well get them now & take advantage of the Buy 2-Get 1 Free special in June.


I have noted my favorites in bold. 
Those that coordinate with our Cricut AP Cartridge are noted with **.


I hope this helps! Happy Shopping!!

AUTUMN

C1466 – Instant Memories - $13.95

C1467 – Sweet Moments - $13.95**

D1490 – Backdrop – Charmed - $17.95

C1462 – All Hallows Eve - $13.95

C1463 – Harvest Happiness - $13.95**

C1419 – Harvest Home - $13.95

C1426 – Thanksgiving - $13.95

B1395 – So Grateful - $9.95

C1423 – Captured Moments - $13.95

B1359 – Fright Night - $9.95

C1465 – Unscripted - $13.95**

D1437 – Party Animal - $17.95

WINTER

D1494 – Christmas Cheer - $17.95**

B1390 – Countdown - $9.95**

D1480 – Snowflakes - $17.95**

C1468 – Winter Joy - $13.95

C1424 – Nature’s Gift - $13.95

A1109 – A Sip - $6.95

C1420 – Snow Days - $13.95

C1472 – Bundled Buddies - $13.95

D1384 – Snow Flurries - $17.95

D1308 – All Decked Out - $17.95

B1381 – Holiday Cheer - $9.95**

A1115 – A Holiday - $6.95**

D1446 – Adorn-able - $17.95

B1361 – Tannenbaum - $9.95

A1107 – A Twinkle - $6.95

D1493 – Fill in the Blank – Holiday - $17.95**

C1427 – I Believe - $13.95

D1449 – Father Christmas - $17.95

A1110 – A Timber - $6.95

B1356 – St. Nick - $9.95

D1483 – Glory to God - $17.95

B1394 – John 3:16 - $9.95

A1099 – Angel Sent - $6.95

FLORAL

D1436 – The Present - $17.95

A1108 – A Flitter - $6.95

D1306 – Treasure Life - $17.95

EVERYDAY LIFE

C1429 – Party Pennants - $13.95

A1095 – Always Remember - $6.95

B1362 – Tag the Occasion - $9.95

C1471 – Happy Clusters - $13.95

B1393 – Joyful Jar - $9.95

A1116 – A Melody - $6.95

C1425 – Month by Month - $13.95

C1470 – Gnome Garden - $1395

A1113 – A Game - $6.95

B1396 – School Rocks - $9.95

C1408 – Live Inspired – $13.95

D1373 – Childhood Portrait - $17.95

SENTIMENTS

D1492 – Christmas Love - $17.95

C1469 – December 25^th - $13.95**

D1388 – Card Chatter-Christmas - $17.95

D1440 – Everlasting Life - $17.95

C1379 – Holiday Commentary - $13.95

D1283 – Say It in Style - $17.95

D1444 – A Little Thanks - $17.95

D1401 – Authentic - $17.95

D1387 – Made with Love - $17.95

D1499 – Live Your Style - $17.95

D1386 – Save the Date - $17.95

ALPHABETS

E1006 – Baroque Alphabet - $29.95

E1016 – Friendship Alphabet - $29.95

C1401 – Friendship Alphabet-Small - $13.95

D1136 – Giggle Caps - $17.95

D1137 – Giggle Lowercase - $17.95

E1011 – Headline Alphabet Large - $29.95

E1002 – Rustic Alphabet - $29.95

D1267 – Rustic Numbers - $17.95

Stampaganza -- Coming June 1st!

Attention all stampers (And those of you who have been thinking about it, but haven't taken the plunge)... You're going to love the June 'Stampaganza' special! For every 2 stamp sets you purchase, you'll receive 1 FREE! That's a savings of up to $29.95.


As a little refresher, let's go over some of the things that make ours the best stamps on the market!

My Acrylix® Stamps: Did You Know?

Did you know?

• My Acrylix stamps are ready to use right out of the package—no cutting out, mounting, or applying stickers required. Just place the stamp on your block, apply ink, and you’re set!
• My Acrylix stamps and blocks are clear, making it easy to stamp in exactly the right spot.
  
  
  THE BUTTERFLY ABOVE IS A STAMPED ON A PRE-CUT IMAGE AND SO IS THE 'YOU' AND 'ME'. PERFECTLY POSITIONED! 'LOVE CLUSTERS' STAMP SET - $13.95.
  
  
• My Acrylix stamps can be used to create a variety of popular looks, including:
  • BASE AND SHADE STAMPING
    
    
    
    
    
    STAMP SET - 'ROSY REGARDS' - $9.95.
    
    
    
    
  • CREATING YOUR OWN PATTERNED PAPER
    THE BLACK STRIPED BACKGROUND PAPER IS ACTUALLY CREATED USING THE BORDER STAMP FROM THE 'SIMPLE MEMORIES' STAMP SET - $17.95.
    
    
    THE BLUE PATTERNED PAPER WAS CREATED USING THE SPIRAL STAMP IN THE 'LOVE LIFE' STAMP SET - $17.95. THE CUTE HEART STAMP USED TO CREATE THE PENNANT BORDER IS FROM THAT SET, TOO!
    
    
  • SPONGING ON MULTIPLE INKS FOR SINGLE-IMPRESSION, MULTI-COLOR IMAGES
    THIS STAMP IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES! 'QUICK CARDS - SHELL'. JUST $6.95!
    
• Many My Acrylix stamps coordinate with Cricut^® Art Philosophy cartridge shapes, giving you lots of creative possibilities. Cut the shape on your Cricut^® machine, stamp the image on the shape, and attach to your project! In the Idea Book, the images outlined in red coordinate with Cricut^® shapes.
  STAMP SET - 'FAMILY LOVE' - $17.95.
  
  STAMP SET - 'A BLOSSOM' - $6.95
  
  
  STAMP SET - 'HOORAY BOUQUET' - $17.95.
  
  
• My Acrylix stamps are super easy to maintain, store, and transport. 
• We offer a MyAcrylix Organizer that holds 15 stamp sets. The handle makes it easy to 'grab & go' for crops. Even better, our Double Scrubber cleaning pad and Spritz Cleaner fit right inside, too, making it easy to organize and transport your supplies. Perfect!

• Stamp Sets are COLOR COORDINATED, making it easier to find the ones you're looking for! Pink=Sentiments, Yellow=Spring, Blue=Alphabets, etc.

So start your wish list today and get ready for June's Stampaganza Spectacular!!

Little Stamps That Make A BIG Impression

I really love our 'A' size stamp sets for making cards, but they are also beautiful when used as titles or embellishments on a scrapbook page. Check out this new video from CTMH for some inspirational ideas for using these terrific, affordable sets. (Be sure to check the June newsletter to find out how you can get this stamp for FREE!) :))

Pemberley Bookmark Album

I just love our Pemberley paper pack and stickers! I used them on our MyCreations Bookmark album to make this and really like the way it came out! It would be perfect for a Grandma's 'brag book'. 
To order supplies, just click here. And remember -- the AWESOME 'Dotty for You' paper packet is available this month only for just $5 and with a $50 purchase. It's a great way to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month!

Pemberley Paper Pack - X7148B - $9.95 
Pemberley MyStickease - X7148C - $4.95 
MyCreations Bookmark Album - Z1740 - $8.95

Gorgeous Stella Bookmark Album

I just love this adorable mini album. It's made with Stella papers and stickers and our new My Creations Bookmark Album (Z1740 - $8.95). This is a design by the very talented Lisa Stenz. Her creations are always amazing!

Wouldn't your family photos, cruise pictures or children's school shots look terrific in this album? It can be made with any of our paper packs and embellishments and it's SO EASY. Just contact me if you'd like help.

Adorable Bunny Bag

Check out this cute little bunny bag created with our Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. Isn't it great!?!

This was created by the talented Tracy Sanders. So creative! Christine Adams was kind enough to share the instructions for making this cottontail cutie -- click here to see for yourself.

Please come back and comment if you make one for yourself! Have a "Hoppy" Easter! :))

Cape May Crop

I had such a wonderful time scrapbooking with my convention buddy & fellow Close To My Heart consultant, Judy, in beautiful Cape May at the Crop Classix crop. It was great to meet some new friends and share ideas throughout the weekend. In particular, I wanted to share some of the beautiful cards made by one of our scrapping friends, Janice Corrado. She was very humble and insisted that these were 'nothing special' since they were mostly "scrap lifted", but I beg to disagree since each one was personalized with her own style and artistic touches. They were simply gorgeous. As usual, photos do not do them justice, but I hope they provide you with some ideas and inspiration. I know they did for me! Thanks for allowing me to share these, Janice. They're wonderful!

Retiring Stamp Sets

I wasn't sure if I would get to checking on retiring stamp sets before the end of the month, but I'm glad I did! There are quite a few TERRIFIC ones that won't be available after Jan 31st. Oh no!!

I've attached a link for each one so you can easily see a picture of the set. I've also put MY FAVORITES in capitals, as well as making a couple of notes for ones that I think might be interesting for you. I hope this helps! :)

Stamp Sets
A Hop - A1112 - $6.95
A Little Buzz - B1353 - $9.95
A LITTLE EVERYTHING - D1408 - $17.95 (cards)
A Love - A1103 - $6.95
A Paisley - A1105 - $6.95
A Posey - A1102 - $6.95
Adoption - A1098 - $6.95
ADORNING CORNERS - D1322 - $17.95
Always in my Heart - A1101 - $6.95
Ambiance - C1349 - $13.95
Around the Block - D1377 - $17.95
Baby Love - B1368 - $9.95
BACKGROUNDS & BORDERS - D1463 - $17.95
Beary Best - C1363 - $13.95
Beary Busy - C1409 - $13.95
Beautiful Butterflies - B1373 - $9.95
Beautiful Things - D1298 - $17.95
Believe in Your Dreams - B1322 - $9.95
Beloved - B1343 - $9.95
Birthday Blast - C1436 - $13.95
BIRTHDAY BOY - C1411 - $13.95
Bless this Nest - C1445 - $13.95
Blooming Layers - C1449 - $13.95
Bon Appetit - D1367 - $17.95
BOOM! - B1354 - $9.95
Bunny Love - B1324 - $9.95
Campin' Fever - D1353 - $17.95
Carefree - C1447 - $13.95
Catching Waves - D1466 - $17.95
Charmed - C1385 - $13.95
Cherished Flourishes - D1413 - $17.95
Ciao - D1461 - $17.95
Circle Around - D1300 - $17.95
CIRCLE OF LOVE - D1438 - $17.95 (peacock - gorgeous!)
Circle Together - B1372 - $9.95
Connections - D1330 - $17.95
CRUSIN' - D1471 - $17.95
CUPCAKE SPRINKLES - D1336 - $17.95
DAYDREAM - D1297 - $17.95
Down By The Sea - C1451 - $13.95
Dream Big - D1399 - $17.95
DREAMS COME TRUE - D1470 - $17.95 (LOVE this one!)
Enjoy Every Moment - C1395 - $13.95
Extreme Happiness - C1356 - $13.95
FAMILY - C1305 - $13.95 (cards)
Family Ties - Adult - C1346 - $13.95
Family Ties - Children - C1345 - $13.95
Family Ties - Pet - B1350 - $9.95
Fill in the Blank - D1465 - $17.95
Flower Pot - D1409 - $17.95
FOR EVERY OCCASION - D1187 - $17.95 (cards)
Friendship Blessings - D1191 - $17.95
From My Heart - C1443 - $13.95
Fun Times - B1309 - $9.95
Happy Holidays - D1431 - $17.95
HAPPY MOMENTS - C1437 - $13.95
HERO - D1474 - $17.95
His and Hers - C1460 - $13.95
Horizon - C1454 - $13.95
Hot Diggity - C1407 - $13.95
Howdy - D1435 - $17.95
In the Month of February - C1403 - $13.95
In the Month of March - C1404 - $13.95
In the Month of April - C1405 - $13.95
In the Month of May - C1415 - $13.95
In the Month of June - C14016 - $13.95
In the Month of July - C1417 - $13.95
It's a Zoo - C1360 - $13.95
JUST FOR BOYS - C1338 - $13.95
JUST FOR GIRLS - C1337 - $13.95
Just The Ticket - B1323 - $9.95
Kanji Phrases - C1339 - $13.95
Let's Go Camping - C1355 - $13.95
Little Princess - C1414 - $13.95
LOVE ALWAYS - D1337 - $17.95 (wedding)
Love Birds - C1396 - $13.95
LOVE YA - D1460 - $17.95
Magic Tabs - C1448 - $13.95
Makin' Waves - C1365 - $13.95
Ms. Chillin' - D1404 - $17.95
MS. SCRAPBOOK -B1352 - $9.95
NOTICE THE DETAILS - D1378 - $17.95
On the Edge - C1399 - $13.95
On This Day - D1468 - $17.95
One of a Kind - D1410 - $17.95
Over The Rainbow - D1426 - $17.95
Paisley Praise - D1414 - $17.95
Piece of Cake - D1407 - $17.95
Play Day - D1360 - $17.95
Post Card - Travel Series - D1357 - $17.95
PRECIOUS LOVE - C1444 - $13.95 (wedding)
Priceless Love Word Puzzle - D1348 - $17.95
Recipe Box - D1364 - $17.95
Retro Tech - C1446 - $13.95
Royal Birth - D1441 - $17.95
Salutation Seals - C1461 - $13.95
Shining Star - D1320 - $17.95
Smiles - C1397 - $13.95
So Lucky - C1390 - $13.95
Soul Mates - D1254 - $17.95
Springtime - D1415 - $17.95
Star Power - D1403 - $17.95
Summer Breeze - C1453 - $13.95
Summer Days - B1375 - $9.95
SWEET BABY - C1359 - $13.95
Take Luck - B1364 - $9.95
Tasty Treats - D1427 - $17.95
Tea Time - C1438 - $13.95
THANK YOU - D361 - $17.95
Thrill Ride - D1425 - $17.95 (Disney)
TLC - C1364 - $13.95
TOGETHERNESS- D1402 - $17.95 (faux stitching)
Treetops - C1368 - $13.95
Trellis - D1451 - $17.95
TRUE HAPPINESS - D1365 - $17.95 (good borders!)
Two-Step Backgrounds - D1473 - $17.95
Unity - C1422 - $113.95
X-Treme - D1432 - $17.95
You Did It - C1351 - $13.95 (graduation)
You Rock - D1346 - $17.95 (music)
You're Great - D1434 - $17.95
You're Sweet - B1351 - $9.95

CTMH Spotlights Customer Creations!

How fun! Jeanette Lynton (CTMH founder) has decided to include customer art in her 'Spotlight On Art' blog feature. Each week Jeanette will feature a piece of artwork - - either from the CTMH design team, a consultant or CTMH customer. This gives YOU a chance to be a scrapbooking Rock Star.

Click here to visit Jeanette's blog for more details. Jeanette has also included some great tips on photographing your artwork. Be sure to check it out!

If your artwork is selected, you'll also receive a free exclusive gift. Awesome! Even if you're not interested in submitting your art (but I hope you will!), it will be fun and inspiring to see how other people are using the CTMH materials and techniques to create their own original projects.

I know I'm going to enjoy this new feature and I'm sure you will, too!

Simple Holiday Tags - Cricut Art Philosophy

Making beautiful holiday tags couldn't be easier when using the CTMH Circut cartridge - Art Philosophy. Here's a new YouTube video from CTMH showing tags made with the Cricut and the MyAcrylix stamp set 'December 25th' (C1469 - $13.95). They're so adorable and really, really simple.

Here's a cute little tag I made with the Cricut cartridge and the 'A Holiday' stamp set (A1115 - $6.95). This stamp set is so versatile! I used it to create one of my holiday cards, I use it on Christmas envelopes, and I love making little gift cards with it, too.

Handmade gifts and cards are such a wonderful way to say "You're Special!" to the ones you love. If you've made your own gifts &/or cards this holiday season, please share them! E-mail me a photo and I'll create a slideshow so that everyone can enjoy, share, and learn from each other.

Have fun!

Photo Surprise Workshop

Here's the last workshop for my weekend at Purity Spring. It's a fun hidden photo slide layout from CTMH's most recent 'How To' layout book - "Magic". This layout uses a 4x6 photo, but the book includes templates for 6 different sizes. It's a great way to add "Wow" factor to your layouts -- and lots of fun, too!

Workshop will be Saturday morning at 10:30am and fee is just $5. Send me an e-mail if you'd like to pre-register (see profile info on right for e-mail address).

Purity Spring Workshops

Less than 10 days until I'm packing up for Purity. I can't wait! I really love the Purity Spring scrapping event and am putting the finishing touches on the workshops I'll be holding.

I'll be doing a couple of classes that I hope will introduce my friends at Purity to a few new techniques and give them a little sample of what can be done with the new CTMH Cricut cartridge - Art Philosophy. I will be doing a couple of wintery themed workshops (photos below) and also teaching a class to demonstrate an interactive technique from our 'Magic' layout book (photos coming soon!).

I have a limited number of spots available for these workshops, so if you're coming to Purity and see something you like, please e-mail me to pre-register.

Here are some photos of the two 'Holiday Jump Start' classes:

Festive Holiday Cards Workshop 12 cards & envelopes (4 each of 3 designs)

Saturday, 4:15pm - Cost: $20.00

Wintery Fold Out Box Album

Friday, 4:00pm - Cost: $15.00

Getting Ready for Purity!

It's September and that means I'll soon be heading up to Purity Spring Resort for their awesome scrapbooking weekend the 14th-18th. Great people, terrific food and round-the-clock scrapbooking in our pjs -- what could be better?!

This year will be a little different since I'll actually be attending as a vendor for the first time. I'm really excited (and a little nervous) and I know it will be here before I know it! Luckily, my good friend, Susanna, and her mom, Elijean, came to visit this weekend and were willing and MORE THAN able helpers! They provided wonderful artistic inspiration and pumped out lots of piece work on the Cricut (I think I even heard someone mention 'union'! :) And beautiful Eliana kept us entertained!

(I think Abbie's saying "I didn't put her in there! I swear!!")

Amazing Album-Amazing Artist!

I just have to share this incredible YouTube video with you! Tresa Black, an incredible artist and scrapbooker, created this album for the Make A Wish contest at convention this year. It is truly a work of art and needs to be shared! I hope you appreciate not only the quality of artwork, imagination and ingenuity, but also (and maybe most) the terrific story. It's a great one! Enjoy!!

For more creative inspiration, visit her blog at FabulouslyArtsy.com.

Croptopia Mom & Me Crop

What a fun time I had last weekend at Croptopia's Mom & Me crop in Orange, CT! The people were all so wonderful and the girls were a BLAST! They created some really amazing layouts, had a great time playing with the Cricut machines and entertained us all with their energy and humor.

I helped the girls create a cute little purse made with the 'Heartfelt Treasures' stamps set and a personalized notebook using the MyCreations Journal & Pennant Alphabet stamp set.

Thanks for a great time, ladies!

10 Things I Love About Paris

Tomorrow I am off to Paris to cat sit. That's right! My wonderful friends have invited me to stay in their home while they are away and watch their adorable kitten, Graffiti (isn't she adorable?).

With Paris on my mind, I just had to adapt the layout we made at CTMH Convention from "10 Things I Love About You" to "10 Things I Love About Paris".

Of course, there are so many more than 10, but here are the ones I picked:

1. Waiting for the Eiffel Tower lights to twinkle

2. My morning Cafe Créme and Croissant du Chocolate

3. Pont Alexandre III at sunset

4. Sail boats in Jardin Luxembourg

5. Street performers at Trocadero

6. People watching on Champs Elysees

7. Seeing Sacre Coeur on my way to the metro every morning

8. The Musée d'Orsay gallery

9. Book sellers along the Seine

10. The Prud'hommes!

This layout features 'Roxy' - it will be my featured Kit of the Month for August. The bling & envelope with tags are new products, as well as the '10 Things' stamp set. I always encourage my customers to "think outside the 'event' box" - meaning, scrap things that are important to you in your everyday life -- not just the big events. This stam

p set is a perfect prompt for that an a bargain at just $13.95!

What are YOUR '10 Things'?

All materials are Close To My Heart. Click here to order!

Stamps: 10 Things (C1474-$13.95)

Paper: Roxy (X7140B-$9.95)

Ink: Tulip, Black & Desert Sand

Accessories: 10 Things Pocket (Z1412-$3.95) & Bling Assortment (Z1466-$4.95)

Cricut Art Philosophy

The most exciting announcement at convention was the exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridge. I can't wait to get my hands on this little baby and start playing! It has over 700 images including shapes, 3D items, a font, and close to 100 images that coordinate with CTMH stamp sets! Hooray!! Now you can use your Cricut tocut your image out, then just stamp right onto the perfectly cut design!

The cartridge is bundled with 3 exclusive stamp sets to coordinate, as well as 3 Dimension

al Elements sets that also match perfectly with Cricut images. Perfect! (CTMH even thought to print the correct image cutting size right on your stamp cling sheet so you don't have to figure

it out!!)

The price for the whole collection is just $99. (Have a qualifying home or on-line gathering and get it for 50% off!!!) Click here to view the flyer.

Two of the Creative Classes at convention were on ideas for using the Cricut, so I thought I'd share a couple with you.

Wow! Great Stamps at Great Prices!!

Oh my goodness... Just wait until you see all the exciting new stamp designs offered in the new Idea Book. They are truly unbelievable! And with the new LOWER PRICES (yes, you heard it!!) you can have all the ones you love!!

A size - 6.95

B size - $$9.95

C size - $13.95

D size - $17.95 ($5 lower!!)

E size - $29.95

I just loved this card when I happened to flip the catalog open to this page, but love the stamp set even more! You can change your wreath design to match the season. So cool!!

(Please excuse the quality! I'm rushing!! :)

Trend Watcher - Bicycles!

In case you haven't noticed, bicycles are everywhere lately - and not just on the road. I've seen them on drinking glasses, stationery, tote bags, bookmarks and - last but not least - scrapbook pages and cards.

Bicycles just make you think of carefree, leisurely days filled with wholesome fun. Who couldn't use a little more of that? So add these trendy trikes freely to your birthday, vacation, picnic (or even biking!) cards and layouts and share a little of that wholesome fun!!

Here are some CTMH products to "get your wheels spinning".

Enjoy Life stamp set - $18.95

Lucky Papers & MyStickease - 4.95 to 12.95

Lucky chipboard embellishments - $4.95