Thursday, June 30, 2011

More Inspiration from Studio J

With Studio J scrapbooking you can change the color of your paper, or accents and embellishments. I changed these accents to yellow to bring out the yellow in the dresses. Notice too how one of the 'my stickease' on the left side is small making a tab, and the one on the right is expanded large to form a journaling box. OH SO MUCH FUN

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Look at this fun idea using the same photo

This fun layout was created using the same photo on the right page lower corner, and dropping it into 4 photo wells. Enlarged to 163% then 'put together' like a puzzle to create this fun look!!! You need to try this! It is a blast.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

What a FUN PRODUCT!!! Color Ready Kraft Borders!


Check out these Darling fun Kraft Color Ready Borders! There are 50 borders in each package for only $5.95 (order number Z1377) They are self adhesive and can be sponged to different colors to accent your projet. Each border is 12" long. I just L O V E these!!!

More Fun with Studio J - Online Scrapbooking

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

A 26 Mile bike ride....

A few weeks ago, my darling grand daughter went on a 26 mile bike ride with some girls from church. They had such a good time!! No complaining, or whining, just good ol' fun!! Here is a studio J layout capturing the event!! Have you tried Studio J? Through the end of June, you can try it out, and order a free JPG of your layout!! NO CHARGE. It gets delivered to your email box immediately and you can do whatever you would like with that file. Try it!! You will love it. Click Here to get started!!

Trees and Things - Fun Stamping idea

Monday, June 20, 2011

Remember the Close to my Heart Clearance Sale Tomorrow....

Tomorrow is the big sale!!! Scroll down to see all the fun things on sale and see the discounts!! Dont miss out. Tell your friends.

Art from the Heart

Here are some darling cards made by my telented niece Taralyn!!! She does a fabulous job. Hope these will inspire your next creation. Thanks Taralyn

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Spring Cleaning Stamping & Scrapbooking Clearance Sale!!

SPRING CLEANING SALE

I HAVE BEEN CLEANING MY SCRAPBOOKING STUDIO AND I AM MAKING ROOM FOR ALL THE NEW FALL PRODUCT!!
COME GET SOME GREAT DEALS AT MY
Close to My Heart
Stamping & Scrapbooking Spring Cleaning Clearance Sale!!

Everything 20%-55% off
Stamp sets as low as $3.50
all stamp sets 30-55% off
Some New, Some Gently used
Paper Kits over 50% off
Scrapbook Kits 20% off
My Stickease over 50% off
Embellishments 20% off
How To Books 20% off
and MORE.....

Hand made card kits
discontinued paper 6/$1

Free Idea Book
Reserve your new FALL/WINTER idea book
Door prizes

and more........

When: Tuesday June 21st
Time: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: My workshop room
2310 NW 9th St
Ankeny, IA
Come drop in and get some great bargains.
Come around to the back door. That is where you will find us!

Drop by after lunch, on your way home from work, or after the kids are in bed..... Dont miss out!!!

BRING A FRIEND and RECEIVE A GIFT
Tell your friends.
It all has to go to make room for NEW PRODUCT!!!!

RSVP and you will have a 'product grab bag' waiting for you
SEE YOU TUESDAY the 21st!!
heartstamped@mchsi.com
515-988-6030
Need Directions:
Exit 92 head West approx 2 ½ miles
To State street, turn right on State
Heading North approx ½ miles to
NW 9th, Turn Left on NW 9th
Heading West approx ½ mile to
2310 NW 9th - Ankeny

Chris Hill
Close to My Heart

Sunday, June 12, 2011

You Know you are a Scrapbooker when.....

I attended a special event of a friend yesterday. It was a happy occassion. As I sat in the crowded room and watched the couple involved, I noticed they both had on khaki shirts. My thought was..... GREAT!!! they wore close that went together well. They will look GREAT in a scrapbook layout. I did tell them my thoughts as I congratulated them. They giggled and said, it wasnt even planned. I told them to get lots of pictures and be sure to scrapbook the day. Too funny. Have you ever done that???? Do you 'dress your kids' for the occassion with layouts in mind????

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Through the eyes of a child

I have been tending our grandson this weekend. Ya know, when you are the grandma, and not the mom, you just seem to watch them and their curiosity and wonder a little closer than when you have all the 'mom' duties. They are so fun to watch. He just finds delight in everything!!! We watched our 16 month old the other day. So curious, so busy, so cute as they develope their personality. I am so glad we have so many ways to preserve these precious memories. How are you preserving yours? I would love to help you in any way!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Shop our Clearance items!!!


Click and shop. When you get to my website, choose online shopping. Then at the bottom is the selection... "While Supplies Last" Click there and enjoy shopping at rock bottom prices!!!

All Sorts Album


Have you seen our Fantastic ALL SORTS album? It comes plain white chipboard, with three rings (so you can add more pages if you choose) You cover the pages and customize them to be whatever you desire. I made this book to showcase my 13 adorable grandkids. There was enough room for all of them!! Here are just a few pages to give you an idea. These make adorable baby gifts, grandma gifts, birthday gifts, mini vacation album, grad albumn and more. You can turn these into a showcase for any occassion. Only $6.95 per book. Order yours today!!

Follow my FaceBook page and you could be a WINNER

During the month of June, if you "LIKE" my FB Business page, and we reach 100 "LIKES" someone will win a great prize. Every name will be put into a hat and a lucky winner will be drawn. Go to My FaceBook Page and "LIKE" today for a chance to win. Tell your scrapbooking and stamping friends....

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Studio J Challenge #7

How have you done on your challenges???? Your next challenge is an ongoing challenge!!! Get on Studio J.... and PLAY. Have a blast as you preserve your memories in style, Faster, Simpler and easier!! Remember, as a member you get your layouts for 1/2 price, access to exclusive paper kits, exclusive patterns, free page protectors, free shipping once a month for up to 20 layouts, and a free JPG image will be emailed to your inbox to use however you wish. All this for only $99 per year! Nothing more to purchase, other than your completed memories.

Keep checking back here for new videos, and new techniques posted! You will love all you can do with Studio J.

Want to TRY it before you BUY it. Get online and play. Playing if FREE. Nothing to buy, nothing to download.....just try it out!! If you like it you can then buy the membership, or just pay full price for the layouts. You can also purchase a 3 month membership for $30 if you want to try it for a bit. You can cancel at the end of the 3 months or continue paying $10 per month.

There is A PERK to this CHALLENGE...... BE THE FIRST PERSON TO ORDER at least 10 layouts this month, and you will win a prize from me!!!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Stamp 'N Chat TOMORROW NIGHT

Join me tomorrow night to make these 5 fun cards!! You will have something for every occassion, Wedding, July 4th, birthday, just because, and Just for you. Call a friend and come to Ankeny and have a girls night out. Please email me and let me know you are coming!!
see you tomorrow. Cost: No Fee if you choose to order a little something for yourself. Otherwise $3.00

Sunday, June 5, 2011

An Updated Look (still in progress)

Those of you visiting for the first time....be patient. My page is under renovation. (I wanted a new look with more space) Those returning, you are in the right spot, just looks a little different. Thanks for stopping by!!

Studio J Challenge #6

My Boy


Kit: Boo
Pattern: Cherish: Treasure Tags
Photos: 1 horizontal, 4 square
Kit Mix 2

Techniques:

Using Text boxes to create your own B&T paper
Manipulating paper colors to change the look and feel of a kit
Putting the layout together:

Drop photos in wells
Drop argyle B&T into top left square (left page), changing color to Autumn Terracotta
Change color of top center square (left page) to Heavenly Blue
Change color of top right square (left page) to Grey Wool
Change color of dot B&T to Grey Wool
Add 1/16" Cocoa mats to all photos.

Finishing Touches:

Create word Puzzle on one small square by adding journaling areas in variously sized Inkling font with no back ground, Heavenly Blue and Colonial White text. Note: Use the scale font and copy/paste features to speed up this process. You may want to turn off snapping during this step. (Snapping is a feature that effects text. You can click it on or off)
Holding down the shift key, select all journaling areas of your word puzzle. Copy and past as a group into other squares as desired. Note: if you can't select all the journaling areas at once, select some of the journaling areas in one step, copy and paste them as a group, then select the remaining areas and copy and paste them as a group.
Colorize the toggle accents as desired. Buttons, button threads, flat ribbons, flat knots, and staples.
Using a mixture of text and My Stickease, create title as follows:
"my" in 40 pt Inkling font, no background, White Daisy text.
"BOY" in My Stickease at 100%, placing the letters individually
Type journaling in journaling well in scaled Inkling font, no background, Cocoa text, center-aligned both left-to-right and top-to-bottom.
Add four My Stickease starts (Small Accents) at 150%, 200%, 150%, 200%
Distress edges of base pages and all paper pieces with sponge in Cocoa adjusting intensity to 75%.

Friday, June 3, 2011

"You and Me" Stronger Together

Have you been thinking it would be nice to help the flood, storm, and tornado victims that have been effected this past month! Right here in our own back yards we can help victims of these terrible tragedies. But how? Close to my Heart has a Fabulous way. During the month of June, when you purchase the exclusive "You and Me" scrapbook kit for only $15.00 ($35.00 retail value)a portion of the proceeds will go to these victims. There are limited quantities so act quickly to get your gorgeous scrapbook kit, complete with paper, embellishments, instructions and an exclusive stamp set, and help those survivors who are in need at this time. Thank you Close to my Heart for helping us, help our neighbors. Order yours here!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Studio J BOOT CAMP Challenge #5


Sugar and Spice

Kit: Sophia
Pattern: Studio J: Performance
Photos: 3 vertical
Kit mix 3

Techniques:

Layering My Stickease to create a single image
Journaling on photos
Creating unique titles by using multiple text boxes to mix fonts and sizes

SIDE NOTE: As you personalize your layout and make it your own, keep in mind that one of the main techniques is learning to cluster the 'My Stickease' If you change the paper colors too much, the My Stickease images won't work because they don't change color. I recommend that you keep the Pear and Goldrush colors somewhere in your layout. The Honey and Chocolate papers are changeable. As you can see on mine, I chose to change the papers and ribbon to Lilac mist and hollyhock to match my photos, and it still worked.

Putting the layout together:
Drop photos in wells.
Drop floral dot B&T into top horizontal strip. Change color to blush (my choice) (to change papers, click on papers and drag in desired paper)
Drop cardstock into left most vertical strip (left page). Change the color to (lilac mist).
Change B&T to (lilac mist) (my choice of color for my layout)
Change color of bracket-shaped cardstock piece to White Daisy
Change bottom of cardstock strip to (lilac mist)
Add 1/8" white daisy mats to each photo.
Delete title and journaling wells.
Finishing Touches:

**You will note from the color of the original packet of paper, I have changed my layout dramatically) You can leave yours the colors of the kit, or change them to match your photos.

Turn off toggle accents
Add the following My Stickease images to left page, rotating, cropping, and resizing as desired. Right click to bring layers forward or send backwards as needed.
three tulip flourishes (Large Accents) at 25%
rosebud flourish (Large Accents) at 60%
rosebud border (Borders) at 100%
Add the following My Stickease images to right page, rotating, cropping, and resizing as desired. Right click to bring layers forward or send backwards as needed.
tulip flourish (Large Accents) at 65%
two rosebud flourishes (Large Accents) at 60%, 100%
rosebud border (Borders) at 100%
Small flowers to cover the HONEY flowers on the flourish if you changed your color scheme
Create title as follows:
"sugar" in 85 pt. Tickled font, no background, Chocolate text
"spice" in 85 pt. Tickled font, no background, Chocolate text
"and" in 35 pt. Memo font, no background, Chocolate text
Create journaling in scaled Tickled font, no background, Chocolate text, center-aligned. Add buttons and White Daisy thread as follows, rotating and resizing as desired:
left page: 5/8", 1/2"
right page: 5/8", 3/4"
Add (hollyhock) ribbons as follows, rotating, resizing, and cropping as desired:
left page: centered knotted ribbon at 100% and flat knot at 110%
right page: centered knotted ribbon at 100% and flat knot at 110%

add other embellishments as desired