Alcohol Marker Madness

Close To My Heart has a new collection of alcohol markers in shades coordinating with the CTMH signature colors, and two shades of each color comes in a 2-pen pack for easy color shading projects. I have a fairly large collection of Copic markers already, and find that the CTMH markers are just as easy to use when coloring stamp projects. You can color your image after stamping, or use the markers to ink up your stamp for the image. Watch this video for a demonstration, and wait for the special "spray" tip at the the end of the video.

Special Storage Makes Crafting More Tidy

Versatile Shapes with Close to My Heart Acrylic Stamps

This little video will show you how to get the most of your acrylic stamps from Close to My Heart by bending and shaping them. Enjoy!

Cute Card Holder Project using Cricut Artiste

The new Close to My Heart cartridge for Cricut includes many 3D projects. Shauna, one of our Tuesday night gathering crafters, fell in love with the card holder project on page 140 of the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book showing the September Stamp of the Month. I found this video on YouTube to show the easy steps for making the box with the new Artiste Cricut cartridge. Enjoy!

P.S. If you listen very carefully, the crafter-Mommy on the video says her little boy is watching Lion King. His name is Maverick, which is the name of Bret's bulldog. You can see a 'bobble-head' greeting card I made featuring doggy Maverick in an earlier post on this blog. I named my son Bret after Bret Maverick (James Garner was a hottie!) and Bret named his dog Maverick. Many of you may think of Maverick as Tom Cruise's call sign on Top Gun, and maybe this video's little boy was named for him. BUT "Maverick" is actually a western cowboy term for an unbranded animal or one who takes an independent stand, as in politics. Maverick was the name of a western TV show back in the day, maybe before you were even born. The main character, Bret Maverick played by a young and dashing James Garner, was a gambler who got out of scrapes by wit and charm. Those shows were great fun in black and white!

New Tuesday Night Gatherings

The second Tuesday evening of each month will be the calendar date for our monthly Workshops on the Go. In October, we will be creating four boo-tiful scrapbook pages using the Moonlight Scrapbooking Kit (page 59 in the Idea Book). We have four dedicated scrappers at our monthly crop, and room for three to four more. If you want to join the Gathering Group, contact me and let me know so I can order enough supplies to have on hand. The October gathering is 10/9/12 and the order deadline is 9/25/12.

Each Gathering includes a CTMH Workshop on the Go kit and dessert for $35 (tax and shipping included, payable in advance). The Gathering Group will choose the next month's kit at each meeting. If you'd rather work on a different kit than the group, you are welcome to do so, but will be working independently. We still love you!

The November gathering will be held on 11/13/12 and there will be no gathering in December. The second Tuesdays for the first half of 2013 are: 1/8/13, 2/12/13, 3/12/13, 4/9/13, 5/14/13 and 6/11/13. Gatherings are planned for 6:30 - 10:00 p.m, but if you can't make it until 7:00, you're still welcome to join us!

Don't forget that Workshop on the Go kits help qualify you to order the Stamp of the Month for only $5.00 instead of $17.95 (available with a $50 or more purchase). The Stamp of the Month is exclusive to the month of your order, so if you see something you just have to have in the Idea Book, be sure to place a qualifying order with me during that month. Here is an example of projects made with the November Stamp of the Month:

Joining in August is in the Bag!

Join Close to My Heart in August and get a darling Damask Tote Bag free! When you have become a new Consultant in August, you will receive a FREE Damask Tote Bag (retail value $50), while supplies last. This handy, attractive tote with the Close To My Heart logo lets everyone know you are a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant -- with class and style! Choose the $49 New Consultant Essentials Kit or the $99 Master Kit which includes more supplies and tools, and we will send you a tote bag free - only in August and only while supplies last. Contact me for details. Damask Tote Bag Features 17" x 17" x 6" Large exterior pocket for 12" x 12" paper packets Huge interior can hold a 12" x 12" album and more Small, zippered interior pocket Fabric is coated-canvas for durability and easy cleaning 2 water bottle pockets Wear on the shoulder, across the chest, or as a backpack Large flap snaps closed Offer available August 1-21, 2012, while supplies last. No tax or shipping/handling is charged on the Damask Tote Bag. Tax and shipping/handling is charged on the price of the New Consultant Kit that is purchased ($49 or $99).

Stamping Fun

Love My Layout Tutorial Fun!

Love Your Layout: May 2012

Here's a Studio J online scrapbooking lesson for extra creative touches on your layouts. If you are a beginner, you don't have to do anything at all to your layout at all to get the benefits of professionally-designed scrapbook pages. It is so-o-o-o-o simple. Call me at (707) 447-2457 or email me at iristaci@yahoo.com to get started!

Journaling Your Life

Many people think a scrapbook has to be about a child's growing up years, or family holidays and vacations. But here's a thought: Create a journal of the things that make you happy. Obviously, your family and your travels have a place in your scrapbooks, but make time for yourself, too.

While I normally work on both traditional and Studio J scrapbooks, it is very easy to create a few pages here and there to document what is going on in my life and my garden, and assemble a yearbook. That way, when I'm older (hopefully, much, much older) my scrapbooks will provide me with the fond memories of my earlier times. My own Nana lived to be over 98 years old and there were few photos to remind her of the life she lived throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's. I'm sure having scrapbooks would have been an immense comfort to her when she was a resident in the assisted living home. Imagine the smiles with every pleasant memory!

As a Studio J member, I receive free shipping and page protectors every month with my order of between 4 and 20 layouts. I recently created four layouts (eight pages) for May 2012 in just one evening. I did one layout with an astronomy theme: the super moon and the eclipse of the sun that happened in May, and another two layouts of a birthday celebration. But every day has something to celebrate. Here is one layout (two coordinating pages) that captures some of my May activities, and because I love gardening, some of what's blooming. Almost all of these photos were taken with my iPhone, so there is no excuse not to have plenty of choices. I even set a reminder on my iPhone (app: Project365) to remind me to capture a photo a day. Have fun with your daily journal! 

Celebrate Your Creativity

Last month, a brand new feature of Close To My Heart (CTMH) was born. The monthly newsletter, titled Celebrate Your Creativity! was sent to almost everyone on my personal email list. If you received one and would like to be removed from the list, please let me know. If you didn't get one and would like to be added, just send me your email address and we'll make it happen. It looks like this, but with a different masthead color each month. It will be sweet apricot in May. The email will announce the sender as "Staci Kendrick Jones" but the Subject will be whatever topic CTMH highlights for the month. The April newsletter subject was "Dotty for You."

The newsletter is produced by CTMH and allows me a whopping 300 characters for a personal message. That's why I hope you enjoy my blog as well. I have total control over the Suite Romance Memory Journals blog input and it shows my calendar of events (scroll down the left column on this site to see the calendar) as well as giving you access to the full current catalog of products we all love for paper crafting. I try to add personal projects and some instructional videos each month. I'd love to hear from you if you have any suggestions for future blog content....and please do subscribe to future blog posts! You can subscribe by scrolling to the very bottom left and click on "join this site." BTW, I also have a blog for Suite Romance Travel at http://SuiteRomanceTravel.blogspot.com that you might enjoy. Traveling offers so many opportunities for photographing romantic places, memorable experiences, and even delicious food! I love to document the places Calvin and I share as we travel around the world together and with family and friends. The act of scrapbooking back at home lets me re-live those special times over and over.
  
Celebrate Your Creativity! also includes videos you might find interesting and educational for scrapbooking with {studio j}, using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for paper projects, cute handmade greeting card designs and more. Even if you have never been a paper crafter before, these newsletters, blogs, and videos offer a lovely blast of color to your day.  Thanks for taking the time to check out my favorite hobby! I hope you find joy in whatever you choose as your hobby. {{{hugs}}}

Demonstration Saturday

This Saturday, April 21, Suite Romance Travel Agency and Memory Journals (that's me!) will be demonstrating {studio j} at the Scrap Again event at the Hampton Inn, 800 Mason St, Vacaville between 11:00-5:00. We will also be doing traditional make-n-take scrapbook layouts and have 2013 Princess Cruise brochures on hand. Do drop in!

Pop Up Maverick

Close To My Heart has these great pop-up adhesive springs to give your paper craft projects some extra zing. I made this birthday card for my son, using an adhesive spring to make a drawing of his English Bull Dog, Maverick, into a 'bobble head' dog. The front of the card (shown at bottom) folds back and tucks behind a paper stand to create a standing display. The papers are from the "Sonoma" packet with coordinating "olive" ink for distressing the edges of the solid paper. The 3/4" diameter springs come six to pack for only $2.95. They are easy to work with an add so much fun to your cards and artwork. I can't wait to use them on my scrapbook pages, too!

Love Your Layout, "Pemberley" Style

Pemberley is the name of this Close to My Heart Duos (double-sided) Paper pack that is also available online {studio j} backgrounds and matting designs. Don't you just love the spring colors of blue sky and butter yellow florals? There are six different patterns of paper shown here along with embellishments and Stickease to coordinate with your {studio j} or traditional layout. The papers are also great for card making and other paper crafts. Please give me a call (447-2457), message, email (iristaci@yahoo.com), or holler to set up a {studio j} demonstration in your home or mine. Include your friends for a fun afternoon or evening.

Cool Photo Editing Tools in Studio J

Studio J has several tools to improve your photos during the online scrapbooking process. Blemishes, wrinkles, red eyes, and more can be easily remedied. There is even a toothbrush to whiten teeth! Here's a video that demonstrates how to use these tools to make your memories in pictures even more wonderful.

Babe's Pop-up Card

My first Springer Spaniel, Babe, inspired this pop-up card that I made back in 2000, just a month before he succumbed to bladder cancer at age 12. I still miss Babe, and keep this card open on a shelf in my office. A simple paper structure, the pieces are torn to represent Babe's soft coat, and the curls on his chest are made of the edges of spiral-bound watercolor paper.

Put a Little Spring in your Art

Normally, I post about {studio j} online scrapbooking, but I love this little spring gizmo so much, I just had to show you. When I was a little kid, I loved pop-up birthday cards so much, it became a big part of my childhood memory. Anything to do with paper, folded paper, spinning paper wheels, flip books, paper mosaic, and scrapbooks with photos and paper report cards - well I was really into that! In high school (two different high schools, in fact) I managed to get on the yearbook staff. In a college art class called "Collage and Mixed Media," I made a pop-up card to memorialize my dear English Springer Spaniel. (I'll post a photo soon) Now, Close To My Heart has these cool little springs to add another dimension to paper art. How fun! I'm putting in an order for some springs of my own soon. I'd be delighted to have a CTMH home gathering to play with these. Several Tuesday nights are open, or I can do a Saturday afternoon if that suits your schedule. Give me a jingle and we'll get spring-y!

March 2012 Love Your Layout Video

This video will show you how to change card stock colors, add title boxes, crop embellishments, and add stitching to your fabulous {studio j} layouts. You don't have to do ANY of these things to create a beautiful photo layout, but it really is fun to get creative and add your own special touches...all on-line and with no additional cost.

$304 Off and Free Cricut Art Philosophy for New Consultants in March

In March, you can get over $400 worth of Close To My Heart goodies for only $99 when you become a member of Club CTMH. You can become a consultant, earning substantial discounts on your own products and commissions on your friends' orders, or just be a "hobbyist" and still get a discount on your own products each month. Let's talk!

Click here to see the video that explains how you can get a $125 value Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge kit for FREE when you sign up to become a Close To My Heart Consultant. That FREE cartridge is in addition to all the other wonderful goodies you get for just $99 when you join me in crafting wonder world. See what is included on page 4-5 of the Spring/Summer Idea Book (To access the Idea Book, click on the cover of the book in the left-hand column.)

The Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge kit offer is only good through March, so call me today!

It's been six months since I last visited Vancouver and Victoria, BC. There's something about the air, the water, and the wildlife in Super Natural British Columbia that keeps calling me back. This 12x12" two-page layout in {studio j} was created with the "Lucky" kit which normally features vintage bicycles and a tone-on-tone green argyle pattern. The Lucky kit, at first, may not seem like it has much in common with beluga and orca whales, the the dark blue background paper looks very similar to air bubbles in deep water. Each digital paper kit has a myriad of ways to customize your page, with several patterns, and the option to make any layer a solid color. You'll love being creative with all the different combinations available, but if you're in a hurry, just choose a design that relates more obviously to your subject matter. {studio j} makes it as easy or as creative as YOU want to be. P.S. You can rent bicycles and ride the sea wall around Stanley park in Vancouver. It is just one more awesome activity you can do up there!

Stamp of the Month for March is Marching on!

There's a new Stamp of the Month every month, so check out pages 140-144 of the Idea Book (left) for detailed illustrations of the stamp kits for March through July. There are only 14 days left to get your March Stamp of the Month. With sentiments like "Anything is Possible" and "We're in this Together" along with lovely flourishes, your stamping projects will be extra special.

Here are several different {studio j} layouts using the same kit called "Wings." Scroll down and notice how versatile a kit can be for varying subject content. These pages are for my 2011 Yearbook which has a lot of different themes. For my mom's 80th Birthday Tea Party, the MyStickease floral designs added a touch of femininity, while for our rocket day layout, the graphic black and white screening and corner borders made the kit much more masculine. In all cases, the green color worked perfectly, from showcasing Shrek ears to coordinating with the outdoor landscape. You will notice the last layout has no photos. The reason for this is is two-fold: All layouts come in two-page increments, but I was making a yearbook. The title (first) page of my album had a matching page that needed to go elsewhere in the album. After completing the layouts you see here, the next few chronological pages in my book called for a different kit. So at this point, I had one left over "Wings" page. I ordered this page without uploading any photos. I was then able to use the page later in the same album, but with souvenir ephemera from a vacation....this creates a wonderful embellished hybrid layout. I just attached my special items after the silver-halide {studio j} pages were delivered to me. I hope you enjoy checking out some of my {studio j} layouts and how one kit can be used many ways. Please contact me if you want to start making your own {studio j} scrapbook pages. You will have a blast, get many pages done in little time, and spend less than traditional scrapping.

The 2012 Spring/Summer catalog is now available. I have a limited number to give away to hostesses of Home Gatherings (along with other special gifts!) A Close to My Heart Home Gathering can be quick and easy and a really fun way to get together with your friends. A little wine, a little chocolate, a lot of smiles. 

To access the Spring/Summer Idea Book online, click here:  http://www.closetomyheart.com/Home/Products/Online_Idea_Book.aspx?i=4224 or on the cover of the book to the left. You can order on line, or call me to see if I already have a gathering order going in. Better yet, we can arrange your own gathering so you can get your order at a discount!

Kits for Disney-themed Layouts

One of my friends asked which {studio j} kit I used for a Disneyland-themed layout, so here's one I made up recently with colors you typically see around Mickey...like his black ears and white gloves, and Minnie's red polka dots. This is the "Giggles and Grins" kit. The sparkles are made of several layers of My Stickease in red, yellow, and black. They, and the red and yellow dots behind Mickey's silhouette are covering up things I really didn't want to highlight, like the heads of unknown audience members sitting between us and the stage at the Billy Hill and The Hillbillies show. (photo: upper left) Those guys are so funny!

I've also used the "Fanfare" kit for Disney layouts because the colorway is similar. Primary colors are so joyful, but if you are looking for princess colors, there are plenty of pastel kits available, too. In addition, there are ample opportunities to change paper colors to any of the 64 colors in the Close to My Heart palette. One of the benefits of assembling the {studio j} 12x12 pages in your album is that you can also add traditional scrapbook pages and hybrid pages where you add your own embellishments (your Key to the Kingdom, a character autograph, etc.).  

{studio j} Tutorial for February

Here's a new How To video for {studio j} techniques. It's fun to customize your pages. This quick tutorial for February shows just how easy it is to use {studio j} to make your digital scrapbook pages. Trust me when I say the finished silver-halide processed 12 x 12 prints are fabulous!

Five means TEN = TWENTY !!

Five layouts means TEN pages, and five Memory Protectors and FREE shipping. So "Five for Free" means TWENTY pages for the price of ten. How can you go wrong? You can't. I am so excited about the quality of the silver halide finished photo pages, and the ease of getting your scrapbooking done in no time, that I can hardly sit still!  I have done 40 layouts of my own in the past two months. Normally, that would have taken me all year, along with some 12-hour organized crops. Studio J offers so much versatility of design, you can take as little or as much creative control over the process and end up with a beautiful scrapbook no matter what. Studio J provides optional embellishments and My Stickease coordinated to the background papers, but I also love to add my own travel souvenirs to my layouts. Let me show you how Studio J can transform your scrapping world. Call me and I'll get you started with a personal introduction to Studio J. Although you probably won't need it, I can also provide technical support for your layouts. This is one of the easiest computer programs I've ever worked with. It's fun! 

2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book Debuts

The newest edition of the Spring/Summer Idea Book is now available. I have some to share and would love to show you at a home gathering. A Home Gathering Hostess gets a free Idea Book, a special gift from me, and the opportunity to earn free and discounted Close to My Heart products. It is also a lot of fun to have your friends over and discuss your scrapbooking or paper crafting hobbies. Call me at 447-2457 and we'll set up a special time for you to see what's new.

Shop Online at Your Convenience

See that little square photo of buttons and lace to the left? It says "Shop With Me" and it's your window into the world of Close to My Heart. It will open the shopping menu and an easy, convenient way for you to shop for all your scrapbooking and card-making needs....even the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and Studio J memberships are available. Of course, if you'd rather get together in person, I'm game! Give me a call and we can set up a home gathering so you can earn free and discounted products.

Love Your Layout, Sonoma Style

Coordinating papers and embellishments are available for this {studio j} layout. It is easy to make a hybrid scrapbook by combining the {studio j} online software and traditional paper layouts in your memory journals. This video shows easy techniques to customize your studio layouts and show your creative flair.

Duke's on Sunday

Jimmy Buffett sings a song about hanging out at Duke's on Sunday. Right on the beach at Waikiki, we found the statue of Duke K, the father of modern surfing. After a few tasty boat drinks at Duke's, we absolutely had to get a photo of us with our hands in the shaka gesture for a geocache at that site. Earlier, we also had special anniversary dinner at the Beachcomber where we were seated at the verandah rail just before sunset for a primo view.

This layout was perfect for the sailboat vibe, complements of the 'porthole' design and tropical wavy blue paper. I was even able to coordinate the yellow matting with the sunset and the floral pattern in my blouse. I love all the choices available in Studio J.

Free {studio j} Layout in January

January Special for Studio J members:  Purchase nine layouts and get the tenth layout free! Remember, your page protectors and shipping (between 4 and 20 layouts per month) are also free for members. Not a member yet? Call me and I'll get you started with a personal introduction and technical support.

This coming Tuesday night from 6:30-8:30.....come on over for a {studio j} demonstration. Bring a friend, but call me first at 707 447-2457 so I can have dessert ready! Here is an example of one of my layouts from Hawaii, but you will be amazed at the quality when you see them in person and how easy they are to make.

Winter Wonderland

Check out this video for a quick and easy {studio j} layout.

Rock the Block Special

  

Watch this fun video to discover fun ways to use the Rock the Block kit.