My First Christmas Card of 2014

I am trying something new this month and I am getting this online just in time to participate. I have been under the weather the past few days so I did not get a chance to "throw something together" until last night (and I have to admit it was a challenge to push myself to do this much).

I was inspired by Julie of Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers and her post "A Christmas Card (really!) and lots and lots of WINNERS!!!!" earlier this month so I contacted DigiStamps4Joy to create something for the MONTHLY CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE {MARCH 2014}. Here is my card:

I was inspired by the Midpoint™ pattern on page 77 of the CTMH book Wishes™. The two shades of green cardstock are from my stash. The digistamp was printed on Bazzill Basics smooth White cardstock. I used CTMH Exclusive Inks in Holiday Red (retired) and the Blending Pen to color in the digistamp and the Martha Stewart Holidays Ornaments Edge Punch to create the border and used some negatives on the dark green cardstock. The Baker's Twine is from King Arthur Flour. I received it for Christmas 2013. That spool is going to last a LONG time.

I hope you like my fairly clean and simple card.

March Holiday Cards

I am a little late sharing these cards; I'm just now carving out some time to upload and share them. I can assure you they were mailed early enough so they should have been received before the holiday.

All pieces were cut using Cricut® Design Space and the Cricut® Explore. The card base was created from the image set Just Because Cards. The St. Patrick's greeting is from Holiday through the Year Iron-on and it was rotated to make the fold at the top of the card. It was cut from CTMH White Daisy cardstock. A piece of green cardstock was place behind the cut to make the image pop (I think it was a piece from my stash, but I don't remember with certainty).

I neglected to take a photo of the inside, but I cut a simple clover image from green cardstock and the image set Designer's Calendar to dress it up a bit.

This card base is also from the image set Just Because Cards. The St. Patrick's greeting is from the image set Designer's Calendar and was rotated for this card. I had to use the die cut (what you would "normally" use on your project) to help me line up where to place the negative pieces on the white liner so the greeting was legible. I was so excited to get this in the mail that I neglected to take a photo after stamping "Happy" in white pigment ink just to the top left of the greeting. Since I used a white liner I could again add a simple clover image in green cardstock to the inside.

I hope you like my CAS cards. Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Artbooking Made Easy: Scrapbooking an All-Star Page

Artbooking Made Easy: All-Star Scrapbooking is the latest in the video series Artbooking Made Easy. Each Artbooking Made Easy video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection.



The CTMH description of this week's video Artbooking Made Easy: All-Star Scrapbooking is "Put your team spirit on paper with the sports-themed keys on Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge. The pennant banner, chevron overlays, star border, and teamwork sentiment cutouts will leave you wanting to do a victory dance!"

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• there are two teamwork-themed layout keys on the Artbooking cartridge
• the teamwork-themed keys are found on pages 82 and 83 of the Artbooking handbook
• a tone-on-tone background was used on chevron overlay used on the cheerleading layout to allow the black & white photos to pop and for the use of bright cardstock colors
• the baseball layout also uses the chevron overlay, but the Timberline and Julibee paper packets as well as other colors of cardstock were used behind the overlay
• the "score" title was cut twice; the first cut was backed with scraps to color the words and stars; the stars from the negative space were used on the border and "baseball" title
• the Hinged Display Tray (Z1838) also uses the chevron overlay; it was cut at 2 1/2 inches using real dial size to fit it into the square "cubby"
• the "go team" overlay was also cut at 2 1/2 inches using real dial size and the extra was cut to fit into the square
• in Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Teamwork Layouts, you will find even more detail, closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each album

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting today.

Enhancing Die Cuts by Combining Embellishments

New Heights Abound is a recent video from the Close To My Heart Corporate Office. The video gives us ideas how recreate the embellishments on the layout found on page 122 of the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.



New Heights Abound has the CTMH Corp. description of "Find out how to make your scrapbook pages shine with a sparkly bouquet of balloons, by combining embellishments, Close To My Heart's Cricut® cartridge cutouts, and specialty paper."

Products used in the video:

• Flamingo Dots (Z1934)
• Purple Glitter Gems (Z1936)
• Pink Glitter Paper (Z1922)
• Liquid Glass (Z679)
• Cricut® Artiste Collection (Z1790)

The die cuts on the layout were cut from the Artiste (balloons; accent 3 on page 70 of the Artiste handbook) and Artbooking (remaining shapes) cartridges.

Background and Texture papers as well as cardstock were used to highlight different areas behind the overlay (page 84 of the Artbooking Handbook).

The title "look whoos" was cut twice; once using cardstock and once using glitter paper. The glitter paper cut was trimmed so only "whoos" remained and the cuts were layered.

The glitter balloons started with the balloon cut from glitter cardstock using the Artiste cartridge. Add Liquid Glass to the middle of the cut. Using the piercing tool add glitter gems. The Liquid Glass aids with the gems sticking to the rougher surface of the glitter paper. You can also add Liquid Glass after the gems are applied to seal them to the die cut and create some extra shine.

A complete list of supplies used to create the layout can be found in the PDF "Idea Book Recipes". You will find it on my OBA under Idea Books.

I hope today's video inspired you to decorate your die cuts with other embellishments. If you are ready to place an order the Shop Now button will take you to my Online Business Address.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.Thank you for visiting today.

Sympathy Card Created on the Cricut Explore

One of my online friends recently lost their father. While I never met her dad, I cannot imagine her loss. I hope this card brings her some comfort.

The card base is from 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" Colonial White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack (X1410). I placed the fold at top of the card. All pieces were cut using Cricut® Design Space and the Cricut® Explore. The decorative layer is from Just Because Cards and cut from Jubilee Paper Packet (X7181B). The edges were inked with Gypsy Exclusive Inks™ (Z2190) using a Sponge Dauber (Z1938).

The flower is from Soiree Lettering and was cut from Ivy Lane Paper Packet (X7178B), Colonial White cardstock (1388; inked with Olive Exclusive Inks™ (Z2137) and a dauber), Olive cardstock (1245) and Laughing Lola Paper Packet (X7170B). I attached the flower with 3D-Foam Tape (Z1151).

The label is from Sophisticated Soiree and was cut from Colonial White cardstock. I inked the edges in Olive Exclusive Inks™ so it would stand out against the card interior. The sentiment is stamped in Gypsy Exclusive Inks™ using retired My Acrylix™ Card Chatter - Sympathy stamp set (D1476).

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Artbooking Made Easy: Travel Albums

The latest video in the series Artbooking Made Easy is Artbooking Made Easy: Trailblazing Travel Albums. For a few more weeks, until April 2014, Close To My Heart will release a new video in the series. Each video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection.



This week's video is Artbooking Made Easy: Trailblazing Travel Albums and the CTMH Corp. description of the video is "Document that unforgettable vacation, getaway, or outing with the travel keys on Close To My Heart's Artbooking cartridge. From artsy airplanes to ticket-like tabs, there are cutouts to accompany any of your travel-themed crafts."

Points I want to remember after watching the video:

• there are two Travel-themed mini album keys on the Artbooking cartridge
• you will find the keys on pages 38 and 39 of the Artbooking booklet
• the keys are designed to create 8" x 8" mini albums
• "leftover" cutouts from the overlay were used on the tag shaped half page
• to create the overlay for the card, it was cut at 3 1/2" using Real Dial Size
• the pink borders were cut at 1/2" using Real Dial Size so the fit on the card
• Cricut Craft Room and the Hide Contour feature was used to eliminate the shapes in the middle and leave only the border on the Ruby cardstock then it was stamped with clouds to create a background
• the final album shown was cut with a mix of Real Dial Size On and Off
• in Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Travel Mini Albums, you will find even more detail, closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each album

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting today.

Mix & Match the Picture My Life™ Program Options

Watch the video Mix & Match Contest to learn how you can win a Picture My Life™ program. Hint - while I love to get comments on the projects I share, commenting on my blog does not enter you into the contest.

The video tells us a little about Picture My Life™ such as there are 8 different options. Each program comes with 122 double-sided cards in 3" x 4" and 4" x 6" sizes. They also come with a 12" x 12" cover page which I think of as a "title page" introducing what your Picture My Life™ scrapbook is about. Themes for the Picture My Life™ programs range are childhood, family, sports, summertime and beyond. If one side of a card does not fit with the theme you have in mind for that program, chances are the reverse side of the card will work well.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Picture My Life™ is "Close To My Heart's new Picture My Life™ Scrapbooking Programs pair perfectly with your favorite photos for fun and colorful displays. In our Mix & Match Contest, tell us which Picture My Life™ Scrapbooking Program is your favorite and why in a comment on Facebook, Jeanette Lynton's blog, or YouTube before March 31, 2014, for your chance to win your choice!"

Do not forget to comment by March 31, 2014 to enter. You can head to Jeanette Lynton's blog, the CTMH Corp. YouTube Channel, or the CTMH Facebook page. If you enter, Good Luck to you.

Did today's video inspire you to try a Picture My Life™ program? If you would like more information about the Picture My Life™ options, I have created a page decicated to Picture My Life™.  There you will find another video and a list of coordinating colors in case you would like inks or cardstock to use with the included cards and cover page. If you are ready to place an order the Shop Now button will take you to my Online Business Address.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Washi Tape Fun

One of the latest CTMH videos to share is Pure Joy of Washi Tape. The video gives us tips for using Washi Tape and shows us a bit of the Paper Fundamentals Assortment.



Today's video Pure Joy of Washi Tape has the CTMH Corp. description of "We are wild for washi tape! Close To My Heart has washi tape in eight different colors and fun patterns like stripes, polka dots, chevron, and houndstooth. Watch the video to discover tips, tricks, and the pure joy of washi tape."

Products used in the video:

• Smoothie Striped Washi Tape (Z1923)
• Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape (Z1920)
• Honey Triangles Washi Tape (Z1931)
• Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape (Z1850)

Some of the tips mentioned:

• the layout shared with us has Washi Tape used in two ways: attached directly on the page so it has a shear look and attached to a White Daisy cardstock die-cut so the pattern on the tape is more evident
• when covering a die-cut leave a little extra Washi Tape along the edge and fold it over to assure you have good coverage then at the other end trim with your Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836) along the edge
• the layout was created using paper from the Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment (Z1939) which has a glossy resist pattern on one side which gives the paper extra texture

I hope today's video inspired you to add Washi Tape to your next project. If you have decided you want to make a purchase the Shop Now button will take you to my Online Business Address.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for visiting today.

Cardmaking with my Cricut Explore

If you visited last Friday you saw a card I created in Design Space and cut with the Cricut Explore for Julie's Blogoversary - Celebrating Friendship Blog Hop. If you missed it, you will find it here.

In Cricut Design Space there are many projects that you can choose to create without starting completely from scratch. Recently we needed to create a birthday card for my niece who was turning 20 last week so we browsed through the options and selected this card.

It was originally created to be a Thank You card, but I changed Thank You to Happy Birthday. I used the font from Baby Steps in the writing style. Inside I used stamps from the My Acrylix® Card Chatter-Birthday Stamp Set (D1475). Unfortunately it is retired. I used a Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2105). The paper is from my stash.

I created this Bow Tie card exactly as the cuts and scoring were on screen using products from Close To My Heart.

The first layer of bow ties are from the Lollydoodle Paper Packet (X7183B). The bow tie shadows and card base are cut from Slate (X5930) cardstock. I ran White Daisy (1385) cardstock through a Cuttlebug with the Chevron Embossing Folder (Z1925) and used Liquid Glass (Z679) on the knots in the middle of the bow ties. I used 3D-Foam Tape (Z1151) only in the middle of the bow tie so there would be dimension on the ties.

I hope you enjoyed seeing the cards I created. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

More Creations Using the Cricut Explore

Included in the box with my Explore was a bag to carry the machine to crops and a sample of vinyl and iron-on material.

I have not decorated my Explore yet, but I saw many great ideas on Facebook and many people posted about how easy both vinyl and iron-on materials are to use. With that in mind I created this design to decorate my Cricut Explore Bag and ironed it on the pocket. It just fit and I had to iron over the stitching that holds the pocket in place/hems the raw edge. I was a little hesitant using the design with all of those swirls and closed in spaces, but the iron-on cut like room temperature butter with a warm knife.



I iron-on "took" to the fabric very well using only my home iron and ironing board (with a padded top). I used a clean white kitchen towel for a pressing cloth. The frame is the Iron Bramble Frame from Ornamental Iron 2. I made the frame all one color using the sync feature in Cricut Design Space. The font is Quarter Note.

Here's a close up of the design.



Since I could not settle on a design for my Explore,I really wanted to try cutting vinyl and we had a credit at a home improvement store, we decided to replace our mailbox. Replacing it is something we have been talking about doing for months (if not longer) so my crafting project made replacing it now the perfect time.

This is the mailbox as you approach our house "coming from town".



This is side that the USPS approaches from.



Here's what it looks like with the flag up.



Yes, it might look a little weird to some that we have a partial "1" on our flag when it is up, but since we rarely put outgoing mail in the box, the flag is not up often. I really needed to put the number on the flag so our full house number could be seen. I have been asked what the arrow is about. We live in the country and unless there are numbers attached to the houses it can be hard to tell the odd and even houses apart. Sometimes packages ended up across the street (and theirs at our home) so we added the arrow.

Please stop back in a day or two. I have more projects that I have created to share.

Artbooking Made Easy: Fabulous Frames

Artbooking Made Easy: Fab Frames is the latest in the video series Artbooking Made Easy. Each week until April 2014, which is almost here, (except occasional breaks for holidays) Close To My Heart will release the next video in the series. Each video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection. In this video wonderful home décor items are created with Artbooking and the My Creations™ Pennant Frame (Z1941).

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This week's video is Artbooking Made Easy: Fab Frames and the CTMH Corp. description of the video is "Decorate picture-perfect pennant frames using Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge. From flowers to snowflakes to titles, you will love the versatility, ease, and look of these artistic embellishments."

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• Photo Mat 2 from the Wintertime Layout on page 76 of the Artbooking cartridge was used to cut B&T Duos™ or cardstock to cover the frame
• cut the shape at 9 1/2" using Real Dial Size
• on the Woodgrain Pennant Frame, the photo was mounted to cardstock and it has a shadow box feel; a paper flower was created attached to give the frame extra dimension
• the photo for the Whisper Pennant Frame was cut at 6 1/4" square
• the Sweet Girl Pennant Frame has the same "Girl" title (Teen Layout key on page 80) as the first pennant frame, but in a different color and size
• many of the embellishments on the frames are from the Artbooking cartridge and Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Home Décor, gives more detail, including the handbook page number, cut size, Cricut Craft Room tips; the post also has closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each project

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting today.

Creations using the Cricut Explore

If you stopped by my blog last week for Julie's Blogoversary Blog Hop (BTW, the winners are posted), you know I recently purchased the Cricut Explore that debuted on HSN February 12. Here are other projects I have created using it.

This is my absolutely first creation using the Explore and the cardstock that was included in the box:

I cannot tell you how quick and easy the card went together (when I released that the jade paper was too large for the "slots" and I noticed the second mat). It literally took me less than 10 minutes even with my duh moment.

Here is a close up of the writing and "shadow cuts" that allow the jade cardstock to show through:

I have not tried to create something using the cut-out idea yet, but I read online that others have. They called Customer Support and learned that it is a feature that will be introduced to Design Space in the future.

My second project is the Anna Griffin Butterfly Card that is a Project that is pre-designed and available on the Design Space page (though you do need to have the Anna Griffin cartridge the butterfly and card are on). I think this card is the project many people choose as one of their first creations because I have seen many different versions of this card posted online.

Except for the Cricut Explore, Cricut Explore Metallic Pen and ribbon from Basic Grey, the remaining products are Close To My Heart. The pink paper used for the butterfly "underlay" and showing through the card border is from the Lollydoodle Paper Packet. The green on the butterfly is from Ariana and the "Get Well" was printed on paper from Skylark. The card was cut using White Daisy (1385), but I did not like how stark it looked so I stamped it with the My Acrylix™ In The Background Stamp Set (D1540) using a Cotton Candy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad.

Here is a close up of the sentiment:

The font is Cricut Alphabet in writing style and the size is about 50 points. The shape was inspired by the Anna Griffin place card project and the shape is Flourish Label. The writing and shape outline were completed using the Cricut Explore Metallic Gold Pen.

Please come back later in the week and I will share some of the other projects I have created with the Explore.

Julie's Blogoversary - Celebrating Friendship Blog Hop

Welcome to the "Celebrating Friendship" Blog Hop in honor of the two year blogoversary of Julie's Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers. If you just happened upon my blog, please head back to Julie's blog and start at the beginning (I'm the 3rd stop on the hop). If you get lost along the way, Julie's blog has a complete list of participating blogs.

There is blog candy hidden on this hop. You should comment on each blog because you never know which one of us has a hidden piece of blog candy.

Several have generously donated prizes. I hope I have the latest list of donors: Unity Stamp Company, Regina Easter, 3 Girl JAM, Timeless Twine, Jessica Shelton-Buffa, My Scrap Chick, Lucy Evans and Ruth & Erin Carnes. I am truly sorry if I missed anyone.

You should have arrived here from Rebecca D's Blooming Pink.

I recently received the Cricut® Explore by Provo Craft that debuted in February and I have been busy learning as much as I can about it and Cricut® Design Space. So, even though I think most of the other stops on this hop will show you some amazing stamped creations, my card was completely created using my Explore and Cricut® Design Space.

This is how the front of my card turned out:

And here is the inside:

The card base is from the image set Just Because Cards, the bracket label is from Phrases and the flower cluster is from Kate's ABCs. I used Don Juan to write the sentiment using the Cricut Explore Gold Metallic Pen. I used Close to My Heart cardstock in the following colors: Colonial White, Ruby, Hollyhock, Blush, Pear and Honey.

Before you head to the next stop be sure to leave a comment. Even I do not know if a comment on this post will be selected for one of the wonderful prizes. Your next stop is Paula M's Scrap Addict's Attic.

I hope you are enjoying the hop and thanks for stopping by.

Artbooking Made Easy: Springtime Layouts

Artbooking Made Easy: Happy Springtime is the latest video in the series Artbooking Made Easy. Each week until April 2014 (except occasional breaks for holidays) Close To My Heart will release the next video in the series. Each video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection.



The CTMH Crop. description of this week's video Artbooking Made Easy: Happy Springtime is "Add new life to all your layouts, cards, and crafts with the springtime keys on Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge! The cutouts are perfect for spring-themed projects but versatile enough to accent almost anything."

A few points I want to be certain that you remember from the video:

• there are two Spring-themed layout keys on the Artbooking cartridge
• you will find the keys on pages 62 and 63 of the Artbooking booklet
• everything on the Happy Easter layout was cut at 11 inches without Real Dial Size so everything would be proportional to each other
• the layout was cut into two pieces so it could be used on both pages
• the pinwheel was covered with Liquid Glass (Z679) to give it shine
• the negative pieces from the banner were used to create a "loose" overlay on the right page
• for the Happy Birthday layout Real Dial Size was used for almost everything except the overlay
• the overlay was cut at 8 inches without using Real Dial Size, after cutting on the Cricut strips were cut from the overlay to be used above and below the photograph
• all of the other elements on the Happy Birthday page were cut using Real Dial Size
• the flower not attached to the layout was cut at 11 inches without real dial size, but the flowers attached to the layout were cut using Real Dial Size at 3/4 inch, 1 inch and 1 1/2 inch
• the "happy" in the title on this layout was cut from the key shown on page 62 while the "birthday" part of the title was cut using the alphabet keys using Real Dial Size
• the card was made using the same "happy" used on the Happy Birthday layout and a photo mat was used as the base of the card
• in Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Easter Layouts, you will find more detail (including the tip about snipping the overlay), closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each project

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Before you go please mark your calendars for Friday, March 7 through Sunday, March 9.

Like last year, this year I am participating in a blog hop to celebrate Julie's Anniversary of blogging. Her blog is Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers. There are some prizes up for grabs so you definitely will want to participate.

Thanks for making my blog one of those you visited today.

CTMH March 2014 Stamp of the Month: Happy Place

Can you believe it? At the end of this month 2014 will be one-quarter over. Where has the time gone? I hope you have been snuggled in and enjoying crafting.

The Close To My Heart March 2014 Stamp of the Month is Happy Place.

Did you watch any of the NBC Olympic coverage? If so, you may have seen Mary Carillo's History of Russian Nesting Dolls. When I saw this video during the games, I immediately thought of our March SOTM. If you watch the video look for the nesting dolls that depict famous people. I saw Elvis, President Obama, U2, Abba, Madonna and car racing versions.

You will find a larger image of each project shown in the above photo, a list of the products used and some hints for recreating the samples above on my OBA > Promotions > Stamp of the Month page. Also check my Pinterest Board CTMH 2014 03 Mar SOTM Happy Place for additional ideas using this stamp set.

Happy Place (S1403) is an exclusive D-size stamp set of 7 stamps that you can only purchase during the month of March 2014. The stamp set can be yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products. Alternatively you can purchase it for $17.95.

Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks: 2" x 2" (Y1003), and 2" x 3 1/2" (Y1009) and 4" x 5" (Y1012).

Springtime Studio Savings is what you will find during March 2014.

Springtime Studio Savings means great deals on Studio J™ layouts BUT please do not stop reading because this deal is great for everyone, not just those that enjoy digital scrapbooking.

Even if you are not "into" digital scrapbooking you may want to try Studio J for printing your photos, especially the photos that you want to print in different sizes. If you read my post from Tuesday, I provide information on how to use Studio J to process your photos. Why do I say "process"? Because "Studio J layouts are processed, not printed, using a silver-halide process considered the highest standard in the photo developing industry. Unlike printed papers or images you might print from a home photo printer, the silver-halide process yields “100-year+ quality” that has long been tested and used by the top photo labs in the world. We use the same papers and equipment used by leading labs to produce long-lasting photo prints, so you know your layout will be reproduced with high fidelity and will last throughout the years." (Source: Studio J Frequently Asked Questions)

If you search for Studio J using "Search My Blog" on the right, you will find several videos that contain tips and tricks for creating layouts; if you want to use Studio J for photos, look at my July 22, 2013 post about creating custom photo wells.

If you do not want to create custom photo wells, use the Photo Collections under Express Collection. There are 7 different choices with photo sizes from 2x2 to 6x8. Under the video on my Tuesday post I tell you step-by-step how to find the Photo Collections in Studio J. If you are still stuck getting started, send me a note and we can arrange a time I can sit with or call you to help you create your first page of photos.

This short video will show you how the photos you have processed with arrive at your door:



From the March 2014 the newsletter:
A great deal is blooming during this month’s Studio Savings promotion. During the month of March*, order your Studio J™ layouts for only $5 each! Quickly create beautiful layouts using our wide selection of papers, kit collections, patterns, and embellishments, and make the most of our new Photo Express Collection photo-only templates. A template made exclusively for photos gives you the opportunity to awaken your hibernating snapshots and have them printed with exceptional quality—and for an exceptional price. Your layouts will blossom and your pocketbook will be bursting with springtime savings. Catch the Studio Savings fever!

*Offer valid March 1–31, 2014. Studio J layouts ship in a protected box that can hold from 4 to 50 two-page layouts. Minimum order of 4 layouts. Free JPEG of every printed layout. Shipping/handling rates for Studio J™ layouts are a flat rate of up to 50 layouts in a box for $5.95 USD. Studio J® purchases cannot be shipped with other CTMH products.

**It is recommended that the matting feature not be used with the photo-only templates, the Photo Express Collection, as matting may cause photos to appear misaligned. Close To My Heart does not assume any liability for photos and Photo Express Collection layouts that have been created using the matting option and will give no reprints or refunds in such cases.

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant, I would be happy answer any questions you may have about Studio J® or any CTMH product. If you have decided to try Studio J® to create layouts or to "print" photos, click the Studio J® icon below.

I am here if you have any questions. Just send me a message.