Sunday, September 20, 2015

Online Scrapbook


 A few weeks ago I went onto Close to my Heart's, Studio J website for online scrapbooking. I had never done it before and didn't know anything about it. I wasn't even sure if I would get actual pages mailed to me or if it was just an online photo album. I thought I'd better try it out so when my customers asked me about it I could give them an honest opinion. Boy, was I pleased. The most difficult thing was choosing which pictures to use. Each layout is 2 12"x 12" pages AND YES! you do get actual pages sent to you as well as .JPG files. The layouts are high quality photos. They fit perfectly in my albums and add an interesting contrast to the other pages. (The Studio J strip on the bottom is not part of the layout)


 As you can see I chose 4 different layouts, I used the Express Collection templates but was able to select my own colors and embellishments. There is something for everyone and even a blank canvas for you to create your pages from scratch. Some people just add photos and perhaps some journaling without any decoration and when they get their pages they cut the photos out and use them in traditional scrapbook pages. The quality is that good. Check out the website and see for yourself.Go to STUDIO J Online Scrapbooking Page. You will have to login, but once you do it will take you to the Studio where you can try it out and experiment with the different tools. You don't have to purchase anything until you are ready to. Your projects will be there for up to 90 days so if you don't finish at one sitting you can go back to it at a later date. Have questions? I'll be happy to answer them or find out the answer for you.
Just a quick shout out to Karen over at Little Scrap Pieces. I won her random drawing with my scarecrow gift card box. She sent me this in the mail today. Aren't Those cute ribbons? Can't wait to use them! Love the little Halloween goodies too. Thanks Karen! If you haven't been over yet stop by and check out her blog, linky parties, and fun challenges.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Box in a Box



It's almost fall y'all! It's my favorite time of year. I think it's the colors and the cooler air. This week I made a gift card box in honor of my favorite season and for a friends birthday. I used both my Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Expression machines to make all of the items I wanted to use on this project. 
 I cut my easel Gift card holder, and the box it goes in using a cut file I got from the Silhouette Store. It’s called Star Gift Card Box with Pocket Easel Card by Lori Whitlock.  She has some adorable 3-D projects if you want to check them out.  At first I was a little intimidated because of all the pieces, but it was easy to put together once I watched her video. I changed the decorative pieces up because the original project was more of a patriotic theme and I wanted something for fall. 
 That’s where my Cricut came into play. I used the Everyday Paper dolls and Autumn Celebrations cartridges to do the decorative elements. 

By using the farmer from Everyday Paper Dolls I was able to make a scarecrow. I just cut off his hands and feet, (yes it made me feel a little creepy. It was kind of like eating a gingerbread man) and cut some scraps of yellow paper for the straw. Then I drew on a scarecrow face.  I used Autumn Celebrations for the pumpkins. The larger one on the right has 5 layers and the one on the left is only one layer.  I think they work well together and add more depth. If I weren’t going to put it in the presentation box , I would add a more dimensional pumpkin or a miniature hay bale as a stop for the easel, but since I want to put it into it’s box I’m using a fiber paper rectangle for the stopper.  I also added a little green ribbon to the gift tag.

I love that this has a little slide out drawer. It even comes with a platform that holds a gift card. Of course, you wouldn't have to insert the platform if you wanted to put a little gift or some candy inside instead. There is plenty of room. The drawer measures 
4.5" x 3" x 1" deep

 The gift card holder slips neatly into the presentation box and makes it more gift like than just handing them the holder and saying, "Here". I used kraft paper card stock to make the presentation box. I thought I might decorate the box at a later date, so I put the design on the inside and left the outside a blank slate.
              A little bow holds the box shut nicely and gives it a more festive feel too.
I’m going to enter my little box in the following challenges. Stop by and check them out all the talent out there and get some great ideas! 
Little Scrap Pieces  Stop by and leave her a hello.
Die Cutting Divas Challenge #232, 3-D projects
Silhouette Challenge  Anything Goes Challenge #29
My Sheri Crafts  Challenge #165 Thinking of Fall 
Tuesday Throwdown  #261 Anything Goes 
Bitten by the Bug 2 Labor Day Challenge in honor of workers in your life. My husband farms and I used a farmer for my scare crow. That counts doesn't it?

 


Monday, September 7, 2015

National Stamping Month

September is National Stamping Month so do your part 
and help STAMP-OUT boredom!
To help you do that, Close To My Heart 
is offering all 3 of these great "Hello Life" stamp sets
this month for $13.95US/$16.50CAD individually or 
$34.95US/$41.50CAD for all 3 sets! You'll be saving $6.90US/$8.00CAD!


But wait! There's even more! 
The CTMH Stamp of the Month is just $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase.
Here are just 2 examples of what you can do with this versatile stamp set.

 Why hesitate. Shop now by selecting the JOIN button next to
September is National Stamping month orders and start shopping!