Wedding Guest Sign In Book You Can Make Yourself

I gotta admit, I was pretty excited when Close To My Heart asked me to come shoot a quick video about the wedding sign in books I've made for my kids.  I hope you'll enjoy it!

Video for National Scrapbooking Month—Happy Times

I hope you enjoy this fun video that shows gorgeous artwork made with
this month's Happy Times paper packet and coordinating stamp set. You
might even recognize a few of the people in the photos on the layouts at
the end of the video.



Remember, May is National
Scrapbooking Month and this paper packet and stamp set are ONLY
available in May to celebrate.  You can get them in a couple of
different ways...



1.  Happy Times Paper Packet:

• FREE with every $60 you order (before shipping and tax). When ordering on my website, you'll be prompted to add your set(s) before checking out.
• Packets can be purchased for $14.95 (CC1063).  

2. Happy Times Stamp Set:

• Can be purchased for $17.95 (CC1064)

Watercolor Brush Lettering Video Tutorial

Do you love watercolor brush lettering as much as I do? I am ga-ga over this look and am so excited about this wonderful video that gives us a basic tutorial.  Take 10 minutes and you'll be amazed at how easy this technique can be.  In the video you'll see my friend, Jill from the Close To My Heart home office. She is one talented, artistic girl and I'm thrilled she put together this video to help all of us learn this art!

I've posted a list of the supplies, along with links and photos so that you can head on over and purchase them on my website. 

Watercolor Paper

Watercolor Paints

Paintbrush Set

InLinkz.com

Freedom Layouts with the Artbooking Cartridge (video)

Enjoy this fun video showing some great layouts with the Artbooking cartridge!

Artbooking Made Easy

I think you will agree that the new Artbooking collection from Close To My Heart and Cricut is REVOLUTIONARY! Not only does it create a whole layout with the ease of one key, but it also creates several mini-albums.  Here's what I'm talkin' about:

You can get your Artbooking Collection on my website, 24/7...even in your jammies!

CTMH/Cricut Artbooking Collection: 
Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: Font, Mini Books, Layouts)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)
Creative Feature Keys: Title, Photo Mat 1, Photo Mat 2, Icon, Border, Overlay.

Whooo's Your Valentine Special, December Stamp of the Month, FREE Gift, and I'm Back!

I have been out of town for the past week and had great intentions of posting while I was gone. I even uploaded several things from my desktop computer to Dropbox so that I could access them on my laptop while out of town and use them for a few blog posts. For some darn reason I was unable to access what I uploaded so my great intentions were for naught.  I also had plans to keep up with all of my regular blogs while I was gone and just had no time.  Please forgive me for not commenting over the past week. What is that saying? The road to *#@! is paved with good intentions?  Oh dear! I'm in trouble!

I have a few important things to share today to make up for lost time:
1.  Whooo's Your Valentine
2.  December Stamp of the Month
3.  FREE gift!
-----------------

1.  Whooo's Your Valentine:   You may or may not know that January is National Papercrafting Month.  Since we at Close To My Heart love to party, we are celebrating a bit early. Our National Papercrafting Month Special ("Whooo's Your Valentine") began on December 13 (yesterday) and runs through January 31.  Yippee! 

Spend $35 (either on my website or by contacting me: 801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com) and get the exclusive "Whoo's Your Valentine" treat tube kit for only $10 (valued at $40)!

The kit includes:

• 12 die-cut boxes

• 3 cardstock sheets

• 1 sheet of silver glitter paper (so pretty!)

• 12 treat tubes

• An exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit!  (see below)
  
  

  

  Whooo's Your Valentine Exclusive Stamp Set (carrier sheet actual size is 6" x 6")

   

These little goodies are perfect for gifts and classroom projects. The "Whooo’s Your Valentine" kit will make Valentine’s Day a cinch! If ordering on my website, you will get a prompt at the end of your order to add it. Easy Peasy!

Here's a video to tell you a little more about it:
 

2.  December Stamp of the Month:  I know I have already shared a few things about this special, but the coolest part of all is that if you spend $50, you qualify for the December Stamp of the Month at $5 ($17.95 value) AND it will also qualify you for the "Whooo's Your Valentine" kit for only $10. That means you would spend $65 ($50 order + $5 Stamp of the Month + $10 "Whooo's Your Valentine" kit) and have $107.95 in merchandise. That's about a 40% savings.  Nifty!  The December Stamp of the Month is a great set!  Today I thought I'd share a Valentine card I made with it since we seem to be all in the Valentine spirit.

3.  FREE Gift:  Just because we are celebrating Valentine's Day a bit early, it doesn't mean that we aren't still in the holiday spirit that comes with this time of year. As a reminder, if you spend $50 or more on my website this month, you get this awesome glue pen absolutely FREE!  So, my advice to you is to take advantage of all 3 of these specials on my website and you get the advantages of all of them.  Using my website is the key because this FREE glue pen only comes with website orders. 

Pigment Ink vs. Dye Based Ink...and Brains

Watch this video for a quick and fun explanation from Kristine and Monica, two of the Vice Presidents of Close To my Heart, of when to use pigment ink and when to use dye based ink. Fast, fun, and informative!

Before you watch, I must first keep my promise of posting something I am grateful for in every post during November. Today I am grateful for my brain. Lately, with a few projects I am working on outside of my CTMH business, I am doing some new things that I have never done before and am grateful to find that this old brain of mine can still do a few new tricks.  Learning is something that is uplifting and rewarding for me (as I'm sure it is for you) and I'm grateful for the amazing brain that God gifted us with.  Aren't you?

Every Day Life Scrapbooking Inspiration Video

Yesterday I shared the awesome double stamp set ($35.90 value...yours for only $5 with a $35 order) that Close To My Heart has created to celebrate National Stamping Month.  Check out that post here.  Today, I thought I'd share a video that is full of fun and inspiration of ways to use this set.  Enjoy!

Studio J "Best Day" Layout and a Studio J Tutorial

Studio J Layout: "Best Day" made with the awesome "Lucky" digital kit

Happy Monday!  We are currently at our son, Easton and his wife, Daysha's home for the week. It's so much fun to spend time with them. While we are here Dawson is participating in a football camp and a basketball tournament so we are staying busy! Dan and I are just chillin', watching, and enjoying some downtime and relaxation. Life is good!

In honor of being here, I thought I'd share a layout I made recently with Studio J of Dawson from just over a year ago when he came to spend a week with Easton and Daysha for his 17th birthday.  E and D took good care of him, took him to do lots of fun activities, and made sure his birthday was honored, complete with gluten free cupcakes and a day of shooting up Cedar Canyon. Isn't all of the red rock just gorgeous? Feel free to click on the layout to see it larger and in more detail.

As you know, I am a BIG fan of Studio J (Close To My Heart's fast and easy, but beautiful answer to digital scrapbooking).  I'd love to answer any questions you might have.  You can also read about Studio J here and try it out.

Lastly (but certainly not lastly!) I wanted to share a "Love Your Layout" Studio J tutorial video. Close To My Heart releases one of these each month that you can follow and make your very own layout while learning fun new Studio J techniques. They are quick, easy and so much fun!



Have a wonderful day. I'm off to watch some football!

Karen

Gift Ideas

Aren't we all always on the look out for a cute and inexpensive gift for a friend's birthday, or to welcome a new neighbor, or to say thank you?  I know I am. This little 2 minute video, featuring the fabulous Carly, shares some really fun ideas. Check it out.

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG AND PAUSE THE PLAYLIST SO THEY MUSIC AND AUDIO FROM THE VIDEO WON'T COMPETE. No, I"m not yelling. I just wanted to be sure you saw that. lol.

One Stamp and You're Done!

One stamp and you're done! No kidding! Watch this excellent 2 minute video hosted by my friend, Kristine to find out how. Before you watch, scroll all the way down to the bottom of my blog and pause my play list. That way you won't have to listen to both things at the same time.  Enjoy!

Pinstripe Sanded Paper, Perfect Bows and Shiny Letters

Today I have a video tutorial to share that I put together this weekend.  The photo you see here is of the 6" x 6" card I am making on the video.

BEFORE WATCHING THE VIDEO, BE SURE TO SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG AND PAUSE MY PLAYLIST.  

The techniques I am teaching are:

• Pinstripe Sanded Paper
• Perfect Bows
• Shiny Letters

You may even find a few more tips and tricks that are helpful as you watch it.  Enjoy!

 

Close To My Heart products used:  Take a Picture Stamp Set, Colonial White Cardstock, Hollyhock Cardstock, Juniper Cardstock, Chocolate Cardstock, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Hollyhock Stamp Pad, Juniper Stamp Pad, Creme Brulee Stamp Pad, Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Pink Buttons Assortment, Mocha Opaques, Corner Rounder, Piercing Tool Kit, Liquid Glass, Sanding Kit, 3D Foam Tape.

You can purchase these and so many other wonderful products on my website...24/7!

Holiday Gift Tags: Video Tutorial

Want faster, simpler, and easier holiday tags that are still 'WOWZA's'?  This little video will do the trick.  Give it a look-see and let me know if you agree.  I'm pretty sure you will.  Was I right?



You can order these and other great products on my website, 24/7...how handy is that during this busy time of year?

Studio J "Love Your Layout" Video Tutorial for October

IMPORTANT: To watch this video without hearing my play list in the background, first scroll all the way to the bottom of my blog and press the 'pause' button my play list. Easy, peasy, lemon squeasy!

This Studio J "Love Your Layout" tutorial is WONDERFUL. Did you know that every month Close To My Heart releases a new one? I look so forward to it! To me, the best way to use them is to open your Studio J window and then be watching this video in another window. I pause the video as I need to and go to my Studio J window and d0 the step, then go back and start up the video again. That way I can make the layout right along with the tutorial! I almost always order my layout once it's done, but even if you don't it's so worth watching the video and making the layout. You will learn new techniques to use on other ones. If you decide you don't want it when you're done (heaven forbid!), then you can easily delete the layout from your stash.



Give it a try! You might be surprised how much you like it. Did I mention that I do FREE one-on-one or group Studio J classes? We can do it in person, or online together! Contact me to schedule yours (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com).

Studio J is unlike any other online scrapbooking program. There is no need to purchase digital papers, embellishments, etc. All you do is create and the payment is per 2-page layout when you are done creating. No need to store lots of digital supplies on your computer to try and match and make work together, it's all in one place and Studio J stores everything for you! Everything is made to match. It's the BESTEST program out there!

Don't have a Studio J account yet? No worries...it's EASY! To create an account and make layouts is absolutely free. There are a few cost options to order your layouts.

• You can purchase a membership. There are two memberships available to choose from: a 3-month membership or a 1-year membership. In my opinion, becoming a member is the way to go! It allows you free shipping on one order per month (between 4 and 20 2-page layouts)! That's a $7.95 value! You also get a GREAT savings on the price per layout than if you were to purchase them without a membership. Finally, memberships give you access to "Members Only" layout patterns and paper kits. WOO HOO!
• You can purchase a 5-pack. This is five 2-page layouts as well as the shipping for them included (all 5 must be ordered at once).
• You can pay for your layouts one at a time. I don't recommend this one. In the long run you are paying much more per layout and don't get the perks of "Members Only" kits and patterns, nor do you get one free shipment per month. But, just to let you know, this is an option. LOL.

For more details, to try it out for FREE, and to see answers to Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

4th of July Card and Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day! I am so grateful to live in this great land of the United States of America, so grateful for the men and women who had the courage and fortitude to fight for and begin this great nation, so grateful for those that continue to serve so that it can remain a land of freedoms, and so grateful that I can raise my children in a place where they are free to choose what they want to do with their lives, how they want to worship, and to become whoever they want to be.

I thought I'd celebrate with you today by sharing another card I made with Close To My Heart's July Stamp of the Month (American Celebration). Not only are the images in the stamp set awesome, but so are the textures within the images. I used the large 'star-full-of-stars' to stamp on top of one of my chipboard stars and the flag stripes on the other. Cool beans! Friday's post gives you all the details on how to get this set.

Here is the image of the stamp set. I just love it!

Other CTMH products used on this card: White Daisy Cardstock, Cranberry Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Cardstock, Heavenly Blue Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Stamp Pad, Stars Dimensional Elements, Booksmart Dimensional Elements, Spray Pen, Kraft Color Ready Borders, Chocolate Waxy Flax, Blue Brad Assortment, Blue Buttons Assortment, Corner Rounder.

Non-CTMH products used: Deco-Art White All-Purpose Acrylic Paint (mixed with water in the spray pen).

Here is a quick, 3-minute tutorial on the Spray Pen. I love this little tool!


You can order any of these wonderful CTMH products on my website, 24/7...even on Independence Day! I hope yours if full of freedom and festive fun!

Paper Roses

I have spent the last day making paper roses until my fingers cramped. I made 30 of these little puppies, 10 from a 12" Cranberry Cardstock circle (finished size is about 3", depending on how tightly you wrap it), 10 from a 9" Blush Cardstock circle (finished size is about 2 1/2", depending on how tightly you wrap it), and 10 from a 6" White Daisy Cardstock circle (finished size is about 1 1/2", depending on how tightly you wrap it), all sponged with Chocolate Ink and painted with Glitter Gel, and all for a special project for the Close To My Heart National Convention in 2 weeks. My fingers are cramping and covered with Liquid Glass (the adhesive I like best for these flowers), and I'm sticking to everything but it was worth it. I'm happy with how they turned out. WOO HOO! Aren't they COOL?

My friend, Tracey Mason, is the QUEEN of these flowers (she taught me) and has made a great video tutorial that will give you all that you need to make them just like her.

After watching, if there are any supplies you need to start 'flowering', click here to enter my website. Have fun!

Trees and Things Technique Tutorial

Close To My Heart continues to be at the top of their industry not only in products, but in instruction. This past year they have outdone themselves with video tutorials that educate and inspire. This newest one is no exception.

This just over 3 minute tutorial shares several techniques with the Trees and Things stamp set (D1467). You can use these ideas and techniques with just about any set, but you've got to admit that this one is DARLING. I can think of so many fun uses for this set, year round. Before watching, you may want to scroll down to the bottom of my blog and turn off my play list so it's not distracting while listening to and watching the tutorial.


To order this set, head to my website and click on shop online, or just click on the Trees and Things link above the tutorial.

Have a wonderful Summer day!

Editing Photos with Close To My Heart's Studio J

As I sit here in my home office on Friday, April 29 I am looking out the window to my left and seeing snow flurries. Yep, for realsies!

Today's post is about editing photos. I'm guessing editing today's less than Spring-like weather may be a little too much to ask, but taking wrinkles away and whitening teeth, that is NOT too much to ask! Studio J photo editing has those edits, and more, down pat.

Here is a layout I did in Studio J a while ago of Daysha's performance as Tiger Lily in the Brigham Young University production of Peter Pan. I just love it! You can click on the layout to see it larger and in more detail.

Take 5 minutes and watch this AWESOME tutorial on editing your photos in Studio J. Pretty great stuff! DON'T FORGET TO QUICKLY SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG TO PUSH 'PAUSE' ON MY PLAYLIST SO YOU DON'T GET MUSIC AUDIO AND THE STUDIO J TUTORIAL AUDIO AT THE SAME TIME. I'm really not yelling. I just wanted to be sure you saw that little tidbit.



If you would like a one-on-one demonstration from me about Studio J, or even want to schedule one with your friends (and earn FREE GOODIES) just email me (pedermom@aol.com) and we'll schedule it! All Studio J links in this post take you directly to the Studio J portion of my website where you can try Studio J out for FREE!

Don't forget: When watching a video on my site, you'll want to first scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to my play list and click on the 'pause' button. This way you can listen to the video without the music playing at the same time.

Enjoy this awesome video from Close To My Heart! You'll love the "On This Day" stamp set (pictured here) and the fun ideas shared in this just over 2 minute tutorial.



Close To My Heart products used in this video: On This Day Stamp Set, Kraft Cardstock, Twilight Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Twilight Stamp Pad, Micro-Tip Scissors (trust me...the BEST scissors in town!).

Click HERE to enter my website and order any of these wonderful products, and more...24/7!

Get Started with Studio J...Let Me Show You How!

You gotta see this (to turn off my music play list, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click the pause button on the black play list box. Then you can listen to the video with no musical interruptions!):



If you haven't tried Close To My Heart's user-friendly and oh-so-beautiful answer to digital scrapbooking: Studio J, NOW is the time! This just over 7-minute tutorial gives you all the basics you need to make your first layout...and MORE! You'll LOVE it! Don't trust me? Well, trust 2 of my customers and friends, Jenny and Tricia who use Studio J and love it. By clicking on either of their names, you'll be transported to blog posts they have made showing off their personal Studio J layouts. AMAZING stuff, I tell you!

After watching the video, to try out Studio J just go to my website: http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com, click on "Studio J" and you're on your way to fast, easy and GORGEOUS Studio J layouts.

One last little Studio J teaser...here are two layouts I just did of my son, Easton on his 2-year LDS church mission (click on the photos to see them larger and in more detail. I LOVE the journaling on the first layout, it's straight from Easton's mouth!). I love Studio J!

Please call or email me (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com) with any questions. I'm here to help!