It's that time of the year! Click here to download a flyer for my 2010 Christmas Card Workshops! Always popular, space is limited for each workshop date, so be sure to RSVP by November 6th with your preferences!

Mojo Monday 161

I love the Mojo Monday blog, but truthfully I've been more of a stalker in that I don't usually make the sketch. However, today's a new day! Here's my first Mojo submission (if I can figure out how to link it. .). I've used Close To My Heart's Caboodle Paper Pack, Happy Forever stamp Set, Sweet Leaf Ribbon Rounds, Watercolour Pencils and Acrylic Charms. . oh, and a SU punch.

Holy Birthdays Batman!

October is packed with birthdays in our family! From the 17th to the 23rd not a day goes by where someone isn't celebrating a birthday. . in fact, I have a new nephew due any day so we're just waiting to find out if he'll have a day all his own or have to share with someone else! So, today I spent the afternoon making some cards which will inevitably be sent out late. . .

It's Finished! 9x9 Accordian Album

The birth of a baby girl is something special in my neck of the woods! Friends of ours had a baby girl a few weeks back and I thought I'd put together an accordian album as a gift. I've had this "Sugar and Spice" Level 1 kit around for a long time and thought it would be perfect! Paired with Close To My Heart's My Acrylix Stamp Set "Love You Forever," this uber cute album came together easily! I even adapted a couple of layouts from our new book, Magic, which include a pocket for a photo cd! Peaked your interest? New cattie coming soon! To see a slideshow, click here: http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/nvdk/Accordian%20Album/?albumview=slideshow

2, 4, 6, 8 It's YOU We Appreciate Sale!

Wow! August 4-11 on my Close To My Heart website, www.scrapsandstamps.myctmh.com, you can get select
My Stickease for $2.00,
Level 1 Scrapbooking Kits for $4.00
and Level 2 Paper Packets for $6.00!
All items are while supplies last so get there early for the best selection!
Here's a link to the flyer! https://orders.closetomyheart.com/CTMHConsultants/marketing/pdf/Aug10_CCflyer.pdf

Top 3 Reasons My Husband Loves StudioJ!

Sounds odd, doesn't it? However, one day, while working on a layout, my husband came into my, ummm, "office" (picking his way over paper piles and other stamping paraphernalia) and happened across a sample StudioJ layout. After briefly explaining that no, I don't have any other children (he didn't recognize the girl in the layout) and a little about StudioJ, Josh looked around the room and then back at me (like I was crazy, I might add), and asked me why I wasn't doing all of my scrapbooking in StudioJ. Here were his top 3 reasons (in his words)

1. No Mess
"So, you're telling me you could have sat at your laptop and had all of Close To My Heart's papers and colours at your fingertips? You could create layouts without pulling out your paper trimmer, sweeping up scraps, or inking your fingers?" I suddenly felt a bit sheepish. . .
2. Save Money
"But Josh," I said, "It costs about $15.00 for a two-page layout in StudioJ!" (I honestly thought this would be the kicker for him. Money talks, right?) Josh looks at me skeptically and asks,
"How much did this paper packet cost"
"$15.50," was my reply"
"How much for the ribbon and brads?"
Oh. Maybe $15.50 isn't so bad. . .
3. Save Time
"How much time have you spent on this anyway?" Josh asks.
"Only an hour"-- to me, this isn't much time. I'm only half done and I still have to clean up the mess I've made, but my project was looking preeeetttty good for only an hour's work!
"What's your time worth?" Josh asks. Now, Josh tends to think my time is worth somewhere in the vicinity of $60/hr unless I'm doing the laundry or cleaning house. But even if I'm worth minimum wage, I spend a lot of unpaid hours behind my scrapbook table. . .

Will I still hesitate to invite you into my office? You bet. After all, we don't have a digital cardmaking program ;)

I've just returned from Close To My Heart's annual Convention, which was held in historic Washington D.C. this year! It was a fabulous, albeit exhausting, five days filled with training, new product, and hands-on creativity! Although I can't reveal the new Fall/Winter product or Idea Book yet, you can check out some great new features in Studio J which go live tomorrow! Studio J, Close To My Heart's "no software purchase required" digital scrapbooking platform, now allows you to edit everything from blemishes to wrinkles in your photos! You can play around with Studio J anytime (since, did I mention this. . ., you don't need to purchase any software) on my website at http://www.scrapsandstamps.myctmh.com/. Here's your challenge: Create your user account and create a Studio J layout and post your comments here!