Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Looking for gift ideas? Studio J to the rescue!

The gift-giving season can be an uplifting time of merriment and joy... but it can also feel a bit hectic. It’s nice to know you can count on Studio J to help you give meaningful gifts that don’t require a lot of time or money.

What is Studio J, you might wonder? It is the best online scrapbooking program out there. It is  absolutely free, since there is no software, updates, or kits to buy. You simply log in and have access to hundreds of great layout options. You upload your photos add some journaling and your done! Or if you are a bit more creative, you can change as much (or as little) of the layout that you like. Then when you are ready to order your layouts, you pay for them online and they are shipped directly to your door! 


 

Here are a few great Studio J ideas to simplify your life and save time for both the giver and the receiver.
  • Make one family layout and print multiple copies for everyone. (Time: 15–45 minutes) With Studio J, printing extra copies of a layout is as simple as changing the quantity on the checkout screen. Or, if you prefer, create one layout, then copy it into a new project as many times as you like and customize it for each recipient.
  • Give a Studio J 5-pack along with a Quick Pic™ album. (Time: 5 minutes) Since a 5-pack includes free layouts, free shipping, and free Memory Protectors, it’s everything they’ll need to create a finished album!
  • Present a loved one with a 3-month Studio J membership. (Time: 5 minutes) A 3-month membership costs just $30 and is the perfect way to help someone “get their feet wet” with Studio J and give them complete access to a product you love. Combine it with a 5-pack to make it an extra-special stocking stuffer!
  • Give a gift certificate for one-on-one Studio J training. (Time: 35 minutes) With Studio J, you can create two 2-page layouts in just 30 minutes. Give a gift certificate for a 30-minute session of one-one-one training where I can help them create two layouts. Once I’ve shown them how fast and easy it is to scrapbook the Studio J way, they’ll be excited to create more pages on their own!
So put on the holiday music, pour yourself some eggnog, and pull out your holiday gift list. Studio J is a great way to help you give the gift of memories—without taking much time!

Click here to try Studio J for free.

And the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who entered my $100 Close to my Heart gift certificate giveaway! I was amazed that there were 462 entries! I assigned every entry a number and used random.org to choose a winner. 


I am pleased to announce that the winner is... 
Christine See 
Congratulations Christine! I will be contacting you shortly to tell you how to claim your $100 in free CTMH goodies!

Stay tuned because I plan to have more giveaways. 
(This was just too much fun to do only once!)


Have a great day everyone and thanks again for entering!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Cherish the Day Christmas Card


I had so much fun making the Cherish the Day Anniversary Card for my hubby earlier this month that I decided to make another one for Christmas. I used the November stamp of the Month called Cherish the Day on both cards. I also used a retired set called Jingle Borders and a set called Snowflakes which is one of my all time favorite sets that coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut bundle. The glittery snowflake is from the Winter Cheer Glitter Rub-Ons which are on clearance right now for 78% off! I also added a Bitty Sparkle in the middle of the snowflake to add just a tiny bit more shimmer.


If you like the Cherish the Day stamp set, I want to let you know that tomorrow is the last day to order it. The full set is shown below. And it is also the last day to get the Holiday Wishes stamp set. If you order $50, you can get the SOTM for only $5, and if you order $25 in stamp sets (SOTM not included), you can also get the Holiday Wishes set for only $5! PLUS, both sets coordinate with the AP Cricut cartridge! How cool is that?





Don’t forget to enter my big giveaway. The deadline is tonight at 11:59pm (PST.)

Last day to enter my HUGE giveaway!

Today is the last day to enter my huge giveaway for a $100 Close to my Heart gift certificate! Be sure to enter by 11:59pm (PST) to be eligible to win. The winner will be contacted via email and announced on my blog tomorrow.


Click here for all of the details and to enter. 
 Good luck!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Wonderland "Printers" Tray


Sorry I haven’t posted in a few days. I was visiting family for Thanksgiving and spending as much time with them as I could. (Plus my little guy was sick all week, so he was a little extra needy.) But I am back and ready to share a fun project that I just finished.


I made this wintery “printers” tray for a gift. Although I am not sure I can really call it a printers tray since it really is just a wooden shadow box. Believe it or not I found this great 7" x 7" shadow box at the Dollar Tree in the frame section. I painted it brown and used some scraps of Close to my Heart’s Wonderland papers inside each section. Then I decorated them with various CTMH products including some Winter Cheer Glitter Rub-Ons (which are on clearance right now on my website), Designer Brads, Pin Clips, Top Coats Icing Overlays, Cocoa Ribbon Collection, Basic Assortment Buttons, Chocolate Waxy Flax, Black Mini Medley Accents Collection, Heavenly Blue Ribbon Rounds (retired), and a few Bitty Sparkles.


This little snowman was my daughter’s idea. I had a piece of frayed Waxy Flax on my table and she said, “Hey Mommy, that looks like a snowman’s arm.” And so the snowman was born...


The little presents and the Noel ornament below are super glittery. It was hard to capture the shimmer in the photo. They are from the Winter Cheer Glitter Rub-Ons which retail for $13.95. They come with 2 sheets of adhesive shapes and 3 sheets of glitter, and the best part is that they are on clearance right now for only $3 on my website! They are really fun to work with.


Hope the recipient likes it. It didn’t cost very much as I used scraps and products that I already had on hand, though she doesn’t have to know that. Right? LOL!

Oh, by the way, did you know that tomorrow is the last day to enter my HUGE giveaway? All the details and the entry form can be found here.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving! 
I am so thankful for each and every one of you.
Blessings to you and your family.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

HUGE Black Friday Sale!

 HUGE Black Friday Sale!
Great deals starting today - Sunday 11/27

 


I have had a few requests for a Black Friday sale and I am happy to oblige. In fact, I decided to have a Black Friday sale that lasts more than just one day! The deals you see below are good starting today, Wednesday, 11/23 - 11:59 pm Sunday, 11/27. So you have 5 whole days to shop and save!

Have you been thinking about getting a Studio J Membership? Have you been eyeing the Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle? Whatever is on your Christmas list this year, now is the time to get it! Check out all of the great deals below and email me your order no later than 11:59pm Sunday, 11/27 to take advantage of these great offers!
Place an order of $25 - $50
Receive a free Dye Ink Pad of your choice ($5.25 value.) This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for $5! If this order is $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well!


Place an order of $51 - $75
Receive an A size stamp set of your choice, or a cardstock shade pack of your choice (up to a $7.95 value.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for $5! If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well!


Place an order of $76 - $100
Receive a free B size stamp set or Level 2 Paper Pack of your choice (up to $9.95 value.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for $5! If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well!


Place an order of $101 - $149
Receive a free Cardstock combo pack or size C stamp set of your choice (up to $13.95 value). You will also get a Cherish the Day Stamp of the Month for FREE!
If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well! (This is a total value of $49.85!)


Place an order of $150 or more
Receive $25 in free products of your choice, PLUS either a free Level 2 Paper Pack or B size stamp set of your choice (valued at $9.95.) 
You will also get a Cherish the Day Stamp of the Month for FREE! If this order includes $25 worth of stamps you will receive the Holiday Wishes stamp set for $5 as well! (This is a total value of up to $70.85!)






PLUS, everyone who places an order during these five days will be entered into a drawing for your choice of a FREE Workshop on the Go Kit or a Magic Scrapbooking How-To Book! (Winner will be notified on Monday 11/28.)





Be sure to email me your order by clicking here.
(If you place the order online, you will not be able to get your free goodies.)


*Note: these are my own personal specials and may not be available from other Consultants.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Art Philosophy Pillow Box Basket Video Tutorial

How’s that for a super duper long title? LOL!

I promised that I would make a video tutorial showing how to make the little baskets that I posted here. Well, I am happy to say that the video is finally done. It is not the best video, but hopefully it will help you understand how I made the basket. Here is another photo of the Christmas basket along with one that I made using the Dreamin’ paper packet as well.


Below is a link to the video. Enjoy...


In case you’d like to order the amazingly fantastic, super awesome, incredibly jam packed with great images Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge Bundle, feel free to visit my website here. If you click on the link that says “Online Shopping,” you will find the Cricut Collection listed on the left.

Happy Creating!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Art Philosophy Believe Mini Tote


I’ve got another fun Art Philosophy Christmas project to share with you today. I created this cute little mini tote using Close to my Heart’s Believe paper collection and the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I used the bag with the handles image on the AP Cricut cartridge, cut the handles off and then replaced them with Cranberry Grosgrain ribbon. To cut the box, select the font layer key, the shift key, and the 3rd key from the top left. Once the box is cut, be sure to trim off the handles before you put it together if you’d like to have ribbon handles instead.


The flowers were also cut from the the AP Cricut cartridge just like the ones I cut on yesterday’s project. The little banner was stamped with the word “Hope” which is on one of the (3) stamp sets that is included with this cartridge.

Just imagine all of the different kinds of goodies you could put inside this little tote. Create a larger tote and you can include even more goodies. (That’s the beauty of cutting these images on your Cricut. You can cut them in any size you like!)

Click here to order your very own Art Philosophy Cricut bundle now or contact me to place your order! 

 




 
Did you enter my huge November giveaway for $100 in CTMH products of your choice yet? Click here to enter. (If you win, you can even use the gift certificate to get an Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle!)



 

Also, don’t forget that you can get the limited edition Holiday Wishes stamp set that coordinates beautifully with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for only $5 with a stamp order of $25 through November 30th! 

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Art Philosophy Believe Pillow Box

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I have a bunch of festive gift boxes to share with you using Close to my Heart’s fun Believe paper packet, and of course the Art Philosophy Cricut collection. You can use the AP cartridge and coordinating products and paper to make tons of great gifty items for all of those hard to buy for people on your Christmas list this year. (Plus, you’ll save tons of money by making them yourself. Bonus!)


Today I am going to share this cute pillow box I made. I used the Sky colored patterned paper from the Believe paper collection and cut a simple pillow box using the AP cartridge. Then I used one of the awesome Dimensional Elements (chipboard) shapes that come with the cartridge to make the tag. I cut the same tag shape out of the striped Believe paper and adhered it to the tag. No scissors, Xacto knife, or sanding block were needed. Just a quick cut from the Cricut and the shape and size matched up perfectly. LOVE IT!


I inked the edges of the tag with some Chocolate ink and a Sponge Dauber. Then I stamped the scallop circle “Thanks” stamp from a set that comes with the AP bundle on another one of the Dimensional Elements shapes in Holiday Red ink.  I cut two ticket shapes from the AP cartridge and stamped the “Thanks” ticket images from one of the stamps that come with the AP bundle with Chocolate ink.

The roses were made with, yes, you guessed it, the Art Philosophy cartridge as well. I simply cut a small 3-D rose from some White Daisy cardstock and inked the edges with some Holiday Red ink before rolling it. (To learn how to make 3-D flowers with the AP cartridge, you can watch my how-to video here.)

I added a bit of Cranberry Grosgrain ribbon to finished it off and my cute little pillow box was done. Can you believe that the entire project was made using the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection? This bundle comes with EVERYTHING you need including (3) sheets of chipboard shapes that all coordinate with images on the cartridge, (3) coordinating stamp sets, and of course the cartridge itself, all for only $99. If you don’t have this collection yet, don’t worry, you can still order it and get it in time to make all of your Christmas gifts. 


Click here to start shopping now or contact me to place your order! 

 




 
Did you enter my huge November giveaway for $100 in CTMH products of your choice yet? Click here to enter. (If you win, you can even use the gift certificate to get an Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle!)



 

Also, don’t forget that you can get the limited edition Holiday Wishes stamp set that coordinates beautifully with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for only $5 with a stamp order of $25 through November 30th! 
Stay tuned for more Art Philosophy Christmas projects... 

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Christmas Boutique

If you are local to the San Diego, Riverside, Orange County, Los Angeles areas, you are welcome to join us for our 5th annual Christmas boutique tonight, Friday, 11/18 from 5:30 - 9pm. There will be lots of great vendors with tons of great gift ideas! Click on the image below for more information.


I have been busy making a few fun crafts to sell at the boutique in addition to all of the great deals I will have on my cash and carry products. Plus there will be a FREE make and take project and lots of yummy food and great prizes!

Below are a few of the items that I have been making to sell...

These little altered clothespins were inspired by Nona Davenport and Amy’s Art from the Heart.  I used the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to make the scallop rectangles and then folded them up to have something for the pins to clip to. (I tell ya, that AP cartridge has 1,000,001 uses!)


I resorted back to the tried and true nugget tins for this project, using one of PTI's great oldies but goodies called Holiday Treats. I use this set every year and always get compliments.


I have seen so many of these fun fluffy sock cupcakes lately and just knew I had to try some myself. I bought a TON of socks this year and those that don’t sell, will be well loved by me. (I am always cold, so I like to wear cozy socks.) They were actually pretty easy to make.


I made some cute little cupcake card/tags to attach to them using my Sweet Treats cartridge. (Yes, I do own lots of cartridges other than my Art Philosophy cartridge! I just don’t use them as much anymore because the AP cart has almost everything I need on it.)


If you want to find the perfect gifts, while still enjoying what the season
is all about, you won’t want to miss this great boutique. Come hand pick, design, or even create your gifts without crowds or stress! See you there!














Did you enter my huge November giveaway for $100 in CTMH products of your choice yet? Click here to enter.




 

 

Also, don’t forget that you can get the limited edition Holiday Wishes stamp set that coordinates beautifully with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for only $5 with a stamp order of $25 through November 30th!



 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Santa Heart Box


Another project that I created for the class I taught at the CTMH Convention last summer was this fun Santa Heart Box. Of course I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. (Will I ever be able to make anything without that cartridge again???? LOL!) I used the adorable heart box shape by selecting the Font Layer key, the Shift Key, and the 6th key from the left on the top row. I selected the “Fit to Page” option for this project which cut it at 11-1/2"on a 12" x 12" piece of Cranberry cardstock. I scored the areas that it indicated in addition to scoring down the center of the front of the heart. (This gives the pocket more space so you can fill it with more goodies.)

 

I added a strip of White Daisy cardstok down the middle and added some black button brads from the Black Mini-Medley Accents Collection. Then I added a strip of black cardstock around the middle and used one of the ribbon slides in the Foundry Ribbon Slides Collection for the belt buckle.


This project literally took less than 10 minutes to make so it is a quick and easy project to reproduce. (Think gifts for teachers, co-workers, Secret Santas, neighbors, etc.)

Stay tuned for more fun Art Philosophy Christmas projects...

 

Did you enter my huge November giveaway for $100 in CTMH products of your choice yet? Click here to enter.




 

Also, don’t forget that you can get the limited edition Holiday Wishes stamp set that coordinates beautifully with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for only $5 with a stamp order of $25 through November 30th!



Saturday, November 12, 2011

Topiary Repost using Cherish the Day Stamp Set


This is a topiary that I created and posted this past summer. It was one of the projects I made for the class I taught at the Close to my Heart Convention. I wanted to share it again because I have had a few requests to see more 3-D flower projects plus, it uses a little hidden treasure from the November Stamp of the Month, Cherish the Day. (Did you notice the “Cherish the Day” sentiment in the stamp set?)

I used one of the awesome 3-D flower images on the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. (I will NEVER get tired of this cartridge!) I cut a bunch of flowers out at 3-1/2" and some at 4-1/2". Some of them were cut from Honey cardstock and some were cut from White Daisy cardstock. I inked the White Daisy flowers with Honey ink on the edges with a sponge dauber before I rolled them. Then I rolled each one starting from the outside going in and held them together them with some Aleen's Tacky Glue. Each flower was attached to a styrofoam ball with a pearl tipped pin.


I wrapped a wooden dowel with some floral tape and added it to the bottom of the ball. I put some more styrofoam in the bottom of the metal white container and stuck the wrapped dowel inside. A little Colonial White and Honey ribbon was added to the base of the ball to dress it up a bit.


CTMH has lots of fun new Mini-Medley Assortment packs. I used the metal plate in the Honey Mini-Medley Collection on the container. It was soft enough to bend so that it would fit nicely around the curve of the container. I stamped a sentiment from the November Stamp of the Month, Cherish the Day, and attached it behind the metal plate. Then I attached the plate with some Velcro so that the sentiment could be changed for different occasions.


If you’d like to see exactly how to make the 3-D flowers, check out the video I made here.










Did you enter my huge November giveaway for $100 in CTMH products of your choice yet? Click here to enter.




 

Also, don’t forget that you can get the limited edition Holiday Wishes stamp set that coordinates beautifully with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for only $5 with a stamp order of $25 through November 30th!



Thursday, November 10, 2011

Cherish the Day Christmas Basket


I made this little basket back in May when I was prepping for the Convention Class I taught. I was waiting to post it until I made a video showing how I made it. I don’t have the video yet, but I am working on it and promise to post it when it is done. I can tell you that I used the same technique that I used to make these cakes. The pillow box shape from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge can sure be used to make a lot of different things! You might be able to figure it out by watching the cake video, but if not, I will post the basket video when it is ready.


The Believe paper packet and the versatile November stamp of the month called Cherish the Day make this basket fun and festive. I LOVE this stamp set and love that it coordinates with the ticket shape on the Art Philosophy cartridge. (Did you know that you can get this stamp set for only $5? You can purchase it at full price for $17.95, or if you place a $50 order you can get it for only $5!) This is what the whole set looks like.


I finished the basket off with some stitched Sweet Leaf ribbon and tucked the “tickets” inside the bow. Stay tuned for the how-to video...



Did you enter my huge November giveaway for $100 in CTMH products of your choice yet? Click here to enter.



 

Also, don’t forget that you can get the limited edition Holiday Wishes stamp set that coordinates beautifully with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for only $5 with a stamp order of $25 through November 30th!