Studio J Creations

When I really want to crank out some beautiful scrapbook pages quickly, I go to Studio J, our online digital scrapbooking program.  I can pick from a huge number of paper designs and layout designs (including our newest papers designs and many of our favorite designs no longer in the catalog).  And, now, to make life even easier, Close to My Heart has added Studio J Express pages.   You don't have to spend a lot of time picking out papers or adding embellishments--you just pick out a pre-designed layout, drop in your photos and add journaling or titles.  The embellishments have already been added for you!  They have several Studio J Express designs to choose from, or if you don't find what you want in an express page, you can still design your own layout with your choice of paper, layout design and embellishments.

 

Did you know that you no longer have to have a Studio J membership to get a great deal on our layouts?  Now, anyone who orders a two-page gets the fabulous price of $6.95 per layout.  And, there are no more "members only" layout designs/papers--it's available to everyone!  So, what are you waiting for???  You'll find Studio J on my website, http://christinactmh.com.  Jump in and give it a try.  There's no cost to create pages--you only pay when you order the prints of your layouts.  When you visit Studio J for the first time, you'll need to set up an online account with a credit card number.  However, nothing will be charged to your card until you order an actual layout.

 

If you want some Studio J instruction, I'm hosting an informal Studio J 101 night at my house on Thursday, August 30th, 6:30 p.m.  Or, if you're long-distance, consider watching one of our great Studio J tutorial videos!

 

 

Check out the New Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Check Out Our Adorable Spellbound Cricut Workshop Using the New Artiste Cartridge!

Avonlea Projects

I'm loving the new My Creations Bracket Frames (Z1797, $8.95).  They come in white chipboard--basically, a blank slate--ready for you to embellish with beautiful paper, stamps and accessories.  This frame was inspired by one at saw at Convention made by Melissa Laverty.  I covered the frame with Avonlea paper and created a backing with Chocolate cardstock (note that the frame comes with an open back--I recommend using a 9 x 9 piece of chipboard as the base for your background).  The tree stamp comes from the "Family Tree" stamp set (D1526).  I embellished the tree with 3D roses that I cut using my new Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  The word "Family" is also cut from the Artiste cartridge as are the medallion shapes and the yo-yo medallion on the lower left of the frame.  The bracket square for the frame was cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge (p. 53), but you could also trace the frame and on your paper and cut it out.  There's really no end to what you can create with these frames, so I encourage you to give them a try.  Note--I do recommend using our Bonding Memories glue to stick your paper to the chipboard frame.



This is the layout I designed for my recent team meeting.  The design comes from our new Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 (9035, $7.95), which I HIGHLY recommend (great card and layout patterns in one book).  I used Avonlea paper.  Some of the medallions were cut using the Cricut Artiste cartridge, as was the word "LOVE" on the bottom. 

Most of the layers on these medallions are cut with the Art Philosophy or Artiste cartridges.  The stamped medallion comes from the Avonlea Scrapbook Workshop on the Go Kit stamp set.  I stamped it in Slate ink.

Sharing Artwork from My Team Swap

I made this using the new Cricut Artiste Cartridge and our new Treat Cups (Z1778, $3.95 for ten).  The paper on the flower is from the Clementine Paper Pack.  Did you know that are OODLES of cupcake liners on the new Artiste Cartridge, as well as a cupcake box?  If you're in to cupcakes, you MUST get this cartridge!  You can order it on my website, http://christina.ctmh.com.

I made the card on the left (heavily influenced by one I saw from Vicki Wizniuk, and Rhonda Leeper made the card on the right.  Both feature the Dakota paper pack. 

I made the card on the left, and Jan Jackson made the card on the right, both using the Pear and Partridge card kit.

The Flirty paper pack has such happy, fun paper!  These cards are made by Mandy Spigle and Jan Jackson.

Okay--I love this card because this mummy stamp really cracks me up.  You'll find the stamp set in the Moonlight Workshop on the Go Kit (G1051)

Mandy Spigle made the card on the left and Sandee DePriest made the one on the right--both featuring our Pear & Partridge paper.

Rhonda Leeper made this card that opens up on the diagonal. 

I KNOW you're going to fall in love with this adorable purse made by Jan Jackson.  You'll find this purse (as well as several others) on the new Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge.  The paper is from the Flirty paper packet.  I'm guessing that Jan cut her purse about 4 inches.  This would be big enough to hold a gift card or small gift item. 

This easel cards was made by Theresa Wilkerson using the Dakota paper.  Not bad for a brand new swapper, eh?!!  I've got such talented ladies on my team!

Some great tips on our new alcohol markers!

http://youtu.be/MuUvjNZ_21E

My Latest Creations Using the New Artiste Cricut Cartridge!

I've been spending my week playing with the new Cricut Artiste Cartridge from Close to My Heart.  I'm just overwhelmed with the beautiful things that I can create with this cartridge.  If you'd like to get your hands on this fantastic, you can order directly from my WEBSITE.  When you order Artiste Collection (Z1790) for $99, you'll get the cartridge with 700 images, plus three coordinating stamp sets and three coordinating chipboard die-cut sheets.

I can't believe all of the things you can do with our new Artiste Cricut Cartridge. . .it's like having every pattern you ever wanted all put onto one cartridge!  This "Slice of Cake" box goes together SO quickly--the image is on p. 70 of your Artiste cartridge book (3D Object--Birthday Party key).  And, just cut the lid the exact same size to make it fit (I cut mine at 6 inches).  I used the Clementine paper for the base of the cake and Colonial White cardstock for the top.  The roses and leaves were also cut using Artiste (though we also have similar 3D roses on the Art Philosophy cartridge) using Sorbet, Creme Brulee and Twilight Cardstock.  I trimmed out the top with our adorable new Colonial White Rosette Ribbon (Z1800).  The edges are sponged with Saddle ink.



This is the cupcake box from the Artiste cartridge.  It's a darling little square box with a window lid so you can see what's inside.  If you use the insert, it's perfect for a cupcake, but if you leave out the insert, you can put ANYTHING in it.  For this box, I used Avonlea paper for the lid, Slate cardstock for the box and our beautiful new Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon for the bow.  I'll probaby add one of the cute tags you can cut on the cartridge as well.   For the window of the box, I used a piece of acetate (which I buy at my local art store), but you can also recycle plastic panels from products that you buy or use transparency sheets.

This is one of several adorable new purse patterns on our Artiste cartridge.  I used the "2" key (3D object, cut fit to page) and paper from the La Belle Vie paper pack.  What's really cool about this pattern is that it opens up to reveal a little storage area in the middle, which happens to hold 3" cards.  I stamped my cards with images from B1414 Bonjour stamp set.  The bow is cut using the "f" key (Accent 2 and Accent 3>Shift). 



Not only will you find fabulous 3D images on the new Artiste cartridge, but you'll also find adorable cards.  This one is a two-piece card, one background piece and a sleeve that slides over it.  I used Chocolate and Col. White cardstock on the base and then made the sleeve with Avonlea paper.  The "Love and Hugs" stamp comes from C1524 Words of Comfort stamp set.

I saw a card similar to this at Convention this year (not sure whose Extravaganza booth I was at), and I just loved it.  I simplified mine a bit (so I can use it in a workshop).  The medallion flower on this card is cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  "Hope your birthday. . ." saying comes from one of the adorable stamp sets included with the Artiste cartridge.  Paper for this card comes from the Avonlea paper pack.