One More Day to get your Free Studio J Layout

There are so many options and patterns to use in CTMH's Studio J that every layout you create will be unique and different.  It is so easy to customize your layout to fit your pictures and capture that special moment.  Below is an example of how the obvious "Moonlight" Hallowenn papers can be used both for Halloween and Thanksgiving....really any occation you want to remember. 

Remember to get your Studio J order of at least 10 layouts in by tommorrow at 12PM Mountain time to recieve your free layout.  You pay for 9 and get the last layout free.  Order up to 40 layouts and get 4 free. 

Studio J...a Layout for any Occasion

Have I told you how much I love Close to My Heart's online scrapbooking sight, Studio J?  Well I do.  There are so many paper and layout options that make the creative process so fun and exciting.  The options are endless.  I love to use Studio J for holidays, birthdays, and everyday life.  Here are just a few examples of some of the layouts I have created.  

I love how easy it is to create just the right layout for both my son and daughter.  

 

Make sure to take advantage of October's Studio J promotion.  Place a Studio J order by Wednesday, October 31 and recieve 1 free layout when you order 9 layouts.  You may get up to 4 layouts free.  Create your online account now and start playing.  Studio J is free to use, until you decide to purchase a layout.  Whats the delay!  Give it a try!

~Amy

 

This Witch Knows Her Broomstick!

Do you have a lot of scraps that you just can't quite throw away?  Here's a cute and simple way to use them by adding them to a gift tag.  

Every year, my kids and I like to make fun treat bags for our cousins and special friends that come to trick or treat.  This year was no exception, thanks to pinterest.  Using two small (3x4 inch) brown paper bags I created these fun broomstick gift bags.  

 All you need is-
     *2 small brown paper bags
     *a stick
     *treats
     *Raffia or Hemp
     *Your favorite Halloween paper (I chose CTMH Moonlight paper.)
Cut small 1/4 inch strips vertically on one of your paper bags.  Do not cut all the way to the top of the bag.  I left about 1 inch.  Place the 2nd bag inside the cut bag and open up.  Arrange the strips how you would like.  Fill with treats and the stick and then tie shut.
Don't they turn out super cute?

These little brooms would have been cute alone, but by adding a layer of scalloped circles, a stamped image and some different length flag strips, it adds some color and just finishes off these little treat bags.

I love how these turned out and can't wait to try to layering with other gift tags.

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is to create anything "Halloweenie."  Although super easy and not too elaborate, I think these little gift bags are a perfect entry.  Make sure to check out all the other creations here.

~Amy

Studio J Express Kits

Have you tried Studio J's Express Collections yet?  The talented designers at Close to my Heart have already done all the work for you.  All you need to do is add your pictures, some journaling and voila, you have a beautiful layout in literally minutes. 

Here is a "First Day of School"  express layout I created of my son's first day.  Everything was already designed and created for me.  I picked and added my favorite photos, added red mats, changed the brads to red and added journaling.  It really only took me about 10 minutes and I was finished and I didn't even make a mess.  I created it leisurely while sitting on my couch watching TV.  Has scrapbooking ever been so easy?  

(click on the layout to enlarge)

Try out Studio J's Express Collection. Go to my Studio J webpage, create an account and get started.  Make sure to click on Studio J's Express Collection and try one of these easy layout today.  

While your at it, take advantage of Close to My Heart's October promotion.  Create and order 10 layouts and get one of your layouts free.  That is purchase 9 layouts, get 1 free.  You can get up to 4 layouts free.  Hurry, less than one week to get this awesome deal.  

Simple Holiday Bracket Frame

Here's is another fun 3-D home decor project for November's Scrappy Creation Class.  I love Close to my Heart's new chipboard bracket frame, it has a simple shape and when using CTMH's Pear and Partridge Paper Pack as well as the coordinating chip board embellishments the project comes together nicely. 

 Don't forget to finish the sides of the frame with strips of paper and distress with ink.  The burlap ribbon attached to the back of the frame gives you an option for hanging the frame. 

More info on November's Scrappy Creation Class coming soon!  Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 15th. 

Check out the post below for another fun 3-D creation. 

~Amy

3-D Holiday Blocks

November's Scrappy Creation Class will feature a variety of great holiday crafts ranging from traditional cards and a scrapbook layout, to some home decor.  You can choose to create 1 to all 4 of the projects.  One of the projects for the "Christmas Extravaganza" is this cute NOEL block set.  

It is super simple to create and makes a great gift.

This project features Close to My Heart's Pear and Partridge Paper Pack and the Burlap Ribbon.  I used 2x2 inch wood squares painted with Pearl Paint and slightly distressed, but Close to my Heart's My Creations Collage Cubes would also be a good substitute.

This weeks Heart 2 Heart Challenge also features lots of fun Christmas ideas.  Stop by the website to get inspired. 

~Amy

A "Moonlight" Haunting

Just a fun Halloween card using the design from this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch 262.

You can create this same card using CTMH's Moonlight Workshop on the Go.  The kit includes the Moonlight paper pack, Halloween stamp set, black/grey sparkles and the haunted accessories.  Join "Amy's Blogtober Fest" and place an order of any size to be entered to win a free paper pack or two Studio J layouts.  See details here.  

~Amy

Just for Fun!

Want a fun and easy fall decoration?  Use the bottom of a terracotta pot as a candle holder.  Place a candle in the middle then surround it with candy corn.  So Cute!  So Easy!  So Festive!  I like to change it up for Thanksgiving, by switching the orange "Halloween" candle for a rusty fall scented candle and surround it with corn kernels, bird seed or small nuts/acorns.  It really doesn't get any easier then this.     

Bugs and Hisses

Close to My Heart's Moonlight Workshop on the Go papers and stamp set were just what I need to create this cute Halloween Card.  I love that cute little spider for some reason.  

 The design was inspired by this weeks Mojo Monday 261 Sketch.

Remember to join "Amy's Blogtober Fest" on my online business page to get a chance to win a free paper pack of your choice or two Studio J layouts.  Place an order with me for an entry.  The more you order, the more entries you will get.    

Fall Leaves

 Sometimes the more simple a card is, the more beautiful it is.  I think that is true with this simple yet, stunning card.

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge was to use the stamping technique of "rolling."  To do that, you simply pick a solid stamp, ink it in a lighter color first, then roll the edges in a darker ink to get a two toned effect.  I rolled the leaves, using two color combinations (Goldrush and Autumn Terracotta/ Autumn Terracotta and Barn Red) to get this very subtle tone on toned look.

Although this CTMH stamp set is no longer available, you could use this same technique and design with any solid stamp set.  Here are few I would recommend;
Fall Harvest
Harvest Happiness
Snowflakes (How cute would it be to make Christmas "Thank You's" with this Stamp set?)
Paisley Flair
Love Blooms

Don't forget to add a sweet sentiment to your card, with the For Every Occasion Stamp Set.

Make sure to participate in my "Blogtober Fest" online gathering and receive an entry for a free paper pack or 2 Studio J layouts.  Go to my Online Business Website, join "Amy's Blogtober Fest" to purchase any Close to My Heart product.  Check out my post here for more info.   Check out the "While Supplies Last" section too for some fantastic deals.

~Amy

P.S.  Thanks to Pinterest for the inspiration.

Blogtober Fest Give-Away

Happy October!   As the autumn days grow shorter and the air gets a little crisper I start to anticipate the arrival of the holiday season.  Yes, I know we still have to celebrate Halloween, but in my book that is the start of the holiday season.  Fun times are right around the corner!  Are you ready?  

Every October my friend and mentor, Tresa Black, celebrates "Blogtober Fest."  It is a month to celebrate your blog and share all the crafty goodness this time of year brings about.  I don't know if she is doing "Blogtober Fest" again, but I enjoyed participating so much last year, I figured I would do it again this year.   It is a great challenge to try to blog more and create more!  

To get "Blogtober Fest" rolling, I am offering a free Close to My Heart Paper Pack or two free Studio J Layouts to anyone who makes a purchase as part of my Online "Blogtober Fest" Gathering.  Participate in my gathering by going to my business page at mnmscrapbooking.ctmh.com and join "Amy's Blogtober Fest."  This will bring you directly to my shopping pages where you can browse and order all the great products Close to My Heart has to offer.  Your order will be shipped directly to you.  Get one entry for any order, get additional entries for every $25 in product you spend with me (i.e. buy $25-get two entries, buy $75-get 4 entries).  The more you buy, the more chances you will have to win.  The number of prizes given away will depend on the final order amount.  

When placing your order, don't forget to take advantage of this month's Stamp of the Month, A Very Merry Christmas.  Click on the link to see the entire stamp set.  Purchase it at full retail value for $17.95 or get it for only $5 when you purchase $50.00 or more with me.  The Artiste Cricut Cartridge compliments this stamp set perfectly and would make for some super cute Christmas cards.   Look at the beautiful projects created using this stamp set created by the CTMH Art Department.  Isn't that little girl in the layout cute?;o)    (Only a mother would be so proud!)     

Hoping to win those two Studio J layouts?  Try out Studio J now.  It does not cost anything to create an account or to create online pages.  Give it a try and have a few pages ready to go when you win!  Better yet, take part in this months constant campaign and receive a free Studio J layout when you purchase 9 layouts.  You can get up to 4 layouts free this month.  What are you waiting for?  Try it out now!  With 10+ layouts complete, you will practically have an entire scrapbook.     

Happy Shopping!  The "Blogtober Fest" gathering will be closed Friday, October 12.  The winners will be announced and contacted October 13th.  Here's hoping for lots of winners!  

~Amy