Adventure layout

I am in a 12x12 layout swap in which we are to use up old papers that we have stashed away.  (I have a LOT of that!!)  I chose to use the Back Country papers for an outdoor layout. The edges of all of the papers have been sanded with the edge distresser to give a more rustic look.

I used the Dynamic Design pattern in the Cherish how-to book, which Helen Onulak features in her weekly scrapbook challenge.

Here are close-ups of the left and right pages:

Supplies used (all CTMH):
Cardstock:  Outdoor Denim, Olive, Barn Red, Crystal Blue
Papers:  Back Country (retired)
Stamps:  Hook, Line & Sinker (retired); Backwoods (retiring 12/31/10); Campin' Fever
Embellishments:  Outdoor Denim ribbon (retired); antique copper brads and bitty brads (retiring 12/31/10)

Thanks for looking!

Tissue Stamping

This month's episode of Art & Soul is entitled "Autumn Projects to Fall For" and features tissue stamping.  What a cool technique, and all you need is your favorite stamp set, some ink and a few Kleenex's!  The episode also shows various ways to use the new flip flaps, as well as how to cluster embellishments in your Studio J layouts. 

To view this episode, click here!  To order products featured in the episode, click here.  Happy stamping!

Another Studio J layout and a scrapbook challenge

Fellow Consultant Helen Onulak posts a weekly scrapbook challenge on her blog that features a pattern from one of Close to My Heart's how-to books.  This week, her challenge features a member's only pattern from Studio J called Through the Lens.

I used this pattern for a layout featuring my son Riley, who graduated from preschool last spring.  The layout also features a member's only paper kit called Class Act.

To try your hand at the Through the Lens pattern, click the Studio J link here or to the right of my blog.  Be sure to check out Helen's blog for some very helpful tips on using Studio J.  I know I'll be trying them out on my next Studio J layouts!

Membership has its privileges...

I never thought I would like or use digital scrapbooking.  I have way too much paper, embellishments, tools, etc.  However, after trying CTMH's online scrapbooking program Studio J, I am hooked!  It is so quick and easy to design a 2-page layout and there is no software required.  You can design your projects to your heart's content and never pay a dime until you actually order your project.

The price of a printed, 2-page 12x12 layout is $13 (plus applicable tax and shipping).  However, if you become a Studio J member, you will receive additional perks, such as 50% off layouts, free shipping, special members-only kits and patterns, free memory protectors, and other incentives and perks.  For more information on Studio J as well as the benefits of becoming a Studio J member, check out my website here.

Another perk of being a Studio J member:  you receive JPG files with your order.  These files allow you to share your layouts on blogs, Facebook, etc.  Here are a few samples of the layouts I recently created:

This layout uses a special members-only kit called Splash Zone and a members-only pattern.

This layout uses the retired paper kit Back Country and a special members-only pattern.  (You can click on either of these images to see them larger.)

I encourage you to try your hand at Studio J and let me know what you think.  I am sure you will love it as much as I do.  To access Studio J, you can click here or on the Studio J button on the right of my blog.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! I have been wanting to start a blog for some time now, and finally decided to take the plunge! So please bear with me as I try to figure out the ins-and-outs of blogging.

I am a part-time, stay-at-home mom to 2 boys, ages 7 and 5. I have been married to my husband, Clay, for 17 years. We recently moved back to Washington State after living in Montana for 17 years. It is good to be back in the area where we both grew up. We have been trying to get back closer to family for several years, and the opportunity finally arose this summer.

I have been dabbling in scrapbooking for the last 6-7 years. After attending a workshop in 2008, I fell in love with Close To My Heart products and decided to sign up as an Independent Consultant. My plan is to share some of my artwork with you as often as I can.

In the meantime, welcome, and I would love to hear from you!