The Studio Doors Are Now Open

Today marks the customer release of Studio J! I have had so much fun with this online service (yes, online-meaning free to use, no downloading, no upgrading, no sidestepping) and I'm positve you will, too.

Yes, even those of you saying, "Nay, nay! Scrapbooks must be paper and ink and doo-dads and texture and blood and sweat and tears!"

Let me tell you a little secret: Even if you prefer to scrapbook the classic way, Studio J will still be an invaluable tool to you. And let me explain why. When you pull out your paper and pictures and inks and tools and doo-dads, do you know how you're going to start? Do you know how your finished layouts will look like? Have you ever started a project, cut the paper, laid it all out, then realized those two patterns side-by-side make you want to...well and you shouldn't have put those brads where you did? But it's too late. You don't have enough of that pattern paper left and you can't move the brads because it will leave the holes showing in your paper, you printed your pictures the wrong size and now you've cut off the top of Uncle Henry's head.


Sorry, got carried away for a moment there. But I'm sure more than one of you have had some experience like the one I just described...right?

So how can Studio J come to the aid of the classic scrapbooker? By using it, you can totally plan your layout before you cut even one sheet of paper, plan where you want those brads and other doo-dads to go, make sure your patterns aren't at war with one another.

Now what will studio scrapbooking offer the everyday crafter who is not sure about all this digital hocus pocus? Let me show you...

Imagine if you will, a house full of kids needing your constant attention. Wanting to "help" you with all your inking and stamping and cutting. Oops, it's getting close to dinner time. You just got out all your papers and inks and stamps and tools. Now you have to put it all away again so you can get the food started. You're yelling at everyone because they're moving too slow, you just want to get dinner over with so you can get back to some therapy creating time.

Did I just share too much?


Okay, honestly now. I created 10 layouts in one evening. That is unheard of in my house! I didn't have to get all my supplies out, shoo the kids away, and work for 14 hours on them.

One. Evening.

You upload your pictures, choose your paper kit (which automatically loads all the coordinating embellishments), choose your layout design and that's it!

You can switch papers around to your heart's delight, distress them if you desire, rotate them if you want the pattern to go a different direction, rotate the entire layout if you want an entirely different look, put some brads or buttons where ever you want, ugh not there, put them over there instead, wait I wanted a different color-click-different color...need I go on?

Here is one of those 10 layouts I did in one night. This is from our trip to NYC (obviously) last September. Let me tell you, none of the other pictures are even close to being scrapped...with this exception.


Studio J: Blue Ribbon Reflections Kit

Now I can take pictures and do a layout immediately.


Tomorrow I'll be back with more information on Studio J, but for now you can check it out for yourself!

H2H Challenge: Ribbon, Ribbon Everywhere

Did that wake you up? Good!

Another Monday means another challenge from the Heart 2 Heart blog and this week you'll need to get out your stash of ribbons. Come on now, I know you all have them. Long strands of ribbon still on the spool, short pieces of your favorite ribbon you just can't make yourself get rid of, ribbon you have no idea where you got it from, ribbon that is so ugly you don't know why you keep it but you do because the second you toss it in the trash you find the perfect project to use it on.

What do you mean I'm the only one like that. Really?


Okay, well let me just show you what I did for this week's challenge and then I'll get started on clearing out my ribbon supply. The challenge for this week is to use 2 different kinds of ribbon...easy, right? Especially if you have a hoard of ribbon to choose from.


Stamps: CTMH Bowl of Cherries
Inks: CTMH Tulip, Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Parchment
Papers: CTMH Cherry-O Reflections Kit (coming May 1st to a consultant near you...ME!)

I just really, really love this new paper! That's a warning...you're likely to find lots of pieces made with it in the future.


Here's a close up of the bowl and cherries:




And one of the ribbon treatment. I felt so lucky with the last bow I made, I thought I'd step it up a bit and add a double bow to this card:




The ribbon is once again from the Colonial White collection. I added the thin ribbon from the Chocolate collection to adhere to the challenge requirements. The Tulip button is from the new Tulip Mini-Medley collection (once again, coming May 1st).

Hope you all can join in the challenge fun this week. Go get crafty now...I have some purging to do!

Life Is Sweet Card Class

What goes with cherries better than cheesecake?


How about these cute card set and card box!



If you're in the Tucson area and are interested in coming to this class, please contact me!

Have Your Cake...

You know the saying, "You can't have your cake and eat it, too."? Well, there is one way around that...have two cakes!

This month there were two birthdays in the Copic Crafters birthday club. I waited until I was sure the birthday girls had recieved them...especially since one of them follows this blog!
(Hi Vicki! Didn't want to spoil the surprise and all.)

It wasn't until after the cards were made and I was looking up the addresses I noticed their favorite colors listed...purple!


Stamps: MFT You Take The Cake
Inks: CTMH Chocolate
Papers: CTMH Veranda Reflections Kit, Veranda Creative Basics
Ummm. Not a shade of purple in sight. Sorry about that ladies, hope you enjoyed the cards anyway!

Earth Day

I'm busy working on some upcoming workshop projects, so in the meantime take a peak at this card CTMH created using some soon-to-be released items.


It's beautiful, is it not?


As a reminder, you have until Sunday to get your H2H challenge pieces entered!

H2H Challenge: Time To Get Sketchy

It's another lovely start to another lovely week...I'm hoping. We're almost done getting the house back in order...well, at least the public parts. I'm not holding my breath for the boys room anytime soon.

Well, if it's Monday that means it's also time for another Heart 2 Heart Challenge! This week features one of my favorite kinds, and probably the most common out there...the sketch challenge. I love these because I don't have to think about the layout of the piece.
I'm lazy that way.

So here is this week's sketch:




And here is my interpretation of it:


Stamps: CTMH Peace on Earth
Inks: CTMH Crystal Blue, Colonial White
Papers: CTMH Notebook Reflections Kit

I can hear some of you now, "But Angela, it's April! What's with the snowflake?!"

Truth is, it's already getting super warm here and I could use a chill in the air that isn't going to result in a $200 electric bill. And I'm getting a huge head start on my Christmas cards for this year. Because I'm so good at sending them out, don't you know.

So everything on the card is pretty simple, no fancy techniques or anything: Notebook Reflections Kit with some Crystal Blue cardstock thrown in, the large snowflake is from Dimensional Elements Flurry and inked with Colonial White pigment ink, Joy to the World stamp from Peace on Earth inked in Crystal Blue. The ribbon is from the Colonial White Collection and might be my favorite part of the card. But that's only because it the bow came out so well...which never happens for me!

Here's a close up:



Perfect, if I do say so myself!

Okay, that enough self-love for one day.

Don't forget to visit the other DT members blogs and see what they've created for this week:

♥ Carol-Scramping with Carol
♥ Helen-Hooked on Stamping
♥ Jayma-Playing with Paper
♥ Katy-an inside to my heart....
♥ Mary-on Life and Creating
♥ Tracey-Tracey Mason's Studio

Be sure to play along this week...we've got another prize up for grabs! This time from the wonderful Diane Cook. Thanks Diane!

H2H Challenge: Easy As 1,2,3

Another weekend is gone.


While most people may dread Mondays, I love them! Why? Because the boys go back to school and I can have a little peace around the house...until Knock-Out needs someone to play with, that is.

I also love Mondays because that means it is time for another Heart 2 Heart challenge! This week we have a 1/2/3 challenge for you. Now I know what some of you may be thinking,

"Ack! Math!"


But this will be painless, I promise. For this week, you need to create something using:

♥ 1 stamp, must be a CTMH stamp

♥ 2 different design papers

♥ 3 embellishments (3 different ones or 3 of the same kind)

I was kind of challenged by this one...only use one stamp? Could I do that?

Turns out I could...


Stamps: CTMH Four Seasons
Inks: Stazon Timber Brown, CTMH Desert Sand, Garden Green, Olive, Creme Brulee
Papers: Bella Reflections Kit, Evensong Reflections Kit

I stamped the summer tree from the Four Seasons set onto watercolor paper. Actually, I used a 2nd generation image because I felt the ink was just too dark for the card. I used a waterbrush and my ink pads to paint the tree, sky and ground. Then I sponged Desert Sand around the edges.


My three embellishments are, of course, the Twill ribbon, antiqued copper bitty brad, and the Colonial White button.


As always, don't forget to check out the other DT members beautiful creations!

♥ Carol-Scramping with Carol
♥ Helen-Hooked on Stamping
♥ Jayma-Playing with Paper
♥ Katy-an inside to my heart....
♥ Mary-on Life and Creating
♥ Tracey-Tracey Mason's Studio

You have until Sunday night at 10:00 pm EST to enter your challenge piece. This Friday, the Friday Five from last weeks entrants will be announced so don't forget to check the H2H challenge blog to see if you are one of the chosen artists!

Have fun this week!

Happy Anniversary...Yesterday

Dear Mom & Dad,

Happy anniversary yesterday! I'm an awful daughter for not even calling...but look what I made you. Am I forgiven?

Love,
Me




Studio J: Grace Reflection Kit

H2H Challenge Time

Did everyone have a lovely Easter? I'm so glad the LDS General Conference fell on Easter this year. Not only was it a perfect way to remember the true meaning of the season...but I didn't have to get dressed up.

But now it is Monday and that means the first challenge of the Heart 2 Heart team is ready to go!


I can tell you're all anxious to get started...so why don't I already, huh?!


This week we have a color challenge for you to play with and here are the CTMH colors:


How do you join in the fun? Simple!

♥ To play along, create a card, layout, 3D altered item, something...anything you'd like, as long as it follows the challenge guidelines.

♥ Post a picture to your blog or other online gallery.

♥ Be sure to go to the H2H Challenge blog and link to your challenge or gallery post (not just your blog address) so we can all see your artwork!

♥ In order to enter the challenge, you must use CTMH products in your piece...but it doesn't have to be 100% CTMH. If you don't have any CTMH in your stash, don't worry, I know where you can get some!

♥ If you do use something from another company, please include the details in your post.

♥ But most of all...you absolutely, positively must have fun creating! I mean it now!

For this first challenge I went with a layout. I have so many I need to catch up on and any time I can kill to challenges with one project I will!

When Mary first gave us the colors for this challenge I went through my pictures and these shots from Central Park were just perfect for it. (I'm so glad I wore my brown sweater that day instead of my red one!)

Here it is:


Papers: Twitterpated Reflections Kit

I used the Conclusion Combo pattern from Imagine because it fit my pictures the best. The Twitterpated papers worked so well for this and I only added a couple of pieces of Sunflower cardstock to set off a few images. I used some Sunflower Bigger Brads as accents but quickly realized they were the only Sunflower embellishments I had!
How was that even possible?

Reinkers to the rescue! I took two of the crochet flowers from the White Daisy Collection and dyed them to match the cardstock. I paired them with a couple of Sweet Leaf Corduroy Brads from the Winter Cozy Collection to finish off the look. They mirrored the pattern in my sweater so it was a perfect choice.

The title, date and journaling were done on the computer using our Fountain Pen font from Expressives Font CD vol. 1. I know I should journal more in my own handwriting, but I just can't bring myself to do it! It is just so much neater easier to do this way.


Don't forget to check out the other DT members creations, they are all fantastic!

♥ Carol-Scramping with Carol
♥ Helen-Hooked on Stamping
♥ Jayma-Playing with Paper
♥ Katy-an inside to my heart....
♥ Mary-on Life and Creating
♥ Tracey-Tracey Mason's Studio

You have until Sunday night at 10:00 pm EST to enter your challenge piece. This week we have a wonderful prize sponsor Juli Clark, The Stamp Teacher! She has a super prize package created for this week's winner.

You also have a chance to be chosen as one of our "Friday Five". Each Friday following a challenge, the top five submissions will be announced and if chosen, you'll receive a special blog badge! At the end of the month, we will go through all Friday Five winners and one will be chosen to be a Guest Design Team member, who will then get to join us for 2 challenges during the following month! How fun is that?

So what are you waiting for? Get creating!