The Best for Last - Chatter from the Heart Day 5 (Studio J)

We've come to the end of the week and I've saved the most exciting change for today! Before I reveal what it is, let me ask you some questions.

• Do you have a computer with digital photos and an internet connection?
• Do you love to take pictures but find it hard to get them printed once they've been downloaded to your computer?
• Do you have memories captured in photos that you'd like to preserve?
• Are you interested in scrapbooking but feel overwhelmed by where to begin?
• Are you a seasoned scrapbooker that would like to be caught up on thousands of pictures?
• Would you like to create themed albums (like Baby's 1st Year, Christmas, Sports) but don't want to invest in the paper and embellishments to complete a project?
• Do you want to create more than one of a layout for multiple books? (i.e. a copy for family member or one for each child in your family)
• Are you pressed for time but want to complete pages to add to existing or future albums?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then I have a solution for you!

Introducing Studio J, an online design software that allows you to create custom-printed two-page layouts for 12" x 12" albums. There is no software to purchase and install; instead, simply log in to Studio J and start designing your layouts. You can create and immediately purchase your layouts, or you can save them for later completion and purchase. And, don't let the word online or digital turn you away; please keep reading!

Close to My Heart knows you have busy lives—lives that are hosts of crazy schedules and demands, but also of joys and wonders. We take more and more digital photos, but preserve memories less and less. You have the photos, you want the scrapbooks. Ultimately, you need a solution that brings everything together in real time. Studio J is the answer: It translates real life into real scrapbooks in real time—more quickly than you could imagine.

I want to share with you how you can take the photos of your joy and wonder and preserve them for generations to come. You are invited to join me for one of 3 informational events where I'll show you how faster, simpler, and easier Studio J will make preserving your memories. At these events you will:

• View printed pages made using Studio J (see the layouts in this message in real life!)
  
• Watch step-by-step creation of a Studio J layout
• Learn tips and tricks to enhance your pages
• Learn the pros of using this form of scrapbooking
• Discover the savings of different ways to create and print pages

Reservations are required (and will earn you a free gift!) and refreshments will be served. Choose the date that works best for you:

• Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. (Reservation deadline Jan. 30)
• Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. (Reservation deadline Feb. 2)
• Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. (Reservation deadline Feb. 4)

Latisha Haag, Independent Consultant
Close to My Heart
785-624-6356
latishahaag@myctmh.com
Visit my website for the latest product, video tutorials, and shopping!

Chatter from the Heart - Day 4 (Getting product at a discount or even FREE)

With all the exciting changes, I bet you're wondering just how you can get your hands on the great products you've read about. Maybe you're wondering how you can afford all that you want? What about earning product packages (below) at 50% off?

Collection One (only $36.73) - great for a beginning papercrafter!

Bliss Level 2 Paper Packet, Bliss Level 2 My Stickease, Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Chocolate Exclusive Inks Pad, My Acrylix Trellis Stamp Set, 4x4 My Acrylix Block, Clear Buttons, and Irresistibles Villa Chipboard Die-Cuts.

Collection Two (only $37.83) - created with the cardmaker in mind!

Creative Basics Wings Collection, Wishes Card Confidence Program, Weezers, Bitty Brads Metal Assortment, Buttons Green Assortment, 4.5" Colonial White Circle Cards, and My Acrylix Dream Stamp Set.

Collection Three (only $44.70) - a complete set!

Sophia Level 2 Paper Packet, Sophia Level 2 My Stickease Assortment, Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots, Desinger Ribbon Pink Collection, My Acrylix Heartfelt Treasurers Stamp Set, My Acrylix Fill in the Blank Stamp Set, 1x1 My Acrylix Block, 3x3 My Acrylix Block, and Pear Exclusive Inks Pad.

Collection Four (only $54.48) - for those interested in getting caught up quickly!

12-month Studio-J Membership and a 12x12 Outdoor Denim Quick Pic Album

So, just how can you earn all the products at 50% off?

• Host a home (OR online) gathering and let me teach you new techniques, see the products in person and share with friends how Close to My Heart makes this hobby faster, simpler, and easier while still going easy on your wallet!

• At home or online, a gathering is a great way to celebrate relationships through the art of stamping and scrapbooking. What could be better than sharing products you love with the people you care about? And just as great, when you become a hostess, you can earn valuable Hostess Rewards. Get started with the free product credit, and continue with the shopping spree with Hostess Rewards Plus! items at 50% off. It's a great way to get the products you want and need affordably or even free.

• Can't get everyone together because of time, distance or gathering space? Host an online gathering! If you have e-mail, you're ready to host an Online Gathering using EZ Invite where guests are invited via email and do all their shopping online. You'll receive all the benefits of Hostess Rewards without cleaning the house and preparing food!

Need more incentive to host either a home gathering or online gathering? The first 3 people to book and hold a home or online gathering will receive a FREE product of your choice from me ($10.95 maximum value).

Contact me today to schedule your gathering!

Chatter from the Heart - Day 3 Adding some bling with embellishments!

Since today is HUMP day, who couldn't use a little more bling to spice up creativity? Close to My Heart knows how bling can make any project perfect...that's why there's over 125 products to embellish your creations and 30 of those are brand-spankin' new! What's your fetish? I bet there's an embellishment just for you and all less than $6!

Choose from this list of new products:

• (3) colors of ribbon - Blue, Pink, and Sweet Leaf
• (8) Button Assortments - Red, Pink, Green, Blue, Basic, Clear, Wooden & Canvas Badge (wait until you see the neat techniques you can do with these!)
• (5) Brad Assortments - Red, Pink, Green, Blue, Basic, & Metal
• (2) Bitty Brad Assortments - Basic & Metal
• Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots
• Lucky Level 2 Assortment (die-cut chipboard shapes)
• Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots
• Bliss Level 2 Assortment (mesh flowers & filigree butterflies)
• Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment (set of 32 epoxy stickers)
• Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (15 designer brads)
• Wings Level 2 Assortment (pleated ribbon in 3 colors) - these can be ordered NOW through the Inspirations Brochure
• (1) Mini-Medley Accents Collections - Black
• (1) Alphabet Rub-on - Newsprint
• (2) Irresistibles (resist pattern that shows through when covered with chalk, ink, markers or watercolors) - Eclectic Alphabet, Villa
• (1) Kraft Color-Ready Borders
  

Plus, the new SPRAY PEN! This fun tool is great to mist your projects with a mix of water, re-inker, and or pearl paint. You can get one NOW when you reserve your Wings Workshop on the Go kit available during National Papercrafting Month.

Have I wet your appetite to see for yourself what these embellishments look like? Did you know all of these embellishments range in price from $3.25 to $5.95?



Contact me today to get your copy of the 2011 Spring/Summer Idea Book (the only place you can see them before they go "live" on February 1) for only $2 or ask how you can one FREE!

Chatter from the Heart - Day 2 (Close to My Heart's Workshops on the Go)

Two is always better than one, right? Today it is! You get to read about 2 featured promotions from Close to My Heart in this and a subsequent daily dose of what's new for 2011.

First, Close to My Heart offers a fabulous way to create a set of scrapbook pages and 6 cards faster, simpler, and easier - and CHEAPER! I'm pleased to announce this year I am offering Workshops on the Go classes. While CTMH has offered these kits in the past, I have not promoted them because I was unaware of just how incredibly low the price was for what you get! It's also a fabulous way to get projects completed.



So, what are Workshops on the Go?
Workshops on the Go (WOTG) are unique, economical kits that Close To My Heart offers during each Idea Book cycle to help you get more "bang for your buck." They offer an incredible value because they are the basics you need for some fabulous projects plus you'll learn a new technique completing the projects! Each WOTG includes:

• (1) My Reflections paper pack ($12.95 value)
• (1) exclusive B-size stamp set ($13.95 value; this set is only available with the kit)
• (1-2) coordinating embellishments or tools ($5-8 average value)
• (1) full-color project guide with instructions (priceless because they cannot be ordered separately!)

The guide features an exclusive two-page 12"x12" layout with complete instructions and an exclusive card pattern (with instructions for creating six cards, two each of three different variations). It also offers suggestions for a second layout and three or more different cards (based on CTMH’s how-to guides). You can create everything in the brochure (and then some!) with the materials you receive in your kit.

Though each WOTG kit is valued at well over $30, they only cost $29.95 each (plus shipping & handling/tax), which automatically qualifies you for the stamp of the month at 25% off!



Do I need to attend a class or can I do these on my own?
You do not have to attend a class to create the fabulous projects featured in each WOTG. If you DO attend class, you will have access to all my tools, inks, etc., (and, of course, ME!) that you need for the projects. You will have the option each month of purchasing a specific WOTG kit for the next class, but with the instruction brochure you could easily do the projects on your own. (Of course I’m only a phone call or an email away if you get stuck on something.)

What if I only make cards or only make scrapbook pages?
That's the beauty of these kits! If you don't make one medium or the other, you can simply omit that and use the additional paper to create more cards or more scrapbook pages!

Are there special offers?
To find out, you'll have to wait for the next post later on Tuesday...

Big Boy Haircut

I've been on a mission to complete pages before the baby arrives. I've been quite neglectful about my 2006 and 2007 albums and here were are in 2009! Thanks to a week-long retreat last week, I did accomplish many pages, but stil have many to go. This set of pages I power-paged but hadn't gotten around to doing so I put them together. I really like how they turned out! It's of my DS's first and only barber shop haircut (his aunt is a hair dresser) and he did such a good job of being a big boy!

I used Close to My Heart's Good Times paper pack and the Friendship Alphabet.

Scrapbook on a Canvas

The latest project for Hostess Club is Scrapbooking on Canvas. This fun and simple project is a great way to take your altered art to the next level while creating a unique way to display "pages".










Supplies needed for this project include:Mod PodgeAcrylic Paint to match papersCardstock, Background/Texture PaperStampsInks matching papersFoam Brushes for paint and mod podgeEmbellishments














Step 1: Paint your canvas. For this canvas, I wanted some of the original canvas to show. You can cover the entire canvas, however. (Please note that painting the canvas is not necessary; using the canvas is fine as well.)















Step 2: After first coat of paint dries, add second coat if you're using more than one color. Additional coats may be needed if you are coating the canvas in a solid color all over.

Step 3: Stamp images on the canvas. Keep in mind what pictures will be covering the images so you can use stamps that will read best and be seen. Another helpful tip is to place something solid below the canvas so when you press the stamp into it, it does not sag (leaving a partial stamp). Remember, if you're using acrylic stamps, you'll need to place a piece of foam between the solid item and the canvas. Allow ink to dry thoroughly before mod podge is applied.

Step 4: Distress with ink. This step is optional, but added to the theme of my canvas. Again, allow ink to dry thoroughly.

Step 5: Plan the layout of your pictures on the canvas.

Step 6: Apply mod podge for first layer. I only applied mod podge to a section so it wouldn't dry before I had all the pieces in place. Make sure mod podge completely covers the area your placing an item.

Step 7: Apply mod podge over each layer to smooth onto canvas. Make sure both the top and bottom of the piece is thoroughly covered in mod podge. Smooth any air bubbles from paper or they will wrinkle on your project. An old credit card works great for this task.

Step 8: Continue placing items on your canvas, building the "page". Work in sections and layers.

Step 9: Modge podge each time an item is placed on the canvas. Again, be sure to cover both sides of an item with mod podge and smooth wrinkles.

Step 10: Allow mod podge to dry thoroughly and then recoat. Once second coat is dry, add embellishments such as ribbon or brads. Use a piercing tool to poke through the canvas (be mindful of the frame).

A neat distressing techniqu I discovered in this project is using a touch (and I do mean a SMALL touch) as I swiped the second coat of mod podge. It gave the canvas an additional aged look.

All products used to make this piece were from Close to My Heart.

X7086B Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet

Z2111 Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2103 Bamboo Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

X5760 Winter Cozy Textured Cardstock Combo (Crystal Blue used)

Z1301 Chocolate Collection Ribbon Rounds

Z291 Hinges (Copper used)

Z299 Basic Collection Bigger Brads (Copper used)

Pictures were taken at the Brick Barn Inn, Topeka, KS

And now, the rest of the story...

(The continuation of "About Me" since I'm only allowed 1200 characters.)

The question I get most often about my e-mail signature tag is "What is a Domestic Homefront Coordinator?" Nevermind that I have my website for my direct sales business on there nor my information about how I'm an Independent Consultant for Close to My Heart.
So here's an answer to that question: A few years ago, I think even before I became a mom, I received an e-mail about how this lady went to get her driver's license. When she got to the section about occupation, she wasn't sure what to write since she was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Neither of these titles seemed to fit all she really did, plus society's connotation of the terms left a mindset that she really didn't work. So on the line for occupation, she squeezed in all the titles that fall under the previous mentioned. Chef, taxi driver, school classroom volunteer, daycare provider, teacher, nurse, doctor, mediator...the list went on.
While I appreciated the e-mail when it came, I did not fully understand the magnitude of what a woman does when she stays home to raise her children. Being in the "politically correct" era in America, I couldn't help but create my own title to describe just what it is I do. While there are many facets to the job, it isn't one I'd trade any time soon. I saw on someone's signature line once the following quote: "Stay-at-home mom is the hardest, most rewarding job I don't get paid to do." Enough said.
Oh, and a little more about me other than I'm a Domestic Homefront Coordinator. I am a scrapbooker/stamper and an Independent Consultant for Close to My Heart. I am also the web coordinator for Engravingshop.com as well as the VP of Membership for MOMS Club of Hays, Ellis Public Library Board of Trustees member, Children's Time teacher at Ogallah Christian Church, and teacher/designer for Scrapbook Frenzy. I have a Fantasy Football team...well, two actually; I like to attend auctions and garage sales because a good deal is too hard to pass up; I'm not afraid of a power tool; love to cook and bake; am thinking about taking up knitting even though I already have too much on my plate; value friendships; and have a secret desire to become a writer (partly why I created this blog). I have a million thoughts in my head that I'd love to share, just need an outlet. In my previous career I was a teacher, most recently at a Catholic high school. I taught English and Journalism and found both parallel with my love for scrapbooking and writing.
Well, that's about it. What I've missed here, I'll add in my daily blogs.