Studio J

After making so many cards around the holidays, I wanted to dedicate the week after Christmas to good ole scrapbooking--my first love! But wait--I remembered that I was going to make a paper bag mini album for a friend's birthday. So much for scrapping! Never fear--Studio J is here! I spent the 26th scrapping with Studio J--and it was a blast. Best of all-I got way more accomplished than if I was doing it with paper.
Here are some of the layouts I did. (remember-you can click on image to see it larger)

This is Halloween 2009! The "paper" on this layout is exclusive for Studio J. I just love the way these turned out.

This is one of the two layouts I did from when my sister-in-law came to visit this last summer.

This is one of the FOUR layouts I did from when my sister and her girls came over the summer.

Then I got Christmas 2010 done! This is one of 3 layouts I did of our Christmas.
Studio J is so much fun. It won't replace classical scrapbooking for me-but it sure is a great way to get caught up! It is fast and easy. I encourage you to give it a try. It is free to use--you only pay when you want to order. I know you'll like it. If you become hooked--I'd like to tell you about Studio J memberships, which gives you loads of benefits. So to get started playing with Studio J just go to my Close to my Heart website. In the left margin you will see Studio J, click on it and start having fun! Like I said, you can upload photos and play with it all you like without purchasing anything! If you are interested in finding out more about it, I'll be happy to talk to you about it!
Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

Christmas Decorating

This post is to show my family our house at Christmas. You were all in my thoughts today-I missed being with you. A few have asked about the home and Christmas decorations--so this one is for you! (you can click on each picture to enlarge it and see better!)We didn't do a whole lot outside, just these two small Alberta Pines by the front porch, but you can see the Christmas tree inside the front door. In the back we had one pine tree covered in blue lights.
I was thrilled that our Christmas tree worked in the new house. We were afraid it would be too tall. No room for a star at top--but it fits! Hard to believe we have had this tree for 13 years and we still love it!


The mantel. The fireplace is in the corner of the room and bookcases hit right up next to it, so no draping garland and lights. Went very simple this year, but will work on this area next year.

The built in hutch was the perfect place to display some of my Christmas bird houses and Santas. Up above there were twinkling lights and it gave off a nice glow. For those who haven't visited yet; to the right of here you enter the kitchen and to the left the hearth room.

This shows some of the garland and lights above kitchen cabinets. On the counter is the Gingerbread house Marek and I did on the 24th.
The next two pictures show the display of Santas and birdhouses in the stairwell. There was a (fake) candle in each window up the staircase--so that would be 4 windows!



And then we get to this morning! Marek and Ace were very excited to dig into their stockings!

It was a beautiful day--50+ degrees--the kind of day where you just had to be outside. We took a nice walk along the Pouder River.
Hope your day was nice and relaxing too!
XO

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas!

Birthday Card

My sister-in-law's birthday is December 26th. So after I'm done with making Christmas cards, I work on a special card for her! I was inspired by Debbie Carriere's "Sweet Blessings" card--it is out of this world beautiful--you need to check it out!
This card was so much fun to make! I have always loved multiple layering with paper and embellies--and with Debbie's help--I think I pulled it off!
Supplies used all Close To My Heart except where stated:
Cocoa, Spring Iris and Lilac Mist Cardstock.
Spring Iris Exclusive Ink stamp pad and Spring Iris re-inker.
A Little Everything My Acrylix stamp set (this stamp set might be retired). Some very old and retired B&T paper in the Spring Iris color. (just love using up that old stuff!) Liquid Glass,
Dimensional Elements-Hearts, Foundry Metal Accessories-Bookplates, Just Blooms Paper Flowers, Big Pinks, Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment, Opaques-Pearl, Filigree Charms.
I don't have any of Close to My Hearts Pretty Pins-so I made my own with some old beads. Then there is one contra bling flower on the heart. The seam binding is from my Grandma's old button box that I have had forever! The Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder was also used.
OK--now onto my next project; a paperbag book for a friends birthday--needs to be done by Jan. 3rd!
Thanks for visiting today.

First Christmas

First Christmas for the puppy that is! His reaction was so cute with this rawhide chew shaped in a candy cane. He looked just like a little kid-so excited about a new toy!
Hope your Christmas is filled with Joy and Wonder!

A Grinchy Grinch Game!

And a giveaway too! The Christmas season isn't complete without watching the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Some of my favorite sayings come from this yearly t.v. special; "What if Christmas doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas means a little bit more?" Gets to me every time! My Blogger friend Becky, shared this fun game on A Fairy Creative Place. There is no purchase necessary, prize value begins at $100 and the value increases with every 10 new followers! So go ahead--click on the Grinch above and sign up to play!

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Halleujah!!

Lovin' Sky, Pear and Holiday Red

With the help of Mojo Monday and Close to My Heart's exclusive color palette I whipped out a few more Christmas cards!
The first one is following Mojo Monday 168. I used a Cuttlebug folder for the snowy background.
Close to My Heart Products used:
-Stamp Set: Snow Friends and Festive Thoughts (retired)
-Cardstock: Sky, Pear, White Daisy
-The hat was paper pieced with (very) old and retired Background and Texture paper in Holiday Red.
-Inks: Sky, Pear, Brown Bag, Smoothie
-Blending Pen--used to apply Smoothie to nose and heart.
-Sparkles for buttons
-Miscellaneous: ribbon

My next card was inspired by Mojo Monday 167.
Cuttlebug folders were used again for the background pieces. Martha Stewart punch was used for the snowflakes and then they were sprayed with Glimmer Mist.
Close to My Heart products used are the same inks and paper as in first card and:
-Stamp set: Just for the Holidays
-Sparkles (blue and green assortment)
-Pearl Opaques


This card is from the Mojo Monday 166 sketch. All paper and inks as in previous cards but this card also used Exclusive Inks, Sunny Yellow and New England Ivy. To get the tree 2-toned I stamped the tree with New England Ivy onto Pear Cardstock and then again onto the retired Kiwi card stock. I cut with the incredible Micro-Tip Scissors that Close to My Heart carries, then popped up with Foam Tape the Pear part up.
Stamp set: Holiday Warmth and Peace on Earth
Both Blue and Red Sparkles were used.
Miscellaneous ribbon and the Nestabilities Labels Eight were also used.


The last card is Mojo Monday 165.
Stamp set: I Believe
Black stamp pad for Santa.
Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon was used on this card.
The bling used here is something I have had around for ever and Nestabilities Labels Eight was also used.

So--there ya go! I think I need to start sending out Christmas cards! It is going to be hard getting to my blog the rest of the week, we have events every night from here till Sunday. Merry, Merry!!

Discounted Products!

Close To My Heart has listed some discontinued, discounted products on my website, www.lisaf.myctmh.com! From the menu on the left choose "Shop Online". On that page the very last item on the menu is "Discounted Items". New products will be added throughout the month, so check in often! If you want it by Christmas, your best bet is to order it by the end of the day tomorrow! (Monday the 13th)
You will get "Plenty for Twenty" when you order $20 from my website! (www.lisaf.myctmh.com) When you shop my MyCTMH website and spend $20 or more on wonderful Close To My Heart products, you'll receive a free D-size stamp set valued at $22.95—that more than doubles your value! (and you don't even pay shipping/handling OR tax on this free stamp!) Close to My Heart will choose the stamp for you, I'm sure it will be a wonderful stamp set that you will love! The "Plenty for Twenty" campaign ends December 31st--but again, if you want it by Christmas, order by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 13th.

Peanut Butter Wars

Brian created this stop motion video so he could teach Marek the basics on creating and using Movie Maker. Soon to be released; Star Wars Stop Motion by Marek!

Making Snowmen!

So--where's the snow? So far this winter we have had about 1 1/2 inches of snow. That would be the 3rd least amount of snowfall since 1898 (or somewhere around that time)! Luckily I can still build snowmen with the All Decked Out stamp set from Close to My Heart! I just love this set; the possibilities are endless--hours of fun. It is one I don't think I will ever tire of! This card was totally lifted from CTMH's 2009 Autumn/Winter Idea Book, but with this season's Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack. Thanks for stopping by today--and if you are somewhere that there is snow--please through a snowball for me!!

Gingerbread House

Oh--how time flies! We were out of town for a week over Thanksgiving, then I frantically prepared for the "Little Gift Workshop". (which was a blast by the way!) Feeling much more relaxed and hoping to be a better blogger!
I just wanted to share this cute Gingerbread House I made with the Around the Block (D1377) stamp set. The gumdrops were made with a stamp from an old CTMH stamp set, Whoops A Daisy. There is a stamp in this set that is used for the center of a flower. I always thought it looked like a gumdrop, and I finally got to use it for that! The inspiration for this house came from Close to My Heart founder, Jeanette Lynton's, blog and her Halloween house.
Thanks for looking in today! Hope the rest of your day is fantastic!

When You Come To Kansas City

My Home Town!