Master Paw Print

Woohoo!  I've completed Close to My Heart's Training Academy's Master's Program. 

Now to work on my PhD!

Yea, me!!!

Victory Layout Workshop

I decided to offer a monthly non-interactive layout workshop.  (The layout's not interactive; the class is very interactive!)  My first one is this week.  Here's the layout.

I used the Victory paper and embellishments and the Fiesta sketch from the Imagine How-To Scrapbooking Program.

Supplies:

• Victory Paper Packet
• Victory My Stickease Assortment
• Tough Tags

Florentine Magic Layout

May's Magic Layout used the Florentine paper and embellishments and the Magician's Choice sketch.

The bow contains an expandable "mini-album" that accommodates up to thirteen (13) additional photos.

Here is the mini-album opened,

 

the back of the right side,

and the back of the left side.

Supplies:

• Florentine Paper Packet
• Florentine My Stickease Assortment
• Timeless Charms
• My Acrylix Family Love
• My Acrylix Trinity Alphabet 
• My Acrylix Hodge Podge Alphabet

LeaderShare Studio J Experience

I attended my first Close to My Heart event in late April.  In addition to all of the great training, we were given the opportunity to create five Studio J layouts, making sure to utilize a variety of tools and techniques.

Layout 1 - Florentine Kit

In the first layout, which uses the Florentine kit and the Sidebar - Original Sampler - Photo Checkerboard sketch, we used multiple photo wells for one picture (the lower four on the right page).  We also changed out some of the B&T paper and swapped one of the solid cardstock colors for B&T paper.  The title incorporated two different fonts.  We used the square-box stitching template for the four boxes on the right page as well as running-stitch stitching on the title block on the left page.  The flower at the top of the left page is actually two resized and layered My Stickease images.  There's direct-tool distressing on some of the cardstock, with the intensity adjusted to 50%.

Layout 2 - Superhero Kit

This layout uses the Superhero kit and the Front and Center - In the Middle/Sidebar - Main Frame sketch.  We added a pattern using journaling boxes - the stripe pattern on the bottom of the left page was made copying and pasting the same size journal box across the Cranberry paper.  The suggestion had been for an argyle pattern using squares and Xes stitched across them, but the stripes better fit my layout.  We also changed one of the cardstock colors and swapped one of the B&T papers for solid cardstock.  The title uses the same font but in different colors, sizes, and orientations.

Layout 3 - Cruisin' Kit

In the third layout, we used the Cruisin' Kit and the Up the Tempo sketch (which is the same as I used for my This is Me! layout).  The alphabet border was created with the alphabet stickers iin the Quick-Title Tool.  My Stickease images are layered on both pages.  Cross stitching was added to both pages and direct distressing was added.

Layout 4 - Stella Kit

This layout uses the Stella kit and the Abstract sketch.  The Olive and Colonial White cardstock colors were switched.  The main focus of this layout was using stitching to frame the photos.  My Stickease images and stitching shapes were resized and clustered.  Direct distressing was applied to the cardstock.

Layout 5 - Pemberley Kit

The last layout used the Pemberley kit and the Monologue sketch.  We split My Stickease flower images across the two pages.  Six folded clasps and brads were used to create a border at the top of the journaling box.  Text boxes were sized and placed over the photos to enable distressing the photos.  A space is typed in the text box to remove the reminder text, and "None" is selected for the background.

21st Century Media

So I've been spending my CTMH time lately getting myself set up on the various electronic media that is expected in this day and age.  In addition to my blog, where I've been retrospectively uploading projects and their recipes, I now have a Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/PawPrintsCloseToMyHeart and my own newsletter.  You can view the latest issue here:  Paw Prints Newsletter and sign-up to receive it here:  Newsletter Sign-Up.  My online calendar is here:  Event Calendar.

Hopefully I'll get caught up soon and can again start using my CTMH time to be creative!

Lucy Magic Layout

In April, the Magic Layout Workshop used the Lucy paper and embellishments to create the Lovely Assistant sketch.  Two of the photos on the right page use ribbon as hinges and open to reveal additional photos.

Supplies:

• Lucy Paper Packet
• Lucy Complements Glittery Rub-Ons
• Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
• My Acrylix Keepsake Alphabet

Studio J - This is Me!

I wanted to create a quick, easy, but sharp layout representing me to display at the store.

I made this layout in Studio J with the Up the Tempo sketch and the Enchanted kit, which is actually Halloween-themed.

Studio J - I Heart Snow

I never realized how much Donner patrolled his yard until winter when the snow recorded his travels.  After one particular snowfall, I looked out into the yard and saw what appeared to be most of a heart.

This layout was created in Studio J using the In Focus sketch, rotated, and the Sweetheart kit with the Black and Cotton Candy cardstock switched.

Studio J - The Day After

I wasn't sure how I was going to scrapbook these random photos I took during and after the snow.  Studio J made it easy to quickly pull together an attractive layout that shows off my photos and captures my memories.

This is the Backstage layout, with the pages swapped (right to left and left to right), and the (now) right page rotated.

Studio J - First Snow

One of the many things I like about Studio J is that I can use photos that may not be good enough to be featured but that I don't want to exclude from my layouts (like some of those pics of Donner enjoying the snow from his vantage point in the garage) - and it allows me to resize and crop the photos on-the-fly. 

This is the Primadonna layout with each page rotated counterclockwise 90 degrees with the Aspen kit.

Sweet Surprises

I have a workshop this afternoon called Sweet Surprises to showcase both the wonderful simplicity of Close to My Heart's My Originals Sweet Surprises Treat Cards,

the whimsy of the Dotty for You paper packet, and the variety in the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.

Pemberley Magic Layout

In March, the Magic Layout Workshop used the Pemberley paper and embellishments to create the Parlor sketch.

The envelope on the right page can be used to stash programs, tickets, receipts, additional photos, journaling, or anything else you can think of!

Supplies:

• Pemberley Paper Packet
• Pemberley My Stickease Assortment
• My Acrylix Love Clusters
• Bouquet Assortment
• My Acrylix Large Friendship Alphabet
• Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

Studio J - Disney's Boardwalk Inn

Someday I'd like to stay at Disney's Boardwalk Inn, but for now I'll settle for visits to the property.  Their lobby had this giant edible gazebo featuring Daisy, Donald, and Stitch.  Note that there are thirteen (13) photos on this two-page layout. 

This layout uses the Snappy sketch, rotated, with the Jingle kit.

Studio J - Disney's Grand Floridian

When we were at Walt Disney World last November/December, I made a point of visiting various hotels to see their trees and lobby decorations.  The Grand Floridian is decorated in traditional Victorian fashion, but there's also a near-life-size, completely edible gingerbread house in the lobby.

I had taken pictures of the decorative stained glass details in the windows of the gingerbread house and really liked how this layout allowed me to showcase them in the trapezoidal shapes on the outside edges of the pages.

 

The top layout uses the Understudy sketch and the both uses the Sideline Surprise sketch, both with the Mistletoe kit. 

Bling Cards

I had a Bling Card Workshop in February.  Here are the cards we made.

Supplies:

• Stella Paper Packet
• My Acrylix Just for You
• My Acrylix Stella WOTG stamp set
• My Acrylix February SOTM:  Thoughtful Tidings
• Colonial White Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes
• Bling Assortment
• Clear Sparkles

Studio J - Donner

Last June I tried my hand at studio scrapbooking.

While I LOVE this layout, Donner passed away somewhat unexpectedly the day after I made it.  Godspeed, Donner!  Wear your silver harness with pride!

This is the Creative Rhythm sketch, rotated, with the Simple Pleasures kit.

Stella Magic Layout

I started holding Magic Layout Workshops in February.  My first one was Showtime utilizing the Stella paper packet.  

The photo on the top left conceals a mini-album of sorts, allowing for up to an additional eight (8) photos.  Here's the left flap open.

and the top flap...

the right flap...

 and the bottom flap...

I enlarged all of my photos to 5" x 7" to fill each flap.  You can use smaller photos and embellish or journal in the white space.  Likewise, if you don't have enough photos to fill ALL of the flaps, you can also embellish or journal on the photo-less flaps.

I cut the page protector on three sides (remembering to use a hole punch at the end of each cut to prevent the plastic from tearing with use) and used back-to-back Stella Canvas Complements Shapes (stickers) as a tab and to "secure" the plastic flap to the photo flap. 

Supplies:

• Stella Paper Packet
• Stella Canvas Complements Shapes
• My Acrylix Posterboard Alphabet