My little Jare-Bear

When my kids were little, scrapbooking options were rather limited. I didn't really get into the whole scrapping thing until they were grade school age, so there are still lots of photos to scrap. I'm more of a "scrap what I'm feeling" kind of scrapper rather than a chronological scrapper. The realization that I didn't have to scrap events in order was very freeing for me, so it's not unusual for me to be creating pages like this of my (now) 17-year-old youngest son. Sometimes I feel like my delay (certainly not procrastination!) with scrapping certain pictures pays off when I find EXACTLY the right paper years later.

Wasn't he a cutie pie? Those big brown eyes and gorgeous dimples were all he had going for him on some days, because he was a wee bit ornery! He was affectionately known as "Jare-Bear" at this age. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! He'll be graduating from high school in May - my BABY!

This is another great Workshop on the Go using the Fanfare papers, which I absolutely adore! The papers are great for party pages, boy pages, and even Disney pages. Everything you need to make the layout (except for inks and the E-size alphabet set "Cocktail") is included. Super easy!

To make these pages, you will need:

Fanfare Workshop on the Go
Inks: Pacifica
Stamp set: Cocktail Alphabet
Accessories: 2" Scallop Circle Punch, Foam Die-Cut Numbers (while supplies last), 1" punch (EK Success)

Sophia Scrapbook Pages

I got to go scrapbooking this weekend, something I haven't done for a few months. It was so great to be with good friends - too much food, too little sleep! I have been so busy at work that I didn't have a lot of time to plan what I was taking to work on for the weekend, so I grabbed a few Workshops on the Go. It made things so easy!

The first one I'll share is the Sophia Workshop on the Go scrapbook pages. Let me just say that I LOVE the Sophia papers! They're so bright and cheerful. They also happened to almost exactly match the floral print on the girls' outfits in these pictures:

The darling children in these photos are two of my three children, two nieces, and one nephew - five of 'em born within a 2 1/2 year time span! Two more would be born within another year. :) We had these photos taken for their grandfather, and my sister-in-law and I coordinated the kids' outfits. Such sweet memories! Now two of the young ladies are each engaged to be married, another one will graduate college in the next year, and the boys are hard-working young men. Time goes so quickly! That is why preserving these memories is so important to me.

I made a few modifications to the design of the WOTG. The layout called for two 5 x 7's and 6 2x2 photos. I didn't have those sizes, so I improvised with two smaller photos in the place of one 5 x 7, and a strip of 2 x 12 B&T paper in place of the 2 x 2 photos. Make it your own!

Try a Workshop on the Go to see how quickly you can put together at least two gorgeous scrapbook layouts!

Birthday card - Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 122

This sketch was calling out for a fun birthday card. My husband and his twin brother are turning 50 next month, so I wanted to make a special card for my dh. Since Mark is a huge NASCAR fan, the (retired) CTMH stamp set "Finish Line" seemed to be a perfect fit. I had to do some creative stamping, cutting, and adjusting to make the car number a "50."  This is my first time to play along with the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, and I will definitely play again!

To make this card, you will need the following items (all CTMH):

• Stamp sets: Finish Line (retired), Vroom Caps (retired), D1408 - A Little Everything
• Paper Packet: Fanfare Level 2
• Emellishments: Black Bigger Brads
• Inks: Archival Black, Pacifica, Holiday Red
• Other: Cricut, foam adhesive tape

Congrats Card - Card Patterns Sketch 120

I have been finding all these great card challenge blogs, and they have inspired me to keep creating! This "Congratulations" card was very fun to make. I decided to make the front lift up rather than open like a traditional card. I'll write a congratulatory message under the flap.

You can play along, too. Check out the blog here.

To make this card, you will need the following items:

• Stamp sets: B1362 - Tag the Occasion
• Paper Packet: Miracle
• Embellishments: Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Colonial White ribbon, Color Ready Kraft Borders, Green Assortment Buttons

A Little Mojo for Father's Day

I'm combining challenges again (I love it when that happens!). This 5" x 7" Father's Day card follows the Mojo Monday 195 sketch. The other challenge is for Heart 2 Heart Challenges: create a background using ink to make a Father's Day card. Done! I used one of CTMH's wonderful background stamp sets to make the "wood paneling." Super easy!

Items used:

• Stamp sets: Universal Backgrounds (D1477); Enjoy Life (C1439); A Little Everything (D1408); Chairs to You (May SOTM)
• Paper: Lucky Level 2 Paper Packet
• Cardstock: Olive, Outdoor Denim, Kraft
• Inks: Cocoa, Outdoor Denim
• Embellishments: Kraft Color-Ready Borders; Wooden Buttons; Hemp; Twill; Metal Bitty Brads; distressing kit (sanding block); sponge; 3-D foam tape
• Other: Nestabilities Labels One

To give the cardstock an aged look, I sanded it with the sanding block then sponged on Cocoa ink. The chair was stamped directly onto B&T paper and cut out. I used Bitty Brads as the tufting buttons on the chair. Looks comfortable enough for Dad, right?

Update - My card was in the Top Ten for Heart 2 Heart Challenges! Thanks, ladies!

Bliss Wedding Card

"Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam... And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva...So tweasure your wuv." - from The Princess Bride. (Any other fans of The Princess Bride?)

We have weddings on the brain around my house. My daughter is engaged, and the wedding is just about a year away. I'll be making her wedding invitations, but for now, I'm settling for making a wedding card. The card is for two different challenges: Mojo Monday 194 and Heart 2 Heart Challenges - Wedding.

Bliss Wedding Card - Front

Bliss Wedding Card - Inside

To make the card, I used the following materials (all from Close To My Heart):

• Stamp sets: C1444 - Precious Love; B1371 - Bliss; Gracious Greetings (retired)
• Cardstock: Sorbet, Chocolate, Vanilla Cream
• B&T Paper: Bliss (Workshop on the Go)
• Ink: Gray Wool, Sorbet
• Embellishments: Colonial White Mini Medley, Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Pearl Opaques Adhesive Gems, Sorbet Ribbon Rounds (retired)

The card follows the Mojo Monday 194 sketch:

Studio J - True Love using Magnifique

Here's another Studio J layout I made recently. I used the Magnifique papers and had fun with the Stickease! This layout features my daughter and her fiance.

Some of the fun techniques I used:

• Layering Stickease
• Sending Stickease "back" behind the paper
• Dragging Stickease across two pages
• Distressing

Remember that you can try Studio J any time, and you can get a free JPG during June!

Studio J Love Your Layout - Episode 2

Here's another new webisode of Love Your Layout. Make a darling layout using "Miracle," and learn how to make a super-cute ribbon pinwheel flower!

Studio J Love Your Layout

I just watched the first video in a series by CTMH: Studio J Love Your Layout. The video walks you through creating a layout in Studio J. You can recreate it exactly or add your own look, but it's a great way to learn new techniques! You can create this layout yourself and use your FREE JPG in June. Click here to go to Studio J to create this darling layout! Once you've received your free JPG, send it to me in an e-mail (clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com) and I'll post it here on my blog. It will be fun to see the variety and new ideas! Stay tuned for future Love Your Layout videos!

You & Me - Stronger Together

Close To My Heart is offering a campaign called You & Me: Stronger Together, to raise funds for the survivors of the severe storms that have pummeled the Midwest and Southern states. The campaign is an extension of the May National Scrapbooking Kit offer.


During the month of June, order a You & Me kit for only $15 (a retail value of $34.95), and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross 2011 Floods and Tornadoes relief operations. Simply use item number CC1012B to place your order for this sensational kit and help those in need at the same time. The You & Me: Stronger Together campaign will continue until June 30 at 11:59 pm (MDT) or while supplies last. Be aware that there is a limited quantity of this beautiful kit, so order quickly to take advantage of this great opportunity to help others AND receive a beautiful scrapbooking kit!

Offer valid June 2–30, 2011, or while supplies last. No qualifying purchase required. Tax and shipping/handling charges apply. The placement of the donations is prioritized by the American Red Cross, with all money earmarked for disaster relief from the tornadoes and flooding in the midwestern and southeastern United States.

Why use Studio J?

I really enjoyed the following article by Kristine Widtfeldt on the Creating Keepsakes Blog:

Weekly Warm-Up: Time Saving Solution for Your Scrapbooks

If you're on the fence about trying Studio J, Kristine shares some great insight into why it's worth giving a try! Remember that you receive a FREE JPG during the month of June, just for trying out Studio J.

Studio J Free-for-All!

During June, give Studio J a try - absolutely FREE! Everyone who creates a layout on Studio J in June will receive a free JPG (one per customer). Here's what you can do with the JPG:

• Print the layout using a wide-format printer.
• Save the JPG to a flash drive and take it to be printed.
• Share the beautiful layout you create by e-mail, on Facebook, or on a blog.

It's so easy to get started. If you already have a Studio J or MyCTMH account, just log in and start creating! If you don't have an account, creating one is easy. Click here to create your free account. There is never a cost to use the Studio J software. You only pay when you're ready to purchase a layout or a JPG (except for your free one in June!).

Give it a try -- it's so quick and easy, and the results are beautiful! I will be posting videos about using Studio J throughout the month, so check back often. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about Studio J.

Check out this post to view a step-by-step Studio J video, then watch the following video to learn how to personalize your Studio J layouts.