Studio J - Splendor

The layouts in Studio J also vary greatly. Some of them require a large picture or two with a couple of extra on the side. Other layouts, like this one can offer places for LOADS of pictures. I especially like the way I can focus on a small element of my pictures as is the case in the 2 photos below.

As with the other sets, the Stickease for this one is plentiful. I used it to creat the flower vine. This Stickease set also included a rickrack ribbon that worked perfectly for my layout. This particular layout also gives a good example of all the embellishments that are available with this program. Buttons, ribbons, and all sorts of metal embellishments, in any of the Close to My Heart 60 colors, are easy to use.

This is just plain EYE CANDY!

And NO, Gary, I'm not talking about your best impression of Larry Boy!!!

The way this layout lays out is just so stinkin' clever!!! It perfectly draws the eye in to the photos and there is a new treasure at every turn. I particularly like the small pictures. I didn't want to trash the little photos - precious memories! - but they were just too small to come into focus as a full-sized picture.
And again, the Stickease is all available in different, adjustable sizes along with the buttons and brads and ribbons. This just doesn't get any easier!

My Retreat Workshop - a la Christy Land

This was Christy Land's take on my retreat workshop from the one I had in late April. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of my own layout! The workshop started with wetting and wrinkling (carefully) the base paper which was Dutch Blue cardstock. (For Christy's page, she used a second layer of Sunflower cardstock as the bases to the pages to give strength to the layout, but the original had the blue as the only base.) Anyway, once the blue is good and wrinkled, Christy flattened it back out and let it dry overnight. She even ironed it to flatten it fully. After it was totally dry, she then sanded the peaks that were caused by the wrinkles, giving the bases an awesome texture. Adding some ink of the same color can enhance the texture.

For the workshop, I taught the gals how to make fancy full flowers. Start with punched circles and fold each circle into thirds, making a pie shaped piece. Christy made the green side of her B&T as the center of the flower and the orange as the edge. Mine also were full circles, but she utilized the stems printed on the floral B&T to make have flowers, using 3 little pie pieces and a coordinating brad as the center, holding it all together.

It's really easy to see on this last picture how the positioning of the "flowers" makes all the difference in the world. She also introduced sewing to our retreats this time, using a straight stitch around the outside edges of the blue, and a zigzag stitch between the different paper pieces.

Workshop Opportunities

I wanted to give you a sneak peak at some of the layouts I'm planning to share with you this summer.

My Splendor workshop is scheduled for May 23 at 5 PM. I have 4 open seats at this point. We'll make 3 full layouts and a 4th is included in a full-color brochure that comes with the workshop. The basic kit is a purchase of $29.95 retail and it includes a full paper package, a stamp set, and one set of embellishments in addition to the instruction brochure. Extra embellishments that were used can also be purchased. See the flyer HERE for the "Best Option" embellishments and I also added a set of brads that was made especially for this paper design! I have to tell you, how much fun I had with these layouts! One of the embellishments is our new Irresistables Pizzazz chipboard set - Oh my gosh! These little designs have an embossed pattern on them so when you apply ink the pattern stays white. I LOVED playing with these and I used them on all of the pages in several colors!

*** I only have 4 spots left for this workshop. You will need to sign up before May 13th so I'll have enough time to order your materials. Also let me know which embellishments you want to get.***

June looks like it will be a very busy month. I still have open spots for my retreat. It is June 4-6 and is only $95 for your cropping area and a place in a bedroom. I will need your reservation and a $30 non-refundable deposit no later than May 31 if you want to attend. And did I mention that you really do deserve this! We are going to party at this retreat in a big way!

Also, I plan to use the Cherry-o paper pack for my workshop on the 27th of June at 5 PM. I have to tell you, I've gotten a LOT of interest in this workshop. I will only seat 6 at a time, but I think I may end up opening a second workshop for this set on the 20th. You can see the flyer for this one HERE, but the set up is the same. Your Basic kit comes with the paper pack, a stamp set, and 1 embellishment along with the brochure. The "Best Option" accents were both used on my pages and I also added a special embellishment that was made especially for this set. Let me know before June 10 if you wish to participate in this workshop and I'll let you know which day I have spots open.

Don't forget the Scrappin' Happy classes, too. These are free when you have your own CTMH supplies. My next 2 are on May 22 at 4 PM and June 26 at 4 PM. We'll make 4 double layouts in no time and have them ready for your pictures and embellishments. Let me know if you plan to join us for either of these no later than May 13 and June 10.

News News News!

If you are on my email tree, these are the details from the email I just sent you!

Going on right now! Get the Miracle set for only $10 when you make a $30 purchase, or get it for only $5 when you make a $60 purchase. It's gorgeous and includes all the paper and embellishements for the 4 layouts you see on the flyer at the link on the picture.

Needing a retreat? Sign up to join us on June 4-6 in Addison. Your cropping space and room are covered by your $95 fee. There are still some spaces left for this retreat and they are ALWAYS inspiring and fun!

My May workshop on the 23rd is with the brand new Splendor paper. You can't even purchase this paper until the 1st, but I've already begun working up some GORGEOUS new layouts complete with stamping and embellishments. There are only four open spots for this workshop so contact me right away if you want to join us and click the picture to see the flyer with all the information!

The Scrappin' Happy classes have taken a bit of a break, but they are back! We'll be doing them at 4PM usually on the last Saturdays of the month - except for May when we'll do it on Saturday, the 22nd. This is a FREE class! You bring the supplies and you'll leave with 4 or 5 double layouts in just a couple of hours. This class is especially to help you get some layouts ready for your pictures, using the Close to My Heart products you love and have already purchased. Let me know if you are interested in joining the next class and I'll give you a list of the needed supplies!

This artwork uses May's stamp of the month. It and the next three monthly stamps are on the back inside cover of your new Summer Idea Book. What? You don't have one? Yikes. Click the picture to send me an email and I'll let you know how you can get one of your very own!