Fast and Easy Scrapbooking-It's Digital-It's Studio J

Many people like the feel, smell and look of scrapbook papers. I totally understand that view. 

But sometimes you just want to get a whole lot done in very little time. If you have digital files, and who doesn't!, Studio J is the perfect answer to "I don't have the time to scrapbook". Studio J is Close To My Heart's answer to digital scrapbooking. I love it!! 

Close To My Heart’s online design software, Studio J®, helps you create two-page layouts faster, simpler, and easier—saving you time and money!


Your Studio J layouts are perfect for your cherished albums. 

Here’s why:

     *Every layout is custom printed using the highest quality photo 
processing paper and technology. Your layouts will last a lifetime!

     *Choose from dozens of themed kits to suit any event or occasion, with 
coordinating embellishments, stickers, and fonts to customize your look.

     *Select just the right pattern, accommodating from two to 15 photos per layout—great versatility.

     *The software is free! Create an account on my website and start   designing complete layouts in just minutes. 

     *Each two-page layout is only $6.95!! Amazing!!  

I was able to complete four layouts in one hour. Here are some of my pages:

Please don't leave your files just in digital mode. Your phone or laptop or disc or the cloud, doesn't allow for viewing at a later time. I've seen digital storage change from the days of tapes, I hate to admit that. There is no permanence in storage modes or equipment. Printing can be passed down for everyone to enjoy. And, while I'm at it, a little journaling can go a long way. I have a beautiful OLD scrapbook-the kind with the black pages, beautiful black & white photos held in place be corners, but there are no names of anyone and there is no one left to ask. It makes me sad. It could be anyone's family album. Remember names, dates, place, at the very least. OK, I'll stop preaching now...sorry.

Start your digital scrapbooking today. WooHoo, you can do it!!

The Scrap Cave Closet

My attempt to try to be in control of my stuff! Here it is:

Cardstock is on shelving that I purchased from a lady who was downsizing her scrap store.  Boy, did I luck out!

The closet in my office/scrap cave is maybe 24" deep and has a 2-door opening. Some of the shelving  came with the closet and the rest is Elfa shelving from The Container Store, one of my all time favorite stores. All of the bedroom closets have Elfa shelving for added storage and organization.

There's more to scrapbooking than pages or cards.

I love Close To My Heart products! They give me ideas of things to make outside of scrapbook pages and cards. Let me explain...

Several years ago, fortunately before my Dad died, I decided to make a mini 6" X 6" 8 page fold-out for my parents from their 3 children and their grandchildren, including their great grandchildren. As Thanksgiving was approaching I thought how appropriate it would be to tell Mom & Dad why we were thankful for them.

Just so you understand why this idea came about, my family is scattered. My sister and her 2 daughters are in NY, my brother and one of his sons live in NC, the other son and daughter live in FL, my parents in NC and I'm in TX. Sunday dinners with the grandparents (like in my childhood) were not possible. 

I decided to gather pictures and a paragraph thanking Mom/Grandma and Dad/Grandpa from each family through email. This did take awhile and several encouraging emails :-). I loved being able to size and print the pictures to fit into a 6 x 6 layout and copy the provided text to print on some background paper. I added layers of cardstock to frame either pictures or text. Then, of course, embellishments (my personal downfall-where my motto is "too much is not enough") were added for fun and accent. In the end, I had no idea how much this meant to my parents. Each time I called for many, many months Mom would say "your Dad is looking at your book". They loved it and I loved making it for them.

Here is an overview photo:

Here is the first page, last page and my family's page just so you get the idea:

The picture is Mom and we 3 kids vintage 1956 or 57.

The background papers are no longer available but, depending on your pictures, Close To My Heart has many papers and cardstocks that would look great. The pages could be put together with rings, ribbons or Washi tape (page 172-173 of the Annual Inspiration Close To My Heart catalog). 

Shop With Me

What I love best about this little book is it is a gift that keeps on giving rather than another thing to dust! Any elderly or not so elderly person in your family would love it. 

I hope this might give you a little inspiration for DIY gifts. Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner!! 

Tools I love and use all the time.

Self healing mat w/ 12x12 grid

Coated, non-stick surface to cut through adhesive without sticking. Small and super sharp for detailed cutting.

Widest base on the market, wire cut-line indicator, lightweight, swing-out arm for cuts over 15". Fiskars®.

More tools and accessories.

The Scrap Cave

I thought I would show you my work area. This is the hideaway where all my orders are made and filed, where Workshops On The Go get completed and ready to present at my clubs, where my Cricut and Cuttlebug live and produce such pretty things for me. I'm showing you the before and after shots of my office. My husband and son helped me move furniture, reorganize, and paint in Restoration Hardware Lt. Sage which actually looks blue to me.

Before:

After:

I still have clutter issues but the flow and organization are so much easier for me to work with. I don't feel trapped and I actually enjoy going into my "scrap cave". Next time I'll let you into my closet.

My Video Studio!
I created a new video that details where and how I make my Scrapbooking videos for my Blog. It includes information on all the equipment inside the studio, plus a sit-down at my computer, where I talk about the software and technique involved in creating my videos. 
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Last Saturday was my Dallas club I call the Dallas Scrappers. Because they are such an experienced group, and because the only 2 workshops we didn't do from the spring Idea Book were the Lollydoddle and Ivy Lane cards kits, I decided to have them do 2 kits of each workshop. I told the ladies to do all the cuts, straight and Cricut, before we met. This gave them a false feeling of "no problemo, we got this". Well at the end of a solid 3 hours of stamping and assembly, they all felt worn out! It was tough but they did a great job and in the end they still got to take home 15 cards but it was 7 or 8 from different kits. I would never try this in a less experienced group. Everyone had to stay on task but I think the ladies were glad to have cards from each kit.

Every time I send my sister a Close To My Heart card, she raves about receiving a piece of art. Don't you love sisters?!! :-)

More Workshops On The Go from the 

Close To My Heart Idea Book and Catalog Spring/Summer 2014 edition

Balloon Ride Workshop On The Go