Tag: Disney

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Memory Keeping Magic

Have you seen the new Magical paper collection? The bright fun colors are great for your summer pictures, especially if you travel to a certain “world” in Orlando, Florida! But even if that location is not your destination, the theme includes cameras and water blues that will go with lots of vacation plans.

When you buy the Magical Workshop Your Way, you get everything you need to make six decorative scrapbook pages.

You can print the instructions on the workshop resource page of my website.

The kit also includes two sheets of double sided Picture My Life cards that you can cut apart. These can be used alone in pocket pages or added as titles, journaling and alternative papers to your layouts. 

You will have some paper left over that you can stretch by adding more solid cardstock to make additional layouts. Or you can add a few more products and make this set of adorable cards!

These cards use the cute Fairytale Birthday stamp set. When you add your own cards and bases, you’ll have enough product left to make three of each of them (9 all together).

B1534 Fairytale Birthday Stamp Set

Again, you can print the directions to all of these Magical projects on the workshop resources page of my website. Are you a visual learner? Close To My Heart also created a set of four videos that take you through the workshop directions step by step!

Just a reminder that the Magical collection is only available for a limited time and will retiring on August 31. In addition to the complete kit, you can purchase the paper and embellishment sets separately. You can see the whole collectionHERE.


Happy Creating,

Rebecca

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Studio J — the GTD (Get Things Done) Scrapbooking Program

Are you familiar with the acronym “GTD”, as in GTD apps? If not, I bet you have used them. I have a lot of apps that help me get through my day — reminders for medicine, my food diary, calendar, contact lists, to do lists and much more are stored on my phone using “Get Things Done” apps. These programs help me make sure that I get done what needs to get done during my day.

What about scrapbooking — do you wish you had a GTD app that speed up the process so you could be {closer to} caught up? Do you ever do pages just to get them done — sticking your photos on the pages with just mats and jots of journaling (if you are lucky)?

I certainly have plenty of page where I have chosen simplicity in the name of getting things done. However, I have learned that if I use Studio J I can get things done quickly but still have beautiful pages like the one below.

With this digital scarpbooking program, I don’t have to sacrifice beauty for time. My pages can have a theme, beautiful titles, (readable) journaling plus embellishments galore!

Also, you also don’t have to sacrifice options! With Studio J you can be as creative (or not) as you want because within this program you can choose between three creativity tiers:

Tier 1 – Express Collections

With the pre-designed pages in the Express Collections you simply drop your photos in, add some journaling (optional) and edit the title (optional) and you have a beautiful page. This fast track system is what I used for the layout above. Here’s what it looked like before I even clicked the mouse:

As you can see the colors, title and embellishments were perfect a Disney page and I simply dropped in my pictures from our Breakfast with Mickey and added a few notes about the event. It took me all of 5 minutes tops!

In addition to the Zoe Express Collection, a new Sangria collection was just added! Each of these include 5 layouts.

Tier 2 – Paper Kits + Patterns

The next tier on the creativity meter is found when you choose “Create a Custom Layout” on the Studio J project wizard. You will then get to pick from (currently) 137 paper packs and 72 layout patterns. You can filter each of these lists down to help you find what will work for your current project.

A few of the 137 paper packs in Studio J
Sample of the layout patterns

Once you have picked your paper and layout, you are then free to customize to your heard desire by dropping in pictures, changing the papers, and adding journaling, titles and embellishments until you are satisfied with your creation.

Tier 3 – No Limits

The final tier of creativity is also found in “Choose a Custom Layout” except after you choose your paper pack, you pick the “No Limits” pattern. This special layout is simply two 12″ x 12″ photo wells. You can change them to journaling boxes and fill with a solid or patterned paper. Now consider them as blank pieces of paper — just like you would have if you were doing a paper layout and had picked out your base papers. From there you can add all the elements you need to complete you layouts

Regardless of what level of creativity you use in Studio J, you will find that this really is a “getting it done” program. A few years ago, I created my first two Studio J layouts in just 30 minutes while waiting for my daughter to get ready for school in the morning. I had actually not even logged into the program before that session! The learning curve for using this program really is that fast.

Are you ready to Get Things Done? Try Studio J today for free by creating an account HERE then stepping through the intuitive wizard steps.

If you have any questions along the way, give me a holler. I’d love to help you.

Rebecca

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2014 Convention Memories at Disneyland

WARNING: Long post! But don’t worry, I have included lots of pictures to make it easier to get through. Last week was the 2014 Close To My Heart Convention at Disneyland!

The convention was a whirl-wind experience which included:

  • Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones
  • Playing at Disneyland 🙂
  • Experiencing the introduction of some amazing new products
  • Seeing creative projects made by very talented individuals
  • Learn some great business tips from successful consultants
  • Get straight from the top updates from our VP team
  • Celebrate achievements at the Awards Banquet
  • And so much more!

The theme of this year’s convention was Artistic Adventure and it is hard to capture the excitement with a few pictures, but I’ll try anyway. 

I arrived in beautiful Sunny California on Tuesday and after quickly settling into our room, my roomie and I headed over to Disney’s California Adventure. Since this was our only chance to “do the parks” we crammed a lot into about 5 hours! 

Wednesday was Leadership Day and the morning was filled with small breakout sessions with Senior Directors. I took so many notes that my pen started smoking. Just kidding, but seriously, I picked up so many great ideas!

In the afternoon, we got to play with the new alcohol markers and I must say that I will recommend them without any reservations. Two thumbs up! They were so easy to use, had great ink flow and vivid colors. (More on the markers in a later sneak peak post.)

Wednesday ended with our team meeting. I love hanging out with these folks!

Goofing off at our Team Meeting with Julie

There was electricity in the air before Thursday morning’s main session. Historically, this session is filled with new product reveals and prizes so the place was buzzing with anticipation. This year’s session did not let us down.

So many great new products to tell you about…of course there are beautiful new paper collections (nine) and tons of new stamp sets, but there are also 5 new colors for our palette, 5 new Picture My Life sets, 3 new My Crush books, 5 quick pre-cut kits, new home decor items, new shapes for Base & Bling jewelry, a scoring board, embossing plates, new fundamentals & glitter paper, new embellishments and a new Cricut Cartridge! I will be sharing more about these new products in the next few weeks.

The session ended with distribution of the much anticipated Annual Expressions catelogs in these fabulous back packs.

I spent the lunch break digging through all the goodies in the bag and pouring over the new Idea Book. I really think this is the best catelog ever!

That afternoon, we had a creative session in which we made three cards cut using Artfully Sent, the new Cricut cartridge. We also made a Picture My Life mini-album and an oval Base & Bling bracelet.

Card made with new Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge

Friday was packed with a more creative ideas, business meetings and another creative session, followed by the Awards Banquet.

Tina Sutton accepting the award for team sales – Go Scattered Hearts!

 

Saturday morning came early with the first ever Close To My Heart Rise & Shine Fun Run “5K”. We got to run/walk through a nearly vacant California Adventure park. What a fun experience and opportunity for once-in-a-lifetime selfies.

Despite near exhaustion, I couldn’t miss the high point of Convention: Extravaganza! This is a mind-blowing time in which very talented consultants share all the amazing projects they were able to create with the new products in just a few weeks. 

Extravaganza projects by Michelle Snyder

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I wondered down to the gallery full of catalog artwork. It is so cool to see these projects up close and personal. 

At the closing session, I got to cross one more thing off my bucket list: be part of a flash mob. Read more in this post>> What a exciting way to conclude such an amazing convention!

Whew! No wonder I was exhausted when I arrived home on Sunday!

Thank you for indulging me by listening to my story and looking at my pictures. I have had so much fun reliving the convention with you. I really can’t put into words how much fun is packed into those few days. I left energized and inspired to both get creative and pursue my Close To My Heart business more intentionally.

Next year’s convention will be once again be at Disneyland in Anahein, CA. I’d love to have a few of my friends join me! Yes, I’m talking about YOU! Please contact me to learn more about how Close To My Heart may be a great opportunity for you. I’d love to have you on my team. Convention is wonderful, but CTMH is so much more than just this annual event.

Have a Magical Day!

Rebecca

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These feet are ready for Disneyland!

The Close To My Heart convention is at Disneyland in Anahein, CA this week. I can’t wait to catch up with friends, see beautiful project ideas and see all the new products. I have not yet started packing, but my feet are ready!

Here’s the products I used to create this look:

  • Big Apple Red O.P.I. Nail Lacquer
  • Black Onyx O.P.I. Nail Lacquer
  • White On Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear
  • Sally Hansen I Love Nair Art tool kit

I first painted my big toes’ nails white and the rest red. Then I used the dot maker from the tool kit to put white dots on the red nails. I painted the Mickey head and ears with black brushes.

Hope you enjoyed this little break from paper crafting projets.

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Viva! Close To My Heart Convention Exclusives

Over the last few days, I’ve blogged about the great projects we received by attending the 2013 Close To My Heart Convention: Follow Your Heart Mini Album, Base & Bling Necklace and Spin Cards.

We were given one last project which was two layouts with this beautiful exclusive Viva stamp set and full paper pack!

Exclusive Viva convention stamp set
Exclusive Viva convention paper pack

These products are really lovely and show you just how much CTMH values and pampers their consultants by designing paper and stamps just for this event!

However, I have to admit that I have not completed the convention projects using the Viva! paper & stamp set…

So today, instead I’m posting a few fun pictures from my time at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando. Enjoy!

Viva Stage for Main Sessions
New Product Winner! (not me unfortunately)
Extravaganza – Learning from other consultants!
Breakfast at ‘Ohana with some of my CTMH Family
Awards Banquet
Mickey Moouse 🙂
My Team Leader, Inspiration & Presidential Director Tina Sutton
Me with a couple of Disney VIPs

It is really hard to put into words how much fun a Close To My Heart convention is. I hope that these pictures have helped paint the picture for you.

Want to come with me next year? Mark your calendar and meet me on June 26 – 28, 2014 at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA!

The first step in going to the Disneyland convention is to join my team. Simply purchase the new consultant kit for $49 and receive a box full of fun products valued at $155. That’s a discount of over 65%!

Join now >>

Please contact me if you’d like to discuss this opportunity further. I’d love to talk to you about all the other perks of being a Close To My Heart consultant.

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Kraft Cards Mini-Album – Convention Project #3

Here’s a picture of the final project we made at convention.

This accordian mini-album is actually three of the new 6″ square kraft cards. As you can see in the picture below, each of these cards has a scalloped flap in the front. To attach the cards together, the flaps for two of the cards are glued to the back of the next card in the book.

Once you have the cards attached, you need to refold to make an accordian. Now it is time to decorate!

By the way, the stamp set was our gift at the convention banquet. Unfortunately (for you), it is not available for sell. Given how much I love all things Disney, I have lots of plans for this set.

Throughout this album we attached Decor Journaling Spots. These packets come in a package of 12 (two each of 6 colors). I have plenty left over for another project.

Many of the shapes used in this album were cut using the new Cricut cartridge including the quote box below. See how perfectly the frame on the stamp fits on the paper? Ingeneous!

We also used the new Alphabets Cork to put 2011 on the front and to add the words DREAM, WISH and ASPIRE on internal pages. To make these letters pop off the kraft paper, we first sponged them with Cocoa ink.

I hope you have enjoyed my tour of convention projects. If you have any questions about the supply list or techniques used, just drop me an email.

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Altered Binder Clip Photo Holder

Today, I want to show you how to take a large binder clip to make a cute photo holder like the one below.

Recipe:

My Reflections Zippidee paper

Disney Stamp Set by EK Success

Gemstones by the Paper Studio

First, just to make sure we are on the same page, here is a picture of the binder clip that I started with.

It is about 2″ wide and around 4″ tall when standing with the clip part up. The first thing to do is cut a piece of paper to cover the body of the clip. The size needed for mine was 3-1/4 by 1-7/8 inches, but you’ll want to check as sizes may vary. Starting with the short side of the paper on the top edge of the clip (where the metal curls), wrap this all the way under and around to the other curled edge of the clip. Although you are attaching paper to metal, I found that my Tombow tape runner worked fine. 

Now you can decorate your clip to your heart content. I wanted to use mind to hold a picture from a Disney World trip, so I chose Mickey Mouse stamps from EK Success. Let’s take a closer look at the picture of Mickey.

To make the blue frame around, I first punched a 1-1/2 circle from a piece of blue cardstock. Then I tossed the circle (actually saved it for a later project) and put the outer piece of cardstock in to my 2″ scallop punch. By turning the punch upside down as shown below, I was able to make sure that the frame was an even width all the way around.

I layered this ring on top of the Mickey I had previously stamped on white card stock, and viola, it becomes a frame. I found that glue dots worked the best for sticking embellishments to the metal rods.

Below are a couple photo holders that we will be making at my next Creative Workshop on May 22. For more details on the workshop, click here.

Recipe

My Reflections Fanfare paper

My Acrylix American Celebration stamp set

Recipe

My Reflections Veranda paper

My Acrylix Dreams Come True stamp set