Using Studio J in your daily life.

I am a huge fan of the ARC Organization/Calendar system which can be used for many things, but I use mine for a business/family calendar and as a way to keep other business things together.  Part of the reason that I love this system is that I can add pages that I have created on my computer, print them, punch them, and add them into my planner with ease.

I have also recently discovered that I can also create my own custom covers/dividers in Studio J for my organizer - how fun is that?  For our Close To My Heart Convention, I created a front and back cover for my team members notebooks with Studio J.  I simply used the No Limits Template and the Love Birds Paper Collection (this was the paper used in our team meeting) and 

created the pages at 8 1/2" x 11".  I then filled the open space that remained on the 12" x 12" page with photographs that I needed for other projects.  Once the pages arrived, I trimmed them to size, punched the ARC holes, and inserted in the girls books.

This has sparked a wealth of ideas for other organizational binders and needs!  Abby and I are going to create inserts for her school binders, and I am thinking of creating one for my Tab book as well!  

Remember, through July 31, 2015, Close To My Heart is having a Studio J Flash Sale - where all 2 page 12" x 12" spreads are on sale for just $5!  Click here for details of this awesome Flash Sale!

Designed Decor Flip Stand Album - Studio J style!

I am not sure which is cuter - the little Cinderella's in the pictures or the frame itself?  I will let you decide that one, but for now, I wanted to showcase two things this afternoon - the awesome possibilities that Studio J opens up for us, and a soon-to-be-retired-but-sure-to-be-a-must-have item: the Designer Decor Flip Stand Album. 

As you scroll down through my pictures, the first thing that might come to mind is "hmmm, I don't remember seeing that paper before" and most likely you would be correct unless you are a frequent Studio J passionate like myself.  This is the Love Bird paper collection and is a Studio J exclusive collection: meaning, the paper is only available in Studio J.  That certainly doesn't mean you can't be super creative with it!  My grandma up-line to use this paper collection as the theme for her team meeting at our Annual National Convention last week.  Within that meeting, I took on the Studio J element and intertwined the paper into several areas of the meeting - aka party.  I will share more elements of the party in the coming days, but today I wanted to share the Create and Take Project that I designed.

Designing aside, this is a quick project (20-30 minutes) that you can re-create with any of the collections in Studio J!  The supplies needed are:  (Z1896) Designer Decor Flip Stand Album, Studio J graphics, (Z4114) 4" x 6" Flip Flaps, (Z1747) Small Flip Flap Assortment.  Tools needed are:  (Z1783) 12" x 12" Paper Trimmer, adhesive of choice, (Z1836) Fine Tip Scissors and (Z2060) 3-d Thin Foam Tape (optional).

This is what the Flip Album Stand looks like before it becomes a treasured piece of art and memory keeper - simple, basic and open to a world of possibilities!

Next, you need the graphics.  I was able to create all of pages, the accents that I wanted and added several extras in the blank space.  My book includes 3 Flip Flap pages front and back as well as the base.  You could certainly add more or even add more photo pages to share more memories - just add more Flip Flaps!

This is what my graphics looked like before cutting them.  Note that this is a 12" x 12" piece of paper.

I also use Studio J to process my photos so this is what the sheet of photos looked like before I cut them.  You will notice that I did not need the entire page for this project -- I simply filled that white space later with additional photos for another project.  This is one of the most awesome things about Studio J - I can print my photos in the exact size!  No fuss!

Next, take the bracket off the frame.  

Next, cut the entire flap off the 4" x 6" Flip Flap.  Set aside.  Unscrew the bracket from the frame and use this to create a template for the hole positions in the flip flaps.  Use a hole puncher to punch the holes.  Make sure that the holes are punched at the unsealed part of the flip flap so that the pictures don't fall out.

While the frame is apart, insert the base inside the frame and position as desired.  Close the frame. Insert the screws into the holes to punch through the artwork.  Take the screws back out and reattach the bracket. 

Now that the "mechanics" are complete, you can have fun decorating the frame!  Once you have completed each page, adhere the front page to the back and then insert into the flip flap.  Use the previously punched holes in the flip flap as a guide to cut the holes in the photo.  Remember too that the back picture flips up so that picture will go the opposite direction from the front picture.

So all of this being said, here are my pages that feature my super cute daughter and niece attending their premier of Cinderella.  The boys, their "princes" are super handsome too if I do say so myself.

Cover.

Page 1 and 2.

Page 3 and 4.

Page 4 with little flip flap open.

Back of frame.

Easy, peasy!!  Loved the process of creating this and I hope you will too!  The frames will be retiring on August 31st so don't wait to order yours!  I am thinking Christmas gifts!!  To place an order for the frame, or other needed supplies click here.  To play with the wonders of Studio J visit here!  And BONUS -- there is a STUDIO J FLASH SALE going on until July 31st where a 2 page 12" x 12" spread is just $5 (plus shipping and tax).

I will also be teaching my frame as a class at my August Americana Event at 2:30PM on Friday, August 22nd at the Holiday Inn in Harrisonburg, VA. The cost is $20.00.  To reserve your space, e-mail me at: inallsassiness@gmail.com.  You can also order this as a class kit.  The details are on my In All Sassiness Designs page.  

Pemberley - monocromatic and acrylic style

Tonight I thought I would share two projects that I made using the Pemberley paper collection and the Card Word Puzzle stamp set. The card is clear acrylic so it is a little difficult to photograph but it looks stunning in person.  I used Outdoor Denim ink and a few sparkles from the Blue/Green Sparkle Assortment to add a little bling.

The second project is using the same paper collection, Pemberly.  I love to challenge myself and find a use for little boxes, packaging and so forth so when this little box was given to me with a piece of jewelry, I knew I could find a way to recycle it and "bling it up".  Recently, I made a ribbon pin for a friend and remembered this little box--it fit in the box perfectly.  So, I inked the corners with Outdoor Denim ink, cut out a few flowers, added some Liquid Glass and bling, and turned an ordinary box into an extraordinary box.

This featured stamp set is called Card Word Puzzle. This set is a fantastic addition to every card makers collection, and it is universal enough to work for a scrapbooker too. 

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It's Stamp-a-Ganza Time!

Now through June 30th, our acrylix stamp sets are Buy 2 Get 1 Free!

Love this featured stamp? You can order yours now, by clicking here.

Notes of Sophia

Outside cover.

Inside of holder.

I wanted to share a Note Holder that I created for a few upcoming gifts.  The case was just a white, glossy cd case that I added paper and My Stickease to from the Sophia collection.  The glossy finish was the perfect medium to stick the post it notes because they will not tear when repositioned or used.  The finished size is 5 1/2" x  5 1/2".  We are using some of these as teacher gifts.  They were super simple to created and are a unique gift that is sure to be remembered.  These folders came from Scrappin' Sports & More but I am sure they can be found at other craft retailers as well.  I will be posting a few other versions in the coming weeks. 

Butterflies

I know that I don't often post artwork that I have created that is not CTMH here, but I had to make an exception for this frame that I created for a display at my "other" job. The butterflies and glitter are from Martha Stewart; the title was cut with the Duan Jon font on the Cricut and the cardstock was from the Paper Company. Once completed, I showcased the layout in a deep 12x12 shadow box frame. If you live local, you can see my art piece at Michael's in Harrisonburg. Special thanks to Gabriel's teacher Mrs.Snyder for the phenomenal photograph!

Have you thanked a teacher this week?

This week is Teacher's Appreciation Week, and understanding how important teachers are and how often they go un-thanked, I made these little thank you gifts and cards for preschool teachers in our area. Many thanks to my mom, husband, and friend Linda for their help getting these fun little treats together.

Father's Day Accordian Project Class

Wanted to share a project class that I will be teaching later in early ...a Father's Day Accordian Book. Of course, the book can be used for other memories / occasions outside of Father's Day too! I love the color combination as it is perfect for a more masculine look, but of course, it works for any look. The class will be Thursday, June 2nd. All pieces are pre-cut, so this is a perfect project to order as a kit. Stay tuned...this will be an awesome class!!

Front Cover: the Layout Design is Puzzle Junkie from Cherish

First Spread: Layout design is Simple Pleasures

Detail panel: multiple stamping

Detail photo: dimensional elements irrestibiles

Second spread: Layout design is Memoirs Complete

Spread Three: Layout Design is Medley from Imagine

Back Cover: Layout Design is Puzzle Junkie From Cherish

Full Front Spread

Full Back Spread

My Ultimate Scrapbooking Challenge: 3 more layouts completed.

61 layouts completed. 89 layouts to go!

The flowers continue to "bloom"...

Remember the adorable flower that I used on the Relay Crop Layout earlier in the week? Here it is again but this time as a piece of altered art. I made these boxes for dinner favors for a dinner I was attending this evening. I had to laugh because you could tell who the paper crafters were...they were confiscating the flowers from their non-paper crafting friends and hoarding the flowers for future projects! Too funny! Because of the interest, and numerous requests I have received on how to make these flowers, I will be posting a step by step tutorial later this weekend. I think it is safe to say the little boxes were a hit!

Acrylic Book of Sweetness

I have a little niece who I absolutely adore! I made this little book for her of the first week of her life. I wanted to create something special that she could look back on in years to come and see all of the love that we have for her. So, this is what I created:

The dedication reads: "My dearest Addison, Today was such a special day because it was the day that you were given to us from the heavens. There are so many people who love you so very much: amazing parents, grandparents, and families who have loved you with all their hearts before you were even born. I was both blessed, and honored, to be able to hold you just a few minutes after you were born, and they were beautiful moments shared—moments that I will treasure forever. I cherish you dearly my little sweetheart! As you grow, please know that if you ever need an Auntie for anything—to share life’s experiences with (both the ups and the downs), to be silly with, and just be yourself with, I will always be here for you. I love you very much and am blessed that you are a part of my life. Always here for you, Auntie Tonya "

Supplies used: Acrylic Book, Miracle Level 2 Collection, Miracle Level One Collection (My Stickease), Miracle My Stickease, Miracle Constant Campaign Kit (Speciality pieces), D.E. Miracle, Love Story Rub-ons, Glitz Glitter Glue, Liquid Glass and Clear Button Assortment.

Colors Featured: Heavenly Blue, Crystal Blue, Twilight, Sweet Leaf, Colonial White & Sweet Leaf.

Gifts that are handmade and heartfelt.

I wanted to share a gift that I made for a dear friend. I made her some of our family's favorite Christmas goodies and pulled them all together with the colors of the Mistletoe paper collection. And since she is also a scrapbooker, I added a package of our adorable Mistletoe embellishments. Included yummies are: Chocolate-Apricot Tea Bread, Buckeyes and Peppermint Bark (in cookie cutter).

Enjoy making all of your handmade gifts this year!

Prayer journal...or artbook...or list maker

The choice is really yours to make! But I had to share the idea of making your own journals! I love to do these and have found that the recipients love them as well. Just like most paper crafting projects, there is no right or wrong way to create the books, but I thought I would share some of the successes I have had.

For simplicity reasons, I try to use the composition books that do not have a spiral.

Cut the paper to fit and adhere from the back side wrapping the paper around to the front. Adhesives that work well are: Xyron and Zip Dry Paper Glue.

Cut, measure and adhere the paper to the front of the book overlapping the previous seam.

Decorate as desired.

Here is a finished journal that I created using the Magnifique paper.

And that is all there is to it. Have fun creating!