Friday, October 26, 2012

Intro To Studio J



 “You’ve taken the photos. Now keep the memories.™”?

Studio J is an online scrapbook studio that allows you to create custom-printed two-page layouts for 12" × 12" albums.

Getting started is easy.

STEP ONE: Sign up for a Studio J account:

STEP TWO:  Watch this introduction Video:

STEP THREE:  Enter Studio J

1. Upload photos.
2. Choose between our professionally-designed Express Collections or the Custom creation path.
3. Select your collection and layout, or else a kit & pattern combination.
4. Personalize your layout.
5. Purchase custom-printed layouts ready for a cherished album.

You Can Create!
Julia Hammond



Saturday, September 29, 2012

Moonlight Blog Hop: Boo photo cubes

Thank you for joining us on our “Take a Walk in the Moonlight” Blog Hop.  We have a fabulous path for you to follow as you take your walk in the moonlight with us as we feature Close to My Heart’s Moonlight paper pack.


If you just happened to come to this blog, you should begin your walk at the  beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

If you came from Joanne's Blog: Josie's Joy , you're in the right place!

My project is altered photo cubes:

These started out as unaltered photo cubes that I had in my stash.  They were purchase from Oriental Trading Company.  I think I paid $1.25 for each of them.

Step One:  I inked all edges in Black ink.  I used CTMH black Pigment ink and set them aside to dry

Step Two. I cut CTMH's Moonlight B&T in 2.75 inch squares and used Mod Podge to apply the paper to the sides and top

Step Three:  I cut rosettes at 1.5 inches in GoldRush Card Stock using CTMH's Artiste cartridge.

Step Four.  Boo was cut using Artiste as well.  This whole word is on one key in the Halloween suite.  It is cut 2.5 inches.  I applied Opaque Adhesive gems to accent each letter.

Step Five:  I layered the rosettes and letters and then adhered them to the blocks.

I'd like to add some black tule around the wire picture holder's but I am waiting for my next order to arrive :)

Here is a front view of my blocks:


The next stop on your moonlight walk is Theodora's blog: Celebrate Crafts.

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who will lead you down the moonlight path:

  1. Lucy ~ Love To Create It All 
  2. Darla ~ Crafting Is Contagious
  3. Deanne Treasured Hearts
  4. Bethany ~ Stamping At Home
  5. Wendy ~ My Scrapbooking Blog
  6. Stephanie ~ The Quitlted Scrapper
  7. Erin ~ CreatErin
  8. Maria ~ Maria's Paper Craft Place
  9. Carolyn ~ Nuts 4 Scrappin' 
  10. Joanne ~ Josie's Joy
  11. Julia ~ You Can Create<<<--- You Are Here :)
  12. Theodora  ~ Celebrate Crafts

You Can Create!
Julia

Saturday, September 22, 2012

September Artiste Blog Hog: Here for the Boos



  • Welcome to our September ARTISTE Blog Hop!  Each month we are showcasing the amazing, exclusive ARTISTE Cricut cartridge which can be only purchased through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

    We don't want to scare you but Halloween is a little over a month away and we know you have to be thinking about what YOU are going to create for this spooky holiday! We decided to show you all the creative projects you can make using our exclusive Artiste Cricut cartridge. You will be hopping along our haunted trail of creativity - you never know what you will see next!

    If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

    Also, to help you get ready to start making your own Halloween projects Lucy has some blog candy for you! She is giving away a Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements pack!  That's two (2) sheets of Printed Dimensional Elements that you can use to create your own Halloween project! There is a picture of the blog candy on her blog. All you have to do to be eligible to win is to leave a comment on everyone's blog AND become a follower of Lucy's blog.  (If you are already a follower, just let her know in your comment.)

    My project is an altered wine carrier.

    I will be the first to admit that I know very little about wine.  In fact, I chose this wine simply because the orange lids were PERFECT for CTMH's Moonlight paper.

    The wine bottle wraps are cut at 2 inches from the cut found on
    Page 78  Card <shift>

    The sentiments came for a stamp set called Perfect Fit Halloween and were stamped on Page 33 Accent 3 <no shift>  cut at 1.5 inches




     Close up...

    I create this embellishement using the same cut found on page 33 .  The black layer was cut at 3 inches while the B&T was cut at 2.75 inches

    The sticker are called Glamour Glitter Alphabet  and the ghost is from the Creepy Critters stamp set.


    The next stop on the haunted trail is Wendy Kessler's Blog: My Scrapbooking Blog.

    Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get spooked along the way:

  • 1. Lucy - Love 2 Create 
  • 2. Darla - Caution Crafting is Contagious 
  • 3. Diana - Dianas Free Moments 
  • 4. Carolyn - Nuts 4 Scrappin' 
  • 5. Julia Hammond - You Can Create  <---YOU ARE HERE
  • 6. Wendy Kessler - My Scrapbooking Blog 
  • 7. Pam Stewart - I Candy Scraps 
  • 8. Carolyn Mendoza - Crafting With Carolyn 
  • 9. Jennifer Kramer - 4 Hearts Scrapbooking
  • 10. Maria Woodworth - Maria's Paper Craft Place 
  • 11. Kindred Hearts - It Makes TOTAL Cents
  • 12. Ginger Morriello - Ginger's Creative Cottage

  • Thanks for stopping by for some Halloween fun -- hope we didn't scare the creativity out of you! Muah-ha-ha!

    You Can Create!

    Julia





Saturday, September 15, 2012

September Art Philosophy Blog Hop


Welcome to our September Art Philosophy Blog Hop!  
Each month we will showcase our amazing Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

Before we go on, I'd like to remind you to check out my FB GIVEAWAY... It end 9/14!

Since Halloween is just around the corner, this month we will be featuring projects for Halloween made using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge!  Hope you don’t get too scared by the time you get to the end of our hop!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog: Love 2 Create It All

My project is a card that features the Art Philosophy font.  I was inspired by a graduation card I made a few months back.


Paper Kit: Moonlight
Art Philosophy Font cut at 1.5 inches in Black

The next stop on your spooky blog hop trail is Wendy Kessler's: My Scrapping Blog.

Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get spooked along the way:

  1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create it all
  2. Darla ~ Stamping Under Doctors Orders
  3. Diana~ Diana's Free Moments
  4. Stephanie- Quilted Scrapper
  5. Julia- YOU CAN CREATE  <<- You are here.
  6. Wendy Kessler ~ My Scrapbooking Blog
  7. Carolyn Mendoza - Crafting With Carolyn
  8. Kindred Hearts - It Makes Total Cents
  9. Rebecca - Stamp And Scrap Studio
  10. Maria Woodworth ~ Maria's Paper Craft Place
You Can Create!
Julia

Sunday, September 2, 2012

It's Your Day Giveaway!

I am giving away this stamp set FREE to one lucky Friend of my FB page:

AND best of all it is easy to win!  Like my page on Facebook and you may win.  Use the Rafflecopter below to enter today! (This giveaway is open to Continental US residents only)  Good Luck!

You Can Create!
Julia

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 31, 2012

It's You Day: Blog Hop II

Hello and welcome to our National Stamping Month Blog Hop! This is the 2nd blog hop I have participated in that features this stamp set.  If you want to see more make sure you check it out: HERE.

 Close to My Heart wants to celebrate the everyday moments in our lives.  So, they are offering an amazing exclusive double-stamp set called “It’s Your Day”.  This is two D-size stamp sets in one!!
This amazing set has nearly 50 images designed to inspire you to capture your life one day at a time.   There are trendy chevron backgrounds, classic images as well as versatile phrases.  You can get your own stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying order of $35.  This stamp set has a value of $35.90!

This stamp set can be a part of A REALLY GOOD DEAL!

We also are happy to announce that one of our consultants, Maria Woodworth, of Maria's Paper Craft Place is offering blog candy. To be eligible to win, please be sure to leave a comment on each blog post and become a follower of her blog. Thanks so much Maria!

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.

Here is mine:  Refrigerator Magnets!


Fun and easy to create!  I had left over chipboard circles from a retired compliments pack. They were the PERFECT size for the images.  I used Twilight ink on the back side of the chip board circles.  Glued some magnets on to the back and I was done! 



My daughter LOVES them and is trying to figure out how she can sneak them off the refrigerator and on to her magnetic board.  

 I am the "caboose" of this Blog  Hop so back to the beginning of the hop you go to Lucy Kelleher"s page.

 Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get lost along the way:

    1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create It All 
    2. Darla ~ Caution: Stamping Is Contagious 
    3. Lori B ~ Saving Mine
    4. Amie Kiger~Mimi, Myself and I
    5. Deanne J - Treasured Life
    6. Jennifer Kramer4 Hearts Scrapbooking 
    7. Carolyn ~ Nuts 4 Scrappin' 
    8. Bethany - Stamping At Home
    9. Eva Friesen ~ For The Love of Creating
    10. Maria Woodworth ~ Maria's Paper Craft Place
    11. ***YOU ARE HERE***Julia Hammond You Can Create

      You Can Create!
      Julia

      Sunday, August 26, 2012

      Argyle Card

      While working on the Artiste Blog Hop the other day, I had some left over  argyle patterned paper, so I made this card:


      Colors Used:
      Colonial White
      Gold Rush
      Indian Corn Blue
      Cocoa

      Stamps:
      D1529 Artiste Collection: Birthday
      C1505 Pun Fun

      You Can Create!
      Julia

      Friday, August 24, 2012

      August Artiste Blog Hop

      Welcome to our August ARTISTE Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase a feature of the amazing ARTISTE Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.  ( Don't miss out on the Really Good Deal!)

      We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects AND some blog candy!!!

      This month we will be showcasing a different page from the Artiste cartridge! Did you know there were 700 images on this cartridge?? That's right -- 700!!!

      For today's project I use the Father's Day suite found on page 75 of the Artiste handbook.  I made my own argyle paper using Accent 1 cuts!

       The first thing I created is this scrabook LO.  I have yet to add a title because I do not know what picture I will be using.

      The base of the argyle paper is colonial white.
      The next layer up is Slate card stock cut with Accent 1< no shift> .
      The final layer for the Argyle paper is Goldrush card stock cut out with Accent 1<shift>
      I added some  Indian Corn Blue for accent.

      Here is a close up so you can see the layers:
       
       
      Colors used:
      Colonial White,
      Gold Rush,
      Slate 
      Indian Corn Blue.
      All edges are inked with Slate ink.

      I used this same technique  to make this Girly Card:

      Colors used:
      Hollyhock
      Blush
      Olive
      White Daisy

      The next stop on your blog hop fun is Theo's blog CelebrateCrafts.

      Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:
      1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com
      2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com
      3. Julia http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/ 
      4. Theo www.celebratecrafts.com
      5. Tina Gale http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com
      6. Stephanie http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com
      7. Mandy http://www.mandydesigns.blogspot.com
      8. Joanne http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
      9. Laura W http://scrappinsweetiesescape.blogspot.com
      10. Rebeccahttp://blog.scrapprincess.com
      11. Maria Woodworth - http://mariawoodworth.blogspot.com
      12. Judith Ashmore- www.grammiejudys.blogspot.com
      13. Lisa Woodward~http://mycraftyspaces.blogspot.com
      14. Laura Charkohttp://koladesigns.wordpress.com
      15. Jennifer Kramer- http://4heartsscrapbooking.blogspot.com
      16. Eva Friesen~ http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com

        Thanks so much for stopping by and hopping with us - we hope you LOVE all the projects we created!

        You Can Create!
        Julia

        Wednesday, August 22, 2012

        You Make Me Smile

        This little beauty was created with strips of paper cut from the Flirty Paper Pack and a bit of Bamboo card stock


        Card base: Card button( no shift) page 34

        Speech bubble:  Accent 2 (shift) page 65

        Sentiment:  D: 1531 Word Balloons

        You Can Create,
        Julia

        Monday, August 20, 2012

        Color My Heart: Dare #12

        This weeks dare at Color My Heart is to use Hollyhock, Blush and Olive.  So, one part of the challenge was to use a single layer of card stock.  I had to sacrifice my possible bonus points because I was so excited to try this Artiste cut with this color combination.  Here is what I created:


        I may look complicated, but it is not.

        If you look at the Father's Day suite found on page 75 of the Artiste Handbook you will find the 2 cuts required to make this pattern. 

        • The Blush card stock is Accent 1 ( no shift cut) 
        • The Olive is an Accent 2 (shift cut).  
        • Both the Blush and the Olive are layered on Hollyhock
        • These three layers are mounted on Olive

        To add a bit more fun, I used White Daisy Brads to accentuate the argyle pattern.

        The sentiment is found on B1332 Good Times.  It is stamped onto a dimensional element in Olive Ink

        If you make an argyle card, please let me know, I'd love to see it!

        You Can Create,
        Julia

        Friday, August 17, 2012

        Baroque Borders: Blog Hop

        Welcome to our August CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase the Stamp of the Month which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.  This month it can be yours as part of a REALLY GOOD DEAL...

        We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.

        This month we will be showcasing the August Stamp of the Month "Baroque Borders" . This stamp can be used in so many different ways and we hope to inspire you with our creations!



        Today's card is clean and simple.  For this project, I random stamped Ruby ink on White Daisy card stock.  I cut 3 hearts at 1.75 inches and then mounted them with foam tape on Ruby hearts cut at 2 inches.  The thanks sentiment comes from a CTMH stamp set called A Little Thanks.  I used bitty brads for a bit of detail at the corners.
         Here is a close up so you can see the depth.
        Before I send you on your way, please take a moment to follow my blog or leave a comment.  Thank you!

        I am the caboose of this Blog Hop, so if you missed the start, head over to Lucy Keller's Love to Create It All.

        Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

        1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com ---
        2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/
        3. Judith ~ www.grammiejudys.blogspot.com
        4. Carolyn Heniges http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com/ 
        5. Amie Kiger ~  http://www.mimimyselfandibykigz.blogspot.com 
        6. Ryan  www.pieceandpaper.blogspot.com --
        7. Joanne http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com 
        8. Pam Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com
        9. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com
        10. Julia Hammond  http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/   YOU ARE HERE :)



        You Can Create!
        Julia Hammond

        Wednesday, August 15, 2012

        It's Your Day Video

        Close To My Heart has a new special that starts today.  It features this stamp set called : It's Your Day.


        This video will tell you all the details and show off some lovely artwork.





        Which one of these stamps is your favorite?

        You Can Create!
        Julia

        Tuesday, August 14, 2012

        Blog Hop: It's Your Day

        Welcome to You Can Create!  If you are joining me from Michelle Johns' Blog, you are on the right track.

        To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, Close To My Heart is bringing back its popular double stamp set promotion! You can get the exclusive, new My Acrylix® It’s Your Day double stamp set for just $5 when you place a minimum order of $35 in full retail products from August 15 through September 30, 2012. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes nearly 50 trendy images that makes it easy to capture the everyday moments in your life. The double set has a retail value of $35.90, which drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have twice the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new, exclusive It’s Your Day double stamp set!

        If you are interested in getting the Artiste Cartridge you won't want to miss out on this REALLY GOOD DEAL!!!


        I created a mini quote book using the Artiste Cartrige and a ROYGBP color scheme.  Every family has their own special words and quotes.  It is what makes us unique.  Please indulge me some of your time as I share the stories behind the quotes!

        My son said this all the time.  "Christopher, have some broccoli"  "I can't not want that Mommy"
        Christopher is an eternal optimist.  Inevitably his optimistic view starts out with an "at least"  As in, "At least I only have 2 book reports due tomorrow"
        When I was three, I had a dog  named Blue.   Poor dog got blamed for a lot of my shenanigans...
        My brother misunderstood the words of the the Christmas carol "The First Noel".   

        The first O Well the angel did say
        Was to certain poor shepards in fields as they lay:
        In fields where they lay a keeping their sheep
        On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
         (The next part is to be sung at the TOP OF YOUR LUNGS!)
         O-well, O-well, O-well, O-WELL
         Born is the King of Israel. 
        My daughter went through a phase when she doubled everything she said ( appropriate for a double stamp set, right?)
        Last but not least, my son could not pronounce the /th/ sound when he was younger.  So his "there it is"  sounded like "der it is".  We still say it his way today.
        Thank so much to reading my silly stories. If you make your own book of family quotes, please share it with me.

        Colors used on this project: Cranberry, Sunset,Honey, Topiary, Pacifica and Gypsy.

        Now off to Beth Naumann's Blog: Beth's Creative Block to see what she has created!

        You Can Create!
        Julia

        REALLY good deal!

        The new Artiste bundle from Close To My Heart is a awesome deal all by itself.  You get the new cartridge, 3 exclusive stamp sets as well as 3 sheets of chipboard shapes.
        Do you love this month's Stamp of the Month, Fall Favorites? 


        You can get it for 5.00 more if you buy the cartridge before September 30th

        What about this Double Stamp set?  This is another promotion that CTMH is adding that runs until the end of September.

        Guess what, if you buy the Artiste Cricut Cartridge you can get IT for another $5.00.

        So, you can get: One awesome Cricut Cartridge (Retail Value $89) , and SIX fabulous stamp sets (retail value $107.70).  That is $196 worth of product for $110.  This is one FANTASTIC Deal! 


        You Can Create!
        Julia


        Monday, August 13, 2012

        Color My Heart: Dare #10

        This week's dare at Color My Heart is to use Ruby, Goldrush, Sweet Leaf, Indian Corn Blue with Cocoa.  I love the color Sweet Leaf but went a bit of a different direction with my neutral color.  When looking through my pinterest boards, I found this card, and quite honestly, why mess with perfection?  I CASE'd it big time :)

        Here are my results:

        The cuts were made with the Art Philosophy Cartridge.  The polka dot stamp comes from the new "It's Your Day" Double Stamp promotion that starts on August 15th.  The sentiment is from a retired stamp set: C1299 Butterfly Kiss

        Thanks for stopping by.

        You Can Create!
        Julia

        Thursday, August 9, 2012

        Saturday Card Sketch Challenge (8.4.12)

        After years away from 2peas.com, I found my way back and am hoping to be more active on that site.  So I am going to jump in with 2 feet and join the Saturday Card Sketch Challenge 8.4.12 


        Here is the sketch:




        And here is what I created:


        Here is a close up:

        I used CTMH's Flirty Paper pack to create this card.  The card is embellished with baker's twine, leaves from the Floret Paper Flowers pack and a flower from the Autumn Lane Assortment.

        Thanks for stopping by,

        You Can Create!
        Julia

        Tuesday, August 7, 2012

        Color My Heart: Dare #10

        I took a bit of a break from the Color My Heart color dare challenges for convention but I am back!  This weeks challenge is to use the newest color in the Close To My Heart palette: Ruby.

        I created this tone on tone card with this months Stamp Of The Month: Baroque Borders. Ruby ink, stamped on Ruby card stock is mounted to a black card stock base. The chandelier was cut using CTMH's new Artiste cartridge.  I have been having lots of fun playing with this cartridge!

         Here is a close up of the chandelier... it is pop dotted for depth. 
         I would love to hear from you, so leave a comment.

        You can create!
        Julia


        Sunday, August 5, 2012

        New Product Blog Hop

         Thank you for  joining me on this blog hop.  If you are coming from Krista Ritskes' Blog Simply Creating Together , you are on the right path.

        First of all I'd like to share what I created, and then I will focus on one part of this artwork: our new alcohol ink markers.




         I used Close To My Heart's new Artiste Cricut Cartridge to cut out this purse in Black Card Stock. It has a finished size of about 4.5 inches.  I scored the lines onto the card stock to give it that quilted look.  For my stamped image, I used Whisper Pigment Ink and stamped a flower from C1511 Love Blooms. Once the pigment ink was set, I used our new Alcohol Ink Marker in Cotton Candy to color my image. I added leaves from Just Blooms Floret Paper Shapes as well as Clear Adhesive Sparkles.  I also used Silver Shimmer Trim.  It is adhesive too!  Here is a close up of the flower detail:



        One of the most exciting additions to the CTMH product line is our new Pigment Inks and Alcohol Markers.  I have never used alcohol markers before, but I found the them to be fun and easy.  The best part is that each time you use them, you will get different results.

        Because I am new to alcohol markers, I wanted wanted to experiment a bit.  Below, you will find my results using Cotton Candy with each of the 10 colors found in the Basic Mini Pigment Pad Sets. One petal at a time, I started with the darker shade first and worked quickly to blend in the lighter shade.  You need to keep a wet edge if you want to blend the colors well.  With practice, I am sure I am going to get better.  I figure I have to start somewhere, right?




        The alcohol markers are fun, and I look forward to playing and learning as I get more of them!

        Next stop on the Blog Hop is Debra Van Pattens' Blog Memories of the Heart by Deb.

        You Can Create!
        Julia

        Wednesday, August 1, 2012

        New Cricut Cartridge: Artise

        I could not wait to get my hands on this little treasure!  I can not wait to share all the fun cuts with you. 

        If you have the Art Philosophy cartridge, I know you are just as excited!

        Over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of the beautiful artwork that can be created. 

        In the meantime, you can buy it now and play along!

        Can't wait to see what YOU create!

        Julia


        Theatre Is My Sport ( Love Sports Blog Hop)

        Thank you for joining us for   The LOVE SPORTS BLOG HOP This is a blog hop featuring projects based on sports o...