A Cool Link to a Fun Program

Hello there!

I just came across a FREE Trial of a screen-capture software called "SnapIt". I downloaded it and tried it out, and it's pretty cool! Unlike the "Print Screen" (PrtScn) button on your computer's keyboard, which will take a screen shot of your entire monitor screen, "SnapIt" allows you to drag a box around just what you want to capture. As soon as you do, the image you captured goes straight to your clipboard, so you can open Word or a photo imaging software and just paste it into a new document. Save it in whatever format you need for blogs, web pages, presentations - whatever!

I am thinking of all the fabulous projects and inspiration that I come across online that I would just love to have a copy of. Just "SnapIt", save it, and start your own personal catalog of creativity! You can download a FREE TRIAL of "SnapIt" by following this link: http://www.digeus.com/products/snapit/snapit_screen_capture_3_5.html and scrolling all the way to the bottom. Here, you will also find a full description of the product, and a link to download the full-version of the software (if you really like it).

Just thought I'd pass that along! Have fun!

World Smile Day Tomorrow!

What? You didn't know about World Smile Day? Well, just to get you up to speed, here's a snippet from "worldsmileday.com" on the history behind this happy day:

"As is well known by now throughout the world Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet.
As the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his symbol, and how its original meaning and intent had become lost in the constant repetition of the marketplace. Out of that concern came his idea for World Smile Day®. He thought that we, all of us, should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world. The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion. Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we. He declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day®. Ever since that first World Smile Day® held in 1999, it has continued every year in Smiley's hometown of Worcester, MA and around the world.
After Harvey died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honor his name and memory. The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day® each year.
...Be sure to join the celebration this year on Friday, October 1st, and 'Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile'!"

Well, that certainly sounds like a terrific idea! In addition, I'm told you're also supposed to wear the colors of the smiley face - yellow and black. So let's all join in and celebrate World Smile Day with an act of kindness - not only will you brighten someone else's day, but your own as well!

Time is Almost Up!

There's only two more days left to get your hands on the National Stamping Month Special from Close To My Heart! It's the "Triple Play" Kit, and it includes everything you need (except adhesive and photos!) to complete three adorable 4" x 4" mini albums in three different color schemes - including an Exclusive stamp set and mini ink pads! These really are cute and make GREAT gifts (think teachers, grandmothers, aunts, etc.)! There are several different ways to get one of these kits, so be sure to refresh your memory by viewing the FLYER HERE. You can place an order directly from my website at http://funforyou.myctmh.com - just hit the "Shop Online" tab on the left-hand side. Have fun!

It's a Wonderful Thing...

When I had my Close To My Heart Annual Holiday Open House earlier this month, I demonstrated Studio J to my guests. Everyone loved it (what's not to love?!). I also did my very first Powerpoint presentation on the benefits of a Studio J Membership (even more to love!). During this presentation, we learned that with a Studio J Membership, you get a 50% price reduction on your layout purchases - but only up to 10 layouts per month.

Well, I am here to tell you that that restriction is no more! Now with a Studio J Membership, you can order as many layouts as you want at 50% off (free shipping per still covers from 4-20 layouts per month)!! That's incredible! And awesome! And just ONE MORE thing to LOVE about Studio J Memberships!

I just had my very first Studio J layouts delivered to me yesterday, and all I can say is that it made my entire day! I couldn't stop smiling! They look so incredible - I can't wait to create more! This is going to be such a huge benefit to my everyday scrapbooking - I might actually get pages done! And now with my Studio J Membership, I can get all the layouts I want at 50% off! Whoohoo! I can't wait to dive in!

Here is my favorite layout from my CTMH Convention 2010 Album:

I just LOVE the colors and the pattern for this layout! Oooo, this is so exciting! I think I will start on our summer camping trip album right now....

Until next time, Happy Scrappin'!

A Rare Treat

A week ago yesterday, I had the rare opportunity to meet my favorite author, Janet Evanovich. She was doing a book signing at the Borders bookstore in Braintree on the day of the release of her newest book, "Wicked Appetite". Though there was drama to be had (lost ticket; lost camera battery), I did get to have my book signed and picture taken. Here it is:

It was quite an evening, and I even got to chat with Janet's daughter, Alex. Thank goodness I also had a best friend of mine join me just to keep me company. She kept me sane - thank you, E!

Studio J - Become a Member!

You may have heard me talk about Studio J in the past. If you haven't, Studio J is Close To My Heart's Online Scrapbooking program, and I can tell you from experience that it is awesome! I traveled to Washington, D.C. this past July for CTMH's annual Convention. I decided to create a scrapbook of the event by using Studio J (I had never used it before!). It was terrific! And at the same time, I had access to Exclusive patterns and Kits because I am a Studio J Member!

Ironically, I didn't use any of the members-only kits or patterns for my Convention album, but I did a Back-To-School layout using a Members-Only pattern and this month's Members-Only Kit called, "Class Act". Here is what I was able to do:

OK, tell me that's not awesome. And as a Studio J Member, with each printed order, I receive a FREE high-res jpeg file of each of my pages, as well as a low-res jpeg file of both pages combined for use on the web. How cool is that? I LOVE this program! You can even get online and just play with it, without making a purchase or being a member. You will have to create an account, but that's totally free. Hop on over to my website (http://funforyou.myctmh.com) and hit the "Studio J" tab on the left-hand side. Set up an account and start playing! I am hoping to create a video tutorial on the features of Studio J...I will get back to you on that! Be sure to contact me at aafaa@charter.net if you'd like to purchase a Studio J Membership - I have already saved more than half of my membership cost in the first month ALONE!! You can't beat that!

Have fun playing!

Holiday Open House Artwork - The Final Chapter

Wow, I hope you have been inspired by the artwork I have been posting. I am inspired because the man-in-brown delivered a Close To My Heart order today! Whoohoo! I have next month's Kit Of The Month (that's what I'm going to be calling the Workshops On The Go now) - and it's Hooligans! The Hooligans Level 2 Paper Pack is awesome on its own, but throw in an adorable, exclusive monster stamp set named "Troublemaker" and the new Sunset Mini-Medley, and it just can't be beat! I hope you will be able to join us when we work with this Kit next month! But I'm getting ahead of myself! Let's see the last of that Open House artwork! All supplies are Close To My Heart. Each & every one of these uses the Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack:

 

Here's a great example of how much you can do with just a small stamp set. This set is called "A Timber", and it's the smallest sized stamp set that Close To My Heart offers. There are seven images in the set, and you can make them go a long way! Next:

These images are from the "Father Christmas" stamp set. You probably can't tell from the picture, but Glitter Glitz was added to the holly berries for some sparkle.

This is a scrapbook page that uses the same stamp set, "Father Christmas".

Here's a cute card that uses the "St. Nick" stamp set, as well as the flourish from the "Adorn-able" stamp set. And, yes, that is white ink that the flourish is stamped in. Close To My Heart's white ink is awesome! They don't even sell the dye-based white ink anymore (which is amazingly what I stamped the above image in), it's now pigment-based - so your white will be even MORE white! And lastly:

 

This card uses the "Adorn-able" stamp set as well. There are clear Sparkles on both of the ornaments for added bling (and who doesn't love bling?!).

Well, that's all, folks! I hope you have enjoyed the artwork and I hope you have been inspired to create some of your own! I don't know if I'll get a chance to post for the next few days (I will be away from my computer again), but when I post again I will be showing you an Exclusive Studio J Kit & Pattern that's only available to Members! You are going to love it! Check back in a few days to check it out!

Until then, Eat, Sleep, & Scrap!