Sangria will quench your thirst for color!  The new colors of Eggplant, Pomegranate and Poppy are so full of bold feeling.  I really love them!  I always have mixed feelings when colors are retired and new color is introducted. We fall in love with colors and can’t imagine that the new one being even better but I have learned over the years that having the new colors add more variation to the overall scrapbook.

Take a look at what Sangria has to offer:

Tomorrow I will show you all the accessories that coordinate with Sangria

Did you know that today begins National Stamping Month? You know that Close to my Heart has special stamp sets and artwork to celebrate!  Do you get my newsletter because you would have learned all about it as well as where to see even more beautiful artwork, three projects,a tutorial and a tip or two…So you really want to look to your right and fill in the box that says JOIN MY MAILING LIST! have learned all about it as well as where to see even more beautiful artwork, three projects,a tutorial and a tip or two…So you really want to look to your right and fill in the box that says JOIN MY MAILING LIST! September is National Stamping Month, and this year Close To My Heart has something to help every kind of papercrafter say a big “hello” to life! Available only during the month of September, these exclusive C-size My Acrylix® Hello, Life! stamp sets can be purchased for $13.95 USD each! Or, for an even better deal, you can purchase all three for only $34.95—a savings of $6.90 USD!

Each stamp set is designed to fit with a specific type of papercrafting, whether that’s traditional scrapbooking, cardmaking, or pocket scrapbooking. However, all the stamp sets coordinate with each other and can be used together to create dynamic artwork. These stamp sets also coordinate with shapes from the new Cricut® Artistry collection to help expand your artwork options even further. Remember, these stamp sets are available for one month only, so get your orders in for one stamp set—or all three—before these gorgeous stamps disappear!

Make certain to follow Creatively Carol’s blog, Instagram, and Facebook page for artwork inspiration featuring these lively stamp sets all month long. You can post your own artwork to your social media channels using the hashtag

This week  is a day of lasts…. so I will be doing several posts this week regarding retiring products. First I want to talk about Studio J Digital Scrapbooking. As I discussed earlier in the month, many of the kits currently up on Studio J are going away tomorrow.  Here is a list of kits that have been used the least in the past 12 months.

Blue Ribbon                                 Boom-Di-Ada                           Caboodle                                  Cherry-O                         Daydream                           Elegant Bouquet
Emporium                                    Everlasting                               Floral Tapestry                          Grace                             Hooligans                           Ivy Lane
Life Delights                                 Mischief                                   Moonlight                                  More To Adore               Notebook                             Paper Garden

More To Adore                           Notebook                                   Paper Garden                            Scholastic                        Sweet Home                      Sweet Pea
That’s Amore                              Topstitch                                   Typeset                                    Unforgettable                    Veranda                             Wishes and Fishes Girl

Also, because we will be introducing new, limited edition Express Collections each month, we have determined that the following Express Collections will also be retired September 1:

Getaway                                  Little Man                                   Little Miss                                    School Days                     Sports                              Travels

Year in Review

If you had planned on using any of these kits or collections for a particular project, now is the time to get those projects done!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Did you know that every month I give away a FREE STAMP SET?  That’s right, all you have to do is enter one of the sketch contests I have each month to be entered.

On Monday & Thursday I will post sketches, Monday for my scrapbookers and Thursday for my cardmakers. You just need to complete your version on the card or layout and either send it to me via text to 801-597-4896 or via e-mail at Carol@CreativelyCarol.com

I will be posting everything I get and set up a poll so people can vote on the best one on Facebook I will also do a random drawing each month for another prize.  So Here is September’s Stamp Set Prize “Capture the Date S1211”   If you are making calendars for Christmas, this will come in very handy!   So what are you waiting for??? go pick a sketch and get busy so I can give away this stamp set.

Winner will be announced in my newsletter the first Tuesday of Every Month.

Close to my Heart is welcoming back former Consultants in August!

If you were a consultant after January 1, 2013 and left for any reason at all, We would like to welcome you back to the Close to my Heart Family if you are interested in returning!

You will have your choice of two consultant kits: The Regular New Consultant Kit at $129 or the Essentials New Consultant Kit for $49.

The Essentials New Consultant Kit includes:
> Zoe Workshops on the go Scrapbook Kit
> Order Forms
> Idea Book Postcards
> Annual Expressions Idea Books
> Holiday Expressions Idea Books
> B&T Duos Sampler
> Petite Perks incentive stamp set.

Or

Perhaps you would rather get the entire New Consultant Kit again. It includes over $445 retail value!  You will notice the New Consultant Kit includes two of many things to make your gathering a success… We have learned that having 6-8 people sharing just one stamp set, block or ink pad makes things more difficult for you, so we have made a change. Your new kits includes:

• Zoe B&T Duos™ Bulk Pack (BULK369, qty 1),
• White Daisy Cardstock (1385, qty 1),
• Whisper Cardstock (X5929, qty 1),
• Glacier Cardstock (X5770, qty 1),
• Sorbet Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2164, qty 2),
• Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2641, qty 2),
• Slate Exclusive Inks™ Pad (Z2173, qty 2),
• Aqua Shimmer Trim (Z3086, qty 2),
• Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089, qty 2),
  My Acrylix® So Many Smiles (C1619, qty 2)
• , My Acrylix® In Review (C1622, qty 2),
• My Acrylix® My Story (B1482, qty 2),
• White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254, qty 1),
• Medium Organizer (Z4139, qty 1),
• 2″ x 6½” My Acrylix® Block  (Y1010, qty 2),
• 3″ x 3″ My Acrylix® Block (Y1006, qty 2),
• Non-stick Micro-tip Scissors (Z1836, qty 2),
• My Acrylix® Stamp Scrubber (Z1782, qty 2),
• My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner (1778, qty 1),
• Bonding Memories™ Glue (1512, qty 2),
• 3-D Foam  Tape (Z1151, qty 1),
• Round Sponge (Z697, qty 1),
• Customer Order Forms (W101, qty 1, 25 per pack),
• Annual Inspirations  (WC1161, qty 10),
• Holiday Expressions (WCS1161, qty 10),
• Cardstock Color Sampler (W1136, qty 1),
• Paper Fundamentals Sampler (W1137, qty 1),
• Annual Inspirations B&T Duos™ Sampler (W1138, qty 1),
• My Acrylix® Petite Perks™ Tribal Circles (W2032, qty 3),
• Idea Book Postcard (W1129, qty 1),
• Desk Pad (W1140, qty 1)

(Some items may not be shown. Items shown represent contents of New Consultant Kits ordered between August 1, 2015 and November 30, 2015. Contents are subject to change without notice, and change regularly based on product and collateral availability. Shipping and handling, and applicable taxes apply )

Let neutrals work for you! Add pops of color using the adorable details from the Happy Hexagon Hostess Rewards stamp set! You can get this great stamp set and many others during the Jump on it July promotion.

During the month of July, when you purchase $25 (USD & CAD) in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month, My Acrylix^® Life Is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5 (USD & CAD)! That is a savings of up to $17.95 USD / $19.75 CAD! The July Stamp of the Month is a lovely, versatile stamp set that is a great match for your cards and layouts that celebrate all the wonderful things—big and small—that life has to offer.

Additionally, the Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you’ve had your eye on! To get your FREE stamp set or your $5 (USD & CAD) Hostess Rewards stamp set, simply place an order for $25 (USD & CAD) of any current, retail priced stamps. This offer is available only during the month of July and applies only to the July Stamp of the Month and current Hostess rewards stamp sets, so spring into action and jump on this deal before it’s gone!

Watch Facebook today to see all of the possible stamps you could get !

https://www.facebook.com/CreativelyCarol

Proper lighting is one of the most crucial elements of a good picture, yet is one of the most commonly overlooked. Follow these simple steps to make sure your pics impress.

Step 1 –
Determine the “dominant light source.” An easy way to do this is to look at the shadows in the area – they will point away from the dominant light source. If there are multiple light sources, the dominant one will create the darkest shadows.

Step 2 –
Decide what type of shot you’re after. Usually you’ll be wanting a fully-lit shot of your subject with as little shadow as possible.

Step 3 –
If you’re going for a normal, well-lit photo, shoot away from the light source. This will eliminate harsh shadows and make sure your subject is lit up in your pic.
Other Tips –

Today I chose a layout from Studio J as our sketch. I like the way this layout turned out and will be printing my photos using Studio J to get the 4″ x 4″ square.  While your focal picture can be much bigger, I like this size with the silhouette image of Gary Jr and his daughter.

The paper pack used in this layout is an older one, but the colors used are Honey in the banner and flowers, Sunset, Slate, and the patterned paper is Lagoon.  You can see these colors on my website www.CreativelyCarol.ctmh.com under inks. There is a problem with my service at the moment that won’t let me link directly here.

If you have any questions, please shoot me an e-mail at Carol@CreativelyCarol.com

Here is a great layout for a large focal picture on the left with the title in the place of the “hello sunshine”.  It appears that the photo on the left page is a 8″ x 6.5″.  On the right is a 4″ x 6″ and 3 – 4″ x 4″ pictures.  Remember, you can use this layout for either a boy or a girl, just switch out the flowers for a more of a boyish embellishment.

If you use the Studio J Digital Scrapbooking website, you can upload your photos and fit them into the photo wells, switch the colors and most everythihg too.

The colors in this layout are Lagoon for the base, Sorbet, Bamboo, Olive, and Colonial White.

How many pictures do you usually put in a layout? Leave a comment and let me know and I can post some sketches with different numbers of photos!

We have talked about organizing before. I have showed you my room, talked about ways to organize different things and thought I had made considerable progress in my own scrapbook room. BOY WAS I WRONG!

My daughter, her husband and 4 sons have moved into our basement until they can find where they want to put all those very smart young men in school and buy a house. You see, all of them get straight A’s ALL THE TIME! I have no clue where they get their smarts because neither their parents, or any of their grandparents are anywhere close to having the analytical brains these boys have. It will be very interesting to watch as they grow and see where life takes them. Sorry, “Mema” gets a bit off topic when it comes to grandchildren.

As I was saying, I thought I was almost done with the project when my daughter Karen informed me that ALL her scrapbooking and crafting supplies were coming to my scrapbook room and will probably stay there since the only crafting time she gets is when she comes here. So today I begin incorporating her things into mine. As you can see from the picture, I have my work cut out for me. She already has a full time job so I will be tackling this myself…besides, she might make me throw something out!

Why am I sharing all this with you, you ask? It is because all the doubles will be sold off. So keep an eye on the blog and you may find some great deals on a variety of scrapbooking, cardmaking, stamping supplies.

So tell me please, how would YOU tackle this problem? Where would you start? I look forward to hearing your comments on this situation.

For today’s sketch I have chosen one from Studio J using the You Rock Paperpack. The paper is retired but if you really like the set, I can try to find one for you.
Using the large circle left I can keep the size of her photo and still have some fun background going on. On the right, you have room for three 4″ x 6″ photos to compliment your focus picture wish is Natalie. I have eleven grandkids so there is usually only one picture of each of them up at a time, but I love the look of concentration in Natalie’s expressive face and am really thinking about framing it. The determination and dedication to her ballet is of the utmost importance and she is willing to sacrafice everything to dance.

I will look forward to seeing your layout using this sketch. Will you decide to use the strip of 2 x 2 pictures across the middle for photographs, or perhaps a larger title. There are so many possibilities with Studio J Digital Scrapbooking even if you are a traditional scrapbooker.

The first 5 people to complete the sketch and send me a copy to post will receive a little gift from me.

I have a TON of printed photographs. Back in the day where you actually sent film in to be developed. (my grandkkids would call this the dark ages) You had the option often times to get double prints so you could share pictures with family and friends. While this was a great concept in theory it also meant if no one else was going to be interested in them, that now your pile of pictures is twice as high will lots of doubles. Fast forward to moving day and my husband picking up the plastic box by the handle only to have the lid come unfastened and all the 500 pictures this plastic photo carrier was suppose to hold were now laying, all mixed up on the street.  You gather them up, put them back and seal it shut.

I decided it was time to sort those photos and found stacks of stuck together photographs. The above stack alone is stiff as a board, and I can see just by the edges of the pictures that my dad and his wife are in one, my grandmother in another, some long past family in others. I just couldn’t toss the stack so I found this article on separating pictures online from the Real Simple Magazine.  I wanted to share what I found.

I recently moved and discovered some of my photos are practically glued together. Can I unstick them without destroying them?
Jenna Schapiro
Potomac, Maryland

A. Yes, give them a (gentle) bath. Resist the temptation to separate photographs by hand. Doing so will most likely rip them. Instead, water—yes, water—is the answer.

Photos stick together because the gelatin coating acts like glue when exposed to moisture. They can be separated again only by adding moisture and softening the gelatin, says Peter Mustardo, a New York City–based photo conservator who has worked for the National Archives, in Washington, D.C.

The following technique can be risky, so save it for everyday snapshots, not wedding photos! Place stuck pictures in room-temperature distilled water (sold at grocery stores) for 20 to 30 minutes image-side up, so you can monitor them. (A long exposure to water may cause distortion.) Remove, then gently pull apart with your fingers, or slide a thin silicone spatula between them. Shake off the excess water, place each picture image-side up on a stack of paper towels, and weigh down the edges to prevent curling.

If a photo has stuck to a frame’s glass, things get a bit, well, stickier. First, scan the image through the glass so you’ll have a (less sharp) computer backup. Next, use the soaking method, putting the frame and photo image-side up in the bath.

For photos taken professionally or those of great sentimental value (or if you prefer to skip the soaking method), find a conservator near you through the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (conservation-us.org). He can determine if the photos are salvageable and, if so, can separate them.

I did look up and see if water from the Britta was the same as distilled water and learned that no, that the Britta only takes out some of the impurities and that you need all the chemicals removed as to not damage the pictures. I also looked up how to distill water at home, because let’s face it, when I get something in my mind, I am just not very patient!  Too much work for the quantity of water I need… Later on this afternoon I will go get some distilled water and give this a try and report back on how it worked.