Studio J Flash Sale - CTMH Online Digital Scrapbooking Software

Close To My Heart is having a sale on layouts ordered through Studio J until the end of the month.

$5.95 plus tax and s&h for each two page layout.

Create your layouts within the program or import layouts that you've made in other digital scrapbook programs.

You can also fill the 12x12 pages with odd sized photos that you want to use in your traditional layouts or pocket scrapbooking.

The software is free to use - pay when you are ready to order.  

Flat rate shipping - the more layouts you do the better your price per page is.   

Visit my Close To My Heart Website to try it today!

My Memories Freebies - December 1 - 7, 2014

My Memories Freebies

My Memories is another scrapbooking software that I have been using for years.  I'm an affiliate with them - check the link in the right column to go to their website and you can save $10 on the purchase of the software when you enter the code  STMMM3762

Here are a couple of freebies from them available this week only:

Click here to get Autumn Dance Cluster freebie

Click here to get Merry Merry freebie

Here are a couple of pages that I have just uploaded to Studio J for printing.  I made these in My Memories and exported them as jpgs to my desktop.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the software.   There is also a trial version available on the website if you want to try before you buy.  

Studio J Layouts

I placed an order at the end of November to take advantage of the $5 Layout Special pricing.

I did a cost comparison in a previous blog post comparing the regular Studio J pricing to what I paid at my local Costco for 12x12 layouts.

With the November Special I ordered 12 Studio J layouts, which is the equivalent of 24 pages from Costco.

Costco price:  24 x 4.99 = $119.76

My Studio J order total with my Consultant Discount of 22% plus s&h and tax = 69.63

Savings of $2.09 per 12x12 layout!

In Studio J you can choose from 3 types of layouts - in these I choose a photo template & a paper kit then dragged my photos into the photo wells, added my titles & journalling and embellishments and coloured the existing embellishments (ribbons & buttons).  You can also delete anything that you don't want, you can resize and add more pictures with this type of layout.  There are 130 kits to choose from.  There is also a Studio J app for iPhone that shows all the kits.  I find it handy to look at so I don't have to go back and forth in the program. 

In this next set I chose from pre-done layouts. 

These were really fast I just added my photos and personalized with my own titles and journalling.

With this type of layout you can't make as many changes but it is fast and great if you don't have a lot of experience.  Great way to learn how to use the software and then move on to the other types of layouts when you are more comfortable with how the program works.  And since there is no charge to use Studio J you can make an unlimited amount of pages while you learn the program.  

And finally I choose a No Limits layout.  

You can do anything with the No Limits. 

I added a page that I had created in My Memories scrapbook software to the left side and a page I created with the Project Life iPhone app on the right.  

You can also fill the page with different sizes of photos. 

Great way to save on photo finishing when you use odd sizes (like 2x2 or 2x3 or 6x8) in traditional scrapbooking or pocket scrapbooking. 

You can create as many layouts as you want and won't be charged anything until you purchase your prints.  The software is web-based so you need an internet connection to use it.

I often upload my pictures into different projects from my desktop and then login from a laptop or even from my iPhone (with Puffin web browser).  

Layouts are saved in the software for 90 days which gets extended once you make a purchase.  I created over 50 layouts but only purchased 12 - the expiry date was extended after I ordered.  I created many of the layouts back in July when I was first off work for my tendinitis and very limited to how I could use my left hand.  

Digital scrapbooking was the perfect option to be able to work on my scrapbooking without having to do any cutting or stamping and hurt myself more. 

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Studio J.  There are also many video tutorials on the Studio J site. 

If you live in the Langley, BC area and would like to see how it works I will be doing tutorials in the New Year.   Sign up for my newsletter to be notified of upcoming dates.  

Try it free today at http://nancyhelmer.studioj.com

Using QR Codes In Your Scrapbook Layouts

Well I'm happy to say that I finally found a way to integrate all the videos that I take with my camera and cell phone into my scrapbook pages!

When I import into my computer everything is saved by date in iPhoto.  Then I create separate folders by year, month and layout so everything is grouped together.   Most of the time I've just deleted or worked around any videos that were in those folders.  Now I'll be able to go back and add in the videos and as I do each layout I can add a QR code to my page and anyone with a QR reader on their phone can scan and be directed to the video.

I played around with it today and it was pretty easy.

Here's step by step of what I did:

• First I add a video to my YouTube account.  
• Then I copied the link to the URL for the video
• I used the code generator at  http://www.qr-code-generator.com/ to get my image in jpg format.
• I downloaded it into iPhoto and renamed it so I would know which video it was.
• I also created a folder on my desktop with the qr code and the pictures I wanted to scrap with it.
• I opened Studio J and created a layout with my pictures and added two qr codes linking to two different videos that I had take when I took those photos.

This is my Studio J layout with the two codes added in. The first video is my dogs wanting to go outside. And the second is them rushing out the door to play in the snow. It's also our puppy's first snow so I'm happy I could add these great moments.

If you do pocket scrapbooking or digital pocket scrapbooking you can add the qr code to a digital journaling card and either print it out as a photo or use it on a digital layout. I had this card already saved so I just added a photo box for the QR code.

You can also add the code directly to a photo and then have it printed or use it in a digital layout.

If you do traditional layouts or pocket scrapbooking you can print the QR code onto paper and add it to your layout or journaling cards.  

Feel free to contact me for more information on using QR codes in your layouts or leave a comment below.  Happy Scrapping!!

Last Days of Studio J $5 layout sale & using Studio J with outside programs

Just today and tomorrow left to take advantage of the Studio J Lucky 5 promotion.  You get a 12x24 layout printed for only $5.00 plus s&h.  That is about half the price of what I would pay to get my pages printed here - Costco charges $4.99 for a 12x12 layout.  CTMH Consultants also get a 22% discount off of that price and orders count towards your quarterly minimums. I've been working on layouts all week - just need to do my final spell checks and I'll be ready to order.

If you aren't familiar with Studio J - it is an online digital scrapbook program by Close To My Heart. You login, create a project, upload photos, choose a digital kit and a two page photo layout or create your own with the No Limits feature. Drag and drop your pictures, add some journalling, titles and embellishments and your done. There is also an option with the pages pre-finished and you just add your photos and journaling - I found those were a real time saver. The program saves your layouts for 90 days so you can order as many layouts as you want. It's flat rate shipping so more economical to save them up and do a larger order all at once.

So that's the basics - there are many other things you can do with the software.   If you are a traditional scrapbooker and like to print out odd sized photos you can do that too.  Just use a No Limits page and create the photo wells in the sizes you like and drag and drop your pictures in - great for those odd sizes like 2x2, 3x3 or larger 5x7.

If you are a digi-scrapper you can import your jpgs created with other software and get those 12x12 layouts printed at a great rate.  Or print out digital images for use in pocket scrapbooking.  I have a lot of digital journalling cards that I can now add to my regular pocket album.  I can even import them and add a text box and do my journalling right in Studio J before I get them printed.

When I checked my email this morning I had an offer to buy the Project Life app for iPhone for $.99 this weekend.  I decided to download it and then did a search online to learn more about it.  You can use your photos that you take with your phone in the app or use photos from Dropbox.   For me that's a bonus because I personally don't care for many of the Project Life journalling cards.  So I can save my digital journalling cards (lots of free graphics online) and import them right from Dropbox.

Here is the first layout that I made with the app.  The kit choices included with the app are very limited and I'm not going to spend money on any other kits when I can use my own graphics.  The Snow Fun card is one that I downloaded for free off the internet and uploaded to Dropbox from my computer.  I was then able to add it to the layout in the app.   It was fun to play around with and I can see it being handy for pictures that I don't necessarily want to keep but can still scrapbook while it's fresh in my mind.   These pictures are from last night - it had just started to snow and my 4 month old puppy needed to go out.  I took them with my cell phone and they aren't great quality but I'm happy I've got a quick page done.  It's these everyday moments that I love to capture and too often I miss out because I wait too long to scrap them.  

Another fun iPhone app that was recommended when I was looking into the Project Life app was one called Phonto.  It was a free app that lets you write directly onto your photos.   I tried it out on a picture with my dogs and it worked great.  

Now I can add it to a Studio J page or a pocket scrapbook page and don't have to wonder later why I have a random picture of the dogs looking out the window.  

Here is the layout I made with the Project Life app imported into Studio J alongside a 12x12 layout that I made in My Memories:

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Studio J.  There's no cost to try it out and you don't need to create an account right away either.    

Lucky 5 with Studio J

November marks the five-year anniversary of Studio J^®, and that means it’s your lucky month, with five amazing ways to win through Studio J and Close To My Heart social media!

First, throughout the month of November, all layouts purchased in Studio J are $5! That is a savings of over 25% off of retail! Your second chance to win big must come by sheer luck: every fifth order placed in Studio J during November receives a FREE surprise Close To My Heart accessory in its shipping box! The accessory has a retail value of $5 or more.

If luck doesn’t smile on you in that way, you might stumble upon it by finding a little extra something in your Studio J box. Five “golden tickets” will be sent out during the month of November with randomly selected Studio J print orders! This “golden ticket” is redeemable for one of Close To My Heart’s new D-ring albums* loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors™.

For a fourth way to win, simply create new, gorgeous layouts in Studio J, select your favorites, and then post pictures of them on Close To My Heart’s Facebook page using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. After November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries based on their artistry and creativity and each of these winners will receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

And there is one last way to win: take your new Studio J artwork and post a picture of it on Instagram using the hashtag #ctmhlucky5. Just as it is with Facebook, after November 30, five lucky winners will be selected from the entries to receive their own D-ring album loaded with 10 Top Load Memory Protectors!

And to make things even more exciting, starting November 1, five brand new kits from the Annual Inspirations idea book will be made available in Studio J, so you can create new artwork using the latest papers and embellishments from Close To My Heart. With so many ways to win, five may be your new lucky number! Log in to Studio J and start creating today.

*Offer valid November 1–30, 2014. Pattern and color of new D-ring album to be given to winners will be at Close To My Heart’s discretion based upon availability. New kits available in Studio J^® on November 1 include Confetti Wishes, Snowhaven, Seaside, Pathfinding, and Scaredy Cat. No tax or shipping will be charged on the free item(s). Studio J layouts ship in a protected box that can hold 4 to 50 two-page layouts. For additional information about shipping/handling, please visit StudioJ.com > Products and Pricing > Shipping Options.

Dates: Offer valid November 1, 2014–November 31, 2014.

Start designing your digital layouts today!  

Visit my Studio J website at: http://nancyhelmer.studioj.com

Quick Studio J Layout with my iPhone

Created this layout in Studio J on my iPhone. I used Puffin Free mobile web browser because it will support Adobe Flash. Uploaded pictures that were stored on my phone to Studio J then dragged them into the photo wells and changed the text. 

Little awkward because the phone screen is so small but it would work well on an iPad or tablet. Was easy to rotate pictures and change text once i found where the keyboard was hidden in Puffin. Made one minor adjustment with my computer to fix the layered text on top right hand side.  Will be trying this again for sure since I take so many pictures with my phone.

Check it out at http://nancyhelmer.studioj.com

I'm having a giveaway over on my Facebook page.   Like my page and share the give-away post to be entered to win a CTMH Balloon Talk stamp set. 

Using Studio J for Traditional Scrapbooking

Like to do traditional scrapbooking? Have odd size pictures you need printed. Here is a great way to use a No Limits layout to get all those pictures plus a few more. I've managed to layout enough photo wells for three 12x12 layouts that are for projects out of the new catalogue. And I still had leftover space for some 2x2, 2x3 & 2x4's that I will add to my Picture My Life cards. 

http://nancyhelmer.studioj.com

Studio J Express Collection Tutorial

Here's a quick tutorial to show you how easy it is to get your digital photos into albums without purchasing software. Studio J is an online scrapbook program. No payment required until you want your layouts printed. Layouts are saved in program for 90 days.

http://nancyhelmer.studioj.com/

Step one: Create your account at Studio J & login.  I used the Express Collection for this tutorial. 

Step 2: Name your project.

Step 3: Upload your photos. You can also choose to upload them later. 

Step 4: Here's the page with all my pictures for this layout.

Step 5: Choose the category of Express Collection layouts. I chose Sports.

Step 6: Choose your layout - everything is done for you with Express Collection, you just drag your photos into the photo wells and personalize

Step 7: I've dragged my photos into the photo wells. My pictures are shown to the left hand side. Notice the warning symbols on the larger photos - my pictures are old and the resolution isn't great. I choose to keep those pictures anyway because I want them in albums. You can zoom in and moved your pictures around in the photo wells.  

Step 8: I can add extra embellishments by selecting that option to the left.

Step 9: You can add a distressed finish to your page by selecting that option to the left. This page already had some distressing done to it - notice the gray around the edges of the background page.

Step 10: Personalize text. Highlight and change size, colours or fonts.

Step 11: Finished layout. This was my fastest yet because I didn't make any changes to the layout except for personalizing text on right.

I chose to create a Custom layout for these pictures. The Dakota paper was perfect for my daughter's 4-H pictures.

I can also import finished layouts from digital scrapbooking software that I already own to Studio J for printing. 

Cheaper than what I paid at Costco in the past even without my consultant discount. And Studio J orders also count towards Hostess Rewards if included in a Gathering order.

Go to http://nancyhelmer.studioj.com to try it for yourself.  There are lots of great videos on the site to show you more things you can do with it.   When you are ready to order there is a flat rate for shipping & if you contact me prior to ordering layouts I can set up a Gathering for you so you can get Hostess Rewards for your order.  

Studio J for Digital Scrapbooking

Ever wondered about digital scrapbooking? CTMH offers Studio J for all your digital scrapbooking needs. No software to purchase. Just upload your pictures, pick a paper kit & a layout and start scrapping. 

Feel free to log in and play around. No charge to get started and the printing prices are comparable (actually a little less) to local photo centres. 

I will be posting some tutorials soon. I've been digi-scrapping for years and will be importing my past projects into Studio J for printing. Great for traditional scrappers too. If you have odd sized photos that you need printed you can upload them and add a whole bunch different sizes to one 12x12 sheet. Just trim each individual photo and add to your regular layouts. Great for 2x2, 3x4, 8x6 - anything not normally offered at regular photo centres.

http://nancyhelmer.studioj.com