I have a great card project that I just completed and have not yet photographed.  In the meantime here is a video for Studio J...the BEST online scrapbooking program I have ever tried.  It perfectly blends with my classic pages and I highly recommend it to anyone that either loves to scrapbook, wants to get a photo book together but doesn't want the "stuff" lying around, wants a super-fast way to preserve some memories, or is a bit OCD and needs everything on the page to be "perfect".  
Please go check it out and then leave a comment below; I will send a goodie to one lucky commenter that either already has a free account or goes to this link and creates one and plays with Studio J.
Name will be chosen on June 15th.
Here is the basics video: (More how-to videos can be found here)



Have a blast and Happy Scrapin'
Amy

Sleepless Scrapbookers Retreat in Wisconsin

This weekend will definitely be Mission Possible!!!!  I have been invited to join the Sleepless Scrapbookers Retreat and can't wait to meet more scrapaholics like myself. :)  I have prepped some layouts for the weekend and MAY do cards on Sunday...depending on interest.

The right page has a little pocket for hidden journaling or extra pictures. :)

We will be making these same pages at the Imagination Station (that's what i have nicknamed the Brooklyn, MI Depot) next weekend March 10th so if you are in the area and would like to join in just email me or leave a comment to reserve your space.  There are a couple spots left.

Looking forward to meeting all these new Michigan and Wisconsin Scrapbookers!

Amy

Time for the Calendar?!

I made this with my dear sweet Mom in January (and promptly forgot to take pics and post).  It was a bit more work than I realized and I plan to use Studio J layouts for next year...it was still A LOT of fun to make with momma!

She has the same pics on different pages...can you believe I had so many layouts with no pictures!!! I sure was surprised (and delighted).

Here are the results:

This is a great project that you can make any month...just begin on the month you are in and git r done!
Keep an eye out for my next posts...upcomming workshops and fun extras.
Amy

FREE Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge in March

Want to join the CIA? (Creative Intelligence Agents)

When you sign up to be a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant in March for $99 you will receive all the typical "bennies" AND a free Cricut Art Philosophy Collection. (If you already have it or just don't want that you can choose $100 in Select Product Credit.)

Watch this quick video to learn the details and see EVERYTHING you get.



This is an unbelievable value...but wait THERE'S MORE! ;)
You will also be a part of the CIA (Creative Intelligence Agents) team.  We have monthly team meetings in Delafield, WI with fun ideas and projects that you can share with your customers.  I am at the ready to get you and your business off and running!  I will help you with your launch gathering and offer 1:1 coaching for up to 3 months.  Convention in in July and there is still time for you to join us in Dallas, TX for 3 days and nights of fun and crafting.  I would love to speak with you about what I do and can't wait to help you reach your goals.  Even if you are just curious about what it means to be a consultant take a  moment to call or email me so I can answer any questions you have.  Don't delay...Let's get you started March 1st!
Call or TeXt five2zero-77seven-five521 (I know it looks weird but it also plays into the whole spy theme. :) )

Just to recap: you join the CIA team, have fun with like-minded crafters whenever you want, pay $99 for over $450 in CTMH products, learn more fun projects at monthly meetings (or get them in your email inbox if you can't make it) hmmm...Better contact me soon so we can get you started Thursday!  If you are reading this between March 1st and March 31st you can use this link to my website and get started now.  I will contact you within 24hrs to help you make the most of your kit!

Spring is in the Air?! No...On the air!

Check out this video and have fun making your work SPRING!



Happy crafting.

From Sharon Michaels' Blog: Controlling my CATTS!

Focusing On What I Can Control – My CATTS

12/27/2011 – 4:40 pm

I’ve decided this coming year I will be more in control of my CATTS – yes, my CATTS. Sometimes I get so caught up in what I can’t control that I lose track of what I have the power to control. I’m making a resolution to myself that during the coming year I will stay focused on what I have the power to control and not stress about those things over which I have no, or very little, control.
I invite you to come join me in controlling the CATTS in your life too.
This year I resolve to control my:
1. C -choices and decisions – I’m resolving to make wiser decisions and choices. I will stop, take a deep breath and think before “I leap.” This coming year I will make the time to weigh the pros and cons of major decisions and make choices that will be of benefit to me personally, professionally and financially. I’ll remember this quotation from Charlotte Bronte, “Look twice before you leap.”
2. A -actions and reactions – I resolve that I will think before I act and/or speak – I will neither act nor speak out of haste or anger. I will act and react from a place of emotional empowerment and will not allow my emotions to control my good sense.
3. T -thoughts – I realize that thoughts become “things” and that I attract to me what I think about most. I resolve to think in terms of solutions and results. I resolve to focus my thoughts and mental energy on what I want to achieve, believing that I can and will make my goals a reality.
4. T -time – I resolve to control my time so my time does not control me. I will say “No” more often to those things that will waste time or are not in my best interest. I resolve also to carve out more quality time to rejuvenate myself in mind, body and spirit because I deserve it!
5. S -self-talk – I resolve to talk to myself with respect and dignity. Berating myself verbally or emotionally is injurious to my self-esteem and weakens my self-confidence. I will be kind and considerate to myself at all times.
How about it – are you going to join me during the coming year and together we will focus on those things over which we have the power to control – our CATTS?

Copyright © 2011 Sharon Michaels – All Rights Reserved

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I’m Sharon Michaels.com and my business is dedicated to empowering and coaching women in business.
I invite you to subscribe to my free weekly Ezine, http://unlimitedsuccessforwomen.com because in just minutes a week I can show you how to successfully grow yourself and your business, make more money and have more time to enjoy your life!

By sharonmichaels|Posted in Achieving Goals, Business Skills, Success Skills, The Power of the Mind, To Share|Tagged belief, goals, New Year's Resolutions, personal success, power of the mind, Sharon Michaels, success tips|Comments (2)

12 pages in less than 4 hours...My Stickease are My Friend :)

WOW!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE My Stickease!!!!!!!

I know that many people think layouts take forever long to create and only hold a few pictures; I am here to remind you that it doesn't have to be that way.  I am not a patient crafter!  (Just ask my friend Nicole.) I love using these stickers because you not only have fast embellishments but pictures of suggested layouts on the reverse side of the backing.  (You can also find the pictures of the layouts online at closetomyheart.com and use the how to books that are suggested on the stickease.)  I just followed the layouts exactly and put the photos on that I liked. (I did change the photo sizes because I only had 4 X 6 photos printed.)

I have Darby to thank for really turning me on to the My Stickease.  I had used them for other projects before but never used them to make the layouts.  One month Darby came to club with the previous month's pages done and 8 additional pages!  I was impressed and she said...I just used the stickers.  Well, that was one big ah ha moment for me.  WHY was I not using those stickers!!! Anyway, I did 4 wedding pages (circa 2003), 4 Oliver baby pages (circa 2004) and 4 winter pages (ARIZONA winter pages circa 2010).  Feeling proud and a little misty after looking at my sweet baby boy.  Here are the finished pages:

After I put the pages together I decided to go ahead and add extra embellishments.  I used some paper flowers, the bliss level 2 assortment, pearls and mocha opaques.  Bliss is no longer available but Wonderland and Dreamin' are available for purchase at my shopping site.  www.cia.myctmh.com  (Sweet home, mistletoe, hooligans and sweetheart stickease are available for $1-$3 in the clearance section for retired product; just click the while supplies tab while shopping at my site.) If you haven't tried my Stickease today is the day!  How can you say no to those clearance prices and speedy yet gorgeous and detailed pages.
happy scrappin'
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to post your layouts using MyStickease here!