Random Stamping know how

Time to buy yourself what you REALLY wanted

Let's face it, our spouses and kids try when it comes to gifts they really do.  But lets face it how many slippers, coffee mugs, bath lotions, and jewelry pieces that say MOM on them do we really need.  Today is the day to get yourself what you really want and need; something to get your creative juices flowing, something to create because you want to not because a holiday deadline is hanging overhead.

Shop with me today at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com and for every $50 you spend you will get $10 in Heather money to shop directly with me!  Heather money can be used to buy Stamp sets, ink pads, paper packs, and even blocks.

Hurry, this offer is too good to last long, now through Friday 12/28/12 only!  For questions or help placing your order email me hrkinney@hotmail.com or call 760-712-7033 now!

Merry Christmas

Gift Certificates Available

I wanted to send out a reminder that for all of those last minute shoppers, I have personalized gift certificates available. 

 Contact me at 760-712-7033 or hrkinney@hotmail.com and I can get it emailed right out for you (or your panicking spouse)!

Clearly the best - stamping CTMH way

Add some humor to your layouts

Okay, so hunting is NOT my thing.  But being married to a Marine and having three boys in the family its something you just have to go with.  Of course I want to scrapbook those photos of my nature boys, but who says I can't show a little sarcasm and humor along the way.  Take this layout of my guys last winter, the pride and smiles were just screaming, I mean screaming Elmer Fudd to me!  Remember your take on the memories are just as important as the memories themselves.

Studio J layout of Old Town

I have to say with Studio J I find that I enter 100 times more journalling into my layouts; which is what this is all about the story.  I also find that with the ease of adding more photos I put more interesting photos into my layout that help share the story as well.  Take for example the statue photo on the left page, I doubt I would have traditionally printed that photo, nor the sign photo on the right page.  Both add a great deal to the story though.  Just another reason I love Studio J!

Clearly the Best: Behind the Scenes (S01E15)

Here is the latest edition of Clearly the Best, featuring stamping techniques. Enjoy! and Happy Stamping!!!!!

December's stamp of the month

Who isn't in love wit the great stamp of the month set.  I love love love all the little note cards I see myself making in my head AFTER the holiday craziness is over lol!  Be sure to get yours today.  Its only $5 with a $50 purchase.

Thanks to all our great customers

I wanted to thank everyone who came out today to Dana of DSdoodles.blogspot.com and my First Semi-annual craft workshop in Poway.  Everyone that came out seemed to have grand time and took home lots of finished projects.  Thanks as well to my co-host and partner in craft!

Those of you that weren't able to make it out, no worries.  I will be posting photos of kits available while supplies last. 

San Diego Holiday Craft Workshop

Holiday Craft Workshop

Paper crafted gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, and co-workers
Crafters and consultants alike welcome!   Dana and I have lots of fresh projects to share.

THIS Saturday December 8, 2012
10:00am - 2:00pm
Garage in Poway --email me to RSVP for location * Choose which and how many projects to create from dozen of project choices

* pay as you go

* Raffle s every half hour

* Kids 9 and up welcome with an adult

* bring adhesive, scissors, friends and money

Earn raffle tickets for bringing a friend, booking a party, signing up for a workshop, becoming a consultant, a ticket for every $10 you order.

Email or call today to R.S.V.P. and receive an additional raffle ticket.

Love your Layout Video -ovember 2012

 Sorry my friends, with the holiday turkey day madness I just realized that I was remiss in posting the Studio J love your Layout videos for the last month.

Reading with Daddy Studio J layout - Scholastic

This is what scrapbooking is all about!  I love these photos of my guys reading! 

Fun technique to note: I didn't think a title was necessary seems pretty self explanatory but wanted something to express the emotion.  I "googled" Parent reading quotes, and on the left-hand, bottom page found one that perfectly fit!  You don't have to re-invent the wheel.

Paper pack = Scholastic

Free Crop for local So-Cal friends

I just wanted to send out a reminder about the FREE crop night Tuesday 12/04 from  6-9:30 at Oceanside Community Church.  Bring whatever projects you need to work on this holiday season. 

Whether you want to get some cricut work done, photo gifts, or holiday cards addressed tomorrow will be the perfect setting to get it all done.  Tomorrow night is 100% free, I will be having the holiday jar out taking donations for Operation Smile.  I'm so proud that our group has paid for a surgery to give a child a smile all on our own over the past year.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone.  So I know how many spaces to clear please RSVP.  See you soon.

Christopher Popinkins

Christopher Popinkins arrived at our house today so I thought I'd share a layout I made using Studio J about our first Christmas with Christopher.

Local So-Cal girls rain or shine

December 1st - OWC Holiday Craft Show at the Pacific Plaza
9am to 4pm just past the Main Gate on Camp Pendleton! Rain or Shine

You don't have to be military to come out and shop with us. All items will be handmade goods and my table will have a huge selection from myself and Dana Simone-Kurtz of holiday gifts, home decor, and military themed items. Really excited for you to see all our creations, we've gone all out.

Huge Clearance Starting at Midnight MST

Everyone enjoys shopping the deals this time of year, and you’ll be tickled to learn that we are making more fabulous deals available to you. At 12:00 AM (MST) on December 1, Close To My Heart will add new items to the “While Supplies Last” section of my shopping site. Among the new additions you will find a wide variety of paper and coordinating accessories, all with a substantial markdown. You will also find that most of the items that are currently available will also see a further markdown at that time.

 

To sweeten the deal even more, from December 1–31, all orders placed on my site that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories® glue pen (Z553)—a $4.50 value! 

 Shop early, because these deals are only available while supplies last.

Clearly the Best - Rock and Roll stamping

Holiday Craft Show at Pacific Plaza, Camp Pendleton

December 1st - OWC Holiday Craft Show at the Pacific Plaza
9am to 4pm just past the Main Gate on Camp Pendleton!

You don't have to be military to come out and shop with us.  All items will be handmade goods and my table will have a huge selection from myself and Dana Simone-Kurtz of holiday gifts, home decor, and military themed items.  Really excited for you to see all our creations, we've gone all out.

Holiday freak out.....

Okay, am I the only one that is having panic attacks looking at my holiday countdown?!?!  Well I just wanted to send out a little stress relief and a little "Bazinga" to you!  I promise the four minutes is SOOOO worth it in helping lower your holiday stress level.

Free stamp on my dime now through Monday

Monday will be your last chance to get a stamp set of YOUR choosing on my dime!  For all orders $99 and over I will send you a free stamp set out of our latest Idea Book.
Contact me today with your order or order directly my site.  Just be sure to email me your choice of your free stamp set.

Black Friday Sale

I am having a Black Friday weekend special for Friday 11/23-Cyber Mon 11/26 for any Cricut bundle you buy you will get a coordinating stamp set of your choice FREE on me! 

Anyone ordering $99 or more even if its not on a Cricut bundle I haven't forgotten you...you get to pick a stamp set too!  

To take advantage of the sale be sure to add your to the Black Friday/Cyber Monday Gathering on my website or call/email direct with your order.  After I receive your order, be sure to email/call me with your selection for your FREE stamp set...And I will get it shipped out right away for you.  Before you check out, make sure you take a stroll through the "while supplies last" section....WOW is the latest selection a real steal.

Don't let the little moments slip away

This is one of my favorite layouts ever and it only took minutes.  This is from the new Express Collection so all I had to do was drop in my photos, change the title and add journalling.  This layout in particular journalling was is key.  Without reading it, you maybe wondering WHY I would journal these out of focus crazy photos; to me they are art worthy of any museum lol.  I also have to admit without Studio J I probably wouldn't have printed these photos and that truly would have been such a sad waste of a lovely memory.

Local peeps stop out and see me

Hi everyone I'm doing a holiday shopping event this Saturday and would love to have you stop out and see me.  Going to be having a huge stamp blow out sale. So come check it out.

November's Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop featuring Cricut Artiste

Welcome everyone to Paper Cupcakes Blog Hop!  If you just arrived from Bren Yule's Blog you are in the right place.  If you are starting your journey with us here with me I'm excited as always to have you!

Each month we will be featuring a different key on the Cricut Artiste.  This month we are working with the Noel/Ho Ho Ho Key from page 79.  One of the reasons that I love Artiste so much is each individual key groups like shapes.  Like this month Snowflakes and winter items are all right here in the same place.  No more just random button punching to find the images we are looking for. 

 Designer water cups are all the rage these days and not inexpensive so I was thrilled when I found this bright blue one at a local Dollar Tree.  With my Cricut Artiste and some white Vinyl plastic sheets I easily cut the snowflake design in different sizes, peeled and stuck randomly on the cup.  See all the itty bitty flakes, those are from the inside cut of the flakes...so remember to think outside the box and use those scraps.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

•  This cup is now hand washable. 
• For more delicate or lacy images you will want to use a special transfer paper that in essence turns the vinyl into a rub on per say.
• After testing out this new found freedom with vinyl, shop around.  After my research I know that prices vary from retailers (coupon shopping included), to ebay, and finally Amazon.com.  FYI when I bought this the best pricing was at Amazon.

Thanks for stopping by and now hop over to the always inspirational, Linda Taylor's Blog for another creative treat with this key.  

Looking forward to seeing you back soon.  I blog everything from scrapbook layouts and my passion-Studio J scrapbooking, to all kinds of papercraft samples and techniques. December 15th we will be focusing our hop on celebrating New Year's Eve!  Lets get ready for 2013.

Not everyday can be a holiday; Thankfully!

Not everyday can be a holiday, WHEW! Thankfully!!!  Remember to not just save the memories of birthdays, Christmas, Easter Egg hunts, and Thanksgiving at Aunt Bea's.  I don't know about you but for me its usually those everyday moments of doing not "special" that I want to remember, and want my kids and grandkids to know about.  Its not always those 6th cousins you only see at weddings and funerals that you think of first when someone mentions family.  Its those people that you meet somewhere along life's highway, that sneak up and become family when you aren't looking that I cherish and that I need them to remember.

And come on be honest, those are the moments and people that are most fun and FUN just explodes into easy to make and fantastic to love layouts.  Here is one of my latest just because we were together and I had a camera nearby" moment layouts.  I love it and some of our Marine family!

My Creations Card box

The My Creations Card Box Thankful project

• Sides of box – (2) strips of 2” x 12”
•  Lip of box – 1” x 6 ½” & ¼” x 6 ½”
• Top of the Box – inspired by ORIGINALS “cubes  & Colors” card

• Base = 6 ½” x 4 ½” or (2) 1 ½” x 4 ½”
• A = 3 ½” x 4 ½”
• B = 2 ½” x 2 ¾”  &  3” x 2 ¾”
• C =  I didn’t cut this, I used buttons instead

Cut 3 burlap leaves appx 2” each free-handed

My intention for MY box is to keep notes in for what people are thankful for from the question at Thanksgiving dinner (Inspired by Lisa Stenz's Prayer Box from 2011).  You can use it for a variety of things including to store standard size photos/cards.

Studio J -- pattern more important than quantity sometimes

In Studio J when you are picking which layout pattern you want remember to browse different layouts not only the layouts that have exact number of photo wells you have pictures for.

• Patterns that have prearranged journalling and title spots can be turned INTO photo wells for extra photo placement. 
• You can also DELETE photo wells if you like a pattern but decide you don't want to use all the wells.  

Take a close look at the sample below, I actually deleted 5 of the photo wells in this pattern replacing it with B&T patterned paper and My Stickease.  Another thing to note about my photos, in the bottom right page, see how I added photos of objects in those wells.  Its not that I didn't have more photos of my son...I had already added a lot of those though and wanted to show the "what" of the story as well. I believe that it really added to story and years from now we will remember more about the day than just Avery shooting.  So remember to take photos of "whats" in your stories (ie: take photos of food, or the gifts wrapped, and the dis-guarded wrapping papers after the opening, how about photos of your children's art project alone to match the photos with them holding their masterpieces).  The possibilities are endless, and will go along way in showing the whole story.

heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

Happy Birthday Gordon!

I wanted to send a Big Happy Birthday out to my Husband today!

The kids are cuddling with the Daddy Dolls they received form the Armed Services YMCA as he left for his year deployment.  Victory papers from Close To My Heart is one of my all time paperpacks with this great Camo paper in it. 

November workshop layout

This month we made a super cute layout featuring Clementine (and featured here with retired papers Twitterpated).  The layout comes from Imagine, and is Sweet symphony.  I love how the Arbor wood shapes come to life against the paper.  One other thing to note is the burlap tabs.  To make these I took our new Burlap ribbon and cut into thinner strips.

Vote! Vote! Vote!

Doesn't matter what your view point, Democrat or Republican or something in between, make sure you go get your vote on today! 

Make your voice heard!  I love that as a nation we have choices and debate over how we think things should be.

24 hours and we will know, and Thankfully all the ads will be over and we can go back to detergent, used cars, and fast food ads.  I found this vintage poster and thought it fitting.  Now that I've voted I'm going back to crafting...someone wake me up when the final count is in.

Studio J Stickease's resized

Here is a Studio J layout that I wanted to share with you.  Some things to note look at the stitching around the blue papers those are as easy to drop into place as a sticker, with some cropping for the shorter lengths of papers (stitching rows default at 12").  Speaking of the ease of placing stickers, take a look at how many My Stickease I used on these two pages.  I reduced several of the Stickease's sizes to place within the circles.  The large titles on both pages are quote stickers enlarged, and I love the little hearts that were small Stickease and I reduced to be even tinier.

Save 50% on any stamp set while helping Hurricane victims see the details.

You can SAVE 50% off any stamp set while helping out Hurricane Sandy victims right now, with a qualifying purchase!!!!!!!!!!  Hurry to save and help today. 

Click here to Start saving and helping!

Capture the Date, Capture the Savings!
November 2012 Constant Campaign

To show our support of Red Cross relief efforts for those areas of the US severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, Close To My Heart will donate $1 for every Stamp of the Month set sold as a part of this promotion during November.

In November, you’ll get something extra when you buy the Stamp of the Month—50% off another stamp set! When you qualify for and buy the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, you’ll receive another stamp set* of your choice for 50% off—it’s like two promotions in one! The versatile Capture the Date stamp set is great for any layout, card, invitation, or calendar, and now you can choose another stamp set at half-off for more wonderful papercrafting. Get Capture the Date and then capture the savings today!

* Offer valid for A-E and M size stamp sets only; K-size, Workshops on the Go^®, Cricut^® collection, and Stamp of the Month stamp sets are not eligible for this promotion. Maximum of one 50% off stamp set per order.

Dates: Offer valid November 1–30, 2012

November's Stamp of the Month

Clearly the Best 10/31 edition

Two of my favorite superheros

This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE layouts!  We were at McDonald's one day and Parker-man (5) was soooooooo excited to get a green lantern mask.  I was soooooo  thrilled when Avery (14) picked them up and put them on.  Mom was quick with the photos, because as a teen he doesn't allow that much these days.

I knew at that moment that I would be going right home to Studio-J these photos.  Using Superhero paper pack I could quickly change the very brightly colored papers to shades of black with the click of ONE button.  I quickly changed the cardstock and accessories to shades of green, added a few stickers and BAMMMM!  I was done.  Its THAT simple!

Happy Halloween

I just wanted to send out a Happy Halloween from the my crew of little Goblins!  Take time to craft with your kids (or grandkids).  I guarantee you'll get as much joy out of it as they will.

Happy Haunting from Sara Beth, Parker, and Kennedy!

Get your Buy 9 Get 1 Free Studio J orders in!

Just finished my last Studio J order of the month!  I got 60 layouts total.  I saved $41.60 this month when I received 6 free layouts....yeah!!!!!!  It was like getting paid for doing something I was going to do anyways!!!!!!!!!!!!   Love this months special remember to get your orders posted by tomorrow.

More samples from the 10/15 Blog Hop

As promised here is the project I made out of the left overs from my fall leaves cupcake liner rings on October 15th blog hop.  To create this candle ring I took TWO each of the same size cupcake liners and hooked them together using the precut tabs and holes (gotta love how easy the Cricut Artiste makes this for you).  Then repeated the directions from the full tree on the 15th's post.

Reminder to sign up for 11/06 workshop

Reminder today is the last day to register for your seat at the November 6th workshop.  I have some great things planned for this month's workshop that you won't want to miss.  If you are an out of towner or just can't pull yourself away this month from the Election Night madness today is also the last day to order a class kit!

Celebrate my 10th anniversary with me

This weekend is my 10th Wedding Anniversary, and I don't want to celebrate it alone.  Join my Octoberfest gathering at heatherplotzke.ctmh.com and receive a free ink pad of your choice with a purchase of $25 or more.

Hurry this offer lasts only only through the weekend!

Happy Anniversary Gordon!

October Layouts from my Workshop

I wanted to showcase Halloween papers and how they don't HAVE to be used for just Halloween.  I took very Halloween papers (retired papers - Mischief) and transitioned them into elegant Fall photo ready pages.  These will easily hold my Birthday photos next month when I hit the Big 4-0! or homecoming pictures.  I am  love with our new glitter tape and CTMH black tulle ribbon.  The Tulle is a great weight and holds shape really well.

The second layout (using the same papers) used the same style hand-scored paper medallions that I made my Spooky banner out of (featured last week).  Pumpkin patch photos or playing in the leaves will be easily mounted on them.

Both of these layouts started out with the patterns from the Mischief WOTG and Jeannette's Magic pattern book.

This week's Close To My Heart Clearly the Best WebTV video

I love this week's tips on masking ideas. 

For everyone that was at my October Workshop, check out the paper medallions on their layout...a lot like ours.  So if you love their layout you already know how to duplicate that process:)

October 2012 Love Your Layout by Studio J

You know I love me some Studio J!!!!!!!!!!! Here is the latest installment of Love Your Layout.  And remember to get the most out of the video, have the video open in one tab AND have your Studio J account open in another tab.

Also remember during October Buy 9 layouts Get 1 Free!!!!!!!!

Cricut Artiste by Close To My Heart Paper Medallion decorations

For October's workshop we made these bonus project wall hangings featuring the Cricut Artiste Paper Medallions and Spiders.  For the hanger I used our Black CTMH Tulle cut lengh-wise in half for a thinner look.  These took all of about 5 minutes to make and would be great in a smaller size made into pins for a shower, decorating table center pieces and place settings, hooked onto longer ribbons to mmake a banner.  The possibilities are endless.  Hope you enjoy.  I look forwarding to hearing what YOU  make with this idea.

Revamp decorations to give them a new Wow factor

I wanted to share this fun and easy Halloween project using your Cricut cutting system.  This table top tree was a gift to my parents about 15 yrs ago and each fall would just plainly sit on my Mom's table.  With 2 pieces of cardstock and about $0.50 worth of ribbon I repurposed this into a bright and fun Halloween tree.

After cutting images, I Sponged each piece tone on tone (with the same color ink as the paper).  To hook the images onto the tree I added jewelry jump rings to each piece.  Super quick and easy and I love the results!

DeLuz Housing Fall Event

SORRY EVERYONE -- RAINED OUT!  At least my table is!

  DeLuz Family Housing 108 Marine Drive Oceanside, CA 92058

Close To My Heart Clearly the Best TV - Alcohol Markers

For some great tips on our brand new Alcohol Markers tune into to this great video.  I am in love with the Tree on the 1st card, can't wait to scraplift it!

Halloween medallion wall hanging.

My good friend Corina Mitchel became the queen of paper medallion making last year, and thankfully she showed me how.  Here is the wall hanging I did using Close To My Heart papers.

To get the different size medallions use different heights of paper strips.  Example the large corner piece at the bottom right (with the spider) was  4" tall before scoring, so when done it makes a 8" circle.

 I laid the medallions out on top of the corrugated cardboard I was going to use as backing to get a feel for where each one would go.  This is a great way to make sure you have the shape, coloring, etc where you want it. The starting with the top corner I glued down using hot glue.    The picture doesn't show it but there is a black tuelle hanging ribbon that can be used from the top or hidden behind for table stand displaying

Cricut Artiste p 78 (turkey key) Blog Hop

Welcome to the Paper Cupcake's Cricut Artiste p 78 (turkey key)  Blog Hop!  If you came from Bren Yule's blog~http://closetomycricut.com/, you are in the right place.

So one of the unique items on the Cricut Artiste is the large selection of cupcake holders.  As soon as I saw the leaf cupcake holder, I knew, KNEW I wanted to make a tree out of it.  I wanted to show you 1st what I started with above.  

Now lets see where I took it!

I cut 17 holders starting at 5" and decreasing by 1/4" at a time all the way down to the last ring at the top at 1".  It took 5 sheets of cardstock to reach the final height of 7".  I used 10 sheets, cutting 2 of each Cricut page in different colors and then putting every other ring a different color, to make 2 trees.  The colors I used were Garden Green and Olive cardstock.

After cutting all the pieces with my Cricut I curled the leaves up to the ring with the end of my Cricut spatula before I hooked it into a ring with the slit/tab that the cut gives me. On the small rings I used the stylist from my Cricut to do the curling.  I applied a small amount of glue in between the levels for stability.  Then to give it the finishing POW I went back to each leaf and quickly applied Glitz Stardust Glitter Gel Z1313 (easiest way ever to glitter).  Stop back over the next few weeks to see what else I made with my extra play cuts of the holders.

For now though hop on over to the amazing LindaTaylor'S page to see more creative ideas using the Cricut Artiste Collection. If you get lost, just hop on back to Bren's  for the full hop list.  You won't want to miss any of our teams amazing projects.  Hope you hop back my way soon :)

Local SoCal friends - Beaumont Elementary School Vendor Fair

Hi everyone I wanted to let you know that I will be having a Scrapping good time at:

 Beaumont Elementary School Vendor Fair tomorrow

550 Beaumont Dr , Vista, California 92084

 Saturday 10/13 from 11a-2pm!!!!!!!! 

I hope all my SoCal friends in the Vista area tomorrow will stop by.  I will have lots of cash and carry products on sale (Stamp sets 2 for $20 limited to what's on hand) and lots of new samples to show.  I hope you can stop by and see me. 

Free scrap-bling  for anyone who comes out and mentions they stopped out because of my blog post!

Halloween art by CTMH Art Team

Close To My Heart's amazing art team has worked its magic again.  Check out some of their Spooky creations showcasing Halloween.

 This shadow box featuring Moonlight papers and complements is sure to put the HAPPY back into your Happy Haunting projects.

This special Spellbound Halloween Party Workshop On The Go to create using Cricut Artiste is Spooktacular!!!!!!!!!!

To get creating your very own versions of these projects and more, head on over to my website heatherplotzke.ctmh.com

Clearly the Best: Coordinating with Cricut

Whatcha working on today!?!?

So after spending time with my creative genius buddies Thursday and Saturday I have been crazy crafting inspired.  I have been making 3D art projects, working on designing workshop projects, and Studio J-ing like crazy!

Fall is such a great pressure free time to craft, Christmas stress hasn't started yet; weather is cool enough to start dreaming of it though.

So tell me what are YOU working on right now??????

Victory layout with Studio J

Here is a layout I made using Victory papers and Studio J this summer for convention 2012 when we were given a special 5 pack to play with.  I am not sure about everyone but Victory papers is one of the paper packs I use more than any other.  I think its perfect for outdoor photos, family photos, guy pics, and especially military photos.  Here is a layout I made from photos of my husband and youngest son right before my husband deployed last spring.  I thought they went perfectly together.

Notice how I layered and changed sizes of the scrolly-leaf My Stickease.  Another important thing I want you to take note of is the pleated ribbon on the right-hand page.  Do make this I took ribbon tabs and layered them.  Now that's easier than it may seem I only had to place a few and then highlight/copy & paste.  To line them all up evenly I highlighted them all and used the easy tools to evenly spread them both vertically and horizontally. I also covered the tops of the ribbon tabs with a border My Stickease for a finished look.

Remember all October, when you BUY 9 layouts you get your 10th one FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am all over taking advantage of that deal.

Remember to look past the initial theme of the paperpacks

Can anyone guess what paper packet this layout I made of my Avery's Orchestra Concert?  Hmmmm any guesses????  It might surprise you....a lot of people saw it as a travel paper, I saw it as a rich, classical papers that fit every occassion from travel to heritage to musical and everything in between.

A couple of tips that I want you to note.  The decoration for the title on the right side was My Stickease tags that I lined up and "sent backwards" behind the title well.  I also added ribbon to edge it with.  To make it narrow just use the crop tools to shrink it down.  Super easy but a great finishing touch.

I was thrilled with how well Studio J's photo editing tools work with no effort.  If you look at the photos again on the right page carefully you'll see that the two closeup photos were taken from the same distance.  The closeups were just zoomed in to focus on my kiddo..  So super easy.