CyberWEEK Sale -- starts TOMORROW at 11 AM EST!!

Close to My Heart has announced they will be hosting a Cyber Week Sale this year.  There are thirty-nine products included in this sale, which come from our current idea books, including one of our amazing Cricut collections!  All items on the list below will be on sale for 25% off.  These items will be shown in a special shopping menu entitled “Cyberweek Sale!” on my online store.  

Z3111 Base & Bling Snowflake Charm—Faux Gold

Z3112 Base & Bling Jingle Bell—Faux Gold

Z3135 Base & Bling Snowflake Charm—Faux Silver

Z3136 Base & Bling Jingle Bell—Faux Silver

Z3138 Base & Bling Red Bead Charm—Faux Gold

Z3139 Base & Bling Red Bead Charm—Faux Silver

Z3180 Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program

Z3147 Cut Above™ Dapper Giraffe Card Kit

Z2028 Designer Creations Short Stack Album

Z2036 Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags

Z2037 Designer Creations Lagoon Paper Bags

Z2038 Designer Creations Ruby Paper Bags

Z2039 Designer Creations Honey Paper Bags

Z2049 Designer Creations Cupcake Box

Z2050 Designer Creations Takeout Box

Z2053 Designer Creations Buttoned Bag

Z1838 5" x 7" Hinged Display Tray

Z1750 Designed Décor Display Tray

Z2006 Designed Décor Red Magnetic Chalkboard

Z2015 Designed Décor Black Shadow Box

Z2016 Designed Décor Colonial White Shadow Box

Z1833 My Creations™ Kraft Container

Z1871 My Creations™ Kraft 3-Ring Album

Z1953 My Creations™ Journaling Cards Box

Z1956 My Creations™ Hip Pics Album

Z3043 My Creations™ Black Mini Book

Z3044 My Creations™ Kraft Mini Book

Z3069 My Creations™ Mini Mix Album

Z3137 My Creations™ Pint-Sized Container

Z3168 Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection

Z1476 4 ¼" x 5 ½" White Daisy Envelopes

Z1477 5" x 7" White Daisy Envelopes

Z1478 6" x 6" White Daisy Envelopes

Z1756 3" x 3" Colonial White Envelopes

Z1757 4 ¼" x 5 ½" Colonial White Envelopes

Z1758 5" x 7" Colonial White Envelopes

Z1759 6" x 6" Colonial White Envelopes

Z1851 Scallop Border Punch

Z1997 Triangle Border Punch

* * * * *

And to sweeten the deal, I have decided to extend my personal Black Friday specials and offer them during Cyber Week as well!  

*FREE exclusive state stamp set with ANY order placed (choose from any of the 50 states!)

*FREE Seasonal Expressions Idea Book with ANY order placed.

*FREE 2015-2016 Annual Idea Book with any order over $75

*FREE paper packet or B-size stamp set of your choice with any order over $100 ($9.95 value)

And if that's not enough...
ALL orders will be placed in a drawing for a half-price item - that's right -- 50% off any item of your choice!  Orders over $100 will be receive 5 entries!!  Have you been eyeing one of our exclusive Cricut collections??  Be sure to place an order to be entered for your chance to win one of these fantastic collections at half-price!!

* * * * *

What are you waiting for??  Call me, email me, or visit my website at jddesigns.ctmh.com and take advantage of the Cyber Week specials and the fabulous bonuses I'm offering right away!  These offers are available for a limited time only -- Monday, November 30, 2015 (11:00 am EST) through Friday, December 4, 2015 (6:00 pm EST)!

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

-- Notes -- 

FREE items are only valid on orders placed with Jennifer Dykstra - Close to My Heart Independent Consultant. All freebies will be mailed separately after order has been placed and will come directly from me.

jddesigns Black Friday Specials

I hope you all had a blessed, relaxing Thanksgiving spent with family and friends.  Whether you are looking to scrapbook your holiday memories or make your own Christmas cards, be sure to check out these exclusive specials / bonuses valid only through me -- your personal CTMH Independent Consultant.

*FREE exclusive state stamp set with ANY order placed (choose from any of the 50 states!)

*FREE Seasonal Expressions Idea Book with ANY order placed.

*FREE 2015-2016 Annual Idea Book with any order over $75

*FREE paper packet or B-size stamp set of your choice with any order over $100 ($9.95 value)

And if that's not enough...
ALL orders will be placed in a drawing for a half-price item - that's right -- 50% off any item of your choice!  Orders over $100 will be receive 5 entries!!  Have you been eyeing one of our exclusive Cricut collections??  Be sure to place an order to be entered for your chance to win one of these fantastic collections at half-price!!

What are you waiting for??  Call me, email me, or visit my website at jddesigns.ctmh.com and take advantage of the fabulous bonuses right away!  These offers are available for a limited time only -- now through Sunday night!

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

-- Notes -- 

Specials are only valid on orders placed with Jennifer Dykstra - Close to My Heart Independent Consultant. All freebies will be mailed separately after order has been placed and will come directly from me.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Just wanted to take a quick minute and wish you a happy Thanksgiving.  I hope you and yours have a blessed, relaxing day filled with family, food, and fun.

We are heading to my aunt's for a "small" family gathering.  My brother and his family will not be able to make it this year so I went over to their house yesterday and brought my nephews and niece little craft-kit goodie bags.  Simple and sweet... but the kids loved them!

Supplies used:

*Art Philosophy Cricut Collection

*Chocolate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Framed stamp set (retired SOTM)

*Miscellaneous cardstock from my stash

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow to check out my exclusive Black Friday sale!

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Cut Above - Boughs & Berries

♫♫ Deck the halls with boughs of holly...

and pretty Christmas cards made by YOU!!  ♫♫

Christmas is coming, and people will soon begin sending and receiving Christmas cards.  Are you thinking of making your own cards this year?  Are you struggling for inspiration or time?  Or are you looking for a quick and simple card to create this year?  No matter what your situation, Close to My Heart's Cut Above card kits may be just what you are looking for!

In each kit, you receive all the card bases, envelopes, die-cuts, and embellishments necessary to make 10 5 ½" × 4 ¼" holiday cards.  Simply a few basic tools from your own stash (ink, adhesive, scissors, etc.) and one of the coordinating M-size stamp sets, and you are all set to start making your own Christmas cards.

* * * * *

Yesterday on my blog, I shared the Cut Above Deck the Halls kit; today, I have the companion kit --the Cut Above Boughs & Berries card kit to share with you.  Again, in the picture below and my tutorial, I followed the suggested design for this kit, but the ladies in my class had too much fun making the cards their own -- by rotating the orientation of the card, moving pieces around, and doing whatever their hearts' desired.

To see how easily these cards come together, please watch the below video tutorial on my YouTube channel.

Supplies used:

*Cut Above Boughs & Berries card kit

*Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Hand-Lettered Christmas M-size stamp set

*This is Christmas M-size stamp set

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Cut Above - Deck the Halls

♫♫ Deck the halls with boughs of holly...

and pretty Christmas cards made by YOU!!  ♫♫

Christmas is coming, and people will soon begin sending and receiving Christmas cards.  Are you thinking of making your own cards this year?  Are you struggling for inspiration or time?  Or are you looking for a quick and simple card to create this year?  No matter what your situation, Close to My Heart's Cut Above card kits may be just what you are looking for!

In each kit, you receive all the card bases, envelopes, die-cuts, and embellishments necessary to make 10 5 ½" × 4 ¼" holiday cards.  Simply a few basic tools from your own stash (ink, adhesive, scissors, etc.) and one of the coordinating M-size stamp sets, and you are all set to start making your own Christmas cards.

* * * * *

Below is a picture of a card sample I made for a recent class using the Cut Above -- Deck the Halls kit.  I followed the suggested design for my card, but the ladies in the class took this basic design and ran.  They changed up the ornament placement, turned the card from portrait to landscape, wrapped the twine around the card, and used all sorts of other fun ideas to make the cards their own.

To see how easily these cards come together, please watch the below video tutorial on my YouTube channel.

Supplies used:

*Cut Above Deck the Halls card kit

*Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Doubly Merry M-size stamp set

*Holiday Greetings M-size stamp set

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Black Swan Banner

The holiday season is in full swing, and with that comes the many craft shows and vendor events that are so fun to shop for unique gifts and fabulous inspiration.  A friend of mine who is a knitter recently participated in a large event, and after seeing the banner I use for my events, she decided she wanted one of her own... in 3 weekdays!  Thankfully, I had saved the design for the main banner flags on my Gypsy and was able to cut all the necessary pieces in about an hour.  Unfortunately because I also had to work and take care of my family (darn non-crafty priorities! LOL!!), I wasn't able to emboss the white layer of the banner flags, but I was happy to still be able to "throw together" this simple, yet elegant banner for her business.

Supplies used:

*Artiste Cricut Collection
*Art Philosophy Cricut Collection
*12" x  12" Black cardstock
*12" x  12" White Daisy cardstock
*12" x  12" Cranberry cardstock

*Cricut Wedding Solutions (for the swans)
*1/8" red satin ribbon

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Many Thanks for October

October was one of my best months with Close to My Heart to-date, and I would like to thank all of you who ordered from me for helping me with this achievement.

At the beginning of each month, I create and send a special thank you card to anyone who placed an order with me during the previous month.  As an added bonus, I like to sign the cards with a post-it note -- thus allowing the recipient to reuse the card in the future.  If you would like to receive one of my custom thank-cards, simply place any size order via my online store at jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Supplies used:

*Variety of Thanks stamp set (retired)
*12" x  12" Pomegranate card stock
*Watercolor paper
*Watercolor Paints
*Paintbrush Set
*Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Gold shimmer trim

*Gold sequins assortment

*Heidi Swapp Gold Color Shine

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

White Pines Family Gatherings

On Wednesday, I shared the main layout from the new White Pines Workshop on the Go.  Today, I have the additional layout from the same WOTG to share with you.  I love the glacier blue in this collection.  It adds such a contemporary feel to the traditional Christmas elements -- plus it just adds to the versatility of this collection!

I hope you'll check out my process video showing how I put together this additional layout.

Supplies used:
*Artistry Cricut collection
*White Pines Workshop on the Go
*Chocolate Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Cranberry Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Fern Exclusive Inks stamp pad

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

In the Air, There's a Feeling of Christmas

There seems to be lots of controversy going on in the world right now about Christmas -- from is it too early to start thinking Christmas to what is Christmas supposed to look like.  People are getting worked up over red coffee cups and Christmas tree sightings in November.  But let's face it -- as crafters, Christmas goes all year round for us!  From scrapbooking Christmas pictures in June to working on Christmas gifts from September to Christmas Eve -- Christmas is a year-round holiday for crafters everywhere.  But this time of year, the feeling of Christmas kicks into high gear as the world joins us in feeling festive.

Close to My Heart's Christmas collection, White Pines, this year is definitely festive!  From the traditional colors of red and green to the holly and boughs, this collection makes me want to trim the tree, pour a cup of hot cocoa, and curl up with my loved ones to watch The Santa Clause or Elf -- while making lots of memories to scrapbook, of course!!  The White Pines Workshop on the Go is perfect for capturing those holiday memories.

Today, I am sharing the main layout featured in the WOTG cutting guide.  I can't wait to fill this layout with pictures of my family this year at Christmas.  I absolutely love the flair badges and red gems that coordinate with this collection.

And in a new "tradition", I'm stepping outside of my crafting box and sharing a YouTube video I made showing you step-by-step how to put this beautiful layout together.  Please head over to my YouTube channel and check out my first process video.  I would love for you to leave me some feedback love either here or on YouTube.

Supplies used:
*Artistry Cricut collection
*White Pines Workshop on the Go
*Cranberry Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Fern Exclusive Inks stamp pad

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

I will be back Friday with the additional layout from the White Pines WOTG and my second YouTube process video.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Welcome Autumn Pocket Letter

I absolutely love making pocket letters.  So when Jody over at SpiegelMom Scraps hosted another pocket letter swap, I jumped right in!  The swap's theme was Fall.

If you are new to pocket letters, they are penpal letters in pocket format. Basically, you fill all the pockets of a 9 Pocket Page Protector (or similar) and send the whole page to someone who wants to swap or to your existing penpal(s). You fill the pockets with the components of a typical pen pal letter.  

One of the most fun parts of a pocket letter is gifting / receiving crafty goodies for future use.  For this letter, I created my own ephemera by punching various images from one of the sheets in the DCWV Autumn Splendor stack.

front of my pocket letter

back of pocket letter

(because I couldn't leave it unfinished!)

 shipping tag from upper-right pocket

Supplies used:

*Hello, Life! - Scrapbooking stamp set
*Blessings of Autumn stamp set (Hostess Rewards exclusive)
*Michigan stamp set
*Holiday Tags stamp set (for the word "from")
*Chocolate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Fern Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Goldrush Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Cranberry Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Honey Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Woodgrain washi tape (retired)
*Mini Stapler

*DCWV Autumn Splendor stack

*Gold & cream baker's twine
*Gold loose sequins
*various circle & other shape punches
*Shipping tag from SpiegelMom Scraps
*Mini glassine bag from SpiegelMom Scraps

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Simply Fundamental Blog Hop

Welcome to the Simply Fundamentals Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Haley Dyer, then you are in the right place.  If you just happened upon my little corner of the blog world, simply start here and continue hopping until you return here -- our fun hop is one big loop for your viewing pleasure. 

The month's special is Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking.  When you purchase the My Legacy album bundle, you will receive a value pack of Memory Protectors FREE.  This exclusive My Legacy bundle includes one Paper Fundamentals Enchantment pack, one Fundamental stickers Enchantment pack, one Peacock Fundamental assortment, and three sheets of White Daisy cardstock.  In addition to the FREE Memory Protectors, purchase this bundle and receive the Paper Fundamentals scrapbooking workshop guide FREE.  The guide includes cutting and assembly instructions for FIVE double-page scrapbook layouts using the products included in the bundle!

For today's project, I found my inspiration in a sketch and color combo I found online.  The color combo was an almost perfect match to Lagoon, Peacock, Eggplant, Fern, and Champagne.

Here's my layout...

Supplies used:

*Artistry Cricut Collection
*#makesmehappy stamp set
*Paper Fundamentals Enchantment
*12" x  12" Lagoon card stock
*12" x  12" White Daisy card stock
*Fern Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Peacock Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Gold shimmer trim

*Gold sequins assortment

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Thank you for visiting me at JD Designs and for hopping with us on the Close to My Heart Simply Fundamentals Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Darlys Recker. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Studies Show... Urban Birthdays Rock

When I saw the Urban collection in the 2015-16 Annual Inspirations, I {may} have done a happy dance.  As the mom of a boy, I am always looking for masculine collections to help me document his story.  The bold colors and textures are beyond fabulous and simply put a boy mom's dream.  :-)

Click photo to see more detail

This collection is also great for masculine cards, and let's face it -- with all the pretty colors, glitz, and bling in the papercrafting world, many of us struggle with designing cards for the men in our lives.  My goal for November, in addition to creating scrapbook pages for my loves, is to build up my stash of male cards.  Be sure to follow along as I share my creations.

Now on to today's card...

Supplies used:

*Urban Paper Packet
*Birthday Funnies stamp set (Hostess Rewards exclusive)
*Colonial White value pack cards & envelopes
*12" x  12" Sapphire card stock

*12" x  12" Colonial White card stock

*Slate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Whisper Thick Twine

*Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots
*Mini Stapler

*Edge Distresser

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

November Spotlight Collections - Urban & White Pines

This month's Close to My Heart will be featuring TWO spotlight collections!  That's double the spotlight inspiration for you!  First up, we have Urban -- a bold, masculine collection with lots of rough texture and vivid colors.  And for those of you who are ready to get a jump start on your holiday papercrafting, we have White Pines -- a subtle, understated Christmas collection with warm winter flair.

Urban
#ctmhurban

White Pines
#ctmhwhitepines

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Stay tuned throughout the month to my blog and my Facebook page for lots of fabulous Urban and White Pines inspiration.  And be sure to follow #ctmhurban and #ctmhwhitepines all month long for all the fun!

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop -- November: Cheers, 2016!

Welcome to the November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Dana Kessler, then you are in the right place.  If you just happened upon my little corner of the blog world, simply start here and continue hopping until you return here -- our fun hop is one big loop for your viewing pleasure. 

The month's featured stamp set is S1511 Cheers, 2016! (pictured below).  This set is only available until November 30th and is only $5 with a $50 Close to My Heart purchase.

For today's project, I started by creating a simple card with the new Confetti embossing folder and some gold embellishments.  After creating the "Dream Big" card, I decided to step up the design a little with an additional layer.  I used one of the beautiful black & white patterns from the La Vie En Rose collection.

 Which design do you like better??

 

I also used the stamp set to create a coordinating envelope.  In my opinion, a matching envelope is the perfect finishing touch to any handmade card.

Supplies used:

*Artistry Cricut collection
*Cheers, 2016! stamp set
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack
*12" x  12" Black card stock
*12" x  12" Pomegranate card stock
*12" x  12" White Daisy card stock
*Pomegranate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Confetti embossing folder

*Gold shimmer trim

*Bling gems gold assortment

To order these or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Thank you for visiting me at JD Designs and for hopping with us on the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month November Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Carol Taggio. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!

November Close to My Heart Specials

November Constant Campaign

Experience the beautiful Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking workshop—available only during November! This workshop has been created using all the items featured in our campaign exclusive My Legacy™ album bundles, available during November for $71.80 USD! When you purchase the album bundle, you will also qualify to receive a value pack of side load or top load Memory Protectors™ FREE—a savings of $19.95 USD! Along with the album style and design of your choice, each bundle includes one Paper Fundamentals Enchantment pack, one Fundamental stickers Enchantment pack, one Peacock Fundamental assortment, and three sheets of White Daisy cardstock. You will then be set to turn these beautiful products into fabulous layouts using the new Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking workshop featuring five layouts you can make using all the supplies in your bundle.

Dates: Offer valid November 1, 2015 (9:00 am MDT)–November 30, 2015 (11:59 pm MDT).

* * * * *

November Stamp of the Month

Only $5 with a $50 purchase

To order these or any of the other fabulous CTMH products, please visit my online store at jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, remember to design it with {heart}!