Grass Wreath with Burlap Flowers

A couple years ago, I built this frame for my kitchen wall.  I have a wonderful rustic star I use for Christmas and a cozy yarn wreath for Valentine's Day, but I didn't have anything for everyday purposes.  After leaving the V-day wreath hanging for all year, I finally decided over the weekend that I needed to make a new wreath.

Quick tip -- save yourself some $$$ and skip buying wreath forms.  Instead grab a pool noodle from the dollar store and duct tape the ends together to form a wreath.  I've found it helps to wrap the end of the noodle with duct tape before wrapping them together.

Supplies used:

*Pool noodle from the dollar store
*Duct tape
*Cypress Yarn Bee Haute Fur Yarn
*Burlap daisies
*Straight pins
*Cotton lace ribbon trim

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

March Showers Bring Birthday Flowers

Over the weekend, we celebrated the March birthdays in our family.  My sister-in-law loves Jelly Bellies, and I had a bag to give her.  But of course, it's no fun to just give someone a bag of candy; I had to scrap it up.

To make this fun candy jar, I first went to my basket of jars to upcycle and found an old salsa jar.  I then used washi tape to cover the writing on the sides of the lid and cut/decorated a circle to fit inside the top of the lid.

To make the flower on the front of the jar, I cut several flower images from Artistry using the Icon feature starting with a 3 1/2" flower alternating between Pixie and Canary dropping the size by 1/4" in time.  I used a bone folder to curl the petals before assembling the layers with glue dots.  I finished the flower with a 3/4" Pixie circle and a silver sparkle flower from the Playful Puffies assortment.  I also cut the leaves from Artistry and scored them down the center for some added dimension. 

Hint -- pre-assemble panel flat before wrapping  it around the jar

 

Decorated Lid

Supplies used:

*Artistry Cricut collection
*Holiday Tags stamp set
*Penelope paper packet
*12" x 12" Canary cardstock
*12" x 12" Pixie cardstock
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*Pear Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Silver shimmer trim
*Limeade washi tape
*Playful Puffies

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Spring Fever with Penelope

Out of the three collections included in the Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog, I will honestly say Penelope was my least favorite.  But as always, when I get the collection in my hand and begin playing with it, I quickly fall in love.  Maybe it's the time change... maybe it's the weather... but either way, I definitely have Spring Fever.  How about you??

I cannot wait to fill this pretty layout with pictures of my family outside enjoying the first days of Spring.  We've been cooped up all winter long and are ready to get out and play!

Supplies used:

*Artbooking Cricut collection
*Artiste Cricut collection
*Penelope Paper Packet
*12" x 12" Crystal Blue cardstock
*12" x 12" Honey cardstock
*12" x 12" Pear cardstock
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*Thistle Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Thistle extra-thick twine
*Limeade washi pack
*Silver shimmer trim
*Playful puffies
*Diamond embossing folder
*Magic how-to program (book)

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Penelope, You Make Me Happy

Today, I will be sharing my last card in my jd designs spin on the Penelope Workshops Your Way card designs.  This seemingly simple design surprisingly gave me the hardest time of the three designs I shared this week.  When I struggle with a design, I set the project aside and walk away from my studio (typically overnight).  When I come back with fresh eyes and a clear mind, I am usually able to figure out the problem and move on.  That's exactly what happened with this card.  After a few hours, I went back into the studio, grabbed my stamp of the month set and finished this card in less than five minutes.  The bones were there, but I just couldn't figure out how to finish it.  Does this ever happen to you??

Supplies used:

*Sunshine Birdies stamp of the month stamp set
*Penelope paper packet
*12" x 12" Watercolor paper
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Canary Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Pixie Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Black Memento ink pad
*Silver shimmer trim
*Playful puffies
*Marvy Uchida LePen journaling pen

*Water brush

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Little Bundle of Joy

As I continued to play with my Penelope paper packet scraps and the Penelope Workshops Your Way card designs, I decided to make a baby card.  The subtle polka dot B&T pattern in this collection was just screaming to be made into a sweet baby card.

I love the Wild Wonders stamp set I used on this card.  This set is adorable and so much fun -- especially with the great coordinating giraffe and lion cuts on the Artbooking Cricut cartridge.  Note -- Wild Wonders is one of the stamp sets not currently shown in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book and will be retiring on July 31st.

Supplies used:

*Artbooking Cricut Collection
*Wild Wonders stamp set
*Just to Say stamp set (Artfully Sent exclusive)
*Penelope paper packet
*12" x 12" Crystal Blue cardstock
*12" x 12" Watercolor paper
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Canary Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Thistle Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Limeade washi tape
*Thistle diagonal striped ribbon
*Bitty sparkles

*Water brush

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Let's Celebrate with Sticky Boy

Back in February, I won a Sticky Boy stamp in Close to My Heart's Sticky Boy Valentine contest.  I was extremely excited as getting a Sticky Boy is on every CTMH consultant's bucket list.  My new friend arrived as I was battling the flu so I was unable to give him the official welcome he deserved.  This weekend, I decided to change that.

I have been playing with my Penelope 6x6 paper samples, and after completing a scrapbook layout for an upcoming post, I still had lots of scraps left.  Looking through the Penelope Workshops Your Way guide for inspiration, I decided to use the three card designs in the workshop and put my own spin on them.  I will be sharing my cards throughout the week.

Without further adieu, please allow me to introduce to you the newest member of the jd designs team -- the one, the only Sticky Boy!!

Supplies used:

*Penelope Paper Packet
*12" x 12" Pixie cardstock
*12" x 12" Watercolor paper
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Thistle Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Black Memento ink pad
*Baker's twine neutral metallic assortment
*Mini stapler
*Bitty sparkles
*Diamond embossing folder

*Water brush

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Documenting His Story

Recently, in one of the scrappy groups I am part of on Facebook, a woman asked for advice on scrapbooking events in her husband's life that she is not part of herself.  Lots of scrappers responded, including myself.  One of my biggest ongoing scrapbooking projects outside of our family / my son's book is documenting my husband's running adventures.  He's been running for about 6 years, and with each race, he gets another race bib, pin, medal, and/or other memorabilia. In an effort to avoid accumulating those various items in a box somewhere, I've worked to incorporate these items into his scrapbook.  I've included the details in the photo captions below. 

My husband plays an important part in helping me prepare and organize each race's memorabilia.  After a race, he pulls out his current scrapbook, places any race bibs/pins/etc into the next available page protector.  He also documents his statistics on a pre-printed Race Stats form I created and keep stocked in the back of the scrapbook, and then he slips the completed form in the page protector with the memorabilia.  When I'm ready to scrapbook, I grab the book, print pictures, and get to work.

When it comes to the actual scrapbooking, I find it helps to use page maps and sketches.  I also don't worry too much about matching my papers to the colors of the pictures.  If the race has a theme (such as a St. Patrick's Day run or a Christmas run, I use papers to fit the theme instead of matching the pictures.  My husband tends to run in bright colors so those cheering for him can spot him so if I worry too much about matching the pictures, his whole album would look like an 80's throwback.

Anyway, that's enough about my process... now for the real reason most of you are here.  The pictures!  I tried to choose a a variety of layouts showing different ways I incorporate my husband's race memorabilia and the Race Statistics form.  Please note -- I have blurred race bib numbers and other details in pictures below to help protect our personal information.

Scrapbook cover with window showing picture
of shoes and years documented in the album.
Album "belly band" (made using leftover ribbon from a  race
medal and wide elastic) helps hold the thick album closed.

Cover Page

I removed the pin back from the race pin and used the pin front
as an embellishment on this layout.

I mounted the dog tag / chain received at the race
to this layout for embellishment

Layout using race medal and part of attached ribbon

I took apart the race medal / ribbon from this race and used part of the
ribbon in place of one of the paper layers and filed down the ribbon holder
on the back of the medal to flatten it so I could add the medal to the layout.

Race stats hidden in flip flap mini album
(behind Fall panel on right page)

Completed Race Stats sheet and Race Bib in page protector
waiting for me to print pictures and scrapbook

One last thing before I go, I mentioned using flip flaps in my captions above.  For those of you unfamiliar with flip flaps, they are clear pockets made from the same material as page protectors.They have a sticky strip at one end so you can apply them directly to the outside of your page protector allowing you to include additional photos / journaling with your layouts.  Close to My Heart offers various sizes of flip flaps.  To see the full collection or order flip flaps for your own projects, click here.

Due to the variety of layouts I've shown in this post and the extensive range of products used, I will not including a supply list today.  However, if you are interested in knowing the details of anything I used, please leave a comment and I'll be happy to respond with the information.

To order any of Close to My Heart's fabulous products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Watercolor Blog Hop

Welcome to the Watercolor Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Sheila Bennett, 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

This hop features various projects created with either the Close to My Heart watercolor paints or the watercolor pencils.  Watercolors are very trendy in scrapbooking these days, but can be rather intimidating.  The key is to practice, practice, practice -- and don't be afraid to grab some cheap white cardstock and just play around.

For my card below, I took a piece of watercolor paper and simply began adding color from left to right not bothering to rinse my brush too much between colors.  I also tried to move from one color to the next before the first color was really dry.  This allowed me to pick up some of the first color and transition it nicely into the next color.  I didn't worry about keeping my lines or edges straight.  This adds to the simple organic flow of the watercolors.

Once my watercolor piece was complete, I used my craft heater to dry it.  If your paper curls while watercoloring, simply use the heater on the backside of the paper to help it curl back the other way.  For my sentiment, I cut the word "happy" from the Artbooking cartridge 3 times and glued all the cuts together to create a chipboard-like piece.  I then added a layer of black cardstock being the watercolor layer to offset the colors and mounted it on a small sheet of fun foam to give the whole thing a smooth lift of dimension.  Finally I stamped "birthday" on the card base to further add to the dimension.  I love using varying heights on my projects for great texture and dimension.

Supplies used:

*Artbooking Cricut collection
*Jennifer's Hand alphabet stamp set
*12" x 12" Black cardstock
*Watercolor Paper
*White Daisy card bases
*Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Watercolor Paints
*Paintbrush Set

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 Watercolor Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Brenda Lapp. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Glitter Purse Built for a Transformer

Moms will do anything for their children -- even create a glittery gift bag for a Transformers Happy Meal toy our son wants to give to his cousin for her birthday.  So that's just what I did last weekend.

My son is a huge Transformers fan and has been collecting the most recent Happy Meal toys.  When he got a duplicate of the BumbleBee car, he immediately told us he wanted to give it to his cousin for her birthday.  When it came time to wrap the car, I asked if he wanted to using wrapping paper or a bag.  He said he wanted to make a bag/box, but it needed to have pink, purple, and glitter because it was for a girl.

I pulled out my Artiste cartridge and flipped through for options that would hold a Happy Meal toy car.  I showed my son various options from a bag to a box and finally a purse.  He very excitedly chose the purse -- because it was for a girl, of course!

Front View

Side View

Top flap with velcro closure

Supplies used:

*Artiste Cricut collection
*Hook & Loop Dots

*Random paper stack  (The Paper Studio)
*Pink 1/2" grosgrain ribbon (The Paper Studio)
*Yellow 1" double ruffle ribbon (The Paper Studio)

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Happy Birthday, Princess

Last weekend, we celebrated my niece's birthday.  I bought her a variety of Disney princess and Frozen items.  So naturally, I had to make her a special princess card to go along with her gift.  A while back, I bought a sequin-blend from SpiegelMom Scraps called Ella's Castle featuring mini silver stars, mini royal blue sequins, large white sequins, and silver castles.  The mini stars and sequins were perfect for the shaker balloon!

Wanting the princess to look like Anna from Frozen, I mixed and matched cuts from the Paper Doll Dress-Up Cricut cartridge and used my micro-tip scissors to modify some of the layers by hand.  I cut the princess dress 4 times -- once in each color and carefully trimmed the pieces to "color block" the dress to match Anna's.

Although hard to tell in the picture, I used the clear glossy side of the Fundamentals cardstock for the glacier background to add dimension to the card without taking away from the Cricut cuts.

Supplies used:

*Holiday Tags stamp set
*Artistry Cricut collection
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack

*Paper Fundamentals Whimsy

*12" x 12" Black cardstock
*12" x 12" Champagne cardstock
*12" x 12" Saffron cardstock
*12" x 12" Sapphire cardstock
*12" x 12" Thistle cardstock
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock

*Thistle Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Marvy Uchida LePen journaling pen

*Silver shimmer trim
*3-D foam tape

*Paper Doll Dress-Up Cricut cartridge
*Ella's Castle sequin mix - 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, design with {heart}!

March Spotlight Collection - Penelope

Spring is just around the corner, and you can't help but think Spring when you see this month's spotlight collection -- the bright and fun Penelope.  Crystal Blue, Honey, Pear, Pixie, and Thistle combine with the neutral White Daisy to put a little spring into your step and your crafting after the long winter.

 

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 Penelope inspiration.  And be sure to follow #ctmhpenelope and #ctmhwyw all month long for all the Penelope fun!

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop -- Sunshine Birdies

Welcome to the March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Wendy Coffman, 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 S1603 Sunshine Birdies (pictured below).  This set is only available until March 31st and is only $5 with a $50 Close to My Heart purchase.

For today's project, I pulled color inspiration from the Penelope collection as the Sunshine Birdies set simply screams Spring and Penelope is such a great collection for Spring.  To challenge myself on this card, I decided not to use any B&T patterned paper.  I used either solid cardstock, stamps, or embellishments to build my design.

First up, I wanted to use several of the stamps from Sunshine Birdies -- so I chose to random-stamp my own B&T paper.

To achieve the perfect "random" stamping pattern, you will want to...
1. Start with your largest image first and work to your smallest image.
2. Stamp in groups of 3 -- in non-perfect triangles.
3. Stamp off the page. If this scares you, stamp a large piece of cardstock and then trim to the size you need.
4. Don't overstamp your space.  Not every little white space needs to be stamped.  Learn to leave a little room.

Next, to add layers to the design, I chose to use the Limeade Washi Pack.  Tip -- if you don't want anything to show through your washi or you want to be able to punch it the way I did below with the scallop border, mount it onto strips of solid cardstock first.  Play with various colors of cardstock to change up the look of the washi.

The last technique of sorts that I used was cutting apart my sentiment stamp.  See that "you are my sunshine" sentiment?  Now look back at the stamp set image above.  The words are positioned differently.  One way to achieve this look is by masking -- covering part of the stamp or cardstock when stamping.  After trying that several times without being able to get the positioning I wanted, I took the more "extreme" approach -- I cut up my stamp.  Being extra super careful, I used my microtip scissors to cut between the words and separate the stamp into individual words.  If done properly (precise single cuts), you can always piece the stamp back together like a puzzle and use it in its original form/layout.

And of course, an adorable card would not be complete without a coordinating envelope...

Supplies used:

*Art Philosophy Cricut collection
*Sunshine Birdies SOTM stamp set
*12" x 12" Pear cardstock
*12" x 12" Thistle cardstock
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*White Daisy card bases
*Honey Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Pear Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Pixie Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Thistle Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Limeade washi pack
*Silver shimmer trim
*Bitty sparkles
*Scallops border punch

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 March Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Lisa Plummer. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

March Close to My Heart Specials

March Constant Campaign

The wait is over! Who is ready for Stampaganza 2016? Buy any two My Acrylix® stamp sets (M-, A-, B-, C-, D-, or E-size) at full retail price and get a third stamp set of equal or lesser value FREE! That is a savings of up to $29.95! This offer is only available during March, so start submitting your stamp orders as soon as possible, and let the Stampaganza begin!

* * * * *

March 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, design with {heart}!