Damask Divas' Happy Times Blog Hop

Welcome to the Damask Divas' Happy Times Blog Hop!

The Damask Divas' team is excited to inspire you with fabulous projects from this beautiful collection!  If you came from visiting {Jenifer Benner}, then you are in the right place.  You can see the full hop line-up over on the {Damask Divas' blog}.

This hop highlights the fabulous new Happy Times paper packet which Close to My Heart released in honor of National Scrapbooking Month.  This paper packet features a gorgeous color combination of Canary, Fern, Pink, Magenta, and Mint along with beautiful gold foil -- and it also has a coordinating stamp set!

 For today's layout, I used a sketch from Scrapbook Generation.  I love using sketches with my projects!  When I saw the awesome floral-like border across the top of the sketch, I knew it would be perfect for the Happy Times paper packet, and boy, was I right!  I just love how my layout turned out.  It is one of my most favorite layouts I've completed in a while... and that's saying something because I loved some of my more recent layouts featuring the now-retired Regatta collection.  But anyways, I digress.  I'll stop rambling now, and let you check out my project.

The Sketch:

My Layout:

Supplies used:

*Happy Times paper packet
*Art Philosophy Cricut collection
*Artbooking Cricut collection
*Fundamental Stickers Whimsy pack
*Gold shimmer trim
*Flamingo Dots
*Marvy Uchida LePen journaling pen

To order the Happy Times paper packet or stamp set 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 Happy Times Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is {Jessica Wilson}. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Regatta Leftovers -- 9 cards

As we wrap-up April and Seasonal Expressions 1, I am also wrapping up my Regatta Workshop Your Way projects.  For some reason, this paper packet seems to be never ending.  In addition to the 3 double-page scrapbook layouts, 1 Picture My Life (pocket scrapbooking) layout, and 8 cards I made using the Workshop Guide, I've also made 3 additional double-page scrapbook layouts, 2 single-page layouts, and 9cards.  I have been sharing these projects over the past few days.

Today, we will continue our look at my "leftover" projects with the 9 cards...

 

 

 

 

**GIVEAWAY**

One of these cards features a sneak peek at a new stamp set which will be released on May 1st.  Can you figure out what card it is?  Leave me a comment below, and I will send a little something to a randomly selected winner. 

The majority of the supplies used came from the Regatta Workshop Your Way along with some solid cardstock and embellishments from my CTMH stash.  If you would like to know any product specifics, please leave a comment below, and I'd be happy to share them with you.

To order the Regatta Workshop Your Way kit or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Regatta Leftovers -- 2 Single-page Scrapbook Layouts

As we wrap-up April and Seasonal Expressions 1, I am also wrapping up my Regatta Workshop Your Way projects.  For some reason, this paper packet seems to be never ending.  In addition to the 3 double-page scrapbook layouts, 1 Picture My Life (pocket scrapbooking) layout, and 8 cards I made using the Workshop Guide, I've also made 3 additional double-page scrapbook layouts, 2 single-page layouts, and 9 more cards.  I will be sharing these projects over the next few days.

Today, we will continue our look at my "leftover" projects with the 2 single-page layouts...

Layout made from sketch I found online

Layout scraplifted from another CTMH consultant

The majority of the supplies used came from the Regatta Workshop Your Way along with some solid cardstock and embellishments from my CTMH stash.  If you would like to know any product specifics, please leave a comment below, and I'd be happy to share them with you.

To order the Regatta Workshop Your Way kit or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Regatta Leftovers -- 3 More Double-page Scrapbook Layouts

As we wrap-up April and Seasonal Expressions 1, I am also wrapping up my Regatta Workshop Your Way projects.  For some reason, this paper packet seems to be never ending.  In addition to the 3 double-page scrapbook layouts, 1 Picture My Life (pocket scrapbooking) layout, and 8 cards I made using the Workshop Guide, I've also made 3 additional double-page scrapbook layouts, 2 single-page layouts, and 9 more cards.  I will be sharing these projects over the next few days.

Let's start with the double-page scrapbook layouts...

*Submitted to Heart to Heart Challenges - Regatta

*Submitted to Heart to Heart Challenges - Four

*Submitted to Heart to Heart Challenges - Photo Op

The majority of the supplies used came from the Regatta Workshop Your Way along with some solid cardstock and sequins from my CTMH stash.  If you would like to know any product specifics, please leave a comment below, and I'd be happy to share them with you.

To order the Regatta Workshop Your Way kit or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Workshops YOUR Way -- Regatta, Part 2: The Leftovers

In yesterday's post, I shared lots of information about the new Workshop Your Way kits.  (If you missed it, please click here to go back and check it out.)  Today, I wanted to share another reason CTMH has released these fabulous new kits.  In its ongoing efforts to help us document our memories, CTMH wants to encourage us all to consume our products and not collect them.  The project guides that coordinate with the new WYW kits do just that!  These guides are designed to use almost all the products included in the kits with very little scraps or leftovers.

To help you remember from yesterday, here is a picture of everything included in the Regatta WYW kit...

And here is a recap of all the projects you can make with the cutting guide...

And lastly, here are the leftovers you will have after making the suggested projects -- 3 double-page traditional layouts, 1 double-page Picture My Life layout and 4 cards (2 each of 4 designs)...

Leftovers - picture #1

Leftovers - picture #2

To recap, there are... 

*5+ zip strips

*Few B&T / cardstock scraps

*1 4x6 PML card

*4 - 3x4 PML cards

*11 stickers plus 1 word/phrase sticker

*several Maritime puffies

*several chipboard shapes

*partial spool white/gold ribbon

Because I am so in love with this collection, I decided to go into paper saver mode when putting together the WYW projects -- meaning I used solid cardstock from my stash instead of the patterned B&T paper included in the WYW kit and I cut apart and saved any extra paper that would be hidden under other layers.

Extra B&T I was able to save using "paper saver" mode.

And you know me, I couldn't let those scraps just hang around... so I created several more projects to finish up all the paper and the majority of the embellishments.  The remaining embellishments I was comfortable putting in my stash for future use.  I will be sharing those projects this week so stay tuned!

To order the Regatta Workshop Your Way kit or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Workshops YOUR Way - Regatta

April 30th is just around the corner, and the products in Seasonal Expressions 1 will be retiring forever -- including the nautical-themed Regatta.  This collection is one of my personal favorites.  I have had so much fun playing with it this month.  So much fun in fact that I realized today, I never shared my Regatta YouTube videos and other projects with you all.

Therefore, I'm declaring this week -- Regatta week.  I will be sharing posts every day with Regatta projects.

Let's get started with the awesome Regatta Workshop Your Way.  The products in this kit are never ending.  The kit itself makes 3 suggested double-page layouts, 1 pocket scrapbooking layout, and 8 cards.  With a little paper saving along the way, I've been able to create 3 additional double-page layouts and 2 single-page layouts plus 2 cards and I still have scraps left I'm using to making more cards!  Wow... that's a lot of projects from one kit!

Regatta Featured Colors: Flaxen, Glacier, Pomegranate, Sapphire, White Daisy

Regatta Workshop Your Way Kit includes:

1 – Regatta Paper Packet (X7206B)

1 – Regatta Complements (X7206C)

3 – Cardstock Sheets (2 Glacier, 1 Flaxen)

1 – White & Gold Ribbon (Z3189)

1 – Maritime Puffies (Z3204)

To help you get better acquainted with Regatta and the WYW kit, I put together the following video.

To order the Regatta Workshop Your Way kit or any of our other fabulous Close to My Heart products, please visit http://jddesigns.ctmh.com.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Pinwheel Pop

Spring has finally sprung!!

And wow -- it definitely came in with a bang!  Several days of sunshine and almost 80 degrees really does one good.... and inspires a bright flair into my papercrafting.  With the windows open and the fresh air blowing in, I decided to update the vase I keep on the counter in front of my desk at work.

Instead of flowers, I make arrangements of paper pinwheels in festive themes from Valentine's Day to Christmas.  In the past, I would simply cut a 6-inch square and then cut diagonally from each corner to about 1/2-inch from the center.  I'd use my bone folder to curl each of the four "petals," roll the corners towards the center, and pin them all to in the center with a brad.  However, I recently picked up the Pinwheel Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers and several packs of Pinwheel Attachments.    So this time around, I amped up my pinwheel game and made these beautiful pinwheels that do more than look pretty -- they actually spin!

The fun paper I used is now retired.  It was called Dream Pop and was the National Scrapbooking Month exclusive paper packet from May 2014.  That's right -- May is National Scrapbooking Month... which means next month, CTMH will be releasing a new exclusive paper packet for NSM 2016.  I can't say much yet, but let me tell you it is beautiful and on-trend.  I got mine last week and oh my wow... I love it!!

Supplies used:

*Dream Pop paper packet
*Bone folder

*We R Memory Keepers Pinwheel Punch Board
*We R Memory Keepers Pinwheel Spinning Attachments

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}!

God Bless You

Last week, I had a co-worker ask me if I would make her a card for a first communion.  Would I?  Would I??  Of course, I would!  I typically prefer more than one day's notice, but challenge accepted.  :-)  Her only request was that it be boy-ish and not girlie as the card was for her nephew.

Knowing I was short on time, I turned to the Seasonal Expressions 1 idea book and decided to scraplift the card on page 20.  This card uses the nautical-themed Regatta paper packet, but does not look nautical at all.  I thought I had the Rejoice stamp set in my collection, but I couldn't find it.  So I ended up pulling an old set from my pre-CTMH stash.

Supplies used:

*Regatta paper packet
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*Glacier Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Whisper Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Bitty Sparkles

*White thread

*Crosses of Hope stamp set (non-CTMH)

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}!

Get Well Wishes

Today's card features the subtle patterns from the Penelope paper collection as well as a sneak peek at a soon-to-be-released Seasonal Expressions 2 new product.  Can you spot what it is??

Supplies used:

*Artistry Cricut collection
*Penelope paper packet
*Gold glitter paper
*12" x 12" Kraft cardstock
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*Kiss It Better stamp set
*Glacier Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Black Memento ink pad
* Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots
*White twine

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}!

Thinking of Penelope

Ever get to the end of a paper collection and not know what to do with those last few scraps?  You know, the ones that are big enough you don't want to just toss them, but aren't really big enough to create much of a project?  If so, then today's project is for you!

To create the card below, I used a 1" square punch to punch out several squares from leftover Penelope B&T and backed them with 1-1/4" punched squares of White Daisy cardstock.  Then, I added them to my card base with foam tape, slid the Vine B&T banner piece along the right side, and stamped a simple sentiment beneath the squares.  I topped it all off with a single sparkle butterfly from the Playful Puffies assortment.  And voila!  A simple, classic, happy card to send to a friend or loved one.

Supplies used:

*Penelope paper packet
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Say It All stamp set (Hostess exclusive)
*Slate Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Playful Puffies

*square punches

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}!

Foiling Attempt FOILED -- Sharing the Love

Foil is all the rage.  Gold, silver, all colors of the rainbow... It's everywhere!  And as we all know, once something becomes trendy, the how-to techniques/products begin... and once they begin, so do the hacks / "knock-off" tips and tricks.  And of course, I have to try them.

Not wanting to invest in another expensive crafting machine, I opted for the inexpensive laminator method.  After doing lots of online research, I asked for and received the Amazon Basics laminator for Christmas. For my first test, I used the Heidi Swapp Minc foil and ready-to-foil tags.  Test successful!  Not perfect, but successful enough for me and my budget.  :-)

Of course, after several ready-to-foil projects, I had to push the envelope and try to develop my own technique of sorts.  I wanted to be able to foil stamped images and projects I created myself.  So I stamped a couple panels using the the Share the Love stamp set (now retired) and scanned it into my computer.  I printed the image back out on cardstock using a laser printer - as the foil is supposed to react with the toner from a laser printer.  Then it was time for another foiling test.  Unfortunately, this time -- not successful.  :-(

As you can see (barely) in the picture below, some of the foil attached, but some didn't.  It was pretty close to half / half -- but spread throughout the entire image.  While not a full coverage, it had an almost sparkle/shimmer-like finish.  

I decided to use the "hello" panel to finish that card because it looked kinda cool, but I scrapped the "smile" panel and used the original stamped version instead.

While it's back to the drawing board for how to foil stamped images, I haven't given up.  I've seen some other suggestions / tutorials on how to do this and I am determined to find a way!  I'll be sure to share when I do.  ♥

Supplies used:

*La Vie En Rose paper packet
*12" x 12" Black cardstock
*12" x 12" Fern cardstock
*12" x 12" Peacock cardstock
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Share the Love stamp set
*Black Memento ink pad
*Gold shimmer trim
*Bling gems gold assortment
*Red enamel hearts

*Heidi Swapp Minc reactive foil - teal

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}!

Why I Became a Close to My Heart Consultant Blog Hop

Welcome to the Why I Became a Close to My Heart Consultant Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Melissa Robinson, 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 month, in place of an additional customer special, Close to My Heart is offering a fabulous special for anyone who wishes to join our CTMH family as a consultant.  And we truly are a family... we love, we laugh, we help each other, and we even disagree from time to time... but at the end of the day, I know my CTMH sisters (and brothers!) are always there for me -- in the papercrafting world and beyond!  To learn more about the "Baby I'm Worth It" New Consultant Campaign or on joining my CTMH team, check out my April specials blog post or head directly to my CTMH website for all the details.

In honor of the "Baby I'm Worth It" campaign, today's hop is a little different than our typical specific-product-focused hops.  We will all be sharing our CTMH story -- why we chose CTMH and why we became a consultant -- as well as a project relating to those reasons.  

For me, my CTMH journey started about 5 years ago.  A good friend met a local CTMH consultant at a vendor event, and knowing we both love papercrafting, my friend signed us up to attend the consultant's monthly club nights.  After the first night, I was hooked.  I loved CTMH's products (especially the Cricut collections and Workshops on the Go) and its focus on documenting your memories.  CTMH has always offered a good balance between cardmaking and scrapbooking with other types of papercrafting mixed in for fun.  I quickly became addicted, and as many in our digital world do, I began searching online for ideas and other CTMH crafters.  Then in April 2014, CTMH offered an unheard of special -- join the CTMH family and receive a FREE Cricut collection.  As a busy mom on a tight budget, I couldn't resist -- a kit full of products, a free cartridge collection, and a discount on all future orders... for a one-time cost??  I was in!  I knew I could maintain an active status just as a hobbyist with my friends and hopefully grow my hobby into a business that would fit my life and my family.  Last week, I received an email from CTMH congratulating me on my second anniversary with the company.

Before I show you my project, let me break down my reasons for joining CTMH...
>> Focus on documenting memories
>> Fantastic products -- including Cricut collections and Workshop kits
>> Great quality at reasonable prices
>> "Let Me Show You How" motto & philosophy

And just for fun, here are the reasons I have stayed (and will continue to stay) with CTMH...
>> Family atmosphere -- within my team and throughout the company as a whole
>> Amazing customer service
>> CTMH takes great care of its consultants
>> Extra income to take care of my family
>> Plus all the reasons why I signed on in the first place

Supplies used:

*Artbooking Cricut collection
*Georgie paper packet
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*12" x 12" Juniper cardstock
*12" x 12" Canary cardstock
*12" x 12" Whisper cardstock
*Georgie complements
*White shimmer trim
*Carnival washi tape pack (retired, but still available online)
*Grey enamel gems
*Make It from Your Heart™ Volume 2

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 Why I Became a Close to My Heart Consultant Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Tammy Lubick. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

April Spotlight Collection -- Regatta

This month's spotlight collection is the bold, ready-for-Summer Regatta.

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

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop -- Life in Pictures

Welcome to the April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Gina Brandstetter, 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 S1604 Life in Pictures (pictured below).  This set is only available until April 30th and is only $5 with a $50 Close to My Heart purchase.

I've been on a kick lately -- watercoloring and creating my own B&T paper.  This time around, I combined both techniques by random stamping with Memento ink onto my watercolor paper.  Then, I pinched the lid and base of my glacier ink pad together to transfer ink to the inside of the lid.  After opening the pad, I used my water brush to add water to the ink and painted it onto the watercolor paper filling in the negative space between the cameras.

While letting the background piece dry, I put together the shaker pocket window.  First, I cut out the instant picture frame and used red sticky tape to adhere the clear window to the back of the frame.  Next, I applied foam tape around all sides of the frame -- making sure to seal off any gaps to prevent the sequins from falling out.  Before removing the backing from the foam tape, I used my powder tool to remove any extra stickiness that was hanging on the sides.  I then removed the backing and added the sequins before applying a piece of glacier Fundamentals cardstock to the back of the pocket.  I made sure to press the the cardstock tightly to the foam tape to ensure a good seal.  Lastly, I adhered the shaker window to the front of my card and added the additional stamped embellishments.

Supplies used:

*Life in Pictures stamp set (April SOTM)
*Birthday Wish stamp set (Hostess Exclusive)
*Paper Fundamentals Whimsy
*12" x 12" Glacier cardstock
*Watercolor Paper
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Glacier Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Black Memento ink pad
*Gold shimmer trim
*3D foam tape
*Marvy Uchida LePen journaling pen

*Water brush
*Clear window sheet
*Cinnamon & Sugar sequins (SpiegelMom Scraps) 

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 April Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Haley Dyer. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

April Close to My Heart Specials

April Constant Campaign

If earning money—and rewards—through your love of scrapbooking and stamping sounds like a dream job, then now is the perfect time to join Close To My Heart. Believe me, it’s worth it!  Sign up as a Consultant in April and earn amazing rewards—including a FREE Cricut® collection!

Signing up as a new Consultant with Close To My Heart during April is more rewarding than ever. 

When you sign up as a New Consultant, you already get:

• New Consultant Kit with essential supplies for only $75

• $50 in Select Product Credit to spend on additional supplies

• The chance to earn fantastic Straight To The Top start-up rewards

And only during April, you can also earn your choice of a FREE Cricut®collection or an additional $100 in Select Product Credit when you submit $350 in personal sales within your first 30 days! 

* * * * *

April 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}!