2016 CTMH Retiring Lists & Dates

The 2016 Annual Inspirations Retiring List is here!

Every year CTMH retires older products in order to make way for new and exciting products that will be coming out in the next idea books. The list of products from our 2015-2016 Annual Inspirations catalog that will be retiring was released last week.  These items will no longer be available after July 31 and are available while supplies last.  As you look through the list, you will notice CTMH is retiring three of our beloved Cricut® collections, as well as our incredible rolling tote.  If you would like to earn any of these items at half-price, contact me today!

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DATES TO REMEMBER

- July 31 --

2015-2016 Annual Inspirations Idea Book & Products RETIRE

-- August 1 --

2016-2017 Annual Inspirations Idea Book & Products  RELEASE

-- August 31 --

2016 Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Books & Products RETIRE

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And now for the lists....
(Please note -- you can click on any image to enlarge the list to make it more readable.)

Also, remember according to the new CTMH policy, all stamp sets will be retiring along with the Idea Book they are released in -- including any Cricut Compatible sets.  That said, CTMH reserves the right to "save" sets from retirement and this go-round, they plan to do exactly that.  Below are the lists of stamp sets that will not be retiring July 31st.

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

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! 

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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}!

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}!

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}!

Christmas Tags for Santa

A co-worker asked me to create some simple tags for her to use for her daughters' Christmas presents from Santa.  Simple is the name of the game in my house and thanks to Close to My Heart, I was able to whip up these fun and festive tags in less than the length of a Hallmark Christmas movie!

And with a glassine bag from my favorite Etsy shop, SpiegelMom Scraps, and some Christmas washi from Michaels, I was able to pack the tags up and deliver them this morning.

Supplies used:

*Artiste Cricut collection
*S1210 Very Merry Christmas stamp set (retired)
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*Cranberry Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Topiary Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Martha Stewart baker's twine
*Recollections washi tape
*SpiegelMom Scraps large glassine bag

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}!

Nevermore -- Not Just for Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and CTMH's Nevermore collection is not only perfect for all of your Halloween papercrafting, but is also great for the rest of the year, too!  The colorful stripes would look fun on kids projects while the steampunk whisper/slate design works wonderfully for masculine projects such as the card below.

For today's project, I used the steampunk B&T along with the new Peacock color and some gears from the Artiste cartridge to make this bold and manly Father's day card.

Supplies used:
*Artiste Cricut collection
*Say It All stamp set (Hostess Exclusive)
*Nevermore paper packet
*12" x  12" Peacock card stock
*12" x  12" Slate card stock
*12" x  12" Whisper card stock
*White Daisy card value pack
*Slate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Peacock 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}!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop -- October: Twinkle

Welcome to the October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Chris Robertson, 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 S1510 Twinkle (pictured below).  This set is only available until October 31st and is only $5 with a $50 Close to My Heart purchase.

For today's project, I made a double gate-fold Christmas card.  I recently saw a tutorial for this card style on YouTube and knew I had to try it!  It was so fun!  The only thing I would do differently is use a piece of B&T double-sided cardstock for the base instead of a solid piece of cardstock.  I chose to use a Colonial White card base and had to make extra cuts / measurements for the Cranberry and White Pines layers.  By using double-sided B&T, you could save this step.

Supplies used:

*Twinkle stamp set -- October SOTM
*Artiste Cricut Collection
*White Pines paper packet

*12" x 12" Cranberry cardstock
*12" x 12" Cocoa cardstock
*12" x 12" Colonial White cardstock
12" x 12" Fern cardstock
*Cranberry Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Cocoa 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.

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

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

October Close to my Heart Specials

October Constant Campaign

When a new Consultant signs up during October, they will receive the 2015 Close To My Heart Convention bag FREE in their New Consultant Kit! They can then travel in style with this trendy and eye-catching cross body bag, perfectly sized for carrying layouts, paper packets, and projects that are in-progress. Along with the items found in the newly revamped New Consultant Kit, this bag will help New Consultants start their business with confidence and flair!

Dates: Offer valid October 1, 2015 (9:00 am MDT)–October 31, 2015 (11:59 pm MDT).

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October 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}!

Berry Sweet with Taste of Summer (LAST DAY!!)

LAST DAY!!

Time is running out to order the exclusive Taste of Summer pack packet and bonus stamp set.  These delicious items are only available through the end of the day, and then they will be gone forever.  While the yummy front side of each paper design is perfect for Summer festivities such as picnics, fruit picking, festivals, and more(!), remember the back side features a solid color with a light tone-on-tone fundamental print that is great for everyday crafting!

Purchase this fun paper packet from me and I will e-mail you an exclusive workshop on the go guide to help you create either 2 fabulous scrapbook layouts or a yummy set of cards.  I used a bonus WOTG guide to create the layout below.

Supplies used:

*Taste of Summer paper packet
*Documenting Moments Stamp Set
*You are My Happy stamp set (retired)
*Washi Wonders stamp set (retired)
*Choose Happy stamp set (retired)
*Black cardstock
*White Daisy cardstock
*Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Hollyhock Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Silver Sequins Assortment
*Artiste Cricut Collection

*Open Scallop border punch
*Simply Charmed Cricut cartridge

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

Until next time, happy crafting!

SpiegelMom Scraps National Scrapbook Day Sketch Challenge

In honor of National Scrapbooking Day, my friend Jody over at SpiegelMom Scraps is sponsoring a fun weekend full of challenges and a blog hop.  I have donated a great Close to my Heart prize set and will be participating in the challenges today and the hop tomorrow.

For today's 8 AM CST Sketch Challenge, Jody shared a one-page sketch created by Kat, a member of the SpiegelMom Scraps Design Team.

When I saw this sketch, it just screamed Picture My Life cards to me.  So I grabbed 3 cards from the For Always PML collection and a picture of my sweet boy and got busy scrapping.  For those of you who know me or follow my work, you know I don't usually do single page layouts and I haven't gotten into the trend of only using 1 photo on a page.  So this layout was definitely a challenge for me.  I had to walk away from it a few times, but in the end, I love how it turned out.

Supplies used:

*For Always Picture My Life Collection
*Snowhaven Paper Packet
*Glacier Cardstock

*Lagoon Cardstock
*White Daisy Cardstock
*Glacier Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Artiste Cricut Collection
*Corner Rounder
*Paisley Cricut cartridge (non-CTMH)
*White Wedding Sequin Mix (SpiegelMom Scrap Shop)
*American Crafts Roller Date stamp

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

I hope you'll take the time to visit SpiegelMom Scraps on Facebook and participate in the National Scrapbook Day challenges.

Until next time, happy crafting!

Sweet Moments with Blossom

Today's layout features the bright, beautiful Blossom collection -- my newest studio favorite and a retired Stamp of the Month set call Family is Forever.

SUPPLIES USED

*Blossom paper packet

*White Daisy cardstock

*Lagoon cardstock

*Pear cardstock

*Glacier cardstock

*Lagoon Hearts washi tape

*Aqua Dots

*Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

*Family is Forever stamp set (retired 2014 SOTM)

*Artiste Cricut Collections

*Make It From Your Heart, Volume 2

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

Until next time, happy crafting!

Damask Divas Pathfinding Blog Hop

Welcome to the Damask Divas' September Blog Hop featuring the Pathfinding paper pack from Close to My Heart!  If you came from visiting Stephanie Davis, The Gypsy Chic, then you are in the right place.  If you just happened upon my little corner of the blog world, you should definitely head over to the Damask Divas blog and start from the beginning of the hop.

Fall is here!  I love everything about Fall in the Midwest -- from the cooler weather to the changing colors of the leaves to the smells and sounds.  So it is no surprise that this month's paper packet is one of my favorites in the 2014-2015 Annual Inspirations Idea Book.

Before we get to today's layout, I have a quick tip I would like to share with you.  If you are like me and love to create layouts, but don't always have pictures printed or know what pictures you want to use for a layout... don't be afraid to create anyway!  I find creating layouts without the added pressure of fitting the layout to my picture(s) is a relaxing way to stimulate my creative mojo.  When I finish a layout, I just place the layout in a cheap page protector and store them in a 3-ring album (like those used for Picture My Life).  

Another quick tip....in place of photos, I simply grab an unused piece of computer paper and cut to the proper photo size(s) for my layout, write the photo dimensions on the piece, and attach to my layout with a small(!) amount of repositionable adhesive in the upper center of the "fake photo".  Another option is to use a photo mat and write the dimensions directly on the photo mat.  If using this option, make sure you write in the center of the mat so your writing doesn't peek out when you add the photo.

Now onto the real reason you are here... today's layout.  Hope you enjoy!

{Click picture to enlarge}

Supplies used:

*X7186B - Pathfinding Paper Packet
*X5770 - 12"x12" Glacier Cardstock
*Z2123 - Goldrush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
*Z2104 - Barn Red Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
*Z2111 - Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
*Z1790 - Artiste Cricut Collection
*Z2012- Sequins Gold Assortment
*S1408 - Family Is Forever SOTM Stamp Set (available through 9.30.2014)
*9042 - Make It From Your Heart, Volume 2, How-To Program

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 Damask Divas September Blog Hop!   Next up on the hop is Traci Williams.  I hope you'll head on over to her blog as she has a great project lined up for you, too.

Happy scrapping!

Damask Divas Scaredy Cat Blog Hop

Welcome to the Damask Divas' September Blog Hop featuring the Scaredy Cat paper pack from Close to My Heart!  If you came from visiting Stephanie Davis, The Gypsy Chic, then you are in the right place.  If you just happened upon my little corner of the blog world, you should definitely head over to the Damask Divas blog and start from the beginning of the hop.

For today's layout, I used the Scaredy Cat paper pack, all three Cricut Collections, and various embellishments.  I'm not a   huge Halloween person.  I'm definitely more "cute Halloween" than "spooky Halloween" so the scary pumpkin was a bit of   a   stretch for me, but I plan to add cute by adding pictures of my son from this coming Halloween.

{Click picture to enlarge}

Supplies used:

*X7185B - Scaredy Cat Paper Packet
*Z1989 - Slate Diagonal Striped Ribbon
*Z2173 - Slate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
*Z2191 - Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
*Z1902 - Signage Dimensional Elements
*Z1686 - Art  Philosophy Cricut Collection
*Z1790 - Artiste Cricut Collection
*Z1906 - Artbooking Cricut Collection
*9035 - Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1, Idea Book


Bonus card made with 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 Damask Divas July Blog Hop!   Next up on the hop is Sarah Gardner at Irish Crafter.  I hope you'll head on over to her blog as she has a great project lined up for you, too.

Happy scrapping!

Damask Divas July Blog Hop - Skylark

Welcome to the Damask Divas' July Blog Hop featuring the Skylark paper pack from Close to My Heart!  If you came from visiting Sarah Gardner at Irish Crafter, then you are in the right place.  If you just happened upon my little corner of the blog world, you should definitely head over to the Damask Divas blog and start from the beginning of the hop. 

For today's layout, I used the Skylark paper pack, the Cricut Artiste cartridge, and a fun pattern from the Magic how-to book.  I absolutely love our CTMH how-to books.  They take the guess work out of designing a layout.  I also used the Skylark chipboard complements.  By combining these great products, I was able to create a quick, easy, no stamping layout.  I didn't have any photos on-hand so I simply added photo mats, measured at 1/4" larger than the recommended photo sizes -- which will allow me to easily add photos at a later time.

 {click to enlarge}

Supplies used:

*X7177B - Skylark Paper Packet

*X7177C - Skylark Complements

*Z1790 - Cricut Artiste Collection

*Z1853 - Aqua Dots

*1273 - 12" x 12" Desert Sand Cardstock

*Z2118 - Desert Sand Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

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 Damask Divas July Blog Hop!   Next up on the hop is Michelle Southworth.  I hope you'll head on over to her blog as she has some great inspiration for you, too.