Going to the Chapel & They're Gonna Get Married!!

2016 has been a big year for weddings in my family.  And all the fun events surrounding weddings mean lots of opportunities for papercrafting.  One night earlier this month, I sat down to make cards for several weddings and bridal showers -- not only for myself to give, but also for my mom and sisters.  Let's just say it was a marathon crafting night.  Here are the results -- all of which were produced in multiple quantities.

For the Bridal Showers...

 

For the Weddings... 

 

  

And for one of the bride's at her maid-of-honor's request...

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}!

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!

* * * * * * * * * *

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

* * * * * * * * * *

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}!

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}!

January Spotlight Collection -- La Vie En Rose

This month's spotlight collection is classy, gorgeous La Vie En Rose!  The stunning Black and White Daisy patterns are accompanied by a beautiful pixie, pomegranate, poppy, and ruby floral.  This collection pairs well with Fern and Peacock as well as almost any other color in the CTMH exclusive color palette.

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 La Vie En Rose inspiration.  And be sure to follow #ctmhlavieenrose all month long for all the La Vie En Rose fun!

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop -- Beloved Bouquet

Welcome to the January 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 S1601 Beloved Bouquet (pictured below).  This set is only available until January 31st and is only $5 with a $50 Close to My Heart purchase.

Now let's jump right into my project.  For today's hop, I made a double gatefold card.  It may look slightly complex from the pictures, but I assure you it comes together rather easily.  Check out my YouTube video below to see me fully assemble this card.

Double Gatefold Card with opposing flaps

Card ready for envelope

Card with coordinating envelope

VIDEO TUTORIAL
(Click to view)

Dimensions:

*Card base -- 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" (score at 2 1/8" from each side)

*Front Panel layers
- White Daisy -- 5 1/4" x 1 7/8"
- B&T -- 5 1/8" x 1 3/4"

*Circle layers
- Black -- 2 1/2" punch
- White Daisy -- 2 1/4" punch

*Sentiment Layers
- Black -- 2 1/2" x 1 3/8"
- White Daisy -- 2 1/4" x 1 1/8"

Supplies used:

*Beloved Bouquet stamp set (available until 1.31.2015)

*Skylark paper packet (retired)

*12" x 12" Black cardstock

*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock

*Pomegranate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Fern Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*2 1/4" circle punch
*2 1/2" circle 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 January Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Terrie Shortsleeve. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, design 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}!