Just for Fun Blog Hop

Welcome to the Just for Fun Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Priscilla Gotham, 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 lots of wonderful inspiration using the amazing Fundamentals collection -- on sale this month only for 30-40% off!

I recently started a new project series where I am challenging myself to create as many layouts as possible using a single packet of Fundamentals paper while working through the layout guides in the new Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 3.  And as if that isn't enough of a challenge, I decided to use the Raspberry papers and complements for the layout below.  Using pink is hard for me -- I am the mom of a 6 year old who is 100% boy and I never really been a girlie-girl myself.  So it's always fun and challenging to step outside my comfort zone and create with more feminine colors/patterns.  I cannot wait to add black & white photos of my husband and I to this layout!

Supplies used:

*coming soon*

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 Just for Fun 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, design with {heart}!

Thin Cuts Blog Hop

Welcome to the Thin Cuts Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Brenda Lapp, 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 bonus hop features the amazingly fabulous Thin Cuts from CTMH -- which are on special this month for 25% off.  If you have never tried these wonderful wafer thin dies, now is the time!  If you have tried them, now is the time to stock up and expand your collection!!

I have a wide variety of Thin Cuts in my personal collection -- for today's project, I chose to feature Sweet Birthday.  If you follow my blog, you know the Sweet Birthday stamp set was my favorite release in the 2016-2017 Annual Inspirations Idea Book -- however, my first thought was "No coordinating Cricut / Thin Cuts?? Ugh..."  I bought the stamp set anyways.  :-)

Then, in October, CTMH made my dreams come true.  They released a coordinating Thin Cut set to go along with my favorite Sweet Birthday stamp set.  :-)  Now I use this adorable stamp set and its coordinating Thin Cuts all the time.  I absolutely LOVE the pair!

When creating the layout below, I used a sketch from Even More Scrapping which was coincidentally called "Sweet Friend"  The sketch was fabulous because it called for multiple repeated images across the center -- perfect for the fun party hats.  It also called for a large circle on the left page which I swapped for a cut from the Cricut Artistry collection.

I plan to add pictures from my niece's recent Moana-themed birthday party.  The colors in the Adventure Fundamentals collection coordinate beautifully with the bright, fun colors from her party.  And the 4x6 and 4x3 photo spots will make it a piece of cake to finish this layout (see what I did there?  Piece of cake... Birthday party... I'm so punny!!)

To create the adorable cupcake embellishments, I stamped the image using archival black ink and allowed it to set for a few minutes before coloring the image with the CTMH watercolor pencils.  I mixed two shades of green for the wrapper on the left cupcake and two shades of blue on the right cupcake.  To blend, I used my CTMH clear shimmer brush.  I actually have two of these brushes -- one for regular use and one for blending and other "messy" use.  As for the pink frosting, I colored about a quarter inch around the edge and used the shimmer brush to fade the color towards the face.

I also added some shimmer detail to the party hats -- specifically along the bottom trim, the polka dots, and the top "poof". I just love how the shimmer brush adds a little extra "pop" to a project.

Supplies used:

*Sweet Birthday Thin Cuts
*Sweet Birthday stamp set
*Artistry Cricut collection
*Adventure Fundamentals paper packet
*12" × 12" Lagoon cardstock
*12" × 12" Lemon cardstock
*12" × 12" Raspberry cardstock
*12" × 12" White Daisy cardstock
*Archival Black stamp pad
*Shimmer Brush - clear
*Watercolor Pencils
*Shimmer Trim - silver
*Sugar Rush dots
*Foam tape

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 Thin Cuts Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Jean McNulty. I hope you'll hop on over to her blog for more inspiration.

Until next time, design with {heart}!

Fundamentals Creative Collections

Have you checked out our fabulous CTMH Fundamentals line yet??

This product line includes a variety of paper, complements, and ribbons in our core color palettes.  With versatile, monochromatic patterns in our exclusive colors, the papers and embellishments are perfect to pair with cardstocks and other patterned papers.  To view the Fundamentals collection products, click here.

For today's project, I challenged myself to create "girly" cards.  As a boy mom, I tend to lean towards the darker, more rustic colors and designs -- so using pink and purple together was definitely a challenge for me.  To help me, I pulled out an old 6"x6" One Sheet Wonder pattern and a simple stamp set.  Overall, I am pleased with how the cards turned out.

Supplies used:

*Adventure Fundamentals
*12" x 12" Pansy cardstock
*12" x 12" Whisper cardstock
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Hi Friend stamp set
*Blossom Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Pansy Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Whisper Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*VersaMark Ink Pad
*Ranger White Super Fine Embossing Powder
*Craft Heater
*Confetti Embossing Folder
*Simple Chevron embossing folder
*Adventure ribbon pack
*Black & white dots

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}!

Sweet Birthday: now with coordinating THIN CUTS!!! ♥♥

Last week, CTMH released the new 2017 planner pages and bundles.  And in a surprise move, they also released 4 new thin cuts sets -- which coordinate with stamp sets in the 2016-2017 Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  Previously, they had said the sets in the A.I. would not have coordinating thin cuts, but surprise -- they did!  You can now order thin cuts to coordinate with four AI sets -- Wreath, Sweet Birthday, Swirly Seashells, and School Kids.  These thin cuts are only available while supplies last so don't wait to get yours!  They can be found in my online store under the Monthly Specials section.

When I first saw the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book back in July, I immediately fell in love with the adorable cupcake in the new Sweet Birthday stamp set.  It was the first set I purchased from the new AI.  However, as much as I love this set, I did not look forward to fussy cutting the cupcake every time I used the set.  So to be honest, it sat on my desk for over a month before I used it for the first time.  And when I finally did, I grumbled NSFW thoughts the entire time I was cutting the cupcake.  To say, I was excited when CTMH announced the new thin cuts would be an understatement.  I ordered mine right away and am impatiently stalking the FedEx guy.  Prepare yourself to see lots more Sweet Birthday projects because once those little dies get here, I plan to break them in well!  :-)

Supplies used:

*Sweet Birthday stamp set
*Whimsy Fundamentals
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*5 1/2" X 4 1/4" white cards & envelopes, value pack
*Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Pixie Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Smoothie Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Black Memento ink pad
*Water brush - medium round
*Silver shimmer trim
*Clear sparkles

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}!

CTMH Calypso & Calypso-inspired Cards

 

 

CTMH Miscellaneous Cards

CTMH Happy Times Scrapbook Layouts

  

  

Supplies used:

*Happy Times paper packet (National Scrapbooking Month exclusive)
*Various other CTMH supplies (current & retired)

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}!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - From The Notebook

Welcome to the July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

If you came from visiting Lauren Moore, 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 S1607 From the Notebook (pictured below).  This set is only available until July 31st  and is only $5 with a $50 Close to My Heart purchase.

For today's project, I used the Enchantment Fundamentals along with a sketch from Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1.  I love the masculine feel of this layout.  It will be perfect for pictures of my son!

Supplies used:

*Artistry Cricut collection
From the Notebook stamp of the month stamp set
*Paper Fundamentals Enchantment
*12" x 12" Cocoa cardstock
*12" x 12" Kraft cardstock
*12" x 12" Peacock cardstock
*12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock
*Cocoa Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Peacock Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Poppy Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Saffron Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Fundamental Stickers Enchantment Pack
*Poppy Thick Twine
*Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots

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 July Blog Hop!  Next up on the hop is Vickie ODell. 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 -- 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}!

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}!

Valentine for Sticky Boy

Valentine's Day is coming, and in the CTMH world, there's one boy we all want to be our special Valentine... His name is Sticky Boy!

Are you wondering just who this boy is?  Well... let me tell you!  Sticky Boy is the most legendary boy to ever be part of the CTMH family.  Everyone wants to meet him, consultants lose their minds at the sight of him, and all stamps want to be him.  Sticky Boy was the first image to be produced as the prototype of the new My Acrylix® stamps.  That year at Convention, CTMH introduced the new clear stamps to consultants by hiding Sticky Boy stamps in random places.  Everyone had so much fun that CTMH has continued the fun at almost every corporate CTMH event since!  They even "dress up" Sticky Boy in the theme of the event, and consultants spend hours searching for him.  If you find a Sticky Boy, you get to take him home with you.  To learn more about the infamous Sticky Boy, check out this post on the CTMH blog and / or watch the video below.

This Valentine's Day, Close to My Heart will is giving lucky Sticky Boy fans the chance to bring him home!  Simply send make him a valentine and send it to:

Close To My Heart

ATTN: Sticky Boy

1199 W 700 S

Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

The lucky winners will be announced February 12th!

That brings me to my project for today... my valentine for Sticky Boy -- which is currently en route to Utah in hopes of snagging me a sweet & sticky valentine.

Supplies used:

*Art Philosophy Cricut Collection
* Mini Valentine stamp set (retired)
*Paper Fundamentals Whimsy
*12" x  12" Black cardstock
*12" x  12" White Daisy cardstock
*White Daisy card bases
*Sorbet Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Lagoon Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Lagoon Hearts washi tape (retired,
but still available in the Clearance section of my online store)

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}!

Watercolor Wonderful

I absolutely love the colors in the Sangria collection so last month, I decided to have some watercolor fun with that color scheme.  To start, I took a large piece of watercolor paper and tacked it to my work surface with some washi tape.  Working in smaller sections, I first applied a little water to the paper using my paint brush, and then began adding color allowing the colors to mix and blend together.  Once I was done coloring the entire page, I used my craft heater to dry the paper.  Tip -- to help keep your paper flat-ish, heat the back of the paper after you are done drying the front.  This helps curl the paper back in the other direction.  Finally, I used the finished watercolor paper like I would a sheet of B&T to create the cards below.  I worked in pairs varying greetings to great a variety of cards with minimal effort.

Supplies used:

*Just to Say stamp set (Artfully Sent exclusive)
*Curlique Frames stamp set (Artfully Sent exclusive)
*Opportunity stamp set (Consultant exclusive)
*Among the Stars stamp set (Consultant exclusive)
*12" x  12" Black cardstock
*12" x  12" Kraft cardstock
*12" x  12" Pomegranate cardstock
*12" x  12" White Daisy cardstock
*White Daisy card bases
*Watercolor paper
*Watercolor paints
*Paintbrush set
*Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Pomegranate Exclusive Inks stamp pad
*Desert Sand Exclusive Inks stamp pad

*Purple shimmer trim
*Gold shimmer trim

*Gold sequins assortment
*Pink enamel gems

*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}!