Trying my hand at surface pattern design

I’ve been interested in surface pattern design for quite a few years and my interest sure increased after I attended Surtex in 2008. Although interested, I always seemed to be too busy designing cards and wedding invitations to try my hand at pattern design. But I have decided that is really what I want to do, so I am currently participating in a fabulous e-course by Rachael Taylor, called, “The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design.”  I am learning so much and and really enjoying all the creative excercises and assignments. 

One of our creative exercises was to create a pattern collection around the new Pantone color of the year, Tangerine Tango. Here is what will probably be the main pattern for my collection. I view this collection as possibly being used for gift wrapping paper or gift bags.

And here is one of the coordinating patterns:

If you couldn’t tell, my inspiration was eyelet fabric and lace trim. My mom is a fantastic seamstress and used to make all of my clothes (as well as my two sisters’) when I was a little girl. I loved going to the fabric store with her to pick out fabrics for new projects. I remember a cute summer dress she made me out of white eyelet fabric that I just loved. 

I am having so much fun designing patterns and will try to post more here as I find time.

Joyfully,

25 Ways to Spread the Joy of Christ this Christmas | Day 4

In my previous post, I shared with you ways to Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas through verbal communication. The next few posts will be about ideas for Spreading the JOY of Christ this Christmas through your written communication—anything that must be read, whether it be on paper on on your phone or computer screen.

This first idea may seem obvious to some, but I’m going to say it anyway:

Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas by
sending out Christmas cards that have a CHRISTmas message!

Be very selective in the Christmas card design that you choose, skipping the ones that say “Happy Holidays” for ones that say, “Merry Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” “Happy Birthday Jesus,” or other sentiments that let the receiver know that the reason you celebrate this joyous season is to celebrate the birth of JESUS!

If you have been frustrated over a lack of Christmas photo cards with modern and fun designs that also included an expression of Christian faith, well I have good news for you. A couple of years ago, the women of The Little Card Company were also frustrated with the lack of photo greeting cards with a genuine faith-based Christmas message, so they started their own company to fill that need. 

Here are a few of the Christian Christmas Photo Cards available at LittleCardCompany.com:

*Disclosure: Some of the Christian Christmas Photo Cards shown above  were designed by me and I will receive royalties on any purchases you make.

Also, before you mail your Christian Christmas Photo Cards, pray over them and ask God to bless the recipients in a special way and fill their hearts with HIS joy and peace.

I’d love to hear your ideas and see your photos. Let me know how you are spreading the JOY of Christ this Christmas by commenting below or by posting Joyful Heart Design’s facebook wall. You can also visit the Spreading the Joy of Christ this Christmas facebook page to share your ideas, photos and links, and to get more ideas.

25 Ways to Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas | Day 3

The ideas I have for you today to help you spread the joy of Christ this Christmas all have to do with being intentional with your communication, both written and verbal communication.

Let’s start with ways to 
spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas 
through your verbal communications.

1.  Face-to-Face: Be sure to wish everyone a “Merry Christmas,” instead of “Happy Holidays!” But let’s take it a step further. In your everyday conversations, as you are out running errands, at work, participating in a hobby or sporting event, doing some Christmas shopping or attending a holiday event, look for ways to share YOUR reasons for celebrating Christmas. Sometimes the best way to do this is to ask others why they celebrate Christmas, or what their favorite thing about Christmas is. After they answer, they will usually ask you the same question. ***  “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” - Colossians 4:6
2. VoiceMail: don’t miss out on the opportunity to spread the JOY of Jesus by crafting a heart-felt, joyful voicemail greeting that people hear before they can leave you a voicemail message. I began recording joyful, God-honoring greetings years ago when we had an answering machine at home, even before mobile phones and voicemail. And I change up my voicemail greeting every month or so, because I get lots of comments on my greetings—comments like, “Your joyful greeting made my day!” or “Love your joyful attitude!” Here is a sample voicemail greeting: “Merry Christmas! You’ve reached JoDitt with Joyful Heart Design. If you’d like me to call you back, please leave your name and number. And remember… Jesus is the reason we celebrate this joyful holiday season!” 
3. Phone Greetings: While you can’t always give as long of a greeting as you can with voicemail, you can still answer the phone with, “Merry Christmas! This is [your name]. How can I help you?,” etc. And you can certainly end your conversation by wishing the caller a “Merry Christmas!” And I haven’t done this, but I have heard of someone who, when a telemarketer calls, listens to what they have to say, and then witnesses to them or asks if there is anything that he could pray with them about. *** “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season;” - 2 Timothy 4:2
4. Prayer: If you encounter someone who is having problems, is having a rough day, or who can’t see any reason to be joyful, ask them if you can pray for them. I find that, at Christmas time, people are more open to being prayed for and are also more open to hearing the good news of Jesus Christ. But  be sure to do it with a servant’s heart, not with an “I’m better than you” attitude.
5. Singing: Without being obnoxious, sing every chance you get, especially during Christmas time. 
   “Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.” -Ephesians 5:19-20 
   Singing has so many wonderful benefits:
1. It is FUN!!! 
2. It can lift the spirit of both the person singing and the person listening. 
   I love this quote from by Buddy from the movie, ELF, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”
3. If you are singing songs are God-honoring and give praise to God, this is one of the most powerful types of prayer.
4. The activity of going “Christmas Caroling” can be such a special surprise blessing to those being sung to. But, in my experience, the people in the group doing the “caroling” usually have just as much or more fun as the people they “bless” with their singing. I think it is the “It’s more blessed to give than to receive” principle at work here. 
5. It is hard to think about your problems and be in a bad mood while singing fun songs and/or singing praises to God. 

 I hope you will take these ideas for spreading the JOY of Christ this Christmas and put your own spin on them and adapt them to your life. Tomorrow I will share with you ways to spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas through your written communications.

25 Ways to Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas | Day 2

My intention was to write a new blog post each day till Christmas, each day sharing with you a different way to spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas. But I am having internet trouble, so I may not be able to get a blog posted every day. But I will do the best I can. 

The idea I am going to share with you today for
Spreading the JOY of Christ this Christmas
came from my sister, who actually did this—
decorate someone else’s house or yard
with Christmas decorations.

Everyone in family knows how much joy my youngest sister gets from seeing colorful Christmas lights and beautiful Christmas decorations. But we know that because my youngest sister is single, works late hours both at her job and volunteering in her community that she probably would not make time to decorate her house. So last week my mom, my daughter, and my middle sister and her two young kids traveled over an hour to go decorate my youngest sisters house and yard while she was at work. They did not even let her know they were in town. I did not know they were doing this or I would have gone to help. I found out about it because I happened to call my middle sister while they were in the middle of decorating, so when I asked her what she was doing she told me. 

Anyways, I knew this would mean so much to my youngest sister and I wish I could have been there to see her face when she drove up to her house that night. Here is what she wrote about it on her facebook wall:

What a wonderful surprise!!! I am driving up to my house late last night after a long day at work and see lights… someone came and decorated my yard, porch and living room with beautiful, bright, colorful Christmas trees, lights, bows… brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart! I am immeasurably blessed with sweet, thoughtful, loving family! THANK YOU to my precious sister, Mama, and nieces. I love you!

Now they didn’t spend tons of $$ or anything. They used things they already had, but this small act of kindness really touched my sister’s heart and made her feel loved. And each time she looks at these simple decorations, she is reminded of how blessed she is. 

So I challenge you to spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas by thinking of someone that you could bless by decorating their house or yard this Christmas. It could be a family member who doesn’t have the time or money to do it themselves or it could be an elderly person who has health problems that prevent them from doing all the things they want to do or it could be a family who is busy spending time at the hospital with a loved one. To me it makes it more fun if you can manage to do it as a surprise, but it may be that the it would be more of a blessing to someone to have the time of fellowship while doing the Christmas decorating together.

Just ask Jesus to show you how you can spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas, and then open your eyes and ears and don’t be surprised when he shows you exactly what to do and whom to bless.

25 Ways to Spread the JOY of Christ This Christmas | Day 1

I am on a mission to
Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas
and help others do the same.
Will you join me?

Jesus is the reason that I celebrate this holiday season and it is my intention to bring glory and honor to HIS name in all that I do, including all that I do during the Christmas season. That is why I decided to write a series of 25 blog posts that will give you some ideas on how you, too can spread the joy of Christ this Christmas. I would love to hear your ideas as well. You can post them in the comments below, or post them on the facebook page I began for this cause, Spreading the Joy of Christ.

You may want to subscribe to this blog so you won’t miss any of the 25 ways to spread the joy of Christ this Christmas.

The first idea I want to share with you to help spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas is to count down to Christmas using a Christian Advent Calendar. An Advent calendar is a special calendar that counts and celebrates the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas Day. According to an article at HuffingtonPost.com, “The tradition of the Advent calendar has existed in some form since the middle of the 19th century. For Christians all over the world, the Advent calendar has been used as a devotional tool to countdown the days of the Advent season that culminates with the celebration of the birth of Christ. Advent calendars have commonly been used for the education and entertainment of children, with daily scriptural readings that sometimes come with a chocolate treat.” Read the entire article here. 

Some calendars are secular, using images of Santa Claus, jingle bells, Christmas trees, etc. But for the purpose of spreading the joy of Christ this Christmas, I suggest finding or making an advent calendar that focuses on the celebration of the birth of Jesus. If you have young children, be sure to use an advent calendar that is not fragile, but one that is interactive and suitable for the ages of your children. Remember that your family is your primary mission field and do not underestimate the power of spreading the joy of Christ this Christmas within your own family.

Here is a site that lists several Free Christian Advent Calendars.

Here are some Advent Calendars you can make yourself (or let your kids make):

 2011 Thriving Family Advent Activity Calendar

The Nativity Story Advent Calendar

How to Make Your Own Christian Advent Calendar

This blogger has compiled great examples of homemade Advent calendars.

Here are a few examples of advent calendars geared toward young children:

Advent Calendars for families, churches or small groups or Christians of any age to enjoy:

Recently, technology has enabled a new twist on this old tradition. Online Advent calendars allow individuals to easily explore scripture verses, daily meditations and other content through the familiar form of the calendar.

Here’s a few online Advent Calendars to check out:

TeachingMom.com (Actually, this is an entire list of Advent Calendar resources!)

 Wycliffe Advent Calendar From Wycliffe Bible Translators…each day reveals a Christmas fact and a reason for the season!

The St. Margaret Mary Advent Calendar FUN graphics & scripture!

 Christian Christmas Advent Calendar Daily Bible readings, activities, crafts, recipes and songs to sing for Advent.

 2011 Online Advent Calendar from DavidJeremiah.org (So fun!)

Whether you choose a traditional Advent Calendar or an online Advent Calendar, just be sure to choose one that you and your family will enjoy—one that will help you Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas, not one that will add guilt to your life if you miss a day or two.

Christian Christmas Cards Sale at Little Card Company

Little Card Company is having a Christian Christmas Cards Sale beginning on Black Friday.

Enjoy 20% off orders over $75 plus FREE Ground Shipping.*

LCC’s Christian Christmas Cards Sale makes it easy for you
to Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas!

Choose from one of the Christian Christmas Photo Cards that I designed  this year to be sold exclusively at Little Card Company, (Look for the designs that say, “by JoDitt”)  or choose one of their other lovely faith-based designs.

This Christian Christmas Cards Sale is a GREAT deal because the prices at Little Card Company are already quite affordable. But they cut costs not quality. LCC prints on heavy weight premium card stock, but still they offer family friendly pricing. Each of their customizable Christmas photo cards has a faith-based message surrounded by a unique, modern, and fun design, providing customers with a great opportunity to share a slice of their lives and an element of their faith with those they love!

You can feel good buying from LCC knowing that, in an effort to bring glory to God in everything they do, The
Little Card Company is committed to donating at least 10% of their annual profits to organizations dedicated to being the hands and feet of Jesus for needy children and families around the world.

To that end, LCC is donating to the following Christian organizations to assist children with their physical, emotional and spiritual needs:

• Children’s Hunger Fund
• Kids Hope USA
• Lifewater International

*Use code MCTWENTYOFF to enjoy 20% off plus Free Ground Shipping on orders of $75 or more. Offer good on Christmas Photo Cards and Christmas Birth Announcements only. Expires on 11/30/11, 11:59 pm (PT). Offer is not applicable to previously placed orders. Good for one-time redemption per customer. Taxes will apply.

Don’t miss out on this Christian Christmas Cards Sale! 

Announcing Partnership with Little Card Company

In 2005 I founded Joyful Heart Design because I had a passion for creating awesome designs for invitations, photo cards, thank you notes and other stationery items that would help people celebrate life and share the joyful moments in their lives. I found that running a business involves so much more than creating great designs (like building websites, figuring out pricing, finding the best vendors, marketing, fulfilling orders, etc.)  So I have been praying for God to make a way for me to do more designing and less of everything else. 

God is answering that prayer in many exciting ways, one of which is my new partnership with Little Card Company (LCC.) This year, I have designed a line of Christian photo cards and invitations to be sold exclusively at LittleCardCompany.com, to help believers share the joy of Christ at Christmas and throughout the year.

I have enjoyed getting to know Charlene, April and Pam, the founders of LCC and learning about their vision to fill the need for well-designed, high-quality custom photo cards, but with an added special something — a message of faith.

And I am thrilled to join them in their mission to Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas. Little Card Company states on their website, “As a Christian company, it is our top priority to communicate the message of Jesus, especially as we approach the celebration of his birth. Each of our customizable Christmas photo cards has a faith-based message surrounded by a unique, modern, and fun design, providing customers with a great opportunity to share a slice of their lives and an element of their faith with those they love!”

This partnership will free me up to have more time to do what I love most, and what I do best—designing! And my customers will benefit from LCC’s fast processing, amazing customer service, their dedication to quality, and from more designs to choose from.

Visit the Little Card Company’s blog to read the blog post of their own announcement of our partnership, titled, “A Divine Appointment.”

Also, be sure to visit Joyful Heart Design Facebook Page to get a coupon code for 20% off plus free ground shipping!

LIKE LCC’s facebook page as well and join in our mission to Spread the JOY of Christ this Christmas! 

Here’s a few of my new Christmas Photo Card designs:

Joyfully,

Christian Thanksgiving Photo Cards, New Modern Designs

Thanksgiving is a time when we stop and reflect on everything we are thankful for. I have lots of friends who would like to express their gratitude to God in a fun and creative way at Thanksgiving and also show appreciation to their friends, family and loved ones.

So that’s why I decided to create all new modern designs for Christian Thanksgiving Photo Cards. Along with a photo of your loved ones, each card also displays a Scripture and/or Christian sentiment.

A lot of people are now sending out Thanksgiving Cards instead of Christmas Cards for several reasons:

1. You can get your cards sent out before the holiday rush.
2. Your cards don’t get lost in the sea of cards arriving at Christmas time.
3. It’s a great way to show appreciation to your friends and family.
4. It’s a great way to share your faith in a very non-threatening way.
5. Thanksgiving cards can be more meaningful to your friends and family than Christmas cards since they are not expected.

Visit Joyful Heart Design’s Facebook page for a coupon code for FREE SHIPPING!

I am thankful for YOU… my friends, readers of my blog, facebook & twitter followers…
You enrich my life in so many ways.

What is Pinterest?

I recently got invited to Pinterest and I am lovin’ it! I’ve only been on Pinterest for a couple of weeks, and I am already finding it so useful and FUN!

So what is Pinterest?

To me, it’s like a really cool Favorites folder for all kinds of photos and images. It’s much more efficient than saving things to your desktop. It’s much easier to find things once you have saved them. AND you get to see your friends favorite things too!

According to the Pinterest website:

Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and “follow” collections created by people with great taste.

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things — wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

This is how Crystal from TheWeekendHomemaker.com describes it:

There are often multiple ways of doing things but what we’re usually looking for is the most productive and efficient way. I believe Pinterest is the most productive and efficient way to organize images from the web to create virtual mood boards. What I use to store in my internet favorites and in folders on my hard drive, I can now just “pin” to one of my pin boards for easy categorization and at-a-glance inspiration.

Pinterest has been called the best social media site since Facebook or Twitter. Still in it’s infancy, the founders are constantly making enhancements based on feedback from users. Let me show you how it works so you can judge the site for yourself.

For a great explanation of how to use Pinterest, see Crystal’s entire blog post on What is Pinterest and How to Use It.

First, since it is still in beta, you have to either be invited by someone who is already a member or you can request access via the site www.Pinterest.com. Being invited by a member gets you access quicker than requesting an invite via the website. However, you don’t have to be a memeber to view the images on the site. If you are interested in a Pinterest account and would like an invite from me, either leave me a comment with your email address below or send me an email to info [at] joyfulheartdesign.com.

Here are a some screen shots of a few of my pin boards to you can get an idea of how I use Pinterest.
(Click on photos to go to my Pinterest boards.)

Recycle Craft

Turquoise and Green Wedding Ideas

Christmas Ideas

Happy Pinning!

Joyful Heart Design’s Personalized Products Now Available to Retailers

Joyful Heart Design is thrilled to announce that some of our invitations and stationery are now available to Retailers through A Fresh Bunch’s Fresh Art Fast program, the future of retail.

A Fresh Bunch is a curated marketplace and community for designers and buyers of fresh design.

With the Fresh Art Fast program Retailers can now:

• Customize products
• Change fonts and colors
• Get easy access to high quality art and design
• Instantly show proofs to clients
• Print items in store
• or send to our production partners
• Control shipping expenses by ordering for multiple clients

We invite you to visit A Fresh Bunch to learn more!

Here is a preview of a few of Joyful Heart Design’s products that are available through Fresh Art Fast: