Welcome to the January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring January's Stamp of the Month, Happy Valentine's, a set of 7 stamps.  If you have came here from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right path.  The blog hop is a great big circle, you can start here and work your way around.  If you get lost along the way, you can find a complete list of participating consultants here.

 This stamp set comes with a gorgeous trio of roses stamp.  I can see this stamp being the focal point of many cards in the future! I colored my image with the Close To My Heart Exclusive Inks alcohol markers in Ruby and Olive.  The colors were blended with the Alcohol Blending Marker.  If you are just starting out with the alcohol markers, be sure and pick up the blending marker.  The blending marker will be your best friend in coloring your images!  I added a second layer of roses to my card for added dimension.  The chevron border panel is from the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit stamp set.  I stamped the chevron background stamp in third generation Ruby ink.  My bling button and color ready seam binding ribbon were colored with the alcohol inks markers as well. I love the smooth even color you can obtain on the seam binding ribbon with the markers!



I finished out the inside by adding another fussy cut rose to the side of my card.  I rounded the two corners, keeping with the theme on the front of the card.

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:

S1301 Happy Valentine's-January SOTM
CC1022 Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X5927 Ruby Cardstock
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Z2170 Ruby Ink
Z2429 Ruby Markers
Z2425 Olive Markers
Z1466 Bling Assortment
Z1732 Seam Binding Ribbon

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Card Crafter's Circle-Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz-Anything Goes
Link up for Pink-Dash of Pink
Pile It On-Embellishments
Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes
Stampin for the Weekend-Anything Goes

It seems like forever since I have had some time alone in my craft room!  I have been wanting to play along with the Retro Sketches challenge all week!  I finally had a few minutes to complete my card before the deadline!  Here is the original sketch design:


I paired the sketch with the color challenge at The 4 Crafty Chicks.  I love the yellow and grey combo...but it seems the only time I use it is for a challenge!


My card is on the simple side...so I added a few layers to my bow to make it pop!  All of my decorative layers were cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.


I often add numerous layers to my card.  If your card is a little on the top heavy side, you can even things out by adding a few layers to the inside as well.


All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
D1476 Card Chatter-Sympathy
Retired Dotty For You Paper Pack
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
Retired Grey Wool Cardstock
Z1732 Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
Z1701 Neutral Baker's Twine Assortment
Z1754 Black & Grey Sparkles
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Yellow Button-Unknown

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Moving Along with the Times-Thanks
Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes

Did you love the Cyber Monday Jamberry Nail Sale???  If you missed out, select nail shield designs were offered for $8 each with FREE shipping...they were only available while supplies last and a count down counter was included as each new design came up for sale!  The sale was a huge success!

Jamberry is bringing back a similar sale on December 26, starting at 9:00 AM MST.  The sale runs until 5:00 PM MST or while supplies last!  This time, Jamberry is offering previously retired nail shields for $8 each with FREE shipping!  This is a great opportunity to stock up on your previous favorites or to add to your collection.  If you have yet to try Jamberry...here is your chance to try a sheet of nail shields at a greatly discounted price with free shipping!  It is  a win win!

When placing your order, you must complete the check out process before your order is final.  Simply placing the item in your cart does not guarantee you will receive the item until you check out.  Shipping is free, so I complete check out after I add each item to my cart. You can view my online store here.  Be sure and check back throughout the day for great deals!  Have questions???  Contact me!

The last of my Christmas gifts.  This is a gift holder that was cut with the Cricut Artiste cartridge.  Easy peasy....you get the complete holder at the touch of a button, all you have to do is fold and decorate.  I added a few layers to mine by cutting the holder in a slightly smaller size for the layers.


My snowflakes are layered die cuts from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  I love that I can easily cut a variety of sizes to suit my crafting needs.  My card would not be complete without some Rhinestone bling!


I love the built in gift card holder that pops up in the center of the card. These were super simple to make!  My card is a standard size of 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" I set my Cricut to cut at 5 1/2"  My first card base did not cut completely.  On my second attempt...I "told" my Cricut that I had loaded a 12x24 mat....and the second attempt cut with no issues.  My paper size was actually the same at 6" x 12"...for whatever reason the Cricut was not cutting all the way to the end of the page at the 12" x 12" setting.  By telling the machine that I had loaded the larger mat, my image was cut out completely.  If you plan on cutting some of these at 5 1/2"...I would recommend that you tell your Cricut you have loaded a 12" x 24" mat to save you from possibly having to cut again.

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy
Z1790 Cricut Artiste
D1520 Ornamental Cheer
D1384 Snow Flurries-Retired
Wonderland Paper Pack-Retired
Z2160 Twilight Ink
Z1360 Rhinestone Designer Brads
Fishtail Dies by MFT

I have entered my card in the following challenges:  
Card Crafter's Circle-Christmas 
Card Making Mamas-It's the Holidays
CHNC-Anything Christmas Goes
That Craft Place-Snowy Christmas 
The House that Stamps Built-Two Shades of Blue
The Hybrid Chick-Snowflakes  
The Pink Elephant-Anything Goes
There She Goes-Last Minute Christmas

I created these cute little gifts out of the treat tubes that come in the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit.  I do plan on making a Valentine version as well.  I made this batch for the tellers at my local post office.  I ship a ton of packages, so this was my way of giving them a little Thank You for their service.  The little santa suit one is my favorite!


I cut the sliver buckle out of the glitter paper that is included with the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit.  I cut the square out with the Cricut Artiste cartridge by layering two square shapes together.  I then layered the buckle over a strip of black cardstock for the belt.  The glitter paper by Close To My Heart is Cricut compatible and we will have more colors available in the upcoming Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book!


The holiday treat tag is also cut from the Cricut Artiste cartridge.  The stamped image is from the October Stamp of the Month, Very Merry Christmas.  I added a little Glitz gel for a touch of bling!


While doing some last minute Christmas shopping, I came across these adorable little mini bows at Wal-Mart for only 97 cents, for a pack of 10!  They comes in a variety of colors.  I plan on going back the day after Christmas to stock up on them at 50% off!


You can get your own collection of treat tubes in the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit!  You can get the kit for only $10 with a $35 purchase.  The kit has a retail value of $40.  Just an FYI: you can get the whole kit for less than the price of two sets of treat tubes!  The treat tubes are $5.95 per set of six in the upcoming Spring/Summer 2013 catalog.  If you know you are going to be making projects in the future...buy them now at a discounted price!  The Whooo's Your Valentine Kit is only available while supplies last.  After being on the market for just two weeks, about 40% of the available kits have been sold!  Here is a look at what you will receive in your kit:

As an added incentive, place your order for the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit prior to supplies running out and I will put a 2013 Spring/Summer Idea Book in the mail to you at no charge!  Tons of  exciting new products and gorgeous artwork to go along with them!  You can place your online or via e-mail.  Your Idea Book will be mailed separately from  your order, you will not be able to add to your online order. Contact me with any questions!

I have entered my treat tubes in the following challenges:
Creative Inspirations Paint-Merry Christmas
Heart 2 Heart-Christmas
Just Add Ink-Just Add Christmas
Quirky Christmas-Last Minute Christmas
Ribbon Carousel Blog-Holiday Spirit 
  

Today is the last day to enter your order for the December Mystery Hostess Drawing! The Mystery Hostess gifts are currently $80 in free products and your choice of any two items for 1/2 off!  That even includes the Cricut Art Philosophy or Artiste Collections! 

How do you enter?

Simply place an order at my online store and click to join the Dec Mystery Hostess Gathering.  You will receive one entry into the drawing for every $25 in products that you purchase.  Here is a example of the screen-


While you are there, be sure and check out the While Supplies Last Section!  Great bargains are still available!  You can get 24 sheets of cardstock for only $2.50!  We always need cardstock!  There are a variety of special offers that you can take advantage of this month as well.

When you place an order of $35 or more in Close To My Heart products, you’ll receive the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10.You can see pics of the full kit here.


Place an order of $50 or more and you qualify to purchase the December Stamp of the Month, Year Round Cheer for only $5! PLUS-you will receive a FREE Bonding Memories Glue Pen with your order!


I have never seen such a great combination of bargains available at the same time!  Please contact me with any questions or to place your order via e-mail! The December Mystery Hostess gathering closes at midnight (MST) on December 20, 2012.  The winner will be contacted via e-mail and announced here shortly after.
 

 Time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  The fun sketch this week is brought to us by Tui.  Due to the holiday schedule...you will have two weeks to complete your card and enter the challenge!  Hopefully you will all get some new crafty goodies for Christmas and will have new toys to play with.  On a side note...one sure fire way to make sure you get crafty goodness.....is to get it yourself and put it under the tree!  Here is a look at the original sketch-

I stayed true to the sketch.....though I was really torn on just what design I wanted to use!  I instantly thought of using a layered snowflake...but obviously so did a lot of others!  Then I toyed with the idea of a cupcake...which lead me down the birthday path.  I ended up using a ton of supplies that had never seen the light of day for a fun boy themed birthday card!  I never seem to have boy birthday cards when I need them...so I figured the gears and bolts theme would be a great card to have in the stash!


I added more fun colors to the inside for a cheerful card!

I used a wide variety of supplies from the stash for this one:
Grey Cardstock-Making Memories
White Cardstock-Close To My Heart
Boys Only Paper Pad-Doodlebug Design
Birthday Stamps-Close To My Heart (D1475 Card Chatter-Birthday)
Gear Punch-Stampin Up
Grey Ribbon-Stampin Up
Screw Brads-Karen Foster
Tuxedo Black Ink-Memento
Circle Stax Dies-MFT

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion-Recipe Challenge (3 DPS, Ribbon and a Circle Shape)
Through the Craft Room Door-Anything Goes

I was so excited to see Pansy Purple cardstock added to the While Supplies Last Section at Close To My Heart.  It was one of my favorite colors and I was so sad when it was retired!  Needless to say I stocked up.....so more purple Christmas cards to come in the future!  There is still some to be had, if you want to add the color to your collection.  You can pick up 24 sheets of 12x12 cardstock for only $3.00!  What a bargain!  My card is based on the sketch challenge at The Sweet Stop.


I received a shout out last week from Linda at the Catered Crop....so I was sure to get my card made for her tag challenge.  There is still a week left in the challenge, so you have plenty of time to join in!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:

Z1790 Cricut Artiste Cartridge
C1506 Flakey Friends
B1412 Perfect Fit-Holidays
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
5590 Pansy Purple Cardstock
Z2141 Pansy Purple Ink
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Snowflake Paper-Unknown
Ribbon-Really Reasonable Ribbon
Snowflake-Unknown
Z1763 Boutique Assortment
BV08 Copic Sketch
E09 Copic Sketch
Z1313 Glitz Stardust Gel

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Jellypark Challenges-Tag It
Our Creative Corner-Purple & Silver Christmas

Have you heard the news???  There is a new challenge blog in town!  Lesley from Always Playing with Paper is starting a Birthday Challenge blog, Seize the Birthday!  Lesley is super organized (I am clueless how she does everything) and runs the greatest challenges.  I admit I am a stalker of her challenge blogs!  Seize the Birthday is sure to be a hit!  We ALWAYS need more birthday cards!


 I based my card on the sketch challenge this week at CAS(E) this Sketch!  CAS(E) this Sketch! is a relative newcomer to the challenge world as well.  I have followed the site from the beginning...but never seem to be able to play along!  When I saw the sketch this week....I knew it would be perfect for my birthday card!  I flipped the sketch to accommodate my birthday candles.



I added a few layers to finish out the inside as well.



All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:

D1475 Card Chatter-Birthday
D1514 Just A Number
Retired Dotty For You Paper Pack
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
X5639 Sweetleaf Cardstock
X5762 Lagoon Cardstock
Z2195 Lagoon Ink
Z1702 Paradise Baker's Twine
Green Baker's Twine-Unknown

Design Tip-My candles are scraps of pattern paper.  I cu t them in varied lengths to match the sketch.  Prior to rolling, I adhered a piece of baker's twine to the inside for my candle wick.  I then rolled the paper and adhered to my card.  Easy Peasy and Super Cute!

I have also entered my card in the CAS Challenge at Creative Inspiration Paint.

WooHoo, new clearance items have been added to the While Supplies Last section of my online store!  Stock up on cardstock for as little as ten cents a sheet!!!!  Do you love 8.5 x 11 cardstock for cards???  Check out the following packs, only $2.50 for 24 sheets!
Did you miss out on stocking up on  retired colors?  You can pick up 12x12 cardstock packs for only $3.00 for 24 sheets!



The gorgeous Magnifique Paper Packet is also making an appearance at only $3.00!


More great deals are to be had....check out the While Supplies Last section to view them all!  While you are taking advantage of all the great deals...don't forget you can also get the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit for only $10 with a $35 purchase!


Purchase $50 or more and get the December Stamp of the Month, Year Round Cheer for only $5 and a FREE Bonding Memories Glue Pen! (While Supplies Last)

You can place your order direct online or you can send your order via e-mail.  If you are placing your order online...don't forget to click on the link to join the December Mystery Hostess order to be eligible to win free products!