Welcome to the March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring March's Stamp of the Month, Floral Happiness, a set of 16 stamps.  If you have came here from Maria'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.


My roses and leaves were stamped with the Whimsy Collection Pigment Inks, fussy cut and then layered onto my card.  The pigment inks are a great choice for getting smooth coverage on large solid stamps.  My bow is made out of Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon which was colored with a Blush alcohol based marker.  Coloring ribbon with your markers will give you a smooth streak free finish that dries in seconds!

My card is based on the sketch challenge at The Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge:

And the color challenge at Inspired by Stamping Inspirational Challenge:


I kept the inside CAS, adding an additional fussy cut flower in the corner.



The March Stamp of the Month can be yours for only $5 with a qualifying Close To My Heart purchase.  You can see all the details on my Current Specials page! 

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
S1303 Floral Happiness
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X5640 Blush Cardstock
Z2500 Whimsy Pigment Ink Set
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Z1732 Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
Z1807 Pink Glitter Gems 
Z2408 Blush Markers
Embossing Folder by Provo Craft
Circle Stax Dies by MFT 

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge-Use Embossing
Crafty Ribbons-Anything Goes
In the Pink-Pink & Bling
Paper Crafting Journey-Bingo-Gems, Embossing, Ribbon 

We have over 60 consultants participating in the blog hop!  Hop on over to Melissa's Blog to see her artwork.  Be sure and continue on with the hop for more stamping inspiration!  Get your set before it's gone!  The last day to order is March 31, 2013.

DEAL ALERT-NEW WHILE SUPPLIES LAST ITEMS will be posted in my online store on 3/1/13!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tui has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  I was actually missing my Buzz & Bumble paper pack.  The funny thing is....Buzz & Bumble was my least favorite paper pack in the new catalog.............but it has quickly grown on me!  I just love the colors and how the papers coordinate so well together.  Here is the original sketch design-

The narrow strip between my pattern papers is actually the seam off of Burlap Ribbon.  No piece of burlap gets thrown away in my craft room.  I use single strands for tying bows and threading buttons as well.  My obsession with burlap goes along nicely with the Buzz & Bumble papers!

Here is a close up at the products used to create my card:



All supplies by Close To My Heart:
D1476 Card Chatter-Sympathy
X7164B Buzz & Bumble Paper Pack
1388 Colonial White Cardstock
Z2114 Cocoa Ink
Z1760 Burlap Ribbon
Z1831 Buzz & Bumble Assortment
Z1753 Brown & Tan Sparkles

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope to see your creation at Freshly Made Sketches.  The linky closes at 1:00PM MST on Monday.

We have a super easy challenge this week at Papercraft Star-Birthdays!  It seems you can never have enough birthday cards.  In fact, this one went into the mail as soon as I finished it..........and just wait until you see the inside!


The inspiration photo is use if you choose, as long as your entry has a birthday theme you are good to go! 


My flowers were cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and then stamped with the coordinating Girls Rock Stamp Set.  The inspiration for my card comes from the super talented Deanna Jean.  She is the superstar of CAS cards and this week's MUSE for MUSE Challenge #6.  Here is her inspiration card for the week-


I loved her cluster of 3-D flowers and carried the theme onto my creation!  Thanks so much Deanna for the inspiration! Now for a look at the inside....


A belated Birthday card!  How sad it that....the card maker has to send belated birthday cards....not because she does not have birthday cards.....just because she never mailed the birthday card and the birthday has come and gone!  What can I say...I will try better next year!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted: 
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
C1538 Girls Rock-flowers
B1419 Joyful Birthday-front sentiment  
D1475 Card Chatter-Birthday-inside sentiment
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z2106 Blush Ink
Z2128 Hollyhock Ink
Z2153 Sweet Leaf Ink
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Z1807 Pink Glitter Gems  

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Catch the Bug-Color Challenge
Celebrate the Occasion-Girl Birthday w/pink
Crafty Cardmakers-Bloomin Images
Creative Card Crew-Birthdays 
Eureka Stamps-Flower Power 
H2H-CAS
Inky Chicks-Birthday
Sentimental Sundays-Flowers, Flowers & More Flowers
The Crazy Challenge-Pink & Gems
The Pink Elephant-Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

We are mixing things up this week at Merry Monday with a Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  You have numerous options available to help you get started on your next Christmas Card.  I decided to go with the top row, Red, Dry Embossing and Ribbon.



I have seen some awesome cards in blogland with the Holiday Frame Embossing Folder.  I only recently added it to my collection.  This folder does much of the work for you when it comes to creating elegant Christmas cards.  I embossed my white cardstock with the folder and then sponged on Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint to highlight the embossing.  I stamped my ornament in Tulip ink, then stamped again with VersaMark ink and added Iridescent Embossing powder for a little shimmer.


I finished out the inside with a little more dry embossing and highlighted again with the Create-A-Shade paint.  When you are applying thin layers of the paint, it drys super quick.


All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1520 Ornamental Cheer Stamp Set
S1210 Very Merry Christmas Stamp Set
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Retired Tulip Cardstock
Retired Tulip Ink
Z891 Versamark Ink
Z1039 Create-A-Shade Paint
Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder-SU
Holiday Frame Embossing Folder-SU
Riding Hood Red Ribbon-SU

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps-Vintage
A Gem of A Challenge-Add a Bow
Crazy 4 Challenges-Texture, Texture, Texture
Creative Inspirations Paint-Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges-Ribbon & Bling
Gingerloft-Ribbons & Bows

The challenge theme this week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges is CAS.  We want to see your clean and simple projects!  This was the perfect theme for me to ink up my new Easter stamps.  I love this adorable little Easter Chick!  You are sure to see more of him in the coming months!

I paper pieced my chick with scraps from the Chantilly paper pack.  The pink and yellow themed was a perfect match for my Easter theme.


All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
B1422 Easter Wishes Stamp Set
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
1271 Buttercup Cardstock
X7163B Chantilly Paper Pack
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
C1 Cool Gray Copic Sketch
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
Z1471 Ruler
Thread
Fishtail Dies by MFT

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Keep It Simple-Paper Piecing
One Stop Craft-For the Kids
Send a Smile 4 Kids-CAS
Totally Papercrafts-Hope for Spring

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to see your CAS creation over at Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  Remember your entry must be at least partially made with Close To My Heart products.

I finally was able to make time in my schedule to play at Seize the Birthday!  I love Lesley's new challenge blog.....I just always seem to run out of time to submit a card!  This was the perfect opportunity to stamp up a funny chicken stamp that I picked up last year...which had yet to see ink. Here is a  look at the original sketch design:


My background is stamped with the new chicken wire stamp that is part of the Distressed Background stamp set found in the new 2013 Close To My Heart Idea Book.  I had originally planned to stamp my sentiment on the space where you now see a bow.  I had everything all put together....then realized my strip was too short to accommodate my saying.  I added the rustic layered bow to fill in my white space.  I then sanding off a strip of my chicken wire background and stamped my sentiment on the top of the card.  The great thing about card making....you can always improvise!


I seriously have to agree with the chicken.....as you get older, birthdays can be a pain in the rear!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy
D1544 Distressed Background Stamp Set
UMH1869-Chicken Stamp by Art Impressions
UMK1865-Sentiments by Art Impressions
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
1272 Cranberry Cardstock
Z2173 Slate Ink
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Red Gingham Ribbon-Offray
Z1760 Burlap Ribbon
Retired Wood Buttons
Various Copic Sketch Markers

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
A Gem of A Challenge-Add a Bow
Allsorts-Animals
Aud Sentiments-Share Inner Sentiment 
Black Tie Fridays-Animals
Broken Box Stock-Birthdays
Card Makin Mamas-Birthday
Clear It Out-Two or More Ribbons from Stash
Crafty Ribbons-Button Up

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am so excited to be the Guest Designer this week at Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenges.  To play along you need to use the colors in the following photo:


My card really is dark purple, Pansy Purple in fact.....just my photography skills are lacking in capturing the actual color!  So think purple, not burgundy!  My tiny bit of light blue is included in the center of my flower. My card is based on the amazing sketch this week at Retro Sketches by Kim S!


My flowers and leaves were cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and stamped with the coordinating Girls Rock stamp set.  My sentiment is a sneak peek at the upcoming March Stamp of the Month.



All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
S1303 Floral Happiness
C1538 Girls Rock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Retired Pansy Purple Cardstock & Ink
Retired Garden Green Cardstock & Ink
Tuxedo Black Ink by Memento
Z1327 Blue & Green Sparkles
Retired Olive Brads

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Incy Wincy Designs-Pop It Up
My Craft Spot-Flowers
Sweet Stampin-Sweet & Simple
Use It Tuesday-Fasteners (My brads and cardstock have both been hoarded away!)


Thanks for stopping by!

Lots of exciting news for today!  For starters I am hosting this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  I hope you  like the sketch...it is one of my go to designs.  You can easily dress it up or down to suit your needs.  Feel free to change out the shape as well!


My next bit of news for the day....I have been invited to be on the Design Team at Papercraft Star!  I was a little short on time this week, so I have made a combined card for both challenges.  The challenge theme this week at Papercraft Star is Hello.  You can choose to use the theme picture or not, it is your choice!




I went outside of my normal realm of crafting supplies for this weeks card.  I recently had a discussion with a group of crafters on book phones....do you still get them and or still use them?  I really think phone books are quickly becoming a thing of the past.  I do still get them and I do still use the yellow pages from time to time.  In the conversation....it seems most of the books were destined for the recycle bin....that is until one crafter pointed out that she uses them in her crafts!  All of the sudden, I was looking at the phone books in a new way!  What a better way to start off using my new found stash than with a telephone themed card!  The text print paper is actually pages from a phone book.  My decorative shape was cut with my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  My mats are well worn and the paper cut like butter.  I would use caution if you have a new sticky mat....I could see the removal process not being pretty.



All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection-Shapes
Z1790 Cricut Artiste Collection-Hello
Feeling Sentimental Stamp Set-SU
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
1386 Black Cardstock
X5927 Ruby Cardstock
Z2170 Ruby Ink
Pages from phone book
Z1754 Black & Grey Sparkles
Embossing Folder by Sizzix

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Amusing Challenges-Red, White, Black
Black Tie Fridays-Texture
Card Crafter's Circle-Paint the Town Red
Dilly Beans-Black & Red
Flourishes-Seeing Red
Gingerloft-The Color Red


Thanks for stopping by!

The February Mystery Hostess Gathering will close February 20, 2013 at 11:59 PM MST.  Currently the winner of the Mystery Hostess Drawing will receive $80 in free products and the option to purchase any two items for 1/2 off!

How do you enter???

If you are placing an order in my online store, simply click on join Feb Mystery Hostess Gathering to be eligible for the drawing.  You will receive one entry into the drawing for every $25 in products that you purchase.  Here is a screen shot, showing you where to click.


Orders placed via e-mail are also eligible for the drawing.  To be eligible for the February Drawing, orders must be received by 11:59 PM MST on February 20, 2013.  The winner will be announced on February 21, 2013!

Have questions???

Contact me!


Thanks so much for your continued support!

We are having a theme challenge this week at Merry Monday.  We want to see your Elegant Christmas cards!  I went with a clean and simple design that could be easily reproduced.  I am a huge fan of purple themed Christmas card, so this one will be added to the stash for the coming year.


I layered my snowflake with Pansy Purple cardstock and Silver glitter cardstock.  Did you know that Close To My Heart has six colors of glitter cardstock in the new Idea Book?  The glitter cardstock is also Cricut compatible and works well with manual die cut machines as well.


I added a little bling to the inside of my card as well.  The sentiment is by My Favorite Things, it is perfect with the glitter and bling!


All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1520 Ornamental Cheer
Sparkle Sentiment by MFT (sorry no name on the stamp set)
Z1829 Glitter Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Retired Pansy Purple Cardstock
Retired Pansy Purple Ink
Snow Flurry Die by Sizzix
Embossing Folder by Sizzix
Z1752 Clear Sparkles

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
CHNC-Let It Snow 
C.R.A.F.T.-Christmas
Craft Your Passion-Glitter
Critter Sketch-Snowflakes
Hiding in my Craft Room-Embossing
Love to Create-All that Glitters 
Ohh La La Creations-Sparkle & Shine
Sweet Stampin Christmas-Snowflakes

 Be sure and stop by the other Merry Maker's blogs to see their creations!









Thanks for stopping by!