Happy New Year and Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

I can't believe that yet another month, let alone another year, has passed. Time just continues to march on. The beginning of a new month means it is time for the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you got here from Pamela's Blog you are on the right track. I have a post dated December 31st that lists all of the talented participants.

This month, the set is called "True Friends." At first, I really struggled with what I was going to make. But, the more I looked at the set, the ideas began to flow. The set has so many possibilities. I really like the "frames." They are a nice shape and easy to cut out in order to add dimension to your projects.

The first item I made was this handy dandy candy jar (whew....I didn't intend to have 3 rhyming words). The jar was in a gift basket I won at a charity affair in the spring. After I used the pie filling that came in it, I decided to keep it to use later. Later came today.

The label was stamped on Vanilla Cream in Sweet Leaf and the sentiment in Crystal Blue. I used Twill Ribbon for the bow. The top of the jar was decorated with scalloped circles I cut with my Nestabilities. I used Sweet Leaf, Vanilla Cream and a small piece of B/T Duos from the Twitterpatted pack. The images are from "Connections." What a handy stamp set that is. If you haven't seen it, check it out. I have used it so many times for gift tags and altered binder clips.

Back to "True Friends"....Like I said, it is a very versatile stamp set. I used it for a card in this example that features the just released paper "You Rock."

The A2 sized card base is Outdoor Denim and the "You Rock" mat is 5 1/4 x 4 inches. The twist on this card is the strip of White Daisy CS that I brayered with Indian Corn Blue and Smokey Plum. The stars are from "Evergreen" and stamped in Outdoor Denim.

It's now time to hop on over to Mary's Blog to check out her great work! My wish for everyone is that 2010 be a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. For Now, Happy Crafting!

January Blog Hop

Can you believe that it is time again for the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop??? Whew, time marches on....It will go live later this evening. In preparation, I wanted to get the list of participants posted now. Check back around 9:00PM Eastern Time for all of the wonderful artwork using "True Friends." For Now, Happy Crafting!

Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Jena DeVries http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
Jen Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Susan Brooks http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Antoinette Herrin http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Barbra Otten http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Lori Brown http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Wanda Riley http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Pamela O'Connor http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Mary Eisen http://www.mestamp2.blogspot.coms/
ylvia Jacquot http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com/
Krista Ritskes http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/
Deb Young http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Amy Edwards http://paisleysplayhouse.blogspot.com/
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/
Kristie Herdener http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Jody Gustafson http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
Sarita Schraeder http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Smith http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Michelle Nist http://michellenist.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Nancy Brown http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/
Maricar Harris http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Laurie Newton http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Melissa Burch http://melissaburch.blogspot.com/
Kim O'Rear http://kimorear.blogspot.com/
Michelle Bourlet http://michellescreativeconnections.blogspot.com/
Angela Tutton http://www.tuttonstreasures.blogspot.com/
Jenifer Benner http://www.jensmessystudio.com/
Shirley Ross http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com/
Latisha Haag http://domestichomefrontcoordinator.blogspot.com/

Making an Easel Card

I hope that everyone is having a great Holiday Season. I am taking the day off (so to speak) and having some fun making cards.

In an earlier post, I promised to tell you how to make an Easel Card. When I first saw an Easel Card, I was excited. I thought what an interesting way to display your artwork. Then I tried to find a tutorial explaining how to make the folds. After searching and searching and eventually feeling quite dense, I figured it out. That was when I decided that I would try my hand at describing the folds. It is really an easy card once you get the hang of it!

Start with a piece of card stock approximately 8 to 9 inches in length. You can adjust the length based on width of the card. You chose the width. The width should match what you wish the base/top of the card to be. For this example, I decided to make a 6 x 6 inch card top. Therefore, the measurements of my card base is 9 x 6 inches.

Next, score the short side of the CS at the 2 and 4 inch marks.

Now, this is the part that was confusing to me...It is time to fold the "easel." Fold it like an accordion. One fold upward and one fold downward.

Next, attach the front of the card to the easel base. To make sure it stands up high enough so that you can actually "see" the front, attach it at in the middle of the card top. Don't attach it at the top.

Lastly, attach brads on the base of the of the scored piece of CS. The brads should be attached on the largest section of the CS. The card top rests against the brads and that allows the card to stand.

You're now free to decorate the card as you like.

This is a sneak peak at Close To My Heart papers and stamps to be officially released on January 1st. The papers are from the Veranda Creative Basics set. Creative Basics paper packs are sets of papers along with a spool of ribbon that coordinate beautifully with new Level 2 paper packs. Veranda is new and I love it. One of the great things that CTMH continually does is strive to make paper crafting "faster, simpler, easier." The matching CS colors are always listed so it is easy to make a great looking card. The coordinating colors are Juniper, Garden Green, Cocoa and Creme Brulee. The flower image and sentiment are from "Enjoy Every Moment." What a great stamp set. It contains 3 groups of flowers and the sentiment. For this card, I heat embossed the flowers in Cocoa and colored them with my new Christmas Copics.

It is time to head off and make another card. The January CTMH Blog Hop is rapidly approaching. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Christmas Wishes!

This is a very special time of the year. We run around baking, shopping and near to my heart, make cards. All has to be perfect.... Now that most of the hustle and bustle is over (I still have a little yet as dinner is still in the oven) let us take time to reflect on the meaning of the season. Whether you abide by the light of the Hanukkah Candle, share the gifts of Kwanzaa or follow the star of Bethlehem may the season bring you "Comfort and Joy!" For Now, Happy Crafting!

The Season and Life Keeps Getting in the Way...

With Christmas only 2 days away, finding the time to get every thing done is almost impossible. I don't know if I ever mentioned it, but I am the classroom coordinator at a big box craft store. I have been working quite a few hours at the store. What fun! I have helped design countless Christmas gifts, house decorations and end of semester school projects. I am trying to find time to address my own Holiday cards, finish my shopping and do the wrapping. On top of that DH and I host an Annual Holiday Party the Saturday before Christmas. My time line is mapped out....I know what has to get done and by when. Then Mother Nature throws a 23 inch snow storm into the mix and everything turns upside down.









We were forced to cancel our party....the first time we have been snowed on in the 20 plus years we have been hosting it. Bombay (my kitten) was so confused. She was ready to party and no one was here!

I have 2 more cards to address, no wrapping done, no grocery shopping done for Christmas Dinner and I have to work again today (and tomorrow). Back to work it is for me! For Now, Happy Crafting!

Another Christmas Card

Who can believe that Christmas is only 9 days away??? Ahhhhh... Are you ready? I'm not. No cookies baked...or shall I say the cookies that were baked were eaten by DH. Most of the gifts are purchased, but not wrapped and most importantly, the cards aren't done. I'm not going to even count how many I have left to complete, but I see another couple 4:00am mornings in my near future. :o)



I was stumbling around Blog World and found these nifty easel cards. I just had to give one a try.

I promise I will get the template up on how to make the card as soon as I can get the pictures taken. It is a very simple fold and makes a great presentation. This card was done using Evensong papers, White Daisy and Cranberry Cardstock.

Back to more card making. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Remember Me??

Whew, I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. Time passes so quickly when you are busy! What have I been doing you ask? I participated in my last Craft Fair of the season on December 6th. What a wonderful experience. The Church members were so welcoming and I sold a few goodies too! :o) I have been working (at the real job) and trying to get my house decorated. I held a workshop where we made Holiday Garland. I will get a picture of that posted as soon as I can. I am also working on finishing up my Christmas Cards. So many left to make! I guess this explains where I have been.


Here us one of the cards I managed to complete. It was done for SCS Clean and Simple Challenge. The challenge was to complete a card using Red, Brown and a Neutral Color. This stamp is perfect. I have used it several times this year and still love it! It is from Close To My Heart's set called Santa's List. I heat embossed the image with Cocoa Embossing Powder and colored it with my Copics. What fun and I think I will make a few more like this!



It is time to go back to the stack of unmade cards on my desk! For Now, Happy Crafting!

Santa's Wish List

Don't forget to give your special Santa your CTMH Wish List. Have Santa email or call this elf and I will make sure that there is a great package waiting for you under the tree. Better hurry as this elf needs to have the Wish List no later than December 10th to make sure that Rudolph has plenty of time to deliver it! For Now, Happy Crafting!