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!