January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy New Year Everyone!  Welcome to the 2010 January edition of the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  January's stamp of the month is D1406 True Friends and over 60 consultants are featuring artwork with this stamp set. 

You have arrived here from Susan Brook's blog.  So I'm glad to have you for a minute or two!  I am using the new Caboodle paper pack--such a darling paper pack!!  Here is my card and I will be adding several more pieces of artwork tonight so be sure to check back during the month:

Supplies:  True Friends and Bird Basics Stamp Sets; Caboodle Level II Paper Pack; Sorbet and Crystal Blue Ink; Sorbet Ribbon Collection; Antique Copper mini brad.  Also used Spellbinders circle nestabilities

Now, "hop" on over to Dawn Ross's Blog to see her lovely work! If you get lost on the Hop, or find links that aren't working, click on the logo link at the start of this post and it will bring you back to Jenna Devries Blog (where the Blog Hop originates)  Thanks for stopping by!

Handmade Gifts

There is no one like me who loves it when it comes to getting a gift from someone who put their heart and soul into a handmade gift for you.  So I have to show you what my friend Marlene made for me because they are stunning!  She made a mini magazine holder that held my card and a gift certificate.  Then she made this most amazing Santa basket with the Sizzix Topnotch and Fancy Favors Bag dies.  The cool thing about the Santa is that all his hair is textured by Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder!  See below:

(click to see details on Santa's beard better)

Now, aren't they all delightful?  The card is so neat because the Christmas bulb is only half cut out to the fold.  The other side of the bulb is decorated with decorative paper that uses flocking in its pattern.  I am so lucky to be blessed with great friends!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas!

In this time of giving to others, I want to thank all of you who visit my blog and take time from your busy days to drop in and visit!  And, just wanted you to know that it was official, Santa did not bring any scrapbooking/stamping goodies!    However, my joy in the holidays is the gift of people in my life!  The gift of family and friends and love and friendship!  May you all be as blessed as I have been in this past year with love and friendship!  God bless you all!

Here's a freebie for you this Christmas:  Visit Twisted Papers Site to get some gorgeous Christmas downloads like the one below:

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas

I'm glued to the tree.

I'm wondering what Santa

brought just for me.

Could it be cardstock or

ink pads or lace?

Or some stamps, I said,

with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him....

"Hi Santa!", I said

He replied, "you know...

good girls should be in their beds."

"I know I should Santa,

and now I've been caught.

But I was just so excited

to see what you brought!"

"Well, let's take a look

in this room where you work."

He shook his head quickly,

and left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim

as he put it in gear,

"You've got enought crap,

I'll see you next year!"

Anyone who has come to any of my workshops or gatherings knows this to be true.  What can I say?  I'm a scrapping stampaholic!

Christmas and Holiday cheers!

December Workshop - Tags and Bags

Today was a great day for a workshop and we had a wonderful day making the Bags and Tags shown below (click picture to see details).

Below are close-ups of everything we worked on:

Supplies used:  Friendship Alphabet (available for purchase in January 2010); Just for the Holidays; Holiday Commentary; Jingle Creative Basics; White Daisy, Tulip, Juniper, Olive Black Inks and Cardstocks; Flurry dimensional elements; red sparkles (retired); Holiday Craft Buttons; Create-A-Shade paint; Juniper Reinker; Juniper and Cranberry ribbon; Pearl Connect Club stickons; prisma glitter; punches and Sizzix dies

When we did the Flurry Dimensional Element on the bag, we colored it with Create-A-Shade with Juniper Reinker and then glittered it while it was still wet.  It is just gorgeous in person!

Isn't that snowman box just the cutest thing?  What I lack in talent, I make up in punches and Sizzix dies!  :-)

Sneak Peak

Here is a quick sneak peak at some of the new product that will be available from the new Spring 2010 Idea Book in January (you can click on the the picture to see more detail):

The first paper I bought was the Caboodle Paper set--featuring Buttercup, Heavenly Blue, Sorbet & Sweet Leaf colors.  The new kit comes with the stamp set (available only in the kit) that is leaning against the paper pack with the booksmart dimensional elements.  In the foreground is one of the stamp sets featured with the Caboodle kit C1387  Playin' Hard.  I just thought these supplies would make the perfect "little boy" baby album for my new grandson born on December 4th.

Also in the picture is my sample 6x6 paper packet and the Caboodle MySteakease; the new Petite Perks stamp set (Bee Mine), the Little Tabs (that go so well with the Caboodle paper); Jan and Feb stamps of the month.  The little colorful packets in front are the new Connection Club goodies.    So, for now, that's a good start!  I'm saving the rest for you.  :-)

National Paper Crafting Month in January

There is so much exciting news going on for National Paper Crafting Month at Close To My Heart and the first is the Felicity Paper Collection special. It is an Early Bird Special that you can earn for FREE starting now through January 31st 2010 (while supplies last). This gorgeous kit includes a complete alphabet with flourishes, flowers, birds, and patterns. You also get twelve 12” x 12” double-sided patterned papers in 3 color schemes along with six coordinating 12” x 12” die cut papers with a full colored brochure chock full of project ideas and recipes!

Of course, you can purchase it outright for $34.95. However to get this FREE, simply place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets or an order for $125 or more in Close to My Heart products. You may also receive this beautiful collection free for hosting a home gathering or workshop with sales of $400 or more (and host it at my house in my workshop)!

Finally, anyone wishing to join my team between Jan 1-31 will also receive the collection FREE in your New Consultant kit.

So, what else is new for January? Our new Spring 2010 Idea Book and catalog goes live January 1st. And, if you thought the papers and stamp sets couldn’t be topped well, you are in for a treat! Be sure to stop by tomorrow to see my sneak peak at some of my new supplies!

And who says that prices keep going up? In the new catalog, all Size A stamp sets have been reduced to $7.95 – and the Spring Idea Book features some darling Size A stamp sets!

For those of you enjoying the 15 minutes CTMH-TV Art & Soul shows, you much check out what super things you can do with outline alphabets!!

November & December SOTM swaps

Below are first the December SOTM swaps.  Only a few have come in but I thought I would post anyway.   Colors for this swap are Sorbet, Garden Green, Brown Bag, and Bamboo (the white, colonial white, black are considered neutral for bases)

The first card is standard size, from Danielle Bensink

The card below is by Laura Buckley and is a 3" x 6".  I really like this new size!

The next card - new round layout is from Kayla Clark--it looks like Desert Sand but it is actually brown bag.

The other beautiful round layout is from Karen Hoffman.

You have already seen mine for this swap (below)

November SOTM swap:  Colors for this swap were the colors of the Sweet Home papers which are Buttercup, Garnet, Heavenly Blue and Indian Corn Blue.

The first two cards in the swap are 3x3 cards.  The first one is done by Laura Buckley

The color didn't turn out exactly right on this one.  It almost looks greenish but in real life it is Garnet!  Sorry, but no name came with this one.

Below is a tag and tag pocket done by Kayla Clark.

Tag pocket and tag separate.

The card below is an 8" x 3.5".  Danielle Bensink is the author of this lovely card!

This card (below) is a 6x6 by Karen Hoffman

And, you have already seen my card (roof top one) from the November Blog Hop.  Have a super stamping day!!

Welcome Xander Thomas Cassidy!

My new grandson, Xander Thomas Cassidy was born December 4, 2009 at 9:35 am.  He weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.  He was delivered one-half hour after his mother was admitted to the hospital.  Mom and new son are both in excellent condition!!

His sisters, Hannah and Mikayla couldn't see him yet.  They don't allow any children in the hospital under 14 and mom cannot leave the maternity ward.  So, we took tons of pictures to show Hannah and Mikayla and they got to talk with mom and their new brother Xander on the phone. 

Xander Thomas Cassidy, 10 hours old

Dad and Xander

Mom, Dad, and Xander

We have been SO blessed!  Glory be to God!