Monday, January 31, 2011

February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to the February edition of the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where over 65 Close To My Heart consultants show you their creativity with the Stamp of the Month!

If you've arrived here from Paige's Paper Paradise, you've come to the right place.

This month's stamp set is called "Friendship" and is available only during the month of February.  You can see it in the NEW Spring Summer Idea Book, which is available on Feb 1.  It's PACKED with new stamps, papers, ideas and inspiration!  (Contact me if you'd like me to send you one for just the $5 shipping charge, which is refundable with your first order!)  




I  wanted to create a monochromatic card and something elegant, because this stamp set is very elegant.  My favorite color is Sweet Leaf, (although Pear is a close second), and I wanted to do a card with a fold-over closure. 




Not exactly monochromatic, but close...

I scored a 4"x12" piece of card stock at 1 1/4" and 6 3/4".  The finished card is 4" x 5 1/2".



On to the stamping...The stamp set has some stylized Victorian flowers.  I couldn't decide which to use on my card.  I tried...

I liked this image, but wasn't sure about using it by itself.  Oops!  Time to reink the stamp pad!



Didn't like the bat wings with the flower...



This one's OK, but I thought the diamond shape was a little overpowering...



Ahhh, just right...


Then, I had to decide what color ink to use with the Sweet Leaf Card Stock.  The images above were with Sweet Leaf ink.  Gotta try some other options, just to be sure!


Sweet Leaf...Garden Green...Topiary.
I think I'll stick with Sweet Leaf.





I've been wanting to use this punch I got at JoAnn's.


Didn't really like that floral swirly.  It doesn't add anything, and it's taking away from the "elegant" look I was going for.  Back to the plain black strip.


Then I just added the sentiment, which is wonderful...and some Licorice Opaques.  (Love those Opaques!)



Inside of the card I put a Colonial White liner, so you can easily write on the card.  Plus, it's more finished looking.

Now hop on over to Jean McNulty's blog and see what goodies she has in store for you!  Thanks for checking out our Blog Hop!

If you like what you see, you can subscribe (upper right hand corner) and get my posts delivered directly to your IN Box.  If you would like to buy supplies to make this card, you can shop day or night at my website.  

Have a sunny day - and don't forget to Stamp (yourself) Happy!

Supplies used:
Friendship, D1453
Sweet Leaf Card Stock, X5639
Colonial White Card Stock, 1388
Black Card Stock, 1386
Black Stamp Pad, Z2105
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad, Z2153
Licorice Opaques, Z1335