Happy Valentines - January's SOTM Blog Hop

The glow from my Christmas tree is lighting my computer as I write this and I've got food in the oven for tonight's New Years' Eve party...but with crafting, it's always time to look ahead, so let's talk Valentine's Day!

Thanks for hopping over from Inky Georgia's blog!  Happy Valentines, Close To My Heart's January Stamp of the Month, is available only from January 1-31 and can be yours for just $5 with a $50 product order!

I have to admit I was a bit worried about working with this stamp set at first as I don't feel very confident in my "coloring" abilities.  But, the roses really grew on me as I used CTMH's new alcohol markers to add color.  I love the mini pigment inks to stamp the image before adding color with the alcohol markers.  Here's what I created:

My adorable husband sent me on a "treasure" hunt with clues that led me to one of those little families on the back of my minivan window (complete with a "scrapbooking" mom...and yes, that's hard to show on a mini-figure).  So, I thought I'd do the same for him by placing a clue (and a few chocolates) inside this cracker.

 

I made this card with "Smitten" sentiment to complement the cracker.

 

I hope you have fun making something with this stamp set for your Valentine!  Now, head on over and check out what Lori Brown has created for you!

Whooo's Your Valentine

This is just the cutest promotion CTMH has had in a while!  When you place an order for $35 or more from the Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book, you can get this $40 kit for just $10.  What's included? 

You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit:

While I didn't particpate in the blog hop for this set, you can check out some amazing artwork from the hop, starting with Melissa Laverty's adorable treat tubes and card.

How To Kiss...

with Stamps.  Yeah, yeah, misleading title, I know.  But once you have this little technique under you're belt, you'll be as excited about using it as kissing Santa!  Watch CTMH Power Duo, Monica and Kristine, explain this fun technique.

Check back in on Thursday when I'll share CTMH's latest Constant Campaign...Whooo's Your Valentine!

Pear & Partridge Display Tray

Close To My Heart's Display Tray (Z1750) makes a fantastic Christmas gift when decorated simply with Pear & Partridge paper (X7162B), Dimensional Elements in Color - Holiday (Z1772) and the Festive Velvet Rub-Ons (Z1743).  The hardest part is deciding who I'm going to give this to!