December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

I'm so excited to welcome you to Close To My Heart's December stamp of the month blog hop!  This has got to be my favorite stamp of the month set yet (I know I say that a lot but every time I mean it :) ).  If you are coming from Angel's blog "Running with Scissors" you are in the right place.  If you just happened upon my blog - welcome, I'm so glad you are here!  If you would like to start at the beginning you can find the complete listing of over fifty participates at Helen's blog.

So obviously this is a Gorgeous stamp set for Valentines Day!  I'll have some of those types of crafts posted later this month using this stamp but for now I wanted to show you how you can use this set to create something for Christmas!

First I made a Christmas Card using the heart stamp

For the other project I did I used an idea I got from this awesome video on symmetry for Cards by Michelle Nist.

took that same idea and made some ornaments.
First using the Art Philosophy Cartridge I cut out a sheet of hearts at 2 inches (one sheet of cardstock will cut out 25 hearts at 2 inches).  The cricut has a "auto fill" button that I just love!

Then I stamped the hearts using cranberry ink

I then used my stardust pen to add some sparkle

Sparkle is there - trust me - hard to see in the photo but it is there

Used my paper cutter to score the hearts down the middle

Folded them in half

 Put adhesive on the non stamped side of the heart and adhered to the next heart (each ornament used 5 hearts)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Now hop on over to Angela's blog and see what she created with this beautiful stamp set!

Remember this set is only $5 with a $50 purchase so see your Close To My Heart consultant or if you don't have one you can shop with me here.

Linking with

.

Cooking with Cricut - Candles, Wreaths and Pinecones

Welcome to another challenge day over at Cooking with Cricut!  This week our theme is Candle Rings, Wreaths and Pinecones in celebration of the first Sunday of Advent.

I made paper flowers using the Art Philosophy Cartridge from book pages and cardstock.  I also added some pinecones and paper "holly" also cut from the Art Philosophy Cartridge.

After I cut out the holly leaves I folded them in half lengthwise . . .

then I ran them through my New England Ivy ink pad . . .

unfolded them the opposite direction, inked around the edges with a sponge and got a very nice and realistic looking paper holly leaf :)

I used the red glitz gel on some orange berries to make them look like holly berries.

I'm guest posting the tutorial on these flowers over at A Quiverfull of Blessings if you are interested in seeing how to make them.

Now it is your turn!  I can't wait to see what you create this week using candles, wreaths and pinecones.  Don't forget to link up your project over at Cooking with Cricut!

Linking with:
Passionately Artistic ,
For more information about my 3-day Thanksgiving Sale see post here.

.

Please Vote

My little sister just drew this adorable snowman and has entered it into a contest.  She was so disappointed that the scan did not pick up her snowman as well because he was drawn with pencil but I think she did a terrific job!  Would you consider voting for her? Thanks :)

Here is the link. 

For more information about my 11/11/11 SALE and 3-day Thanksgiving Sale see post here.

.

Make It Monday - Peanut butter & Chocolate Pretzels

I know Christmas is less than a month away and the world is buzzing with Christmas decorations and such.  I have a ton of crafts, food and activities to do with my kids this month as part of our family advent calendar but first my middle son turns Four on Sunday!  This is exciting news - his big day!  He is 4 on the 4th :)  So in honor of his birthday we are throwing a "color party" and our make it Monday is a sneak peak at part of his cake.

Peanut butter & Chocolate dipped pretzel rods!  Wait to you see how these will be incorporated into his cake - He is going to love it!  I am too because it is going to be super duper yummy!!

You will need:
Pretzel sticks, peanut butter, chocolate wafers, sprinkles (optional), cookie sheet & wax paper

First I melted the peanut butter in the microwave for about 45 seconds (this was about 1 cup of peanut butter) and then we dipped the pretzels into the peanut butter.

Then we laid the pretzels onto the wax paper lined cookie sheets and put them in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes until hardened.

Then I melted the chocolate wafers in the microwave about 30 seconds or until melted.  Dip the peanut butter pretzels into the chocolate.

Roll into rainbow sprinkles

Put the pretzels back onto the wax paper and put back into the freezer until firm.  We also made a few that were just drizzled with chocolate (because I ran out of sprinkles and was running out of melted chocolate).

These would make simple (and delicious) Christmas gifts wrapped in plastic with a pretty bow or added to a mug or basket of other homemade goodies.

For more information about my 11/11/11 SALE and 3-day Thanksgiving Sale see post here.

.