January Stamp of the Month BLOG HOP!

We're ringing in the New Year with a Close To My Heart January stamp of the month blog hop! (If you've come from Melissa's blog, welcome! If you're starting here, thanks for visiting and get hopping~ the link to the next participant is at the bottom of this post.)

The stamp of the month, True Friends, features four frames, three brackets, and four friendly sentiments. (Vist my website 1/1/10 for more info!)

My card is based on sketch #146 at Card Positioning Systems. (They're also offering a challenge right now to use ANY of their sketches, so go check them out.) I used the incredibly beautiful new Veranda paper pack (also available 1/1!). My card base and sentiment square are Colonial White, the center strip is Juniper card stock, and the rest are pieces of my Veranda sampler, so no two are exactly alike. The Veranda colors are Vanilla Cream, Creme Brulee, Juniper, Garden Green, and Cocoa. I would have never put these colors together, but aren't they lovely? Techniques on this card are pulled from the distressing kit: black stubble tool distressing, masking, and sponging.

My embellishments include using the ends of two of the bracket stamps to create the "flourishes" on my sentiment piece. (Not sure that really worked out, but I tried!) I also used an Antique Copper brad and some Olive felt circles from the Heartfelt Wonder collection.

Before you hop on to Terrie's blog, I'd love to know what you think of my set of cards. Thanks for hopping by! Enjoy the rest of the hop, and Happy 2010!!!!!!