Some of my Best Friends are Flakes!

Hello friends!  I can hardly believe that there is only one week until Christmas!!  I still have some more baking to do but won't do that until next Sunday and Monday as there are some things that I prefer to have fresh for Christmas - and my freezer space is limited.  I tend to go overboard with my Christmas baking but nobody seems to complain!!

It's my turn to post a project at My Craft Spot today and I'm showcasing a card that I created for one of my best friends.  She LOVES snow.  A few months ago, I found some snowman tea towels with "Some of my best friends are flakes" written across them.  I picked them up for her - and then when Kimberly came out with the same fun sentiment on her new "Think Snow" stamp set, I knew that I'd be using it to make a coordinating card!!

I used Winter Frolic for the snowman and Elegant Edges for the frame.  I used a Peachy Keen stamp for the eyes.  The snowman's scarf is tied with some wonderful Caribbean crinkle ribbon from My Craft Spot.  I added a coordinating border made with a Martha Stewart punch.  I also did some embossing using the Cuttlebug Snowdots folder.

As I noted above, the fun sentiment is from My Craft Spot's "Think Snow" stamp set.  It's just perfect to use to spread a smile!  The little snowflakes are from the same set too!  The bottom corners of my card were rounded using a Creative Memories punch.

Have a fabulous day! Merry Christmas!

16

Penguin Card

It's time for another challenge at My Craft Spot - our last of 2012!  This one is perfect for those of you who still need to create another Christmas card or two (although please remember that only one entry is permitted per crafter per challenge).  We're making Christmas shape cards.  Here's mine!

This little penguin is from Create a Critter 2.  I used my Gypsy to weld two shadows together (flipping one) to create the card base.  I then simply added the other layers over top of that.  I used a Peachy Keen stamp for the eyes and used some boa for the trim and pompom on the hat.  (I'm quickly getting addicted to boa feathers!!)  I embossed the metallic hat with Cuttlebug's Snowdots folder.

The little tag was cut using Tiny Tags metal dies from My Craft Spot.  The Jolly! is part of a sentiment from My Craft Spot's 'Tis the Season stamp set.

I finished everything off with some cranberry crinkle ribbon - from My Craft Spot - as well as a feather and a little bell.

Please head over to My Craft Spot to see the lovely creations made by my design team sisters - and then link up your own Christmas shape card! 

13

HB2U Card

It's my turn to share at project at My Craft Spot today so I've got this fun little card to show you.  It was meant to be a quick and easy card, but for some reason the welding feature was not working with my Gypsy.  Each time I cut the card base, I ended up with a very odd shape that did not match the design on my Gypsy.  I finally flipped the rectangle and everything worked out.  It was very odd!!

I created this card using the cartoon feature of Cuttin' Up to create my letters, welding the shadows to a round-edged rectangle shadow from George and Basic Shapes.  I used some fun paper from DCWV's Pets Stack for the top layer of the letters, which I then adhered to the card base.  For the inside of the card, I cut the rectangle without the shadow feature.  I doodled around the letters and the mat on the inside of the card too.

I finished things off with a sweet little tag cut using the base and shadow from My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags metal dies - and stamped a sentiment using a stamp from the corresponding Tiny Tags stamp set.  I then added a bit of cappuccino baker's twine - also from My Craft Spot.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Have a wonderful day!

16

Wish Big Basketball Card

My husband celebrated a birthday last week.  I had originally planned to create a card for him doing something with a license plate (as one of his gifts was new license plates).  While doing a search of Cricut license plates, I came across a football card created by my sweet and talented blogging friend, Lee-Ann of Snappy Scraps. (You can see Lee-Ann's card HERE.)  I decided to scraplift her idea and created a basketball card.  I never did make a license plate card!

I used Basketball Solutions to create the oversized ball on this card, hand cutting it down to fit the 5x5 card base.  I used a Creative Memories corner rounder on the corners.  The basketball player is also from Basketball Solutions.  I used some silver metallic paper for the shadow - and used the same paper to cut a pennant using a Lacy Banners metal die from My Craft Spot. 

The orange circle around the sentiment was cut using one of the My Craft Spot Tiny Doilies metal dies.  The inner white circle was cut using a metal die from the same set.  The "wish BIG" sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags set.  I added a bit of Halloween baker's twine - also from My Craft Spot - behind the sentiment pennant.

I stamped inside my card too!  This time, I used a fun sentiment from My Craft Spot's Birthday Wishes set. 

Thanks so much for visiting me today.  Have a fabulous day!

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Christmas Blessings

This week's challenge at My Craft Spot is "Merry Christmas" and we are encouraging you to work on your Christmas cards.  I can't believe that December is here already and I'm not anywhere near as organized as I usually am at this point!  This challenge is just what I needed to get another card made.

I used Winter Frolic for the darling little shepherd and lamb.  I ran the tunic through my Cuttlebug using the herringbone folder.  I also gave the lamb some curly wool using the D'Vine Swirls folder.  I used natural jute string from My Craft Spot for the shepherd's belt and headdress.  I stamped a sweet face using Peachy Keen's Wide Eyed Kids set.  The card mat is from Elegant Edges and the star is from George and Basic Shapes.

The shepherd and lamb are adhered with PopDots for some added dimension.  

I used a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Mistletoe set and stamped it on a tag cut using My Craft Spot's Tiny Tags metal dies.  I added some navy jute string from My Craft Spot to the tag and to the button on the star.  

The inside of my card has a border punched with a Martha Stewart star border punch.  I finished things off with a sentiment from My Craft Spot's Merry Christmas! set. 

Be sure to check out today's challenge at My Craft Spot for some more inspiration - and then link up your own Christmas card for your chance to win this week's prize!

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Beyond Measure Blog Hop Winner

Thanks so much to all of you who participated in the Beyond Measure Blog Hop.  The winner of the $15 My Craft Spot gift certificate is comment #1 - Cathy of CathyPlus5.  Congratulations Cathy!!  Please email me at smallbitsofpaper @ hotmail.com [remove spaces] so I can make arrangements to get your gift certificate to you.

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Beyond Measure Blog Hop

I'm so delighted that Tammy has asked me to help in the one-year blogaversary of her blog, Beyond Measure.  Tammy is always full of joy and her cheerful posts are such a blessing to me.

The theme of the blog hop is "Celebrating Friends".  I am so fortunate to have such fabulous friends in my life.  I decided to make a special Christmas card for one of my friends - a friend with whom I can be totally silly and who always makes me laugh.  

The sweet little snowman image is from Birdie Brown (a freebie this month).  I'm quite challenged with colouring, but decided a white snowman might work for me!!  I printed off and coloured an extra image - hand cutting the hat and nose and then popping them on the main image for a bit of added dimension.  I used a Stampin' Up tree stamp to create the border at the bottom.  The fun sentiment is from Robin's Creative Cottage - with a tiny snowman stamp from My Craft Spot's Stampin' Around Christmas set.  He's so cute!!  I finished things off with some wonderful baker's twine from My Craft Spot.

One of the best things about celebrations is presents!  To celebrate Tammy's blogaversary, I will be giving away a $15 gift certificate to My Craft Spot.  To qualify, please leave a comment on this post.  If you are a follower of my blog, feel free to leave an extra comment telling me so for an extra entry.  I will announce my winner on Wednesday.

Tammy also has TWO grand prizes available on her blog, Beyond Measure.  To be eligible for her prizes, leave a comment at each of the blogs on this hop (see list below).

Your next stop is a visit to Maria at Joyful Stamper. Happy hopping!

1)  Dawn  http://faithfullyyours.net/Blog
2)  Tiffany  www.tiffanydoodles.blogspot.com

3)  Kate www.smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com 

4)  Maria http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com

5)  Betty  http://www.gbedwright.blogspot.ca/2012/11/peace-on-earth-and-blog-hop.html

6)  Julie  www.3girljam.blogspot.com 

7)  Chriss   www.chrissandlou.blogspot.com

8)  Tammy www.urbeyondmeasure.com 

*I'll be entering this card in Birdie Brown's November challenge too!

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Give Thanks

It's time for another challenge at My Craft Spot!  This week, the theme is Thanksgiving. 

I created this card using Doodlecharms for my basket and Create a Critter for the leaves.  I did lots of inking and also stamped the main part of the basket with a woodgrain stamp before running it through the Cuttlebug with a Distressed Stripes folder.  I added four small brass brads to the basket as well.  The patterned paper is from Stampin' Up. 

I used a sentiment from the My Craft Spot Happy Fall stamp set and used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the sentiment in three different colours. 

There are some more Thanksgiving projects created by other members of the My Craft Spot design team.  Be sure to check them out!  Also, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my wonderful American friends a very happy Thanksgiving later this week!  May you enjoy good food and good company with your loved ones and friends.

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Reindeer Tags - and a Winner

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you left during last week's My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Stamp Release Party and Blog Hop. It was such a delight to go through them all this weekend.

A friend and colleague of mine is taking her daughter and a group of friends to an upcoming Santa Claus parade.  She asked me to make some tags for the girls to wear.  The tags will have identification information on the back.  What a great idea!  Anyway, I was thrilled to help out and used Doodlecharms to create ten 6-inch tags.  The eyes were stamped with a Peachy Keen face stamp.  I ran the antlers through my Cuttlebug using Distressed Stripes and also added some branches from a Martha Stewart punch and some baker's twine from My Craft Spot.  They're so cute!  I hope the girls like them!

I have a winner from this weekend's My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party Blog Hop.  Random.org selected #57 - Kathy Salido from 3 Spoiled Dogs and a Cricut.  Congratulations Kathy!!  I'm sure you'll LOVE your new Mistletoe stamp set!  Please send your contact information to smallbitsofpaper @ hotmail . com [remove spaces] and I'll arrange to have your new stamps sent your way! 

I'm also going to link up my reindeer project at this week's Peachy Keen Challenge!

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My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Stamp Release Party - Blog Hop!

Welcome to the 2012 My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Stamp Release Party Blog Hop!!  I'm so excited to that you get to see ALL the NEW wonderful My Craft Spot stamp sets and metal dies today!!  What a fun week it has been!!  All items are available for sale today, so as soon as you've worked your way through the hop, be sure to head back to My Craft Spot to place your orders.

I have to admit that I completely scraplifted today's project.  I saw some Christmas pyramid trees in a catalogue and loved them so much that I copied them... using My Craft Spot products!!  I designed the pyramid trees using George and Basic Shapes and my Gypsy.  The stars on both trees are also cut using George and Basic Shapes.  The gift is from Joys of the Seasons and the flourish is from Accent Essentials.

The wonderful "Joy to the World" sentiment is from the NEW My Craft Spot Stampin' Around Christmas set - as is the tiny nativity stamp.  (I just LOVE that little stamp!)  I used My Craft Spot Tiny Doilies metal dies for the sentiment tag and shadow.  I used My Craft Spot Vanilla Bean crinkle ribbon for my bow and added some natural jute string (a new product at My Craft Spot) on the bow and on the buttons on both trees.  These trees will go on the shelf above my desk at work.

Blog Candy

Kimberly has very generously donated a NEW release product to be given away at each design team member's blog!  Here at Small Bits of Paper, I will be drawing one entry by random to receive the NEW Mistletoe stamp set.  (See HERE for projects created with the Mistletoe stamp set.)  In order to qualify, you must leave a comment on this post and be a follower of this blog.  I will post the winner's name on Monday.

After leaving a comment below, please head to visit the incredibly talented Heather at Houses Built of Cards.

Blog Hop Order

Kimberly  
GiGi

Ally  

Gwen 

Robin

Kate *You are here!

Heather

Amber

Marlene

(Marlene is having blog issues and may not have a post available.)

Here is the full reveal of the NEW stamp sets!

(Created by Robin)

Metal dies created by Robin to coordinate with the Chunky Alphabet stamps

Robin also designed another stamp set to go with the Tiny Doilies metal dies!

3 more stamp sets:

 

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My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party - Day Five

Welcome to the final day of sneak peeks for all the NEW My Craft Spot stamp sets and metal dies.  Tomorrow, we'll end things off with a blog hop.  There will be chances for you to win one of the new sets at EACH stop along the way!!

I used Doodlecharms to create the Santa on my 5x5 card.  I ran Santa's beard through the Cuttlebug with my D'vine Swirl folder.  I inked the edges and used some white boa for the trim on Santa's hat.  Two black gems were used for his eyes.  

I cut the sentiment tag from the NEW My Craft Spot Lacy Banners metal dies and stamped it with a sentiment from the NEW Mistletoe set.  This set contains a wonderful combination of fun and elegant stamps to add to your collection.  I finished off my card with a bit of stitching around the top edges.

Be sure to check out the rest of the sneak peeks at My Craft Spot - and leave a comment for Kimberly while you are there.  Today, she is giving away a White Christmas stamp set (from last year's release).  

See you tomorrow!!

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My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party - Day Four

I can hardly believe that it is Thursday already!!  This week is flying by as I try to fit in all my tasks.  Thank you so much to all of you who have left such uplifting and encouraging comments for me this week.  I do appreciate them.

Today is the fourth day of the My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Stamp Release Party.  Today, we are showing sneak peeks of the NEW Think Snow stamp set.  This set is a fun one!

No, I don't live in an institution.  Today's pictures were taken at my office.  Due to my crazy-busy life right now - and the fact that it's too dark to take photos when I'm at home - I took my project and camera to work to take these photos!!

When I think of snow, I think of snowmen!  I decided to create some little snowmen treat boxes.  (I got the idea for these boxes from Jayne of Jayne's Designs.  Last year, she made similar boxes using Santa and a reindeer.  I was so smitten with Jayne's boxes that I decided to make some myself - but with snowmen!)

The boxes were made using Tags, Bags, Boxes and More.  I used Doodlecharms for the snowmen's heads, noses and arms.  I added eyes and buttons using Glossy Enamel.  Each snowman has a little red bow tied with the NEW red jute string from My Craft Spot.  The boxes are hung with Cranberry crinkle ribbon, also from My Craft Spot.

The fun little sentiment is from the NEW Think Snow stamp set.  The sweet teensy snowflakes are from the same set!  I used circles from the My Craft Spot Tiny Doilies metal dies to create the little tags.  For a splash of extra colour, I punched some green leaves.

Be sure to head over to My Craft Spot to see the rest of the fabulous projects created by Kimberly and the design team.  Plus, leave a comment for Kimberly while you are there for a chance to win today's prize - a My Craft Spot New Arrival stamp set.

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My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party - Day Three

Welcome to Day 3 of the My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party!  I'm so excited to be showing you a sneak peek of the NEW "Joy to the World" set.  There are some wonderful Christmas sentiments in this set!  Be sure to head to My Craft Spot to see what Kimberly and the rest of the design team have created using some of the other stamps in the set.

I used A Quilted Christmas for my shepherd boy who is popped on the card.  I wanted to give the background a "stable" feel to it, so embossed the cardstock through my Cuttlebug with the Distressed Stripes folder.  I also did some inking around the edges.  

The Spellbinders sentiment tag is meant to represent a window leading out to the angel announcing the birth of the Christ Child.  

To create a border, I added some eyelets and some of the NEW jute string from My Craft Spot.

Don't forget to leave a comment on today's post at My Craft Spot for your chance to win some of the NEW jute string!

15

My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party - Day Two

Welcome back to the My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Stamp Release Party!  Were you able to see all the fabulous sneak peeks of the NEW Chunky Alphabet stamps and Lacy Banner metal dies yesterday?  If not, check them out while you're visiting My Craft Spot for peeks of today's new release!

For my project, I made some little treat bags.  (These bags are similar to the ones I made for Valentine's Day.)  I used a Sizzix die to cut the snowflake in the middle and also embossed the papers using a Cuttlebug snowflake folder.  Little baggies hold the mini-marshmallows inside.  For the topper, I used a Martha Stewart snowflake punch to create the border.  I finished the toppers with some Sky baker's twine from My Craft Spot and some blue buttons from my stash.  

The little doilies were cut using the My Craft Spot Tiny Doilies metal dies - and were stamped with sentiments from the NEW My Craft Spot Stampin' Around Christmas stamp set.  These stamps were designed to work perfectly with the Tiny Doilies metal dies!  All the My Craft Spot dies cut so cleanly with wonderful edges each and every time.

Be sure to head over to My Craft Spot to see what the rest of the design team has created using the NEW Stampin' Around Christmas set.  Plus, leave a comment on today's post at My Craft Spot for your chance to win the Tiny Doilies metal dies that match the stamps!! 

17

My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party - Day One

Welcome to the first day of the 2012 My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Stamp Release Party!!  Each day this week, we will be showcasing projects made with the NEW My Craft Spot stamps.  There's even a new set of metal dies too!  Kimberly will be offering up a prize at My Craft Spot each day of the release - and during Saturday's blog hop, you will have a chance to win one of the NEW releases at each stop along the way.

My card today was made using the NEW metal dies and alphabet stamps.  In fact, all the little pennants and circles were cut using the new dies.  After stamping "J-O-Y" on each of the purple circles, I heat embossed them with some silver embossing powder.  This card really was fairly simple to put together and I'm so pleased with the elegant look of the finished product.  The pennants cut so easily and have such a fabulous polished look to them.  I only used a few of the dies - so there's more to the set than I've shown here.  (The musical score paper is from a Recollections set, "The Ballet".)

Be sure to head over to My Craft Spot to see some more sneak peeks of the new metal dies and alphabet stamps.  The full reveal will come on Saturday - and ALL the new products will be available for purchase then as well.  

Due to the metallic paper, I had the HARDEST time getting a nice shot of the front of my card.  This still has some glare... Sorry!

I'll be back tomorrow with another sneak peek from another NEW My Craft Spot stamp set!!

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My Craft Spot Release - Tomorrow!

Hello crafters!  This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow starts the week-long fun at My Craft Spot.  It's time for the 2012 Christmas Winter Stamp Release Party!  I've been hard at work (and am still working!) on my projects to show you.  There was a slowdown with Canada Post so I was delayed in receiving the products... but they're here now and are ALL well worth the wait!!  I've also seen a number of the other design team members' projects and they are AMAZING!!  

Also, I've been very blessed to have been passed the Sunshine Blogger Award by Kristan (Babycakes), Laurie (Serenity Scrappers) and Sherrie (Sherrie Scraps with Passion).  I feel quite unworthy of this honour, given my limited blogging time these days, and am so incredibly touched and moved that these friends would think of me.  Thank you Kristan, Laurie and Sherrie!

As part of this award, I am to follow the rules below:
1. Include award logo in the blog post (check!) 2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you and have a link back to their blog (check!)
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself that have made up yourself
4. Nominate 10-12 bloggers and contact them through their blog to let them know

Question 1: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?  I would love to live in England.  I was born there and have gone back to visit numerous times.  I'd need a place with central heat though as I don't think I could live without that now!!

Question 2: What type of car do you drive?  I drive a Ford Edge.  I'm not the least bit into cars, but I noticed the Edge a couple of years ago and decided that I wanted one.  My husband gave me keys for my birthday (although I still got to go and choose the one I wanted). :)  I LOVE my car... and my man!

Question 3: If you could be an animal, what would you be?  I would be a cat.  I'd love to be able to do my own thing and not care what others think.  I tend to be too much of a people pleaser and that can have its disadvantages at times.  I wouldn't like to have to lick myself all over though...

Question 4: What is your favourite colour?  Green!  I LOVE green!  My craft room is painted green.

Question 5: If you could go back in time and change something about your life, what would you change?  I would have stayed in school longer and waited to get married - but I would have wanted my husband to wait for me as well!!  I did have two degrees when I got married but never felt like I was done school.  It was tough going back to do my Masters with a family... but I'm so glad I did.

Question 6: What is your favourite crafting technique?  I LOVE embossing with my Cuttlebug!  

Question 7: Coffee or tea?  Neither!  When I need a hot drink, I prefer hot chocolate. 

Question 8: If you could meet anybody in history, who would you like to meet?  I would like to meet Moses (from the Bible).  I think we've got a lot in common - although I have not killed anybody!!  I just think he would be an interesting person to talk with.

Question 9: What is your favourite quote?  Never judge a book by its cover. 

Question 10: What gives you the most joy in life?  My family.  I am so incredibly blessed to have a man that is still completely smitten with me after all these years - and three amazing children who fill my heart with so much love that I think it will burst some days.  I am beyond thankful for the family I've got. 

I am supposed to pass this along to others.  I know that this award has been making its way around blogland.  If you have not yet received it, then I nominate YOU!  Please pick up the award and post it proudly on your blog.  Be sure to let me know so I can come and read more about you!

4

Feel Better Soon

Hello friends!  I'm so delighted to be sharing a card at My Craft Spot today - and am sharing it with you here as well.

Unfortunately, a friend of mine was recently quite ill so I made this card to brighten her day.  I used g.c.d. studios papers and inked everything with some Tim Holtz Tattered Rose distress ink, adding some faux stitching with a white Gelly Roll pen.  The Bandaid was cut from Indie Art and the border was cut with a Fiskars punch.

The little sentiment is from the My Craft Spot Tiny Tags stamp set and I used the My Craft Spot Tiny Tags metal dies for the tag layers.  I finished things off with some Cherry Divine baker's twine from My Craft Spot and a couple of sweet little buttons from Calico Cottage Crafts.

I used an Action Wobble to attach the Bandaid to the card!

Thanks so much for visiting!  Don't forget that next week is the My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter stamp (and metal dies!) release party.  There will be lots of wonderful projects posted, prizes up for grabs each day - and a fun blog hop to finish things off!  I'll be back on Monday with my sneak peaks.

17

Octopus Monster

I'm doing a 2-in-1 with this week's project which meets the challenge requirements for both My Craft Spot (include a monster on your project) and Fantabulous Cricut (use the colours black and orange on a Halloween project).

I used Wild Card 2 for this fun octopus monster.  I embossed her with a folder from the Cuttlebug Give a Hoot Companion set.  I also sprayed some Glimmer Mist on her.  Unfortunately, the mist was more like a sputter - likely as I haven't used it in ages.  Anyway, I decided that it had a fun slimy look so all was good!  I added some Glossy Accents to the eyes as well.  

A view of the "slime"

At the bottom of the card, I added a fence cut from a Martha Stewart punch.  I also used stamps (both the round sentiment and spider) from My Craft Spot's Stampin' Around Fall set - and used the matching Tiny Doilies metal dies to cut the green and white circles.  That's why they fit so perfectly!  The little bow was tied with some My Craft Spot Halloween The orange and black papers are from Bazzil's Spooky and Kooky pack.

Don't forget that the My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Release Party is coming up in just two weeks!! Be sure to check out the news HERE.

Be sure to head over to Fantabulous Cricut and My Craft Spot to see what the rest of the design teams have created to inspire you - and to enter this week's challenges.

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Coming Soon - My Craft Spot Stamp Release Party

It's almost time for the My Craft Spot Christmas/Winter Stamp Release Party... and you are ALL invited!!

Beginning November 5, the My Craft Spot design team will be showcasing projects created with Kimberly's NEW Christmas and Winter stamp sets - plus a new set of metal dies!!  Each day, there will be a sneak peak of the new goodies - with a blog hop to end things off on Saturday, November 9!

How would you like to get the fun started already?  Add the button below to your blog and then comment on My Craft Spot's release party post for your chance to win last year's Jingle All the Way stamp set (one of my favourites)!!

<center> <a href=" http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/2012/10/youre-invited-to-christmaswinter-stamp.html" target="_blank"><img alt="My Craft Spot" src=" http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac297/sentimentalscrapper/ReleasePartyNov2012bell.png"/></a></center>

**To add this button to your blog, simply copy the html code from the box above, click on 'design' at the top of your blog, click on 'layout', click on 'add gadget', click on 'html/javascript' and paste the code into the empty field. Then click 'save' and you are done.

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