2.21.2017

StampNation Slumber Party

The night before the new Stamp of Approval release of The Perfect Reason collection, StampNation had a slumber party to celebrate.  Catherine Pooler and some of her team that are night owls (or on the west coast, like yours truly) joined her for an hour of stamping fun with the new collection.  She then opened up shopping early for all StampNation members to get first dibs on the new release!  SWEET!  

Several of the team got on camera, but I was still coughing each time I talked and blowing my nose and was generally in a very un-camera  friendly state.  I did stamp along with them though and finished my cards when I was able to go to my stamp room a couple of days later.  Here are my cards.


This first card was a CASE of Catherine's card from day 1 of the blog hops. Clicky to see her card.  I simplified mine down to one layer, changed the colors and the sentiment up a bit.

Stamps: Everyday Mod (CPD)
Ink: Aquatini, Flirty Fuchsia, Midnight, Tutti Frutti (CPD)
Paper: Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs)

My second card came about because I was playing with this sunflower.  During the live event I stamped out a couple of these flowers, but didn't have my big shot with me.  It was fun just to stamp.  This card reminds me of summer days to come.  Just what I needed during our recent snow storms.  I think the border I added looks like waves. Hmmm... I feel another card idea brewing.

Stamps: Everyday Mod, The Perfect Reason (CPD)
Ink: Fiesta Blue, Lime Rickey, Tiara, Tiki Torch, Tutti Frutti, Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs) 
Accessories: Merry Label Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)



My last card was inspired by one of my LuLaRoe friends.  She always starts her live broadcasts by saying "Hello Loves".  She is just the sweetest thing, so I wanted to make her a card that she can send to one of her loves.  :)   This time I paired the sunny flower with not only the Merry Label die, but the large tag from the Lovely Flowers & Dies.  I left the background clean, simple and white, but added another pop of color with some pink twine from Pretty Pink Posh.

Stamps: The Perfect Reason (CPD)
Ink: Grass Skirt, Party Dress, Tiara, Tiki Torch (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Paper: Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs) 
Accessories: Lovely Flowers & Banner Die (CPD) Merry Label Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Pink Twine (Pretty Pink Posh) 


Want to go shopping?  There are still a limited few boxes left of The Perfect Reason collection and the other Catherine Pooler Designs products can be found if you clicky here.  In fact, the only thing I used on these 3 cards that can't be found in her shop is the twine.  Sweet! 

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2.18.2017

Sew Saturday ~ SSMQG Patchwork City QAL

Last year, and part of the year before, our guild participated in a Patchwork City QAL from the book by Elizabeth Hartman.


It was a long journey and I wasn't sure I was going to make it to the finish line, but I did.  Sort-of.  I didn't get the quilt quilted and bound, but I did finish all of the blocks, and piece them together.  I even did one of the blocks twice.  Don't ask.  I don't know how I managed to do that one.   Anyway, I'm pretty proud of this one.  I'm not sure if I am up to quilting it.  I think I might send it to my friend, Melissa Dunworth and let her use her longarm magic on it.  If I wait for myself to be motivated to do it I could be out of love with aqua before that happens.  ;)


Several of the other members of our guild finished as well.  We even had a couple COMPLETE their quilts.  I'm so impressed with them!






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2.16.2017

With Love From Your Sistah

Calling All Sistahs!



I love you and I want to be sure you are around for a long time.  This month our Calling All Sistahs theme is "With Love From Your Sistah" because we care so much about each of you! Cancer is not contagious, but it can be caught early and the earlier it is caught the better our chances for long term survival and cure!  So, go check yourselves, and make that appointment if it's time for your yearly mammogram.


Isn't the new Special Delivery stamp set from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps PERFECT for this month's theme?  You would think we planned it that way, but actually I floated the idea of the theme before I had seen the new release.

To view the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5EMd9S0T6k



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This month I want to share a little of my family story with you.  If you don't have time, skip the next few paragraphs and go right back to hopping.  I understand.  The thing is, this has to do with my "why I joined this hop".

I'm one of those people that doesn't like to go to the doctor.  I don't want to find out what is wrong. I'm scared of the treatments, and I will avoid it as long as possible.  The problem is, I come from a family with a strong history of cancer, among other health issues, and I also am part of a family that "puts off" going to the doctor far longer than we should.  My grandma (dad's mom) who had breast cancer and a mastectomy in her 50's put off going to a cardiologist in her late 60's after the doctor found an irregular heart beat.   She ended up having a stroke and passing away soon after.

My aunt (dad's older sister) fought breast cancer the year I got married.  She wore a wig to my wedding, but she wasn't going to miss it.  14 years later she started having some health problems and hadn't gone in for her yearly mammogram.  She kept getting more sick, and by the time she went to the doctor and found she had cancer it was too late.  She died within weeks of discovering the cancer had spread throughout her body.

My dad has had cancer twice.  First in his prostrate, and then skin cancer.  He was tempted to let the dark spot that showed up on his slide until his prostate treatments were done, but went to the doctor and found out the dark spot was cancer and had it removed.  

My uncle (dad's younger brother) had colon cancer a few years ago and is currently fighting prostate cancer.  My Grandpa (dad's dad) had prostate cancer as well.  You better believe my boys will be getting theirs checked when they get old enough to start checking.  It will be embarrassing to ask them about it, but far better than losing them to it.

My other aunt (dad's younger sister) had cervical cancer and was treated decades ago.  She has also found a lump in breast, but refused treatment.  She put off going to the doctor for a nagging cough, but finally ended up in the emergency room.  This week we found out that the mass in her lungs has grown.  It was the size of a potato a few weeks ago and is now all over the lung, it's metastasized to her esophagus, back and liver.  It's aggressive and has spread too much to be treated.  She's been put on hospice and not given very long to live.  

I'm one who puts off going to the doctor too, but I've seen that ignoring possible cancer does not make it go away.  Please, if it is time for your checkup, make that appointment.  If you find something or don't feel right, get it checked and keep seeking answers until you find out what is wrong.  I don't want you to find cancer, but I really don't want to lose another person to cancer.  That is why I do this every month.  It's not been easy to talk about breast self-exams, but it's getting easier every month.  You are important enough to me to be a little uncomfortable having the discussion.  And, because I am having it with you, I can't stick my head in the sand either.  I'll be doing my exam on the 17th right along with all of you, and I will have my second mammogram in April when I am due for one.

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Up next on the hop is the talented Ceal Pritchett.  Be sure to leave comments on each stop of the hop because Michele will be picking 2 winners from among the comments made by February 19th, 2017.  If you would like to be a stop on the blog hop next month simply email me at sistahoodhop @ outlook . com  and join our Facebook group to get all the latest scoops.


Heather North *you are here*
Ceal Pritchett <<<go here next<<<

Stamps: Hope Ribbon, Special Delivery (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Copic: 0, C0, C3, C4, C6, BV02, FV2, RV02, RV04, RV09; Onyx Black (Versafine) Versamark
Paper: Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs) Painted Prints Smitten (My Favorite Things)
Accessories: Blueprints 20, Blueprints 24 (My Favorite Things) Clear Embossing Powder, Smoky Slate Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up) Mailbox Fri-Die (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

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2.15.2017

Valentine's Day Card

Monday I went back to my stamp room and got creative.  Last month I started getting a sinus infection that turned into bronchitis with a double ear infection thrown in.  Needless to say, I couldn't film or edit videos.  The only time I went into the stamp room was to finish up a deadline for the Stamp of Approval release.  I'm slowly getting better, and I will be sharing the cards and video I never had a chance to last month. 

For today though, I have an extra special card.  It was commissioned by my son for his girlfriend.  He wanted it to be pink.  Be still my heart.  I had so much fun making this card.  His girlfriend is a sweetheart and  I'm honored to be able to do this for her. 


Since it was a special occasion, I stamped the envelope as well.  The stamp set I used is one of my all time favorites that Stampin' Up retired years ago.  It's probably time to sell it on ebay, but I'm glad I was able to give it some inky love one last time.


Stamps: You Are Loved (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Picked Raspberry, Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick (Distress) Party Dress (Catherine Pooler Designs) Versamark
Paper: Bristol (Strathmore) Vellum (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Glossy Accents; Heart Wreath (Simon Says Stamp) White Embossing Powder (SU) Wink of Stella

Before I go, I wanted to let you know that Ellen Huston is having a SUPER SALE!!!!  20% off all in stock stamps!  Woot-Woot.  Use code: welovestamps17 at checkout.  Clicky to go there now. 




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