Encouragement Challenge ~ CAS08

Welcome to our last Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Challenge of 2017.  It's hard to believe that our "baby" is 8 months old now.  Time sure flies when you're stamping!  To round out our last challenge of 2017 and ring in the New Year, we have another great inspiration photo.

The stripes in the straw caught my eye first.  I knew I would have some sort of black and white stripe on the side.  The rest of the card came together when I ordered the new Ballerina Fri-Dies.  I stamped her, then did a faux embossing by stamping again in Versamark and covering with glittery embossing powder.  It's a great cheater way to emboss without having to own hundreds of colored embossing powders.  My ballerina is propped on a panel sponged and then sponged again with a stencil.

The Encouragement Squad has created some real beauties.  You'll want to pop on over to the Calling All Sistahs blog to see what they've created, then join in the fun!!! Challenge runs until Jan 13th, so you have plenty of time to get your encouraging card made and added!

Stamps: Sugarplum Fairy, Floating, Holly Jolly Borders (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Ink: Emerald Envy, Rose Red (Stampin' Up) Versamark
Paper; Basic Black, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Ballerina Fri-Die (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Basic Black Marker (SU) Turkish Delight Stencil, Wanderlust Embossing Powder (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Calling All Sistahs

Hello Sistahs!  It's been quiet here on the blog, but I had to pop in here for your monthly reminder.  Each month on the 17th I join the Encouragement Squad for Calling All Sistahs to remind you to do breast self-exams and schedule those yearly mammograms.  This time of year we are all busy and can use a reminder to take care of ourselves.  Cancer doesn't care if it is Christmas, but there is hope if it is caught early enough.  Here is my card to remind you that you matter!  Take a few minutes to take care of yourself.

While making this card I had Christmas on my mind, so I used festive colors and paper.  The stripes on the side were stamped from Holly Jolly Borders in black, then I too my Nuvo glitter pen and colored in the blank strips.  It's hard to see in the picture, but it is very sparkly.  The background paper came from an old patterned paper pack that has long since lost its cover.  To create the ribbon I painted a light wash onto watercolor paper, and let it dry before stamping & embossing.  Then I came in again with the same paint color, at a stronger consentration to give each of the diamonds a darker look.  I then cut out the ribbon.  Adding a thin strip of black to the side and gluing my die cuts to black die cuts finish off my card.  

My fellow encouragement squad sistahs have also created lovely cards.  Head on over to the Calling All Sistahs blog to see them and then come back tomorrow to join in new encouragement challenge.

p.s.  If you plan on doing any shopping, be sure to use code encourage17

Stamps: Holly Jolly Borders, Starlequin (CASual Fridays Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Versamark
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White (Stampin' Up) Distress Watercolor (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: Glitter Pen (Nuvo) Deep Pink Watercolor No. 37 (Kuretake) White Embossing Powder (WOW) Hope Fri-Die, Ruffled Ribbon Fri-Die (CASual Fridays Stamps)

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Single Color, Deep Pink (37)

Crafters Companion Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens, Vintage Bloom

Crafters Companion Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens, Glitz and Glamour

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Opaque Bright White

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock, 8-1/2 x 11

Stampin Up Discounted and Retirement Sale

As 2017 draws to a close Stampin' Up is having a huge sale.  Check out the discounted items and grab those retiring products before they are gone forever.

Shop Discounted Products

Shop Retirement List

And, while you are shopping, why not pick up some goodies from the Clearance Rack?

Shop Clearance Rack

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

Guest Posting Inlaid Die Cutting

Today I am guest posting over at Catherine Pooler's blog with one of my favorite cards from her recent release.  Here is a sneak peek of my inlaid diecut card.

Clicky to go check out the full card and details.

Stamps: Simply Stated (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Black Jack, Daydream, Eucalyptus, Green Tea, Royal Treatment, Sauna (CPD)
Paper: Premium Bright White (CPD)
Accessories: Small Doily Die (CPD)