CAS10 Encouragement Challenge

Are you ready for some warm inspiration for this month's Calling All Sistah Encouragement challenge?  To participate in this challenge simply make some kind of card that would encourage the person you send it to using the inspiration photo or the colors or both.  Then link up with the challenge.

Who doesn't love a coffee challenge?!  I was so excited to participate in this challenge and use the newly released coffee stamps and dies from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.  These babies were SUPER POPULAR and kept selling out before I could order them.  Thankfully they were back in stock long enough for me to get several of the new goodies.  ;) 

Stamps: Peace Love & Coffee, Coffee Talk, Cup of Coffee (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Early Espresso (Stampin' Up) Versamark
Paper: Aboard (Authentique) Night of Navy, Soft Suede, ??? (SU) Pen Pals (pink paisley) 

Accessores: Coffee Cup Fri Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Red Glitz, White Embossing Powder (Wow)

Ready to get your own delicious coffee craftiness?  Be sure to use the special calling all sistahs coupon code.

Time to head on over to the Calling All Sistahs blog to see what the Encouragement Squad has created to inspire you and leave them some love.

Calling All Sistahs Reminder

It's the 17th of the February, have you checked yourself lately?  Here is your monthly reminder to do your breast exams and schedule your yearly mammograms.  A few short minutes could save your life or give you peace of mind.  Every month I join the Encouragement Squad and Michele from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps to give you this reminder.   Here's my card for February.

Stamps: Hope Ribbon (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Bristol Cardstock (Strathmore) Basic Black (SU)

Accessories: Bluish Gold No 91, Deep Pink No 37 paint (Gansai Tambi) Harleen Stencil (Winnie & Walter) Ruffled Ribbon Fri-Die (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Sistahood Sparkle Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh for CFS)  White Embossing Powder (WOW)

I was in a watercolor mood when I made this card.  This card was actually created at the same time I made my card for the December reminder.  (clicky if you want to see that card)  I painted a piece of cardstock with a light wash, dried it and stamped/embossed the hope ribbon.  Next I die cut my ribbon and painted in some of the hearts with a drier brush using the same deep pink paint. 

I was left with a puddle of pink paint on my craft sheet, so I grabbed a stencil and another piece of cardstock.  I dropped the stencil into the paint and swirled around to pick up some of that paint.  I then laid it onto another piece of cardstock and spritzed it with water to get the paint off the stencil and onto the background. I removed the stencil and splattered with some gold paint, then finished the card off by adding my ribbon, some sistahood sequins and a black strip sentiment.  Such a fun use of my "leftovers".  :)  

Be sure to head on over to the Calling All Sistahs blog to see what the rest of the team has created and come back tomorrow for a new encouragement challenge!

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Single Color, Deep Pink (37)

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Single Color, Bluish Gold

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Opaque Bright White

Strathmore Bristol Pad 9x12

Silver Brush Black Velvet Watercolor Brushes, Short Round 12

New Inks and Zen Garden

Sorry I have been a little MIA on the blog recently.  I've taken a creative break while I work on starting up a new business.  But, I wanted to pop in here today to let you know that Catherine Pooler has released 8 new ink colors in her spa line and the Zen Garden collection she revealed at Creativation are both available today!!!

Click on the pictures to shop today with my affiliate link at no cost to you.  Thanks for continuing to support my blog.   I miss crafting with you and hope to be back very soon!