CAS14 Encouragement Card

We could all use some encouragement from time to time.  That is why the Encouragement Squad was formed.  We bring you new challenges every month with an inspiration photo, so you can make cards to brighten the day of others in your life.

The photo made me think of paint stain, which made me think of color burst, so I went to the craft room and came out with 4 CARDS!!!  It's been a long time since my creative mojo has flown like that.  You can see the first card in yesterday's reminder post.

For this card I stamped the flowers with Versamark in and sprinkled with white embossing powder, then heat set it to melt the powder.  Next I spritzed the watercolor paper with water and sprinkled on some color burst in colors matching the inspiration photo.  I spritzed more water on the areas that needed it.  I then added some concentrated color to the background and used a paint brush to spread it.

Once the panel dried I die cut out the center, so I could make 2 cards from the one piece.  I used the center panel for this card and matted it with black cardstock. To finish the card I embossed the sentiment on vellum and popped the panel up with 3-M tape.

Come back soon to see the other 2 cards I created.  In the meantime, I hope you will visit the challenge blog to see what the rest of the Encouragement Squad has created.  Add your own encouragement card to be eligible to win a $25 gift card to CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

Stamps: Pretty Posies, Powerful Words (CASual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Basic Black, Vellum Cardstock (Stampin' Up) Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Paper (Ranger)
Accessories: Merlot, Violet, Ultramarine Color Burst (Ken Oliver) White Embossing Powder (WOW) Wonky Stitched Rectangle (My Favorite Things) 

Colourcraft Brusho Crystal Colour Watercolors Set of 12 (850007)

Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Opaque Bright White

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Wonky Stitched Rectangle STAX

VersaMark Ink Pad

Bazzill 40 lb. Vellum, 25 pk

Essentials By Ellen Cardstock, Ebony Black 100 lb, 25pk

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 10 pk

Calling All Sistahs ~ Breast Cancer Awareness

October is breast cancer awareness month.  As you probably know each month I have the privilege of coordinating the Calling All Sistahs blog hop put on by CASual Fridays Stamps to remind our sistahs to do their monthly self-exams and schedule their yearly mamograms when they are due.

In honor of breast cancer awareness month we wanted to do a special hop to encourage our friends & family that are currently or recently battling breast cancer.

My card today is a CASE (copy and share everything) of a gorgeous card by Rahmat Gouse.  clicky to see her wonderful card.  I recreated it with some brand new stamps releasing this week from CASual Fridays Stamps.  I'm just in love with the new Word Ribbon and all the encouraging sentiments in all 3 of the new stamp sets.

Using acetate as the front of the card makes it look like the butterflies are floating around the ribbon.  I adhered them with glue dots.  Seeing the glue dots doesn't bother me, but if it does bother you, you can add a small heart die cut, or cut more stamped butterflies for the inside.  I fussy cut my butterflies, but you can also just use a circle punch or die to cut them out making it super easy to hide the adhesive on the inside.

On the inside I stamped "Miracles" in a slightly darker shade of pink that the ribbon.  The encouraging sentiment on my card reads: "Believe in Miracles".  <3  Cancer can be cured if it is caught early and treated.  I want you to survive, so please take a moment right now to do your self-check and then make sure you have your mammogram scheduled for this year.  You matter to me!

I'm the last link on the hop, so if you are just starting or halfway through, you will want to start again at the top with CASual Fridays Stamps, and leave a comment on each stop along the hop.  Michele will be giving away all 3 new stamp sets included in her release this week to one lucky commenter!  It could be you!!!

Before you go I want to ask you to join us for next month's hop.  It's really easy and Michele has made it even easier for everyone to join.  All you need is a blog and at least one item from CASual Fridays stamps to use on your card.  It doesn't need to be from the Calling All Sistahs line, but you might want it to after you see the new addition to this fantastic line of stamps and dies.

If you are interested in joining next month's hop email me at sistahoodhop @ outlook. com (no spaces)  Join our Facebook group to get the latest updates and inspiration.

Cas-ual Fridays Stamps

Jeanne Jachna

Julia Altermann

Kara Stainbrook 

Kelly Griglione

Kimberly Rendino

Laurel Beard

Lisa Lahiff

Lori Kobular

Lori McAree

Lydia Evans

Nora Noll

Penny Ward

Rahmat Gouse

Sandi Pressley

Shona Chambers

Sue Nagata

Vicki Dutcher

Heather North


Stamps: Be, Powerful Words, Tin Roof, Word Ribbon (CASual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Black (Staz-On) Cotton Candy, Razzle Berry, Ripe Raspberry (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Clear Window Sheets (Stampin' Up) 120lb White Cardstock (Gina K Designs)