Calling All Sistahs to Sparkle and Shine

It's the 17th of the month, so here is your friendly reminder sistahs to do your monthly self-breast exam and schedule your yearly mammograms.  January is a great month to schedule your yearly appointments, because then you are done for the year.

This month we have added some sparkle to the blog hop with a special colaboration between Pretty Pink Posh and CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.  Paulina created the Sistahood Sparkle collection exclusively for the Calling All Sistahs campaign.  Michele will be donationg 50% of her profits to National Breast Cancer Foundation, as she does with her entire Calling All Sistahs line.  Once these beauties are gone, they gone, so grab them quick HERE

Michele was generous enough to send me a free packet of these gems so I could share them on my card with you.  I just knew it was time to make a shaker card out of the hope ribbon.  (aka ruffled ribbon fri-die)

Here's the video I made to show you how. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7iZFLQk3kQ

Side view:

Now we've  come to the end of the hop.  If you started somewhere in the middle you will want to hop on up to the top and start at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

Please join our Facebook group to the latest scoops.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1015868698493563/

If you would like to be a stop on the hop next month, please email me at sistahoodhop @ outlook .com <no spaces>

Cas-ual Fridays Stamps <<<go here next>>>

Rahmat Gouse

Penny Ward

Gwendolyn Estrada

Vicki Dutcher

Ceal Pritchett

Kara Stainbrook

Sue Nagata

Kimberly Rendino

Susan White

Shona Chambers

Lori McAree

Nora Noll

Melissa Miller

Lori Kobular

Lydia Evans

Sandi Pressley

Lisa Lahiff

Mary Moisan

Claire Apostoloff

Kelly Griglione

Theresa Knopf

Jeanne Jachna

Heather North <<<you are here

Supply List

Stamps: Mon Ami, Word Ribbon (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Ink: Cotton Candy, Ripe Raspberry (My Favorite Things)

Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)

Accessories: Acetate Window Sheets, Simply Scored Board, Diagonal Plate (Stampin' Up) Ruffled Ribbon Fri-Die (Stampin' Up) Sistahood Sparkle Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh) MISTI

Tiki Torch Birthday

Here's a card I made back in August that I have been dying to share with you, but I was sworn to secrecy about the ink I used, so I couldn't.  ;)  Catherine Pooler has finally released her new line of inks, so I can now share my son, Tyler's birthday card with you.  

Here's a little something that not everyone will know.  I helped name one of the ink colors.  :)  Tiki Torch is the name of the fabulous yellow/orange color on this card.  It's a buttery color that reminds me of a tiki torch flame. 

Stamps: Lots to Say (Reverse Confetti) Peppermint Stick (Catherine Pooler Designs)  Ring in the Celebration (Winnie & Walter)
Ink: Tiki Torch, Something Blue (Catherine Pooler Designs) Real Red (Stampin' Up) Black (Staz-On)
Accessories: Wonky Stitch Die (My Favorite Things)

Sale~A~Bration Time

In all of the excitement of the new ink release and the birthday bash at StampNation, along with real-life mom stuff, I haven't had time to post about the biggest event in the Stampin' Up world!  Sale-a-bration.  Every year during SAB, as I like to call it, Stampin' Up offers free gifts for every $50 you spend.  The best part is YOU get to pick what you want for your freebie!

Clicky to check out the Sale-A-Bration PDF

Not only that, Stampin' Up also release their new Occasions Catalog.  It's always one of my favorites every year, and this year is no exception.  

Clicky to shop there now.
Clicky to view the catalog PDF

Here are my top 5+ favorites:

That intricate hot air balloon die is so pretty!

Lift me up bundle

It's been awhile since I pulled out my embossing folders, but I think it's time to start using them again.  Just look at all the dimension with this hexagon folder.

Hexagon Dynamic Texture Folder

I've been searching for clear beach/lighthouse/ocean stamps, and I love what SU came out with.  The style I am looking for can be hard to find.

High Tide

I'm in love with love and hearts, so this bundle is also in my shopping cart. How can I resist those tiny little envelopes, the striped heart die and beautiful script on these stamps?

Sealed with love bundle

Wooden hearts to go along with this bundle.  I somehow missed them the first time I looked through the catalog, but one of our StampNation members used one of these precious wooden hearts, colored with red ink, on her tag.  So stinkin' cute!

Sending Love Embellishments

These lace doilies are so trendy with their medallion look.  Bonus: they are vanilla on one side and white on the other!

Lace Doilies

Sew Saturday ~ Do Good Stitches ~ October Wonky Star

Our October block for do.good stiches Courage circle was a wonky rainbow star using instructions by Shanna from Fiber of All Sorts.  wonky star  My talented friend Melissa Dunworth of sew bittersweet designs was the quilter for October. 

Here is my block.  Sorry it's a bit blurry.

I just went on Flickr and found a picture of the finished quilt.  Check it out!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/7497943@N02/32083711922/in/feed

This is my first year participating in do.good.stitches   The courage circle makes quilts to give to children that are in the hospital while one (or more) of their parents are deployed.  It's an amazing way to show these children that their nation cares about the sacrifices they are making.

StampNation's 6th Birthday Bash

Wow!  From reading the comments on my blog hop post yesterday, you all seem to really love the new ink.  What's not to love right?  In case you missed it you can still clicky and leave a comment until 6pm EST on Thursday for your chance to win one of the gift certificates Catherine is giving away. 

One thing I might have forgotten to mention yesterday is that today is the kick off day for StampNation's 6th birthday.  We will have 8 days worth of challenges and videos to inspire you.  Each challenge was created using the names of the 8 new ink colors released yesterday, but you don't need to use them in order to participate.  And, sistah, you are going to want to participate.  Check out the line-up of sponsors we have.  I wish I could win these prizes myself!!!

I joined StampNation 5 years ago for their first birthday and it has taken my stamping to places I never dreamed it could go. Happy Birthday StampNation!!!

I can't let you go without a little sneaky peek at some of the awesomeness created by the design team.

I'm up for day one with this adorable gift tag.  (If I do say so myself)

Stamps: Peppermint Stick, Wild Blooms (Catherine Pooler Designs) Young at Heart (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) 
Ink: Party Dress (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up) Tag Buddies Fri Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Ribbon-Bag-Tissue Paper (Heather gift wrap supply closet)

I'll be sharing the other 2 projects I made with you later this week and next.  Plus, I have a full card and video to share with YOU on my blog at the end of the celebration.  Can you guess which colors I'll be using?

Party Collection Blog Hop

Today is an exciting day for ink lovers everywhere.  Catherine Pooler is rolling out the rest of her first line of ink colors and it is a Party!  Vibrant colors with full coverage inking.  Who could ask for more?

Stamps: Still Smiling (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Aquatini, Flirty Fuchsia, Party Dress, Tiara (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Paper: Bright White (CPD) Basic Black (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Friend Fri-Die, Friendly Flowers Fri-Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Harleen Stencil (Winnie & Walter)

I just had to make a rainbow card with these luscious colors.  Can you blame me?  Here's a video showing you how I achieved the shadow rainbow look.

To view video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfciZwO6GQA

Which new color will you be picking up?  I'm going to be ordering the re-inkers and some more paper.  If you've never shopped CP's store before, click on this link to get a special code for your first purchase.

StampNation will also be getting a special code for the Birthday Bash going on this week.  If you are a StampNation member, be sure to go over there first and pick up your code.  The birthday bash starts tomorrow!!!

Are you ready to party with the rest of the design team?  Leave a comment on each stop along the hop for your best chance to win one of the $25 gift certificates Catherine is giving away (2) $25 gift certificates to her store.  Be sure to comment by 6pm EST on Thursday for your chance to win.

The more blogs you comment on, the better your odds of winning. Up next is the incredibly talented Taheerah Atchia.

• Catherine Pooler
• Laurel Beard
• Chrissie Tobas
• Heather North *you are here*
• Taheerah Atchia <<<go here next>>>
• Kristie Goulet
• Deepti Stephens
• Lydia Evans
• Ingrid Blackburn
• Allison Cope
• Melissa Miller
• Kelly Griglione
• Maureen Merritt
• Lisa Harrolle

So, what's your favorite new ink color?

Photo courtesy of Catherine Pooler

Final Best of 2016 ~ Calling All Sistahs

I couldn't let my "best of 2016" series go without taking a look at my Calling All Sistahs cards.  The Calling All Sistahs blog hop has become so important to me.  Each month on the 17th CAS-ual Fridays Stamps holds a blog hop to remind our sistahs to do their monthly self breast exams and schedule their yearly mammograms if it is time for one.  Michele asked me to be her blog hop coordinator and I was able to announce the news back in April.  I am honored each month to head up this worthwhile cause.   Let's take a look at some of my favorite cards from the Calling All Sistahs blog hop in 2016.

Clicky to view video & original blog post

Clicky for original post & video

Clicky to see video & original post

Clicky for video and blog post

Clicky for video & blog post

Clicky to view original post

Come back on the 17th for our January blog hop.  We are going to sparkle and shine with a special collaboration between 2 of my favorite crafting companies.

Have you enjoyed this look back at 2016 for Creative Blessings?  I know I have.  If you have a blog, I encourage you to post some of your favorites from last year too, and let me know so I can ooh & ahh over your creations too!

Sew Suday ~ Best of 2016 Part 2

Previously I had taken part in sewing challenges like "Fabulous Year of Finishes" and "One Monthly Goal".  Somewhere over the course of 2016 I stopped participating in them and I can see my work suffered without a deadline.  It felt like I didn't have much time for sewing and even less time for taking pictures, editing and writing up blog posts.  But, here we are with a best of Sew Saturday/Sunday part 2.  Perhaps it is time for me to start setting monthly goals and working towards completing them again.

This block had been on my to-make list since I first saw it.  It wasn't as complicated as I thought it would be.  I made it for my friend, Melissa Dunworth, and gave it away to put into a quilt made to honor & thank her for starting our local Modern Quilt Guild.  I loved  this block so much, that I want to make another one and turn it into a mini quilt to hang on my wall in 2017.

Clicky to see the finished quilt


My biggest finish of 2016 was my Grandma's quilt, and I haven't had a chance to share it with y'all yet.  I promise I will very soon.  In the meantime, here is that quilt on a field trip.  All that was left to do was adding the binding.

Clicky to see this post.  (it's a good one!)

This is my favorite quilt of the entire year, and I was not the one to make it.  It was made by the incredibly talented and sweet, Tina Davis.

Clicky to read all about it

Here is the mini quilt that almost caused me a divorce.  Not really, but my husband did hang the flag upside down on the design wall in protest.  ;)

Clicky to read all about this quilt

Over the summer I joined a very special group of very special quilters called the "courage circle" from do.good stitches.  Each month we create blocks and somebody puts them into a quilt that will go to child hospitalized while their parent is deployed.  These kids sacrifice so much so their moms & dads can defend our country.  It warms my heart to share our appreciation with them and bring them a little comfort while they are in the hospital.  I'll be sharing my October block with you next week, but here is my first block from September.

Clicky to view blog post

Wow!  I really am shocked at what I accomplished in 2016 and I haven't even shared with you a couple of big finishes like Grandma's quilt and Patchwork City QAL.  2017 is going to be even better.  The sewing machine is calling my name and creativity is flowing.  I'm going to stop typing and get some sewing in before it's time to go run errands.   Thank you for joining my sewing journey in 2016.  If you have a blog post about your 2016 finishes, please leave a link in the comments so I can come ooh and ahh over your work!

Tomorrow is my last "best of 2016" post, and it's a very special one.  I can't wait to share it with you!

Sew Saturday ~ Best of 2016 part 1

At the beginning of each year I like to take a look back at what I did creatively in the previous year.  One of the biggest reasons I started blogging was to have a place to keep track of all I had created since I give most of it away.   Today we will be looking at what was going on in my sewing room.  I didn't get as much time in my favorite room as I would like in 2016, but it still saw enough action to get a few things made.  ;)

This quilt top was finished just in the nick of time for our January reveal at my local SouthSoundModernQuiltGuild or SSMQG.  I don't have a picture of it yet, but you can believe I will be posting about it in a future Sew Saturday.  Here's just one picture of the progress of my Patchwork City QAL.

Clicky for blog post

My niece enjoying the quilt I made her.  I love that a piece of me is with her all the time, even though I live 650 miles away.

Clicky for original post (lots of quilts from Sew Expo)

One of the reasons I did not quilt as much as I would have liked in 2016 was because I traveled almost every month.  I took several trips down to CA to see my baby niece and my ailing Grandma.  On this trip just before Grandma's birthday I was able to show her the quilt I made for her.  Her response still cracks me up as I re-read it today.  I'm glad I kept a record of it here on my blog.

Clicky to read the original post


Olympia Arts Walk.  Our guild challenge was to make an improv quilt with the floral fabric you see below.  Here is what I came up with.

Clicky to read more about Arts Walk

Come back tomorrow and I will share the second half of 2016 from my sewing room.

Best of 2016 ~ Part 4

Here is a look at the last quarter of 2016 in cards.  It's been so much fun looking back.  When I sat down to look through the cards I'd made this past year, I wasn't sure I would be able to come up with 12 to show you.  Imagine my surprise when I had to narrow it down to 2 or 3 for some months.  Do you lack confidence in yourself too?  If you do, you are not the only one.  

October

Clicky to view original post

Clicky to view video and blog post

November

Clicky to view video and blog post

Clicky to view 2nd card, a video and supply list

December

Clicky to see 2nd card, video, link to a 3rd card and original post

Clicky to view video and orignal post


Tomorrow I will be back with a look at some sewing projects from 2016, and Monday is one last look at some very special cards.