Birthday Bash Blog Hop with CAS*ual Fridays

Today is CAS*ual Fridays Stamps 3rd birthday and I have been invited to join their bash for a special celebration blog hop!   There are prizes to be won and inspiration to be found.  

You should have come from Joanna Harty.  If you are just starting the hop and want to go back to the beginning clicky to go to the CAS*ual Fridays blog.

First I want to wish CAS*ual Fridays Stamps a HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!  Thank you, Michele and your Design Team, for having me along on your Birthday Bash blog hop!  How fun to celebrate 3 years with you! 

For my card I had to use 2 of my favorite CAS*ual Fridays Stamps sets, Loving Thoughts and Love Notes.  I didn't have a sentiment in CFS stash that said "Happy Birthday to You"(from the birthday song we all love to sing at parties) so I made my own using 3 different stamp sets in my stash. That is one of the great things about the CFS line. Her stamps and sentiments go together so well, even when combined with different set in the CAS*ual Fridays line.

SHOP HERE

It wouldn't be a birthday without presents, would it?  Everyone who shops this week in the CAS*ual Fridays shop will get a no*code*needed discount.  Woot-Woot!  

There are also some awesome prizes to be had.  All you need to do to be eligible is to leave comments on each of the blogs along the hop.   (1) person will win a $75 gift certificate to the CAS*ual Fridays store!!!  Imagine all the stamping goodness you can create with that!

(2) people are going to get a MISTI!  That's right, Michele will be giving away one of them and this just in... Illiana is matching her MISTI prize! There will be 2 lucky ducks getting gift certificates to become MISTI-fied!!! 

Now on to your next stop on the blog hop, the insanely talented Catherine Pooler.

Clicky 

Supplies
Stamps: Autumn Blessings, Love Notes, Loving Thoughts, Woot Woot (Casual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Lilac to Grape Purple Ombre (Hero Arts) Onyx Black (Versafine) Versamark
Paper: Silver Glimmer Paper, Whisper White Cardstock (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Clear & White Embossing Powder (SU)Heart Note Fri-Die (Casual Fridays Stamps)

Calling All Sistahs ~ Facing My Fears

Back in September I had the pleasure of meeting this amazing woman. The picture below is of me with Michele Gross, the genius behind CAS*ual Fridays Stamps, at Niagra Falls.  This was on the fifth day of our retreat and by this time I am already thinking of her as a Sistah!  God didn't give me a biological sister, but he has blessed me with an abundance of sister-friends.  <3

As we sat on the front porch of our "retreat house" the first morning after we met, Michele got a call from her doctor.  You can read about Michele's story HERE and HERE.  In a nutshell she found a lump on August 17th that proved to be cancer. The phone call she received that day was one that gave her options.

As she shared her story with us I was shocked by the things I didn't know about breast cancer, genetic testing, statistics and reconstruction.  There are options out there that I didn't know we had.  The earlier the cancer is detected, the more options we have.

Like many of you, breast cancer has struck people I love.  Women and men.  (yes, men can get breast cancer too)  Family members, friends, neighbors and former classmates.  Some have survived, and sadly others have not.  It is a sensitive subject for sure, but I think we need to start talking about it.  That is why I have been going pink on my blog this month.  I want to dispel some of the myths that have kept me in fear,and hopefully encourage you to "check yourself".  

Early detection is so crucial for curing this cancer.  It can be the difference between life cancer free and death.  It is that serious, my friend.  This year I turned 40.  I have a family history of breast cancer.  It is time for me to start getting yearly mammograms, and I am scared.  But, I am going to do it. For me, for my family and even for you, because I can't ask you to do something I'm not willing to do myself.


A year is a long time to wait though, so monthly self exams are important too.

 Michele was reminded monthly to do her self exam due to a campaign run through her local news station.  She missed that date in August, but when she remembered she did her self exam.  It was on August 17th that she found the lump.  During the long weekend an idea took shape and Michele decided to start a campaign on her blog to spread the word.  She is calling it "Calling All Sistahs".  On the 17th of each month she will put a call out on her blog to remind us to do our exams.  We are encouraged to spread the word and remind the women in our lives to do the same.  This could save your life, and Sistah, your life is so valuable to me.  

I'm adding this picture to my sidebar.  My hope is that when you see it you will be reminded to do a quick check, schedule your mammogram or remind a friend to do the same.  I encourage you to add this picture to your blog too.  Together we are stronger.

Some of my creative Sistahs from the StampNation & Stamp of Approval Dream Team

Thank you, Michele, for sharing your story.  I cannot tell you how much it impacted me.  I believe your story will save some lives and I am honored to do my part. Cancer picked the wrong woman to mess with!  Now, may all your 5oz. taste like 20oz.  I'm praying for you!

Ok Sistah, it's time to check yourself!

Stamps: Calm and Gentle (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Versamark, Onyx Black Versafine
Paper: Whisper White, Vellum Cardstock
Accessories: Scallop Tags Fri Dies(CAS*ual Fridays Stamps) Blueprints 20 Dies (My Favorite Things) Pink Pirouette Taffeta Ribbon, Melon Mambo Embossing Powder (SU)

Pink Friday ~ Snowflakes

All month long I have been going pink on Fridays on my blog for breast cancer awareness.  My sincere hope is that by blogging about this serious topic we can start the dialog and that you would talk to your doctor.  Early detection is key to survival rate.

Today is National Mammogram Day.  Yes, it's a thing.  Make your appointment today if you haven't already had one this year.  Why you should you get a mammogram?  Do it for yourself, of course, but also for those who love you and want you around for a long time.  Here is a link to the National Breast Cancer Foundation with a video on Mammograms.  http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/mammogram

My pink card today really has nothing to do with breast cancer and that is ok.  Pink reminds me to stay on top of my breast health (no pun intended).  It's a reminder to schedule appointments and do a self check.  It reminds me to ask my loved ones if they are making their appointments and it prompts me to reach out to friends & family battling breast cancer.

  I made this card while on a business retreat for the Stamp of Approval and StampNation Design Team.  While there, Michele Gross, creator of CAS*ual Fridays Stamps, shared her story with us.  If you would like to read her story, and I encourage you to do so, CLICKY HERE.  Her story is changing lives.  It already has changed mine.  (more on that tomorrow)  Thank you, Michele for being so open with all of us, and of course for letting me play with all your CAS*ual Fridays goodies at the retreat.  <3  My prayers are with you and I know you will kick cancer's hiney!!!  Love ya, Sistah!!!

It just so happens that my card fits the middle row of this month's CAS-ual Fridays challenge.  Don't you love it when things work out that way?  I colored my card with Zig Clean Color Real Brush pink markers, then spritzed it with water.  This is a fun technique if you can stand to let the water & ink go where they want to.  I'm in love with that Lovely Snowflakes, so I had to stamp it out and then die cut it so it would be the star of my card.  Lastly I added a little sparkle with a thin strip of black diamond glimmer paper.  

Stamps: Lovely Snowflake (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps); I Got You (The Ton)
Ink: Shimmery Silver (Delicata) 202, 200, 82, 26 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush) Onyx Black (Versafine)
Paper: Black Diamond Glimmer Paper, Whisper White Cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Accessories: Zig Zag Stitched Square Dies (My Favorite Things)

Lovely Snowflake (CFS)

My Favorite Things Die-namics, STAX Zig Zag Stitched Square

Delicata Ink Pad, Silvery Shimmer

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 202, Peach Pink

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 200, Sugared Almond Pink

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 082, Purple

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 026, Light Pink

Ranger Inkssentials Mister, 2 oz.

VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black

Stamp of Approval Collage

All week long I have been featuring the Stamp of Approval Holiday Magic Collection on my blog.  Clicky to find out more.   I thought I would give you guys a quick collage showing you several of the cards I have made using items from this collection.   The top 2 rows use only the exclusive dies and stamp including in the box, the bottom row shows them used with other supplies. 

There are a few cards in this collage that will never be shown on this blog.  One of them is exclusively for the PDF and 2 or 3 are for StampNation challenges.  If you purchase one of these collections the PDF will be included with over 40 projects including instructions!  That is a great value!

Stamp of Approval Holiday Magic Collection Blog Hop

All week long I have been featuring the soon to be released Holiday Magic Collection from Catherine Pooler's Stamp of Approval box.  This collection of products was designed exclusively for Catherine Pooler and they won't be available for sale before the holidays this year.  Clicky to learn more and get on the wait list.

 Today I get to take part in a very special blog hop with all of the designers who were lucky enough to get their hands on this collection early.  You are going to be blown away by all the samples created with items from this box, and they will all be included in the PDF that comes with the Holiday Magic Collection.

Here is a video I made just for you to show you how I created this frozen fairytale card.

https://youtu.be/mZ2m7Y1zFKQ

It's hard to see the frosty watermark on the tag, so below is a close up.  It is a very subtle detail, but it makes a difference in the overall design.

The first box sold out in record time and we are predicting this one will sell out too.  If you want to be among the first to hear when the collection goes up for sale tomorrow, CLICKY, and get on the wait list.  StampNation members will get the email an hour early, so consider joining StampNation now.  ;) 

Now for the super fun part.  Catherine Pooler will be giving away 2 boxes to lucky commenters along the hop.  Be sure to follow along the hop and see even more goodness that this overstuffed box has to offer!!!  Leave a comment on each blog for a greater chance of winning one of these boxes for yourself.

• Catherine Pooler
• Maureen Merritt
• Kristie Goulet
• Heather North - YOU ARE HERE!!!!
• Allison Cope ***go here next***
• Isha Gupta  
• Laurel Beard  
• Lisa Harrolle  
• Kay Miller
• Jessica Frost-Ballas
• Lydia Evans for Winnie and Walter
• Vanessa Menhorn for Winnie and Walter
• Kelly Griglione for Winnie and Walter
• Heather Pulvirenti for Winnie and Walter
• Danielle Walls for Neat & Tangled
• Effie Cho for The Ton

Stamps: Bright Baubles (Neat & Tangled for SOA Holiday Magic Collection; Bring on the Snowflakes, Snowy Sayings (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps for SOA Holiday Magic Collection)
Ink: 31, 33, 42, 43 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers); Mint Julep, Tide Pool (Hero Arts Mid Tones); Pool Party, Soft Sky (Stampin' UP!); Black (Staz-On)
Paper: Bristol Watercolor Paper;  Silver Glimmer Paper, Whisper White Cardstock (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Funky Flakes Fri-Dies (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps)

Holiday Magic Release Week with The Ton & SOA

Today I have 2 more cards for the soon to be released Holiday Magic Collection from Catherine Pooler's Stamp of Approval.  (CLICKY to get on the wait list)   As I was creating these cards, I felt a little bit like an artist.  

Thankfully I turned on the camera while I was making these cards, so I can show you how they were made.

Part 1 https://youtu.be/XNXqTtrojl8

My second card uses the same technique as the first one, but I changed just a couple of things to make an entirely different card.  I wanted to show how you can use products included in the box with products you already have at home.  If you don't have a stitched rectangle die you could still make this card by trimming the panel down using your paper trimmer and adding faux dash lines with a pen or sewing your card on your sewing machine.

Part 2 https://youtu.be/Qf3IrLNcDag

Want to see even more sneak peeks of this magical collection?  Check out what some of the designers are showcasing today.

Catherine

Allison
Kristie
Isha

Stamps: Holiday Flourish (The Ton for SOA)
Ink: Antique Linen, Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn, Shabby Shutters (Distress); Golden Glitz (Delicata); Early Espresso (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Watercolor Paper (Strathmore); Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Paint Brush or Aquapainter, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (SU), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inker Designs)

Sparkle & Shine for SOA

Are you loving the samples so far of the soon to be released Holiday Magic Collection?  This is only the tip of the iceberg.  From this one box I have made a dozen card already and each one is unique.  Today I'm featuring the fabulous Funky Flakes Fri-Dies from CAS*ual Fridays Stamps for Catherine Pooler's Stamp of Approval.

Did you know that each collection comes with a PDF that has instructions on how to make all these cards being featured this week plus some exclusive projects not seen anywhere else?    I've seen samples of some of the cards included in this PDF, and let me tell you it is inspiring!

Come back tomorrow to see me use the collection in a traditional red & green Christmas card.  In  the meantime, check out these sneak peeks from other members.

Catherine Pooler
Maureen
Laurel
Jessica

Stamps: Bright Baubles (Neat & Tangled for Stamp of Approval)
Ink: Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean (Distress); Tuxedo Black
Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzill)
Accessories: Funky Flakes Fri-Dies (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps for SOA)

SOA Holiday Magic Release Week

The first Stamp of Approval collection was a smashing success.  In fact, the inventory sold out in less than 2 hours!  We are expecting the second collection to go almost as quickly.  Be sure to get on the wait list CLICKY so you can be notified as soon as ordering opens.

All this week the design team for Stamp of Approval will be featuring cards on their blog using product from the collection.  My first card uses little baubles from the stamp set designed by Neat & Tangled for a quick, one-layer, easy to mail card. 

Check out the sneak peeks from some of the other designers by clicking their names below.

Catherine Pooler

Kay Miller
Lisa Harrolle
Allison Cope

Stamps: Bright Baubles (Neat & Tangled for SOA)
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Cucumber Crush, Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Onyx Black (Versafine)
Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzill); Cherry Cobbler & Gold Glimmer Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder (SU); Little Bits Dies (Neat & Tangled for SOA)

Sew Saturday ~ September Guild Haul

Did you catch the title of this post?  Yes, I am THAT far behind in my Sew Saturday posts.  Last month was a fruitful one for me.  First off we had our pillow swap.  A couple of months ago I filled out a form with questions like:

• What is your favorite fabric line
• Who is your favorite fabric designer
• What are your favorite colors
• Which are your least favorite colors

We then exchanged passed them in and they handed us somebody else's questionaire so we could make them a pillow.   First up is the pillow I made for fellow guildee, Kara.  At  one of our guild meetings I asked her to point out some of her favorite fabrics, so I could get a better sense of what she would like.  I had a pattern in head that I wanted to try, and I needed a little more inspiration on fabric choices.  My phone came in very handy here!

She tends to like the more earthy colors while I tend to gravitate towards brights and regals.  I'm so glad I asked her to show me which fabrics she really loved, because I would have chosen different colors than I did.  She loves Navy, so I had to include that, but our store didn't have any navy cotton & steel fabrics left, so I went searching through the store and found the perfect match.  At least, I hope she thinks so.  Here is my finished pillow for Kara.

It didn't quite turn out the way I envisioned it in my head, but it still turned out pretty darn cute.  Inspiration struck when I decided to add wooden Stampin' Up! buttons to the back of the pillow for decoration.  I think the back side is actually my favorite side.  See below.

Since it was a swap, I also got a pillow.  Mine however is purple!  <3  Check out the totally modern pillow Patti made for me.  She did such a fabulous job!  It's so soft and squishy.  :)  It has a place of honor in my sewing chair. The picture below shows Melissa holding it up for me at our guild meeting so I could take a picture.  If you would like to see more of our swaps, clicky to check out the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild blog.

We have door prizes at just about every guild meeting.  Last month was no exception.  Some of our members attended the Pacific North West meet-up and brought back a bag overflowing with goodies to give away.  Can you believe it?  I WON!  It is my first time winning anything at our meetings in 2 years.  Woot-Woot!  I didn't even buy extra tickets for this giveaway.  

Did I mention this is a haul post?  I walked away with one more set of goodies from sweet Jyll.  She custom made me some embroidered labels for me to put on the back of my quilts.  Isn't she the sweetest?  I almost just want to frame them and hang them on the wall in my quilt room, but I will use them on my quilts instead. 

Pink Friday for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

All this month I am going pink on Fridays to raise awareness for Breast Cancer and to support my sistahs facing this disease.  My hope is that not one more sister, aunt, cousin, mother, grandmother, neighbor or friend lose their life.  Early detection really is key.  One of my goals this month is to start the conversation and dispel some myths and fears that might keep us from getting checked out.

Myth:  If you have a family history of breast cancer you are more likely to get cancer yourself.

FACT: True & False  If you have a family history it can increase your risk slightly, but statistically only 10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of it.  That means 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no immediate family history.

Myth: If you have the BRCA 1 or 2 gene you are guaranteed to get cancer.

FACT: False!  It means you have a slightly increased risk of getting the deadly disease, but it is not a one way ticket.  It is just another risk factor.  This is one of many reasons it is so important to talk to your doctor about your personal set of circumstances.  

Want to learn more?  Here is one of my sources for this information.  http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-myths


I'm not a doctor, I'm just a blogger and fellow sister trying to wade my way through the information that is out there.  Please seek medical advice if you have any questions.  I know this is a sensitive topic that is difficult to talk about, but it just might save your life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Pink Friday card comes from a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set that I can't part with until I find a comparable one to replace it.  This card was made with a friend in mind who is currently battling breast cancer.  She will beat this thing, but I want to encourage her along the way.

When I was looking for inspiration for this week's "Go Pink" feature card I came across another great sketch from CAS(E) this sketch.  I moved the entire image up to the top instead of keeping everything centered, but I think it still works. Click on the image below to see all the wonderful design team and fellow blogger samples.  

CTS#144

If I can leave you with a final thought, it is this; do not let fear keep you from seeking answers.  Early detection is key and finding out the truth is empowering, if frightening.  Thank you for being a part of my journey this month.

Supply List:
Stamps: Strength & Hope (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up!) Soft Blossom (Hero Arts) Versamark

Paper: Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

Accessories: Blueprints 20 Dies (My Favorite Things) 1" Square & Postage Punches (Stampin' Up!) Metallic Platinum Sparkle Embossing Glitter (WOW!) Little Bits dies (Neat & Tangled for Stamp of Approval Holiday Magic Collection)