Think Pink....

....and please remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!   I know that of you have been touched by this dreadful illness, including myself.    My Mom is a 8 year Survivor, as of this Summer and one of my best friends, is now on her 12th year and doing wonderful.   I also have another friend, Jennifer, who continues to battle this illness and I think of her every day and continue to HOPE she can win this battle.  My heart goes out to everyone who also has lost someone near to dear to them and I think we all continue to hope for a cure!  And while many are now surviving and living long lives, it's also vital to be sure you are your own patient advocate and the best way you can start to battle this illness is to do your monthly self exams and to see your doctor immediately, if you feel 'anything' out of the ordinary.   For those of who with a family history and those who are now close to 35 or older, it's also very important to have your annual Mammograms and to never ever feel you can't afford one.   There are many wonderful organizations that can assist you and in many states Mammogram are provide free for anyone without insurance!

   For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness, please visit the American Cancer Society,  or  the Susan G. Komen website!  Both sites are very educational and can also provide you with contacts, should need any assistance, if you need help and do not have any idea where to turn, please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to find help for you in your home area!     Early detection saves lives every day and we all need to reach out to one another to help promote awareness and to be there, as a friend to anyone who needs our help!   Hugs to everyone who continues the fight.....!!

     Today is another gorgeous day here in New England and it's been a joy to be spending time outside again, but I do know that it won't last long, so I'm trying to savor every moment.  I took the dogs for a nice long morning walk and quickly noticed that it was not as warm as yesterday, but still awesome for October.  I'm also seeing lots of leaves starting to fall and some of the trees are turning into those beautiful shades of gold, red and orange...Fall, like Spring is another pretty season, especially in the early weeks.   I also noticed there are tons of acorns all over this year and I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I know there is some wive's tale about winter and acorns.   It's also been a task to keep the dogs from wanting to nibble on them, and after doing a little research I was pretty shocked to learn they are toxic -- Yes, it's true, eating acorns is not a food idea, so be mindful of your pets or even those little toddlers who like to put everything in their mouth.

     I also had some time in my craft room and was really excited to start on a new card for the newest Cas(E) This Sketch Challenge, which you'll find here!!   I loved the sketch right away and have a few different ideas, but my first one didn't work out, as I could not seem the find the stamp I thought I had that looked much like the design in the sketch?  But, while I was looking I kept pulling out things that I new would workout to make a really cute card, in the end, I actually ended up making cards, both of which I'm adding to my Christmas pile.

 

CTS #48

My Cards

#1

#2

  For both cards I first started with one of my favorite die sets, from Simon Says Stamp.  I own both the "Square" version, as well as the "Circles" and I love that they both can be used in so many different ways.  In the first card, I started with a card front which I cut down to fit on top of a standard A2 card.  I ran it through my Vagabond and then placed it on top of my white card and stamped these three adorable images, all from my brand new Paper Smooches Set - Warm Hearts!!  Arent' these stamps adorable?  ...I sure think so and I can mix and match them and also color them in so many ways, all to make some really cute Christmas Cards.  The ideas are really endless and I have other stamp sets that also would work out very well!!  For my card I colored the little hearts in each stamp with Red Copics Markers and then added extra sparkle with a Wink of Stella Marker (love these), but can't get them to show well in photos.  They look fantastic in person and I think they'll be something I use a lot over the Holiday Season!!

   The second card was again started with the same die set and a piece of pink polka dotted paper from Echo Park's Bundle of Joy (Girl) papers, which I LOVE!!  I am also am submitting this card to the Wednesday "We're Going Dotty" over at the Simon Says Stamp Blog!!    The next step for this set was to create some pretty Pink snowflakes which I did by simply taking some white cardstock and coloring it with my Pink Bubble Gum Shadow Ink (by Hero Arts), once it dried, which is fast, I then used one of my Martha Stewart Snowflake punches and punched out three flakes.  I then added a large sequin the center of each and topped it off with some pink bling.  This card is my Think Pink card  and was created in honor of this being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I did not add a sentiment to the front of this, but will add a pretty pink one on the inside, before I mail the card.  If you know me, you'll also know that I love to create the majority of my Christmas Card in non-traditional colors.   I love the pink and even the red, white and black, which is a color combo I always love, year round!! 

   And now I am off to finish cleaning up after my puppies, who some who managed to sneak off with a set of Basic Grey brads, which have not been eaten totally off their foam background and are lying all over the floor in my bedroom???    Hum?  ....they just love to chew on the craziest things, but luckily, they never seem to eat or swallow any of this stuff....even so, they knew "Momma" was not happy that they "stole" one of the craft things and both Skye and Zeva, I believe are the little culprits...they both watched me intently and very quietly, while I picked up the mess, they made and then they both came running over to give me lots of kisses....Scout in the meantime, was pretty much napping...and never eats things other than FOOD, of course!!     Gotta love these sweeties, even though they are little devils, at times!