October HYCCT cards

As most of you know, October is breast cancer awareness month. Splitcoast Stampers (SCS) sponsors a month long Hope You Can Cling To (HYCCT) challenge.  36 Daily card making challenges,  a few extra at the start & close of the month, are posted on their site.  The cards that are made for the challenges, plus any extra people want to include, are sent to MD Anderson, Univ of Texas, Cancer Center and are available to be used by the patients & their families.  The challenges are creative, fun and motivating, and all for a great cause!  The added incentive is even if you can only make one card and upload a picture of it to the SCS gallery, you're entered into a drawing for prizes donated by several different stamp companies.

Every year it's a challenge for me to find the time to participate, especially not till after 10/15 - the IRS tax extension deadline.  I don't think I was able to start this year till after the 22nd.  But with late nights & trying not to overthink it, I actually got all 36 challenges done!!  It helped that they give us till midnight (9pm AK) on Nov 7 to upload pics.  Another big (added) challenge is that since MD Anderson is associated with the state of Texas, we are not allowed to use Bible verses or anything religious on the cards.  We can use the word 'faith' but in the general sense, not tied to any one religion.  That always cuts out most of my word/sentiment stamps!

I've read that about 215 people participated this year and over 4600 cards were sent to MD Anderson!  I'm still slowly working my way through the gallery of challenge cards, viewing everyone's creative interpretation of the challenges, so inspiring!

Here's a few of the cards I made (with the challenge listed first):

Colors of Cancer: use colors representing cancers family & friends have had. I used Pink-Breast, Dark Blue-Colon, and Black-Melanoma

Stamps: Hero Arts-saying, Sweet n'Sassy Stamps-New Beginnings butterflies & dies, Bo bunny denim paper

Hope you have a great day - make them smile or laugh, a cheery card. I used an old sketch SC38 posted on SCS as my layout.  

Stamps: Rubber Stampede-bee, Memory Box-saying; Spellbinders circles, Stickles for the wings

Use a message or image to reflect a message to or from a group of people, to send & receive a group hug. The EF was inked up before embossing. Glimmer Mist was added to give it a shimmer/sparkle. Flower brads embellish as well as help hold the sentiment down, in case the adhesive doesn't stick well on the embossed/misted background. :)

Stampendous stamp, Spellbinders Labels 18, Cuttlebug EF Bit of Paisley, SU ink, Glimmer Mist,flower brads

I heart you - make a heart shaped card or a card with hearts.  :)

Spellbinders hearts, Cuttlebug Love Language die, Stickles

Warm & Furry Fuzzies - use an image with a furry animal :)

Stamps: Crafters Companion, Mulberry Wood-Gone Fishing colored with Tombow markers

Peace & quiet, no words, just an image.  Wonderfully simple, and blue to add to the peaceful image. :) Stamp-Impression Obsession

Sending Flowers - Flowers are my favorite stamp image yet I decided to use some 3D flower stickers I had in my stash for this challenge! I loved the soft yellow of the flowers, paired it with my leafy die on an earthy base with corresponding sentiment. :)

Stamp-Printworks, Memory Box-Fresh foliage die, Jolee's Boutique flowers

Bursting with hope, create a Starburst/Sunburst with papers, not stamps or ef.  My horizon wasn't straight so I kept adding paper rays. :)  I can email the tutorial that was provided, but it also helped me to watch a video of the technique on YouTube 

Stamp-Morning Star Stamps, Paper-DCWV Fresh Floral

Make a pocket full of hope, in pink or orange with hearts or stars

Stamp-Inkadinkado, Paper-BoBunny, DCWV, McGill round envelope punch, Spellbinders-hearts, 

Cuttlebug EF-language of love, ribbon, brad

Peaceful Leaves.  I just had to look outside to be inspired for this, swirling fall leaves!  

Endless Creation-stamp, Darice EF-Fall Leaf Background, McGill-Oak leaf punch, 

corner rounder, TH Distress Inks, sponges

Use the KISS technique- adds texture to solid stamps.  KISS also stands for Kindness in Showing Support. (HA, probably not what you thought I was going to say!)  I used a stamp combo (the block background and flowers) I had used years ago, when my Mom & sisters were just showing me the fun of stamping (1998?!).  I smooched the block background stamp with a new to me checkered background stamp, trying a few different soft color combos before settling on this one. :) 

Stamps: Hero Arts-blocks, Poppy Stamps-checkered background, Rubber Soul-vase of flowers, 

Memory Box-ToY; Hero Arts shadow ink, Memento Black

Stand Tall - tall/skinny card.  I had some tall floral stamps that I thought of immediately for this challenge. I colored the rubber with markers, huffed & stamped!  It was a bit of a challenge to color red rubber with markers that barely showed, or looked like the ink dried right away, hoping I wasn't going to end up with a putrid mud color or something!  Thankfully, with much huffing & puffing, this came out on the first try. :)

StarvingArtistamps-Backlit Blooms Orchid, Tombow markers

Black & White card with a pop of color.  I always enjoy seeing cards like this made by others so thought I'd play with tape & inky sponges myself.  Thankfully the 'removable tape' only tore the card near the opening edge so I could trim it off.  The black did not stamp as solid as I liked but I found a black Zig pen that matched and touched the image up a bit. I think it added some texture/dimension! :)  

Sweet n'Sassy Stamps-Landscape Silhouettes, Memento blues, Versafine black

Let's punch out breast cancer - use punches and or dies.  My sister had punched a bunch of these 6" squares with the WRMK corner punches for me so using this makes for a big card!  The flower die was just a big so it fit just right, after trimming the stem. I have seen a few people make bows with brads, it's not easy tho. Darn tiny brads with stiff ribbon, lots of tugging & twisting but I like it!

We R Memory Keepers Mini 8 punch-Vine, Memory Box die-Bella Bouquet,

 DCWV- Fresh Florals paper, Stickles, Ribbon, brad

 Inner Strength - use a dimensional image on the inside that can be seen from the outside.  I embossed the Love You stamp & added a heart shaped rhinestone on the inside.  The embossed cover was sponged with pink and several hearts highlighted with pink Stickles.

Stamp-PSX, The Paper Studio EF-Doodle Hearts, Spellbinder Heart die, Stickles, Clear EP, Rhinestone heart

It's a cover up - with a hidden message to be uncovered not just by opening the card.  My extra front flap became a front pocket on my card when I taped the 3 sides shut!  That's what I get for not having a clear picture in my mind (focus!) as to what I was going to do.  I like the pocket (tho a bit big) so went with it & made a tag with the 'hidden message' to put into it.

Stamps: Sweet n'Sassy Stamps-Wildflowers, SU-friends saying; Paper-DCWV Fresh Florals; 

Deckle Edge scissors, tag die, ribbon

Sweet N' Sassy August Release challenges

Hello!  Thought I'd do some catching up on my posts here.  The Sweet n' Sassy Stamps Release party was a couple of weeks ago and I had uploaded these to Splitcoaststampers to get them submitted in time.  Blog land was forgotten for awhile.  But now, company has come & gone, hubby's at work and I'm home fighting a cold, what better thing do I have to do (other than make another challenge card)?  : )

This card was for the Color Combo Challenge - Green, Orange & Yellow.  The plaid paper is from an old set made by DCWV.  I trimmed out the bold pinkish red strip leaving the 3 pieces shown here just the right size to glue down on the embossed green base.  I wanted to play with some of my punches and make a flower using a technique Loll shared here for the center - with several small or mini (depending on size of flower) sun punch outs, cut into center then roll it into a cone shape.  Glue 5-6 of these sunny cones into the center of the flower for desired fullness.  

Stamps: Hero Arts

Paper: DCWV

Ink: VersaFine Sepia

Accessories: Punch Bunch Sunflower, Mini Sun, Mini flower, McGill Tag punch, Stickles, Cuttlebug EF Leafy Branch

This card was for the Sketch challenge.  Hmmmm, nothing to say here.  I like the peachy paper.  Needs something, some would probably put pearls or ribbon on it but I didn't have any that went well with it.

Stamps: SNSS Flower Sentiments digi

Paper: KaiserCraft

Accessories: Sizzix Branch w/Leaves die, Spellbinders Classic Oval & Lacey Oval Dies, MS Doily border bunch

This card is for the CAS challenge - use Kraft on your card and for the Product challenge - use buttons & brads.  Tho, when I was making it late at night, I didn't remember the AND part so it only has a button (and a charm...). : }  I embossed the Kraft paper then rubbed white chalk ink over it to bring out the embossing.  The butterfly charm I picked up at a garage sale of a former scrapbooker and I was able to carefully cut off the ring/charm attachment, looks so much better!

Stamps: Memory Box

Paper: DCWV

Ink: VersaFine Majestic Blue, VersaMagic Cloud White

Accessories: Cuttlebug EF Textile, Button, floss, Butterfly Charm

This card is for the Inspiration challenge - a photo of a white wall with large chevron pattern on it and a couch with lots of pillows & accessories all with colorful chevron (zigzag) patterns on them.  With no zig zag stamps in my stash, my collection of baby ric rac came to mind.  I think I've got one too many rows here, almost ran out of room for the sentiment box.  Kinda different yet fun!

Stamps: Hero Arts

Paper: DCWV

Ink: Memento

Accessories: Wrights Baby Rick Rack, gems, Spellbinders Square dies, Corner Rounder punch

HOPE You Can Cling To Batch 2

Here's another batch of cards I finished up for the SplitCoast Challenges!

HYCCT1119 - Use Pressure Embossing

Stamps-Starvingartistamps; Ink-Stampin'Up Rose Romance, Memento Rich Cocoa (words) and Pink (sponging);

Sakura Stardust pen used on the letters; Cuttlebug EF Victorian

HYCCT1112 - Incorporate at least 1 Heart

Stamps-Penny Black bear, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Markers, Sakura Glaze pens on the rose;

Paper-K&CCompany, DCWV; Spellbinders Heart die; scallop edging scissors

HYCCT1124 - Thank you card for a caregiver

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Stampin'up, Tombow marker; Paper-K&CCompany, DCWV; Sakura Stardust pen, ribbon

HYCCT1122 - Take Inspiration from your Happy Place

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Markers; Stickles, Prima flowers, Sizzix Leafy branch die, MS edger punch

HYCCT1111 - Use Girly elements - bling, ribbon, lace, etc.

Stamp-Stampin'Up; Paper-DCWV; Ink-VersaFine, Tombo Markers; Stickles, Ribbon, Pink Lace, 1/2 Pearls

HYCCT1109 - Things you see when you look UP!

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Ink-Memento, Tombow markers; ribbon

On white paper, I sponged yellow ink, placed circle cutout down and sponged other colors to make a sunrise/set. Then I stamped, colored & cutout the bird image to pop up, covering some smudges : ) This was my first try at sponging a sunrise/set, after seeing this done so often by Theresa Momber. I didn't take the time to check out some of her stuff to refresh my memory, but I think I did alright for my spur of the moment, let's do this, first try. : )

HYCCT1121 - Use 2 different sizes of one shape

Stamps-JustRite; Ink-Stampin'Up, Memento; Paper-Hot off the Press, DCWV; Spellbinders dies, Pearls

HYCCT1106 - Looking in on you (window card)

Stamp-Hero Arts; Paper-DCWV Garden Party, Stampin'Up; Spellbinders Labels4, ribbon

This was an interesting challenge for me (esp at 1am), the first time I've tried a window cutting 3 times (base card and 2 layers) then stamping in the window, whew! It might have been easier to make the solid color frame to place around the window rather than do the recessed solid frame, oye!

HYCCT1118 - Use purple on the card (Survivor color)

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Encore Metallic Purple; Paper-Hot Off the Press, DCWV; MS Edger punch, Rhinestones

HYCCT1126 - Send a little sunshine

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Paper-Hot Off the Press, Stampin'Up; Ink-Colorbox Chalk Ink,

Sakura Stardust pen; CM mini punch

HYCCT1120 - Make a card with a treat

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Ink-Colorbox Chalk Ink, Tombow Markers; Sakura Soufle pen(white icing),

Stardust pen, Cuttlebug EF Happy Birthday, Stickles, Rhinestone (cherry), ribbon

HYCCT1129 - Use words of encouragement (word, quote, or sentiment)

Stamp-A Country Welcome; Ink-VersaFine; Paper-K&CCompany; Ribbon, Heart buttons

Well that's all of them I finished & posted by the deadline Monday (11/7). So close, only 5-6 more to complete the challenges but even if I had stayed up all night and taken the 1/2 day off of work I probably wouldn't have been able to finish the last bunch and posted them by the deadline of 12 noon my time. Around 3 am I was feeling alittle creatively burned out and pretty tired. : ) I'm pretty happy that I got as many done as I did these past 2 weeks and I used some stamps I've had for years and hadn't used before!

Now, I really need to clean this place up before hubby gets home! It looks pretty neglected and Sissy thinks she has been to, silly dog. : )

HOPE You Can Cling To Challenge Cards

Splitcoast Stampers is hosting a full month of challenges in October to make cards for MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX for cancer patients and their families. 3 challenges were posted on Oct. 1 then one challenge a day has been posted for the rest of the month for 33 total. We have until Nov 7 to complete them and post pictures of the cards to the Splitcoast gallery, then we package up our batch, with envelopes and plastic bags and send them to MD Anderson. They make the cards available to the families there to use. In case anyone needs some extra motivation, there are tons of sponsors who are contributing stamping related prizes to those who participate in these challenges. They will be given out with random drawings.

I have made maybe 3 cards since January so I'm using these challenges to motivate me to make some cards for a great cause (prize or no prize)! I don't know that I can get all 33 done in this short of time, this late in the game, at the rate I make cards but we'll see! Scott is off to work for awhile so I'm trying to creatively manage my after-work time to get some made! Here's my first batch to post, made over the past 1 1/2 weeks, in no particular order!

HYCCT1107 - Colors of Hope - Use green, brown & yellow

Paper-DCWV; Stamp-Printworks; Ink-Memento; Sizzix Leafy branch,

Prima flowers, Stickles, mini buttons

HYCCT1101C - Make a circle card

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear stamp; Ink-Fresco Chalk Ink, Tombow Marker; tiny rhinestones,

mini button, ribbon, Spellbinders die

HYCCT1102 - Inspiration Challenge

Stamp-Stampin'Up balloon, JustRite alphabet; ribbon, Stickles

HYCCT1103 - Masculine card with pink

Stamps-PSX, Biblical Impressions (ToY); Ink-Memento; Paper-DCWV; Spellbinders die, brads

HYCCT1101A - Make any animal pink!

Stamps-vap scrap cow (Micheals $ bin), Hero Arts; Ink-Memento, Stickles on center cow,

tag punch, heart punch, ribbon

HYCCT1105 - Circles Sketch

Stamps-Great Impressions, JustRite (sentiment); Ink-Memento, Tombow markers;

Paper-K&CCompany; Spellbinders, Stickles

HYCCT1116 - Use a pink ribbon

Stamp-Starvingartistamps; Ink-Memento; Paper-Kaisercraft; Offray Ribbon,

Love dangly from JoAnn's wedding decor dept

HYCCT1114 - Pink Collage

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Marker; Paper-Tim Holtz, DCWV; Stickles on butterflies,

Diamond Glaze on larger watch face

HYCCT1110 - Incorporate pink, ribbon & friend theme

Stamps-Rubber Stampede Cherry Blossoms, Stampin'Up sentiment; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow markers;

Stickles, MS Border punch, ribbon

HYCCT1128 - Primarily Pink Holiday Card and ODBDSLC82

Stamps-OurDailyBreadDesigns; Ink-VersaFine Smokey Grey, SU Rose Romance & Pretty in Pink,

Blender Pen; Cuttlebug EF Holly Ribbon; Sakura Stardust pen, Offray Ribbon

HYCCT1113 - Incorporate Butterflies

Stamp-Stampendous sentiment- stamped, sponged with pink, cut out and popped up; Ink-Memento;

Paper-DCWV Garden Party- background between butterflies sponged with pink ink

HYCCT1104 - (H)aving (O)nly (P)aper (E)lements (no bling, no ribbon, etc.)

Paper-Kaisercraft - too pretty to embellish anyway : )

HYCCT1127 - Pickled Tink Humerous CAS with touch of Pink

Stamps-Eureka Stamps ducklings, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-Memento, Tombow markers; Corner rounder punch;

Stickles on pink duckling : )

HYCCT1123 - Bees, yellow or bee friendly environment

Stamps-Rubber Stampede bee, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-Memento, Tombow Marker

HYCCT1101B - Use Bling

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Memento; Glittery Paper-sale bin at JoAnns; Stickles, Rhinestones, ribbon

I'm trying to think less as I work on these, helps me to make more than 1 per day now and then! : ) Now, Off with the TV, ON with the music and back to making some cards.

Mojo Monday 155

Boy, I'm on a roll! This is the last card I made this week, before Scott headed off hunting today. I've always wanted to play with the Mojo Monday sketches but haven't taken the time until now.

Friday we went into Anchorage and stopped at JoAnns (among other places). I purchases 3 pads of the DCWV paper that were on sale for $9.99! The papers I used on this card are from the Cafe Mediterranean stack. I love the bright colors and the embossed flowers in this stack, but I finally settled on these 2 sheets for this card. The pics were taken last night, low light, even with flash, ugh! I tried taking them again today but too late, nice and bright light but bad shadows....so I stuck with the pics from last night, no weird shadows here.

I went with the oval here for this image tho the sketch was for a circle. I just couldn't see using a circle with this, or covering it up with the ribbon, but I really wanted to use it anyway! This is one of my favorite stamps and it's an old one from Great Impressions.

Stamps: Great Impressions-Milkcan with flowers, Hero Arts-sentiment

Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia

Paper: Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)-Cafe Mediterranean, DCWV textured cs

Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Classic Scalloped Ovals; McGill Tag punch, Prismacolor Pencils, Ribbon, foam tape

Happy Weekend!!