JustRite's Be Strong: Stamping For a Cause!

Hello there friends! JustRite is introducing their first clear set called, Be Strong. I love the option of clear stamps for the simple reason of being able to interchange the sentiments and knowing exactly where you are putting them! : ) So I am super excited about this release!

I love the beautiful frames and fonts of this set....... there are so many options here.
As some of you may know, 3 years ago we lost a teacher at my school to pancreatic cancer. She was only 52 years old and left behind 2 daughters. She had stomach aches constantly, had trouble eating, and after much prodding from us, she went to the doctor. It didn't take them long to diagnose her. By then it was too late. She died weeks after being diagnosed. Since then the staff and I walk for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Our teachers have all experienced cancer with other family and friends as well and it is an extremely touching and personal event for us. To hear the stories at the luminaria ceremony and see how terribly it has affected the lives of people is heart wrenching.
I am so fortunate to work with such an amazing group of people, who truly are my second family. We need to provide to one another exactly these things, Hope, Faith, and Strength. Those that are fighting this disease, as well as their families, need to know they are not alone in their battle.
I hope you take the time this weekend to stop by the other designer's blogs and see their beautiful encouraging cards.......

JustRite Inspiration

Becca Feeken

Kellie Fortin

Mona Pendleton

Sharon Harnist

Heidi Blankenship

Michele Kovack

Kathy Jones

Stephanie Kraft

Angela Barkhouse

Barb Schram

Have a wonderful weekend! Hug those dear to you!!! ((((HUGS!!!!!))))

JustRite Crafting for a Cause!

Good morning and happy Friday to you! I have a very special post today. JustRite has come out with two wonderful sets that support the people you love fighting cancer. Cancer is one of those diseases that doesn't discriminate, it affects everyone.....young, old, male, female, rich, poor, it isn't picky. And I think it is pretty safe to say that somewhere along our lives we are affected by this terrible disease. I've had two grandparents and a coworker lose their battle to cancer.

To show your support to those fighting the battle as well as their families, JustRite has come out with two sets called Strength and Courage and Be Strong. Today I am using Strength and Courage.

The ribbons can be personalized so you can support the cause that is dear to you.
My card today is in support of breast cancer. My Gram died from this terrible disease many years ago. I was only 9 at the time of her death and didn't fully comprehend at the time what she had gone through, or the battle she had fought. I do remember my dad though, sobbing over the loss of his mother. I remember because my dad doesn't cry.
Amy Tedder, illustrator and graphic designer for JustRite Stamps, is celebrating 6 years of being ovarian cancer free! Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers because it can go unnoticed for years. Amy's only symptom was that she felt tired. But she also has 3 children, so she shrugged it off as being a busy mom. Her regular doctor found her cancer and referred her to an oncologist.

Today, we need to encourage all the women we know and love to go for their yearly check ups. If there is any kind of family cancer they need to insist on having the lab work done. I am finding that each woman has to be her own advocate. No one else will automatically do it for us. We have to schedule the appointments, WE have to request the tests, WE have to look for ways to protect our own health and take time to take care of ourselves. Just make your appointment and make your mother, sisters and friends schedule their appointments!

Amy said, “During my cancer recovery I was blessed to receive cards and notes from friends to encourage me. My hope is that you will use these stamps to encourage your loved ones that are the care givers or are fighting cancer. “

JustRite Crafting For a Cause

In an effort to find an early diagnostic test or screening tool for Ovarian Cancer, JustRite Crafting For a Cause will donate 20% of the sales from Be Strong and Strength and Courage in 2011 to Ovarian Cancer Research. To learn more about the symptoms of this “silent killer “ visit www.OvarianCancer.org.

Be sure to visit the other designer's blogs for more inspiration!
JustRite Inspiration

Becca Feeken

Mona Pendleton

Debbie Olson

Michele Kovack <------ Me! : )

Kellie Fortin

Kathy Jones

Stephanie Kraft

Angela Barkhouse

Kazan Clark

Heidi Blankenship

Happy Thursday to you! I have to admit that after spending the day at Great America yesterday with two boys, I am a wee bit tired today! I had intentions of coming home and crafting a bit last night.....and let me tell ya.....that did not happen! The minute my head hit the pillow I was out like a light!

I have a Crafty Secret's card to share with you that uses more of that German Glass Glitter! I am smitten with the stuff! I used an image from the Little Blessings Creative Scraps. I embossed the background with a Cuttlebug folder and added the glitter with a Sakura glue pen. The sentiment is a Melissa Frances rub on.

I used bits and pieces to create a little collage in the lower corner. The flower was created by me using the Mother's Day Bouquet Cartridge, and inserting some stamens from other silk flowers I had on hand. The nest was bought off Etsy, and I have a bag of feathers in my stash that were begging to be used here!

Kyle has his second golf lesson today. Tryouts for the golf team are next week, and he hasn't decided if he is going to take the plunge and try out. He is afraid he isn't good enough and he is worried about the other kids teasing him. He has had some bad experiences with that in the past. I'm not going to push him, there is always next year if he decides to wait another year.

Have a wonderful day! And thank you sooooo much for stopping by today!!!!

Papers & Pixels Blog Candy Winner!

Since my last winner didn't step forward I had my son pick a number from 1-147 and he picked lucky number 24! The winner of the Gypsy and two cartridges is.......

Jen! AKA: SoCalMom26!

She said:

Happy Friday Michele! And Wow, thank you for introducing me to Paper and Pixels. I love it! As for tutorials, I would love to see some on flowers, I can never seem to create all of those amazing layers flowers I see on projects. That would be a fantastic help to me!

Please e-mail me and I will be sure to get your prizes out to you ASAP! : )

How About a Tutorial Today?

First off, my winner, Bec still hasn't come forward for my giveaway.....If you know her, could you please let her know she won? Otherwise I will pick a new winner on Thursday morning!

Remember yesterday's German Glass Glitter party card? I thought I'd put together a tutorial on how I made yesterday's card. Today's card is similar but with slightly different colors and a slightly older age! ; ) Which I can relate to since this milestone of a birthday is slowly creeping my way!

I wish you could see this glitter in person, because it is just so beautiful!

Someone yesterday asked how I made the candles, so I am here to show you how I did it! It is easy peasy!

First off, to make the candles, you will need a rectangular piece of paper. The height of the paper will determine the height of your candles. So if you want short, squat candles, cut your paper down. You need a narrow round object to wind the paper around. I had this craft stick in my stash. : )

Just start winding it.........

Once you've wrapped it around several times, I add a bit of glue, cut off the excess, and let it dry! Don't worry if your cut isn't perfectly straight because that will be the back of the candle anyway.

So here is my candle.....but it is wickless....so we need to add a wick!

You need a piece of cotton string, add a dab of glue.....

..... and stick it in the candle! Yesterday's card I added a Melissa Frances rub on directly to the candle, but today I used a sticker from SRM Stickers!

Now for the main image.....do you remember these old office stencils? I resurrected them and decided they would be fun to work with! Just Punch out the centers.....

Grab some texture paste......

......and some paper to apply your paste and glitter to. I chose this pretty pink paper, which I believe is by Echo Park. I love my magnets to hold my paper in place! (The magnetic board is underneath and it is by Basic Grey)

Time to get messy! Just squeeze out some of the texture paste and apply liberally on top of the numbers with your finger. ( I suppose you could use a craft knife.......but it wouldn't be nearly as fun! ; ) Don't worry about going over the edges!

This is what it looked like when I was done. Almost looks a bit like cake frosting, no?

While the texture paste is still wet, slowly peel the stencil up and away from the paper.

Now for the fun part! Grab some glitter.......

.......and dump it all over the wet texture paste.

Get rid of any excess glitter and let it dry.

One thing I do want to mention about Glass Glitter......it is extremely beautiful, but it is heavier than regular glitter. So keep this in mind if you are mailing your card. If you are wondering where you can get glass glitter, go on Etsy and type in German Glass Glitter and you will find tons of it!

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial today! I am hoping to do more in the very near future!

Make A Wish!

Okay, I have to admit, I have a new obsession! Now you already know how much I love glitter right? (unless you are new here or been living under a rock! ; ) Well, what about German Glass Glitter? Have you ever worked with this stuff? Or seen it in person? Let me tell ya.....the sparkle is just amazing! Pictures here don't do it justice! I decided to make a birthday card using an old stencil and lots O' German Glass Glitter. The candles were handmade by me and I added a Melissa Frances rub on to one of the candles. The pretty lacy square doily was created using the brand new Cricut Circle Exclusive Cartridge, Sophie. (It has a doily function....... and I love doilies!!!)

I used a bit of Martha Stewart's pom pom trim and little metal Maya Road flower to tie around the candles.
And for a final finishing touch I used a Melissa Frances rub on on a clear button and tied it up with twine!
I am on the 3 week count down until I go back to school.......I can't believe summer is winding down already. My son will be starting high school......I will be back at work......crazy how fast life goes sometimes! So I am on a mission to enjoy this time........and try my best to slow it down......a little! Thank you for stopping!!!!

Papers and Pixels Blog Candy Winner!

Result 78

This means the winner of the Gypsy and two Cricut Cartridges is........Bec!!!
She said:
Loved the cards! Some vintage flower tutorials would be great. The flower on the popsicle card is great, and the gloss and the drips are so fun!

Bec, be sure to e-mail me by this Wednesday, August 3rd, so I can get your prize mailed out to you!

I so appreciate all of you giving me input on things you'd like to see here! It seems that the number one tutorial people would like to see is one on Coloring with Copic markers. A close second was on making flowers......both things I use often. : ) So thank you, thank you for all of the suggestions!!! Check back this week for a tutorial on a fun technique I have for you! And in the meantime I will start getting busy on a flower or Copic tutorial! ; )

Have a great Sunday!!!!