Ink It Forward: Card Care Connection

Hi friends. A couple weeks ago I posted about a new series I was starting called Ink It Forward. I am thrilled to introduce you to the very first organization I am profiling - Card Care Connection!!

Card Care Connection is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sympathetic messages and motivational cards to those who face cancer. Their goal is to provide an uplifting message of hope to brighten their day. Through this program, volunteer card makers from all over the United States create handmade paper crafting cards. We collect and distribute these handmade cards free of charge to identified individuals who may benefit from support.

Wow! How fantastic is that! Their web site is chock full of all the information you need. It includes guidelines, packing slips, fliers for groups who want to host a card making party and much more.

I have a complete write up with quotes from the founder and recipients over on the Sweet Stamp Shop blog. Head there for more information, then head to Card Care Connection for all the details. Here is one of many cards I plan to send them.

Here are a few cards and the packing slip. Getting ready to send them!! (Sorry, but I had to black out my address for obvious reasons!)

Now it's your turn. Link up an encouraging card right here and when you're done, pack it up and send it to Card Care Connection:

Card Care Connection
112 Saddlehorn Court
Fenton MO 63026

Before sending them off, please go to their web site for all the details.

Do you want to get the latest posts about Ink it Forward? Feel free to follow my blog so you don't miss out!

Happy to Be on the Runway

Hi everyone. I'm just popping in really quickly to share a card I made for the Runway Inspired Challenge. The inspiration image features bold splashes of color. I love bold colors! This is right up my alley - or should I say runway!

This challenge was a good chance to show off the Elegant Flowers and Elegant Sentiments sets newly released by Sweet Stamp Shop. I stamped the images in colors similar to the dress and cut around the top of the flowers to reveal the black in the upper right corner - just like the black fabric in the upper right corner of the dress (the left shoulder area.)

New Blog Series: Ink it Forward

I have been thinking about starting a blog series for a while. I've also been thinking about doing something good with the huge stash of extra cards sitting in a box collecting dust. Well, guess what!?! I'm doing both at once!

I am happy to introduce to you a new blog series called Ink It Forward, where I will be highlighting different charitable organizations that take cards, bookmarks or any other paper craft project to bring happiness to people.

The most widely known organization is Operation Write Home, which I will be profiling later in the series. There are other organizations out there that can also benefit from our creativity.

I hope you will join me in "turning our crafty creations into charitable donations." I will be hosting a linky party right here on my blog, where you can share the cards you plan to donate to the featured organization!!

Now, I will share a card I made for Sweet Stamp Shop. To make this, I created a heart with my Silhouette machine. I used the negative space to mask off a piece of white cardstock. Then I used several stamps from various sets to create this pattern. I also hand drew some flowers and vines and added my favorite - bling!!

Sets Used:

Elegant Sentiments

Monogram It

Easily Distracted

Jammin' with some Ribbon and Flair for the 3 Girl Jam Hop!

Edited to add some good news! I can't believe I forgot to add this news earlier. Oops. I was selected to be a designer for Paper Sweeties!! My term starts in January. They have some adorable paper doll images and little coordinating outfits. My daughter will love these!

I got a message from my friend Julie asking me to be a part of a blog hop for 3 Girl Jam, a ribbon and flair company owned by Julie and her two daughters. Of course I had to say "Yes!" Julie and I were design team mates together a little over a year ago for Pink by Design. Once a teamie, always a teamie! Besides, she has some absolutely gorgeous crinkle ribbon that I am more than honored to show off for her.

I made this card using their new Ribbon Candy Bundle and the peppermint from their Christmas Flair.

I'm actually the third stop on the hop. If you arrived here in another way and you want to hop along, it all starts at the 3 Girl Jam blog. If you comment on all the stops, you have a chance to win a Ribbon Candy Crinkle Ribbon Bundle, Christmas Flair and a pack of their new (and very cool) Jute Ribbon Pack. Here is the whole lineup:


3 Girl JAM- http://3girljam.blogspot.com/
Jessica E- http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/
Guest Designer Annette- http://aspoonfullofsugarcrafts.blogspot.com/
Jovan- http://www.cardsbyjovan.com/
Cheri- http://www.djssundries.blogspot.com/
Abby- http://scrappin-abby.blogspot.com/
Julie O- http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com/
Nicole- http://teachdanz.blogspot.com/
Guest Designer Ashley- http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/
Jessica B- http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com/
3 Girl JAM- http://3girljam.blogspot.com/


Rumor has it they are having a special this weekend on these products. Use code: HOLIDAY to save $10.00 off your order of $20.00 or more when you buy one or more of the 3 new products!
Also Blog Candy: Comment on all the stops for a chance to win a Ribbon Candy Crinkle Ribbon Bundle, Christmas Flair, and a Jute Ribbon Pack.

Some Sweet News!!

Hello dear friends. I have been holding onto some news for quite sometime and I can finally spill the beans! I am a designer for Sweet Stamp Shop!!

I'll be designing for them from now through February. In fact, I have already designed a few projects for the December release, which is TODAY!! You need to see these goodies. They are yummy - literally!! Just check out my projects and you'll see why.

I designed four card with four different sets. The first card uses the set Baking Love, which  you can get here.

In the still photo, it looks cute enough, but what you don't know is that the oven mitt actually waves hello! I attached it with an action wobble. Check out the video of the waving mitt! Hello!!!

My next card uses the new Elegant Sentiments set. This set is so versatile, you can use it for almost any occasion and you can use it with other sets. I used the new Cheers sentiment with the existing Happy Hour set. They coordinate well together.

If you're more of a baker than a drinker, check out this fun creation using one of Alyssa's new sets Cookie Sprinkles. See the bigger sprinkles on the paper? I created them with a little circle stamp from Holiday Cheers.

My final card uses Elegant Flowers, which is very appropriately named. I love this set. You can do so much with it. In this card, I stamped the flowers in a bright color palette.

Stay tuned. I have my first official post on Saturday and I am starting a new blog series about something that has me very excited!!