CAS01 May Challenge Post

Welcome to our first encouragement challenge!  We all need a little cheering up from time to time.  There have been times where we were facing health issues, a loss, hard choices to make or life changes.  What better way to show your love, care, concern and support than with a handmade card?  

Each month, on the 18th we will have an inspiration photo and challenge to spark your creativity.  You can use the photo or the colors or both to create your card to encourage, bless or lift the spirits of the recipient.  Then link up here by June 13th for your chance to win a $25 gift code from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps to use in their online store!  You can use any product you wish, but if you are chosen and your card has a stamp or die from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps, your prize will be doubled!!!!!! 

Drum roll please for our first scrumptious inspiration photo and color palette.

photo credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/

Let's see how the Encouragement Squad was inspired.

Ceal

Full On Floral, Pretty Posies

Gwendolyn

Be, Floating, Flower Power

Heather

Be, Full On Floral, Loving Thoughts
Bubble Box Fri-Dies

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Larissa

Pretty Posies
Posies Fri-Dies

Lori

Breathe, Calm and Gentle

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Mary

Pretty Posies
Posies Fri-Dies

Melissa

Girlfriend

Scallop Tags Fri-Dies

Penny

Bold Wishes, Loving Thoughts, Sassy Smiles
Loving Blooms Fri-Dies, Posies Fri-Dies

Rahmat

Pretty Posies, Truth Is

Susan

Floating

Pretty inspiring collection of cards, isn't it?  Now it's your turn.

Rules:
1. Make an encouragement card using the inspiration photo or color collection or both.
2. Link up by 12am EST on the 13th to be eligible to win.
3. Any products welcomed.  You are not required to use CAS-ual Fridays Stamps on your card, but if you do and your card is chosen, Michele will double your prize.

An InLinkz Link-up

CAS Reminder Post

Calling All Sistahs!

It's the 17th of the month and I'm here to remind you to do your self breast exams.

It's a small thing you can do for yourself that will take just a couple of minutes, but could very well save your life. It saved mine.

If you are due or past due for your mammogram, please stop what you're doing, grab your phone and make that appointment. 

You matter! Take the time to take care of yourself.

Awareness is super important to me which is why I designed my Calling All Sistahs Collection in 2015. I designed it specifically to be able to donate 50% of its profits to breast cancer awareness programs. 

Today I am joined by the Encouragement Squad. They have created wonderful inspiration cards using sets from my Calling All Sistahs Collection. Each of these amazing designers has their own reasons for why my reminder posts are important to them, and why it matters to them to be part of spreading the word about breast cancer awareness. Please enjoy :)

Ceal

Stamps: Calling All Sistahs, Full On Floral

Fri-Dies: Ruffled Ribbon

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Gwendolyn

Stamps: Calling All Sistahs, Hope Ribbon

Fri-Dies: Ruffled Ribbon

Heather

Stamps: Hope Ribbon

Fri-Dies: Ruffled Ribbon

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Larissa

Stamps: Floating, Pretty Posies, Word Ribbon

Fri-Dies: Posies, Ruffled Ribbon

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Lori

Stamps: Be

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Mary

Stamps: Calling All Sistahs, Pretty Posies

Fri-Dies: Posies

Melissa

Stamps: Calling All Sistahs, Calm and Gentle, Hope Ribbon

Penny

Stamps: Hope Ribbon

Fri Dies: Hope

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Rahmat

Stamps: Hope Ribbon

Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Susan

Stamps: Full On Floral, Word Ribbon

Fri-Dies: Ruffled Ribbon

Come back tomorrow for our first Encouragement Challenge!

Susan White

Tomorrow we get to see all this new talent in their first Calling All Sistahs reminder post.  Then we will come back on the 18th for our new challenge and we want ALL of you to join us!  But first, we have one more introduction to make.  I've known Susan White in the stamping world for several years, and I love her style.  When Michele told me she would be joining our team I was jumping up and down for joy.  She has earned her spot on this design team by participating in our blog hops, commenting on posts, and creating beautiful works of heart.  Enjoy reading more about Susan and then be sure to head to her blog to leave her some love.

Susan White
www.susansstampingblog.blogspot.com

Hi, my name is Susan White and I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I have been crafting for as long as I can remember but my first craft was sewing, at the age of 13. I then went on to knitting, cross stitch, tole painting and quilting. I was introduced to Creative Memories scrapbooking by a friend in my late 20's and being a single mom of three and a registered  nurse, I was hooked big time for years until I was introduced to stamping via a Stampin'Up class.  I have been stamping away happily for almost 20 years now. I love trying new techniques and supplies and now happily share these crafty endeavors with my soon to be 5 grand kids.

Stamps: Be, Full On Floral

Rahmat Gouse

It's been a pleasure getting to know our next newest Girl Friday, Rahmat Gouse.  She lives overseas and that means shipping can often be delayed, but she is so faithful to get her cards in on time whenever possible.  She has wowed me time and time again with her cards for the Calling All Sistahs blog hop and I am so happy she said yes to being on the Encouragement Squad.  Tomorrow is our last introduction. Enjoy reading more about Rahmat below and then head on over to her blog to leave her some love.

Rahmat Gouse

http://cardsandcookingcorner.blogspot.com/

Hello everyone, this is Rahmat from http://cardsandcookingcorner.blogspot.com/

I am delighted to be part of the encouragement squad, along with many other talented and encouraging sistahs. 

I am originally from India. I have been globe trotting for almost a decade and half, mostly moving around many different countries in Asia. I am wife to a hotelier, mother to 2 teens. A teacher by profession, but currently not teaching. I do substitute and volunteer teaching from time to time.

I started serious card making only in 2014, and also started my current blog back then. I love CAS mostly, but I love trying out different techniques. I love exploring many possibilities with stamps. I love embroidery, so adding embroidery on my projects as and when excites me. 

I make all occasion cards, but mostly it is birthday and encouragement cards. I feel that when a person is going through hardships, any type of comfort or encouragement offered is very helpful. If you have heard of the saying,’ A book is a gift which can be opened again and again’ In my opinion a card is very much similar to the book, when we send a comforting or encouraging card, it can be opened and read again and again. Just to let someone know that you care is a very important gesture as a fellow human being.

Other than card making, I love cooking, reading, traveling and photography.

Stamps: Floating, Pretty Posies
Fri-Dies: Posies

Penny Ward

We are almost to the end of our list of new Girl Fridays for the Encouragement, and we've saved some of the best for last.  (Actually all the sistahs are wonderful and we are going in alphabetical order)  Every month Penny Ward has blown me away with her beautiful creations for the Calling All Sistahs blog hop.  She has a unique way of combining elements on a card that just makes me heart happy.  Enjoy reading more about her and then head to her blog to leave her some love.

Penny Ward

http://www.pennywardink.com/2017/05/cas-ual-fridays-encouragement-team.html

About me:

These are the things that matter to me…..I am a Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Nana, Breast Cancer Survivor and Card Designer….. Life is Good!

I began making encouragement cards after my diagnosis as I met so many women along the way who just needed to know that someone else had walked in their shoes. A little kindness

helps everyone!

Stamps: Hope Ribbon

Melissa Miller

It's introduction week (and a half) here and today I get to introduce you to a talented lady I have the pleasure to work with on another design team.  Melissa Miller has a heart of gold and recently started filming videos for youtube.  Her sweet voice reflects her kind heart.  Enjoy reading more about Melissa and then be sure to head to her blog to leave her some love.

Melissa Miller

www.melscardcorner.com

Melissa is originally from Tennessee, but has been living in beautiful sunny Southern California for the past 20 years. She was introduced to card making almost 15 years ago by her best friend and has been hooked on making cards ever since! In addition to card making, Melissa also enjoys reading, traveling with friends, and doing other crafts such as knitting and cross stitching. 

Encouragement cards are definitely one of Melissa’s favorite types of cards to make. Whether it’s due to illness or just a friend going through a difficult time, Melissa says nothing makes her happier than bringing a smile to the face of a friend or loved one who is hurting. In fact, the tagline of her blog even points to that very fact. It says, "Spreading happiness one handmade card at a time." You can visit Melissa’s blog at www.melscardcorner.com.

Stamps: Casual Comfort

Mary Moisan

What do you think of our Encouragement Squad so far?  Michele picked some fabulous sistahs to encourage and remind us all.  The fun continues with our next new Girl Friday, Mary Moisan.  I flipped over her creative use of the Pretty Posies stamp set for her card today.  Talk about creative genius!  Enjoy reading more about Mary and then head on over to her blog to leave her some welcoming love.

Mary Moisan

http://madebymarymoisan.blogspot.com/

Hello craft friends...  my name is Mary Moisan, I live in a southwest suburb of Chicago, IL with my husband (Pete) and my son (Peter).  We have two cats, Rusty, who's the sweetest cat I've ever met and Bear, who's a little crazy... ok, a lot crazy, but we love him.

I've been a card maker for over 30 years.  I love making birthday cards and holidays cards, but I also know the simple joy that comes from sending and receiving a "just because" or a "thinking of you" card.  How nice of a surprise it would be to find one of these cards in my mailbox... it would definitely bring a smile to my face.

Inside of card

Stamps: Pretty Posies
Fri-Dies: Posies

Lori Kobular

Our parade of  design team members for the new Encouragement Squad continues with one of our most faithful Calling All Sistahs blog hop stops, Lori Kobular.  She was there from the first hop I coordinated and I can't remember a hop without her in it.  Enjoy reading her story of how much a card of encouragement can lift the spirits, then head to her blog to leave her some love.

Lori Kobular

http://loriskreations.blogspot.com/

I have been a crafter my whole life, I love gardening, animals and my family!  I love to make scrapbooks and cards!  One of the reasons that I am so happy to be part of this wonderful Encouragement Squad is that back in 1980 my Mom and I are were biking in our neighborhood when a car came across the road and hit my Mom head on.  She was in the hospital for 6 months after the accident and one of the things that kept her going were encouragement cards from family, friends and people who heard about the accident.  She was in a private room and her nurses would tape the cards she received all over the walls.  People used to stop in her room amazed at how many cards of well wishes she had received.  Those cards helped her through a very tough time and I know how touched she was by them.  So this is my way of paying it forward to others who could use some kind words or encouragement and to let them know that there are still people in the world who care!

Stamps: Love Notes

Larissa Heskett

It's introduction week and I get to introduce you to a blogger that is new to me, but I bet she is no stranger to most of you.  Michele asked me if I knew her and I had to look her up.  Wowzers!  I must have been living under a rock to have missed this talented sistah.  You're going to have fun visiting her blog.  Be sure to tell her we sent you went you do. This girl has talent and she loves to share.

Larissa Heskett

http://larissaheskettdesigns.blogspot.com/

I’ve been married to my best friend Adam for 11 years, and we have two handsome boys, Beckett (10 yrs.) and Greyson (4 yrs.)!! We live on our Family Farm with an Entourage of Animals, and I enjoy EVERY aspect of living a rural life. I’m a Certified Surgical Technician, but I’m very blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. I LOVE crafting in every way, jewelry making, baking/cooking, gardening, singing, nature and taking photos. I’ve been a creative soul from birth!! I LOVE spending time with my Family and meeting/crafting with other creative people I’ve found/met online and through other events! I also LOVE to try new techniques and experiment with my supplies!! I look forward to inspiring you with the AMAZING Calling All Sistahs and CAS-ual Fridays Products!! I cannot even begin to explain how HONORED and EXCITED I am to have the opportunity to design with this AWESOME Design Team!!

Encouragement Cards are IMPORTANT to me because of how they can BOOST someone who's NEEDING it at ANY given time!!

I HOPE you'll Join us in Spreading Awareness and Encouraging others while using the Crafty Skills God has BLESSED each of us with!!

For More Info about my Designs you can Visit my Blog: larissaheskettdesigns.blogspot.com

Stamps: Floating, Word Ribbon
Fri-Dies: Tic Tac Toe
Accessories: Sistahood Sparkle *Limited Edition* Sequin Mix

Gwendolyn Goh

This week we are introducing you to the Encouragement squad in preparation for our first challenge on the 18th.  This group of talented ladies are going to blow your socks off!  Our next Girl Friday is the beautiful Gwendolyn Goh.  She's a world traveler with so much to offer.  We've loved having her play along with the Calling All Sistahs blog hops. Enjoy reading more about her and be sure to head to her blog and leave her some love.

Gwendolyn Goh

https://desperatehousewifecraft.com

Hi I’m Gwendolyn, aka Desperate housewife craft. I’m originally from Singapore but I spent more than half my life living away from home, in places like New Zealand and France and now in Ulm, Germany. I'm a newbie to the card making world, starting a little more than a year ago but I'm passionate about it! I love discovering and trying all the different techniques to make a card and I even learnt to draw and paint so I could make better cards...yes I'm obsessive that way! In the end though I guess I'm a CAS type of card maker. I'm thrilled to be part of the Encouragement Squad as I really enjoy helping people and trying to bring a little cheer into their lives with my cards or my cooking, my other passion. I even recently started a Facebook and Instagram page called Create Kind Cards, to share information on where we can send the cards we make, to those in hospitals or institutions who would appreciate them. I look forward to creating Encouragement cards with the rest of the amazing Encouragement Squad, and I hope you'll be inspired to join us in our challenges!

Stamps: Mon Ami, Lovely Greetings

Ceal Pritchett

We can hardly wait to share our first challenge with you, but first we have a new Encouragement Squad to introduce you too.  First up is the fabulous Ceal Pritchett.  She has been hopping along with the Calling All Sistahs monthly blog hop regularly since I became the blog hop coordinator and we're thrilled she said yes to the Girl Friday call.  Here's a little about Ceal.  Be sure to visit her blog and leave her some love.

Ceal Pritchett
simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com

My name is Ceal and I currently live in the mountains of western North Carolina. I have been crafting in one form or another all my life and love all things paper, especially making handmade greeting cards that I can send out to encourage others..

 I am so excited to be  a part of the CAS encouragement squad, Calling All Sistahs​ is important to me because I lost my mom to breast cancer at the age of 21. and I, myself am a survivor of a different cancer. Cancer is a horrible disease and I love that 50% of the sales from the CAS line go towards helping find a cure.

Stamps: Mon Ami

Introducing Our Challenge Coordinator

Welcome to the first day of introductions!  Each day you'll get to meet a new designer for our Encouragement Squad! They are all jumping up down and dying to spill their beans. I can't wait for you to meet them!!

Today you'll find a familiar face. Many of you know her from the Calling All Sistahs Blog Hop. Please welcome Heather North, the Challenge Coordinator!

Heather has a heart of gold and I am so excited that she's here!  Each month she'll bring you the challenge complete with an inspiration parade from the design team! Then, she'll delight you with the winner's post! 

Heather North

http://heatherscreativeblessings.com/


Thank you, Michele!  I'm honored to be a part of this exciting and encouraging new blog.  I began working with Michele on the Calling All Sistahs blog hop a little over a year ago.  We've seen it grow and evolve and I have been so touched by how many of you have responded with gratitude for the reminders.  But, we want to reach even MORE sistahs!

Now we are expanding our reminder posts to include even more people.  (that means you!)  We will still have our Calling All Sistahs reminder post on the 17th of the month, then on the 18th of the month we will have a challenge for you to link up to.  Woot-Woot!  I can hardly wait for you to see the inspiration from the challenge photo and Encouragement Squad, but first we need some introductions, starting with yours truly.

In case you don't know who I am, I am a wife, mother of 2 almost grown boys and I have a passion for creating.  I started blogging so I would have a place to keep pictures of all my creations, since I give most of them away.  This eventually led me to cardmaking, youtube, design team member, challenge creator, blog hop coordinator and now challenge coodinator.

Breast cancer runs in my family, and so it is a cause near and dear to my heart.  As long as Michele will have me, I will be here reminding you and myself to check ourselves.

Stamps: Full On Floral, Peace Out, and Special Delivery
Fri-Dies: Bubble Box

Head on over to Heather's blog post today to see a video of the making of this card, and come back tomorrow for the first introduction of our team members.