Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer - it's a dirty, ugly word isn't it? Some people whisper it, some avoid it, some hear it and run away. Many, many more live with it, fight it, help others fight it, and never, ever give up.

We've all been affected by it here at MPC; we've lost loved ones, we've watched loved ones win the fight, and right now our own Sheryl is watching and helping her own husband fight (you can read their story here.)

So what can we mere mortals do? We can spread hope, love, friendship and just be there for those that need us. We can send cards, promote awareness, and keep searching for that cure. As you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but there's no need to stop there. The team has created cards embodying that hope and love they so easily spread and share those, and the stories behind them, here. 

Take a moment, enjoy the beauty, and grab the tissues. Feel free to share your stories here or on our Facebook page. We challenge you to send a card to someone just because you care this month. Doesn't have to be cancer-related, but be someone's ray of sunshine. Keep spreading the happiness and love that cancer cannot erase and remember that someday we'll win this fight.

dEb

Cancer has touched my life in many ways; professionally as a nurse and personally with family and friends. I wanted my card to represent not only Breast Cancer which is the focus during October, but all cancers. I used the Unity Stamp Company sets "...all about HOPE" and "Imperfection is Beauty". The lotus petals from left to right represent : Gold/ Childhood cancers, Dark Blue/ Colon cancer in memory of my brother, Teal/ Ovarian cancer, White/ Lung cancer in memory of my beloved mother, Plum honors caregivers who fight the battles alongside their loved ones, Periwinkle/ Esophageal cancer in honor of Dale Kemper, and Pink/ Breast cancer both in honor and memory of many friends. The lavender card base represents all cancers. Please support those you know who are facing cancer -- either as a patient or their loved one ... Even a small random act of kindness can help brighten someone's day. 

Paula
It's so sad to think of all the people hurting from having cancer and those hurting from loving someone with cancer. I've personally lost so many from Uncles (Leukemia & Brain), to a Grandpa (Leukemia), my beloved Great-Great Auntie (Breast), from friends I have met and spent loads of time with to those I will never have the opportunity to spend even a second with but know from an online relationship. I carry them in my heart. My card was created with Unity Stamps and stencils from UmWow & Tim Holtz using gelatos. I have additional cards as well on my BLOG.

MariLynn
I made my card with a removable decorative clip. My card had several elements that represented the contrast of beauty and pain. Roses have thorns, pearls come from sand getting into the oyster's shells, and the butterfly has to totally change shape after being held captive in a cocoon. To me they show hope. That even though cancer is ugly and painful, there can still be beauty. you can read more about this card on my blog:

Jennifer
In my family, cancer seems to run rampant...for my card I went CAS and chose the ink colors based on the ribbon colors they represent: dark blue for my Aunt (colon), gray for my mother-in-law (brain), light blue for my Poppy (prostate), pink for my Gram (breast cancer for the third time, now), black ink for my Gram (skin cancer/melanoma), and the plum purple mat for all those who help them fight. The stamps are from Unity; the sentiment was from a grab bag, and I thought it was perfect for anyone who's life has been touched by this disease. I have the card creation details over on my blog, but be sure to grab the tissues first.

Terri
I made this CAS (clean and simple) card in honor of my mother and sister who have both battled breast cancer.  While I'm a big believer in raising awareness, I'm also very disappointed by the fact that many companies and organizations that make a very good profit from the sales of cancer awareness, donate very little, if at all, to the cause of finding a cure.  This article from my friend Laura Kelly is a real eye opener.  I hope you'll take the time to read it, and, if you want to make a true difference, donate to one of the organizations listed at the bottom of her post.  http://www.laurakellydesigns.com/laurakellydesignsblog/index.php/2014/10/14/a-little-sharing-for-a-lot-of-heart/

 















Sheryl
Ah...the horrors of cancer.  Lung cancer took my grandfather in 1974.  I was only seven then.  Then breast cancer hit my mom in 1980 and then other forms developed in 1982 and she lost her fight then.  Now as some of you know...my husband is fighting esophageal cancer.  So far he's doing really well.  He finished his last chemo treatment on Monday and will finish up his last radiation appointment this coming Monday.  Then a few weeks from now he'll get another scan and go forward with surgery in mid-December.  What a journey this has been and it's only halfway over.  I thank everyone for their support during this HELL of a ride.  It's even more hellish for Dale as he is now relying only on a feeding tube for food.  Radiation causes inflammation and burning at the site being treated and now it has made it impossible for him to swallow food, liquids, or even his own spit.  Keep supporting the cause.  If you donate...donate to the American Cancer Foundation...which helps ALL types of cancers.  Do you know there are more agencies to help women going through and recovering from breast cancer then there are to help people like my husband?  I can't find a single place in Colorado OR the nation to help us with finances.  That's pretty sad.  We need places that will help people with ALL TYPES of cancer.  Not limiting it to either by AGE or by TYPE or even by sexual orientation.  There are too many out there that will only help people who are behind on RENT.  But they won't help homeowners with a single mortgage payment.  So while we fight to stay alive, we get to lose our house we work hard to own.  NOT fair.  Cancer can affect everyone from all angles.  It really DOES suck.  Help keep hope, love, faith, and fight the fight that's taking everyone and everything away from us.

Draw yer sword matey.....it's International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Ahoy, Matey!  Who doesn't love a good pirate?  And, there's an actual day designated to celebrate talking like one?  Well this design team is ALL over that.  We love a good excuse to get inky so here's a few projects from the girls, just for you.  But first......what would a pirate celebration be without some buried treasure?  Some of the girls have blog candy to give away so be sure and follow the link to their site and follow the instructions to get your hands on the treasure!

I rummaged around my son's room, looking for this old Disney map.  Back in the day, my son was all about pirates.  I was able to salvage the part of the map that didn't have scribble all over it!  Some distressing, drawing and a great sentiment from Unity Stamps, and we're ready to hunt for buried treasure.  Follow my link here:  Wavingmywand for some blog candy......

Terri

Last year for our church Halloween party, I just happened to go as a pirate! It was a last minute decision to dress up, so I dug out my kiddo's old pirate hat, eye patch & plastic hook but no parrot could be found. What's a pirate to do? Why an Iguana will work in a pinch, I even made him his own eye patch.

My Family is my Treasure!

Paula

Arrr mateys! Thar be a pirate ship on the horizon, coming to steal our treasure! Good thing I've hidden it over at Caffeinated Papercuts... ;) I had some serious (and messy!) fun with Distress Inks, Spectrum Noir markers, Tombow Adhesive and Sweet Stamp Shop stamps to make this cool pirate scene. And if ye don't like it, ye can walk the plank! Arrrrr!

At first, I was at a loss... Pirates ?? Do I even have any pirate stamps, stickers, die cuts ?? Then I remembered the DCWV  "Hey Sailor" stack and my card was born !! Add a tattered flower from Jolee's & a bit of Little B Starry Night washi to a printed background map and I have just "worked like a captain and played like a pirate" all at the same time !! I am the Captain of my Crafty ship !! Head on over to my blog  for a chance to win some pirate booty.. Follow the link here to Meticulosity. Think Pirate Gold ......

dEb

Better late then never... This card turned out to be a lot more involved than I had planned. I had my card already to post then I decided to add gold doubloons. I used Mark's Finest Papers set called BURIED TREASURE. 

I have more details on my card on my blog, where I you can have a chance to win some treasure of your own. Check it out HERE.

MariLynn

Hi ladies!  Pam, here. I had a lot of fun and used the same set MariLynn did from MFP called Buried Treasure. You can link to it from MariLynn's post above. Inside this says, "Find your treasure".

Argh....I need to go take care of my mateys!

Pam

Animals Everywhere!

We're going critter crazy today at Mountain Plains Crafters!
Everyone loves a cute little bunny, a fuzzy kitten, a silky fox

and this Design Team is no exception!

Look...Squirrel!

Paula

I think my owl needs a name.  How about....Harvey?  Works for me.  He's just hanging out on a snowy branch, chillin' and shivering 'cause there's a nip in the air!

Terri

, 

I was going to make a card with a deer on it. I really was but when I was going through my stamps, this wolf stamp started howling my name. I have had him for months, but I hadn't inked him up yet. He spoke to my twisted sense of humor as well. I knew that everyone else on the design team was going to bring "cute" critters. They would just provide a buffet for my wolf. Either that or he ate the deer I was going to stamp, and he is full now.

MariLynn

I have had kitties my entire life; right now, my furry friend's name is Salem...and I'm terribly allergic to him! Right before I made this card, I touched him with one hand to get him off the couch, hoping not to trigger an allergy attack. I guess one touch was too much, because I ended up with itchy eyes, nose and throat and the sneezes! Oh, well I still love him and I love this watercolored kitty card, too! >^.^<

 Christina

I fell in love with this ribbon when I saw it in the clearance bin and bought it to use with some mushroom stamps.Then I spotted this cute hedgehog stamp and my card went in a totally different direction. Used my Inktense & Metallic watercolor pencils and a blender pen to color the little guys. Popped up the banner with some dimensionals and my 2 cute critters are ready to go !!

Debra

BUNNIES!! I love all things cute and cuddly and when Lawn Fawn came out with these sweet little hippity-hops, I was done. I used my Spectrum Noir markers to color them in, and since I splurged & got the matching dies as well cutting them out was a breeze! Some Tombow adhesive to hold some bits down, foam tape to pop the rest, add the heat embossed vellum sentiment and done! Now keep your wolf away from them, MariLynn! :P
Jennifer

Thanks for joining us today.  We had fun making these critter cards.  Have you got a critter card?  Head on over to our Facebook page and show us what you've got.  We'd love to see!

New challenge at MPC ....link up your themed project for a fab prize!

Welcome to another fun challenge from Mountain Plains Crafters!  Remember that old song from The Byrds, "Turn, Turn, Turn"?  To everything turn, turn, turn...there is a season, turn, turn, turn..and a time for every purpose under Heaven. 

Depending on what part of the country you live in, the dog days of summer are hanging on by a thread or you're starting to have cooler days.  So with cooler days in mind, our theme is Leaves/Autumn.  You can go with a leaf theme or Autumn or both.  Link your new project using this theme for a super nice prize from our sponsor Pan Pastel, a Donna Downey Mixed Media Paint kit!  (Colors may vary)

Want to see how to use Pan Pastel paints?  Go here: techniques or check out their video gallery and while you're at, go visit their Facebook page and tell them Mountain Plains Crafters sent you!

This challenge will run for a month to give you lots of time to strategize for your project.  We ask that you link no more than 2 projects to the Inlinkz link below which does require that you use a blog or photo hosting site such as Flickr.  This contest begins Aug. 27, 2014 and ends 9/24/14 at 9:00 am ET, with a winner picked on Monday, 9/29/14 via Random.org.

So without further ado, here are some fabulous creations from our design team to get your crafty juices flowing!

Pam

Christina

Fall is my absolute favorite season!  Summer is just too hot here in Texas and I always anxiously wait it out until autumn arrives with it's cooler temperatures, blustery days and crunchy leaves. I love seeing the leaves change colors; I've always been fascinated how they start green and end up vibrant shades of red and gold, which is what inspired this card. I can't wait for fall!

Terri

Paula

Fall is my busiest time of the year and my very favorite! Enjoying the marching band at football games, cheering on the Cross Country team, and soon the pumpkin patch at the church. The ground gets completely covered by the leaves abandoning their trees & covering the floor of the woods.

All this plus cooler temps on their way, well sign me up!

Debra

Fall for me is everything pumpkin.. Pumpkin bread & pies shared with friends. Pumpkin lattes at the local coffee shops, that are so good  on chilly autumn evenings. The color - pumpkin - in my favorite Graphic 45 paper, "Steampunk Spells".  My favorite autumn glitter that is perfect to use on pumpkins. Falling leaves, sweater weather- Grateful for so much  this time of year !!

MariLynn

I love fall with the little bit of chill in the air. Fall to me is trips to the apple orchard and hot apple cider. It is high school football games on Friday night. It is marching band competitions. It is a time when God goes crazy with the colors of the leaves. It is probably my favorite time of year.( I used multiple sentiments from multiple Mark's Finest Papers sets. )

Jennifer

While summer will forever be my favorite season, there is a lot to love about fall. Pumpkin spice lattes come to mind, as does the beautiful color display Mother Nature gives us in the changing leaves. It's also the time of year to start thinking of all the things we're thankful for, especially my dear friends!

 Enter your link below:

An InLinkz Link-up