Stars and Smiles...FIRST card on my new blog!

I used two stamps for this one. Those gorgeous swirly stars came from Heather's Stamping Haven in Ottawa Ontario. This stamp is from her own line. That beautiful calligraphy sentiment came from Suzanne at Quiet Fire Designs in British Columbia. I just LOVE her collection! I used some special papers and Swarovski crystals too, and, of course, pink ribbon.

I created this card for a friend who's fighting Inflammatory Breast Cancer, an advanced and accelerated cancer usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds. IBC requires immediate aggressive treatment with chemotherapy prior to surgery and is treated differently than more common types of breast cancer. If you're a woman, please take the time to educate yourself by starting here http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-breast-cancer/DS00632

I also entered it in a ten day spree of card challenges over at Caardvarks, and it won for Day Eight. Check their challenge galleries to see wonderful and inspirational work from fabulous artists! http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/

Finally, this card is also one of several, in sets, that will be auctioned off at a fabulous, outrageous fund-raiser for local women living with breast cancer here in Halifax. It happens every fall, and is called "Titz 'n' Glitz." You can read a little here http://www.titznglitz.com/halifax_home.htm This was started here in our little province by Margo Kerr, and will soon be taking on a national identity! It's an evening for women only, to celebrate women and their breasts. HONEST! The evening moves from "in-your-face" to naughty to sheer heartache. You can even see a ten minute video at the website.

My own involvement in all of this stems from a friend's current battle with Stage 4b of IBC. She's a strong, brilliant, beautiful, young doctor, married to her soulmate, a cute little hottie-in-a-Mustang, and she was the keynote speaker at last fall's Titz 'n' Glitz. Please keep Debbie and Jamie (wedding photos here, just so you can put faces with names: http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1148509) in your prayers.