Welcome to Hope You Can Cling To 2011

[UnderstandBlue]

Splitcoaststampers is proud to partner with the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center for our second annual month long card drive to benefit those affected by breast cancer.

Whether your stamps cling to acrylic, wood, or to your hard drive, they hold the power to convey hope and lift the spirits of anyone who sees what you create with them. That is the inspiration for our “Hope You Can Cling To” stamping campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We are kicking this campaign off on World Card Making Day - a day of celebration of the power of a handmade card. We encourage papercrafters across the globe to put their talents to work creating beautiful handmade cards to send to patients and their families at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, and, in the process, turn our gallery pink!

Hope is powerful medicine. Here is part of a letter from MD Anderson after last year's event:

“On behalf of the breast cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas I’d like to say thank you for the beautiful handmade cards that you sent to us! The “Hope You Can Cling To” month long campaign was very much appreciated. The volunteers in our Breast Center enjoyed filling baskets with these special cards. As they made their visits each day and introduced themselves to patients, they encouraged each to select one of your handmade cards. These special cards truly offered hope and lifted the spirits of everyone during Breast Cancer Awareness month! I personally have had the pleasure of opening each envelope. What beautiful work you all have done for our patients.” - Maggi Suttles, Assistant Director, Volunteer Services, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Many in our community have been affected by breast cancer, directly or indirectly. We would love for each of the patients at the UT MD Anderson cancer center and their families to feel this same encouragement and inspiration and we know this community always rises to a challenge.

There will be special challenges in our Splitcoaststampers Hope You Can Cling To Challenge Forum to inspire you throughout the month, and we will have some fun giveaways, including of course, some pink!

We'll begin the campaign with three challenges on October 1st, and we will have challenges each day in October. So keep watching this space as we approach the exciting kickoff of Hope You Can Cling To!

[Ksnurse]

I'm so happy we are able to do this again this yr. Was so much fun last yr.

[Vickie Y]

I'm looking forward to participating again this year.

[AnnetteMac]

Can't wait to do it all again!

[ceramicat1]

I'm going to try to participate this year! I need to try to find all my pink paper...

[ctreach]

I am going to really try and participate.

[UnderstandBlue]

Yay Hi everyone!

[newstampinaddict]

Definitely going to participate... every challenge??? Not so sure.... I'm thinkin' I may have to be "sick" a day or two in October

[stamp300]

I can't wait to get started & back in the groove again with making cards for a cause. Thanks Lydia. I had lots of fun last year & met some great people on the challenges.

[mit240z]

I'm so excited!! I'm telling myself I will do them all...we'll see if I make it!!!

[aprillower]

Can't wait for this. I will surely be involved this year!

[sewsplendidstamper]

Oh I'm lovin all the excitement already! I know there are a lot of fun challenges brewing

[barbwire802]

Is there a gallery from last year so that I can see what is expect for this year? I don't want to something out of line in my cards... I have some really cute breast cancer stamp sets... Thanks.

[UnderstandBlue]

HI Barb!

Here is last year's gallery: Stampin Up! Gallery: Hope You Can Cling To Challenge Gallery 2010 by Kim Reichle - Page 1 - Cards & More - Splitcoaststampers

[terry serman]

I was hoping SCS would do this again this year! I did every challenge last year can't wait for this year's!

[Clownmom]

Originally Posted by terry serman

I was hoping SCS would do this again this year! I did every challenge last year can't wait for this year's!

So did I! What a great month of card-making -- and for such a worthy cause. Looking forward to participating again.

[barbwire802]

Thank you Lydia... I hope to try this out this year. I've been to MD Anderson with my husband, this is a way I can give back.

[barbwire802]

Okay, after "studying" last year's cards and reading the inspiration paragraph, I have a few questions: The cards are for the breast cancer unit? Are they intended to be primarily pink? I just want to be sure that I understand the basic idea of this challenge and what is expected. I didn't see very many pink cards in the gallery is why I am asking; I thought I would. Sorry to ask so many questions! (I haven't done a challenge like this before, as you can probably tell!)

[Kathleen Curry]

So excited to do this again, it was so much fun last year!

Barb, not sure how the challenges will be this year, but last year each challenge was different. Some may have called for pink, some maybe felt, or buttons, some were sketches, some for the holidays etc. It was quite a variety of types of challenges. It was so much fun! I hope you will play along too this year.

[scrapbooknut1]

I am ready to do this challenge. I am hoping to get some of my friends to join me. Thanks for doing this again this year!

[Rebecca504]

As a native of Houston, Texas, I know the amazing work done at MD Anderson. My sister, Charlotte, is a breast cancer survivor. So this challenge means a lot to me. I am new to this, so I will eagerly watch to see what needs to be done to participate. Do we wait until October 1 to actually start sending cards to MDA?

[sewsplendidstamper]

Rebecca there will be daily challenges all thru the month of October and then you collect up all the cards you've made for them and send them off to the center.

Congratulations to your sister. What a wonderful accomplishment.

Looking forward to chatting with you more during the challenges.

[athomesusan]

I"ve never participated in any of the challenges...just be a spectator. I think I just might have to "jump off of the sidelines and play" on this one!

[saffivort]

Oh Lydia, I'm so glad SCS have decided to do this campaign again. I had so much fun with last year's challenges, but the best part is being able to send a huge ton of cards to benefit this very worthwhile charity! Can't wait for next month now!

[smadson]

I will try to participate in this, as my sister is a breast cancer survivor, as well as many of my friends. What a great cause! We have fun, and the cards go to a great cause!

Shaorn

[marilynprestonn]

Hi Lydia,

I sure plan to participate this year again at least for a few of the challenges. I lost my oldest sister to cancer it will be 6 years in december, and many of my friends, sisters, mothers or even grand-mothers have also been touched by this deadly disease.

I am always happy to be able to comfort by sending a card for someone who needs to smile when smiling is not so easy.

Thank you for making this challenge, it reminds us that little thoughts go a long way!

Hugs, Peggy

[barbwire802]

Originally Posted by Kathleen Curry

So excited to do this again, it was so much fun last year!

Barb, not sure how the challenges will be this year, but last year each challenge was different. Some may have called for pink, some maybe felt, or buttons, some were sketches, some for the holidays etc. It was quite a variety of types of challenges. It was so much fun! I hope you will play along too this year.

Thanks Kathleen, that helps explain why not always "pink" everywhere!

I'm planning on playing along as much as time allows me after work each day...

[hollerinastamps]

This sounds like a great cause and place for our cards. I hope to be able to play along.

[Clownmom]

I know that many of the participants added a few "non-challenge" cards to the packages they sent to MD Anderson after the end of the month.

[lawrence]

I've tried to view the cards from last year to get an idea of what to make, and I'm not able to. It shows the forum is empty. Anybody know why?

I would like to try and do this, this year. I'm going through breast cancer for the 3rd time and would really like to do something to help encourage fellow patients to be strong.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Yvette

[Vickie Y]

Originally Posted by lawrence

I've tried to view the cards from last year to get an idea of what to make, and I'm not able to. It shows the forum is empty. Anybody know why?

I would like to try and do this, this year. I'm going through breast cancer for the 3rd time and would really like to do something to help encourage fellow patients to be strong.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Yvette

Just want to say what a blessing and inspiration you will be to your fellow patients (and to me!)

[UnderstandBlue]

Originally Posted by lawrence

I've tried to view the cards from last year to get an idea of what to make, and I'm not able to. It shows the forum is empty. Anybody know why?

I would like to try and do this, this year. I'm going through breast cancer for the 3rd time and would really like to do something to help encourage fellow patients to be strong.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Yvette

Hi Yvette - you're clicking here? Stampin Up! Gallery: Hope You Can Cling To Challenge Gallery 2010 by kgilmore - Page 1 - Cards & More - Splitcoaststampers

[lawrence]

Thank you "Understandblue." I was able to get to the cards when I clicked on the link you provided.

And Thank you "Vickie Y," I hope to be an inspiration and be able to help others be strong.

Now, I just need to see if I can keep up with the challenges and make lots of cards.

Yvette

[KCInspired276]

I'm looking forward to this challenge! I am a cancer survivor & it was so uplifting to receive cards on almost a daily basis. Will definitely be checking back.

[UnderstandBlue]

Originally Posted by KCInspired276

I'm looking forward to this challenge! I am a cancer survivor & it was so uplifting to receive cards on almost a daily basis. Will definitely be checking back.

big hugs!

[sleepyinseattle]

I'm getting all of my pink cardmaking supplies ready to go! Thanks for doing this again, I look forward to sending some cards out for this great cause.

[evasempermom]

looking forward to this challenge. My mom had breast cancer a few years ago.

[Crafty Math Chick]

I'm in. Blinkie is already up on my blog. Have been looking forward to this. Was a wonderful experience last year and a made a bunch of friends. Hoping to finish ALL of the challenges this time around!

[stampinsusie]

This sounds like a wonderful idea!

[barbwire802]

Originally Posted by Vickie Y

Just want to say what a blessing and inspiration you will be to your fellow patients (and to me!)

Vickie, I ditto what you said to Yvette....

Yvette, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.