Breast Cancer Awareness - Personal Story and a card

Now, I know many of you have gotten done with your Breast Cancer Awareness Cards.  HOORAY AND KUDOS ALL AROUND!!!  

All the while I have been peeking in at many blogs and trying to get some inspiration.  Everyone's level of talent is definitely a force to be reckoned with.  I am amazed on a daily basis by the Beautiful Artwork all of you create and share!!  I am feeling very blessed to have so many wonderful people who are a part of my daily life.  Even if we never meet....you are WONDERFUL!!!

I know this doesn't quite fall within the realms of my usual Creative Scrapbooking Divas DT Thursday post since it is not a Home Decor or Gift project.  But, I felt fully inspired to finish this card today and am sharing it, along with my personal story with you all.  

I dug into my stash of embellies, digi images and sentiments, stickers, and scraps.  I knew I wanted to create a BCA card.  I picked a sketch to work with and fell in love with the sketch at Creative Craft Challenges.    I love the inspiration at this blog and highly suggest you stop by to visit and see what I mean.  This is one of my faves and I try visit at least every couple days to see what's new.  The design team's creations are always Eye Appealing!!!   The sketch challenge is open until Oct. 10th so get your thinking caps on, grab a cup of joe, and get crafting!!! 

I also knew I wanted to join in on the Link Up For Pink Party with Celeste, Yolie, and Gaby.  This is a topic that it very near and dear to me.  It is so important to me to be a voice, no matter how small, of encouragement to all of the fine ladies in my life that EARLY DETECTION IS CRUCIAL!    So, don't wait.....FEEL YOUR BOOBIES as often as you can!!!! 

WARNING...I get a bit personal in this paragraph.  
But, with good intentions, I promise!

To hear the news that there is a mass in your breast, is heart sinking.  I know this first hand as I was told this back in 2009.  I instantly started to cry and had tons of questions for my doctor.  My OB/Gyn, the first to notice the lump other than myself during a self breast exam,  was doing her routine check at my annual visit.  I brought it up to her, she felt it, and instantly suggested I walk down the hall to see the specialist.  I was examined again and they sat up an appointment for the following week to have my first mammogram.  Jittery nerves got the best of me that week.  It was a week full of a roller coaster emotions.  So, I went for the mammogram and the results came in only moments later,  while I was still wearing my robe.  The doctor and nurse decided that from those results they wanted to do the biopsy.  I must have had a devastated look on my face as they both suggested doing the biopsy that same day, staying later than they were scheduled, God Love Them.  I waited about a week to find out those results.  That entire week I was the most scared I had been in a very long time.    I am sure that this is a common struggle for anyone in the same predicament.  And, although I feel blessed that the tumor  was benign, I understand the tables could have been turned and the news could have been a lot worse.   I did opt to have the surgery to remove the fibroidenoma (sp.) so that it would not cause further discomfort.  I felt that once it was removed, I would be more aware of any other masses that may show up without dismissing them as "oh, that mass I had a while ago".    So please, if you have never had a mammogram or its been several years....what are you waiting for???

Thanks for sticking around to read my ramblings!  Onto my card....

RECIPE:
Black card stock for base
Papers are all from my scraps pile
friends digi image/sentiment is by Raindrop Echo Designs-Funny Friend Sayings
Breast Cancer Awareness ribbons (digi images) by Yolie at Just Yolie, Just Create
Frame die cut and vellum sentiment (beautiful you) were included in a Blog Candy win a while ago
Paper rose was handmade by rolling and adding one gem.
FROM STASH:
Glittery flower sticker, butterflies stickers, small circle stickers, buttons, pearls, black lace, and friendship definition embellishment, black flowers and stems

I really enjoyed the dimension on this card, so I snapped a pic to show you all the wonderful layers.


I am entering this card into the following challenges and/or Link Up parties:

1. Celebrate the Occasion - Breast Cancer Awareness
2. 1st Annual Link Up for Pink Party - October 1 - 14th
1. Yolie
2. Gaby
3. Celeste
   
3. Simon Says - Sparkle and Bling
4. Inking It Up - WCMD challenge (pink, black, and white)
5. Whimsy Stamps - Recipe
6. Creative Inspirations - Friendship
7. Divas by Design - Button Up
8. Creative Craft Challenges - Sketch
9. Whoopsi Daisy - Lace and Pearls
10. Flutter by Wednesday - Open

Thanks again for visiting me, my blog, my ramblings, and my creations and don't forget...

FEEL YOUR BOOBIES