SSDS meets OWH

If you've been here to my lil' ole blog before, then you know how much I believe in using talents to pay-it-forward.  Operation Write Home (formerly Cards for Heroes)  is an organization that exemplifies the pay-it-forward motto for card makers.  I personally contributed my cards, and cards my students made, to this amazing organization over the years.  Why am I telling you all of this?  I am thrilled to announce that this weeks challenge from SSDS is to make a birthday card!  Our hope is that you will then send them to Operation Write Home.

This is from the OWH website...

OWH supports our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. Our 'birthday' (anniversary of our official registration as an org) is Sept 12th — but we're stretching the party to last all month!

 

Operation Write Home began in 2007 with just a few cards made by friends on a message board; what began as an outlet for a hobby has become a much larger mission to help heroes keep in touch with home - and the effort has been joined by thousands of cardmakers!

OWH receives handmade cards donated by crafters across America (and beyond!). Cardmakers range in age, location, and level of skill; cards are provided by individuals and groups, schools and scouts, companies and churches. All have one primary thing in common: a desire to serve those who defend our nation!

Cards are mailed to one of our volunteer shippers in quanities both small and large. The shippers process, sort, repair, and document each donation, and then pack and ship boxes of over 300 cards each to our contacts. Our heroes request cards (families may also request on their behalf; we serve all branches in all deployed locations.

Tax-deductible donations of any size keep this work going - from $1 to any amount - and can be included with card donations to any shipper, mailed separately, or via Paypal. Thank you for partnering with us!

Here's my contribution...

This card made me think of a story I saw on the news before I even knew we were going to be sending these cards to Operation Write Home.  Kismet, I tell ya!

The image, sentiment, and card base are all from Amuse.  I borrowed the images from my friend Lynn of the earring and apron fame. :)

I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing all of your birthday creations.  This is our best challenge yet at SSDS.  There is even a chance for you to win a prize while you help others!!!  Enter your card and you could win a prize from Craftbrulee! 

This is a Win-Win no brainer challenge!  Won't you pretty please join us?

Many Thanks

Just a quick post for today.  If you are reading this at any point on Saturday I can guarantee that I'm in Littleton, MA at The Country Fair my church puts on each year.  If you are in the area please stop by!  There are TONS of yummy jams, beautiful paper masterpieces, and stunning fabric creations that are all locally made and available for purchase at The Country Store booth.  Come by and say hi!

The SSDS team is challenging YOU!  We want to see thank you cards.  I've been posting so many fall cards lately I thought you all might enjoy a "wave" at summer.  :)

So, whatcha got for us in the way of a thank you creation?  Float downstream to SSDS and join in the fun! 

Let Heaven and Nature Sing!

Consider this the invite to jumpstart your holiday crafting!  Our first challenge for September at SSDS is Christmas!  You know me, I make Christmas cards all year long.  I just got some new stamps after taking a class from my friend Lori where we used these stamps to make the cutest blue Christmas cards.

For this card I used a couple of MemoryBox stamps the birch trees and then the sentiment/birds (the bird is on the side of the sentiment so you get 2for1).  The card base is also MB and I stamped the base with some brown snowflakes.  I mounted some BG paper (the red) and then some K&Co paper (the lighter dppr).  I mounted the image on the same BG paper and used some old seam binding for the ribbon.  I used another red flower as the base for the sentiment.

I have to thank my friend Judy for a sweet stash of seam binding!  She had a bunch of old (check the price listed in this pic) packages that she said were just taking up space in her sewing room.  When I mentioned how I'd been using seam binding on cards her eyes lit up and she offered me what she had. I was more than happy to help her out. LOL!

So stop buy SSDS and enter your Christmas creation!  If you link up, stop back here and let me know so I can check out what you have made!!!  I ADORE checking out other folks creations (it's so much better than cleaning. hee-hee).

I'm singing my song here:
The Shabby Tea Room Old (the seam binding) meets New (the stamps)
Pollycraft Monday Challenge Add a little nature
Paper Sundaes Christmas

Blueberries for Me

We're having fun again this week at Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday with a great challenge!  Create a get well or congratulations card.  Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!  Our Sponsor is Digi Doodles and they were kind enough to give all of us on the SSDS design team some of their images to use in this weeks challenge.

I was chatting with a friend last week about using my Copics and how I wished I could take the certification.  The timing for the classes is always bad for me, nevermind the cost of staying at the hotel.  She's had the chance for training, but thinks the best way to learn is to keep playing with them.  So I decided to really take a chance with this card.  I'm not always good at figuring out shading.  I get the "light source" concept, but I can't seem to picture it.  This time around I thought I'd use an already colored image to help guide my coloring.  I did a Google image search for blueberries and found this image:

I can't read the artist's name, but I found it here.  I'm pleased with how close I got with my image to this one and will probably try it again to see if I can get even closer.  I'm not usually one for copying exactly, but in this case I figure it will help me learn the technique.  Kinda like the art students who go to museums.  Wouldn't it be fun to go to art school?!?  I digress.  Please join us this week at SSDS and you'll have a chance to win a $10 GC from Digi Doodles.

I've joined in the fun here:
Craftalicious Challenges
Stampin' for the Weekend
The ABC Challenge

Sassy Saturday!

It's Saturday so you know it's time for another great challenge from Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday!   This week our sponsor is Sassy Studio Designs and they were so sweet to give all of us a chance to play with some of their images for this challenge.  Thanks SSD!

Wicked easy rules this week.  Make a card/project using kraft colored paper and you can win 4 digi's of your choice from SSD.  C'mon could we give you an easier one?!?

So now I tip my hat to you and ask will you join us?  Leave me a comment if you do.  I'd love to give your "krafty" creation some love!

Only 4 followers away from adding more stuff to my blog candy!  Don't forget to leave a comment here to be eligible to win!

I'm riding the wave with this card here:
Party Time Tuesdays- pink & brown

Only words...

Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday is challenging YOU to make a card using only a sentiment this week.  No stamped or digi images, just words peeps.  You in?  If there's only a sentiment, I totally think you could pull off a 10 minute card trick and enter it to win!

I used some kraft paper and die-cut a base using my Cuttlebug.  Then I cut some patterned acetate to lay on top.  I stamped my sentiment on the kraft because I was pretty caffeinated while I was doing this! LOL!  I kinda cheated in that my sentiment has a couple of flowers built in and I Stickled those flowers in some coordinating colors.

Honestly the part that took the longest on this card was finding a ribbon that worked.  The card was just too plain for me and I had to add something.  I'd say 8 of the 10 minutes were used trying to find just the right ribbon from my stash. :)

Seriously, are you in?  The prize package sponsor is Your Memories Here.  Don't forget to enter to win my blog candy!  Since 50 folks have become followers I'm adding to the booty.  Stay tuned for an updated picture!  If I get 60 before the deadline I'll add even more. :)

I threw my card in the ring here:
Simple Doodles- Get out of the box- made my first circle scallop card
Penny's Paper- Anything goes
Andrea's Stampin' Moments- Simply Rounded
Creative Cottage #20- Acetate

Resolutions Update & Keep It Simple

This card was the Home Page Artist face for the week of August 10th at Gingersnap Creations!

Before I get to card business time to revisit the Summer Resolutions List (the stuff in blue is mission accomplished!)

The List (in no particular order)

1. paint upstairs hallway (I've had one coat up since April for cripes sake!) and laundry room

2. clean back bedroom (It's become the default junk room ugh!) kinda backslid though

3. work over the cable company for a new deal (I do this every summer) saved $40 a month

4. get crown moulding and built-ins installed in living room & repair screen door

5. take 2 tech classes for work (teachers don't party all summer :) we go to school:) )

6. open an Etsy store? (kinda on the fence here)

7. pay myself $1 for every time I walk the dog this summer- full disclosure $4 and a ticked dog!

8. re-certify my teaching license (this HAS to be done if I want to keep teaching. )

9. post 2 times a week items for all those challenges I want to play in!!! 

10. finish a scrapbook for a change!

4, 6, & 10 are 75% done.  This is already my most successful Summer yet!

Card Time!!!!  Here's the skinny for this week's SSDS challenge:
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday is looking for folks who can make a Clean and Simple card for this weeks throwdown.

If you've seen my other cards then you know CAS is no where in my vocabulary!  I think my mom and my grandpa would agree that "I did good".  :)  I got this Hero Arts stamp after my friend Lisa (78 thistles) made some stunning cards using this stamp.  I colored it with some Copics directly on the card and added the Amuse sentiment.  I thought this style card really lent itself to sharing sympathy with someone, but your card can have any theme.

Craftbrulee is our sponsor this week and they have provided an amazing prize package for the lucky winner of the challenge.  Check it out!

How fabulous is this package?!?  Wanna chance to win it?  Join us at SSDS and enter your "clean and simple" card!  Let me know if you join in, I'll stop by and give you some blog love. :)

I myself have entered this card here:
PaperPlay
Stampin Royalty 
Dutch Dare
Gingersnap Creations

Sunflower Challenge

It's Challenge Day at Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday!  This week our challenge is to use a digital image.  I enjoyed this image the last time I used it, I thought I'd go for another bit 'o sunshine. :)

I used an image from Meljen's who is sponsoring the challenge for this week.  Meljen's will be giving 4 digi images of the winners choice!

Come join the fun!  Remember to comment and let me know if you link up.  I wanna stop by and scope out your work. :)

I've entered this card here:

Etsy Inspired #98- The wallet pic
Andrea's Stampin Moments- flowers
Paper Playtime- flowers
Stamp Something- flowers

Happy Almost Birthday America!

This week at SSDS the challenge was to make a shape card that wasn't a square/rectangle.  I saw this cute birdhouse at Monica's Me Bear Creations blog and thought I'd give it a whirl.  I figure I keep making all these cards with birds, I should make a house for them too!

Our very own Erica is sponsoring this weeks challenge!  She is an independent demonstrator for The Angel Company and she's going to send the challenge winner this paper pack and stamp!!!!

So get in shape!  I mean get in card shape.  Oh wait I mean make a shape card. :)  Post it at SSDS and Good Luck!!!

Edit- I added this to the following challenges:
Fairy Fun Friday
Quirky Crafts 
Shelly's Images 
Stamp with Fun

What's in your pocket Baggins?

It's Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday!  The challenge this week, sponsored by Sweet 'n Sassy,  is to make a pocket card, a card with a pocket, or a layout with a pocket.  I came up with this little beauty after being inspired by Suzanne's gorgeous card here.

I used this tutorial on SCS and went to my store to get all the bits and pieces.  If you haven't tried making one of these (although I'm thinking I 'm the last person to discover them!) you gotta.  These little flower pots are fun.

I gave myself the extra challenge of making my pot hold flowers that looked like my bouquet from last week.  I thought this would be a pretty thank you card.  Well, that's all for today.  Hope you join us at SSDS this week!

I added this to the following challenges and parties:
The Corrosive Challenge- Die Cuts
Along for the Ride- Week 6

A Red, White, and Blue Weekend

 I'm SO sorry I've not posted in such a long time!  My home computer has been being difficult, my school computer completely died a week ago Friday, and we've been opening a rental property for the summer rental season.  Add in that disgusting mini heat wave (did I mention 98 degrees in my classroom on Wednesday) and it's just been a wacky few days.

 On to the fun and creative stuff!!!  It's Saturday, so it's Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Challenge Day!  The challenge this week is a color theme.  Create something using the Americana colors of Red, White, and Blue.

I had fun with this card.  I used the Lockhart stamp Roses, Daises & Polka Dots for the image, Pink Paisley for the red ribbon and added that white trim I had left after this card, and assorted Americana paper I had left from I kit I got ages ago.

I colored the image with R24, R27, R29, W2, YG13, YG17, E55, Y15, BG 95, BG 97, B00 and then edged with French Blue chalk ink.  For the final touch I, of course, added yellow Stickles to the flower centers. :)  It may not look great in the close-up, but when you look at the whole card it looks great.  Just goes to show that you don't have to be detailed with small image coloring.  I went from start to finish on this card in a matter of 15 minutes.  I had too.  I was on my way out the door for a Christmas card class and I had to have this made and photographed before I left. :)  Score one for procrastination!

Make a Red, White, and Blue creation and enter it on the Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle Saturdays post and you could WIN 8 digi images of YOUR CHOICE from Creations by Penny!!!!

***Shameless plug***Please stop by on Monday.  My students made cards and wrote letters this week to send to soldiers via Operation Write Home.  I'm gonna post their cards (sans names) and would love to share your comments with the kids next week.  They are so proud of what they made! :)

Edit- I added this card to these challenges:
Created by Hand- Red, White, and Blue
Fresh Brewed- Red, White, and Blue
The Shabby Tea Room- Polka Dots
Kelly Jo's Stamp Pad- Color challenge
Friends Having Fun- Memorial Day Challenge
Thanks to Sue I also added this card to OWH's card blog OWH Stars and Stamps 
Thanks to Kim I added this card to Diva Coffee Break Designs- Red, White, Blue

Fella Card Challenge

The challenge at SSDS this week was to produce a "guy card" (cue the horror movie music).  I know, I know AGGGGGHHHHHH!

So making a card for a guy has been THE topic of discussion with many of my crafty friends lately.  We are all looking for inspiration on how to make a card that doesn't seem boring (meaning no flowers, no sparkly blingy stuff and no fun ribbon).

I was talking to a friend and she mentioned that she came across a blog that talked about taking your typical ingredients- flowers, ribbon, bling- and trading them for "guy ingredients" flowers=matte buttons, ribbon=twine/cotton fiber, bling=solid colored brads.  If you know what blog it is, could you leave me a comment and I'll post it for everyone?!?  I found this tip sheet to share with everyone for now. :)

Hopefully you have a wonderful weather weekend and you'll even get a chance to squeak in some time to create a masculine card for the SSDS challenge.  The sponsor this week is Fresh Brewed Designs, so enter your creation so you can win!!!

Edit- I added this to the following challenges
Stamping for the Weekend- Masculine
Cute Card Thursday- Someone Special
Cards for Men- Outdoors
Colour Create-  Khaki, aqua, brown, cream (I got seriously lucky on this one!)