Paying Wellness Forward

Where does the week go?!?!  We got back a week ago Saturday, got ready to rejoin the working world, I blinked and it was Friday!

This past Friday there was a crafty fundraiser at my LSS to raise money for one of the gals who works there.  Her husband has Leukemia and, as anyone who has had any need for medical treatment knows, the bills are expensive.

These are a couple of the cards I got done while I was there.  What was super exciting was to have a chance to catch up with lots of gals and find out that the treatment is working. :)

Hope things are well with all of you out in the blog-o-sphere.  Keep calm and brace for Monday 'cause she's a comin'!! :)

Operation Pay-it-forward!

So this was supposed to get posted yesterday, but there was this big bright thing in the sky (I've heard it's called the sun!) and I was enjoying time with friends who I haven't seen since before Christmas because of all the snowstorms we've had.  Well, better late than never. LOL!

 

Last weekend I taught a card making class where the cards don't go home with the makers.  They are being donated to Operation Write Home.  Bella, from Bella Before and After, and I thought it would be fun to get all of you involved in this fun pay-it-forward organization.

OWH is looking for birthday cards AND....

Spring/Summer holiday cards like Father's Day, Mother's Day, and Easter.  The tut for this card can be found here.

Join our linky party and post a card (or hopefully cards!) to send to Operation Write Home!

Operation Write Home and a Bella Before and After Swap!

Hi Folks! Today I'm excited to introduce you to Bella, from Bella Before and After. We met trough Lamb Around when we were up for Best in Show. She and I have been emailing each other ever since! Today we are swapping blogs so all of you could get a chance to meet her. :)  So without further ado here is Bella!

Hey everyone, I'm so excited to be swapping blogs with Moriah today here at Fuzzy Slippers Designs.

I met this wonderful gal, when we were both nominated for Best in Show @ Lamb Around. We were in a head on competition to win, but in the end, she managed to get the winning votes, lol. I was happy I got to meet her, and a new friendship was formed. She is a talented card maker, and I really loved her cards. While exchanging emails, she talked about Operation Write Home, and naturally I thought, hey I want to help too. So here I am, talking about it to all of you.

My name is Bella, I am the creator of Bella Before and After. I blog about all kinds of things. I am the kind of person, who wants to try everything, and do it all. I enjoy learning new stuff all the time, and get bored easily, so you are sure to find something new if you come for a visit.

Today however I am here to talk about a special organization that Moriah introduced me too.

While I heard about it in passing before, and I think my kids have sent cards from school, I personally never did anything to help out this great cause. While my views on war, may be better left unspoken, the fact remains, that I have GREAT respect for the men and woman who are fighting over seas, and around the world. By doing something so simple, we can make a difference for these guys, who are far away from home, for longer than anyone should be. To bring a smile to their faces, and the the loved ones who they are sending the cards too. It's just such a wonderful concept, and I'm happy to give it a try.

I have zero experience in card making, or scrapbooking. Therefor I have no tools, and don't plan on buying any either, lol. I have colored paper, some glue, crayons, you know all kid stuff. BUT mark my words I will create some cards, just you watch and see, lol.

All kidding aside, if making cards just isn't your thing, you can always just buy a card or have your kids make one, and send it off, as a "Any Soldier" card. These are sent out with every box, and handed to the guys and gals, who need a little pick me up, perhaps they don't receive any mail, or not often. It's just a little not of gratitude for all that they do, and I'm sure it means a lot to them.

Tonight, my daughter was thrilled to make a THANK YOU card for a soldier.

Here is her little card. I love the way she did it. :)

You can see, it didn't take much, but as it brought a smile to my face, I'm sure it will do the same for someone else too. Kids are too precious, and so innocent. I love all her misspelled words too, it's just perfect!!!

I also tried to make a card, a few times, and I'm not showing you guys those,,,, pretty much didn't turn out, so I must give it another try, before I can show you, lol.

The bottom line we are trying to make here is this: if all of us, just send out one card, it adds up. These soldiers, need to know that they are not alone, and even if they don't have anybody, they have us, as a people, as a nation, all united, and standing behind them, and cheering them on, until they reach home safely. We owe them at least that much.

Join Moriah and me, as we make some more cards, and lets see how many our little blogging friends can contribute. I know you guys will all help, and we would love for you to spread the word to your friends. We have until the 28th of FEB for all spring related cards, including Easter, Spring, Mothers Day, and Fathers Day. Yes it's early for all that, BUT, they need plenty of time to sort, ship, and then our soldiers also need time to write, and ship those cards back to their loved ones.

We will be setting up a link party in the next week, for you guys to share your cards with us. So keep an eye out will ya?

Bella :)

Thanks Bella it was a blast having you over here today!!!  I can't wait for our linky party to begin. :)

Skipping Around the Calendar

My husband and I were talking at dinner last night about all the veterans we are lucky enough to know.  We were both surprised at the number!  Neither of us think of ourselves as coming from military families, but really we have lots of relatives and friends who are veterans. 

To mark this holiday devoted to our brave servicemen and servicewomen, I have put together a package of cards for the OWH angels.  They are always in need of birthday, miss you, and blank cards for writing notes home.

So why am I posting a valentine card in November?  A valentine in honor of Veteran's Day?!? Did I forget and skip over Thanksgiving and Christmas?  No worries, I haven't completely flaked out (yet hee-hee).  OWH has stopped collecting cards for Thanksgiving and Christmas until the summer/fall of 2011.  If you like making holiday cards, they are currently looking for Valentine cards and are collecting them until January 7th. :)  Gosh time is flying by!

I went through my stash and made sure to pick cards without glitter (find out why here).  I have a few cards for birthday, blank, anniversary, and thank you.  When I realized I had missed the Christmas deadline (whoops!) I went back to see what I had in the way of valentine cards.  Lucky me, I had a few already made. (Of course they were probably the cards I was supposed to send to family last Valentine's Day. LOL!) 

I just saw this on the OWH blog!  Find out how your handmade cards could get cookies for our soldiers abroad!

How are you remembering your veteran's today?

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?

Happy Fall

It comes as no surprise to all of you, given the number of flower related posts, that I *heart* flowers.  Each season has some favorites for me and sunflowers headline my autumnal list.  I wish I could tell you the maker of this image, but these were a couple that I got in a swap years ago.  :(  If any of you know who makes these darling sunflowers, please tell me!!!  I would really like to get this stamp.

The sentiment is from Amuse.  I went "old school" here and used mini brads from my stash.  Simple and easy!

I dug through my bag of orange scraps and found this perfectly cut orange scalloped circle.  It was kismet.  ;)  Even more simple and easy!

It may not be common to send cards for the change of season, but you've previously heard me solicit folks to send a card to someone "just because".  I may be being overly sentimental, but life is too short.  Once again I encourage you to take the nearest blank card you have on hand, write a note and send it to someone you know who could use a bit of sunshine in their mailbox instead of another bill.  You'll feel good about it and so will they.  ;)

Growing fun with these cards here:
Incy Wincy Designs- Autumn colors
Allsorts Challenge- Autumn colors

Cards from Kids

As promised, the cards my students made last week!

The kids did a great job in spite of the terrible heat we had last week.  I didn't take photo's of the letters they wrote because their names are included, but the letters are precious.

All the kids had to read the "How to Make a Card" as part of the process of creating their card front.  After my first group I realized that they shouldn't put bows and buttons on their cards until after they wrote their letter because they needed the whole inside of the card to write their letter!  It was a good learning experience.

After the cards were done (sorta) each group had a chance to write a letter of thanks to a soldier.  Regardless of anyone's feelings about fighting, or having troops in Iraq or Afghanistan, it's important for our men and women to know that people back home care about them. 


The kids wrote some wonderful things to the soldiers thanking them for being brave and asking them cute questions like "what's your favorite snack", "where were you born", and "do you like sports". 


Hopefully these cards with bring a little sunshine to deployed troops.  If you'd like to have your kids write a letter, or you yourself would like to send a note from home, please go to Operation Write Home to get all the details.  This is a great cause and it's a great way to put your creative talents to use in pay-it-forward style!

***Please leave comments for the kids about their cards.  They will be so excited to hear what all of you have to say.

Birthday Wishes for Homeless Kids

What do you remember about your childhood birthday celebrations? Did you have family, friends, a cake, and at least one present? What if you didn't have a home to call your own?
A few years back I bought a kit from the Paper Source near me. It was an impulse buy, but I hung on to them trying to decide what to do. Well, inspiration struck! The Stamp Club I belong to at my LSS has decided to do a springtime charity. We'll all make birthday cards to send to a homeless shelter in a nearby town that we have worked with in the past. This shelter is taking part in the Birthday Wishes program. I can't say enough about this fabulous organization. The staff at my school have volunteered for this charity for the last couple of years and I was excited to hear that the club was going to be helping out too!

Basically Birthday Wishes helps to provide birthday parties for kids who are living at a homeless shelter. Through volunteers, donations, and various fund-raising, they are able to provide a cake, present, card, and a fun game/craft/entertainment to kids who are celebrating their birthday at a shelter. So, we are making lots of different kinds of birthday cards! (I know these chicks need a little more "umph". I'd love any suggestions!)
All children deserve to have happy birthday memories. Hopefully, I can help be a part of something greater than me and be a part of bringing joy to a child who is going through something no one deserves.
I'd love to hear about how your crafting hobby has been able to help others. Your comments are inspiring and maybe there's something you are doing that I can share with others. :)