Look out! A deadline is coming!

Ok, so I've been largely absent from my craft room for the past several months.  I had a busy summer and the beginning of the school year has also felt like a whirlwind.  But, I know that the Christmas deadline for OWH is fast approaching and I wanted to get my box out in time for that since I made a bunch of Christmas cards early in 2013.

Sandy also asked us to post pictures of us holding cards that we're sending soon.  Here's a close up of the card I posted and a similar one I made while I was trying out different designs.

The globe is done with Distress Ink (Broken China and Peeled Paint) on glossy photo paper.  I used a wadded up paper towel soaked with some rubbing alcohol to swirl the colors.  It's not as fancy as the glossy paper that you're meant to use with these inks, but it was sitting around the house begging to be used.  I'd love to tell you who made the stamps, but I don't know.  I bought them at a dollar store in a mall in Massachusetts a few years ago.  The patterned paper is ancient (over 10 years old) Making Memories and the embossing folder is "Love is in the Air" by Cuttlebug. 
  

------
Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 651 blank and 236 AnyHero (as of 4/28/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

OWH/Unity Blog Skip

Welcome to my stop on the Operation Write Home Blog Skip featuring Unity Stamp Company.  If you've come seeing the awesome work on Dixie's blog, you're in the right place.  If not, you might want to start at the top of the hop so you won't miss any of the blogs!

I've been a fan and collector of Unity stamps for a couple of years now, so I am very excited that they're partnering with OWH for this skip.  Here are two AnyHero cards I've made using a few of Unity's patriotic stamps, which are very affordable at just $1.79 each.

Stamp available here.  While the tags appear shiny, please note that this is metallic paper and not glittered paper which would pose a safety risk to our heroes.  Nothing rubs off of this paper, so it is safe. 

Update: Several people have asked about the metallic paper.  It's by Making Memories and is several years old, but I was able to find it here.   It is possible to stamp on it with an ink such as Staz-on.  I just chose not to as I wanted the attention to focus on the sentiment.  Rub-ons or stickers should also work OK.  I didn't use a specific punch to make the tags.  I just cut a rectangle about 1"x2" and used a corner rounder and hole punch to finish the tag. 

Stamp available here.  This sketch by Nancy was part of the Labor Day Virtual Card Making Party. 

For many people, designing the AnyHero cards is easier than writing inside them.  Here's what I tend to write inside in case you would like some ideas.  First, I start out with "Dear Hero" and thank the hero for serving our country.  Next, I tell a little bit about myself.  Sometimes I mention my family's history of military service.  My grandfather and all five of his brothers served; between them they served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam and their service is something that my family is very proud of.  Other times, I'll talk about my job as a teacher and how I see our heroes' sacrifices safeguarding the freedom of the children I teach.  In other cards, I've talked about the freedoms I enjoy that are made possible by the military protecting us.  Then I finish by thanking the hero again and expressing my hope for their safe return home.  If you find it hard to get started writing AnyHero notes, photo cards like this one are great because they prompt you to tell a story about the picture you took.  Just be sure to use you own photos to avoid copyright issues. 

Next up on the skip is Paula.  I'm always impressed with Paula's designs, so hurry over to her blog and see what she has to share! 

Thanks for visiting! 
------
Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 651 blank and 236 AnyHero (as of 4/28/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

VCMP 2013!

Thank goodness for the OWH Virtual Card Making Party!  After a dry spell of almost two months in which I didn't make cards for OWH, it felt good to pick up the ATG and put some cards together today.  I'm a teacher, so I'm sure most people think I would be less busy in the summer than during the school year, but the opposite is generally true for me.  I try to pack in several trips to visit my family, professional development, curriculum work, and big projects around the house.  During the school year, I have to make cards because it's great stress release! 

Anyway, here are my Saturday VCMP cards (all made after church today, go figure)!  I was clearly feeling the primary colors this afternoon.  :)

Challenge #1- Sketch

 

Challenge #2- Spell OWH
I used an OLD corner rounder, WINTER papers, and a HOUSE.

Challenge #3- Triple Time Dies I might have gone overboard with the ink. 
The plainness was driving me nuts. 
There's probably a happy medium to be achieved.

Challenge #4- Love card with Sketch #29 Sorry Annette, I changed the dimensions!
I think this might be appealing for men rather than lacy pink cards.
I had to type up the sentiment because this paper just screamed, "Use me!"

 

 

Challenge #5- Masking tape stamping 
This one was so easy and I loved the result! 
I put some foam under my paper when I stamped.
For me, that's easier than turning the stamp over and placing the paper on top.  

I doubt I'll do Sunday's challenges because I have lots of schoolwork that I should do this evening and tomorrow.  I'm teaching French I this year in addition to math, so I've got lots of work to do to familiarize myself with the curriculum and create materials.   

------
Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 651 blank and 236 AnyHero (as of 4/28/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.