Cards for the Troops - Operation Write Home

Happy Flag Day to my fellow U.S. friends! I know it's not a holiday that everyone celebrates, but when it comes around each year, I always think the timing is perfect because it's smack between Memorial Day and Independence Day. So really, you should just have your flags out for the entire month of June, right?


Another way you can show your pride and patriotism in June is by making a few cards for Operation Write Home.

We R Memory Keepers has teamed up with Operation Write Home to collect 50,000 cards -- and we need your help! It's very easy to get involved. Simply create a few handmade greeting cards and send them to We R Memory Keepers by July 24. These cards are then sent to the troops so they can write home to their family and loved ones.
 
Cards can be submitted up until Tuesday July 24, 2012 at midnight.

Aside from the fact that you're doing something wonderful for the troops and their families, you also have a chance to win PRIZES! Each week, We R Memory Keepers will pick cards to receive prizes on our Facebook page. 

We'll also pick the top 50 cards (at the end of the contest) to be voted on by Facebook fans in several rounds until a final winner is chosen.
 

Top 25 cards will receive a Power Punch
Top 10 cards will receive a Lucky 8 Punch
Top 5 cards will receive a Love 2 Craft collection
Top Card – We R Memory Keepers Product - up to $1,000 in product (prize value for top card will depend on the number of cards collected)

To learn more about Operation Write Home, check out all the details here: http://www.weronthenet.com/Operation_Write_Home

Mothers Day Card Inspiration

Though I've been making cards for several years, it was only about a year ago that I felt confident enough in my skills to skip the trips to Hallmark and actually start giving out my handmade creations. It's kind of a scary thing to create something for someone else. Scrapbooking is for me. I'm the customer. If I like it, it's all good. Cardmaking is different because it's ultimately the recipient that you want to please. I think: will they like what I made? Will they think I'm just too cheap to buy them a nice card?

What I've learned is that the recipients (including my mom, aunt, friends...even my dad) seem to really appreciate the fact that I'm giving them something I spent the time and energy to create. Never mind that it isn't "Hallmark-perfect" -- it's from the heart, and that makes them feel every bit as special as I want them to.

Since Mothers' Day is just around the corner, I created a card for my mom with the Anthologie collection from We R Memory Keepers.

The patterns in this collection have a beautiful vintage feel -- perfect for the occasion. And the oval doily was a great finishing touch.

If you'd like to see my card-making process in action, take a look at this video.

You still have time to create your own beautiful Mothers' Day card. I'd love to see what you make, so feel free to leave me a link in the comments, and I'll come check it out!


Supplies used in this project:

Mint Cardstock Everyday Moments Paper Medley 12x12 Paper Damask 12x12 Paper Embossed Stickers Oval Doilies Layered Chipboard Tags

InLinkz.com

Saying thanks

It's Thank You Thursday over on the Ella Publishing blog -- a little reminder to spread a little good will to those who deserve a thank-you for all that they do in our lives.

Confession: I'm not so great at sending thank-you notes -- sometimes I need a little nudge, and this was a good one. Here are a couple of cards I made for this week's feature:

Doodlebug Designs was kind enough to provide some of their Create-A-Card supplies and papers to make these fun, little cards. And today, in honor of Thank You Thursday, they're hosting a giveaway on their blog for the 31 Thank You Cards eBook from Ella Publishing. 

If you're like me and don't consider yourself a cardmaker, the eBook is a great resource to have on-hand. I used one of the ideas to create the embellishment cluster on the second card. I wrapped some twine around a round die-cut and topped with a dimensional butterfly sticker, then layered onto some glitter and patterned paper. It really simplified all the overthinking I tend to do with cards, and I love how it turned out.

So in the spirit of Thank You Thursday, I have to say thanks to Ella for showing me I can make a card once in a while!

Who would you like to thank today?

Express Yourself

The universe sent me a message this weekend. It happened as I was sitting in the pedicure chair on Sunday, reading an old O magazine. The focus of the issue was self-expression, and I was completely swept away with the different articles -- I think I read almost every word of each one. I loved the story of a chalkboard artist who went from a corporate desk job to creating chalk murals all over town. But the article that really spoke to me was the one that talked about what happens when we create.

The author explained that when you make something, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel happy and energetic. So if you're feeling stressed or worn out, you can boost your mood by simply doing something creative -- doodling on paper, writing a haiku, trying a new recipe. Or playing with paper and glue.

I've known this for years -- whenever I need to relieve stress, I head straight for my craft room -- but it was validating to read the science behind it.

Sometimes I feel a little guilty for isolating myself in a room while my kids are playing Barbies or doing cartwheels in the living room. But I think it's all about balance. I spend a healthy amount of time with my kids, taking them on "adventures," teaching them to ask questions, encouraging them to do the things they love. When I head to my "room," that's my time to revive my energy and restore my sense of peace. And I'm a better mom for it.

A few things I've been creating lately...

 

These are my last official projects for Epiphany Crafts. I'm so honored that I got to work on their design team for the past year, and I know I'll be using these products for a very long time.

I created the lacy effect by punching designs into white cardstock and allowing the negative space to show through the clear bubble cap. I love how the texture of the denim paper comes through.

And this is a very old photo, but one I've somehow never scrapped.

I loved the whimsical feel of the paper and wanted to incorporate a few of the graphic elements as charms.

Hope your week is off to a great start and that you're finding plenty of ways to express your creativity.

Guaranteed to make you smile (or groan)

Why is it that I feel the need to use puns on cards? Is it a stage that cardmakers go through? Or am I just a total cornball and it's manifesting itself in my cardmaking? Probably the latter. Maybe I'll grow out of it.

But in the meantime, I'll torture my blog followers with all my pun-spinning glory. The latest specimen is a card I created for the weekly card sketch at Paper Popsicles:

Ok, be honest. Did it make you smile? Or did it make you groan? Inquiring minds want to know!

After I finished it, I realized that, while it was cute and punny (or should that be pfunny?), it didn't look a whole lot like the sketch:

So I created this one:

No pun intended (or included) on that one. Just a simple, straightforward card. I used October Afternoon papers and die-cuts, the Fiskars Apron Lace punch, Hero Arts stamp and some ribbon from my stash.

I gotta say, I really prefer the first one. I can't help but "ruff" it.