Welcome to the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop. I’m super excited to be a part of this blog hop, as it is the first hop I’ve participated in where my blog is a stop. For my readers who don’t know what a blog hop is, a blog hop is an event where participants move from one blog to another to read the entries on a related subject.
Today’s hop started at OWH Stars & Stamps. You should have come from Loni’s Life. After reading my post, you will hop on to Crafty Rika.
Operation Write Home is a wonderful organization that I discovered earlier this year. Their mission is to support our nation’s armed forces by sending blank homemade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude (called Any Hero cards) to encourage them.
I like organizations that support our nation’s troops. I’ve baked cookies for Operation Baking Gals, but making cards is a little less time sensitive in terms of getting to the post office. Both of my grandfathers served in the Army. An uncle retired from the Air Force. An aunt served in the Navy. Her husband, my uncle, retired from the Navy, and one of their sons, my cousin, currently serves in the Navy. James’ grandfather served in the Army and his Dad did a stint in the Air Force. Needless to say, I think it is very important to support our troops. They put their life on the line, so that we may live in freedom.
I’m sharing two cards with you today. The first is a red, white and blue missing you card in honor of Memorial Day. Memorial Day was originally held May 30, 1868 in commemoration of soldiers killed in the American Civil War. After World War I, its observance was extended to all U.S. men and women who died while in military service and is federally observed on the last Monday in May.
Stamps: Designed to Delight I {Heart} the USA; Stampin’ Up Small Sayings (sentiment card 1); Saltbox Studio Celebration Sayings (sentiment card 2)
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Real Red, Brilliant Blue
Ink: Dell printer; Stampin’ Up Brilliant Blue (sentiments)
Tools: Cuttlebug Stars embossing folder; Stampin’ Up Scallop Trim border punch, Word Window punch
You can pick up the American flag heart digi stamp here for free. The second card is almost the same, but I changed the sentiment to make it an Any Hero card.
I didn’t use any ribbon on these cards, but one of my most favorite tricks is for a quickie bow. Check out the video tutorial for it here on my friend Geeta’s blog (***Edited to Add*** Looks like something happened to Geeta’s video and it can’t be played now). I haven’t tied a bow on card without using this technique since I learned it. It is so easy and the bow always comes out looking great.
Back at the beginning of the month, I was very fortunate and picked up three separate blog candies: one for being the randomly selected participant in the All That Scraps Weekly Wednesday Challenge, one from a vender giveaway on Craft Critique and one from a Prairie Fairy blog hop. I want to share my good luck with ya’ll and am offering the following blog candy to one randomly selected commenter on this post. I will select a winner on June 1st at 3 PM CST. Candy consists of Stampin’ Up So Very set, star foam glitter stickers, patriotic adhesive rhinestones, patriotic ribbon, and 5 stamped images.
I am also offering runner-up blog candy of the 5 same stamped images. There will be 1 runner-up per 100 unique comments.
Thanks for visiting my blog today and have a blessed Memorial Day weekend.
***Edited to Add*** Apparently, a number of people have had trouble leaving comments. If you go directly to the post (click on the title so you only see that post), you can scroll down to the comment box. Another way, there is a number under the date for the post (upper left side of post). That number is the number of comments. Clicking on the number will take you directly to the post, allowing you to scroll down to comment box.
Great job! Thx for supporting OWH and the link to free digi… woohoo!! Hugs from your Lead-in Blog owner at Loni’s Life http://www.loniholt.blogspot.com
Jennifer,
It took a little bit for me to figure out where to comment. I am glad I found it because I wanted to tell you how much I liked your cards. Plus you have one cute little girl. Thank you for making cards for OWH.
I love your cards – they turned out great!
Great card!!
Oh, these cards are great. So simple, but gorgeous. TFS.
Such cute cards! I love those dry embossed stars!
Cute cards!! Love the border punch! TFS!
OK so after the blonde figure out how to do a comment…here it is….LOL
I love how you embossed the stars and used a digi instead of a sticker….that rock! Use of the boarder punch added so much more instead of leaving it straight. Overall Loved you card.
Great cards! And, as a military wife, let me say thank you for sharing your creativity to help bring families closer who are separated by duty.
Wow….wonderful card! I love it! I am gonna have to go grab that digi! Geez, and I love love love your blog…I feel like I am white water rafting down the river with you! 😉 Very cool!
Thanks for the chance at your sweet blog candy!
Karen
It took me a sec to figure out where to comment too (you might get more if you note that at the end of your post.)
And wow what a cute card! I so need to get that embossing folder, everyone is doing such cute cards with it. I’m a sucker for scalloppy borders too. And that free heart digi is lovely on this card!
Happy hopping Jennifer!!!
I had trouble finding where to leave comments too. Your cards are lovely and I love the strong red, white and blue papers.
Thanks for supporting OWH!
Great cards!Love your clean style! Thanks for the tutorial and I love the digi blog candy!
Great card.
I love your cards!!! Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you for sharing your cards…they are great. Also thank you for the chance at the blog candy.
Very cute card! TFS!
Wonderful cards! Thank you for the candy opp!
Like you cards. I haven’t been able to color that digi well to save my life, but you make it look great.
I am excited to see all these wonderful cards. My first time particpating in a blog hop and I have learned SO much. My daughter is serving in the US Army stationed in Alaska and my son is leaving for boot camp for the Army in late August. He was just sworn in this past week! I learned about OWH by accident at a Stampin up demonstrator’s blog and have spent all my free time checking it out and learning about it ever since! This is exactly what I was looking for to give back in honor of my own kids!
Beautiful cards. Love the clean lines and the embossed stars. Thanks for the candy offer. It will make good additions to cards for OWH.
Great card–love the embossed stars and ‘American’ heart.
Great cards. Thanks for hopping.
Great cards. Love the American heart. TFS
Great card! Love that star embossing!
Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for sharing tour cards! Well done!
great cards, thanks for editted directions leave a comment
Love the cards and that embossing folder. Thanks for the inspiration.
beautiful cards. thanks for the info on memorial day…very informative.
I love simple – quick cards. Yours are beautiful. I appreciate you giving the link for the digi – I remember seeing it on the OWH blog awhile back, but ignored it – now it is safely stored in my files so I can use it as well. TFS
Hi Sweetie…
I adore these beautiful cards that you have created. How gorgeous they are. You have inspired me to give it a try. I have been looking for something that I could do from my recliner. I have been shut in for a month and had an additional 2 weeks added this past Friday. I am having problems with my lungs and acute asthma so I cannot go outside. I could do this from my chair. I am going in search of supplies about the house today to see what I might be able to create. I surely have something that I can use. I too want to make some cards for OWH.
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to win some eye candy goodness. OUTSTANDING!
Please stop by and say hi. I love meeting new friends. I would be so honored if you signed up to follow my blog.
Country hugs sweetie…Sherry
Wonderful card! I love the embossed stars.
Wow – I love that digi and how your card turned out, especially that sweet sentiment! You did a great job! And you have a beautiful baby by the way! Congrats!
Beautiful card! Great EF TFS!
Great cards!
Great cards!! Love the embossing!
Your cards are great.
I bookmarked your blog so I can check in and see what wonderful ideas you have in the days to come.
Love your cards! That EF is perfect for OWH cards, isn’t it? Thanks for supporting our Heroes and OWH.
R/
Great stars!
I love the dark blue embossed background! Thanks for participating and for making cards for our nation’s Heroes!
Thank you so so much for sharing your beautiful cards and the links for bows & free flag/heart. I agree, I doubt if I will make bows any other way from now on!
Lovely card 🙂
great card
I think I need to pick up that digi for myself
have a great Memorial Day
Sweet cards! Love that border punching. . . .
Wonderful cards. This has truly been a great blog hop and I have found so much inspiration along the way. TFS and for an opportunity to win.
Your cards are great! Thank you to your family for their service to our country and for your continued support to our troops. May God bless you and yours!
~Courtney~
Love your card creations! My husband is a vietnam veteran and said he wishes they had a program like OWH when he was overseas. Thanks for supporting our patriots through this blog hop. And thanks for sharing your talents with us! Happy Memorial Day!
I love your cards- thanks for the link for the D2D digi- it is awesome! I love your bow making tutorial and really like the LO you used. Great Blog Hop!
Your cards are very pretty!!! Love that embossing folder and the border punch really adds a nice touch! Thanks for supporting OWH!