Operation Write Home Veteran's Day Blog Hop & Blog Candy

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Veteran's Day Blog Hop! This wonderful organization is made up of tons of people that make cards for our soldiers that are serving overseas. My daughter was one of these brave soldiers that was a recipient of the cards that this organization sent for the soldiers to send home for their families. It's not like they could run to a PX & pick up a Christmas or Valentines Day card in the middle of the desert! If you want to know more about this awesome organization, please click on the Operation Write Home logo on my sidebar.

Now for the hop! If you came here from Barbara's blog http://barbarade.blogspot.com/2009/11/operation-write-home.html , then you're at the right spot. If not, go back to the beginning at: http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/2009/11/owh-veterans-day-bloghop.html I usually try to make several love cards to send in with any cards I send. We always highlight the different holidays, but they need love, birthday, anniversary and other such cards all of the time.

My first card is made with a PSX wolf stamped on white cardstock with Artprint Brown Memories ink. It was the colored with a watered down wash of H20s & highlighted with a white gel pen. The circle frame from Inkadinkado was stamped on cardstock with Top Boss embossing ink & embossed with Detail White EP from Stamp 'n Stuff. These were then placed on top of this Around the Block two-sided card stock following a challenge sketch from Mojo Monday week 112. All of the edges were inked with Sea Brights Pool ink & then I added some flourishes from Autumn Leaves. The sentiment is an oldie but goodie from JRL designs. I topped it with a ribbon & used a white gel pen for some doodles around the edges.

Next is a card made with an awesome stamp from Outlines rubber stamps. I just found out about this company lately, so I'm having a blast with their designs. This image was stamped on card stock with Top Boss embossing ink & embossed with Detail White EP. I stamped the image numerous times so I could layer it to add some dimension. That's a great thing about the OWH cards. You can add all sorts of embellishments (except glitter for safety reasons!) since the soldiers can send their mail home for free. Back to the card. This particular image has five cutout layers, but you could add or subtract to your liking. I just glued them on top of each other after I cut them out instead of using foam adhesives like I usually do. I got out the H20s again to add some more color & then I matted it on some more card stock. This layout was a challenge from Stamping 411 although I didn't use Stampin' Up! products. I put all of it on top of some Paper Studio design paper, added a Martha Stewart ribbon bow, highlighted it with a white gel pen & it's ready to go (after I stamped the inside sentiments which I always do for these cards).

This is really turning into a long post, so lets get to the BLOG CANDY!!!! If you are a follower that leaves a comment on my post, you will be entered to win this fun package of stamping goodies pictured below to help you get jump started on your OWH cards! You'll even get an Operation Write Home custom stamp for the back of your OWH cards along with a CC rubber heart wreath & a Judith rubber stamp. I'm sure I'll find more stuff to add to this loot! Sorry about the picture quality today. It's really overcast outside, so the flash messed with the colors.

Your next stop on this hop is to Lori's blog, http://lorikins.blogspot.com/2009/11/operation-write-home-blog-hop.html Lori is an awesome lady that usually scrapbooks, but has joined us in making cards to help out the troops. Her mom has just finished her chemotherapy treatments for cancer & is still going strong, God bless her! These awesome ladies recently went to a Rick Springfield concert & had front row seats & backstage passes thanks to her mom's BFF. What an awesome gift! ~ Lee