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Saturday, March 20, 2010

Operation Write Home Spring Break Blog Hop

I'm so excited!  Today's the day for the Operation Write Home Spring Break Blog Hop!  If you came here from Erika's blog,  Bekah Jo's World, then you are in the right place.  If not, you will want to start at the beginning of the hop at the Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps Blog.

Today's hop is very near and dear to my heart.  My daughter, Chelsey, is a Sargeant in the 220th MP Unit of the Colorado Army National Guard.  She served in Iraq and has been home for just over a year, and she was just recently notified that she will soon be deployed to Afghanistan.  I know how much the soldiers appreciate the cards that are made for them from people like you and I while they're serving overseas.  So many of her soldiers found it hard to believe that complete strangers would put so much love into these cards.  I want to make sure that the soldiers in her unit and any other serviceperson that is serving overseas has an opportunity to receive some of these works of heart! 
Sgt. Chelsey Burgess & her hubby David

A great place to follow the work of Operation Write Home is by becoming a fan on facebook.  I don't always check all of my emails, but I have to check out facebook numerous times a day.  You can keep up on special requests for cards as well as any other special events like this blog hop.  If you like challenges, then you want to sign up for the OWH Stars and Stamps blog, so you can see what the Sunday challenge is for the week.  There are some awesome tutorials there on Tuesday, and you may even want to join in on Wednesday for the mid-week throwdown!  Don't forget to stop back there on Fridays to meet the featured cardmaker of the week.  It's a great way to find out more about fellow cardmakers.

There are two more blogs that are connected to Operation Write Home.  The first one is the Homefront Blog.  This blog has info about the people that recently have sent cards as well as special requests for cards.  You can see where the cards are going and the deadline dates for upcoming card calls.  They have examples of letters that the kids can write and include with your boxes of cards.  You can even get tips on how to host carmaking parties with lots of resources you can use to promote your event.  Next is my personal favorite, the Hero Blog.  This is where you will find letters and pictures from the soldiers and their families.  If you don't realize how important these cards are to our soldiers, then you need to take a few minutes to read some of their stories.  Beware - Klennex alert!!!!!!!!


Although Operation Write Home gives deadlines for specific holiday cards, they can always use Thinking of You, Missing You, Love, Birthday, Anniversary, Congratulations and other such cards.  I like to make a lot of kid related cards, ao I may this card with an adorable image from Karen's Doodles.  Karen has such adorable, detailed digital stamp images.  Although most little girls would love to get a pony for their birthday, this card can also be used for many other reasons.  The image was printed on white card stock from my HP printer & embossed with clear detail embossing powder as soon as it came out of the printer.  After coloring the image with colored pencils, I blended them with a blending stump dipped in baby oil.  The highlights were made with a Sakura white Gelly Roll gel pen.  Next, I mounted it onto The Paper Studio paper and added a flocked border from Heidi Grace and some pearls from Michael's.  The flower stickers are from Cloud 9 Design.  I've been playing with some new techniques, and this sentiment from Impression Obsession was stamped on some paper I made using the Spray Starch technique by Deb Lovett.  You can see how to make it on g.g. designs website.  Last, but not least, is a white American Crafts rub-on.

The 2nd card was made from an image that I recently won from Shelley Schmidt.  I started to follow her blog after the last Operation Write Home Veteran's Day Blog Hop.  The image from this set called So Far Away is from Firecracker Designs by Pamela.  She has several other military related sets that you'll also want to check out while you're there.  The image and sentiment were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto white card stock and them colored with colored pencils.  I used lots of stuff from my stash including the paper, Love You tag and brads.  The bottom of the card was stitched with black thread.  Finally, the sentiment is from Victorine Originals and the rubons are from Prima.
I thought I'd add another card that I just finished.  This one is made up of lots of different Stampscapes rubber stamps.  They were stamped with Memento Black Tuxedo ink onto Kromekote Glossy Paper.  After stamping all of the images, the color was added with stipple brushes and Adirondack & Memories ink pads.  The highlights were added with a White Sakura Gelly Roll Pen.  To preserve the colors, I sprayed it with a glossy finish.  The corners were cut with Fiskars corner punches and then it was matted onto The Paper Store card stock.  Since my daughter's unit's mascot is the wolf and they call themselves the Wolf Pack, I had to add these awesome wolves running from a retired set by Stampin' Up!.

Now for the BLOG CANDY!  I'm not requiring you to become a follower, but if you do, your name will be entered twice into the blog candy drawings.  The winner of the blog candy will receive a $10 gift certificate for the digital images of your choice to Michelle Perkett Studio!  I'll draw the winner on Sunday night, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. MST. 
Since I've had over 50 people comment on my cards today, I will add a surprise package of BLOG CANDY to one of the commentors on this posting. The drawing will be held on MONDAY, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. MST.  If you don't have a blog, make sure to leave your email


Your next stop on the hop is at the lovely and talented Caryl's Stamps and Stitches Blog.  I was introduced to Caryl through the Veteran's Day Blog Hop we had for Operation Write Home and now we're both doing the hop again!
~~  Lee  ~~ 

Largest reinlistment ceremony ever held overseas.
Baghdad, Iraq, July 4, 2008
Held in one of Sadam's former palaces.
My daughter was one of the soldiers that reinlisted that day.

80 comments:

Fabre said...

Beautiful beautiful cards - I am so inspired to create on this hop today! Thanks to your daughter Chelsey for her service, and to her hubby and to you for your support of her! Happy hopping today!

Operation Write Home said...

What beautiful cards - I'm going to go look for that pony! And I love what you did with the Firecracker stamps, I can't believe I've had it so long and never inked it up *blush*

You must be so proud of your daughter - we are too!!! Don't forget to sign her up for cards this summer!

Diane said...

I have the soldier stamp- it is incredible! I may just have to scraplift your card- it is so beautiful! Thanks to you, your family and Chelsey!!!

Unknown said...

Wow, thank your daughter on my behalf! I am amazed by the courage and will of these soldiers! I appreciate it greatly!

Dawn said...

card is fantab, but your daugther ROCKS. Thank you to her for me!

...Darlene said...

Lee,
Thank you for sharing your family with us, it just amazes me that we have so many young people who willing reenlist to serve.

Your cards are cute too. I am going to work on some children's cards for me next batch.

darlene a

Kate said...

That little girl with the pony is so cute I can barely stand it, and that soldier card breaks my heart. Thanks to your family for your service. Happy blog hopping!

Karen McAlpine said...

Love the horsey card. Your coloring is fab! I am now a follower. Happy hopping

Rhonda Miller said...

Lee, what great cards. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Merry's Musings said...

What a wonderful wonderful post you did for us, your cards are just beyond wonderful. I LOVE you blog. I sure miss my facebook account, OWH is a worthwhile follow for sure!

Meg Bean said...

I love your second card - the image, colors, sentiment are all wonderful!

Shelly R Wilson said...

What beautiful cards. I really like them a lot, the colors and thoughts are super.

SuzAnn said...

What beautiful cards! Thanks to your daughter for her service. and thanks for supporting OWH

Louise Fox said...

Lee, Great post! I can see some little girl saving your card from her Mom or Daddy for years to come! It is just such a lovely card! Be proud of your family and your art! Blessings, Louise

Tami Bayer said...

All such lovely cards. Thank you for your daughter's service and your kindess in supporting OWH.

TN Granny said...

I absolutely love your cards they are amazing.
God Bless,
Jeanine #14 on the blog hop

Betty said...

Thanks for all your family does!

Great cards...

Jeanne said...

Your cards are amazing. I love seeing coloring done with pencils instead of copics. It gives me hope that one day I can make cards that nice.

Thank you and your family for their service.

jeanne706 at yahoo dot com

lavendarrose29 said...

YOur cards are so great. How proud you must be of your Daughter. Thank her for all she does so we can be here safe and sound.

Seongsook Duncan said...

This is a great post. Thank you so much for your sharing your family story. Your cards are wonderful. I love your coloring.

hiscreation2 said...

What wonderful cards! I love that 2nd one! Awesome! Thank you for sharing and please thank your Daughter for her service and sacrifice.

Jan Hunnicutt said...

Lee, your cards are wonderful! In blog hopping today there has been so much inspiration, cards for kids have caught my attention. It's not just the spouses that miss their loved ones. Thanks for inspiring me just a bit more today!

Erika said...

Your cards really are amazing. The colors and detailing are enchanting. Thanks for sharing! And as a military wife I must say thank you for helping OWH bring families together despite being separated by duty.

AprilsL8 said...

Absolutely beautiful cards!


AprilsL8@windstream.net

Wendy said...

Truly beautiful cards. Your choice of color is wonderful. Thanks for supporting OWH.

Patti Erickson said...

Great post and please give your daughter a big "THANK YOU" hug from a very appreciative family in CA!

Kajikit said...

I just love that last card you posted - the stamped collage. What a lot of work went into making it!

Anita said...

Thanks to your daughter for protecting our country. Amazing cards!

Missy said...

Lee,
You made some amazing cards. I will need to check out that starch technique, I have never heard of it.

Unknown said...

Please thank your daughter for her service for me. Your cards are awesome! Thank you for sharing.

grandmalee said...

WOW! What an awesome group of hoppers so far today!!!! Thanks so much for all of your kind comments about my cards, and Chelsey says "you're welcome." I hope we've given everyone inspiration to continue to support our troops in one way or another. THANKS!!!

Dixie Cochran said...

Thank you for sharing your daughter with us! Big hugs to her and all of her family. Your cards are terrific, and I like the fact that you remember the children of our heroes!

One Scrappy Gal said...

A big thank you to your daughter for her service - and to you too for supporting her! Thank you for all the links.

JenMarie said...

What wonderful cards!
(no need to enter me in the drawing)

Martha said...

Oh my, I needed a Kleenex alert just reading your post. Please thank your DD for me. I wish her a safe deployment and hope that one of my cards may reach her posting in Afghanistan.
I love your cards. The FCD stamp is on my shelf. I think it needs to get inked up again soon. Thank you for the inspiration you shared.

Renee said...

Wow! Your cards are great and such a wide variety of styles! Many thanks to your daughter for her service.

Karen Howard said...

Beautiful cards! Love the images and your coloring is amazing!

Brenda said...

Oh I love your cards - you are so talented!! It's a pleasure to follow you!

Cathy... said...

What fabulous cards! The pony image is so sweet and thanks so much for sharing the link to the soldier stamp. LOVE that card! Please thank your daughter for her service!

laurlynn said...

I've become a follower of your blog. I can't wait until after this weekend to look more at everybody's blogs. There is so much information about everything, it's hard to take it all in right now. Thanks for sharing with us.

Cyn said...

Beautiful cards! PLease tell your daughter thank you from my family for serving to protect our great nation!

Marci said...

That is the cutest pony stamp!

Shelly said...

A big thank you to your daughter for serving our country. She's in my prayers.

Your cards are gorgeous!!! The coloring on the pony card is so beautiful and so is the awesome starch paper. I love the sentiment and papers you chose for the military card. The stampscapes card is spectacular! I love that you put wolves in there for your dd.

It was a pleasure to become follower. You make fabulous cards.

Kas said...

Love your cards. Big hugs for you and your family!

Monica said...

We both have daughters serving and I know you must be just as proud of your daughter as I am of mine. Love your cards! Thanks for hopping with us today!

~Jeri~ said...

What amazingly beautiful and stunning cards!!! You've got a great talent!! Please pass on my family's prayers and thanks to your daughter, yourself and the rest of your family for your sacrifice and service to our country!!!

As a military spouse and someone new to OWH, I thank you for taking part in this awesome blog hop and in OWH!

Cut n Paste said...

Wow! Beautiful cards!!! Thanks for sharing the cards and techniques with us. Thanks to your daughter for her service for us. Thanks for supporting OWH.

Rufus said...

All 3 of your cards are inspiring, and yet very different! I like that they are all so unique. The coloring on the first is incredible, the theme of the second chokes me up and the story of the third is wonderful. Please thank your daughter (who you must be very proud of!) for her defense of our country. Thank you also to her husband and your family for supporting her. You serve as well. I keep getting diverted by looking at all the things on your blog and then the links!!!
Thanks,
R/

Gloria Westerman said...

These are gorgeous.....and I love your coloring ....thank you for your service and your DD service to out country.....thank you for sharing with us....

Gloria Westerman said...

Oh I forgot to tell you I an honor to be part of your awesome blog by follower......

Whispers and Wishes said...

my goodness you are talented... you do an incredible job with ink and pencil...thanks for sharing.

Jennifer Moore said...

Beautiful cards. Baby oil for blending. Is that like using gamosol (which I haven't used either)? Is that safer? With a 5-month old, I'm starting to be very concerned about toxic stuff.

Melissa Rossi said...

awesome job coloring- I have just ventured into the colored pencils/baby oil technique and I LOVE IT!!

mtscrapgal said...

Thanks to you and your daughter. Your coloring is awesome and you show such variety in your cards.

shelly said...

your cards are like mini pieces of artwork!! bless your daughther for protecting us! Thanks for sharing.

Lora3677 said...

WOW!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that little girl hugging the horse. It's so cute!

Shirley said...

All of the cards were spectacular, but I have to say that the soldier card had me in tears. Perfect sentiment.

Give your daughter a hug and tell her I said thanks for being there for me.

Thanks for participating and for sharing.

Lauretta See said...

beautiful cards.... I am enjoying this hop... so many great artist out there.. :)) your doing a wonderful job!! thanks for sharing :))

Hugs x

Lyneen said...

Beautiful cards. thanks for sharing your stories and supporting OWH. I appreciate you stopping by my blog during the hop and leaving your kind words. Good luck in my OWH giveaway!

Carolyn Bounds said...

Lee, all of your cards are *FABULOUS*...as they always are!!! I must say, I am especially drawn to the touching soldier card. It reminds me of the many times my father left to do his duty...when my husband was sent off to serve...and when our oldest son boarded the plane to begin his journey as a soldier. This stunning creation totally captivated me...touched my heart and soul...and brought me to tears. You managed to capture within a card the sacrifices made daily by our nation's heroes and their families, for it is not easy to leave the ones you love behind...as it is not easy to see the one you love venture into harm's way. Thank you for creating such heartfelt beauties, and please thank your brave daughter for preserving our freedoms!! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!!!

Much love!!!
Carolyn

andyjay said...

Beatiful and very creative cards, Lee! TFS! And thanks for the chance at winning some blog candy! Blessings to you!

StampinSher said...

Beautiful job on all of your cards! They are all so different and enchanting with a lot of detailed coloring. It is so nice that you share what your wonderful daughter has said to you about how grateful our heroes are when they are receiving our gifts of love to them to communicate back home.
Thank you for everything you do and especially your daughter!
Sincerely,
Sher

jengd said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JPScraps said...

Great cards!!

Doodle Queen said...

Wow! I am honored that you would feature one of my images along with your other fantastic cards. They are all amazing :-)
Hugs, Karen (Karen's Doodles)

Anonymous said...

Great cards!! Thanks for your support of OWH!

Purple Princess said...

Wonderful cards!! Please thank your your daughter from me for all she does for our country!!

PatQ said...

Great cards--love all the detail that you put into your cards.

Loni said...

Thx to your daughter for her service and to you for your support of OWH. Hugs, Loni (Stop #55)

Unknown said...

Your cards are beautiful!!! I love that I found OWH on this blog hop!!

Thanks for Sharing!

xoxo
Ola
okj83 at live dot com

debb said...

Fab cards! Love the coloring and embossing and dying! Thank you to you and thank your daughter and family for service and sacrifice!

Susan said...

Lovely cards, and a lot of work went into them...a labor of love.

Thank you Chelsea for serving our nation!! We are firm supporters of our service men and women. I wish I had known about this awesome organization sooner. what a wonderful thing to do, and I am going to join up!

I am a follower also.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Cute cards, love the birthday pony. I'm going to have to try the baby oil and colored pencils. Thanks for your work for OWH and your daughters service.

jengd said...

Fantastic cards! That one with the horse just made me chuckle out loud. :) Best to you and your daughter! jgerwigdively at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Well... just love your blog with sooo much info... your cards are wonderful... especially like the pony image.
I am a grandma too, and became a new cardmaker for OWH after finally getting some hands on lessons from my daughter, Sandy...
and this got me hooked! I love doing this for such a worthy cause.
and it's inspirational as well.
Am still winding my way through this great blog of information, so hope I can join in for some blog candy yet today... dmdotallnock at verizon dot net... I would like to follow your blog later and learn more. Thanks so much for all you do.

Collette said...

Beautiful cards. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm working through the blog-hop and hope to have a bunch at the end of the week to send on for the troops.

Kimme said...

Such wonderful artwork. I am sure that your daughter and all the Heroes she works with are thrilled to receive your work.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your cards are beautiful!

Corinna
www.myscrapbooklife.com

Trevorstuffmammas said...

Wow....amazing colors and great thought into those cards....Thank you for sharing!!

Shelly Schmidt said...

I am late- but wanted to stop at some of the stops on the Blog Hop- WOW- gorgeous cards- and Thanks to your wonderful daughter. God Bless America!!!

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