If you haven't heard of Operation Write Home, you aren't alone - I just became aware of this amazing organization about a month ago as I was talking to a friend online. She mentioned one of my cards would be great to make and send to OWH and I was like, huh, what is OWH? And thus the seed was planted....then a few weeks later another person mentioned OWH in a forum and I knew I had to check it out. Enter google and I found out what a wonderful cause this organization is and that there was a blog hop coming up that I knew I HAD to participate in! I love blog hops. It's great to see fresh, new designs and different styles of this papercraft I love so much. I have a long post today, but be sure to get ALL the way to the bottom for a very special blog candy. :)

Today's hop is in honor of Memorial Day. Do you know what Memorial Day really is?! I've always felt kind of weird when people would say "Happy Memorial Day!" Like, really? I mean, sure it's a national holiday, most people get the day off from work, a lot of people use it as the official kick off to summer & brush off their grills for some yummy barbeques. But to me, it's always held this sort of reserve for me....like I want to tell people to stop a moment, just take a quick quiet moment and think about what the holiday is really for...to REMEMBER all the men and women who have died while in the military. Serving our country and giving the ultimate sacrifice while doing so. So, I ask you this, just take a moment to reflect on this fact. We ARE in a time of war even tho it is miles and miles away. We DO have men and women risking their lives every day & MANY die each day doing so. Let's never forget that.
Okay, So in that regard, I have been busy making my FIRST of many cards to send to OWH. I hope you will like them and perhaps find inspiration to make your own cards to send to our military. They really do love receiving these cards to send to their loved ones. It is so much more than just a piece of paper or a store bought card.


For my 3rd card, I used a brand new {ippity} set - The Simple Things. I stamped the butterfly flower with Pure Poppy on kraft cardstock and also created a little shadow with versamark but that doesn't show up well on the photo. I also added some bling & the ribbon to complete this CAS card. I love the sentiment and wanted to keep it simple.
For my 4th and final card, I just had to ink up another new {ippity} set: Now & Always. This set has {4} big beautiful flowers perfect for stamping on pretty patterned papers & layering like I did on this card using the fabulous October Afternoon papers. The sentiment is also from this set. I stamped the swirls from the same set as a background. This is pretty out of the norm for me as I almost always use DP as my first layer! I love the simple effect though. And that Gothic Cute image is from Tiddly Inks - Always The Flower Girl. I love this line of digi stamps - they are so funky & cute at the same time! I colored her using copics.
All {ippity} sets used on my cards today are available for purchase on my {ippity} sales blog. This is the last weekend I will have FREE Shipping (in the continental US). I will also ship internationally, just send me an email to quote that before you order. I am also including a **free** 4x6 sample of the new October Afternoon paper pack with each order.
This candy will close on June 6th @ 11:59pm MST. I will announce the winner on Wed, June 9th.
Thanks for stopping by - Now it's time for your next stop on the hop: Karen!!!
58 comments :
You're cards are BEAUTIFUL! Your blog is going straight to my Favorites! I love what you said about Memorial Day, I was thinking the same thing...! Let's never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice...
Adorable cards!
awesome cards.. u've been busy!
beautiful cards! I love these hops because I get a chance to see new creations!
I love all the cards, they are really nice. You do very nice work.
wow, super cards. I love these all. I need to find some time to make some for this awesome cause.
Love your cards and your "challenge". After (when) I finish the hop I'll be off to my crafting corner and making some for this worthwhile cause.
Your cards are lovely and very creative. Thanks for participating in the hop today and for all you do for our service men and women.
These wonderful cards will be loved by both the HERO's and their loved ones. I'm making cards for OWH for the first time too.
Carisa,
Great cards. Your coloring is superb.
I am also part of the blog so my card is over here http://diaryofascrapbooker.blogspot.com/
Great cards! You are very creative. I am now going to create cards for OWH due to this blog tour. I don't have a blog to link to you, sorry.
All the cards are great. Even the simple one!
Wow, your cards are beautiful!!! Love soldier Ian the best, fantastic post!!!
Nice cards! I love the picture. Thanks for Hopping.
I love all of your cards.. They are beautiful. I have to say that your write up is wonderful.. I think the true meaning of this weekend gets overlooked.. Great job..
I love your cards, especially that ian one. so cute!
Your cards are amazing, and I love your write up about Memorial Day! I don't think most people even realize what this holiday represents and therefore it isn't being instilled in today's children. So Thank you!
You are offering up some yummy candy...Thank you for the chance to win it.
~Courtney~
Your cards are so great. I love them all. That {ippity} Now&Always set is on the top of my shopping list. TFS. I'll be linking some cards later.
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.
Your cards are amazing and I along with so many others want to thank you for all you do.
God Bless,
Jeanine
Carisa, I love your style! So glad your friends bugged you about us - and that you responded :) :) :)
And that photo with the angel - WOW!
Happy hopping!!!
your cards are YUMMY! and so is your candy!
great blog right up and thanks for the opportunity to win something nice :)
I didn't see the "old" part before posting my link, and I didn't want to use today's cards, since you'll be seeing them anyway, LOl...so I did put up an older post with cards and then I came back and added today's. I should just say all the cards on my blog are for OWH.
Thanks very much,
Susan
Fellow OWHomer
Thanks for supporting OWH. Your cards are wonderful!
Love your cards! I have a box of about 150-200 that I am working on filling up to send in to OWH.
I really like the four cards that you have posted. They are all uniquely different. Any soldier's loved one would appreciate receiving one of these cards. They're beautiful!
Also, such generous blog candy! Thanks for the offering! I'm glad that you've found OWH. I know we're always willing to grow in numbers!
oh I adore that simple things card! You are very talented and generous. Thank you for supporting OWH.
Beautiful cards! I love that image on your 4th card...it could be because of the red hair! ;O)
awesome cards....you been a busy girl!!! thank you for reminding us what Memorial Day is all about!! God Bless our Troops! ;)
Beautiful and gorgeous cards.
You've made a wonderful variety of cards here. Lots of inspiration!
Thank you for supporting OWH!
Really awesome cards!! Thank You
Great cards. Love the colors and technigue. Simple but oh so cute. Love your site also.
Such Beautiful cards!!!
Busy girl!! Love all your cards!! :)
Great cards, thanks for sharing.
Beautiful cards! I love that little soldier digi! Beautiful post too about the real meaning of Memorial Day, thanks for sharing!
Love your use of the bling on your cards. Very creative especially the one with the red corner.
I'm so glad you found OWH! And your post was fun to read. Great cards! thanks for sharing your talent!
I so appreciate what you said about Memorial Day--the solemn sacrifices that have been made should sober us all.
And yet, having reflected on our heroes sacrifice. . . what better way to honor those who fell in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness than to exercise those rights, ever mindful of the steep price paid so that we may do so?
Excellent post and beautiful cards, my dear!
Great cards! TFS.
Really like your card. I think that you can say have a Happy Memorial Day. We are not only remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but honoring all those who have served past and present. While there is sadness there is also joy and pride. Thank you for your support of our Heroes and of OWH. I would love to win your generous candy, it's got a number of my "would love to haves" in it! Thanks for the chance.
R/
Your cards are wonderful and your Statement is 100 percent correct! As long as we share our knowledge of what this very special remembrance means with the future generations and some people who need to be reminded, we will be forever grateful for our Freedoms! Place a smile on someone's face with your contributions and your involvement in OWH. Thank you!
Awesome cards. I love them. You really did a great job.
Wow great place on thoe hop! Thanks so much for sharing and those skittles are new to me . . . hmm. . . . adding to my every growing list of things to look into! THANKS A LOT. :D
LOVE you cards! Will try to get a card or two done tonight as I love the candy you are offering (I was tempted to just leave a link to the cards I did for the hop - cause I feel like a slacker today )
I enjoyed your blog post today, OWH is an awesome organization! Have you joined the Facebook page yet?
Thanks for offering blog candy, I love the SU set but don't have it yet!
Fantastic cards! Loved them all! Thanks for sharing and hope you are having a great weekend! ;o)
Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing and the pictures are a wonderful reminder of what Memorial Day really is.
Hey memorable cards made by you on the Memorable day.Thanks for sharing.
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WOW wonderful cards! I love them all! But the Little Ian is my fav!! Thanks for a wonderful post!!
What such great cards! Thanks for sharing.
Great cards!! And I am so glad you have started to make some of your awesome cards for OWH!!!
cute cards! i love ippity stamps. thanks for sharing.
Enjoyed your post!!! Your cards are gorgeous!!! Glad that you found OWH!!!
Such wonderful cards! Ah, just love Soldier Ian! Your coloring of him is great!
LOVE all of your cards. Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous cards and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to have you join in the OWH card making adventure. It is a joy to participate for me, I hope you love it too! I know the soldiers and their families will love your cards.
I deleted the link with the (old)mothers day cards and put the one in that is as recent as tonight, cards made with digi and sketches FROM the hop, so they are new cards...one link- 6 cards.
Susan
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