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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Operation Write Home

Happy Sunday stampers! This week's challenge from Stampin' Sisters in Christ is hostessed by Candace who chose the verse from John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Jesus laid his life down to save us from our sins, to give us eternal life in heaven.

Our American armed forces lay down their lives every day to ensure we have freedom in our country. Their sacrifice was demonstrated in a heart breaking manner this week in Texas at Fort Hood. We can thank them in a tangible way using our skills as card makers, putting our hearts into our creations. This week's challenge then, is to support Operation Write Home.

The mission of Operation Write Home (formerly known as Cards for Heroes) is to support our nation's armed forces by sending blank (handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.

The challenge for this week is to make a patriotic-themed card for a soldier and as a bonus, donate it to Operation Write Home, so that a soldier may be encouraged by your words of thanks. Write a special message of gratitude on the inside and sign your name. They will be distributed to soldiers who rarely get mail, or just need encouragement. Be sure to put your card in an envelope and write “Any Hero” on the front. For more information on how to make a card for “Any Hero” click here (http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/2009/09/anyhero-cards-q.html).

Please note that it is not required to donate your card in order to participate in the challenge. However, I do encourage it!

THE EXTRA CHALLENGE

OWH also collects blank greeting cards (any theme) that soldiers may send home to loved ones. For example: birthday, thinking of you, hello, etc. Various holiday cards are also needed. According to the OWH website, “miss you” and “love you” cards are most requested by the soldiers. To read more about card themes needed, click here http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/2009/03/card-themeswhat-needed-most.html.

There are some rules about what you can and cannot use, for their safety's sake . . . for instance, no glitter! We don't want a speck of something shiny making our armed forces a target and visible at night. Also, standard A2 size cards are preferred. You don't have to include an envelope with an A2 card if you don't have any. However if you do choose to send a square card, please include a corresponding square-sized envelope for that card. Donations are always accepted to help pay for the postage required to send these packages to our brave men and women. So if you can slip in a dollar or two or five with your card, it is gratefully accepted.

One thing you CAN do . . .which made me happy personally . . .is you don't have to worry about bumps and lumps! Use those buttons! Make a pretty bow! The armed forces, when they send cards home to their loved ones, don't have to pay that extra postage for a lumpy card. :) I love ribbons, bows and buttons!

Candace has volunteered to collect the cards sent to her and mail them in a bundle to OWH. The link for her blog is here.

If you notice on my sidebar there are a few upcoming blog hops. One of them I will be participating in next Saturday and that is for Operation Write Home. You can sign up to be part of that blog hop too, it isn't too late, or just go blurfing next Saturday to see some awesome artwork and have a chance to win some great prizes.

Speaking of prizes, our sponsor at Stampin' Sisters in Christ this week is Paper Pretties. Thank you for donating that lovely stamp set which one lucky winner will receive for posting their creation on the SSCC blog. Thanks for looking.

ETA: My recipe . . . one of my friends thought I used Roses in Winter . . . I never could get the hang of two-step stamping, so I had that set at one time and gave it to a more deserving home!

Stamps: Penny Black 'the heart of the rose'

Paper: Neenah solar white, SU real red, brilliant blue, glossy white

Other: black craft ink, clear EP, sponge, red and blue inks, cuttlebug swiss dots folder, blue ribbon, post it notes for masking

26 comments:

Laurie said...

Love the uniqueness of your card...the colors are stunning!

Traci M said...

What a great way to use the Roses In Winter set...I love it. I was thinking of that set yesterday and wanted to get it out again...this is beautiful Peggysue! And such a worthy cause also, thanks for your work on this even in the midst of kitchen upheaval.

IamDerby said...

Gorgeous card and fabulous idea. Definitely going to make some cards for heros.

Kristine said...

BEAUTIFUL way to color your rose--LOVE THIS! It's so unique and patriotic. You're so talented =)

Kay said...

Well, you KNOW I think that's a fabulous idea :) I'll see you on the hop too. I'm actually taking a break from making my "Any Hero" cards right now, checking out my bloggy buddies so imagine my surprise to find your gorgeous card. Great minds and all that!

Candace said...

I love the way you did the rose...beautiful card, Peggysue!!!

B said...

Absolutely gorgeous with the colors and the patrioticness!

Ceal said...

Beautiful card, very unique

Joanne (jojot) said...

what a spectacular card and what a fabulous purpose behind it....you practice what you 'preach'...you go, girl

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
One Picky Family said...

What a terrific card and challenge!

laos348 said...

Gorgeous card - the way you used the colors is fabulous.

Mara Campbell said...

Wow oh Wow!! This is wonderful, the colors are perfect and that center image is really cool how you colored it!!

Diane Noble said...

what an interesting technique. It is stunning. How creative to blend the theme, patriotic with this image. You pulled it off great! Beautiful PS!

Karen Lynn said...

Wow, PS, what a great card for a great cause.

Stephanie said...

This is gorgeous - what a great way to add red, white, and blue!! fabulous idea :) & I love that cards with bumps can be sent without hassle!!

@JoyceCasaldi said...

Awesome card PS, great job!

Val said...

Great card and a very worthy cause.

Terri said...

Very cool card and what a great cause to be making it for too.

Gina Lindsay said...

Love this, it is so unique. Thanks for all the info, I think I need to get some card together to send.

BethieJ said...

Peggysue this is FABULOUS!! I LOVE it!!! Such a GREAT cause too!!
have a GREAT day!

Traci M said...

You are right, I did mistake this for the RIW stamp set, then realized that is not what this one is...now I see the light!! :)
Beautiful, and now I won't try to make this with my RIW set.

Karen Howard said...

Beautiful card!!! I'm the stop after you in the OWH Veteran's Day Bloghop. I found your comment and wanted to visit!!! Can't wait to see what you've created for the blophop!!!

Toni said...

wow PS...you have really found a niche here. You card is gorgous as well very artisic...and the column that you are writing is so inspiring.

theneon said...

Roses by your window, and roses on your card -- this one is very elegant!

Helen said...

What a beautiful card! I love how you used the colors on the rose!
Blessings!
~H