Operation Write Home

My name is Andie Miller and this is officially my first blog hop.  My best friend and I both attempt to contribute to the blog and you can click here for our story.  I couldn't think of a better subject matter than Operation Write Home to contribute to.  This Missing You card was made specifically for the blog hop.  I tried to imagine what a soldier would want to send home to their wife, significant other and/or mom.  Something pretty to make them smile, something simple to not offend the Manly sensibilities. 

The card was made with a piece of printed paper so old there were no product labels, names or any identifying information.  The organza ribbon was a left over bit from another project.  The black cardstock circle was also a left over die cut from a project 2 years ago.  I feel as though the card is an example of why you don't need to run to the craft store in order to make a card for a special occassion.  I guess I'm always looking for an excuse to justify my habit.

I urge you to continue on the hop to view the last entry.  You're almost done!  Click on the link below to hop to the Homefront Blog.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

Homefront Blog

Operation Write Home

On Saturday, I am going to participate in my first blog hop.  Yikes!  Operation Write Home is a group of volunteer crafters who make decorative cards free of charge and supply them to soldiers serving oversees in order that they can write home with the card.  They are doing a Blog Hop in order to bring awareness and support to their cause.  I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Memorial Day. 

My nephew, Ryan, is an ensign in the US Navy and is currently attending pilot school in Florida.  My niece is dating a nice young man, Chris, who is currently serving in the US Army in Afghanistan.  Finally, I couldn't leave out a good family friend, Clint, who is currently suffering from the debilitating effects of ALS.  Clint served our country many years ago and now the Phoenix Veteran's Hospital is caring for him.  My grandfather served in World War II coming to the beaches at Normandy about a month after D-Day and my father served in Vietnam.  You can tell that my family has served and continues to serve this country in ordeo protect us and other peoples of the world.

On this Memorial Day weekend, please take some time to click through the Blog Hop.  Each blog will have a Missing You card for your inspiration.  Then don't forget to stop by Operation Write Home to see what they are up to and maybe even help them out with a few donated cards.  Till then, here's a peak at the card I made:

As for me, I'm planning to pray for Chris' safety, Ryan's development, Clint's peace and thank God for Grandpa and Dad and the sacrifices they made so that I can be mostly concerned with blog hopping this Memorial Day weekend.

Andie

Easter Treasures

These cute Easter favors were made for my considerably younger niece and nephews.  They really enjoyed the gift, though everyone was sick for Easter this year.  The jars are simple Mason jars- don't you just love the look of clean glass?  I started with Basic Grey's Sweet Threads printed paper.  Oh my, but isn't this paper made just for springy, Easter favors?  I cut the frame for the Happy Easter tag from the Cricut Paper Lace cart.  The matting is made from a Bazzil cardstock and both the printed paper "lace" and the cardstock are inked with pink (for my neice) and blue (for my nephews).  The lace "grass" at the bottom of the Mason jar is from the Sweet Threads Ribbon Dollies package. Peel and stick, baby.  Peel and Stick!  The cute chick emblem from the top of  the jar is an image I snagged off the internet somewhere.  Simply print and use the centerpoint feature on the Cricut to cut a circle making a emblem for the top of my glass Easter "basket".  Add a little stitching to your Sweet Threads printed paper and I only have to tie a piece of ribbon on the lid to be done.  Inside the "basket" was filled with holiday M&Ms, a hollow chocolate bunny and chocolate Easter eggs.  Jacob's comment (who had to have his favor hand delivered as he was home mending from a bout of the crud) was..."Mom, Mom, Mom, there are Ms in there!"  Now, I know that Easter is a celebration of the greatest event that ever happened to mankind and I wouldn't take one bit from that happy celebration.  Thank you, Jesus, for your work on the cross and the gift given to me.  However, it is nice to add my bit to the joy that can be found in the blessings God has granted.  Yes, Jacob, there are quite a few Ms in there!

He's a RockStar

I threw together this Rockstar card for my nephew's fourth birthday.  I have to admit that I didn't spend a lot of time working on this card.  I simply cut the printed paper and brown cardstock to mat.  The star embellishments were cut from a matching printed paper.  Crystal Accents (which I had previously discussed here) was used to create the center star of each embellishment to add dimension and accent.  A piece of brown fiber tied to fill open space, a stamp from Close to My Heart and we're done.  Simple, quick and hopefully another addition to justify my plethera of paper crafting supplies.  Besides, at four Tyler skipped right past the homemade card and headed straight for his gift.  This Auntie totally understands, really I do! 

The Man Card

The Man Card... you know, just like the Man Room or Manly Things.  We're talking about the ever elusive Man-centric process of gift selection, packaging and sentiment creating.  It can be difficult or easy, but nonetheless it must be ... say it with me... Manly. 

My man, Dan, is a particular challenge.  I've acheived adulthood without fully developing my Manly gift giving skills.  I always want to send that special gift with a homemade sentiment- if nothing else than to justify myhoard of scrapbooking supplies.  So, how to create a card that is all Man, yet contains just the right sentiment?  I've answered this question by going out on a limb and making cards for male co-workers.  Yeah, practice on those that can mock you- where and when you'll never know. 

This Enjoy the Journey card was inspired by a Michaels event earlier this year.  Brandy received a special invitation to a presentation at Michaels one evening with none other than the Rock Star of paper crafting, Tim Holtz.  Tim Holtz is one of Brandy's favorite designers to track on the internet.  How exciting to stand right there and seeTim Holtz give you ideas and suggestions in how to think outside the box.  Just what I needed for my Man Cards.  We both purchased Tim's book, A Compendium of Curiosities and had him sign our books. Inside this tips and tricks collection are a  large amount of inspiring ideas for roughing up your craft projects for the man in your life.  The truck in this card came from a Ranger stamp set that we won as a prize.  The image was stamped with a black ink onto a green cardstock and green Perfect Pearls dusted over the top with a paint brush.  This caused the image to blur and really added to the "aged" feel of the card.  The dark blue background paper was made using Tim's technique with alcohol inks, the ink applicator tool, and some glossy white cardstock.  The dark blue and dark green alcohol inks combined nicely to create the perfect accent for behind my car.

The Man card does not have to be complicated.  This very simple card was also made for a co-worker.  The truck was cut using the <truck3> image from Cricut's Heritage card.  The blackout was cut from a black cardstock and the truck cut from plain brown cardstock and inked on the edges.  The Happy Birthday sentiment was cut from the Wild Card cart.  Ink some fancy paper and away we go...

So, get crafting for that Man in your life. 

-Andie