Good friends and Any Hero letters...and maybe a challenge or two...

This last week I went out to lunch with my old long time friends Punky, Kathy and Dorothy and we spent a good bit of it looking at Kathy's pictures from her recent trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco.  Wow,  that looked like an amazing trip.  Kathy took her husband's ashes and scattered some in several places because this was the trip they had planned to go on together before he got so sick.  She said she couldn't believe it's been 6 months already.  I know, right?  How can time keep passing when you're missing someone that was a part of your heart?

But, after we oohed and ahhed at all of her fabulous pictures, I brought out my Ziploc bag of cards and asked them to write Any Hero letters for OWH.  I figured I would have to explain what it was all about and try to SELL them on the idea of penning a note to our heroes, but nope...they just each picked one and wrote a brief note of love and encouragement!  I don't know why I thought it would be an imposition.  I <3 my friends!  So, now I have 4 more Any Hero letters to include in my next box of cards to Sandy.

Recently I uploaded some of the cards I'd been working on this month for different OWH card parties.  You know, our regular gatherings at Ellen's, or East Woods, or the Emeritus Senior Living bashes.  So here they are.

For this one, I found some shiny chipboard letters in my stash. 

This one uses a darling scrapbook cutout that came in a box of goodies that Sandy sent down to our East Woods card making group last month.  There were tons of craft goodies in that box.  I just used a sentiment stamp and it was nearly done.  Easy peasy.

These were made using some military phonetic stickers that Sandy gave me last year when I went up to Federal Way for a scrap/card making event at Scrap That, her local stamp store.

I had this awesome Washi tape with the numbers on them and made up some number themed sentiments on my computer.  These were kits I took to our last East Woods Presbyterian Church event.

The ruler background paper I found in my stash.  I really do need to go through it more often because I find such treasures I forgot I had.  And I used OWH Sketch #143 for the yellow and black cards.

Another example of great paper I forgot I had.  OWH sketch #25 again.  

The sketches make it so easy to make great cards without having to spend hours "thinking up" a design.  Thank you OWH.

Now, I'll be hitting my craft table to try some of those challenges I keep reading about.  I haven't done them before, but I need to take the plunge.  Maybe it will become habit forming.  (I hope) And Our Daily Bread has offered to send in donations to OWH if they get so many uploads each month on their challenges.  Sounds like a Win Win to me. Still time to get in on the June one.   :)

Happy birthday Wild Thing...

I just had to post this pic of my friend, Bart, who got my handmade birthday card back on May 23rd.  He thought it was pretty neat.

Working on some OWH sketches...

I thought it was a good day to upload some recent pictures of cards I've been doing for OWH and some for Emeritus Senior Living.  The "E" Sisters and I, and Lynn (from their church) helped the residents make cards for their facility yesterday.  We got done in 45 minutes!  Our popularity is growing.  My friend, Mary, looked totally disappointed we didn't have more for them to do.  I know, Esther, I know...more card kits!

This Thank You card was one I took to Emeritus.  Card stock and B&T papers and ink are from Stampin' Up.  The stamp is from Inkadinkado.

This uses a Penny Black stamp to go with the flowered B&T paper from K&I - Bloom (some of the paper donated by the director at Emeritus).

This card uses an OWH Sketch #25, papers from my stash, ribbon from my stash, and the "Hello" stamp is from Whipper Snapper Designs.  The ink is Pumpkin from Stampin' Up.



These cards were for their "Caring Card Box" which is available to residents to choose cards for their use for all occasions.  Many of the residents do not have a lot of available cash for buying cards, or do not have the ability to get to the store to buy cards.  So I think it's great they now have an avenue to find something to give a friend or a family member.

* * *

The following cards are for kits that were taken to the last OWH card making session, or will go to the next one.

OWH Sketch B5 (ruffled card:  the wavy stripes on the bottom are separate pieces popped up along the bottom of each stripe with dimensional tape)
Card stock - Stampin' Up
B&T paper from my stash
Stamp - Stampers Best
Ink - Stampin' Up Tempting Turquoise
         CTMH Vinyard Berry

Card stock and B&T paper from Stampin' Up
Stamp from CTMH Alphabet singles
Ribbon from my stash

This card was made for Any Hero letters.  We try to put in a handful of letters to the troops in each box of cards that go to Sandy too.  She puts a big Ziploc bag of letters in each box she sends over to her contacts.  When we make cards, we start each session with writing one or two notes to the troops before we get down and crafty.  All of these supplies I had in my stash and the stamp is that great Thank You stamp from Inkadinkado.

Another variation on the last one.

OWH Sketch #63
Card stock and B&T paper from my stash  (and some more of that cute "cloth" paper with the little houses on it from our donation from the director of Emeritus)
Stamp - Penny Black
Ink - Memento Black
Paper flowers and heart shaped brad are from my stash
And it isn't too obvious, but the red background was run through my Cuttlebug Hearts embossing plate.

OWH Sketch #63
Art Impressions - "Happy Birthday Wild Thing"
Stampendous - Changito Guitar
Card stock and B&T papers from my stash

OWH Sketch #8
Sentiment - Stamper's Best (OWH Valentine Collection, fund raising set)
Star - Stampin' Up, Words of Courage set
Card stock and B&T papers from my stash
Ink - CTMH Star Spangled Blue

OWH Sketch #37
Sentiment and cross stitch stamp - Paper Smooches, Needle Little Love
Zigzag stitch stamp - Hero Arts
B&T paper - Stack 7 by DCWV
Button brads from my stash



And finally...here is another collection of cards I made for Any Hero mail with things from my stash.   I used up a bunch of stickers and some leftover images from other projects as well as a bunch of patriotic paper I had been squirreling away.  I hope they make some serviceman or woman smile and know that they are truly appreciated.

Old friends and new friends...reconnecting with Mary Benson.

I have been having fun using my "new" camera.  OK, it's really Pete's camera, but he wasn't using it and so it is MINE now!  (insert evil laugh)

AND, I've been making a few more cards lately, thanks to better organization, and more inspiration from OWH, and my stamping buddies, the "E" sisters.  Esther and Ellen, it's so much fun getting together with them to make cards for OWH.  We have a meeting once a month at Ellen's house, and at least once a month at East Woods Presbyterian Church in East Vancouver (where they attend), to make cards.   I treasure my time with my card making buddies.  We have such fun crafting and laughing and sharing our lives.  Who knew no matter how old you get, you still have time to make new BFFs?

Esther also started a ministry through her church that goes to a local assisted living facility, Emeritas Senior Living.   It was a surprise when I first discovered that the address I had been sending Christmas Cards to a long time friend, happened to be the address of this VERY SAME facility.  So you know I HAD to go get involved there, about three months ago now.  My friend, Mary Benson and I had lost touch, other than Christmas cards and the occasional Valentine's Day card, for the last decade or so, so I was totally surprised when Esther brought it up.  Hmmmm, that address sounds familiar....voila!  It was Mary's address.  Serendipity!

Mary was one of the first folk musicians Pete and I met after were were first married and we used to go to the local pub in NE Portland called the Little Blarney Castle where she and 2 other musicians, Bob Kotta and Pat Herndon, played and sang every weekend.  They did sea shanties and ballads, anything Gaelic.  Ah, the memories.  I can remember cashing in the returnable bottles so we'd have enough for the cover charge and one pitcher of beer, just so we could go listen to them and sing along.  Wonderful music.  That was the start of our life long addiction to Folk Music and almost annual treks to Seattle every Memorial Day weekend for the Seattle Folk Life Festival.  I have the T-shirts to prove it.  :)

Mary went on to sing with various groups over the year and we have many CD's with her voice on them.  Unfortunately, about ten years ago, she suffered a stroke and that is why she is in the assisted living facility now.  She speaks quite a bit now, but does have trouble finding the words she needs at times and her speech is a bit slow.  I only hope that one of these days she will regain her voice again because she has a beautiful singing voice that can bring you to tears.  I can see her in my mind's eye now singing on stage, or at the pub, or in the park.  Ahhhh, Mary!

So, it is wonderful getting together there at least once a month too.  We bring kits and help the residents make cards for themselves as well as cards to donate to OWH.  It sounds corny, probably, but I believe Esther was in the right place at the right time to make the connection to start this ministry that brought us back together.  How can you doubt a heavenly hand when things like this happen?  Fate, karma, angels?  Yeah, there's got to be something going on there!  I'm just glad it is.

Anyway, back to the cards...Esther was there the other day when the director (who of course, now knows her on a first name basis), suggested they go shopping RIGHT NOW, to get supplies at the craft store to help with the card making projects.  So off they went and snagged several multi-packs of background and texture papers for making cards.  Originally marked $24.99, marked down to $3.00, what's not to love?  And they got various other card making supplies, woo hoo.  She then shared them with us at Ellen's Tuesday night at the card making party.  So, the following are card kits I made for the next OWH party using some of the papers.  And I'm not done...the next party isn't until Monday after all...

OWH Sketch - #25
Cardstock - CTMH
B&T paper - KI Memories Shimmer Paper in Jet Set Sunny (behind the yellow mat), and Playful Pets Birdie (the birds and bird houses)
Rickrack stamp - Hero Arts
Sentiment - Make An Impression
Ink -  Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Up

OWH Sketch - #25

Cardstock - CTMH
B&T paper - KI Memories Shimmer Paper in Jet Set Sunny (behind the yellow mat), and Playful Pets Birdie (the birds and bird houses)

Ribbon stamp - Hero Arts

Right at Home stamp - Hero Arts OWH Set

Ink - Tempting Turquoise  Stampin' Up

OWH Sketch - #9
Olive textured cardstock - Darice

B&T paper - KI Memories Jack & Abby Neighbors, Self Adhesive Cloth "paper'
Ribbon - red herringbone twill (made in England, but I cannot read the name of the company on the spool)

Right at Home stamp - Hero Arts OWH Set

Ink - Vinyard Berry CTMH

This background paper is cloth on a paper backing, and I didn't realize it was peel and stick until this morning when I looked at the back for the company credits.  I used double stick tape on the back of it to adhere it to the card, but now I see, all I had to do was peel and stick.  (Boy do I feel dumb!)

AND....Here is a card I made for a friend.  It's fun to challenge yourself by making "masculine" cards, when most men probably don't really care if they get a card or not.  (I want to make one, so you are getting one Bart.)

Card stock, paper - CTMH

Sentiment - Art Impressions
Lion - CTMH
Lion stamped with Terracotta - CTMH
Black ink - Memento

The block dots were made using a paper punch and adhered with tiny glue dots.

I just kind of followed the blocks of color on the B&T paper for placement of the image and sentiment. I should look and see if there is an OWH Sketch matching this, there probably is, because I have looked at so many over the years, I doubt I thought of this myself.  :)

I'm off to a Stampin' Up Workshop this afternoon.  I met a lady through the East Woods Presbyterian Church OWH group who is a Stampin' Up Demonstrator.  She started up monthly workshops that have turned out to be lots of fun too.  More ideas for cards to make for OWH.  Of course, I now have another source for my addiction.  This may not be a good thing...

Begin each day with a smile...and do something crafty.

I thought I would post some recent cards I've made for OWH now that I'm getting the hang of down loading and up loading.  Look at me...I've embraced the digital age!

New camera....new energy.

Since my Sony Super Steady Shot camera has decided to retire, Pete has graciously let me borrow his expensive Nikon.  He wasn't using it anyway.....he said that!  And this camera is so much easier to use to upload pics with.  Awesome!  So I will be posting more regularly now, I have decided!

This song has inspired some cards for OWH, "You're the Cream in My Coffee" from "Hold Everything" (1929) by B. G. DeSylvia, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson.  Lyrics by Ruth Etting.

I'm not a poet,
How well I know it,
I've never been a raver,
But when I speak of you,
I rave a bit, its true.

I'm wild about you,
I'm lost without you,
You give my life its flavor,
What sugar does for tea,
That's what you do for me.

You're the cream in my coffee,
You're the salt in my stew
You will always be my necessity,
I'd be lost without you.

You're the starch in my collar,
You're the lace in my shoe
You will always be my necessity,
I'd be lost without you.

Most girls tell love tales,
And each phrase dovetails
You've heard each known way,
This way is my own way:

You're the sail of my loveboat,
You're the captain and crew,
You will always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you.

You're the cream in my coffee,
You're the salt in my stew
You will always be my necessity,
I'd be lost without you.

You will always be my necessity,
I'd be lost without you.

You will always be my necessity,
I'd be lost without you.

You are my life savor,
You bring out that certain flavor,
So dear, this is clear, dear,
You're my Worcestershire, dear!

You're the sail in my love boat,
You're the captain and crew,
You will always be my necessity,
I'd be lost without you.

You will always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you.
You
Sweet, Adorable You

The coffee pot stamp is from a set by Stampin' Up, OWH Sketch #27, and the sentiment computer generated.

You're the Lace in my Shoes used the boot stamp from a Close To My Heart stamp set, OWH Sketch #168 and the sentiment also computer generated.

Papers were from my stash.  I'm sure when I get better organized, I will be keeping track of the papers used too.  (Tiny steps!)

                                                    (This card was made in Feb. 2014)

Originally when I bought this stamp, I thought it was a salt shaker, but I discovered it was really a jar.  Boy do I feel dumb.  :)

And then I used a sparkly marker to "color" in the salt, but the glittery stuff did rub off a bit, so I covered it over with a bit of laminating film to seal it.  

Sentiment - computer generated

Jar image - 100 Proof Press stamps

CS & DP - stash

Brads - stash

Let's try this again.

Every year it seems I come back to this.  LOL.  THIS time, I am truly going to get to work on this.  I wanted a place to put my cards and notes and thoughts and this is perfect.  So, I guess I will try to tackle it once more.  :)

I have gone back through my cards that I made early on and am chagrined at how simple they look and, well, I admit it, amateurish.  Hey, I never said I was an artist.  But I've always been creative and wanted to improve.  Since I've gotten into card making and stamping, I needed an outlet for the number of cards I was making.  One can only send so many cards to friends and relatives before they start looking at you funny.  Who sends a card for Happy Candy Corn Day, I mean, really?

So, I found Angel Stampers for Soldiers on line or maybe it was mentioned in one of my many stamping magazines.  Yes, there are magazines that are just for the hobby stamper besides the scrapbooker (is that a real word?), and they have their own magazines too.  Anyway, ASFS was a charity asking for hand made cards that were sent to the troops.  It was started by a lady who made cards and wanted to send cards and letters to her nephew when he was deployed.  She soon learned some of his friends almost never got mail so she decided to send them some as well.  Long story short,  her project blossomed into a network of card makers across the country sending cards in to her which she boxed up and sent to troops overseas that had requested care packages or cards and letters.  Well, after her nephew's 4 year hitch, she decided to quit.  It was a huge project by then, her nephew was no longer in the service and  face it, she had a real life besides her hobby.  I was sad then, but after searching for other outlets on line and in magazines, I found  OPERATION WRITE HOME.  It sounded like this was another great group that took in hand made cards that were then sent to troops overseas so they would have something nice to write home on.  It was the answer to my obsession prayers.  It's an excellent excuse to go to the craft store and drool over paper, stamps and embellishments too.

It wasn't long before I found someone on the OWH website that lived locally and we got together somehow and that has evolved into twice monthly group meetings where we put together cards for our Heroes from card kits we make and bring to these.  It's usually two hours of fun, friendship, giggles and putting together great cards to send in to Sandy (President and CEO of OWH, and our West Coast Shipper).  AND we usually write a few notes to the troops ourselves to include in the boxes.  There is always a need for notes/letters of thankfulness and encouragement, or just to say hi, to our brave men and women that are serving in the armed forces far from home and their loved ones.  Like with ASFS, there are still service men and women that don't get any mail.  Can you believe that?  It's the least we can do to include notes to THEM when we send in boxes of cards for them to choose from to write home on.

So, this is a little background on this blog and my work and what gets my juices flowing.  LOL.  Since I started making cards over ten years ago for myself, and the last 5 or so, of also making cards to send to the troops, I've made leaps and bounds in my design, color sense and just craftsmanship, I think.  I would post some of my earlier cards from the Angel Stampers for Soldiers days, but let's just say they were rough drafts...very rough.  The ones I've been making since I found OWH are a lot better.  Being surrounded by so many talented people sharing their art and love on the OWH website and the Facebook page can't help but rub off, and it has helped boost my confidence and my art.  It's such fun to check out other blogs too and see the beautiful art that is being made.  I am often humbled, because Lord knows there are folks out there that are far more talented than I, but I can rub elbows with them, so to speak and learn from them.   Goodness, just looking at the beautiful pieces of art makes me feel good too.  How can that be wrong?  I've learned, this is where I want to be.  These are my people!

Anyway, I just wanted to stop by today and get my thoughts together...this is a work in progress and hopefully I can learn to corral my art, my passion, my thoughts...to help me improve and continue to grow.  AND to continue to make more beautiful cards to donate to OWH so someone, somewhere can have a bit of "pretty" or "funny" or "sentimental" to write a note on and send home to a loved one...a family member, or a child, a BFF or their sweetie.  Who doesn't like to get a hand written card?  I know I do.  Stay tuned.

PS  Thanks for visiting.