SU Just a Note Typewriter

WOW!  I actually sat down and made some cards that I used myself and didn't send to Operation Write Home.  It felt kind of weird because the only ones I usually make that don't go in my OWH box are family birthday cards and my Christmas cards!

The card with lots of pink and bling went to my great-aunt who is in a rehab hospital recovering from a few different ailments she suffered with over the Christmas holidays.  The other was mailed to the dad of my high school boyfriend to try to pass on information about our upcoming 30th high school reunion this summer.  Is it weird that I still send a Christmas card to my high school boyfriend's dad?  He actually called me after receiving my Christmas card a couple of years ago just to chat and catch up.  That's what I *LOVE* about cards, especially handmade cards - they're so much more personal than an email!

SU Set Sail | Connie Stewart Flash Cards

At our January Stamp Club, we made a card using Connie Stewart's Flash Card measurements.  To learn more about this technique, go to YouTube and search "Connie Stewart Flash Card."  She has lots of videos!  Christi challenged us to make cards using this technique and bring them to the February Stamp Club.  Here is what I created using the Set Sail stamp set and Nautical Expedition DSP.

I'm submitting this one in the Operation Write Home February Boot Camp - Create a Strong Focal Point. By combining two stamps and the ribbon together, I've grouped items to create my focal point.  I also try to join in the challenge every Wednesday at Cat's Creations Scrapbooks blog called WOW Wednesday.  Just create anything you want and join in the fun - you can also win a prize just by commenting on the entries.  What are you waiting for?  Anything goes!

Card Supplies:
stamps - SU! Set Sail
punch - SU! hearts
patterned paper - SU! Nautical Expedition
card stock - SU! Cherry Cobbler
ink - SU! Cherry Cobbler
ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon

January SU Stamp Club Cards

Okay, I know it's almost the end of February and I'm just now posting my January SU! Stamp Club cards, BUT this was the first time I was able to schedule this post in keeping to my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule.  When I took a long-term sub job for a teacher on maternity leave from January through March, I started working ahead because I knew my crafting time would be limited.  No worries though - both cards are great any occasion cards!

Kids' Cards | Melonheadz Illustrating

I'm still working on my goal to make 20 kids' cards for Operation Write Home to honor the 20 angels who died in the Sandy Hook School Shooting.  I'm determined to meet my goal no matter how long it takes me, plus every card I create helps me to remember the innocent children who died that day.

So, here are cards #9 and #10.  I made these using nursery rhyme images created by Nikki of Melonheadz Illustrating.  For those of you who do not enjoy coloring images, you might be interested to know that I used pre-colored images.  Nikki has a wide selection of images, both pre-colored and outlines.  You will be seeing more of Nikki's nursery rhyme images in future kids' cards.

I also thought it would be fun to include the nursery rhyme on the inside of the card.  In my search for the words to the nursery rhymes (to make sure I got them correct), I found a very interesting website that explains the origins and references of many nursery rhymes.  Most are based on English history and monarchs.  Curious?  Go check it out yourself HERE.  I learned some very interesting stuff!

Don't forget about WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations Scrapbooks blog.  You can play along with any paper creation your heart desires AND/OR leave comments on other participants' blogs for a chance to win a prize!

OWH VCMP - Glitz and Glam

This is the last challenge of the OWH Presidents' Day Weekend Virtual Card Making Party.  I'm really sad to see it end!  I love VCMPs because they get my mojo flowing and I can get inspired by everyone else's take on the challenge, too.  This weekend I created, but throughout the week and next weekend I plan to look at all the cards that everyone else made to get some great ideas.  And oh boy, did I need ideas for Glitz & Glam!  I'm not a "foo-foo" kind of girl so glitz and glam is difficult for me.  I made a flower from circle and scalloped circle punches and added some bling in the center - - that was the best I could do for now.  Maybe I'll come back during the week and add something better after being inspired by others' submissions.

The camera did something weird to the colors.  

The ric rac matches the card stock much better than it appears in this photo!

OWH VCMP - All White with 3 Layers

Oh my!  This is the next to the last challenge at the OWH Presidents' Day Weekend Virtual Card Making Party - I hate to see it coming to an end, but I love this challenge because I love white on white cards - especially for serious or elegant occasions.  Unfortunately, as I get older I have a need for more sympathy cards, so I made some white on white cards with 3 layers.  Hmmm, maybe I should have read the challenge more closely - my embellishments were supposed to be white as well.  Sorry!

Card Supplies:
sentiment stamp - Hero Arts With Deepest Sympathy
embossing folder - Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl
die - Spellbinders Labels Ten
flowers - Prima
ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon
bling - stash

OWH VCMP - Washi Tape

Wow, this OWH Presidents' Day Weekend Virtual Card Making Party is so much fun and is getting me to try all kinds of new things.  The 8th challenge is to use washi tape.  I've been reluctant to start the whole washi tape addiction because I have a paper addiction - it's unwise to have more than one serious addiction that consumes more space in your craft room than you have!  BUT, I did buy one roll that I thought would be very versatile - it's black with white polka dots.  One of my favorite color combos is black, white and red, so that's what I did for this card.  Hope you like it!

Challenges:
OWH VCMP - Use Washi Tape
CAS-ual Fridays - Black and White with one other color

Card Supplies:
sentiment stamp - Hero Arts Essential Messages
washi tape - K & Co. Smash Tape