Please join me.............

CARDS FOR HEROES

I'm always needing to add to my card stash as I know most of you are also. I've decided that I would like to make make a difference in someone else's life also at the same time. I've been thinking for a long time how I could incorporate my cardmaking into a worthwhile cause.....I've found it! While browsing the Internet I came across a group that makes handmade greeting cards for our soldiers serving our country overseas. They desperately need stationary type items to write back home on. If you're in a desert remote area, you can't just run to the paper goods store! I was very touched by some of the letters and comments that the soldiers posted about how very grateful they are for the cards not only to them showing appreciation for what they do, but also the blank cards they receive that they can use to write back home on to their family and friends. They want to send birthday cards, thinking of you cards, love you cards, just like the rest of us, but they don't usually have access to those where they are stationed. But through this program, they are able to do that. So I have decided that I want to dedicate 1 Saturday a month to not only replenishing my stash, but making extra to send to our troop. By making 2 of each card (or more, I actually usually make 4 of each card I make) you can make some for yourself, and make some for our troops. So anyone who would like to join me at my house 1 Saturday a month to make a difference, I'd love to have you. You'll have access to all of my stamps, and cutting equipment, and inks. You bring your own supplies and embellishments. Bring a pot-luck dish for lunch (we'll plan that ahead of time) and whatever snacks you might want, and we can make a day of it. I will have to limit the number of people signing up to come just because of room issues. So each month I'll put up a sign up sheet for the next month and let you all know when I'm full. I'll take care of the postage to send the cards to the organization that sends the cards to the troops. You just come and enjoy making cards for those who will truly appreciate your effort. Please join me in this worthwhile cause. The first Saturday scheduled will be July 25th starting at 9:00 AM until ? So gather up some friends...and contact me at nanasmemoriesctmh@yahoo.com to get your name on July's list.
On a final note...here's a couple responses from those soldiers that have received the cards...

We used up all the Father's Day and School's Out cards that you and your lovely team made for us. Those were some pretty cards that received a lot of oohs and aahs from male and female Soldiers alike. It is so reassuring to know that we are here fighting and sacrificing for folks like you all. Thanks a million for all that you do. God Bless You!Warmest Regards,T.M.

From a Sailor in Iraq:
Thank you for the huge box of handmade cards. They were a huge hit as I passed them out to the Marines. Everyone took several to mail home to loved ones. The remaining cards will be distributed to the Marines and Sailors of my unit whom are serving throughout Al Anbar Province.As I travel to visit the Marines and Sailors, it is great to be able to share items from back home with them. Half of my unit's personnel are spread over several large bases. The other half are on small outposts along the Iraqi border. These smaller outposts have no access to the creature comforts of those on the bigger bases. Care package items carry great meaning to them all.Even though our batallion is thousands of miles from home; care packages and letters from home help with the distance. We appreciate your gift, your support, and your prayers!LT C.M., Chaplain

From a soldier in Iraq:
On behalf of the Xth Combat Support Hospital we want to say thank you for your letter and package we received on May 19, 2009. Soldiers love to sift through the cards and I see many of them walk away with 5 or more cards in their hands! It's such a blessing to them and they continually thank us for allowing them to take as they please. Most of them ask where they came from and I've given them your URL. I know this has a big impact on morale and they're always looking forward to new shipments! The Father's Day cards are amazing! They came in plenty of time for the Soldiers to pick them out and send them off. They constantly ask us when we're getting more! It's so exciting to see them when I tell them we got a fresh batch! Many of them have asked me to thank you on their behalf. Thank you so very much!Chaplain H and Specialist B make up the Unit Ministry Team (UMT). We provide support to all Soldiers and patients. The UMT plays an essential role in religious support and morale of the Soldiers. Soldiers often come to us seeking moral, ethical, and spiritual guidance. It is our goal to provide them the best care and support possible. We are able to encourage our Soldiers because we have support from amazing citizens like you of our Great Nation!Thank you for your kindness to our soldiers,SPC S.B.

Let Freedom Ring.....

We live in the greatest country in the world. It's easy at times to forget how very blessed we Americans are. Even tho the economy is in the tank right now, and people are hurting all over, we still have our Freedom. That is so important.

I can't imagine living in a country where you can't worship your God your way, speak your mind on those things that concern you, live where you want to live, how you want to live, the lifestyle that you want to live, and be who and what you want to be. And although we as Americans don't always agree on religion, and politics, and lifestyles, and all the issues of the day....the important thing is....WE have the choice. Just as God created us....with choice. Ok, I'll jump off my soapbox now and talk about papercrafting!! Here's some 4th of July cards I made to send to family. I was going to make some cards using the punches like yesterdays post, only stars, but got sidetracked and came up with this design instead. It's out of the Wishes card making book from Close to My Heart. I just gathered up some patriotic papers and started following the directions....easy peasy!

It's Kansas.....and it's hot! But I'm sitting here under the air conditioner sipping some mint iced tea (yum)...fixing to go mow the lawn. Trying to gather up my courage. For those of you who know where I live, we mow 5 acres......EVERY week it seems like. We barely get finished mowing and it's time to start over again. But you would have to drag me kicking and screaming back to the city limits....give me country quiet any day...even if I practically live on the lawnmower all summer long! Have a great day!

So glad we're friends!

My card stash is getting waaaaay low, had a few minutes, so thought I'd whip up a couple to go in my "stash". These cards took about 15 minutes to make.

First I picked my card base. Kraft colored cardstock. This is a standard 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 inch card. Picked 2 different heart size and made a few punches.

Put some adhesive on the inside of the card all around the punched hearts....

Then, just added some scraps of paper I had. What a great way to use up those scraps of patterned paper you have lying around!!

Then put a bigger piece of coordinating patterned paper on the inside to cover up the messy part.... I finished up the outside by using my piercing tool and punched holes all around the outside edge. Then I took a white gel pen and connected the holes to look like stitching (just because I didn't want to get my sewing machine out!)

This would be a great technique to use for 4th of July cards also using star punches and patriotic patterned paper. I'm going to make some of those today! Hope you'll try this quick technique and make up a few quick cards!

Speaking of card stashes....is you're getting low? I've been thinking about having a card making day at my house. If some of you would be interested in coming over and making some cards, I'll set up a day and we can have some fun. You can bring you're paper, embellishments etc, and use my stamps to load up your own stash! Let me know if you're interested and I'll set up a day for stamping fun. We can have a pot luck lunch or supper depending on the time and everyone chip in snacks. Email me here nanasmemoriesctmh@yahoo.com if you're interested in a card making day!

Later..

Time to hit the road.....

I've kinda slacked off on my exercise routine lately. Blame it on "no time", or "too busy", or any number of other things, but truth is.....I've gotten lazy. And guess what happens when you get lazy with exercise? You start gaining a pound or two....or three....So, it's time to hit the road and start walking again. I had a membership to the gym, but I'm a penny pincher when it comes to stuff (except scrapbooking supplies!!) like that. I'm also a very early riser..like 3:00AM on days I work, and 5:00AM on days I don't. I want to get my exercising done early so I can get on with my day. Unfortunately, the program I was signed up for at the gym (because it was the cheapest and I AM a penny pincher!) I could only go there between the hours of 9-2 Mon-Fri. Well, that just don't work very well for me. Half of my day is over at 9AM! I'm already busy doing other stuff then and don't want to stop and go to the gym. So....I quit the gym! It's back to exercising at home, the old fashioned way. Walking, biking, and free weights for strength training. I'm back on the road again!!

I had a wonderfully busy weekend! T-Ball games and family time. But... I also got some scrapbooking and papercrafting done. This is the first page of Wyatt's 2009/2010 album.

And here's the complete layout of T-Ball game. I so love the CTMH Cherish, Imagine, and Reflection books. It makes scrapbooking so easy. Any layout you choose turns out well. Just pick your layout and choose your papers and follow the directions!

I LOVE how this layout turned out. The bird pictures just pop off the page with this paper. This is the "MoonDoggie" paper from the latest CTMH summer catalog. This is the paper we will be using for Scrapbook Club on the 18th! I can't wait to scrap my other bird pics with this paper!

And then....I made this nifty stationary holder and stationary for someone at work that ordered some "Americana" type card stationary. I really like the way it turned out! The is the outside closed..

And the inside opened..Love it!

Here's another one I've started. Just have the holder done, but no cards yet to go inside. This will make a great gift. I'm thinking Christmas presents. It only took me about 45 mins to make the holder. Now to finish the cards!

Here's what the inside looks like opened up!

And well, this is one of my beautiful peach daylillies that have started blooming. Gorgeous!

Hope you had as wonderful of a weekend as I did.

Till later.....

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

School's Out...summer's here! With summer comes America's favorite past time...Baseball!

Well, in this case it's T-Ball. I love watching my grandkids play ball. It's fun to watch them learn the rules and try to hook together and apply what they learn into the actual game. All 4 of my grand kids are playing ball this summer, so I should get lots of ball pictures to scrap. These are the first of the lot. Actually, these are the professional pics, the ones that I took are on their way to me so I can finish the matching page for this layout. But since it's been a while since I posted anything, I thought I 'd at least share the first page. I hope all of you have lots of fun things planned for summer. Unfortunately, no vacation for us this year. Hopefully at least a day trip or two in the future anyway.

Have a great day!