And the winner is...

Comment #108: Rebecca Blomer said...
Oh, and I figured out how to follow the blog, too. You know I am already a fan on FB. :)

March 22, 2010 10:48 AM

Thanks to random.org!!!

Operation Write Home -- Bloghop!

If you are not yet familiar with Operation Write Home, this awesome organization collects handmade greeting cards from crafters all over the United States and ships them to troops overseas for them to use to write to their families back home.


If this is your first stop in today's bloghop, please take the time to return to the start of the hop HERE.

Welcome! The new Kioshi line from Basic Grey has been calling my name since it arrived last week. The colors and patterns are perfect for spring! I used four different patterned papers as well as chipboard embellishments from the Kioshi Collection for this all-occasion card.

My reason for making cards for OWH is simple: I would love my husband to send me cards when he is deployed so I am sure that there are many other family members who feel the same way. I especially love to include Any Hero notes with each package as I want to do my part to make sure that every service member knows his/her sacrifice and devotion is very much appreciated.

Here's a picture of my hero and I from his commissioning ceremony a few years ago. He has proudly served our country for the past 13 years and is currently training away from home to prepare for an upcoming deployment. Love you!


Now time for some Blog Candy! These are a few of my favorite things--Tombo liquid glue, American Crafts envelops, brads, buttons, glazed brads, paper frills and chipboard!!! To enter to win, just leave a comment. Easy! If you follow the blog, leave a second comment and if you decide to become a Facebook Fan, leave yet another comment. The winner will be chosen using random.org on Monday!


If you'd like to help by making some cards of your own and sending them to OWH that would be great! Keep in mind that the deadline for Mother's Day cards is April 1--this is the date that they must reach the shipper.

Next up is Lori's Purple Giraffes. I LOVE Lori's card. She has included a step-by-step video demonstrating how she made her card. I need to learn a few techniques from Lori!

Basic Grey -- ALL on Sale!!!

Just in case you have not yet signed up to receive my promotional newsletter, I wanted to let you know that our entire stock of Basic Grey is 20% off through March 24. This includes the brand NEW Kioshi & Green at Heart Collections.


The Kioshi Collection is sophisticated in design, yet I think it will also be perfect for all of the upcoming spring and Easter pictures we are all sure to take.


A crafter can never have enough buttons on hand. Am I right? The lovely pastel colors in this button pack coordinate perfectly with the entire Kioshi line.


The Green at Heart Collection is described as fresh and fun. I could not have said it better myself! These colors and patterns are making me very impatient as I wait for the grass to return to green and the flowers to bloom locally.


Flowers and cute little critters are the highlights of this chipboard sticker pack.


This is my favorite new stamp set! The Tree Hugger Bitsy Stamp Set is too cute and I think some thank you cards have just been added to my weekend's to-do list.

Happy Day

Finally! I had the chance to dive into one of the new paper packs from Cosmo Cricket. It was difficult to choose which collection to open first, but I finally decided to go with Joy Ride. This simple card was made using one of the Cut-Apart Element Cards, a thin strip of patterned paper and the coordinating Joy Ride Buttons. The felt ric-rac is by American Crafts and just happens to match perfectly!

Junior Clipboard

Here is another project using the Junior line from American Crafts mady by Michelle! In my opinion, one can never have too many altered clipboards! You can usually find these for a dollar at any office supply store. Add some patterned paper (Mod Podge is the perfect adhesive for large surfaces), ribbon and you have yourself a finished project in under an hour.

Lunchbox Notes

In celebration of National Craft Month, Fiskars is featuring a new craft everyday. Check out today's Project of the Day featuring these cute Lunchbox Notes.

Next week is my spring break from school so I hope to accomplish some serious crafting on my week "off"...it's never really time off as the mother of two. I can't wait to tackle my stacks and stacks of photos and put some of the new Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket kits to work!

A Roaring Good Time

The birthday party is over (yet my house is still full of balloons and dinosaurs)! Time was not my friend in the week leading up to the party so I was only able to complete about 1/2 of the projects I had planned. AND, my silly husband forgot to take pictures of some of the things I did finish. Oh, well.


I purchased a pack of solid color party hats from Party City once I found that colorful digital kit mentioned in the previous post. My handy Xyron 510 was the perfect tool to apply adhesive to the dinosaurs that I cut out to embellish the hats.


Photoshop is my friend, but I am FAR from an expert. I figured out how to make this simple panel using the digital kit. This made customizing the basic goodie bags super simple!


The balloons attached to the chandelier in our dining room remains my favorite birthday party decoration to date! How cheap and easy is this? Blow up some balloons, tie some colored curling ribbon to the balloons, attach to the light fixture and you're done! Festive and pretty for about 50 cents!!!


The birthday boy wearing his party hat and covered in frosting. The perfect way to end a party!

Dino*Roar

My son's fourth birthday is coming up this Sunday. I purchased some American Crafts dinosaur paper (from the fabulous Junior line), but still needed some more dinosaur "stuff". A quick Google search led me to this adorable digital scrapbooking kit!


Dino*Roar kit from Eden Lane Designs.

I am, by no means, a digital scrapbooker, but I am finding this kit very user friendly. For $4.50 I was willing to take my chances and I have been pleasantly surprised! I have yet to actually make anything, but I've printed up a bunch of dinosaurs in different sizes and am about to spend my evening cutting them out while watching American Idol and the Olympics. Can't wait to share the finished birthday party projects with you soon!

60% Off Coupon at Michaels

This coupon is good for 60% off your purchase of one item at Michael’s Arts & Crafts store. See coupon for exclusions. Coupon is valid through February 13th.


Happy Shopping!!!

And the Winner Is...

Comment 31, thanks to Random.org.

Congratulations, Heather!!!! I have sent you an email with the details. Thank you to everyone who participated and keep an eye out for new projects and contests!