OWH Sketch #168

This year, OWH has been collecting sketches from its cardmakers by way of finding great cards on their blogs and asking permission to turn them into sketches.  Cora made the cards that inspired today's Sketch #168.

Paper by KI Memories (Pet Shop), Stamp by SU (Much Appreciated, 2005)

I made a slight change to the size so that the patterned paper was 3x3 instead of 3x3.25.  I wanted to use up some patterned 12x12 papers and not have left over scraps.  I cut up three whole sheets plus a partial sheet I had left from another project.  I made 28 of these cards with various patterns. 

This sketch was fun, easy, and used up paper- a trifecta!  I'll be making a lot more of these, I'm sure.  

This was also a great start to my next OWH box.  Last night, I packed up a box that I'll send on Tuesday.  It has 311 cards and 96 Any Hero notes written by my students.   

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 340 blank and 140 AnyHero (as of 1/7/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Cards for dads

 With the Mother's Day card deadline looming this Sunday and the Father's Day deadline just one month later, I've been kicking it into high gear for masculine/dad cards recently.  For some reason, I wasn't really feeling the Mother's Day cards this year, so I focused on the guys instead. 

Thanks for the twine, Cindy!

The Bazzill ribbon and textured cardstock make this card feel richer in person than it photographs

Digi by free vintage digis

I love this deer stamp!  I have made dozens of cards with it this year.

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 340 blank and 140 AnyHero (as of 1/7/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Masculine Swap Kits from Jen and Sandi

Today I received my 6 masculine swap kits in the mail.  These monthly swaps are fun and keep me busy making detailed cards.  It's so nice to have someone else do the tough work of choosing all the elements.  Tonight I worked on the kits from Sandi and Jen.  That leaves me four kits to play with later. 

Sandi sent a fisherman digi.  I could not figure out a layout I liked that allowed me to use the sentiment on the card with the fisherman, so I took the scraps and made a second card.  Gotta love a two-for-one kit!

 

Jen sent a kit using the OWH Hero Arts fundraiser set.  I haven't purchased any of the Hero Arts sets, so it was fun to play with the clocks and sentiments.  The grommet eyelet things were cool, too!

  

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 340 blank and 140 AnyHero (as of 1/7/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

It's Super Bowl Sunday!

I'm a Maryland native but a Patriots fan.  That's what you get when your father's from Massachusetts!  This week, I'll put aside my Pats pride in favor of the purple fever that's sweeping Maryland.  I saw a lawn all decked out for the game on my way home from the grocery store on Friday; the trees were wrapped in purple lights. 

I inked up a great stamp set from My Favorite Things and used a Cuttlebug die/embossing set for the football sentiment spot.  My coloring is done with a mixture of Copics and Bic Mark-its.  Go Ravens!  Bring that Lombardi trophy home to Baltimore!

For which team will you cheer this weekend?  Try making a card in those colors (in any theme).  :)
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Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 340 blank and 140 AnyHero (as of 1/7/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Cast your cares on the Lord

This piece of Me and My Big Ideas paper has been in my stash for a long time.  I think I got it from a friend in 2007, so it was time to use it up for some masculine cards.  I cut it into 12 strips, paired it with some Bazzill card stock and an ODBD sentiment, and created a dozen of these cards for my next OWH box.  It's a very simple card, but the texture of the Bazzill and the visual texture of the patterned paper make it look a little more special than it would otherwise be.  

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 340 blank and 140 AnyHero (as of 1/7/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Fishing

Always searching for good manly stamps, I got this fishing creel stamp with lures and religious sentiments from ODBD.   I kept the design simple this time and didn't color.  Next time, I think I'll attempt coloring the image to add some flair! 

I used the Sizzix/Tim Holtz burlap embossing folder to mimic the basket weave.  I struggled with where I could place a sentiment on this card; the ones that came in the set were rather large to use once I'd cut the main image out.  I could have stamped them inside, but I prefer to leave the inside of cards blank for our heroes.  Plus, this card could be sent for any occasion because I didn't put a certain sentiment inside. 
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Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 340 blank and 140 AnyHero (as of 1/7/13)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

OWH Sketch #141

It's Sunday, so that means it's time for a sketch.  I made his and hers cards using scraps of things on my desk.  If I can get two completely different cards out of the leftovers on my desk, it must be time to do a little cleaning in the craft room!

The papers on this masculine card are all Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman.  Buttons are Making Memories brads.  Nestabilities 8 was used for the fancy shape, an idea I shamelessly stole from Jen, the sketch example maker for the week.

The papers on this girly card are all either DCWV or Fiskars.  I did the edging with deco scissors because they were hanging around on my desk, too.  

 

Here's the link to sketch #141 so you can play along, too.  There's even a bonus sketch there! 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Bonus Sketch!

Julie posted a bonus sketch on her blog and on OWH Stars and Stamps.  Here's what I came up with: 

The stamp and patterned paper are by TPC Studios. 


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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Cream in my coffee

Look!  It's a masculine love card!  And it's brown!  Perfect for OWH!  I made 12 kits for next Friday's party.  Oh, I am so ready to be done making kits!  I think I'll do two or three more kit designs this weekend and call it finished.

Sketch: OWH #114
Stamps: TPC Studios Coffee Cafe
Papers: American Traditions Road Trip
Coloring: Copics
Brads: Stash (probably Colorbok)

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Graphic 45

I snagged some of this Graphic 45 paper at Tuesday Morning because it seemed like everyone so loved Graphic 45.  I have had a miserable time trying to use it.  The colors don't match the cardstock I own and the patterns compete with each other every time I try to use more than one pattern on a card. 

I finally got one more pattern (the pinstripe) last weekend hoping it would mellow out the others.  I was inspired to make this card using OWH Sketch 52.  The sentiment is a digi by Melonheadz. 

The Glossy Accents hasn't quite dried yet!

I'll kit this one up for the party I'm having at the end of the month.  Digis are great for kits since you can print several to a sheet and not worry about the quality of your stamping!

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

A little paradise

When I was cleaning up my craft room last week, I found these pieces and scraps and put them together into a simple card.  The image is a cardstock sticker with stitching.

Because of the plaid paper, torn paper, and color scheme, I'm going to link this card up to the OWH ODBD August challenge which is to make masculine cards.  I need to get this one in the mail pronto since it has a summer image. 

Thanks, as always, to ODBD for sponsoring a monthly OWH challenge.  It's been close to a year since the challenges started and we've always managed to post at least 50 cards.  Each month we post 50 cards, ODBD dontates enough money to cover shipping two boxes of cards overseas.  So generous!  And as an extra bonus for the cardmakers, they give out two $25 gift certificates to their online store.  I was lucky enough to win one for August, so I will have to hop over and pick out some stamps soon.  It will be hard to choose, but I know I want some scripture stamps.
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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Ippity Opportunity

Could this month's Ippity Opportunity Challenge be any easier?  I mean, really, you should definitely play along.  You just need to use any Unity or Ippity itty bitty stamp.  There are a few hundred to pick from!  I have several itty bitty sets and they are certainly a lot larger than the name suggests. Usually the main image in the set is about 2 - 2.5" square and there are almost always a few coordinating stamps in the set.  I had my eye on this set of five stamps (Fore) as soon as it was released.  Back in the spring, I forgot to add it to my order so I had to wait a while until I ordered some stamps a few weeks ago to finally get it.  All the men in my life love golf- my relatives and my coworkers- so I knew I needed to get this stamp for them!

 

Paper: DCWV
Stamps: Unity Ippity Fore
Nesties: Small and Large Deckled Mega Rectangles
Coloring: Marvy Markers, Gelly Roll pens, Sharpie
Embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Other: Staples

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Mom's Design!

When I got this Basic Grey paper, I was so excited to use it.  Unfortunately, no inspiration came when I tried to use it.  Mom came up with this design.  We made a dozen of these to send to OWH.  I also got to use my new argyle paper punch! When Father's Day rolls around next year, I'll make more of these. 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Chick Challenge #41

I saw this week's Ippity Chick Challenge (#41) and knew I had to ink up the "Fore" stamp set for it.  I used My Mind's Eye Hattie papers for this card, embossed the golf ball with Swiss Dots, used American Crafts Eyelets, and colored with Copics. I'll be giving this card to my great uncle when he celebrates his 90th birthday next month!  

This card is just a bonus.  Since I had the stamps out, I decided to make a card for OWH.  This also happens to be OWH Sketch #76. 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Hello mojo!

After spending most of Sunday following Mass making a blanket (and cursing myself for choosing to put off a yarn project until the week of 105 degree weather), I got a little time in my craft room to make cards on Sunday night.  I had been making some pretty sub-par things of late but I finally got a few cards together that I really, really liked.  I'll share a few this week.  :)

First, a card for a teenage boy!  Yay!  I never end up with many cards in this category, so I'm excited to have had this one come out well.  Of course, a teenage boy has likely never used a cassette tape since I'm pretty sure I haven't really used them in nearly 20 years!  ;-)

Patterned paper: DCWV Rockstar
Stamps: Imaginesnce (image) and Studio G (words)
Paper Punches: EK Success
Other: ATG, Xyron, dimensional foam, Versamark, Copics, Xacto knife

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 928 blank and 215 AnyHero (as of 6/26)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

OWH Sketch 124

I used OWH Sketch 124 for the design of this card.  The papers are from the K&Co Boy Scouts stack- a great sources of manly papers.  I want to put a sentiment in the upper left corner of the square, but I can't figure out which sentiment to use.  I've got tons to pick from- any suggestions?  If other people think it's good as is, I don't mind leaving it, but to me that corner is calling out for attention! At the bottom, I tied some cotton twine that I dyed with Distress Inks to add to the rustic feel of the card.   

UPDATE:  Thanks to the caring advice of many who left comments, I went back through my stamps and found an appropriately-sized "hello" stamp.  I attached the sentiment with a brad and cut the ends to look like a banner.  To my eye, the card looks finished now whereas before it didn't.  Thanks for the suggestions! 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 620 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 4/24)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695
Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

OWH Sketch #90

I got home to triple trouble in my mailbox on Monday: Copics, my Lawn Fawn prize from the OWH Make 'Em Laugh Bloghop, and a prize from Sassy that I won in the Perfect Sentiments National Scrapbooking Day Bloghop.  Is it my lucky week or what?  Needless to say, I had to spend a little time in the craft room that evening to play with something new.

This card is my version of OWH Sketch #90, made with papers from My Mind's Eye that Sassy sent me.  These papers are such great colors and patterns for masculine cards.  :)  I colored these brads with my Copics so the blue would match a bit better  The stamp is by Hampton Arts.  

Thanks, Sassy!  I had a lot of fun playing with these new papers.  Lots more to come, I'm sure! 
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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 620 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 4/24)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695
Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

I just got this Unity Stamp Company stamp called "love is everything" and I was excited to ink it up today.  I used a scrap of polka dotted paper by KI memories, a scrap of green cardstock, a new sheet of blue cardstock, several random brads from Making Memories and Colorbok, and white cardstock.  

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 620 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 4/24)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695
Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

That's how we roll!

I was playing around with the polka dot paper scraps I had and decided to use my new "wheely fun" stamp from Unity.  I paired it with a sentiment from "crappy day" instead of "hope your birthday is wheely fun" which came with the image. 

I sponged clouds to give some extra dimension and interest to the focal point.  The brad is an epoxy brad from Making Memories- I really love those brads. 

Thanks, as always, for visiting!  
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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 620 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 4/24)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695 Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Vintage golfer cards

After Pam shared this great digi yesterday, I just couldn't help but make some more cards with it.  These cards are based off OWH Sketches and use the great digi from Free Vintage Digi Stamps.   I went ahead and made a dozen of each card.  The burgundy card is blank with no sentiment.  The green card is a thank you card.  Either one could be used for Father's Day if needed or for other occasions if there are enough Father's Day cards.  

Sketch 111

Sketch 59

I hope to have time to make another 10 or so cards tomorrow to top off my box for mailing out on Wednesday.  That's a little later than I would have liked, but as I didn't have a lot of multiples, I hope it won't be too overwhelming for Caro!  I prefer to be in advance of the deadlines to help my shipper spread out the work load, but that doesn't always happen.  The Mother's Day and Father's Day deadlines were on each others' heels, so it was hard to be ready early. 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 302 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 3/4)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695