Saturday, March 20, 2010

OWH Spring Break Bloghop! I've Got a Challenge & Prizes for You!

Welcome to my stop on the OWH Spring Break Bloghop! If you've arrived here from Kathy's blog, I am so glad to have you join me! If you've stumbled upon this hop, you may want to start at OWH Stars and Stamps to read all the wonderful blogs.


I started making cards for Operation Write Home a couple of years ago. I have had several family members that have served in wartime. My father was in the Korean War, and you are looking at a picture of him from the Air Force Base in Wyoming waiting to fly to Japan. He was just shy of being 18 years old. He served as a medic during the war. As is common, he didn't talk much about his service. But when he did, I knew that this time in his life changed him.

It is an honor and a privilege to be able to send cards to Operation Write Home. My freedoms are reliant on the men and women serving, and I feel very blessed. If you would like to donate handmade cards to Operation Write Home, please click the above link. The deadline for sending Mother's Day cards is April 1st.

I've got a couple of different prizes to give away during this bloghop. YIPPEE!! We all love prizes!! Here are the two ways you have a chance to win:

1) Leave me a comment on this post. I'd love for you to be a follower of my blog and visit me now and again, but that is not a requirement! Deadline for commenting is 11:59 pm CT on Sunday, March 21st. I'll let Random Generator pick, and I'll post the winner on Monday, March 22nd!

2) I've created a card sketch for you! Follow this sketch, flipping and turning it anyway you'd like. For an added twist, I want you to create a SPRING card keeping in the theme of the bloghop. Use Mr.Linky at the bottom of this post to attach your direct link to the card (make sure it goes right to your card!). if you do not have a blog and want to play, send a picture of your card to girlygirlrose43@msn.com. The deadline for this sketch is Saturday, March 27th at 11:59 pm CT. Again, I'll let Random Generator choose again, and I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 28th!

Here's the card sketch:


This is what I've done with the sketch. I've embossed the big dandelion puff. If you click on the picture to make it larger, you'll see that the puff sparkles. Here's a great tip for those of you that like sparkle, but not the mess of glitter. Add a tiny little bit of prisma glitter to your embossing powder. It will heat set with the embossing powder and it will not fall off. This is especially important when making cards for OWH. No glitter allowed, so this is a great way to add sparkle!


I'll bet by now you are wondering what the prizes are. Here's a picture of the whole package valued at $60! I am going to divide it into two prizes. Two lucky winners will each receive half of these flowers, stickers, rub-ons, gems, felt, etc. Are you excited?!!



Your next blog on the hop is Amy (click here). Be sure to leave her some love! I've been checking out her blog and love her artwork!! Happy creating and hopping!

**JUST A NOTE - Mr, Linky is where you attach your card from the sketch to be eligible for the sketch drawing.  If you are commenting, please click on "comments" under the Mr. Linky box.  Thanks!!**

105 comments:

Kajikit said...

Wow, what a lovely lot of goodies! And I love your sparkly dandelion and especially that ribbon tied around the card.

Diane said...

Love the card- soft, serene--but brought a smile to my face! Thanks! Diane

Operation Write Home said...

Wow, what an eyepopping card! Love the embossing with the great 3d elements. And what a nice sketch, I just might have to play!!!

Betty said...

The card is simply lovely. What a lovely assortment of candy - good luck everyone :)

Janice said...

What a lovely card! I am very partial to dragonflies and dandelions and you have both. Well done.

Merry's Musings said...

Amazing giveaway, and your card is just wonderful. Perfection!

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing the sketch and beautiful card.... love love love sketches since I am soooo not that creative...

~Denise Lynn~ said...

Fab card Brenda! Love the cute dragonflies! Fun sketch too. :)

Linda said...

Wow great card! I love the sketch and the way you used it very pretty. The big white flower is so pretty for the circle.

I notice you only have 8 comments. It might be due to the music. It is wonderful by the way! but if someone has dial up it takes to long and people will give up. I know I just was able to get real internet. So if you turn off the music more people will be able to enjoy your beautiful card. It is really pretty I would hate for anyone to miss it.
Hugs,
Linda

Brittany said...

Brenda, that card is so beautiful! I love the detailing of the ribbon and the way that the flier fly is moving off the page. It's a really creative design!

I've become a follower to your blog, as well. I hope to come back and take on your challenge!

Jeanne said...

That is an amazing card! Thanks for the tip on the glitter. I always get sad when I can't add glitter to OWH cards.

jeanne706 at yahoo dot com

Seongsook Duncan said...

Brenda, it is a beautiful card. All three different elements are incorporated very nicely. Thanks for your nice sketch to try.

TN Granny said...

Brenda,
I love your blog its so cool. Thanks for joining the blog hop your creations are beautiful.
God Bless,
Jeanine

Rhonda Miller said...

What a great card. I love the dragonfly and butterfly. So springy. Thanks for a chance to win your goodies.

Missy said...

Love the card you made from the sketch.

Wendy said...

I LOVE the dandilion. Where is the stamp from?

Unknown said...

Brenda,
First, I'm trying not to cry. I always get emotional talking of wartime. My Uncle Gary Wayne, who is like a second Daddy to me, was in Nam and because of him, I hold all service men and women so dear.
I love your sketch and when I'm home tonight, I'll be playing for sure! Big hugs to you, my friend!
Kim xXx

Karen Howard said...

Gorgeous card! I LOVE the embossing and what an inspiring story! I bet you are so proud of your father!

Karen McAlpine said...

God bless your Son, I will keep him my prayers for safety. Love the card. Great tip about the glitter ing the embossing powder. I was trying something like it the other day and couldn't get much of the glitter to stick. So thank you!! I am now a follower!

Karen McAlpine said...

Whoops! The son in the service was from the last blog- my bad. blog hop daze already. Have a great day.

Erika said...

Beautiful card! LOVE the Dandelion puff! What a wonderful blog candy package as well - I'll be doing a sketch too - keeping my fingers crossed! I love embellishments!

Thanks for participating and for giving of your talent to the military families of our country.

Cathy... said...

What a fabulous card! Love all the elements but especially the felt dragonfly:)Great tip on adding glitter with no mess!

MarcyK924 said...

Wonderful card Brenda! Looks like we both had dads who served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Thanks for all you do for OWH.

Jan Hunnicutt said...

I really like your card! That dandelion is really something. Thanks for giving such a great example of how to use the sketch too.

I enjoyed seeing the photo of your dad when he was 18.

Shelly R Wilson said...

This is one of my favorite stamp sets! TFS love the sketch...

One Scrappy Gal said...

Beautiful card! I have an idea already for using your sketch! Can't wait to get started!
I appreciate what you have said about OWH. I feel as you do and have a grandson in Afghanistan. Thanks

Louise Fox said...

Brenda, Your card does say "spring" and is lovely. A lot of hand stitching which really adds to the card. The color combination is striking! Blessings, Louise

hiscreation2 said...

What an amazing card! I love the simplicity and bling! Thank you for making cards for OWH, I am a VET and now a cardmaker for OWH, too. I am going to take your sketch challenge!
hiscreation2@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Got to do you sketch...it's great. I also love your LO of Shane from 1991. I've got lots of pictures from when my guys were that age covered in flour.I am also a out of order scrapper. I'm not always inspired by my latest batch of pictures and don't want to put pressure on myself to be caught up.

Monica said...

I love your card and your sketch. I will definitely give it a try! Thank you for your involvement in OWH. It gives me great pleasure to be involved too!

Donna said...

Beautiful card! Thank you to your father for his service!

I love your blog design.

RobinH said...

I like the card you made with the sketch
very cute!

Purple Princess said...

I love sketches! The card you made is wonderful! The embossed dandilion is gorgeous and the dragon flies are perfect! Thanks so much for hosting a sketch challenge!!

Patti Erickson said...

Cute card and thanks for the sketch. Your blog design is very nice too!

Tami Bayer said...

Love your card and your creative sketch.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the inspiring sketch of your lovely card...I will have to try it. I am a new cardmaker and new to OWH...daughter Sandy got me hooked! Would love to win a prize as I need everything since am just starting out, so would like to play along here ...
dm.allnock@verizon.net..........Thanks. D.A.

Cut n Paste said...

I love your springy card!! The dandelion is beautiful and the sunshine saying really brightens up my day!!! Thanks for the sketch...hope to get it done!

lavendarrose29 said...

Your card looks great. I really like the color combination you used. Thanks for sharing.

Melissa Bickford said...

Your creations are beautiful! I love the big dandelion! TFS!

andyjay said...

Lovely card! Thanks for the chance to win your awesome blog candy package!

PCM said...

OMG - I just Love your blog - it is so inviting and patriotic. What an absolutely fun card sketch. TFS and challenging all of us.

Linda said...

Brenda, this is a beautiful card - I hope that I get a chance to try the challenge before the deadline!

Linda said...

Beautiful card - I am going to see if I can give the challenge a try!

Bonita Rose said...

such a beautiful card.. wow! where is that dandelion stamp from ??

Anita said...

Beautiful card! I hope to get to the sketch.

...Darlene said...

Rose,
I somehow missed posting on your blog. I am going back through to see what I have missed and I am glad. I would hate to miss someone.

I love the blue and yellow on your card. I have that stamp set and really like it.

thank you for sharing,
darlene a

...Darlene said...

Oh Brenda, sorry I called you Rose.
darlene a

Dawnll said...

Just had to stop in and say hello! How exciting to see all the blog traffic and the excellent project. Congratulations and good Luck to all the participants. Stop over and enter my blog candy drawing sweetie!

Heather said...

I love the tip for adding sparkle in a safe way!

Heather
halewis1213 at yahoo dot com

laurlynn said...

I haven't worked with sketches much but I'm off to give this one a try. Thanks for the example...I'd have used 3 circles instead of adding a dragonfly and a butterfly! LOL

Dixie Cochran said...

Just copied your sketch! Love it! Thanks for sharing a bit of your father's story.

StampinSher said...

Lovely tip on the way to sparkle up a card that will be acceptable to send to our heroes. Thank you very much. I also love your background on your blog!
Great card and sketch.
Thanks for sharing!

AprilsL8 said...

Love the sparkley dandelion! Great card!

AprilsL8@windstream.net

Shelly said...

Fabulous card! Such a great interpretation of your sketch.

Gloria Westerman said...

Such a beautiful card.....I love it....I became a follower and I printed out your sketch and will have it post in the next couple of days....thank you for sharing with us your memory of your loving father......
gw0109@gmail.com

Tammy said...

I love your embellishments....What a lovely sentiment.
smiles...Tammy

mtscrapgal said...

Very patriotic blog site. Thanks for the hint about sparking up cards for OWH. Your card is elegant but simple--my favorite kind. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Love the goodies! Your card is so simple...even I could do that! LOL Thank you so much for sharing.

GrannyCharlotte said...

What a great card. The dandelion looks like I could blow on it and see the seeds flying away:) Are the other embellishments felt? They are too cute!! Thanks so much for sharing.

Martha said...

Wow, I love the idea of offering sketches! Ok, I admit to being a sketch junkie, lol. I can't wait to try yours out. Thank you so much!

Nancy L. said...

a great sketch!

Renee said...

Love the sketch and your interpretation. I took a peek at some of your other posts and am going to book mark your blog for card sketch inspiration.

Jillian said...

What a great card!! LOVE how you embossed that dandelion - what a great effect! Thanks for sharing the sketch as well - I'm hoping to get a chance to play some more before the end of the weekend, in which case, it will be great to have this sketch on hand! Such a generous prize you're offering - so nice of you! :)

Melissa Rossi said...

I love the dandelion stamp! I have it tucked in the bottom of my stamp drawer- thanks for some inspiration to use it :)

JenMarie said...

What a lovely card, very calming!

Carol L said...

I love all the texture you've added to this pretty card! The dragonfly caught my eye right away! Great sketch too, good luck everyone!

Unknown said...

I wish I would have found this blog hop a bit earlier! I love your site! and would have joined in the sketch challenge! I did become a follower! You create amazing cards that are eye candy to fellow bloggers! Thanks so much for sharing!

Unknown said...

Love the red white and blue theme of your blog. Here in England we have the same patrionic colors too
Glod bless all our American friends

buglvr2010 said...

Beautiful card...thanks for the opportunity to win the blog candy!

Corri

Rufus said...

Good tip on the way to add some sparkle without using glitter, that's a def. no-no! Love that dandelion puff! 2 somebodies is going to be very happy with that loot!
R/

Sheila H said...

Your card is lovely. And thanks for the chance to win some great goodies!

Anonymous said...

Hey there lady!!!

Another beautiful card. Thanks for sharing and inspiring all of us once again.
I made a bunch of Valentines Day cards last Fall for OWH. What an awesome organization.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Take care and God Bless. Marg VP

Marci said...

What a cute dragonfly card! I also like the tip about adding glitter to the embossing powder. I didn't know that would keep it from falling off.

Collette said...

What a beautiful card - I love the dragonflies. As a self-proclaimed 'glitter-phobe', I've used this method too, being careful not to pour the glitter/embossing powder back w/the virgin EP. Works FABulous!

Stephanie said...

What a great card! I really like the dragonflies! Nice job!

Robin said...

What great card! I really like the sketch and can't wait to use it. thanks

Cyn said...

Great card and great blog! I love the red,white,and blue colors!

Carmen O. said...

What a beautiful card! I love the softness of it. Your blog is fabulous too, really love the background. Hopefully I can participate in your sketch challenge, it looks like a fun one. Beautiful work!

Loni said...

Love your card!!! Thx for your work for OWH. Hugs, Loni (Stop #55)

~Jeri~ said...

WOW! Beautiful card!! I love the dragonfly!! What a great tip on how to set glitter!!

As a military spouse and someone new to OWH, I thank you for taking part in this awesome blog hop and in OWH!

Whispers and Wishes said...

I love the embossed dandelion... what a cool idea. Thank you for sharing your tips and for the blog candy... what a lovely surprise... I like to think I'll do the sketch challenge as well, but this week is shaping up to be something ugly! Looking forward to revisiting your blog when I've the time to read more. Thanks for supporting OWH

Ardilla said...

What a nice card! I love bugs in the cards, hahaha...

karahoward said...

The felt is just wonderful. I love all the challenges you participate in. I'm bookmarking your site to see what you come up with.

Unknown said...

What a great card...I love it!!

Carolyn Bounds said...

Your card is gorgeous!!! I love the beautiful dandelion, and thank you for sharing such a wonderful tip...I am one of those sparkle addicts;o) I also love your sketch!!! I am going to try to find time to play with it tomorrow!

Hugs!
Carolyn

Unknown said...

Your card is adorable... thanks for the tip about the glitter, that helps a lot!!!

I'm going to say this on every stop of the hop: I'm so excited to have found OWH & I can't wait to get started on my cards to send!!! I think this is such a wonderful program!!!

Thanks for Sharing!!

xoxo
Ola
okj83 at live dot com

debb said...

Wonderful card and sketch! Love the glitter embossing tip (sometimes we just have to have sparkle!!!) Thank you!

TAS said...

Your card is wonderful and thank you for the great tip on getting sparkle without glitter. Thank you for the work you do for our heroes.

tonia underline sims at yahoo dot com

Laurel said...

Wow what a beautiful card!

DustyPenny (Joy Ott) said...

Fun card and sketch! Thanks for sharing!

Lauretta See said...

thank you for sharing your personal story ;)

My dad to was in the air force :)) Love your card to.. it feel so spring :)

I'll try to be back to do something with the great sketch... if i get the time.. The blog ( i think ) will take me more then a day.. hehehe :)

Hugs x

Maria said...

What a fabulous photo you shared! TFS! I only knew my grandfather who served in WWII as a medic as well. Great card!!

JPScraps said...

Awesome card & thanks for sharing your story.

Alexandra Lundgren said...

I LOVE the dandelion fluff image! What fun- just a great card. Thank you for sharing the picture of your Dad.

CJ said...

Love your card and sketch. Thanks for sharing.


CJ

Kimme said...

Love the dandelion and the dragon fly. Great card with wonderful sparkle.

jengd said...

Awesome card! I wasn't desperate for summer until I saw it!

Clean & Simple Crafts! said...

Beautiful card! And great goodies! Thanks for playing along on the blog hop.

cr8iveme said...

Thank your father for me. It's important to remember Veterans and support the Troops.

Wonderful card. I will definitely try to come up with something using your great sketch.

{hugs}
M.E.

Susan said...

I just found you guys today (the 21rst) so my time is limited, I hope to be able to make a card. I love that dandelion!!

I am a firm supporter of our service people, as I am surrounded by veterans and couldn't be prouder!

Susan

Keira said...

I have probably missed the draw, but still wanted to comment on your lovely card - very calming. have saved the sketch for another day

Trinity's Designs and Photography said...

Wow lots of goodies!!!! Thanks for the chance to win. And I can't wait to work on your sketch.

Pamela B.

Nancy said...

What a beautiful card. Love the shimmery flower and your felt imbellishments.
Thanks for the chance at the WONDERFUL blog candy.
Looking forward to playing along with your sketch too!!!

Cheryl said...

Lovely card! I love that dandelion stamp. I love all the texture you gave your card.

Lyneen said...

Wonderful family story... beautiful card. Thanks for sharing and supporting OWH.

Hope you had time to visit my hop post...

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