Saturday, May 23, 2015

OWH Finishing Strong Blog Hop


Hello Friends!

It's my pleasure and honor to be participating in what has been a tradition for me for the last 7 years... the OWH Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop.

“Operation Write Home, a charity that has supported heroes with handmade cards since 2007, will be closing later this year. All cards need to be sent in by August 1st, so I’m helping to get the word out!”

This hop is a bit different in that the blog are not linked to each other, instead the home base for this hop is the Stars & Stamps Blog at OWH and from there you can visit the links for every participant directly. 

I'll simply say that as we start to 'draw down' and complete this mission, finding OWH (Cards for Heroes back then) in 2008 was one of the greatest things to happen to me. I guess you could say it happened by chance if you believe in coincidence or chalk it up to divine providence if you don't, but either way, like so many of you I have have learned a lot, laughed a lot and 'met' so many wonderful people along the way and it has been an incredible journey. It seemed only natural for me to share a card today that says 'Thanks' to all of you, to everyone who has served OWH over the years and to our heroes, above all, who serve us every day.




This card uses the In Bloom stamp set from Papertrey Ink and the Thanks Sentiment Die is from Simon Says Stamp. I crafted the shape with a ruler and Exacto knife and the edge punch is an old (retired) one from Martha Stewart/EK Success.

As you make cards to help with the OWH Finishing Strong Campaign it's important that you follow all the guidelines and please out of consideration and thanks for the tremendous amount of time and effort Sandy Allnock has given, be sure that they make the August 1st deadline.

My card is slightly bigger than an A2 size and fairly dimensional so it's best suited to becoming an Any Hero note.

When all is said and done, I hope, that like me you will have a place in your heart for OWH, its mission and all that was accomplished by a group of amazing card makers and volunteers. And let us never forget, especially on this Memorial Day weekend, the countless heroes who gave all on behalf of our country, for our freedom.

Keep Crafting!
signature


40 comments:

Donna Hanley said...

Very pretty and colorful. Enjoy your weekend.

RobinH said...

very, very pretty. Thank you for sharing this card and every one over the past few years. You always have such wonderful cards

Tanya Boser said...

Love your basket of flowers, so lush!

Unknown said...

Love this card....so patriotic. Nice design. TFS

April said...

When I first saw the card I thought the flowers fabric flowers. Such a beatiful job creating dimension.
April

Donna Nuce said...

Wow Paula! This is stunningly beautiful! Thank you so much for all your design tips and support to us in OWH! Hope you have a great day!

Joan K said...

Luscious card Paula! Those flowers are beautiful. Thanks for all of your contributions to OWH as well. I can't help but think of the "Boot Camp" you ran a while back - I have learned a lot about card making from you and others in the OWH community. I am grateful for the experience.

Bunny said...

Lovely fussy cutting. Beautiful dimension look.

Nancy said...

Such a pretty basket of flowers!

sherry varga said...

Paula, your basket of flowers is most lovely. I am partial to flowers so this is one of my favorite cards of the hop. Thanks for all of your support of OWH. I am glad I got to know you through OWH!

Lucy E. said...

What a lovely card!

Diane said...

Hi Paula- your flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for all you have done for OWH, our troops and the card makers! I looked forward to your tutorials! You certainly have influenced a lot of card makers---we make better cards because of you and Sandy!

Tammy said...

WOW Paula, this is gorgeous!! What a fabulous design and I love all of the flowers and that awesome flower pot! Thanks so much for everything you've done for OWH!
Tammy x

Carolyn said...

Lovely pot of flowers!!

Lee Mae said...

Paula, this card is absolutely gorgeous. One of our Heroes is going to feel especially good when they get your card. It is sad to see OWH come to an end, what an amazing journey we've all been on! Have a great weekend!

Linda said...

Gorgeous card Paula...I want to thank you for your efforts with the Boot Camp. I learned a lot and enjoy your posting and support immensely!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful basket of flowers. I'm a little sad as well even though I'm thrilled at the same time that our heroes are coming home.

Sandy Allnock said...

Awww a beautiful basket of the best colors! :) Thanks so much for all you've done for OWH, Paula. I'm so glad we met through the project, and hope we never lose touch! :)

Sherry Hickey said...

Hi Paula! Your card is beautiful; I'd display it as proudly as a real bouquet of flowers! You've encouraged and taught me so much for the last five years. I'm so grateful and glad we met through OWH!!

Trish said...

Beautiful bouquet of flowers. Wonderful card.

Unknown said...

Love the bouquet! Would make a great home decor item!

Lori Kobular said...

Love your flower pot card! Your flowers are gorgeous! It will make a Perfect Any Hero card!

craftysahmiam said...

Stunning card using red, white and blue for flowers.The twine bow finishes if off perfectly.

ThePurplePlace said...

Thanks for visiting my blog Paula! i WILL miss being part of OWH, but right now am concentrating on WINNING my Cancer Battle and with all the support I have, I WILL WIN!

Hugs!
Lisa

Carol L said...

Those flowers are so vividly colored and striking! I love making these flowerpot cards, and I love the larger size too!
It's been a joy getting to know OWH volunteers including you, and I've learned so much through my years of making cards for OWH. I hope we cardmakers never lose touch with one another!

byAnnette said...

Wow!
Love all the flowers & how you colored them! The Hero receiving this card will feel very appreciated!

Beth L. said...

Beautiful card! I love the flowers and the flowerpot base. Thanks for the work you have done for OWH. I learned a lot with your series of lessons on design.

Andrea D. La Vigne said...

Paula, this is so neat! I was wondering if you stamped and fussy cut the flowers & leaves? Gorgeous card. Tfs!

Dixie Cochran said...

Paula, you have been a big part of OWH for years. Thank you for sharing your creativity, leading us through Bootcamp, and contributing to the blog team. Most of all, thank you for sending the BEST boxes when I was a shipper. I always enjoyed opening them.

Cindy E. Rapson said...

Wow!!! 12,500 cards?!! That is incredible. You are quite an inspiration. You have been the one I've strived to emulate. Your color choices are always spot on and your attention to detail, exquisite. I've been the recipient of a couple of your cards over the past year and they are so full of texture and perfection. I look forward to our relationship continuing thru snail mail. I can always continue learning thru you...

Kathy S said...

Wow Paula, you created a downright masterpiece here. Goodness - The coloring is just stunning. and I love the detail of the die on the pot. You have done so much for OWH. I always appreciated your tutorials, boot camps, and educational material. I will greatly miss that and hope we can keep in touch through the blogosphere. The Crafty Nurse

Sybrina K said...

Paula,

What a gorgeous card! I especially love the details you gave to the pot.

Thank you so much for all you've done for OWH, our troops, and the crafting community. I don't know if you have any idea how much you have inspired me, and I can't begin to describe the difference that your design boot camp made to me as a card maker. (Maybe my cards can speak for me.)

I don't think I ever signed up to follow your blog. Going to do that now. And, I hope we keep in touch.

Lisa D said...

Gorgeous flowers! Very bright and cheerful.

Kristie said...

What a joyful and patriotic bunch of flowers. I love the custom made flower made, very clever. Thank you for your many years of dedication to OWH.

Gina said...

I'm always drawn to flowers! great job!

Unknown said...

Paula, I have never seen a card of yours that I haven't loved and this one is one of my favorites by far..I love the arrangement of flowers, it is so cheerful I'm sure it will sit on someones' mantel for a long time. I am so glad to have gotten to know you through OWH, and hopefully we will stay in touch through other sites.:)

BobbisTreasure said...

Thank you for all of the inspiration and encouragement you have given to me! I have improved my skills tremendously since I began making cards for OWH in 2010.

WhoMom said...

Fantastic job! The red, white and blue flowers are wonderful. I'd love to see this on a wall in my classroom! It's so cheerful.

Sue D said...

Beautiful thank you bouquet.

Cindy O said...

Beautiful flowers and love the flowerpot shape with twine and leaves! Thanks for all your great cards and tutorials for OWH, especially the boot camp series. I'll continue to check your blog for inspiration!

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