OWH's Sweets for Sweets Challenge

OWH is partnering once again with Archway to match sweets for sweets. Archway will send goodies to our troops for Valentine and Love cards received by December 10.

This year the goal has been upped from 4,000 to 5000...lots and lots of love cards need to be sent homeward to carry our heroes' hearts to their families!

• Deadline is Dec. 10th (cards can still come in til Dec 31, but will count for the match only til the 10th) and must be received on or before that day.
• Cards need to be LOVE or VALENTINE themed
• Cards need to meet OWH guidelines (no glitter, A2, etc)
• Kids can send the "love" AnyHero coloring pages here or here and we'll count those too
• Send in a packing slip with your cards with your info filled out, card count, and write "ARCHWAY" on the challenge line

So, while my mind has been drifting to thoughts of stocking stuffers and cookies for nephews, my hands have been making Valentines for our troops to send home to loved ones. The cards below were made from Reminisce paper.

Reminisce's Hearts Afire Paper

Reminisce's Flirt Paper, background texture created
with 4 layers of white tulle stapled on brown cardstock

Hoping to get a few more done before the December 10 deadline.

My First Craft Show

By day -- and some nights, I am a math content editor for a text book publisher. At our office, the Activities Committee holds an annual Holiday Bazaar for employees and their family and friends. This year, the bazaar is on December 1 and monies raised from table rentals benefit a canine rescue group.

I've decided to dip my toes into the craft bazaar world. So, after making OWH Christmas cards and before starting OWH Valentine cards, I've been busy making cards for the craft show. My goal is to raise money for OWH -- donating part of my profits for shipping and using the rest to purchase adhesives for 2012 cards.

My intent was to have holiday cards that would appeal to three distinct groups: kid-oriented, artistic, and traditional. A friend encouraged me to include a non-holiday, generic card -- which explains the birthday/celebration cards. The following are sample cards that I will be selling:

 

For the Kids-at-Heart: A Snag 'Em Stamps

baby Rudolph on paper from 

3 Bugs in a Rug Deck the Halls collection,

with a red stickled nose and collar and a shimmery ribbon.



For the Artistic Folks: An embossed ornament 
detailed with metallic curves and icicle stickles
with a heat embossed sentiment and ribbon
on DCWV Christmas Winter Combo cardstock matstack.



For the Traditional Folks: A punched-out whimsical tree
on cardstock, which is placed on
Bo Bunny Father Christmas Collection Paper --
with a few brads for added shimmer/dimension/texture.

Birthday/Celebration Card for Kids

Birthday/Celebration Card on paper from
Bo Bunny Snowfall Collection

Parisian-inspired
Birthday/Anniversary/Celebration Card
from DCWV All Dressed Up matstack

So, wish me luck. More details to follow.

Shop Small

I just read Sandy's post on the Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps blog reminding everyone to stop by their local scrapbook store on Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 26.

By all means, pay a visit to your favorite scrapbook store when doing your holiday shopping. While big coupons can certainly come in handy, there is no doubt that you will find something fabulous at your LSS that you just won't find in a big box, chain store.

Happy scrapping and happy shopping!

OWH Challenge

Hi, everyone,

Sorry it's been such a long time between posts. I've been busy making holiday cards for OWH heroes -- and for a craft show at work. More on that later.

For now, I wanted to let everyone know about a challenge and opportunity.

• Our Daily Bread Designs will be making shipping donations to OWH based on the number of cards linked to their post. (Check out ODBD Shipping Opportunity for more information!)
• Since OWH is turning its attention to hearts and valentines, how about trying your hand at a Love or Valentine's card and then linking your card for this OBDB shipping opportunity.  

The above card was made using a stamp that must have gone with last year's We R Memory Keepers Valentine collection. (I picked it up a few months ago when scrapping with a friend.)

The patterned paper came from a bargain pack from Target. The image was stamped (and hand-drawn stitches were added) to light blue cardstock. Finally, a few gems were added to complete the look.

Since I don't have a fancy cutting machine, I traced the scalloped frame from a die cut. Then, I scanned, copied, and re-sized it using our home printer/scanner and computer.

Now it's your turn. Try your hand at a Valentine's card, and link it to the OWH post. Can't wait to see your creations! As for me, it's back to craft show cards...