Saturday, May 29, 2010

Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog Hop



My name is Suz Gray.  I love all things paper & am known on the web as "craftysuz".  Welcome to my stop on the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog Hop.  This is my 2nd year participating in this hop & wow has it grown.  Have you been enjoying the hop?  If you are one of my regular readers or just stumbled onto me I'm sure you will want to start from the beginning to see all the beautiful cards, be moved by touching stories, learn some new cardmaking & stamping techniques.  You can even enter to win some prizes along the way too.  The OWH Stars & Stamps blog is the beginning... find it here.  It starts at 10 am EST on Saturday & goes thru 6 pm EST on Monday.

The reason I support OWH is because it is a great way to use something I love to do to make it easier for our troops to stay in touch with their loved ones at home.  I feel like every card I make is a little thank you for the huge sacrifice they make for us.  I love the OWH blog posts where soldiers share what this organization means to them and their families.

We've had quite a few members of our family serve our country over the years.  Currently my cousin has a daughter & son serving in Afghanistan & Iraq.  I pray for Kayla & Vinnie's safety as they serve in dangerous places.




Spc. Vincent Hoover, a tanker with 1st Bn, 72nd Armor Regiment was awarded the silver star last October for his valor & quick actions when a grenade was thrown into his vehicle.  He threw it back out & all the lives in vehicle were saved.  See story here & here.  Our family is so proud of him!

Thank you to each service person & their families who sacrifice so much to serve our country.  On this Memorial Day I ask that you join me in saying a prayer for those families who have given the ultimate sacrifice of a loved one that they are comforted by the heroic way they lived & blessed by memories along with those who are currently in harms way.

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Now to share some cards.  I made a couple keeping with the Red, White & Blue - Missing You card theme requested by OWH.

For this card I used a Cuttlebug dry embossing folder to create the dotted texture on the kraft cardstock.
Supplies:  Cardstock (Bazzill & Bo Bunny); Paper (Pink Paislee & Making Memories); Punch (Stampin' Up); Die Cut (Nestabilities); Ink (Palette); String (Making Memories); Stamps (Ipppity Stamps & Unity Stamps); Trim (Wrights); Dry Embossing (Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder)



For this card I stamped on the plain navy background with Versamark ink & a flourish stamps by Ippity to give a subtle watermark look to the paper - in person it looks great and added a lot of interest.  I like to cut out stamped images like the butterfly here.
Supplies:  Paper (Creative Imaginations, K&Company, & The Paper Studio); Stamps (Unity Stamps & Ippity Stamps); Bling (Paper Reflections); Ribbon (Michaels' Dollar Bin); Ink (Palette & Versamark); Die Cut (Making Memories Slice - Think Pink)


I also did a photo tutorial showing how to make the layered watercolor flowers in the next two cards.  If you would like to see the tutorial please go to the next post.  I did this so people who didn't wouldn't have to scroll thru all those photos & instructions.

This flower is stamped multiple times then cut apart.  I used foam dimensional adhesive to add depth.  I dressed up an office supply tag with layers of stamping & distress ink.
Supplies:  Cardstock (Bazzill & Watercolor Paper); Paint (Grumbacher); Ink (Palette & Ranger Tim Holtz); Stamps (Ippity Stamps & Hero Arts); Die Cut (Nestabilities); Ribbon (American Crafts); Tag (Staples)

This card uses the same flower & watercolor painting but it is just a flat image.  The paint shading helps to give depth.  I stamped the leaves on canvas fabric for interest.

Supplies:  Cardstock (Bazzill & Watercolor Paper); Paint (Grumbacher); Ink (Palette & Colorbox); Stamps (Ippity Stamps & Unity Stamps); Twine (Making Memories); Canvas (Joann's); Dry Embossing (Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder)

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To thank you for stopping by... I have some prizes to offer you.

One winner will receive this "Lucky Me" mini album kit courtesy of Susan Moore - Owner of EMI Scrapbooking Store in Cumming, Georgia.  She also has an online Etsy store called creativekits4u where she sells these kits to customers all over the world.  This kit features Little Yellow Bicycle Lucky Me papers.  MSRP $22.



Ippity


I sell Ippity Stamps (see tab at top of the page or click here for Memorial Day sale prices) so I am offering these 2 sets to one winner.

Leave a comment for your chance to win - sorry but open only to USA residents only due to shipping costs.  (make sure you leave an email address or way to get in touch with you).  Comments close at 6 pm EST on Monday & winner will be drawn by random number generator soon after that.

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Now head on over to the next stop on the blog hop.  Sharon has some pretty cards to share with you. 

82 comments:

Missy said...

Suz,
I really enjoyed your blog. How proud I am of both your relatives.
Vinnie is definately on the list of heroes in my book. Wonderful cards I will come back to see the tutorial on the 3d flower. Too many blogs to visit today.
missy dot wa at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I will definitely be back for your tutorial on those gorgeous layered watercolor flowers. My prayers are with your relatives.

Unknown said...

Love the "You and I" card. Read the article about your soldier. Hooah! to him.

2 Worlds said...

Thats a good cause thanks for the giveaway Suz

TN Granny said...

Amazing cards all of them and you should be so proud of your family as I am also.
God Bless you,
Jeanine

Tink said...

GREAT Cards! Love your blog!!

itstinkerbelle@aol.com

Shelly R Wilson said...

Prayers for you and your family. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Rhonda Miller said...

Your cards are great. I love those flowers. TFS.

Julie said...

Wow, you made so many cute cards for this hop! Love them!

Tammy said...

All of your cards are fantastic!! Thank you for sharing your story!

Jan Hunnicutt said...

Fabulous cards and the tutorial is something I want to do! Thanks for sharing your story with us and the opportunity to win your blog candy!
gonestampin(at)mail(dot)com
Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Unknown said...

Great job on your cards....Thumbs up for your family...may they return save!!!!!*hugs*

Teresa said...

Love all your cards and you are terrific to offer such generous blog candy. Thank you to your family for their service!

Melanie Nichols said...

Love all the texture and dimension on your cards! Very pretty! have a great holiday weekend! ;o)

Erika said...

Great cards! Very creative. And many prayers for your family members that are serving - I pray for their safety - as I do for all military members. And, as a military wife, let me say thank you for sharing your creativity to help bring families closer who are separated by duty.

Karen said...

Wow...wonderful card! I particularly love the first one! Gosh, and thanks for the chance at some of this SWEET candy! :))
Karen


maddenmom at gmail dot com

Paula S. said...

Oh my gosh, what great cards. I love how you incorporated the lined notebook paper. Thanks for sharing the story of your personal heroes with us too. Wonderful post!

Operation Write Home said...

I'm proud of your heroes too! Please tell them a big thank you from OWH when you can :)

Your flower tutorial is GREAT too!! Thanks for sharing!

Martha said...

Your cards are very striking! I especially like the die cut flower cards. Nice job!

Cathy... said...

What beautiful elegant cards! I'll be back to check out your tutorial on those pretty flowers!

Brittany said...

Wow, you are a very talented card maker. Your first card posted is my favorite. You have used the red, white, and blue theme beautifully.

Also, thank you for offering such nice giveaways. That is very generous of you.

PocketsOfInspiration said...

The first is my fav. Love the color palette.

creations by jackie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
creations by jackie said...

Awesome cards you have been busy. They are all gorgeous.
jackie, http://jackielwatson.blogspot.com

helloholley said...

Your cards are so wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing you story of your family members who serve to protect our freedoms!!! Tell them we really appreciate them ;))
Thanks also for a chance to win your awesome blog candy!!!

Unknown said...

Love your cards...thank you for sharing! Thanks for the chance at your blog candy.

debb said...

What wonderful cards! Thank you for the candy opp!

Lelia Pierce said...

Awesome cards! A huge HOORAH for Vincent!!! That was awesome! :O)

Hugs,
Lelia

http://greengoddescreations.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Love the flower cards. I kept reading and saw how you used the Tim Holtz frags. Ubercool!

Trevorstuffmammas said...

I like your paper choice on the 1st card. I have not used craft with white, I like it!!! Thank you sooo much for the ideas....Jennifer

Rufus said...

Thank you so much to you and your family for all their service to our country. You must be extremely proud of them! Your cards are pretty and the flowers look lovely. Thanks for much for supporting our nations Heroes (some from your own family!) and OWH. Oh yes, great candy, thank for the chance at it!
R/

Brenda said...

Gorgeous cards and great tutorial on those flowers.

Let your relatives know they are thought of and appreciated for the sacrifices they make while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

All your cards are beautiful. Praying for your relatives safety and thank you for all they do.

Dixie Cochran said...

Great cards! That sentiment stamp is terrific! Thanks for sharing your talent, and thanks for making cards for our military heroes!

grandmalee said...

WOW! You must be so proud of your cousin's children that are serving and especially to Winnie for receiving the Silver Star. What an honor!

What beautiful creations! Thanks so much for the awesome tutorial AND the blog candy! You have such a kind, giving spirit!

Cynthia Ferenz said...

God Bless your cousin's kids. I have 2 sons in the Army, my youngest is currently in Iraq, so I know how she feels.

Loved your cards! They will be greatly appreciated.

Cynthia Ferenz
Proud Parent of 2 Soldiers
stampindragon at verizon dot net

D's Paper Studio said...

Hi craftysuz...it's debby from debby's dare. it's great to see you in the train of blogs for OWH. I love all your cards, especially the one with the tag. Awesome creatiity.

Marlene said...

Beautiful cards. What a great cause! Thank you for sharing.

Karen Howard said...

Gorgeous cards! I really like the detail you put into all of them!

Wendy said...

Thanks for the inspiration!
Wendy

Nancy Keller said...

Hi Suz! You have so many fun things here, I hardly know where to begin :)I love your use of the cuttlebug and the nesties - I am aloways looking for inspiration for those! Thank you for sharing your awesome work!

Cheryl said...

Fantastic cards! I really love the first one. The LO's on all are really great.

Theresa's Studio said...

Great cards TFS!

JPScraps said...

Suz, Your work is always beautiful!

A Rup Life said...

Beautiful cards!!

DustyPenny (Joy Ott) said...

Great flower cards!

Lynn said...

The watercolor flowers are amazing! So very worth the trip to your blog, I know I 'll be back!

loyaz said...

Wow - I'm loving this HOP. Not familiar with OWH until now - awesome group. Keep up the good work!
DianeL
loyaz1@wbhsi.net

Kajikit said...

God bless your family!

RobinH said...

love your handmade flowers
thanks for the tutorials
cute cards!

hope your family returns hope safely and quickly

rahoff9atmsndotcom

Sharon Field / Inky A*Muse-ment said...

Great cards Suz... and God Bless you and your family!

Holly / InkPaperStamps said...

I love the vividness of your cards. ANd thank you for sharing your cousin's heroic story--no wonder your family is bursting with pride!

Shelly Schmidt said...

Great stories- how proud the families must be! That is pretty awesome- no fear to pick up the grenade and throw it! Love your cards- I am liking the look of Kraft alot lately! Great Blog Hop

Courtney said...

Very beautiful cards! Thank you to you and your family for your service to our country! May God bless you and yours.

~Courtney~

GrannyCharlotte said...

Wonderful cards. Our thanks go out to Vinnie and all those who serve to keep the rest of us safe. Thanks for sharing your talent.

Merry's Musings said...

Love love love your posie cards. They are just lovely.Wonderful blog post, thank you.

Cut n Paste said...

All of your cards are beautiful!!!! I especially love the red white blue ones!! Thank you for the tutorial... I want to try that! So proud of your military family as I know you are. Tell them to keep safe.

Tassie said...

Really cute cards. I especially liked the one with the office tag. I am going to try that one.
Thanks for the inspiration!!

Teepee said...

The tutorial will be so helpful to me. Thank you for doing it.

Meg Bean said...

Beautiful cards! You can tell you put a lot of attention to detail in them!

Kim said...

Your cards are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your story.

Judy Jackson said...

Your stamp line is very cute! I loved your cards.

judystamper at verizon dot net

Sandy said...

Beautiful cards!

Marsha said...

Enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your wonderful projects.

Christine said...

My prayers go out to Kayla and Vinnie and to the rest of your family as well. Thanks to all for their sacrifices. love your cards... the first is my fav with the red, blue and khaki
thanks for offering the super cute "candy" - got my fingers crossed... hee hee hee
hockeyfan1344 @ yahoo

Unknown said...

I love the flowers - will go check out your tutorial, thanks for sharing!
Have a wonderful weekend, and wishing you & your family the best!!
Happy Crafting!

Susan said...

Thank your niece and nephew for us! I loved reading the articles about your nephew, brave indeed!

Beautiful cards! love the flowers.
thanks, Susan
(78 on the list)

Jean Fitch from jlfstudio said...

Really fun cards Suz and quite a family you have serving. The lucky receipients of these cards will be smiling for sure.

Jeanne said...

All of your cards are fantastic but I think the flowers are really beautiful.

Jackie B said...

Thanks for the tutorial on making the wonderful bright flowers. The colors you used were so intense. I can't wait to give it a try.
Jackietbedataoldotcom

Betty said...

Love hearing about Spc. Hoover...thanks for sharing that :)

Your cards are amazing! Those receiving them will be very happy.

Seongsook Duncan said...

What such beautiful cards. Love your flowers. Thanks for sharing.

jengd said...

Wonderful cards- I really love the flowers you make! Best to you and yours and a big thank you and be safe to Kayla & Vinnie!

Heather Grow said...

Beautiful cards. Thanks for participating in the OWH blog hop.

Stampin_melissa said...

Please send your family our thanks for their service! Thank you for your service in supporting our troops! Your cards are wonderful! I love the blue flower!! Gorgeous!

Patty said...

Loved the cards and the supplies list. Love the watermark on the blue.
Thanks,Patty

Courtney K said...

love all your cards ~ the flowers are amazing on the last two!

cal8007 said...

Your cards are so neat with those layered flowers cut out. The patience you have!! I'm always running and like to make quick cards, but I'm going to try the technique on your video.

Thanks for the opportunity for blog candy!

Carmen L
cal8007 at aol dot com

Jamie said...

what great cards you posted! I love the mix of khaki in there and the flowers are gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Your cards are fabulous... and thanks for sharing the tutorial!

Thanks so much for sharing & the chance to win!

Happy Memorial Day!
God Bless our Soldiers & their families!

~Ola
okj83 at live dot com

Bev E said...

Wow great cards. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

Jana said...

Thank your cousin and her kids for me. Wonderful cards. Each one is very pretty and special.