Welcome to the Operation Write Home blog!
...here is where it (the bloghop) begins if you have just jumped in in the middle:
http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org
Full disclosure, I am not a normal cardmaker!
A little about me, I am a crafter/artist/soap maker/mother/gramma and wife, child of God type. The war and the active duty enlisted people have been on my mind and heart since 911 especially. Back then, I would read anysoldier.com and see the items that they would request and read their stories and pics and want to contribute in some way. It just never happened that I was able to coordinate with anysoldier but from their website I found anyhero.com, the forerunner to Operation Write Home.
Making cards was do-able for me, I could contribute one or a hundred cards, whenever I was able to get them done. (I have a very big busy life.)
Then there was Sandy, who was bending over backwards to help ME (EVERYBODY), she was supplying the envelopes so that I could save on postage, and taking cards of all kinds except the dreaded glitter cards, but even crayon drawings from kids. I felt comfortable to send in the proofs of my digital art mounted on cardstock, and...she even said Thank You!
Well, that was the hook, and I have to say Sandy's heart sort of glows, she makes it easy to be a part of this wonderful endeavor. I have progressed some, that is what happens when you hang out with really creative people, I love looking at the amazing cards that people come up with.
I know the other shippers are equally wonderful too, their's is a huge task to get these packed up and into the hands of somebody who wants to write home. But it's always Sandy who sends me that thank you email. So, thank you Sandy!
I could say I am jealous. Card making is so precise, it is such an art. This is my first attempt of actual stamped cards hand lettered, and as I look at the other cards in this bloghop I see the time and the patience and the precision that has gone into them.
But I feel welcome in the middle of all this creativity, mine being goofy or not, it takes all kinds to make a world, and I know there is a person out there who probably says "this looks just like my granny made it" when they pick up my card, and so it is good for them!
LINK TO NEXT BLOG: http:/www.owhheroblog.org This sounds so exciting, "We have one card for that blog made with an MRE package by a soldier in Afghanistan, and I'm hoping we'll get some more funny ones too!"
I am so new to this card making stuff, I don't even know what an MRE package is! That is so AWESOME... I will soon find out!
If you have just hopped over from Darlene's blog home (expressions by da, http://expressionsbyda.blogspot.com)I know you left her some love, she's an beautiful card maker! That is the wonderful thing about a bloghop... the nice things that people say. Y
Now if you are new here, and just stumbled into my blog, here's what they're all about...
"About us: Operation Write Home began in 2007 with just a few cards made by friends on a message board; what began as an outlet for a hobby has become a much larger mission to help heroes keep in touch with home - and the effort has been joined by thousands of cardmakers!
OWH receives handmade cards donated by crafters across America (and beyond!). Cardmakers range in age, location, and level of skill; cards are provided by individuals and groups, schools and scouts, companies and churches. All have one primary thing in common: a desire to serve those who defend our nation!
Cards are mailed to one of our volunteer shippers in quanities both small and large. The shippers process, sort, repair, and document each donation, and then pack and ship boxes of over 300 cards each to our contacts. Our heroes request cards (families may also request on their behalf; we serve all branches in all deployed locations.
Tax-deductible donations of any size keep this work going - from $1 to any amount - and can be included with card donations to any shipper, mailed separately, or via Paypal. Thank you for partnering with us!
Check out this page http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/p/about-owh.html for more info...but beware, you might take on a new hobby.
“Tax-deductible donations of any size keep this work going - from $1 to any amount - and can be included with card donations to any shipper, mailed separately, or via Paypal. “
You can send in a buck! …anonymously even. I love programs like this, sometimes our conscience whispers, ‘come on’ and we need to give the gift. I'm pretty sure It makes us better humans.
73 comments:
Your cards are always welcome, my dear! I'm glad to hear my little notes are an encouragement to you :) :) :) Thanks for making the hop more special by participating!! Hugs!
Great job, Merry, and thanks for joining in on the OWH mission! I'm sure the heroes LOVE your cards, they are beautiful! Enjoy the hop!
your blog is super cool, and for not being normal your cards looked pretty normal...LOL
Thanks for hopin'!
Merry,
I think your cards are great! I tend to stay with less is more when mailing. I am always afraid if I add I lot of embellishment it might not make it in the mail. I love your blog and will be back when I have more time to linger.
I loved your disclosure! Too funny...I thought your cards were fab!
Great cards and great blog!!!
Merry these cards are just beautiful and even more so for the reason why you make them! :)
Most of my favorite people aren't "normal" either. :) And you're right. Sandy's heart does glow.
As for MREs, they're not normally a card making thing, which is part of what makes that card so great. MRE stands for Meals Ready to Eat. They're military field food that doesn't require refrigeration. Kinda like camping food, but everything is in one package.
Happy Blog Hopping!
I love your cards. Those flowers are great. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
I love how you set up your blog for the hop! Really loving your beach card!
Your cards are great! I am not nearly as creative as some, but I feel OWH lets me do my part. I feel at home here too! ~robin
I love you cards... I less, done well, really is more and these are definitely MORE!
Merry,
You are a blessing from God and your cards are just as precious as any others.
God Bless,
Jeanine #14 on the Hop
I love your style of card making! Less is definitely more, IMO. I also believe that the only precise thing about card making is the A2 dimensions! lol
Merry, I'm abnormal too and I say being "normal" is highly overrated. Thanks for sharing your cards and blog. It's really amazing and inspiring to see how so many people, from so many walks of life have come together at OWH.
Love your cards, clean and simple is good!
Love your cards and your thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
What's 'normal'??? It's just a word in the dictionary. Your rose cards are lovely... if we all thought and crafted and created exactly the same as each other the world would be a very boring place!
Your cards are really nice; please believe that. :) What I really like about these blog hops is that everyone has their own distinct style. Keep stamping and being crafty. The soldiers will love what they receive!
I don't know if any of us card makers are normal, but I did enjoy hearing your story. Your cards are beautiful and I admire your hand lettering.
Beautiful cards! Beautiful flowers!
Great cards. Thanks for sharing with us!
Your cards look great. Sometimes less is more. Thanks for sharing.
Why be normal? I love your art and thanks for supporting OWH!
your cards are beautiful.. love that by the sea stamp .. wow... it's gorgeous.. love your work! xo
I LOVE the cards you've done! They are so simple and beautiful!
And as a military wife I just want to thank you for being a part of OWH. The work you do really helps us to feel closer to those we're separated from. Thank you!
Your cards are amazing. I love the rose cards.
I love your cards and your blog is pretty cute, too!
I love your clean style. I think those cards are great! The beach image is fabulous!
I'm not sure what an MRE is either so we can learn together.
Wonderful card - wouldn't know that you haven't done this much.
Your cards are anything but goofy! I think that the sketch of the woman sitting on the beach chair is fabulous! I would give anything if I could draw so much with a few lines!
Awesome post and your cards are lovely! Thanks for supporting OWH and the blog hop today!
I love your cards....they are nice and simple...I believe less is more!!
Merry, I think that "Thinking of You" card is lovely! Well done!! Sandy does bring out the best in us! Thanks for sharing your talent!
Like you I love that I can participate in making cards for OWH in my own way, at my own rate. Pretty cool that Sandy set it up that way!.
I like your clean, cheerful cards. What a wonderful opportunity to touch lives for the better.
Your have a very interesting blog. Great cards and lots of interesting information. Thanks for sharing.
Your cards are wonderful!
Normal is boring. Love people like you who think outside the box.
Your cards are great! You can send them proudly. Each of us has to be ourselves and make what we are comfortable making. The neat thing is that there are all sorts of individuals that our cards are going to, so there is something for everyone to choose from.
Your cards are great. The fact that you are willing to do something for someone else far away is the key. Your heart shows in the card, no matter if it is super fancy or funny or simple. I like the digital images you used. Thanks for sharing.
OH, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your cards! How can you say you're not a normal card maker?!?! Everyone has their own unique style and my friend, you have talent!! Great blog stuff here too!!
Normal is all relative! I think your cards are amazing! Thanks for the support of OWH!
Is there such a thing as a "normal" card maker???? I think your cards are just lovely and I'm sure that they are very much appreciated by whoever receives them! You are right about Sandy and all the folks from OWH, they do glow! Thanks for supporting our Heroes!
R/
Oops! Posted on the wrong blog entry first. :)
Your cards are wonderful! I love the simple thinking of you. The flowers are gorgeous on the roses!
I really enjoyed your post. Great cards and thanks for hopping with us! It's been a great day of inspiration!
I loved both cards. The flower cards shouted spring and the beach scene summer, both of which I'm ready for after this winter.
Thank you for plugging the cause and you're right, there is no judgement of abilities. Everyone's efforts are appreciated.
You are awesome....and I hate to tell you but you look pretty normal too.....thank you for sharing...and thank you for the tip on the cash flow....
I like your cards! Stop worrying!!
Your cards are wonderful!! Love the colors and the colored flowers are beautiful!!!
As a military spouse and someone new to OWH, I thank you for taking part in this awesome blog hop and in OWH!
I love your post. So fun to read.
I love your cards, & never worry about them not being enough! The soldiers are truly grateful, no matter if it has none or 20 embellishments on the. My daughter is one of those soldiers, so I can speak from experience. I'm so glad you are involved w/OWH! You're right...Sandy is definately one-of-a-kind! I wish we could clone her, but since we can't, we have people like you & others new to this that may become our next Sandy! TFS!
I love the porch (beach?) chair card... That type of simplicity really makes me smile. MRE: meal ready to eat... they are packaged in a self contained chemical heating package (we ate them in shelters after hurricane Katrina). Thank you for being part of this... never fear the creative process... we all start somewhere and end somewhere else !
I think your cards are great. Wow, the hand lettering is awesome.
Wonderful contributions, and Loved reading your story! Thanks for participating!
Sometimes simple & beautiful is what is needed, yours are both. Thanks
You are very talented. It's great being part of OWH. Thanks for sharing!
I don't think anyone is 'normail' when it comes to creativity. I love your cards!
these are beautiful cards.. you do a great job... no need to be jealous :))
Hugs x
Merry..."normal" is totally overrated...if it weren't for those of us who are living outside the box, the world would be a rather boring place:o)
Your cards are beautiful!!! I especially love your stunning rose creations!!! Looks to me like you have the whole cardmaking thing down pat...cuz your works of heART are WONDERFUL!!!!
Hugs!
Carolyn
LOVE YOUR CARDS!!! Thanks for sharing and awesome support of OWH. I appreciate you stopping by my blog during the hop and leaving your kind words. Good luck in my OWH giveaway!
I love your dedication for being a supporter of our Heroes. Your cards are terrific, keep up the great work.
Thanks for participating in the Blog Hop.
Sher
The clean lines in your cards make them beautiful. I think as a card maker I sometimes get caught up in the layers and techniques and forget that clean lines and simple images are just as beautiful. Thanks for hopping with us today.
I think your cards are fabulous!!! I can't wait to start sending cards with OWH!!!!
Thanks for Sharing!
xoxo
Ola
okj83 at live dot com
I love the beautiful rose cards and the simplicity of the "thinking of you" cards!
your blog is full of yummy stuff thanks for sharing
Wow- what beautiful cards! Talk about creative!!!!! Love them!
Your cards are CAS and that way you can make more, which is so wonderful!
thanks for sharing your cards and a little about yourself,
Susan
Great cards! Thx for supporting OWH. Hugs, Loni (Stop #55)
Great artwork Merry! I checked out your work over on etsy, very lovely.
Thanks for your part in OWH.
Wonderful cards.
{hugs}
M.E.
I love love the roses :) Thank you so much for sharing your awesome talent! Beautiful work! I love roses!
Love those beautiful roses! And what a nice lady you are to say such kind and wonderful things about Sandy! :)
Corinna
www.myscrapbooklife.com
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