OWH Hippity Blog Hoppity!

Welcome everyone to my stop on the Operation Write Home - Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop! Whew! That was a mouthful. :) I'm so glad to be a part of this fun event once again. I remember last year. It was my very first blog hop and my blog hadn't quite transitioned over to a "scrappy" blog quite yet. Well, as you can see, the transition happened (I still share personal life posts) and I'm having a blast once again!

If you are just beginning on my blog, allow me to direct you to the beginning. Click there and you can hop alllll weekend! Seriously. There are over 100 of us!  If you came to my blog from Christy, then you are on the right path!

Check out the mission of OWH:

Supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.

That is exactly what has drawn me to OWH and has encouraged me to support it!  I support our troops and their efforts and so it makes sense to say thanks by using my gifts.  In the past I've sang at events and now I'm encouraging card making!  We all know that handmade is better than store made right?
The current need for cards includes love, missing you, birthday and thank yous.  And hey!  I happen to have a 'Missing You' card for your viewing pleasure along with some designer tips.

Red, White and Blue is such an appropriate color scheme for this weekend!  But what happens when you throw in some yellow and a touch of green??  These Pink Paislee papers from the 365 Degree line worked perfect for this!  I've also been on a handmade embellishment kick.  Why buy when you can use your scraps? Those stars are handcut!

Supplies:  Paper: 365 Degree from Pink Paislee, Cardstock: (Kraft) The Paper Company, Buttons: Bo Bunny, Letter Stickers (Thickers) American Crafts, Punch: (Threading Water) Fiskars, Other: jute, brads, sewing machine, pop dots

My other love is using my sewing machine!  I love how it completes the homemade/handmade look of my cards.  Don't be afraid of the machine!  My stitching is rarely perfect which, I think, just adds character to the project.  You'll also notice that the base patterned paper is slightly larger than the cardstock.  No rhyme or reason for that.

Here's a front view:

Can I be proud of my handcut stars?  I don't have the most steady hand so if they turned out resembling what I had in my head - I am extremely impressed!

Now... what Blog Hop wouldn't be complete without a prize??? None I say!!! So what the hey!  Want the chance to win something?

One lucky winner will win this fab stash of goodness:

I've already packed it all up so let me try to remember some items that might tickle your scrappy bone... Amy Butler papers, Thickers, Fancy Pants rub-ons, Scenic Route chipboard, Maya Road chipboard, 7 Gypsies journal cards, die cuts, Making Memories flowers, some ribbon and a bunch of other stuff!

Update:  The blog winner has been announced!  If you came here directly from the blog hop, click on my blog banner to see the new post containing the lucky winner's name! :)

Are you ready for your next stop on the hop???  You'll be traveling over to the wonderful Vera's blog.  ENJOY this weekend and I hope to see you again real soon!

hugs,