Hello, and thanks for stopping by my blog today! You should have landed here from Dawn's
My Stamping Thyme Blog. I am so excited to be participating in this Blog Hop! I came across OWH a few weeks ago, and I just felt it in my heart that my crafting hobby {read *addiction*} would allow me to help others, if only by just making cards. You can read more about OWH
here.
This is my card for the Hop...
Blog Hop Tip
As part of the Blog Hop, here are some tips for all you hesitant, future card makers:
*Don't be intimidated by some of the cards you see on blogs and papercrafting galleries, and think that you could never create "something like that." Everyone had to start somewhere in their card making journey...
*If you make a card and are not happy with it, walk away from it for a while. Place it somewhere where you can see it, and think about what you can add to the overall design to make it better. Take the "Miss You" card I made for this hop as an example. Here are some pics of the card in the making:
This was my original layout, but I felt that it was too plain, so...
I used some liquid pearl to fill in the "holes", but I still felt like it needed something...
Ta-da! I added a bit more white to the card to make it look more "balanced."
* Don't be afraid to use a design again. I based my "Miss You" card on this invitation I made for my sister's friend.
~ I used CTMH's My Acrylix Stamps "Dream Big", Stampin' Up! Cardstock and Colorbox & Stampabilities ink for both cards shown ~
Memorial Day...
I was washing the dishes last night, and mumbling "mean" words at my sleeping husband because he forgot to unload the dishwasher...again.. Instead of letting it consume me with anger (and heading over to wake him up), I realized something that I take for granted everyday...he is HOME. I am blessed to have him here to get angry with for not doing his dish duty. I am blessed that I can walk over to visit my little brother who lives a few doors down in the the next building or call my other brother who is only a short plane ride away. I chat with and see my sister on a regular basis, and I can always count on finding my Dad sitting with mom or enjoying one of his favorite shows. I am home everyday to kiss my babies goodnight as they sleep safely in their beds. For all these reasons, I am blessed, And, for all these reasons, I am also grateful. I'm grateful for the soldiers who are overseas fighting in the name of the country we love so much. I am grateful to their families who deal with and accept such a huge sacrifice. I am grateful and heartbroken for the soldiers (and their families) who have paid the ultimate price. Although I have no current Military ties, I have shared in my sister's worry when my brother-in-law was overseas serving in the Navy almost 10 years ago. I have prayed that my sister-in-law makes it home safe--both when she served in the Army and then the National Guard. I have many friends-old and new- who are still dealing with deployments and moves...I don't know how they do it. I cannot imagine what it must be like to wonder and pray that your loved one gets home safe from their deployment.
The young man who escorted me to Senior Prom gave his life while serving in Afghanistan in 2006. I'd never really spoken to him before the Prom, and I didn't talk to him much after Prom either. I ran into him once at the grocery store and I cannot remember if I even said hi...I thought about this when I learned of his death. He was a brave soldier and combat medic, but he was also a loving father to two boys and a devoted husband. He was a loving son and brother and he will be always be missed. (I didn't think to ask his family for permission to mention his name for this post...)
As you celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with your family and friends, please take a moment to say a quick prayer for the families who's loved ones never made it home. Thank you to all those who serve in all Branches of our Military...your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.
Keep on Hopping...
Creatively Me,
Virginia
