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...
Again, thanks for hoppin' on by! Don't be shy..leave a comment! Click here HERE to link to Carisa's "inky" BLOG...Happy Hoppin'!!
Creatively Me,
Virginia
59 comments:
I LOVE IT!!! Great job on the card and GREAT advice :)
This is beautiful. I LOVE your write up.. I too take that for granted..
I love the card! Nice story, funny how we take so much for granted! Have a great Memorial day weekend!
Lovely card and thanks for sharing!
I really like how you added the little dots with the liquid pearls. Nice touch!
Thanks for supporting OWH.
Great card and tip. Beautiful write up -- makes everyone stop and think.
Your card is lovely and I enjoyed your post very much. Thanks for participating in the hop today and for all you do for our service men and women.
Lovely post. I agree, it's WAY TOO easy to get caught up in the mundane to really appreciate how blessed we really are. Your card is perfect.
Virginia
I am definately casing your card.
Your words so touched me. Yes I do take for granted all the wonderful things I have at home, a husband and son. I will remember your words the next time I am having to deal with someone elses dish duty. Thank you.
I like how you showed the thought process for your card!
Great card. I love how you did your ribbon!
Awesome card and thanks for sharing not only the great cardmaking tip but your heartfelt thoughts as well! You are so dear!!!
Thanks for stating what so many still haven't realized.. that our freedom is NOT free. We are only free because of the BRAVE... for there are those that gave some yet some gave all. God Bless them ALL.
Hi Virginia! Thank you for the reminder of the things we can take for granted. And, for the encouragement about making cards. Thanks for hopping. Have a great weekend.
Cute card! And those are some great tips. Walking away and giving yourself a break is sometimes the best thing to do for a card design!
Virginia...Your write gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for "remembering" the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families. Love your card!
~Courtney~
I love your card, and can totally relate to feeling like the card/project isn't quite right and then getting really happy when it falls into place.
Thanks for your support of OWH.
I love your cards. I love the touch of white ribbon on the blue. TFS.
Great Card! And, as a military wife, let me say thank you for sharing your creativity to help bring families closer who are separated by duty.
Great blog and wonderful card very cute.
God Bless,
Jeanine
GREAT card and tips! and your post BLEW ME AWAY!! SO RIGHT YOU ARE!! Amen.
Susan
fellow OWHomer
Virginia...your story was so touching, thanks so much for sharing! Consider sharing your post with his family - I am certain they'd be touched that you remembered him and shared a piece of him with the world.
Your card - and the process of refining it - is one of te things I find most helpful! How crafters think is something I find fascinating. Love how it came out!
what beautiful commentary... it's a lesson to us all. And I love how you triple fold the ribbon on your cards... another idea I can build on! Thanks & blessings...
Wow I loved your post, and it's so true we never really know where our life is going to take us! Thanks so much for sharing a little snippet of your life, and thanks for making the gorgeous card. Again, you are right...it's not done until it's done!
Thank you so much for sharing your card...it's awesome.
I like the card in all its versions but the white does balance it out. Great advice about letting a card you don't like sit for a while! Thanks for supporting OWH.
Love that card! The white accents look great! Thanks for sharing your story too! :O)
Love your card and the examples of how to make it a wow card!!! Your story really touched me....thank you for sharing that,we do lose sight of our everyday blessings!!!Tonight, I will pray for those who are away from their loved ones fighting for our country!!! God Bless our Troops!
I just adored your card and your post. Thanks for sharing
What a nice card and sweet words of encouragement to those who want to try their hand at making cards for OWH. Wonderful post, thanks so much for participating!
Love how your card evolved. Each change made it even better and it came out great.
Thanks for supporting OWH!
Welcome to OWH! Your card is beautiful and your blog entry very moving!
Very nice card. I loved what you wrote it is so true. Have a wonderful Memorial day weekend!!
Beautiful card. Thanks for it and your thoughts with us.
Beautiful card! I loved your advice too and your post was so thoughtful! Have a great weekend!
Wonderful card.... love it
Harriet
I loved seeing the evolution of your card.
Thanks for the encouragement by showing a card in progress.
Beautiful card and GREAT advice!
Thanks for the post! I love your card...the ribbon has such a subtle ripple! LOVE THAT!
Virginia....thank you!
Jennifer
(tearing)
Thank you for all you shared, and for the lovely cards you posted. May God watch over the family of your fallen friend.
Great cards! I love that lay out!
Your card is lovely as is your card making advice. Even better is what followed. It's easy to take things for granted isn't it? God Bless our troops and their families.
R/
Beautiful card! It says it all so perfect. Thanks for being involved with OWH.
Your card is awesome. I always find a dash of white can pop out any project. Thank you for sharing and reminding me to be gratitful each day for those I have right next to me. Thank you
Hi Virginia! I am a new follower! I love your examples about what you added to the card to give it those fantastic final touches! And what a cute design! Thanks for sharing, and happy blog-hopping to you!
I enjoyed seeing the "process" of your card making, I go through the same process. Your story was touching as well. Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Enjoyed the story and your cute cards! Thanks for sharing! :o)
Love your card. Thanks for sharing your story.
What a great post! I loved the card, but I loved your "evolution" sharing even more and then the sweet words you shared, its too true what we take for granted. Thanks for sharing!!
Love your card...and also thanks for the tips. I have been there :)
Your story/writeup is great...we all seem to take what we have for granted...we should be thankful to our military that we have these things.
Great card. Love your balanced color combination and the pearl accent. Thanks for showing how you created.
Really love how you designed your card. I really like the folded ribbon accent on the side and how you highlighted it with a white strip. I am going to have to make a card like this!
love the addition to the card. it really makes it pop! great card - and you are so right. so often i take my husband for granted, but thanks for the reminder to be grateful for what i have. thanks for sharing!
Love the card.Great job.
I love the before and after pictures of your card. Thank you for sharing your perspectives on Memorial Day.
Such a wonderful card! Love seeing the progression!
Oh I love your cards!! The layouts are fantastic! Thanks for supporting OWH!
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