Dear Prima...

Please pick me. I love it. I'm even advertising for you on my blog, for free! How about that?

PS Blog readers - thank you for patiently dealing with my shameless attempt to win Prima blog candy. :) 

Operation Write Home: Veteran's Day Blog Hop

Operation Write Home (OWH) is an organization that coordinates the efforts of cardmakers all over the country in supplying our troops overseas with handmade cards that these heroes can send to their loved ones back home.  I've been a big fan since I became aware of them during the last blog hop, and I'm so excited that to be participating in the Veteran's Day Blog Hop! For more information on OWH, and to learn how to send your own cards, please visit their very comprehensive site.

If you need to go back to the beginning of the hop - click here to get started. Make sure you stop back here! :)

My grandfather Bruce was a veteran of World War II, serving as a pilot in the US Army-Air Corps. He flew over China, India and all through Europe. One of his planes malfunctioned while flying over Burma, and he was forced to parachute from his plane. Just before landing, his parachute was caught in some tree limbs, leaving him hanging in the trees. This proved to be quite lucky, as some tigers below circled him for several hours before help arrived. He went on to be a mechanic for Eastern Airlines, after declining an offer to become a mechanic for Air Force One. After retiring, he became an avid cardmaker himself! His specialty was calligraphy, and he made gorgeous cards that were sent to family and friends. Because he actually gave away most of what he made, I have very few examples - but I love that we have this in common.

Take a look at my post from yesterday, with some pics of the Veteran's Day celebration we attended at Florida National Cemetary. My grandmother and grandfather were interred here in September.

Here are my two cards, a simple thank you for my AnyHero card, and a fun little Valentine for a hero to send home! My photography seems to be getting worse and worse, rather than better - sorry about the pics. The thank you card uses a little Studio G Christmas wreath stamp that I colored blue and red Smooch -- making it a patriotic/thank you/Christmas card, LOL!  The froggy set in the second card is a retired Stampin' Up! set. All papers are Sassafras Lass.

NEXT STOP: Anita at http://cardsandcoffee.blogspot.com

Happy Veteran's Day!

Hello to all of you! I'm busy today working on my OWH blog hop cards - but here are a few pics from our visit to Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida yesterday.

PS OWH blog hoppers - make sure you read both the emails sent :)

Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop(e)

Sometimes I hear people say that the internet is impersonal. I say that's baloney. Especially, on a day like today, when we have a chance to come together in unified spirit in support of breast cancer awareness.  What a great opportunity to share projects with other crafters around the country for a common purpose!


Hopefully you're not lost, and are enjoying going through Michelle's wonderful Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop(e). If you need to go back to the beginning, please start here. My card was made with memories of my grandmother May, and our dear family friend, Mary Lou, both who have fought breast cancer. Mary Lou died of it last summer after fighting for almost 10 years. My grandmother died of regular little old lady causes in September after being a SURVIVOR for over 25 years. Her picture is below.

My card is made using Papertrey Ink stamps, paper and ink - with a little ribbon that I received from some sweet Zeta Tau Alpha sorority members who were passing these out at a hockey game (of all things) that we recently attended. I knew exactly what I was going to do with it!

To friends and visitors who are struggling with cancer, other health issues, financial issues, and the other curveballs life throws at us - please hold on to those little sparks of hope. Sometimes they are very dim, and lurking in the darkest places. I encourage you to find it and hold on tight. I've been doing this a lot of this recently. We've had several friends and family die or become very ill this year, not to mention my own recent scare with Olivia. Things are tough, but we are enjoying every day to the fullest.  Hang in there!


Next Stop: Vickie Y - - http://stuffbyvickie.blogspot.com/
I had a chance to visit her blog today and it's AWESOME!!!

Amy Butler Love:I Love It!

I really am "sewcrazy." (Blog title, duh) And if you read yesterday's vent you'll know that I've been thinking a lot about how I spend my time. I love crafts of any and every variety. Especially sewing and fabric. I've set it aside for the past couple of years as I finished graduate school and tried to take care of some things at home though. I had to leave my beloved sewing machine & tools in Indiana, which I'll be getting out of storage as soon as I possibly can. Believe me, once that happens I'll be sewing up a storm again!

In school, I was lucky to have two friends that were as obsessed with fabric as I was (xoxoxo Jenny & Rachel). We even had a blog! We'd spend the hours of constitutional law IMing each other links to various fabric sites. And I didn't really understand why law school required students to have laptops until then, it's really the only way to overcome the sheer mind-numbing boredom of the commerce clause without shooting myself in the foot.

So I was super excited today to come across the newest fabrics from Amy Butler. It's to-die-for gorgeous. Not only are her fabrics incredible, the patterns are great as well. Click here and here and here to see some older projects I made using Amy Butler.

And speaking of fabric love, check out the great Halloween projects (sewing & papercrafts!) from Heather Bailey and other bloggers this week.

I hope you're week is going well, and that you are inspired to revisit the activities you are passionate about as well!