I participated in a "blog-hop" this Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-25, 2009) that places the focus on our soldiers, serving overseas or state-side, active or retired, healthy or injured or fallen. There is only one person in my family (my cousin's son) currently serving in the military: Scott is a graduate of West Point and has served two tours in Iraq and is now stationed in Germany and about to be discharged. I think. His grandfather, my uncle, was in the Air Force and had many interesting assignments as I was growing up. My cousin 'got to go live' in many interesting places, especially to a little girl (me) from Indiana and later, California. My dad was classified as 4-F and did his service (WW II) to our country in a munitions factory in Virginia. I am extremely patriotic and supportive of our men and women who give their all for our country. So, I decided to join the 'blog-hop' which is the brainchild of Cards for Heroes, http://cardsforheroes.ORG. Cards for Heroes is an organization that supports our nation’s armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. There have been more requests for cards than donations, so this blog hop is to raise awareness among crafters and card makers and hopefully drum up some new donations. There is always a need for cards for our soldiers. There were over 100 participants in this 'hop' so you can either continue from my blog, www.stampinwithblythe.com, or go to http://cardsforheroes.org to get a list that will now take you directly to each of the blogs. I think my blog-hop position is fairly near the end.
My card is a variation of a card I posted last week when I was focusing on the Thoughts & Prayers, from Stampin' Up!, stamp set. I loved this layout, especially the stamped Texture plate, and figured out a way to convert it to this challenge. The Apricot grosgrain ribbon is as close as I could get to yellow, a request to please bring our soldiers home safely. And I know---it's not an oak tree but the idea is there.
Ingredients: All products are from Stampin' Up!
Stamp Set: Thoughts & Prayers
Cardstock: Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Classic Stampin' Pad: Not Quite Navy; Markers: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Texture Plates Kit #4, Scallop Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponge, Apricot grosgrain ribbon
Judy Hayes, followed me on the Blog Hop. She lives in Tracy, Minnesota, on a farm which has been indirectly in her family for nearly 100 years. She is a wife, a mom and a grandmom, and she loves to create and then share her creations. This is the direct link to Judy's blog entry for the 'hop', since the Blog Hop is now officially over. You should be able to get a link to the exact blog entry for the next person from Judy's blog.
I thank each of you who stopped at my blog and especially those of you who left such heartwarming comments. I hope you'll stop by in the future. I'm an exclusively Stampin' Up! blogger/demonstrator and have many ideas, tips and samples to share with you throughout the weeks. This blog hop was a fabulous idea and I hope it incentivized many of you to create cards for our troops and send them to Cards for Heroes. That's what it's all about.
Be watching for a post soon sharing what I plan to continue to do for Cards for Heroes. Hint: You'll be a part if you choose to be.
I hope you had a safe Memorial Day Weekend and that you took a moment to honor those who preserve our freedom by serving in the military. Thank you one and all.
I have just challenged myself publicly (June 7th post), by vowing to create and send to Cards for Heroes, one card for each of your lovely comments. My challenge starts today. Stay tunes! :) ~Blythe
Posted by: Blythe Klipple | June 05, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Very pretty card.
Posted by: Lucy | May 26, 2009 at 02:30 AM
Thanks for sharing the beauty and the inspiration. Thanks too for supporting CHF in their mission.
Posted by: Jean Fitch | May 25, 2009 at 11:51 PM
I love the details of this card.
Thank you for participating in CFH.
Posted by: Patti K | May 25, 2009 at 07:20 PM
a wonderful card, love that you went for the yellow ribbon 'round the oak tree. TFS and being a fellow participant!
Posted by: Patty Y. | May 25, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Very elegant and simple card. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Darlene | May 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Lovely card and sentiment. Elegantly simple.
Posted by: Grace | May 25, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Love your card.. thanks for participating and helping to spread the word.
Posted by: Peggy M | May 25, 2009 at 02:22 PM
What a beautiful card and a special thanks to your family members for their service!!!
Posted by: Kerri | May 25, 2009 at 01:54 PM
I really enjoyed your blog, Blythe. So pretty and informative. I'll be back often. Really like your yellow ribbon card, too. TFS. Happy Memorial Day.
Posted by: LyndaC | May 25, 2009 at 01:18 PM
beautiful!
Posted by: Regina Jones | May 25, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Great card! :)
Posted by: Lisa (sideoats + scribbles) | May 25, 2009 at 10:04 AM
lovely card and sentiment in your post. Thanks for supporting CFH!
Posted by: SuzAnn | May 25, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Love your card. Thanks for sharing with CFH!
Posted by: Laurie | May 25, 2009 at 08:38 AM
That's a sweet and pretty card!
Day three and I am still hopping! I want to see, and comment on, every single participating blog in this wonderful effort!
Posted by: LadyDoc | May 25, 2009 at 08:10 AM
Beautiful card!! Love that tree stamp!
Posted by: Tammy | May 25, 2009 at 06:29 AM
That tree stamp and sentiment are beautiful together. TFS and Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by: Nikki M | May 25, 2009 at 06:28 AM
Such a pretty card! Happy Memorial Day :)
Posted by: Aimee | May 25, 2009 at 06:04 AM
Beautiful card. Love the sentiment and tree. Perfect. Thank you for sharing and Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by: Nikki M | May 25, 2009 at 02:08 AM
Happy Memorial Day! All of your cards are beautiful. Love your other craft projects, too. Thank you for your creativity and dedication to this great cause. : ) Sb
Posted by: Susan Brown | May 25, 2009 at 01:09 AM
I love your card, I really like the tree stamp. Thank you for supporting our troops.
Posted by: Shirley | May 24, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Love your card! Thanks for supporting our troops!
Posted by: Victoria in Ohio | May 24, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Your card is perfect! May you blessed always for reaching out to the troops.
Posted by: NanaBeth | May 24, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Blythe,
First - I want to say your card is wonderful
Second - I want to say that my sister's name is Blythe too - however, we have never called her that. :)
Your site is beautiful and I will be back after the hop to look around some more and find inspiration.
Posted by: Paula M | May 24, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Beautiful card.. thanks for being part of the blog hop for CFH.
Posted by: Axes Designs | May 24, 2009 at 10:03 PM