Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge # 53

I'm hoping to take part in the OWH sketch challenges and mid-week throwdowns each week to keep up my card making for the group.  I'm at 25 cards now- need to make a trip up to Federal Way to get them to the shipper.  I've been shopping for supplies for Mother's Day cards too so I can get a jump start on those. 

Here is my card for sketch #53- after the sketch image.

I used the Garden Party stack from DCWV and the stamp is from the $1 bin at Michaels.  I'm not sure where the sticker is from- it was just in my stash.  I wish I had more of that particular sticker so I could make more of this card- I like the colors.

I also made these over the weekend:

 This is with paper that I got at Michaels for $.05 on Saturday.  It was marked as $.19, which I thought was a great deal, so I was super excited that it rang up at the price it did.  I wish I'd picked up some more!

This paper is from a free stack that came with a Papercrafts magazine- I love the colors and I got to use my Cuttlebug.  I don't use it enough but I always love it when I do.

My next project is finishing up 2 quilts- I'm making myself finish those before I do any more cards...

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge Anniversary

Operation Write Home posted their 52nd sketch challenge today- a whole year of challenges.  I wish I'd taken part in more- this is only my second.  I love taking a sketch and making it mine.  Maybe that should be one of my goals for this year too....  Anyway, here are my cards for the challenge- one for the 52nd sketch and one for the missing 34th. :)

 Sketch # 52....

...and my take on it.  I used the DCWV Cafe Mediterranean line for this one. 

Sketch #34....

...and my take.  I used My Mind's Eye paper that I got in a Cardmaking Magazine.  I think the line is Pretty Please, but I could be wrong.  :)
I'm now at 14 cards for my 15 card goal for OWH.  Guess I'll have to up my goal for February.  It sounds like my kids daycare is going to help with some Any Hero letters for OWH too- I'm really excited to see how that turns out!

Cards

So far, so good for 2011...  I'm more than halfway done with my goal of 15 cards for January and I'm meeting my goal to post at least once a week.  ;)  Last weekend, I finished 2 quilt tops (one that had been started previously) and I finished another that was a long time work in progress last night.  I'm loving my new setup.  :)  I'll post pictures of the quilts once they are done- just need to get batting for all 3 and backing for one. 

Here are my cards for Operation Write Home- I made 2 of each card, so a total of 12 cards.

 This is with paper that I got at JoAnn's- I can't remember the brand, but it is photo paper.

 This paper is from the DCWV La Creme line.  I really like how this looks- think I'll try some different color combinations and sentiments with this one.

 I used George and Basic Shapes for the stars, the paper is the same as the 1st card.

 This is more of the photo paper line.

 This paper is from the DCWV Citrus line.  I absolutely love the colors in this line.  I'm not sure how I like the stamp shows.  I think I need to stamp the sentiment on a plain piece of paper...

I used the Sweet Treats cartridge for this- what a fun cartridge.  I used a card in a magazine for inspiration on this.  I don't normally mix colors like this, but I like how it turned out. 

New crafting area layout, receiving blankets and cards

I got a new desk for my sewing machine and added some much needed storage space.  I am so happy with my new layout!  There is less wasted space and much more room for all my stuff!

 The shelf between my sewing desk and crafting table is the same shelf that my Cricuts and card making supplies are on, just turned up on it's end.

I made the following cards for a baby shower I attended today and for my niece's 6th birthday.

And last, I made 2 receiving blankets and 2 burp rags as a shower gift.  I am also making her a quilt for the baby, but haven't started on that yet.  Baby is due the end of February, so I'll have it done by then.  I love these receiving blankets and wish I'd had some when my kids were babies- they are so big, much better for swaddling

.

Valentine's Day

I made some Valentine's Day cards for Operation Write Home- I've talked about this group before and I think it is so awesome.  My goal for 2011 is to make at least 15 cards per month for them.  I also have a goal to post at least 1 project a week on my blog this year...  I tend to do at least 1 a week, but am not good about actually posting here!

The paper and stickers for these cards were from a scrapbook page kit from WalMart.  They were $5 each, I bought 2.  I made 2 of each card below and have enough paper to get probably 8 or 10 more cards.  Hopefully tonight will bring more crafting time so I can get them done and up to the shipper by the deadline.

Christmas cards for Operation Write Home

So, I'm not good about sending cards out to my family and friends...  But, Operation Write Home is such an amazing cause, that I did get in the Christmas spirit early.  Maybe I will keep up the cardmaking after the deadline for OWH and actually send out some of my own this year.  :)

I just realized that I forgot to take pictures of the quilt I made before I gave it to the happy couple.  I will get my friend to take some pictures for me so I can post them....

Here are some pictures of the cards I made. The first ones were made with a chipboard set that came with a cardmaking magazine I just bought.

These were made with different stamps and little help from my new Cricut Imagine.  I used the Winter Wonderland one to make the poinsettia, trees and snowman, with color from the Imagine.  The holly was a brad set with the leaves and berry brad.

Inspiration for this one came from this post: http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/a-cuttlebug-christmas/  I thought this was very classy- I may try to find a different stamp...

The rest are with my Imagine and some stamps- but not Christmas themed...  I'm really liking the Imagine and can't wait to have more time to play with it!

Operation Write Home Stars and Stripes blog Challenge #34

  The Operation Write Home Stars and Stripes blog has a sketch challenge going on right now to make a Thank You card with the following sketch and the color yellow:

Here is my take on the design- I actually have 2, but I think I like the first one better:

Thanks for checking out my cards...  Please leave comments- I love advise and constructive criticism.

Operation Write Home day and 2 birthday cards

My bible study group got together this weekend for our Operation Write Home day- and we came away with 73 cards!  I whipped out a few cards today and raided my stash of completed cards and have a total of 92 cards to send in.  I'm going to try to get a few more done this week so I can send an even 100. 

This is our haul from our card making day, not including duplicates or the ones I took from my stash:

Birthday

Thinking of You

Just Because

Holiday

These are the ones that I finished up today- I found some great love/anniversary stickers, so that is the theme for these.

That's it for the Operation Write Home for now- I think I captured all of the cards, but may have missed a few. I'm pretty excited about what we did and look forward to having an opportunity to do this again.

I made these cards for my sisters for their birthdays.  I've been looking for a way to use these fabric flowers and I think these turned out cute...