Patchwork Cards for Operation Write Home

My scrap box was over-flowing so it was time to create a bunch of patchwork cards. This batch has just been sent to Operation Write Home.

All cards were created by cutting scraps into 1 1/16 inch squares and using tacky glue to adhere them to A2 size card stock. Using ATG adhesive when making these cards means the needle will constantly pick up the adhesive when doing the stitching, slowing down the process. So tacky glue works best.   I always need to press the cards flat while drying in order to keep them from being bumpy (I have a giant cookbook that I use for this….who has time to cook?)

After using a piercing tool to poke holes all around the edges of each square and the border, I use assorted thread types for the stitching (some DMC, some Omega, sometimes tatting threads made by  Lizbeth.)  Each card also gets a sentiment and some extra embellishing with either ribbons, brads, bling or paper buttons. 

Now that my scrap pile is more manageable again, I can cut into some brand new 6x6 paper pads (and start creating more scraps again…)

Thank you for stopping by!

Sketch Challenge #217

Happy Sketch Sunday everyone! 

Operation Write Home's sketch #217 looks like this:

You can find details about the sketch challenge here:

Sketch #217

Here is my card:

 

The background papers are from The Paper Studio's "Cape Cod" 4.5"x6.5" paper pack purchased at Hobby Lobby, I layered everything on black and red card stock, and used an "I Love You" sentiment from Stampabilities (#C1102).

I used a piece of twine to make the knot and colored it blue and red with my Spectrum Noir markers. The boat was cut using the Cricut "Going Places" cartridge.  And last, I added three silver brads in the top right corner. 

Here is another card I worked on this week using a John Wayne stamp from Stampers Best.

I stamped the image in Memento "Rich Cocoa" and used Recollections Clear Embossing Powder on it to give it a little more texture.   The denim background paper is from Karen Foster and is called "Denim Pockets", the gold stars on navy is called "Freedom" from Reminisce, and I added a little bit of red bandana paper from my stash (unknown company.)  I layered everything on dark brown card stock and distressed all edges using the Memento Rich Cocoa.  The sentiment is from Sandy's Allnock's new "Trigger & Skyler" Ciara's Friends line and seemed perfect for John Wayne. 

So sorry, the John Wayne stamp has been discontinued. 

I coiled up a bit of twine, wrapped it with a little DMC thread to secure it in the middle, and used Alene's Tacky Glue to adhere it to the card.  I also stamped and embossed a couple of stars in the corners and added brads on the sentiment tag. 

Thank you for stopping by!

:)

Sketch Challenge # 216 & Stampabilities Sock Monkey

Hello everyone!

Today's sketch over on Operation Write Home's Stars & Stamps 

blog is # 216 and looks like this:

You can find details about the challenge here:

Sketch # 216

For this card I used Stampabilities "Sock Monkey" rubber stamp (mounted on wood and found at Hobby Lobby) and I paired it with The Paper Studio's "Sock Monkey" paper.  I layered everything on black card stock, found the red & cream polka dot paper from my scrap stash (from an Oriental Trading Company paper pack a couple years ago), and cut the scalloped oval using Cricut's Elegant Edges cartridge.  

I cut out the little monkey and mounted him on the ovals, added some hand stitching using Omega Thread in red, and added a couple of buttons cut using an EK Success button punch. I was trying to edge the buttons in red ink and had an oops, so ended up adding more red ink to the buttons and then softened it with a Spectrum Noir marker in EB1. 

I also put a little dimensional adhesive under the buttons.

The sentiment is from Our Daily Bread Designs "Missing You" set. 

Thank you for stopping by!

:)

Our Daily Bread Designs March Challenge-Thank You cards

Hello everyone! Each month Our Daily Bread Designs will pay the shipping on two boxes of cards for our deployed heros if 50 card makers participate in the challenge. You can find details about the challenge here:    ODBD March Challenge


This card design was part of a Papertrey Ink challenge some time ago and is called "Flagged Borders." You can find details and a video tutorial here:     Flagged Borders

I used a bunch of papers from my scrap box to make the little banners and a honeycomb print background paper. Then I used a White Signo pen to add faux stitching around the banners. The sentiment is from Hero Arts "Find Joy" clear stamp sentiment set and I added a little black satin ribbon.

Thank you Our Daily Bread Designs for supporting OWH! :)

Stampers Best Heartland & Sketch Challenge #215 OWH

Happy Sketch Sunday everyone! Details for today's Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge 

can be found here:

sketch #215

For this card I used Stampers Best "Heartland" rubber stamp and you can find it here:

heartland

Stampers Best is one of my favorite companies, not only because they support Operation Write Home, but also because they make great deep red rubber stamps. 

I layered the image on paper from my stash, added some hand stitching with Omega Thread in red, added some brads in the corners, and a sentiment from the Missing You set from Our Daily Bread that you can find here:

  Our Daily Bread Designs

I colored the image with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers I purchased from my favorite on-line store: 

Shop Bee Creative

Karen at Bee Creative is the one who made the travel bags for the marker racks (from Spectrum Noir)  so all the markers stay divided and sorted the way I like them. 

Just click on this link to find 

them at Bee Creative:

Tote Along Bag

Thank you for stopping by! 

:)

Sketch #212 Operation Write Home & a Fishing Vest Card

Happy Sketch Sunday everyone!
Each week Operation Write Home hosts a sketch challenge for card makers. You can details about the challenge here:
Sketch #212
Here is this week's sketch:

I created my card using the music note paper from a Farm House Paper Company's "Fair Skies" 6x6 paper pad. I layered it on red and then navy card stock, added the banners,  and a ribbon.   I added some faux stitching using a white UniBall Signo pen and the sentiment is from Hero Arts set CL497 "Find Joy"clear stamp set. 

Here is another card I worked on this week.

I have made this Fishing Vest card several times before, but this one was more fun to accessorize. I used khaki colored Bazzill for the vest and pockets, added an orange/tan plaid from my paper stash for the pocket flaps and collar, and then a solid tan linen card stock for the lining. The card is A2 size with the large pockets being 1 1/4 inch squares with their corners and flaps rounded.  

Sandy Allnoch did a great Father's Day vest tutorial  a couple years ago on Operation Write Home's YouTube Channel if you want to try it. You can find it here:

Vest tutorial

For the fishing lures, I cut white card stock into little ovals and colored them with Spectrum Noir. Then I made a bunch of little cuts all along the edges hoping to get a feather look. I used brads for the bobbers, is that what they are called?

The mesh covered pockets were created by re-purposing the net bag that came with some avocados. I covered the back of the pocket with double stick tape and then wrapped the mesh netting around it. The netting does want to pop all over the place, but I secure the pockets quickly on the vest with tacky glue (the double stick tape helps but is not enough when applying to the vest) and apply pressure until they dry (using a really big cookbook that is seldom used…..)

In the lower left pocket I have extra fishing line, well in this case it is actually Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord (clear elastic cording). I looped it up a couple times, secured it with a little double stick tape, and then covered the double stick tape with black thread (just by winding it around and around over the tape.) Then I just slipped it into the pocket before adding the pocket flap. 

The lower right pocket has the required "Fishing License", just hand-printed on a tiny rectangle.  I used a Black Pearl Pen for the pocket buttons, brads for the vest buttons, and I stamped the USA label with one of those $1 alphabet sets from Michael's. 

All of the other pockets have Tombow Power Tabs under them for added dimension. I am loving these things! They are kind of like glue dots in appearance, but not as thick (nor are they completely flat like some glue dots.)  You can find these things here:

Tombow Power Tabs

And last, I used an oval punch to create the arm holes. Before applying it to the card front I punched those little half ovals in the card base to maintain the vest shape. 

Thank you for stopping by! 

Sketch Challenge #211 Operation Write Home

Hello everyone! 

Today's card was made using Sketch #211 for Operation Write Home. You can find details about the challenge here:

Sketch #211

Here is the sketch:

I created this card using paper from DCWV "All About Boys Stack" that was on clearance last week  at Michael's. I am loving this paper because half of them have gloss on them giving the paper that added bit of interest…and it was only $6.99 for 48 sheets …..I should go get more because these papers are great for little boy cards.

 

                            The trucks paper and the navy blue dot paper were from this 12x12 stack, and I added a little dark red card stock for the layers.  

Once everyone was awake I was able to use my noisy Cricut to cut out the "window" circle (I have been informed my crafting machines "wake people up if used at 5:30am"….oopsies.) 

I used a sentiment from Hero Arts set LP279 (one of the Operation Write Home Fundraiser sets) and a little faux stitching using a gold Gelly Roll Metallic pen. I felt like it needed a bit more so I cut out one of the little cars from the same paper and used a little dimensional adhesive under it. 

You can find the Hero Arts stamp set here:

Hero Arts LP279

Thank you for stopping by! 

:)