Birthday Cards for a Polish General

Last week Sandy Allnock posted a invitation on her blog to create birthday cards specifically for a Polish General serving along side our US troops (for more information visit Sandy's blog at: www.acolourfulworld.blogspot.com/2010/11/request-for-polish-general.html)

I am definitely "challenge driven" so I jumped at the opportunity to participate.  Part of what made this project so fun for me was the use of Polish phrases which did not translate into "Happy Birthday" at all.  Sandy provided several phrases, as well as an image of an eagle from the Polish flag, in a pdf format for us to use.  The eagle was much too challenging for me but the phrases were fun.  For every Polish card we made we were to make an English card as well.  

I was having so much fun that I ended up making eight cards, 4 Polish and 4 English.  Here are my favorites:

Sometimes you get on a roll and that's basically what happened here.  Each card had to be unique because all of them are going to the same unit.  It was a nice change for me because I usually duplicate at least 2 or 3 of each card I make for OWH.  What I find really interesting is that I always like my cards so much better after I have put them away for a few days then pull them out to mail or photograph.  That definitely happened with this group of cards.  These are off to WA in the morning then on to Afghanistan soon after.

If you have any questions about the supplies or techniques I used please feel free to leave a question in the comment section.

Happy Stamping!

Lisa

Masculine Valentine Cards

I would like to thank all of you who visited my brand new blog...especially those who have left encouraging comments.  I was like a kid in a candy shop after I created my blogspot but like a kid on Christmas morning when I saw that I had comments! 

Now...on to the stamping!  Like many of you I have been stamping Valentine cards for the troops preparing for the January 7th OWH (Operation Write Home) deadline.  So far I have stamped 50 cards and hope to get at least another 50 done before the deadline, if not more.

Here is what I came up with yesterday:

I was inspired by the background paper which was purchased from The Hobby Lobby, a local store here in Michigan.  I am very sorry to say that I only purchased one 12x12 sheet and literally used every piece of it.  I'm seriously thinking of going back to get some more despite the fact that it is way out of my way to do so. 

The card stock is Stampin Up (Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, and Certainly Celery) as is the image (2000 set, not sure of the name.)  The variegation on the NQN was created by dragging a white craft stamp pad down the front of the card before adding the layers.  The circle and scallop were cut out using my Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Nestabilities.

Many of the cards I have made for Valentine's Day do not specifically say "Happy Valentine's Day" because I don't want their usefulness to be limited.  By doing this I am extending the life of this card well past January/February and it can be used for an anniversary. just because, etc. 

Well, I am off to the stamping table!  Hope your day is great.

Lisa

I wanna play too!

I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would have my own blog!  However, I really want to play along with the S & S challenges and I have to have my own URL to do that so here I am!  I am slightly computer literate so I figure that I should step out and give this a try!  For my very first post I want to join in on the Be My Valentine challenge...I have been stamping Valentine cards for our troops off and on for the past 10 days or so and have drafted my teenage daughter to take pictures for me. So...here goes!

Hooray!  I did it!!! And it only took 1.5 hours to get my computer to cooperate!  Funny how it is never "user error" and always always is the computer's fault!

Anyway...this card was mas made to enter the S&S Sketch Challenge but it also fits the "Be My Valentine" Challenge as well.  The background paper, purchased from JoAnn Fabrics, was perfect for the wide open rectangle on the sketch challenge.  Hopefully adding the circle bling doesn't disqualify it as a change to the sketch (remember, I am new to this!)

Thanks for visiting my blog...please leave a comment and make my day!

Lisa