IO is partnering with Operation Write Home Blog Hop to celebrate World Cardmaking Day. There will be having a drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate for our Online Store. All you have to do is comment at the bottom of this post. It will be open until tomorrow night at 10 pm.
For our OWH Blog Hop today, we were asked to share a Christmas Card. I had actually already started 3 cards. One is Christmas, another is Fall, and one is Thanksgiving. I won't be going into detail, other than the stamps I used, due to time constraints. I'll start in reverse and go according to the calendar.
My first card is Fall. It is Fall Serenity, and it really does remind me of Fall. It is painted with Twinkling H20's watercolors, as are all of the cards. It was cut out, turned over on an embossing mat, embossed with a stylus, then mounted on the Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle. I used Viva White Pearl to accent the chair back. The ribbon, etc. are remnants. My inside left panel is "For The Sweetest Pumpkin In The Patch".
My second card reminded me of an old fashioned Thanksgiving. I used Cover-A-CardTM Maple Leaves stamped with Memento Cocoa Brown on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid cardstock for the background. Brown ink was also used for the Fall Porch image. Dark Brown cardstock was used for the Spellbinders Scalloped Edge frame and the matt around the Maple Leaves. The pumpkin, dog and cat, boots, and flowers were cut out, turned over, embossed on an embossing mat with a stylus for depth and then mounted. The inside left panel reads So Very Thankful.
My last card is for Christmas. I used Angel in brown ink. I cut her out, turned her over on the embossing mat, and used a stylus to give her depth. She was mounted on Spellbinders Picot Edge Circles, which was mounted on the Score background as shown. The ribbon is May Arts.
The background is Score and is in a light blue ink. Inside the card on the left-hand panel is the sentiment "Enjoy The Magic Of The Holiday Season".
Operation Write Home Information
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this very worthwhile self giving organization. They provide cards, created by people like us, to our military troops who are stationed in war zones. There are 3 ways that each of us can choose to help them with their goals.
1. You can send them your handmade cards. Find out more HERE.
2. You can help them pay for the postage to send the cards. Find out more HERE.
3. You may want to have your own fundraisers by way of card making parties, etc. and you would check that out under 1. above.
I feel very strongly about organizations like OWH. They are making it easier, for those people who volunteer to put their lives on the line for our country, to stay in touch with their loved ones. They ask no questions and just go do it. To have such courage. I also want to thank Sandy and her organization for doing what they do too.
IO Design Team News
Our design team member, Kathy Menzies, from Watermelon Sugar, is leaving us. We will miss you greatly, Kathy. You are such a talented artist. We are also welcoming a new member. Her name is Vicki Garrett, at Summertyme Studio! She too is very talented. Welcome, Vicki!! I encourage you to visit both blogs, if you haven't already. You will not be disappointed.
So that's it for our post today. Thank you so much for stopping by to look and share. I look forward to seeing you on October 6, for our "It's A Costumer Party" Challenge!
Wonderful cards!
Posted by: debb | October 01, 2011 at 05:59 AM
Love your colouring technique and the colours you used
Posted by: Bridget Larsen | October 01, 2011 at 06:20 AM
Beautiful cards! I especially like the way you did the ribbon on the Thanksgiving card. TFS
Posted by: Ann Merkins | October 01, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Wow! Each card is a work of art! You've been a busy lady, my friend.
Posted by: Cibele | October 01, 2011 at 07:38 AM
This angel is spectacular! The way you paired it with the circular mat would make a beautiful ornament for the Christmas tree, or hanging somewhere as an accent decoration!
Posted by: Debstamps | October 01, 2011 at 08:33 AM
These are beautiful! The angel is just stunning!
Posted by: Jen | October 01, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Love the angle card best.
Posted by: Denise Wieger | October 01, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Wow! That Porch stamp is amazing! I'm finding all kinds of new products! Will be back to shop!
Posted by: Jamie | October 01, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Love fall cards and colors, and the Christmas card is just beautiful-the angel is beautiful and the blue/silver colors!
Posted by: Norma Watson | October 01, 2011 at 09:32 AM
All 3 are really well done. I love the porch stamp and how the green ribbon was used. TFS! And thank you for supporting OWH!
Posted by: Lynn Ramsey | October 01, 2011 at 09:43 AM
Love the colors you chose for the angel card and the gold ribbon, beautiful, :)
Posted by: tracey caudle | October 01, 2011 at 10:10 AM
All 3 cards are so beautiful and detailed. Thank you for sharing them with us and giving some great ideas.
Posted by: Carol Lewis | October 01, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Such a sweet card!!
Posted by: Cindy C. | October 01, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Great cards, Shirley. Really love the coloring on the pumpkin card! Have a great day!
Posted by: Karen McAlpine | October 01, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Great job on all 3 cards. I love that little angel. :)
Posted by: Terri Deavers | October 01, 2011 at 10:24 AM
All three are lovely! I enjoy using twinkling H20s as well, what a GREAT idea to add that little touch of shimmer without using glitter!
Posted by: peggysue | October 01, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Love all your cards, but the porch just screams welcome home!
Posted by: Kathy V. | October 01, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Beautiful cards! I love how you have used your ribbon/woven it through. Such a neat idea.
Posted by: Michelle | October 01, 2011 at 11:25 AM
All are beautiful cards! I haven't tried coloring with my H2O's yet but you do a great job!
Posted by: Katie Piotrowski | October 01, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Ribbon use and the fall colors are great.
Posted by: Lindy | October 01, 2011 at 11:28 AM
All three are very nice. The angel is so pretty and delicate.
Posted by: Sandy | October 01, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Cut cards! Love that angel.
Lauren, Paper Love
readysetlove(a)me.com
www.readysetlove.me
Posted by: Lauren, Paper Love | October 01, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Great cards! The angel is beautiful.
Posted by: Sandy L | October 01, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Love the use of ribbons. Great cards!
Posted by: Erin @ Simply Frugal Mom | October 01, 2011 at 12:13 PM
funny cards. I love the use of the cut scallops to thread ribbon through.
Posted by: leslierahye | October 01, 2011 at 12:18 PM
I always love seeing twinkling h2o being used. I also like the way you weaved the ribbon through the edging on that second fall card.
Posted by: Melinda Serven | October 01, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Love your cards. I like the use of the different Spellbinders and your use of the ribbons. Very pretty colors and images.
Thank you for helping support OWH.
Posted by: Beth Lyons | October 01, 2011 at 12:20 PM
I especially like the way you added the ribbon to the second card
Posted by: Margaret Gilmer | October 01, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Love the folky look of these cards, great stuff
Posted by: Fabrizio | October 01, 2011 at 12:41 PM
All your cards are lovely, but the second is my favorite. Love how the ribbon is woven into the frame, and the pets are on the front porch (animal lover here). Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Kim H | October 01, 2011 at 12:55 PM
So cute! Thank you for posting. :)
Posted by: Kim Thomas | October 01, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Like the way you wove the ribbon through the diecut! Thanks so much for supporting OWH and our Heroes!
R/
Posted by: Rufus | October 01, 2011 at 01:52 PM
The ribbon choices on all of these cards is amazing! I'm loving them!
Posted by: Stefanie | October 01, 2011 at 02:04 PM
Your cards are great! I especially love the ribbon detail on each one. Thank you for your support of OWH.
Posted by: Kris Whittaker | October 01, 2011 at 02:18 PM
So beautiful. Love the angel especially.
Posted by: Karen Patton | October 01, 2011 at 02:22 PM
Terrific cards! I particularly like the angel. The light blue, gold and white combination is lovely and such nice detail in the image too. Thanks for joining in the hop and partnering with Operation Write Home to support our military.
Posted by: Paula S. | October 01, 2011 at 02:27 PM
My favorite is the angel. She looks very folksy, and I like your coloring.
Posted by: sharon gullikson | October 01, 2011 at 02:56 PM
Wow, very beautiful cards, Shirley! Love them all!! It's great to see your work featured on a blog post :-)
Posted by: Cindy M | October 01, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Gorgeous cards! The fall 'chair' card is stunning and LOVE how it's on the Spellbinders lattice rectangle. And then your front porch card with its gently falling leaf images and clever ribbon framed border - FABULOUS! The angel card with its bits of gold - love it.
Posted by: KellyRae | October 01, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I like all of the cards, but I am most drawn to the first one. I have been really liking chairs lately, lol! I also like the punched edge all around plus the way the ribbon is attached. The pearls in the corners add a nice touch too.
Posted by: Lee Mae | October 01, 2011 at 03:47 PM
They are all beautiful but I especially like the ribbon technique on the 2nd one.
Posted by: Belinda K | October 01, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Beautiful Cards! Love the tied ribbon! http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Elizabeth C | October 01, 2011 at 03:57 PM
great cards - love the border punch you used... gonna have to go looking for that one (thanks - lol)
Posted by: Christine C | October 01, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Twinkling H2O's make everything so sparkly...love them to bits!
Posted by: andrea | October 01, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Pretty cards. The angel is my fav.
Posted by: Holly Iossa | October 01, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Love the coloring on the cards.
Posted by: Bunnyfreak | October 01, 2011 at 04:42 PM
All are so beautiful!!
Thanks for taking part in the OWH hop today!
Posted by: Joanne Travis | October 01, 2011 at 04:52 PM
I love the ribbon and the way it looks on the second card. It is just so elegant.
Posted by: Teresa D | October 01, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Love the digis that you used - crisp!!
Posted by: Bobbi | October 01, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Love the cards, especially the front porch image with the sleeping pets! Definitely an old fashioned Thanksgiving feel.
Posted by: Kathie Garyson | October 01, 2011 at 05:16 PM
What gorgeous cards.
Posted by: Rhonda Miller | October 01, 2011 at 05:20 PM
Beautiful cards! I like how they are slightly unexpected, not like all the other cards one sometimes sees; TFS!!
Posted by: Nancy M | October 01, 2011 at 05:28 PM
I love your stamps! Your samples are lovely.. the doggie on the porch looks like mine does right now!
Posted by: Caro | October 01, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Thanks for the tip on using the stylus on the angel card. I also love the ribbon treatment- reminds me of how my grandmother used to put ribbon on the presents she wrapped.
Posted by: Kathryn | October 01, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Oh I love the scallop border on these - so pretty!
Posted by: Totallyawake4-stampin' | October 01, 2011 at 05:35 PM
The card with ribbon woven loosely through the loops is the one that caught my attention!
Posted by: Adele | October 01, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Such a sweet card. I like the gold touches.
Posted by: Yolanda | October 01, 2011 at 05:37 PM
Love your stamps and these cards.. doggie on the porch is perfect for October 1st.. thanks for supporting OWH!
Posted by: Caro | October 01, 2011 at 05:43 PM
I really enjoy looking at your cards. The porch scene is perfect and love the way the ribbon is woven. Hard to pick a favorite as all so different.
OWH, a worthy cause!
Posted by: Bridget Collins | October 01, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Love all three cards but the angel is my fav! I'm so glad to see you have joined OWH!
Posted by: Eleanor Jenkins | October 01, 2011 at 06:43 PM
wonderful cards! I love the one with the porch scene!
Susan
Posted by: Susan G | October 01, 2011 at 08:53 PM
thanks for sharing your cards and offering the blog candy!
Posted by: linda patti | October 01, 2011 at 08:57 PM
Wonderful cards for a wonderful organization!
Posted by: Mary Ann | October 01, 2011 at 09:38 PM
Thank you so much for supporting owh! Your cards are awesome!
Sheila
Http://2pawprints.blogspot.com
Posted by: Sheila | October 01, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Beautiful cards Shirley!! You've been busy ... hope you're well.
Posted by: Steph Lee (Arty Carty) | October 01, 2011 at 09:52 PM
I love all your cards, but that front porch image is gorgeous!
Posted by: Dixie | October 01, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Love the second card. The green is not a traditional thanksgiving color but that and the brown and a couple of my favorites.
msveronicas at gmail.com
Posted by: Ms. Veronica's | October 01, 2011 at 10:14 PM
What wonderful cards.
Hugs
Jenn
Posted by: jenn zeeb | October 01, 2011 at 10:44 PM
All three seasonal cards are fabulous!!
Posted by: Sue D | October 01, 2011 at 11:04 PM
Lovely eye-candy!
Posted by: Linda Carson | October 01, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Thank you for supporting Operation Write Home. Your card samples are beautiful. I so enjoyed reading your post and am off to check out more of your site. thanks again ~ Pam
Posted by: Pamela Tetreault | October 01, 2011 at 11:11 PM
All 3 cards are lovely, as usual, but the blue angel is something special.
Posted by: Judycs | October 02, 2011 at 12:14 AM
Wow! Great cards! I love them all! That fall porch stamp is awesome! Love the sweet angel too. That chair on the top card reminds me of Thanksgiving at my grandmother's house :) Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Becky D | October 02, 2011 at 12:57 AM
great cards! the coloring is spectacular!
Posted by: Teri Merkins | October 02, 2011 at 07:35 AM
Your cards are beautiful and so unique! I love the pearls in the corner of the diecut, and the image of the dog lying on the front porch is true Americana! I love your stamps!!
Posted by: Carol L | October 02, 2011 at 09:34 AM
Wonderful cards, thanks for shairing.
Posted by: Carol E Brooker | October 02, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Beautiful cards all of them!
Posted by: Penny Douphinett | October 02, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Gorgeous cards, the angel is awesome! Thanks for sharing with OWH!
Posted by: Laurie J | October 02, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Wonderful coloring job on all three cards!
Posted by: Patricia H | October 02, 2011 at 04:10 PM
I'm amazed at how you used the Twinkling H20's to color your images, especially all of the detail on the Christmas card. Love what you did with the ribbon on the second card - how innovative!
Posted by: Allison G in TX | October 02, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Beautiful cards! Love all of the different ways to use ribbon! :D
Posted by: Kimberly Gajewski | October 02, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Beautiful cards! Thank you so much for sponsoring OWH, and for supporting our soldiers' families. It means so much to me!
Posted by: Ky Scrapacat | October 02, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Great cards!
And as a military wife, let me say thank you for sending your hard work to those who could use a pick me up. :)
Posted by: Erika | October 03, 2011 at 12:42 AM
All three cards are beautiful!
Posted by: paula | October 03, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Miss Shirley these are all so Beautiful! Couldn't pick a favorite if I tried, they are all So individually Fabulous! Love em all! 8-)
Big Hugs my friend!
Shannon 8-)
Posted by: Shannon White | October 03, 2011 at 03:09 AM
Hi Shirley!
All of your cards are as always amazing. I wish I could watch you working on them. Maybe you can start to video yourself at work!
My favorite is the first one, but the second is a close next.
Hope things are well. Carol
Posted by: Carol | October 03, 2011 at 07:50 AM
These cards are beautiful! I love the images you selected and your use of die cuts and ribbon! Thanks so much for your support of Operation Write Home!
Posted by: Julie | October 03, 2011 at 02:36 PM