Oh, my little friend Dasher is back!!! He went into a rest period after his big trip with Santa last year but it was time to pull him out again. I seriously LOVE this reindeer!! Now, rest assured, he is not back in this August heat without a really good reason…actually two reasons. First, I have issued a Christmas card challenge to my steady group of stampers. No excuses, no procrastinating, now is the time to start with the Christmas cards. I asked them to figure out how many people they estimate to be on their nice list (you know, deserving of your finest card making nice). Take that number and divide it by four, then make that many cards a month between now and November. No muss, no fuss, and your cards are done before the true holiday panic sets in.
As of today I am putting out another challenge, or at least drive, request. In one month, we will celebrate Patriot Day (Sep. 11th). As a United Airlines pilot and a former Air Force pilot, I find this day particularly sad. I would like, instead, to make it a day of thanks for those serving in our Armed Forces. If you are not familiar with Operation Write Home, click on over there right now and then come back for my challenge.
I am looking to join in with them to celebrate their Birthday Bash. I’m asking my stampers to donate as many cards as possible to the cause (some Christmas and some all occasion) and I will end my month with an Open House on Sep. 10th. If you live in Northern VA and would like to donate cards, please let me know and I will get you the specifics. Operation Write Home does have some pretty specific rules about glitter (NONE) for the safety of our troops, so please nothing sparkly that can rub off in any way.
Ok, so now that I have TWO card challenges in place, I needed to get going! I found the sketch over at Splitcoast today (SC293) really helpful to get me moving. Additionally, I wanted to add some embossing for the Our Creative Corner challenge – It’s Embossable. Naturally I pulled out my new Square Lattice embossing folder…yea! As I stated above, there is no glitter allowed on the OWH cards but a little shimmer is always a good thing. I started with a Naturals Ivory panel, sponged it with Soft Suede and then applied Champagne Shimmer Paint with a sponge dauber. A little mist of Smooch Spritz and I was ready to stamp on Dasher (p. 20 IBC) and the words from A Wish for Peace (p.38 IBC). I inked up “A wish for peace” because it seems particularly appropriate for my OWH kick-off. The Cherry Cobbler embossed panel really added the dimension I wanted for this and the Early Espresso satin ribbon finished off the card. I just wish you could see the shimmer on little Dasher!
Now, you will notice that there are two cards. Part of my OWH request was that every time a card gets stamped, just make two. Yep, design once, stamp twice!! Easy! Yes, I know where is he??!!!! Wait no more…
You can click on the photo to see it bigger if you’d like. Now aren’t you glad to see this fellow again?? Both of these are going into my OWH stack and I will take a picture on Sep. 11th with the final result.
I hope that this motivates you to donate some cards too. There are shipping details and lots of card ideas at the OWH site. Thanks for dropping in today. Happy stamping!!
Stamps: A Wish for Peace, Dasher; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory; Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Early Espresso; Accessories: Champagne Shimmer Paint, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Espresso Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals
All products are Stampin’ Up!
7 Comments
Jen, this is a FABULOUS thing you are doing! Thank you so much for joining me in supporting our troops through OWH. Makes me fell all warm and fuzzy inside when I send a box off to be processed and shipped to our deployed heroes. Bless you!!!
Very elegant card!
Nice card. And OWH is awesome, thanks for supporting them.
What a wonderful card. Like your idea of the challenge as well. Last year had my cards all made, written in and ready to post before Dec 1. It was a really nice feeling.
What a great card for a great cause! Love Dasher!
Fabulous!!!! And yes, the absolute perfect sentiment. So pretty. I also love Dasher and this is just wonderful.
Lynn
Ok, see now this is a card I can do. I LOVE IT!!!!