Operation Write Home

I had to share the following post I saw on the DRS Designs blog this morning. It is for such a worthy cause that I knew there would be many who want to participate.



During the months of September and October DRS Designs will be collecting as many holiday and winter themed cards as you can make!!

To inspire you further DRS Designs will be offering a Total of 4 prizes!! Two prizes will be awarded at the end of each month (September & October):

Prize 1:

The stamper who has sent us (DRS Designs) the most cards during that month will win a $50 DRS Designs Gift Certificate!!

Prize 2:

We (DRS Designs) will pick our favorite card of the month that uses only DRS Designs Rubber Stamps and that stamper will win a $25 DRS Designs Gift Certificate!

Please be sure to get your card donations to DRS Designs by October 26th so they can be distributed in time for the holiday rush! Also, please be sure to include an envelope for each card donated.

Send to:

DRS Designs
217 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT 06801

*************Remember - NO GLITTER for soldier safety reasons!!!*********************

Bat Favors

A few months ago I started to save the empty toilet paper rolls thinking that I could come up with a project for my niece and I to do together. After playing around a little bit, I came up with a Bat Favor for Halloween. Now that I have a prototype, I can't wait to print out more Whimsie Doodles digi-stamps to have her color to make more.

Supplies:

empty toilet paper rolls

snack sized Ziploc bags filled with wrapped candy

tissue paper

curly ribbon

pattern paper cut to 4.25" x 6" or 4.25" x 6.25" (depending on toilet paper roll size)

Stickles

Halloween Bits and Bites digital stamps - Whimsie Doodles

Here is the finished project:

And a close-up so you can see the cute bat digi-stamp:

Who wouldn't like to receive this as a party favor?!

Mummy Reese's Covers

After making the cute pumpkin Reese's covers the other day, I knew I had to make some more. This time I found an adorable Mummy digi-stamp from MyGrafico that I couldn't resist.

Supplies:

DCWV cardstock

2" Stampin' Up scallop punch

Stickles

wiggle eyes

'Halloween Ghoulies' digital stamp set - MyGrafico (Original art by Meljen's Designs)

These were really easy to print, add Stickles and wiggle eyes, and cut out. Can't wait to make more and give out for Halloween.

Sketchy Thursdays

Sketchy Thursdays is having blog launch prize-a-thon. Here are the details from their blog:

Day one of the Sketchy Thursdays blog launch prize-a-thon! One winner selected will win both of these new lines from Cosmo Cricket. The Boyfriend and Earth Love are quickly becoming must-have sets for scrapbooking! Personally, I love these two lines!

Here are the rules:

• All followers are automatically entered into every drawing (yeah!! we love our followers).

• Every post you comment on, you have a second entry into that drawing for that day.

• Want us to really love you?! Leave another comment telling us you talked about Sketchy Thursdays' prize of the day on a forum, your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and we'll count you again for that day.

• All winners for the prizes given away this week and next will be announced on 9/25.

So hop on over to the Sketchy Thursdays blog and sign up to become a follower. While you are there, read about the lovely ladies that make up the design team.

Pumpkin Reese's Covers

I finally got the chance to do a little crafting over the weekend and made some pumpkin Reese's covers.

Supplies:

Orange DCWV cardstock

Halloween Ghoulies by Meljen's Designs digi-stamps - MyGrafico

2" Stampin' Up scallop punch

white gel pen

double sided tape

Stickles

Reese's peanut butter cups

Here is a close-up so that you can see the Stickles on the stem and eyes.

Have some fun and create a bunch for your kids, co-workers, or someone that deserve a Halloween treat.

Halloween Pixie Stix

Ever since I saw these cute pixie stix on Angie's Chic N' Scratch website, I knew I had to give them a try for myself.

Supplies:

DCWV cardstock

co-ordinating ink

Just Batty stamp set - Stampin' Up

2" Stampin' Up scallop punch

hand held punch or white gel pen (for dots around scallop)

Pixie Stix

double-sided tape or pop dots

Halloween plastic cup or other container

Here is a close up:

And what they look like in a decorative container all ready for gift giving:

These were so easy to create and would make a great teacher gift, treats for your co-workers, party favors, and treats for the kids.

Patriot Day & National Day of Service and Remembrance

PATRIOT DAY AND NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE, 2009




BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


A PROCLAMATION

Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humanity and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans.

Today, we honor the lives we lost 8 years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world.

As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security. We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which our Nation was built: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.

In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad. In April, I was proud to sign the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Originated by the family members of those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance is an opportunity to salute the heroes of 9/11, recapture the spirit of unity and compassion that inspired our Nation following the attacks, and rededicate ourselves to sustained service to our communities.
Throughout the summer, people of all ages and backgrounds came together to lend a helping hand in their communities through United We Serve. As this summer of service draws to an end, we renew the call to engage in meaningful service activities and stay engaged with those projects throughout the year. Working together, we can usher in a new era in which volunteering and service is a way of life for all Americans. Deriving strength from tragedy, we can write the next great chapter in our Nation's history and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the promise of America.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2009, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Awesome Accordian Album

If you are looking for some new ideas or are in the mood to craft tonight, head on over to the ScrapyLand blog.

Susan is going to be demonstrating live how to make what she calls "an awesome accordian album". Here are all the details:

1. Thursday, September 10th - 6pm PDT, 7pm MDT, 8pm CDT and 9pm PDT
2. You need a password, so please email Susan at scrapylandsusan@gmail.com
3. Supplies for tonight's "Awesome Accordion Album":

12" trimmer
Scor-Pal
adhesive
one 12"x 12" piece of cardstock, for interior pages
one 12"x 12" piece or contrasting cardstock
two 12"x 12" coordinating patterned papers, double sided/match cardstock
two 12"x 12" matching patterned papers, for your two covers
two pieces of chipboard 6.25"x 6.25" (cereal box, notebook backs, etc.)
coordinating 18" of ribbon - if ribbon is your "thing"
THEN, you can decorate using your favorite dies, after the show!

Hope you can join me and all the other ScrapyLand followers!

Batty for You

I purchased just after Christmas 7 hand creams for $2 at Tuesday Morning. I didn't know if I was just going to give them as gifts the way they came or decorate them. Well, after playing around with my Halloween stamps I came up with this gift for Halloween.

Details:

1 sheet of pattern paper cut into 2 3/4" circles (used Stampin' Up punch)
Batty for You stamp - Stampin' Up
1 sheet of black cardstock cut into 2" scallop circles (used Stampin' Up punch)
ribbon
colored jewels
white gel pen or tiny hole punch

Doesn't this make a cute gift idea?!

Where did summer go?

Can you believe that it is already September? I can't believe that August came and went so quickly. We have had a lot of rain in the Midwest that it doesn't feel like we got much of a summer. I guess the stores have already gotten into the fall bandwagon. No sooner did they pack up the school supplies, but now they have put out the Halloween items. Isn't that 6 or so weeks away? Of course, that put me into a Halloween and fall mood so I have been pulling out all my stamps to make some fun fall creations. Check out my blog later this week to see the Halloween items that I have made using Stampin' Up stamps and MyGrafico digi-stamps.

Anniversary Card

I haven't had a chance to do any crafting in the past week, but I did make an anniversary card 2 weeks ago for my parents that I forgot to post.

I decided to make my own pattern paper by randomly stamping on recycled paper. While the cupid stamp is from a Valentine collection, I thought she was perfect for an anniversary card. What do you think?