Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #22--Thanks/Thanksgiving

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! It's fall--my favourite season of all!! I love Thanksgiving!!! We Cunucks celebrate it in October which I think makes more sense because there isn't usually two feet of snow on the ground yet (usually--LOL)!! Our friends to the south celebrate it in late November and I think this year I will celebrate it twice (the Canadian & the American) just because I can!! I love Thanksgiving even more than Christmas!! Here in Ontario we have such wonderful colour when the leaves turn--it's one of my favourite thing in life!! Add an XL Tim Horton's hot apple cider and a walnut crunch donut and you have perfection!! LOL!! Anyway, on with the challenge at Sundays With Crissy!! This month our theme is Thanks/Thanksgiving--meaning a thank you card/project or a Thanksgiving card/project is what we are looking for.

Here's what I did for the challenge... I used Crissy's digi image called "Turk in Boots" for this card!

No one can make turkeys look cuter than Crissy Armstrong!!!

This card is making it's way to my friend Scott who is serving with the Canadian Forces at Kadahar Air Field, Afghanistan!! Hiya Scott & Happy Thanksgiving!! Here's hoping you will have a hot turkey dinner on the big day!!

Now it's your turn to show us your Thanks or Thanksgiving cards!! Go HERE to find out how to upload your projects. There will be five free digi's given to one lucky challenge participant who will be chosen by Random.org at the end of the month! You may now use images from any company and still be included in the draw for the blog candy prize! Those who use one of Crissy's images, either from her rubber or digital collections will be entered twice in the draw. But please respect the rule of no more than three entries per month. Otherwise your entries could be deleted.

Thanks for popping in to take a look!! Have a great day!!

 

Hugs,

Sarah ☺

 

The Recipe: Media--Copics, Printed On--Neenah, Cardstock--Bazzil Papers, Designer Paper--Grid (Pebbles) Orange Swirly Paper (The Paper Company), Leaf Punch--EK Success, Ornate Corners--Sizzix--Architectural Accents #4, Fluid Chalk--Colorbox, Pearls--Dollarama, Ribbon--Michael's, Senitment--Stampendous--"Happy Thanksgiving".

Cards for Canadian Soldiers--Round #4

Here are the latest cards I did for Cards for Canadian Soldiers. The first card is a merge of Crissy Armstrong's newest digi images from Whimsy Stamps. I used her "Whatzup Dog" combined with "Party Time Accessories" to create this little girl's birthday card. The second image is "Herbie the Bunny" from Crissy's collection over at Squigglefly. The last two images of the mice are drawn my Melissa Jenkins (another one of my FAVOURITE artists ☺) which you can also find over at Whimsy Stamps. The first image is called "Penpal Mouse" and the second one is called "Pocket Mice".









Thanks for stopping in to take a look!! Have a great day!!
Hugs,
Sarah ☺

Cards for Canadian Soldiers--Round #3

We take for granted so many things these days. One of those things is being able to pop into a greeting card store to buy a card for someone we love. Yes, I admit it, I still buy the occasional card (usually for those people I know will throw them out anyway--still nice but I didn't sit for hours making it only for it to end up in landfill--LOL--is that awful??). Time is precious and so are handmade cards--let Hallmark make the throw-aways. Which brings me to my original point. What if you couldn't get to a card store or what if there simply weren't any?? That's what soldiers serving abroad run into when they are in remote locations. So when they have a box of handmade cards to go through and can pick out a card for someone back home, it means a lot!!

If you are a Canadian and have some extra time and would like to brighten the day of a soldier and his loved ones, Cards For Canadian Soldiers is accepting A2 size greeting cards!! It's a great size and quick to whip up!! Click on the link for more info. Here's some of my latest cards I sent off to Afghanistan.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!! May your day be blessed and full of sunshine!!

Hugs,

Sarah ☺

The Deets:

All images printed on Neenah Paper and coloured with Copic Markers
Cardstock used is Bazzil and Designer Papers are various scraps I had in my stash

Elephant Card--Baby Elephant--Squigglefly

Rose Cards--Freebie--Making Our Mark

Tiger Card--Toby's Gift--Wags'n Whiskers

Dragon Card--Stunt Dragon--High Hopes Stamps

Cards for Canadian Soldiers #2

Oh my goodness am I ever glad that my photo shoot of these cards was done after round 1!!! I had to take them inside this time because it's like minus a billion outside today...okay...so it's only -20°C but that's just toooooo cold for outside photo shoots!! That's nostril-hair freezing weather!! I guess I never would have made it as a National Geographic photographer.

Anyway, I thought I'd show you a sampling of some of the cards I did for Cards for Canadian Soldiers this month. I warn you, you will be seeing a lot of this designer paper (on the bunny card) in the next little while...me LIKES it!!!! I was also excited to use my new Squirrel Valentine digi from Pink Cat Studio. Isn't he cute?? This stamp also comes with the branch and a sentiment that reads "I am nuts for you!!"

For all you Canadian card makers, if you would like to put some of your own card-making talent to good use, check out the Cards for Canadian Soldiers website!! Even small quantities are great. I send five at a time but hope to increase that as the year progresses!! It's a really fun way to give back and to help our men and woman serving overseas!!

Thanks for stopping by today!! Stay warm!!

Hugs,

Sarah ☺

CARDS FOR CANADIAN SOLDIERS!!

Just a quick post to end the year!! Here are four cards I made for Cards for Canadian Soldiers--a new organization I found that sends cards to Canadian Troops serving overseas. The cards are left blank on the inside so that the soldiers can send their own greetings to their loved ones back home.

Image: 3 Cat Pile-Up--Crissy Armstrong--Squigglefly

Inside Senitment: Remember the good times & that I love you very much!

Image: Cupcake Mouse--Meljens Designs--High Hopes Stamps

Image: From the Folks--Penny Black

Inside Sentiment: The Moooos From Here

Image: Zoe & Gemma's Snow Fun--Wags 'n Whiskers--Digital

Thanks for popping by today!! For all you Canucks out there, check out the Cards for Canadian Soldiers blog!! If you've got some time and you want to pay some of that lovely talent of yours forward this is a great cause!!

May 2011 bring great prosperity, peace, health, happiness, a lots of time in the craft room to all of you!!

God Bless You!

Sarah :o)

Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day here in Canada! A day we set aside each year to honour our war dead! It's also a day to show appreciation to our living veterans and those brave men and women in uniform who are currently serving. This year will be the first year that Canadians will observe Remembrance Day with no living WWI veterans.

My grandfather served in both WWI & WWII--lying his age as a young man to enlist and then serving again when the call to war came a second time. I have always had ties of some sort to the military, whether they be family members or friends, and so Remembrance Day has always had really deep meaning for me.

As I look around at what is going on in different parts of the world and see many areas still ravaged by war, I am thankful that those who came before me answered the call to fight and defend my freedom. I now enjoy a quiet and peaceful life and have freedoms here in Canada that many around the world do not enjoy. Here's just a few of those rights I will not take for granted...the right to practice my faith freely, the right to an education, the right to good health care, the right to own property, the right to clean water and healthy food, the right to free speech, the right to vote (without fear of violence)...these are just a few! Is is because I am special, priviledged or wealthy? No...it's because those who came before me stood up and were counted and sowed the seeds necessary for me to reap the life I now enjoy.

So, to those who have passed on, who have served Canada at its people, I vow to make sure my children will hear about your sacrifice and learn to respect it and to appreciate & strive for peace. To those of you out there who are retired from service--you have my deepest gratitude!! It is my prayer that the Canadian people will never cease to show you through their words and deeds how much we appreciate you!! To all of you out there who still take up the call to fight & defend, to bring peace and to mend, I salute you & the families that support you!! May God keep you safe!!

A big wave to May, Tara, & Scott!! May God protect you and keep you safe as you serve & defend!!

Blessings,
Sarah

A Chance to Support OUR Troops!!

2nd Annual--Strength Behind the Uniform--Charity Walk & Run

Yesterday, in my hometown, we had a chance to honour the men and women in uniform who bravely serve our country both overseas and at home. We also had a chance to honour, recognize, and celebrate the many military families who stand behind these soldiers!

As my husband and I walked along we had the chance to talk to a mother whose son is presently serving in Afghanistan. He's just shy of 21 and this is his first tour. It was interesting to hear a mother's perspective on deployment and of the many challenges she faces day in & day out as she tries to "keep it together". It made me so thankful for where I live and for the brave ones who have chosen this life of sacrifice.

My father served in the the navy for over 10 years and was away a lot when my brothers were small. My mom has told me many stories over the years of what it was like to try to "raise her boys" while dad was away at sea and the many hardships she had to endure. My dad got out before I was born so I never knew that way of life, but I have come to learn to greatly respect it.

My husband has a good job, he's home every night and he's not in harm's way...for that I am truly thankful. I live in a country where women are treated with respect as a rule & where I am free to vote without fear of violence or repercussion. My family has access to good health care & education and has opportunities at every turn. I have the freedom to practice my faith in peace and I don't have to hide my Bible. I have access to clean water, healthy food and my home is warm and clean. I remind myself every day that I am blessed and think of the many who have left these comforts and freedoms behind to serve in foreign lands...lands that don't operate in human justice & dignity or even comprehend the many blessings I enjoy.

So to those of you out there who serve and/or stand behind a soldier, my prayers & thanks go out to you. May God keep you safe!!

Here are some more pics from the day...

JUNO--Army Mascot

Warming Up...

Tie A Yellow Ribbon...

A Gorgeous Day for A Walk...And For Such A Worthy Cause ☺!!

Thanks for taking a look today!! Take the opportunity this week to thank a soldier, a policeman, a paramedic, or a fireman if you get the chance...maybe even buy them a cup of coffee!! Pray for those who are serving and for their families. Be thankful for what you have and tell the important people in your life how much they mean to you!! Instead of taking for granted the many blessings you enjoy, take time to count them!!!

Have a good one,

Sarah ☺

Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #8

Hey there!! It's challenge time again over at Sundays With Crissy and this time it's all about YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR--as always, left to your interpretation. It can be a particular holiday, an annual event or an occasion or your favourite season.

My favourite time of year happens to be the FALL!! Here in Southwestern Ontario the Fall means harvest time and with that, the changing of the leaves into an array of beautiful colours, big bright pumpkins are ready for picking (which translates in to pumpkin pie YUM!!), cooler temperatures have eased their way in and it's time to celebrate Thanksgiving!! For us Canucks, we observe Thanksgiving in October, while our friends south of the border celebrate theirs in late November...in any case it's a great time to celebrate the blessings God has given us! It's also a time to remember those who came before us, who forged ahead in adverse times, and made the sacrifices necessary to ensure we would have bountiful lives.

For this challenge, I chose to do a Thanksgiving Card. This card will soon be bound for a Canadian soldier serving over in Afghanistan to help them celebrate the season while separated from their family and friends.

I used Crissy's sweet image from Squigglefly called "Thy Cart Overfloweth"!! Here's a closer look at Mr. Turkey...



Well that's it for me!! Pop by the SWC challenge blog to see what the rest of my mates have come up with--you won't be disappointed!!!!

I hope you will join us for Challenge #8!!! Upload your masterpiece and show us your favourite time of year!! When you use one of Crissy's digi's on your project you will be entered into our random draw for a big, beautiful pad of designer paper and your choice of any 5 of Crissy's digital stamps(see blog of details)!!! You can find Crissy's images at Squigglefly, Whimsy Stamps & Wags 'n Whiskers!!! They download in seconds and they're sooooo easy to use.

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a blessed day!!!

Sarah ☺

Materials Used:

Digi Stamp--Squigglefly
Printed On--Neenah Paper
Cardstock--October Afternoon--Hay Barn
Media--Copic & Prismacolor Markers
Ink--Memento--Rich Cocoa
Sentiment--See D's
Buttons & Floss--My Stash

Mr. Beaver Joins the Army

Hello there!! I have been a busy beaver these days trying to get various projects done and have wanted to make a troop card with a particular image for a few weeks now!! My friend Crissy who draws for Squigglefly drew this fabulous image called Proud Canadian.

I have this little thing for masking images or adding stuff that isn't in the original image. I did a couple of little modifications to the Crissy's stamp with my Copic Multiliner and voila--combat boots & dog tags--You're in the Army now Beaver!! I did this awhile back for another Troop card with Cosmobella from Stampin' Bella--click here if you want to see it.

Without further ado...here's my card...

The Front...

(that's me--even looks like my hips :)

The Inside...

Oh!! How I love a man in uniform!!!

On the back...

This card will make it's way very shortly to a Canadian Forces Member at Kandahar Air Field with a "cup o' joe" inside (Tim Horton's giftcard).

Thanks for coming to visit!! Have a great day!!

Blessings,

Sarah

Digi Stamp: Squigglefly
Sentiment: CG
Printed On: Neenah
Media--Copic (E33, 35, 47 & YG95 & Multliner SP 0.05) , Prismacolor (4, 70, 71, 90, 99, 101, 102) Markers & Creative Memories--Precious Elements--Silver Gel Pen
Cardstock: Bazzil Papers
DP: Heidi Grace--Reagan's Closet/Pinstripe
Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk--Dark Moss & Lime Pastel
Ribbon: Michael's
Brads: Doodlebug
Metal Clips--Dollarama
Die Cut Envelope: Quickutz--Love Letter

Canada Day Card for a Soldier

I know Canada Day is not until July 1st but I have had this High Hopes stamp that I have been dying to use so I thought I'd get a jump on my troop card for that month. I try to send at least one card a month with a cup o' love (Tim Horton's gift card) enclosed so I make an inside pocket usually to hold it...here's my card...



And the inside pocket...

What I Used:

• Stamp: North Woods Stack--High Hopes Stamps
• Sentiment on Front--Studio G
• Sentiment on Inside--High Hopes Stamps
• Stamped On--Neenah with Memento--Tuxedo Black Ink
• Cardstock--Bazzil Papers
• DP's--American Traditional Designs--Great Outdoors--Earthtones & Creative Memories--Green Plaid (Really Old Paper)
• Media--Prismacolor Pencils & Odorless Mineral Spirits for Animals & Copic & Prismacolor Markers for the Ground
• Chalked Edges--Colorbox--Fluid Chalk--Chestnut Roan
• Brads--Gold--Doodlebug & Trees--My Stash

Thanks for coming by!! Have a great day!!

Blessings,

Sarah :)

Troop Card #4--Bound for HMCS Athabaskan

Here's another Troop card. I thought I would do a non-military looking one just for a change of pace. I love Leo!! He's such a cute little guy--he's one of my favourite High Hopes stamps and he's so fun to colour. This card also has an inside pocket fit for a Tim Horton's gift card, photo or poem. I plan to send this to a sailor aboard HMCS Athabaskan which is currently in Haiti helping with disaster relief.

The Recipe for This Card:

• Leo & Sentiment--High Hopes Stamps
• Card Stock--Bazzil Papers
• Patterned Paper--g.c.d. Studios--Retrophide
• Ribbon--Michael's
• Brads--Doodlebug
• Media--Alcohol Markers, Prismacolor Pencils with Odorless Mineral Spirits (applied after all alcohol marker colouring is done)
• Stamped On--Prism Smooth with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Thanks for taking a look--have a blessed day!!

Sarah

Troop Card #3--Buy A Soldier A Cup Of Coffee

Here's another version of Team Canada from High Hopes Stamps!! This card will be going to a soldier in Kandahar with a little something inside...a Tim Horton's gift card. On July 1st, 2006 (Canada Day) Tim Horton's opened its doors at Kandahar Air Field--home to about 2200 military personnel from Canada and abroad. For those of you who don't know, Timmie's is a Canadian institution, household word and source of many 1000's of Canadians morning java. It's also a taste of home for the men and women who spend long periods away from loved ones as they bravely serve in Afghanistan.

Photo Courtesy of Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services

I personally love their chocolate dipped doughnuts and the hot apple cider :)--Not exactly weight loss food...

For this card I thought if might be nice to buy a soldier a cup of coffee long distance so I made it with an inside pocket that could hold the gift card...Here's the front of the card...

And the inside...

Recipe for This Card:

• Team Canada--High Hopes Stamps
• Card Stock--Bazzil Papers
• Patterned Paper--The Paper Studio--Textured Camo
• Die Cuts--Love Letter & Support Ribbon--Quickutz
• Ribbon--Michael's
• Metal Letter Charms--Dollar Store
• Brads--Screwheads--Stash
• Stamped On--Prism Paper with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Interesting story...Read Jennifer's account of her time at Kandahar Air Field as a Tim Horton's employee.

Thanks for stopping by today--hope you have a great day--do something nice while you're at the Timmie's drive thru--pay for the person behind you--RAK!! :)

Blessings,

Sarah

Troop Card #2--HMCS Halifax

Hello everyone!! I wanted to show you all my first go at Dustin Pike's new release over at High Hopes Stamps! I thought this stamp would make a great troop card--it's called Team Canada! This card will be going to a sailor aboard HMCS Halifax. If you click on the ship's link you can find out what they are doing right now as they aid earthquake victims in Haiti. Way to go Canada and may you all be safe as you serve these hurting people!

My dad use to be in the Royal Canadian Navy and proudly served aboard HMCS Bonaventure & HMCS Magnificent--both lightweight aircraft carriers--long decommissioned. It's funny, even after almost 50 years has passed, he still identifies himself as a sailor. I use to love to look at his naval scrapbook when I was a kid and see at all the pictures of life aboard ship, all the faraway places he toured and the icebergs...I really remember the icebergs. I think his scrapbook really inspired me and that's where I got my love of scrapbooking from. As far back as I can remember I was always making my own little books and pasting stuff into them. Thanks Dad, for the inspiration--incidently this isn't a cheap hobby :)!

Here's the outside of my card...

And the inside...

Recipe for this Card:

• Stamp: Team Canada--High Hope Stamps
• Cardstock: Bazzil Papers
• Patterned Paper--Around the Block--Maple Leaf
• Ship's Wheel Embellishment--from The Rubber Room
• Support Ribbon--Quickutz
• Die Cut Lettering--Quickutz--Diesel Font
• Media--Alcohol Markers--Copic, Touch, & Prismacolor
• Stamped on Prism Paper with Memento Tuxeodo Black Ink

A thought as I close...I cannot grasp the horrible situation in Haiti right now--I have heard the news reports and seen some of the pictures and honestly I am overwhelmed... My heart and my prayers go out to the Haitian people and the many people from around the world who have lost loved ones there. I plan today to tell the people I love how much they mean to me--I am very thankful for what I have--I am truly blessed.

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!!

Sarah xx

Troop Card #1--Thank A Soldier!!

Hi! Just wanted to put up a quick post of a card I did for a Canadian soldier serving in Afghanistan. This is my first time sending a card to a soldier I haven't actually met. So many of the brave men and women in our military put their lives on the line everyday to help bring peace & support to many disaster & war-torn areas of the world...this is my small way of saying thanks to just one of them and letting this one know how much I appreciate their sacrifice and service. Here's the link to the Canadian Forces site if you would like to do the same--How to send mail to Any Canadian Forces Member.

Inside the card is a pocket with a poem I wrote for this particular soldier.

The Recipe for this Card:

• Dream Street Papers--Clubhouse Camo
• g.c.d. studios--Whoop De Doo Collection--Retrophide
• Cardstock--Bazzil Paper
• Soldier Stamp--Paper Inspirations
• Thank You Stamp--Studio G
• Ink--Versa Magic--Tea Leaves
• Die Cuts--Quickutz

So there you have it--I hope you like my card and will be inspired to reach out and encourage a fellow Canadian who I know will welcome mail from home!! Other countries also do this for their citizens serving in the military...you just have to surf a little to find the information!! In the future I plan to post any good links I find to people and organizations who do this.

Blessings,

Sarah

Soldier Card

I had some time this weekend to play and thought I would make a troop card using some little charms I bought ages ago while on a trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan. I stamped the image with Versamark Watermark Ink. I then used dry chalk in camo colours, dabbing gently over the image to bring it out and then blew off the excess chalk. There were loops attached to the charms orginally so I just snipped them off and adhered the charms with glue dots...someone once told me you could stick a small child to a wall with glue dots...why you would want to, I am not sure, but I figured if they would work for that they would work for my charms...

For anyone interested who might be in the Frankenmuth area, I bought these charms at a place called Bead Haven which is located at The River Place, 925 S Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI, USA 48734 Phone #: (989) 652-3566. This place is amazing if you like beads and charms. It reminds me of those Jelly Belly displays where they have a rainbow of colours showing off all the different flavours. These charms also come in a silver finish too and they're quite cheap!! Bead Haven may ship as well, not sure?? I have looked for them here at my local bead store but haven't seen them yet.

Thanks for coming by today!!

Blessings,

Sarah