Last shipment to OWH... :(

This is the last box of cards made exclusively by me that will be arriving in Seattle today for Operation Write Home.  They are not accepting donations after August 1st as they conclude their "Finish Strong" campaign, see HERE.  Their mission is complete.  It is certainly a bittersweet feeling for me.  Years of searching for a way to support our troops before I found OWH, culminated in a match made in heaven.  In the five years that I've been donating cards, the quality of my cardmaking has grown exponentially .  What I learned from tutorials, OWHtv, Sandy Allnock and other cardmakers has been one of the best educations I have ever received.  Thank you Sandy, from the bottom of my heart, for passing on your expertise...

 

Although the focus is different now, I do not intend to give up making cards and certainly will be on the lookout for other organizations in which to donate.  However comma, I do LOVE sending to family and friends... {insert BIG smiley face here}  :)

Rocket, headed back to God...

My "Not So Secret Sister" Sloane K, just lost her dog Rocket of 11 years.  Having just made a sympathy card for my mom's cat a month ago, I thought I could do the same layout for a dog.  Once again, I reached out to my fellow cardmaker friend, Linda J,  for a digi of a dog.  This was perfect.  I'm so sorry for the family and send my best thoughts and prayers their way...

The twine can be found in our Etsy shop, found HERE.  The sentiment is from the Stampin' Up set called Watercolor Trio.  The blotches on the envelope are from the Stampin' Up set Gorgeous Grunge...

Christmas in July...

 I missed my five commitment Christmas card challenge for June so I made TWENTY for July... that works, right?!!

I finally used my MISTI that I've had since my birthday.  To say I'm mad crazy about it, would be an understatement!  What the heck took me so long?!!  This tool is da bomb!

 

This stamp set is by Stampin' Up and one I kicked myself in the butt for not getting when you could get it.  However, while at Cozy Crop, my new friend Jan, swapped me her set for several rolls of Burlap Twine that we sell in our Etsy shop, link HERE.  To say I was happy would be another understatement!  Thanks Jan for making me ecstatically happy!  As a person who spent all her childhood summers in Ocean Park, Maine, well, this just brings me back... :)