Operation Write Home Memorial Day 2013 Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog to see the card I created for the 
Operation Write home Memorial Day Blog Hop!
I'm excited to be a part of this hop and
can't wait to see all the other cards shared !

Be sure to click the link above to be taken to the list of
 bloggers sharing their wonderful creations this weekend.
There are well over 100 of them !

If you've not heard of Operation Write Home,
take a moment to read about this wonderful nonprofit organization.
It is so gratifying to make works of heart to be sent to the troops
overseas so they have something special to write home on.

Bloghop theme: 
Make thank you cards based on one of the OWH sketches.
 Cards can be thanks cards for our heroes to send –
or more in need of right now, AnyHero cards
with notes inside written TO them!

I used sketch #151 from the Operation Write Home web site,
altering it slightly (stars rather than circles).

Not the best photo to show the 
embossed background on the 
navy and burgundy card stocks
with the shimmery copper star accents.

Inside sentiment, printed from my computer:

We think of what it means to be free and what it takes 
to maintain that freedom. 

 We THANK YOU for your service, your dedication 
and the sacrifice you 

and your families have made on behalf of us, 
our Country and for Freedom.

           

Here is a slightly different version. 

Come back tomorrow to see how I made them 
(and how I fixed a mistake while punching)!
It was not simply punching out stars and 
gluing them to the top of the card fronts ......

My technique was more work, but worth it !

Because glitter is a no-no when making cards for our soldiers, 
I used metallic card stock covered with Crystal Effects 
on the small star punch to create "faux brads" 
to add a bit of shimmer - and not as much bulk so it is mail friendly !
 A Cuttlebug embossing folder adds textured details. 

(Yes, that is my new kitten in the background trying to help out!
I can't believe it's been one month since I brought her home!)

Below is a poem I found at this wonderful web site
http://www.thememorialdaytribute.com/

Memorial Day

- Theodosia Pickering Garrison

A handful of old men walking down the village street
In worn, brushed uniforms, their gray heads high;
A faded flag above them, one drum to lift their feet-
Look again, O heart of mine, and see what passes by!

There's a vast crowd swaying, there's a wild band playing,
The streets are full of marching men, or tramping cavalry.
Alive and young and straight again, they ride to greet a mate again-
The gallant souls, the great souls that live eternally!

A handful of old men walking down the highways?
Nay, we look on heroes that march among their peers,
The great, glad Companions have swung from heaven's byways
And come to join their own again across the dusty years.

There are strong hands meeting, there are staunch hearts greeting-
A crying of remembered names, of deeds that shall not die.
A handful of old men?-Nay, my heart, look well again;
The spirit of America today is marching by!

http://operationwritehome.org/starsandstamps

Keep on hopping, there are many, many, MANY more fantastic ideas being shared this weekend !

Please take a moment to leave a quick comment on the awesome projects that are being shared during this hop. It's always nice to know that you are inspired by our projects. Bloggers should have word verification turned off for the hop to make it easier to leave comments. 
THANK YOU FOR LOOKING =)