Today, we honor our veterans–past and present–who have secured the freedom and liberties we are blessed with, and salute the service members who stand ready to defend them still.
We also pause to thank our heroes’ loved ones. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said ‘The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.’
A parent who instilled love of freedom and country in their child. . . a spouse who holds down the homefront. . . a young one who prays every night that daddy or mommy be kept safe–and come home soon. . . in letting their hero go, and waiting faithfully for their return, all of these have given their very heart to their country, and to each of us. God bless you, and God bless your hero, your heart.
Welcome to Stop #72 on the Operation Write Home 2010 Memorial Day Blog Hop!
If you’re hopping in order, you’ve just been admiring Brenda’s creations at Brenda’s Stamping Corner. What nice, detailed instructions she gave for CASE-ing all those great patriotic projects!
Here at InkPaperStamps, we have a fun twist on a ‘missing you’ card. We also have a tip for new OWH cardmakers regarding glitter. Finally, InkPaperStamps is offering a chance to win some blog candy!
First, the card. (And dude, you MUST click on the pictures to see the full fine-ness of this card up close and personal–click again to zoom in further.)
Our heroes and the ones they love could exchange ‘missing you’ cards daily and still not capture the depth of longing in their heart.
But when the hero is coming home–whether at the end of their tour of duty or for well-deserved leave–that longing begins to give way to excitement, joy and anticipation.
I designed this matchbook card for a stateside wife (or husband) to send right before their hero returns.
Look closely and you’ll see that this matchbook card is, in fact, a depiction of a matchbook. See the black strip at the base of the card? Strike plate.
And gracing its cover is a diecut transformed into a firecracker–surely representing the tremendous happiness bursting in their hearts.
So what’s inside?
ooOOoo, matches. . . . . . . got a suggestion for a sentiment, anyone?
And don’t be afraid to get creative. With the right sentiment, this card can become a birthday card (Hi Gia–hope you get lots of cards at the RESQ46 challenge!), a card of encouragement or something appropriate for many more occasions.
Now, the tip.
If you’re new to making cards for OWH, you may not be aware that glitter from cards can be a big problem for our heroes. Check out this message from Operation Write Home to see why.
Personally, I never use glitter on cards for OWH–except for this one.
Come back to InkPaperStamps next week, and I’ll share with you *why* I made an exception for *this* card. I’ll also go through the five steps I took to eliminate glitter flakes.
Finally, the blog candy: the Of the Earth stamp set (which includes Emerson’s quotation), currently only available from Stampin’ Up to hostesses with at least $150 in sales at their workshop.
You may submit up to five entries in this giveaway, one for each of these:
- Commenting. (leaving a comment below with a suggested sentiment for inside the matchbook card, if you please.)
- Serving. (being or having served as a member of the United States armed services)
- Supporting. (being a loved one of a service member or veteran)
- Participating. (making some glitter-free cards for Operation Write Home)
- Subscribing. (being a subscriber to InkPaperStamps’ free updates)
***For each applicable item, submit a separate entry by clicking here.***
Winner will be randomly selected from all entries submitted by 11:59 pm (CT) Monday, May 31. Terms and conditions apply.
Now it’s time to continue on the hop–next stop: JessicaLynnOriginal, where Jessica Lynn has used her considerable talent to benefit worthy causes including Tennessee flood relief (through the Red Cross), the USO and now Operation Write Home.
Thanks for visiting InkPaperStamps–hope you’ll come back again soon!
In addition to the OWH 2010 Memorial Day Blog Hop, this project played in the following challenges:
- DCBC178 – color challenge
- Freshly Brewed #4 - color challenge
- RESQ46 – red white & blue birthday
- SSDS (May 29) – color challenge
- SSNOTIME141 – colors of your country’s flag
- STAMPINB60 – patriotic card
Gorgeous entry in the blog hop Holly! Incredibly clever. I was thinking…You Light Up my Life as a text. Bet you get multiples of that one!
The front besides being a firecracker also reminded me of a flight captain insignia or medal ribbon.
others:
Heart(s) Afire
Light my Fire
To Keep the Home Fires Burning
Aflame for you!
I have the hots for you!
Hugs and hoping to win the candy (yeah I know greedy, greedy, greedy – lol)- Jean
Great cards Holly.
Jean used my saying “You Light Up My Life”, lol.
Keeping the home fires going until your safe return. Kind of lengthy, tho.
TFS
WOW this is adorable
Thanks for offering the candy…
GREAT card, love the matches on the inside, and I think I would add — “Hurry home and light the fire!”
Holly,
This is a great card. I have made a note to come back next week to see what you are talking about on the glitter subject. Thanks for supporting OWH.
Just beautiful!
Thanks for joining us in this week’s Stamp Simply “Flying High and Proud” challenge!
Wonderful idea! How ’bout “No one else can match you!”
The matchbox card is such a cute idea. I love the firework.
And we are the “perfect match”
that is all I had left after reading your other comments…
LOVE the firecracker!
Hi Holly!!! your link did take
your card is just TOOOO CUTE! I love the matchbox idea! So fun …. and a great way to start a ‘fire’. 
Thanks for joining us at Freshly Brewed Challenges!!!
What a super-creative and wonderful matchbook card! I guess for a military person you could use the sentiment “strike anywhere” but I personally love the submission above about being a ‘perfect match’ – especially because of the sentiment on the card front – that was cute :0)
Great cards
my sentiment would be something like “I burn for you” or “you light my fire”
Stace
Holly, fabulously creative project.
Hugs
Jaydee
This card is so sweet. I just love the idea. My sentiment would by “I’ll keep the home fires burning.” “I’ll be lighting my way to your heart.” (my husbands contribution).
I have sent cards in the past and will be sending more cards on Tuesday.
I subscribed to updates.
My FIL served in WWII. We are grateful for his service and example.
Wonderful cards!! Love the little matchbook! My sentiment would be..”You are the spark in my eye” TFS! Cute pup too!!
The flame is still lit..hurry on home.
Great job Holly & Dog… Thanks for supporting OWH. Hugs from Hugs from Blog Hop Stop #66… err now 65, Loni’s Life at http://www.loniholt.blogspot.com
“We are a perfect match” was one I thought of, but it was said.! Or I was thinking about “Thanks for keeping the home fires burning”
The card is great. I love those matches!
I think this card is precious I am horrible about figuring out what the punch line should be, ‘how about you light me up!’
Stampin hugs,
Jeanine
Waaay AWESOME card! Thanks for sharing and have a great holiday weekend! ;o)
I have no idea for a sentiment – but that card is darling! And, as a military wife, let me say thank you for sharing your creativity to help bring families closer who are separated by duty.
Cute, cute, cute! Adorable matchbook concept!
“Keeping the home fires burning, waiting for you…”
Thanks for supporting OWH and the chance to win.
What a great matchbook card! Be sure to enter it into Wednesday’s theme challenge – this is perfect for it!!!!
Happy hopping!!!!
Sandy
Matchbook cards are so fun!
How about “We’re still hot together!”
I was thinking about those matches- how about using them as count-down days? Put “xx more days” on each one?
Oh Holly, Great projects, and what a great reason for a blog hop. My sentiment isn’t for all occassions, it’s for sending to our troops. “You ignite the light of liberty!”
Deb B
Oops, I also meant to tell you that what you said about our troops and their families, brought tears to my eyes.
God Bless!
Deb
Clever idea!
What a great card! How about, Light my Fire.
Love your card. I have a box of cards I am working on filling up…have 150-200 already done. I just subscribed. My son just came back from a tour in Afghanistan in April.
I love this card,very original!!! Great job!! I may have ‘seen’ you around before….hummm…..could it have been on SCS perhaps?? Anyways,love this idea!!!
Great card! Loving it! How about “My Love is a Roaring Flame”? Tom & Jerry anyone? LOL!
Awesome card
Fab cards! How about A Match made in heaven…
As a marine mom, fellow card maker and supporter of your blog. Thank you!!
Great site. I guess I’m leaving a comment, I’ve been a supporter, my husband was in the Coast Guard. Now a follower!
Love your card, what a cute idea!
Love your card. Simple but cute.
Your post is so well crafted, and your card is terrific! So clever!!
Love your cards.
Adorable! I love this idea and plan to case it ASAP! Thanks for playing RESQ challenge this week!
thanks you for your inspiriation and the tutorial. thanks for all you do for our heroes.
forgot the quote….
you are the only one that can light up my life and heart
What a great card! Thanks for playing at SSDS!
For a sentiment, how about “We’re a perfect match”.
My husband used to be in the Navy. He was not in the conflict but was on an aircraft carrier in the Med.