Saturday, March 20, 2010

Operation Write Home blog hop!



It's blog hop day for Operation Write Home! The theme for this blog hop is spring, living in the desert we don't have major seasonal changes until the arrival of summer. From the beginning of November to the beginning of May our temperatures are very mild. Today the temperature here should be in the mid 70's, we begin planting our gardens the second week of February because the chance of having a "freeze" is past. I haven't seen snow here since 1989. I remember calling my boss that day to tell him I couldn't get from where I was to work because it was snowing and I just knew he was going to think I was crazy!

So anyway - butterflies are really popular right now and I can't seem to get enough of them. This butterfly is a Hero Arts digi stamp that I re sized, re colored to make it's outline nice and dark and printed it on Neenah super smooth white card stock. I used Tim Holtz distress inks and their sponge applicators to color the butterfly then applied SU Crystal Effects and black half pearls. It took a couple of days of the butterfly sitting on my desk to come up with a card to put it on. I looked through my stash of stamps and found the swirl from this Rhonna Farrar stamp set and thought it might be just the thing. I cut my Neenah white card stock to the size I needed and stamped, placed the butterfly with it and liked it! I thought more black half pearls would tie it all together and used a Verve stamp for the "you make me smile". Clean and simple isn't easy for me so I had to get used to it after I had the card together to be sure I was "done".

In my blog browsing not too long ago I came across the Operation Write Home blog and was truly inspired as I looked around. What a neat opportunity to bless other people with our gifts and talents. My dad was a WWII veteran and the 2nd anniversary of his death was a few days ago. I thought making cards for Operation Write Home would be a meaningful way to honor his service to our country and his memory. He always encouraged me in my artistic endeavors and for that I'm grateful.  Below is a picture of my dad in Tokyo in 1946.



I've copied OWH's mission statement for you: OUR MISSION
Supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.

I hope you are as inspired as I am!

...and now I'd like to introduce our next blogger Melissa, enjoy!

87 comments:

Operation Write Home said...

Awesome picture of your dad :)

And WOW on that butterfly!! Oh my, anyone who says digi isn't the way to go just hasn't seen your butterfly. Beautiful, and the simplicity of the rest of the card really makes it stand out. Well done!!

Fabre said...

Jan - what a beautiful card! I always forget about using those Rhonna Farrer swirls myself, I think I'm going to challenge myself to pull them out today and combine them with a butterfly - it works so well! Thank you so much for joining in the hop, and for your support of OWH!

...Darlene said...

Jan,
What a stunning card. I love butterflies and the way you set it off with the swirl stamp. Thank you for sharing your fathers pix. My dad was in WWII also.

ps, I love your little blinky for Mr. Brown. May I lift it?

txbluiz said...

What a beautiful card!! I really need to get on the band wagon with the Digi-stamps!

Unknown said...

That pic of your dad is great!

Love the doodling on your card!

kimberley martini said...

I love how simple this card is. I love the butterfly. You are right in saying butterflies are everywhere.

Wendy said...

Jan your butterfly is absolutely gorgeous! What an elegant card...

~Denise Lynn~ said...

Simply beautiful Jan! Love that gorgeous butterfly and the white really pops. :)

Kate said...

I love this card. It's so elegant. I love the butterflies in the subtle color.

My dad was career AF. His birthday was a few days ago, and I wrote an any hero card since I couldn't write to him.

Hugs and happy blog hopping!

Elisabeth said...

Beautiful card! Love the butterfly!

Betty said...

Proof that simple can be stunning...

Rhonda Miller said...

What a great card. I love that butterfly.

Karen McAlpine said...

amazing butterfly!! So pretty/

TN Granny said...

Jan,
I love your card and isn't is ironic I moved from Phoenix to TN 6 years ago after retiring from the PD. Your right about Butterfies they are beautiful and you don't see many in Arizona.
God Bless you and your family,
Jeanine

Meg Bean said...

What a wonderful way to honor your dad. Your butterfly is WONDERFUL!!

Anonymous said...

I love your card - it's perfect! Gives me a little inspiration to do something like that only with flowers. thanks! joanej in Calif.

Tammy said...

Awesome picture of your dad!! I love your card that butterfly is gorgeous!

Christine said...

very pretty and very elegant

Seongsook Duncan said...

Wow~ I love your butterfly. Thanks for sharing how you did it and your dad's story and his photo.

Karen Howard said...

What a beautiful card and the butterfly is gorgeous! Was reading your "about me" and my husband custom built my table and shelves for my craft room too, LOL!

Paula S. said...

Great way to use a flourish, beautiful!

Linda said...

Beautiful card. The butterfly is fantastic!

hiscreation2 said...

So beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration and instructions.
hiscreation2@hotmail.com

One Scrappy Gal said...

Stunning card! I'm on a butterfly kick right now, so it really caught my eye!

Kajikit said...

It takes effort to make such a simple design work nicely... your butterfly is beautiful!

Brittany said...

WOW! I am so impressed with that butterfly! You are really creative and definitely shows in that card! Thank you for showcasing your talents!

Merry's Musings said...

Yes! What a neat opportunity to bless other people with our gifts and talents. The person that gets that butterfly card will be blessed indeed. Just amazing!

Tami Bayer said...

Stunning card! i love that you combined a distress ink colored butterfly on such a simple background. It's really amazing. I need to visit around your blog now :)

shelly said...

your card is beautiful I love the soft colors and white space

Jeanne said...

That's an amazing butterfly! Thanks for sharing the picture of your dad.

jeanne706 at yahoo dot com

Cut n Paste said...

Loving your butterfly!!! Those distress inks are really great aren't they??? Thanks for sharing the picture of your dad and thanks for supporting OWH!

lavendarrose29 said...

Very special card. That butterfly is amazing.

Erika said...

Amazing card! As soon as I saw your card I thought "where'd she get that sticker!" And to learn that it's not a sticker - WOW!

As a military wife I just want to say thank you for sharing your time and talent to help those who are away from their families feel a bit closer. Much, much appreciated.

Purple Princess said...

Wonderful picture of you Dad. I love your card! The butterfly is beautifully colored!

Bonita Rose said...

love your card.. simple and oh so cute! love your card design!

Anita said...

Thanks for sharing your story. Amazing card!

Patti Erickson said...

What a beautiful card! It's great that you have military photos of your dad!!

Louise Fox said...

Jann, I am with everyone else on the butterfly. It is exquisite! The design of your card really makes it stand out. I am sure your Daddy is smiling from the joy you bring to others. Blessings, Louise

Cathy... said...

So elegant and just gorgeous! That flourish stamp is perfect! Thanks for sharing your story too-what a nice way of honoring your father's memory.

Missy said...

Jan,

What a great card. I am enjoying all the blogs today.

Dixie Cochran said...

Awww...what a terrific picture of your dad! Our dads were the greatest generation!

Love your digi butterfly. I too can't get enough of butterflies!

Unknown said...

The butterfly is gorgeous! I am going to have to check out Hero Arts!

Martha said...

Your card is a knock out! I love how you combined the clean and simple look with the perfectly detailed butterfly. Inspiring!

Donna said...

I love this card and that butterfly is breath-taking!

I appreciate your dad's service.

GrannyCharlotte said...

The butterfly looks so real. This is a great card. I like the simplicity and clean lines of this card. Thanks so much for sharing.

StampinSher said...

Your card is simple and clean. I love it. It gets right to the point!
The colors are beautiful too. I know the butterfly took a lot of work and it shows.
Thank you for participating in the OWH Blog Hop.
Sher

JenMarie said...

Oh how lovely, your butterfly is stunning!!

Shelly said...

It's so special that you're supporting OWH in honor of your dad, Jan.

Your card is beautiful! I like how you used the flourish with the butterfly. Looks great!

Renee said...

The way that you colored the butterfly is amazing. Really stunning!

Carol L said...

Your butterfly card is breathtakingly beautiful!! I love the simple elegance of the card with that striking butterfly! Absolutely fabulous! Keep on doing what you're doing!!

Windy Robinson Life Handmade said...

Stunning card!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the butterfly and what a great picture of your dad. Thanks for suppporting OWH from a fellow blogger!

Marci said...

I love the classic beauty of your card.

Rufus said...

WOW and WOW some more! CAS may not be easy for you, but you do it PERFECTLY! This card is just right!
R/

andyjay said...

Fantastic card! That butterfly is incredible! TFS.

Cyn said...

WOW what a great card! I too live in Arizona! I loved the story about not seeing snow here :) Wouldnt that be a hoot!

Shirley said...

Jan, your card is beautiful. I love the simplicity of it with the emphasis on the butterfly.

My dad like yours was a WWII veteran. Growing up we spent summer vacations attending army reunions. Soldiers make friends for life and beyond. I think I jumped on the OWH bandwagon for the same reason. Thanks for paricipatiing.

PCM said...

I love the simplicity of your card and the coloring on your butterfly is perfect. TFS

Kas said...

That butterfly is AMAZING. beautiful job!

Anonymous said...

I love that card as well as the very Large butterfly on your first post of it. I've been bookmarking and will have to come back and check out that Jennifer McGuire video.

grandmalee said...

What a beautiful card! This is truly like your saying says at the top of your blog...except I'm sure you'll want to send the best to the soldiers like I do! I forgot that HA also has digis. I must check it out!

Carmen O. said...

What a gorgeous card! I love Hero Arts and you did such a fabulous job embellishing that wonderful butterfly! Thanks for sharing a photo of your dad.

Gloria Westerman said...

Your card is absolutely gorgeous.....thank you for sharing your card and your story about your father....I just lost mine last year....may God bless you and your family....

~Jeri~ said...

Beautiful card!!!! I love that butterfly, it's gorgeous!!

I'm in AZ as well and you're right, the weather has been gorgeous the past couple of days!!!

As a military spouse and someone new to OWH, I thank you for taking part in this awesome blog hop and in OWH!

Whispers and Wishes said...

you did a fantastic job with the inking of that butterfly!!! Beautiful!

Jennifer Moore said...

I'm loving butterflies too and yours is such a clean card.

Unknown said...

I love your card & that butterfly just makes it pop!!!

I'm telling everyone on the hop how excited I am to find OWH.... I can't wait to start making my cards to send off.

Thanks for Sharing!

xoxo
Ola
okj83 at live dot com

Collette said...

What a lovely card - your butterfly is magnificent - that paired with the simplicity of the card is perfect! Thank you for sharing your OWH story.

DustyPenny (Joy Ott) said...

Stunning card! Simple and elegant design. Have you visited the Hero Arts Blog & Flickr Group? Hope you'll join us!

Lauretta See said...

WOW... I love love love this card.. So clean and simple.. but sooooooooooooooooo stunning.. JUST LOVE it!!

Hugs x

Julie said...

Beautiful card - I love the use of the whitespace on it to shift the focus to that awesome butterfly!

Carolyn Bounds said...

Talk about a dazzling creation...this is definitely it!! I love the gorgeous butterfly and the way it *pops* off the white background!! Simply gorgeous!!!

Hugs!
Carolyn

CARO said...

Your card is gorgeous.. Simplicity at its finest! :)

JPScraps said...

Stunning card! It's elegant in its simplicity!

Lyneen said...

Your card is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your fathers picture and supporting OWH! I appreciate you stopping by my blog during the hop and leaving your kind words. Good luck in my OWH giveaway!

you mentioned your grandmothers postcards... I have another giveaway of ephemera going on until 3/31 you may want to enter here:
http://dreamingofcastles.blogspot.com/2010/03/ephemera-giveaway.html

Kimme said...

I have such a hard time with clean and simple in my own stamping, but love when I see others do it. This is BEAUTIFUL!

jengd said...

Fantastic card! What a gorgeous butterfly... and not in your typical bright colors! LOVE it!

Jillian said...

Hello! Beautiful card!! I made a butterfly card for my OWH Blog Hop sample as well - you're right, butterflies are 'hot' right now! :) I love how you stamped the swirl - I have so many swirl stamps and never thought to use one for this so I'm definitley going to remember to do it now! :) You do 'clean and simple' really well, although I know what you mean about deciding whether or not you're done. You've got a great blog and I look forward to visiting you here again!

Cheers, from Vancouver, BC

Keira said...

Stunning butterfly thanks for sharing in the hop

Maria said...

I LOVE that butterfly! So fabulous! Great picture of your dad! TFS!

Susan said...

Lovely card, and I sooo want to join this fine organization now that i know about it...My dad also served in WWII, hubby is a vet step son, late uncle, late BIL, and both my girls had BF's that were military men. One is still active, and has served 3 tours over in the middle east.

I am now a follower of yours,
Susan

debb said...

Such a beautiful card! I love the white background- You rocked C&S!!!! Love the butterfly!

Loni said...

Terrific Butterlfy and awesome picture of your Dad. Thanks for sharing your talent and your support of OWH. Hugs, Loni (Stop #55)

Trinity's Designs and Photography said...

What a wonderful card! Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Pamela B.

Nancy Keller said...

That butterfly is simply beautiful :) I love it! Thank you for sharing that photo of your dad - what a neat treasure that is. :)

Anonymous said...

LOVE that photo of your dad. and I adore this card you made! How clever to use the swirlie stamp for the butterfly. I think I might actually own that stamp. Mind if I steal your idea? :)

Corinna
www.myscrapbooklife.com

Alexandra Lundgren said...

Thank you for sharing your Dad with us. They are such special people. I still miss mine too.

(((((HUGS)))))