July 5, 2011

Week 3-Hero and Creativity cards

Sorry for the late post. This week has been really chaotic, but especially with the 4th of July, I couldn't forget to make some cards for the troops. And for the holiday, I felt like doing something a little more patriotic and summer-y.

Hero Card

Supplies used: paper by Paper Studio, die cuts by Base Camp and Indi Art Cricut Cartridges

In my mind, this card looked a lot different. Initially, it started brown and green. I thought about how the men and women fighting for our freedoms are my heroes, but who are their heroes? So I wanted to make a "You're my hero" card that they could send to who they admire. But with the 4th of July, I decided to switch it to a red, white, and blue card. I really like the way it turned out. The star border is my favorite part, I designed it using the Gypsy by Provo Craft. I'm getting pretty hooked on manipulating Cricut cartridges with it.

Creativity Rules Card



Supplies Used: Cardstock by Provo Craft, brads by Making Memories, stamps by Autumn Leaves, markers by Zig

I really love this card. It's pretty simple, but it was a lot of fun to make and to look at. As I was coloring in the stamp, I remembered how much I loved to color as a kid, and I really enjoyed how bright the markers turned out. Plus I love the saying-Creativity Rules, because it does. And even better, it also helps support our troops!

Additionally, for the 4th of July, I got some kids in the neighborhood to make some AnyHero cards. (You can find out more info about AnyHero cards and get some free downloads for them on OWH's webpage.) The kids really got into it. When we got short on time, one girl started to panic-insisting that she had to finish her letter to the soldiers. That was one of the highlights of my 4th of July.

June 26, 2011

Week 2-Cookie Monster and Owl Cards

Welcome back! I guess I was in a bit of a cutsie mood this week. I kept thinking about soldiers that have young kids at home, and these cards are geared toward them.

Cookie Monster Card:


Supplies: Cardstock by Provo Craft, stamps by Stampin Up!, C by DoodleType Cricut Cartridge, patterned paper from Google Images, font is Tall Paul, idea from Split Coast Stampers

I saw an Elmo card and thought how fun a Cookie Monster (my favorite muppet) card would be. All in all, I really like it and don't think I'd change a thing.

It's Owl Good Card:


Supplies: cardstock by Provo Craft, patterned paper by KI Memories, die cuts by Gypsy Wanderings and Alphalicious Cricut Cartridges

Who doesn't love owls? I've developed a serious obsession with owls lately. Be prepared to see a lot more owl cards in the future.

So fun! Lately, I just can't get enough of cards or of service. My husband wrote his friend that is serving in the army about my weekly card project, and his friend replied,

"tell your wife hello for me, and let her know it makes me feel good knowing about her project. all the guys out here love the support we get from our friends and family. let her know it means alot that she is contributing."

I just get all warm reading his words. The service men and women appreciate and need our support out there. And what better way than spreading some smiles with handmade cards?

If you've joined the pack of 104 cards in a year, then be sure to get your own OWH stamp for the backs of your cards. There are lots of different designs to choose from. As for me, I'm cheap so I went with the FREE stamp option:


Awesome, isn't it? And it was completely free, I didn't even have to pay for postage. You can order any of the OWH stamps from HERE. Keep crafting friends! And keep me posted on your cards, I'd love to feature them on the blog.


June 18, 2011

Week 1-Just a little note and Miss U cards

Welcome to 104 Cards for Soldiers. I've been donating cards for over a year now to Operation Write Home. I feel rather passionate about their cause. I would donate my cards to the Clinton Utah Roberts Crafts store until they closed.

I guess I will tell you a little about this blog and how it got started. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). Things got really bad, and I stopped doing everything that I loved, including crafting. My therapist encouraged me to start forcing myself back into my hobbies, even if I didn't feel like it, and to also start giving service as two ways to pull myself out of this depression (There were other things too, but those were two of my main "assignments").

It's hard to want to do anything while depressed, and I really struggled with getting back to life. Then I remembered OWH cards and how much I enjoyed making them. So I decided to start again. I decided that my goal was to make two new card designs each week to donate, and to keep me motivated (so I don't slip off my therapy again) I would post them on a public blog. It's a few different journeys in one blog-my personal journey to recovery, a journey of service, and hopefully the beginning of some new friendships and card ideas (I love seeing other people's ideas-please share yours!).

Sorry for such a downer intro. This blog isn't meant to be sad-it should be happy and fun. So here are my happy and fun cards from this week:

Just A Little Note Card
Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, and stamps by Provo Craft; Chipboard by Imagination Project

I wanted to do just a simple yet cheerful card. It's not really my favorite, but I think it'll give the soldiers a smile-and that's what's really important.


Miss U Card
Supplies: Patterned paper by Basic Grey, Ink by ColorBox, Rub ons by Making Memories

My husband's best friend is serving in Afghanistan right now. He was the inspiration for this card. It's very masculine, wild, and even a little messy (Just like our friend!). I actually made a second card that says "Dad" for Father's Day. I'm not too fond of the rub ons. If I was to make this card again, I'd choose a different and larger font, preferably in dark brown instead of black. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it.