Operation Write Home

Operation Write Home is an organization whose mission is to support "our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." This is something I've wanted to do and finally stopped long enough to make it happen. I had a stash of Christmas cards and also stamped for a couple of hours yesterday to give me this assortment. I hope to make another quick dozen before I send them on their way next week. If you're a stamper/crafter, you may have an abundance of supplies that could easily translate into cards for soldiers. What a perfect way to support our troops and clean out that ever growing stash of paper, ribbons, stickers...

Loving this transformation stuff!!!

A few months ago I stumbled upon Transformation Thursday at "The Shabby Chic Cottage." There are some talented people out there and lots of great ideas. I've been wanting to replace the dated light fixture in my dining room, and with all the other makeovers and repairs going on, a new light just keeps pushed back. A few years ago, when I could no longer stand the brass light, I borrowed some of Julie's silver rub and voila...new light. I added some small shades (never really liked them) and then one Christmas added the beads and just decided to let them stay a while. So the picture on the left is what I started with today.
I really wanted to use black rub to cover the light...I have a tube somewhere...but after searching for a couple of months, I gave up and bought some metal paint at Lowes. I listened to 2 lectures on C.S. Lewis while I worked on the light. That really helped make the project go by faster. The picture on the right is what I have now and as you can see, I need to buy 8 light bulbs that match. Gary should be bringing those home tonight.
The two pictures below are Julie's. She repainted a couple of frames and made them chalkboards. They're hanging in her home office and help her keep track of her photography events and work schedule.

Mojo Sketch Inspired

Yeah, I know, it's been ages since I've posted any work. It's not because I haven't made anything...I just haven't had the time. You know how it is - 45 min trip to work, 45 minute trip home, dinner, dishes, do this, do that and it's 11pm. Fortunately, I'm taking advantage of a few weeks off (thanks, Gary). While I'm tackling a list of long overdue projects, I'm pausing occasionally to share some of the things I've been making.
This afternoon I looked through some old mojo monday sketches and decided to try one from April. I used the new SU color coach to find a color combo for real red. It had real red, early espresso and pumpkin pie (wasn't really sure about this combo at first). But since I wanted to add some designer paper to the mix, I decided to switch to choc chip. It worked, I'm done, and I have another card to add to my growing stash!
Stamps:Pocket Silhouettes, Sanded, Matchbox Messages
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink; Real Red Marker, Pumpkin Pie marker, and Soft Suede marker

My Perfect Little Model

I've been busy making fabric flowers using the Big Shot and the SU flower folds die. I thought the best way to share some is by using my perfect little model - Bree. And even better...we were at Julie's and she took the pictures. They took a walk in the woods and Bree had fun posing in front of the camera for her Aunt Julie.
Here's a sampling of their "work"

After many weeks...

...and what seems like months since I shared any cards I've made, I finally grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. This whole thing takes a few days. I took the pictures last Monday when I had an hour of sunlight in my computer room. You know that little room we used to call the black room. The room where Julie watched a lot of movies, I had early morning devotions, Gary now has early morning devotions and it is now my home office. That room (just a bit of information that is not really necessary but shared nonetheless)! Yesterday I thought about editing the pictures, but took some medicine for my cold and went to bed. So today I took advantage of having a day home from work and uploaded the pictures and voila...a post! Anyway, here are 3 pictures of some recent projects. I used a sizzix die to make the tiny envelope on the first card. The white border was created with the new Stampin Up border and corner punches. And the border punch was free - it's a Sale-a-bration product.
The next little card (yes, it is only 1 3/4 inch square, tiny) was one of the projects made at my valentine card class last month. I then made several more to go with boxes of heart truffles. The glassine envelope is a new item in the SU occasions mini catalog...so cute! I named the little cards hugs and they add a nice touch to the top of the truffle boxes.
The last 2 cards are from a shoebox swap that I participated in with other SU demonstrators. It was fun to go to somewhere else and use other people's "toys" to make cards.
Okay, that's enough for now. Gary is coming in the door...gotta go!

Books Read in 2009

It's time to start a new list for Books I've Read this Year (2010). I like to remember what I read the year before, so listing them in a post helps me find them later. I'd really like to read more this year. Cheryl keeps telling me about free kindle books, so I should always have a bunch of free material to read. I downloaded 5 on New Year's Day and started the year off by reading one of them that night. One down! Now if I could just read and exercise at the same time...

Anyway here's my list of books read in 2009
ESV Bible
Christmas in My Heart (#5)- Joe Wheeler
Christmas in My Heart (#10) - Joe Wheeler
Fireflies in December - Jennifer Erin Valent
The Christmas Lamp - Lori Copeland
Christmas Stories by North Carolina Writers (didn't really enjoy this one- there was only 1 or 2 stories worth reading)
The Christmas Bus - Melody Carlson
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and Not Be Overwhelmed - Carolyn Mahaney
The Women of Troy Hill - Clare Ansberry
Scarlet - Stephen R. Lawhead
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built - Alexander McCall Smith
The Miracle of Speedy Motors - Alexander McCall Smith
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive - Alexander McCall Smith
Blue Shoes and Happiness - Alexander McCall Smith
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies - Alexander McCall Smith
The Cupboard Full of Life - Alexander McCall Smith
Hood - Stephen R. Lawhead
Liberty and Tyranny - Mark R. Levin
The Kalahari Typing School for Men - Alexander McCall Smith
Morality for Beautiful Girls - Alexander McCall Smith
Tears of the Giraffe - Alexander McCall Smith
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Principle of the Path - Andy Stanley
it - Craig Groeschel
Respectable Sins - Jerry Bridges
A Violent Grace - Michael Card
44 Scotland Street - Alexander McCall Smith
The Cross Centered Life - C.J. Mahaney
Humility: True Greatness - C.J. Mahaney
Treasuring God in our Traditions - Noel Piper