Operation Write Home Blog Hop: Sketches

Hello and welcome to the Operation Write Home sketch Blog Hop! We are proud and thrilled to be supporting Operation Write Home. It is such a wonderful organization and even more dear to our hearts as our design team members Tiffany and Latisha have husbands in the Army and Navy. Operation Write Home is an organization that sends blank handmade cards to deployed service members so they can write home to their families. As of March 2012, they've sent 1.5 MILLION cards! How amazing is that?!
Today we are hopping along to provide some inspiration to you all to help create cards for this wonderful organization! We have a giveaway at the bottom of this post, too!
To start at the beginning of the hop make sure to go to http://operationwritehome.org/memorial-day-bloghop-2012/ .

 Teri's card uses sketch #105, and it is adorable! I think this card would make anyone smile!

(using Sophie's Sentiments and the clouds and kites are from a new set that will be previewed tomorrow!)

 Chari's card uses sketch 27 and is so cute! I just love this sentiment for an Operation Write Home card. Just perfect!
(using Teeny Tiny Backdrops, Hello Friend, Bright Side papers and a new set we are sneaking this week!)

 Tiffany's card is based off sketch 53. This is such a fun and happy card that would brighten anyone's day! Go check out her blog for a great Bazzill giveaway, too!

(using Chevron Backdrops, Fanciful Frames and Many Thanks)

 Yainea's card is inspired by sketch 94 and is so sweet! I just love those stars and the red white and blue!

(using Chevron Backdrops, Claire's ABCs, Bright Side stickers, and a new set released next week)

I also wanted to share some inspiring words from our design team members. They shared this for our last "make 'em laugh" blog hop with Operation Write Home. I thought their words for so powerful that we should share them again. Thank you for sharing and thank for your family's service, Tiffany and Latisha!

From Latisha

 As a spouse of a Naval Officer, Operation Write Home is such a blessing to those who are deployed, and lucky enough to get a box from this great organization.  When my husband is deployed, he does not have a Hallmark or even a convenience store to buy a card from, there is nothing.  So, if he wishes to send us a letter by snail mail, he has to find paper and sometimes makes his own envelopes, because they are not available.  Getting a letter or card from a deployed loved one is so very special.  It is something you can literally hold onto, especially when the blues hit. I have every letter and card he has ever sent me, they are something I will keep forever.  My children keep theirs as well, and show them off proudly on their desks.  To know crafters make cards for service members to send home, is just amazing.  It makes my heart swell with pride and happiness to be part of such a great community.  So from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

From Tiffany

 I am an Army Brat and now I'm an Army Wife. Often times we think of the effects that deployments have on the spouse or on the family as a whole and we often forget how it's affected our children as individuals and as people.

Meanwhile, we continue to fight the longest war America's seen and within that time frame, studies have shown that our Army Brats are more resilient. But, what does that mean? To me, that means our children are growing up faster- maturing faster. Our children are fighting their own war back home struggling with disjointed families and the real mature emotions that fester as a result. There are children whose father or mother have been absent the majority of their lives.

I strongly believe, our Army Brats need a good laugh! I remember talking to my Dad while he was away. It was always the serious stuff, "how are you treating your mom, how is school, how is orchestra"? All this seriousness and all this doom and gloom whenever we had a chance to communicate! This Make 'Em Laugh theme is just what the doctor ordered! So, let's band together and encourage more laughs within the Army Family! The family that laughs together stays together! Thank you Operation Write Home for hosting this cause!

 

We are also having a little giveaway today! Comment below by May 30th, and we will pick a lucky winner to win one a set of their choice!

Thank you so much for visiting and supporting Operation Write Home!

Have an amazing day,

 PS. Release week continues tomorrow! Have fun hopping with OWH today! :)