Thoughts and Creations

My blog heading is a little misleading today. I don't have many thoughts about anything significant and haven't really been doing much creating lately.

A couple weeks ago our son visited from NJ and DH's brother came from Florida. It was really great to see them both. Unfortunately, we didn't get to do much sightseeing. It was just too darned hot! The whole family did go into Nashville one afternoon. Some of us went to the Country Music Hall of Fame (the one place my BIL wanted to see) while the rest hung around in the park across the street with the children, which I think is called the Hall of Fame Rose Garden (but don't quote me on that!).





After the Hall of Fame, we walked around Nashville for awhile. Went down to the river to get an idea of how high the water had to come up to flood so much of the city. Pretty high! We also toured Fort Nashborough and had a little history lesson.





It's been a couple years since we've seen DH's brother and about two months since we've been to NJ. Hopefully, we'll make it back in September sometime. That's my plan anyway, but we all know how the best laid plans of mice and men go sometimes! We will be having friends visiting from NJ the first week in September. Then, in October, other friends are coming to visit. Sometime in between there I want to get back so I can dig up some more plants, get the rest of my compost, and any other stuff we didn't get to bring yet.

The weather here has been awful hot, like it seems to be in most of the country. Today was overcast and I was hoping it would rain but it didn't. Of course, if I had gone ahead and watered the garden, it would have rained but since I decided to wait and see, it didn't!

Considering I didn't get around to planting my veggies until later than usual, things are growing pretty good except for the green beans. Something seems to be eating them. They are full of holes in the leaves but I don't see what it is that is having a feast. Everything else seems to be doing well. Lots of tomatoes with a few looking like they will be turning red any day. Can't wait to taste my first homegrown TN tomato. Of course, those of us from NJ know there is nothing to compare to a TN tomato! :-)

The 4th of July was exciting and fun!! Fireworks are not legal in NJ so we've never had them but here in TN they are. So, DS had a ball buying fireworks and then putting on a show! It was cool because most of the neighbors did, too, so it was like one big fireworks show in our own neighborhood.

Since our company left, we haven't really done much. With being "retired", it's too easy to put off until tomorrow what I should do today! Been doing a lot of reading. Today I did start to work on Christmas cards for Operation Write Home. Looking forward to September 18th. That's when Erica and I will be heading back to Pulaski for an OWH cardmaking party, making Christmas cards for our heroes! We had a good time the last time we went.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. Take care and God bless.

Stars & Stamps Challenge #20

Here we go with week 20 of the Stars & Stamps Challenge over at the Operation Write Home website. By now, I'm sure most of you who are looking at this are very familiar with the OWH. If not, click the link and check it out.

This is the sketch we have been given:

And, here is the card I did using the sketch:

The double-sided paper is from Stampin' Up. I have no idea where the background paper came from - I found it in my stash! The image is a digi from Etsy. I printed it and "Sending my love" using Microsoft Publisher. I colored the image using both LaPlume and Zig markers.

Stars & Stamps Sketch Challenge #19

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who visited my blog during the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop. I had a fun time visiting all the different blogs and learning some new things.

This is week 19 of the Stars & Stamps Sketch Challenge. This is the sketch we were to use....

Here's what I did with it...

I made this card for a friend who needs a little picking up.

The stamps and ink are from Stampin' Up. I chalked the edges with Pearlescent Chalk by Pebbles, Inc. and used both Zig and LePlum markers to color. I don't know what the paper is; it's just stuff I have! I used Stickles for the center of the flowers. (I love Stickles!)

OWH Memorial Day 2010 Blog Hop

Hi everyone!

Happy Memorial Day!

This is the very first time I have ever participated in a Blog Hop and I'm a little nervous!

I started making cards for Operation Write Home back when it was still called Cards for Heroes. For me it's a tangible way to help support our troops. It's always touching as well as exciting to hear the stories of family members or friends who have received one of our cards. I don't know about you, when there is a picture, I always look to see if it's my card!! LOL!

The other day I had two of my grandchildren and a friend of theirs make Any Hero cards. They enjoyed picking out paper, using the stamps, and writing a little note to Any Hero. The three of them had been playing "school" and this was their "art class"! If you have children or grandchildren, Any Hero cards and letters are a great way for youngsters to show their support. Check out the link for ideas and downloads to use for children. Adults can also make Any Hero cards and write a note to a Hero.

I want to thank those of you who are reading this who have family members serving in the military, or if you yourself are serving or have served. Thank you for your service to our country. If it was not for you or your loved ones, we would not be able to have this Blog Hop. May God bless you!

Here is my card that I made for the Hop.....



My apologies ahead of time if I don't get to your Blog today. My DD and children are coming for the weekend and I might not have time to visit everyone right away.

Thank you for joining the Blog Hop and for visiting my blog. Now it's time to hop on over to.....

Susan

OWH Cardmaking Party

On Saturday, May 15th DD Erica and I drove down to Pulaski, TN for our first ever Operation Write Home Cardmaking Party. We had a really good time and met lots of friendly women. We are hoping to be able to host our own Party one of these days. In the meantime, Judy, the woman who sponsored Saturday's party, is planning to have another one in September where we'll be making Christmas cards (my fav). Looking forward to it!

Here's Erica hard at work! We had just gotten back on Friday from our trip to NJ so really weren't prepared. Since Judy had kits already prepared, we worked on making cards from the kits. Next time we'll be more prepared and know what to bring.

Thanks to Judy for this picture of all of us who were at the OWH Cardmaking Party. As I said, everyone was very friendly and made us feel welcome.

Cards that Erica made. Cards I made.

Judy (check out her blog, GrammieJ) with the final box of cards. She counted 425 cards that were made by 14 of us. It was a very successful day!