Saturday, May 29, 2010

OWH Memorial Day Bloghop!!


Welcome to your next stop on the OWH Memorial Day Bloghop! You should be arriving from Megan's blog, but if you've just dropped in for a visit and feel like starting from the beginning and checking out some amazing talent for a great cause, be sure to start HERE at the Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps blog for the start of the hop!

Supplies used:October Afternoon papers,SU! stamp,ink,ribbon,brad and linen thread,DMC floss, EK Success border punch and label punch,Making Memories buttons,PTI stamp.

I used this week's MOJO140 sketch for my first card in today's hop. I'm SO lovin' the new October Afternoon Thrift Shop papers and they absolutely fit perfectly with the red,white, and blue Memorial Day theme so it was a win-win! I'm still on the vintage kick right now and I ran across this post from last summer on Nichole Heady's blog with excellent instructions on how to make your own crochet flowers. It's SUPER easy to make these! Trust me, I've never crocheted a day in my life before now. If you need a few crochet basics videos to get you started,I found these to be really good.


Supplies used:PTI stamps,felt,cloud and balloon dies,Copics,Pink Paislee papers,MS border punch,Spellbinders tag and label die,jute ribbon Joann's, Stampendous ep,Making Memories buttons.


For my second card, I couldn't wait to play with some new PTI goodies I got in the mail this week just in time for this hop! How 'bout those too-cute for-words clouds?? Those are their new cloud dies cut from their Vintage Cream felt. I'm loving all the hot air balloons and clouds showing up in the papercrafting world these days. I saw this stamp set and knew I had to have it. All throughout the year we see hot air balloons flying over our house. We've even had one land in the middle of our street for emergency refueling! Of course, I was out there with my camera! I have lots of uses for these stamps and the matching dies. Keeping with the red,white,and blue theme, I found these Pink Paislee Cupid papers in my stash and they reminded me of summer, picnic tables, and fun. I hope it brightens the day of a family member of one of our bravest!


Arlington National Cemetery

And speaking of family members of our heroes, this Memorial Day and each and every day, I'm thankful for our patriots who put their lives in harms way defending freedom and this great country of ours, for their families who wait so patiently back at home holding down the fort, and for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country so that future generations will be free to follow their dreams. God bless our military!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend, but before you leave and hopefully continue on with this awesome bloghop, I have a little BLOG CANDY to give away!! I was having a tough time deciding exactly which of these cute little elements on these cards would be the most fun to receive in the mail SO...... I'm sending them all!!




I have 1 set of red, white, and blue crocheted flowers(one each)
I have 2 sets of the PTI die-cut clouds cut from PTI Vintage Cream felt(4 total,these are die-cuts--not the dies themselves)
I also have 2 sets of the PTI die-cut/stamped balloons (6 total, these are die-cuts--not the dies themselves and they are stamped in Memento ink suitable for Copics)
and what's a Martha Stewart border punch addict to do but give away the Martha Stewart 'Quilted' border punch I used along the bottom of my second card! (the actual punch itself except you'll be getting a new unopened punch because this addict NEVER gives away her Martha punches)

All you have to do to be entered to win this blog candy is leave a comment here on my bloghop post! There's a whole bunch of blogs to get through on the hop this weekend so relax, take your time, just be sure to comment here before 5pm on Friday June 4th,2010 to be entered in this giveaway!! I'll be drawing the winning name/date/time stamp from a hat and announcing the winner Saturday morning June 5th on my blog as well as contacting the winner via email. (Please, if you're leaving a comment outside of a Google account, leave your email addy with the dot com spelled out as I've done here so I can contact you) Sorry my international friends, but I'm limiting this contest to US shipping only.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and taking part in this hop! I hope you have a safe and FABULOUS weekend and be sure to visit the next stop on the OWH Memorial Day bloghop, a military spouse herself, Erika's blog HERE featuring her cute and fun patriotic card!

137 comments:

  1. Thanks for the inspiration!
    wendylustathotmaildotcom

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  2. Your cards are great. I love the hot air balloons and those flowers are fabulous. TFS.

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  3. Your cards are lovely. Thank you so much for honoring our Heroes with them.

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  4. Wow,Wow,Wow!!! Both of these cards are amazing!!!! I love vintage too!! You did an awesome job!!! I'm not so sure I could start to learn to crochet. Between stamping,scrapbooking and I've been teaching myself to sew... But it does look like fun,so you may have talked me into it...you enabler you!! ;) Looks like so much fun. I love your blog!!

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  5. What an awesome thing you are doing. Love the new clouds - how fun.
    DianeL
    loyaz1@wbhsi.net

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  6. I love the crocheted flowers, though I do not crochet. I'll have to check out those links. Thanks! I also love your use of patterned paper. I just don't do that well, but I will be using your cards for inspiration and taking myself out of the comfort zone. Have a terrific weekend! ~Robin robinski6 at yahoo dot com

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  7. YUU-UU-MM-MMYYY... what more can I say!

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  8. Martha does have awesome punches! Thanks for supporting OWH. Happy Hopping!

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  9. I love the miss you card! How cute! Thanks for sharing and doing this tour. Lisa stampgirl@embarqmail.com

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  10. What an awesome post and your cards are just AMAZING! Have always thought about trying the crocheted flowers but thought it looked complicated. You have convinced me to give it a try! Thanks for the links! Have a great weekend! ;o)

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  11. Wow your cards are just STUNNING, Cathy! Love the details. Those balloons and clouds make a great combo....yowsa!!

    Happy hopping!!

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  12. I apologize if this is a double post, I can't remember if I sent my other comment.

    Your hot air balloon have inspired kites in me! Thank you for giving me something to do with patterned paper with clouds on it!

    Thanks for posting today!

    xoxo
    Lindsey @ ScrapStreet

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  13. Great cards! I'll definitely be checking out those tutorials! And, as a military wife, let me say thank you for sharing your creativity to help bring families closer who are separated by duty.

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  14. Both of your cards are fabulous but I love the card with the hot air balloons! So pretty!! The crocheted flowers are adorable too!

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  15. Your cards are gorgeous! I love the crochet flowers. Very cute.

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  16. Beautiful cards I love them both wow

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  17. Where do I begin? I love the vintage feel, the crochet flowers, the writing background piece, the unique shades of red, white & blue, all the texture and details... get the picture yet? :) Simply fabulous!

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  18. These cards are just way fun! We have hot air balloons that fly nearby sometimes too - but I love hot air balloons anyway - never been in one though. The clouds are a very fun punch too. Oh, and you are right - those crotchet flowers are really simple to make. TFS

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  19. What beautiful work you do! Thanks for supporting OWH!

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  20. I love your cards, but I have to say my favorite is the hot air balloon one...LOOOOOOVE IT!

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  21. Great cards. I love your use of patterned paper.

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  22. Awesome cards! I love the saying in the clouds.

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  23. Really love those hot air balloons and clouds! Thank you so much for your support of our Heroes and of OWH!
    R/

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  24. Your cards are gorgeous! I love them!! Thank you for sharing.
    guitargurl9 at aim dot com

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  25. This is such a cute card! You did a great job!

    XOXO,
    Greta

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  26. What a beautiful card! I just love it! Funny thing about those flowers...I have watched like 100 you tube videos, read Nichole's post and searched the internet this weekend just trying to teach myself how to crochet so I can crochet these flowers! Can not tell you how many I have ripped apart...but, I will keep trying ... or ... maybe I will be lucky enough to win yours! ;)
    Karen

    maddenmom at gmail dot com

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  27. I have been meaning to try the crochet flowers. You've convinced me to get serious and DO it. Thanks and thanks for the blog candy.

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  28. Such lovely cards. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  29. I feel in love at the sight of your first card. AWESOME! thank you for the inspriation.

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  30. Love your beautifully detailed cards!! Thank you and have a SWEET day!!

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  31. Love the card especially the borders

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  32. what great cards and wonderful color choices.

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  33. You are to clever for words. I love your cards especially the vintage look. I agree with you on not giving away my Martha Stewart punches either. Thanks for sharing and have a great Memorial Day.

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  34. I think these are my two favorite cards on the hop. I've been almost all the way and these cards along with one other really really knocked my socks off. Well done.

    ladybryson at hotmail.com

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  35. Both of your cards are absolutely beautiful. I love how you used patriotic colors, but in a different way.

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  36. Your cards are amazing! I have followed your blog so I can come back and visit often! Thanks for the chance to win some yummies and for sharing your talent! I have some candy offered up as well! ;O)

    Hugs,
    Lelia

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  37. Fantastic cards and lovely tribute on your page. That MS punch is amazing, I've not seen that one in person. Fabulousness!

    StephanieD
    txzgirl33@aol.com

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  38. OH. MY. GOODNESS!!! Love, love, love your cards! October Afternoon is one of my favorites! I'm going to give those flowers a try. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! Thanks for an inspiring post today, and thank you for making cards for our heroes!

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  39. These are beautiful. LOVE those crochet flowers.

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  40. I absolutely LOVE the flowers!! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the chance at the blog candy!

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  41. Your cards are really stunning, I love all the details you put into them! Amazing talent!!!

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  42. Both cards are so wonderful! I especially want to try to make the crochet flower. Thanks for participating in the blog hop!

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  43. :)I started jumping up and down inside when I saw your crocheted flowers. So much texture. I love it. Thanks for the tutorial link!

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  44. Beautiful cards! Love those crochet flowers! Thank you for the candy opp!

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  45. You look like a pro at crocheting. I will need to check out the link after I make it through the blog hop. Thanks for sharing such great cards. You are very talented.

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  46. Love it all...the crocheted flowers, the hot air balloons, the MS punch...and the awesome way you can mix those patterned papers!!! Beautiful cards!!! Thanks for supporting OWH!

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  47. I'm going to have to try that flower crocheting thing...I like MS punches too...we need to get together at Michaels for crop night since we are local. I have a couple of people coming next month on the 25th and I think I might make some simple kits...nothing like these though...anyways take care!!

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  48. Beautiful!!!! I loved the crochet flowers!

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  49. Love the flowers....I have a friends that makes for me, very very thankful. Thanks for all you have done to keep our freedom. ~~hugs~~ Jennifer

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  50. Hi Cathy Sweetie...
    I am Country Wings your newest follower. I cannot wait to see what you share next.

    I love the cards that you created. OMG the hot air balloon card is just out of this world gorgeous. You did an awesome job.

    I would so love to win this drawing. The little crocheted flowers and the clouds and balloons. What a great gift of love. Please enter my name.

    I have never made a card but you ladies have so inspired me on this blog hop journey. I have been ill with my lungs, can't go outside and can't walk much in the house, so this is something I could do from my recliner. How exciting. I am going to try to make a few cards with things I have around the house so that I too could send some into the soldiers box of love.

    Please stop by and say hi. I would be so honored if you signed up to follow my blog as well. Country hugs sweetie...Sherry

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  51. I love your cards, I had to stop and look all over your blog, wow ;)

    Your candy looks yummy as well, crocheted flowers, love 'em!

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  52. love those crochet flowers
    cute cards

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  53. Love all those goodies you used on your cards, but especially the border punch!

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  54. Those flowers are fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

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  55. Wow, great cards and thanks for the "heads up" tutorial on making the flowers. Now I need to find (rediscover) my #2 crochet hook (where could it have gone?????).

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  56. I love the flowers...I love the balloons...Both cards are awesome :)

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  57. I love the hot air balloons and the clouds. Just perfect.

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  58. all your cards are super cute (i went peeking further back)
    thanks to you and your hubby for your years of service (I was in the Navy for 8 yrs myself) Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend :o)

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  59. robin.j.wilson@gmaildotcom you card is cool

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  60. I always enjoy the bloghops on OWH. It is a wonderful group and I enjoy being a part of it. Thank you for your part in the group.

    Kathy
    Pass It On
    http://kathypassiton.blogspot.com/

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  61. WOW both of your cards are gorgeous!! I love the crocheted flowers! Wonderful bright colors on the balloons and fantastic layout! TFS!

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  62. The flower card is adorable! (I am going to have to say my favorite on this hop!). I really love how you used October afternoon. I just ordered this paper and will have to try something like this. Also will be trying to make my own flowers.... Beautiful cards!!!

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  63. Thanks for sharing-- that balloon card is my favorite!! Love it :-)

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  64. Your cards are lovely..enjoyed your post.

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  65. I just had an "AH HA!" moment looking at your card. I have been crocheting almost my entire life, but I am new to card making. It never dawned on me to crochet flowers for a card. What an inspiration you have been to me today! Your work is so beautiful!

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  66. I love your color combos! The crocheted flowers are awesome. I'm going to check out the pattern. Thanks for the chance to win blog candy. I haven't seen that MS punch, and it's a good one!

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  67. Thank you for your & your hubby's service! Your cards are wonderful! Those crochet flowers are incredible!! Love that MS border punch you used on your second card, I don't think I have seen that one before!

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  68. Great cards with a lot of fun and bright ideas.
    Thank you for your message for all of our heroes.

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  69. Loved your card. Especially loved the crocheted flowers. Hope I win them!!!!

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  70. Thanks so much for the chance to win :)
    Great card.

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  71. Your cards are beautiful. I love the way you mixed the pattern papers.

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  72. Your cards are fantastic! I especially love those hot air balloons! Thanks for sharing!

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  73. Thank you thank you for the crochet flower instructions! I'm going to give it a try for sure.

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  74. AMAZING CARDS! LOVE THAT PUNCH :)
    maybe I'll get lucky, LOL

    Great post, and very poignant photo!
    Susan

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  75. First things first....Thank You to you and your husband for serving for our freedom, it is greatly appreciated by me!

    wow, your cards are precious, luv your detailed style...have a fabulous weekend!

    enjoy *~*

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  76. I enjoyed the vintage and all the layering. Very nice work.
    Patty
    sportsfan80ataoldotcom

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  77. I LOVE both of these cards! I can't decide if I like the crocheted flowers or the balloons best.

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  78. I just love the hot air balloons!

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  79. I am loving your card- great use of crocheted flowers- I never know what to do with them! I really enjoy the hot air balloon card too- signed up to follow! Have a gret Memorial Day weekend!

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  80. You have some very beautiful cards my friend! And those flowers, AMAZING!!! Thank you for supporting our troops!

    ~Courtney~

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  81. I just read your profile and wanted to come back and say Thank you to you and your husband for your service to our country.

    ~Courtney~

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  82. I have just started collecting the MS border punches and I was planning to get that punch next. I love all your cards and esp the card with the red, white and blue crocheted flowers. Awesome job!

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  83. Love the hot air balloons. I've been so inspired by all the blogs this weekend that I've made up my mind to join in OWH. Thanks for all you do for our troops. God blessh all of them!

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  84. Fabulous cards, I love those crocheted flowers! Anyone would be so happy to get one from a hero.

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  85. What such wonderful cards! I love everything that you put into your creations. Thanks for the link to How to Chrochet. I always wanted to try it. Thanks for your visit to my blog. Thanks to both of you and your husband's service.

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  86. Wonderful cards and wonderful blog candy! Thanks for the inspiration and opportunity to win some fun things!

    judystamper at verizon dot net

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  87. You are awesome, those cards are wonderful. Thanks for supporting OWH.

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  88. What an awesome card. The sentiment is perfect for your card. Thanks for the link to the crocheted flowers. I've love to learn how to make them. I crocheted years ago. Love your blog, I'm a new follower :)

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  89. I love love love this card! One of my favorites. Great job on the flowers! Can't wait to try it. I love those PTI stamps and dies as well. That is one of my fave stamping companies.

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  90. These are some of my favorite cards so far on the hop. Fabulous job! I'm glad I found your blog!

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  91. Wonderful cards! Love the flowers on the first card and the beautiful coloring on the second! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  92. Love the patriotic hot air balloon card! What a fabulous creation in honor of those that protect us. My husband is a vietnam veteran and he says he wished that the OWH program would have been in place back then as there's nothing better than a card from home. Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us!

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  93. I'm in love with the crocheted flower card and have grabbed the tutorial and saved for a chance to make later. The balloon in the clouds card is also wonderful and I love the punched edge. Thanks for the pics of Arlington, lest we ever forget the cost of freedom. My email is smswoope at bellsouth dotnet

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  94. Wow! What a great haul of candy!

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  95. love the crochet flowers! Thanks for the link so I can make some too!

    thomasmom53 at hotmail dot com

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  96. Beautiful cards. I love the ballons and the crochet flowers. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda D.

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  97. I'm lovin' those flowers!!! Beautiful card and great post about Memorial day. God Bless our Military families!

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  98. Your cards are fabulous, love those little crochet flowers! Happy Memorial Day to you and yours!

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  99. WOW! Both cards are simply awesome. The flowers and that paper are a perfect match. I love those balloons and the way you mounted the tag/ribbon is just so cool! TFS!!

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  100. I love the vintage look of your card. The crocheted flowers are gorgeous.

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  101. I think you did an awesome job on your crocheted flowers! I too learned by watching videos. I asked my SIL, who does beautiful crochet project, to teach me, but she gave me the excuse that her fingers hurt, so I just "learned" myself LOL. I also learned how to make butterflies and leaves. Easy peasy!

    Thanks for sharing, and I'll be going to those videos you suggested!

    Carmen L
    cal8007 at aol dot com

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  102. Honoring our heros is our firt prority today and tomorrow, but this blogging has made us think more and enjoy more what we're doing. Thank you for sharing and great work.

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  103. LOVE the crocheted flowers. They look so awesome on the card!

    jeanne706 at google dot com

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  104. Gorgeous cards!

    I was reading your profile & thanks for your service!

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  105. WOW!! Those cards are amazing...

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  106. GREAT cards! I really like the one with crocheted flowers but the balloons one is stunning!

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  107. Hi Cathy! Wow you have so many fantastic things here! I love your coloring on the balloons! I love the crochet flowers - I love those and can never find enough of them. It is great to meet you on the bloghop! I am going to follow!

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  108. Fun, smiles and vintage all wrapped up in one blog post with beautiful projects. Those die cuts really add a lot.

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  109. Oh wow! These cards are gorgeous! You do fantastic work! :)

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  110. I'm addicted to crocheting these flowers and took new inspiration from the way you used them...I'd love to win yours and the hot air balloons...Orla Carey
    stampwithorla@aoldotcom

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  111. Love the idea of having things already cut out and in individual pieces so that all I need to do is assemble to my heart's content.

    bmcbroom AT gmail DOT com

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  112. your cards are great! i love the flowers! have a great day!
    suly72@yahoo.com

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  113. Great cards. Love those crocheted flowers. Thanks for your article and your support of our troops.

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  114. Super Cards. I found the OWH website this weekend and have started packing my first box of cards to give.

    Lucie

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  115. What a lot of love and effort you put into these lovely cards! Thank you for sharing them

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  116. What great cards! I am going to get the instructions for those stinking cute flowers next.

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  117. Hi Cathy!

    Great cards! Thanks for offering the blog candy and joining the Hop.

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  118. Your cards are gorgeous... and I love those crochet flowers!

    Thanks so much for sharing & the chance to win!

    I would like to say thank you & your husband from my family for your service!

    Happy Memorial Day!
    God Bless our Soldiers & their families!

    ~Ola
    okj83 at live dot com

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  119. I love your cards! My favorite is the one using the paper trey ink's balloons. I'm a big fan of their stamps and especially hot air balloons :)

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  120. Your cards are totally fabulous! Gotta love those crochet flowers...thanks for the link! I live near Colorado Springs and have seen tons of balloon festivals both here & while vacationing in N.M. I can understand your obsession with these beauties. Thanks for the wonderful offer on your blog candy. I'm glad I'm finally able to finish this hop after all of the holiday happenings!

    Tell your husband that I thank him for his service! You & your teenager too! It is quite a sacrifice as I know all too well since my daughter is a MP.

    My other daughter has 3 doxies, so I just love that it's the center of attention on your blog. They're named Elvis, Priscilla & Lisa Marie & believe me they think they are the center of our universe! Of course, no one lets them know any different! lol

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  121. your first card is stunning and your second is sooo fun!!

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  122. Love both cards - they are great! I'll have to try out the crocheting link, too. Thanks for all you do for OWH & supporting the men in women in the armed forces.
    : ) Susan [sbartist.blogspot.com]

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  123. These are great! And i think I'm becoming a MS Punch addict too! Love your cards! Lisa

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  124. Absolutely gorgeous cards! TFS

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  125. Omgosh, these cards are amazing! Very pretty & vintage! Thanks for the tuts on the flowers, been wanting to learn how to make these! Thanks for the chance to win too:)

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  126. Love the crocheted flowers - so pretty and they add so much! Also love the hot air balloon card - I LOVE PTI stuff. :) Thanks for sharing your ideas.
    Dana K.
    mystampbiz at comcast dot net

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  127. WOW! These are both gorgeous cards. Love all the details on both of them. I love the flowers and the balloons. They will both bring smiles on both ends - sender and recipient. :-D

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  128. You MADE those darling flowers? Are you kidding me? That is great! Love how you used not-so-traditional red white and blue color scheme on that first card. It's beautiful! And I love the second card also. I too have been wanting that stamp set from PTI. You used it well.

    Corinna
    www.myscrapbooklife.com

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  129. I'm lovin' your work! Great job on those flowers. I'll have to try them. TFS! :)

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