Friday, March 7

DIE-VERSIONS / operation write home blog hop

hello crafty friends!

and welcome to the very first joint blog hop featuring the DIE-VERSIONS design team and OPERATION WRITE HOME


the DIE-VERSIONS' march release is featuring new sets of dies - a fundraising product for OWH.


if you are not familiar with OPERATION WRITE HOME, their mission is to support USA armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as "any hero" cards of gratitude to encourage them.  

you can find more information for newcomers at: http://operationwritehome.org/welcome/

if you want to join in this wonderful endeavor, be sure to check out the OWH guidelines as to what can and can not be accepted. you can review their guidelines HERE. {the basics are NO glitter, no very lumpy embellishments, and an A2 sized card that is easily mailable with standard postage. FYI - glitter is a safety hazard for deployed troops.} 

here is what i created with this AMAZING new release:



to create this card i used the DIE-VERSIONS sweet phrases "dreaming of you" die. i cut the hexagon from two different colours of cardstock and then i exchanged the words to create a visibility message. after i glued the letters, i layered the die cut sentiment on  a slightly larger piece of dark blue cardstock.



i used the STAMPIN' UP clouds embossing folder to give extra pattern to my background.


i punched the vintage looking border with MARTHA STEWART "doily lace" edge punch.


to finish off my card i added RANGER liquid pears "bisque" to colour the border.

*****



for my second card i used DIE-VERSIONS sweet phrases "wish i was with you" die. again i cut the sentiment of two different colour cardstocks and exchange the letters. i added a dark grey hexagon behind my sentiment, to achieve a shadow effect. 


for the frame i used DV sweet frames "HELLO" die


i added extra dimension to my background by embossing one of the layers with TIM HOLTZ' airmail embossing folder.


*****

if you came here from SAMANTHA's blog, you are on the right path. your next stop is JULIE's blog.
but just in case, here is the official list of participants in this blog hop:

2. sandy
3. lori
5. archana 
6. paula
7. lisa 
9. mary
10. donna 
11. irit
12. marianne 
13. patti
14. nancy 
15. anne 
16. samantha 
17. EMILIA --> ME
18. julie
19. nicole
if you came here in the middle of the hop, you may want to start at the beginning, with the OWH stars & stamps blog. {if you're here at the end of the hop, we hope you've enjoyed lots of fabulous eye candy using these wonderful dies and have gotten some great ideas of your own!} 

there is also a BLOG CANDY given to random commenters, provided generously by OWH. so make sure to leave a comment on every blog to increase your chances to win. full details can be found on the OWH blog

HAPPY HOPPING!!!

hugs 'n smiles,

88 comments:

Lori Kobular said...

Emmy your cards are so amazing!

Joan Smith said...

Oh my your cards are so precious definitely brought a tear to my eye.
Your ideas are so sweet and will definitely make someone feel so loved and special.

Becky S. said...

I love how you double cut the die and then fill in the cut-out part with another color. They look great!

Lisa said...

Both of your cards are absolutely gorgeous, Emmy!! I love the papers and designs!! You showcased the dies beautifully!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Anke said...

I like your cards. The second one I will use to copie myself. Thanks for inspiring me.

Patti J said...

Beautifully done, Emmy! Love your sweet cards! Thanks for the inspiration!

sherry varga said...

Very nice cards, love your paper piercing!

Julie said...

Awesome cards, Emilia! I think the photography collage one is my favorite! Thanks so much for participating in our hop today!

Patty said...

Fabulous cards!! Especially love that first one with the soft colors & lacy border punches!

Anne Temple said...

Both are fantastic. Really like hoe you combined the various dies on the second one.

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...

Perfect postcard theme on your second card with the addition of the cameras. The dreaming of you uses such soft subtle dreamy colors

Rene Price aka gabbysews said...

Great cards! My favorite is the post card themed one - the cameras on the bottom are great!

Archana Joshi said...

Such a beautiful card. Love all the details. TFS.
Hugs,
Archana

Jen R. said...

Love the dreaming card! Well done!!! Radloff jen at cable one dot net

just jill said...

You have used so many different techniques in your cards. Each one is a "lesson" unto itself. Love them!

Stamp S'More with Linda said...

Love this die and your use of it. Thanks for the inspiration.

greggers said...

I love the first card, I felt like I was dreaming it is so soft and expressive. The inlay on the second card is gorgeous and I like how you edged the hexagon with another card stock. Great job! TFS

Unknown said...

These cards are great. I like that you used the inside of the die on your card. The second card is so cool, I like the way you tucked it into the Hello die, very creative. Thanks for sharing.

Pammy J. said...

Love the color combo on the dreaming card, that soft peach is so yummy!

The Queen of Collage said...

Aww these are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing these beauties.

Marsha C said...

Oh my, I love these two. The first one is perfect to send to a young child. And I the layers and layers on the second card, but yet, no bulk! Great ideas!

Dee Earnshaw said...

These two cards are Gorgeous!!!!. The layered 'shabby' look on the second card is simply amazing. You are such a talented designer. THANK YOU FOR SHARING

Unknown said...

I love the card with the cameras.

Pat said...

I love the antique look of the card with the postcard. You are awesome!

Shelley C said...

I love your second card! Great use of multiple dies. The first card is precious, may thought is it would be great for an expectant mom!

Donna said...

Love your cards! I really like how you showcased the ability to inset your dies together, I never really thought to do something like that, I'll have to try it! Thank you for supporting Operation Write Home!

Elsie B said...

Your cards are wonderful, but the second one cries out to be framed! It's a piece of art! Thank you for the inspiration and for participating in the OWH blog hop.

Andrea T said...

Your choice of colors go so well with the sentiments. Dreaming of you does look dreamy.

Ann said...

Emmy, you share a name with my DIL (only she spells hers Emi). Wonderful cards! I like the soft look of the first one and the postcards are a fabulous addition for the second one!

Barbra said...

Love, love, love your cards. The colors are so different. The first card is so soothing almost want to cuddle with it! LOL

Rose Hackman said...

Love the wistful and nostalgic feel of the cards. Great job!

Jeanette said...

Both cards are beautiful! I really love the layers on the second one. Thanks for sharing!

Miss Marie said...

Love the "dreaming of you" card! nicely embellished and used the punch outs. The words on the ribbon were wonderful.

Unknown said...

Very nice cards...really liked how you filled in the die with other colors.

Sue C said...

I really like the 'hexagon shape' dies. Such wonderful ideas to incorporate the dies on cards for our servicemen to tell their loved ones back home they miss them.

I REALLY enjoyed the blog hop!!! I was SO inspired and anxious to make many new cards.

Thank you Emilia, and the entire design team for all your hard work for our servicemen! I'm proud to participate.

ps. I also liked the 'HELLO' window frame die you used. Is that a 'Die-Versions' die also?

Lynne said...

Your cards are gorgeous

Unknown said...

I absolutely love the wish i was with you card. The texture, layers, hello, colors. I just love it all. Very Good

Unknown said...

I absolutely love the wish i was with you card. The texture, layers, hello, colors. I just love it all. Very Good

Aimee said...

Oh, I absolutely LOVE that first card!! The blend of papers plus the adorable die cut make a perfect combination.

Tammy said...

Love your cards. You have very clever ideas.

Cherie said...

Love the inlay on both of your cards. It looks so pretty.

Marie said...

Lovely cards! Love the colors and borders on the dream card and the use of all the layers on the other.

Anonymous said...

The dreaming card is sweet but I adore the second card with the cameras. My dad was a photographer in the Army and raised me with cameras in my hands. Iove what you did with this one!

Unknown said...

Great cards,like the layers on the second card.Like the hello die with the hearts. Thanks

Bounding said...

Both of your cards are wonderful but my favourite is the Dreaming of you, the soft colours, the scalloped border, the coordinating elements, just lovely. And would make your heart feel a little nearer to a loved one serving far away.

Cheryl L. said...

I like that you used some soft colors and designs...really pretty!

Sue D said...

I like the sweet colors on the first card and the camera theme on the second one.

Jean Bullock said...

I love both cards. The softly sweet card and and the more uni-gender card both have great color schemes and I love the inlaid die cuts. Really super job on these.

Crystal said...

I love your paper choices. The cards are fantastic. Keep up the good work!

Mary M said...

Emmy, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your cards! The second one w/the tiny camera charm in so stinking cute!

Rufus said...

I'm loving this hop, so much inspiration, such a great new release! You used two of my favorites. Very different feel to the two cards, yet I really, really like them both! Thanks for sharing your creativity.
R/

Unknown said...

Your cards are beautiful. Especially like the first "dreamy" one - so cute!

Colleen said...

Love the inlay die look!

Operation Write Home said...

Emmy I love that dreamy color combo on the first card - and the layout on the second is so cute!
-Sandy, Exec Director/Founder, OWH
http://sandyallnock.com

TK said...

These are both so nice, I can't pick a favorite. I love how you used the cut out moon and stars in the corner of the 1st one. Nice design element. And the ruffled border on the bottom, such a lovely finishing touch and really highlights the dark blue background of the sentiment piece. And your second one just has so many wonderful elements that go perfectly with the theme of the die cut sentiment...Just wonderful!

Nancy Keller said...

After today I am such a fan of the inlaid look! Your examples are so pretty! Thanks for joining the HOP! What an awesome day!

Joan K said...

I love how the border on the first card evokes the feeling of nice bed linens on that dreamy card - so sweet! Really nice color combinations on both cards!

Bert B said...

The first card is so sweet! absolutely perfect for a little one! Love the layering and embellishments on the 2nd card and the embossed background, a stunning card!

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards...thanks for sharing!

nicollelovesscrapbooking.blogspot.com said...

Awesome cards and dies!! xoxoxox

Crafty56 said...

Wonderful cards. Love the layers.

Andrea D. La Vigne said...

Love the "dreaming of you" card. The colors really support the theme, and I really like the border treatment (punch/die cutting) at the bottom. And I really like the layering in the second card. Tfs!

Paula S. said...

Two beautiful cards Emilia! I particularly like the fun angles, elements, colors and texture combinations in the second card. What a fun look! Thanks for participating in the hop and for supporting OWH.

Marsha said...

Really like how you did the inlays.

Unknown said...

I love the soft colors in your cards and the inlay technique which you used. Your cards are just lovely.

Misty said...

What great, fun cards. Plenty of dimension & interest.

Annan said...

Lovely cards!

sara said...

love your cards the second one with all its dies cuts is my fav.

Diane Loughrey said...

I love the postcard background on the wish you were here card. Great idea.

WhoMom said...

Both cards are wonderful, I love anything done with hexies. The second card using postcards and the frame is brilliant. Thanks for sharing with us.

Annie S. said...

I think your cards are my favorite so far. They are absolutely beautiful. The first one, especially, is just "dreamy." So much detail but it is subtle...makes one linger and thoroughly check them out! TFS!

PoJo said...

Your cards are AWESOME! So much going on on each card, yet such a cohesive feel to each one. I really like your style! Not too simple, not too frou-frou!

lhalnan said...

Love all the details on your cards!

rscholz said...

Both of your cards are wonderful. Love the layers and I really like how you offset the bottom layer of the hexagon on your second card. Thanks for sharing.

Andrea B. said...

Your cards are so beautiful - love all of the texture and little details you put into each one here. How you softened the hexagon in the first card by using soft colors and adding the curve of the cloud embossing folder, and edge punches. And your adding liquid pearls gives it just that perfect finishing touch. And your second card - love all of your colors and layers here, too, and how all of your elements really complement one another. Thank you for sharing these amazing cards & for your support of OWH.

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking the time and showing how you achieved the looks on these cards. I love the gray hexagon shadow effect. I really like that Hello die as well. TFS

Ute said...

Emmy, very beautifully done. I finally have a great idea for my cloud impression folder from SU - I will copycat your wonderful card. Thanks for sharing. Ute

Unknown said...

Great cards and I love the paper combinations. The embossing was a beautiful touch. Thank you for sharing.

Cindy's Card Co said...

I love both of your cards! Such detail on both. You did a wonderful job.

Samantha said...

So cute! Love how you filled in the die cuts with the negatives from another! I'm really loving those clouds too!

Samantha said...

So cute! Love how you filled in the die cuts with the negatives from another! I'm really loving those clouds too!

chignon said...

Emilia, your cards are so sweet! I love the dreamy feeling of the first card and how you used the cut out moon and stars for extra pizazz.

Nancy M said...

I love your style, color choices, etc. I know we are supposed to be specific but I like it all! TFS!

Doudou said...

Très belles cartes!

Unknown said...

Thank you for the close up photos of these lovely cards. Lots of elements and they work together just great.

Unknown said...

Thank you for the close up photos of these great cards. It's obvious that there was lots of planning and the elements work so well together.

Anonymous said...

I love all the layers on your cards. They are so different - in a good way. More ideas for my brain to store! Thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards! I love the soft colors and dreamy look of the first one. And colors and textures in the second one. You did a great job in carrying out the theme of the die in each one. It looks like a lot of thought went into these.