She's Coming Home!!!

I'm so happy to report that my daughter, Corporal Kristina Lockhart Beko will be coming back from her 7 month deployment to Afghanistan in just a few days! Just a couple of weeks ago, she was promoted to Corporal which was her second meritorious promotion since joining the United States Marines. We are so very proud of her and her accomplishments and the fact that she serves her country with pride.

While I wasn't able to participate in the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend blog hop this year, I did want to post and thank all the wonderful cardmakers out there for their time and talents in keeping our military members supplied with cards to send home. Kristina loved receiving the boxes that Sandy sent to her and her fellow Marines did as well. Lots of family and friends of ours received so many beautiful hand made cards thanks to all you wonderful card makers! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I thought I'd share a few pictures that she took while in Afghanistan. I hope you enjoy them!

 This was taken when she first arrived at Camp Leatherneck. November 2010

 Truck in the middle with the big #1 is what she drives..

 Common site of Camels traveling around the villages.

 Kristina and her fellow Marines enjoying cookies from Archway and Valentines Cards from Operation Write Home!

 This would be her sleeping quarters. She keeps it nice and neat just like home..LOL

 Promoting to Corporal! OOHRAH Baby Girl!

 Standing in the poppy fields..

 Goofing around in the back of the dump truck!

Kristina with all the cards she received for her 21st Birthday

Kristina with the Afghan kids. 

Caleb, Kristina, JB and Luque! I can't wait to hug them all! 

Purse-onally I Think Your The Best!

Hi Friends!

Hope you are all having a great weekend. I worked today (boo) and then took some pictures of a dear friends daughter for her Senior Prom. Ashlynn was just gorgeous. It's hard to believe that 3 years ago my daughter was attending her Senior Prom and now she's a United States Marine currently deployed in Afghanistan. Where does the time go?

Here's a few photos of the gorgeous young lady I photographed today.

Isn't she the cutest!!

Today, I am sharing a card I made with a GinaK Designs stamp set by Rupa Shevde called Retro Boutique.
These purses are just too cute. I paper pieced them after stamping the image and then cut the image out with my Nestabilities.  Patterned paper is Basic Grey.  I added buttons and bling for my accents.

Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back tomorrow with another card to share.

Cherry Blossoms

Hi everyone,

Today was a total washout. Nothing but Severe Weather.. Rain, Wind, Tornadoes and over 5 inches of rain in some parts of my area. We got almost 4 inches, but my parents got over 5 inches. Luckily no damage to our house but the high winds did damage our shed out back.

So, today was a perfect day to make some cards. I had the day off of work because I have to work on Saturday... *BOO!

I used a sketch to make my card today. This sketch is from StampTV and I just loved it.
Here is a picture of the sketch:

This is my card:

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Cherry Blossom by Rubber Stampede; Sentiment stamp from GinaK Designs
Paper: Card base is GinaK Designs 120lb base weight white cardstock. Patterned paper is Basic Grey.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black -Stampin Up Regal Rose for the shading around the image.
Accessories: Nestabilities: Scalloped Rectangles, Beaded Circles and Fancy Tags. Pearls for embellies.


I hope you enjoyed my card today. I'll be back tomorrow with another!

Bunny Hop Time!!

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Bunny Hop! We have a great line up today of awesome card makers who love to support our troops! Make sure you start the "Bunny Hop" at the beginning  so you don't miss a step along the way.

I've been under the weather all week with "Spring Time Allergies". The pollen count here in Florida has been way above normal and low and behold I've been bed ridden for 3 days with a nasty chest cold compliments of the allergies. YUCK! I'm actually missing the baby shower of very dear friend's daughter today because I don't want to pass this on to her or anyone else for that matter. I'm really bummed about missing the shower but just can't take a chance on getting the mother to be sick.

Before I share my card with you, please take note that the deadline to mail in your Easter Cards is March 18th and the deadline for Mother's Day Cards is March 31st.

Now on to my card... this cute little bunny is from Darcy's and I have had him for years. I love inking him up at Easter time!  I colored him with copics and cut him out with my scalloped rectangle nesties. I sponged around the corners before I removed the image with Ranger Distress Ink "Broken China".  I added a little piece of ribbon and then my sentiment.

If you haven't already looked around the Operation Write Home website, might I suggest you take a peek at the "Get Involved" page. Every little bit counts in helping support our troops.

Trivia Question: 


How many members of my family are actively serving in the military at this time?

For each correct answer, I will donate .25 cents to OWH.  Leave your answer in the comments section. Oh.. and you can find the answer to this question on the Operation Write Home website.. you might have to do a little digging.. but it's there. Your answer must be posted by midnight on Monday March 7th to count.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed your visit and make sure your next stop is Michelle

OWH Stars and Stamps Sketch Challenge # 57

Hi Everyone!  I know it's been MONTHS since I've blogged, but that crazy thing called LIFE has been standing in my way!  I have made a vow to start posting again frequently and to get back in my craft room more than once a month!  My goal is to make at least one card per night for the next month! Let's see if I can do it! Wish me luck!

So, I decided to try out this weeks sketch challenge from OWH Starts and Stamps..
Here is the sketch...

I made two cards using this sketch, but changed the second one up a little.

Here's my first card:  I used K&Co design paper. I distressed the DP and then inked the edges with Distress Ink. The sentiment is from Just Right Stamps.  The embellies are also from K& Co.

The second card is just reversed on the sketch.

I'm looking forward to participating in the upcoming hop to be held on March 5th! I hope you'll mark your calendar to make sure you check out all the blogs participating to see the beautiful cards everyone will be showcasing.

Have a great night everyone!