Valentines for Veterans

Yes, I know it’s well past Valentines Day, but I wanted to share with you pictures of the Valentines for Veterans (VFVs) we took to the Veterans Hospital in Louisville, KY.

January is a busy month for me, as I try to coordinate VFVs every year.  I started over ten years ago by sending 40 cards I had made myself.  Every year it’s grown as more people participate.  This year we had over 600!!   I set up three cardmaking sessions, and we made 250 cards!  I cut cardstock for these cards in advance, then called in the “troops” for stamping, embossing, and assembly.

Our first card was designed by a good friend of mine, Billie Moan, in Tennessee.  You may know her by her website, Rambling Rose Studio.  If not, check out her blog here.  She is incredible!  This card was her swap at the last Stampin’ Up! Leadership event in January of 2015.  I’ve been hanging on to it for a while.  With the help of  Diane B and Janet H, we made 50 of these in only two hours!

The next two cards were made at my house the following week.  We made 50 each of both designs.

Note:  Marbling stamp on large pink heart is not SU.

Note:  Happy Valentines Day stamp and decorative paper is not SU.  Several people donate supplies for VFVs, and I use what I have!

I couldn’t have done it without LaAnna M, Sue C, Pam S, and Janet H.  Thank you, ladies!!  We made 100 cards in two hours!

The next cards were made the following week.  Again, we made 50 each of these two, and again it only took us two hours!  This card was inspired by LaAnna M.  After an event at our church, they were raking the sparkly foam hearts into the trash.  LaAnna said, “NO!  We can use those!”  And, use them we did!

Note:  Again, the HVD stamp is not SU.

Note:  Embossing folder is not SU.

Here’s a picture of the hard working gals who made these cards possible.  Janet H (who participated all three times!), Suzette, Pam S, Sue C, and Barbie.  Thanks, ladies!!

And last, but not least, a good friend of mine in Knoxville, TN, organized a group of stampers there who made 250 cards of all shapes and sizes!  Thanks so much, Judy!!

During this same period, I also ran a contest on my Facebook Page, Bluegrass Stampers.  I asked members to donate ten cards to the VFV project, and we had an anonymous contest to see which card everyone liked best.  I’ll show you those cards in my next post!