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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave Blog Hop & Giveaway

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to our Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave Blog Hop. Thank you for stopping by today, if you got here from Becky's site then you are in the right spot. If not please start from the beginning at
Karel's site.

Our amazing Blog Candy (2—count ‘em! TWO Chances to win!!) are brought to you through the generosity of Marlo, who created the marvelous Scrap’NTote and Anne, from Paper Patch Crafts.

The rules for entering are the same for both prizes: Hop along our path and leave a comment AND a way to contact you on each and every stop. Please leave contact information in a safe manner ( ie, written out, rather than a direct link). On Friday, November 12, KarelJ will use random.org to first select a blog number (1-20) and then a comment number from that blog for each prize. She will post the winner’s name on her blog and notify the bloggers, so they can also post the winner. KarelJ will contact the winner, using the information left in the comment. If there is no information available, she will choose another winner from the same blog. It is up to the winner to contact KarelJ at ksjennings(at)gmail(dot)com. If she has not been contacted by Monday, November 15, another winner will be chosen.

Now, on to the good stuff! Our first prize is a wonderful Pink Scrap’Ntote to store your Cricut Cartridges in! It comes to us from Marlo, at ContainYaCrafts. You can see the wonderful way this binder system keeps all your carts together, and ready to go in a flash on this link: http://www.cricutcartridgestorage.com/index.htmNeed more than one? Put it on the Christmas Wish List and have the hubs order NOW, as they are simply flying out of stock! We got one of the final donations for the year, and are so grateful to Marlo!

Our second terrific prize is a set of Spellbinders Nesties in the Crown Circle Shape. It comes to us via the generosity of Anne, whose family has an incredibly strong military heritage. You can read more about Anne and her husband on Linda and Gina’s Blogs.

Plus lot of the wonderful ladies participating in the hop will also have great candy on their sites also. So be sure to check all the blogs and leave a comment to be eligible for the candy. Ok lets get on with the show. Today we are doing a blog hop for Veteran's day to honor our veteran's, soldiers and the families who they leave behind to fight for our FREEDOM! Today I have made a FREEDOM card to remember why our troops do what they do, they are fighting for our FREEDOM.


Here is an interview Karel did an with Emily, wife of a Marine.

1. How are you connected to the Military? My husband is a Marine. He was Honorably Discharged in July of 2008 after serving for 5 years and deploying twice to Iraq.



2. How has this connection impacted your life? Being a military wife, I've been able to experience things I never would have imagined and each one has impacted my life. I've had the opportunity to walk on the white beaches of Pensacola, FL, and I have seen the inside of 3 military bases. I've lived through a major hurricane and saw just how much destruction nature can do to a town. I've seen jets fly so close to the ground I could see the pilot, and I've seen the Blue Angels fly. I've stopped my car in the middle of the road or stopped what I was doing to look at the closest American flag and put my hand over my heart when its evening 'colors' because that's what you're supposed to do. AND SHOULD. I survived 2 deployments, both of which helped me become a more independent person and I proved to myself that I CAN be on my own. I've also had the opportunity to work for some AMAZING people, who now consider family and had a job that I couldn't wait to go to work the next day. I've lived in 3 different states, and have been traveled to so many different places, I can't count them on two hands. I don't think I can really express how this has impacted my life--it has completely changed who I was.

3. What’s the hardest part of being a military relative (wife? Child? Friend?) The hardest part is, of course, the deployments. Not having your husband there with you every day, having to worry about what they are doing every second of the day, making sure your phone is attached to your hip for fear that you may miss one of his calls, or having your computer chat open 24 hours a day just in case he can get on the computer to send you a message...I could go on, but I depended heavily on technology. Not to mention, with him being deployed, now I had to deal with every-day problems on my own--leaky faucets, animals living in your attic, (oh boy do I have stories about that) and having to kill those nasty spiders and palmetto bugs myself! Yuck! All that may not seem like a big deal, but when you have moved away from your dearest friends and family and all alone, on your own--it's like a big slap-in-the-face wake up call for someone in their early 20's!

4. What do you do to make it easier? Leaning on the other wives within the unit. They are going through the same exact thing as me, and knowing there are others in the same position helps so much. Having the support of your family and friends is also important. They may not be able to relate exactly, but just having that ear to listen is sometimes a life saver! I also kept a journal from the time he deployed to the time he came home. I would add pictures, e-mails he wrote me, and such in there every day. I'd look back after seven months and think, "Wow, the time has gone by faster than I thought."


5. What kinds of things do you think could be done to better support Veterans and the Military? I think the programs are out there—it’s the outreach that is lacking. I would love more out-reach with respite care for families with wounded soldiers, or for mothers/fathers whose spouse has been deployed. I wish there were more services for families of military members...

6. What do you think artists and crafters could do to support the Military? I LOVE this idea with the blog hop. I love the cards that are sent to our Soldiers/Marines. Keep it up!! You have no idea what it means to them. My husband has saved a bunch of cards he received when he was deployed.





Now on to the GIVEAWAY!!!! For this blog hop I am giving away a Cricut Christmas Village Cartridge. If you would like a chance to win please become a follower and leave a comment about how your life has been affected by our troops. I will draw a winner Friday November 12th from random.org.






Ok your next stop on the hop is Bobbi Jo
1. KarelJ at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity

2. Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly
3. Deb at Tidbit’s Place
4. Michelle at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs
5. Jennifer at Young’s Scrapping
6. Diane at Crafting This Moment
7. Judy at Be Present Be Real
8. Marianne at Life From Marianne’s Table
9. Deb at If It’s Groovy
10. Christel at One Scrappin’ Sista
11. Belinda at Queen Bee’s Musings
12. Colleen at Col’s Creative Corner
13. Summer and Jennifer at Cricut Diaries
14. Rachel at Suburban Crafter
15. Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping
16. Becky at Sew in Stitches
17. Rebecca at Creations With Becca    YOU ARE HERE
18. Bobbi Jo at Sweet Sassy Diva          NEXT STOP
19. Angie at Gypsy Paperie
20. Linda at The Tulip Collector

49 comments:

johnnysgirl said...

Love the card, and thank you for the story
cheryl
c.antley130@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Wonderful card...thank you for the wonderful story and great giveaway...
Celeste

Marlene said...

Your card is beautiful. Thank you for participating in this important blog hop, and thank your husband for his service to our country. Without our veterans, we wouldn't have the personal freedoms we enjoy. Also, the spouses are often overlooked. You certainly made some sacrifices yourself.

A good friend of mine has a daughter who has recently enlisted and is serving in the Air Force. She's only 20 years old, and I'm very proud of her.

Marlene said...

P.S., Your follow button was not working for me. I had to use the one at the top. The error I kept getting when clicking the one on your sidebar was: The requested URL /friendconnect/signin/home... is too large to process.

JennyKozar said...

Beautiful card Becka - my cousin is currently serving in Afghanastin and in the past it seems there have always been military in some way or another in my life. Thanks for the opportunity for the cartridge - that is actually 1 I do not have!

Blessings - Jenny

TR said...

All the pictures and stories on this blog hop
are just wonderful......
Thank you for acknowledging and honoring
our veterans. They are a brave troupe.


TR

Tammy said...

I love your cards and story. My Husband is retired Military (he served 23 years) and as a Military Wife I have experienced the Military lifestyle and it is certainly hard, fun, educational and rewarding all at the same time! I appreciate the sacrifice our Military Service people and their families make each and every day.
Tammy
otrbanks at earthlink dot net

~*Jen*~ said...

Already a follower :D ;) How has our lives NOT been affected by the troops?! We are able to wake up everyday and breath because of what our past and present troops have done. They are the reason we tell our kids they can be who and what they want to be when they grow up! They are the reason we can go to bed at night with out fear. They are the reason why I can go to the store and pick out whatever I want to wear. They are the 'reason'....period. Thanks Becka!

B said...

I just became a follower and would love to have that cart:-) Your card is wonderful. I don't think any of us know the full scope of what our veterans have done for us. We are who we are because they have done what they've done.

Pink & Paper said...

Fabulous card! I {heart} USA...and I can say that is because of our wonderful military and (their supportive families) fighting for the freedoms that make this country great.

Cheryl
blondiee975 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

What a great interview, not only should we thank our service men and women but their families as well, so thank you all for the freedoms I so love!!
miller896042atbellsouth.net

Marionment said...

Beautiful card. Thanks for being a part of this blog giving props to our military.
marionment@msn.com

Tammy said...

Cute card!! Thanks for participating in this hop! I love all the ideas I've been getting from everyone's posts. Just fabulous work all around!!

tammy (at) iplanitmeetings (dot) com

Cherylann's "Outta-My-Mind " said...

This blog hop has been so heartwarming. Your card just pops!
Cherylann (prinkles)
prinkles@woh.rr.com

Ann Marie said...

Your card is beautiful and always l;ove the r,w & blue. Thanks also for sharing about your famil, it has been very interesting to read about how your world is. My father is a WWII Army Vet and he has so many stories. amporath @ gmail .com

Unknown said...

Beautiful card

A close family friend just came back from afgahnistan after reinlisting after 1p years out. He hadn't fulfilled his service he said. We are so proud of everyone that served or still does

Burffrau @ aol dot com

jennyplace2 said...

Thanks for the lovely story. My grandfather was in the war many many years ago, with many storys to tell us kids . Thanks at the great chance to win a cartridge that I do not own, so please pick me! LOL. I am already a follower. Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

Another great story with a wonderful project to compliment it. Thank you for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

Love your card. I am a follower.
stuff at gr dot rr dot com

LesleyfromWI said...

Your card is wonderful. My father was in the Army for 25 years and my nephew is now in the air force. I know how hard it can be on family life and I respect every military man and woman out there! Thanks for doing this awesome blog hop. I am a follower!
lfuchs1 at wi. rr. com

Kathy Balman said...

Thanks for sharing your card. Great stuff. kathybalman@gmail.com

Unknown said...

great card.. thanks for sharing..
http://juicycricutcards.blogspot.com/

Angie said...

Beautiful card! Thanks for being in the hop and for the chance to win some candy.

Scrappin' Sista said...

Thanks for such a cute card. Love the interview from your perspective. TFS.

Christel
Blog Hop Sista
www.onescrappinsista.blogspot.com

Crystal said...

Great card. How has my life been affected? I will never be the same in good and bad ways. I was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and although hard I would not trade the experience for anything.

pattyk said...

great card and nice interview. thanks for sharing.--millierose651@aol.com

Josie0602 said...

Wonderful card! We do not have any family members in the military but my step-sons brother and cousin were both in Iraq at one time. They both have returned home now and I am so thankful for that!

tracyg398 at yahoo dot com

ScrappinMomma said...

TFS your cute card and for a chance to win.
My husband in active duty army HOOAH!!
NYGIRL1994 at yahoo dot com

Patricia Hurlburt said...

Love the card and the interview. Thanks for sharing!
lilbitee1971 at hotmail dot com

Scrappymama Elaine said...

LOVE< LOVE< LOVE your card!

How I have been affected by the military? For starters my dad was stationed in Turkey when I was born so I didn't meet him until I was 14 months old.

Now, my two oldest boys are both in the military. One is in the Army stationed in Hawaii and the other is in the Air Force stationed in Japan. They have both been to Iraq on several tours and the soldier has also been in Afghanistan.

Thanks so much for this blog hop! and for the chance to win a prize! I have become a follower.

esigmon at cox dot net

Groovy Deborah said...

Awesome card Becka! Very patriotic!

My life has been touched in many ways. I have always loved this country and have an eternal patritic feel for Her. I live near an Army base and we have had about 80,000 troop members move in or in the stages of coming. There has been a huge population change obviously because there is not enough housing there on base so more and more of the military families have moved in. I have the plesure of getting to know people I never would have otherwise known :)

My youngest niece was married almost 2 yers ago to a man serving two tours and when he came back they moved to another state. That was a first not having her here for each holiday, but it pales in comparison to our military men and women doing this much further away. Thanks to Each!

HPV, Groovy Deb♥
groovydeb@yahoo.com

Laura said...

Love it!!! You gals have done an amazing job on this blog hop!!!!
lauraleed48atlivedotca

ScrappingDeb said...

Love the card - thanks for sharing the story

Penny said...

Would love to have this cartridge. Thank you for doing this and for the opportunity to win.

pennyspad at sbcglobal dot net

Hoo's Crafty! said...

great project!!!

Liza
lizahenderson814[at]yahoo[dot]com

Marianne B in AZ said...

Your card is wonderful! Great design!

The interview you shared from Emily sounds just what I think of when I think of a wife with a deployed husband.

I have shared a couple of stories on other blogs during the hop about how being connected to the military. The most recent contact I have really had was when my husband's cousin, Barb, who recently retired as a Warrant Officer 4, with 31 years in AZ National Guard, was deployed from 2004-05. Andy, a staff sgt. in her unit, kept a daily blog about some of the things he did, as well as others in his unit. He had to have it approved by their commander before he could send it. He did it every single day from the day he was deployed until the day they returned home. By the time they came home, I felt like I really knew many of them. We sent a couple of big care packages for Barb to share and included things we knew certain people liked or needed along with letters. We were able to meet a few of them at the Guard Armory when they were back to their regular jobs. It was so amazing to see what went on behind the scenes (the part he was allowed to tell).

Thank you for the opportunity to win this cartridge. It is one I don't have and think would be great to own! I became a follower and hope to see many more great things on your blog!

SweetSassyDiva said...

awesome card!!!! I'm so honored to be part of this blog hop!
http://sweetsassydiva-gspot.blogspot.com

Gina Thornton said...

I love your card! Very inspiring!

I grew up with a Marine, my mom. She was a single parent, and ran our home like a Mini Bootcamp. At the time it was rough, but I learned a lot from it. I think it kept me on track, and out of trouble, unlike so many of the kids around me. My brother, the only male in the house, went on to join the Marines after High School. Now I am married to a Navy man, and my Brother-in-law is currently serving in Iraq. It is his third tour since 9-11. He, like so many others, has a wife and 2 children here at home.
I think growing up with military I learned to appreciate my freedom. I still stand and place my hand over my heart and say the Pledge of Allegience. My daughter knew it by heart before she ever stepped into a school. My son (who is 4 1/2) is still learning it.
Hearing the Star Spangled Banner, and God Bless America, still give me chills. And I pray that that will NEVER change.


Thanks for hopping along with us!
Gina
GRKIDDO at Verizon.net

Dana said...

Thank you for the story! Your card turned out very well. I love the vibrant red, white, and blue!

dmcarlisle09atgmaildotcom

stefeni said...

Beautiful card. Everyone who lives in America should be affected by our wonderful troops! They make me proud to be an American.

spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

Stacey said...

What a wonderful Card! TFS!

shalbgewachs(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

cdm317 said...

What a great interview! I love the card you made! It's great!

Lisa said...

I have so many family and friends who have/are serving in the military. I know first hand the sacrifices they make to keep me and my family safe. Thank you to all of them.

davenlisagorlewski AT sbcglobal DOT net

Clara said...

Thanks for participating in this blog! love your card! Thanks to all out servicemen for what they do for us...
Clara

Vicki said...

Beautiful card. Thanks for sharing.

vwilson577 at yahoo.com

Becky said...

I have been hopping through tonight to see what everyone else posted. Your card is beautiful! So glad whatever glitch you had earlier worked itself out.

BUZZY BEE DESIGNS and GRAPHICS said...

My husband is a VET lose his hearing because of a gardade goign off to close. Thanks for giving away a Cricut Christmas Village Cartridge this is on my wish list.
Rebecca Minor
buzzybeedesignsATyahooDOTcom

Norma said...

Lovely card and thank you for sharing!!! My brother is a proud Marine!!
nlpimentel@aol.com

doverdi said...

Great card. Thanks for participating in the blog hop & sharing the stories. God Bless all of the veteran's & military for their sacrifices for our countries.

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