Operation Write Home Valentine Blog Hop

Operation Write Home is having a Valentine's Blog Hop.  It's a privilege for me and Dude Time Doodles to be participating in this wonderful cause. OWH is a wonderful organization that collects hand-made cards and distributes them so our soldiers will have cards to mail to their loved ones.  There are a few basic rules (check OWH's site) for making cards  for our soldiers.  The big NO-NO is glitter.  It can flake off and be seen in night vision goggles, putting our heroes at risk.  Also, they don't need any Christmas cards at this time - it's too late to get them to our soldiers.

I designed a couple of cards for the OWH Valentine Blog Hop, both using images from Bonibleaux Designs.  The first is Hippy Rocker, and he can be found under the Manly Men category.  Copic markers were used to color him in.  I distressed his head band and jeans using an old rag and colorless blender.  


Then I fussy cut him out so I could pop dot him onto the alcohol ink background I made. This is a pretty easy technique.  Start off by using glossy cardstock and then squeeze a drop or two of alcohol ink onto the paper and move the splotch around with air.  I used my air compressor, but blowing into a straw would work too.  Keep doing this until you are happy with the results.  I was going for the tie-dyed look.


Scrap-Mart Label 1 dies, made by Spellbinders, were used to cut out the layers.  I stamped my sentiment, by Unity Stamps, on a separate piece of the tie-dyed background and adhered it to the base layer.


Copics used: R27,39   YR16, Y15, E30, E31, E33   B91,B93, B95   B21   YR21, YR23, YR24,   E000,E00,E11,R20   Y28   B26, B28, B29    YR07,YR09, YR18   colorless blender  

My next guy is Gary Giftbearer (he's also under Manly Men) and he reminded me of Forrest Gump (or maybe Gomer Pyle).   Copics were also used to color in Gary, as were the Label 1 dies from Scrap-Mart.  I used the "out of the box" technique to die cut Gary out.  The hearts are a couple of rub-ons from my stash.  The pink base cardstock was airbrushed with Copic markers to coordinate better with the patterned paper.  I used Distressed inks to ink up my edges.


Copics used: E25, E29   Y04, Y08, YR04   EOOO, EOO, E11, R20   B91, B93, B95   397, E99, E39, E47   T2, T3, T5, B28, B29   YR02, YR04, YR07, Y04, B93, B95, B97   YG17, YG23, YG67   B000    colorless blender


Be sure to visit Cleota, Hetty, Tammy, and Theresa  from the DTD design team and see their projects as well.  Once you'e visited all of us, head back to Dude Time Doodles to find your next hop!  Have fun and I hope everyone is inspired to make Valentine cards for our heroes!!