Cards for soldiers

[123SA]

As many of you know, my DH is currently serving in Iraq. I spoke with him yesterday and he mentioned that he needs some thank you cards. He and the men and women in his unit have received care packages from family, friends, friends of friends, organizations, schools, businesses and wonderful caring strangers. They would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for these thoughtful gifts. I spent last night making around 30 cards, but try as I might, I can’t make enough cards for his entire unit!

His unit is scheduled to remain in Iraq until late April/early May. In that time, they will miss birthdays, holidays, anniversaries…a whole year of events. If you would like to make some cards for these soldiers, I’m sure that it would be greatly appreciated.

I did a little research and found the following information from CardsforHeroes.org(altered a bit):

"What kind of cards do service members prefer?"
We're told that general cards are in greatest demand since they are not time-sensitive: miss you, love, birthday, thinking of you, hello, thank you. They send cards to husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, children and friends, so any of these themes directed to any of these audiences are fabulous!

"What kind of cards should I avoid sending?"
No glitter that will flake off the card—it is a safety hazard; it can make a mess on a uniform and make a hero visible to night-vision goggles! Please do not send suggestive or risqué cards; we do not wish to offend any of our service members. Funny cards are okay, but keep them positive and upbeat. Avoid odd holiday sentiments—like "congratulations on your new kitten" or "welcome to the neighborhood."

"What size should my cards be?"
Any size cards are welcome, but our preferred size is 4.25" x 5.5"; this size allows two cards to be made from one piece of letter-sized cardstock. That size also makes the most of the flat-rate boxes for shipping when all the cards fit A2 envelopes.

"Can I use dark cardstock?"
Yes, but please attach a liner inside (lighter colored paper). Our heroes may only have a bic pen or a pencil to write with, so please give them space and surface to write on.

"Can I make a lot of one design?"
Absolutely! Your cards will be mixed with others' cards, so we are able to provide our deployed contacts with a great variety of designs.

"Can I sign my name, hometown, and email address on the back of my cards?"
Yes! Name and/or city, stamped or hand-written, any way you would like to do it

"Can my cards be heavily embellished?"
This question usually refers to those with "lumpy" embellishments that can require extra postage. This is not a problem for our servicemen and servicewomen since cards are mailed for free for them.

"How do I know if my cards are good enough?"
Any level of crafting, styles, and themes are welcome! We get a wide range, and mix them all together in each box, so there's someone sure to love every card.

"Do I need to send envelopes?"
Yes.

"Are store-bought/printed cards accepted?"
Yes.

"Can my kids participate?"
Yes!! Please have your children make cards, draw pictures, and write messages inside for our heroes -they love to get letters from kids


If you are interested in participating, please indicate in the thread your themes and quantity. Don’t worry - -you can change this at any time! I think it would be inspiring to keep a running total of our progress.
When you are ready to mail, I’ll send you a pm with my address. I’ll mail the cards to the soldiers and cover the cost shipping. Please do not send money or postage. I’d appreciate it if you would put your cards and envelopes in a Ziploc bag to protect them. I’ll let you know when I received and mailed your cards.


Due dates:

1st Round: September 30
2nd Round: October 30 (Christmas Cards needed!)
3rd Round: November 30

Thanks for your support.

September
123SA
AWM
NemoMom07
DisneyIsTerrific
Morgansmom2000
PrincessMorgan
partyof3
rlovew
AZRita
NEE?
TinkerBean

October
123SA
BAMB
Morgansmom2000
PrincessMorgan
NEE
Michi Belle

November
123SA
Morgansmom2000
PrincessMorgan

Girl Scout Troops - Mickster, AZRita, morgansmom2002

State and Hometown of the soldiers
NJ - Camden, Gloucester, New Milford, West Orange, Egg Harbor City
NY - Massapequa, Brooklyn(5), Bronx, Oyster Bay, Elmherst, Jamaica,Addison
MA - Andover, Stonehan, Medway, Cambridge, Norwood, Tewksvury, Quincy,Methuen, Winthrop
VA - Stephens
OH - New Philadelphia
FL - Milton
AL - Decatur
TN - Clarksville
DC - Washington

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg72/susanbillings/155.jpg

[AlexWyattMommy]

You know I'm in.

I'll be doing thank you and some plain generic along with some blank store bought ones. :thumbsup2

[NemoMom07]

I would like to help out. I know I can do min 8 Christmas and 8 general theme (ie thank you, b-day), but if I can I will try to put out a few more. Do we tell you what round to put us under? Or do we do all three?

[123SA]

You know I'm in.

I'll be doing thank you and some plain generic along with some blank store bought ones. :thumbsup2

THanks!

I would like to help out. I know I can do min 8 Christmas and 8 general theme (ie thank you, b-day), but if I can I will try to put out a few more. Do we tell you what round to put us under? Or do we do all three?

Hmmm...how about I list you by round, and then fill in the number when they get here so we have a tally? Does that seem like it would work?

No, you do not have to agree to all 3 rounds. If something comes up and you miss the first "deadline", I'll just send it along with the next set. Also, if you make Christmas cards now, I won't wait to send them. I send about one package a week to my DH, so I'll send the cards as they come in.

THanks for your help!

[BernardandMissBianca]

Susan I'm going to make this a sticky.

For Christmas do you want some Feliz Navidad cards too? Or how about Chanukah?

I would like to be in the October group.

[123SA]

Susan I'm going to make this a sticky. Great!

For Christmas do you want some Feliz Navidad cards too? Or how about Chanukah? I'm sure these will be needed.

I would like to be in the October group.

Thanks!

[DisneyIsTerrific]

Please add me! Put me down for September right now. I'm sure I'll do more later as well, but September for now. I'll make a dozen and they will be a variety of themes.

[morgansmom2000]

Morgan and I will both do some for each round.

[morgansmom2000]

You know what, I'm going to mention this to her teacher too!

[123SA]

Thank you!

MM2000 -- I am going to speak with DD's school too. Great idea.

[party of 3]

great idea MM2000. about the teacher thing!

count me in! i bought a ton of thank you cards from M's and i've used what i had to, so i have a bunch left over. I'm not good at making them but i'll gladly send some store ones along. can i send you some pens for them as well?? maybe i'll try to make one and see how it goes......
bubba has a friend coming over 2 day so maybe they can make some.
one way or another put me down for some.

[123SA]

great idea MM2000. about the teacher thing!

count me in! i bought a ton of thank you cards from M's and i've used what i had to, so i have a bunch left over. I'm not good at making them but i'll gladly send some store ones along. can i send you some pens for them as well?? maybe i'll try to make one and see how it goes......
bubba has a friend coming over 2 day so maybe they can make some.
one way or another put me down for some.

Thanks Holly!
If you want to try making cards, it is pretty easy to make a simple card. I made 30 the other night -- 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock cut in half to give me two 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 pieces. Fold these to make two 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card bases. Next I cut matching patterned paper -- 4 x 5 1/4 - -I cut 6 from one 12x12 piece. I adhered one piece to the front of the card base. Next I looked through my carts for THanks or Thank you and cut a bunch -- some needed the shadow. Adhered thanks to the patterned paper and I was done. Now if you wanted more elaborate cards you could add embellishments - -ribbon, flowers, brads, shapes whatever, but I was in a hurry to get some to DH ASAP so I kept it simple.

For my next batch, I am going to make some generic cards.

[Arizona Rita]

Susan, I'm in and I will have my Troop do this as one of their service projects for Girl Scouts. Just yesterday I was telling my friend whose son was our "soldier" that now that he would be going to Germany that we needed another "friend". We'll just help with this. Is this ok with you?
This time we will just do store bought because we are so busy with encampment but I'll have them start making them too.

[Mickster]

Great idea! My DD is in a Daisy troop...I was looking for a start of the year service project and this is it! Put us down! (if you think they will be ok with getting cards made by first graders...) I would say probably in October... Thanks so much!

[morgansmom2000]

We are definitely doing this as a troop and I may bring it up to all the troops in town. We would also be interested in "adopting" a unit to send GS cookies to as well. We've done that before and it goes over very well!

[Arizona Rita]

Mickster and Jennifer~ I think these servicemen and women not only be sending to their family and friends and everyone else but if they and I think I can safely assume this are like my other servicemen we've adopted, they do not mind in the least about if the card is made by a 5yo or 65yo.
Something else for your troops to consider doing, we had a coffee drive. The coffee over there is supposedly bad and they dont have Starbucks so we were asked to send coffee. And if you do this, dont forget the filters.
This is a great project for any age troop.

Susan~tell us when to slow down!:goodvibes

[rlovew]

I will send a few birthday cards with your ABC swap.

Rebecca

[123SA]

Susan, I'm in and I will have my Troop do this as one of their service projects for Girl Scouts. Just yesterday I was telling my friend whose son was our "soldier" that now that he would be going to Germany that we needed another "friend". We'll just help with this. Is this ok with you?
This time we will just do store bought because we are so busy with encampment but I'll have them start making them too.

Great idea! My DD is in a Daisy troop...I was looking for a start of the year service project and this is it! Put us down! (if you think they will be ok with getting cards made by first graders...) I would say probably in October... Thanks so much!

We are definitely doing this as a troop and I may bring it up to all the troops in town. We would also be interested in "adopting" a unit to send GS cookies to as well. We've done that before and it goes over very well!

:grouphug: Thank you thank you thank you! Yes, your troops efforts would be welcomed! My DH is the commander of his unit and is in a position to spread the donations around.

[123SA]

Mickster and Jennifer~ I think these servicemen and women not only be sending to their family and friends and everyone else but if they and I think I can safely assume this are like my other servicemen we've adopted, they do not mind in the least about if the card is made by a 5yo or 65yo.
Something else for your troops to consider doing, we had a coffee drive. The coffee over there is supposedly bad and they dont have Starbucks so we were asked to send coffee. And if you do this, dont forget the filters.
This is a great project for any age troop.

Susan~tell us when to slow down!:goodvibes

I'll check on the coffee. My DH requested a Senseo coffee machine -- it makes one cup at a time. I sent him that and some of the coffee pods(?)

I also need to check on the pens that PO3 asked about.

[123SA]

I will send a few birthday cards with your ABC swap.

Rebecca


Wonderful! Thanks!

[New England Eeyore]

Count me in! I will make some thank you and general ones - definitely for the October group if I don't get them to you for the September date. I will also start thinking about an easy Christmas design.

[123SA]

I added you to the list NEE. Thanks for your help!

[123SA]

I got an email from DH. He is very appreciative of your efforts. I have a list of the states and hometown of the men and women in his unit which I'll post in the OP. His unit is a newly formed civil affairs unit. THey pulled soldiers from a bunch of other units to form this new one, so they come from a bunch of states.

Coffee -- DH said it is a good idea in general, but his unit already has a dunkin donuts connection and does not need anymore.

Pens etc - -they are in good shape here too

Thanks again for your help.

[morgansmom2000]

Medway is the next town over from me (the place I go to get my Starbucks "kind of" on my way to work).

[Michi Belle]

Hey there 123SA! I'll make some cards. I'll do group 2 for Christmas cards. I'll make between 12-30 cards. Not sure though. So, we write our own greeting inside them to a soldier right, or leave them blanck inside? My brother served in Operation Dessert Storm. My heart goes out to you & your family!

[123SA]

Hey there 123SA! I'll make some cards. I'll do group 2 for Christmas cards. I'll make between 12-30 cards. Not sure though. So, we write our own greeting inside them to a soldier right, or leave them blanck inside? My brother served in Operation Dessert Storm. My heart goes out to you & your family!

I'm looking for cards that the soldiers can use to send to their family & friends.

However, if you'd like to send a card from to the soldiers, I can include that too.

[Michi Belle]

I'm looking for cards that the soldiers can use to send to their family & friends.

However, if you'd like to send a card from to the soldiers, I can include that too.

Oh ok, I'm glad I asked. That's perfect then. Ok so we can put our info on the back if they want to? Do you think that's a good idea or no? I don't mind at all.. Thanks. I love this idea!

[123SA]

I posted a photo of the cards I made. You can see they are a very simple design. I wanted to get these down and out quickly so DH had some. I made 33 cards in one night - -less than 3 hours, including designing, getting everything out and putting it away.

[Michi Belle]

123SA your cards are great & simple. I am going to do a technique called "Faux Post". I'ts beautiful & easy.
Don't forget to add me for October for Xmas cards. I also may have a friend that will make some too. I will just send them together.
What is the exact date that I have to mail them by? Thanks!

[123SA]

Michi -- I did forget to add you, but I have you now. You can put your info on the back.

I continually send packages to DH, so I will send the cards as I get them. I think I should have Christmas cards in the mail by Nov 1 at the very latest -- so I would like you to mail them by Oct 26??. Priority boxes get to DH in 7-10 days, sometimes faster. Soldiers will need time to fill them out. Regular letters to home seem to take 2-3weeks, so they'll need to mail by Dec 1 I would imagine.

Except for Christmas cards, if you miss the deadline, send them anyway...they'll just go with the next batch.

THanks for your help and to your friend too! Off to check out Faux Post

[New England Eeyore]

Great cards, Susan. This will be a great way to use up scraps.

I have to step up since there are so many MA soldiers in the unit - some very close to me. Tewksbury is where my LSS is where I crop.

[123SA]

Thanks! It is a great way to use up scraps and left over embellishments. Once I finish up my swaps, I am looking forward to making some more.

[party of 3]

Susan-
i'm not sure i have much of a scrapping mojo lately so for september i'm just going to send you some store ones. then hopefully for october i'll have it in me to make some christmas ones. is that ok?

[Michi Belle]

Hey there 123SA. I have great news! I have made 22 X-mas cards & my two friends made 20 each. We are all done with them. Plus, I think I may have some others coming from a 3 day crop I'm going to next weekend. As soon as I have them I will mail them. Can you pm me your info again just in case. If I have time this week, I will see if I can post what we made. Thanks!

[123SA]

Susan-
i'm not sure i have much of a scrapping mojo lately so for september i'm just going to send you some store ones. then hopefully for october i'll have it in me to make some christmas ones. is that ok?

Sure!

Hey there 123SA. I have great news! I have made 22 X-mas cards & my two friends made 20 each. We are all done with them. Plus, I think I may have some others coming from a 3 day crop I'm going to next weekend. As soon as I have them I will mail them. Can you pm me your info again just in case. If I have time this week, I will see if I can post what we made. Thanks!

:cool1: Wonderful! Sending you a pm.

[morgansmom2000]

Susan, I met with my co-leaders yesterday and this is going to be our opening craft for each meeting (we do something quick and easy to help settle the girls). I should have 30 cards after our first meeting on Tuesday (we meet once a month, I'll plan on making Christmas cards at the October meeting), when you get back from that wonderful vacation you're on, please PM me an address so I can get these sent to you or directly to your DH this week.

They will be nothing fancy, simply a 5.5x4.25 card base with a mat and a "Thanks" cut out of my Cricut and all adhered by 4th graders ;). I am going to have them sign the back with our troop number and their first name, unless they should be left blank. I'm assuming (?) I need to send envelopes too?

Thanks!

[rlovew]

Susan, I met with my co-leaders yesterday and this is going to be our opening craft for each meeting (we do something quick and easy to help settle the girls). I should have 30 cards after our first meeting on Tuesday (we meet once a month, I'll plan on making Christmas cards at the October meeting), when you get back from that wonderful vacation you're on, please PM me an address so I can get these sent to you or directly to your DH this week.

They will be nothing fancy, simply a 5.5x4.25 card base with a mat and a "Thanks" cut out of my Cricut and all adhered by 4th graders ;). I am going to have them sign the back with our troop number and their first name, unless they should be left blank. I'm assuming (?) I need to send envelopes too?

Thanks!

Signing the back is fine- envelopes are needed as well, plain or fancy it is sweet of you to do. I will pm you the address in a bit.

Rebecca

[morgansmom2000]

Thanks, Rebecca, I can wait for Susan. She sent me a PM that they could go directly to her DH, as he will send a certificate to the troop (not that they are doing it for a certificate, but a little recognition is always nice).

[rlovew]

Thanks, Rebecca, I can wait for Susan. She sent me a PM that they could go directly to her DH, as he will send a certificate to the troop (not that they are doing it for a certificate, but a little recognition is always nice).

No problem!

Rebecca

[123SA]

Thanks for your help Rebecca and congrats on the new job:thumbsup2

Morgansmom -- I'll pm the address.

Nemomom - -I have a huge container of mail to sort through but I can see your envelope in it. I'll be sending DH a package as soon as I can crawl out from under my huge pile of laundry:rotfl2:

Thanks!

[NemoMom07]

Your very welcomed. Hope you get that :laundy: out of the way. For some reason it takes me about a week to get caught up on being gone just 4 days. How was your trip? Did you go to the MNSSHP?

[Michi Belle]

Great news!!!!!:thumbsup2 I'm done! I think have around 55 cards or so. I hope this helps our peeps....I will try to send them off today or tomorrw, latest Monday. Let me know when you get them. Thanks!

[TinkerBean]

Susan,

I can make some cards for you every month...Put me down for 10 each to start and I will go from there if that's OK.

Rhonda

[123SA]

Your very welcomed. Hope you get that :laundy: out of the way. For some reason it takes me about a week to get caught up on being gone just 4 days. How was your trip? Did you go to the MNSSHP?

Laundry is almost finished (except for the dreaded ironing!) Trip was wonderful, but just a bit too much work for one adult. Yes, went to MNSSHP. I love that party. It rained the first hour, so that really changed my plans. No Mickey photo this year. Also, we didn't see the headless horseman since he didn't come out for the 1st parade.

Great news!!!!!:thumbsup2 I'm done! I think have around 55 cards or so. I hope this helps our peeps....I will try to send them off today or tomorrw, latest Monday. Let me know when you get them. Thanks!

:yay: I'll let you know when they arrive.

Susan,

I can make some cards for you every month...Put me down for 10 each to start and I will go from there if that's OK.

Rhonda

THanks so much!

[123SA]

Nemomom -- your cards are beautiful!

[Arizona Rita]

Hi Susan, just fyi, I sent a small package on Friday. All store bought this go round. Hope to do more soon.

[morgansmom2000]

Susan, 28 handmade thank you cards and a box of peanut butter sandwich cookies was sent to your DH today. He doesn't have to share the cookies if he doesn't want to :)

[123SA]

Hi Susan, just fyi, I sent a small package on Friday. All store bought this go round. Hope to do more soon.

THey are here! THanks so much. I have a very full box ready to go out - -probably Monday.


Susan, 28 handmade thank you cards and a box of peanut butter sandwich cookies was sent to your DH today. He doesn't have to share the cookies if he doesn't want to :)

Thanks again. (I don't think he will share the cookies:rotfl2:)

[morgansmom2000]

Thanks again. (I don't think he will share the cookies:rotfl2:)

Entirely his prerogative ;)

[BernardandMissBianca]

Susan, Lisa just posted that Card Making month is in October so I'm going to do a monthly card challenge in honor of your DH and his troops. So those who make cards, pleas post your numbers when the thread goes up on the 1st!

I bought a new xmas stamp this week so my cards will be started this coming week.

[TinkerBean]

Susan, DH is mailing out a package tomorrow. I will work on making more. It'll be fun making xmas cards:goodvibes

Rhonda

[DisneyIsTerrific]

Susan, I had posted that I'd make some cards and get them to you in September. I'm sorry, but it's doubtful that's going to happen. I will get them done and mailed to you in October, though.

[123SA]

THanks again for your efforts! I hope to get some cards done this week.

[ZeroToHero]

Alright, I'm gonna try to do this. I have a feeling I may be doing Xmas cards at a Halloween crop.. :rotfl:

I am going to need your address again! I accidentally deleted the PM with it, and hadn't saved it in my address book yet.

If I don't get to the Xmas cards for the October deadline, I will still make some all-occasion ones and mail them by the November deadline. :)

[TinkerBean]

Is it too late to make Halloween themed cards? I could get them done this week and get them to you by the end of the week...

LMK

[123SA]

Is it too late to make Halloween themed cards? I could get them done this week and get them to you by the end of the week...

LMK


They'll be here by Friday? I have a box ready to go...I'll wait for your package. THanks!

[123SA]

Alright, I'm gonna try to do this. I have a feeling I may be doing Xmas cards at a Halloween crop.. :rotfl:

I am going to need your address again! I accidentally deleted the PM with it, and hadn't saved it in my address book yet.

If I don't get to the Xmas cards for the October deadline, I will still make some all-occasion ones and mail them by the November deadline. :)

Thanks for joining us!

[TinkerBean]

They'll be here by Friday? I have a box ready to go...I'll wait for your package. THanks!

Just double checking...If I can get to them to you by Friday I can include halloween, but if I can't I should skip them (the halloween cards):confused: Forgive me I'm a little slow today;)

[123SA]

Susan, 28 handmade thank you cards and a box of peanut butter sandwich cookies was sent to your DH today. He doesn't have to share the cookies if he doesn't want to :)

DH got your package already!

Just double checking...If I can get to them to you by Friday I can include halloween, but if I can't I should skip them (the halloween cards):confused: Forgive me I'm a little slow today;)

Sending you a pm

[morgansmom2000]

DH got your package already!

Get out! Wow! That's service. Was everything okay? Once the postal lady figured out what I was sending and why she was very "helpful" in fitting all the cards in with the box of cookies, and I was getting anxious about how they would look once they got there!

[123SA]

Get out! Wow! That's service. Was everything okay? Once the postal lady figured out what I was sending and why she was very "helpful" in fitting all the cards in with the box of cookies, and I was getting anxious about how they would look once they got there!


He didn't say...I think he was focused on the cookies:rotfl2:

[morgansmom2000]

Can't say I blame him...In November, I can send nuts and/or chocolate. What's he like? (We have a fundraiser, I'll PM you the link so you can pick something out for him - on me).

[Michi Belle]

Hi there, my Christmas cards are ready to go. The down side is I'm super sick. Hopefully I can get them out by the end of the week. I had someone else give me store bought cards. They look kind of old but I guess anything will right? Let me know if those will be ok.
Hopefully I will be able to get you cards every other month. Thanks for doing this.

[Michi Belle]

Hey Susan, I fianlly mailed the cards today. SOrry there so late. I got held behind from my ATC swap I hosted. Let me know when you get them please. Thanks!

[party of 3]

i finally mailed mine on friday. they are all store bought ones. sorry. but at least they are something. i'll try to make xmas ones for the next round.
please let me know when they get there.

[123SA]

Hey Susan, I fianlly mailed the cards today. SOrry there so late. I got held behind from my ATC swap I hosted. Let me know when you get them please. Thanks!

i finally mailed mine on friday. they are all store bought ones. sorry. but at least they are something. i'll try to make xmas ones for the next round.
please let me know when they get there.


THank you both. I will let you know when they get here and when then get to DH.

[morgansmom2000]

Susan,

Just wanted to let you know that I got a very nice card from your DH yesterday. The girls will be so pleased to get it at our next meeting. I'm planning on doing Christmas ones for our next meeting (the 20th), and will be able to mail them out to him the following week. Please thank him for the thanks ;)

[123SA]

Did it come with the unit photo? My DH is in the front row, first from the left. I'll let him know you go it. He said the mail has been bad :confused3 but it seems pretty quick. I guess maybe it is just inconsistent.

I did send all of the cards I have received so far and he got them and has placed them out for the soldiers. Rebecca and Nemomom's handmade cards..I need to look at the list to see what else... My DH is used to looking at the stuff I make, my sister's stuff, the stuff my mom used to make, and of course all of the swap stuff I have received, but his soldiers have not seen handmade cards before and were very impressed. He said they were turning them over and really checking them out.

PO3 -- I did receive your package. We have been sick hereand I haven't opened it yet. Michi - -I haven't been to my mailbox since Tuesday. I'll check it tomorrow. These will go out with my next package.

THanks again for your participation.

[morgansmom2000]

Yes, there is a photo, I'll be sure to look at it closely now!

He mentioned that the cards didn't last an hour in the day room. The girls will be pleased to hear that.

[Michi Belle]

THank you both. I will let you know when they get here and when then get to DH.

Oh ok thanks. You have it by today

[Disneyelf10]

Hi, I would like to send some Christmas/Holidays cards (have to be purchased ones due to time constraints). Will be mailing next weeks! Thanks!!

[123SA]

Oh ok thanks. You have it by today

It is here. Gorgeous cards! THanks so much. The poem you sent is perfect. I will mail these along with Po3's cards and my own on Mon or Tuesday.

Hi, I would like to send some Christmas/Holidays cards (have to be purchased ones due to time constraints). Will be mailing next weeks! Thanks!!


Thanks for joining us!

[Michi Belle]

It is here. Gorgeous cards! THanks so much. The poem you sent is perfect. I will mail these along with Po3's cards and my own on Mon or Tuesday.




Thanks for joining us!

Whew, thanks for the compliments Susan. I hope they are satisfactory.

[New England Eeyore]

I will be mailing out a bunch of Christmas cards to you tomorrow. Nothing super fancy. I just had time for the Christmas ones because I wanted to get them to you before the end of the month. I will try to work on some other themes for future months.

[Arizona Rita]

Hi Susan
I am having growing pains with my troop this year and alot of time constraints! I will be sending some more cards with your lyric swap and I will be sending your postage back to you because I would like to send it all in one package, if thats ok with you?Use the postage to elp pay for your Dhs postage.

The instructions did say no glitter which I take to mean includes glitter paper.
How about brads? No glitter brads but the others or do they reflect light?
If I make Christmas cards will they still get there in time or should I just make general at this point?
Thanks!
Rita

[123SA]

Hi Susan
I am having growing pains with my troop this year and alot of time constraints! I will be sending some more cards with your lyric swap and I will be sending your postage back to you because I would like to send it all in one package, if thats ok with you?Use the postage to elp pay for your Dhs postage.

The instructions did say no glitter which I take to mean includes glitter paper.
How about brads? No glitter brads but the others or do they reflect light?
If I make Christmas cards will they still get there in time or should I just make general at this point?
Thanks!
Rita

Thanks Rita!

Glitter -- just test the product to see if the glitter flakes off - -if it does, then don't use it. It is okay if the card is shiny; we just don't want the soldiers to be shiny.

Yes, you can still send Christmas cards. I am finishing up mine this week. I would say I need them before Thanksgiving.

[123SA]

NEE - -your cards arrived. THank goodness you bagged them. THe envelope was so wet it fell apart as I was taking it into the house! Your cards are lovely -- I love how you used the patterned papers. I have a lot of the same papers and now I know what to do with them! They will be sent to my DH with the next package --maybe the end of the week.


Michi and PO3 - -I did mail your cards to DH.

[Arizona Rita]

Ive started working on these today as Im almost done with the surprise swap.

The q you didnt answer is, what about brads? Will they reflect light? I dont want to hinder our people over there.

[ZeroToHero]

Ive started working on these today as Im almost done with the surprise swap.

The q you didnt answer is, what about brads? Will they reflect light? I dont want to hinder our people over there.

As long as the glitter doesn't come off the brads, you'll be fine. The brads themselves are shiny, but they won't get stuck to the uniforms and show up on night-vision goggles. :thumbsup2

(I think so, at least. Susan - you can correct me if I'm wrong...)

[123SA]

Ive started working on these today as Im almost done with the surprise swap.

The q you didnt answer is, what about brads? Will they reflect light? I dont want to hinder our people over there.

As long as the glitter doesn't come off the brads, you'll be fine. The brads themselves are shiny, but they won't get stuck to the uniforms and show up on night-vision goggles. :thumbsup2

(I think so, at least. Susan - you can correct me if I'm wrong...)

Yep! That's right. THanks ZTH

[Arizona Rita]

Thanks! I went back and looked for the entry on the first page where Susan said how to make cards and found the answer there too.
I have all this card stock left over from encampment and pieces parts from different swaps and am going to put all that to work for me. MY goal is 31 for the 31 days of this month.
I read where you talked about NEE having bagged them and Im going to put them in bags by categories, is that ok?
I'll have Christmas, general and birthday and all will be blank inside. I hope thats ok.

[morgansmom2000]

I have 36 cards I'll send directly to your DH once my girls assemble them on Tuesday. The fall product sale items won't be in until next month, but I'll send that along in November. I was trying to come up with a list of card categories. I think we'll do Birthday for November, Valentine's for December, more Thank Yous for January...

[123SA]

Sounds good! I talked to DH this week and he said the cards are bring used and are a morale booster.

[morgansmom2000]

The girls didn't understand why we were sending them blank cards at first (they thought I was crazy, but it wasn't the first time), but once I explained it, they loved the idea. I'm glad they are helping boost morale!

[party of 3]

ok i have a ? as always.....

i asked the den leader last night if the den could make some and he said of course they could. it's one of their requirements for a belt loop. so i said i would bring xmas cards stuff for them to make at the 1st meeting in November. but now reading Jennifer's post, is it too late for that? Should they be making other types of cards instead?
i also talked with one of the mothers that bubba goes to school with and her husband is a weeblo leader and she said she would have them make some as well. sooooo.....is it too late for that kind?

[123SA]

ok i have a ? as always.....

i asked the den leader last night if the den could make some and he said of course they could. it's one of their requirements for a belt loop. so i said i would bring xmas cards stuff for them to make at the 1st meeting in November. but now reading Jennifer's post, is it too late for that? Should they be making other types of cards instead?
i also talked with one of the mothers that bubba goes to school with and her husband is a weeblo leader and she said she would have them make some as well. sooooo.....is it too late for that kind?

No, I don't think so. As long as they are sent priority mail before THanksgiving, I think that will be enough time.

[party of 3]

ok great!
thanks

[morgansmom2000]

If you mail them directly to her DH, I think he'd have them in about 5 days. At least he did when I mailed them.

My Christmas cards will be early, but I'd rather be early than late, knowing they have to turn around and mail them back to the states.

[New England Eeyore]

NEE - -your cards arrived. THank goodness you bagged them. THe envelope was so wet it fell apart as I was taking it into the house! Your cards are lovely -- I love how you used the patterned papers. I have a lot of the same papers and now I know what to do with them! They will be sent to my DH with the next package --maybe the end of the week.


So glad that the bags protected them! Like I said, nothing fancy, but I'm glad you liked them. All those patterned papers were scraps from past years' Christmas cards and craft projects and have been floating around at the bottom of my Christmas Iris box for ages, so I'm super glad to get them out of my stash! I will be using the same "formula" for other card themes to shrink my other patterned paper scrap stashes.

[Arizona Rita]

Susan thanks for posting your reindeer and santa. It helps to see others ideas.
We are no longer meeting as a troop, I feel kind of like Puff the Magic Dragon, the kids do grow up!
I told Banana this and she said its something we can do together and so on Thursday we are going to make our cards. I told her I wanted to make 31 and she asked how many I had made and I told her 2 she said "you need my help!" Smart girl!

If anyone else would like to post pics I would love to see them.

[ZeroToHero]

Hey Susan - I'm having my Honors Council of 76(ish) do cards for a community service project at our next meeting. This is going to be A LOT of cards - will your DH be able to use all of them? Will he easily be able to spread them to other units "in need?"

We are thinking a blend of Xmas/All-Occasion will be the most useful... I'm going to print out what you gave in the first post.

Everyone I've told about this thinks it's an awesome idea, and they can't wait to do it.

And hey, if I get the satisfaction of going scrappy shopping to get supplies with the school's money, I'm happy!

[123SA]

Yes, he can share them with other units. Thanks!

[BernardandMissBianca]

Susan I'm not going to make it for October 30 deadline.

Can I shoot for Valentine's day and Easter??

[123SA]

Susan I'm not going to make it for October 30 deadline.

Can I shoot for Valentine's day and Easter??


Sorry I missed this. Yes, any contribution you can make is appreciated.

I made 16 Christmas cards and 11 birthday cards.


I did double check with DH about quantity. Although his unit is small -- just 32 soldiers I think, they support other units that they travel to. So anything extra, they take with them when they go out to these other places.

[TinkerBean]

I mailed out a large flat rate box to your dh yesterday with about 120 cards and other goodies - just wanted to give you a heads up. I hope to make a bunch more Thanksgiving cards to mail out by next monday.

[Disneyelf10]

Hi, I haven't had a chance to post this, but I did mail a box full of xmas cards to you last Thursday or Friday- hopefully it has arrived, it was sent 2 day mail.
thanks!!
Donna

[123SA]

Hi, I haven't had a chance to post this, but I did mail a box full of xmas cards to you last Thursday or Friday- hopefully it has arrived, it was sent 2 day mail.
thanks!!
Donna

Yes, it is here! AZ Rita's arrived too. I haven't opened anything yet. They will be mailed to DH on Monday. Thanks so much!

[Disneyelf10]

Hi, great!! Thanks for letting me they arrived!:goodvibes

[party of 3]

Susan,
mailed off the package to your dh today. i have dc# if you need it. it's got all kinds of goodies in the box. packed full! cards are on top with a pic and letter from bubba's cub scout den and from the other den that helped out. then we (bubba and i ) went and got all kinds of stuff to put in the box.
the lady at the post office was soooo nice and helped me fill out the form. she said that if we do it again for christmas to use a priority flat rate box and the government takes $2.00 off the fee. HEADS UP for anyone who wants to do this. just so you all know. thought i'd share that info. she said it goes to new jersey and then the military takes it over to where it should be.

if you let us know what else he needs we will send another box. anytime at all.

[morgansmom2000]

34 cards will be going out tomorrow. Sorry for the delay, I kept forgetting to get them out of my trunk (aka, the black hole!).

[123SA]

I talked to DH on Saturday -- he received boxes from TinkerBean and Partyof3. He sends his thanks for the cards and goodies. He loved that you used your screen name Rhonda -- he knew right away it was from one my swap friends. Holly -- he mentioned the cub scout photo you included -- good idea! Thanks again for your participation.

[ZeroToHero]

Mine should be there soon then... :)

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Thank you Susan for your speedy reply!!!!!!!

I'm really forward to sending the cards to you!!!!

Maria

[123SA]

You're welcome.

Thanks for joining us!

[party of 3]

I talked to DH on Saturday -- he received boxes from TinkerBean and Partyof3. He sends his thanks for the cards and goodies. He loved that you used your screen name Rhonda -- he knew right away it was from one my swap friends. Holly -- he mentioned the cub scout photo you included -- good idea! Thanks again for your participation.

oh i'm so glad he got them! i just thought it might be nice for the cub scouts to put the pic in the box with the letter they signed so you dh could see who was making them. there were all ssooooo excited to send them to him.
i was telling one of the cubscouts mothers that night about the whole project and she gave me a $10.00 cvs card to get some of the stuff that we sent in the box. then bubba and i went and got the rest.
thank your dh for us for a great teaching project for the scouts. it's nice for them to know what's going on in the world.

[morgansmom2000]

I'm going to take a picture of the girls making our cards next week (I was thinking of "Miss You" type?) and send it. I'm also getting the nuts and candy tomorrow night, so a package of peanut butter dreams will be headed his way too!

[123SA]

I'm going to take a picture of the girls making our cards next week (I was thinking of "Miss You" type?) and send it. I'm also getting the nuts and candy tomorrow night, so a package of peanut butter dreams will be headed his way too!


Miss you cards sound good:thumbsup2

[123SA]

Just heard from DH -- his unit is preparing to move soon, so anyone that has his address, please check with me before mailing.

He received packages from morgansmom and ZerotoHero. Thanks so much!

[ZeroToHero]

:woohoo: Glad to hear that.

[morgansmom2000]

Thanks for letting me know, Susan. I have some Miss You cards and some candies/mints/etc. that will be ready to mail on Friday...can you PM me his new address?

[123SA]

You can still send to the address you have. I am not sure when he will be moving or where. It will be before Chrsitmas though.

[morgansmom2000]

Alrighty, thanks!

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

My box is ready, I'll send ot out Monday!!!

Have a great weekend~

[123SA]

I need to put a hold on this project. I heard from DH that his unit is definitely moving and that I should get my last package out this week. ANything in the works should be mailed ASAP. THanks to everyone who participated in this project. I expect to start it up again after Chrsitmas -- hopefully in time to mail out some Valentine's Day cards.

[morgansmom2000]

I have my package ready, but the post office wasn't open when I went by this morning. I will drop it off today on my way home.

Please keep us posted, I know my girls have enjoyed making the cards and are looking forward to making more!

[PinballFamily]

DD12 was absolutely delighted to get the certificate from your DH, Susan! It was a lovely thing for him to have done - she can't wait to share it with her GS troop members.

[123SA]

DD12 was absolutely delighted to get the certificate from your DH, Susan! It was a lovely thing for him to have done - she can't wait to share it with her GS troop members.

I'll be sure to let him know. With the move coming up, I don't hear from him as much:sad1:

[morgansmom2000]

Susan, we got DH's certificate yesterday as well. Please thank him (we'll send a note, but we don't meet again until 12/15) for us.

I also mailed that last package last Monday, so I hope it gets there soon!