PRIZES AND INFO

Hi, everyone!

First of all, I'd like to say thank my lovely blogging friends who participated in Christina Hor's Hug a Heart Card Drive and blog hop!

She has now posted the winners on her blog here.

Next -

Thank you to all my sweet, "regular", blogging buddies who visit and leave comments, invitations, and best-of-all, FRIENDSHIP... You mean so much to me... and it's time for a little blog candy award from here.

The winner is:

Karin van eijk!

Karin, please email me with your full name and mailing address.

And Karin, I would like to thank you for being one of my first followers, and your many kindnesses over the years of expressing loving, kind, encouraging comments!

I will have more blog candy later in the year.

hugs,

Hug A Heart Card Drive Blog Hop

Welcome, sweet blogging buddies!

If you are looking for the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop, please click here.

Today I bring four sweet children's cards for the 

First Annual Hug a (Child's) Heart card drive.

It would be EVER-SO-SWEET if you can join in!

We offer "thanks" in advance for opening your beautiful heart to children who are strangers to you, and for helping to bring smiles and heartwarming encouragement to them during American Heart Month.

This drive is about celebrating young life during American Heart Month. 

Your cards will give children hope and encouragement to fight for a chance to grow to adulthood. Your thoughtful cards will have a deep impact for children and teens who are fighting to overcome their cardiac problems. Your kindness will inspire children and their families to have hope and to keep on fighting. Cards will be dispersed at The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

For complete details about making cards for young cardiac patients 
AND 
becoming eligible for prizes, please click here.

Prize Package #1 (all participants):

EVERY PERSON who sends a card to Christina for a young cardiac patient, will receive the darling Panda Digital Set with Pretty Sentiment shown below.

For card guidelines and where to send them, please click here.

Prize Package #2 (U.S. participants only):
to two random winners, a box of brand new craft goodies, each valued at $25.

Prize Package #3 (international participants only):
to two random winners, a $25 gift certificate to shop at Simon Says Stamp.

Platinum Package (U.S. and International):
to ONE participant with 30+ donated, usable cards, a $50 gift certificate to Simon Says Stamp.

I am also offering a second sentiment for free
to everyone who is reading my blog post.
Simply right click this quality PNG sentiment,
and use it on your cards for the children, or on any of your personal cards to friends and family. (Please, no companies are to use this sentiment for their benefit).

(Right Click, download as image PNG, save to your hard drive)

What's a blog hop without prizes?

Christina has generously offered a $25 gift certificate to shop at Simon Says Stamp to a random blog hop winner.
To be eligible to win, leave a comment on all blogs by Wednesday, February 8 (11:59PM EST). Winner will be announced on Christina's blog on Friday, February 10 (8AM EST).

Begin the hop here:

Christina Hor

Donna Ellis (that's me!)

Lori Kobular

Sue Drees

Becky Partan

Edwina Brown

Sybrina K.

KT Fit Kitty

My simple cards were created using Christina's adorable hugging Panda, and the pretty sentiment.

It's always a pleasure using my border punches with dies or simply-cut panels.

In this case, it is my Martha Stewart lace heart border.

The tiny hearts punched out from the "negative portion" were used on the cards to provide a little "heartfelt" love.

Using a copic marker, I circled some of the black hearts in the background paper to make it more color coordinated.

Hoping you will be able to send a card or two for this worthwhile cause...

For all the CARD DRIVE DETAILS: please see my blog post here.

Heart-full hugs,

Hug A Heart Card Drive - Invitation and Information

Hello, everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

You are cordially invited to participate in the first 

2017 Hug a Heart Card Drive!

February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about congenital and acquired heart disease. Many patients do not realize they have heart disease, even those who are born with defects called congenital heart disease. The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital cares for many patients with various forms of heart disease. American Heart Month is a great time to raise awareness, to promote healthy habits AND ESPECIALLY, to lift the spirits of these patients who are hospitalized and need major heart surgery or are having a particularly tough time.For information about “Congenital heart disease (CHD) please see Christina's Blog.

We are asking for your help PLEASE.

AND

Christina Hor is offering some wonderful prizes! 



Each card you make will bring heartwarming encouragement to those who are affected by heart disease – 
both patients and families.

What you can do--

Cards you donate will not only brighten a heart patient’s day during 
Heart Month, but will positively impact that child’s life by letting them know that someone cares deeply about what is happening to them.

Card guidelines are listed below.  Thank you so much for your generosity and gift of encouraging and supportive cards!  

                                 

Prizes are being offered for making the cards! 

To thank you for your participation and generous gift of cards, Christina Hor has several prize packages. To be considered for the prize drawings, please see details below.

·    Prize Package #1 (all participants) – everyone who sends cards will receive a freebie of Christina's Heart Panda digi and the pretty Sentiment:

Prize Package #2 (U.S. participants only) – to two random winners, a box of brand new craft goodies, each valued at $25.

Prize Package #3 (International participants only) - to two random winners, a $25 gift certificate to shop at Simon Says Stamp.

Platinum package (U.S. and International): to ONE participant with the 30+ donated cards, a $50 gift certificate to Simon Says Stamps.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR CARD DONATIONS

Hug a Heart Card Drive is open to both U.S. and International participants. All age groups are encouraged to make the cards. 

• Card drive runs from 1/16/17 to 2/14/17.
• Card Types: handmade cheerful “heart” theme (non-Valentine’s Day) cards such as Thinking of You, Hello, or Just Because cards for children between ages of 1 to 19.  As long there are hearts on the cards, it counts.
• Greetings (Sentiments) on your card-front is optional.  But if you do include one, here are some suggestions: sending hugs, sending smiles, thinking of you, wishing you a beautiful day, or hello. NO Valentine’s Day greetings please.
• Inside of cards: Please do not stamp or write inside the card.  Keep it completely blank so hospital staff may write a personal message to each patient.  If using a dark colored card base, please adhere a white or light colored piece of cardstock to the inside of card to make it easier for patients to read the hand-written message.
• Card size: A2 size card (finished 4.25”x5.5”). 
• Back of cards: This is completely optional.  You may include a label “handmade by + your name + Hug a Heart Card Drive 2017” to the back of your card. It can be a hand-written, stamped or small computer printout label.
• Envelopes: Please include an envelope for each card. Do NOT seal envelopes.
• PLEASE do NOT use loose glitter, as young children will get this in their eyes.
• Please use embellishments minimally, if at all, and avoid using anything unsafe for very young children.
• Please package your cards in a box or padded envelope to ensure they arrive undamaged.
• Mail your box/package to: Christina Hor, P.O. Box 517, Dublin, Ohio 43017
• To be eligible for the drawings, please include your full name, email address and mailing address in a note with your cardsso that Christina may acknowledge your cards and enter you for the prizes.
• Optional – if you would like to help spread the words about Hug a Heart card drive, please use hashtag #hugaheartcarddrive when sharing your project on social media. 
• Questions and more clarification about the card drive?  Please don’t hesitate to contact Christina directly at info@christinahordesigns.com.

Please share the message with others about the Hug A Heart Card Drive, and brighten a heart patient's day this February during Heart Month. Grab the banner from my blog and display it on your own blog 
or share it on social media
#hugaheartcarddrive.
Thank you!

On February 1, we will have a reminder blog hop with prizes!

Stamping hugs,

A Snowman's HUG A HEART CARD DRIVE

I am soooo glad to see you!

It's time for a new Cardz 4 Galz challenge!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #36 theme is a favorite of teamie Caz - A Snowman - 

so get crafting and show us your snow people!
Challenge ends on December 7.

Products for my simply sweet card:

1. My Besties Snowman IMG382
2. Hero Arts "Sparkle" sentiment set
3. Copic Markers, red grosgrain ribbon, Distress Inks, Deep Lagoon Versafine Ink
4. Swiss Dot embossing folder, Heart die cut, SB Modern 5x7 Stationary dies
5. Glitter Paper (glitter will not rub off), white, red, blue cardstock

My card is being used for the 

Hug a Heart Drive:

to brighten the holidays for the very young pediatric cardiac patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The husband of Our Blogging Buddy Christina Hor Designs is a cardiologist there.

This year, Christina and her children are creating mini 3D Christmas trees for each room in the intensive care and inpatient wings. With so many rooms, Christina has never been able to have a card for every child spends Christmas in the cardiac unit. 
This year, she is hoping to do that, but needs a little help from friends.
For more information please click here.
and a sweet thank you from me to my Sweet Friends!

On a Personal Note:

What happened? Did Old Man Winter make a mistake?
We were warned that our area MIGHT have a chance of frost Monday night.
Something unheard of for Florida in November.
Not only did we have a frost, but we were 30F degrees (-1.1C) for several hours.
So our vegetable garden and tender plants likely bit the dust. We'll know in a few days.
The front pasture was coated with a thick layer of icy frost until about 9AM this morning - VERY unusual for Florida in November! But pretty, none-the-less. (there is always a silver lining, right?)

So what caused this turn of events?

I think Shona Erlenborn's visit to Sanibel Island triggered the frost.
She flew down from New Jersey last week.
It **HAS** to be her fault, doesn't it?

In the meantime, Florida's weather is gorgeously welcome, with lower dew points for lower humidity, and highs in the high 70s to low 80s. We love it! And so would you, so head over our way and visit the fabulous theme parks in our area.

PS. The Barred Owls were serenading and laughing again last night!

I'd like to support the following Challenges please:

1. A Snowflake's Promise #33 Anything Goes with Optional theme of Seasons 11/29 
2. Come and Get It Challenges Nov 20 - "Get Well Soon" (as written above, this is for an inpatient pediatric cardiac patient in the Nationwide Children's Hospital) 11/26
3. Crafting from the Heart #137 Anything Goes 11/28
4. Crafty Creations #329 Christmas 12/7
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #308 Anything goes CUTE! 11/26
6. My Besties International Challenge Blog (Nov) Anything goes 11/28
7. Scrapbook Stamp Society #105 Anything Goes 12/5

Thanks for stopping by!

Warm, Florida, Sunshiny Hugs,

HUG A CHILD'S HEART - LITERALLY!

Greetings, everyone!

(a special note to my friends in the U.S.)

There are many card drives during the holidays and throughout the year.

May I share about one you may have never heard of?

"HUG A HEART" CARDS DRIVE FOR CHILDREN

Our Blogging Buddy Christina Hor Designs has a very special Mission.

Her husband is a cardiologist at Ohio's Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Christina tries to give parents of terminally ill children in the cardiac unit encouragement cards during the long process of procedures and care. If the saddest moment of loss happens, she provides a heartfelt sympathy card to the parents at the loss of their sweet baby or dear child.

She also tries to provide cheerful cards to the children in the cardiac intensive care and inpatient wings throughout the year.

Especially during Christmas she strives to deliver holiday cards.

This year, Christina and her children are creating mini 3D Christmas trees for each room in the intensive care and inpatient wings.

With so many rooms, Christina has never been able to have a card for every child spends Christmas in the cardiac unit. 

This year, she is hoping to do that, but needs a little help from friends.

Would you like to create a simple, sweetly-appropriate children's Christmas card for those pediatric cardiac patients who will have to spend the holidays in the hospital?

If so, here is Christina's message

As these cards go to very young age children and of different ethnic background, I do have a few guidelines.

DO's:

• use kid's friendly images.  Kids love anything that is cute, cuddly and funny such as teddy bears, woodland creatures, reindeer, penguins as well snowman.  Just to name a few.

• keep it clean with minimum embellishments.  However, shaker cards and pop-up cards are welcome.  So if you like making one of these cards and you know who you are, please do!   But please make sure to use strong adhesive to ensure that none of the shaker/embellishment pieces fall out.  

• consider keeping your theme more of a: winter scene, "thinking of you" as well just a general "holiday" theme since not all of them celebrate Christmas.  Some celebrate Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Pancha Ganapati and some just don't celebrate the holiday at all.  So avoid using sentiment like "Merry Christmas" on your card.  

           Here are some sentiments i like to use: Let It Snow; Warm Winter Wishes; Thinking of you this holiday season; Sending you lots of hugs and wishing you a happy holiday.

If you are able to help, please have your card mail to me by December 10th to the address below.  If you know of any crafty friends who would like to help, please forward the message to them or share on your blog post.  It is safe to include the address in the blog post as it is my PO Box address and not my home address.  

Christina Hor 

P.O. Box 517

Dublin, OH 43017

Thank you SO MUCH in advance for your help!

Hugs,

Christina

RECAPPING:

Christina suggested greetings to read something like:

"Sending you hugs and thinking of you this holiday season. From Ms. Christina of Ohio"

(only use your own name, of course LOL)

She will be delivering the cards and trees on Dec 15. 

She is requesting cards by December 10.

REMEMBER:

NO GLITTER - NO ORNAMENTATION THAT

 MIGHT FALL OFF OR BE PROBLEMATIC 

FOR SMALL CHILDREN.

and a sweet thank you from me to my Sweet Friends!