Hello Bloggy Friends. Today is a special day in our Nation's history, and of course the anniversary of 9-11 has been on my mind. Probably on your mind too. I thought it would be a good day to post some patriotic cards. I made them to share with the "Cards for the Troops" project that my friends and I support. I sat down to make them last week and focused on the meaning and the message. These are straight from the heart.
These Adirondack Inks are the perfect shades for vintage Americana. I bought that sentiment stamp from PSX in 2001. I wish they were still in business, don't you? The main stamp set I used is from Close To My Heart. It's such a great set!
The papers are from a neat paper collection that K & Company put out this year on 4th of July. The stickers and banner are from that same collection. I embossed the stars with a Cuttlebug Folder on some nice, crisp, blue Bazzill paper.
Here's another card and this time I used some manilla tags and distressed them just a bit before putting on those cool letter stickers. Red, White and Blue forever - indeed!
I love the Kraft paper with the Denim and Cranberry shades...
I can hardly believe it's been ten years since 9-11. I remember that day so clearly...every detail. I'm sure we all do. Where I live it was 6:00am and I was getting ready for work and I had the news on the TV in our bedroom. I stood there transfixed for a while and saw the towers fall. Somehow, everyone showed up for work at my office. At the time there were about 100 people in my office. We just watched tv all day together in silence. Not one phone rang that day. No business was done. It just didn't matter.
I feel like I became a different person on 9-11. More grateful for each morning, more grateful for each kiss goodbye from the hubs, more grateful to experience one more day in this crazy world. I think about it often actually. We were about to fly to Boston to get married on Cape Cod, and we went back and forth about whether or not to go or stay home. At first we weren't even sure if there would be any flights. We'd been planning for a year for our wedding and honeymoon. We decided to go, and what we found 3000 miles from home were Americans being kind and loving to one another. People helped us out and people were gentle and not so much in a hurry. Collectively it seemed we all were trying to process what had happened.
It turned out to be a special trip. We were in the place where our country began - New England. Flags proudly flying everywhere. Flags on everything. There was so much pride. I remember the Post Office in Salem, Mass where there must have been at least 25 flags all flying together. Flags on cars, on boats, on buildings, on people... I hope that on this anniversary we can put forth that same spirit and love one another and our Country. So,today I say...United We Stand and God Bless America!
Beautiful cards and sentiments! Let us never forget and take each day with a little more thought and caring.
Posted by: Katrina | 09/12/2011 at 09:46 AM
Beautiful cards . . . .beautiful sentiments . . . and I love the new bloggy banner, too!! An excellent reminder! Hugs my friend!
Posted by: Janice Rosenthal Rock | 09/11/2011 at 10:27 PM
These are GORGEOUS cards honoring our beautiful country, my friend! I'm certain that our soldiers will appreciate them! What a beautiful tribute to America! :D
Posted by: Kimberly Gajewski | 09/11/2011 at 04:55 PM
What a Beautiful Tribute!!
Thanks, Wanda, for showing and saying what we all feel...
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 09/11/2011 at 10:22 AM
Thank you for sharing your love of our great Country through art and with your words. I too recall I was driving to work when heard of the tragedy. I remember feeling shock and disbelief.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE. STAND BESIDE HER.
XXOO
Posted by: Julene | 09/11/2011 at 09:00 AM
Thank you for sharing your love of our great Country through art and with your words. I too recall I was driving to work when heard of the tragedy. I remember feeling shock and disbelief.
GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE. STAND BESIDE HER.
XXOO
Posted by: Julene | 09/11/2011 at 09:00 AM
You and I share the bond of our love of country. As flawed as the country seems at times, it is a great nation with amazing people. I am very proud to be an American! I am so glad we went back to New England for our marraige and honeymoon. It was truly rewarding as I too felt the heart of the people. The flags, pariotism, along with sorrow and loss, filled New England and the Nation. Thanks for sharing your excellent patriotic cards today!
Love you!
Posted by: Mark | 09/11/2011 at 08:31 AM
Wanda you said everything many of us feel in our hearts but can't put into words.Your cards are really beautiful. We should get toogether sometime and stamp.
Georgia
Posted by: Georgia Sommers | 09/11/2011 at 08:20 AM
Love everything about this card and blog. 9/11 is Grandparents Day this year ... AND my daughter's due date with my first grandchild. Mixed emotions today. xo
Posted by: Erna Thompson | 09/11/2011 at 08:16 AM
What a beautiful post, Wanda! Brought tears to my eyes. There's only one thing I can say........you ROCK, my friend.
Love your thoughts and comments, and love your gorgeous cards. :)
Posted by: Audrey Pettit | 09/11/2011 at 07:12 AM
Beautiful Wanda! Your cards for troops are perfectly designed! It's a hard day for every American, it takes you right back to that day 10 years ago and all the emotions come flooding back.
Posted by: Lynn Put | 09/11/2011 at 06:14 AM
Gorgeous cards, Wanda!!!! Love the colors and all the images you used. This is such a thoughtful post, too! I am soooo happy to hear that you had a wonderful experience in my home state :). Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Debbie Carriere | 09/11/2011 at 04:46 AM
Gorgeous cards Wanda Love the colors very much and the message they bring!
The new banner is super cute!!!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 09/11/2011 at 04:00 AM
These cards are beautiful Wanda, both for how pretty they are and even more importantly for what they represent - our country - the united states of america. What a great story of your 9-11. Aren't you glad that you and your hubby decided to head to Boston to get married? I understand the conflict you must have felt at the time, but now 10 years later, you are probably so glad that you went ahead with those plans. I follow your blog (but am not good about commenting all the time) thanks for sharing your cards and your 9-11 experience.
Posted by: Linda Monroe | 09/11/2011 at 03:40 AM