Stampin' For a Cause

I've always been a do-gooder, so it's no surprise that I've been doing some charitable things with my new stamping business. In September, I hosted two Shoebox Swaps for Soldiers. We made cards for Angel Stampers for Soldiers. Now our cards are posted in their online gallery. Click here for the gallery. Type shilohstamps into the search box, and you'll see our cards.

Last week, I did a card-making class for Operation Shoebox. We made over 30 cards to send in care packages to soldiers overseas.

Tomorrow night, we'll be making Christmas cards for Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services (BLUYS). They're a youth ministry in my neighborhood. Super-stamper Amy is on their board, and she's designed a lovely card that uses the Season of Joy stamp set from the Holiday Mini collection. E-mail me at events@shilohstamps.com if you would like to participate in the Stampin' for a Cause night.

I have also used my stamping to benefit last weekend's Lupus Loop. Every person on our team (Nathan's Knights) who raised $100+ will receive some free Shiloh Stamps greeting cards. We've been walking and running the Lupus Loop for 4 years now in memory of our friend Nathan and in honor of our friend Karen. If you would like to contribute, please click my donor page.

Do you have an idea for our next Stampin' For a Cause? I'm looking for our next project to be in February sometime. I'm thinking about Keiki Cards. They send cards to terminally ill kids. What do you think?

Shoebox Swap Progress

So far, we've made 30 cards for the Shoebox Swap. My mom sent 10 last week, and then Amy and I made 20 more cards tonight. On Monday, we'll be making at least 40 more cards to send to Angel Stampers for Soldiers. They'll be sending out hand-stamped cards to soldiers stationed around the world.

Here's the oh-so-creative card my mom made for the soldiers. The ghost is made from a milk jug, and she sewed him onto the card. Brilliant! I love the googly eyes, too. On the back of the card, she stamped "Oct 31 2007" with the library due date stamp. You know, the one that they stamp on the card to let you know when it's due. So clever. She also wrote a really sweet sentiment on the inside of the card. My mom has been a card-making machine lately. She came to Stampin' Down the Shore with me, and she's been making stunning cards ever since. She's really good at sewing on the cards, which I think is the coolest thing ever.

Here's the card Amy designed for the soldiers. It uses a fun stamp set and SU's Cool Caribbean cardstock, which is now retired. I like how she uses the tiny dotted stamp as the background and brads in the center of all the flowers.

Here's another version of the card I designed for the Shoebox Swap for Soldiers. I love how this medallion image from the Apple Cider Designer Series paper matches the Really Rust cardstock perfectly. The shiny copper brad in the middle is a nice finishing touch.

Shoebox Swap Ingredients

Since the horrors of 9/11, I have struggled to find ways that I can make a difference in our country's tenuous global relationships. I have chosen to support peacemaking organizations and I have prayed for a resolution to the complex conflict around us. Several years ago, as we were discussing the Iraq War in a small group I led, we were spinning our intellectual wheels trying to figure out how our country can move forward in this new age of terror. As a group, we concluded the following:

• an immediate withdrawal of troops would be irresponsible - bear in mind this was 3+ years ago, but still true
• American troops can play a vital role in bringing stability to troubled regions around the world
• we should find ways to connect with the troops directly and provide emotional and spiritual support

Years later, I'm finally making good on that pledge, thanks to some stampers who would like to make a difference with the crafting skills. This Friday and next Monday, I'll be hosting a Shoebox Swap for Soldiers to benefit Angel Stampers for Soldiers. Each participant will bring card ingredients for 10 simple cards (about the size of a shoebox). We will make one another's cards and keep a sample of each card. Then we'll send the remaining cards to the Angel Stampers for Soldiers project. They send cards to troops overseas, and they've sent over 27,000 cards so far! I will be providing snacks, adhesives, envelopes for all the cards, and some fun door prizes. The covered box below is one of the prizes - fun!

There are two ways you can participate in the Shoebox Swap for Soldiers. If you design a simple card and bring supplies to make 10 cards, then you will be able to keep a sample of each card you make. If you don't have time to prepare a shoebox swap, feel free to come stamp and enjoy the creative process. Those who choose the second option will be donating all their cards to Angel Stampers for Soldiers. Either way, you are supporting a great cause - providing some encouragement to some people in a very difficult situation.

Some stampers have said they might need help preparing for a Shoebox Swap, so here's what I'm doing. I designed this super-simple card that features leaves and a sentiment from the Thoroughly Thankful set (30% off this month with the Fall Frenzy promotion) and a cut-out from the Apple Cider Designer Series paper from the Holiday Mini.

If you need ideas for card designs, Angel Stampers for Soldiers has some suggestions on their Mailing Schedule page. Bear in mind that you are not limited to current Stampin' Up products. Feel free to use retired SU supplies or supplies from another manufacturer. Click here for Guidelines from Angel Stampers for Soldiers regarding card size and design.



Here are the supplies needed to make a shoebox swap card:

• a sample of your card, maybe some directions if you think that would be helpful
• stamp set


• stamp pad(s)


• paper for 10 cards - please pre-cut or come over early to cut your paper


• embellishments - brads, ribbon, eyelets


• tools - scissors, paper piercer, bone folder

Here's a message from a soldier who received some cards through Angel Stampers for Soldiers:

Dear Carol,
Thank you very much for the gifts you sent us. Words can't begin to express our gratitude. On be half of the men and women of the 41st Electronic Combat squadron, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ currently serving in Uzbekistan. I would like to thank you for your outstanding support, generosity and thoughtfulness. Knowing that so many in our country have us close in their thoughts and prayers makes it easier for us to get through the challenges that we face each day. We know we are not alone. Life is hectic and fast-paced--and for you to have thought of us, and then to stop and take time from your personnel life to write--is an honor. I just want to say I really appreciate the thought and time you put into sending us something special. I'm so grateful for the support of many, many wonderful people in our country. Thank you, for making our Christmas a little brighter and letting us know there are people that appreciate us, I am proud to be serving the people of the greatest nation in the world. And once again, I thank you! May you be blessed each day, and may God bless America! Can you please past this message on to your other fellow stampers.
Sincerely, Ron Pollock