Forgotten, but Not Gone - Post 87

To my Dear and Faithful Readers: I have not abandoned my blogging, but other than to participate in the recurring theme posts (Sky Watch, Today's Flowers, Camera Critters), I haven't been doing general blogging (or visiting many blogs) lately because I'm up to my eyeballs in making cards -- again. The "Stamper" part of my blog name is getting a real work out!

A couple of weeks ago, in a period of about 6 working days, I put together two hundred fifty (250) handmade cards of various types (thank you, birthday, thinking of you, Christmas, all-occasion) for the Cards for the Troops project in which one of my stamping clubs is involved. All told, our club created 695 cards (photo below). One other member exceeded my contribution -- she brought 276 cards! Our club participates in this most worthwhile project with stamping groups around the country. We send our cards to a stamp club in Oregon, the O.R.C.A.S. The Oregon folks actually do the packaging and distribution of the cards. To date, they have gathered and sent out over 72,000 cards.

Cards gathered at Stamp Club meeting

The cards are sent to U.S. military bases all over the world, but are not to individual service men or women, but rather for them. The cards are blank inside so that they can use them to send their own messages to their loved ones. As we understand the situation, greeting cards are not easy to obtain in many areas, and this is one little thing we can do to help.

That particular effort was wrapped up on Wednesday of this past week, and I immediately started planning for the next major card-making effort (and I haven't even begun to think about my personal Christmas cards, yet.). My chief stamping partner and I have designed and are putting together materials (paper, ink, embellishments, envelopes) for 288 cards (36 each of 8 designs) for World Card Making Day, this coming Saturday, October 4. Twelve to fifteen ladies will gather at the home of another stamping friend (she has a large home) to make cards -- all of which will be donated; one-half to the local Ronald McDonald House, and the other half for our own Cards for the Troops efforts. The latter will go to the 39th Arkansas National Guard units which are currently serving in Iraq.

So... if you haven't heard much from me lately, please don't think I'm ignoring you. This particular episode of card-making fever will be over by late Saturday afternoon; perhaps I can get my blogging life back on track after that. Maybe I'll even have some pictures to share.

Today's Flowers - Post 86

Hibiscus

When I visited a local library last weekend, my attention was drawn to the flower bed ouside the front door; specifically to this bright yellow blossom. I believe it to be a 'tender' hibiscus; that is, one that does not survive the cold of our winter here. To have blooms of this sort the following year, you have to put in new plants, or find a way to over-winter the plant in a greenhouse.

Today's Flowers is a weekly Meme created by Luiz Santilli, Jr. and may be found here. Please visit to see others' lovely flower photos. If you have a flower photo of your own to share, please join us.

Camera Critters - Post 85

Butterfly on Abelia

I think this is a Black Swallowtail butterfly, but am not sure. Information from anyone who knows is welcome! The only photo I could get was of its underside; the upper side of the wings are more colorful.

Camera Critters is the creation of Misty Dawn. To see others' photos for this week, visit here.

Sky Watch - Post 84

Nothing but blue skies do I see!

 

A hint of fall is in the air here in Arkansas, with temps falling into the 50's at night. A bit of color is showing in the leaves of the crepe myrtle in my yard; I thought it made a nice contrast to the uninterrupted blue of the sky today.
Sky Watch was created by Dot and is now brought to you by our friends Imac, Klaus, Sandy and Tom. Visit the Sky Watch Friday home page anytime after 7:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Thursdays to see sky photos from around the world.

Today's Flowers - Post 83

Rose "John F. Kennedy"

A rose in my garden. The bush is currently blooming for the third time this year.

Today's Flowers is a weekly Meme created by Luiz Santilli, Jr. and may be found here. Please visit to see others' lovely flower photos. If you have a flower photo of your own to share, please join us.

Camera Critters - Post 82

Come Into My Parlor

Said the Spider to the Fly.

(click to enlarge)

I discovered this Orb Spider (9/24/08 correction: not an Orb Spider, but an Argiope aurantia, commonly known as the Black and Yellow Garden Spider, Writing Spider or Corn Spider) lurking among the leaves of my day lilies, waiting for some tasty (to her) little bug to wander into her "parlor." She stayed here for several days, until the rain from Hurricane Ike destroyed her web. I've not been out to the garden yet to see if she's rebuilt it.

Camera Critters is the creation of Misty Dawn. To see others' photos for this week, visit here.

Sky Watch - Post 81

Not a cloud to be seen anywhere today! Hooray!

We've had quite enough rain lately, thank you, so it's nice to look out my front door this morning and see clear, blue skies. To keep you from having to look at a totally blue photo, I included a couple of trees in my shot. Thanks to cooler weather, the maple tree across the street is beginning to get a few tinges of fall color. For some interesting information on what causes changes in foliage color, visit Jeannelle's post today on her blog Midlife by Farmlight .

Sky Watch was created by Dot and is now brought to you by our friends Imac, Klaus, Sandy and Tom. Visit the Sky Watch Friday home page anytime after 7:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Thursday