Monday, February 6, 2012

Greetings from the high seas!


Hello crafters!!! I finally figured out my cuppa Internet...I've been going through withdrawal, apologies for the messy post, I can only get online on my iPad! I hoped to get more stories and photos out to you now that I'm set up,


We've been sailiing the ocean blue for days now, or so we think...we're already saying things like, "Did that happen only yesterday?" it seems like so much longer already!

On Saturday morning the texts were flying as everyone boarded shuttles for the ship. As you saw on Facebook, we had our boxes loaded and ready early; Kris and I hired a shuttle to take us and them crafty goodness to the port. our driver was such a character....he said he'd been n Vietnam, so I asked, "Army?" I thought it was a yes or no question, but it turned into a half hour story of his amazing life! From a troubled youth to a disastrous prison term when he was pulled out of jail with 300 men for special unit in Vietnam---300 went on the mission, he and 11 others survived. He returned, made a mint and lost it, and was personally reponsible for much of the computer revolution...and all of this because he was so dangerously good looking. LOL! Much may have been a fish tale, but I choose to believe him - making a movie of the story would be brilliant!

Our OWHers slowly started finding each other. Well, started finding Kris and I! We felt like celebs being recognized everywhere. We set a time and place to meet to wave to the webcam...so most of us did gather for that. We took some photos (better ones to come, we have a pro on board with us!), and it was clear we would be fast friends....this is one great group of women!

It was about this time I found out little miss Ciara was being a bad bad girl...oh my! She has never done anything like this while being dogsat, but she ate through two doors and tried to enlarges doggie door in the side of a house!!!! She has been removed from there and I begged her usual sitters to take her for the week lest she cause me even. Oe thousands in damages. Agh! I hope she started behaving! Those folks have no Internet so I have nreports, but I emailed someone to call and check on her.


back to the ship!

Our first dinner was the first time we were mostly together, and even then was divided between early and late seatings. But at least it was one place where we got word to all to meet in our conference room at 9pm. However - we had no stuff! Security had called me aside earlier for a meeting to question items - the guy had a homeland we unity badge! Deep! However once through the explanation of what we were all about to him and the other staff at this big meeting, they were fine with things; we just had to promise to lock up all our dangerous scissors. And save them a few supplies so they could come in and make a card too, they all wanted to pop in and join us! Lol, ain't that how it goes!

Our items arrived in our room, but not in time to do any crafting Saturday night, so. Everyone went to bed while Kris and I played Santa....it was like stuffing stockings to.go through everyone's totes and fill them up!

Sunday morning the crafters arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed for our first class: shading! It was hard, I put them through their paces on exercises with lighting and oranges. We looked at how light falls on an object, where shadows rest, and started looking at how the shapes we studied play out in the stamped images we colored. It was the first step for a lot of folks, so we'll be adding more ideas to the coloring toolkit as the week wears oN.




The afternoon class was this fun shabby chick card made from goodies in our Studio Calico kits...look at the variety in how everyone chose to embellish!






It was Super Bowl Sunday, and that was a similar mania hee as it is back home. People talked trash all over....I was cheering for the Giants, ha ing lived in NY for years,....so fortunately I get to go find the ship staff member who I dueled with during our muster drill, and of course give him my "condolences!" Our ladies did get to wat h the second half of the game; our dinner was during the first half, but we requested the game. E piped into the craft room for us. 

While we watched the game, the evening class was when the messiness really took over.  Alcohol inks came it and we played with making backgrounds. We only have a few finishd ones, but you may well see more from us as the week progresses. We learned some things about what the special paper from Ranger is able to do differently than regular glossy photo paper, and since we received a great set of hero mail stamps many of these became blank AnyHero cards. Hmmm will we get a card signing event going here on the ship??

We turned over 300 kids coloring pages with the cruise ship digi on them for the kids program to color....I hope to get over there and get some photos! 

Late into the evening I and the night owls made cards after everyone went to bed; we plan a pajama party one night, and I'll see about ordering a 2am pizza maybe! Our ship's group coordinator, Diana, gives me the same answer to all my requests: "No problem!" so we will see!




I hope to figure out if uStream will work from the ship, so maybe we could try a short chat; Internet here is like dial up, so it might not be possible, but we'll gi e it a try and see! We would love to say hi to everyone back home!
Posted by Operation Write Home at 6:51 AM 3 comments

Monday, January 30, 2012

Mailroom Monday: January 30, 2011

Surprise! Yes, we do have a Mailroom Monday report for you, amid the CHA chaos :) Your shippers were extra-wonderful this week and got their data entry done before I left town, so I got to sneak in a little report here while at the airport. Unfortunately I have no time to get your map ready, but here's at least a limited report! :) -Sandy

This week, we shipped 9965 cards at a cost of $457.85 -- and that after how short we were on cards! Thanks to all who helped us get the waiting list down to 8 units of heroes!

To heroes in Afghanistan
350 cards to an Air Force unit
170 cards to an Air Force unit
175 cards to an Army unit
365 cards to a USO unit
175 cards to an Air Force unit
355 cards to an USO unit
170 cards to a Marine unit
170 cards to an Navy unit
45 cards to an Army unit
175 cards to an Army unit
370 cards to an Army unit
175 cards to an Army unit
370 cards to an Army unit
195 cards to an Air Force unit
195 cards to an Air Force unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
195 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to a Navy unit
155 cards to an Air Force unit
340 cards to an Air Force unit
155 cards to an Air Force unit
340 cards to a Marine unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in Kuwait
340 cards to an Army  unit

To heroes in Kyrgyztan
170 cards to an Air Force unit

To heroes in Oman
170 cards to an Air Force unit

To heroes in Qatar
370 cards to a Civilian unit
375 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in SouthWest Asia
195 cards to an Army unit

   

Deadline reminders:
January 1 - Valentines PASSED
Feb 1 - St Patricks
Feb 15 - Easter
March 31 - Mother's Day, graduation

Current shipper needs: see here.
Posted by Operation Write Home at 12:39 AM 1 comments
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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Thankful Thursday: January 26, 2012

Happy Thursday! I'm so excited to report our numbers went up a bit this week....hooah! We received 8,398 cards - which is close to what we had received for the whole month of January before that - - thank you to everyone stepping up to keep our boxes going out!

This is the last Thankful Thursday report til after the cruise when we return and get all the data entry done...please be patient with Sandy and Kris! (Caro's keeping an eye on you all, so keep her busy!)

PS Don't forget OWHtv tonight!


Many thanks to all this week's donors!
  1. Anita O, Shell Lake, WI
  2. Ann M, Hutchinson, MN
  3. Anne N, Franklin Park, IL
  4. Barbara B, Lakewood, CO
  5. Barbara M, Bellflower, CA
  6. Barbara P, Clarkdale, AZ
  7. Becky L, Bethlehem, PA
  8. Bertie G, LuVerne, IA
  9. Bonnie C, Tobyhanna, PA
  10. Brittany S, Buhl, ID
  11. Carol P, Louisburg, KS
  12. Cheryl H-S, Plymouth, MI
  13. Cheryl Y, South Pasadena, CA
  14. Christine S, Chicago, IL
  15. Cindy E and Los Gatos Elks Lodge #1857, San Jose, CA
  16. Cindy S, Reading, PA
  17. Connie T, San Antonio, TX
  18. Cora J, Eugene, OR
  19. Cyndy R, Contoocook, NH
  20. Cynthia C, Slidell, LA
  21. Dawn L, Schenectady, NY
  22. Debbie M-T, Okawville, IL
  23. Debby M, Las Cruces, NM
  24. Deborah O, Mineral, VA
  25. Deborah P, Mercerville, NJ
  26. Denise L, Arroyo Grande, CA
  27. Denise L, Arroyo Grande, CA
  28. Dixie C, Charlotte, NC
  29. Dolores A, Frederick, MD
  30. Donna C, Leesburg, FL
  31. Eileen H, Womelsdorf, PA
  32. Elaine A and Valley Stampers - Jane, Kathy and Chris, Apple Valley, MN
  33. Elsie B, Valdese, NC
  34. Esther E and East Woods Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA
  35. Harriet L, Vista, CA
  36. Heather B and girls from Church youth group, Rochester, MI
  37. Heather G, San Clemente, CA
  38. Jamie R-M, Visalia, CA
  39. Jan R, Akron, OH
  40. Janis P and Crazy Croppers, Springfield, MO
  41. Joan T, Breezy Point, NY
  42. JoAnn U, Knoxville, TN
  43. John V, Reading, PA
  44. Josephine J, Houston, TX
  45. Joyce L, Flushing, NY
  46. Judith M, Hudson, IA
  47. Judy K, Orfordville, WI
  48. Judy T, Louisville, KY
  49. Kaki D, Lacombe, LA
  50. Karen T, Auburn, WA
  51. Katherine B, Fairfield, CA
  52. Kathy P, White Lake, MI
  53. Kathy S, Reedley, CA
  54. Kelly B and Stampfield Stars, Apple Valley, MN
  55. Kristie M, Puyallup, Wa
  56. Krystal M and Archiver's customers, Novi, MI
  57. Laurie B, Waukesha, WI
  58. Laurie B, Waukesha, WI
  59. Lee Mae E, Silverdale, WA
  60. Linda B, Allentown, PA
  61. Linda B, Burien, WA
  62. Linda C, Fayetteville, GA
  63. Linda M, Whippany, NJ
  64. Lindy C, Seattle, WA
  65. Lisa W and GirlScout Troop 593, Eagle River, Ak
  66. Lori B, Marietta, GA
  67. Margaret G, Stevenson Ranch, CA
  68. Marge M, Wayne, NJ
  69. Maude B, Las Cruces, NM
  70. Maureen W, Whitmore Lake, MI
  71. Nancy F, Trexlertown, PA
  72. Patricia B, Winchester, VA
  73. Patricia S, Spencerport, NY
  74. Paulette M, Hampstead, MD
  75. Phyllis G, St PauL, MN
  76. Polly R, Peoria, AZ
  77. Ramona S and Iota Sigma Chapter/Pri Iota Xi, Collison, IL
  78. Randee S, Dowagiac, MI
  79. Renee K, Santa Rosa, CA
  80. Robin and Stephanie G, New York, NY
  81. Rocky Mountain Memories and Rocky Mountain Memories, Estes Park, CO
  82. Rosie H, Florence, OR
  83. Ruby H, Walker, MN
  84. Seongsook D, Sacramento, CA
  85. Sharon D, Phoenix, Az
  86. Sharon N and Monroe County Ladies, Waterloo, IA
  87. Sherry H, Arlington, VA
  88. Stephanie K and the Church at Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, CA
  89. Stephanie S and LDS Church Relief Society, Alpine, Ut
  90. Sue B, Justin, TX
  91. Sue G, Galena, MD
  92. Sue K, Cannon Falls, MN
  93. Sue S, Liberty, MO
  94. Susan H, Whippany, NJ
  95. Susan R, Stevensville, MD
  96. Susan S, Grove City, OH
  97. Tanya K, Fulton, NY
  98. Teresa H, Charleston, SC
  99. Theresa E, Wenatchee, WA
  100. Tracy C, Allentown, PA
  101. Verna A, Big Stone City, SD
  102. Wilma B, Haughton, LA
Posted by Operation Write Home at 12:21 AM 0 comments
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Monday, January 23, 2012

Mailroom Monday Report: January 23, 2012

Happy Monday everyone! This will be the last Mailroom Monday post til Feb 20....I'm taking a rest break from the Monday and Thursday posts, especially since only 5 of you look at them each week anyway. LOL. (I kid.)

The Charity Wings Live from CHA online event* is 2/3 sold out; from what I gather, you pay a fee, they send you a project kit that you make throughout watching all their videos from CHA. You get a discount if you sign up with friends. It is a fundraiser, so the profits should be going to whoever they are fundraising for this first quarter - which now will not be OWH. If you missed the Facebook announcement, I'm asking OWHers to stop voting. The contest rules changed as of yesterday, and robovoting is obviously taking place - so we're just going to pull out of the contest, save our sanity, and go back to what our real focus should be: making cards.
I'm sorry and I appreciate your understanding; next time I promise to do my due diligence and research actual contest rules before getting us into a contest like this where feelings are hurt. You all are awesome supporters, and I appreciate your help when I ask you to jump in on something for our heroes!! -Sandy
*Charity Wings footage is not OWH footage, though they may discuss OWH -  you'll get our vlogs and photos on our blogs and on http://acolourfulworld.blogspot.com



And now....your Mailroom Monday report! We shipped out 39 boxes, and in the west coast's case, that was the very very last of every card on the shelf! Please read this post for more information.


To heroes serving in Afghanistan
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Air Force unit
190 cards to an Air Force unit
190 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Air Force unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Navy unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Civilian unit
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
145 cards to an Navy unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Air Force unit
340 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Civilian unit
145 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Air Force unit

To heroes serving in Kuwait:
340 cards to an Army unit
190 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit

To heroes serving in Qatar:
190 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit

To heroes serving in Korea:
335 cards to an Air Force unit
190 cards to an Army unit



Other fun statistics:
Number of boxes sent: 4,733
Number of hero contacts: 1,605
Total cards sent: over 1.4 million!



Deadline reminders:
Calendar is here
January 1 - Valentines PASSED
IMPORTANT: read note about spring holidays!
Feb 1 - St Patricks
Feb 15 - Easter
March 31 - Mother's Day, graduation

Current shipper needs: see here.
Posted by Operation Write Home at 4:55 AM 0 comments
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Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Letter from the President

Dear OWH family,

Sandy Allnock
I am so very excited to present you with our Annual Review celebrating our accomplishments in 2011! Our gratitude for your amazing support is not only from those of us at OWH—myself, our volunteer shippers, our board of directors—but from our heroes themselves. Just spend some time on the Hero Blog and soak in the thanks in their own words!

As I spent time reviewing the data from the year, and remembering back to so many wonderful things that happened for us, I was truly humbled by all that has come our way. And the numbers may be impressive, but each one of the numbers represents people—and our people, both our donors and our beneficiaries, are the best.

In no way did I ever imagine this little project started on a message board and a blog would grow this way, or engender the passion in so many people with such big hearts.

Just last night, I was interviewed for Paper Trey Ink's podcast, and as the hostess' questions brought up answers of such scale — I could hardly believe it myself, even though I've lived through it. Who would be able to imagine just how many cards are made and donated every week? Or who would guess how many heroes - about 200 units served at any given time, every 6 weeks - we would be keeping up with? Or that all the costs would be so generously donated for shipping, postal supplies, triage tools and materials, website maintenance - plus our adventures at the Craft and Hobby Association tradeshow? The support of individuals and companies is nothing short of amazing - and it's an honor to see how America has stepped up to serve those who so bravely serve us.

So...please accept my heartfelt thanks. And keep on with your own personal mission, joined with ours: helping our heroes keep in touch with home...one card at a time, until they all come home.

Humbly yours,
Sandy Allnock, President, Operation Write Home






Please enjoy this graphical review of 2011 - and be sure to share the link with others!
Posted by Operation Write Home at 2:20 AM 0 comments
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Thankful Thursday Report: January 19, 2012

Thanks to those sending in cards this week! Our list is short, for two reasons - one, we have a shipper on vacation; and two, we're getting so few cards right now! West coast has seen 3 mail days in a row with no boxes at all :( Our heroes need you, ladies!

Many many thanks to these folks for their wonderful help this past week!
  1. AJ S, Denver, CO
  2. Anneliese I AND Cub Scout Pack 415, St George, UT
  3. Barbara B, Tucson, AZ
  4. Barbara M, Iowa City, IA
  5. Bonnie V, Chesterfield, MI
  6. Cara S, Phoenix, AZ
  7. Cheryl H, Zephyrhills, FL
  8. Danielle L, Clinton Township, MI
  9. Denise W, Pueblo, CO
  10. Hannah M, Naples, FL
  11. Jama D, Bellevue, NE
  12. Jean D, West Valley City, UT
  13. Jennifer M, Marshfield, WI
  14. JoAnn B, Roseburg, OR
  15. Judith M, Hudson, IA
  16. Karen O, Las Vegas, NV
  17. Kit P and Scrap Happy Sisters, Glendale, AZ
  18. Kristie M, Puyallup, Wa
  19. Leslie F, APO, AE
  20. Lise G, Glen Rose, TX
  21. Marlyn M, Fox Lake, WI
  22. Maureen L, Cedar Rapids, IA
  23. Paula H, New Ulm, MN
  24. Sheila G, Puyallup, WA
  25. Trish C, Spring Valley, MN
  26. Wilma H, Arkins, AR
Posted by Operation Write Home at 1:18 AM 0 comments
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Monday, January 16, 2012

Mailroom Monday Report: January 16, 2012

This week our volunteer shippers packed up and sent out 45 boxes of cards to our heroes! We always slow down a little after the holidays, though the requests increase during December - so we have a long waiting list growing. 

After the holiday blitz of AnyHero mail, we're also starting to run out of letters to include in our boxes! The stacks aren't as big as they ought....so if you're able to help your shipper out by including some AnyHero letters, please do!


Here are the specifics about where cards went this week:

To heroes serving in Afghanistan:
175 cards to a mixed unit unit
360 cards to an Air Force unit
50 cards to an Army unit
50 cards to an Army unit
42 cards to a Marine unit
40 cards to a National Guard unit
170 cards to an Army unit
170 cards to an Army unit
170 cards to an Army unit
365 cards to a Civilian unit
175 cards to an Army unit
175 cards to an Army unit
345 cards to an Army unit
345 cards to a National Guard unit
340 cards to an Army unit
345 cards to an Army unit
345 cards to an Air Force unit
345 cards to an Air Force unit
345 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
345 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
345 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Air Force unit
340 cards to an Army unit
155 cards to a Marine unit
155 cards to an Army unit
155 cards to a Marine unit
155 cards to an Army unit

To heroes serving in Iraq:
340 cards to a Civilian unit
340 cards to an Army unit
155 cards to an Army unit

To heroes serving in Japan:
340 cards to an Air Force unit

To heroes serving in Kuwait:
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to a National Guard unit
345 cards to an Army unit
345 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to a National Guard unit
340 cards to an Air Force unit

To heroes serving in Qatar:
45 cards to an Army unit



Other fun statistics:
Number of boxes sent: 4,733
Number of hero contacts: 1,605
Total cards sent: over 1.4 million!



Deadline reminders:
Calendar is here
January 1 - Valentines PASSED
IMPORTANT: read note about spring holidays!
Feb 1 - St Patricks
Feb 15 - Easter
March 31 - Mother's Day, graduation

Current shipper needs: see here.
Posted by Operation Write Home at 4:19 AM 0 comments
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