Papertrey Pass It On Challenge

It's time for the Papertrey Design Team November 1st Challenge! When Nichole suggested that we reflect upon all the blessings we have in our lives during this Thanksgiving month, I began to think about all the things I have to be thankful for. Her challenge to the Design Team was to use stamping to help bring blessings into other's lives also. What a perfect time to make a special effort to put a smile on some one's face by sending them a card or making someone a homemade gift.

This holiday season, my girls and I are going to be making cards to send to children with life threatening illnesses who need a pick me up. The Make A Child Smile Organization is a wonderful website that features such children. You can learn about the children, their illnesses and find a few kids featured each month. Or you can print off the entire list of kids and make it a goal to send a card to each child this holiday season. You can see a list of all the current kids HERE, where you'll find their name, age, state, type of illness and a photo. Please take a moment to visit this wonderful website and to learn more about these courageous kids.

Here's my first cards that I'll be sending out some kids from the MACS list. I used Papertrey's Pond Life set to create a fun and bright caterpillar pocket card. The fun polka dot background paper is PTI's Polka Dot Parade, as are all the colorful ribbons. I thought that some pocket cards would be a great way to add in some additional messages from the girls and perhaps some stickers. Candy and/or gifts are discouraged...a card is all that is suggested and needed to brighten a child's day. My finished card measures 4.25" x 5.5" and is just held together with two brads. I added some *messy stitches* to the pocket card insert. I used the Spellbinder's Long Rectangle Dies to cut and emboss my caterpillar image. For the sentiments, the MACS organization says it's best to stay generic and to not use *get well soon* type sentiments. Many of these children will unfortunately not recover from their illnesses so a simple *hello* or *thinking of you* type sentiment is more suitable.
I know the girls will jump right in to help out making cards, so I started them off with a little card kit. I stamped some cute owl images and sentiments from the Wise Owl stamp set. I added some precast cardstock, ribbon, patterned paper, brads and envies.
Then I packed the card kit items into a large Papertrey glassine sack and added a printed label to the front plus some white polka dots from the Polka Dot Basics stamp set.
I will keep refilling the card kit sack as needed and will keep it hanging in my stamp room. I told the girls where the card kit sack is and that they can use whatever supplies they want to complete the cards. I'm also going to hang up the address list and some stamps. I'm encouraging my girls to send cards to these kids in hopes that they will know just how lucky they are to be healthy kids and to really appreciate the things in life they have.
You can check out the other Design Team Members' "Pass It On Challenge" posts here:

Debbie Olson HERE

Heather Nichols HERE

Lisa Johnson HERE

Lauren Meader HERE

I would like to extend a challenge to you also, my fellow bloggers. I would love to get 40 of my wonderful blogging friends to pledge to making cards this holiday season for some sick kids who would love to receive a card of cheer. You can use cards that are in your stash, you can make new cards, get together with your church members to make cards, have your kids help, send a card a week.......whatever you want. Imagine how you feel when you receive a birthday card in the mail. Now imagine how a child who is terribly sick and possibly hospitalized will feel when they receive dozens of cards just for them. It makes my heart swell just thinking about it!! I hope you will join me this holiday season in spreading a little cheer.

If you would like to make this pledge of your time, a few supplies and some postage stamps, please leave a comment to this post. I will be updating this post with all pledge names. I thank you in advance if you choose to join me. It will mean so much to me and all these wonderful kids.

Here's my list, starting with me......remember, I'd love to get FORTY names on my list:
1. Michelle Wooderson

2. Mary from California

3. Tina Phillips

4. Shari from New Jersey

5. Leslie in SC

6. Abi

7. Jennifer S

8. Megan

9. Angel Plank (VT)

10. Heidi

11. Ramsey

12. Stephanie from Florida

13. Elizabeth Bracco

14. Shari in NJ (another Shari)

15. Kelli, Faith,Daniel, and Jolie from Lynn Haven, Florida....awesome guys!!!!!!!!

16. Joan E

17. Chelle

18. Softangelkisses

19. Keri Lee Sereika

20. deedee......I knew I could count on you!

21. Traci

22. Victoria

23. Jen

24. Sandy

25. Kim, Molly,and Amanda from Michigan....you go girls!!!!!!

26. Rachelle

27. Mickey in Alabama

28. Erica Payne

29. Chris

30. Melanie from Australia is going to pick a similar organization near her, woohoo!

31. Jennifer, Andy and Jacob....you guys rock!!!!!!!

32. Joanna

33. Robin Owens and family.....bless you guys!!

34. Danni

35. Scrappin Cheryl

36. Karen Mackie

37. Melinda

38. Kathyl from California

39. troy louise

40. patriciad

41. michelle

42. Jenny Mich

43. Victoria G

44. Dawn Madigan

45. Mary from California

46. Maria....Hi Magoo!!

47. emtsweetie

48. bonnie

49. staci lynch

50. Kahtie Bailey

51 Heather McNally.......HI Baby Cakes!!

52. Lisa Davis

53. Kathy McDonald

There were a lot of other comments on this post but I wasn't sure if you signed up or just wanted to give a shout out. So if you took the pledge, thank you!!!