Memorial Day Tribute

Good morning, everyone! Today is Memorial Day here in the United States. If you have followed me for a while, you know I have experienced much personal loss in the past eight years, making this day an important one for me. Many of those I lost also served in our nation's military, making today doubly emotional for me.

I created this card as part of a special blog hop the Authentique Paper team is having today.  

 To see all of the projects from the team, follow the list below:

Gloria Stengel - You are HERE

Pam Bray

Heather Conklin

Ginny Nemchak

Kay Fatula

Kathy Clement

Daniela Costa

(I will ask my brothers who served in the US Navy to forgive me for making an Army card. Within the family we have former Army, Navy, and Marines. I usually lean toward the Navy, but this year, Army won the paper toss.)

This card is 6" x 5" and is all about the red, white, and blue! I used Authentique Heroic 6x6 papers, plus one of the images from the Heroic 12x12 Seven paper. This is an older collection, perhaps from last year. 

I added some stickers from the Authentique Glory Elements Cardstock Sticker sheet. I had a lot of these stickers left over from a class I taught a few years ago. This is a long retired collection, but it is one of my favorites so I pull out what I have left and use it from time to time!  

I had to add some red, white, and blue twine and a red bow. I also added some metal stars.

The inside of the card is decorated as a thank you card. I found some stamps that matched the military theme of the card.

I added some of the sticker border strips from the Glory Details Cardstock Sticker sheet to a paper strip to decorate the top panel. I also added a postage cancellation sticker.

I found a banner die in my stash that cuts out stars and confetti. I used that as a border for the inside of the card. I added more sticker words as well. 

My church has a thriving military and first responder ministry, so I thought I could make a card suitable to send to someone to thank them for their current service. 

Thanks for joining me today. I want to thank my family members for their military service:

Richard L. Getgen, US Army (deceased)

Bruce D. Getgen, US Marines, Retired

Donald F. Getgen, US Navy

Lawrence W. Getgen, US Navy

Richard E. Getgen, US Navy

Todd D. Getgen, US Army and US Army Reserves (deceased)

William E. Vanemon, US Army Reserves (deceased)

Jean Hammond, US Army (deceased)

I know that, within my family there are more uncles, cousins, and other family members who served. But these few are my close family, and near to my heart, especially those no longer with us. May they rest in peace.

On this day I also want to remember other loved ones who have passed on to glory. If I were still living in my home town, today would be a day for visiting the cemetery to tend the grave sites, place flowers and flags, and perhaps share some treasured memories. This is a tradition I have never carried on, living as I do so far from where my family rests. I choose to remember them in happier times, on happier days.  

For another patriotic card, see my post HERE from earlier in the month.

Authentique Supplies:
Heroic 6x6 Bundle Paper Pad
Heroic 12x12 Seven Paper
Glory Details Cardstock Stickers
Glory Elements Cardstock Stickers

Other Supplies:
Cardstock: dark brown, natural
Dies: My Favorite Things Fishtail Flag Stax and Layers, Papertrey Ink Stars Banner
Stamps: My Favorite Things Sending Thanks, Papertrey Ink Thanks All Ways
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia
Metal stars: Tim Holtx Adornments
Twine and ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon Airmail Baker's Twine, Red Delicate Stitched Satin, Crosshatch on Royal Blue Satin; craft supply ivory twine   
Adhesive: white glue, hot glue, ATG tape, Scor-tape, foam tape