One Stitch at a Time Challenge 31

The Autism Awareness candy is now closed. I'll make the draw shortly and post it here later.

Now onto this week.

There's a birthday theme to the One Stitch at a Time challenge this week, and we're drawing attention to Operation Write Home, a scheme whereby people can support United States troops. Of course, there are similar charities for other nations' troops, and it's got to be a good thing to help troops celebrate family occasions while they're away.

And even better, we're sponsored by Joanna Sheen.

I just loved the image - Indian Elephant by JLJ Designs - available here at the Stitchy Bear shop. I added the sentiment, printed and coloured the main image with Promarkers. The background paper was designed in Photoshop Elements, and it was inspired by the pattern in the image. And I just happened to have that lattice border punch from Fiskars which matched perfectly! I added some Swiss Dots embossed card some sticky gems and a couple of die cuts I've had lanugishing in my box for years. I wish I had a better selection of embellishments (or ideas for embellishments) that are suitable for male cards. The men in my life don't appreciate ribbons, bows, flowers or butterflies, and even the sticky gems are pushing it a bit!

I had fun with this one - I always do when I can let my love of bright colours loose!

I'd like to enter the card into the following challenges: Stamp Something where they want us to use a digi: image, paper, insert
Pixie Dust Studio where they want us to use an animal,
Tuesday Taggers where 'Diamonds are Forever' - backing paper and sticky gems
and My Time to Craft where they're looking for jewels