One-Layer Wednesday 27: Christmas Kindness and a Give-Away

This week's OLW was inspired by an email Jennifer and I received from Rhonda Schmidkunz. Here's the first paragraph of Rhonda's email:

"Thank you to both of you for continuing the one layer card challenge. I don't participate in the challenges (mostly cuz I'm too computer illiterate to figure out how to post pictures), but I have been dependent for awhile on the challenge results. You see, I head up a group of gals that make cards for the ND State Penitentiary inmates to send to their families and friends. Recently one of the deputy wardens put the kabosh on layered cards. The problem with that is that it threw myself and the rest of our cardmakers into a tailspin as layered cards are pretty much all we knew how to do. I found Susan's site and we have been so excited with the ideas, examples and knowledge that one layer cards CAN be made. Susan, you have been one of the key ingredients to keeping our group going (even if you didn't realize it)."

After re-reading that, I need a minute to collect myself. *sniff, sniff*

Sorry, but it's a huge warm fuzzy knowing that your little ol' challenge is helping fellow stampers do some good in the world. All of you who have posted cards to the OLW are inspiring Rhonda's group. How totally cool is that? She and her stamping friends are showing kindness and positive encouragement to people who may not have had much of either in their lives.

And you know I'm all about kindness and encouragement.

Soooooo....

This week's OLW is to make one-layer holiday cards (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa) that meet the requirements for the North Dakota State Penitentiary, as outlined below. While it isn't a requirement of the challenge, if you want, you are invited to send your OLW27 cards to Rhonda's group, who will send them on to the prison.

To show some kindness and encouragement in this warm and fuzzy challenge, I'm doing two give-aways!

1. A random entry from the InLinkz posts this week will win a $15 gift certificate to either Mark's Finest Papers, Shady Tree Studio, Stampin'Treasures, or Papertrey. The deadline for this drawing will be Tuesday, November 9, at midnight.

2. A random entry from the cards actually sent to Rhonda will win a $20 gift certificate to any one of the four companies listed above. Send your cards to Rhonda Schmidkunz, 518 14th Street NW, Minot, ND 58703. To be entered in the give-away, you must send your cards so Rhonda receives your cards by November 30, 2010.

The cards you send to Rhonda will go to the North Dakota State Penitentiary in Bismarck, North Dakota. It is a 600+ men's prison for 18 year olds on up, with many in their 30s and 40s. The majority of them have wives, children, parents. A few of them only get a visit once a year from family so cards are a nice way to keep in touch. Even those who get more visits enjoy sharing a holiday card with their family. With 600+ guys, any Christmas cards we can send would be very much appreciated!



OLW27 Rules

1. A one-layer card is defined as a single piece of paper folded in half. No other layers allowed!

2. Make a December Holiday card that meets the North Dakota State Penitentiary rules for cards, as follows:

• No metal (brads, wire, etc.)
• No gemstones or pearls
• Limited glitter
• Flock, ribbon, embossing, and punched shapes are okay

3. Upload your card somewhere online and link to it using the InLinkz button on the sidebar of Simplicity.

4. The most important rule of all is to HAVE FUN!


[photo removed by author]

Supplies
stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Bells on Bobtail (Nov. Release)
ink: Versacolor
paper: white (PTI)
accessories: ribbon (Mark's Finest Papers)