Cool Britainnia @ Moving Along With The Times - Red, White & Blue

Good morning all!

It is the lovely Designer Diva Laurie's turn to host the challenge this week at 

Moving Along With The Times 

and she has picked a great one!

Cool Britannia - Red, White and Blue

Lucky for me with Britain being our Mother Country, we have the same flag, just with the great addition of the amazing Southern Cross :)) So being an Aussie; I interpreted this challenge slightly different and as

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!  

*insert cheeky grin here* :P

Being a Navy Wife and military proud, I thought I would fly the flag for one of our Aussie Navy Sailors and made a start on a Christmas Card & Gift Bag for a dear friend who will be on a tour in the Gulf this Christmas.  The bag has loads of goodies, some chocolate, coffee (the real stuff), DVD's, the kids school photos, plum pudding in a can and some party hats, party blowers, water guns and other novelty toys to amuse the boys on Christmas day.

Card and front of bag

Bag and tag

Back of back

Close up of tag

Card front

Sneak peak at the inside of the card. 

Digi My World

 is our lovely sponsor this week!

I used Brave Tin Soldier Colored from Digi My World  as I knew I wanted to use my Graphic 45 papers from my stash and the image just goes so will with him.

I also want to share with you the poem that is printed on the bag and therefore making this a rather long post now :#  *So Sorry*  This poem also hangs proudly in our house every Christmas and it is so heart warming that I think it should be shared. 

A Soldiers Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give,

and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary

I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder

Not how I pictured a Aussie soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read,

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,

Owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world the children would play,

And grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder, how many lay alone,

On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened, and I heard a rough voice,

‘Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice.

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,

My life is my God, my country, my corps.’

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,

And I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,

And we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,

This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, ‘Carry on, Santa, It’s Christmas Day, all is secure.’

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,

‘Merry Christmas, my friend, and to all a good night!’

-Author Unknown-

Adorable poem isn't it ?
Thanks for dropping into see me today :))
And I hope you join us in the challenge this week at
Moving Along With The Times 

 

Challenges this creation is entering with the help of the Feline Playful Girls -
Coffee, Chocolate & Cards - #13 For the Boys Fri E1/3
Crafty Catz - #134 Card for a man Fri E1/1 NTS
Craftymess Challenges - #9 Christmas in no traditional colors Fri E1/- GDT
Fairy Tale Challenge Blog - #41 Boys & Men Fri E1/2 NTS
2 Sisters Challenge - Bring On The Boys Sat E1/-
Craft Your Days Away - Red, White & Blue Sat E1/-
One Stop Craft Challenge - One for the Boys Sat E NTS
One Stitch At A Time - #115 Red White & Blue Sun E1/- NTS
Tammy's Scrappin Corner - Anything Goes Sun E1/-
Simon Says Stamp and Show - One for the boys Mon E1/- NTS
Lexi's Creations - For the boys Mon E1/-
Tuesday Throwdown - Masculine Tues E1/
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