Thursday, May 31, 2012

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 
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. 

 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/
- - - - - - - -

27 Treasured comments:

aqualeiga said...

Wow! This if wonderful Leesa, such a lovely idea, and a superb creation! Really cute image too.
Hugs, Ali x

Debs said...

Stunning card and gift bag Leesa - amazing details and the poem is just so beautiful.
Have a fabulous day.
Take care
Debs xx

Victoria said...

One word: wow!
I popped over from the MAWTT to learn more about your creation... it is absolutely stunning and so thoughtful. I really am moved.

Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...

Stunning creation hun, beautifully made & that poem is just perfect!
Hugs Shell xx

Mau xx said...

WOW!!!!! what stunning creations Leesa, I love your card, every single detail on it is lovely. The Bag...what can I say! what a great gift and the poem is amazing. Beautiful my friend..well done you xx
Hugs Mau xx

Unknown said...

This is so stunning and I love the card and the bag it is just Beautiful. All I can say is wow.

Thanks for Entering the Challenge
At Tammy's Scrapin Corner.
I hope to see you enter next week!!
Hugs Owner Tammy Ortiz

Lisa Jane said...

oh wow this is fabulous - and i know it will be well received. The poem is wonderful
Lisa x

Chris said...

beautiful project with so much detail.

Sue B said...

Wow! this is really special Leesa! what a wonderful gift for your friend - The card is stunning - gorgeous papers and wonderful layout! I love the poem too - it's very moving… I'm sure it will be something he will really appreciate and treasure!!
Hope you have a nice day!
Big Hugs
Sue xx

Hazel (Didos) said...

Oh WOW that poem made me cry, Its wonderful and so are your items. Stunning gift, how wonderful. I can just imagine them playing with the water pistols to cheer themselves up. Love Hazelxoxox

Josephine said...

What a fabulous set! I'm sure it'll be very much appreciated.

Thanks for joining the 'red, white and blue' challenge at One Stitch at a Time, and good luck!

carol said...

ooh fabulous card and what a beautiful poem.... thanks for sharing your creation with us at CRAFTY CATZ x carol

DesignerDiva said...

Leesa! I have a tear in my eye! that is such a beautiful poem and your card and gift bag are beautiful, not as beautiful as you sweet lady, what a lovely thought to give that gift!
Hugs Laurie xx

Lorraine said...

Absolutely beautiful Leesa. The card is gorgeous and the poem...well, words fail me. Fabulous.

NanaConnie said...

Leesa, These are magnificent! They take my breath away! Thanks for playing in the Masculine challenge at Tuesday Throwdown this week and I hope we see your creative work again soon.
NanaConnie DT

Kim Bell said...

WOW. Very pretty. Thanks so much for joining us at Tammy's Scrapin Corner
Hugz
Kim

Shirley-Anne said...

Made with love !
Beautiful project to share . Stunning papers and image along with emotional words .
Thanks for sharing on Craftymess Challenge Blog

julie_woolston said...

Brilliant card Leesa, love the colours image and detail.

Thank you for joining us at Lexis Creations.

Hugs Julie x

Susan Glennnie said...

great project love3 it thanks for joining the craftyness challenge x x

Caz said...

This is lovely, thank you for joining us at Craft Your Days Away..And good luck.

Caz CYDA DT

Zippy said...

Wow! Fantastic card and bag! Love the poem, definitely brings a tear to the eye xxx

Julies Crafty Creations said...

Fab card and bag! thanks for joining in with our red, white and blue challenge over at OSAAT and good luck Julie

Judith said...

I thought I had already visited you - as soon as I saw the whole of this gorgeous project I knew different - just fab Leesa - a real made with love gift - and I love that poem - your fantastic ideas must be just tumbling about in there - hugs Judith x

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

What a fabulous card and bag and thank you for sharing that very moving poem. Thanks so much for joining us at Lexi's for our Male Challenge hugs Susan x

Unknown said...

LOVE this ... simply LOVE it! Thank you for playing along with the team at Simon Says Stamp and Show ... apologies for my rather late comment!

Dawn said...

Love it love it love it Leesa!
Hugs
Dawn xx

Amanda said...

Great card and bag - thanks for joining us at Craft Your Days Away.

Amanda

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