Calendar Girls ~ Christmas in July

It is the 28^th, so I am here to welcome you to another round with the Calendar Girls!

Who are the Calendar Girls? We are a group of bloggers who want to have a place where friendships blossom, creativity abounds, and encouragement prevails! In keeping with that dream, this blog group has been created so we will have a place to interact and enjoy being fellow bloggers.

This month Carol posted our July Theme ---Since it is my turn to pick a theme for this month...I am going to once again try and get a head start on the holiday season by asking each of you to post a "Christmas in July" card. I love Christmas and have tons of holiday sets and it is a shame that I don't get to use them all year long....so am going to ask you to break out the Christmas tunes and make a Christmas card... Also, I would love to know if you have any very special Christmas traditions OR a special Christmas memory from years past.... A big thank you to Michelle for helping me out last month...I do appreciate it....

I love Christmas and I too would love to get a jump on making cards this year. I used a Penny Black stamp that I bought last year, but had not used it. And, in honor of our hostess Carol—I used a glitter pen to add some sparkle to the stocking and ornaments!

Here is a picture of the inside, with an additional sentiment by Verve

As far as a Christmas memory, I do remember heading to church on Christmas Eve and my mom, dad and I were in the car.  My dad “forgot” something in the house and came out a few minutes later.  When we got home, it seemed there were now presents under the tree that were not there before.  Hummmm………

Image/Sentiment—Penny Black Winter Glitter/Sentiments Great Impressions (no name listed) and Verve Christmas Blessings

Cardstock—Gina K Red Hot and White; PTI Berry Sorbet; Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses Designer Paper

Ink—Memento Black; Stampin’ Up Real Red

Accessories—Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses Brad;  Copic Markers; Jelly Roll Stardust Clear Pen; SU Punch

Please check out the blogs of all of the Calendar Girls—there are 10 of us, so it might take you a bit.   I am sure you will enjoy all of the Christmas creations and holiday stories. All of the blogs are listed on my left sidebar. Thanks for joining us!!!!!!!

I also have entered this card in the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin'--Christmas in July
Pixie Dust Studio--Christmas in July
ABC Christmas Challenge

Lovely as a Tree

Here is the second card for recent Trees, Branches and Leaves swap that Taryn hosted. 

This is my all time favorite stamp set and I was so sure it would be retired this year.  I will be so sad when it goes, but I know I will continue to use it over and over!

Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up Lovely as a Tree/Petite Pairs

Cardstock—SU Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight; The Paper Loft Scattered Pine Mountain Scrub Oak Valley Patterned Paper

Ink—SU Early Espresso

Accessories—Espresso Brads and Quilted Satin Ribbon; SU Punches

Mystery Image ~ Pony Parade

This card is for a Mystery Swap on SCS.  A group of us are doing a bi-monthly swap where we all use the same mystery image, sent to us by the hostess.  This swap was created by Forest Ranger—Jeanette.  These images were sent to us by Kate, who will swap the cards and send us the next image, provided by Samantha!  I can't wait to get the swap cards back to see how everyone else used the same image.  And then we get to do it all again!!!!

 The image the Kate sent was a bit of a challenge for me, so I looked up how some creations in the gallery on SCS.  I found a couple of ideas that were birthday cards with the balloons and almost all of the cards had glitter added for sparkle on the pony.   Some of my added elements were using a Spica clear pen on the pony’s mane and tail as well a white gel pen on the balloons.  There is also a cupcake brad on the patterned paper in the inside.

I think this card turned out very cute—and I hope Kate as well as the others in the swap like it also. 

Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up Pony Party/ Create a Cupcake Sentiment

Cardstock— SU Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirquette, Patterns Love DSP

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Riding Hood Red

Accessories—Copic Markers; Circle and Petite Scallops Nesties; Punches; Pink Ribbon; Pink Brads; White Gel Pen; Twine; Spica Clear Glitter Pen; Cupcake Brad

I have entered this card in the following challenges:
Top Tip Tuesday---It's all about Circles
Cupcake Craftroom--Layers
Love to Create--3 of Something
Let's Ink it up--All Girl
The Squirrel and the Fox--Kids or Babies

Dueling Darlings ~ Get Your Grill On!

It is the 15^th of the month and that means another Dueling Darlings challenge.  Our hostess this month for the Divas is Tami.  The theme that Darlene, the hostess for the Dazzlers and Tami came up with is Grilling!

I love this image and I am going to admit that I do not have this stamp (and all of the Darling’s are gasping at this time…..What? Barb does not have this Whipper Snapper stamp?) All of the things Tami sent were so fun and I had a blast coloring him up.  When I cut out the image with my labels die, I thought it looked odd with the “bubble” on the top and bottom.  So, I trimmed off the bottom and made it flat.  I needed to do that also to the two layers of cardstock that I also cut with my die.  I think it looks pretty good!

Here is the inside of my card—it is time for a party!

I love to grill—summer, winter—any season. Last weekend was our annual 4^th of July party and I worked the grill with 3 dozen Brats, Italians and Hot Dogs!  We were also asked to share a favorite recipe for a cookout.  My recipe is below and though it is not a grillin’ recipe, it is made every year for the cookout!  I love it—Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole.

Image/Sentiment—Whipper Snapper Grill Sergeant/Inside Kolette Hall

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper—SU Cherry Cobbler; Gina K In the Navy, Little Boy Blue; We R Memory Keepers and My Mind’s Eye patterned papers

Accessories—Copic Markers; SU White Ribbon and Offray Red over the top; Quickutz Frame Label 2 Dies; Darcie Rhinestones; White Gel Pen (on shoes)

Please be sure to stop in to see what all of the Divas as well the Dazzlers have created this month.  All of the blogs are on the left sidebar of my blog.  I am sure you will enjoy all of the grilling creations.  Thanks for joining us!!!!!!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Craft Punked--Summertime
The Stamp Man Challenges.-Summer colours
Wags-n-whiskers-Red/White/Blue
Sweet Stampin-Colors of your Country's Flag

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

1 (2 pound) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1/2 cup melted butter

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

1/2 cup chopped onions

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups crushed cornflakes cereal

1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a large bowl, combine hash browns and 1/2 cup melted butter—set aside.

In a second bowl, blend the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chopped onion, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Mix in with the potatoes and place the mixture in a 3 quart casserole dish or 9 x 13 cake pan.

Drizzle the final 1/4 cup melted butter over the mixture and sprinkle the corn flakes over the top of the butter.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes

I do hope you try this recipe--it is sooooooooooooooo good!

Get Well Soon

Here is one of the two cards that I made recently for Taryn’s Trees, Branches and Leaves swap on SCS.  The images are from one of my favorite Stampin’ Up retired sets.

Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up Botanicals/Thoughts and Prayers

Cardstock—SU Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, River Rock; Gina K Ivory; Bo Bunny Back to Basics Roughin’ It Leaves Patterned Paper

Ink—SU Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede

Accessories—Leaf Brad; Tan Ribbon

Happiness is Coexist!

Here is my second card for the Mo Manning swap on SCS that Paola hosted.  This too is a digital image and along with the earlier card, these were the first digis I printed out and used for a card.  I love Mo Manning images and so many are available as a digital file—so I think I will be using more and more in the future!

We have a flag flying off of our deck that says "Coexist" on it--it would be a nice thought for everyone to be as peaceful as these critters........................

Image/Sentiment—Mo Manning-Coexist/Stampin’ Up Warm Words

Cardstock—SU Peach Parfait, Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red; Reminisce Animal House-Paw Prints Patterned Paper

Ink—SU Riding Hood Red

Accessories—Copic Markers; Peach Brads and Ribbon; SU Modern Label Punch

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Mo Manning--Anything Goes with Mo
Ooh-la-la-Creations--Whiskers

Fishing ~ Wish Big!

Paola on SCS came up with a wonderful idea for a swap—Mo Manning images.  And, Mo-Maureen—herself was a visitor to the thread.   Paola and Maureen posed some trivia questions for us to answer and we were able to win prizes--and I did win a gift certificate to her store the first nightJ.  I have a few digital images files—however this was the first one that I actually printed out and colored for a card.  I also have some rubber stamps by Mo and love those too.  I think I will be using more digital images in the future--love the storage space they free up!

I took two spots in the swap and the second card will follow in a couple of days.

Image/Sentiment—Mo Manning-Fishing/Stampin’ Up Short & Sweet

Cardstock—SU Early Espresso; PTI Ripe Avocado, Kraft; Reminisce Fishing Patterned Paper

Ink—SU Early Espresso

Accessories—Copic Markers; Kraft Brads; SU Oval Punches

I have entered this card into the following challenges:
Mo Manning-anything goes w/Mo
Paper Crafting Journey--Summer
Digi Doodle Shops Best-Sports
Totally Papercrafts-Here Comes Summer

On a personal note--the weather is to break today and we are to be "only" in the high 70's--YAY!!!!  We have our annual family and friends 4th of July cook-out, so cooler temps are so appreciated.

Crafty Gals ~ Christmas in July ~ CAS

It is the 5^th of the month, so I am back with the another challenge of the Crafty Gals!  We are a group of bloggers who have monthly challenges, caring comments & fun chit chat on SCS—our favorite stamping site to visit.

This month, the challenge was posted by Patty.  Here are the details of her challenge:
"Christmas in July!"
It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas so let's get an early start to your holiday cards with this month's Crafty Gal's blog challenge. And since clean and simple cards are my very favorite your challenge this month is to make a clean and simple Christmas or Holiday card. I can't wait to see all of your holiday cards!

First--since the temps have been in the high 90's and we hit 100 yesterday--first time in 17 years--it seems a bit odd to be making Christmas Cards!  But, I did it.  Clean and simple cards are a challenge for me anyway—now add that to a CAS card that I need to post on my blog—yikes!  But, I saw this stamp and knew it would be a good image for this challenge.  I think the card turned out well.

Image/Sentiment—Hero Arts Starry Night/Sentiment-Penny Black Wondrous

Cardstock—Gina K White; Stampin’ Up Bashful Blue and Night of Navy

Ink—SU Bashful Blue and Craft White

Accessories—Crystal Star

Please check out the blogs of all of the Crafty Gals.   All of the blogs are listed on my left sidebar and I hope you will enjoy all of our Christmas in July Clean and Simple creations. Thanks for joining us!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
The Paper Players--Christmas
52 Christmas Card Throwdown
Nut Crafters--Making a Scene
Paper Pretties--Celebrate Any Occasion

Happy 4th of July ~ Tomorrow!

This is a card that I made for our monthly SOTC—Sisterhood of the Traveling Cards--Swap on SCS.  Wynne was our hostess for June.  Here is her challenge:  For the month of June we're going to have a summer time theme. Please make a card inspired by your favorite summer time activity or something you love about summer

I love the 4^th of July—it was my dad’s birthday and we always had a family and friends picnic at the farm for as long as I can remember.  After he was gone, I took up the tradition and for the past 20 some years, we have a cookout.  This year the party is next Sunday, on the 8^th.  I have a bit of red/white/blue paper, so I decided to make a card to celebrate one of my favorite parts of summer!

Image/Sentiment—Stampin’ Up July Fourth

Cardstock— SU Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy; Gina K White; We R Memory Keepers Old Glory-Fireworks, Liberty and Yankee Doodle.

Ink—SU Not Quite Navy

Accessories—We R Memory Keepers Glitter Brads; Red Satin Ribbon

I am entering this card in the following challenges too:
Craft Spot By Kimberly--4th of July
Ttwisted Tuesday--Stripes
Cute Card Thursday--Patriotic
Sentimental Sundays--Patriotic
Crafty Bloggers Network--Anything Goes
Love to Create--Stars-n-Stripes
Especially Made--4th of July + Bling
Tammy Scrapin Corner--4th of July

Cheers!

Here is the second of the two cards that I made for Samantha’s 2 of Something Swap—the first one was early this week.  I used another Unity stamp for this swap and like how it turned out.  2 glasses of champagne—2 brads—2 types of DSP—card done!

Image/Sentiment—Unity Itty Bitty Cheers

Cardstock—Gina K White; Stampin’ Up So Saffron, Baja Breeze and unknown SU Designer Series Paper

Ink—SU Baja Breeze, Memento Black

Accessories—Blue Brads;  Copic Markers