8.21.2011

Let's take a hike ... through the Forest!

Happy SONday to all of you!  Today's card is one I made for Jeanette's Forest Swap over on SCS - she's the Forest Ranger :)  This time around her theme was to create a card that represented something about us ... and I LOVE nature!  I love being outdoors, I love to explore and hike and enjoy the natural beauty of that which He has given to us :)  I have always had an adventurous spirit as a child and would wander through anything from farmer's fields to climb up into castle ruins when we lived in Europe.

Two summers ago we took the kids to Europe for 5 weeks and I was so blessed to take them back for the day to my old childhood home in a small town of Ulmen, Germany and walked the same old cobblestone streets I walked as a child (I often road my bike, which was NOT fun on those ancient cobblestone streets! LOL!)  They were wide-eyed with that same look I had and I kept them exploring - here's a few pictures of one trip we took to Berg Eltz, a castle  way, way up high on a mountain and the ONLY way to get to it is to walk.  Steep uphill.   For 1 hour! I thought they were going to pass out, give up, walk back down and tell me to take pictures, lol, but we made it and it was SO much fun!


NOT a 40 minute walk!  This sign Fibbed!  Big time! :)
 
 
Let's go, Mommy!  I got this!

Well .... mabye not!  a lift, please?

Half way there!  See the ruins? 
 


Guess what kids?  We're taking the path less traveled!
There's a stream!  And a log!  You can do it! :)
 
And so they did!  They definitely take after me! :)
 
And it helped that the water was only 6" deep, ROFL!!  And if you look
in the distance, there was a cross over bridge :)  This water was STONE COLD
Freezing!  It comes straight from the mountain and sakes alive, it was titanic unbearable after just
a minute or two ;)

We made it!  But they promised me there would be a Starbucks inside this old Castle!!


That's a long way back down!  And that stream looks familiar! ;)
(It was originally a moat!)  And are those are real cannon balls ...
imagine having to fire one of those?!
 Anyway, thank you for indulging me in this trip down memory lane!  I guess I should show you my card now? LOL!


I'm not overly excited about it -- I even bought this Riley stamp for this swap because I knew exactly the image I wanted to use!  I like the dsp, though it wasn't the original dsp I used for the first set of cards .... but something about it is quite off.  Maybe it's the layout ... I dunno ..... I'd love to hear your critiques if you made it this far!  This is a sample card and I'm all about making things better in the creative process!

SONday hugs to you! 
Big hugs,
Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly
 

 Card meets the following challenges:  Wags 'n Whiskers - Outdoor Fun!
 Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes

18 comments:

  1. Kelly, I think the card is just great! Love the image with that DP too. Very cute.
    Fantastic photos!! WOW...talk about beauty!
    Lynn

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  2. I love this card but those photos are breath taking

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  3. How beautiful, such a great trip. I didn't know you were from Germany. I really like this card, the 2 dp's look awesome with the ricrac and flower treatment. Personally, I wouldn't change it at all. Actually, you could have made his hat and socks red to go with the dp I guess. {Shrugging shoulders}

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  4. Love this card!! Fantastic colour scheme and great stamping/colouring. Love the pics of your family's outing. Did you get that Bux in the castle or were they tricking you?

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  5. You are so the Queen of Layers!! I like the card! I think I agree with Lori that red hat and socks might make it pop more. But, Riley looks good in whatever he wears!!

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  6. I meant to add that it is too funny we both talked about Bux today in our posts....lol

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  7. Love your card, the image is perfect and the DP layers and colors are also of perfection as always :) Love the pics of your trip, it is beautiful over there.

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  8. Super duper photos! What a great experience to share with the family.
    I really like your card and design. It's a perfect image for the swap... so cute! If I were to change anything, I would add some shading to the grass that matches the greens of the DSP and trim.

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  9. I love the photos, thank you for sharing. It just looks so lovely!
    I just discovered Riley (the moose) and hope to have him in the next SSS order. I'm glad to see a card with him.
    SOOO cute.

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  10. TFS your fun adventure (0= Riley looks like he could make that 40 min trek up the hill... super adorable card!

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  11. This is really cute love the colours you have used thanks for joining us at the poodles parlour this week.

    Kerry

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  12. gorgoeus pictures and card, that water looks so refreshing, don't blame yall, I would have walked in it too!!!!!

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  13. Oh no, I don't think anything is "off" at all. The colors are gorgeous, the layout is perfect, great DP and coloring. I think it's fab. And what a wonderful trip! I'd love to do the same some day...well, maybe not the hike.

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  14. Look at those vivid patterns and Riley all decked out for the hike! Nice job on this card. Goes perfect with your photos and story.

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  15. What a great card. Looks like you are having fun aswell. Thanks for joining us over at The Poodles Parlour. Good luck.

    Elke XX

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  16. Kelly, Kelly, Kelly! You are your own worst critic. This card is AWESOME!!! I know, because I currently have SIX of them in my possession. ;) Though I do have to part with five of them very soon, I am sure the recipients of those five will love them just as much as I do!

    Hugs!!!

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  17. What a great family trip! I loved the pictures, thanks for sharing.

    I really think the card is cute! You are too hard on yourself!!! I like how you used the DP for the second layer of the image. Will have to remember that one!

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  18. Your card is wonderful and Riley definitely looks like he's ready to make that hike! How special for your family to share this trip down memory lane with you! I would love to see that castle (I don't mind hiking when the destination is worth it!)

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