5.28.2012

God Bless the USA!



Happy Memorial Day! 

God Bless our service men and women past and present for their sacrifices, dedication and love of our blessed nation - I thank you!

** Before I get to my Calendar Girl post, I wanted to announce the random winner of a free Riley and Company stamp from the Riley Blog hop ....
congratulations goes out to Kathy from Lucky Stamper!**
For a complete list of winners, check here!

It's the wonderful time when the Calendar Girls - a group of friends formed on SCS - post our monthly cards with a designated theme.  This month, our hostess was none other than the uber fabulous, Barb!
She gave us a theme of red, white and blue and showing our patriotric side since our posting lands on Memorial Day this year.

So naturally, I went with the new Riley called Grand 'Ole Flag Riley! 
He is an amazing representation of cuteness, glory, pride for our country and sure make you smile! :)
I paired Riley with a simple design of arrows, SU paper and of course, some buttons :)
And naturally I had to do the inside of my card - 
it's almost the best {funnest!} part for me!

Grand Ole' Flag Riley!




Barb also asked us to share what our favorite memory is of Memorial Day.
I absolutely love being mommy and always keeping traditions alive in my own family that I did with my own parents and brother growing up,
but we weren't stateside long enough to really celebrate as a country.
But I remember so strongly growing up that each Memorial Day, whatever AF Base we were stationed at, aside from 2 very remote locations, they always had a HUGE bash with music, bbq's, the Stars 'n Stripes playing,
heading to the pool to cool off and my mom stocking up on our clothes at the AAFES sale :)   I am so blessed to have had the childhood that I did and loved every minute, every hour, every year that we were a military family.
Now with my own kids, we host a BBQ and grill out and always make a trip to the beach on Memorial Day weekend with about a million other people! :)

Be sure to stop on over at the other Calendar Girl blogs to see what patriotic cards they made, too!  You can find them listed in my blog side bar :)

Big hugs!
Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

32 comments:

  1. Kelly, this is totally sweet. I really like this image and your layout is fabulous.

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  2. Super card Kelly! I love the stripes on the front, really adds interest!

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  3. Thank you again, that was such a great surprise to be a winner and such cute little Riley. Your card just reached through my Ipad and grabbed me!! Love Riley with a the flag how perfect and your layout with the banners and paper is amazing. Love your story about the holiday and your experience, such wonderful memories. Have a great day, my hubby is using the smoker and smoking up some ribs and chicken.

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  4. What a fabby card! Nothing better than a patriotic moose!

    I am proud that Barb chose this thee and that we got to celebrate this great day together!

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  5. This is just as cute as can be Kelly! Love the sentiment on the inside! Great story too!

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  6. Sensational colors and papers with this adorable flag-waving Riley! What a fabulous Memorial Day design, Kelly!!

    I hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

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  7. Really like your design on this cute, cute card! So precious with little Riley waving the flag!
    Hope you have a great day.

    Lynn

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  8. Kelly, your card is SOOOO cute!!!. Love your colouring, the papers and all your details!!! Great card!!!

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  9. Wonderful use of Riley for a patriotic card, Kelly! I really like the front layout too, those ribbon-shapes down the front are very effective.
    DH grew up in an AF family, and the AF brought us out to where we've settled now. Loved reading your perspective on the day's observances!

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  10. Of course you have the cutest Riley card! I love the colors, DP and layout.

    You were lucky to be able celebrate in a way that a lot of us couldn't. What perfect memories!

    Great card!

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  11. So, so cute! What an adorable image. Love your DP and layout. Wonderfully done.

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  12. Kelly, another masterpiece...wow, I love this card and I love your memories as a child...I can envision them in my mind...you truly are a wonderful mom and you do keep tradition alive...PTL...hope you are having an awesome Memorial Day...Great, amazing card...I love it!!!!!

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  13. What a terrific card design! Love the wide banners!

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  14. What a sweet card Kelly! I just love this image and the design is awesome!

    Thanks for making such a great card on this special day!

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  15. Happy Memorial Day! Your card is fabulous and perfect for the occasion.

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  16. Really cute card. Perfectly colored too-love it!

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  17. Cute card! I love that image! The layout is perfect as is the papers you chose. You rock!

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  18. What great memories Kelly, and great card, love the image.

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  19. A wonderful card to honor the great, and one that would get anyone's attention!

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  20. Heads off to you, Kel, for this wonderful, patriotic yet so adorable card!! No better card for this Memorial Day and no better plans than with family.... at the beach BBQing!! We went on a little trip to San Diego, CA... heading home shortly. So sad this weekend is over. :(

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  21. Oh my gosh, this is absolutely gorgeous! Your design and use of color and patterns really enhance this wonderful image. Fabulous card, Kelly!

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  22. This is a great card Kelly! Love the image of Riley waving the flag and the use of the banners/arrows under the image! Very patriotic!

    Love it ☺

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  23. I love patriot Riley! Your card is 100% cuteness!

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  24. Such a wonderful card for Memorial Day! I love the banners and buttons all tying in with the patriotic Riley! Another fabulous creation!
    BTW-I'll be visiting your lovely sunny state in just a few short days! Can't wait!!

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  25. cute fun and patriotic...a winner!!!

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  26. What a fabulous image and fantastic coloring. Love the layout you used and the cute buttons are just perfect.

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  27. Kelly this is such a fun and fabulous card for Memorial Day. Very Patriotic with the colors and Riley holding the flag. xx

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  28. So adorable and patriotic! I love the image and papers you used. Beautiful work!

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  29. beautiful card, awesome sweet image, perfectly executed for such special occasion. ♥ TFS

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  30. Fabulous Patriotic card! Look at all those layers!

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  31. What a cute CUTE card! I love that Riley with his flag waving! Great one to use for the Calendar Girl theme! Darling!!!

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  32. love the banners! what a great image! :)

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