Thursday, June 28, 2012

Riding Into Summer

It's the 28th, time for a Calendar Girl post here on my blog.

This month Michelle (pattem on SCS) hosted.... and she gave us a wonderful theme!

For most of us, June is the month that starts summer...many events are happening...school ending, graduation, weddings, flowers blooming and family vacations.
 My challenge is...using SC 388 (found in the SCS thread), with any color combination create a card that best suits your beginning to summer, or summer plans. It could be a trip you are planning, a flower that is blooming, a wedding you are attending, or a graduation gathering. Whatever it could be...have fun creating a card to go with it.

Michelle, your theme is the PERFECT opportunity for me to share a little bit about the incredible summer I'm having. But first..............

here's my card:




Oh... and here is a picture of the sketch we were to use (#388):




Of course, I simply HAD to decorate the inside, too:





 
Now, you might be wondering what this card has to do with my summer. Let me tell you........
 
I just got back from a trip to Thailand. YAY, me! It was a mission trip, filled with lots of awesome memories, most of which I can't share in this public forum. However, I can share pictures of our last day in Thailand (a sightseeing, adventurous day, which included riding ELEPHANTS!!!)
 
Here I am, atop a mama elephant with her baby walking alongside us:
 
 
I actually purchased that picture and it came in a picture frame that's made out of............. wait for it........
 
 
 
......... yep, the picture frame is made out of elephant dung paper (elephant poo!)
 
 
These pictures were taken from atop mama elephant (hence, I'm not in these pictures):
 
 


And here's a picture of Mama Elephant and Baby, after we had unloaded:
 
 
Do you see all the dirt on the baby's back? It was so cute. After we'd walked through the river, we came to a trail and baby found some dirt to play in. He took his trunk, picked up some dirt and tossed it onto his back. He did this repeatedly. Guess it just goes to prove that children of all species like to play. ;)
 
We also got to do some rafting on the river - on cane bottom rafts:
 
 

The water was very mild, no raging rapids!

And we rode in wooden carts pulled by brahma's:


 
It certainly was a FUN end to a fabulous trip!!!
 
Oh, and one more picture........ just to make you drool.........
 
 
A typical Thai breakfast.... fried noodles, spring roll, rambutan (the hairy red fruit - very yummy), grilled tomatoes, bacon, cheese, and a danish.
 
Yes, I ate this breakfast almost every morning I was in Thailand - our room price included an incredible breakfast and lunch buffet. And NO, I don't normally eat breakfast.............. but this was sooooooooooo good!
 
Okay, now that I've shown you way too many photos, please be sure to go check out the other Calendar Girl blogs to see what summer fun they're having. You'll find the links to their blogs in my left-hand side bar. Please leave them some "love", too........ they really appreciate your comments!
 
Hugs,
Jeanette
 
 
 
Image: My Favorite Things Jungle Out There
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Black and Soft Suede and a piece of Gray from my scrap file
Designer Paper: Cloud 9 Designs Going Places Collection (Travel and Travel Stripe)
Embellishments: DMC Embroidery Floss (the elephant's tail), Recollections Brads, and Stampin' UP! Black Grosgrain Ribbon

23 comments:

Janet said...

SO cute!! Love the card, & the pictures you shared!!

April said...

Elephant dung paper.....I am sure Tami is going to mention this....lol

Your card is fabulous! You followed the sketch to a tee!

More importantly, I must say, I enjoyed your entire post and I am so happy that your mission trip was such a positive experience!

Margaret said...

Your card is so cute! And your photos are incredible! What a fabulous trip and so many great memories.

Michelle said...

Your card is perfect! Absolutely love your pictures, was a great experience.

Patty Gorka said...

Super cute elephant card, you did a wonderful job with the sketch!

Your pictures are awesome. Sounds like you had a wonderful time- so glad you are back!

Barb said...

Great to see pictures of your trip Jeanette--your smile on each of the pictures-even on top on mama elephant--says it all!

Love the card--you rocked the challenge for sure for a awesome summer card!

Mildred Probasco said...

Jeanette
Just now looked at your card and the awesome pictures !! You was always so creative when you were here. Loved every minute of looking ! So glad you got to go, and to share with all of us.

Judy McMullen said...

Love the card! Love the pictures!! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us, Jeanette!!!

~Paola~ said...

Wow!! I enjoyed every single word of this fantastic post Jeanette as I learned more about your awesome trip and to see the delightful pictures too! Triple WOW!What an experience U were blessed with!
Thanks for sharing a visual piece of your adventure. Your card is a great reflection of your summer adventure...too precious!!*Kudos*!!♥

Terry Ladwig said...

First...what fun photos you shared from your trip! I rode an elephant at the zoo once and have pictures but not sure where they are....your trek looks so much more fun! I am so glad you got to enjoy yourself!

Second....great card as usual! Love the colors and the papers ☺
and of course I love the layout (thanks to Michelle)!!

Third....your breakfast looks yummy! I am happy to see that I recognize everything on your plate!

Glad you're back safe!

Carol W said...

First off Jeanette...awesome card. I love how you always make the inside just as beautiful as the outside...Next...awesome pics of your trip. You look so darn happy and am so glad to see it...What an experience...so glad you were able to go. All your pictures are priceless...just awesome...thanks so much for sharing...(I didn't recognize the furry fruit I must say)...ALSO, you really are into recycling...Elephant DUNG....wow...lol ♥

Shelly Schmidt said...

Such a cute take on the sketch! Love the color and DSP you used- and the card inside too. Goodness- your pictures are amazing!!! We you nervous riding the elephant in the river? Looks like an awesome adventure!!! Mmmm the food looks really good too. What an amazing adventure- Bless you : )

:: BlueInks :: said...

First, I am so glad that your super cute card is not using DUNG DP! Holy night. Not sure about that one.

I love the layout you used. Especially how you nestled the die cuts on the interior.

Your trip looks like an amazing adventure. I am so glad that you were able to go. Elephant riding (ouch on how they put the saddle under the tail) and rafting. Super fun!

Darlene said...

Wow! Your card is perfect! I love the colors and you nailed that sketch! The inside is just as wonderful as the front.

Now...on to the pictures of your trip: amazing! It's so great that you had this opportunity, what wonderful memories you must have! Elephant poo frames - I just love it!

Melina said...

Great card...love that sketch.

The pics from your trip are amazing! Wow, what a ride!

The frame....ugh :0 But it's cute!

Yummo on the food too. :)

Heather B said...

Looks like an amazing trip!!! Great card.

Unknown said...

Nothing like a poo frame! Great card as usual.

Marilyn said...

Great card and a perfect memory of your trip. Awesome pictures... my gosh, how exciting! Not sure about the frame - it's beautiful but elephant poo? Who would have guessed?

Marilyn said...

Great card and a perfect memory of your trip. Awesome pictures... my gosh, how exciting! Not sure about the frame - it's beautiful but elephant poo? Who would have guessed?

jimlynn said...

Great card - and - great photos!!! How fun that must have been!
Lynn

Samantha said...

Oh I am so jealous! I so want to go and try this :) Thank you so much for sharing!

Ana Carolina Little said...

Oh MY Jeanette, your pictures are unbelievable!!!. That baby elephant is to die for!!!. Congratulations on that awesome trip!!! and great card by the way.

MiamiKel said...

What a fun card, lovely color choice to create this beauty! Looks like a memorable trip! Xoxo