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5.19.2010

I am a brave girl

Well, not really me, but that's what this card is all about! Last week, I told you all that I'm working on sending a couple of boxes to soldiers in Afghanistan via a family friend who is currently deployed there. Well, she is soon to return and this card is for her.

She is a brave girl!

I'm not sure if I could have ever been deployed, but she did and I am grateful that she served for me, you, and the rest of our country. We both grew up as military brats and are all too familiar with the military lifestyle, but during times of war it all becomes surreal.

Instead of making a red, white, and blue card, I "pinked" up the blue to make it 'pretty!' I was inspired by The Shabby Tea Room's challenge for the week, which provides that we use stars and stripes. So, here's my card!


Instructions
  1. Trim cream cardstock and stamp background pattern in navy ink.
  2. Add distress ink to the edges.
  3. Ruffle cabbage rose ribbon and tie into a bow.
  4. Adhere at an angle to pink A2 card base.
  5. Stamp banner and flags and paper piece.
  6. Add twine hand stitching.
  7. Stamp sentiment on cream cardstock strip, ink, and pop off card front.
  8. Adhere glitter stars.
Tuts, Tips & Tricks
  • How to add distress inks to your project to 'age' your projects


Watch a Video Here


Supplies

Stamps :: Unity - brave girl (sentiment), declare freedom (background); Practicing Creativity Designs - look up
Ink :: PTI - enchanted evening; Ranger - old paper
Cardstock :: PTI - vintage cream, sweet blush, aqua mist
Embellishments :: MemrieMare - cabbage rose ribbon, glitter stars; PTI - twine

But wait, there's more today!

Last night, I made some baked ziti and talked it up on Twitter/Facebook so much that I think some people wanted to see it, so I grabbed my camera and shot a photo! Now, it may look a little dry on top from the melted cheese, but believe me it wasn't in the inside (giggling)! Laura's recipe inspired me to make this meal. However, I cut some corners because I did not feel like stopping by the grocery on my way home from work. I had the bulk of the ingredients and took out the ricotta cheese and replaced sausage with ground beef. I have a small basil plant (LOVE THAT), so I was able to pop a little green in there! So, even with those adjustments, the dish turned out great, plus I have lunch tomorrow! Enjoy and stop by Laura's blog for some fun recipes to try out in your kitchen.


But wait...there is even more!

So, I have a little secret to tell. I really do not eat sweets. I LOVE food, but I usually pass on desserts. I have nothing against them, but when it's dessert time, I usually grab another plate of non-sweet food! However, there are a few desserts I like, such as cheesecake, mango and sticky rice, and strawberry shortcake (with a biscuit).

Now, remember I like to cut corners. I work every day and *need* lots of time to create, so cutting corners is my thing to do, especially during the week. So, I grab some of those Pillsbury individually frozen biscuits to have fresh ones baked within 25 minutes! Now, if I were a true cook/baker, I'd make some on the weekends and freeze my own, but I'm too busy paper crafting and lounging on my sofa...oh yeah and working on Embellish Magazine! I like to pre-make my strawberries, so they are prepared for the week (or however few days it takes to eat 'em). Anyway, here's how I make it:

Ingredients

biscuit(s)
2 scoops (or more) french vanilla ice cream
pint of strawberries (cut)
2 cups sugar

Instructions
  1. Cut strawberries and store in a container with LOTS of sugar and place in refrigerator for a few hours. Shake it up here and there while you're getting excited.
  2. Bake biscuits.
  3. Cut biscuit in half, place bottom biscuit in serving dish.
  4. Add ice cream.
  5. Add sugared-down strawberries.
  6. Add biscuit top and more strawberries (and juice).
  7. EAT FAST!


Thanks so much for stopping by today and indulging in one of my favorite blogging moments!

28 comments:

Savitri said...

Yummo everything!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the cooking. I FINALLY have the main rooms together... except my clothes... and I will be experimenting in the kitchen more. Desserts not my strong suit but I'm going to attempt more baking in the near future.

Christina said...

Excellent video tutorial! It took me a while to get comfortable with distressing, so it's great to see such clear video instruction. And your card is amazing, as always! Love the pennant banner and that crinkled ribbon!

~amy~ said...

Absolutely LOVE your card...it's gorgeous and the colors are fab...

You're my kind of cooker/baker:) Good grief, I'm starving..

jan metcalf said...

"I am a Brave Girl" is absolutely a stunning card! Love your color combination. She is a lucky soldier!

laurensmom22 said...

Wow, that card is stunning! Your friend will absolutely love it! And I love that you used pinks and blues instead of the normal red, white and blue. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

Diane Jaquay said...

Utterly FANTASTIC card!!!

Tiffany Pastor said...

I LOVE your card! Love the idea of using pink instead of a true red! Your dimension on the card is awesome! And I am always in need of fun new recipes! Thanks, Ashley!

Nicole said...

What a perfect card for our challenge and for a soldier! Love every detail of it. Thanks for playing along with us at TSTR! :)

Gina said...

YUM . . . Thanks for sharing the recipe, I'm definitely going to have to try that! :) Ashley, your card is Amazing and I am CERTAIN she is a Brave Girl! Thank her for me as well! :)

Debbie said...

Oh, Ashley ... this is simply gorgeous!!! I {heart} how you did the card in pink (my favorite color) and all the elements you incorporated into your design - the shabby vintage seam binding, chipboard stars, pennants -- just scrumptious! Thanks so much for coming back again to share one of your designs with us all in the Tea Room :)

Audrey said...

Ashley I love the card and the food looks so good. Have to try the recipes.
I want to tell you somethng that you or other reader may not know. Be careful using glitter and sending cards with it to the war area. If a soldier gets glitter on them it is very easy to see with the night vision goggles. I learned this froma dear friend who sends cards to the military. Thought you should know.
I am also the proud mom of a daughter in the military!
God Bless You!

Aimes said...

Oh that card is just fabulous! I love the pink, totally sweetens up the patriotic colours!
You've got me drooling on my keyboard - sooooooo hungry now! Those dishes look delicious!
x

shari said...

Your card is beautiful! I'm glad to hear that your friend is on her way home. The video was great, I'm learning alot. And the food, YUM! Thanks for sharing. Shari(cricutrookie)

Danielle Phillips said...

The card is great. I am an Army wife so anything patriotic is near and dear to me! and yum for that short cake!!

Margie Higuchi said...

OK..first of all, a complaint! DO NOT show food when reader is HUNGRY! Doesn't help! LOL!!!! I'm trying these tonight - thanks for making the decision for me! Heehee!!!

This card is just wonderful - love your take on the theme. Please thank her from us too :0)

Happy Hump Day!! xo

Unknown said...

Love the card, so elegant

Linda Beeson said...

That color combo on your card is just plain PERFECT and unusual! LOVE it! YUM on that baked dinner too, I want some!

Anonymous said...

WOW...this is stunning!! I love the blue and pink :)

~kelly marie~ said...

A wonderful card for a wonderful friend! What a story!

I love your video, and I would also love to come over for dinner. Hehe! :)

Charlene Austin said...

Such a great post!! Love the card, video and food talk!! Food blogs are my latest obsession.

I am so going to try your strawberry shortcake....just as soon as I get a stove back in my life!

OH.....and the basil plant. How do you keep it alive. Seriously I have killed so many and I just don't get it.

clouds said...

holy mama, that card for yer friend serving in the military, wow wee! Girl, you ARe the best! :) Amazing yer creativity! the video tut, awesome, I've just recently tried to tackle the distressing tech and so far I really likey! I've never had baked ziti, perhaps I shud order it one day :) deserts, well, the parents were here and let's just say they were a bad influence :) Seriosuly, that card is just gorgeous!

Hugs
Clouds :D

Alice said...

gorgeous card! love the stamped background!

Audrey Pettit said...

Your card is absolutely stunning, Ashley! I love your design to pieces and love that you've "pinked" up the traditional color scheme. Those glittered stars are beyond fabulous, too. Love Laura's food blog. Think I need to pay it another visit. :)
Thanks so much for joining us in the Shabby Tea Room this week.

Heather Rogers said...

The pink navy and turquiose together are a perfect combination. Never would have thought of it...but I love it. The sparkle stars, seam binding, and banner are fab!

Mona Pendleton said...

I love the non traditional patriotic colors Ashley! What's with all the food & goodies? You are making my mouth water!

Carol's Ink Spot said...

What a wonderful card! Just beautiful! I love the scrunched up ribbon with the stars. Hope your friend loves it too! Congrats on being one of the Top three winners for week #10 at TSTR!

Amy Rohl said...

The food looks delish, Ashley, but I am smitten with that card...wowza, girl!

Jessica said...

Your friend totally deserves this card. I love it especially how you girly-fied the traditional colors ;)

And you are quite the cook, dear!!! I'm a vegetarian but all these dishes look amazing. Especially the strawberry shortcake. Good on you for planning ahead and short cuts :) TFS.

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