Tuesday 9 July 2013

A scorcher

What amazing weather we have enjoyed in the South of England for the last few days. It hit the 30s at the weekend just in time for the Wimbledon finals. How exciting was that! For the first time in 77 years we have a British men's singles champion, well done Andy. It was a wonderful match.

The weather continues with very high temperatures and my card today is very appropriate, a real summer scorcher. It is my second Guest Designer card for the Loves Rubberstamps Challenge.

 We are showcasing digi stamps by C C Designs. My cute stamp is called Watermelon Abigail. Mmm her watermelon looks so inviting. This week the theme for the challenge is to used a hoarded item. I know many of us crafters do this. I do this big time with some of my artisan lampwork beads, I just love to look at them ;0) Now amongst my hoarded card making things are these pretty little heart buttons. I have them in several colours and they have sat in my button tin for ages as I love to just look at them. Today 2 of the green ones have finally seen the light of day in the corners of my card.



Here is a close up to show one of my hoarded buttons.
My backing papers are a download from Cardmaking and Papercraft. I coloured Abigail with my Promarkers and highlight with my Prismacolor pencils.
I used Kraft paper for my matting. The central die is I think an old sizzix.
The fun scrabble pieces are a download from Fuzzimo.
The shell dies cuts are Marianne and the birthday sentiment  tag is one of my old Lili of the Valley tags. The ribbon is one of my many, (yes I am a lucky girl) wins this year.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Ladybug Crafts Ink Birthdays
Heck of a Challenge at the sea
Country View Crafts summer sizzler
A little Bit Crafty dying for it..use dies
Emerald Faeries Birthday
Rhedd and Rosie Here comes summer
Jelly Park Summer
A Creative Romance Use ribbon or twine
Ribbon Girls add a bow
Stamping Sensations summer colours
Allsorts favourite things my favourite things are of course the buttons and also Kraft paper which I love to use with all sorts of colourways. It works so well for any card occasions.
Clearly I stamp summertime


I have put her into my Etsy shop here for sale

This recent heat wave also made me thing that it was also a good time to share some more of my recent holiday snaps from Kephalonia.
One of our drives took us to  Assos, an incredibly picturesque spot. The drive down to the town is around hairpin bends but the views at the bottom are so worth it.
This is where we sat to have our picnic, in the cool shade of the pine trees. The smell was just delicious and it made me think of Christmas ;0)...just a bit warmer.
Behind us, up a steep 1.8 km walk was  the ruins of a Venetian Castle. Before we had our lunch we had walked to the summit. It was hot but the views on the way up and at the castle were stunning.
The pathway was very well made so there was no danger of falling over the side. Believe me I have no head for heights at the best of times.We were alone, not many people seem to attempt the walk.







We climbed up and up until the town looked smaller and smaller in the distance.










Eventually we reached the castle at the top.





















It was so cool at the entrance, the stone walls were incredibly thick. We found it impossible to imagine how it was built in the 15th Century. Sadly it was probably slaves who did the donkey work.

Inside the castle were just ruins and it was completely deserted. It was fun just wandering around. The only sound was the crickets chirping in the intense heat.



























After our wander and a sit in the shade to drink our water, it was time to return to  Assos to collect our car. On the drive back to Skala we stopped at a viewing point on the coastal road to admire the amazing beach of Myrtos. This is one of the beaches on Kephalonia where the sea turtles often come to nest.

It was late in the afternoon and it felt as though we were above the clouds in heaven. It really was the most gorgeous sight. I shall leave you with a few photos of this breathtaking view.






Thanks so much for visiting and the kind comments you leave me. I will be back soon.

I hope the sun is shining for your all too, if not, there is more than enough for me to share with you...enjoy ;0)

I am getting really excited for the end of the week as we are off to the gardens of Buckingham Palace, no less, to enjoy the Coronation Festival. I shall of course be taking my trusty camera.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


30 comments:

  1. Wasn't the tennis exciting Jane and it felt a real privilege to see Andy make history. Did you see the documentary on his last evening, he comes across as such a down to earth person unlike one or two of the top seeds, which make it all the more special.
    Lovely photos as well, takes me back to our time there a few years ago and that aqua blue sea.

    This year we will have time in Santorini and Athens on the Greek part of our trip. Been to both before, but there is always something new.

    Almost forgot, lovely sunny card today.

    B x

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  2. Yes indeed well done to Andy!
    I think we will all want a slice of Abigail's watermelon today, already it's roasting hot and it's only after ten. I love the scrabble letters!
    Beautiful scenes from your holiday but I had to laugh only you Jane could mention the 'C' word in July.
    Happy sunny Sunday,
    V xxx

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  3. Well done Andy!

    Love this cute card and the papers you used are so perfect. Loved seeing your hoarded buttons too.

    Thanks for taking me on a mini vacation this morning. Castles are my fav and it was so exciting to see the inside. Love the fabulous view.

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  4. Jane, your card is so beautiful. Looks like a real summer. Love it!
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful card with us at Staming Sensation.
    Your travel photos are amazing. Seems you had fantastic trip.
    Eret x

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  5. Gorgeous card Jane. The image looks fab and I love the summery colours.

    Your photo's look fabulous...wish I was there!
    Lorraine x

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  6. Stunning photography Jane, looks like paradise! Love the card, thank you for joining in Rhedd and Rosie's challenge, good luck Hun, Zoe DT xx

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  7. Hello dear Jane,

    What a sweet card, lovely colors and image and those long-admired hearts just make it perfect. And that view in those holiday pictures...took my breath away, thank you for sharing!

    Have a happy and sunny day again, and I wish your weather will keep beautiful!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  8. Hi Jane, I love this summery card. The little girl looks like my niece, Anna!!
    Send a bit of sunshine this way, it's been rainy and humid.

    Lovely holiday pics. My favorite is the one looking over/down at the village.

    Happy Tuesday to you....
    Anne x
    PlumCreek

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  9. Hi Jane, you're right, that little village at the bottom on that gorgeous water was beyond magical!! How did you manage not to jump in that water for a swim!? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  10. gorgeous card, love the fresh summery colours. Thanks for joining us at Rhedd and Rosies. Hugs Tina (DT)xx
    new followerx

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  11. Great card with fantastic embellishments just right for this time of year! thanks for joining the Rhedd and Rosie's challenge and good luck! love Melissa (DT) xxx

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  12. Such a lovely card and beautiful bunch of fabulous photos!

    Thanks for joining our Birthday challenge at The Emerald Faeries.
    Hope to see your lovely work again soon.

    I am offering a blog candy on my blog if you want to enter.

    Hugs, Sande xx
    The Emerald Faeries DT

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  13. You are so lucky to have adventures like this. Thanks for sharing! I like the Scrabble pieces on your card :)

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  14. Gorgeous creation ,
    thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations

    Hugs
    Francesca

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  15. Hi Jane! I'm so happy to hear that you have hot weather! Your card is lovely and all the photos so fantastic! Hugs! x Teje

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  16. The hoarded buttons are the perfect touch! I also like the tiles you used.

    Thanks for playing in Clearly iStamp Blog Challenge - Summer Time. Hope you will check out the calendar challenge I also have going on at the blog
    http://www.clearlyistamp.blogspot.com/2013/07/gift-idea-tuesday-plus-challenge.html

    Hope to see you back for CiSC #3 which will be posted on July 19th.

    Kathy D.
    Clearly Digi Stamps DT/Clearly iStamp Challenge Coordinator

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  17. dead cool card, but hot hot hot photos
    Hugs Kate xx

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  18. A bright, fun, summery card - beautiful. Thanks for joining in with our challenge this month at Country View Challenges. Chris xxx

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  19. What a cute summer card... I WANT MELON lol. Thanks for joining us at HOA challenge!
    ;-) Alex H.

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  20. Hello Jane I love your sweet card, the little girl and her slice of watermelon is just the perfect image for this week! Love the little heart buttons (yes, I hoard favourite crafty items for ages too!) Your holiday photos are wonderful....just amazing views of that deep blue sea, really gorgeous. Have a fantastic time at Buckingham Palace....looks like the lovely weather will continue for you too :)
    Helen x

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  21. Jane, what a gorgeous design..your cards are such beauties! And wow, the photos of your holiday are just breathtaking. I feel so relaxed just looking at them. To be there must be a zillion times more beautiful and awe-inspiring. I'm hopeful you're staying cool! We had a bit of a heatspell here too but we're having some cooler weather now..which I love! Thank you so much for your kind visits..I'm always very grateful and happy to see your visits. Have a lovely rest of the week!

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  22. HI Jane!

    Your card is so DARLING, I love your layout!

    And I so love the pics you shared! Wow wow wow .. that is such an AMAZING holiday!!! The scenery is INCREDIBLE!!!

    Big Hugs,
    Elise

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  23. Such a cute card; that image is darling!!

    Your other pictures are incredible - I want to go there and just dip my toe in the water - WOW; gorgeous!

    Thanks for joining us at Ladybug Crafts Ink!

    ~Michele

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  24. Your card is so cute! That image is just darling! Your pictures are gorgeous! So beautiful! Thank you for joining us at Clearly iStamp! -Hugs, Katy-DT :)

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  25. Gorgeous colours and a fabulous take on our theme! great photos too! Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations this month and Good Luck!

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  26. Gorgeous photos, great card. Thanks for joining us at Clearly iStamp for challenge #2. Dawn Frost guest DT.

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  27. I really enjoyed looking at your Kephalonia photos. I have never been, but after years of listening to my Mum's stories every year, I would love to go. I could do with a bit of sea to go with this heat!

    Another lovely card Jane, good luck with the entries.

    Bethx

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  28. First off I want to say that your photography is stunning. So love the pictures that you shared. Your so blessed to have been to this place. I so wish that I could experience something like that. It looks like it was an amazing place to be. I would love to just jump inn that aqua blue water for a swim. We are in a heat wave here in my part of Canada and going for a nice swim in a place like that would sure make beating the heat a pleasure. Lol. Your creation is so beautiful with it's bright and cheerful colors. This is sure to bring a smile to any face. Thanks for playing along with us at Clearly iStamp Blog Challenge.

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  29. Gorgeous card (and photos:)!) I just love this image and your layout is perfect! Thanks for joining us at A Creative Romance and good luck! Delphine xx

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  30. Such an adorable image and your colouring is fantastic. Love the photo's. What a beautiful place.
    Thanks for joining us at Ladybug Crafts Ink.
    Diane xx

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