Thursday, July 25, 2013

Summer Picnic Blog Hop!

I am so excited, as are my Hosti sisters, to be a part of another of our Hero Hostess Blog Hops!  We had so much fun last January that we decided to do it all over again this summer, using as our theme Summer Picnic! The Hop began on Monday, and we've set a nice easy pace of 4 or 5 blogs each day, so you can take your time all this week.  Hero Arts will be awarding prizes from randomly drawn comments.   For a chance to win, simply comment on ANY of the stops along the Hop on ANY day, including each day's starting post at the Hero Club Blog.  The more comments you leave, the better your chance of winning!  And I've added a little giveaway of my own, see more below.

You should have arrived today from Arlene's blog.  If you just happened across me and would like to start at the beginning, go to the Hero Arts Club blog, where you'll find the line-up for today.   Our fearless leader, Deborah, has been writing some hysterical posts there each day that you won't want to miss!  If you find a broken link, please report it to: blog@heroarts.com.  Let's get started!

I knew immediately what I'd make.......a jar of pink lemonade against a quilt background.  I love lemonade on a hot summer day, and pink lemonade is even better.  Add a well-loved quilt spread out on the grass in the shade, and I'm in heaven!


supplies:  Hero Arts CL673 Love Jar,white card base, design papers from Basic Grey's Mint Julep 6" paper pad, yellow cardstock for lemon wedge, pink cardstock for lemonade insert, vellum for jar,  Butter Bar mid-tone and VersaFine onyx black inks, Simon Says Stamp pink strawSigno white gel pen and ruler for faux-stitching, Cuttlebug Juli's Garden embossing folder

We also decided to share a favorite summer recipe.  Mine is a Pasta Salad that I found in our kids' grade-school cookbook, way back in the 1980's.  In my opinion, it's best made when the little Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes are being harvested - they taste like candy!   You can add anything you like to this recipe, but it's the dressing that makes it, I think!

Pasta Salad

16 oz. package corkscrew pasta
1/2 C. olive oil
1/4 C. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 Tbsp. fresh basil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed

Cook pasta according to package directions, rinse, drain, cool to still warm.  Mix remaining ingredients for dressing and pour over warm pasta; toss.  You may need to adjust the olive oil and lemon juice, keeping the same proportions,  2 to 1, if you think the mixture is too dry Cool completely in refrigerator, then add:

chopped red/green pepper
fresh cherry tomatoes or chopped tomato
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
4 oz. provolone cheese, sliced and diced
4 oz. salami, sliced and diced 

other additions:
garbanzo beans
olives
fresh mushrooms

Toss all together and keep refrigerated until time to eat.

I'm the final stop of our hop for today, but be sure to check the Hero Arts blog tomorrow for the new lineup for Friday. Thanks so much for visiting - hope you're enjoying our virtual picnic!

I'd like to give away a Hero Arts/Archiver's Arrows exclusive stamp and die set and a set of Hero Arts ink cubes, including the new peach and mint julep colors.  Just be sure to leave me a comment here by 11:59 PM EDT, Saturday, July 27, and I'll use random.org to choose a winner. I'll announce that name on Monday, July 29 here on my blog.

151 comments:

Tracey said...

So pretty! Love your card!!

Annette Allen said...

aww this is so cute.. i love how you added the straw..

Sue D said...

Love the pink lemonade against the quilt background. thanks for the recipe too.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

judy said...

I love the quilted bacground on your pretty card!

Jackie said...

That is adorable! And thanks for the pasta salad recipe. It's quite timely, actually, since I was just thinking about making some today.

Betty Sue said...

I love the quilt background like a real picnic!!! Pink lemonade? Great card.

Candy Meyers said...

Oh, now this is a great card. What a wonderful way to use up scraps. But nonetheless it is a vibrant, appealing card. Great job.
Candy Meyers

Chriss Blagrave said...

Love this card Lin! The embossed quilted background, the colours and prints, faux stitching and the marvelous pink lemonade in the jar. Looks like real pink lemonade in there!
Awesome card and thanks for the pasta salad recipe :)
Have a great day!

CinnamonSally said...

Such a gorgeous card Lin and so you with that fabulous quilt background!! The recipe sounds yummy too I must try it!

stampingandstitching said...

Lin, I'm sure you can tell how much I love this card! Your quilt background is fabulous - wonderful mix of colours and patterns and I love the texture! The pink lemonade looks brilliant and I love the special details like the straw and lemon slice! Thanks so much for your Pasta Salad recipe - it sounds and looks absolutely delicious, I can't wait to try it!

Barb said...

This reminds me of an old quilt my grandmother made from old flour bags. My grandfather worked at a flour mill and flour was sold in these cotton floral print bags. She used them to make quilts, potholders, aprons etc, This card brought back many memories. Thanks.
P.S. Love your pasta salad recipe.

Barb said...

This card is so YOU!!! I love it, Lin! Your quilted background looks amazing and your jar of pink lemonade is beautiful!

I love your recipe too - nothing like a refreshing pasta salad at a picnic! So happy to be hopping with you this week! :)

RedGem said...

Wow... love this card the background is so great! Will have to try this pasta salad recipe I always love quick!

Arlene said...

One of Lin's famous quilts to drink fresh PINK lemonade and eat pasta salad. OK I'm in heaven. Love the card.

I will HAVE to try this salad. Love picnicing with you.

linf54 said...

Beautiful card, love the quilt.

judkajudi said...

OH, Lin, this is the ultimate Lin card!! Love the quilt background for the amazing jar of pink lemonade!! It's been great fun picknicking with you!! Hugs!

Teresa Zuehls said...

What a beautiful card! It is so summery with the pretty colors of the quilted background, which by the way I just love! The pink lemonade and jar complete with straw is perfect for a hot summer day. The recipe sounds so good too! TFS

heidi @ ggip said...

I really like how you constructed the card with the lemon slice!

adele holcomb said...

This card is simply stunning! I don't know which I like better -- the beautiful quilt that reminds me of my childhood, or the clever jar of lemonade that looks good enough to drink.

Gunilla/Nilla said...

What a fresh summer card, love it!

tammy b said...

wow, that lemonade looks amazing, vellum? great card!

Thalia said...

Lovely card! Pasta salad sounds good too.

Lauren said...

Love, love, love this card and the embossing just makes it wonderful.

Virginia L. said...

What a YUMMY post, Lin! Your pink lemonade is absolutely perfect for the picnic!! I love the addition of straw and quilt background! This card is totally YOU :) I shall get David to look at your pasta salad, I know he would love to try this recipe!! You rock this picnic!!!!!!

Miriam Prantner said...

That vellum jar is wonderful! Loving the dry embossed background too!

shirley-bee said...

What a fab picnic card, Lin! The pink lemonade looks so refreshing, and I love the quilt!

GrammySue's Creations said...

Your card is beautifully done--quilts and lemonade are a perfect match. Your recipe for pasta salad sounds delicious.

Trinh said...

Wow, your background is gorgeous! I love the pink lemonade too.

I am going to add your pasta dish to my book of recipes. Looks easy & sounds yummy!

Francesca said...

Yummi pasta salad!

Dana D. said...

Your card is wonderful. Terrific colors and amazing details. The pasta salad recipe looks quite yummy.

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Love the jar and straw - real summer picnic feel.

Barbara said...

Wow! You aced this one! It's gorgeous and I love all the details from the quilt background to the mason jar of lemonade! Was the quilt a paper or did you cut and paper piece it to look like a quilt? It's a beautiful card!!!! Thanks for the delicious sounding paste salad recipe, too!

cm said...

The pink lemonade against that quilt: stunning! And the lemonade itself looks realistic enough to drink! Stunning! As for the pasta salad recipe: perfect pairing for that refreshing drink! Thanks for sharing!
c

Judy1223 said...

Oh, Lin! The ULTIMATE "Lin card!" Love the quilted paper-pieced background behind that lovely pink lemonade! (Yet another embossing folder I think I'm going to have to buy!) The pasta salad recipe looks great. may have to try that this summer! Thanks for all your hard work and inspiration as a Hero Hostess...you are awesome!

Heatheranne Whitman said...

Wonderful card! The textured, quilted background is lovely and I love the way you did the jar, with the straw and lemon. Thanks for the yummy looking recipe. Thank you for the chance to win such a wonderful prize. :-)

Kailash said...

Simply gorgeous card Lin, the colors are so very pretty, love your unique quilt design. The salad looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing!

slang said...

One of the cutest cards I have seen in this hop. Love the quilt like background and that stamp of the jar is adorable. Love pasta salads, I will have to try it!

Kris in Alaska said...

FABulous card! The lemonade looks yummy!

Kris in Alaska
funamom at yahoo dot com

Sue Lelli said...

Love how you embossed that mix of papers! pretty card, Lin!

Dorothy C. said...

I love pink lemonade and this card! You used my current favorite paper pack too. The pasta recipe sounds soooo good.

Katie Ann Brooks said...

the salad looks delish, but the card even more so! LOVELY!

Vikki H said...

such a sweet look to emboss your background for the quilting! very nice touch altogether on your card.

Ann Marie said...

The pink lemonade is so pretty - thanks for the idea since I'm not a fan of the colour yellow. And thanks for the chance to win.

Denise Bryant said...

Fabulous card and yummy looking salad! Love your embossed background, so perfect for a picnic card! And the lemonade in a jar looks very refreshing!

Craftyfield said...

The vellum works so well for the jar, this is a lovely card. Your salad is ideal for those hot summer days...now here is an idea for tonight's dinner!

marking said...

You always inspire me with your cards. Love that quilt and pink lemonade. The pasta salad looks interesting. I should give it a try

Robin Cooper said...

Great card! Love the pink lemonade and pasta salad. YUMMMM!

Kim M said...

Oh Lin, I just love your card! The jar of pink lemonade looks so frosty! Love that quilt background. Just beautiful. :-)

Daria Z. said...

Oh my gosh, Lin!!! LOVE your fabulous quilt - the embossing just makes it perfect! And such a sweet jar of pink lemonade!

Unknown said...

I just love how you are able to make your cards always look like a quilt. I've read some where on your blog how you use to make them. Just picked up that embossing folder and just love it too. Pretty card Lin.

Renee M said...

Very sweet card! I need to try your pasta recipe--it sounds delicious and would be perfect to take to work. Thanks!

joy said...

I agree, Lin! A soft quilt spread out underneath a big shade tree and a tall glass of lemonade makes for a perfect summer afternoon picnic. Love your card.

The pasta salad looks scrumptious!

donna mikasa said...

Such a refreshing card, Lin! Paired with your quilted background? Picnic perfection! And I'm drooling at the photo of your pasta salad--one of my weaknesses! Will definitely be trying it soon.

Unknown said...

That quilted background is so cute! I've been a follower for a while now, and the country style is one of the things I love about your cards.

karenelr said...

How utterly delicious and clever! I am in love with your card!!! You have out done yourself on this one! Thanks for the inspiration and yummy recipe and the chance to win some goodies!

Petti said...

love both your card and recipe!

LauraJane:) said...

I just adore your quilted cards...It was a HOOT reading about you putting a quilted skirt and lace on the CADI!
Such fun writing on the HA posts this week:)
Your pasta salad picture looks YUMMY!

cheiron said...

Lin your quilt is amazing! It looks so real. And I would love a nice big jar of that pink lemonade. Great summer card!

Стокли said...

Awesome almost-real jar!

Brenda said...

Pink Lemonade seems to be a popular drink for summer, I can't say I have ever tried it! However, I really do love your quilted background Lin! Just so pretty! Thanks for the recipe share!

Leesa B said...

Love your beautiful pink lemonade jar and the quilted background is so fabulous! Love pasta salads! You made it a fun summer day! Thank you and Happy Summer!

PamSpradlin said...

An old fashioned glass of lemonade against that quilt background...just perfect. I remember when I was little my Grandmother would give me lemonade in a ball jar.

One of two sisters said...

LOVE THE CARD!It looks so realistic!I also love pasta salad-one of my fave things to eat in the summer!

Kathy (krolski) said...

Love, love the pink lemonade on the quilt! Such a fun card, Lin! The pasta recipe sounds delicious!

Sue McRae said...

Lin I just love the texture from the embossing folder. Your quilted background goes perfectly with your pink lemonade

cghundley said...

Very pretty card,
love the colors used.
Carla from Utah

Pat said...

Lin, I always admire your cards so much, so I had to come check yours out when I saw that you were on the blog hop. I was surely not disappointed as your summer card of pink lemonade and beautiful quilt is just perfect for a picnic and this time of year!

Barbara said...

Love what you did with the card!

Unknown said...

This card really looks like summer!!

Mateja M said...

Such a beautiful card. Love the colors of quilt and the embossing :) That jar of lemonade would be awesome right now :)

the doghouse said...

Lovely card...

Kathy Rosecrans said...

Love the lemonade card! And your pasta salad dressing sure sounds good!!

Karen said...

You are so clever and creative! Your quilt background is gorgeous and using embossing for the quilting was a genius idea! Love that jar of pink lemonade, too. It wouldn't be a picnic without pasta salad, and yours sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing your ideas, creativity, and recipe.

Anonymous said...

Pink lemonade - my favorite drink. Lovely!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Way to finish up day 4, Lin! Just love your darling quilt and pink lemonade card!! Gorgeous background and so fun wiht the straw! That pasta salad is sure to find its way onto my menu - looks delish!! So fun hopping with you this week, my friend!

creationsnz said...

fantastic card! Love the quilty background especially, and the lemonade is cool!

4Ucards said...

This is the perfect summer card. I love your quilt. What better way to taste lemonade then in a glass jar with a cute straw. This is picture perfect.

Shelley said...

Very pretty Lin!

Patricia said...

I am SO in love with your card!!! I've never seen anything quite like it. Absolutely adorable! I have got to try to make something similar if I can. Thank you so much for the inspiration! Love the pasta salad too by the way!

Greta said...

Wowzer, Lin! This is one of my favorite cards you've made--just love your quilt! My mouth is watering for the pink lemonade & pasta salad!

diana said...

Lovely summer quilt card! And thanks for the pasta salad recipe. TFS ;-)

Dame Jeanne Marie said...

Your card is AWESOME!!! Wow - how creative is this! looks like a yummy pasta salad too...thanks for the recipe.

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

Quilty genius Lin! We just love lemonade at our house--even in the dead of winter! That pasta salad is wonderful--we make something very similar! Happy summer to you friend!

Teresa W. said...

So creative on your table cloth like background and the pink lemonade. WOW! Love the yummy pasta salad. Thanks for sharing your card and recipe.

Unknown said...

Love, love, love your pink lemonade jar! And your pasta recipe looks like a must try. :)

Barb Ghig said...

Hi Lin ~ Oh, I just LOVE your sweet 'Summer' card! Your lemonade jar is so charming, and I love the quilted background...So fun!
Thank you so much for the recipe, too...I will definitely enjoy it!

chiyo smith said...

I so enjoy your cards, I can feel your sweet heart in them. I'm a retired recipe collecting, scrapbooking grammy that's been looking for a good pasta salad recipe. Printing yours--love the personal endorsement.
Bless You,
grateful grammy chiyo

Cindi said...

Love the look of the embossed patterned paper!

Janet M said...

A nice drink for tooling around in that pink Cadillac.

SandiL said...

I love this, how amazing is the paper quilt dry embossed! Love how summery this card is really makes me smile :)

Marilyn C. said...

Your card describes the best kind of picnic - quilt and all. Your drink is very inviting - so real!

Alexia Misso said...

Your card is so full of sunshine, thanks for sharing! Thanks for sharing the recipe too!

Chark said...

love the straw inside the jar--inspired!

Jackie - aka funhockeymom25 said...

what a precious card!! love the lightness of the coloring!

Phi said...

gorgeous card. love that quilted background. Looks so comfy.

brenlubrant said...

I am totally floored how real you made your lemonaid jar with the straw. Totally awesome!!

Memories by Manda said...

Lovely card. I love the 3d items and the embossing really lifts it.

pcm said...

pink lemonade! my favorite!

Delia said...

I like the jar stamp. There are so many creative ways to use it. Thanks for the inspiration.

wordsculpter said...

Lin, I am always WOWd by your cards. The dimension you achieved with the straw and the jar are amazing!!! Perfect for this heat wave in the western states...

Anonymous said...

That is the cutest card...did you make the jar out of vellum? It makes the pink lemonade look so yummy! Thanks for sharing your talent and your recipe!

Tona said...

I LOVE everything about this card!!!That pasta salad looks great too.

Anonymous said...

Lovely card, and lovely quilting effect. Wish I could try that!

Thanks for the chance to win.

Regards,
Vithya

Anonymous said...

Fun card, and the mini borders are awesome!

Regards,
Vithya

ivy said...

hi lin! love your pretty quilted card! so colorful & fun!
cold pasta salad is my go-to recipe. I use the tri-colored rotini, add olives, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, Persian cucumbers and add Italian dressing. will try adding deli meats next time!

Kathy Mc said...

Lin, I'd love to sip lemonade with you on this stunning quilt in the shade ~ gorgeous card! Your pasta salad sounds yummy. TFS and for a fun Blog Hop!

Deborah said...

What an awesome it makes me want to take a sip out of that jar. Thanks for the recipe as well.

jusaweecatnap said...

I love the way you made your jar, and the quilt. They're perfect for a summer card. The salad looks delicious; I love pasta salads.

newscrapper said...

Serve me up some pink lemonade and some fresh pasta PLEASE.
I think pasta is one of my favorite dishes, I can eat it for days.

loulou said...

I absolutely love your card. It just says summer. The frosty drink, the gorgeous quilt - perfect. Great recipe too.

Aileen said...

Lin, just love how you made this card. So clever. Thats also for sharing the pasta recipe, looking forward to trying it.

Sarah G said...

Pink lemonade - love it! The combination of patterns in your background are fab too. Another gorgeous card :)

Pia Larsen said...

The card is so summer fresh!

Shannon said...

Okay, I have to be honest........out of all the cards for the past four days this one of yours is absolutely my very favorite. It's just darling and it's so well suited for "summertime". Thanks so much for sharing it with us, as well as your recipe. Please know that I'm leaving your blog absolutely and completely inspired by your card. Take care and have a great rest of the summer.

Janis said...

Love the colors and the quilt BG!!! Such a pretty card.
How extra sweet of you to offer such wonderful blog candy. Really have my eye on those ink cubes. My inks are in dire need of updating!!!
<3 J

stamplover2011 said...

Very clever Lin!! Love how you made this!

Stacy Kay Brais said...

Love your card! So creative :)

Alison said...

That's my idea of a perfect day too - lots of blue skies, sitting in the shade - and this card is a wonderful example of aspiring to that. Love the colours and the retro feel. Good to have a healthy salad option after the fudge cake on the previous blog - who said you can't have dessert first! :lol:

SD pooja said...

What a wonderful quilt bg !nice idea to use left over pp scraps.

Auror Willow said...

How pretty and clever!

jintyoo7 said...

Love the quilted base, Lin and the jar of pink lemonade, complete with a straw does look heavenly :)

The pasta salad looks delicious, and so versatile with what you can add :)

rhoffer said...

Pasta salad and pink lemonade are staples at our house during the summer, but I must admit that rarely do we make our pasta salad the same way twice! I absolutely love the background of your card--I can't wait to "borrow" this idea...maybe red, white, and blue for the 4th next year, or fall colors for a Thanksgiving card, hmmm....thanks for the inspiration!

Pat said...

What an awesome card! LOVED it!!!

Unknown said...

OMG!! I absolutely LOVE your card!! That quilt background is gorgeous!! That looks like it took forever!! And that pink lemonade looks delicious!! Very pretty card!! The Pasta Salad sounds amazing as well!! Thx for sharing!!

Judy Tuck said...

What a perfect card. The two go together so well!

LaVon Hall said...

I loved the limeade card earlier this week and this is the perfect followup to that marvelous card. I am also so happy that I was able to printout your pasta salad recipe. My daughter is right when she tells me "". :-)

Jingle said...

Lin, this is really cut! The background is great!

Karen L K said...

That is a really cute card. I could just drink that lemonade right now. The pasta salad sounds yummy. I am saving a bunch of the recipes along the way. Thanks for offering up a prize also!

Cheryl said...

What an awesome card, my favorite one so far this week!
I love the quilt and the pink lemonade!
The pasta salad looks great too! Thanks for the inspiration.

Karen said...

I adore the quilted paper, and your lemonade looks like i could take a long cool drink right out of it! Amazing!

Mona Odegard said...

Love the quilted-looking background!

Suzanne C said...

I just love your quilted backgroud in such pretty summery patterns and colors. The lemonade over it makes me think of summer porches and pitchers of lemonades! The salad is wonderful! I can't wait to try this!

Laura Norris said...

Great quilt, and who doesn't love some pink lemonade??? Yummy salad too!

Valerie said...

Cute card.

Dana said...

Awesome card!! I love the embossed background and the lemonade looks yummy!!

Anonymous said...

I love your jar stamped on the vellum with the paper straw, I would love some pink lemonade in a jar like this on a picnic. =D

keeleykats said...

Lin, Lovely card! The colors in your quilt are the perfect background for the jar of pink lemonade! Your recipe sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

Flo said...

Very cute, from the embossed pieced background to the lemonade.

Dawn T said...

Delightful card Lin and Pasta salad is one of my favourite salads for summer.

TenSGal said...

How very cute! Love the use of the straw poking out of the Mason jar. Very creative!

Susan

Linda said...

Your card is absolutely darling. I love how you made the jar look like pink lemonade inside of it. Your pasta salad looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.

Linda D.

Linda said...

I love your card and love the way you made the jar appear to have lemonaid in it. Also your pasta salad looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.

Linda D.

Marsha said...

Such a CUTE card. Love the pink lemonade - very clever.

Pam W Merwin said...

Love the card, Lin - all the cute details with the jar and I LOVE Pasta salad :)

Gilu J said...

A pink lemonade card. What a fab idea.

Leni said...

The quilted background makes the perfect picnic cloth I think, and the juice looks yummy!

Cindy C. said...

Such creativity Lin! Love the way you created the 3D pink lemonade!!

Unknown said...

Very cool and refreshing!

Karenladd said...

Oh my, that little straw if the perfect touch!

pammy said...

Oh my goodness...the pink lemonade and quilt card remind me of lazy summer days at my grandmother's house when I was a little girl! I've got to make this card!

Sheila H said...

Your quilted background is so cool! I love the vellum and the straw :)