Tuesday, August 25, 2015

PTI August Blog Hop: Oh The Places I'll Go!


 Today is the PTI Blog Hop, and what better day to show you one of my favorite pastimes here in my new town. Can you guess what it is?




I like to make long cards on occasion. They fit so perfectly into a business size envelope, leaving ample room inside to tuck a small gift or maybe write a nice letter.

{Today's Brew: PTI Pedal Power stamps and dies, PTI Twig Wreath stamps and dies, PTI card stock and Autumn chicken scratch gingham papers, PTI inks and button twine, copper nailhead brads}

And here is the inspiration for today's card:


My new, slightly used Electra Townie bike! Isn't she sweet? I think it looks just like the bike in today's card, don't you? I don't have my basket on yet, but I will be adding that soon.

With all of the amazing trails here in my town, I knew I wanted to get a bike to replace the old mountain bike I had sold in the last garage sale. After doing a little research, I was pretty sure that I wanted an Electra Townie. Part cruiser, part city bike, it makes bicycling comfortable and easy. And for someone of shorter stature like myself, I loved the flat foot step through design for stability. I also loved that it has just seven gears. Easy to operate, and pretty low-tech.

But the price. Oy vey. I really didn't want to spend a big chunk of change. So I waited, and searched, and waited some more. And then one day, this lovely bike popped up on Craigslist. The exact color I wanted, and a fair price I was willing to pay. Sold!

We spend a lot of evenings on our bikes as a family, just exploring and enjoying the lovely weather. Here are some photos that Sam took on our last bike ride through the trails of Fermilab. Yes, it is a lab, part of the U.S. Department of Energy. It houses the National Particle Accelerator. How cool is that? It sits on the prettiest section of prairie, with trails for biking and walking.





Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam...

...yes, the buffalo really do roam here at this farm! There are also crops of corn and soybean, along with fields of wildflowers, ponds, and groves of trees.


A special thank you to my photographer, Sam, for supplying today's photos!

Thanks for visiting the cafe today!

17 comments:

  1. What a great post, fabulous photos, and a brilliant card for the hop! Well done, Mary Rose!! It's a pleasure to meet you through the hop and become your newest follower! I'd love to have you visit and follow me, too, if you like! Enjoy the hop and enjoy your new gorgeous "ride!" Hugs, Darnell

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  2. What a lovely, lovely card for the hop! It makes me want to get on a bike!! I love your take on the colors in Nichole's inspiration photo.

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  3. Oh my goodness, what a treat! First your lovely card, inspiration with the long card and, layout and elements. Then the sweet story of finding your treasure, and finally enjoying all the photos. Feel like I've been on vacation! Thank you!

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  4. What a sweet card you've made for the hop! I just love your new ride~ it's super sweet too!!

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  5. What a beautiful card and story, Mary Rose. Love how you incorporated your local adventures into your card.

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  6. Love your sweet ride and the even sweeter card that you made for the Blog Hop. Seriously, that's one cute card, so perfect with the gingham, twig wreath and die cut word. Love this.

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  7. WOW!! I am loving your ride and how it inspired the card you created for the blog hope. I LOVE how used the gingham and the fun use of twine with the leaves. Fabulous take on the challenge.

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  8. I love your gorgeous card! Love the design - so fun! Yes, it really does look like your bike :) You live in a pretty marvelous place, too! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Oh, I love this! Your stamped/inked background is so pretty and fabulous!

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  10. Sounds like you are truly blessed with your new bike and beautiful scenery. Enjoy the ride! Your card is priceless!

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  11. What a wonderful card! It makes me think of bicycling in the fall with your pretty fall leaves and gingham. And it really does look like the bike you own. Nice pictures of your biking areas and country side.

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  12. Absolutely love, love, LOVE your card, and the size...never thought to make one long like that, but I really like it! And your photos are lovely and the bike too! :0)

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