Jul 16, 2012

Dueling Darlings in July!

Here I am, a day late, but considering all of the technological challenges around here, it's amazing that I am only a day late!  Thank goodness I am married to a techie, because it took him, our son and our neighbor, plus the service provider, three days to resolve whatever issue it was that disabled our internet connection at home!


Anyway, the 15th is the due date for our Dueling Darlings post, and here is my card.  Tami and I hosted this month and we decided that a barbecue theme would be appropriate.  Here's what I came up with for my card:
I have to admit, this is the BUSIEST card front that I have ever created!  LOL  But the papers were so much fun, I wanted to use them all.


Kit contents included:
Image: Art Impression's "Golden Oldies series, entitled BBQ Couple  (isn't it fun?!)
DP:  Karen Foster Designs: Food & Family Collage; Ants on Parade; Barbecue Bash and Reminisce:  Picnic Parade; Grill Master
Stickers:  Reminisce:  Backyard Bash

Other misc. embellishments are from my stash here, no particular vendor.  (although, I didn't use any other embellishments other than the 2 narrow, vertical stickers on the left & right sides of the card.)


We also requested that everyone share a favorite barbecue recipe or side dish hit for grilling.



Here is a close up of the papers, gotta love the flames...




















Here is a closeup of the cute couple.  See how she's sneaking a double cheese burger from the cook?  


The image is colored with SU markers, and the background is chalked.  I was going for sort of a hazy look in the background, not sure if I pulled it off, though.



The papers were so fun, that the inside of the card needed some dressing up as well.  Here's a shot of the inside:
As for my recipe...we grill practically everything during the warm weather - meats, veggies, seafood, bread, pizza, the list goes on.  So picking one thing is a challenge.

Here's a pretty easy yet delicious way to marinate pork or chicken:  (excuse the lack of exact measurements, I've made this up and it's ok to just eyeball everything!)  If you really want an exact recipe, I'll bet there are many versions of this online that you can find.

Boneless pork chops or chicken, rinsed, pat dry and dust with fresh ground pepper.  Place in ziplock baggie, single layer.  Add enough Balsamic vinegar to coat both sides.  Add in slivers of sweet peppers, onions, mushrooms, some crushed garlic and fresh rosemary and thyme.  Also adding some fire roasted peppers & some of the juice from the jar is excellent for flavor!  Drizzle in a small amount of olive oil.  Close the bag, and mix it up to evenly to coat the meat.  

Let marinate on the counter about an hour then grill, or if marinating longer, refrigerate & remove from refrigerator 30-40 minutes before grilling.  You can also bake it in the oven with all of the marinade, then use the cooked marinade to pour over pasta or rice & serve with the meat.

Ok, off to check out the other creations from the two teams - Divas & Dazzlers.  Links to their blogs are in my side bar, have some fun & check out their amazing work!

Thanks for stopping by!

11 comments:

jimlynn said...

I just LOVE this! LOVE that image (I have it too) and the papers you put got to go with it are so perfect!
Lynn

Melina said...

too cute! I love how you used the papers! This image makes me smile every time I see it! :)
Thanks for being a wonderful hostess and sending such a fun kit this month!!!!

April said...

I am so trying your recipe! Yum!

Your card is yummy too! The immies made me giggle to begin with, and now that I see she is wearing an apron I think I need to recolor! LoL

:: BlueInks :: said...

Oh my July pal! This card is go great! I love all of the different elements that you used. Not too busy at all.

I so enjoyed working together for our theme this month. You did a fab job.

I am glad that things are getting settled at home. Before you know it, you will be kickin' it with internet service and eating some marinaded pork! LOL

Terry Ladwig said...

Darlene...first of all I love the kit you sent! There was so much in there to be used it was hard to choose!!

I love the way you colored the crazy couple!! They are too cute! A very fun image for sure!

I do love your layout and how you used the different papers together! Awesome job!!!

Barb said...

Darlene--you sure sent an awesome kit to the Dazzlers! I love that image--it just put a smile on my face each and every time I saw another card.

I think your card is darn cute--love ALL of the papers and that is what makes the image pop!

Hope things are calming down there soon--we want to see more of you (well not literally............) online!

Hugs and I sure am going to try your recipe!

Judy McMullen said...

A terrific card from an equally terrific kit, Darlene! I love the designer papers and so glad you included them in your card. And that image is the cutest! Great job with the coloring and I think you were successful in creating the hazy background with the use of chalks. Love those fantastic sticker strips too...the perfect embellishment for this BBQ/grilling themed card!!
Your recipe for marinated chicken or pork sounds delish!

MiamiKel said...

OH wow, did you and Tami ever spoil the girls this round! THis is absolutely darling - love your layout, design, beautiful coloring - Good Times indeed!!

I hope Bijou approved of the grilling and oversaw that everything was cooked to perfection! :)

Beautiful work, my beautiful friend! 00xx

MiamiKel said...

OH wow, did you and Tami ever spoil the girls this round! THis is absolutely darling - love your layout, design, beautiful coloring - Good Times indeed!!

I hope Bijou approved of the grilling and oversaw that everything was cooked to perfection! :)

Beautiful work, my beautiful friend! 00xx

Carol W said...

Oh my goodness girlfriend...you rocked this challenge awesome card, great coloring amazing kit...you have it all....I love your card, the layout the whole thing...and your recipe...sounds delish...yummm...great job!!! ♥♥♥

~Paola~ said...

pant ...pant..pant..pfiuiiii...I am FINALLY hereeeee!
(sorry...LIfe has a habit to get in the way sometimes...)
Loveeeeeeeeee your interpretation of such FUN FUN adorable image...awesome display of the fabby d/p as well as your layout.
such great card and the AWESOME kit U sent!
Thank again Darlene!♥