22 December 2008

STATIONARY BOX SET

This stationary is too cool!  I found very good instructions with measurements and photo illustrations on the Addicted To Stamping blog.  This blog has a link to a very good .pdf document that you can download and print.  This is something I think I will make quite a bit in the future when I need a unique gift for teachers and friends.

STATIONARY BOX CLOSED

(The DESIGNER SERIES PAPER I used is retired from quite a while back)


STATIONARY BOX OPENED

(It has a big pocket for regular sized cards, a pocket for tags, a pocket for notecards, an address book, a pocket for stamps and a pen holder)

18 December 2008

OUR PATAGONIA ADVENTURE

DAY 1

We stayed at the HOTEL MIRADOR while enjoying our mini-vacation in El Calafate.  Our first day was spent walking the main street, checking out the tourist shops and eating.  We had cortado (espresso cut with milk) and medias lunas (croissants) first and then we headed to Ricks where we enjoyed barbecued lamb.

HOTEL MIRADOR


DAY 2

Our adventure tour of the day was to take the catamaran QUO VALDIS from Lake Argentino up through various canals to see three different glaciers.  We started out going through a very narrow pass called the Devils Mouth and then we headed towards the Upsala Glacier.  As we got closer to the glacier we started seeing icebergs floating along either side of the boat.  The tour guide explained that the iceberg we see in the water is only 15% of the actual iceberg the other 85% is below the waterline.  Unfortunately the Upsala Glacier was blocked by icebergs so we could not get up close to view the actual glacier so we turned around and headed towards our next destination the Spegazzini Glacier.  The Spegazzini Glacier is the tallest ice wall of all the glaciers.  While at this glacier we were treated to wine and sandwich de amigas (tea sandwiches that are three layers of bread).  We floated around the bay for about an hour with everyone out on deck trying to snap the perfect photos.  I was leaning over the rail trying to get a shot of the treeline when the captain waved me back.  I thought I was in trouble for leaning over the rail but the captain was inviting me onto the bridge to get a better view.  Not long after leaving the bridge we left the Spegazzini Glacier and headed towards our final destination ~ the Perito Moreno Glacier.  This glacier is the only glacier that is still growing.  It is huge!!!

THE FIRST ICEBERG WE SAW FROM THE UPSALA GLACIER


ANOTHER VIEW OF THE ICEBERG


ICEBERG FIELDS FROM THE UPSALA GLACIER


PACO AND I POSING IN FRONT OF THE SPEGAZZINI GLACIER.


THE SPEGAZZINI GLACIER


DAY 3

Our 2nd adventure tour was trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier.   We took a bus out to the glaciers south side followed up with a 15 minute ferry ride to get to the base of the glacier where we would begin our trek.  We were greeted by our tour guide Eddie (who spoke English) and we were taken to a small cluster of cabins where we could leave our lunch in cubbies built into the walls.  Eddie then led us through the forest on trails; these trails led down to a river rock covered beach that was beside the base of the glacier.  We walked up a small hill to an area with wooden benches for us to sit on while the tour guides fit our boots with crimpons (metal platforms with ten spikes on each) and then we were off on our trekking adventure.  Eddie explained that to go up hill we must point our toes out, lean into the hill and take very small steps (like a duck).  To go down hill we must point our toes straight down, stomp our feet down into the ice with very bent knees and lean into the hill (like a monkey and almost sitting on the hill).  To traverse (walking across the mountain sideways) you have your top foot pointed in the direction you are going and your bottom foot pointed down.  All of these were easy to understand but difficult to perform when you are looking up or down at the steep angles.  The hardest for me to accomplish without making a fool out of myself was going down hill.  I felt like I would fall at any second but I didn't and I was very proud at the end of the day when I stepped off the glacier without one fall. The experience was CRAZY!!!  Certain areas on the glacier looked like we were walking into pools of slushies, other areas had deep cracks and crevices where you could hear and/or see water running through and we were standing right on top.  Not what a NORMAL/SANE person would do for fun.  We trekked for 2 Kilometers and it took us 2 hours.  Our group finished the trek with shots of whiskey served over glacier ice.  Paco and I opted to have glacier water instead of whiskey and it tasted great!  We went down one last hill where we ended up at the crimpon station.  I was very glad to remove the crimpons, they were heavy.  We then went to have lunch in the cabin area and then our tour finished up on the balconies where we could view the entire glacier.  It was a sight to see.  We had an absolutely fabulous day!

 PACO AND I ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER


HEADING UP


THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER


THE FRONT VIEW OF THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER


THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER


DAY 4

We decided a five hour horse riding adventure would be fun on our last day in El Calafate.  It was fun we rode for two hours and then stopped for lunch with a siesta and then rode for the remaining time.  We had a great day! I will update more on this adventure later.  

PACO AND I ON OUR HORSES CHARLIE AND BUSCAVIDAS



DAY 5 

I know this day is not as exciting as the first four but it had my heart racing.
(Yes, it is as small as it looks!  This landing had me praying out loud with my eyes shut super tight.  The locals say that it wasn't too long ago that only Air Force Pilots were allowed to land here because the turbulence combined with the short runway were too dangerous.) 

THE AIRPORT LANDING STRIP IN USHUAIA

12 December 2008

DVD NOTEBOOK TINS = GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR TEACHERS

A friend stopped by before we moved to ask if I might want to help her with her teacher gift list.  I pulled out all of my crafting projects and we decided on the DVD NOTEBOOK TIN.  I made quite a few of these tins with different color combinations and they all turned out beautifully.  

FRONT COVER OF NOTEBOOK WITH CROSS AND DOVE


INSIDE VIEW WITH POCKET, BOOKMARK AND PEN WITH MATCHING DESIGNER SERIES PAPER


FRONT COVER OF TART AND TANGY NOTEBOOK TIN


INSIDE VIEW OF TART & TANGY NOTEBOOK TIN AND PEN WITH MATCHING DESIGNER SERIES PAPER


FRONT COVER OF SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' SUMMER HOME DVD NOTEBOOK TIN


INSIDE VIEW OF SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' SUMMER HOME NOTEBOOK TIN AND PEN WITH MATCHING DESIGNER SERIES PAPER


I love the SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KITS!  They are perfect for the DVD TIN NOTEBOOKS or any other type of 3-D set that you want to coordinate.  

11 December 2008

BUENOS AIRES

We landed in Buenos Aires after 2 flights and 12 1/2 hours of flying.  We were all very sleepy but very excited to see Abuela and Pedro.  We managed to stay awake until 8:30 and then slept for almost 14 hours.  

So far we are spending time around Abuela's house, taking walks around the neighborhood to visit the local bakeries, cafes and restaurants.  We've stopped by the libreria where we bought some school & art supplies as well as the salon so Shelby could get her hair washed and trimmed.  I could stay in the libreria all day and Caitlin is counting down the days until she gets to go to the salon.  

Abuela with her girls.


Caitlin is enjoying the view.


Abuela's balcony looking to the right.


Abuela's balcony looking out and to the left.  


03 December 2008

SMILES IN THE SKY

This photo was taken last week when I drove my girls to school.  We were commenting on the clouds as we drove about how it looked like the angels were using circle shaped cookie cutters to pop out sections of the clouds.  It was the most bizzarre thing I have ever seen when looking at different cloud formations.  This past Monday, my girlfriend handed me an article with a photo that was exactly like the one I had taken.  The article says that this type of cloud formation is called ICE CRYSTAL CIRRUS CLOUDS.  The clouds form when cirrocumulus clouds composed of supercooled liquid water below freezing are affected by airplane exhaust.  I thought this was really cool and wanted to share!
I snapped this shot on the way to pick up my youngest from school.  I really do enjoy watching the sky here in Florida, you just never know what the day will bring.  
This was taken driving back towards Macdill AFB at sunset.  I could take pictures of sunrises and sunsets forever, I love the beauty of the sky changing so quickly.


I apologize for the lack of posting in the past few weeks, I have been in the process of moving up North.  :)  We will still be in the sunny state of Florida but it will be in the SPRING BREAK  town of Panama City Beach.  I will be up and blogging again towards the end of December.  




25 November 2008

WHERE I GREW UP

This past summer I was able to make a trip home with my whole family.  I did not realize how much I missed being in Oregon / Washington until I got to bring my girls home.  We currently live in Florida where the beaches are supposed to be some of the most beautiful, yet I have never really enjoyed spending time on the beaches here.  They are beautiful, but not what I grew up with.  I grew up where the beaches meet evergreen covered cliffs, where the sand and river rock mingle and where icy cold creeks run out into the ocean.  I grew up playing on one particular beach where all these things came together.  My dad would drive an hour and a half from our house in Longview, Wa; to Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, Or.  We would get to the beach and hike down a trail that would lead us over a small wooden bridge that crossed the creek, climb over the huge trees that had washed ashore and throw the river rocks at the cliffs as we made our way down to the sandy beach.  

Here are some photos from our visit home.

HAYSTACK ROCK & OREGON COAST


INDIAN BEACH AT ECOLA STATE PARK


HAYSTACK ROCK IN CANNON BEACH, OR


THE OREGON COAST.


19 November 2008

EXPANDING FILE FOLDER

I found an incredible site for crafting ideas and instructions called The Scrapbook Lounge! The instructions for this file folder is in the episode archives.  The title is EXPANDING MEMORIES by Tricia Morris seen on July 4th, 2008.

I used the DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ~ BELLA ROSE, TEXTURED CHOCOLATE CHIP CARD STOCK, SCALLOP EDGE PUNCH, BUILD A BRAD, SCALLOP CIRCLE PUNCH, 1" CIRCLE PUNCH AND 3/4" CIRCLE PUNCH.  I also used a magnetic purse clasp from the local craft store for the closure.  I used SNAIL adhesive for a few sections of this project and would recommend using STICKY STRIP instead.  Have fun!

FRONT VIEW


SIDE VIEW


BACK VIEW


INSIDE VIEW


VIEW FROM THE TOP


18 November 2008

THREE MORE AWESOME CARDS FROM LISA C'S CLASS

WONDERFUL YOU


UNDER THE STARS


PUN FUN


17 November 2008

WHY I LOVE GOING TO LISA C'S CARD CLASS

There is this day, this one awesome day every month, that I look forward too with much glee and anticipation.  The second Thursday of the month, I get up early, get the girls to school in a timely manner, guzzle down my coffee and jump in the car to go sit in a stampers paradise with my friends.  My friend Lisa has such an awesome class!  I truly look forward to this one card making day!

Sitting around a table with my girlfriends Judy and Carolyne, I get to create cards and laugh until my stomach hurts for three solid hours.  I will miss this class and this time with my friends more than I can express in this moment!

CAROLYNE'S CARD
~ we swap cards sometimes~


CAROLYNE'S CARD


OWL TOGETHER NOW


INSPIRED BY NATURE


HAPPINESS ALWAYS


HAPPINESS ALWAYS



FRESH CUTS


IF THE HALO FITS


FUN & FAST NOTES


A BEAUTIFUL THING