Ireland Vacation

We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Ireland this year. It was an amazing place...breathtaking beauty, friendly, warm, people, and the home of my ancestors. All 4 of my grandparents were born there and I was able to walk through the very towns where they lived.
My oldest son Christopher is getting ready to graduate with a Master's in Geology and he and his wife were able to come with us. Many of the places we explored held special interest to him as they are geological goldmines. It was neat to have him there to explain to us how those places came to be. The Giant's Causeway...a wildly beautiful place where the rocks are all hexagonal shaped and fit together side by side. It was formed by a volcano and stretches from County Antrim in Northern Ireland under the ocean to the opposite shore of Glasgow. The Burren...at one time completely covered by water. When the water evaporated, this was the landscape that emerged. It was difficult to choose which pictures to share with you-there are so many beautiful scenes.

Explosion Box

Here is an explosion box I made for my friend. I decided to go through some of the patterns I have had for ages but have never used. This was so easy and took almost no time to make.

Catching up

I seem to have trouble keeping up with my blog posts. Here is what has been happening with me. Last weekend, we went to the mountains to do some leaf peeping. It was beautiful. I was surprised at how much color there was because we are in the midst of such a severe drought.
I have been doing some Christmas shopping. I actually have quite a bit of it done and am ready to start wrapping!(Sherri, are you reading this...aren't you proud of me?)
I have been busy working on my swaps. I have just finished my very first circle journal and I think I am hooked. I can't wait to make another one.
I have posted a fun little movie video. They are fun to make and send to family and friends.

Our MOA trip was such a hit that a few of the girls are planning a get-together for 2008. It "SHACKAPALOOSA" and it will be May 2-4. This will be a great time...lots of stamping and hanging out together. You can look here for info http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/properties/inn_potawatomi.html
or check out the news on the Stampshack.com

New toys

All my friends seem to be having so much fun with the Bind-It-All I finally ordered one. I haven't taken it out of the box yet but after reading some of the posts I admit, I am somewhat intimidated. I sure hope I will be able to figure it out.

Wow, I am making the final plans now for my trip to MOA! I have started to make a pile of clothes. Also, I am going over and over what stamp/scrap stuff I will be bringingwill and will be glad when I am actually on the plane...then I won't be so undecided about what to bring! I am so looking forward to meeting up with all my shackie friends and enjoying the mall with my sister. I will post pictures when I get back.

Catching Up

I have been so busy with family and all the things that come at the end of the summer I am just now getting the chance to play.
We went to Blowing Rock in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts. this weekend. It was so relaxing and peaceful. While we were there, a good friend taught me a new bead pattern. I just love it-it is so versatile.