Please welcome Lori! She has a creative blog, life is this. Go check it out for more awesome projects.
Today we are feasting on Lori's wonderful creations! First up we have a layout which combines Moonrise with a hint of Monsterville. No joke! Isn't this lovely?Using the neutral colors from the line is such a smart way to incorporate other colors. The pink adds a nice pop.
Check out this beautiful butterfly detail.
Next we have another Moonrise layout. This one shows off the colors we traditionally associate with Moonrise. Lori's all about the details here - a little ink, stitching, paper curl...
For dessert we have a Moonrise card. The lined paper behind the sentiment is from the sticky note pad. Now we hope you are filled with plenty of great ideas inspired by Lori. Which of these ideas would you like to use on your next project?
I am checking my list to find out who has been naughty or nice, looking forward to trimming the tree and preparing for a weekend trip to New York. Exciting time of year, one of my favorites! Also happens to be one of the most stressful and frenzied so I am going to try, key word, to keep it in all in perspective and remember the reason for the season.
I have taken inventory on a few driving trips after dark recently and it seems that a significant number of people have their Christmas decorations up already. How many of you have your tree trimmed?
Images courtesy Domino, Full House, Traditional Home, Cote de Texas and House and Garden
It’s that time of year when the winter chill is starting to creep upon us. A lot of us find it difficult to leave the house in the evening and would much rather curl up on the couch and watch TV. However if you had a nice cosy pub to visit, that serves great food, has an extensive wine list and a log fire, then I’m sure that could tempt you out for an evening of fun with your nearest and dearest.
Where ever you are located in the UK there is sure to be a nice cosy pub close by that offers a warm welcome and quality food, in a homely environment.
If you are venturing out this year to visit family and friends around the festive season, and fancy dining somewhere a little nicer than the standard motorway cafes which are always very Busy and ‘Basic’, why not veer off the beaten track a little and visit one of the UK’s cosiest pubs.
I visited North Wales last years and was advised to try a lovely traditional North Wales Country Pub called the Queens Head which is located in Glanwydden, Conwy. It has won numerous awards over the years and the food is just divine. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Ready for our final calendar page? We hope you have enjoyed having a layout idea and calendar page each month. To see the whole year in calendar pages go here.
To create this page, you will need a Kris Kringle assortment pack, die-cut accents, dimensional elements, and felt.
Did any of you keep up and do a scrapbook page each month this year?
Just a quick note of apology for the delay in picking a winner for our Christmas prize draw. We have had a family emergency with Pauls mum this weekend. We hope to be able to pick our winner tomorrow. Thank you for your patience!
Neuaura, the vegan and eco-friendly shoe brand, offers a range of uncompromising fashion footwear to animal-friendly customers. Their shoes are an epitome of sohphistication and style, making it a must-have for every wardrobe. And the best part is, whether its their classic riding boots or suede pumps or chic flats, everything is made without using any animal products, at the same time without compromising on quality or style. .
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. Nominated for the 2010 Veggie Awards for the best shoes, Neuaura shoes is the brainchild of Arti Upadhyay. Born and raised in the US by very religious and spiritual Indian parents, Arti has played a major part in launching many successful national footwear brands for the last eight years, and has learned first-hand how to create fashion-forward, quality vegan footwear that is both animal friendly and more environmentally friendly.
She founded NEUAURA because she is a vegetarian who also believes in a fashion-forward lifestyle. Over the years she has come across many women like herself, who were looking for fashionable, high-quality animal-friendly products. .
. Neuaura shoes do not contain any leather, fur, silk, wool, shell, or pearls. No animal by-products are used during manufacturing and/or finishing processes. . Neuaura has once again proved that style does not mean harming animals. Style, quality and ethical treatment to animals can go hand-in-hand. We love their shoes!!!!!
Happy Cyber Monday, y'all! There's a lot of shopping happening today online. I've never been a big online shopper, or a big shopper in general (I need some new socks badly and can't bear the thought of having to buy them!). But this new mag really knocked my socks off (hmmm...is there a connection??)! Subscriptions are now open for the new Plant Healer Magazine!Plant Healer "brings to its readers the indigenous wisdom and historic healing traditions of the Western world, in balance with the latest in clinical research. Articles are characteristically folk-hearted and grassroots oriented, place based and nature-informed, and in their own ways novel, distinguished or edgy. A diverse selection of renowned herbalist authors look to this magazine as the venue for their most personal and cutting edge work, a place to encourage working with herbs regardless of title or authorization, to promote the well being of the plants and planet as well as human kind, to challenge assumptions and paradigms, to inspire new ways of thinking and more effective ways of treating and healing." The magazine covers topics from creating your own herbal medicines, in-depth looks at properties of different plants and a special section just for herby kids. Subscribers also receive other multimedia goodies from well-known, extremely knowledgeable herbalists, including Jim McDonald, my herb guru from White Lake, MI. Issues come out four times a year in a PDF format. This would make a wonderful gift for a plant lovin' friend or your plant lovin' self. You can subscribe by clicking the lovely pic above or at www.planthealermagazine.com/subscribe.
Distance: 0.9 mile loop Elevation: 8,694 ft Elevation Gain: None
Delightful Sprague Lake with Hallet Peak in the background
The trail around Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park is short, flat, and very scenic. I took my parents there on their recent Colorado vacation. We ate lunch on one of many picnic tables near the trailhead and then strolled the short route around the lake. The trail is well groomed, totally flat, and suitable for everyone. The views change constantly providing a great deal of variety in a short distance.
The bridge from the picnic area to the lake
Trout were abundant in the outlet stream
Sprague Lake has in interesting history as well. It is actually man made and was constructed by Abner Sprague who owned a lodge nearby long before the area became a National Park. You would never be able to tell this by the "naturalness" of the setting.
The loop going left (the route we took)
The loop going right
The lake is well stocked with fish and you can actually see them in the outlet stream and even larger specimens along the lake shore.
Looking southwest in early October on my first visit. Note the fisherman standing well out in the water
The sudden and welcome view of the Continental Divide. No wonder Abner built the lake here.
The first time I visited this lake, I only walked part way around, trying to judge if it would be suitable for the parental units. I did not notice at that time the stunning views of the Continental Divide including Hallett (12,713 ft), Taylor (13,153 ft), and Otis (12,486 ft) peaks that greet the visitor half way around. I wish ole Abner had sold his land to me so I could have that view for my living room window.
Small viewing platform
Across from the view platform the lake shore is bordered by reeds.
If you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, don't exclude Sprague Lake from your list, particularly if you are staying at the nearby Glacier Gorge Campground. There is a short 0.8 mile trail between the campground and the lake.
A final view of the lake and the reflections of the trees in the still waters
Wine makes a great gift for those that enjoy a tipple or two over the festive break, and even better if it’s a nice quality bottle of wine.
If you are looking for a unique quality wine that cannot be bought in the large supermarkets, then look no further than Good Wine Online.
Good Wine Online is based in North Wales, but delivers all over the UK, however if you wish to get your wine delivered by Christmas then be sure to order before the 2.30pm Wed 22nd December to avoid disappointment as stocks are selling out fast.
You can order any quantity of any wines you like and have them delivered to your door, for you to distribute to your friends /family, or you can order a single bottle or a multiple mixed case and have them delivered to your loved ones in an attractive case with festive tape.
There are many reasons to choose your wine from Good Wine Online including next day delivery, mix/match cases, no minimum orders, best prices, and they also stock a wide rang of Low Sulphite Wines.
It's time for another link party. Here's a reminder of how to play...
1. Add a link to your SEI project on our blog by clicking on the button at the bottom of this post. Your project must use at least one SEI product to participate. 2. Link back to us by adding this button to the bottom of your blog post.
3. Check each other's projects out and be sure to leave lot's of comments.
You have until November 30th at 11:59 pm MST. Let's Party!
Two K-10 HydroSpeeders glistened in the sun at Captain Slate's Atlantis Dive Center, where we had gathered for a demonstration ride. At first glance they looked fast, much faster than other diver propulsion vehicles. They also appeared to be very well made, using top quality components and precisely machined parts. Their smoothly sculpted fiberglass fairings and windshield reminded me of Grand Prix motorcycles - those rocket-fast road racers ridden in a nearly prone position. The forward wings and aerodynamic shape also brought to mind a sleek fighter jet, such as the F-16 Eagle. The controls had the feel of an aircraft, too. When I moved the wing levers, the response was smooth and precise.
MARINE GEAR CORPORATION: Ted Ciamillo, inventor of the HydroSpeeder and president of Marine Gear Corporation, had brought the two machines from the factory in Georgia for the occasion. Ted was accompanied by Martin Dijkema, his partner and CEO of the company. As they readied the units for use, Ted told me the story behind their development.
Always fascinated with the underwater world, Ted was exploring a Berkshire Mountains lake at his grandmother's home when he was inspired to design a fast diver propulsion vehicle. He wanted something that would streamline the diver and be highly maneuverable. He also wanted speed, lots of speed. To get those characteristics, Ted realized the vehicle had to incorporate certain design parameters. First, the diver's scuba gear had to be integrated into the vehicle to minimize drag. Second, the propulsion system had to be exceptionally powerful. Third, to get the maneuverability desired from a machine of this size, flight controls would be necessary. Depending on the diver's fins and body movements to turn, climb and descend would not work. Two and a half years after deciding on those basic guidelines, Ted perfected the design of the K-10.
K - 10 HYDROSPEEDER SPECIFICATIONS
Length 6 feet, 10 inches
Width 50 inches
Height 18 inches
Weight 198 pounds
Frame Powder coated aircraft aluminum
Power 36 volt DC from 6 Hawker Energy dry cells
Motors Two 81 pound thrust Motor Guide, Inc., motors
Max speed 8 knots
Charge lasts About 1.5 hours, depending on usage
Price $7,550 The design and manufacturing process depended greatly on the latest computer-aided technology. Ted developed an early understanding of computerized numeric control machining working in his father's precision parts shop. The combination of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) allowed him to shorten the production time for individual parts on the K-10 from a matter of weeks to a couple of hours. There are more than 70 different individually machined parts on the HydroSpeeder and all of them are flawlessly finished thanks to this new technology.
The K-10 HydroSpeeder is the most advanced underwater propulsion system available to recreational divers. Powered by twin 36 volt electric motors with 81 pounds of thrust each, the HydroSpeeder is capable of speeds approaching eight knots. When you consider that most other diver propulsion vehicles are operating in the one knot range, that speed is extremely fast.
FIRST FLIGHT: My impression of the racing motorcycles was reinforced when I straddled the K-10. You climb aboard wearing just your wetsuit and mask. No fins are necessary and the regulator is waiting on the console. The saddle conceals the tank, a standard 63 cubic foot aluminum. The console also contains your pressure gauge, depth gauge, dive computer and systems indicators. The low pressure hose is hooked into the K-10's internal pressure system, which powers the buoyancy bladders and puts five pounds of positive pressure in the battery housing to eliminate leaks.
The first session on a K-10 is an adrenaline rush, but it's not something you just jump on and take off with. Piloting it is not as intuitive as using a scooter. On the K-10 you pull your knees up, lean forward and tuck in to get in the driving, or perhaps I should say flying, position. Foot rests are integrated into the frame, with the motor switches conveniently beneath your toes. The two wing controls are positioned where your hands rest naturally. Move the wings in opposite directions to initiate a roll, then pull them both back to bank a turn. Since the motors are controlled independently, they can be used in turns, too. Engage only the right motor and its thrust will push you around to the left. In level flight, both wing controls are moved simultaneously to dive or climb.
Piloting the K-10 is very much like flying an aerobatic plane, although you have to watch those depth changes. You can bank it, roll it, fly it inverted or just kick on both motors for straight-away speed. Everyone who had a shot at piloting the K-10 on our demonstration day had a blast! We ran them until the batteries were flat, which takes about an hour and a half, and wanted more. Ted watched us with remarkable restraint, saying that full confidence comes to most divers after five or six sessions.
Naturally, moving the K-10 around on land is more involved than handling a small scooter. Ted brought our two demonstration units down in the bed of a full-sized pickup, but they also fit on nearly any personal watercraft trailer. A custom inflatable tow raft is being designed that will allow the HydroSpeeder to be towed at speeds of up to ten knots. Two people were able to pick one up and move it around quite easily, even with the battery and scuba tank installed.
GET YOUR OWN: Marine Gear Corporation is turning out 12 units a month now, with plans to produce 24 a month by the middle of the summer. So, how much do they cost and where can you get one? The price is $7,550 plus freight from Atlanta. The company has the use of a pool there, big enough and deep enough to drive a HydroSpeeder around in, and they offer free lessons to anyone purchasing a K-10.
Source Citation Harrigan, Bill. "Flying - underwater! The K-10 hydrospeeder." Skin Diver June 1998: 28+. General OneFile. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. Document URL http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=IPS&docId=A20773093&source=gale&srcprod=ITOF&userGroupName=18551_mcpls&version=1.0
Using the neutral colors from the line is such a smart way to incorporate other colors. The pink adds a nice pop.
Check out this beautiful butterfly detail.
Lori's all about the details here - a little ink, stitching, paper curl...
Using the neutral colors from the line is such a smart way to incorporate other colors. The pink adds a nice pop.
Check out this beautiful butterfly detail.
Lori's all about the details here - a little ink, stitching, paper curl...
