Memories for Life

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is Memories for Life Scrapbooks. I don't scrapbook, unless you count my handmade pendants using pretty scrapbook paper. But I must say, if I ever do start, the urge would be inspired by Edi.

My favorite items in her shop are her cute flip-flop scrapbooks. How creative are these?!


She also makes mini-albums, like this Summer Vacation Album:



Do you know an animal lover? She has a simply stunning pet album:


Edi has over 12 years experience in paper crafting. For now she is a machine operator at a semi transmission factory while she works on her MBA, she will be a paper crafter for life! Her passion began as making paper cards with stamps. Check out her Etsy Shop, her Blog, and if you don't see something you want, she loves custom orders!

Mount Marcy

I hiked my third High Peak, Mount Marcy, with a group of about 11 or 12 from the ADK on a hot but beautiful Sunday. We left from the Adirondack Loj and collected our rocks to bring to the summit as requested by the sign. These rocks are used to protect the bare summit and its little vegitation. Our route to Marcy passed Marcy Dam, the trail to Algonquin, the trail to Indian Falls, and the trails to Phelps and Tabletop. The first two miles from the Loj to the Dam, were easy and flat. The climb upwards began passed the Dam but it didn't become difficult until the last two miles. There is a daunting view of the summit first seen from a break in the trees in the last portion of the trail. Nothing like hiking several miles and knowing you are close to the top but seeing the peak of the mountain "over there!"



We reached the summit at 7.4 miles, and gladly unloaded our rocks in the designated area. We spent about 50 minutes on the summit where we enjoyed lunch, gorgeous views, and a pleasant breeze. The summit seward educated hikers on why they need to stay on the marked trail at the top and the importance of staying off the protected areas of vegetation. She was kind enough to take our group picture on several cameras.

A 360^o view is offered at the top. It was a hazy day, but views of Algonquin, Iriqouis, Gothics, Haystack, and several other High Peaks were available.



The way down was easier but as always, seemed much longer! The total trip was over 9 hours including summit time, a few stops to rest, and a stop to pump water.

Mount Marcy, formally called Tahawas (Cloud Splitter) was named after former New York Governor William Learned Marcy, who had appointed a commission to do a geological survey of the northern district. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was on August 5, 1837.

Click to Enlarge Panoramic View

Click here to see all the pictures from the trip.

Classy Trash

I'm always trying out new ideas in my Etsy shop, my most recent one being handmade pendants with beer bottle caps and decoupage technique. I thought about making jewelry from recycled parts last Halloween while making a beer and soda can pop-top necklace for my costume (I was a Joe in a Joe the Plumber/Joe Six Pack costume pair).

Kona Blue Hibiscus Bottle Cap Pendant

I have made a few pendants so far find myself wanting to wear them myself instead of selling them! I have listed three in my shop so far and I'm collecting my caps (and my friends') to make more.

I have two Hawaiian themed summery pendants and a poker themed pendant so far. I have decided to try to make the picture in the pendant fit the theme of the beer. For instance, I have two Hawaiian beer caps from beer produced by the Kona Brewing Company that feature Hawaiian fruit and flowers. I decided on a poker theme with the MichUltra since that's the beer of choice for a world renound poker player.

Hala-kahiki Bottle Cap Pendant

Scotty - Poker Pendant

Some are made with Aanraku style bails, but on some I tried to preserve the appearance of the back of the pendant and made my own bail so that the wearer could see what beer their particular cap came from.

Preparing for the Holidays

I know Christmas will sneak up on me just as fast as it did last year, I'm just hoping to be more prepared for it this year! I had a Christmas in July Sale last month and was able to unload three items from my 2008 Christmas inventory. Soon I will be making new holiday items, which will seem like a big rush because I haven't really started working on my Autumn inventory!

On the subject of Autumn inventory, I will be participating in my first craft fair on September 26th - it is in Crandall Park in Glens Falls if you are local!!! Hopefully I'll get some sales and some business cards out there for some new Christmas shoppers.

An Outdoorsy Carnival, August 2009

Welcome to the August 1, 2009 edition of an outdoorsy carnival.

Advice Column

Joe Tichio presents Greatest Inspirational Quotes Nature posted at Inspirational Quotes Blog, saying, "Inspirational quotes on nature and the outdoors."

Susan Johnston/Julie Salickram/Allan-Michael Brown/Megan Johnson/Chris Gesualdi presents Boston’s Best Outdoor Dining Options | The Blog @ Directory of Boston posted at The Blog @ Directory of Boston, saying, "Now that warm weather is returning to Boston, this is prime time for al fresco dining. Here's a list of 5 favorite Boston outdoor restaurants."

Gregory E. Rouse presents Lean-to Dubree Hut posted at Wilderness-Survival-Skills Blog, saying, "How to build wilderness survival shelters."

Smart Unemployment presents Hiking Lady Tip: Grab a pair of down booties posted at Hiking Lady.

Aquatic Life

Marina K. Villatoro presents Cahuita National Park posted at The Travel Expert(a), saying, "Hi, this is a great national park with beaches in Costa Rica."

Gregory E. Rouse presents Deception Pass - Sea Kayaking posted at Water Trails Blog, saying, "Deception Pass is one of Washington State is one of the most visited parks in the nation. But kayaking the waters of the Pass is truly an adventure. Not a beginner paddle, the pass offers opportunities to paddle in strong currents and develop an appreciation for tidal influence."

Green Thumb

Amir Marzouq presents Solio: A Portable Solar Powered Battery Charger | Guffly posted at Guffly.

diradmin presents Benefits of hydroponic gardening | Hydroponic Gardening Blog posted at Hydroponic Gardening Blog, saying, "Learn hydroponic gardening and grow your own garden in your home. Hydroponic gardening is growing without soil. It can be grown on the rooftop, inside your house or outdoor."

Gregory E. Rouse presents Organic Pest Control posted at Raised-Bed-Gardening Blog, saying, "Now for the main goal of this post, to point out the critters that you want in the garden, the ones that eat the pest, along with some ideas on how to invite them to watch over your garden."

Belle presents How to make Fried Zucchini - with pictures posted at Homesteaderbelle's Blog.

fourleafclovergoodluckcharms presents 4 Leaf Clover | Four Leaf cLover Good Luck Charms.com posted at Four Leaf cLover Good Luck Charms.com, saying, "The four leaf clover is a genetic rarity. It's nature's serendipity. Each four leaf clover has an uniquely visible finger "vein" print.No two are alike."

In the Woods

Smart Unemployment presents The answer to the recession? Geocaching! posted at Hiking Lady, saying, "Geocaching is a fun activity with friends or your kids! It's definitely a super low cost hobby perfect for the tough economy!"

One Family presents Camping at Turlock – A Trip Report posted at One Family's Blog, saying, "A camping trip report to Turlock, CA."

J.W. presents Camping posted at The Collective Picture, saying, "Camping photographs from the early 1900's."

Marjorie Morgan presents Disappearing Tarn posted at GO! Girls Outdoors, saying, "a beautiful little lake in Tasmania that only appears when it's really bucketed down with rain for a few weeks. I was lucky enough to find it!"

Gregory E. Rouse presents Beehive Lake posted at Wilderness-Trails Blog, saying, "Located in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, a land of dense forests, abundant wildlife, scenic mountains and giant cedars, is Upper Beehive Lake one of the highest lakes in Idaho at 6457ft in elevation."

Mudslide Mama presents Mama on the Move - Hawaii Hiking to Petroglyphs posted at Traveling Mamas, saying, "A short hike among historic hawaiian petroglyphs."

Ella Moss presents MY KINDER UNIVERSE « Zodiac Times posted at Zodiac Times, saying, "child-care summer-time blues"

Cliff Calderwood presents 9 New England Walking Trails to Exercise the Heart and Soul | The New England Online Magazine posted at The New England Online Magazine.

Alan presents Florida's Nature Coast posted at Orange Blossom Trails, saying, "A small post about Florida's Nature Coast and ways to see the wild in a wild part of Florida."

Open Air

Jessica Nagel presents Baby Jogger + Coronado = Euphoria posted at Sustainable Halo, saying, "Jessica writes about using her Baby Joggers on the island she now inhabits."

Candy Brun presents Create a Butterfly Garden | Candy's Garden Oasis posted at Candy Brun, saying, "Here is a post about creating a butterfly garden."

Lucynda Riley presents Mrs posted at Lucynda Riley.

Andy Hayes presents The Edinburgh Guide - Best Places in Edinburgh to Get a Tan posted at The Edinburgh Guide, saying, "Satire or truth? We've had a scorching hot summer here in Scotland, so why not get a tan while seeing some of the capital's best sights? Perfect timing for the Fringe Festival this August, the world's largest arts festival."

Gregory E. Rouse presents Donner Pass - Rock Climbing posted at Climbing Routes Blog, saying, "For a great rock climbing trip, the incredibly rocky and historic Donner Pass lies about 90 miles northeast of Sacramento, California. Yes, this is the famous Pass that the Donner Party met their demise in during the early days of the old west."

Wise Bread presents Close-to-Home Outdoor Adventure Basics posted at Wisebread.


Jason Coleman presents Choosing the Best Hot Tub Cover posted at Hot Tub Sale Online.

Shelley Munro presents Women on the Move! posted at Shelley Munro Blog, Author of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance.

Outdoor Olympians

Watch Me Eat presents Food at the Watermelon 5K posted at Watch Me Eat, saying, "Running in the Watermelon 5K race on July 4, 2009 in the beautiful city of Winter Park, FL."

Shannon ODonnell presents a little biking: sights and smells of the tuscan countryside posted at a little adrift: a rtw travelogue, saying, "A biking tour of the Tuscan countryside taking in the olive groves and vineyards."

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