Crazy 4 Challenges, Spellbinders Action Team, and a Hiking Trip...whew

 

I have a lot to share today, so bear with me.  :)

Boy this week flew by.  I've been busy playing catch-up since my son was visiting.  He flew in to go hiking in the Sierra Nevadas with my husband, a dear friend and I.  I'll share a bit about it in a sec.  First, the reason for this post.  I have the honor of joining the Crazy 4 Challenges gals again this week, and today they've shared a sketch!!  One I had a fabulous time working with too.  It fit beautifully with the images I wanted to use.

Waltzingmouse Stamps just released it's new September stamp sets, and they are fabulous.  But, then again, when are they not!  Seriously!!  So I combined two sets:  The Count and Splat That

I stamped The Count with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto Vintage Cream cs, and diecut him with a Spellbinders Oval die.  While leaving the image in the die, I sponged some Black Soot (Ranger Distress) around the edges, then added some blood spatter from the Splat That set.  Lastly, I embossed the sentiment along the bottom with Versamark and Black Embossing Powder.

Here's a close up of the beautifully fonted sentiment.  Claire things of everything.  

SPELLBINDERS ACTION TEAM

I also want to take a moment to share something I've been up to lately.

A couple of months ago I joined the Spellbinders Action Team and have been demoing the Grand Calibur and Spellbinders dies at two local Michaels' Stores.  Some locals have asked that I include the dates, I'll be demoing, on my blog so I thought I'd take a moment to include this month's today.  I'll be in the Visalia, CA Michaels store today from 1-3 pm, and the Hanford, CA Michaels next week (the 28th), from 1-3 pm also.  I'm demoing cute little Halloween treat bags, along with some other fun projects, so if you're in the area, I'd love it if you dropped by!

SEQUOIA HIGH SEIRRA CAMP

Now for a few of my camping photos.  We went to a place called Sequoia High Sierra Camp.  It's a hard mile hike in, but so worth it once you get there.  They provide canvas tents, beds with duvets and wool blankets, and gourmet meals, with dinner being 5 courses.  YUM!!  And Burr and Susanne (the owners), are just the sweetest, most down-to-earth people!!  

So, we hiked in, rested, ate dinner, slept, then got up early to hike 3 miles one way to Look Out Peak (In an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, the hike to Lookout Peak was named one of the top 5 "Hikes to Prettiest Views" in the entire state of California! It rated as #4. Click here to read the article.).  It's gorgeous.  It's not easy, but so worth it.  It was my friend and I's second time there, but my husband and son's first, and they truly enjoyed the experience.  You feel like you're out there all alone because you don't run into a single soul during the hike.  It's astounding!!

Bernie, just relaxing before dinner.  The view from these chairs is stunning.  You look out over the Kings Canyon.

My son, Justin, getting breakfast before our hike.  They provide fresh fruit, yogurt, a homemade granola, muffins, fresh squeezed orange juice, and delicious omelets made to your specifications.  They also provide all the fixings for a sack lunch for you to take on your hike.

The moon rising behind the trees.  The sky is so blue!

Just one of the many beautiful sunset photos we got.  It's truly something to behold each night.

This is the pavillion we dined for each meal (it's all open), and just hung around at playing cards and games when not hiking.  I liked the lighting at night.  Inside (in the back of the photo), there is a fireplace to warm up by.  It got to the low 30's in the evenings and 70's during the day.

 My son, husband and I at the top of Look Out Point.  That mound behind us is actually quite a ways away.

My friend Bernie and I took this same photo 2 years ago the last time we hiked up here.  It's over 8,500 ft up.

My son taking in the scenery.

The end

______________________________________________________

Stamps:  The Count and Splat That (Waltzingmouse)

Paper:  Masquerade Party (Teresa Collins), Black and Vintage Cream (PTI)

Ink:  Versamark, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Red Brick (VersaMagic), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)

Accessories:  Oval die cut (Spellbinders), Brad (MME), Black Embossing Powder (Judikins), 3/8" Circle Punch (SU!), Sewing Machine