Hiking Kaaterskill Falls

Hi everyone,

I hope your week was fantastic.  Today was such a beautiful day we decided to hike Kaaterskill Falls, which is the highest two-step water falls in New York.

After parking the vehicle we took in the views.

It is only a brief walk down to Bastion Falls.

Bastion Falls also has a double cascade - a preview of what is to come.

This is where you pick up the trail to Kaaterskill Falls.

As we start the hike it is a moderate climb.

 

 

There were pretty ferns along the way ...

and tree roots to be seen.

Mossy rocks were abundant.

Foliage just starting to change.

 

The rocky Kaaterskill Creek was slow moving in early autumn.

 

A colorful leaf gently floats in the stream.

Subtle hues of blue sky reflect.

 Your anticipation builds with the sounds of the falls ... and then!

 

Here I am taking in the spectacular view.

 

 The double falls has a first drop of 167' followed by a second drop of 64'.

 

 

Every angle was a gorgeous one.

 

 

A penny was thrown for good luck and a wish was made!

Mist keeps the walls moist enough for moss to grow in the sun.

Looking up large overhangs protrude from the top of the lower falls.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Please feel free to watch my video to hear the sounds of the falls.

New York State's highest waterfalls, one of the most celebrated scenic sites in 19th century America, painted several times by Thomas Cole and most of the artists of the Hudson River School.  Also, a favorite spot for American writers.

 

Thank you for stopping to visit and for taking a hike with me!

Birthday Wishes in a Jar

Whew, I just did a great workout on the treadmill and it feels so good to sit my butt down ... lol!  My card today uses a digital collage called Vintage Jars.  I created this for my online friend Linda.  She celebrated her birthday a few days ago so here is a jar filled with birthday wishes for her.

 

After printing off the image and cutting it out I cut off the lid.  Some lace was added to create a doily then I sprinkled Fairy Dust glitter on the lid.  The jar was then popped up onto the background.

Friend was stamped in StazOn Black on a Spellbinders Gold Labels Four Die.  A little ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown was added to the edges with a few pearls.  A triple loop bow was made from pink seam binding with a cream flower flat back pearl in the center.

An elegant Happy Birthday image was stamped inside finished with a flourish in iridescent ice embossing powder.

Thank you for all your sweet comments.  Have a wonderful evening! 

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  You're a Gem, Beautiful Birthday, Baroque Motifs
Paper:  Fresh Leaf Bark, Vintage Jars & Josephine by Iralamija, Scrapbook Graphics 
Ink:  StazOn Black, ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown
Accessories:  Simplicity 5/8" Edged Lace, Fairy Dust Pralines & Cream Glitter, Pink Seam Binding, Wild Orchid Crafts Cream Flower Flat Back Pearl, SU Basic Pearls, Spellbinders Gold Labels Four #1, Edge Distresser, Bow-Easy
Techniques:  Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Early September

Over the weekend I was doing a little garden clean up and took a few snapshots to share with you.  Things are really starting to wind down.

 

This adorable chipmunk was resting on top of my fountain.  He didn't know I was there  :-)

Bright purple berries grace the Beautyberry shrub.  A sure sign autumn is soon approaching.

Joe-Pye Weed has clusters of fuzzy pink flowers.  Folklore states that Joe Pye, an Indian healer from New England, used this plant to cure fevers.  It is always so interesting to find out how a plant obtained its name.

The happy faces of Japanese anemones.

 

The leaves are slowly starting to turn on the Virginia Sweetspire and the grasses are swaying in the breeze.

 

 

Hydrangea blooms are fading.

 

 

A pretty hosta flower is still hangin' on.

 

 

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful,

for beauty is God's handwriting."

 ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

 

Thank you for taking a short stroll with me.  Until next time ...

Vintage Sense of Time

Hi everyone,

My brother's birthday was yesterday and this is the card I created for him.  Originally, I was going to do a Stampscapes scene, but then changed my mind. 

The clock image was stamped in Distress Walnut Stain on a piece of Marble Mustard paper.  It was then cut out with a Spellbinders Large Standard Circles #6 die.  I layered it onto a scalloped Early Espresso circle and added the brad.

The BoBunny Timepiece paper was distressed and adhered to Cherry Cobbler.  I then wrapped a piece of 3/8" Kraft Taffeta Ribbon around both pieces before mounting to a brown card.  I cut a banner using the Framelits Bitty Banners and stamped Happy Birthday in Cherry Cobbler and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  A sprocket gear was glued to the corner as an accent.  Sponging around the edges was done in ColorBox Chalk Dark Brown.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Distress Walnut Stain and the gear parts were done in Close to Cocoa (stamped off once).

I did have the opportunity to speak with my brother yesterday to wish him a Happy Birthday.  We also now Skype which is a lot of fun.  Thank you for taking the time to stop by.   

 

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Sense of Time, Itty Bitty Banners, Birthday Wishes by Impression Obsession

Paper:  Brown, BoBunny Timepiece, Matte Marble Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso

Ink:  Distress Walnut Stain, Cherry Cobbler, Close to Cocoa, ColorBox Chalk Dark Brown

Accessories:  3/8" Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Idea-ology Sprocket Gear, SU Neutrals 5/16" Brad, Framelits Bitty Banners, Spellbinders Large Standard Circles #6 & Small Classic Scalloped Circles #5, Edge Distresser, Bow-Easy

Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging

Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")