P.........resenting: designsbyvanessa

This month's featured Etsy Blogger is the multi talented Vanessa of http://designsbyvanessa.etsy.com/
She makes some of the most elegant jewelry that I have seen on Etsy and some delightful greeting cards, one of which is shown here. This particular card is one in a set of three, and each in this set makes use of the same color palette but in different prints. Although this set features cupcakes, she also loves birds, and they are prevalent throughout her work. I hope you take a moment to visit her shop soon to see all that she has to offer!

L.........onging for a studio

For a new blog carnival, we were asked to show a picture of ourselves or of our studio. Since photos of me are common in this blog and in my Etsy avatar, I was left with a dilemma: no studio!

So if the mess to the left looks like a dining room table, that's because it is! Today, I was making greeting cards, decking baskets with red lace for display at my next show, and getting ready to cut nylon netting for more scrubbies.

It does play havoc with meal time, however, so I am delighted to say that the problem will be partially solved very soon. There will be an area for my crafting in the new addition to the house that starts next week and I'm so excited! To be sure, pictures of that will follow!

C.........ombo crafting

Because there are so many different kinds of crafting (and it's hard to choose which one is my fav), I love to combine them. This time, the new greeting cards combine card making with crocheting. A delicate crocheted Irish rose is the centerpiece for these new note cards. It seems to fit with many different colors and papers. Gently dotted ribbons complete the look. Wouldn't someone treasure receiving one on these with a hand written message?

S.........aving the best for last

This final episode of our trip to Glacier Park features the very best: the Going-To-The-Sun-Road. The first time I took this trip many years ago, I remember asking the driver (or Jammer) of the red bus, "Why do you call it that?" He replied simply, "You'll see!", and, of course he was right.
This time was only slightly different in that it was later in the season and there was less snow and more of the other spectacular colors of nature. Here are only a few pictures of the indescribable scenery. The top picture is of the cascades of Hay Stack Creek.
The other shots are of David and me in the red bus with Lake McDonald behind us, and looking back at one of the few glaciers in the park.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road makes more of the glories of Glacier accessible to all. I hope some day you all get to experience "The Crown of the Continent"!

T..........wo Medicine Lake

Although we thoroughly enjoyed our journey to and our stay at Glacier Park Lodge, there was nothing that could compare to the magnificent scenery of Glacier Park itself. We took advantage of a "Red Bus" tour to Hidden Valley which encompasses Two Medicine Lake. You can see us posing with two dear friends who traveled with us. The red buses are actually 1930's touring cars that have been refurbished and carefully maintained and are a favorite means of transport in Glacier Park. The delightful drivers (nicknamed "Jammers" because they used to have to jam the gears on the mountain roads) provide a great deal of information and lively commentary. We also were treated to a boat ride on the crystal clear lake.
Quite near Two Medicine Lake is Running Eagle Falls which seems to rush out of a gap in the rock. It was named for a woman Blackfeet warrior who gained acclaim for her bravery and daring. The Blackfeet now live just east of Glacier Park and are descendants of early peoples in this area.

R.........ustic Luxury

We had been told that Glacier Park Lodge was rustic and not expect great luxury, so when we entered this almost 100 year old masterpiece, we were pleasantly surprised. Although the rooms are small, they are clean and comfortable and the rest is spectacular. The huge lobby that features the tremendous 800 year old tree supports is most comfortable and features live piano music or Native American programs nightly.

From the large windows or balconies, you can enjoy spectacular sun rises and sunsets over the mountains, or take a couple of hours to play the beautiful nine hole golf course.

We would stay there again...and hopefully will soon!