Zipline vs Card Making -- What I've Been Up To Lately

It's been over a week since I made a card!  Aaurrgh!  Withdrawals!  However, I do have good excuses :-)

Toward the end of June an exchange on Facebook with a friend, who also happens to be a craft blog buddy, led to a meeting in person ---- and a gentle "dare" to ride a zip line.  Nancy of Windstar Creations, herself a talented crafter, described her experiences ziplining.  In my zeal to promote Branson, I commented about our new zipline attractions.  Nancy came back with a "wild idea".  It just so happens that Branson is along the route she would take to drive her daughter back to college, so how about a visit and a zip ride?  I was so excited at the prospect of meeting this sweet lady and her amazing daughter in person!  Then, "gulp", a zip ride?  Ok, Barb, where's your spine?  

Well, we set it all up and I was thrilled to welcome Nancy and Shelbie to our home.  Some quick research into buying the tickets to the Vigilante Zip Ride attraction at Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, and off we went.  Yup, I was a "bit" nervous.  One doesn't have the panic disorder and not get a little squeamish about launching off a 230 foot tower on a wire!  But.......................

OMG!  WHAT A RIDE!!!!  I WILL DO IT AGAIN!!

Here are some pics my hubby took from the tower.  Left to right:  me, Nancy, a brave young lad, and Shelbie.

Nancy somehow gained speed and beat us all to the bottom.  The ride takes about a minute.

At the bottom we are stopped by giant springs and the quick stop is a bit like the tailhook on a jet landing on an aircraft carrier.

Shelbie took a video of the ride which can be seen on our Facebooks.  We had a great time and continued our day with lunch and a drive around Table Rock Lake.  Nancy and Shelbie stayed an additional night, taking off early the next morning to continue their journey.  I miss them and can't wait till we get together again.

So, if you are in the Branson area, check out the Vigilante.  I dare ya!  The Vigilante is a bit tamer than the other zip lines in the area, but a good jumping off point, so to speak. 

My Little Shop

This is just a quick little post to show my little corner in the Branson Craft Mall. Mom and I share a booth there --- she makes comfy-cozy jackets from sweatshirts and decorated T-shirts. The picture is not very good quality --- phone cameras just don't stand up to my Canon, but I forgot to take the Canon with me. Oops! We moved to a different part of the mall and took a whole new approach to the display. Gone are the rotating card racks which just seemed to get in the way. Everything will be on the walls. My photography is there, too. And we have warm and inviting lighting and props.

My antique treasure-hunting was rewarded with the telephone bench seen on the right side. Way back when people had only one phone in the home and it was on a short cord on a little table they sat nearby while they talked. So these tables were often found in a hallway or foyer, a central location. Can you imagine that? Anyway, I just thought it would be a cozy display and goes well with the table built on an old Singer treadle machine base.

This is the slow time of year here, but I need these couple of months to restock. Then I'll pray for a successful reopening in March!