tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33955092588350478362024-02-20T02:46:55.974-08:00The Crafting of the Snark"The impossible voyage of an improbable crew to find an inconceivable creature..."Crafty snarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14268976999384872331noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-70230816377896142142010-11-01T21:30:00.000-07:002010-11-01T22:06:36.643-07:00Christmas on MarsThe latest project that I'm now working on has the unlikely title of "Christmas on Mars". This Evergreen Federal Bank sponsored event in Grants Pass, OR is the latest brainchild of Brady Adams. The back-story goes something like this:<br /><br />Unknown to most people Santa has not only been delivering toys to the boys and girls on Earth, but <span style="font-style: italic;">also</span> to the children of Mars. When Evergreen Bank tore down the old Riverside Hotel in order to build Riverside Park they accidentally damaged Santa's toy delivery system to Mars. In order to make things right with Santa, Brady agreed to build a rocket ship to ensure that toys continued to reach Mars by Christmas morning. Are you still with me?<br /><br />So that's where a bunch of artists (including me) come in. We're now building a huge rocket ship, Martian toy store, and a whole bunch of Martians to run the place. You literally can't make this stuff up. Well I guess you can, but no one would take you seriously. So here's the proof in pictures...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa0rP2zKRH6F7Qtk-KVsnlSlJfouvewW_rNL-xU1gtMF33l77Yuojw4n6yw3Ta9KvOjVFMGpQ5lOrmUg76QaZaeN51EvhGgf5YqVS21IEnXOm9gUX4Fv9dKXZ675Tr684qKo1dWoJmzc/s1600/Rocket_ship_Del.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa0rP2zKRH6F7Qtk-KVsnlSlJfouvewW_rNL-xU1gtMF33l77Yuojw4n6yw3Ta9KvOjVFMGpQ5lOrmUg76QaZaeN51EvhGgf5YqVS21IEnXOm9gUX4Fv9dKXZ675Tr684qKo1dWoJmzc/s400/Rocket_ship_Del.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534811039898430418" border="0" /></a> This is Del Hearn posing with his huge rocket ship creation. Several artists are now building the interior, complete with Martians astronaughts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g7nYgkba0oE-hVNwkcvzWq3Yt9GZyCZbOk181Otiet_n6KCKemtrFA_xAN2F5CCLI83-i9R9Wb1imM4cAGKfXv7VClKhttIjKPI02wucCCRbZWJd5EJewDQpPIi-cP-zvQ7WRu9kyBg/s1600/Rocket_interior_Del.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g7nYgkba0oE-hVNwkcvzWq3Yt9GZyCZbOk181Otiet_n6KCKemtrFA_xAN2F5CCLI83-i9R9Wb1imM4cAGKfXv7VClKhttIjKPI02wucCCRbZWJd5EJewDQpPIi-cP-zvQ7WRu9kyBg/s400/Rocket_interior_Del.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534810153732164722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEsvM8RwloY3-M-EJ-1U8ZOLkYtRmKnBbw0uCZ0NQ_PNcq5dwmdSqLYlKWv2F7yVPpblqeoLKmgktxAPhIgSujlGNxNOpqTUYewBrWRDMcQG7UftUt4JVKT9fcpn71a_YySryC5rDdRo/s1600/Rocket_ship_smoke1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEsvM8RwloY3-M-EJ-1U8ZOLkYtRmKnBbw0uCZ0NQ_PNcq5dwmdSqLYlKWv2F7yVPpblqeoLKmgktxAPhIgSujlGNxNOpqTUYewBrWRDMcQG7UftUt4JVKT9fcpn71a_YySryC5rDdRo/s400/Rocket_ship_smoke1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534809792829213538" border="0" /></a>An early test to make sure the engines are working properly. These huge rockets will have their own lighting and sound system!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEpWSaDJk741VDy3svnat2nYMoyVpTwNbaBDIrUSh4rEpFGOaxserqIlL9k71Q_7hyphenhyphenTYw9BnuAf0e3IeOehvaqhFuaA1-v16izul-jepQmkaZF-uY6fRuZ4zUtwnEh2VkaTkdRxxYJss/s1600/Martian_Xmas_tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEpWSaDJk741VDy3svnat2nYMoyVpTwNbaBDIrUSh4rEpFGOaxserqIlL9k71Q_7hyphenhyphenTYw9BnuAf0e3IeOehvaqhFuaA1-v16izul-jepQmkaZF-uY6fRuZ4zUtwnEh2VkaTkdRxxYJss/s400/Martian_Xmas_tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534809789303486082" border="0" /></a>A Martian Christmas tree. Kind of a cross between Dr. Suess and Tim Burton.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s1tvazAPE11k6zsbphb1k0JW6Q9ejaqm9ZNOJ6F_5NUqiOCZVYeFJsG-JrOosxpf2qtbRs0q2GUcoOVPBnpZusTO9OFMUaRHaPcqHd3GnI8ap7dAwAbHh1iw6Zg1W5n-3AEzGBbyARU/s1600/martian_character2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9s1tvazAPE11k6zsbphb1k0JW6Q9ejaqm9ZNOJ6F_5NUqiOCZVYeFJsG-JrOosxpf2qtbRs0q2GUcoOVPBnpZusTO9OFMUaRHaPcqHd3GnI8ap7dAwAbHh1iw6Zg1W5n-3AEzGBbyARU/s400/martian_character2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534809784328354162" border="0" /></a>Some of Janet Higgen's Martians in progress.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM6kTxB4xEPKKRNh7OvTJLoiRQdVWhKkTycPSPSd8I4eIwk3942K2cZtMBikDUT_P0F1IcC5ac2WyHg4VaS5uFvo2PotwdVCXFb18KISYHD0tTi5DHsHmpUIX25o5pMByhx8-I_AIJO8/s1600/martian_character1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM6kTxB4xEPKKRNh7OvTJLoiRQdVWhKkTycPSPSd8I4eIwk3942K2cZtMBikDUT_P0F1IcC5ac2WyHg4VaS5uFvo2PotwdVCXFb18KISYHD0tTi5DHsHmpUIX25o5pMByhx8-I_AIJO8/s400/martian_character1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534809774364204306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoocHPIbp76aURr_qoFkwRN53wBYBiv8EZEZUUaRL0rDanDLSN1zDJ3bCViE-iIVISM67bdz1Wh-KL-iBhRNI0-N3KUudn7H7QEd_VVjds7Hdq_z_0xRfnT63-TX44MD_pj-dH4Rh5yBU/s1600/Rocket_ship_Del.jpg"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">More soon as construction continues!</span><br /></a>treegeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339830139601697843noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-64195983179080563802010-10-17T17:04:00.000-07:002010-10-17T17:27:07.069-07:00Pumpkin TimeI love this time of year. The weather is mercifully cooler, the trees are exploding with fall color, Halloween is coming, and of course there are pumpkins. There's something therapeutic about pumpkins. They're a cheery orange, they have an organic, earthy appeal, and no two are alike. What's not to like. As those who know me can attest I especially enjoy carving these gargantuan gourds.<br /><br />This year I'm up to my elbows in pumpkins as I try to meet my obligations to clients. So far I've carved out about ten big pumpkins, and I have a few more to go. I use a surface carving technique where I cut my designs through just the skin of the pumpkin. I don't bother cutting open and scooping out the guts. After carving and painting I use a sealant to preserve my pumpkins, giving them a respectable shelf life. Last year one of my clients kept their pumpkin on display until May! They typically last until Christmas or so.<br /><br />Here are some of this year's crop 'O carved pumpkins:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx6DkHKSOJWtnsVlOSyTRnJmazF2535w5-qqt_7EE-JPwoMDCH-24FiA4HS3w975BTYW9kv89oBkO6btjeRRtkPvpOF3PgT5Q505mjk0nJVOdevYlVcpJBdfmeiuGnrprq-AC8K9Oc0M/s1600/Martins_pumpkin2010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx6DkHKSOJWtnsVlOSyTRnJmazF2535w5-qqt_7EE-JPwoMDCH-24FiA4HS3w975BTYW9kv89oBkO6btjeRRtkPvpOF3PgT5Q505mjk0nJVOdevYlVcpJBdfmeiuGnrprq-AC8K9Oc0M/s400/Martins_pumpkin2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529173817946364226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn3lpLlH7gg0_oR-FELg7jqyEtFUEn7BlBp7-wG2H4pVREXXLwMqjo7ggcxA2E-U_fRVxKgxyMIi8YDflYstcAVPORT3YCjm1HBwJr6TRYcMb-rRUJz-4cSH8t0_IbgRsUkDPvSJc198/s1600/Wild_River_pumpkin_CU.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn3lpLlH7gg0_oR-FELg7jqyEtFUEn7BlBp7-wG2H4pVREXXLwMqjo7ggcxA2E-U_fRVxKgxyMIi8YDflYstcAVPORT3YCjm1HBwJr6TRYcMb-rRUJz-4cSH8t0_IbgRsUkDPvSJc198/s400/Wild_River_pumpkin_CU.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529173808999130802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jtJJbAqsx1A9SmKReHEgV0Zum7P6knyPZgUaSyM4uBeiLVgHzpXgdLG199Y3wzD2-Sxtr2b9T-kS6OiGKUXj1QzEYzPEl9Kz8M7rozRaqD-P5mNusgJE4_Apw8xdAx7R6D8KnN1xmPw/s1600/Wild_River_pumpkin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jtJJbAqsx1A9SmKReHEgV0Zum7P6knyPZgUaSyM4uBeiLVgHzpXgdLG199Y3wzD2-Sxtr2b9T-kS6OiGKUXj1QzEYzPEl9Kz8M7rozRaqD-P5mNusgJE4_Apw8xdAx7R6D8KnN1xmPw/s400/Wild_River_pumpkin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529173799839128210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYQkgD5VKYSNCJ8HxPxTh8vqW30BxJs9_JXSsfJuAEttdgT8YavnL7Sr2u4RT6yomqp1q3WeGC8Eugltz0i-ufj5_nIB01XhqdjapUYUoLAUzxdMKGZ-kgEXik2phfctM-WbWJAoADZA/s1600/Casa_Amiga_pumpkin2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYQkgD5VKYSNCJ8HxPxTh8vqW30BxJs9_JXSsfJuAEttdgT8YavnL7Sr2u4RT6yomqp1q3WeGC8Eugltz0i-ufj5_nIB01XhqdjapUYUoLAUzxdMKGZ-kgEXik2phfctM-WbWJAoADZA/s400/Casa_Amiga_pumpkin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529173793682338770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyXc8e31kQ0_UdqkiLSEwKPxoqSu83KHX0Hp37WGwFTNxe5yk4uMxDAkKODzuOPmNBEwCj3Fg130DkpuQ_L03p7CJ8eGe0KDtDVM3bx40EJzpFUYTj084PX86lbqGfeBzb8i0NFAab5c/s1600/Rogue_Coffee_Roasters.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyXc8e31kQ0_UdqkiLSEwKPxoqSu83KHX0Hp37WGwFTNxe5yk4uMxDAkKODzuOPmNBEwCj3Fg130DkpuQ_L03p7CJ8eGe0KDtDVM3bx40EJzpFUYTj084PX86lbqGfeBzb8i0NFAab5c/s400/Rogue_Coffee_Roasters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529173788088610674" border="0" /></a>treegeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339830139601697843noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-67788550081339897402010-08-13T11:36:00.000-07:002010-08-13T11:58:54.177-07:00Prospect ParkIn all the years that I lived in the general vicinity I never set foot in Prospect Park (except the Brooklyn Bontanical Garden once years ago and that's a seperate fee area so I don't count it.) Prospect Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the same designer of Central Park. The park is 585 acres. Here are the things I learned about Prospect Park today in the 3 hours I wandered around:<br /><br />The squirrels here are very shy. I thought this fella was going to rip the camera out of my hands. You never know what's edible when you're a rodent, I suppose.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBFUKYWfDGjRYnETUec7iVTiwQSKWPQEop4PDzlZXD39ea4EZBxD5YncMRakebKVmdyrTUzyNRVvBrvNyo8gb_XnFD_Ie281vDdFzpKcG4AdUXExc7QoRFYpOmCJEMiQgOSqMx4Wspv8/s1600/Prospect+Park+Brooklyn+8.13.10+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504966547212725810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBFUKYWfDGjRYnETUec7iVTiwQSKWPQEop4PDzlZXD39ea4EZBxD5YncMRakebKVmdyrTUzyNRVvBrvNyo8gb_XnFD_Ie281vDdFzpKcG4AdUXExc7QoRFYpOmCJEMiQgOSqMx4Wspv8/s400/Prospect+Park+Brooklyn+8.13.10+018.JPG" /></a> You need to look up when in a city, even if you know you will be branded tourist. You'll miss much by only looking from pigeon strut to traffic light level. I wandered through the Chinese Pavillion and in the middle, up high, hiding in the peak, was this beauty:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504965632276640258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz6Kqipb6vOeRLM-2Jc3G-ge_BY4xFEDNMuY_dJSS2QkFwqZUasefJpp-sRooezpo4R0gwHUFv2LD6EYNTC2lo553p3oM0ma4vM0sWSxyojmfkLt_NRXzV2p-vE2_wHplzzohLK3DxUo/s400/Prospect+Park+Brooklyn+8.13.10+053.JPG" />I caught my breath when I saw this stained glass. It's in really good shape. I understand that the pavillion building is around 100 years old, so I was surprised at the condition of this window.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlLTaXT79fWyHrTekpqsJjTti67PSN3pcauCSmdZvb0m44JUHikt33OzkcPDoPiOu-J4u5_wCNOpO1PmUvQ8bKIpmeIICCD1euXHBGYPGY_7W1Q3mMf4Iyz1l9Uul0hsMfhfQcUsO_18/s1600/Prospect+Park+Brooklyn+8.13.10+042.JPG"></a><br />Harry has a wall. I never knew....<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_peNufN9ub1plNqUqkhRyO4NznfW7ljS9fCdexBwV0CQACRnNt_dtWriBfpu0562YmhP-UCWJg9IANaAqmscJ5DTMkWFTdvkop-zxWQZi_650GRKbHNteerbE9u8wdKBL-m9UjPXDmQ/s1600/Prospect+Park+Brooklyn+8.13.10+045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504965907067665026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_peNufN9ub1plNqUqkhRyO4NznfW7ljS9fCdexBwV0CQACRnNt_dtWriBfpu0562YmhP-UCWJg9IANaAqmscJ5DTMkWFTdvkop-zxWQZi_650GRKbHNteerbE9u8wdKBL-m9UjPXDmQ/s400/Prospect+Park+Brooklyn+8.13.10+045.JPG" /></a>Some of the best advice I've seen to date:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504965331677306866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F3EJ_Zmqbw3I2QI44Grqc29qMxbQEzSUCCI1eM_MFHBialN_AgdixVng52B_T8H75aRd6skwt5yyWaa-Wy3ac4Y6T2XmkLgz25qCm0jsFOmwhLyDUozGvLxCzi8MYp_1da8v2eRN5Uw/s400/Prospect+Park+Brooklyn+8.13.10+078.JPG" /></div></div><br />I think we all need to heed this advice. Keep this in mind next time you're outside.Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-77512301833966533522010-08-12T17:34:00.001-07:002010-08-12T17:38:23.849-07:00Greetings from New York City<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504687052176842066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HVP6ugnRCc9CcNYSg55ZQQcEX-_TDeyeoPGwjvzPKmyAr89iYOeLZt_AQ6R1beDBzJGuRU2g1Z2B-JDoOD_6RSCYfQwFmSfI1i4AmQ_fC1GTVLcLGIFQBq7DoWsk2h_VQP8qN7yC6Zw/s400/NYC+Trip+8.12.10+003.JPG" /> My sentiments exactly:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU5l5FH3gTRJNl-mM42YctRgUnJx54IyMeVKRa1wgPvwITLH7PF7H43EoOl78NS1wqxJ_ifcXcXUwo-YK99aBNBPiBpxIKlwKU6uvIRBrjnrTI7jjzG281Lp7LrgVOap9e_Ni9BpjB9Q/s1600/NYC+Trip+8.12.10+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504686684815395522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU5l5FH3gTRJNl-mM42YctRgUnJx54IyMeVKRa1wgPvwITLH7PF7H43EoOl78NS1wqxJ_ifcXcXUwo-YK99aBNBPiBpxIKlwKU6uvIRBrjnrTI7jjzG281Lp7LrgVOap9e_Ni9BpjB9Q/s400/NYC+Trip+8.12.10+004.JPG" /></a> I had to travel all the way to NY to find this message.</div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-45654453202888804342010-08-06T05:33:00.000-07:002010-08-06T05:57:45.563-07:00Art GalleryWe stopped at this intriguing art gallery in Crescent City, CA. Unfortunately the artist wasn't there and the shop was closed so I didn't get his name or any further information. I would like to go back and do some shopping - I need some things for around the home:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502275259731491442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5gWnCmpTE4M-kXkkNfxojNwIzbjdzm_-G55_OkhPZBHqxiT9Kd85gAJQr0m2d05DU5ymogbejYzDbUEtb36FqttnIoJ0hzwW98HpVL1OFBG2fPZ8hAvS1dKzBxjG7goxgWw5YMkDXtY/s400/Crescent+City+7.31.10+022.JPG" />This would look great in the garden:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502274521334321906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAnw6WxbViDfPyF_8GPPk5oHtQH5j9phqRjSxJLCmkgCam17pRXCMjvkcpTDueRIDD8qQ32bdnTMpZ5nBl5e_5IMfRRn-kXnTeL_fkujB-tJg3v41voIGP6glkdYrS-YuZP7Lzt6A4os/s400/Crescent+City+7.31.10+002.JPG" />I need a new lounge chair for the living room (looks comfy, doesn't it?):<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502274870537261282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaEX3wd74iEsZHCFYr-07pnmuQxBhb_-fzP0xOdFqqAiVNnBuKnHQ6ABw4yjdaCwlt7CWKJOwg50dausP3CPvti5EKqki6JUVi7IyoBg9-Y9DQtXFkZb_JiqC-iSfGvrhPxTQluw38nk/s400/Crescent+City+7.31.10+020.JPG" />And I sure would love to have a new desk:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502275664025803378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlV3jAEyWxeZaSZIsBtZRvBSjlf_naNrt7OrIYGL-aSRLoYWFAgGjJbUEk22NxDW-RbfSL-Gok8MZXi6EAT3Imj6Qn7DhzA6_Q-kNus1DKYf6ZhFtFm0dboyb3rYN9rUOJw3xjBq0rZU/s400/Crescent+City+7.31.10+024.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502276484935460706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcsXNQm3BpOc4qBL0DsM9c7XCiLrZRQBXpLvpCm09X2zvvX5sNN9NpF4KyZ-JtEnhiHNrYfd7wx2TCXcQ5EwG3l49WuBSBjBkd86xXNtfPCi84GHClVidDRNFyxajSfEqEe6gqfc7BhA/s400/Crescent+City+7.31.10+025.JPG" />Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-4893277291089934522010-08-03T10:04:00.000-07:002010-08-03T17:46:13.415-07:00Bits and Bobbins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEUWtjeQNhe5um3sj0HveOJQUGSpSOUNobcBKWuC7bAA0S9Zlu2zvwipMppG9G-7iI6jP0NO6keIj_YNZtkYa1cnCKC2Yv4DaBaTJIAdYcjxGixDs9mu3bRU_F9I7AAd5xvHveeAdXAw/s1600/Random+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501348297131114978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEUWtjeQNhe5um3sj0HveOJQUGSpSOUNobcBKWuC7bAA0S9Zlu2zvwipMppG9G-7iI6jP0NO6keIj_YNZtkYa1cnCKC2Yv4DaBaTJIAdYcjxGixDs9mu3bRU_F9I7AAd5xvHveeAdXAw/s200/Random+008.JPG" /></a>The good news is....the <a href="http://craftthesnark.blogspot.com/2010/08/thrift-share-monday.html">sewing machine </a>works. It sews so neatly and quietly -I love it! It monograms and has a double-needle sewing feature and all these groovy stitch patterns that my cheapy hobby sewing machine does not. I'm missing some kind of ring that holds the thread in place and I think there were a couple more feet for it but I can use it as it is now and, for 5 bucks, I will not complain. I can order all the accessories online.<br /><div><div></div><br /><div>I'm scribbling along in my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Lab-Mixed-Media-Artists-Exercises/dp/1592536131/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top">Drawing Lab </a>class sponsored by <a href="http://artistsoftheroundtable.smugmug.com/">ART</a>. There are 5-7 labs to complete each week and they vary in style so widely; I find many that I love working on and some I have to struggle through a bit. It's been an enlightening process. I've discovered that I don't do as well with drawing purely from imagination:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501345558789246866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOt8LN8ca256fiWZ5O50BRZsGwfZRSQFOBrqABpCFBKlFU8mIE0ODqwqKnyKYWCki_5m62SUkNl19_vF-UOp_EuTRtrDUI-ucUQRY0thD8PI0r-aQUmB5L-nrD4ycomKuUrVZX3rqEc0/s400/Drawing+Lab+Unit+4+011.JPG" />This lab was called One-Eyed Monsters. You draw an eye and then create a creature for that eye. It was fun but my monster lacks animation or character. I drew another that ended up looking like a peacock:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 327px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501346200076325506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzEhNUTldkGXLnRDaMcabc-ZX5qwx33eFob20OHHtXOWjs8UjpQnpeaYikmzGP0Y9jaPxeOTfCpnrbyHthl8CJpEnfbyQCrA2j5wGkXposj9Q0-fVV-ipdVe_bWxfg0VRvp7g804NNjs/s400/Drawing+Lab+Unit+4+one+eye+010.JPG" />Monster indeed. </div><br /><div></div><div>I really like drawing anything that involves drawing objects in dimension. This was a lab about drawing a toy:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501347419544454082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oxmMzKZ6dWd_eJf1G-U5r7iKObIeXgWCQGOexqyYV98NOMd3sybrwMwLu0sh1aeAgiFxMF1crSJAdf817k6qE0pYaqbPpLG36EhpTsAj1BFZqhmH9PE6A1U700uLuRJZ3iG_97kJyg0/s400/Unit+4+Drawing+Lab+006.JPG" />I enjoyed working on the shading. Shadows have always been difficult for me but, since I started this workshop I'm noticing more how light falls on people and sculpts faces. I want to learn to draw with less line and more depth.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Someday I will tackle perspective. Once I get to using perspective in sketching (it's unavoidable really, if you want to understand drawing) that's when I throw in the towel and stop drawing for years. I hope to pass that hurdle this time around.</div></div></div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-7716343431765591802010-08-02T00:00:00.000-07:002010-08-02T00:00:00.223-07:00Thrift Share MondayWelcome to thrift share Monday. Please share your weekend thrifty stories with us at<a href="http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/"> Apron Thrift Girl</a>. I was busy all weekend so I didn't hit the sales until Sunday morning. I found 2 nice hoodies for a buck a piece. The gray one is 80% lambswool from Great Northwest. I thought I would use it for felting but after a thorough scan I realized it was in like new condition and it fit me. I'll have to wear it out before I can use it for craft projects.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500671053885087410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Hk0Yw0peyEfaLlhA7IsglyvNAbty5NpwOUedD24uVoxPjItQcN40LTpBF0znQvJradBHQfmwH2g9gAJv80PXlRrmascWkbzkl0rT62qWQBsDZrzINh3XiD0ESzM4t-sbtYadcZhQhbE/s400/Thrifting+8.1.10+(10).JPG" />The brown shirt is cotton from Shaver Lake. Looks like it has never been worn. It seems a tiny bit too small for me but really, I'm going to lose those extra 15lbs any day now and then it will fit just fine.<br /><p>Here's the score of the weekend: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500670637318145842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkX6dm0Yp5LDdLsYG4hlctkf-xKRbQdezN09sWIl_AgVrGfBgDYXCA_HWEk-Q-71PknqJjvdF13YfV4iAODq0cv3skesQbrN78_KulC2-W9mY2d45zEWZ0vmjy1hP-8b48cFjaIkAXaQ/s400/Thrifting+8.1.10+(7).JPG" />A Brother XL3010. This is an older machine but it has excellent reviews and I've seen used ones on sale online for $100. This one is great condition, although it is missing a couple of the accessories. The seller said that it needed a tune up and it would be good to go but I'm not sure it even needs a tune up. The motor purrs along and all the pieces seem to move smoothly, so I'm hopeful it will work. I'm going to fiddle with it tomorrow and actually try to sew something. The best part? I paid $5 for it. I couldn't leave it there at that price. </p><p>I hope you all had an incredible thrifty weekend!</p>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-16927772014260097182010-07-28T08:47:00.001-07:002010-07-28T08:51:02.496-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498985044360011026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGQYq0Ag5CvgAcKhyphenhyphen69g5L07nUn3m1_-k4OEF2Xk5i2liuzlF2Ntl6E23gA9GjCgc3d9CVeQqMB7Q7mUjKiRnQ73GOq1OClzxDas6ktvBSMQZppJ7ur26IpgZ00fJKaFm6uvz2RcwoqI/s400/gray_fox_kit.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498984853155929106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatgUQGdzcYtwVjhyDsjhNdCCts2lJOFX2osUVWYPn_41nonE9nuUnuII3FuFmaqsgV9mWyTlKAeLXniMepg1c_xs4IoU2yLNBvCIuLk_Q4O6Ro1F-8HXR52R0i5R_rvgDxi0nCfl8dSE/s400/Gray_fox_Mom_4kits.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:78%;">Photos by TreeGeek</span></div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-5204027489095805902010-07-26T00:00:00.000-07:002010-07-26T00:00:07.422-07:00Thrift Share MondayWelcome to Thrift Share Monday. Please hop over to <a href="http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/">Apron Thrift Girl </a>and share your thrifty finds with us. Or go there to ogle other people's amazing thrifty finds. The yard sales in our area are winding down as the summer heat builds up. I went to one (one!?!) yard sale on Saturday. There I found a nice winter coat, brand new. Fit perfectly. It was hard to even think about winter in the 90+ heat on Saturday but the coat was so cute that I had to try it on. It came home with me and is hanging in the closet awaiting the first frost.<br /><br />I'm always looking for art/craft supplies for my artsy dabblings. I have found many useful tools, expensive art paper, sketching pencils, etc over the years. More recently, I've been <a href="http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/dispatch_from_la/rotdoci.html">making journals </a>and I'm always looking for ephemera to make interesting journal pages with. I also like a good mystery. So I couldn't resist these: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498078219271995714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQqWDEogsjqYCOvEjVB1IdH8vcnjjGCEo5Tymjr32Az_XGb73rCRL4ufguPoiPrh0Dfl5NfDsKZBcYP5GIghCjtcQQ1HnRFG-uwfU3Ut-ydRX5MbEnBtmtqgVRQ3Shg4DVS93_FtiuCc/s400/Thrift+Blue+Prints+7.23.10+007.JPG" />I found a full set of blueprints, life sized, 1 each for a Ruddy duck, Pintail duck, Teal and Great Horned Owl. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498079190305185858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiwFuJRAtF3ya_6PX4cRETTDv1MqXuFPa1upPrYE3G2beZapVL7zVMLG-Cu4IuCXiIzBt4KAM126moCZFoDboDKWpuf7EGUXL1CTLxobv3C96TJ7BPV6d-PSi3JOPirP3PXthVwnRncY/s400/Thrift+Blue+Prints+7.23.10+002.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 386px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498078956676979106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F4NbLpGcprLSOwDUzKNGUtECZ-tux_ugGzwRJ62ZfkZYAXq2mcN8nouuAf0d1vN1lKNse6lgZeq7XD-1x0lYjlgSdfUcOD_FwzmFk4sG4r7bINeythqxbzpzsCl3td70R-5LRda1XIU/s400/Thrift+Blue+Prints+7.23.10+005.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498077982227894418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjribq_nbIMLajubnLz7CUOa6rOA2OMPsfoYHbyHiKVp-h6KNmGxqGGunMpxa8tK50gnYUOgui1knTWUX2mUzFKqvPiAcaGPXYYHkM_V5UAoKloYYxD8sv5g0CyHfxEVy7sNYegtBWic-o/s400/Thrift+Blue+Prints+7.23.10+012.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498077644021711730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uX433U5WnFE1GhjkHZAovxloQO5cChCEBjwkFB8iGeieJVMR4iiFQ40810wGB00bp8gPVQ10SfoTLeRwiSu7X1BcOzJy5xGVFcMv5gDGcy-hXgCiQbJT3Cdf1aB90GB2gWnjmv4J-_4/s400/Thrift+Blue+Prints+7.23.10+019.JPG" />Why on earth would anyone make a full set of plans for birds? Life sized, no less. At first I thought they were for making decoys but when I brought them home and studied them fully, I realized there is no indication that is what they are for. Odd. I think they will make great journal pages. I love finding bizarre stuff like this. Does anyone have any ideas why someone would go through this much trouble?Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-9259516136853782432010-07-21T13:12:00.000-07:002010-07-21T22:06:35.560-07:00Drawing Lab drawings<div align="left">I have been taking part in an online drawing workshop and I'm loving it. I've always been intimidated by drawing and I get frustrated when the result isn't perfect (whatever that means) and then I don't attempt again for a few years and then I try again and get frustrated and wait a few more years and suddenly I'm middle-aged and I Still Can't Draw. Go figure. I recently acquired a copy of the newly published <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Lab-Mixed-Media-Artists-Exercises/dp/1592536131/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279774801&sr=1-1">Drawing Lab </a>by <a href="http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/">Carla Sondheim</a>. The labs in her book are drawing exercises designed to help one loosen up and see the creative potential in every sidewalk crack and eyedropper full of ink.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496584037529350018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISz_rKzfKBnBVMocbTo7_vmqZw6WKXPVge8VMTd6ohA2DQb8SvxiFeDAHaAwxu7AWRKLv-msOb_mVnPQArxMZbak-0hayhmzjUj8CJ0K_okGEUd84_QHAVcMNa9dDqajBo9PJEkVIYGQ/s400/Eyedropper++Golden+%26+Joker+Unit+2+Drawing+Lab+015+(2).JPG" /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Portraits made with an eyedropper and acrylic ink colored with markers.</span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496582459275565298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgllkPE5qA7uFeBb3YT2m_J3bj0jOhcoh7PhGPJ4l_TfGcBQ6M6g_Dn_b5qSGiY-jPneWxrYPeAndsB3HvkniqabXDzfwSnq0hIm0BgKMtqspHfwjnIjWmaJfu2QOWRsLBVDJTbnem_Sk/s320/Drawing+Lab+Unit+1+027.JPG" /> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Water colors randomly painted on a page- search out and outline whatever image appears</span>.</div><br /><div align="left">Without the pressure of creating perfect art I can draw up a storm of insignificant marks that encourage me to keep moving ahead. Carla is a genius! It helps that I'm in a workshop and on a schedule to get things done. Schedules seem counter-productive in art but I need the structure and the deadlines. If I wasn't in this workshop I would have done one or two exercises, gotten frustrated and put the book on the shelf. And then would occasionally feel vaguely guilty about it and want to go back to it someday. Which becomes never.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496587150006782690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ImFAN0_3vmnnY5WdZcFNw7qAcRXHN0stNKWzrgB-fKNlgkF_d89qXTQpsi3GBmfyQWIt5mkBVlhJ-H_3v_FbCXXg5hAo9gVBrvmxskDsMQxnXq065beHipnW1ErP-XkpnEHdMr6H4Pc/s400/Lab+3+One+Liners.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">One Liners - pics drawn with a continuous line without lifting pen from paper.<br /></span><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtistsOfTheRoundTable/">Artists of the Round Table (ART)</a> is hosting the free workshop. The drawing lab workshop is now closed but ART offers many other kinds of artsy workshops. If you join the <a href="httphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtistsOfTheRoundTable/://">Yahoo Group </a>you will get updates on all upcoming workshops and you will have access to the lesson plans of previous workshops. OK, I'm going back to the drawing board (oy!). Hope to see you in ART land.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496583352682405250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGca6e3n1cRa1auPTQxNwrb8VHLXChs7eFH6yvaXoYvjYRH1a6GjSbCiAFQTvmOnEPu8pzIHf2grwH7TJQOWmh152fAT4p7bw9q7FN5VvvlKcf_1IwqVpgjKF6kDLAU-X76loLSo7gwlM/s400/Wrong+Hand+Portrait+Unit+2+Drawing+Lab+002+(2).JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Wrong handed portrait - portrait drawn from a photo with non-dominant hand.</span></div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-75436205811766228962010-07-18T08:03:00.001-07:002010-07-18T08:46:30.118-07:00Coast tripOur usual summer heat has finally caught up to us. Since it was so hot yesterday afternoon we drove to the northern coast of California to hike, have dinner and catch the sunset. It's amazing the difference that 50 miles and an ocean make. We needed jackets when we got there. We wandered around Crescent City and enjoyed the sights and the blissfully cool, yet sunny day. We went to Point St. George first:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495272144101424626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR5hqEndACwLCsGb3zcg1T8_ieJzb6Mgddse5aksRw4OcvUlIHYOwhv9719E_2X8f29cdZ22mf40uzYU6PLiomMR5VXJsmeXFwK1wXyLMft_fuPRjw7zH8aTxeLScwrVZ4t0gA-F5ii0/s400/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+001.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8WEJVILBaaeCZGUN4PcDgLzbO2O6Jc_qTd3WbKAOaiV7hrsS8uuhfE0pMwh4p4cinmUKaVPTu6h59uZc8HCDoVXexeFp4Jt-Z7KWM7jCngV_ILU-x_-kqbiP8oO_3tftkRUobhXeMmQ/s1600/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495268284663632450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ0b6RxxVkZA0hbb5Vn14seUabehMlA4VdOmxVeChbuM0Io86mE-fd4rzDSjHSPSEkzWi8WJyO538o4ujPQ_OL24CMfrbUGzzB-rQmY6w_RDg2ZOCmVb7Fi8JOPO6ry4Gj109vvhP7zo/s400/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+009.JPG" /></a>Then we went to Crescent City Harbor and watched the harbor seals and sea lions. Lying around. Not doing a whole heck of a lot. Well, some yapping and stinking was going on: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylQ4BVWit1laEs42Pjkt2sdmv5cT-UsizYqWgqf2iw1xCQwEaemJcN8uqrxUMVEGG_pdhjbqRiLuqR-Ap2rxhqRIax-xhcAU1T38mGapXAwgLxv4R61QZTGaJh80hNmhZ4tu1SNDDmQY/s1600/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495267786843100594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylQ4BVWit1laEs42Pjkt2sdmv5cT-UsizYqWgqf2iw1xCQwEaemJcN8uqrxUMVEGG_pdhjbqRiLuqR-Ap2rxhqRIax-xhcAU1T38mGapXAwgLxv4R61QZTGaJh80hNmhZ4tu1SNDDmQY/s400/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+030.JPG" /></a> A random sculpture:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495267477623888194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b-cHvP-j23qnshvPxJICP5B7kiV25Bohcb3FS1iivuJSToMDwbRtarqC5nWfi3YXafg2iY9aRZWLA-1758eNztJOfx1CWeUgkX0wtdyd_6yPs6qYdslCobYtwcMVuJ1Y24KVPSFss1c/s400/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+042.JPG" /> Another random sculpture:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DxTLTaI0GYBkG_FHwFP2O8PSBiynRYEQYmhRvlwp3z8zZzuUsk3i0IVAM4qVOW-ZZq1bLY1wBSXBG3UBl3F4u-gNPM-cePmqb558x7f3_TyfzYQpJ589O2_LEyOTpslmGH7Lagfp3kU/s1600/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495267055602639698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DxTLTaI0GYBkG_FHwFP2O8PSBiynRYEQYmhRvlwp3z8zZzuUsk3i0IVAM4qVOW-ZZq1bLY1wBSXBG3UBl3F4u-gNPM-cePmqb558x7f3_TyfzYQpJ589O2_LEyOTpslmGH7Lagfp3kU/s400/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+049.JPG" /></a> The fish commemorative plaque and cement sculpture: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495266744674598514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1QjHcGlZA9cNBP03n4zboPiYQOORoUjFO-IRZFdLTg81NAQ66PUxCRTXwKY0z_bct0tfNC1ku_V-psyY5B2QrMm1JtxtfCyxAkAkGvcYcCT7WAsB1iir9ugSI5RIjAgnaPVW9v73QzA/s400/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+057.JPG" />It says "Crescent City Harbor District Inner Boat Basin, Dedicated October 5, 1974, To the people of Del Norte County, A project of the Crescent City Harbor Commission". A grand gesture to be sure. Who doesn't want a cement smiley fish in their harbor?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495266201457919746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxaJVGRySOJlzKmSJZ5OG5W8myVcf0UA-L8SqlN7kE4M1InDFNSLaXsaPFfpk4EduJ5FJRZhtSrG6TXFwD_wtEQ-f1Z47TGuE7UquavmQrf0Mx_xap_67rNnacaJEDsDWTa7EIX2NDqs/s400/Crescent+City+Trip+7.17.10+105.JPG" />I hope you had a good weekend so far. Enjoy the rest of it.Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-19637752222775887312010-07-13T19:21:00.000-07:002010-07-13T20:10:25.156-07:00ROD Journal #2Here is a <a href="http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/dispatch_from_la/rotdoci.html">Remains of the Day (ROD) journal </a>I made mostly from pages I received in a swap. There are 2 signatures with 6 pages in each one. The cover is made from melted plastic bags with stitching over the top, inspired by the "Shopper's Joy Book" in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eco-Books-Inventive-Projects-Recycling/dp/1600593941/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279075875&sr=1-1">Eco Books</a>. I'll fill up this journal with travel pictures from my upcoming trip in August.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493585273492478946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx56ToCUUS-4T-S-YBXAC5Hxp7mw87oGEmgHrS6X2vOwPXYCpTSCqS8SHykRiRmwiag-9HheCqqtt3ZDQTMqKd3_f0jEkf7ZBAI4tYyE-PF3maZf5-hlbTeKalqOmvDsvRsGeBtXG7Zo/s400/ROD+Swap+Journal+7.11+(3).JPG" />I received some beautiful swap pages:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493583590832002402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9P8apehCrImQxb15jqQEu7Dv_HJBhMwSa-feA_SzgQxzRLAKwmA1OB0nlFd7xfQ0MRnOrNlWweQBvyJBJUhD1wmNmNxXk4y_w0qNyk5wY9dynUxUUSAdkZG0Ya5SwnXKQb8dk-NtiM0/s400/ROD+Swap+Journal+7.11+(2).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493583270640799474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC6OJGao6yqTkQnoB1x1re1RyqUXAqzV5iluCLS-dnORZhmXX937W1O1Z87A_7b70CKM2g25KjTCXNzK4sK7zxPPw1VZp86cJsQmWuZagCS6wYWrewLA08l2eV8xr3ThYrLWxE4KXYaE/s400/ROD+Swap+Journal+7.11+(6).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493582962304766738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVNWomX7m7cpreLknbgxHJF8Gz78WjVjeIJOx2t4ntmCfajdlnTXJwmXFujbL2pqxrXTAe8m5fQWB_7S2soJtk3-XZ3DGFpI_vYT5PGDCU6Vjxp60FpBil157-2eCZuKO-vaMgutoLCA/s400/ROD+Swap+Journal+7.11+(9).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493582436215055330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-MQjWU53jzpoABRSzX1J8uDbjmX3egNdW_xgQGtDfckwlwXunOOL4lrvO2zD_BczMFIO6HFibNIZuv2UzV9AkiihnerkUgrZiS3CoHIzcNJtei5ts2kQVjPBEffaMXGghyphenhyphenPoUMKBgwk/s400/ROD+Swap+Journal+7.11+(11).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493584466973745346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fTNlWZAuqaiPrLrREcRRsCNU7L8QlfZD0_zJ1xv5PVDNYMgbrHrbIaLWrq7mshnEoPmOoEgflfZEVantiFzt2Fqq9PTh-yGzQP-YSiIudmXT0NcNtefzhIefBNG-Bvzl_KlGaXYPWMg/s400/Drawing+Lab+Unit+1+017.JPG" />I'm still not sure how I feel about this style of journal making. I was so excited about it when I started the ROD class but I don't know if I'll be comfortable working in a journal that is so visually busy to start with. I'm going to plunge in and add words and pictures during my trip and see how I feel about it then. Can't really tell if it will work for me if I haven't actually tried it out!Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-88057542739212413772010-07-08T19:38:00.000-07:002010-07-08T19:59:24.934-07:00Just another day at the office<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs61paFoatcTUEEpVTmMu5i8c8u4v_XmXW0XOnn19cpI6D3zwYk0_QqYXTDqWhDDjaLF8jrM251Uev7vVzatoUv_zRa1R2Fhk0uoGWeqTjvWNXRezc2Rlb3NWMtDm5QIuwwlZJfOvFNDo/s1600/Summer+2010+Brown%27s+Park+%282%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs61paFoatcTUEEpVTmMu5i8c8u4v_XmXW0XOnn19cpI6D3zwYk0_QqYXTDqWhDDjaLF8jrM251Uev7vVzatoUv_zRa1R2Fhk0uoGWeqTjvWNXRezc2Rlb3NWMtDm5QIuwwlZJfOvFNDo/s320/Summer+2010+Brown%27s+Park+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491735178273624914" border="0" /></a>BigTimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14162449779375341451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-52007160631916342002010-07-07T12:59:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:11:02.359-07:00Colors of SummerThe flowers have been exceptional this year. I guess they like cool, wet springs better than hot, dry ones:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491257559015701602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0hkQAttK2gQj58I_G__vDGkAokVUYvUOSpVBMrLAu-XQEVZ8VcZVoPwquvFf6JDyOZElGPNl9MLh6dKvTV9xqYZgRTdq_sIDdqmhSYLvC3tc_x1OFMd1fPniVWSZc-a5_46RBxRT8xY/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+7.1.10+007.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491257848996178002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEknDOsJH8CxHo9lgdAXYNIEKwvSLUb8pJY1Zl8y-dfIvvdZsZrzvRjhViwog5vnazRY7a-ktR8bT2ZCUhO2mO6Dva3wDRsCrMVzQiPJEwEfit8YYKh90gedqARgHyUCeotwVngDV2wyo/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+7.1.10+040.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491258511712508626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdnfwTvAqEBnKsTFWg1W5AC1vF2MWpIiVWerfrupR1v7E13CqufhyphenhyphenB4goHsKAXG_KM4FA-S-mKR0M7kLNf1BnEg9QKelMGEs_9JXLoa_ojTzkT3ZZz1lX_21PPPR_6Qt1ySMbOMyXbAM/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+7.1.10+004.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491257712664957250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1usEQAplXPfOic_UK37IHEZQhY_dV6ghPqthtenT7nyhR2hVq3anM7kV108Cw1nOZjdmb3DSXQtwAbRHvYns0EAcg2rnhH0swkrqWv5ihE5wVquCF9RRpniCqkkJ6MuxoMrlOIXwTQs/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+7.1.10+021.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491256932109915138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGdPkaQ5Lzy7Jr1DwNGmabT4GUnvWXxUEgVIEsksojW7hCshA6k0qYXbCoUSg-Ew3PfumSPPbgjv0Fbm01kXlL2rHAuhVSZmVL285k6U4bcEo3ul-TTb4DDkfEMW9_S6HOvShW9W0N1Y/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+7.1.10+001.jpg" border="0" />Now that the temps are heating up they'll start to fade away. But what a show!Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-59311723936361382232010-07-04T10:09:00.000-07:002010-07-04T11:06:45.478-07:00Rogue River Ranch and Trail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjji1jvfr6mukzT3jLS5T_WwAsv1V34iqNIb9S0naEwVpLp9d5zzcBAam4YOXNI0rekdrRcecaooPGuhThTdPVb3ZDXwAGRkoTQVyH70KI0N49zEKkWGeA9fUqi9fMx6OnsqNolvL6Iq8/s1600/Rogue_River_Ranch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjji1jvfr6mukzT3jLS5T_WwAsv1V34iqNIb9S0naEwVpLp9d5zzcBAam4YOXNI0rekdrRcecaooPGuhThTdPVb3ZDXwAGRkoTQVyH70KI0N49zEKkWGeA9fUqi9fMx6OnsqNolvL6Iq8/s400/Rogue_River_Ranch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490101044813754930" border="0" /></a><br />Earlier this week I visited the remote Rogue River Ranch, next to the <span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1278263437_0">Wild Rogue Wilderness</span> on the lower Rogue River. It's a wonderful corner of the world and I enjoyed comparing notes with the caretaker there. Buck and his wife are new to the place and are both working their butts off to maintain the beautiful historic ranch. Being in such a remote area they are way off the grid and rely on solar panels and a hydro generator to keep the lights on. The ranch is three hours from <span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1278263437_1">Grants Pass</span>, or the coast- much of it on dirt roads- so they take very few trips into town. However, due to the rafting traffic down the Rogue River, they get lots of visitors. Snow closes all access to the site, so they close down completely in the winter, starting at the end of October.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxJcKWg_AX_yiAxPhnw7OE1KXiIEm6_YC3gOlb9KAL9mZFQHq6FWeS1XY1S5oC3AiVRPwRmFEpkKZanR8J9Z83weJ0EFGaW11k-X2wrlN2V7zttIBBb989Voc8RTJ7H8NU-03TEgoscg/s1600/Mule.Cr.C.Diamond.pk2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxJcKWg_AX_yiAxPhnw7OE1KXiIEm6_YC3gOlb9KAL9mZFQHq6FWeS1XY1S5oC3AiVRPwRmFEpkKZanR8J9Z83weJ0EFGaW11k-X2wrlN2V7zttIBBb989Voc8RTJ7H8NU-03TEgoscg/s400/Mule.Cr.C.Diamond.pk2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490100487067002034" border="0" /></a>I hiked the Rogue River Trail just downstream from the ranch as it winds its way through some of the most spectacular scenery in the region. The photo above shows the Rogue River as it drops into Mule Creek Canyon, a deep slot canyon carved into basalt. This canyon is the narrowest section of the lower Rogue, so narrow in fact that it's possible to wedge a raft in sideways during low water years. Just downstream from this pic is the dreaded Coffee Pot, a wirlpool that traps rafts every year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJJ9D5_Ro5VshmgQnNiAWV11linegfQZTb91KQmMroJBzg5HDjtTzZpertd1cy9z2YxPAgqPXvkdqG9exzK8W7dMt-8GvrzRcsrZZdObvvJFzUK7GnNp8iWdgEyOEV5pIKN2W0WhdaU4/s1600/Stair_Creek_falls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJJ9D5_Ro5VshmgQnNiAWV11linegfQZTb91KQmMroJBzg5HDjtTzZpertd1cy9z2YxPAgqPXvkdqG9exzK8W7dMt-8GvrzRcsrZZdObvvJFzUK7GnNp8iWdgEyOEV5pIKN2W0WhdaU4/s400/Stair_Creek_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490100483661438530" border="0" /></a>Immediately downstream from Mule Creek Canyon is the sublime Inspiration Point, perched high above the Rogue at the confluence of Stair Creek. From this point I stood transfixed, watching Stair Creek Falls spill directly into the Rogue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEjWD-K9qXMNSQvwHpX6PaJsJXpV6_7ynbCXLqbIDmrhZlDkxLixW40aiR2vgIdQINSQpGdSLB-b93GmgjCCDx5Zalp_xNl7c3R5aWpxfW9mp2dWxM4XNnQDgR30njr3BG635oVYtw-8/s1600/Rogue_R.Trail_Insp.Pt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEjWD-K9qXMNSQvwHpX6PaJsJXpV6_7ynbCXLqbIDmrhZlDkxLixW40aiR2vgIdQINSQpGdSLB-b93GmgjCCDx5Zalp_xNl7c3R5aWpxfW9mp2dWxM4XNnQDgR30njr3BG635oVYtw-8/s400/Rogue_R.Trail_Insp.Pt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490100481852676034" border="0" /></a>The view just downstream from Inspiration Point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bu8blP9CiZRy0ut9QgC9FZH0TerN6XK0cl7anne42LVrnsMG_ofjxryRimg7ACP1PyZKpXfYy8zpXWrmlAnoCksAZnKW8jMgOK3OzDHxAiGMS2zjzfnfI0H20Gd7Qi5yMsqh6rXhDTk/s1600/RR_Trail_Pinnacle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bu8blP9CiZRy0ut9QgC9FZH0TerN6XK0cl7anne42LVrnsMG_ofjxryRimg7ACP1PyZKpXfYy8zpXWrmlAnoCksAZnKW8jMgOK3OzDHxAiGMS2zjzfnfI0H20Gd7Qi5yMsqh6rXhDTk/s400/RR_Trail_Pinnacle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490106070444321746" border="0" /></a>Pinnacle Point just upstream from Blossom Bar rapids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazkd7aR9nwY8JpGWySnEM8v7Rh-xsyOYfPYgW_GMxHzjjpEf_YByOZqoGU0kJ0wpGpu9xYrRQU7vzNC6tfKFqLw9xekW2fIEaa1121_gWOOVAmUY9fJDO6V47IWi5FMv6wEYMQm5Q8fU/s1600/Blossom_Bar_kayaks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazkd7aR9nwY8JpGWySnEM8v7Rh-xsyOYfPYgW_GMxHzjjpEf_YByOZqoGU0kJ0wpGpu9xYrRQU7vzNC6tfKFqLw9xekW2fIEaa1121_gWOOVAmUY9fJDO6V47IWi5FMv6wEYMQm5Q8fU/s400/Blossom_Bar_kayaks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490100475284068002" border="0" /></a>Three kayakers showing the proper approach through the notorious Blossom Bar Rapids. This rapid was once impassable until Glen Woolridge, one of the first river guides, blasted out the rocks with dynamite to create a passage. This is still considered the most dangerous rapid on the river, as has taken several lives over the years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbPRkIo1oUowOfOHIiBzGu-6UZC5h_q00wivu2QYFnp6iXUZnzQUtjK5p9vaXSZKEkSswSTNYAUedxmhq37pZWJ_Wf9eO-jOoPZ99NHdS1UdUVWwzhyaOtAZTaMDNgoyUwDjABHXOGg8/s1600/Blossom_Bar_raft_dog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbPRkIo1oUowOfOHIiBzGu-6UZC5h_q00wivu2QYFnp6iXUZnzQUtjK5p9vaXSZKEkSswSTNYAUedxmhq37pZWJ_Wf9eO-jOoPZ99NHdS1UdUVWwzhyaOtAZTaMDNgoyUwDjABHXOGg8/s400/Blossom_Bar_raft_dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490100466302456898" border="0" /></a>Still, it's a very makeable rapid if you know the proper approach through the rocks. I love this pic of a rafter and his sheepdog calmly making their way through the rapids. Note the life vest on the dog.<br /><br />Pancreatic problems cut my trip short, but it was all worth the long drive out to this remote corner of Oregon.treegeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11339830139601697843noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-24015048691436242632010-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:002010-07-02T00:01:03.680-07:00Happy Friday!Welcome to Happy Friday! Please hop over to <a href="http://www.tnc-thehappybook.blogspot.com/">Jaime Ridler's site </a>and let us know what made you happy this week.<br /><div></div><br /><div>I received two wonderful books in the mail: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Birds-Handmade-Projects-Collective/dp/160705003X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278017836&sr=1-3">Little Birds </a>& <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Lab-Mixed-Media-Artists-Exercises/dp/1592536131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278018104&sr=1-1">Drawing Lab </a>by <a href="http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/">Carla Sondheim</a>. I've completed my <a href="http://craftthesnark.blogspot.com/2010/06/peacock-from-little-birds.html">second project </a>from Little Birds:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489160456332058898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dFY2hzPzK7tYg4YtJF60AyqYQHf-7e5XlDurLxuds3pQKAiLl5OlQfZJh_vm8fHOq59-TQjPa0NCGaQG1R8-59yxn4f1Nn5I_nDYmjQwVOslqDAAEA77FFZLxz147xohbYQ8w6VPh6s/s400/Peacock+x2+July+1+2010+024.JPG" />And I can't wait to dive into Carla's Drawing Lab book.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 393px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489161519148297122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpWthOkkuDS02cAv6TTgsy0i8MEWLEwSagRrjUb_-kT0IIAblhMU3b7BUjH4Rj04-LHjTd3JQrveA42f5mI6NTxo2YNfkBTNmGNtgfK5yWoXexHWN_GVFyrV1lv3fDhmZkeBk2Tu231E/s400/Peacock+x2+July+1+2010+026.JPG" />The back cover beckons: "introduce more creativity and nonsense into your art and life". Who doesn't need more of either? The <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtistsOfTheRoundTable/">Artists of the Round Table</a> (ART) community is sponsoring an online workshop featuring this book starting on July 5th. I'm counting the days....<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtistsOfTheRoundTable/">Please join us</a>. It's free to anyone who wants to participate. ART offers all kinds of free online workshops- check 'em out if you enjoy artsy pursuits.</div><div><span style="color:#666666;">.</span></div><div>And, the most exciting news ever! I'm going back to NYC after 7 years of being away. It's only for a visit but I couldn't be happier (well, I could be happier if Kelly was going but someone needs to tend to the surly mutts) . Museums and old friends and music and theater and street muscians and....well, I'm hungry. I've been away too long.</div><div><span style="color:#666666;">.</span></div><div>And OK, despite my whining, there are some things to love about summer:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489058606939220818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTD5UwEC3A_vb1KtyjAOX-5gzF_yApJK8rhoGwwp7IZq_vGjHTiV8EEB1nrGYbZ4p-vHLRWdUO0H6K1N19GCpXlBahMoBox6ZdYvkV8ywBT5Zl6BJg0qS2xAI6EXG-BgEN5ttdwroln4/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+7.1.10+015.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489058723603233410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSDZV6ilcfYer9WBbhPsr7KcDEJAL1F8d2iw5i4TrMySli5olfLokARUPJOrRyYdaPEpDYvuLxSQFjwgfBOxkPkJWMnV_PvXzsm0c21yyxRPrLPJwlLkMKiKzTok48m35TDr-2Vl5E_0/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+7.1.10+047.jpg" /></div><div>And it hasn't been that hot yet this year. At least here in southern Oregon. It's been a glorious summer so far. And I'm happy about that. Cheers!</div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-36141404807042778432010-06-30T11:04:00.000-07:002010-06-30T11:08:25.102-07:00Wordless Wednesday<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZKKXYGok2KnoYiLcaMAEv2KmSIwEs-M61im5vnF-1zu90APh0cSUO18o2EKMCPMcy88MZx9XujfFMRGuptGdz_2q87pVh5-o7oOw_gwA1juvOdibjZhSqgLpygviUiRFBnvBe70-16A/s1600/China_Gardens_privy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488629447334931698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZKKXYGok2KnoYiLcaMAEv2KmSIwEs-M61im5vnF-1zu90APh0cSUO18o2EKMCPMcy88MZx9XujfFMRGuptGdz_2q87pVh5-o7oOw_gwA1juvOdibjZhSqgLpygviUiRFBnvBe70-16A/s400/China_Gardens_privy.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo by TreeGeek</span></div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-38193686249063889862010-06-27T19:59:00.001-07:002010-06-28T12:13:15.075-07:00Peacock from "Little Birds"On Wednesday I received two extraordinary books in the mail. They are each deserving of their own posts so I'll start with the one that I spent my whole weekend with:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqEbFHhVm6SZonA7ibhG4MnmY3yrhPbzkxl78s7XC97l12cZfB4vumQMemSKujpJj82aXk3aCQ9ph6xWuA6DSG5zb3khBkQqLDxMmvVE0eGQN0_Ek3PEm1QE_Rb2nxv6aBh3JxbnABMo/s1600/Peacock+from+Little+Birds+6.27.10+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487655233766962786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqEbFHhVm6SZonA7ibhG4MnmY3yrhPbzkxl78s7XC97l12cZfB4vumQMemSKujpJj82aXk3aCQ9ph6xWuA6DSG5zb3khBkQqLDxMmvVE0eGQN0_Ek3PEm1QE_Rb2nxv6aBh3JxbnABMo/s400/Peacock+from+Little+Birds+6.27.10+014.JPG" border="0" /></a>I ordered this book from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Birds-Handmade-Projects-Collective/dp/160705003X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277703634&sr=1-3">Amazon.</a> There were no reviews at the time but I was compelled to order it anyway. I'm so glad I did. It's diverse collection of sewing projects: mobiles and embroidery and quilts and softies and ornaments and wreaths, oh my! It's published by <a href="http://www.stashbooksblog.com/products/">Stash Books</a> and compiled by Susanne Woods.<br /><br />There are quite a few different designers that contributed patterns but the projects have a kindred style to them- modern and colorful but with a folksy twist. My only issue with the book as a whole is that there aren't any guidelines about project difficulty. If you are an absolute beginner at sewing, this probably isn't the book for you. That being said, I'm not exactly the world's greatest seamstress but I did manage to make this:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487689138967835394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlRGkm8TfyMgdfDyCC9tiRncqMUz8BHz0N_FBpN1g3n-z0Ed1zaU7mWOy_ZRn1wqR1EdR8tRxt8oXbU43w1FCf6WbGm7DIjGumDFRloQtPxnSO_elqqcB03uNHXvNo3KjWQd0NDzefz0/s400/Peacock+from+Little+Birds+6.27.10+050.JPG" border="0" />This is the Fancy Peacock designed by <a href="http://lucykatecrafts.blogspot.com/">Amy Adams</a>. This was the project I was drawn to first (although I've marked off a total of six projects from the book I want to try).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487654436603803202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdM57NVaCbfM_mDHkqyNtnNWgUO5_kaGDy2zeeVoXAUUs9J7QZPyYvvouzyhrvfzdRuqMr6yueCZ7gRFRQZVGGDi50mtB6W5jgizKFzMxkBo9bpZCpQoHOVbO1CyaIHElJIDaC__1EMs/s400/Peacock+from+Little+Birds+6.27.10+055.JPG" border="0" />I'll admit that had I some construction issues. I didn't really understand how to make the beak. The instructions say to use their photo as a guide but, since I'm a low intermediate (advanced beginner?) sewer, even on my best days, I didn't really understand what I was looking at or how to make it happen. Oh well. I also reversed the front and back pieces for the tail but that was totally my fault. The instructions were very clear on how all the piecing should go. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487654129297759410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFdlOsjO5izMb7__BtUzQZhyphenhyphenLR4NsdNPKGQOIueYQ1mwYwqmG53luol7MAy8NoGKNMIeefCHGhQqjcuzPkb5_BkL_g5SAAL0_7W0DfHncZ9Ie8osrWUC7LyPeyCzlTg0fV9iKfSfAm6Q/s400/Peacock+from+Little+Birds+6.27.10+059.JPG" border="0" />Adams warns that the body needs to be heavier than normal to counterbalance the weight of the tail but for mine, even with a rock in his belly, the tail is still pulling over the whole piece. I stuffed a hair tie under his butt to hold him up for the pictures. I'm trying to figure out some kind of nest I can make for him to keep him upright. Do male peacocks sit on a nest?<br /><br />I found the tail to be somewhat unwieldy all around, it was hard to space and sew the pieces so they fanned out properly and I had to tack it in different spots to keep it from flopping every which way. Still, I'm thrilled with the results and I just adore my little birdie. Next go round I'm going to try a few things differently that I think will help - stiffer cardboard for the tail for one. I also may make the tail slightly smaller. And I'm going to stuff the body so he's a lot heavier. Maybe some lead shot?<br /><br />I really enjoyed making this and I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you like to sew this is a book you would enjoy having in your collection.Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-11760270449287875362010-06-25T19:43:00.000-07:002010-06-25T20:13:17.825-07:00Kusudama & the Plague<div>I managed to complete another Kusudama last evening:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxGhVh2C0BdlKDE_45jo3A4iyoIivW3smJxsmqj4ar6JFIQ4ezlL-cqYzz1v6nZMA4F6YrNbWs-xbNaLRyu7PSLWnsY7GVyM90eo73kq14YqSibJ_hxMalsrzQZyIMNfIMkL8j9iKThM/s1600/Kusudama+Cube+037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486908659060168514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDyd1QJ-jfbSjQa3c4kK-c7FvH0P4yhHgn_avM_Q3ywjuBWlRbvQNk-OsuA6QlZ62U5PY7wZgx5nRV1UCfFGqlO1i_1rjR9y25fKxJ7_-27b5MuA8bHoiv5PMqB4TbhyphenhyphenPS_WIAh5AtJ0/s400/Kusudama+Cube+029.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486908929477814610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxGhVh2C0BdlKDE_45jo3A4iyoIivW3smJxsmqj4ar6JFIQ4ezlL-cqYzz1v6nZMA4F6YrNbWs-xbNaLRyu7PSLWnsY7GVyM90eo73kq14YqSibJ_hxMalsrzQZyIMNfIMkL8j9iKThM/s400/Kusudama+Cube+037.JPG" /></a> This model is from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoko_Fuse">Tomoko Fuse's </a>book " <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kusudama-Origami-Tomoko-Fuse/dp/4889960872/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277520694&sr=8-1">Kusudama Origami</a>". That title is somewhat confusing as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusudama">kusudama </a>and origami are two different things. Here is an explanation lifted from Wiki: "The kusudama is important in <a title="Origami" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origami">origami</a> particularly as a precursor to the <a title="Modular origami" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_origami">modular origami</a> genre. It is often confused with modular origami, but is not such because the units are strung or pasted together, instead of folded together as most modular construction are made." </div><div><span style="color:#333333;">.</span></div><div>There. That should clear it all up for you. Actually, it's pretty simple: Kusu - glued, origami - never glued. For those of you dying to rush out and make this model, it's called Clustered Flower and joined using the Latern assembly method. I plan to try more dynamic paper in my future attempts. For this practice run I used standard 4" origami paper.</div><div><span style="color:#333333;">.</span></div><div>I had lots of time to finish this model last night because I couldn't mow my field of weeds. I started mowing and then saw this:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486912327086609922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o4eyU5ZaEN6ZO5hrGetytb5DNsxN-TsqpzaOgtxCk9kbzszSWGpxa_X8JCp3lJL2Q2Ih3IkMlY4kECHgxzq6vq8yUoqZRyq0Xk6BUCITbChHGyQJAjX5ySRVtmTnzaTgHRzGHfXcj28/s400/PT+Frog+Plague+6.25.10+(6).JPG" />The Pacific tree frog. There is a plague in my yard. As I was mowing they were hopping away in every direction. I started inching along with my push mower and finally just gave up. They can have the damn lawn.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486908235715810338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTQOd1IpcqxvEgjJUFxw6eQp3WlvWKfwd8zJRZUaZobZcPN8ikyp2-HMusjEHR1nybXu88U-mnYphsBTg9I36sxVRvLZbhRiZhGj_RuC5WazRCwzNUm0Ww4hjnqmxel0gIZ_lFpO5XBk/s400/PT+Frog+Plague+6.25.10+(10).JPG" />They are pretty dang cute. They are hiding all over the yard, not only in the lawn: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486907870442684962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8b7Zc0nlr8LlsgErdDrtWIGaGvT2TIIeJJHvDV0BnAJxrDmXqcGF6mf3UFHSBnJe_AQdzww-ydPA0lCLyGXIeJYMeFiBHOZJC7RaGIXWsiJiBpnt-H52UTk8HmA7kdPjkgAmDhLLbYA/s400/PT+Frog+Plague+6.25.10+(7).JPG" />Sigh. I'm not going to kill frogs to have a manicured lawn. Hopefully they'll eat the bugs in my veggie garden. And there's a very fat and happy robin hanging around. So it goes.</div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-80910728664790822702010-06-23T17:18:00.001-07:002010-06-23T17:26:29.963-07:00More KusudamaHere is a sneak peek at the next round of Kusudama that I'm attempting.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486128276545015826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSX9WAHsInDrPBso8L0CK_pR2PJWVd_2fLThG7DRgpYBlqYAZzp62M3ipsPySKKMGazgmcmwVddrvFHpu-ebThzp5DluFlfFCRIjaliKzBksf4tefeCa7JFsxSz5FESMuDtwi1sIdWUU/s400/Kusu+6.23.10+013.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWlVQOnTciuzW59ATnuyrUuL77L-_VnWebXUAbYTskkfIqzwYUEfl45BSK1PAybAJRN39-lJ4PhJ_pjgYbB3G5IYy8xUdYQXO1rxp89XDy7plVmiE6IZAqU7Mv8VZWRY3It9EDvNtXDE/s1600/Kusu+6.23.10+016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486129051772612722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWlVQOnTciuzW59ATnuyrUuL77L-_VnWebXUAbYTskkfIqzwYUEfl45BSK1PAybAJRN39-lJ4PhJ_pjgYbB3G5IYy8xUdYQXO1rxp89XDy7plVmiE6IZAqU7Mv8VZWRY3It9EDvNtXDE/s400/Kusu+6.23.10+016.JPG" /></a>There aren't nearly as many pieces to fold as some of the other models I've made so I should have a complete one soon.Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-53255653708923794702010-06-21T07:30:00.000-07:002010-06-21T07:52:49.612-07:00Thrift Share MondayIt's time for Thrift Share Monday hosted by <a href="http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/">Apron Thrift Girl</a>. And I'm glad it's Monday - the Saturday yard sales wiped me out. We went to about 15 sales and (unfortunately) only two were worth the time. I think a lot of people running yard sales around here have mistaken their beat up card tables set up in their yard for an antique store. I want to let sellers in southern Oregon in on a little secret-just because something is old doesn't mean it's automatically worth a lot of money. If you're wondering why late in the afternoon on the second day of your sale you've barely sold anything it's because your prices are TOO HIGH. Yes, those clip-on Christmas birds from the 50s are worth more than 25 cents but only if they are in GOOD condition. I realize condition is open to interpretation but when parts are falling off, the paint is peeling and pieces are missing that is not generally considered good condition. And sellers, please stop trying to pass off 10 year old technology as something more than a doorstop. I know you paid a lot for it all those years ago but here's another secret - it's not worth anything anymore. And please don't dump it off at the local thrift center when you can't sell it because they can't sell it either.<br /><span style="color:#333333;">.</span><br />OK, I'm done now. Just a wee bit frustrated. I found this little lovely in a free bin:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o6G5ZXry3LzvzEQ7CvGgBb9inds-UI4i0Wx2B4u_EgGU2eaCH_Hdsavlzy2u4Gev83PxTZvrLYQ5pNssDg_cc43dZOaoGShOkiWB1_MpOng3fyIUfpaPc6rzixcG1RgumjBu5xiPjyU/s1600/Thrifting+GP+Farrier+Knife+6.19.10+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484894034398948226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o6G5ZXry3LzvzEQ7CvGgBb9inds-UI4i0Wx2B4u_EgGU2eaCH_Hdsavlzy2u4Gev83PxTZvrLYQ5pNssDg_cc43dZOaoGShOkiWB1_MpOng3fyIUfpaPc6rzixcG1RgumjBu5xiPjyU/s400/Thrifting+GP+Farrier+Knife+6.19.10+023.JPG" border="0" /></a>We didn't know what it was but we took it home to ID it. It's a farrier knife from Heller Bros Co, Newark. These were made without patents before 1902 (we think) and we can't find the patent so it's pretty old.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484893683988442354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQ10-RpDIwf0kz9vWyHBgyzUWc1rkGOKTpNajg2MxSKFTVONbHTIvbvqD9NrHR-e09CpaBeFMomDDh1zprZcQLs5tEaSLYBs-2u8mb0X1YdxopBZ1K2MI9xAWBrPjRUZgQR8r8lRQOKg/s400/Thrifting+GP+Knife+Close+up+6.19.10+031.JPG" border="0" />We went to a sale where they were pretty much giving it all away. There were clothes that fit Kelly in their rather generous free bin:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485059830518850146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqny9xxZyF_Y8sS1PpUrB_Ewv8qvBTu-ngLy2zAFT9ws4rqS4PAr4c3Fy60Chz41fDl0e5GB3K1o-RnOpMjIf6ecp609Bz-39JL-FN1Cnq1059MPz5qmPX5BRNS3nN_fnVI9-2c2edrk/s400/Thrifting+GP+6.19.10+038.JPG" border="0" />All those jeans will be good for work clothes. They were selling other things for prices so cheap that even I (cheapskate that I am) was embarrassed. I picked up this embossing tool:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484892633169399410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTOJnZqhaG47dVgsTvk6D1HKlwYkWNN29b264N0wDuLYgR8tgi7x0VkfUg898u9Ye1g783_Yt-wb6a43li0ytzDDRd9AFFttOkpFajHUbi20y7SFJ7CLt2mM5g2uud6M-i13Mp-P82n8/s400/Thrifting+GP+Embosser+6.19.10+034.JPG" border="0" />There were various other items thrown in and also embossing powder. I haven't used one of these before but I've heard of them so I thought I'd give it a whirl. All for $1. I found this nice mosaic plate for 25 cents:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484892110034654162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 350px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9L78tfQL0_1kt-W226ccL5_QBUFKRm4_uJO7YJSF1iwkgywjKVf2_H7lQM8SuQMw3nSD_GcvhkGyf8YCYXrweRLdEdyI8rozPxxLxhCqdhyphenhyphenfmmpcRhbkPdRForU94i0uHsLwhlveD4c/s400/Thrifting+GP+Mosiac+6.19.10+002.JPG" border="0" />It seems like something that would come from Pottery Barn but it wasn't marked in any way so I have no idea. Definitely newer, made in China in the last 5 years or so. I love the colors. I also scored this lamp:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484891836497572594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHY-th8f3PgFgRrvjRK-6kRiTu-z8E2La5dSeHe5PU3gGhsRRs-y_GTMX4AjrVFzqMhbPGoA_CD0Agu6F_dJwn21KXI2ZcrxoAltRQSlOvurIntNOAOd9iCY2lhNmi7-BcMlGJKmqR3Gs/s400/Thrifting+GP+Lamp+6.19.10+042.JPG" border="0" />For 50 cents. It was so cheap that I was actually confused. It works, it's clean and well made, all the parts are there. When I saw the price on this lamp I began to wonder if this was in fact the seller's stuff or if it really belonged to someone else, like the owner of the house who is away on vacation. They seemed like really nice folks so I didn't dwell on it but it did flit through my mind.<br /><span style="color:#333333;">.</span><br />We ended up at one other really amazing sale. There was a sub-division with many sales going on. Kelly picked up some guy stuff here and there but I was still empty handed after the 6th house. We then passed a sale where 2 couples were shouting out "everything 25 cents". They had boxes and boxes of all kinds of books and pottery and odd stuff like this embroidered bird:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484891265573090754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ekd8Z6mrFtVNrOF4ct9Bxrh8lQHTApQ3XSyAxRFEs4CmLvG8QwyyT2ZQslJzsXr08KnGEAWUv1TGDuwXoVJrrzAfyBCZkulHWh4v_iczj43HYmJ9oLP5l712OY10CjFG2mgLRWoP9rQ/s400/Thrifting+GP++Emb+Bird+6.19.10+021.JPG" border="0" />Someone had some mad skills. There was a much bigger piece with jungle animals all over it and I'm kicking myself for leaving it there. After all, it was only 25 cents. But sometimes I'm an idiot. I also found these intriguing buttons:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484890837321781186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJBQGUpKRUWzaXWiR-KRW8RgmJpp-Ac8HZZsSf595ZPnwZHBZ1dQUzepHclq8GCuckcVPVxphi1lFqbPXsTMDbMgrC_79gKIa-YctzXkhvRVPQJZTqjO3s5qasEI7-qnucBoXBS8kioA/s400/Thrifting+GP+Buttons+6.19.10+017.JPG" border="0" />And this absolutely silly but lovable fish plate which I just had to have:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484890453872974914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 352px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw-7eSdf7dxER_uj1we1_76BSXxKvRdMZNOgqpb9PC81m2RcqZ4Sxvd7ftgEnjs8lwOiIykWYoIf7LmkYSnkWYCNqkBE2hc3ctEzQHmnQoxN7fv9PYRoozMIUdFrreik_uPbPg0PXPy4/s400/Thrifting+GP+Fish+6.19.10+009.JPG" border="0" />This is something called 1000 faces china, made in Japan:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484890091515642706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtpqibcmdg74DwXSVPQWZIzyzACQtw7ACpG2NLJxV4pILEyl1gj0Nh3fhMiI6nDAVuzIUX0XzUbueDzxYagEGWvOE3d0173P-QbjUKetCxBDgayCtCjy3sHQnmjLYClFfNqmnLYN6N-M/s400/Thrifting+GP+Thousand+Faces+6.19.10+005.JPG" border="0" />We bought this one by accident. I thought Kelly wanted it and he thought I wanted it so it ended up in the pile unquestioned. I'm happy about it as I rather like it. You can see the faces in the center rings.<br /><span style="color:#333333;">.</span><br />Lastly, there was a set of four Santa mugs. I don't usually buy Christmas stuff but these were cute and I'll use them for holly vases when the season calls for it.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484889779149537650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWP5havaOHwa9XZWrASArR7B_6xlKmJbXsOfaQ3wGp9dKxROILF8EXZT47CaapZv2KRE6xN8shGwTxjMO5g2DXThWrKYUiI1yPAUDLzl02TF0_KCIylQDwLN4RwbxXuswnF_kWblvPdE/s400/Thrifting+GP+Santa+6.19.10+045.JPG" border="0" />Please post your own thrifting adventure over at Apron Thrift Girl. I want to know what treasures you found this weekend.Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-26815362289307906542010-06-20T18:05:00.000-07:002010-06-20T20:48:11.533-07:00Bacon for President!We knew this day would come...<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQfaphOrRCyrUuEVErDzQtcgDp665A8kiG1ey8HMx5q6txoZkLPqVXjnJ_byU-hlMj3as2Tl_2hvGgn4gXeVDv6XBYiNqoguB8OXDTO4Hg1aKPv2rWl7vYVdC81ehzaS4rBDUWJbzMS8/s1600/Colorado,+baby+%283%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQfaphOrRCyrUuEVErDzQtcgDp665A8kiG1ey8HMx5q6txoZkLPqVXjnJ_byU-hlMj3as2Tl_2hvGgn4gXeVDv6XBYiNqoguB8OXDTO4Hg1aKPv2rWl7vYVdC81ehzaS4rBDUWJbzMS8/s320/Colorado,+baby+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485033523337665586" border="0" /></a>....but it doesn't make it any easier. Love you Oregonians!<br /></div><br /><br />Canoes aren't for the faint of heart. Took the old girl for a swim in Horsetooth Reservoir. All was placidly peaceful and sublimely tranquil, until the jetboats and jetskis started making wake. Boy howdy, I hope them large mouth bass enjoyed my chimichanga from last night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn11AeKQEoeTYE9IWF6ht8EzRdEvIZ7dahgYMW5m3oW9nt3ix-KKlARaXDly7fBIDK_30i8hMXR0pv9aIpl7mF2_G0xpRSya4R-XxrYvJIZlSSqygCaYs4jvgQG8GSY2vrZe8mgbZVro/s1600/Horsetooth+%283%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn11AeKQEoeTYE9IWF6ht8EzRdEvIZ7dahgYMW5m3oW9nt3ix-KKlARaXDly7fBIDK_30i8hMXR0pv9aIpl7mF2_G0xpRSya4R-XxrYvJIZlSSqygCaYs4jvgQG8GSY2vrZe8mgbZVro/s320/Horsetooth+%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485029090614623138" border="0" /></a>6 months ago, I didn't even know (or care) what a soffit vent was. While I was not initially too thrilled about needing to install them, any excuse to buy a reciprocating saw works for me. My home-owning to-do list now revolves around what can be accomplished with my new toy. Paint the bathroom? No problem! Wash the windows? You got it! Get the neighbor's cat out of the tree? Yes, please! No project is too complex for a man packing this kinda heat, baby.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiF33erM0-VjehW_V06-DGdxkAKjH0gVr-mQisLsdQCwGyE-9I6pwg0U1bHtBH5y5m8ELhldl4svM9MBTYHTxyLLBFCltYI-cLb9xTcPPuZQWVflW0RIBfDhyPzs-VdMBMH8PGCEcti8/s1600/Deines+%281%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiF33erM0-VjehW_V06-DGdxkAKjH0gVr-mQisLsdQCwGyE-9I6pwg0U1bHtBH5y5m8ELhldl4svM9MBTYHTxyLLBFCltYI-cLb9xTcPPuZQWVflW0RIBfDhyPzs-VdMBMH8PGCEcti8/s320/Deines+%281%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485028425479211298" border="0" /></a>Parrots are for Somalian pirates, I keep a jittery mutt on my shoulder, straight up burl-manly. Careful, he's been know to lick faces without warning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebPa5GLQcOggxI62Z1NpACBJlj66tUzuum8XVhpTMWpPFNqErzTIFTe7enQC-HK_MW9bB1nOKitDlzhYO8IDf4qInvCGrGjCSFjeOq2-2ZDr_w1RXTLmtsHlqveMfX6f55eg7V340Yrc/s1600/Horsetooth+%2811%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebPa5GLQcOggxI62Z1NpACBJlj66tUzuum8XVhpTMWpPFNqErzTIFTe7enQC-HK_MW9bB1nOKitDlzhYO8IDf4qInvCGrGjCSFjeOq2-2ZDr_w1RXTLmtsHlqveMfX6f55eg7V340Yrc/s320/Horsetooth+%2811%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485028383149778498" border="0" /></a>"Uh, hey BigTimber...this is a <span style="font-style: italic;">CRAFT</span> blog, remember?"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJkVpASd95MroVxmdnDwu7eQse5pOj-4dwLZEm4lyapwK68mU1c7ncvCwCw4I8XeuOlcblb6xgECFuxapOORNiC6ABJBm9xrom91ciSvk2SaJ_O8ZFz1fs73HZzTwGKUW5VRuRFa7KQY/s1600/CO+brew+2010+%281%29.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJkVpASd95MroVxmdnDwu7eQse5pOj-4dwLZEm4lyapwK68mU1c7ncvCwCw4I8XeuOlcblb6xgECFuxapOORNiC6ABJBm9xrom91ciSvk2SaJ_O8ZFz1fs73HZzTwGKUW5VRuRFa7KQY/s320/CO+brew+2010+%281%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485067136624263634" border="0" /></a>What the hey now...(looking around the room for something crafty)... HOMEBREW! Our craft brewing potentail has increased with the purchase of 4 additional carboys. Currently, brews in the works are Cherry Brown Ale, Orange Wine, Cherry Mead, Pineapple Wine, and Lavender Mead. As always, recipes are much consulted, but little followed. Some smell...tangy? It's an acquired taste.BigTimberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14162449779375341451noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-52612634775205053862010-06-18T07:28:00.000-07:002010-06-18T15:15:24.891-07:00Another Happy FridayWhat made you happy this week? Please share with us on Jamie Ridler's blog <a href="http://www.tnc-thehappybook.blogspot.com/">The Next Chapter: The Happy Book Mail Around.</a> For me, it was getting my craft room cleaned out (again). I'm giving away a <a href="http://craftthesnark.blogspot.com/2010/06/books-books-books.html">bunch of craft books </a>- check 'em <a href="http://craftthesnark.blogspot.com/2010/06/books-books-books.html">out </a>and let me know if you are interested in any of them. I love being able to pass along things I'm no longer using (or will never use but just had to have at the moment). When I can get honest with myself about what I'm truly intereseted in it makes it easier to let the clutter go. But my clutter can be someone else's treasure. So I like to keep passing things along.<br /><br />I've been making Kusudama for awhile now:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484122168862575202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWPeZPzUdDHW9s7ltefxXGyuFlmNXGys_cOq9AHIygnXBmpoYwDIBL36WJrIdq0UbUVTlZTP6Y6CsYzeTZwdKMOWZgmCmPXWOJ5nVsHvbj7PGd-5Qm7RKkho1_a6-dW8lteLhdfpAhUU/s320/Crazy+Kusu+005.jpg" border="0" />I really like making these for gifts but I wanted to add a little color and style to them:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484122824955573730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg071KZ9BSg9rn64ff4PviIyg8t0bqhmnDA8a7-ggv-91VMf8NWsGmRv6gOWpnerCA0m3pEneId_ToXIKC590limfF8laE9TFP7ya-HwyK3GOt69F1NZlF86VDbuS9E8Mc8cN70-ecwuP0/s320/Crazy+Kusu+001.jpg" border="0" />I'm still playing around with different designs. I haven't found a style I like yet but I'm sketching out new designs to try. This is a big step for me as I'm so not process oriented. I usually jump right to result and then am disappointed when it isn't "perfect". I get frustrated because I haven't taken the time to learn the possibilities of the medium. So, then, I just drop that craft and try something else, hoping to achieve that artsy perfection on the first go. And on into infiinity.... So, I'm working on changing this behavior. Not easy for a leopard to change its spots, but I'm hoping not impossible. <p>Have a great weekend!</p>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-18597237877199078942010-06-15T20:05:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:06:56.373-07:00Books ! Books ! Books!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUszgkBIHNA8u92H3QAHmO6nyeh6csC7HqiFztZqllXJRjxjS84KMHbLhxDWirZErxIhNbwqIMh667ppiZHtmj5jioBNlJfFhdPmReM7H61utxagax_g9ZzI31mu67nHu5QpMfiGqYgVo/s1600/Books!+053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483209721815823458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUszgkBIHNA8u92H3QAHmO6nyeh6csC7HqiFztZqllXJRjxjS84KMHbLhxDWirZErxIhNbwqIMh667ppiZHtmj5jioBNlJfFhdPmReM7H61utxagax_g9ZzI31mu67nHu5QpMfiGqYgVo/s400/Books!+053.JPG" border="0" /></a>My craft room is drowning. I need to make space, clear the air, get rid of some of the stuff. I went through all my arty crafty books and, as much as it pains me, it is time to part company and send these babies on to less neglectful homes. If you are interested in owning any of the following titles please email me (Monkey Mind under Cast of Characters there on the right) or leave a comment and I'll get back to you. All I ask is the cost of shipping. You don't need to take all of them, just the ones you want. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about them:<br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6666;">Creative Scrapbooking by Melody Lord - gone<br /></span>History of Art by HW Janson<br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">The Art of Bev Doolittle by Elise Maclay- gone</span><br />Brush Your Cares Away by Jack Bailey<br />Great Kitchens by Whitaker, Mahoney, Jordan<br />The Victorian Book of Potions and Perfumes by Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell<br />Jewelry from Nature by Cathy Yow<br />Glorious Greetings by Kate Twelvetrees<br />Simple Gifts by Garden Way Publishing<br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Painting & Drawing from Photographs by Ursula Kaiser- gone</span><br />The Art of Rubber Stamping by Suze Weinberg<br />Creative Rug Hooking Anne D Mather<br />Watercolor Workbook by Bud Biggs & Lois Marshall<br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Let's Sew by Nancy Zieman -gone</span><br />This Book Will Change Your Life by Benrik<br />Kaleidoscope by Elizabeth Keely Wilson</div><div>Lettering & Alphabets by J Albert Cavanaugh<br />Writing the Natural Way by Gabriele Lusser Rico<br />Victorian Decoupage How to Book by Michelle Lovric<br />Paint Effects Master Class by Sacha Cohen</div><div><span style="color:#cccccc;">.</span></div><div><span style="color:#cccccc;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span style="color:#cccccc;"></span></span></div><div>They are all in good to great condition and have lived nestled away in a smoke free environment. </div>Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395509258835047836.post-44572682418603282572010-06-14T14:26:00.001-07:002010-06-14T14:39:59.274-07:00Garden FlowersI so wish this was my garden at home:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482743942040175906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOemG5yDJNv6PAn1gaNmbNfhWyq3a0rTQz6TuHtNFSyBLl8tOtFOJ7BTyOCHF18KDF37bK6C7b4aeMFI4cVINTTVXszyBXpTdq6cKXuVSzGN7Rqur07gIlhbmaIKON9XBNYQXtgRqAlM/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+6-11-10+009.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482744286637441234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW6_1hLiJJP-us_i1tKKuQwXwYeXRqUjM2SUYlLKTVn5r5p9i2g6hpAdxxEWL3uJGJQufzQroNjyy3EfnaL8SMwFLqrFnP8lx2loRHVeb14e67cIRttVtcNURN0Yvn7q_Px6QO2Pzl0E/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+6-11-10+041.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482744166841322498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVBaiB-rVoOd5ZZRilJrubMDvnN7FjFCzwIKIrXAeWhlYTANLl1sY4FD9wyvL4l-ldIqtszKPpXFyAMSx0y5uw2g2dE9VgpBwJNFOlRr5h57wz0KhILleKClofm3k8qyRgC-kCAq3qLU/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+6-11-10+037.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482744071535547842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zCnKfW4wKMRLs9k-qxt4E1GiO0DimZBTX3nKRIYzI7h6fN73uKa-66uV7cGhITkR7erYDTCVKpSlzc3C1qWDiPoL77vKiYuRtJcPRq4hKWd0G8letazhp3AENI636P9nOCWix9-b0CM/s400/HP+Plant+Garden+6-11-10+030.jpg" border="0" />But it's not. It's the garden where I work. People are paid to plant and weed and water this garden- unlike the forlorn flower garden at home. Does anyone know what any of the purple flowers are? The yellow ones in the first picture are California poppies and the pink flowers in the third picture are some other kind of poppy. But I can't name a one of the three purple flowers pictured.Monkey Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305785507336410285noreply@blogger.com2