Finished!

I had intended for this one to be perfectly round with a lid, but I like this shape!  I thought the lid wasn't going to fit, but I persisted and kept making a smaller inner band until it did fit, then put the edge on the lid, having to tuck it under as you can see--it worked--I was pleasantly surprised!

Watercolor Lesson

Today was a watercolor lesson for a third grade class.  We used 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper, cut in 3" and 4" squares.  We practiced a few different techniques on the small paper--wet on dry, wet on wet, a tape resist, and a wash with salt.  They then drew a picture. (their choice, but no violence or video symbols) I had them go over their pencil lines with a black ink ball point pen.  They painted, using the techniques they practiced on the small paper.

Cambria's Scarecrows

We drove through Cambria on our way to the Jade Festival--I took just a few pictures of the very many scarecrows positioned throughout the city.

This was fun--and they were all over the town!--great scarecrows!!

Jaded

We went to the Big Sur Jade Festival last weekend--These jade glasses caught my eye!

Saving a Hummingbird

It was 7am and still pretty dark.  My Granddaughter saw something outside the kitchen window where we hang the hummingbird feeder.  She insisted on going out the front door on her way to the school bus, to walk past that window---and there, hanging, wings spread out as if in flight, was this hummingbird!!  It was stuck in a spider web.  I thought it had died, but when I went to touch it, it buzzed!  I took it down, tried to get some sticky webs off its wings--took a few very quick pictures, because we had a bus to catch....

Even being very still, I could feel within its little body, a sort of what felt like an electric current.  I knew it would be okay.  We put the cat in the house and before we could put the hummingbird in an open bag cushioned with rags, it flew off!

I photo shopped these pictures just a bit, because it was still early morning dark.  Funny too that just the night before we watched the movie, Epic, where these tiny little leaf men rode on hummingbirds.  You may remember that years ago we helped save another hummingbird, you can see a little video clip of that, here

Don't Mess with Mr. Buck!

He's sitting in my front yard, looking at me through the window---strong---beautiful, but he's a bully!  He puts his head down and walks after all the other deer.  The does quicken their steps to get away and the young deer jump away in fright.  The other day, I walked out the door to find him only a few yards away-- facing me, alert, ready to make a move if he had to--I felt the fear, but acted like I wasn't afraid.  I made like I was tending the bird feeder while saying in a stern, but shaky voice, "You be nice!   Be nice to all the other deer!"  Then I quickly ducked back into the house.  Phew! There, I told him!

The Start of Another Basket

This is the time to collect pine needles--I've been picking up a small fistful each day I pass by the torrey pine trees in this area.  I'll let these green ones dry out before using them.

I'm using artificial sinew.  I bought the rolls online, I asked for a light and a darker color--I think the light one is a bit too yellow, but I have it now and I'm going to use it.  I'm not sure what my plans are for this basket--maybe round with a lid--simple and smaller than my others.  I'm still experimenting.