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Fun Illustration Books

I just found the Illustration School books by Sachiko Umoto. They are very fun. My niece and nephew are enjoying the one I gave to my nephew–

Let’s Draw Cute Animals.

These are some quick snaps of the dust jacket and the page on how to draw a bunny.

Yep, that is a rock form one of trips to the beach.

Illustration School Book

Bunny Pages

There are several books in the series. They would be great for anyone, even adults who would like to learn some simple drawing techniques.


My New Bag

I have been looking for a small everyday bag (that is not leather) for a few years. I found this one yesterday at an Avila Beach shop.

The bag is the perfect size for my wallet, phone, lip balm, notepad, and pencil. I am using my small wallet that I actually bought for my husband at
The Vegan Collection.

The bag can be found on the Roxy site or a bunch of other places like eBags.

My New Bag

I like that it brings to mind the Bargello Needlework.

I have been dinking around with some Bargello patterns.

Bargello Detail

I laid in the code layer under the cream Bargello pattern. One color represents the dots, one the dashes, and the third the spaces between letters and words.


Crystals and Lack of Control

I recently read a post on Christine Mauerberger blog regarding growing crystals on leaves. Got me to thinking about several pieces that I made a few years back. One of the pieces was really beautiful, but became annoyingly ugly.

This is the original piece before salting. The piece is composed of fired stoneware, metal, and fiber.

Original Piece


Detail of the piece after being submerged in a solution of hot water and borax.

Crystals


And two details of the crystals on the piece today.

Crystal Changes Detail 1


Crystal Changes Detail 2


Curious why the change so I googled it. Found Andrew Dominic Fortes’ Crystal Growing page. It has some great information.


Change–Bound Pods

Been thinking about binding pods together to make a vessel. Gave it a go yesterday, but didn’t feel connected to the piece.

Bound Pods


When I took the piece apart I started thinking about what pods mean. They are containers. The contents can become new plants. What about the pods? New containers for something else?

Change Front

Change Front with 18 Pennies.

Change Front

Change Back, Dots to be Drilled. Then to be Bound.


Some Ideas–

Pods, Containers, Protection, Secrete, Hide
Seeds, Source, Potential
Grow, Growth
Nature
Cycle, Pattern, Rhythm
Origin, Propagate

Change
Alter, Replace, Transform, Evolve, Mimic, Echo
Coins, Pennies, Nickels, Dimes

Change Code
Morse and Tap
c -.-. 1,3
h …. 2,3
a .- 1,1
n -. 3,3
g –. 2,2
e . 1,5

And then there are these beautiful bits. The seeds were on either side.

Interior Bits


Sticks and Stones In Progress–Hit a Snag

Stitched together the front, fiber blanket, and the back.

Front


Back


Originally planned to use the edge of the blanket as the border, but thought that the piece needed more. Took a look at my rope supply and now thinking about it. Thought of the possibility of using birch branches as a frame.

Also what is the best method for hanging the piece?

Sisal Rope

Detail of piece with sisal rope.

Jute Rope

Detail of piece with jute rope.

Coconut Rope

Detail of piece with coconut fiber rope.