IT'S CAKE O'CLOCK !!

Seriously, I think this really is a picture of me in my former life! It really is all about birthday cake.

SO......YOU WANT TO MAKE A PUZZLE ?

Of course you do, I heard you say so just the other day. And making a puzzle is easy. There are many ways to do this but this is how I made mine. Begin with a piece of Masonite board cut to whatever size you want. I chose a piece that is 12 X 14 inches to accommodate the image I wanted to use.

And speaking of the image, I used this painting I created several years ago, of a lady turtle traveling the world. I used Mod Podge to adhere the image to the board, after I spray painted the edges a bronze metallic. After it was completely dry, I covered it with two coats of water based polyurethane to seal it. I also spray painted the back side of the board a dark green. Then it was off to Roy's shop. I felt it was necessary to put his brand new scroll saw to use! I had drawn random lines on the back for him to follow in making the individual puzzle pieces. It worked great! (what a sweetie he is).

The pieces are shown here in a random assortment. Then I had to put it together. Not that easy! Even though I painted the image and designed the puzzle, it was hard. In my defense, I don't really enjoy the adventure of jig saw puzzles. I made this one as a Christmas gift so I don't ever have to put it together again, right?

The next step is to sew a draw string bag to put the pieces in. I think it might also be a good idea to print off the image on fabric paper and adhere it to the front of the bag. If not, it might never get assembled!

So, go forth and make a puzzle. If you don't have a scroll saw, find a friend or neighbor who does. Perhaps a plate of cookies will get your puzzle cut for you!

MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE lll

Wood base 12 X 12, assorted papers, paper beads, found object, acrylics. and plaster for texture.

STRETCHING, LEARNING, TRYING: MORE PAGES FROM MY SKETCHBOOK....

ROY'S PROJECT...

For some reason, the builders of our home did not fence the entire porch. So, all of the light colored pieces were added this week. Looks a lot better to me! Now we just have to stain it to match the existing railing. Good job Roy!

MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE ll

Wood base, 12X 12, handmade papers, found objects, cheesecloth, acrylics.

MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE l

Wood base, 12 X 12 . Handmade papers, found objects, polymer clay, acrylic, handmade beads, bone and tissue papers.

IT ONLY TOOK A YEAR ...

But now our home has a proper sign at the road. I would hate for Santa to miss us!

OH YES, IT HAS BEEN RAINING...

And nature has given us wonderful miniature artworks. These suddenly appeared between the railroad tie retaining wall.

This single fungus is tall; about 10 inches, and looks quite stately beside the tree.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE ...

A page from my sketchbook. I continue to practice this sketching and I am loving it! I would like to eventually be able to sit outside in a public place and sketch something unique. In truth, I would like to sit in a piazza in Italy......

CRANBERRY-APRICOT QUICK BREAD ...

It is raining again today, and I really don't mind it at all. But the rain and the cool temperature and the sight of colored leaves constantly floating down past the windows will always drive me into the kitchen. It is that time of year; the time when something inside tells me to bake. Here is a new recipe for you. Enjoy! Cranberry - Apricot Quick Bread 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 3 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup orange juice 1 teaspoon grated orange rind 1 cup course chopped cranberries 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Beat butter and sugar together and then add eggs. Mix well. Add combined dry ingredients alternately with the juice, mixing well after each addition. Stir in cranberries, apricots and nuts. Pour into greased and floured 9 X 5 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 75 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and remove from pan. I used two smaller pans instead and shortened the baking time by about 8 minutes. One loaf in the freezer and one to eat now. It is delish!

A FAREWELL EVENING AT SNOW FARM...

On Friday evening we gathered in the large common building for a cocktail hour, followed by a fabulous gourmet dinner and a gallery viewing and auction of art pieces. Instructors as well as students donated items they had produced during the week to an auction to benefit Snow Farm. The proceeds are designated for student scholarships as well as needed equipment for the various studios (like new welding helmets). The auction this year raised $2, 391.00. Here are some photographs of the evening. It was a chance to say good-bye to new friends, and to exchange e-mail addresses. There is no doubt we are planning to return to Snow Farm. (we will take our own pillows next time though....)

THE 36TH ANNUAL "OCTOBER EVENINGS" JURIED EXHIBIT....

Last night was the opening of this event and Roy and I went in our "fancy pants" clothes to see art, drink wine and eat tiny tasty things. I was so fortunate to have one of my pieces juried in, "Abigail". You can see her below.

The gallery is small and there were about 100 people there so it was quite crowded. I tried to get photographs of the art but it was difficult! There were 36 pieces selected and I have to say I had no idea how many different mediums there were. In fact, There are some I have never heard of. For example, "reductive relief". Or, "type C print". I guess I better do my homework, huh.

This Terra Cotta sculpture was particularly nice, In fact, I noticed a red dot (sale) on the card. Notice the gallon glass jar with stuff in it? It is an interactive piece where the viewer is instructed to pick it up and turn it around and over to redistribute the contents. OK....it was fun, but it was also listed for sale at $500.

There were seven prizes, each one a check for $200 donated by the arts council as well as local businesses. It is gratifying and encouraging to see businesses getting involved with the arts.

Here is a photograph of "Abigail" and you can also see Roy in the background, inspecting a beautiful and fabulously made chair that was one of the prize winners. It really looked like a museum piece!

After the opening we went to our favorite Italian restaurant for coffee and dessert. What a fun evening!

A BONFIRE, CHESTNUTS AND THE MOON....

Toward the end of our week at Snow Farm , Mark the wood working instructor initiated a bonfire event. He collected the firewood (there is some logic there, right?) and had a huge stack ready for flame as we all gathered on the benches to watch. How do you ignite a bonfire at Snow Farm? Ha! Easy! Mark went into the glass blowing studio, picked out a long hollow pipe with a big red-orange glob of molten glass on the end, brought it out to the pile of wood and walked around it , touching the glass to the wood, which ignited immediately. After several parts were burning well, he returned the glass and pipe to the studio. It looked like a giant match! On her way to the bonfire, one of the ladies who was in the welding class had picked up a large handful of chestnuts that had fallen from trees near the dormitories. She suggested we try to roast them. But, what to use for a pan? The light bulb went on over her head, she said she would be right back and went off to the welding studio. In a matter of minutes she was back with a fabulous chestnut roasting pan! She selected an old wok from their scrap pile, welded a long metal handle on it, and then attached a wood handle to the metal one. She put it in the fire to clean it off and get it very hot, then popped in the chestnuts. They roasted quickly and as soon as the skins began to split she dumped them in bowls and passed them around. My very first "chestnut roasted on an open fire" ! I didn't get a photograph of the bonfire and the group but did catch this shot on the way back to the dorm. It was a beautiful evening.......