Block Printing with Celeste

Celeste is one of our members who lives some of the time in Alaska. That in itself is amazing to me, because I think of snow, wind, ice and tundra.. She visits her sis during the summer. I think I might come to Ca, in the winter if I lived in Alaska, and spent summers there.

This time she showed us her beautiful art work, done with Block Printing, each piece is printed at a time. AFTER you think of a design, after you carve out the block. It used to be harder to carve the blocks but now it is a bit easier with new products and softer materials to work with..

I have just shown you a small piece, she brought us amazing large framed pieces to see, depicting life in Alaska. Very amazing and fun to see each step that she takes to finish this beautiful art work. Thank you Celeste for sharing your passion with Block Printing.

Benches, repeat design, color

If you have read my other blog, you know I have a fascination regarding benches... Are they for relaxing, viewing, color or just wonderful lines.. Like these at a restaurant in Fresno.. Thankfully, my friends understand when I fall behind and take out my camera, they wait for me. As I took out my camera, I heard " Now what is she looking at"... here is one shot of this grouping.

I love the lines, designs and color! The softness of the bushes, behind the steel tubs, the broken footings, and the wonderful red. What an inviting place to sit and wait one's turn to eat! Oh, yes, my Chicken Salad was delicious. You can see other Benches on my Vivian Creates Blog.

Veggie Garden & Tomatoes 2011

We had to redo our veggie Garden, move it because I goofed and it was over the septic, and then the wood had rotted.. I planted one zucchini, 2 beans some peppers, tomatoes and marigolds.

Two weeks later, after we got back from a trip, they were doing wonderfully. I do have another area that is 6 ft. X 6ft, and in the direct sun.. This one is under an old oak tree.. and the sun flowers are finding this a wonderful area also.. I think it is going to be over run and a bit wild.. I am closely watching a couple of zucchini develop. Love munching raw right out of the garden.. Most never make it to the kitchen... My English Peas are almost done, with all the heat. I think I picked 10 lbs this year... Have to start them earlier next year!!!

Below is a view down the hill with the tree in the distance that fell in the storm, closer are the wonderful wild sunflowers, this is just a partial view of them..

Ralph and a friend have been cutting up the tree for the last 2 days. We can not leave it there, because it will catch everything coming down river in the winter.. It is amazing what they are finding stuck in the branches. Not all nice, some old tires, some one elses cut wood and anything else that was bobbing by..

It is so sad to see a beautiful oak come crashing down. But we will have wood for next years winter... each piece will have to be hand carried across the sand and up the hill... Not a fun job!