A Month of Making :: February 27

Yesterday, making our way North.  Evening, around 5:45.











Today, heading back South.  Mid-day, around 1.

A Month of Making :: February 25

My artist friend, Shannon, is taking a painting class.  The instructor suggested the students try an extra project collaborating with another artist, so Shannon asked me if I'd like to make something together.

We met today and spent a few hours working with painting and clay.



It was inspiring to see Shannon so willing to explore outside her comfort zone.  And I love the way what we are making draws on our strengths as well as techniques with which we're not as familiar.   I think when we're done, it's going to be pretty great.  The mystery, loss of control, and not knowing where this piece is headed makes it all the better.

** All photos by Shannon Finley **

A Month of Making :: February 24

Patching hand-me-downs.  Stitching stripes to stripes.

Repairing when and where I can is great especially when the clothes have made it this far.  Lake is the fourth kid to wear this shirt… Zutano clothes sure can last!

A Month of Making :: February 23

From last night…

White Russians in honor of Gwynne Goldberg while watching the Kenny Werner Trio play at Jimmy Mak's in Portland.

And a few other things I didn't make, but really enjoyed eating/drinking:

Americano @ Heart
Meyer Lemon and Key Lime creme-filled @ Blue Star Donuts
Everything @ Wilder: Goat cheese stuffed Peppadew Peppers, Fried Cauliflower, The Burger, Fried Chicken w/ Parsnip+Potato mash and slaw, the Flourless Chocolate Cake, and the Honey Fern cocktail… all so so good!

A Month of Making :: February 21

Meow.  Zzzzzzzz……..

A Month of Making :: February 20

I completed the memory/story/prayer card folder for my friend's mama's memorial.



• Binder's board covered with cardstock weight paper.  Spine added and bound to covers with book 
   cloth.
• Ribbon tie for closure, glued ends recessed into pared away area inside covers to keep the surface
  flush.  (I love this trick even though it always feels so "point of no return" like cutting your knitting.)
• Folded pockets from cardstock attached to inside covers and trimmed out with additional paper for a  
  finished appearance.
• Adhesive throughout: Talas Jade 403
• I *heart* my bone folder

Sorry to geek out on the supplies, but I remember gathering all these items for my Book Arts class in college, and the instructor was very specific about our materials.  I adopted her respect for these things, and have appreciated having them in my toolbox many times over ever since.

A Month of Making :: February 18

In lieu of quiet studio time I give you a sneak peak at the "storm before the calm" of bedtime.

This is my first attempt with iMovie.  Interesting.  Not something I'm feeling called to mess around with, but a new-to-me tool to play with nevertheless.

In other video news… I'm looking forward to watching this tonight.  And I did find his interview with James Turrell very interesting.  Calder was captivated too.  Also, the boys (all of us, really) are enjoying these cat-related video bits here, here, and here.  

Oh! and it looks like Max has a new friend!  He and Jim Brown have made it past the hard part and are getting along really well.  I think we might even catch them snuggled up together in the near future.  Jim is so docile with the kids… unbelievably so, really.  I'm happy he's here.

A Month of Making :: February 17

I think I'm gonna need a second piece.

Six-Minute Chocolate Cake from my copy of Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home.

I used Black Onyx cocoa powder along with the regular cocoa, spelt + w.w. flour, and went the coffee route.  The book's suggestion to serve the cake with a fresh orange compote (a mixture of cut fresh orange sections, marmalade and orange liqueur) sounded great.  

Sifted together, the dry ingredients formed a Painted Hills-esque cinder cone of brown and white powders reminding me of Roden Crater.  I recommend this video of James Turrell and his work, and look forward to finishing this one later tonight.

A Month of Making :: February 16

Still working on it… pleased with the progress.



Also, hoping the new guy, (yes, cat #3,) can find it in his kitty heart to warm up to Max.   Max would really love a friend, and Jim Brown is a lover, but it's going to take him a bit to adjust.

A Month of Making :: February 15

Love the faces in the lamp posts.

Surly they're icons of this place, familiar to so many, but I've never been to Coney Island or seen them before.

These faces caught my eye tonight.

A Month of Making :: February 14

Someone's not feeling well.

Mama didn't make much today.

A Month of Making :: February 13

The breakfast table ready for Valentine's Day.

(Again, feeling thankful for an eclectic collection of materials and supplies… this time, a wide array of hula hoop tape was just the ticket to a quick, easy, and BOLD surprise message.)

A Month of Making :: February 11

I was just saying how grateful I was for all my art classes that required investing in a specific collection of unique tools and supplies.  I feel as though I have such a diverse toolkit at my disposal.

A friend has asked for help with a special project, and today I've been resurrecting all manner of book arts skills and materials to get it done.

A Month of Making :: February 10

Meet Bob Sled.

On this, our 5th snow day, the weather has warmed quite a bit and while the snow is definitely melting, there's so much of it that it's going to take a while for it to move on.

The powder has given way to a heavier, wetter stuff that's great for building snow folk.

Mr. Sled, showed up outside our living room window today.  We'll enjoy visiting with him while he's here.

And just in case you were wondering… here's some facts about Bob Sled:
Age: 86
Hair: bald, though he does have a lovely green mustache
Eyes: compound (like an insect) or sunglasses
Favorite Food: Jell-o/ice cream/cotton candy

Bob's lady friend, Clauda Snow, is hanging out up by the street.  She's stylish too, sporting some lovely filbert catkin earrings.

Photo still from today's video interview with Bob Sled and his stylists.

A Month of Making :: February 9

Day 4 of snow.  We topped out at 18".  (Wow!)  

This morning, a layer of ice coated the powder and encrusted every branch and twig in a fragile crystal shell.  

The power was off when we woke - and would remain so until late into the night.  

Jeff set up our camp stove on the porch, and the coffee beans were ground with a mortar + pestle.  We're not sure if it was the method or the fact that we appreciated so much that it worked, but that cup of coffee was damn good!

A Month of Making :: February 8

The chalkboard has been good so far, but it's time to add a paper menu into the Wilder experience.

A Month of Making :: February 6

Does dinner count?  For what it's worth, Jeff said it was one of the best things he'd ever eaten.

There was a flurry of activity at the house today with friends visiting, cooking, and lots of on-and-off of snow clothes.  Nine inches of powder have fallen so far.  Snow days from school and work tomorrow too.

A Month of Making :: February 5

Ironing and making plans for unfinished work I just brought out of studio cold storage.

Drinking pints of hot water with apple cider vinegar, honey, and fresh-squeezed lemon. I've kicked colds back already this season.  Either this stuff helps or it can't hurt!

Waiting for the snow to start falling.

A Month of Making :: February 4

Strings and strings of tiny silk buntings.

A Month of Making :: February 3

It's up!  The tile mural at Wilder is complete, and I'm very happy with it!  I'd never done tile work until  the install yesterday and grouting today.  So satisfying and fun!