A few years ago, I watched a video about making these baskets. I didn’t have cell service this week, so I couldn’t look up any directions or rewatch the video. With all the extra time this week, I gave it a try anyways. It’s not great, but it’s not horrible and I totally know what I’d do different next time. All things considered, it was a good learning experience.

Basket, Ponderosa Pine Needles.

Another hot day, perfect for swimming!

 

One of the best things about star parties, aside from camping in the heat, at high elevations and staying up all night to do science, is the fact that you have lots of time on your hands during the day to do other things… like making rope from Ponderosa Pine needles or swimming when it’s 113F out.

Rope, Ponderosa Pine Needles.

A lost lake.

 

Among other things this week, I learned cool tips and tricks for astronomical sketching. I find drawing in the dark while looking through a scope at a moving object to be challenging, so I’m trying to get better at it. Here is a much prettier picture that is not just a bunch of dots pretending to be an open cluster or a nebula. 

Watercolor on paper.

Rolling hills.

 

This beautiful sunset is hiding the fact that a few short hours later, the clouds cleared off and it turned out to be a wonderful night of observing. 

Watercolor on paper.

Eden sunsets.

 

We are rocking the star party this week. In the spirit of our astronomy activities, todays painting is a guy looking through a telescope. 

Watercolor on paper.

One of my most favorite lakes.

 

Another beautiful and hot day. Ready for some astronomy this week.

Yellow rumped warbler, watercolor on paper.

Star party bound.

 

 

Some days are just amazing. It’s usually the little things too. Like impromptu swimming sessions when it’s 96F out, finding amazing gardens, a vineyard a few miles down a dirt road with friendly people and great wine.

Orange crowned warbler, watercolor on paper.

I love my corner of the world.

Traveling for the rest of the month. This little pewee kept us company this evening.

Western Wood Pewee, watercolor on paper.

Perfect lake day.

Today was a pretty good day. I sold a quilt a the market today and I harvested some tomatoes.

Common raven, watercolor on paper.

Market quilts.

First tomatoes of the year. 

 

Getting back to the birds again. 

American Robin, watercolor on paper.

Woodland pinedrops.

 

Another day, another painting.

Acrylic on canvass.

The lawn mower.

 

Did I create something today? Kind of, sort of. More like I finished items. I did the final coat on 7 paintings and then framed them. All in all, I think they turned out pretty well. 

Acrylic on canvass, custom wood frames.

Acrylic on canvass, custom wood frames.

Acrylic on canvass, custom wood frames.

Acrylic on canvass, custom wood frames.

Acrylic on canvass, custom wood frames.

Gladiolus on bloom.

 

Today was an unintentional painting day. I touched up three paintings, applied isolation coating on three other paintings and made the below painting.

Acrylic on canvass.

Deer fences.

 

I’m feeling a little dotty today. Also the herbs are doing great.

Acrylic on canvass.

Oregano-oh-oh!

 

Made some cards today. They are cute and make me smile.

Ink on cardstock. 

Our Meyer lemon tree is blooming! 

 

Today was a wonderful day for networking with the community, local organizations and seeing friends at the farmers market. Fun and interesting events are in the works.

Ink on cardstock.

I love art alleys.

 

A new quilt has begun today! Normally I only post finished (or mostly finished) items. have a feeling that this one might take me forever, progress updates seem like a good idea. Also, this is the first time I’m using the FPP method to make the quilt top. I’m excited to see how it turns out.

Quilt pieces, cotton.

Thunder and lightening with a chance of blue skies.

 

Another Pend Oreille bird and a neighbor deer.

White breasted nuthatch, watercolor on paper.

Having lunch with Bigfoot.

 

Today was a real frame job. Literally. Ha! I made seven frames. Since they are floating frames, there is a 1/8” gap between the canvass and the frame. In the picture, I placed two painting (minus their varnish or epoxy coating) as an example of what I’m envisioning the framing to look like. I love how it turned out. All in all, I will definitely be making and using more of these frames in the future. 

Wooden floating frames.

The great mullein.

 

A lot of fun was had making the July paintings this morning.

 

Acrylic on canvass. 

Acrylic on canvass.

Acrylic on canvass.

Acrylic on canvass.

Acrylic on canvass.

Acrylic on canvass.

Acrylic on canvass.

Acrylic on canvass.

Wildflowers in the meadow.