Blast from the Past - Basket Bowls

All four together.

On these two, I rolled the sides slightly in.

Note the cool weather spots on the bottom of these bowls!

Abiding the request of a friend, here are some more basket creations. This was a set of four basket bowls I had made for a lady back in the fall of 2007. She wanted to send them as Christmas presents. They are gourds which I had let weather outside to create beautiful spotted patterns. I used a Dremel to cut them in half, then brushed out the inner webbing and seeds. To create the holes in which I would attach the pine needles, I heated a nail over a candle and burned holes around the rim. I had tried a small drill bit but I didn't care for the "clean" look it left behind. The hot nail burns an uneven hole as it sinks through the wall of the gourd and blends better this the dark weather spots. These bowls were approximately 6" wide and 4-5" tall. I enjoy the blending of gourds and needles, but it is often hard to find the right gourd. I still have two trash bags full of gourds out in the shed awaiting their fate, but as always work gets in the way. Ahhhhhh, if only I could make a living on my basketry.

Be Creative In Your Own Way!!

SNOWED IN!!!

This was the view from inside our living room window on February 7th. I guess we're not completely snowed in since we can get out out doors but when you open the curtains and see this it feels like we're living in a cave. The old cat's bed in usually in front of this window. She would sit there and stare blankly at the white wall longing for the sunshine to nap in. We have since moved her bed a top a tv tray to the only southern window in the house, so that the warm sun can sooth her weary bones in the chill of the morning.

This photo was also taken on February 7th. Imagine my surprise as I am doing dishes to see Doug looking back at me!! This window sits approximately 10 feet off the ground in the summer. However, due to the snow fall off the roof it is now almost level with the "ground". We have had to shovel a moat around the inside of our fence or else the dogs could simply walk over it and out of the yard. I am sure that if either one of them felt ambitious enough they could jump the moat and be free to wander the streets like so many of the other neighboring dogs. But why would they? They have all the comforts they need here... love, food, warmth (via the dog door) and a cranky old cat to remind them who's in charge.

This was taken on January 24th before our last big storm. You can see a hint of the stop sign. Mind you, we are in a truck - was not visible from the angle of my car. Actually, now it's completely buried due to all the new snow. Driving is an adventure. Between the high snowbanks (making visibility of oncoming traffic nearly impossible) and the slick roads, we try not to go anywhere unless necessary.

I hope this enlightens some of our friends and family to our current state of living. If we're not working or shoveling, we're heading to the slopes. Love be with all and remember if it's raining on the West Coast we will be shoveling in the mountains soon!!

Harvest Gift Basket

This was a basket I finished shortly after the first of the year for a friend of mine. I had started it prior to Thanksgiving but with the holidays, busy schedules and a houseful of company it took a bit longer than I expected. It was created entirely from pine needles gathered in my yard, beeswax and hemp twine. Durable and beautiful, I hope it goes to good use as a fruit basket and not just a dust collector on a shelf.

I had also made a small tray for Jim, a sort of collection plate for his keys and such. However, when I went to photograph it my camera was acting up. Perhaps another day will bring forth a picture of the second creation of the year.

I have an enormous tub of pine needles waiting for me to work. I am in hopes of creating more baskets and callouses before the winter's snow melt and the gardening calls me to the outdoors again.