Birds Gone Wild - A

What better way to practice an assortment of embroidery stitches and celebrate a love of birds than a birding crazy quilt? Here are some of the panels over a couple of postings.

Western Gull and Herring Gull - Click on image to see close-up

Marbled Godwit

Great Blue Heron

Heron close-up

Whimbrel

Stay tuned for more birds in subsequent posts.

What About the Cow (again)

Another attempt to wrestle with the thorny ontological issue: What about the cow? Either you've worried about this yourself or your haven't.

The Baby Cage

Who's kidding whom? The world is ripe for this latest addition to our line of false products.

Click on image to see larger version.

Death Kites

In Guatemala some traditional ceremonies include flying a kite on the Day of the Dead to send messages up to heaven. Here is a death kite recently flown to celebrate the life and departure of Louise (see "Unreasonable Fears "), accompanied by off-key voices singing "When You Wore a Tulip."

I have made this kite pattern for many occasions and it is quick, simple, and an absolutely guaranteed champion flier. You may make kites of your own using my free, downloadable instructions along with a blank kite pattern to which you may add any picture you like. 

Download using the following link: Death Kite Pattern and Template 

Click on image to see larger version.

Envision wedding guests flying kites with photos of the bride and groom; imagine celebrating a birth with a sky full of baby pictures. One of my most enjoyable times with this kite was making and flying them with a bunch of friends on the beach in Cabo San Lucas for a birthday celebration. Enjoy!

Missing Miracles

For this work, a kitschy piece of religious art was purchased at the flea market for a few bucks, painted over, and then embellished with bits and pieces from here and there. If you've ever seen a Mexican retablo then you know what is going on in this piece—except that this retablo isn't thanking anyone for anything. I was tossing and turning in bed the other night, thinking about this piece and also thinking, I am quite certain there was at least one moment in my life when I declared, "Now that's a miracle!" and really meant it in some sort of spiritual sense. The problem is, I simply cannot remember what those moments were.

Knitted Wire Redux

A petite little lamp with a knitted wire lampshade to brighten up the dark side.

What About the Cow?

One of a series of works on the theme, "What About the Cow?" The rationale involves ontological conversations that took place over a decade or so. The resulting little end table is utterly impractical from every angle.

Front View

Close-up, front view. The fixture on the ceiling is a light.

Back view

Close-up of back

Top

Right side

Close-up of right side

Left side

Close-up of left side

The table in use