Lavender Eye Pillows

I've been making lots of organic lavender eye pillows lately. The lavender is very soothing on the eyes. You can put the eye pillow in the microwave to warm it up or freezer to cool it down before placing it on your eyes. You can buy them in my Etsy shop.

Doesn't that look relaxing? Lavender is an good antidote for headaches and is known for relieving stress. I grow and harvest the lavender myself. It is hung up to dry for about a month. The pillows are sewn out of silky soft fabric and then stuffed with the dried lavender.

Welcome Pole

This is the Welcome Pole outside the Peninsula College Longhouse.

It was carved on the campus by Jamestown S'Kallam tribal artist Jeff Monson and a couple of his apprentices.

This is a view of the entrance to the Longhouse, which is also referred to as The House of Learning.

The Longhouse is set among Western Red Cedars at the back of the campus.

More Art Stuff

Still thinking about  Bainbridge Artisans. Wow! Beautiful birdhouse of fused glass. Bright colors. Excellent craftsmanship. This pic doesn't do it justice. Bet the birds can't leave it. It was made by Diane Bonciolini and Greg Mesmer of Mesolini Glass Studio . 

Color Burst

This African Violet is in full bloom in my kitchen.

My husband thinks it grows so well because it lives on the jug of water.

Just Married

I got a kick out of this dog. Apparently he just got married.

Walking on Moss

Birthday celebration! Camping with my husband! I think we both had a great time. Here are some pics. Experiences not stuff - quiet moments, shared moments, lost in discovery. Wow!

This old tree stump is about six feet across. It must have been a huge tree.

This glade covered in moss is typical of the rainforest. Isn't beautiful?

Fairies and Performers by Danna Watson

Isn't this fantastic?

This teal blue fairy is pliable and can take on many different poses.

What a scary black cat!

Following the dream.

Danna Watson's studio, Dancing Spirit, was the first stop we made on the Studio Tour. I was extremely taken with her dolls. All so different and so unique. She was kind enough to share some of her creativity with us. You can purchase her dolls on Etsy. She is pictured in her studio.

Bainbridge Island Studio Tour

Yesterday a friend and I went on the Bainbridge Island Studio Tour. There were 6 stops on the self-guided tour. At each location ten to twelve artists displayed their work.

These cedar basket balls are by Sue Skelly. She makes them out of Western Red Cedar which grows on her property. Local Salish tribes have traditionally used the bark for basket making. Sue has put a new spin on an old tradition by using the branches to make these large balls.

Benches

Before heading out to Rialto Beach, we stopped in Forks, WA for breakfast. This bench was outside the restaurant we ate in. It is a very patriotic example of chain saw art.

These two benches flank the entrance to a small market on the Quileute Reservation on the other side of the Quileute River from Rialto Beach. I love the contrast between these two benches and the one we saw in Forks.

Rialto Beach

The day after  camping at Klahowya, we drove out to Rialto Beach. When we got there it was so foggy you almost couldn't see the sea stacks. It wasn't raining but beads of water formed on our rain jackets from the wet fog. Here are a few pics from our time there.

These logs litter the beach. They are gigantic!

This is the mouth of the Quileute River just before it joins the Pacific Ocean.

Camping at Klahowya

 This beautiful old over grown root bundle marked the entrance path to our campsite.

 Sitting at the picnic table in our campsite we could watch the Sol Duc River flowing by.

 I went for a walk along this beautiful pathway. I was struck by the beautiful light and the arches.

This is a close -up of the ground cover on the left of the path. Nothing like the rain forest for a little dose of lush vegetation and peaceful quiet!

Cat Tails

Lately I have been collecting cat tails. After I cut them, I wrap them like this for drying. Later on I plan to make baskets with them. I took a basket making class from Marlien Hennen of Dancing Cedar Arts and she showed me how to do it. Her baskets are amazing!