Web Friends & Neighbors & Creatives Gather OnLine

I met LornaJane Thompson on Etsy, the place where people who make stuff sell to friends, family and a circle of connections who do not wish to shop at Walmart. Lorna is a forward thinking young woman who is dedicated to promoting free market trade among creatives like herself on the local scene. Thanks to Lorna, I was invited to be a part of Promo123Love. She inspires me to create and connect! Cabochon-ring

Seattle Space Needle

Despite living in the Pacific Northwest since the mid 1980s, I had never been up in the Space Needle. My husband and I decided to have brunch in the revolving restaurant  at the top to celebrate his birthday.

Our view from the bottom as we approached after parking the car.

After taking the glass sided elevator, we arrived in the restaurant lobby.

A view from our table of the downtown Seattle skyline.

The ferry from Bainbridge Island approaches the Seattle ferry dock.

Having a meal in the restaurant is a good way to enjoy the views from the Space Needle. Although there is nothing special about the food, the views are spectacular. A full revolution of the restaurant takes about 45 minutes. 

Birds on the Ferry Bumpers

Cormorants hanging out on the ferry berth are numerous and very laid back. I took this photo through the ferry window in pouring rain, leaving Kingston on the way to Seattle yesterday.

You can see they have long necks, enjoy preening  and are endowed with a wide wingspan. There were at least 6  times as many as shown in this blurry photo.

Happy Haunting

 Have a frightfully spooky Halloween.

 Sit for a spell and have some brew.

 Trick or Treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat.

 Witches brew is good for you. Drink a lot from my pot.

The graveyard shift is best.  No bones about it!

Chalk Board Art

Are there any jobs for artists? Some Trader Joe's have a job for sign artists. Cirius is applying for one. Here are a few of his mock ups....Try outs....

Kinetic Skulpture Race

The Kinetic Skulpture Race was held over this past weekend. It is an annual event that takes place every year in Port Townsend, WA. I was lucky enough to go, since I live just across the Bay.

Every entry into the race must be human powered and able to navigate water, land, mug bogs and sand traps. Here one racer is about to enter the water course. Note her Coast Guard approved Life Vest.

Prior to the start of the race, the organizers remind participants and spectators of the race rules. This year each received a ? Box, the answer to which was a fairy tale. This event is locally sponsored. The stage was set up in front of the American Legion Hall at the foot of Water Street.

The Rosehips Kween is chosen and koronated at the annual Kinetic Ball held the evening prior to the race. Contestants must tell one joke, share a recipe and demonstrate a talent or skill. The entry form warns contestants: 

• "Be Prepared ! Judges can (and do) “GONG” your act and pull you from the stage if they are bored or repulsed. 
• Reflect Kinetic Spirit…and keep it short !
• Bribes are essential. Lunacy is helpful. Remember…mediocrity rules."

The Kinetic Tinkers Mobile Lab is ready for the race to get underway.

The krew of of "Froz N Peas" poses for a photo op.

 Mousetrap preparing to head into the water. The winner of the race is the skuplture and krew that achieves the most mediocre outcome!

Camp David Junior

I guess some of you are wondering about Camp David Junior, the wonderful lodge murals, the cabins and the setting on Lake Crescent. So here are some pics that should give you a better idea.

The lodge, Qui Si Sana,  has wonderful high cathedral ceilings. The original murals from the early 1900s were preserved when the lodge was updated and reinforced in 1981.

Here's a close-up of the mural in the corner behind the TV.  The colors are rich and vibrant despite the age of the murals.

Many of the cabins have wonderful skylights. This cabin is called Ne Yan  Da. The kids who come here for summer camp love the native american names for the cabins. I wish I knew the meanings.

The interior of the cabin is composed of three rooms. A central room and two bunk rooms. This cabin sleeps eleven. Note the great interior light and super sturdy bunks. 

Womanfest Fall Retreat

Every year I look forward to the annual Womanfest Fall Retreat at Camp David Junior. It was last weekend. It was wonderful to spend time with friends, both new and old. Here are a few photos. Enjoy!

Dr. Dale Holiday (center) makes a presentation to a group of women at the retreat. Irma Schneider is pictured at left. Susan Norlund (far right) soaks up the sun and the information simultaneously.

Annie Haggenmiller, Lucy Baily, JoAnn Hamilton, Lee Maxwell and Sheila Martin were among those listening to Dr. Dale Holiday's presentation. The lodge porch is a lovely space for small group events.

Women who have special skills often elect to share their skills with the larger group. Jaye Butler taught Ingrid Schneider (pictured above) how to make her own fanciful balloon hat.

During the retreat there is always at least one craft project which is ongoing throughout the weekend. Laura Lilly and Heidi Kaas work on making handcrafted cards for sick children, which was the craft project this year. More than 25 sick children received cards made especially for each of them after the retreat.

Cedar Bough Bags

I sold this set of Cedar Bough Bags yesterday. Every time someone buys something I get a thrill. The person who bought these lives in New York state. The last person who bought a similar item lives in Georgia. Wow. How cool to be connecting with people in other places. The web is such a gift!

These Bough Bags are filled with Western Red Cedar -- the predominant species of tree in the Pacific Northwest.  The smell is a little gift from heaven. It smells like walking through the woods on barefoot feet, crushing forest underneath, feeling strength and infinity in every step.

Beaded Amulet Bag Necklaces

A friend taught me how to make amulet bag necklaces like the one above. The necklace is perfect for carrying a few small meaningful things, a couple of  folded bills, or a vial of your favorite perfume.

The bags are rather like medicine bags for carrying items of personal significance, like the whisker of your favorite cat or dog, a lock of a loved one's hair, and a pebble found on your favorite beach.

I usually make them during the fall and winter months. They are for sale in my Etsy Shop. Now that the weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, I am thinking about making more.