Scott's birthday images don't like my computer

As an update, I am still working on Kathy's birthday gift. For those of you just joining me, her birthday was the 11th, but I didn't get the gift finished. It's still a WIP. As with every project during April, this piece is made from all recycled materials.


Here is the part I was able to finish yesterday. I glued the gently dyed cheesecloth to the recycled corrugated cardboard that I painted in green and copper. I added the images, all recycled. The music reads "forget me not" and the dictionary definition defines "birthday." Buttons were recently removed from a deconstructed skirt.

I had to borrow Dana's card reader because the disk the card goes in is also the one that takes the card from my other camera. The Zi6 would simply not load in the disk. Thanks to Dana, I was able to get the photos below off the Kodak Zi6. Scott's birthday was the 14th and here is how we celebrated while I checked out, played, and experimented with the new camera.

Scott is into origami, specifically 3D geometric shapes he creates based on the designs of Buckminster Fuller. Here he shows me the basic construction of the roof of his new shop.


This is a mock-up in 1/4 scale.


Here it is in another configuration shown in 3D.


Yep, it fits in several directions.


Before we could go too far, we had to get gas. I tried to wash the windows, but I was a bit short. Note that Scott is 6' 5" tall.


At the lumber yard (Lowes), we saw some birds that I took pictures of. They were moving, so it was a challenge to get close enough, which I never did.


Inside Lowes, I got off to a shaky photographic start. Or maybe it was because Scott had his wheelie action going.


Looks like he finally found some material taller than he is.


Yep, definitely taller.


Next it was off to buy roofing material. I nearly picked up another roll of rosin paper (shown top right), but since I still have plenty, I passed.


Apparently this camera is good for taking movies, but not so good on close up shots. I took this photo because I was going for the price difference on the Tri-flex shown next to the rosin paper in the photo above this one, and the tar paper below it. $120.00/roll as opposed to $16.99/roll. Guess which one Scott bought? If you guessed the $120.00 roll, you are correct. He said it would last a lifetime.


I had trouble seeing through the LCD screen outside, so was never sure what I was getting. Here Scott straightens the boards that he and I loaded onto the trailer.


I'm positive these aren't going anywhere.


Back at his place, I saw the progress he had made on his shop.


He really needs it, because here is where he'll cuts the lumber for the roof using the homemade jig. The jig is the long board and triangle. At the back of the table is his table saw. He's now ready for some serious angle cutting.

His house is also coming along, slowly, but nicely. You can see the other table he has set up with his miter/chop saw.


The third table, off to the right in the photo, holds other tools and supplies. But all this building material made Scott hungry. After all, he is a growing "boy." So rather than unload the trailer


it was off to a sandwich restaurant near his house where he wanted to eat. At least they had several vegetarian selections, including sweet potato fries.


The waitress brought Scott a cookie for his birthday


then took a minute to pose with Scott for a photo. Seems they all know and like him there.


As for lunch? Scott had some kind of burger that was still under wraps and a big order of regular fries, while I had an awesome veggie sandwich called the Gardener. It had creamy Stilton cheese, fresh spinach, portabella mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes on homemade sourdough bread. I admit, I'm not much of a sandwich person, but this one I could fall in love with.


And finally, how does the camera do when photographing art? HMMM. Not sure what went wrong, but no photos from my craft room looked any better than this. Guess that's OK, though, because you can see the finished project on Monday.

Want a bit of color and abstract art in your life? Then you will certainly appreciate today's blog of the day. I did an internet search for blogs using recycled materials, and although I am not sure how Lynne's blog came up, once I was there, I was hooked. Her abstract paintings are beautiful, colorful, and show perfect composition. I can't take my eyes off the one she promises to post a tutorial on how she made it. Any way you hang it, it will be a real beauty. So, even though she may not use recycled materials, today I introduce you to Lynne Medsker from Indiana, whose abstract art and delightful photographs will take your breath away.