Ben's Success

Ben has big plans. He has researched well, thought of the
big picture and then ordered equipment.

An exciting new field that he would like to be part of, the 3D
printmaking phenomenon.

So he waited patiently for the gear to arrive, a machine to
fabricate the filament to go into 3D printers, and a spool
machine to wind on the created filament.

Also a more up to date 3D printer of his own to test out the
process, and the product he created.

Tinkering with it to produce both simple, and more complex
models, from sleek design elephants to intricate Trilobites.

In hand, a supply of small plastic beads and even dye to
colour to order the plastic.

Yesterday we were given the first demonstration of the process.
Plastic beads were fed into the hopper of the first machine,
and then attaching and winding on the freshly created filament.

Very promising and exciting.

 This is the spool machine, which Ben had to adjust for more aligned, and even winding.

 Starting up took some concentration to make sure the filament was taken up and rolling on properly.

 Some heat, steam or vapour was noted emanating from the machine 

melting the plastic beads and producing the filament.

 We all waited with baited breath as the demo took place, checking out the exciting result.

 This foreshortened view shows one machine loading onto another.

 Very funky retro lettering on the Filabot.

 Here to the left of the picture can be seen the raw material, the little plastic beads 

in the hopper about to be melted and turned into filament.

Below is the Spooler, and between them there is very low levels 

of noise while in production.

A snowy white, fluffy Kookaburra for Easter.

This bird is so sweet, I think he might be a young one.

He looks so fresh and snowy white, framed by leaves,
and just outside my kitchen window.

Finally, a full day at Printmaking - Gelli plate time!

After many weeks and a Friday afternoon market job for 2 months,
the break finally came.

A whole day of printmaking from my homemade Gelatine plates.
Other artists lovely prints on the day, details still to be found and
published.

A very productive day, 37 prints.

 Happiness is - a full drying rack!

 Drawing with ink on a page dyed with White Beech Tree berry juice.

Kathy Hawkins etching.

Printed on fabric as well.

Judith's wonderful natural themes.

Tea, chat, a Grevillea and a Hawkesbury landscape.

I have the best time at my mate Thom's place. Now it is study,
but it can also be more artistic pursuits.

We are currently working side by side on two pastels. He one
of a flower study, and I a scene from Wiseman's Ferry.

Both are still unfinished. I have just brought home a Firewheel
Grevillea decorative piece.

Still need to photograph Thom's flower.

 This has changed now, the water is a deeper colour.

 Detail of trees in the background.

 Thom holds up the Grevilleas.

 This is actually side on, we changed our minds on it's orientation.

 Horses detail. Below a lovely old farmstead.

We have Dragons

We had a visit from a young Eastern Water Dragon, with the last
of the season's heat, very curious about our pool.

I think it is a youngster who keeps coming back, but he has grown
much bigger now.

A fine long tail he has, and also the red chest displayed.

Hippy party, Woodstock theme.

Bec worked hard to fashion two outfits for a party she and Mike
were going to last night.

I quickly snapped them before they went.

Bec has made some fabulous costumes, she is really good at it.

Tie Dye, beads, barefoot sandals!

Awwww....cute people.

Hippy Chic, bring it back.

Crop and swap

I spent a delightful Saturday morning with like minded people,
at Hornsby Council's 'Crop and Swap' session at Pennant Hills
Leisure Centre.

It was the first, so we were a bit tentative, and didn't quite know
how it worked.

After a welcome, and information on how to swap - we were away,
discussing and searching for the right matches.

I hadn't had a lot to harvest, but after an explanation on the broadness
of the theme, realised I might have a little more up my sleeve.

We had been rained out at the market night before, so my car was
still stocked, and I remembered some appropriate items.

Some greeting cards of Lisgar Gardens, and also some herb prints
in frames.

Soon I had swapped the cards for goods, and a lady there was also
interested in my herb art. We are still in negotiation.

Promising, as it is the first time those have been on offer. Another
lady who belonged to a craft cooperative also invited me to investigate
joining their group, as either a member or guest exhibitor.

So laden with a basket of wonderful local produce, greek basil, free
range eggs, local honey, rosemary and tomatoes I went home with a
smile on my face and a mind full of possibilities.

I went with a white theme of frame, and Bec added their names in pink script.
Seen here, Bergamot, and Chives, flowering. 

Seen here my contribution: hot Jalapeno Chillies, Parsley, Basil, 

and Lemongrass stems. all harvested fresh that morning.  

With the props of sacking, and in the old character hall it had good atmosphere.

Martha's great collection, I did swap her for Free Range eggs and Greek Basil,
she kindly gave me a huge bunch of Rosemary.

Sweet veg and flower seeds apron.
Margaret's  Guava fruit on offer.

A sound like a swarm of angry bees

We had an interesting new device come with Gordon
(Sam's fiance) last weekend.

He had bought a new drone for business and it was very
exciting to watch. Flashing lights, sounds, and deft movement.

 Here is the camera.

 Viewing from a computer screen.

 Looking at our immediate neighbourhood.

 It can fly to 120 metres.

 Hovering over the pool it displaces water strongly.