More and more, as we continue to explore nature with avid birders' eyes, we seek out regional parks and nature reserves. Most of these tend to publish leaflets, maps, and bird lists. These have piled up on our coffee table:
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An abundance of information, but a bit cluttery. |
So, as it's obvious I haven't been spending my time
decking the halls and trimming the tree, here's what I've been working on. I'm covering a sturdy shoebox with hand-dyed fabric, and cutting out bird photos and drawings to collage on it. I figure I can store all the maps and checklists and brochures inside, and it might even look a little better than piles of papers strewn all over our living room.
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Once the blue fabric's down on the shoebox (left), I'll add some of these cut-out bird photos. |
You've probably heard my
inner debates about whether I'm a hoarder. Well, the other day on
Freecycle, someone was giving away a set of old encyclopedias. Who could resist? Somehow (probably because the books lived in Nestor, down near the very birdy
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park), Andy agreed to drive down with me and pick up the 24-volume Collier's Encyclopedia set.
The "B" volume, containing the Birds article with pages and pages of vintage illustrations by Douglas Howland, is shown above, right. I thought the 50's era books would be perfect for cutting up and using in collages, altered books, decoupage or even art quilts. But who can bear to cut up such a cool old book?
Sigh. I see the future, and it's a New Year's resolution: to use up my art supplies without guilt and/or hoarding!
I wish you all the best in 2012.