Recycling Awesomeness

Part of my job at the bakery is donating bread to those in need on a regular basis. One of our recipients is this awesome recycling center called Bring. They employ very few and use volunteers and court appointed work release to get it all done.  A few weeks ago they sent a stack of coupons to our staff, which is was a great reason to come out and check see what they offer.

I was so in awe of how it is all set up, and very well organized. There are a few very large metal roofed areas to protect items from the rain, but majority of the space is open to the elements. They used some great times to keep it all sorted, like this train car. The majority of what they offer is home building materials, tools, large cabinets, metal, tiles.  The fans along the roof line collect rain water.

This is a fabulous place for artist too. There are so many materials I can see to use when creating an artful garden, unique home spaces, a lot of decorative items as well. I really appreciate the creative  use of recycled materials in the yards I see in Eugene and around Cascadia.   You will see metal pipes for planting. Many raised gardens are made from scrap wood and mini greenhouses are made from used windows. Often you will find metal piping rain collection and irrigation. Yard art is abound here, most are created using recycled materials. These yards are so different from what I saw in the manicured lawns of the Raleigh and around the South.

Along the garden side there was this awesome structure that was created by an Architecture class from U of O using only materials from Bring. The back wall was a beautiful welded fence and masonry. I love the lines in the concrete pad. They were giving a tour when I was there, and it seems that in the summer months they host a few events in this space.

Part of this chain link fence was filled in with PVC plumbing and bike spokes. They also carry new rain barrels, natural paints, and some plants in the summer. We bought some awesome oak chairs that had been poorly painted.
Most of the items for sale were donated. I wish I had discovered this spot sooner. I will be back. Trash is beautiful to me!

NC State Fair

I have mentioned that I love October and Fall many times. Since moving to Raleigh, October is even more exciting because its the NC State Fair. We only live 15 min from this temptation. I truly enjoy going to the state fair. My favorite thing about the state fair is the Yesteryear's building (of course, Chocolate Dipped Frozen Nanners too).  I love the rag rugs and sweet grass baskets, so much inspiration in a tiny building.

 

The report was there was 150,000 people were at the fair on Saturday! Dang it felt like it, I haven't seen that many people together in a long time. Honestly, it makes me a bit nervous to be in huge crowds like that. It was hard to get around. I enjoyed working that evening and talking to people and let it all pass around me.

                                          McBride's Turkey Legs are totally worth the wait!

                                                               Giant Sweet Taters!

                                I love the hair on the top of the calf's head. He looks like a old man!

I can hear the fireworks at my house miles away. It is an impressive end to a whirlwind of a day.

Yard Art

I found all of this glass in the new part of my backyard over the last few months. They sat in an old strawberry basket muddy and neglected for too long. I have had grand intentions on making some ode to Raleigh type project! I sat in the glorious sun and carefully rinsed these shards of glass. My favorite piece of treasure is the white and blue stoneware dish in the middle of the top picture. I have also unearthed two new bottles from the bottom of the pecan tree (not in photos)

There are parts of old and new glass, some have writing and designs. The white dish, in the front of the bottom photo has awesome lace pattern on the edge. After washing these pieces, I went right back out into the yard and found more. I sat under the pecan tree for awhile digging the two other bottles out. It was a little nutty acting, but everyone needs to be nutty acting sometimes!

Home!

After my trip to VA i really wanted to relax and just walk around and take a few shots. I forced my hubby and furry one into going with me to the sculpture gardens. The NC Museum of Art was placed on a 25 acre plot of land that is not far from our house 10 minutes, if that. The old museum and the new museum (went there last year) are next to each other and close to the road. Behind the museums is miles of paths that link these awesome art installations. The one image at the top is my favorite from today. I also really like it because in Charlotte, my home town, the same artist created these "onion rings" at a intersection I drove through frequently.

 

 Vollis Simpson created this amazing Whirlygig. He was a native N. Carolinian and a welder. I do believe that he past a few years ago. I know that at his home there are at least 30 of these 10-40 ft high structures all over his yard. I have made hubby promise me that we will go there soon. I think that it is so calming to watch. The entire structure rotates and spins in the wind. It was a perfect day for it to show off.

 

I took a few pictures in the yard as well, look what bloomed while I was gone! Mah, favorite!
                                                               Sunny yellow Daffodils!

Sewing room

This is my office/ sewing room. I am sitting on a futon on the other side of the room. I made the desk out of a solid wood door and PVC legs. Believe me it is one heavy/ sturdy sewing table. I have a large self healing mat at the left end. The self is sitting on recycled milk crates. I recently bought the letter press tray at the NC state flea market for $5. I love it for showing off all the antique sewing notions I have. I have many painted glass jars holding crafting goodies. I also have put to use my blue jean boxes and pin cushion. The shiny black filing cabinet is super duper heavy and sturdy. My dad saved it for me from the neighbors and repainted it for me. I love it. It holds a ton. All of the pencil artwork was done by a friend/ old roommate. I have lots more of his artwork. I have enjoyed having this space to sprawl out and create in. I have huge bins of fabric under the table. I generally have a ironing board set up where the chair is. I just got awesome lighting to help me out on these dark dripping winter days!

New Backyard Inspires Art Project

So my backyard just doubled in size. What was previously scrubby shrubs and kudzu is now a beautiful fenced in backyard. Some would cringe at the amount of grass that we will have to mow come spring, but this area was a problem. I live in an area where there are lots of vagrant folks and they were hanging out in the shrubs at night. Not cool. Our landlord received access from a home that he recently purchased that backed up to the shrubby lot, so he went for it. He tore down the nasty chain link fence that ran behind the shed and gave us this beautiful 8 foot high wood fence.
We love it!

 In this shot I am standing in our original yard looking into the new yard. They left some beautiful young beach trees in the new part.

 This is our old yard, new grass going in. The dog still lays in the same spot under the magnolia even though she has such a huge yard to run in. She loves it when she gets whipped up!

I am standing with my back to the fence at the very back of the property. The little picket fence is to keep kiddos from fall over the low concrete wall that was not going anywhere. I kinda think it adds some charm. The green shed is falling apart and can't be moved. Its not loved by anyone, but it is necessary.
When they tore up the yard. All this old glass and dishes came to the surface. Originally, I was picking them up to save doggie paws. Now, I want to make something beautiful out of them.



They will clean-up nicely!

Thread lights

Super cool light fixtures!
I think I am in love!

Back to NCMA

Mom and sister came to town this weekend. We went to NC Museam of Art it was just as crowded as before. We really enjoyed walking around and the building is such a lovely space. Here are a few more shot of awesome images.

Three different Art Nouveau paintings with different artist all framed similarly.

Andrew Wyeth

North Carolina Museum of Art

Hubby and I decided to take an trip to the newly renovated state art museum here in Raleigh. NCMA. It was fairly crowded, which we expected. I was so pleased that after all of the expansive construction that it under went, it remains free to the public, like most of the all the other Raleigh museums. They maintained and added to the sculpture garden/ park and the amphitheater that remember as a kid.

 My husband really wanted to go for our anniversary which is next week, however, we are working super opposite schedules. Today was prime because it is scorching hot here. The new gallery is stunning and inviting with a lovely restaurant.

 White roman shades plus white shears cover large walls of floor to ceiling tinted windows. There are lovely gardens  filled with water features and Japanese rock gardens behind all of the windows.

White domed skylights bathe the entire space. It was simply calming and peaceful even though there were many people.  They have permanent exhibitions that I also remembered, I was pleased to see Rodin castings.

The only draw back was the gift shop, the art items for sale were modern and not made by NC artist. We will be returning soon.