Wordless Wednesday

Speedwell Forge Lake

Sunday was such an unusual warm day
for January that I decided to take a drive.
I really didn't have a destination in mind;
I just kept driving north.

I wanted to go somewhere that I've never
been to since I moved here. I thought that
maybe I would visit Lititz Park and maybe
get some good photo shots.... but I passed
the entrance! Kept driving north and thought
of something someone told me once about
there being a place with a very large creek (-:

The road climbs up and what I love about
this area is that is very hilly and has some
spectacular views. Being a native Long Islander
where the land is pretty much just flat - the
only fabulous views are the ocean. (which I
love and miss) So I very much appreciate
looking down and being able to be able to
see for miles and miles.

I finally reach my destination and find
a parking space. I see a couple of other
cars but there's no one around. Once
out of the car; I start walking around
and thinking this is not just a creek as
I was told! It's a lake and there's hardly
any water in it and then it dawned on me
where I was! It's been a very controversial
subject in the news for the past couple of
months and here I was.
I walked towards a small pier and saw the
sign.


I've never been here before so I don't know
what the lake looked like in all it's glory.
I look for some photos on the internet:

This is what the pier looked like - I've taken this
photo from Here which tells you all about
the lake.

This is what it looks like now:

The Lake is being drained to access damage and
make repairs. The damage being done by recent
storms to the dam which is further down the lake
and I didn't walk down that far.

I start walking around taking more photos:

The area is kept clean of liter but found
this interesting - old shoes? Were they
left there for a reason?




I think these are traps of some sort for fish?




I realized that this lake extends to the
other side of the road.

(I later learned that - Fish, such as bass, carp,
and catfish were salvaged and placed in other
areas such as the Susquehanna River)

If you are a nature lover, as I am, you'll find
walking around the lake very disheartening
and depressing.

I got back into my car and drove to the
other side.

When I got there, there was a man standing
there by his car - just staring. When he saw
me he got back into his car and drove away.

I guessed that he was just there reminiscing.
It must have been a beautiful area at one time..
and a popular recreational place for residents
in the area.



This was the boat launch area.

To the left is a small pavilion (no photo)

As I was walking around; I found myself
imagining kids running around playing,
people fishing in their boats, laughter...
but
something seemed also amiss; I stopped and
was trying to think about just what is was..?
Then I realized that I didn't see or hear one
single bird! That struck me as very odd
and I wondered where are they birds?











The future of this lake is still unknown
There will be a meeting in February to find
a way to secure funding for all of the repairs -
$6.3 million is needed.

They say it could take years for the problem to be resolved.


Meanwhile the boats are stored.

To find out more about this lake please visit

Save Speedwell.org

Wordless Wednesday

Design Board

I went to Michael's today and found a

foam board for $15.99 made by Elmers.

I had a 40% off coupon and decided

to buy the board and try to make myself

a design board. Which I did! I covered it

with batting and hot glue and it's very light weight

so it only took 2 nails to hang it.


It works great! Here are the blocks from my
heart swap on Facebook on my new board.
Aren't they pretty?
The board is about 4' x 4' and I'm very happy
with it!

Wordless Wednesday

Monoprinting

I love playing with paints -

and was so inspired by Judi's

(Approachable Art)

monoprints - that I had to try it for myself!

I found a step by step video at youtube.com

by Linda Germain. Excellent!





After watching Linda's video I thought I

did it all correctly - my mold fell apart!

I realized, after going through the trash and

counting the gelatin packets - that I didn't

add enough gelatin. So, I had to make another

trip to the store. This time I made sure I counted

the packets correctly - and it came out great!

This is my first time and I was experimenting

with paints and inks and techniques ----

Setacolor paint - leaves for prints
I also used a paintbrush to lay down the paint

Setacolor paint applied with a brush
I used plastic shelf liner underneath and also
embossed paper towels! Didn't think it would work
but it did!


Setacolor paint applied with a roller.
I cut out paper leaves with freezer paper
and ironed on the fabric as a mask.
I tried making more prints with the paint
that was on the freezer paper after peeling it
off.

Setacolor paints applied with a brush.
I used leaves and some drypoint with
a chop stick - also my hand cut stencil.
(drypoint - making marks in the paint that
you brushed on)



Setacolor paints applied with roller -
plastic shelf lining under and my freezer
paper leaves on top.
I used WAY too much paint but I think I
can save this piece with some black on top.
Maybe??



Too much paint that puddled - but I'm learning!
I really love the paper towel underneath! (to the right)



Next I had this brainstorm-
I had bought those aluminum disposable
cookie sheets that have a design on them and so


I used Tsukineko inks and painted the
cookie sheet with a brush - then with a
dry roller went over the top of the fabric.
I think it came out pretty cool!

I had lots of fun with this project and hopefully
will get better as I learn more about it!

Thanks Judi!!

Wordless Wednesday