Wait. More pears?

This is about 8" x 5" overall, in the Midori Traveler, on the Rives BFK "Tan" paper. Done with gouache and some watercolor.

Wind Map

Gorgeous. Must see.

"An invisible, ancient source of energy surrounds us—energy that powered the first explorations of the world, and that may be a key to the future.

This map shows you the delicate tracery of wind flowing over the US right now."

Market me and my map

Interesting site entitled They Draw & Travel: Maps Illustrated by Artists from Around the World

"As artists ourselves, we’re not only dedicated to showcasing, promoting and marketing your art, but, unlike other submission-based websites, we have created an “artist friendly” business model intended to actually benefit you, the artist." 

Hmm. Regardless, the site has some keen maps. Browse all 500+ maps here.

(Map here is Favorite Hangouts in Baltimore, Maryland by Janna Morton)

Pileus Phrygian

Midori Traveler with pen and ink and gouache sketches on the "Kraft" insert paper.
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More Midori:

• Steve Light's Midori Flickr page is here
• the full community of Midori Traveler pix on Flickr
• Review of the Traveler on FPN is here 
• Patrick Ng's site
• Comparison with the Pelle is here (very detailed and good pix!), by GourmetPens
• vid Traveler's Notebook by Midori, by a Dutch Midori store
• vid midori bologna/venezia2007, by Enrique Flores
• vid midori-clermont-ferrand-nov07, by Enrique Flores
• vid midori lisboa2007, by Enrique Flores

ChronoZoom

Yet more hours to wile away here: ChronoZoom

Motionographer

Get ready to wile away the hours here. Wow!

Saint Cuthbert Hits the Road

"Coptic bindings, the first true codices, are characterized by one or more sections of parchment, papyrus, or paper sewn through their folds, and (if more than one section) attached to each other with chain stitch linkings across the spine. . . "  So says Wiki.

The Saint Cuthbert Gospel of Saint John, from 698 AD and newly acquired by the British Library, is believed to be the oldest intact codex-style book and the oldest European example of coptic binding.

I have decided to emulate Bertie's bookbinders and make a Coptic-sewn journal for my Road Trip 2012. To that end I have been practicing and perspiring and studying:

• Coptic Binding on Boards
• Coptic Stitch binding with hard cover method 1
• Coptic Stitch binding demo part 2, all three of these by Jim Escalante on YouTube
• Chain or Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial, by Linda Tieu 
• and just so I don't lose it - Bookmaking tutorial links from around the Web from TJBookarts
• From the Way Back Machine, a tutorial from the State of Indiana, Let's Make a Book

The section entitled 'Coptic Stitch / Curved Needle on page 174 of Making Handmade Books by Alisa Golden is not as helpful as the tutorials above because she is working from the top down. Which seems to me to be upside down and surely less practical.

If anyone knows of additional clear and complete (and right side up) instructions for Coptic binding, please post a Comment below. I will be in your debt!

Flarz

This is about 5-1/2" x 8" on Rives BFK "Tan" paper, done mostly with gouache and some watercolor leads.

Attila, King of the Huns Frittata

Serves 3

5 or 6 eggs
1 medium sweet onion
1 small tomato, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1 Tbs olive oil or bacon fat
t tsp Pride of Szeged Steak Rub Seasoning*
3 Tbs St. Andre cheese

1- Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
2- Slice onion into four round piece, each about 1/2" thick. Keep them together in the round.
3- Heat oil in an ovenproof 9-inch heavy nonstick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking. Carefully place each slice of onion in pan and sprinkle the top of each with some of the Rub Seasoning. Toss in the garlic cloves. Cook the onion slices and the cloves until nicely browned. Remove the garlic if it's getting too browned, and set aside.
4- Carefully flip each onion round over and season the newly-exposed side with some more Rub. Add a bit more oil if necessary. When the second side of the onions are all nicely browned toss the cooked cloves back into the pan.
5- Beat eggs until just mixed. Pour beaten eggs evenly over the onions and garlic and crumble cheese over eggs. Place the sliced tomato on top of all.
6- Transfer skillet to oven and bake frittata, uncovered, until set and just cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Cut into pie-shaped pieces and serve immediately with a side salad and possibly some hash brown potatoes.

Left over slices can be re-heated and served in a sandwich in soft naan bread with a bit of mayo.

*"Ingredients: Salt, onion, celery seed, and spices."