Artwork from Wood

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53-year-old Sergei Bobkov has patented a unique technique of creating amazing sculptures out of Siberian cedar wood-chips.

“It’s not very interesting to do what others can. To create something out of nothing in a completely new way is far more inspiring”. This is how Sergei Bobkov explains the unique form of art that he created. He says many people compare his artworks to taxidermy, because they both look so much like the animals they replicate, but Sergei believes they are as different as light and darkness. Whereas taxidermy is all about death, his wood-chip art symbolizes life.

This resident of Kozhany , Russia , has developed his very own technique, that prevents wood-chips from falling apart in time. After creating about 100-150 chips, from 2-3 inch long cedar stick, he puts them in water for several days. Then, making use of his surgical precision, he carves the chips into any shape he needs.

Sergey has been doing this for some time now, but he has only created 11 wood-chip sculptures. That’s because just one of these incredible artworks takes around six months to complete, at a work rate of 10 to 12 hours a day, with no days off. Sergei Bobkov focuses on wildlife creatures, and he studies their anatomy for months, before starting work on a sculpture.

Even though he was offered $17,000 for his wood-chip eagle, Sergei’s Bobkov declined, saying his art is not for sale.

The Unique Wood-Chip Sculptures of Sergei Bobkov

By Spooky on May 28th, 2010 

Frugal

Awesome-outdoor-patio-space


http://www.tiphero.com/tips_6086_how-to-create-an-awesome-outdoor-patio-space.html

Free seeds


http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/5-ways-get-free-seeds-your-garden.html


21 Ways To Use Old Coffee Grounds

1. Soften and add shine to hair. When washing your hair, rub coffee grounds through wet hair and rinse. For brown hair, coffee grounds add highlights.
2. Use coffee grounds as an exfoliant for skin. Pat on skin, massage over skin, rinse.
3. Add coffee grounds to your skin mask beauty routine.
4. Make homemade tattoos (temporary) with henna and coffee grounds.
5. Fertilize plants. Old coffee grounds are nutrient-rich for plants that thrive in an acidic soil.
6. Add used coffee grounds to the pots of indoor plants.
7. Work used coffee grounds into your garden soil before seed planting. After your plants start to emerge, work in coffee grounds near the plants. Used coffee grounds are said to repel snails and slugs as well as adding nutrients to the soil.
8. Increase your carrot and radish harvest by mixing seeds with dry coffee grounds before planting the seeds.
9. Use coffee grounds to repel ants.
10. Keep cats from using your garden as a kitty box by spreading used coffee grounds and orange peels throughout flower beds.
11. Deodorize a freezer. Place a bowl with used coffee grounds in the freezer to remove unwanted odors. Add a few drops of vanilla to coffee grounds.
12. Rub coffee grounds on hands to get rid of smells from chopping or cutting up pungent foods.
13. Make a used coffee grounds sachet. Fill old nylons or cheescloth with dry used coffee grounds. Hang in closets to absorb odors.
14. When you need an abrasive cleaner, coffee grounds can be used. Be careful of any surfaces that might stain.
15. Remove furniture scratches with wet coffee grounds.
16. Got a fireplace? Sprinkle wet coffee grounds over the ashes to keep from becoming engulfed in the plume of dust ashes create when you need to remove them.
17. Dye fabric, paper or Easter eggs. Simply add used coffee grounds to warm water and let sit a bit to create a dye.
18. After you give your dog a bath, rub coffee grounds through the coat of your pet. Coffee grounds are said to repel fleas.
19. Keep bait worms alive by mixing coffee grounds into the soil before you add worms.
20. Grow mushrooms on old coffee grounds.

Middle-Eastern Pita Sandwiches

Delicious and healthy, too. I usually double the dressing ingredients. You can use parsley or fresh mint instead of cilantro. You can also add some well drained, diced cucumber to the salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground lamb
• 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 pita breads
• 2 cups torn salad greens
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1 large tomato, diced

Dressing:

• 1 (8 3/4 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 tsp. dillweed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix well the lamb, bread crumbs, raisin, eggs, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, and water. Shape into 16 meatballs and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. I use my broiler pan so that the meatballs drain into the bottom pan, and don't sit in the grease.

Meanwhile, mix the salad greens, carrot, scallions, and tomato in a bowl, and make the dressing: mix all the ingredients for the dressing in a blender or food processor. Cover and process until smooth (or mash the beans thoroughly with a fork, add the remaining ingredients, and mix well). Set aside.

To assemble: A few minutes before the meatballs are browned and well done, put the pitas in the oven. Use one pita for each sandwich. This is also very good with na'an, wraps, or squaw bread. Put 4 meatballs on each piece of bread. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. dressing, top with salad mix, and drizzle with another Tbsp. dressing. If you have fresh mint, it is a delicious garnish.

Servings:4

Prep Time:30 Minutes

Cooking Time:20 Minutes

Source: The Sun-Maid Cookbook, 1980

Tuna Melts for Two

In tough economic times like these, I always keep cans of tuna in my pantry. Rather than just making the regular boring tuna sandwich, tuna melts are still cheap and tasty.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of tuna
• 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. onion
• 2 Tbsp. relish
• splash of Tabasco sauce
• splash of Worcestershire sauce
• 4 slices of bread
• Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put tuna, mayonnaise, onion, relish, Tabasco and Worcestershire in a bowl and mix well using a fork. Lay your bread out on a baking sheet, spread mixture evenly on each slice. Generously grate cheese over each. Bake for 10 minutes.

Servings:2 to 4

Prep Time:5 Minutes

Cooking Time:10 Minutes

By Patricia from Maple Falls, WA

Tuna Melts For Two From Daughter Dusty

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of White tuna
• 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
• 1/2 of a Chopped Walla Walla onion
• 1 Tsp. garlic Crushed
• 4 Chopped Sweet Pickles
• splash of Worcestershire sauce
• 4 slices of bread
• Cheddar or Swiss cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat Skillet on med heat.  Mix  tuna, mayonnaise, onion, pickles, garlic and Worcestershire in a bowl and mix well using a fork. Lay your bread out and butter one side of each piece. Spread mixture evenly on each slice. Generously grate cheese over each. Fry slowly each side until brown and crispy.

Serve Hot

Servings:2 to 4

Prep Time:5 Minutes

Cooking Time:10 Minutes

By Dusty from Washougal Wa