California – Page 6 – No Idle hands here

California Wine

Take some grapes, squeeze out the juice let it ferment and you have wine. But selling the wine has become an enormous business. It’s all in the marketing.It doesn’t hurt that vineyards on a gentle hillside are gorgeous.Or that the vine itself is a pretty thing to behold.Not to mention that the grapes are things of beauty, jewels on the vine.Make sure to build very pretty tasting rooms, even the parking lot must stand out. Choose a cute namePay great attention to decorating detailsLike using wine barrels and other local crops as props.A Venetian lion as a logo doesn’t hurt.But this sign actually made us stop and buy some port and chocolate.

Of course sit down for a tasting with all the flowery language used to explain what we are drinking, in this case, we also enjoyed our own cheese and crackers.

The real reason for the trip, a wonderful wedding in a vineyard.Where I got to celebrate with the mother of the groom, a very dear friend, as well as wear my newest party dress.Then watch a gorgeous sunset over the vines.

Leah

The OC

California is full of contradictions, case in point Orange County. Most of the country is large swaths of middle-class suburbia, with strip malls, homes and condos and closer to the beach – gated communities.

But then there is the beach, and like all of California – the beach is beautiful. I went with my local friend Becky to explore Crystal Cove beach. Today this area is a state park.With the kind of views of the ocean that belong in travel books. White sand beach and deep blue water.In the 1920s’ people started building cottages, there have been years of fighting about what to do with these – since they were all built without any permits. Today a small section has been restored and one can rent a cottage for a few days. These are very spartan and basic, more like camping. The idea is to experience the beach like people in the 1930s and 40s did.And then there is the area that hasn’t been restored yet. There is a plan to do so, as well as keep the structures looking as close to the original as possible. Right now, it’s arrested decay.Fenced off from the public. But not from the birds. I of course revel in the textures, the rust, the peeled paint.At some point newer staircases were built, but then the state must have felt that this is too dangerous and have simply fenced the whole area off.You know me, I have a fascination with peeling paint.

But back to the beach itselfSure, a lot of other people were enjoying this perfect day with us, I chose not to photograph them.I do find the birds worthy of pictures.Becky, who is a great photographer, mentioned shadows and reflections, something else for me to pay attention to.And jewels, you never know what kind of jewel you will find among the seaweed.

Leah

Crochet Lady

Years ago there was a wonderful mural alongside the Hollywood Freeway This is what she looked like, until she was painted over in 1986.

Ken Twitchell has been able to repaint this tribute to his grandmother over on a wall at LA Valley College.Of course I love this for so many reasons. First of all, a granny square shawl – what’s not to love! I took this pictures a few weeks ago, I need to go back and see if the mural is complete.I’m also noticing that the two are not exactly alike, not just because of the configuration of the wall space, the shawl is completely different, but that’s ok, artist prerogative.I have no idea how murals like this are painted, it looks so photographic.Either way, I’m thrilled that she is back. A tribute to the artists grandmother. I am also thrilled that a whole new generation of women has discovered the wonders of fiber arts – be it crocheting, sewing, knitting or anything else that one creates with ones own hands.

Leah

Falcons in action

Preparing the falconLaunching. Taking flight
The bird is coming in right under her arm, but she swings it away.And he has to go back for another round

In the raptor world, females are much larger than males, apparently the same is true of spidersTwo birds leaving at the same time.

Yes, I have more pictures but I think I’ll stop now.

Leah

Modernism in Palm Springs

Usually when I go to Palm Desert I’m with family and no one wants to go look at houses. This time I had a few hours to escape and see some of the famous 50s’-60s homes.Picked up my map at the old Tramway gas station, now the visitors center.

Simple materials, but a creative use of bricks and a soaring roof line.

I am a firm believer that when you educate and expose yourself to a style, be it art, music or architecture, you will come to appreciate it. It takes time, everything good in life does. I wouldn’t say Mid century modern architecture is my favorite, but the more I see, the more I appreciate. No better place than Palm Springs with it’s multitude of these homes still standing side by side. Also, something about the desert makes these sing.This is one of the few houses on the map that I was able to photograph. All these homes are private and many are now behind gates, I totally understand people not wanting strangers coming by and photographing their homes. Although, this map was put together by the Palm Springs Modern committee – so they must have gotten permission.Just driving the neighborhood, I encountered so many houses I just stopped the car and pulled out my camera.I’m wondering if the front gate was a later addition. It is a simpler design. I really like the very angular door next to the circular iron grate.Typical roof line and so appropriate for the desert. This allows a higher ceiling which means hot air is rising and it might make the interior just a little less oppressive. Notice the wall? I have overheard people complaining about ‘those tacky lattice walls’. Really? When Frank Lloyd Wright used a concrete block over and over people swooned. Modern architects took the design to the masses and that makes it tacky? To me it is one of the most effective parts of this style.The use of different materials, stone, gravel, iron work.Frank Sinatra’s original home in the desert. He later moved to a much larger complex. I was very lucky that the gate was open.Someone is refurbishing the house next door. Look at this incredible gate, original to the house, this I love! Of course this will make an incredible quilt, need to give this some serious thought.I do love gingerbread Victorian homes. I also love this simplicity.I think this is an old house with an incredible addition. It works so well. Federal rules for adding on to an historic building require that one doesn’t replicate the old. The idea is to have a definite change between old and new, while at the same time creating a cohesive unit. This is the perfect example.Cut outs in the roof that allow the ubiquitous palm trees to do their thing – grow really really tall.Impressive isn’t it? I never would have noticed the house otherwise.As I drove away I came by the Saguaro Palm hotel, it looks old, but I can’t find any information about it, so it may be new construction in the style of Midcentury.Admitting my sins, as I rounded the corner in the car I was just clicking away at my camera, it worked.Looking t the size of the hotel, I’m thinking the whole thing is modern, but what a great use of shapes and colors. Look online, the pool area is a riot of bright colors.

So now I am really inspired to go down and take a tour, to be able to get more explanations as well as get a closer view.

Leah

The Desert

This is what the desert looks like in it’s natural state.Add water from natural springs and this is what you get.Plant a viable crop, date palms and now you have a name – Palm Springs.These crazy trees don’t offer much shade, but in the desert, being in the shade makes all the difference in the world.
Gives you a few minutes to enjoy the rock formationsAnd see who finds this to be a perfect home.Add a little sugar water and the humming birds come out. This is an unusual one. Love the collar.Actually managed to capture him in flight. Yay! My camera skills are improving!The wings are a blur they move so fast.Dragonflies love the water too.As tall as palms gets, they aren’t really trees. Here is one chopped down and split open, it looks like a sponge, not a dense hardy tree trunk.Gnarled wood is always fascinating.

Leah

Kater-Crafts The books!

New books, printed elsewhere but bound here. Remember that first machine? These books went through that.Many of the old books that come in to be repaired are Bibles.This job gets done often, steaming and scrapping off the old glue.Here is the old spin, the covers have been put back on, the new spine will be made to replicate the old one.Of course not all old books are bibles. the new spine is in place, looks like the old cover didn’t need to be replaced.Imagine my surprise when I saw this, Gebete der Israeliten.- Prayers of the Jews.

Of course what caught my eye first was the Jewish star. I really shouldn’t be surprised, being the people of the book, we cherish and care for our books. I found the woman who is working on this project, she was kind enough to open the actual book for me. It is in good shape. It is also not just any Prayer book but the book we use on the three holidays, Passover, Shavuot and Succot.Back in the front office, I see a Clamshell cover of a favorite author of mine, Tim Powers – this book is all about crafting beer, with a little magic thrown in.

I am so glad to have found Society Obscura they will be seeing a lot more of me.

Leah

Kater-Crafts Part II, tools of the trade

Ah the machinery.Still needs the human hand.And here is the end result. If someone wants a book made from scratch, here is it. Many of the books that come in only need to be rebound.Getting the curve, there is a machine involved here as well, I love seeing the craftsman’s hands.Ahh, a Juki, an industrial one of course. The shop was full of embossing dies, these get used often. Nice to see this fellow as well.Two of my sons fenced, so I was thrilled to find this.These wonderful rotary cutters are used to cut leather.And now onto color

All kinds of materials used for the actual binding.Think of those dies and how many colors can be used to emboss them on the bindingNot just colored foil, holograms as well.Beside someones work bench. I love everything about this.

Leah

Pink

Ok, so if this post is dedicated to anyone, it’s to my granddaughter who’s favorite colors are pink and purple.It’s Azalea time in southern California.From deep fuchsia to pale pinkAll the way to white.This little purple flower is called society garlic, it is a garlic, it certainly smells very garlicky, I guess the bulb isn’t big enough to eat, so it’s a landscape flower. It may be one of the few that deer won’t eat.Roses! Mine aren’t blooming yet, but then I don’t have very good conditions for roses, so I love seeing them on my walks. What an interesting mottled rose this is.Leaning shyly over the fence.Not to be outdone by the azaleas – a deep fuchsia rose.I have no idea why this fellow ended up in the trash.

Leah

Kater-Crafts Bookbinders part I

I have discovered a wonderful organization, The Los Angeles Obscura Society, they organize some very interesting trips around the Los Angeles area. It was through them that I was able to visit the Judson studios.

So this past week I had the opportunity to visit another fascinating business, Kater-Craft Bookbinders, the last remaining bookbinding business in southern CA. I’m sure there are people who do this kind of work on a small scale, but this is a real business. It is over 60 years old and has an interesting trajectory, from binding large scale projects for libraries, to one of a kind books, rebinding old Bibles as well as menu covers for restaurants.Pico Rivera is not a tourist destination, but in a nondescript industrial park, this is what greets the visitor. A marvelous mid-century modern building.I’m not a big fan of mid-century modern. But I must say, the more one learns about a style, the more exposure one gets, the more one appreciates it. This is true of anything, from classical music to art or design. So I am no longer indifferent to this period and I have developed an appreciation, if not a love for it.Here we see the design continuing inside, with examples of some of the books and fonts used in the business.I do love the use of the brick wall both inside and out.

Of course I asked the owners Bruce, Judy and Rick about the architect. They don’t know his name. The company was started by their father Mel 67 years ago in downtown LA. In 1965 they moved out to the hinterlands of Pico Rivera, theirs was the first business in the industrial park. Their mother was very artistic and she is the one who chose the architect and the design. Owning the building is what allows them to stay in business with only 25 employees.The entrance is decorated with an old press, they are still using some very old equipment on the actual factory floor.This lamp has to be an original, they have two of them.One of the many unique books they have bound, The Thorn Birds, by Colleen Mccullough, bound in Kangaroo leather and fur. They will use many interesting materials for one of a kind books. This is the kind of thing many artisan binders will do as well.

Before going on to the next post, the actual factory floor I must share what Bruce shared with us about paper. Paper has grain. As someone who works with fabric, I am very very aware of grain and how it affects the end product. The same is true of paper, although many people who work with books and paper have no idea, which is why some books are superior to others and last longer – simply because the printer and binder are aware of the properties of the material they are using.

Leah