Penny Richards' photos

Swimsuitcase is made from a thrifted Skyway suitcase, upcycled with gesso, paint, sharpies, paper collage, modpodge, and paper punches. Image of the three swimmers in 1914 is from the Library of Congress uploads to Flickr Commons (see below).

These were based on a recipe for molasses-ginger cookies--but I didn't have enough molasses or ground ginger. So honey instead of molasses, cardamom and nutmeg instead of ginger. Tasted great, with a wonderful texture.

Daughter has to use crutches for a few days after a sprained foot. But that doesn't mean she has to use boring crutches... she likes the covers I made, and they seem a little more comfortable too.

So, here's the story: Daughter sprained her foot yesterday, at the park. The urgent care last night didn't have her size of crutches. Kovacs-Frey Pharmacy (near the Galleria) has loads of medical equipment--but when we got there this morning at 8:25, it was closed. Daughter had music camp starting at 9, the posted hour for the pharmacy to open. BUT! The owner saw us peering in the windows, and said "c'mon in, I'll sell you some crutches right now." He found the right size, showed her how to use them, and we were done by 8:40. Yeah, Kovacs-Frey Pharmacy!

Music Rhapsody Music Camp, Manhattan Beach. The Mira Costa HS Marching Band makes an appearance every year to demo their instruments and give the campers a chance to try them out.

Most of the Music Camp kids wear music camp t-shirts; I liked this one as an alternative.

The sousaphone player from the Mira Costa HS Marching Band was really kinetic, and the kids loved it.

Daughter and her friend have been to four Swap-o-Rama-Rama events now, and they're really good at remaking clothes for themselves. On the left, daughter made her fleece hat, t-shirt with applique; friend on the right remade the t-shirt, sweater/shrug, and a hat.

That's Stefanie Girard helping my daughter and her friend with an applique. Such a fun day. (Oh, you can see my train case in the foreground--our tables were neighbors.)

Made this for a friend's husband--he'll be having treatment for throat cancer over the next few weeks, and she says he'll wear this to appointments. Two sizes of wooden base, acrylic paint, paper collage, Mod Podge, sharpies, bar-pin backing.

Squares for a group project at Catalina Coffee. I didn't make any of them, but they were so pretty, I had to take a snap.

Ravelry's "nuts4fiber" at knitting group (where there were mostly crocheters), Catalina Coffee, Redondo Beach.

Minus the six or so that we ate last night. It's Tomato Time.

Brookline, MA. Niece's wedding reception was held there this past weekend.

Daughter is apparently angling for a spokesmodel gig. ;)

LA Food Truck followers will know what an unusual sight this was. Yes, they were open. Aviation Park, 7/3/11.

Spider's Web is crab, bacon, and angel-hair pasta, with pesto aioli. A little too rich for me, but certainly a sight to behold! Aviation Park, 7/3/11.

Cheeseball Wagon, Aviation Park, 7/2/11; note the two thumbs up from one of the cool workers inside.