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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Theme Thursday = Castle

Aren't these sand castles and sculptings amazing? (Images from Google.)
  • Compacting the sand is essential.
  • Art. Imagination is the only limitation.
  • Sand and water are the only materials allowed.
  • Tools used range from common garden tools to intricate dental instruments
  • Live ~ most are done as part of organized competitions worldwide. Professionals are hired as entertainment for gatherings.
  • Essential to all sculptors is the basic drinking straw for blowing away excess sand!

"Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." ~~Henry David Thoreau

49 comments:

  1. That quote is so perfect. Wait till you see my post tomorrow I already have scheduled for once.

    Yes, incredible works of sculpting. Can't imagine doing that.

    Clever letter associations to describe the process, btw...but, err...it's only Wednesday night, you know. Not Thursday quite yet!

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  2. Mmm ~ Oh, it's got to be Thursday somewhere, right? :)

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  3. oh wow...these are elaborate! it amazes me when they do the competitions right there on the beach!

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  4. Those are incredible! It's sad that they can't be kept that way.

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  5. Mari ~ I know! It would be sad to see it wash away! Kind of like an elaborately decorated cake...some one's gonna cut into it! ha!

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  6. These sand sculptures are unbelievable! What a great idea to post. I never knew this was possible, much less a form of art!!

    Love the Thoreau quote!!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  7. I've always admired the builders of grand sand castles like these, but wonder how depressing it would be for all that hard work to vanish forever, much like ice sculpture...Beautiful, though

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  8. Oh Betsy - I LOVE those sand sculptures. They are just phenomenal. I've seen some of them before... but I never tire of such beautiful art.

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  9. I would love to sit and watch these being created!!!

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  10. When the first picture popped up, I thought to myself... "Now where did she take THAT one???" Then I kept scrolling down, becoming more fascinated by the second! Great choice of images, and an excellent TT Post!

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  11. They are all sandcastles??? OMG! I thought that first one was a real castle until I read that they were sand creations. They are really amazing works!

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  12. Otin ~ that first one does look real, doesn't it? Crazy!

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  13. wow, I would never have enough patience for this! Thanks for sharing some amazing castles...jj

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  14. I don't have the patience to even attempt a "kindergarden" castle.
    I was the one who always stepped on them at the beach. Probably because I didn't have patience.

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  15. Christine ~ my sister and I used to spend hours in the sandbox! It was always best just after a rain. I can remember trying to dig a tunnel through a bucket castle hundreds of times!

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  16. Skip ~ look at you...still in your hospital bed! Haven't you recovered yet? That Mr. Foxter certainly got the better of you!

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  17. I'm always amazed by the sculptures they come up with. That one with the three heads is a little freakish though.

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  18. Holy cow. That first sand castle is insane!

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  19. I love the ephemeral nature of sand castles and ice sculpters. I've sculpted a number of sand castles but none anywhere near this level. Amazing.

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  20. Amazing images, the last is my favorite! Again, you do wonders with a simple theme.;)
    xo

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  21. wonderful theme for TT. Sand castles never entered my head.

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  22. I was hoping for one of your acronyms and you haven't let me down!
    Excellent quote as well.
    Just amazing what some talented folks can create, isn't it?

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  23. These images are astounding.... I know a sand builder who competes. He makes it sound like a fun-science! Great hit! -Jayne

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  24. I've always loved the ephemeral nature of sand castles...

    truly stunning.

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  25. Sand sculpting is such a wonderful art form. So sad that it's short-lived. What incredible talent. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. Love the photos. I can't believe they put all that work into those sand sculptures and have to watch them get washed away not long after.

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  27. I have seen some sand castles, but none as elaborate as those. Those are amazing!

    I especially like the creepy one with all the sand people standing. wah! it's like attack of the sand.. err men? lol.

    Here's my take on the theme: El Rey(jr) visita los castillos!

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  28. Amazing pictures, well done on the unexpected interpretation of the theme :)

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  29. Sand castles are great! While not always picture perfect, there is nothing better than a child building a sand castle on the beach. Better still, nature cleans up later!

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  30. The castles are all amazing, indeed. I love your piece and the quote just makes this a post filled with awesome!

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  31. Stupendous photos! Your acrostic is great fun as well. Happy Theme Thursday!

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  32. "acrostic" --yes, that's what it is. I keep forgetting what that's called.

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  33. Reyjr ~ Oh, I totally agree! Aren't those people kinda creepy? I wonder what the thought was behind that sculpture...zombies?

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  34. Spectacular!!! What a terrific post!! And I absolutely love Thoreau's words! Brilliant take on the Thursday theme!!! Love it! ~Janine XO

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  35. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! People are so talented! I lurve this! Thanks for sharing!

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  36. Wow! you have some pretty good sculptors there! I missed this year's edition of the annual Labor Day Weekend competition we have here at Easton's Beach. I heard there were some really good ones.

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  37. Wonderful pictures. I am always amazed at how people can sculpt such things out of sand.

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  38. amazing pictures :) I actually had the pleasure of watching one on these competitions and the detail was amazing.

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  39. derailed hippo ~ you are so lucky! I'd love to watch one!

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  40. Those castles are absolutely amazing. Thanks for the pictures (and, of course, the words) Happy TT

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  41. They are amazing aren't they. I wish I knew when these events were on. I'm sure we have a regular one here in Sydney but can't for the life of me work out when it is. Beautiful!

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  42. My goodness, these are amazing! Imagine having the time and the patience to craft a sandcastle like these.

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  43. they are just extraordinary! I love the castles and the one with all the people just standing

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  44. Wow!! These are amazing!! Your project looks great as well!

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  45. great pictures. it's amazing what people can make out of sand

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