Bark dropping by the basket full!

Every year the huge gum tree in my front yard sheds its bark. Some of the bark is really beautiful, so I gathered a basket full of it and first thing this morning I was breaking it into pieces, sanding the edges (it is quite thick bark) shaping the pieces, and varnishing some of them. I will have quite a collection when I am finished. More than enough to last me till next year's drop. Of course I am going to use it on the covers of some of my books. (I have not gone completely mad!) I reckon it would look nice mixed with sea shells and jute string. So those are my plans for today. Breaking up bark and loading up pictures.