Zentangle

I recently took an art class where we learned the art of Zentangle.

Raku, Jewelry Making, Kissing Ball, and Water Color....

I've been in a crafty mood lately....read on to see what I have made in local workshops during the past few weeks....

Everson Art Museum and the Festival of Trees and Lights

This year I hand painted 15 glass ornaments for my tree submission for the Everson Museum's Festival of Trees and Lights:

The Everson Museum and the Drag Docents

The Everson Museum & Breadcrumbs Productions joined forces Thursday night and presented guided tours of Tim Atseff: Final Edition and Sascha Brastoff: California King at the Museum.  Two drag docents celebrated the exciting intersections of contemporary art and the world of drag, leading a unique and educational experience, along with Garth Johnson, Curator of Ceramics.

The Everson Museum Festival of Trees and Lights

The Everson Art Museum in Syracuse, NY has a yearly holiday event/fundraiser called the Festival of Trees and Lights.  I have participated for over 30 years with a donation of a decorated tree, garland or holiday decor.  

The week after Thanksgiving is "decorating time" and/or drop off.  I recruited a few friends this year to decorate trees with items donated by a friend, in memory of her sister, Carol, who decorated many trees for the Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghampton, NY in years past.  

10 on the 10th - Easter Napkins...and a GIVEAWAY!

Here is an easy craft for your spring dinner table:

I bought 2 white napkins at our local dollar store for 2/$1.00.....

....and I painted each one with a bunny....

....using acrylic paints....

....once acrylic paints dry on cotton fabric...

...the paint will adhere well to the fibers and will not wash out - think "painter's pants"!  

The bunny painted on the napkins was inspired by Jenna @ The Painted Apron....

....who is a very talented artist!  This bunny is quickly painted with 3 strokes and a few dabs for a tail, with a few polka dots!

The napkins can be tucked into napkin rings (these are both from the 1920's, both engraved with the date), 

....and one has initials engraved on the backside!

OR

you can tuck the napkins into a water glass....

...or lay them flat:

They are machine washable and only cost 50 cents and a few dabs of paint to create - easy peasy!

If you would like a chance to win these napkins...leave me a comment below and I will randomly choose a winner on the 15th!

Hop over to see what my blogging friends created for under $10.00:

+Cindy - Cloches & Lavender

+Tammy - Patina & Paint

+Terrie - Decorating & More With Tip

+Corrine - Junk to Gems

+Patti - Pandora’s Box You are HERE!

Don't forget to leave a comment to have a chance to win this giveaway:

UPDATE:

Congrats to Jennifer:

Everson Museum Festival of the Trees Preview Gala

I have been donating a tree or two yearly to the Everson Museum Festival of the Trees for about 20 years.  Some have been large, some small and some my Child Psychology students created when I was teaching.  It is just something I have enjoyed throughout the years and the money raised during the 10 days of the festival and the sale of the trees helps the Museum.

The Preview Gala was a held Thursday night. 

Tobey and I enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, wine and music in the lobby....

...and then we toured the three floors of trees, and holiday decor scattered throughout the Museum

My little "Grinch" tree , with a handmade tassel was displayed here:

There were many trees, and these really caught my eye:

We met designer Thom Felicia:

 Tobey's sled (center) was on display with other unique holiday items....

...and I think this year the wreaths were my favorite:

This is a tradition I look forward to every year!!

DIY 3 Stacked Book Challenge....

The challenge this month from Decorate More With Tip was to create a "3 stack book decor".  


I like to create useful items, so I created a hidden storage box:





Can you find it?

I took a cardboard magazine storage box from Ikea and 3 books...

I removed the spine and cover of the books, but then found out they were too wide for the magazine box, so I found a thinner book!

I cut the magazine box shorter than the book spines...

...and then glued the spines onto the box, keeping one side of the two books that would cover the side of the box:

It was as easy as that!

The box is all set to be placed a book shelf to hide items such as jewelry, money, passport, important papers, etc.

If you were a burglar, would you think to look here?

Visit these other creative bloggers to see how they met the challenge:

Olympic Nest

JessicaBSimmons

Decorate and More with Tip

Sheri Martin Interiors

The Taborhood

The Barnhouse Mess

Hey it's Hod

Sweet Southern Grace

Blue Sky at Home

This Full Life 5

Thanks for stopping by!

Rachel Cordaro - and a giveaway....

I have been drawn to the art work of Rachel Cordaro for quite a while and was fortunate recently to meet her in person.

Rachel describes herself as a "floral paintress".  Her paintings first caught my eye because many of the paintings of flowers have black and white vases incorporated into her work!  Some are funky, whimsical and playful and are all full of color!

The first time I saw her work in person was at Parkleigh in Rochester, where her work is still being sold.

She also has a booth at the Shops on West Ridge, a treasure trove of over 200 shops all under one roof!

Some of her paintings have been transformed into textiles, prints and onto greeting cards.

 Her newest venture includes glazed pottery tableware:

When I met Rachel I found her to be delightful.  She and her husband, who is also an artist, have studios in their home.  You can read her bio HERE and visit her blog HERE.

Her pillow covers, tablecloths and table runners are just stunning.  She gave me one of her tablecloths to incorporate into a table setting. The tablecloths are of excellent quality, 70" round and 100% polyester and are reasonably priced.

Here are a few ways I have used my new "watercolor" tablecloth (my favorite pattern, and you all know how much I love watercolor prints!!):

Lunch for Two:

My hand painted wine glasses picked up the colors in the tablecloth:

The colors are so rich and vibrant:

Setting a simple table helps to highlight the fabric....

....and simple floral napkin rings and the flowers on the dish coordinate well with the print!

Decorated for Easter:

Easter Brunch for Four:

 "I am a floral paintress and it is my passion to bring to you a custom mix of dreamy flowers with rich colors"  Rachel Cordaro

All of the colors from my Taylor pattern in the MacKenzie-Childs ceramics coordinate well with this tablecloth, too!

"Artists can be a little short on words, but an audience is pulled toward confidence and when it sees that in our painting, it pulls them in. We love what we do, and that confidence shines through on the canvas. We just want to create something beautiful.”

— RACHEL CORDARO

Impromptu Happy Hour with friends:

As you can see, the tablecloth has been used quite a bit in the last 2 weeks and it still looks brand new!

Everyday:

The hubs thought it was OK to read the Sunday paper on the dining room table because the kitchen table was set for company dinner:

It always feels good to bring flowers indoors!!

Thanks, Rachel for this lovely gift!

Would you like a chance to win a painting, a table runner and a pillow cover?

Go HERE for the rules and good luck!

Contest ends on May 11th

I hope you will visit her shop, Parkleigh, or some of the events she will be participating in:

Here are her upcoming events in The Rochester, NY area:

Cordell & Rachel pop-up Shop at Parkleigh

• Saturday, May 4, 2019  11:00 AM  4:00 PM

Fairport Canal Days June 1-2

• Sat, Jun 1, 2019 10:00 AM  Sun, Jun 2, 2019 5:00 PM

Corn Hill Art Festival July 13-14

• Sat, Jul 13, 2019 10:00 AM  Sun, Jul 14, 2019 5:00 PM

Webster Waterfront Art Festival July 27-28

• Sat, Jul 27, 2019 10:00 AM  Sun, Jul 28, 2019 5:00 PM

Sonnenberg Arts at the Gardens August 17-18

• Sat, Aug 17, 2019 10:00 AM  Sun, Aug 18, 2019 5:00 PM

Clothesline Festival September 7-8

• Sat, Sep 7, 2019 10:00 AM  Sun, Sep 8, 2019 5:00 PM

Artist Row at the Public Market September 15th.

Sunday, September 15, 2019  10:00 AM  4:00 PM

RMSC Holiday Bazaar November 22-24

Fri, Nov 22, 2019 5:00 PM  Sun, Nov 24, 2019 4:00 PM

Potter Barn Pop-up Shop benefiting St. Jude Children's Hospital

Saturday, November 24, 2018 11:00 AM  2:00 PM

Sharing with Tablescape Thursday