Spring Dates in Rochester

Thanks for joining me today for a Spring Date Night.  If you are visiting from Susannah’s blog, Simple Moments Stick, welcome!  I love new friends.  I hope you enjoy my date night as much as I did.

Now, I realize that every month has a first Friday – as well as a second, third, and fourth - but in Rochester, NY "First Friday" means more than just the end of the first week of the month. 

First Friday is a monthly citywide gallery night that encourages collaboration between non-profit, university, and commercial art venues in Rochester, NY. This initiative showcases area artists and arts institutions by promoting the First Friday evening of each month from 6-9pm as a community night for experiencing art. First Friday ensures a healthy art scene and a healthy city through regular exchange and discussion between venues, artists and patrons. - from First Friday website

Over 25 galleries in and around the city participate.  Most galleries offer beverages including local wines or brews, and some even provide hors d'oeuvres. We even get to enjoy music by local bands and musical groups (music was provided by Bernunzios for our date).  Some months it is nearly impossible to choose, but his past Friday I knew we couldn't miss the event at Rochester Contemporary Art Center: The 6x6 Party Month Kick-Off Event.  "March is 6×6 Party Month! Join us for an evening of 6×6 artwork-making!"  More about the annual 6x6 show HERE.

We each choose a local beer from Dundee Brewing and set off to explore.  First we enjoyed learning the art of the letterpress with representatives from Printing and Book Arts Center of the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education.  They had 2 trays of stamps to choose from and 3 ink colors.  I chose some ampersands and arrows to represent my blog, tidbits & scraps.  In addition to letterpress and book arts, the Center offers classes and open studio time in photography and ceramics.  I might have to sign up!

Next we tried out block printing with Jennifer Cichello from The Art Store here in Rochester.  The printing process is like rubber stamping with large stamps which are hand-cut out of linoleum blocks.  I had hoped to cut my own, but she had prepared several linoleum blocks to print with.  Sounds like an at home date night,in the making.  We made light bulbs!  Well, we printed light bulbs.

Lastly we tried something I have never done before: encaustic painting.  Rochester Art Supply did a mini workshop using Enkaustikos Paint Sticks.  This is a very interesting technique that can be used in so many ways!  We placed a 6x6 inch metal printing plate on an electric griddle (the kind you use to make a million pancakes on Saturday mornings).  We drew on the plate with the paint sticks which melted as we drew.  When we were done, we placed a piece of paper over the plate and gently rubbed it down.  The wax soaks into the paper and we had a beautiful piece!  Here is mine.

We finished our date with a little sushi not far from the gallery at one of our faves, Shema Sushi.  If you are in Rochester and love sushi you have to try them.  We discovered this treasure when it opened about 8 years ago.  It has since moved up in the world; out of the suburban village and into the city.  There is something very comfortable and authentic about Shema.

What a night!  Check out your local art guild or museum to find out if your city has a similar event.  Even if there are not specific city wide gallery opening nights in your area, you should be able to find gallery openings about once a month anywhere. 


Looking for other spring date night ideas?  Check out Susannah's blog, Simple Moments Stick, for her upcoming post with links to some great ideas for everyone.

Happy Birthday Little Sis

Today is my little sister's birthday. For Tula Pink City Sampler: Blocks 31-40, check back tomorrow.


Abby is my best friend.  She lived with me when I was a single mom.  What a blessing she has always been to me.  I want to show you what I found for her.  Actually, I got one for both of us.

This small sterling silver heart necklace comes on a delicate sterling silver chain of 15", 16", 17" or 18".  The small charm measures 4 mm x 12 mm.  I bought this from Etsy artist Sharon from shop Bliss Trip in North Carolina. 

Like gold better?  She makes it in gold too!

Framing School Pictures: NOVICA Live Feature

Did you get you child's school photos yet?  Aren't they treasures?  Now you need a treasure to frame them with.  Here are some beauties from worldwide artisans from NOVICA Live.

Coconut Picture Frame, "Cinnamon Swirls"

"A handsome crackled finish suggests tree bark or tortoise shell. It is neither. Creating an elegant mosaic, Ketut Kartika discovers the intriguing textures of natural Balinese materials. He patiently applies cinnamon bark to coconut wood and adds a circular medallion with rings of bamboo. The resulting picture frame is original and beautiful"

Aluminum picture frame, 'Mughal Memento'

"Evoking a cherished antique, this picture frame displays a favorite 4 by 6-inch photograph. Sameer and Sunil design the photo frame, which skilled artisans carry out. Handcrafted aluminum repoussé features flourishing flowers and woven textures."

Brass picture frame, 'Royal India Heritage'

"Lavish flowers and ornate medallions adorn an opulent picture frame that recalls ancient palaces. Working in repousse, skilled artisans create a design by Sameer and Sunil. Handcrafted brass repoussé surrounds a favorite 4 by 6-inch photograph with luxury."

Marble mosaic photo frame, 'Mountain Trail'

"Evoking the myriad brown tones of the winter sierra, this picture frame comes from Vidri Arte, Mexico. Artisans work in marble mosaic, patiently placing each stone by hand. The frame stands on wrought iron legs."

Nickel and wood picture frame, 'Serpentine'

"Wittaya (Thailand) designs a photo frame of dazzling beauty, where swirling serpentines fall from florid mosaics. The illusion is captivating and enhanced by nickel's glistening texture. Carved of raintree wood, the photo frame features a glass pane for protection."

 I hope you enjoy these fabulous frames.  Your children's school pictures with shine in any of them.  My fave?  'Serpitine'  Order yours at my NOVICA Live site.

Autumn Quilt for Kelly

Here is another quilt I started years ago.  I found the pattern in a magazine (probably at Grandma's), cut it out, and saved it.  Actually, I only have the pattern part.  I don't even have the page with the actual picture of the quilt.  I knew it had been beautiful bright fall colors.

More than once Kelly had mentioned a quilt that an old friend of his had done in jewel tones that he had really liked.  I knew this was going to be his quilt right then.  I had all the pieces cut out already.  I even had the edges of the leaves turned under.  All I had to do was sew.  And sew I did.    It came together in one day.  ONE DAY!  

This is Powers Farm Market in Fairport, NY. 
We have been going here for as long as I can remember. 
So, how many corn stalks does it take to cover the teepees? 
"126,472 corn stalks to cover the tee-pees & over 5 miles of bailing twine to attach them!" 
The frames stay up all year long.
Over 1200 pumpkins are carved throughout the season to fill the teepees.

I am so glad it is autumn here so that I could get these photos. 
Thanks for your help Mom and Powers Farm Market!

Practical Scrappers January Sketch

Here is Practical Scrappers' January Sketch.

These pictures are from my best friends wedding.  Rebekah came with us and brought Po too.  I couldn't find the third picture in my box but it should go in the top place.  Papers are all from Close to My Heart Florentine Paper Pack.

Memory Monday: Our House Part 2

I'm ready to show off a few more partial pages from my house album...

dining room - our dining table and chairs were purchased by my parents before my 1st birthday so that they would have someplace for company AT my birthday party.  (that was 32 years ago)

"us" features all of the things we like to do together in our house (or near).  We watch lots of movies and do puzzles and play games.  We collect sea shells and rocks.  We read lots of books.

Memory Monday: Our House

As you may know we have been going through the crazy process of moving.  Trying to find a house, dealing with unusual sellers, finding dead squirrels during the chimney inspection, having a house bought out from under us, buyers ready to move in, and we didn't even have a house yet.  Well, we do now, at least I'm 95% sure we do.  As long as nothing else weird happens, we should be closing on the 18th (ish).  But that means I will be leaving my first house.  The first house that was mine.  My kids have been in this house as long as they can remember.  My sister even lived here with me for a few years ( that was FUN)!

I decided I wanted to create an album for us to remember our first house as a family.  I used a giant (11x14 I think) spiral bound watercolor notebook.  I wanted to have lots of space.  I hunted down any pictures that showcased any part of the house.  Here's a peek at the cover and the first few (almost done) pages.  I painted the backgrounds of most of the pages with the actual paint I used on the walls.  I also included scraps of fabrics from curtains, chairs, and blankets we love.

Cover

Outside

Living room
 here you can see the old slipcover and new recovery job I did on the couch and one of the kids' amazing train layouts.

Kitchen

What have you done to remember the places that you have lived?

Buyers & Sellers

I am a little depressed and annoyed today.  We have been looking at moving to a 

new house nearby for a few months, and we finally went forward with an offer this 

past Sunday with the expectation of a response my Monday evening.

Unfortunately, it was BINGO night so the sellers were, as a result, unable to speak 

to their lawyer.  Tuesday, the lady had a hair appointment, so that was no good either. 

(huh?)

Yesterday, we got a response.  Not a counter offer, as you might expect.  It was a list.  

That's right, a list.  Of their new requests regarding the sale.  These included, among 

other things, a HIGHER asking price.

Higher by $8000.  Who does that?!  Who does that?

Ok, I'm calm.

Anyhow, you can see why we are so frustrated.  But here's a laugh for us all...

One friend told us to counter with an even lower offer.

Another friend said to wait until the new asking price is actually listed and then 

just offer the original asking price.

Well, say a prayer, please, that Jehovah will put us where he wants us.

Quilts in Progress...Cruise Quilt

I have been sew busy in front of the sewing machine lately.  As you may know I do not even have my regular Viking at home right now.  I have been working on the featherweight that grandma gave me.  WOW!  That thing is tougher than you'd think! I have been working on 2 quilts and the plans for a third.

NUMBER ONE

 Panama Canal Cruise Quilt

In October 2001, right after the world was shocked into a fear of terrorists and flying, my Grandma Betty took me on a cruise through the Panama Canal.  Her sight had been starting to bother her and she needed someone to go with her.  She asked me to go.  It was GREAT.  We rode on the Sun Princess cruise ship.  Wow.  Long story short, I picked up 3 beautiful panels with the intention of making them into a quilt.  Grandma had made one about her cruise to Alaska a few years before.  (She's a cruise junkie!)






I had purchased coordinating fabrics not long after the trip that reminded me of the sea.  And then they waited for me.  They have been waiting for almost 11 years to be recreated into a quilt.  And now it's almost done...


Timothy helped me figure out how to make the waves look real.  Thanks buddy!  He also did quite a bit of sewing for me.  He's a pro now.  He will probably be designing his own quilts soon.  He even tries ironing and cutting but sewing is his favorite job.

My Life May Challenge at Paper Coterie

My life right now is mostly about playing with my kids.  

Here is Rebekah in a tent that has a train going through it.

Check out the May Challenge over at Paper Coterie.

They have the cutest tag books.  I made one for my son.

(I would post it but it has his friend in it too, and I don't have his mom's permission.)

 

They are also offering $15 off your purchase with this code: 

GIFTFAVES

30th Birthday Book

Another flashback project: My 30th Birthday Book. (My 30th birthday was November 2009) Oh well, here it goes. I made each layout for something that was significant in my life.


my husband and our marriage


my kids


my faith


what I wanted to be when I grew up


my depression


women who changed my life
my mom, my grandma Betty, my sister, Heather, Rebekah, Anne Shirley, Sheila Walsh, Jo March, Laura Ingals Wilder, Juliette Gordon Low, Laura my college roommate
"We look for visions of heaven, and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace people...around us." Oswald Chambers


my travels
includes envelope full of postcards from places I have been


my collections
dolls, dollhouses, postage stamps, pennies, crosses, elephants, nativities, photos of post offices, buttons, scouting memorabilia


my friends for tea
many of my friends completed small cards with their name and a memory about us