Experimental Letterpress Printmaking

This summer during the end of August, after our trip to St. Croix, I went to stay in a cute little cottage and engulf myself in a week long art class.  I did this last summer, and it was an extremely memorable experience. I had a blast and was able to integrate my learning into my own practice and my classroom. 

Last year I took a Paper Making and Encaustic class where I learned each technique and how to combine them.  This experience was just amazing!  I LOVED both techniques, separately and together. Below is an example where I made a sheet of paper, collaged images/items on top, enclosed them in another handmade piece of paper, and dipped it into melted bees wax.

Feathers and Fishnets #2

This summer I took Experimental Letterpress Printmaking.  For one, it fit the dates I could attend, second, I have been loving printmaking lately as well as using text in my work and with my students, and third, my lovely landlord is a letterpress printer and runs her own website, Briar Press.

During the week I stayed at Clove Cottages, located in High Falls.  Although I mostly just slept there, I would definitely go back, and recommend it to others!  When I arrived I was given fresh eggs from their farm, (which I ate every morning) fresh kale and cherry tomatoes; and in the room there was homemade soap in the bathroom and granola in the kitchen. These lovely touches really made it for me.  Plus the land was beautiful and the cabin was quaint and cozy.

The classes were taught at the Woman's Studio Workshop, which was not far way from the cottages.  They offer an interesting array of classes each summer.  Although I enjoyed Paper Making and Encaustic more, I did have the opportunity to experience Letterpress Printing and make a lot of art!

And make a lot of art I did.  Honestly, once I start I can not stop!  I was getting into the studio at 7am, although the class did not start until 9, and left well after it was over each day.  I was even bringing my work home with me to continue some relief carving in between...well actually to my dear friend Andrea's home, where we made dinner and bonded each night!  Below are some images of my studio space, the Press, and my work in progress.

Happy Birthday...

...to two very special men in my life!

St. Croix

My hubby and I took a summer vacation to St. Croix in August.  The water was deliciously blue, you could see directly to the bottom. The breeze was perfect, and love was in the air.

We stayed in Cottages by the Sea that were a hop, skip and jump from the water. After the first night we got upgraded (for free!) to the best cottage on the beach. This cottage had a full kitchen, surrounding windows (wonderful breeze!), a comfy king size bed... but the best part was the porch.  The amazing porch overlooking the water. The porch where you could eat, read, write and play battleship. (the cottage also had a library with books and board games!) The porch where you could breathe in the air and listen to the waves at any minute of the day or night.

There was a fantastic waterfront restaurant twenty steps away from the cottages.  When we didn't cook in our cute kitchen, we ate here at the Beachside Cafe!  We had a few dinners, a Sunday brunch and desserts!

When we weren't on the beach swimming, snorkeling, reading, napping, floating, cuddling, kayaking or basking in the sun...

 

...we read, wrote, relaxed, explored the area, went to an old plantation/ botanical garden,  listened to the waves, looked at the stars, watched the lizards, played golf (I watched!) and relaxed some more. I had never been kayaking before, and I loved it! I also really loved having a beautiful beach virtually to ourselves. We had this opportunity when we went to Tulum, Mexico in 2005, and I craved it ever since. 

I felt very lucky on this little vacation of ours.  As we approach 10 years together, I think about all the amazing places we've been and all the experiences we've shared. Rather then just a vacation, this felt more like a honeymoon.

 Love was in the air.

happy anniversary to the man I love!

a Tea Party

My  brother-in-law got engaged last summer, and is getting married this October in Saratoga Springs. In July my mother-in-law planned her son's soon to be wife a bridal shower...but this was no ordinary bridal shower.  This was a beautiful tea party!  

A tea party equipped with a tasty variety of homemade scones, cookies, quiche and tea sandwiches.  Delicious hot and cold teas, jams and jellies.  An elegant table with a combination of beautiful tea cups, saucers and plates, little flowers, candles, homemade sugar cubes, honey, rock candy and peppermint sticks.  And to top it all off, everyone wore a hat!

It was a well-done party. The bride to be and all the guests were very pleased and had a lovely and delicious time. Every detail was thoughtful and the whole experience was a memorable one!  I was extremely excited to attend a tea party, and was not disappointed.  I used to have them all the time with my stuffed animals as a kid...hello Bert and Ernie!

My love for a tea party has been rekindled, and I can't wait to have another one!  I'm planning the menu in my head right now!