Well....for those of you who have been following my progress as a painter...the Fall Art House was held this past Saturday. Becks and I had a wonderful turn-out...lots of new people came through the house and we had valuable feedback. And both Becks and I had really good sales. (BIG SMILES) and we both have been commissioned to do some custom items. (Another BIG smile!)
But the absolute best thing that happened on Saturday is that I got to meet two of my favorite bloggers...Tracy, from Ms. Bake-It and Becky, from Beachsnaps (and Abbeystyle). I cannot believe that they came over...driving more than an hour to see my art. Thank you so much, dear ladies!!!!!
Yesterday, I had two speaking engagements...both were very successful. The first group, I demonstrated how easy it is to make a fall wreath. The demonstration and talk was well received. And...I was asked to teach this skill to a group of wonderful women. (the start of a new business?)
This is the "5 minute wreath" Idemonstrated. This photo shows the wreath as a centerpiece...
Last night, I spoke at another ladies group...all Greek! They were so welcoming and loved the presentation on tablescaping...
For this table...I love using burlap as a table covering for a fall table...or BBQ. I usually pull threads to "fringe" the ends and use the selvage (is that the correct term? I do not sew!) for the sides. The table runner is my favorite...one of Becky's creations. (I bought it!!!). The base of the centerpiece is a piece of wood I found in the garage about an hour before I had to leave for the talk. I quickly "stained" it with watered down acrylic paint and a chip brush. The grain of the wood is highlighted...The gourds are some I found last fall at Mark's Melon Patch in Dawson, GA. (http://artfullygraced.blogspot.com/2009/10/gourd-jus-centerpiece.html).
The fall leaves...well, we live in FL, where fall happens in December and January. So I have to use silk leaves from JoAnn's and Michael's. The candlesticks are those gaudy green ones I found at Steinmart last year...and PAINTED (burnt umber and mars black )!!! Plates are from Ross. Chargers are from WalMart. The napkins are actually tea stained white napkins. Take a good look at the table runner...the original photo did not do it justice. Now...do you see why I loved it so much?
(Note the pillow on the antique rocker...that's one of my painted pillows...it rests on the porch bench all summer.)
I am so blessed...I made new friends, met many wonderful women, shared my passions, and even earned some money.
Thank you, all my dear blog friends, for your encouragement and prayers. I am finally READY to take my paintings to the next level...
Hugs to all of you...
Jane
***I am posting this on Between Naps on the Porch...Susan's Tablescape Thurday Blog. Be sure to visit Susan and see all the wonderful tablescapes this week.
20 comments:
I really love your centerpiece! SO Fall like even for Florida! I too have to get all my Fall color from Michaels or Hobby Lobby as I live in Arizona!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Its nice to meet you!
RaineyGhoul!
Love the colors in your table runner. Thanks for stopping by my Shabby Shriek tablescape! Happy Halloween!!
Hi Jane,
I totally ADORED meeting you last Saturday...it was easily well worth the trip...fun to be able to see you in your home surrounded by your paintings!!!! It leaves me with a sense of place when I read your blog now. Plus, I'm enjoying the new quilted baskets and my fish painting! And, thanks for being so thoughtful to my husband while I was there!
I'm so looking forward to the blogger meet-up Shellbelle talks about...
So happy to hear that the Art House went well! Congrats on the sales and the commissions! I do love that table runner, and your centerpiece is just lovely. How fun that you got to meet up with some blogging buddies, what a great weekend. Kat
Oh my talented friend. To hear of your success feels like my own!
Love ya!
Love Love Love the pears! Great ideas. Some on by and say Hi
Oh I love the idea of burlap as a tablecloth. I have even seen burlap in red or green which would be nice a well. I am getting so many wonderful ideas here!
Lovely ideas! How nice that you got to share your talents with two groups in one day!
Congratulations on your painting success!!! Great centerpiece!
Congrats on everything, Jane!
Love your fall wreath! Your gourds look great on that lovely runner. Congrats on your good sales :-)
Really like your paintings. Your are doing a very nice job. Best wishes with this venture. I also love your wreath and your centerpiece. I really like the gourds. They remind me of the kind mine grandparents grew. Your Crescent Beach is in a very familiar area to me. Grew up going to Flagler beach a lot. Grandparent and mother born there. Went to St. Augustine, shell shops on the coast,the fountain of youth founded by Ponce de Leon, and a lot of other places. Love to visit old FL landmarks. Thanks for stopping by.
Sherry
Whoa Babeeee!! You are on your way!!! I'll be glad to be able to say..."Yeah, I knew her back before she was famous!" So proud for you...that you're finding your mojo and being so successful! mwah!
Now, let's see how far that mojo goes when your dogs take on my tigers in a few weeks!!!! Haha!!
bwahahahahahahahahha...I had a friend over looking at your artwork with me when I made my comment. Guess what SHE is? A Georgia bullDOG.....guess I had dogs on my mind when I talked about your guys!!!
But hey!! Come on now....looks like we'll be going head to head next week....both undefeated! Uh-oh! I say we make a bet!! Ya'll win, I send you a photograph of the swamp..we win..I get a little bitty piece of art!!!!!
Heheheheheheheheheh....how's that for raising the stakes?!!
So happy that all is going well with you! How nice to be teaching crafting to groups of women....fun!!!!
I am glad you are taking it to the next level, glad we can all be here to encourage you too.
So proud of you for pursuing your painting dream! I figured out that I'm an artist when I was forty...wouldn't have wanted to jump out there too early. Thank you for sharing the charming designs from your presentations. Cherry Kay
Is the pelican your work? He's adorable! Perhaps a local restaurant would hang your pieces (with price tags, of course.) They get revolving art, you get exposure & sales.
Oh, I'm so happy that Becky and Tracy made it for your art House. Boo hoo that I was stuck here!
Love all your paintings, but the Shy Flamingo is my fav, so glad to hear you and your friend both did so well! Congrats, but then, I had no doubt.
I'm going to email you about the meet-up.
Hugs! I've missed you also!!!!!!
Hello Jane,
I am so glad I was finally able to meet you in person. I enjoyed both of my visits with you. You have a lovely home and I totally enjoyed my tour and seeing all your wonderful artwork. I love the pups! I am thrilled with the art I bought for myself and my DIL as well as the lovely table runner I bought from Becky. I will let you know in advance when I create a post showing it off.
Your tablescape looks great! I love that runner!
I am so happy that you have decided to take your work to the next level.
Hugs,
Tracy
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