Poetry Night Live!, Delaware's Poet Laureate & Delaware Made - Nov 30, 2010

Poetry Night Live!:  An artful event that signifies that Delaware Has Poets.
The Organization, Holly Branch of National Pen Women and Delaware's - Kent County Public Library sponsored a poetry event.   I, as the president, worked with our county Library since June to produce this literary event.  I was happy to introduce Jo Ann Balingit, Delaware's Poet Laureate, and Linda Blaskey, Delaware's great award winning poet, with achievements from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. Jo Ann was appointed by our previous Governor.  It was interesting to learn about her job and why poetry is important to all of us.  It was a delightful evening with all poets bringing forth a story behind each poem, which makes the reading so personal.  Many participants signed up in advance to read their poetry.  It was a wonderful evening that we shall repeat. 

Maria Bessette, N Taylor Collins, K M Hammond, Linda Blaskey & Jo Ann Balingit

Poetry Night Live, Nov 16

I really appreciate the creativity of the writers who sometimes bare their soul to read their special compositions.  It is a wonderful way of expressing one's self.  Thank you to all writers and our community library in allowing us to focus on a very special creativity experience.

Jo Ann Balingit, Delaware's Poet Laureate

Poetry Night Live!

Dover, DE



The Pen Women are sponsoring more programs with Kent County Public Library in 2011. Stay tuned for great literary events for writers and the public. 

The Floorcloth Production Continues:  You might be aware of 2 demonstrations I have given regarding " Creating Floorcloths."  In keeping with a path that has been opened to me, I  will be showing and demonstrating this traditional craft several more times in the local area of Dover, DE.  Downtown Dover promotes artists and its mainstreet the first Friday of each month.  This Friday, December 3rd, I will fbe the featured artist and demonstrate this craft at Dover's "Delaware Made" Gift Shop".  A great place to purchase gifts and items made by Delaware Artisans and gifts with a Delaware theme.  Tom Smith is the shop owner and has a great business which has withstood the test of time. The quality of the items are great and Tom is a very personable business owner.  Hats off to this great Small Business.  See you there on Friday, December 3.  I will be working on a Delaware theme floorcloth complete with Blue Hens, Peach Blossoms, Lady Bugs and Holly Trees. There will be festive fair there and all over town. 

Maria Holding Her Original Stencil

Floorcloth Demonstration, Dover Art League



I have also committed to  demonstrate this craft at the Annual Farmers Christmas held at the Delaware Agricultural Museum on Saturday, December 4th, 2 - 6 pm.  It will be a great day with lots of activities for the family.  At night the Village will be lit and the buildings open to tour and see what the Christmas Village Life was all about.  Many crafts for kids, demonstrations for adults and light refreshments.  It was an annual event my sons, now in their late thirties loved to partake in "back in the day."

 If you are curious, yes we have a floorcloth production center at our home.  I love challenges and designing floorcloths gives me the chance to do just that.  I focus on traditional historical colors and adapt patterns that I like.  The sky is the limit and my basement studio is a testament to all that is possible in the creative life of an artist.  


Love to all & welcome December!

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Maria L B

Creating Natural Laundry Soap - Sept 29, 2010

Maria's Natural Laundry Soap:   I love all things green, eco friendly, natural and organic.  But who can create their own natural laundry soap and not pay those high prices?  Who also has just purchased a new low sudsing washer?  Since I produce the old time lye & lard soap many older customers request I can also create a laundry soap very similar to "Ivory Snow", but is 100 % pure.  Using grated soap, washing soda and borax powder, Coastal Cottage Soaps produces a great laundry soap without detergents and other additives.  I have been wanting to share this product with you:

Natural Laundry Soap Ingredients

Maria's Coastal Cottage Laundry Soap

Artful Images:    The Fine Art Exhibit is hung and on display.  The exhibit catalog listing is completed along with art identification cards which are display next to each painting.   The Show Looks Great!!  I can't wait for it to be judged by our art professional.   I am creating official ballots whereby all visitors can vote for their favorite pics for the People's Choice Awards.  Votes will be tallied and those awards will be presented on on Oct 26.

I wish you all visit the exhibit.  Here is a glimpse of the Food, Farm & Foliage Fine Art Exhibit, sponsored by the Holly Branch of American Pen Women, currently on display at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, Dover, DE.  Our fine artists are from across the Delmarva Peninsula.  The exhibit opens Friday, October 1.

Maria & her painting:   "Vegetables on a Windowsill"

N. Taylor Collins, past NLAPW Pres & Holly Branch Secretary

 and her painting:  "Fading"

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More to do tomorrow so we must part.  Until then,

Maria L B





An Artful Weekend, Sept 17 & 18, 2010

Lovely Lavender Olive Oil Soap

Maria's Most Popular Handcrafted Soap

This aromatic soap will take you to your own lavender field.  The stress relieving qualities of this lavender soap in addition to the great sudsy lather will make you a repeat customer

http://coastalcottagesoaps.com/AromatherapySoaps.aspx

Artists Submit Entries:  Saturday, a day artists are submitting entries for the Food, Farm & Foliage Exhibit sponsored by the Holly Branch of the American Pen Women (of which I am Pres).  Waiting for the entries at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and talking with fellow artist members is always special.  Subject matter like our latest framing nightmare, and will our paintings dry in time is the buzz.  The essence of being with other artists and discussing where we create and how we create is good for the creative soul.  Meeting the artists submitting their entries does make all the work of coordinating an exhibit worthwhile.  Answering questions about pricing their and framing their pieces along with boosting the self-confidence of the new artist is a very worthwhile part of supporting creativity. And when an artist thanks you for organizing such an exhibit that the public can enter.   I am amazingly humble.  Thanks to them for wanting to be a part of this creative world.   

Time to Finish:  It is another great day of sunshine and as I was inside the museum's South Gallery most of the day.   To soak up the sunshine I carted all my paints, tabletop easel and supplies upstair to the porch.  Wow, natural sunlight to paint by.  How good is that?  So I worked and  worked to almost finish the painting, "Vegetables on a Windowsill".  It is looking pretty good. Stay tuned!

The Framing, Part 1:  I usually frame my paintings and matted prints with gold finished gallery frames which is sort of a trade mark.  2 weeks ago while walking Winston, I noticed a wonderful large barnboard frame appeared by a neighbor's home for trash pick up.  I went back and carried it home to add to my frame collection.  I new my husband, the magnificent wordworker, could use it to make a frame or two.  Last week I asked nicely  if he could infact cut it down and make a frame for one of the paintings I have been working on with a deadline he could handle.  Stay tuned!

Tomorrow's Dessert:  My husband has asked his daughter over for Sunday dinner and a movie.  (Maybe they will watch Julia & Julie.)  My chef is preparing:  BrocaelI with all natural ingredients.  I volunteered to handle dessert.  Searching through my many recipes as well as on-line I though a light carrot cake would work.  Light because I have been indulging in too much yummy food lately.   The recipe calls for carrot juice in addition to grated carrots.  A great purpose for the my juicer appliance used only twice in 5 years  Here is the Weight Watchers recipe and image of my creation of Weight Watchers Carrot Cake with a Lemon  Glaze:

http://signup.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=218901

Maria's Creation of

Weight Watchers Carrot Cake with a Lemon Glaze

16 servings, 3 points each