How to Ice-Dye: a Gypsy Theories Blog Post

With the upcoming Strawberry Festival and all the ice-dyeing I did to sell at our booth, I thought I should link to a tutorial post on Ice-Dyeing (or Snow-Dyeing) I wrote over on one of my other blogs; Gypsy Theories.  Here's the link if you are interested:

Snow Dyeing...

Here's some sneak peaks from that blog:

(Photos by Alex Whatton, 2014)

Hope you enjoy the post and we really hope to see you at the Cheshire, CT Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 14, 2014!  Click HERE for more information.

<3 Alex

PS: Here's a sneak peak for the Festival:

(Photo by Alex Whatton, 2014)

colored pencil earrings

i think i will *mostly* let the photos speak for themselves, but i will definitely list our delicious menu!  (and yes, it included pez...)

 

 menu :

bellini's + wine

prosciutto-wrapped greens w/ a dressing

lamb coconut curry over rice

spicy daal w/ naan

roasted vegetables

handmade fried fishcakes

*various sauces + chutneys were passed*

carrot cake

(the ramekin contained a little dairy-free version that robin made for me and benj - so sweet of her and delicious, oh my gosh delicious!)

cola, raspberry-lemon, + strawberry PEZ

(because why not? and gabrielle visited the Pez Factory in Orange, CT, haha!)

. . . c o l o r e d   p e n c i l   e a r r i n g s . . .

 matboard lovingly cut and punched in pairs

 gina's creation begins

 gabrielle's whole process is a work of art

 robin's faces were showstoppers

 my photo does not do justice of jessica's ombre work

(see finished photos at bottom)

 joan's landscape on one side / faces on the other...i love seeing the inspiration next to the work

 denise's beautiful pair were inspired by venetian glass
. . .

and here they are!!!

 i am newly addicted

 (see what i mean about robin's faces?!)

 

another wildly successful wine art wednesday

a big thank you to rita for teaching the workshop and preparing all of the materials - it was a blast - and i'm terribly sorry about speaking over you that time, haha, what was going on?! and also to donna for hosting, all of the chefs and you girls for being you girls...i love you!

and in the conversation that i *can* repeat :

- check out quarterly.co because jessi is subscribed to cool hunting (and their website here) and just received an awesome bag in their latest shipment. donna has just subscribed to "food + home" and we are all excitedly waiting for their first shipment.

- the arts council of greater new haven is accepting submissions for their "to the t" exhibit

- and i know i missed a bunch of great conversation when i brought benj home for grandpa to babysit him, but maybe you girls can remind me in the comments.

i especially loved all of the new ideas flying around for what to do next.  we will never be at a loss for what to do and that makes me happier than anything else.

oh wine art, how i have missed you.  it was great to be back!

xoxo,

alex

p.s. : dear kind visitor, if you have made it this far, please let us know what you are enjoying (or not) in the comments below!  also, would you like us to sell hand-painted earrings on etsy?  thank you in advance!

Cannoli. That's All I Need to Say.

So sad...possibly my last Wine Art Wednesday for awhile...I am 27 weeks (and entering my third trimester) tomorrow!!!  Eeep!  And the two-hour drive twice a week is starting to take its toll.  I might just have to Skype from NJ to be involved every week.  Good thing it was a great one for me to end on (for the time being)!!!  

Artists: 

Alex (that's me!), Audrey, Denise, Donna, Jen, Joan, Jocelyn, Lauren, & Marjon!

Menu:

 

Appetizers:

Guacamole (Joan)

Artichoke & Cheese Dip (Joan)

& Chips, of course! (Thanks Jocelyn!)

 

Mains:

Two types of delicious Lasagna (Audrey)

 

Desserts:

Cannolis and Zeppoli/Creme Puffs from Del Prete in Bridgeport, CT

(Thank you SO MUCH Lauren & Marjon!)

(Food photos are always taken AFTER we dig-in! ;)

 

 

And it was definitely an evening of fine quotes:

"It shouldn't be Google.  It should be Ask Donna...she knows it all!" ~ Joan...and I think she's definitely right!

"Luck of the bottle" ~ Marjon telling us that the last glass of wine from the bottle is called this in the Netherlands, where she is from.  (I wonder if I took the last sip from the bottle if that luck would be good for the baby or me?!)

"I will try anything...twice."  ~ Me  "Sometimes the first is a fluke." ~ Lauren, as usual, knowing exactly how to finish my thought when I can't even think straight!  (And, so very true!)

"The kid in you should have seen it...haha, wait, there IS a kid in you!" ~ Jen to pregnant me.

"Wait, Johnny Depp is...available?!" ~ Jen, when we got on to the subject of celebrity divorces due to the recent news explosion surrounding Seal and Heidi...so sad.  Joan and I thought they were going to make it!  I was shocked by Ashton and Demi too, but what do I know?!  Because I certainly don't know any of these people!!!  Then, "I'd like him as a son-in-law!" ~ Audrey (already happily married, you see!)

"You get to that weird middle stage in art where you hate it...it's like middle school."  ~ Jocelyn on the facts of art.  Whenever you are painting, drawing, whatever, just prepare yourself for that middle time period of BLAH.  We all know it!

"OH...MY...GOD." ~ me, after eating a very-illegal-to-her-dairy-free-diet-but-so-freaking-worth-it cannoli.  Seriously, Del Prete, I am glad I live in NJ...that was heavenly!  (At least for the part that I was eating it...)

Okay, apologies, that was a lot of quotes and I bet there were many more that I was laughing too hard to write down.  How about a few process photos?

(Think it's time for a new tablecloth?  It works so well, but the colors always clash with our paintings!  Maybe we should paint it?!)

We also talked about the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), which Lauren is exhibiting (our favorite) HopeClips and Donna is visiting to see what's new this week.  (I told Lauren that I HAVE to remember to bring my HopeClip to the hospital when I go in to labor...the nurses will LOVE it and how perfect for hospital gift shops?!  You can lie back comfortably and get all of your hair out of your face in a chic way!  Now, to remember it when I am pulling out my hubby's own hair that day...)  I digress, sorry...we talked about NYIGF because if you are running a booth, you have about 30 seconds to sell your product to the buyers.  It is such a huge show, that buyers usually run through with a list and if you are new, you've got that 30 seconds their stride takes them to get past your booth.  (I volunteered with Lauren one year and she taught me SO much about running a business.  That girl is not only the sweetest, most intelligent, quick-witted girl...she is a wonderful entrepreneur!  Take notes, dear reader!)  She and Donna (who has been to many trade shows as a Buyer) both agreed that you have to really know your customer.  Which probably explains why we all want each others' paintings by the end of each night!

Audrey was squirting paint on to her canvas (to prime it/put down the base coat) and I loved how it looked on its own!

We said "let it dry (for a month) and then MOMA will buy it!"  Joan added "just say you sneezed!  It'll be worth millions!"  I guess it was our little commentary on how art is always in the eye of the beholder and is really like wine.  You have to look/try a lot of different things to find out what really makes you happy / makes you feel great!

Speaking of making you happy...Pretty Woman and My Big Fat Greek Wedding are movies that we all agreed make us happy.  If you turn on your TV to see what's on and you find one of those, you will inevitably watch it from whatever point it is at...and laugh...and smile...and be happy!  Life is good.

One of the girls started laughing and told us the story of finding lumps in her breasts when she was a teenager.  "Laughing?" you ask?  Yes, because she was watching TV when something prompted her memory, maybe a news brief or a part of a show, and she remembered that her girlfriends told her that you are supposed to check your own breasts for lumps in between appointments.  (Read here for how to do it ladies, it is important!)  So she did...in her living room, while she was watching TV, and found quite a few!  After telling her mother, they went straight to the Doctors' office and then in to surgery and had some removed.  She was laughing because it all happened so suddenly and all while these two girlfriends were traveling all over Europe, and she had to stay home because she couldn't afford the trip.  She said "now I'll have a story for them when they get back!"  And also, still can't believe how quickly she was rushed in to surgery without tests at that time.  Now she knows that they are actually fibrous cysts.  This made two of the other girls laugh and they looked at each other and laughed harder realizing that they were thinking the same thing!  They both had them as well, and there first times at the OB-GYN (yes, both of them and again, as teens) told their Doctors that they had Cystic fibrosis and both Doctors had quickly corrected them and luckily, explained to them the difference so they didn't make the same mistake again!  What are the chances?  The world really is smaller than we realize and we all have so much in common and share experiences.

Okay, I have truly typed my fingers off today!  If you made it this far, then WOO!  You are seriously a true Wine Art Wednesdays fan and it is time for you to start your own weekly session with your best friends!  Email me at WineArtWednesdays@gmail.com if you have any questions on how to get started.  We love to share the passion and fun!

<3 Alex and the Wine Art Girls

P.S. We discussed future painting ideas.  Maybe a poll is in order?  We thought of sushi, lobster, coffee-themed, personalized paintings, and a few more.  Any ideas, readers/fellow bloggers and artists?  And also, please forgive us if our timing is a bit off in the next few weeks.  Since I won't be in CT to take part, it may be that the blog isn't live by Friday and/or the paintings aren't listed by Monday, but we will do our best!  To us, it is more about being together than anything else and we hope to not disappoint any fellow believers!!!

...the paintings...

 (Most of these will be posted for sale on our Etsy.)

(Some of these are not quite finished!)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Blue Chickens

Wine Art Wednesday... our weekly art/wine therapy session was in full swing with seven returning attendees: Joan, Naty, Audrey, Jen, Denise, Gina, (and me; Lauren) and we welcomed a first timer at this week's get together as well, Marjon. While a newbie to the group, she certainly was no newbie to art-- she is a great artist! Her website is www.babyroompaintings.com. Within minutes she was part of our family and was regaling us with stories of the Netherlands, where she is originally from. (Like indoor skiing and snowboarding facilities that are there! How cool!) When asked what brought her to live in the US, she explained that she was only intending to visit, but then fell in love, and now is married and living in Connecticut!  This sparked conversations about international living and we traded stories about the process of getting interviewed to prove you're really married when getting a green card in the US. In Marjon's case it was easy, she explained that she showed them e-mail history for years and countless pictures of their wedding and all their adventures together and explained that the interviewer basically took one glance at them and knew they were the real deal--haha!

For dinner, Naty prepared an amazing split pea soup and paella. My mouth is watering just remembering how good they both were! 

(Photos courtesy of Gina!)

On the topic of food, we talked about how they say you can change your tastes within 12 times of tasting something--So let's say for example if you originally don't like a food, it's said you can learn to like it if you continue to try it and each time tell yourself "yum! this is delicious!" This sparked stories of interesting foods we've eaten when traveling. Naty said she really enjoys eating authentic cuisine when traveling, and we all agreed. Naty and Marjon shared experiences of eating raw herring in the Netherlands.  Joan told us of blue chicken.... Apparently, a chicken whose skin is actually blue?! We had to look this up to see for ourselves:

 (taken from = http://www.eatingclubvancouver.com)

(Image courtesy of http://www.fowlvisions.com/)

We also talked about "aquavit"-- and thought it would be a good question to post on the blog. Does anyone out there know what "acquavit" is exactly? None of us knew!

Later in the evening, when Jen complimented my skirt, I started demo-ing how it actually could be worn as 4 different dresses, 3 different skirts, a shawl, a cape, etc.... the options are endless! I was actually wearing this amazing wrap by Angelrox, a designer in Brooklyn  (www.angelrox.com) 

Some quotes of the evening: "double fisting sangria" ... "mmmm beet water" .... "I don't have ice cream, but I have goat's milk or sour cream!"

xoxo,
Lauren

BCards Have Arrived!

 
Oh Zazzle, I love you dearly - these are perfect!  (Girls, I'll give 'em out next time I see you!)

<3 Alex

Pulled Pork and Drunk History

Another Friday, another WAW passed!  This week we were at Rita's house for the first time and we had 9 women!  (Alex - that's me!, Audrey, Denise, Gabrielle - first time, Gina, Jen, Joan - pronounced JoAnne, Lauren - first time, and Rita!  We also realized that I've never mentioned that there are a few mother/daughters at our WAW...we're all one big family now, though!)  Okay, so we started off the meal with an appetizer from Cocoa Shak - yeah, I told you, we're big fans - chocolate and caramel covered apples:

OMG - amazing!  (And I don't care if I sound like a teenager when I say it!)  This photo was clearly taken after we had a bit of them - hahaha.  Hey, I'm pregnant, I could live on these...

Link Love: Cocoa Shak, Cheshire, CT

Rita cooked an amazing pulled-pork (hopefully a recipe will follow in the comments! ;), asian-flavored veggies, coleslaw, which I unfortunately didn't try since I'm dairy-free and forgot to ask what was in it (sorry Rita!), and fresh bread!

(Thank you Jen for being a lovely hand/plate model!)

And then amongst the paints and wine bottles you may be able to see some of the delicious desserts we were spoiled by!  (No, starting with chocolate/caramel apples was NOT enough!)  Al made us a delectable lemon cake and Lauren brought her warm cookie-brownies - oh wow, we eat well at WAW.

I was so sleepy from present-wrapping the night before that I forgot to take photos during the painting process, other than this "diffusing light test."  [Lauren saw a photo on Pinterest - basically, if your flashes are making your photos looks a bit yellow or have too strong of a shadow, you take a piece of paper (I used a standard white paper plate since it was handy) and hold it at an angle in front of the flash, but obviously not covering the lens.  I used about a 45 degree angle with the light hitting the ceiling.  Can you see the difference between the one on the left (a little yellow and some harsh shadows) and the one on the right (much softer, diffused light)?!  I am a huge fan of this new little trick!  (Here's an example I found on Pinterest - you can hold it though, like I did, if you don't have a fancy clip!)]

Source: itworksforbobbi.com via Melissa on Pinterest

 

It was another night of beautiful conversation (this is what WAW is all about!).  We talked about adopting cats and never knowing what happened to them before we loved them.  Lauren told us to always keep a gown and heels in our cars so that we are always ready for a night of spontaneity (yes, she really used them for a yacht dance randomly in Annapolis one lovely evening!).  We also wondered if Tony is pulling our legs by telling us that there used to be a "Barcelona Key-master" when he lived in Spain.  (Told via Joan.)  Apparently, he would take your apartment keys whilst you went out drinking so you didn't lose them.  He would walk around the city singing so that you could find him and get your keys when you wanted to go home again.  (Does anyone else remember this?!)  And then we have another joke that we loved:

**A mother was talking with me about the blog and labels and how it works in Google.  I was completely impressed by what she was asking and her complete understanding of it and apparently so was the rest of the table, including her daughter, who said: "What?  You've had some wine and now you understand the internet?"  Hehe - yes - then they proceeded to tell us about Drunk History.  Yes again!**

We also discussed favorite movies, which ranged from It's a Wonderful Life (Joan) to Wayne's World (Gabrielle) and so many more that I can't believe I forgot...  We watched a bit of Drunk History on YouTube and also cats attempting jumps they never make and babies-laughing-at-ripped-paper videos.  And then lastly we talked about how we can never come up with names for our paintings at the end of the night!

A few great quotes from Gina: "The worst drunk is a moving one" (after discussing a story from college when Lauren was trying to find me in Manhattan as I bar-hopped) and "not everything has to be grounded" (talking about how my spools are floating in my painting, but realizing that it is a great quote to think on...).  So true, so great, I love WAW.

We're hoping that you, lovely reader, are starting to understand exactly how a WAW works and can start one with your friends and family wherever you live!  If you do, please email a blog post and photos and we will feature you (and your art, especially if you would like to sell it anywhere) on our blog!  Our email is WineArtWednesdays[at]gmail.com.  Happy painting!

<3 the Wine Art Girls

Our Etsy Shop!

 

Puttanesca and Kars

If you know Italian and Albanian (respectively), then I'm terribly sorry if the title of this post offended you.  We were just as shocked last night to find out what both stood for!  I'll let you google them if you are so inclined...

Regardless, the Puttanesca Joan made was delicious!  She really is a terrific cook, we are all so spoiled.  She also made a delicious iceberg lettuce salad with bacon, peas, and scallions plus a dressing of balsamic vinegar/olive oil/maple syrup - yum!  And her homemade bread, of course.  Well, you know I'm the sober blogger - my pregnant bump calls for juice and water in lieu of the beautiful wines - but I think the girls went through three bottles of wine!  That's what happens when you are having fun!  Our decided theme this week was snowmen...which Joan has a collection of about 500 or 1000 it seems, so we had plenty of inspiration.

 (Rita painting in the foreground and Denise in the back...snowmen everywhere!)

(Denise's "Squareman" up close!)

We had a full discussion between the kitchen and dining room painting areas (MEN, take notes here): girls LIKE gifts!  Any small thing, wrapped or not, that just shows you care.  Yes, we LOVE it!  Unexpected is always best.  Not a holiday, not for a specific celebration...just because.  And then reap your rewards!  ;)  Of course, we talked about all the gifts we have received from men (and no, a Thank-You Card is NOT a gift.).  Chocolates from Cheshire's very own Cocoa Shak?  Yes, definitely an awesome gift.  We should know, Joan spoils us with them nearly every week!  They even have dairy free peanut butter cups.  My hubby is a fan.

We like supporting those that support us - and chocolate always does.

Meanwhile, in the dining room:

 (Joan painting "Rainman.")

 (Gina's neat palette and beautiful tree...very Anthropologie!)

(Audrey - she did two, including that adorable ornament!)

Can you believe all the beautiful snowmen fine art going on?  In the dining room they were discussing engagement rings from Sirius Diamonds, since they are "mined, designed, cut & polished by Canadians in Canada...wonderful to hear!  In the kitchen we were commenting on the snowmen in Joan's collection.  It may not be very PC, but I think you can handle it.

*

Wine Art Girl 1: "Why can't we have Asian snowmen?  It's so sexist...I mean racist."

Wine Art Girl 2: "Because snow is white."

*

This, of course, sparked a debate.  Have you ever seen a painting or picture of a different color or race of snowman?  I remember seeing food dye used on a few one year, but they were red and green!  It does seem interesting that there is only one race of snow-people.  Thoughts?

Regardless of what our paintings look like, by the end of the night we are always screaming "I love it" about everyone elses and "I hate it" about our own.  The thing is, we all do it with smiles, and we all realize that we are here because of how much we love this weeknight...every week...just being with each other.  Or as Jen said: "I love how they look better when they are all together."  She's so right.

Happy Friday painters, drinkers, and slow food-ers!

<3 the Wine Art Girls

PS: We are on Etsy and Twitter AND now Facebook!  Connect with us - share your thoughts - join the movement.  xoxo