Francesca Lucia: What’s The Latest?
Let’s Paint a Mandala Rock
This past Tuesday, November 16th, I received a text at 4:15 p.m. that Sister Mary Vernon Gentle, RSM, a teacher, had passed away. At 4:45 p.m. I was in my car to teach the 5:30 p.m. class. Of course, I immediately had to shift gears and teach. This is not the first time this has happened (upsetting news before teaching), nor will it be the last. I proceeded to teach Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. There were two women who came together Tuesday night. During introductions, the younger of the two said that she came to class tonight to spend time with Carol. I asked later what was their relationship. Jackie said that Carol was her heart mother. I then shared with them that my heart mother had passed away right before class. This was an aha moment for all of us listening, and I was immediately grateful for the message sent from Sister. Both classes went great and they were fun! Even two of the three administrators from Wells-Ogunquit Adult Education showed up to class! You know who else showed up at class? My mentor, heart mother and friend showed up in spirit - teacher to teacher!
Let’s Spa!
We enjoyed making spa treats, and we began discussing Christmas gifts. It was fun to make these spa treats for ourselves and others. These are very simple recipes, but become such special treats. We made sugar scrub, lip balm and bath fizzyies!
Let’s Knit a Hat!
What a wonderful group of women! We were ten strong working our needles and helping each other learn how to cast on stitches! It seems that the knitting part came easy, but casting on happened one stitch at a time. I like that Jolene helped me figure out the best way to make a pom pom! Also, I learned that the class could have been longer. There were so many good conversations of getting to know each other along with knitting questions and answers, that we needed more time for instruction. I truly enjoyed each and every minute. Everyone seemed happy with their finished hat! I am enclosing a photo of our group tonight showing everyone’s completed homework! Way to go ladies! Check out the photos of the knitting process and the final product!
Let’s Felt Quilt
Well, for a rainy night, I am thankful that my student weathered the windy water and attended class. We did a little drawing, but spent the majority of our time on learning four stitches. I was so involved, that I forgot to take any photos. I did make a felt quilt example, so I will just have to use that as our class photo. I learn something every class, and this one I learned that students could be encouraged to bring simple patterns instead of drawing everything from free hand. How ever you get your art or creativity to evolve, like Nike says, “Just do it!”
All that is left is the stitching!
Tangle Time
On Tuesday, we put our black fine markers to white art paper and Tangled! Zentangle (copyright) was created by Rick Roberts, a former monk, and an artist named Maria Thomas. Tangling is a combination of meditation and art. We learned over 12 tangles and then we took time to create our own tangles. What follows are photos of our class time and artwork.
Beginning Cross Stitching
The weather in Maine today was outstanding, and so was my student. We went through all of the steps of preparing your materials, threading a needle and stitching. She moved right along and even used the magnifying glass! We started with one color and a heart pattern. Her goal is to complete a golf picture for her grandchild! Way to go! You are all set and you can do this!
Let’s Pound Leaves
As a tribute to Indigenous Day, we pounded leaves. The Native Americans used to pound leaves onto their tipis for decoration. Of course, they used rocks and we use hammers, but they both work! We were a small, but mighty group tonight. We used a hammer to pound away at the chlorophyll, that leaves have, to make an imprint on cloth. We learned a few things: You have to pound hard! It really depends on what kind of leaf that you use. Oak and rhododendron leaves are too hard to get the juices flowing! Daisy leaves give good green! Red and yellow leaves give good color. Small leaves give you a good sense of completion! You have to use fresh leaves, and this was discussed at length. After arriving home I thought, “Put them in the refrigerator in moist paper towels.” That might just solve the freshness issue!
Remembering Regina
Tonight I was showing these rock photos in my class, and they reminded me to stop, and give a special remembrance to Regina. Regina is in these photos, taken at a birthday party in Alabama, in which I taught rock painting. We had a lot of fun that night. She was definitely crafty and witty. Also, I love this photo of Anne holding up a rock. Anne told me tonight that learning to rock paint has kept her sane, and that she will be forever grateful. The birthday girl Jennifer, is a long time friend of mine, but was especially close to Regina.. Since I was in Maine today, I was unable to attend Regina’s celebration of life. I wanted to take a moment to remember that the people that I teach, the moments that we share, and the things we learn from each other are gifts that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Regina was a gift to us. May she rest in peace.
Let’s Make Fresh Pasta!
After an evening and a day class with Ogunquit-Wells Adult Education, 10 of us made fresh pasta! I enjoyed meeting everyone, especially the birthday girl who celebrated her special day with us. We started with flour, salt, eggs and then added oil and water. Most of the work was done using our hands. We mixed the dough until it became a round ball! After a dough rest and time to share, we rolled and rolled and rolled the dough. There was beautiful work cutting the pasta into strands of deliciousness. We closed with a demonstration using a mixer pasta tool. I think most thought the electric version might be something to considered. The holidays are right around the corner to hint for pasta making tools! The classes were lots of fun and we learned something too! Mangia!
Here are some helpful links:
Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, Italian Restaurant, Saint Louis, MO
Concrete Stepping Stone Class, June 2021
Back in June when it was warm in Maine, a couple of ladies from the Great Works Regional Land Trust, gathered in my cool basement to learn how to make concrete stepping stones. One formed a tree out of her stain glass and the other a heart. It was a wonderful class. It just goes to show you that if you have an idea, you can contact me and learn something new for useful’s sake. Kudos to the Great Works Regional Land Trust for all that they have made new happen for the state of Maine.
Kennebunk Artisans Fair
Well, this Saturday, October 2nd will be my last Artisan Fair. I had an idea, I made it happen and I completed the journey! It was a total of 12 weeks! I met so many wonderful people. I was happy that people saw my art as something that they wanted to purchase. It feels great to know that my work is shared in their home or as a gift. A special thank you to Linda Thompson from Kennebunk Parks and Recreation and Nancy who creates the table maps. On to the next project: Teaching courses with the Wells-Ogunquit Adult Education.
