Paper Making Fun

 After learning about paper making for 3 years, I finally produced a batch of 12 papers without flaw! I was so excited!this batch is a lovely oatmeal color, made with white and brown craft paper and gold leaf lightly mixed into the last batch. 

 I figured out that as the batch progresses from thick at the start and thin at the end, I need to press more with the sponge on the thick paper, and to press less toward the end of the batch. Voila, beautiful full sheets, not ruined on the edges or to lumpy and unevenly bulky.

 Little by little I am improving the batches so I can focus on my color mixes and add ons now. I did one batch last week that was a light olive green with specs of dried flowers and specks of gold leaf.It is so pretty! One of my favorites. I never knew how much fun the science and art of paper making would be. I do love a challenge.

 Country painters have a swell time….

 

Fair Oaks Foundation Parties

 

 

The Fair Oaks Foundation weekend continued with rain on Friday night and dark sky on Saturday. My Saturday started with slicing and warming the cinnamon swirl bread with butter I brought on Friday for the artists and volunteers. My friend Ken brought Krispy Cream donuts and we served OJ and good coffee to all.

 My dear friend Ron arrived with canvases to give to the artists from the wonderful Gainesville Michaels Store . They kindly sponsored us with an in kind donation for our artists. We had a wonderful number of volunteers for the day. None complained about the weather. They were all troopers for us and I am so grateful! To them.

 I met many nice people on Friday night and Saturday throughout the day. The UF jazz band was wonderful and Tom Kay gave a marvelous speech to our guests. I had a few moments to talk with Tom about the new property adjacent to the Orange Lake Overlook. They are so excited to expand that preserve and so am I!

 Aside from the weather, it was a splendid day. I am so grateful to all who braved the weather to join us and support the Fair Oaks Foundation, Inc. The foundation welcomes your support on their web site https://fairoaksfoundation.org/donate/