Restaurant Week - The Prime Rib

It's restaurant week in Baltimore, which means tarabu is finally getting taken to The Prime Rib. Going to The Prime Rib is no mere dinner out - serious forethought is required. For starters, I have to remember to wear jewelery, attractive shoes, attractive clothes and make-up.

One doesn't just roll into The Prime Rib in jeans and a cotton jersey top, no matter how much one paid for them! There's a dress code at The Prime Rib and, quite frankly, I think more restaurants should follow suit.

But wait, tarabu doesn't eat land animals - what, pray tell, does a fish-and-veg eater find at a place called 'The Prime Rib'? Well, they have a kickin' seafood menu and the best mashed potatoes this side of Galway (sorry granny) and a creme brulee that makes time stand still.

So, what are you doing for dinner?

Post written by tarabu. Image by bugbitesplayfood.

Wanna learn some new skills?

You know what Fall means, right? Yep. Back to School.

You're never too old to learn some new tricks and this semester you can pick up some new tricks of your own.
I've been teaching Adult art courses at School 33 for the last few years and am happy to say I'll be back with another round of exciting classes to inspire even the MOST beginning of beginning students. I promise.

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Drawing with Light: Beginning Drawing for Adults & Teens

Learn to draw in 8 weeks! Even if you’ve never picked up a pencil before,
you’ll walk away with new skills & drawings you can be proud of.
This popular drawing class uses light, and simple observation techniques
anyone can employ to create confident & masterful drawings from the first
class!
Students will move sequentially through new concepts & techniques, beginning
with line drawings and concluding with complicated still lives and
interiors. Other coursework will include work with a live model &
portraiture.
Individual instruction and student centered lessons make this the perfect
class for the beginner AND the experienced artist looking to brush up on
basic skills.
Mondays 6:30- 9:30pm
Monday, August 17, 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5th
Class Cost: $180 plus materials
Instructor: Danamarie Hosler, www.greenstarstudio.com
contact: knitimal@gmail.com
Materials: compressed charcoal, vine charcoal, black ink, a sumi or
watercolor brush, charcoal pencil, HB & 2H pencil, micron pen, a sketchbook,
kneaded eraser, white rubber eraser, drawing paper (Roughly $50 for
materials)


Wednesday Night Whip Up!

Wish you could draw? Wonder what it would be like to paint? Intrigued by
printmaking? Popular Baltimore teacher, illustrator,
muralist & fiber artist Danamarie Hosler will lead students through a little
bit of everything. You'd be surprised what you can whip up in one night!

This 6 week course allows students to try their hand at a variety of
traditional & non-traditional art making techniques--- see what they like &
gain some new skills without having to commit to a single course of study.
Each night, students will be introduced to a new material & will leave with
a small piece of finished work! Learn how to use your new skills to make
great gifts & functional art.

A great way to spend a Wednesday night--- casual atmosphere, perfect for all
skill levels. And you don't need to invest in a bunch of stuff either,
because all materials are included!
Wednesdays 6:30- 9:30p,
Wednesday, August 26, Sept, 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30th
Class Cost: $160 (all materials included)
Instructor: Danamarie Hosler, www.greenstarstudio.com
contact: knitimal@gmail.com

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To register for classes, just email me!
AND, just for BEST Blog readers: sign up with a friends and you both get $15 class cost! Just register with the code: BEST15

Baltimore With Babes: The Fair's in Town

The Howard County Fair in West Friendship is currently running daily from 8Am- 11Pm through August 15th. Parking is free and admission is $5 for adults (age 10 & up), $2 for seniors (62 & up) and kids under 10 are free. Some Daily events include the "Kids & Critters" Barn, Chain Saw Carvings, a Magic Show & Pig Races. Rides include a Ferris wheel, carousel, the Zipper, and much more. Thursday is "Dollar Ride Day". There are also plenty of games to be played, farm animals to be seen and lots of traditional fair food to eat. I took my boys over the weekend and despite the heat, we had a great time.

The Common Element: Glass

Over the last 10 years the Baltimore/Washington area has become a hotbed of hot glass, with numerous public and private glass studios across the region. Two of these studios, DC Glass Works and The Washington Glass School, are showing their stuff in an exhibition of glass and mixed-media sculpture at the ArtDC Gallery in the Lustine Center in Hyattesville. The show features work by more than 15 artists including Megan Van Wagoner of VWStudios. Swing down to see glass mixed with all types of other materials.

DC Glass Works and Sculpture Studios is a hot glass and metal sculpture studio that offers classes and workshops on glass blowing, casting, and welding. The Washington Glass School is a sculptural glass studio providing instruction in fusing, kiln casting, and cold working. Both facilities also have resident artists with studios on site.

The show will be open August 15–September 5. The Lustine Center is in the Hyattsville Arts District at 5710 Baltimore Avenue (Route 1). The opening reception is Saturday, August 15, 4–6 pm.

What We're Working On

The weather feels like you're walking through soup, and we're making fall accessories. This is the life of a crafter. Shannon of sweet pepita and I, Jen of the littlest bean, have been working on lots of collaborations for the holiday season. The little pixie hats for infants and toddlers have been a huge hit so far, so we decided to work together more often.

One of the things I love to wear is arm warmers, because I get super-cold in the winter. I layer them on top of 3/4 sleeve shirts, or use them with summer tees I want to wear when it's not summer. These arm warmers that Shannon made are from the most incredibly soft organic cotton. And i think they look so cute with a flower embellishment made from Eco-Felt (a washable felt made from recycled bottles) and a vintage button.

There's plenty more to come as well... most will be unveiled for Crafty Bastards on October 3rd!

In a Material World...

Missy Webb is an old friend. And an amazing local talent. If you've ever marveled at theater costumes from afar, or wanted to revisit an other-worldly dream, you'll want to experience Missy's work up close. Her world is fantastic and strange and magnificent.


In a Material World...
August 14, 2009 - September 12, 2009
Opening Reception: August 14, 7-10pm

Gallery Imperato is pleased to present In a Material World.... Elaborate costumes by fiber artist Melissa Webb will be on display from August 14 through September 12, 2009. A selection of related photographs by Uli Loskot, Lisa Dietrich, and aminibigcircus will accompany the wears. Guests can expect to be served by garden gnomes and mingle among hi-society stilt walkers at an opening reception to be held on August 14 from 7-10pm.

For four weeks Gallery Imperato will be transformed into a mystical dreamland, a haunted forest, a magical storybook, a warehouse of the imagination. The Topiary Woman, Death Dance Bird, Swamp Nymph, Ghost Bride and other key players from former films, living installation works, and lively performances will come to a stand still. Familiar favorites will be joined by newly emerging characters in an environment that allows for an up-close examination. For the first time viewers are invited to explore the saturated colors, complex textures, and history behind a number of Webb's tactile creations in an intimate group setting.

Favorite Etsy Seller: Barr-etzz

I've got some cuteness to share!


Because I am obsessing about everything baby lately, I fell in love with Barr-etzz' s baby shoes as soon as I came across this shop on Etsy. Owned and operated by an architect in Peru, she creates all patterns and hands cut all the pieces; that is why there are no two alike. Each creation is unique, as she’s always exploring different materials and adding wool felt appliqués, hand embroidery, buttons or Velcro.

You can also ask her to add a rubber-coated polyester fabric sole for more grip. Perfect for babies that walk.

Random Baltimore Photo

Up close with the giraffes at the Maryland Zoo's Feeding Plaza. Image by Linda of LindasPaperie.

Channeling an Ostentatious Jack Sparrow

Recently real-life pirates have been extremely nasty and causing a lot of bad PR, much to my chagrin. I generally love the swash buckling, rum swilling, wenching fictional buccaneers that come to mind when someone mentions the word “pirate.” So to help re-warp my mind into thinking that pirates are a fun group of guys to hang around, I decided to craft my own tricorne pirate hat. Of course mine will have a little flair—well okay, a lot of flair—with large lace, flashy trim and lots of feathers (I’m part raccoon and love glitzy, feathery and fury).

If you wonder why the rum is gone and think a pirate’s life is for you feel free to follow these steps to turn a round, black felt hat in to a swashbuckling fashion accessory.

What you will need:
Black round rim hat, rim should be at least 5” wide or a Felt hat blank
Metal straight pins
Black embroidery thread and needle
Embellishments to taste (I used lace and ribbon)
Ostrich Plumes (the more the merrier)
Hot glue and gun


* Tip: my black hat was originally a seven dollar clearance sun hat so keep you eye out for large brimmed cheap hats to turn into the perfect pirate hat!


1. Glue trim to the base of the hat.


2. Pin three sides or the brim to the round hat section creating an overall triangle when you view the hat from above


3. Sew the three folded brims to the body of the hat using about half inch “X” stitches.


4. Hot glue lace or trim to the edging of the brim


5. Trim feathers and glue them in the fold of one side of the hat to finish it off
6. Put on your new creation, batten down the hatches and sing a chanty, you are now a pirate!

Post written by DesignByNight

Friday Finds - Yummy!

Pull up a chair and have a heaping helping of humor! These incredibly creative Friday finds might not tantalize your taste buds but they sure do tickle your funny bone! So next time you need an afternoon pick me up, head to these clever Etsy sellers instead of the cupboard. After all laughter is the best medicine and completely calorie free!

Who can say no to French toast, especially when his name is Pierre and he has a bad attitude. As mentioned in his description “He's toast. He's French. He isn't amused.” Pierre the French Toast can be found at Girl Meets Craft.

Pregnant women often crave pickles during pregnancy but what happens when a pickle gets pregnant? Well, with a bit of help from Big Me Little World we get a bit of insight into the lives of the Pickle family with this piece named “dad mom and me paper pickles / sweet preserves glass jar.”

Angelina and Brad? Romeo and Juliet? No - the greatest love of our time is Bacon and Eggs! This hand drawn and painted card by Persimmons Gal will bring a smile to the face of the lucky recipient and not cause high cholesterol.

If cuddling up to a jumbo wiener is your idea of a good time, then this pillow is for you! With the Pack o' Hot Dogs Throw Pillow by Twinkie Chan you won’t be wondering about the mysterious meat that makes up the hot dogs. This graphic for the pillow was drawn by the artist and was printed directly onto the fabric and was sewn into this tasty snack pillow.

Have a great weekend!

Post written by Kolleen of Design by Night.