A Gift to Myself

the most beautiful packaging I have ever received through the mail

There is a watercolour company here in Toronto called Genzäh Handmade Watercolours. Since discovering this company about 6 months ago I have wanted to try their product. I went online last week and looked at the selection of colours. I was considering asking for some of these paints for Christmas but since I had no experience with this product I decided to buy a variety of sample sizes before committing to the half or full pan sizes.

These paints are made with the highest quality dried pigments and simple ingredients like clove oil and locally sourced wildflower honey—no fillers, brighteners, extenders, or chemical preservatives; just pure colour. Since they are made in small batches and made by hand they are a bit pricy so I wanted to try them out before asking family and friends to consider them as a gift.

A few days after ordering them I received the most beautiful mailer in my mailbox. I have never before received an envelope made with gold foil. When I opened the the package there were more surprises inside. All the samples were individually mounted on beautifully painted small cards with the names of the paints hand scribed below the sample. A handwritten letter was also included with my initials on the envelope and sealed with a wax seal. So much detail to attention….amazing!

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I probably won’t get to trying these out till after Christmas. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t even had time to attend to my blog (as you have probably noticed) let alone my art table. If you want to check out this company their website is:

genzah.com

Weekly Prompts – Single

thanks to Sue W and GC for hosting Weekly Prompts https://weeklyprompts.com/2023/12/16/weekly-prompts-weekend-challenge-single/

A stand alone piece of art at the Small Gems Show at WAAC in Toronto by Susan Farquhar.

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Monday Mural Behind the Flatiron Building

..created by Canadian artist Derek Michael Besant

The mural, “trompe l’oeil”, is on the back of the Gooderham Building or more commonly known as the Flatiron Building. It appears to be a canvas screwed onto the façade with the edges of the canvas fluttering in the wind.

The Gooderham Building, is located on the wedge shaped corner of Wellington East, Front, and Scott Streets and was built in 1891. It was owned by George Gooderham who owned numerous properties throughout the city, including the Gooderham Distillery. He was one of the richest men in Canada and yet was relatively unknown.

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Christmas for the Dogs at the Berczy Dog Fountain

….in a downtown Toronto park

Last week I attended a luncheon for the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto at a popular restaurant close to Union Station. I took the Go Train ( a short trip from the station close to my house) and I walked to the restaurant which was only a couple of blocks away. As I approached the Flatiron Building I noticed that the park behind it has been decorated for Christmas. Berczy Park was redesigned by Claude Cormier ( no relation) in 2015 and features a fountain with 27 dogs looking up to the top where a bone is perched. There is also one cat facing north looking at a couple of birds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berczy_Park

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Thursday Trios – Purchases from the Gift Show

yesterday at Montgomery’s Inn I picked up a few fun items for gifts and for myself

The first two photos are trios of my paper trees and the rest are things I bought throughout the day.

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Trio of felted items made by my talented friend, Barb H.
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A trio of tin trees made by mu baking friend, Dale (husband to Barb H.)
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Stars, also made by Dale. He said the tin came from an old chicken coop.