Experience Level: Beginner 

Step up your baking game and skip the butter at Baking with Olive Oil on Sunday, Aug. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Allerton Dining Room. 

Chef Leah Bodine will teach students how using olive oil in sweet and savory recipes can take your baking to the next level. 

$45/person. Register here. Registration closes on Aug. 9 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the Instructor 

Leah Bodine calls herself the ‘accidental chef’ with years of experience in the food industry. She started her catering company, Blue Dragonfly Catering, to express her creative mind in food preparation and cultivating recipes. She loves sharing her skills with others and seeing the fascination on students’ faces when they realize how creative they can be and how easy it is to do so. 

Her experiences in the food industry have led her to live in Paris and cater for rock and country legends. 

Experience Level: Beginner

If life feels hard and joy is difficult to find, get answers at The Art & Science of Getting Happier: Build the Life You Want on Wednesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, & 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. in The Studio.  

Led by psychologist Lori Lilly, this course is designed to provide direction on a journey toward living with a greater sense of happiness and a deeper sense of wisdom. Students will learn more about emotions to develop tools of self-management and emotional regulation and a positive state of mind.

While there is no one answer for everyone, students will learn practical, research-based practices that meet them where they are and help build a daily practice of happiness.

$70/person*. Registration will close September 1 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.   

*Students should bring a notebook or journal and writing utensil. 

Experience Level: Beginner 

Spend your morning among the flowers at Floriography Bouquet Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Evergreen Lodge. 

Florist Ava Porter will teach students the basics of floral design using the Victorian language of flowers to create living masterpieces of fresh flowers with special meanings. Students will go home with a custom vase arrangement. 

$80/person. Registration closes on August 22 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of watercolor techniques at Beginning Watercolor on Tuesdays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, & 29 from 9-11:30 a.m. in The Studio. 

Former art educator Sally Walsh will teach students foundational skills and techniques. Students will learn new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass, and special effects.   

$85/person*. Registration will close Sept. 1 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring: 

 — 140 lb. watercolor paper pad: no smaller than 9″x12″ (spiral bound is best) 

 — 16-color oval pan watercolor paint set, Prang brand preferred. 

 — Minimum of three brushes with pointed bristles: large (No. 9-12), medium (No. 6-8) and small (No. 3-5) 

 — Pencil, clear ruler, kneaded eraser, scissor 

Alternatively, students can choose to borrow these supplies for a $10 fee, which can be applied during registration. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of watercolor techniques at Beginning Watercolor on Tuesdays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, & 29 from 12:30-3:00 p.m. in The Studio. 

Former art educator Sally Walsh will teach students foundational skills and techniques. Students will learn new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass, and special effects.   

$85/person*. Registration will close Sept. 1 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring: 

 — 140 lb. watercolor paper pad: no smaller than 9″x12″ (spiral bound is best) 

 — 16-color oval pan watercolor paint set, Prang brand preferred. 

 — Minimum of three brushes with pointed bristles: large (No. 9-12), medium (No. 6-8) and small (No. 3-5) 

 — Pencil, clear ruler, kneaded eraser, scissor 

Alternatively, students can choose to borrow these supplies for a $10 fee, which can be applied during registration. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Assemble a whimsical frog suncatcher at Intro to Stained Glass: Frog on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in The Studio.

Led by Kari Keller, students will learn the basics of stained glass! Students will learn how to cut glass, grind, foil, and solder while they work to make a fun, whimsical frog suncatcher. This class is sure to get your hands working and creativity flowing. Take your frog with you to display in your home or gift to a family member or friend!  

$100/person*. Registration will close Sept. 3 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should wear closed-toe shoes. Safety glasses and gloves will be provided.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn how to grow herbs in the Central Illinois climate, pot herbs in a container, and then taste how they are used in a meal at Cooking with Herbs on Saturday, Sept 12 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m in the Herb Garden and Evergreen Lodge.

Join Kay Karnes and Piatt County Master Gardeners in the Herb Garden to begin this workshop, where you will receive a tour of the garden, which is certified by the Illinois Herb Association.

Then, adjourn to the classroom in Evergreen Lodge to learn how to grow herbs and plant a container of herbs that do well in Central Illinois.  Finally, a buffet lunch prepared by Leah Bodine of the Greenhouse Cafè will be provided along with cooking tips to use herbs and spices in various recipes.

$50/person.Registration closes Sept. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Morning) on Saturdays, Sept. 12 through Oct. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.

This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner.  Students will become familiar with weaving terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp back to front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, and winding bobbins.

$250/person*. Registration will close Sept. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed.