Tuesday, March 30, 2010

New for spring! Stop by for a spring visit

Today I added some new items to the shop. I have been working on my theorem painting for a couple of months now and I have finished a half dozen paintings. I know most don't really know what theorem painting is so I thought I would define it:
Theorem Painting is an early American Decorative Technique that dates back to the first half of the 19th century. The word Theorem suggests, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary, "an expression of relations in an equation or formula." WHEW!What this means is that a series of stencils are used, maybe 5 or 6 to create one painting. The stencils are layered on to one another as you go along. Oil paints are commonly used and it done on velvet. I also use the technique to paint note cards.

This technique was popular among women of all ages during the early 1800’s. Its primary attraction, then, as today, is the fact that it enabled the average non-professional artist to create acceptable art-forms for their own use.

Although Theorem Painting has had a long history on both sides of the Atlantic, it has remained some what obscure and antiquated. Except for sporadic revivals, this art form has never reached its fullest potential. This is largely due due to the scarcity of published pattern material. Thus, this technique has only flourished locally, mostly in New England ,New York , Pennsylvania where the techniques have passed from generation to generation and from teacher to student. Most of the design material lean toward the primitive side, many copying the old patterns. As a result Theorem Painting has generally been classified as a colonial period craft or art-form

I started theorem painting over 20 years ago in the basement of a 82 year old women's home. Who I adored and new the craft well. Below is a theorem on tea stained velvet and a couple on note cards. Stop by the shop and see what you think.

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Have a great week!



Monday, March 29, 2010

Harvest takes place early on the farm!


I almost forgot to tell you about my dehydrator! I'm getting to know how to dehydrate all veggies and how best to use them. When our garden is at full potential this year dehydrating along with freezing is how I'm going to go. Pictured are seasoned zucchini chips that are out of this world! Placed in a salad, or eaten as chips with a sandwich or simply rehydrate and eat along with your meal. I'm ready now for that bumper crop that will be coming in this summer!


We have taken to growing sprouts indoors right in the kitchen! We just couldn't wait for those greens in the garden to come up so that we could enjoy them on our plates. So we are finding that sprouts are the way to go while waiting. I will be growing sprouts of all kinds in my kitchen. Done correctly you can have 2-4 cups from each tray within 5 days. Pictured is a garden mix of wheat grass, radish and clover. On my counter radish and alfalfa have just started to sprout. So now I have 5 trays at once of little sprouts sprouting up on the counter. Its amazing to watch the cycle of a sprout. I received my organic seed sprout order that should last me next to a year. We are really enjoying adding them to salads, eggs, soups and veggie dishes. But my favorite is avocado and sprouts or tomatoes and sprout sandwiches! I could go on and on about these sprouts but I think you get what I'm saying! I'm so excited, greens fresh and organic all year round! Did I mention how inexpensive the seed bags are compared to what they will give you? I must go now and spray my sprouts! Happy Monday.