Farmer's Market Mini Skeins

 

Farmers Market Mini Skeins

The perfect bounty to feed your yarn craving!

80% Super Wash Merino / 20% Nylon

20g / 80 Yards

Colors: Myrtle / Pesto / Provence / Heirloom tomato / Wisteria / Cranberry

Recommended Needle Size: US 1-3

Machine washable (cool) and dry (low) or dry flat

These little guys are the perfect starting point for a beautiful colorwork scarf, shawl or wherever your design sense leads you!

Check these out in my Etsy store, or visit the Black Purl in Rochester, NY.

Birch Tree Fiber Arts Co

This has been a wonderful and exciting time for me. I have finally opened a business of my own!!

Introducing, Birch Tree Fiber Arts Co

A little history.....

As a man it can be quite deflating to enter a yarn store. I get the occasional, "Are you lost dear?" or "Are you here shopping for your wife?" Sometimes they even trail me at the mere chance I'm looking to steal something. Even worse, they size me up and roll their eyes. But, I digress. You know who you are, but I love you anyway.

As a knitter and a man, it can be a little challenging to find colorways and patterns that speak to my design sense. Although that is changing every day. There are so many talented and wonderful new dyers in the marketplace.

To that, I created Birch Tree Fiber Arts Co.

I am starting with a base yarn of 80% wool and 20% nylon called Rock'n Roll.

This is a soft, yet strong fiber perfect for shawls, a baby sweater or even a fun pair of socks.


You can find an assortment of the Rock n' Roll colorways in my Etsy Store.

Do you want to see them in person? You can find them at The Black Purl located in Village Gate Square in Rochester, NY. The Black Purl has a wonderful selection of hand dyed yarn and knitting essentials. Want an amazing fiber experience? The owner is a fun and talented individual and will definitely help you with your next project. Come check it out!

Warm up Your Winter

I am introducing a new line of unisex knit scarfs to my Etsy shop.

The Reveal. Fresh from the Garden

I am so excited!
Here is a glimpse of my new line of women's accessories that will launch March 2nd...
"Fresh from the Garden"

I have created a line of clutches, handbags, totes and zip pouches that are entirely hand painted, free form quilted and designed exclusively by me.

Each piece will highlight a bright and beautiful bloom that is both bright and unique and completely hand painted and hand appliqued.

Please stay tuned....the entire line will launch on March 2nd and can be found in my Etsy store.

Fool Proof Pastry Dough

While speaking with my mom this weekend she expressed to me that she has never been able to make a decent pastry crust for her pies....okay WHAT??? "You make pies all of the time," I thought. Yes she does, and she uses a store made pie crust. Well, at first I thought my entire childhood was a complete sham and then I acknowledged that some people are just overwhelmed by the thought of making  a pastry crust. I also believe that there are those that just prefer to save time and purchase one. Why? I will never know.
I have a fool proof pastry dough that is very easy. It doesn't take a lot of time to prepare, and it tastes so much better than the store purchased pastry.
So mom, this one is for you...

Pastry Dough:

Ingredients:
1/2 pound lard cut into small cubes and brought to room temperature.
2 Tablespoons of cider vinegar or vodka (I prefer the latter)
1/2 cup (approx.) boiling water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups all purpose flour

Directions:
Add the room temperature lard to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the mixing paddle.

In a microwave safe liquid measuring cup add the vinegar or vodka and top off with water to make 1/2 cup of liquid. Microwave on high until it boils then add the liquid to the lard and slowly mix until it becomes a creamy substance.

Add the salt and 1 cup of flour. Mix until smooth, scraping down sides and add remaining flour one cup at a time until it just comes together.

Turn out on a floured surface, split in half and make 2 discs the same size.

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until ready to use. This will freeze well up to 6 months.

I personally guarantee that you will enjoy making your crusts from scratch..and so will your tummy!
Have fun!

Spring into Quilts with Crayons

My recent studio project started on Friday after I came home early from work while a snowstorm tormented our city. Trust me, I could think of a million things to do in my studio (purse orders, Spring line, a fashion article that I'm behind on) but I was in a very nesty frame of mind....and I needed a taste of Spring to pull me out of it. So, with a cup of hot tea in hand I pulled out my big box of 64 crayons and began to work on a series of 18" x 22" quilt blocks...  

Back up, reverse that. Did he say Crayons? YES!...and Crayola to be specific.

First let me begin with the fact that I have never really embraced quilting. I've made a few table runners, and some small Holidays projects in the history of gerald, but never a full blown quilt.
My first attempt at quilting from a serious perspective was this past Holiday when I created a one of a kind tree skirt for my mother...I will post pictures of that project after I get the proper permissions. (wink)
As a professional sewer I attacked the tree skirt project with full vigor. I purchased all of the necessary tools, attachments and watched several online tutorials. Lets just say I gave it my full approach....and I loved it.

The blocks I'm creating have very little cutting and sewing. It starts with the use of crayons and a hot iron. You merely draw on the fabric while its hot, lay a press cloth over it and allow the press cloth to soak up the residual wax from the crayons...easy peasy. Yea right....
My plan is to create 9 blocks....slap a boarder on them....and sew them together to create the top.
So....stay tuned to future updates....and wish me luck.

Barn Quilts

One of my resolutions for this year is to get out and explore something new.
Several times over the past few months I have noticed an increase in barn quilts in my area, so I decided to do a little research.

The history of the American Barn Quilt can be traced back about 300 years ago with the arrival of immigrants from Europe; Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

It is widely believed that barn painting originated in Pennsylvania which spread to New England and many Midwestern states. Paint was considered expensive in those days so painting a decorative and distinctive quilt pattern on their barns was a wonderful way of allowing for decoration. It also became a way for travelers to find particular families or cross roads. A primitive version of GPS.

Paint became less costly around the mid 1800’s and at this point barn painting became an actual trade with many local artisans. These artists combined many folk designs as well as specific geometric patterns from quilt squares: Four Patch, Bear claw, Mariners compass and Drunkards path.

Decorating barns with colorful designs and quilt squares peaked by the beginning of the 20th century and slowly gave way to a more pragmatic form of barn painting; advertising. Gone were the colorful quilts and in their place came ads for Red Man Chewing Tobacco, Daisy Flour, and Mail Pouch. Many of these barn ads can still be seen today.

Today barn quilts are becoming popular once again. Quilt trails have been developed in many states. After a number of barn quilts have been displayed in an area, a map is developed that guides the viewers to the location. The map will have an address, maybe a picture of the square and a name or explanation of its meaning. A few of the states that have developed quilt trails include, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and of course, my home town of LeRoy, New York.
A Link to their information and trail guide can be found here;
LeRoy Barn Quilts
As an artist this historical revelation has inspired me both intrinsically and creatively. It has opened my mind to the many inspirations that lie in my own backyard.