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.

Meatless Monday - Lentil Sloppy Joes

Okay I know what you're thinking....What? Has he gone bonkers? Well, wait until you try it...it's actually quite good....and if you're like me you have plenty of lentils in your pantry. The key here is to use only fine ingredients...and a really nice sourdough bread.

Lentil Sloppy Joes

§  1 cup lentils (green, brown or French)

§  1 bay leaf

§  4 tbsp. olive oil

§  2 stalks celery, finely chopped

§  2 carrots, finely chopped

§  1 small onion

§  4 cloves garlic, minced

§  1/2 lb. mushrooms, finely minced

§  1 tsp. smoked paprika

§  1 tsp. chili powder

§  1/2 tsp. mustard powder

§  1/2 tsp. ground cumin

§  1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

§  1/2 tsp. dried thyme

§  1 can tomato paste (5.5 oz.)

§  1 cup water

§  2 tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

§  1 tbsp. honey

§  Salt to taste

Simmer lentils and bay leaf in 2 cups of lightly salted water until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and set aside. Discard the bay leaf.

Meanwhile, cook celery, carrot, and onion in olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot (le Creuset perhaps) over medium-high heat until translucent, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove lid, add garlic, and cook until the mixture is caramelized and reduced by two thirds, an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The longer you cook this, the sweeter it will get.

Add mushrooms, and cook until moisture has mostly dissipated and the bottom of the pan is dry. Add spices, thyme and tomato paste, stir until combined, then add lentils. Add the cup of water and the balsamic vinegar and honey. Stir to combine, and cook until the mix begins to bubble. Serve over lightly toasted sourdough or buns.

Beginning The New Year, Bright

Okay blog friends, I know its been a while since my last post. (Que the crickets and violins)
 I spent most of 2012 spreading myself pretty thin....working two jobs, spending weekends in the studio, writing freelance for a local DIY fashion column and spending an hour each day working this ragged body to a pulp in the gym. Well, its 2013 and I'm ready to renew my spirit and bring things back into perspective.

So lets get to it shall we...

For those of you that don't know this, I'm a post holiday clearance shopper. I sport sunglasses and a ball cap and ravage the aisles of local stores searching for deals on Holiday decorations, linens and accessories that are marked down and cheap!

A few days ago while I was on a mission for the next bargain I discovered a bin of beautiful paperwhite bulbs. As you can see from the picture below they are in amazing shape and I couldn't resist the $.99 price tag. 

The house has been drastically empty since I dismantled the mantle and put the evergreens to the curb. I need color! Lots and lots of color! Well, these beautiful bulbs can be forced and ready to blossom in six weeks.They will fill the house with beautiful fragrant blooms that will last for over a month.

When I got home I pulled out every glass cylinder, canning jar and martini glass I could find.

Below is a picture of one of my finished containers.

The process is so simple..

1. Select a container that is about 3 - 4 inches deep (8 - 10 cm) and that has no drainage holes.
   
   
2. Spread an inch or two of stones, marbles or even gravel, along the bottom of the container.
   
3. Position your paper white bulbs, pointed end up, on top of the stone layer. Go ahead and squeeze them in. They not only look better in a large group, the tight fit will help keep them from toppling over.
   
4. Add another layer of stones to fill in any gaps and cover the bulbs up to their shoulders. The pointed tips should still be showing.
   
5. Add water so that the level just reaches the base of the bulbs. Allowing the bottom of the bulb to sit in water will stimulate growth. Covering the entire bulb with water could cause it to rot.  
6. The bulbs don’t need light at this point and they prefer to be kept on the cool side, at about 65 degrees F (18 degrees C.)
   
   
7. Check your bulbs daily to see if they need more water.
   
8. When you see roots developing, move the container to a sunny window. The sunnier the better, but try not to let them get too warm or they’ll grow leggy.
   
9. Once the plants flower, they will last longer if moved out of direct sunlight, to a cool spot with indirect or diffused light. I plan on moving mine to various areas of the house that need color and texture.

Here is a picture of them in bloom. No, these aren't mine....go Martha!

I will post some additional images of my containers in six weeks...fingers crossed they survive.

Well, friends....Happy New Year! Stay tuned for more.
Cheers!