"Passed"...and Current Art Form of the Day

I was tagged a few weeks ago to tell 5 weird things about myself, and haven't done that yet.... (still can't believe she thinks I'd have 5 weird things to tell!)
But as I was thinking about writing this post, one weird thing did occur to me! I like to stare at textile patterns. Coverlets, quilts, dishtowels, fabric of any kind. Hmmm, she IS weird you say?!
Let me explain....Studying these patterns on fabric is like working a puzzle in my head, I look at the pattern and see how I can take it apart or cut it up (not literally) into a stencil.

I've made a few stencils this way...plaids are easy, just straight lines that overlap. But, circles are a little trickier. The coverlet pattern of the Lover's Knot is one example. I've created "my interpretation" of that design with a 4-overlay stencil. The result is seen in my banner up at the top of the page. And I've made a 3-overlay stencil design using the Overshot Weave coverlet pattern. (The top photo shows that design). And once....when I had more time to experiment with patterns, I made a floorcloth quilt:

I have a whole file of coverlets to stare at! And someday, when I'm rich!, I'd love to own this book: The Coverlet Book . These treasures of history were woven at home by women in the early part of the 19th century for bedding. By the 1820's, professionally made coverlets were becoming popular. And interestingly enough, British-trained carpet makers were immigrating to America and setting up shop to produce carpets that resembled coverlet patterns in their designs....so I guess I'm not the only one that stares at, or thinks about pattern designs in coverlets!

References: American Folk Art, William C. Ketchum © 1995
"American Quilts and Coverlets", article by Amelia Peck © 2007

~*~*~*~*~*~Update on my Pear Sticks!~*~*~*~*~*~

They are starting to bloom!! I do believe I've found an indoor plant I can keep alive! Oh wait, if they've been clipped from the tree, then technically they are already dead...right? Oh well!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Signs of Spring...or "Forcing the Issue"

This weekend we enjoyed snow-less days, in fact the snow has just about melted away!! (See the mountains still have a little snow.)
It rained some on Saturday, but Sunday was bright and pretty! And even though the temps were in the low 40's, it looked and felt like spring was on its way!

I dared to get out and walk around the yard and found green peeking out here and there......

.....a sweetpea was breaking through the ground. (yes, I know they are annuals, but they just keep coming back each year!)
......a strawberry plant survived the winter. (I really need to get out in the garden and rake when it warms up!)

And in the latest issue of Country Home (March 2008) there is a short article about forcing flowering shrubs indoors. So, since our pear tree needed a little trim....my husband clipped some branches and brought in a few so we could try to "force" a little spring into our home.

Now, I love my outdoor garden of flowers and herbs, but I've never been able to keep an indoor plant alive! I've tried the pretty English Ivy, it became infested with little flies and died. Once I was given amaryllis and it didn't even bloom. This February 14th I was given a miniature rose plant by a dear lady, and so far I've managed not to kill it. I'm hoping it survives until it can be planted outside....where it has a better chance!

So, we'll see how these "sticks" (as my sons called them) look in about 4 weeks!

Happy Hopes of Spring to You!!

Not Exactly "Period, or Primitive"

Wow! Where did February go? It was even longer this year! Now March is almost here.....and on March 1st TDIPT will be updated and officially in "Birthday Celebration" mode. TDIPT will celebrating its 1st year and the talented artists have created wonderful offerings for the party. Included in the celebration will be a huge give away. And many (including me) are offering free shipping with your purchase. I've been pining for spring lately and my offerings reflect that, they aren't exactly 18th/19th century period pieces! Although I suppose baskets, flowers and bunnies were around then?!

May Basket

I've painted a basket overflowing with flowers....tulips, pansies, lavender, hyacinth and other flora. The border is a painted plaid. This piece is made like a floorcloth....several steps in the process!

Birthday Bunny

This bunny holds a little birthday cake to celebrate! (it's not attached) The bunny is hand-sculpted out of clay with a weighted muslin body.

Please visit TDIPT tomorrow to sign up for the give away and to see all the offerings from some talented artists! Here is a link:

To Dwell in Primitive Thymes Mercantile

"Passed" Artists of the Day...a little early

I missed posting about a painter last Friday, being busy with updates and such. So, I thought I'd post today.
The last "Passed" painter was Audubon who moved his family west to open a store and eventually painted the wildlife of the area. Today's post is about another group of adventurers.

In 1869, The Hudson River School was founded. They first painted landscapes near the Hudson River at first, then moved to the Catskill Mts, then eventually traveled west and even in South America.

Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was the founder of this group of artists. He moved with his family to America from England when he was small. His father owned a wallpaper factory, and Thomas learned many drawing techniques while growing up there. As an adult his art was realistic. Landscapes of the Hudson Valley were some of his favorite to paint. (His "Notch of the White Mountains" is on the upper right.)

Another member of the group was Albert Bierstadt. He was born in Germany, and his family came to America and settled in Massachusetts. His interest in art began when he worked with a landscape photographer. Albert left the work and traveled to Europe to study painting. When he returned he began painting landscapes with the group, in particular the untamed West. His paintings were so grand (in size and application) they made people want come out West and see it for themselves. (His "Mountain of the Mist" is on the right.)

Frederic Church was another member. He was a student of Thomas Cole's and lived and worked in his New York studio, taking trips to sketch and draw landscapes throughout the year.
(His "Scene on Catskill Creek" is on the left.)

The Hudson Valley Painters were the first painters to capture the wildernesses of America and because of the wonderful paintings by this talented group, many saw places in America for the first time.






References: My son's Art curriculum and Artcyclopedia for the paintings.

Happy Birthday! TDIPT

To Dwell in Primitive Thymes is celebrating it's 1st birthday in March. And starting March 1st the party begins! Many talented artists on the TDIPT Mercantile will be donating prizes for everyone to win!
(only wish I could sign up!!)

I'll post another reminder on the 1st to visit the Mercantile.....but in the meantime, please click on the link to read more. It should be fun!

TDIPT's Birthday Bash

....here is a peek at my give away gift for the Birthday celebration. .....can you tell I'm really ready for Spring?!
.....I'm still using the reserves of the "Busy Mom" card and will post a "Passed" artist next week.
Have a wonderful weekend!

....and the Award goes to.....

I've been a bad blogger (...but a busy Mom!), and haven't passed along some awards that were graciously given to me recently. Since I've started blogging I've really enjoyed meeting other fellow bloggers....many are my "adult connection and conversation" to the outside world when I sneak a peek during home school! Shhhhhh!!! (uh, ahem, only while the boys are working on an assignment and don't need me, of course!)

Last week Lidy of French Garden House gave me the "You Make My Day" award....and I'm to pass it along to others who I find inspirational and encouraging in blogland.
These are in no particular order and the bloggers I chose may have already received the award, (and probably have since I'm so behind!) But here are just a few blogs I try to sneak a peek at during the day (or week....depending on how much sneaking I can do)!:

Donna~of Donna's Art who always have pretty paintings to share as well as tales of her cute doggies.

Cookie~of Curds and Whey.....well, you just have to go see for yourself!

Jean~of Bluejeans n' Primitives who has a sense of humor that will make you smile and of course shares photos of her sweet pup Riley.

Manuela~of The Feathered Nest, who has more energy and creativity than one woman should possess! Manuela always has beautiful home decorating projects to share.

Pat~Back Porch Musings who always has beautiful photos and thoughtful posts.

......and of course, there are so many more.....but I should really get off the computer and grade Math or teach English!

And this past week, Cathy of Hazelruthe's passed along the "Art Prize Award" to me. Thank you Cathy!
Here is what this award is about:

"Art Prize and Award" This prize has arisen from the daily visits that I dedicate to many blogs which nourish me and enrich me with creativity. In them I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain me day to day and to share this prize with those who enrich me every day. "

There are SO many creative people in blogland, (that is what I enjoy about blogging!), and most everyone on the left side of my blog creates ART!.....so, I'm cashing in my "Busy Mom" card to encourage everyone to visit all the blogs under "Folks of Art".....you are in for a treat.

Another Give Away.....

......another fun give away is happening over at April's blog. She is giving away one of her whimsical folk art paintings.....so click on the link to enter her generous give away!!~

April's Give Away