Sunday in the Art Room (SITAR)

 Welcome to

SITAR is about ANYTHING art. Your art, someone else's art, writing, photography, the art of cooking, the art of sewing and textiles. Sharing historical art, street art, a story about art. Do you have a question or need help with art? Write a blog post and link it up here. We will all try to help with it. My only rule is that if someone asks for critique it must be done with generosity and consideration. This is a place of learning, encouragement and inspiration. 
 

I was struggling on what I would share today, while working on this years witches hat.

It's no where near finished but I like the way it's coming along.

With so many different styles of witches hats that can be purchased or made these days to wear or use as decorations, I realized I didn't know how witches hats got started in the Americas.

Tall, black, conical hats, the style we all associate with witches were first brought to America in the 17th century by English settlers. In particular by Quaker women who faced intense religious persecution and suspicion from mainstream Puritans. (men) The Quaker women were viewed with distrust as they preached spiritual equality.  

16th century image.

Puritans, both men and women wore this style of hat, historically  known as capotains or steeple hats. They were standard, respectable fashion. 

The Quackers however, were a rival christian sect that the Puritans viewed as dangerous heretics. 

( There is a whole story on Puritan laws and women's dress.) I may write about that at some point.)

For now

In 1692 when the Salem Witch Trials erupted the target wasn't a specific garment, but rather marginalized women who did not conform to societal expectation. Such as the poor, the elderly, or women who inherited property independently.

I will say now that it wasn't just Quaker women who were fighting for equality, there were some Puritan women as well.  

The connection of the "witch costume" came later. By the 18th century the steeple hat was no longer in fashion. However, the cultural memory of those not-conforming persecuted women remained. When artist or printers wanted to draw a "witch" or social outcast, they illustrated them in outdated steeple hats to make them look strange, backward and sinister.  

Most of the images for 18th century art are licensable. So you can look them up on google if you like.

An engraving. 

I have left out a lot of witch history but wanted to give you an idea of how we got to witch hats for today. I find that women are obsessed with making them.

Here are a few. 

Pinterest and Tik Tok have many instructional videos on how to make a witch hat. Easy instructions from paper mache, to cardboard, to foam to crocheting, to sewing. 

 Here are a few from youtube. Once you have the basic pattern you can make any size, out of any material. 

 I hope you try making a witch hat.

That's it for now. 
 

I will be joining Gillena   

It's time to show me your art. 

Nicole 

Friday Face OFF (FFO)

 

Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)

This is the place to show off your face art.

You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, photography, drawings, paintings, AI. There just needs to be a face in your blog post, a link back to my blog and please use the image below. 

Thank you.

 

I have two new skull pieces finished for this week. They are pretty basic but I like how they turned out. 

 

The fun part of creating the dead is that any anything can happen. Like have bloody sores. 

 

And scorpions coming out of the mouth. I do like the way his teeth turned out too.

 

This one is pretty plain but I love the way his corpsy skin turned out.

And of course there always has to be a vampire somewhere in the mix.

 

I really like his dead skin. The flat spaces.

 

and then the bumps and folds and ridges of the skin.

 

I had to do some work on this skull by adding more to his jaw with clay. Once that dried I could add the skin.

So much fun!!!! 

 

I'm not quite finished with the hanging skull. I do like how she is coming along though.

 

I have to give her new teeth. I don't really like these.

Here are a couple of cuties for you.

 

Those are my faces for today. How about some features?

 

Andrea 

From the Sol 

 

Erika N

BioArtGAl

 

That's it for now 

Don't miss

Sunday in the Art Room. 

 

I will be joining Gillena  

Now it's time to show my your face.

Nicole

 

I can't believe I was a winner

 Hi Everyone!

 

I'm one of those people who never wins anything. Except for Bingo. LOL

Other things I just don't seem to have any luck at. Until the beautiful Mia from Craftartisita had a drawing and I was one of the winners. 

I wrote to Mia thanking her and telling her she did not need to send me anything since I live in the US and she lives in Greece. I told her I was just thrilled to have been one of the winners. However, Mia being the thoughtful person that she is sent me a package and I received it yesterday. I can't be more happy with what she sent to me. 

First Mia made what she calls a wallet. It is beautifully made.

 

The eye balls are perfect for me. Look at this stitching. This is the inside of the wallet. Very impressive. 

 

Along with that she sent a blank book. I love blank books. Look how lovely the cover is.

 

In addition with all of that she sent an oven mitt and hot pad. I told Mia they are to pretty to use in the kitchen and I just might frame them.  

Last but certainly not least this beautiful card. 

 

I think my luck has changed for the better.

It also reminded me how all of us that create art have many different skills. Not just the ones we tend to show on our blogs. I had no idea Mia is an expert seamstress. 

Thank you Mia for your kindness and your generosity. 

Nicole 

 

 

T Tuesday

 

 Hi Everyone!

 Today is Tuesday and that means a day with Elizabeth and Bleubeard.

 

 I did some baking this week. 

Why? I'm blaming Mae. You know Mae form Mae's Food Blog. A week ago she showed a piece of toasted cinnamon swirl bread with raisins. I don't know why but all I wanted was a piece of that bread. I had to get a few things at the store and put the bread on my list. OMG!!!!! There is only one brand and I don't even remember what brand name it is. The price was just under $5.00 and the loaf had 14 slices of bread! Uhhhh no way. I will go home and bake my own.

Yes, my loaf is crooked but who cares?

I have to tell you this recipe is by far the best bread of any kind I have made. 

First the rise was perfect. 

I baked it in a large loaf pan that has this design on the bottom

Here is the inside. Mr. M. doesn't like raisins but he told me to go ahead and put them in. He ended up liking them.  The crumb is also perfect.

Toasted with butter and I was in heaven. (sorry about the shadow)

Since I made this on our anniversary we have named this, 

"Anniversary Bread."

 Here is the recipe.

This makes 2 loaves or one big one.

You will need;

3/4 C warm water 110°F

2 1/4 t active dry yeast (1 packet)

1/2 C milk warmed to 110°F

1/3 C sugar, 3 T butter melted

1 egg room temperature

4 - 4 1/2 C of APF

1 1/4 t cinnamon, 1 t salt.

Filling

1/4 C sugar, 1 T cinnamon.  

Place water in mixing bowl and sprinkle yeast over the top. Stir gently to combine. Let stand 10 minutes until the yeast is foamy. Beat in milk, sugar, butter and egg on low with the mixer. On low beat in 2 C of flour until mixture is nice and smooth. Continue adding flour, salt, and cinnamon a little at a time until the dough is smooth. You may not need all of the flour. Switch to a dough hook and continue mixing for another 5 minutes. Or you can knead by hand.

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for up to 2 hours or until it doubles in size. Punch down and knead just a few times on a lightly floured counter or cutting board. Roll dough out to a 9x20 inch rectangle. The narrow end should be as wide as your loaf pan. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and then sprinkle over the dough. At the narrow end start to roll up the dough tightly. Pinch edges well to seal.

Tuck the ends under slightly and place in a pan that was sprayed with butter flavored oil. Cover and let rise another hour or until double. P

Preheat the oven to 350°F 180°C.

Back for 30 to 40 minutes. The inside temp should be 195° Or you can test the loaf by tapping on it, when is sounds hollow it is done.  Let cool in the pan 5 to 10 minutes before transferring it to a rack. 

I made a huge loaf, I had to bake mine for 60 minutes. 

If you try this you will not be sorry. Let me if you do. 

 

My drink for today is, 

I haven't had a 7up in I don't know how long. It is so refreshing. 

Have a great Tuesday.
 

 Nicole 

 

Monster Monday

 Welcome to

I have been busy, busy, busy. I'm feeling very well these days and it is a joy to get things accomplished without pain and everything else lupus has to offer. LOL

I spent some time on Night Cafe. I mentioned awhile back that Night Cafe AI image site changed just about everything. Most of all things change for the non paying people, like me. It now takes so long to have an image generate that it's frustrating to create there. However, the other night I did.

Monsters for today.

 

 

 

Here are a few pretties.

 

Just because I feel a bit witchy.

 

That's it for now. 

Have a great Monday.

 Nicole