Rebecca Baer® Artful Living

Contemporary Quilt Fabric - Aubrey

2012-02-02T08:45:00.002-05:00

My latest fabric collection for Studio e fabrics is now available for your favorite quilt store to order! Aubrey, produced by Studio e under my Whimsies & Wishes™brand, features fifteen fabrics in vibrant cheerful hues. I've included images of a few of my favorites. It was so hard to choose! I love the paisley but the stylized flowers and insects are also delightful. I am anxious to get my

Painting a Perfect Stripe

2012-01-24T06:59:00.000-05:00

Painting perfectly spaced stripes with crisp, clean edges can be a challenge. With these simple tips you can master wide or narrow stripes with ease. Consistent spacing without measuring Once you have decided what size(s) you would like for your stripes to be, purchase masking tape in these widths. Multiple widths are available for small projects at rebeccabaer.com. For home decor

Pecan Encrusted Pork with Black Cherry Reduction

2012-01-17T09:27:00.001-05:00

Pecan-encrusted pork loin with black cherry reduction Gourmet doesn't need to be synonymous with expensive. I am pretty frugal so I take every opportunity to cut expenses without sacrificing quality. Brining a regular pork loin creates a moist, tender cut that is a fraction of the price of tenderloin and creates significantly more servings. For even greater economy of both time and money

Technical Savvy: Photographing Your Art

2012-01-06T14:52:00.000-05:00

Whether you are creating images for the purpose of promoting a workshop, selling tangible products online or presenting your art with hopes of licensing, the photos can be the deciding factor in whether or not you successfully reach your goal. Ideally, I prefer to scan my art in order to get the best representation. At times this is not possible either because the art is dimensional, the

Easy English Toffee

2011-12-18T03:50:00.004-05:00

Homemade treats are a pleasure to both give and receive. This simple toffee recipe is easy to make and oh so delicious! If making this recipe for the first time I suggest making a single batch to develop an eye for the color the toffee must be for the texture to be right. When it appears to be the target color spoon some into ice cold water for a quick test. Rebecca’s English Toffee

Painting Club: A Passion 2 Paint - 2012

2011-12-10T14:34:00.001-05:00

Do what you love! Lately I've been working on my club "A Passion 2 Paint! 2012" and it has been so inspiring! A diverse assortment of innovative designs come together in this bimonthly club. I am painting this series on roc-lon canvas, which is a wonderfully versatile surface. Although my focus in this club is wall decor, this surface can also be used for table runners, placemats,

Blessings II Quilt Fabric

2011-12-02T06:36:00.001-05:00

The Blessings II fabric collection made its debut at the Fall quilt market in Houston. Produced by Studio e fabrics under my Whimsies & Wishes™brand, Blessings II features sixteen fabrics in luminous autumn hues. It coordinates beautifully with the original Blessings collection and also incorporates new icons and colorways. My personal favorite is the long neck gourd. I love how this

Artfully Yours Giftwrap Tutorial IV-Food-safe & easy!

2011-11-26T17:39:00.000-05:00

What an artful way to gift a handmade treat! This food-safe cellophane bag is embellished with a super-easy stenciling technique then finished with a custom handle. Although shown sporting Christmas colors you can change the card stock and pearl-ex colors to fit any occasion. The link in the materials list offers a range of Pearl-ex options to match your chosen color schemes. Go formal with

Foodie Finds: Chase's Daily - Belfast, Maine

2011-11-10T18:23:00.008-05:00

I am a carnivore. Well, technically an omnivore but, given what's coming next, carnivore seems more dramatic. By mere chance we found ourselves in a vegetarian (not vegan) restaurant. This is not something we would have sought out but as we were happening by (on a quest for breakfast) we noticed that the place was packed, and for breakfast no less. We entered to find that there would be

Homemade Sauerkraut: Sweet & Sour Beet Kraut

2011-11-05T17:45:00.000-04:00

Autumn means making sauerkraut. My previous attempt at making sauerkraut was a smashing success and nearly depleted. I had initially planned to experiment with variations each year but the overwhelming consensus from family was “don’t mess with perfection”. So…I got another crock. After we finished assembling my original recipe in the 15 liter crock my husband said “what do you think about

Sunflower Farm Quilt Fabric

2011-11-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful transition from summer to fall featuring big, bold, beautiful sunflowers! My latest collections designed for Newcastle Fabrics includes a four-square panel featuring pastoral farm scenes and is complimented by homey check and tonal swirl patterns along with button-sized sunflowers on a diagonal ground. Sunflower Farm debuts at the Houston Quilt Market this week. This

Color Your World II: Color Palette Generators

2011-10-24T20:10:00.000-04:00

Color is all around us. When there are no boundaries to the colors you are able to use it can be easy to assemble a pleasing group. At other times there may be limitations that make creating a harmonious color scheme more challenging, i.e., the desire to coordinate decor with a print or favorite photo, or perhaps a web developer is a whiz Lavish Florals Art Print when it comes to writing

Cape Ann Farmers' Market - Gloucester, Massachusetts

2011-10-15T16:44:00.000-04:00

On a recent visit to Massachusetts we decided to do some exploring and stumbled upon this small farmers' market in the Stage Fort park located in Gloucester. It was such a delightful find! Besides all of the wonderful tastiness you would expect to find at a market like this, it boasted the added feature of a scenic coastal backdrop on a crisp fall afternoon. Plentiful Produce First the food..

Google Image Search

2011-10-06T07:50:00.000-04:00

Many are apt to post all types of images on the web whether they are family portraits, scenic photos or a recently completed creative project. Have you ever wondered where those images travel? Now, thanks to the google image search tool you can find out. This feature uses an image (no words) to search the internet for like images. Google Image Search As a designer, this allows me to find

No Mess Chicken Wings

2011-09-26T20:16:00.001-04:00

I have a weakness for chicken wings but am not fond of frying because it is too smelly and messy. Naturally, not wanting to forgo wings all together and not being a fan of processed frozen foods I decided to create my own version in the oven. I began with two packages of jumbo wings for a combined weight of eight pounds. After cutting them into segments at the joints I was left with fifty

Ambrosia Quilt Fabric

2011-09-09T10:25:00.000-04:00

A palette of rich autumnal hues of burgundy, green and cinnamon infuse this timeless collection with warmth and down home goodness! Fifteen new fabrics featuring luscious fruit, delicate scrolls and delightful plaids make up the "Ambrosia" collection created for Newcastle Fabrics. This collection inspires so many artful ideas I can hardly contain them. Here are a few to ignite your creative

Culinary Herbs & Chimichurri

2011-08-16T18:33:00.002-04:00

Herbs do more than create a lovely garden; they taste good too! In the spirit of discovery, I like to explore a new things simply because I haven't before. This extends to my culinary world in what I grow and how I choose to preserve the harvest. Sesame Leaf (Perilla) New in my herb garden this year is perilla, (or sesame leaf) a Korean herb that is a member of the mint family. It

Photoshop Tutorial: Adding a Watermark to Your Images

2011-08-08T11:20:00.000-04:00

When posting copyrighted artwork on the web you may want to watermark the image to minimize reuse without permission. This can be accomplished by following this simple tutorial. Th add identifying information to your images use my tutorial Adding Identifiers & "©" to Your Images. Begin by creating a new or opening an existing image file. I am starting with an existing file. Add a new text

Technical Savvy: Using Transfer Paper

2011-08-01T07:42:00.001-04:00

When creating a painting I like to layout the composition on tracing paper first, which allows me to reposition elements before committing them to the surface. I then also have a line drawing to use as reference while developing the painting. I can transfer as much or as little as I like to the surface. To transfer from a tracing place it on your painting surface then slip a sheet of transfer

Savory Chilled Cucumber-Yogurt Soup

2011-07-27T11:48:00.000-04:00

My recent lot in life has been dealing with a problem tooth, temporarily resulting in a liquid diet. Being more of a savory kinda gal, I soon tired of fruit slushies and ice cream. Surrounded by an abundance of fresh garden produce, I decided to create a savory yogurt soup/drink reminiscent of cucumber sandwiches, sans bread. It turned out to be pretty tasty and is a refreshing alternative to

Technical Savvy: Using a Border Tool

2011-07-22T15:45:00.001-04:00

We all love nifty gadgets designed to make life easier. With some, their function is intuitive and others need a bit of explanation. Using a border tool to create a single border (or a series of borders) along the perimeter of a surface is quick and easy. Hook one end over the edge of your surface. Select the hole that is the desired distance from the edge and insert a chalk pencil. Slide the

Foodie Finds: 4Points BBQ

2011-07-17T17:21:00.000-04:00

4Points BBQ Winterport, Maine I love the discovery of independent eateries where food is cooked on-site at the hands of persons skilled in their craft. And where a love for good food is evident in everything from the exuberant service to the flavorful fare offered. 4Points BBQ & Blues House in Winterport, Maine is one of these finds. Pulled Pork We arrived late morning just before the lunch

Technical Savvy: Printing ePatterns Tutorial

2011-07-05T16:26:00.000-04:00

The hobby-painting world has gone digital making eBooks and eTutorials commonplace. While it is nice to hold a print in your hand the digital format has many advantages as well. With an electronic painting tutorial you can view images, diagrams and text on the screen allowing you to enlarge to see smaller details and you can print the components on demand. For several years I have been

Grilled Apples with Pancetta

2011-06-19T19:25:00.000-04:00

Pancetta is an Italian bacon, which is not smoked. It pairs wonderfully with crisp sweet-tart apples. This recipe serves two and goes well with crusty bread and super-sharp cheddar or bleu cheese. Prepared apple wedges, ready-to-grill Ingredients 1 Apple crisp and sweet-tart such as a Macoun. 8 slices of Pancetta Juice of one lemon Freshly ground black pepper Method Core and cut the

Color Perception-It's all relative

2011-06-11T16:38:00.000-04:00

Your eye perceives color relative to it’s surroundings. The hue, value, intensity and temperature of a color do not change regardless of surroundings, however, your perception of all four properties of color is determined by it’s setting. Figure one shows the same value grey on both a neutral 50% gray background as well as on a field of white. While the interior motifs are the exactly the same,

Technical Savvy: Resizing with a Proportional Scale

2011-06-03T06:37:00.000-04:00

My background as a technical illustrator makes me privy to all sorts of handy tools. This proportional scale is one that I have used for years to determine, with unfailing accuracy, the percentage required to resize an image or design. It is so simple to use and so handy that I am surprised that few outside of the technical/drafting world seem to have discovered it. Although I know and can

Fresh Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese Crisps

2011-05-28T08:42:00.000-04:00

One of the joys of spring is the abundance of fresh greens straight from the garden. Add to that some fresh, locally produced goat cheese and your taste buds will be doing a happy dance. Ingredients4 oz. Fresh Feta cheese sliced 1/4" thick Thyme Olive Oil Panko* (Japanese-style bread crumbs) 10 ounces Fresh Spinach Fresh Fruit of choice *You can substitute crushed saltines in a pinch but

Photoshop Tutorial: Adding Identifiers & "©" to Your Images

2011-05-24T10:05:00.000-04:00

A range of identifying information can be added to any digital image including keywords to help locate the desired image on your computer along with the copyright status and website url. If you are creating images for the web you might want to read my Optimizing Images PS Tutorial as a supplement to this tutorial. Begin by creating a new or opening an existing image file. I am starting with an

Brandied Peppercorn Extract

2011-05-14T20:26:00.000-04:00

I love the artful nature of cooking. To feed my culinary creativity I am constantly experimenting to create new flavors. I've come up with an incredibly tasty pepper extract by filling an eight ounce jar 1/4 full with peppercorn melange then topping the jar with brandy. The result is an intensely flavorful extract that can be used to enhance sauces, marinate meats, deglaze a pan or, for the

Free Quilt Project

2011-05-10T18:43:00.000-04:00

Studio e has posted marvelous free quilt and placemat projects featuring my "Blessings" fabric collection. You can download the pdf for use at your convenience. I would love to see anything you make with the fabric! Enjoy!

New Thirstysone Coasters!

2011-05-04T14:58:00.000-04:00

It is such fun to receive boxes of new, licensed product. It's like having a birthday without getting older! Here are the latest designs that I licensed to Thirstystone. Sunflower Farm Travertine Stone Coaster Vintner's Choice~Rouge Thirstystone Coaster These coasters and others can be purchased here. Scroll through the designs available to select your favorites.

Theoretically Speaking: Painting Black

2011-04-27T20:10:00.000-04:00

Theory for the artfully inquisitive mind.™ Painting objects at the polar ends of the value scale can be a challenge even for the experienced artist. How do you highlight white or shade black? Following are a few pointers on painting black excerpted from my Color Mojo lesson plan. Painting BlackBlack objects are defined by highlights rather than shadows. Light reflecting off a black surface

Super-Easy Enamel Look for DIY Jewelry!

2011-04-18T20:21:00.000-04:00

I have tried what has seemed to be an unending array of varnishes looking for that perfect enamel-look for my DIY jewelry and DIY giftables. Most that I tried had at least one negative, some had several including being smelly, messy, requiring precise mixing and needing strong solvents for clean up. One even turned my jewelry yellow/orange ruining several pieces. Now I can finally shout from

Photoshop Tutorial: Isolating Images & Layered Composites

2011-04-11T03:45:00.001-04:00

I recently licensed a new fabric collection, "Ambrosia Fruit", and was able to accommodate all requests to change the scale of elements, combine attributes from selected patterns and eliminate items altogether with minimal effort. When preparing work for art licensing, if each element is created as a separate layer it will allow for maximum versatility. With artwork developed in layers, you

Painting Techniques: Floating

2011-03-30T07:55:00.000-04:00

Floating color is a method where paint is applied to the surface using a side-loaded brush. Paint is picked up one edge of the brush and is then blended thoroughly on the palette until the paint has transitioned across the brush to gradually fade before reaching the opposite side. When side loading an angular brush the paint is always loaded on the long side or “toe” of the

Easy Homemade Caesar Dressing

2011-03-24T20:25:00.001-04:00

This recipe requires only a few ingredients and can be made in a matter of minutes. It beats anything out of a bottle, hands down. Ingredients 1 Egg 1 Lemon 1 Clove of garlic, minced Anchovy Paste Olive Oil Salt & Pepper Method Use a slotted spoon to place the whole egg in boiling water for 30 seconds*. Remove the egg from the water and crack into a deep container suitable for using an

My Baltimore Album Quilt

2011-03-14T18:48:00.001-04:00

I thought this day would never come. For years I created blocks for a Baltimore Album Quilt, many based on patterns from the book Baltimore Bouquets by Mimi Dietrich. Being the creative sort, I can't leave well enough alone, so to some of the patterns I added my own multi-part flowers. Others I enriched with painted details and many are enhanced with beads. One day I decided that I had to do

Creating Decorative Paper

2011-03-09T18:20:00.001-05:00

Is it possible to be frugal and spectacular at the same time? Absolutely! As a creative person you are sure to have leftover supplies from a variety of art & craft projects. Perhaps you have an array of colored card stock or heavyweight paper that is suitable for all types of crafts or creative gift wrap accents but it is rather boring. Maybe you have embossing gel or gilding supplies, chalk

Tsukiji Market: Tokyo, Japan

2011-02-26T15:46:00.006-05:00

Tsukiji Market - Tokyo, Japan Local, fresh markets are among our favorite places to visit when we travel. It is at the markets where we learn the most about a region or a culture and their food. Located in central Tokyo, the Tsukiji Market is fascinating and an amazing sight to see. As the largest fish market in the world, it must be the busiest place in Japan, or so it seems, bustling

Secrets to Success: Adding to your Repertoire

2011-02-19T14:58:00.004-05:00

Learn by doing We can all learn new skills from the experience of others. Replicating designs through the use of pattern packets, how-to books and step-by-step tutorials are the perfect conduit for building your skills whether the materials are scrutinized for personal study or simply followed while painting just for fun. For example, tracing patterns may seem to be tedious, busy work. In

RB Salt-free Beef Rub

2011-02-14T19:58:00.000-05:00

This recipe was developed for beef but it is a hearty multi-purpose seasoning as well. My seasoning blends are generally salt-free so that I can add the desired amount of salt during food preparation. This way I can add more spice without over salting, which is a problem with many commercial preparations. By keeping my spice blend and salt separate I have complete control over the balance of

Homemade Beef Jerky

2011-02-14T19:57:00.001-05:00

When developing this recipe I wanted to overcome some of the common pitfalls I find in Jerky. I am a fan of jerky but a good end result can be hard to come by. Many are too salty, others suffer from a singular dominant flavor, which could be soy sauce, garlic or an overwhelming artificial smokiness. You may notice that my recipe is missing a common jerky marinade ingredient, liquid smoke. I

"Blessings" Fabric Collection

2011-02-05T07:36:00.000-05:00

Oh! Shades of autumn, curling leaves, intricate pumpkins and heart-warming sentiments. A total of seventeen fabrics combine to make up this sophisticated yet delightfully whimsical autumn fabric collection. These designs, created for "Studio e Fabrics", are licensed for fabric under my Whimsies & Wishes™ brand. Studio e produces 100% cotton, premium quality fabrics in 43"/44" widths. Your

A Time for all Seasons Painting Club!

2011-01-30T17:08:00.000-05:00

A clock that you can change with the seasons! There are four detailed designs to charm you in this quarterly club with a different panel set for each season! The primary panel layer is comprised of intricate Whimsies & Wishes™ silhouettes adding a contemporary flair to this unique surface. The secondary panel is home to your painted masterpiece. This club is comprised of artwork using

Grilled Salad!

2011-01-27T08:52:00.000-05:00

I know, it sounds weird but is surprisingly tasty. We first tried this at a restaurant that we chose because they make their own salad dressings. That was enough to move them to the head of the list when selecting from among eateries that were all unfamiliar to us. We were not disappointed. Naturally, I would have to make a version of this at home. The salad begins with romaine lettuce sliced

Christmas Treasures Painting Club!

2011-01-15T16:03:00.000-05:00

Join in the fun and paint Christmas ornaments all year long! When Christmas comes around you will be all set with a diversified selection of ornaments to deck the halls or share with friends and family. A wide variety of holiday designs come together in this bi-monthly club. You’ll enjoy wintry scenes, the Nativity, seasonal flowers and more; twelve designs in all! We have come up with some

Lost in the Seaweed Aisle

2011-01-12T15:55:00.000-05:00

Asian food tends to be abundant on the vegetables and light on the meat as if it is there as an accent to enhance the vibrant colors and flavors of the veggies. I typically make an Asian-inspired meal at least twice a week so I am always looking for new, creative Asian cuisine. This poses challenges since most grocery stores have an Americanized Asian selection with lots of safe choices for

Secrets to Success: Finding Inspiration

2011-01-04T05:34:00.000-05:00

As a designer it is important to maintain the separation between copying and being inspired. It may take longer to navigate the road less traveled but the rewards are greater. Not only will you be set apart as a leader you can also take pride in the results of your own creativity. Look outside the industry for which you are designing in order to bring a fresh approach to the table. Here are a

Pasta! From Scratch

2010-12-28T19:23:00.000-05:00

In order to create an array of tasty pasta flavors you need to begin with a basic pasta recipe. I've tried semolina flour as well as my own whole wheat flour ground from hard winter red wheat but have found that we prefer the tender pasta that we get from using basic all-purpose flour. I use King Arthur flour. Making pasta is no more difficult, and perhaps even less difficult, than making your

Artfully Yours Giftwrap Tutorial III-rumpa-pum-pum

2010-12-15T21:31:00.028-05:00

Originally featured in the debut issue of Christmas 365 magazine this delightful hand-crafted box filled with your own homemade creations is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. I created this project using velvet paper but any paper you have on hand will suffice. What makes this box truly eye-catching are the stenciled motifs giving it a "little drummer boy" or "twelve drummers drumming"

Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sticks

2010-12-15T21:20:00.005-05:00

A tasty treat, these can also be used to stir your coffee for a minty-chocolate extravagance. The simple recipe is perfect for creating special Christmas memories making these gourmet treats with your children or grandchildren. Candy making tips Make sure the bowl is dry before adding chocolate for melting. Water (even a single drop) will cause chocolate to seize. Chocolate that has seized

Homemade Salad Dressing-A great first impression!

2010-12-06T18:41:00.002-05:00

A casual eatery can have food that is every bit as good as their fanciful counterparts so what do you use as a benchmark? Regardless of the formality of a restaurant I generally gauge the caliber of their fare by whether or not they make their own salad dressing(s) and serve quality bread. It is said, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression which is why salad dressing is so

Gilded Stenciling on Glass Tutorial

2010-12-04T17:06:00.003-05:00

Are you looking for a hostess gift that is distinctive without breaking the bank? How about a bottle of your favorite sparkling juice or wine that is enhanced with a touch of gilding? The process is quite simple and requires only a few supplies to create an elegant and memorable gift. Add a hand-painted stemware holder and a pair of glasses for a complete ensemble. First a note about the

Homemade Paper Tutorial

2010-11-27T05:12:00.000-05:00

Have you ever considered making your own paper from scraps? It is a relatively simple process and allows you to create custom colors or textures and use inclusions for added interest. The resulting paper can be used to create cards or stationery that you can group with purchased envelopes to create gift sets tied together with a pretty ribbon. You can purchase envelopes

Brandied Cranberry & Orange Sauce

2010-11-25T07:44:00.000-05:00

On a recent visit to Maine I picked up a few bags of Maine cranberries. I must say, these are the largest cranberries that I have ever seen. With fresh cranberries on hand I had to decide what do do with them. I settled on a brandied cranberry sauce with a touch of orange. It is delightful and a far cry from the dreadful canned condiment so prevalent on the Thanksgiving table. The leftovers

Herbed Turkey & Pork Sausage with Wine

2010-11-22T19:32:00.000-05:00

With my homemade sauerkraut being such a rousing success, naturally I would feel the need to make sausages to support the kraut in a bun. Add in some seasonal bargains and a sausage is born. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and with it come turkey bargains galore. I was able to secure one turkey at a bargain price and the other for free. I don't really need thirty-five pounds of turkey to

Homemade Lip Balm

2010-11-19T16:43:00.000-05:00

Lip BalmThis recipe makes 8 oz. of lip balm. The specialty ingredients listed below are available from Lorann Oils. Beeswax beads, 2 Tbsp. Shea butter, 21/2 Tbsp. Cocoa butter, 11/2 Tbsp. Olive oil, 4 Tbsp. Lipstick as colorant, thin slice (optional) Vitamin E, 2 drops Liquipar Optima Antimicrobial, 2 drops (optional) LorAnn flavoring oil of choice, 1 Tsp. or 1/4 oz. Lip balm tubes or shallow

Curried Pumpkin Soup

2010-11-13T16:46:00.000-05:00

With halloween past the pumpkin rush has slowed so you might get a good buy on one. If your inclined to make your own puree and beef broth and are looking for a new recipe here's one I created this week. On the other hand, If you are not inclined to make your own pumpkin puree and beef broth I've included my "As Easy as it Gets" version just for you! Curried Pumpkin Soup 30 ounces of pumpkin

Homemade Sauerkraut

2010-11-07T14:02:00.008-05:00

Fall is here and with it comes thoughts of traditional foods, like turkey and stuffing, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and more. For some time I have been thinking about making my own sauerkraut. Typically this is done using fall cabbage, so I had to wait until my local supplier harvested his fall crop. This was the week! Making my own sauerkraut is a work-in-progres,s so

European Farmers’ Market – Bangor, Maine

2010-10-27T17:03:00.004-04:00

The European Farmers Market in Bangor, Maine is delightful experience with a vast array of prepared ethnic foods along with fresh produce, meats and cheeses at your fingertips. Our initial visit was on a chilly, rainy day when most outdoor markets would have been washed out. The European Farmers Market is held year-round, rain or shine, under the protective cover of a small greenhouse. With a

Photoshop Tutorial: Optimizing images for the Web

2010-10-22T14:43:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wish you knew how to resize images for your online photo album, website or blog to make them quick to load on the web? Consistent, quality images give a publication a professional appearance. Perhaps you would like to email a photo to a friend without it arriving so large that they must scroll to and fro, up and down to see the full image. If so, then this tutorial is for you.

Rich & Creamy Macaroni & Cheese

2010-10-20T17:11:00.000-04:00

My rich and creamy baked macaroni and cheese with a crusty top and velvety texture is perfectly seasoned for the best mac & cheese ever! The secret is in the sauce. Rebecca's Rich & Creamy Mac & Cheese 8 T Butter8 T Flour16 oz. chicken broth1 can evaporated milk2 c. milk +/- adjust the amount so the sauce is as thick or thin as you like.8 oz sharp cheddar-grated2 oz.

All Brushes Are Not Created Equal

2010-10-18T16:40:00.001-04:00

Just as ingredients can determine the success or failure in a recipe so can the tools you choose affect the outcome of your painting or crafting. Choosing the right brush for a task makes the exercise not only easier but more enjoyable and produces superior results. Paint brushes are available in a wide range of prices and quality. However, somewhere along the way stencil brushes have

Cream Scones

2010-10-14T16:08:00.000-04:00

Rebecca's Cream Scones Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Read over the process before you begin as the ingredients are listed above each step. First, the dry ingredients. 4 c. All purpose flour 2 Tbsp. Baking powder 1 tsp. Salt 5 Tbsp. Sugar Step 1 Whisk together the above ingredients. Next, the moisture and fat! 1 stick + 2 Tbsp. Real butter (cold) Cut into chunks 1 Pt. Heavy cream Step 2

Crystallized Ginger

2010-10-12T20:22:00.005-04:00

RB Crystallized Ginger You will need:1 lb. (roughly) Fresh ginger root Water Sugar Prepared ginger root Peel and slice the ginger root into 1/8” thick slices. Place the slices in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat then cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer the ginger for 45 minutes. Drain, reserving liquid. Line a half sheet pan with parchment and

Secrets to Success: Leading By Design Part II

2010-10-02T17:15:00.000-04:00

Part I of my Leading By Design posts identified common hindrances to creating a sustainable art-focused business, which relies on dynamic design style to remain at the forefront. In this installment we’ll explore ways to implement original ideas to avoid becoming stagnant.When you see artwork, you experience an instinctive reaction, which may be positive or perhaps it is negative. The key is

Nine things to do with Pizza Dough

2010-09-29T03:40:00.000-04:00

My tender pizza crust dough is so quick and easy to make that I use it for a range of dishes. I tend to wing it when making most variations so the following are ideas with approximate direction not strict recipes. If you are feeling ambitious make a double or triple recipe of the dough. The resulting baked goods can be frozen for those days when you are too busy to cook.

Artfully Yours Giftwrap Tutorial II

2010-09-25T07:02:00.000-04:00

Shockingly simple yet delightfully elegant, I created this unique giftwrap so solve a travel dilemma. When visiting Japan I had handmade gifts for various friends and acquaintances. It was impractical to wrap these once we had arrived so the giftwrap needed to be TSA-friendly. If you try to fly with pre-wrapped gifts you are likely to be required to unwrap the gifts for security screening. As

Flourless Fried Chicken

2010-09-22T18:05:00.000-04:00

High heat and my poultry rub combine to produce a crispy skin that rivals the taste and crunch of fried chicken. I use chicken thighs for this recipe because an extended cooking time is needed to produce the crispy skin and it impossible to overcook thighs to the point of being dry. RB Flourless Fried Chicken Preheat oven 400° Convect (425° for non-convection oven) 10 Chicken thighs bone-in,

Salt Free Poultry Rub

2010-09-21T18:48:00.005-04:00

Although I developed this recipe with poultry in mind, it is a terrific all-purpose seasoning. Whenever I am creating a seasoning mix I always go salt-free so that I can add the desired amount of salt during food preparation. This also allows me to add more spice without over salting. In short, by keeping my spice blend and salt separate I have complete control over the balance of seasoning in

Secrets to Success: Leading By Design Part I

2010-09-17T18:13:00.001-04:00

In an effort to maintain a viable art-based business I must constantly strive to be on the cutting edge of product development and design. In that respect, I’m obliged to consider what attributes play a part in the making of a successful designer. I’ve put forward some of my thoughts below.Designing is a journey, not a destination. A successful designer must continually update and evolve to

Sundried Tomatoes

2010-09-15T21:23:00.000-04:00

Well, to be accurate they are really oven-dried but sundried sounds so much more alluring. As for me, my oven environment is more conducive to drying than our locale so, oven-dried it is. As the weather cools we are reaching the end of the tomato season and I received some overflow tomatoes from a neighbor. The quantity was more than we could eat but less than needed for a batch of canned

Artful Living at the Renaissance Faire

2010-09-14T08:39:00.001-04:00

From the trill of bagpipes to the velvet strains of a harp, the breadth of entertainment at the Renaissance Faire was wide-ranging. A view down one of the streets of a recreation of a 16th century English Tudor village. From an artist’s perspective, the Renaissance Faire was a wonderful place to view and purchase handmade wares created by skilled craftsmen. Many village artisans also

Pesto Possibilities II Fish

2010-09-10T07:05:00.001-04:00

Pesto encrusted Fish Fillets Fish fillets of choice RB Spinach Pesto Create spinach pesto using my basic pesto recipe. Substitute baby spinach for the basil in the ingredient list. Place the fish skin side down in a baking pan. If the fish has skin you can remove it more easily after it is cooked. Tilapia fillets (no skin) are shown here. Generously coat the top with pesto applying the mixture

Art Licensing PS Tutorial: Creating Patterns

2010-09-04T15:47:00.003-04:00

This week I have been working on allover fabric designs for licensing. An allover design must have a seamless repeat. When creating a pattern I generally start with a square but patterns can begin with a rectangle as well. Here is a simplified version of the process using shape presets in Photoshop. Naturally, I use my original artwork to create patterns for my licensing portfolio. Lets

No Mess Bacon

2010-08-31T18:47:00.000-04:00

I confess, I love bacon; but, I don't like the greasy mess that often results. As a solution, I slow roast my bacon in the oven on half sheet pans lined with parchment or foil. The result is amazingly tender bacon (no, I cannot be trusted alone with this) that just melts in your mouth. Clean up is also a breeze. Just pour the grease into a container (I save mine for use as a flavorful fat for

Creating a Decorative Mat Tutorial

2010-08-30T16:48:00.001-04:00

For the purpose of this tutorial I am using an 8" x 10" ready made mat. The stencil being used is my Vintage Charm Petite stencil (ST-812). Mark the center along each side of the mat Read over the Crystal Clear Embossing Tutorial for general embossing instructions and stencil cleaning. Measure to fine the center of each side of the mat. The mat is stenciled one quarter at a time

RB Gel Effects™ Crystal Clear Embossing Tutorial

2010-08-30T16:07:00.000-04:00

Rebecca Baer® Clearly Elegant™ Stenciling Gel can be used as a photo transfer medium, but RB Stenciling Gel is so much more! It is acid-free, waterproof, flexible, and dries to a crystal clear gloss finish. These attributes make RB Stenciling Gel the perfect medium for use with Rebecca Baer® Stencils on any type of surface, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, fabric and all types of paper

Pesto Possibilities I Chicken

2010-08-26T18:48:00.003-04:00

This recipe is based on a loose interpretation of Chicken Saltimbocca, an Italian dish with sage and proscuitto. Rebecca's Sage Pesto Chicken in Wine Sauce 4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to 1/4" thickness 8T Rebecca's Sage Pesto 2 Slices of Proscuitto cut in half cross-wise Flour Olive oil 1 Clove of garlic, minced 1/4 c. White wine* 1/4 c. Chicken broth Rolled chicken topped

Sage Pesto

2010-08-26T17:50:00.002-04:00

Sage Rebecca's Sage Pesto 2 ½ c sage, packed (not tightly) 2 medium garlic cloves ¾ c olive oil ½ c pecans 1 c grated parmesan ½ t nutmeg splash of hot sauce Combine all ingredients in a blender except the parmesan. Puree until smooth and then add the parmesan. Blend to incorporate. Freeze in jars or ice cube trays as described in my Herbal Harvest post. Makes about 16oz. This pesto is

Secrets to Success: Developing Your Own Style

2010-08-25T20:38:00.002-04:00

As a designer I have always believed that it is imperative to possess my own style in order to secure both credibility and lasting success. If you take pleasure in living an artful life purely for personal enjoyment and growth, you may prefer to appreciate the artistic skills of designers like myself. On the other hand, if you desire to be recognized for your own artistic abilities, you must

Artfully Yours Giftwrap Tutorial I

2010-08-24T16:12:00.000-04:00

Artful Living transforms the ordinary into extraordinary. As a creative person, this aspect of your personality should shine through in everything you do. This means that your artistry should extend, beyond the handmade gift, to eye-catching wrap. This does not need to be complicated or expensive. This artful giftwrap creates a pouch. The wrap can be made in any size desired by simply

The Herbal Harvest

2010-08-21T11:23:00.002-04:00

I'm not much of a gardener, but herbs seem to grow themselves so they are a perfect fit for me. Naturally, I dry some to replenish the herbs in my spice cabinet. But with an abundance of herbs at my fingertips, I also wanted a way to retain the fresh flavor for use in the winter. To preserve my herbal harvest, I begin by washing the herbs thoroughly, remove any blemished or dead leaves and

Pizza Margherita with a Tender Crust

2010-08-19T19:37:00.002-04:00

The following recipe is quick and makes two delicious pizzas. Homemade pizza using fresh mozzarella is considerably less salty than it's commercial cousin. I use peanut oil for the crust because it was a tip offered to me by a restauranteur whose pizza crust was amazingly tender. I don't claim to know why it works; it just does. RB Pizza Crust Dough2 1/4 tsp. yeast 1 c. warm water 1 tsp. salt

Tips on Preparing a Painting Surface

2010-08-19T18:30:00.001-04:00

Your finished work is only as good as the foundation on which it is created. It wouldn't do to create a masterful work of art or even a simple craft for pleasure or profit if done on a less than sure foundation; one which may allow your creation to lift, peel, separate or be scratched off the surface. In order to prepare a variety of surfaces I use Primocoat multi-surface primer. It is

The Gilded Age

2010-08-16T17:41:00.000-04:00

Have you ever contemplated adding a gilded touch to a piece of furniture, a painting or just a fixture in your home? A metallic touch can emphasize a detail or create a point of interest on an otherwise plain piece. There are many things to consider when deciding how to best enhance artwork or an object with gilding. I favor the elegance of leafing to enhance much of my painted work as well

Farm Fresh!

2010-08-14T21:06:00.000-04:00

This week we were in the heart of Ohio for a painting conference. I look always forward to the last Saturday of the conference for one reason, the North Market. This is a fabulous market in Columbus, Ohio and although the food choices are terrific all week long (gelato, bread, crepes, and all types of ethnic food) the Saturday outdoor market is a feast for the eyes! There is produce of

A New Twist on Fish & Chips

2010-08-10T06:21:00.000-04:00

I hate to fry food. Don't get me wrong, I like the golden crispy crunch as much as anyone. What I hate is the lingering heavy greasy smell that endures after the fun is gone. As an alternative to grease-laden batter and stale air I like to make crunchy fish fillets with crispy oven fries. These really do taste like french fries aka "chips" for this pairing. Russet potatoes make terrific

Color Your World

2010-08-05T18:35:00.000-04:00

Lavish Florals Art Prints We recently added some new licensed prints to our rebeccabaer.com site, you can click on the thumbnail at left to see both prints, and they are painted in rich, vibrant colors, which started the wheels in my mind turning... Have you ever struggled with choosing the perfect color for rooms in your home only to find that they end up being much brighter, bolder or more

French Cheese Puffs

2010-08-04T10:48:00.000-04:00

What's for dinner? Last night it was one of our favorites, French cheese puffs. They are light and savory pastries from the Burgundy region of France where they are traditionally served with red wine. These are easy to make, only require a few ingredients and of course, taste marvelous! RB French Cheese Puffs 1 cup All purpose flour 1/4 tsp. salt pinch of cayenne pinch of ground nutmeg

Spice it Up!

2010-08-03T20:11:00.000-04:00

My herb and spice collection is one of the two areas in my life where I can claim to be completely, totally and utterly organized, the other area being my paint rack (sorted by color progression and labeled accordingly, but that's another post). Whenever I need a seasoning of any kind, be it an herb, a spice, a blend or even one of the lesser known food components like guar gum or ammonium

What I've Been Painting

2010-08-02T15:19:00.000-04:00

Resplendent Grace I've recently completed two works, one as a seminar piece and the other for licensing. The seminar piece is painted using a new approach for me, it is a straightforward three-stage process that involves absolutely no floating. If you aren't familiar with this painting term, floating involves loading paint on one side of a brush and blending until the color produces a smooth

Thirstystone Coasters

2010-08-02T10:31:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are pictures of the new Thirstystone coasters. I have my favorites. How about you? Chili & Rosemary Dragonfly Pattern Hibiscus Magnolia Winter Wonderland If you would like any sets for yourself you can order these by clicking here.

Licensing, Photoshop & Being a Visionary

2010-07-31T15:02:00.000-04:00

In between canning a bushel of tomatoes in various forms and redesigning my ".net" website this week I spent some creative time developing product mockups in Photoshop. This is part of my world in art licensing. The process involves taking my original artwork and applying to a product via PS so that a manufacturer can envision a store filled with divine versions of my art. Okay, so that might

Making Ketchup

2010-07-30T16:27:00.000-04:00

My latest creative pursuit involved making ketchup. Oddly enough, we're not big ketchup eaters at our house but what can't be made better when homemade? I had tomatoes, I already made marinara, (yum!) so I thought I'd try my hand at ketchup. Now of course, being one who can't do things the way they have always been done, I had to put my own twist on it. We now have enough ketchup for about

Creative Passions

2010-07-30T13:14:00.001-04:00

I am an artist & a foodie and have glorious fun weaving both of these passions into every aspect of life. In short, I can't leave well enough alone. My hope for this blog is to share these creative explosions with you. Perhaps you will be inspired to try some of the recipes, decorating whims, and artsy ideas or share some thoughts of your own. Download the Rebecca Baer® Artful Living Widget!