A to Z StencilGirl Art Journal Collaboration and Challenge: A to Z of Vegetables

Hello Dear Readers,

This blog post is dedicated to the A to Z StencilGirl Art Journal Collaboration and Challenge  coordinated by Tina Walter. You can find Tina's post about this wonderful project over on the StencilGirl website, here is the link https://www.stencilgirltalk.com/…/stencilgirl-to-z-collabor… 

This is my first time participating in such a project and I had a lot of fun.  The theme for my journal is the A to Z of Vegetables.  I love doing research and finding a vegetable for each letter of the alphabet was indeed a challenge.  The art  journal I used was a Canson Mixed Media Journal in the 7x10 size. 

Why did I pick Vegetables?  Well, because I do not especially like veggies, but I plan on spending the summer adding them to my diet so I thought this would be a great introduction to them.  There were some surprises along the way.

Stencils:  because this is a Stencilgirl challenge, we had to feature StencilGirl stencils on each page.  Since I have a boatload of stencils, that was pretty easy to do.  Although in full transparency, I had to be really careful to ensure that the stencils I picked from my stash met the StencilGirl criteria.  Also, I think I went a little overboard because I used bits and pieces of a lot of stencils.  So, the links in this blog are to the main one used.

Cover of Journal October 2013 - Yoga

Intro page  August 2013 - Inspired by Rex Ray
 

A is for Artichoke Timeless Stencil Seth Apter

Artichoke:  A perennial plant resembling thistles, artichokes are only hardy in the US. Not my favorite because of its bitter taste.

B is for Beets May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Beets take up little room and can be planted in early spring for a summer harvest.  I had to eat beets as a child because I was very anemic and the doctors said it would help.

C is for Cabbage River Rocks Stencil

Cabbage:  I love cabbage cooked with either smoked turkey wings or pork ham hock. 

D is for Diakon Radish October 2013 - Yoga

Daikon radish is a nutritious, low-calorie cruciferous vegetable that may promote your health in various ways. 

E is for Eggplant Houses Stencil Jamie Fingal

Eggplant is considered the royalty of the garden because of its deep purple color.  My favorite way of eating it is cut into sticks, breaded and fried. ( I know not too healthy, but really good)

F is for French Sorrell River Rocks Mini Stencil
 May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary 4 inch stencil

French Sorrell a perennial green that is easy to grow.  Great in salads and soups.  I am going to have to try this.

G is for Garlic March 2013 - Flowers 6 inch Leaves Stencil

Garlic plant in early spring.  Did you know there is a Garlic festival in Gilroy, California.  This place is the Bubba Gump of Garlic.

H is for Haricot Beans February 2014 - Seeds and Pods

Haricot Beans a white bean use a staple in ingredient bean dishes such as baked beans, also known as navy beans. 

I is for Iceberg Lettuce November 2014 - Mary Beth's Private Collection 14.4

Iceberg Lettuce common lettuce used in salads.  I do love me some iceberg lettuce.

J is for Jicama  February 2016 - Circle Tower 

Jicama is a Mexican Yam bean or Mexican Turnip and grown on a native Mexican Vine.

K is for Kale March 2013 - Flowers 

Kale is trending now as the green to eat.  I do not like it at all.

L is for Leeks November 2014 - Mary Beth's Private Collection 14.4

River Rocks Stencil

Leeks are mild flavored cousins to the Onion.  Be careful to wash thoroughly before eating.

M is for Mashua August 2015 - Round About

Mashua colorful tuber which grows in the Andes.  Softer than  potato when cooked it has the taste of mustard greens (interesting).

N is for Neeps May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Neeps grown in the North of England and Scotland,  relative of the rutabaga and the turnip depending on the size.

O is for Onions March 2013 - Flowers 4x4 flower

Onion definitely a staple in most kitchens, onions add so much flavor to a recipe.  I love onions.

P is for Parsnips February 2016 - Circle Tower

Parsnips while looking like white carrots, the have a texture closet to potatoes.  This veggie is good for baking with carrots and sweet potatoes mix.

Q is for Quinoa August 2013 - Inspired by Rex Ray

Quinoa, wait did I say quinoa??? Yep, it is considered a vegetable.  Who knew.  I was trying to find a veggie beginning with a Q and this came up.  It is not considered a typical grain, it is a close relative of leafy green vegetable like spinach and very easy to digest.  I love it in salads.

R is for Rhubarb May 2016 - Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Rhubarb is a vegetable that is eaten as a fruit.  When I was little I had a baby sitter who made rhubarb jam, delicious.

S is for Sweet Potato Web Stencil

Sweet potato, oh do I love sweet potatoes.  So yummy.  One of my weaknesses is sweet potato pie.

T is for Tomatillo River Rocks Stencil

Tomatillo used in Mexican Sauces

U is for Udo  Peacock Feather Stencil 

Udo a perennial Japanese plant

 

V is for Velvet Beans 

  Greek Key Stencil 

Velvet Beans native to Africa and Asia

W is for Winter Squash September 2015 - Lost Languages

Winter Squash included under this umbrella is acorn and butter nut squash.  Stores well and are high in vitamin content.

X is for Xigua August 2015 - Round About

Xigua chinese name for what we know as watermelon and is considered both a vegetable and a fruit.  commonly found in Africa.

Y is for Yams Web Stencil

Yams starchy and edible tuber.  Common in Latin America and Africa.

Z is for Zucchini Words to Live By Stencil

Zucchini is  a type of summer squash.  Love me some Zucchini bread.

Miscellaneous stencil notes:   Alphabet stencil Art Deco Alphabet

The End  October 2013 - Yoga

Well dear readers, thank you for joining me on a journey through vegetables.  Maybe you see a veggie you might want to they OR a stencil that you would like to have.  Please take a moment to reply your thoughts,

until next time.....pilgrim (also known as Glenda Hoagland),