A new light, a new dining room

Thanks to the McConnell's of Lebanon, Pennsylvania for sharing their latest home improvement project.  With a dining room to tackle, the couple decided to go bold with color and the result is exciting.  After picking out a new dining room table, the couple had to decide on a light.  They choose this chandelier to complete the look they desired.  Some paint, a new table, and a new light brought new life to their dining room.  I am willing to bet they eat more than two meals a year in this new room.  Enjoy your new room and thanks for sharing!

We are pretty excited about this new light.  It provides excellent task lighting over an island, or even a large desk or work station.  Previously, if a home owner had a large island, it would be necessary to decide in advance how many shade lights they would need to have ample lighting, and make sure that the electrician could install the proper amount of electrical boxes and the proper spacing in order to accommodate a few of our very popular tin shade lights.  Now, with this terrific light, you can have more than enough lighting with only one electrical box centered over your work area.  No more re-wires or multiple installations!  Just install this one light over your kitchen island and have plenty of that much needed task lighting!  Come visit us online soon...

Scherenschnittes

We just added a new line of scherenschnittes on our website.  Our scherenscnittes are great reproductions of Pennsylvania Dutch folkart. Scherenschnitte is a German word meaning "scissor cuts." The folkart of papercutting came to America in the 1700's by the German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. These German people are known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch" probably because the word for German is "Deutsch." The Pennsylvania Dutch are known for a rich heritage of folkart including quilting, frakturs and scherenschnittes.

Colonial Floor Cloths

We have just added Colonial Floor Cloths to our website.  What do you think?  We have added some welcome mats but have many more things that we could add - table runners, placemats, chairpads and rugs.  Would you like to see more choices?  Do you have a floor cloth?  Have you ever made one?  Leave us a comment (which are moderated) and let us know your thoughts...

History of Floorcloths The floorcloth is actually an art form dating the whole way back to fifteenth century France! Originally made from the sails of ships, floorcloths served as wall hangings and table runners, but when the English discovered their functional value, they quickly extended the art form to rugs. By the 1800's floorcloths were being widely used to insulate floors of the less wealthy, and were often made in diamond patterns that imitated more expensive marble flooring. And of course, it wasn't long before floorcloths made their way overseas and into the homes of some very well known Americans. It is recorded that George Washington purchased one from Robert and Co. in 1796 at a cost of $14.82. We also know that Thomas Jefferson owned at least two, one in the dining room and a rather large, green one in the great hall of the Presidential Mansion, because he wanted to bring the outdoors indoors. Use and Care of Floorcloths Upon receiving your floorcloth be sure (if necessary) to allow it to warm to room temperature before unrolling. Sweep the floor free of any debris before laying your floorcloth down. They are designed to lay flat on smooth hard surfaces, so watch out for any protruding nail heads, etc. that could put strain on the floorcloth from underneath. If used on brick or ceramic tile floors, the piece will dip slightly into the grooves over time. If this is not desired a thin rubber mat may be used underneath for added support. Our floorcloths have a non skid backing applied and is painted over to prevent debris from sticking to the back. The non skid backing remains effective on many smooth floor surfaces, however a non skid tape or mat may be used if necessary. To clean, just sweep and damp mop as you would the rest of your floor. If the side of your floorcloth is ever scraped or any other damage occurs, simply touch up with water based paint and brush it over lightly with a water base polyurethane.

Artichoke Dip

One of my favorite appetizers to take to a party:

Artichoke Dip
1 C mayonnaise
1 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1 C parmesan cheese
1 to 2 coves of minced garlic
1 small chopped onion
1 T chives or parsley
16 oz can of artichoke hearts (not marinated)

Drain and chop artichokes.  Combine all ingredients.  Place in shallow casserole or deep-dish pie plate.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve with crackers or a French baguette.

New Treenware!

We have been busy adding new products to our website again!  We have greatly expanded our line of Treenware.

This great Farmhouse Bowl would look great with a piece from our collection of Primitive Glassware and your favorite candle and some botanicals.  We love the simple look of some artichokes, pomegranates and some pine cones.

The word "treen" comes from the middle English and means "wooden."  Treen is distinctively different than other pieces made from wood such as furniture or cabinetry in that it is a name for small handmade household items such as bowls or spoons. Our collection of "treenware" is made from a resin and is treated with a primitive patina giving it the look of an antique.  It is for decorative use only and is not suitable for any food service.

Farmhouse Kitchen

Rebecca Hitt Martin's photo of her kitchen looks like it leaped off the pages of Early American Life.  With a beautiful farmhouse table in the center of the room with mix and match chairs and our tin chandelier - what a great look!  Rebecca has lovingly displayed collections of yellow ware, baskets and mason jars.

We thank Rebecca Hitt Martin for sharing with us.  Would you take time to share with us as well?  We would love to have some more pictures of our products in the home.  You can go to our page on Facebook and post a message on our wall and before you hit share, click on the attach photo icon and upload your photo.

15% off Preorder Sale

We are getting ready to fill our retail shop and online website with some Spring!  We are offering a 15% discount off of any of the products in the following categories: Seasonal - Spring, Summer and Easter, Florals and Greenery, Primitive Baskets, Primitive Glassware, and Candles, Reed Diffusers and Botanicals.  The sale begins on January 18, 2010 and ends on January 24, 2010.  Upon checkout, you will need to type "preorder" into the apply coupon box and hit go.  The shopping cart will automatically deduct the discount.

To be clear, this is a "preorder" sale - we DO NOT have most of these products in stock.  We will be placing our orders for Spring and wanted to give you the chance to preorder and take advantage of these savings.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.  Your payment will be processed immediately.

Have fun shopping and think SPRING!

Luther Rabbit

Peanut Soup

The first time I ever had Peanut Soup, I was a little girl of about 8 years of age visiting Colonial Williamsburg.  We ate at the King's Arms Tavern.  Here is a recipe for this wonderful soup from our out of print 25th Anniversary Tin Bin Cookbook (printed in 1997).  Maybe we should do another cookbook?

Peanut Soup
1 med onion
2 stalks celery
2 sticks butter
1/2 C flour
3 qt. chicken broth
3 C creamy peanut butter
1 pt. milk
1 pt. half and half
salt and pepper to taste

Mince onion and chop celery and saute in butter until tender; add flour and stir to make a smooth paste. Slowly add broth while stirring and bring to a boil; add peanut butter and stir.  Reduce heat and add warmed milk and half and half.  Stir and heat about 3 minutes.  Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Chop peanuts or chives to garnish top.  Serves 12 to 14.

Wreaths, Garland & Candle Rings

We just added Wreaths, Garland & Candle Rings to our website.  This beautiful 18" Wreath features pine, pomanders and pinecones.  We think it is just beautiful.  So pop over and check out all the great things we just added to the website.  And keep up to date with us on Facebook and Twitter!

New Florals & Greenery

We just added some new Florals & Greenery to our website.  Although Spring is around the corner, and was the inspiration behind the additions, we just couldn't resist showing this adorable Pocket Back Basket and Christmas Pine Spray.

Yes, I know that Christmas is over but I don't have all the decorations put away at home.  We have started stripping down the store and making some Spring displays, although we do have Christmas all year round in our "Hearth Room."

So, who is ready for Spring?

New Hooked Rugs and Pillows

We have just added some new Hooked Rugs and Pillows to our website.  If you like the one pictured, you can see it here.

Rug hooking began in North America around the mid 1800's on the eastern seaboard of New England.  Housewives would use scraps of wool from making clothes or blankets and would cut them into narrow strips.  The strips of wool would be dyed and would be hooked onto empty burlap feedbags.  It was a great way to create inexpensive floor coverings providing warmth.  Rug hooking flourished into an art form with many intricate motifs being created with artistic flair.

Bread Pudding Recipe

Another recipe from our out of print 25th Anniversary Cookbook (published in 1997 in loving memory of James Dale Lutton - co-founder of The Tin Bin):

12 slices bread
 1 1/2 C sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 C milk
4 eggs
sprinkle cinnamon
raisins (if desired)

Cube bread into baking dish.  In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla and sugar.  Pour over bread cubes.  Add raisins if desired.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serve with whipped cream.

Thanks to Jo Ann Lutton for all the great recipes, for being a great mom and for the opportunity to join the "family business."

Primitive Glassware

We have a new line of Primitive Glassware on our website.  These pieces are beautiful, hand-blown bubble glassware made in the old world style making each one unique and imperfect.

Use for potpourri and candles, fruits or pomanders, florals or any collection you want to display.

This particular Vase with Candle Plate is great to display botanicals or a miniature holiday scene in the bottom, while leaving room to burn your favorite candle on top.  It is offered in a variety of sizes - this being the 12" size that would hold about a 4" candle.

Come and see us soon or visit us online at www.thetinbin.com!

Updated Website

We are so excited with the recent update to our website.  We hope you take the time to check it out and we would love to hear your comments.  Of note, you can now make a Wish List of items you would like to purchase.  As you make your purchases over a period of time, the wish list keeps track so you can get everything you wished for.  You can also make a Gift Registry - perfect for your wedding or house warming events.

So, please take a peek and come back here and leave us a comment.  We really appreciate your feedback!

www.thetinbin.com

Frakturs by Susan Daul

On our website at www.thetinbin.com, we have a terrific collection of printed Frakturs, an artistic folk art stylized by the Pennsylvania Dutch.  We feature the work of Susan Soloway Daul, who has been drawing and painting since her early childhood.  "Old things" have fascinated Susan all of her life, as she fondly remembers accompanying her parents to visit homesteads of many of our founding fathers and countless antique shops searching for treasures from our past. Susan's Folk Art has taken many forms over the past 20 years, as she has used various media including wood and clay, usually incorporating animals into her pieces in some way.

It was a natural progression for Susan's focus to fall on the Fraktur, as their inspirational verses, charming use of animals and beautiful combinations of color proved irresistible from the first time she saw one. Initially given as gifts to special friends and family, Susan's creations have quickly become desirable to collectors as appreciation for her Fraktur has spread far and wide, finding their place in various Museum Shops throughout the country, including Colonial Williamsburg, The American Folk Art Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to name a few.

Breakfast Casserole Recipe

From our out of print 25th Anniversary Cookbook (in 1997):

Something delicious for Christmas brunch - Breakfast Casserole

12 slices bread, trimmed
1 lb crumbled bacon
1 lb shredded cheddar cheese
6 eggs
3 C milk
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Beat eggs and milk together.  Layer bread, bacon, cheese, egg mixture twice.  Refrigerate overnight.  Bake in a 9x13 casserole dish at 325 degrees for 1 hour.  Serves 8 to 12 people.

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Raggedy Angel who won the drawing for the $50.00 gift certificate!  Happy Holidays from all of us at The Tin Bin!

Follow the Blog!

We would like to know who's reading our blog!  For everyone who follows our blog, you will be entered into a random drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate that you can use in the store or online.  Click on "Follow" and sign into your existing account (Google, Yahoo, AIM, Netlog or OpenID) or create a new account.  Then follow the blog and you're entered into our contest.  The contest will end on December 20 and the winner will be notified by email and we will announce the winner on the blog.  That's it!

A Candle in the Window

From the outside looking in, a warm glow at each window of your home represents hospitality and friendship.

Many people use our welcome lights, also known as window candles, throughout the holidays. However, in Lancaster County, the tradition has been to let the welcome lights up throughout the year to have a nightlight in each room to light the way.

Now available are energy efficient dusk to dawn window lights - incorporating style and an innovative light sensor to automatically turn the light on at dusk and off at dawn.

Order Window Lights now in order to have them in time to decorate for the holidays!