The Farm Chicks

Table Covering

So many of you have contacted me in regards to the covering on my kitchen table.

My table, featured on page 140 of The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen, has been in our home since Colin and I were married.  And after many years of use, it began to show some wear.  But rather than replacing it, I decided to cover it with oilcloth.  Here are my directions, as described in the book:

1. Spread oilcloth over the top of the table, right side up.  Using the table contour as a guide, make sure the pattern is centered nicely; weight the cloth with bowls or books to keep it in position.

2. Cut the oilcloth to size, allowing an overhang on all edges that is long enough to wrap around the edge and staple to the underside of the tabletop.  The overhang was approximately 2 inches for my table.

3. Using a hand held heavy-duty staple gun, attach the oilcloth to the underside of the tabletop.  First staple the middle of 2 opposite sides, then the middle of the remaining opposite sides, pulling the cloth taut.  Continue all around the tabletop, pulling the cloth taut while making sure the pattern remains straight and even.

Note: my favorite source for oilcloth is ebay.  There are a couple of ebay stores from the U.K. that sell adorable oilcloth that I love, and ship worldwide:

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/tablecloth-co

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/fabric-factory/

Cath Kidston is also another favorite source of mine for oilcloth, but the prices and shipping can be really expensive.

Image of my table was taken by the super wonderful John Granen.

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Christmas Star Cookie Wreath/Centerpiece

I love any decorations that involve cookies or give me an excuse to bake.  I've been dreaming of making a cookie wreath and was so happy to create such a fun project.

I decided to make the wreath and cookies out of gingerbread cookie dough so that it would smell especially Christmasey.  I used this recipe (minus the black pepper) for the dough.  And this recipe for the icing.  Here's how I made my wreath:

I cut out the shape of a wreath using a mixing bowl for the outer circle and a cereal bowl for the inner circle, using the rims as an easy guide for my knife.  I baked the wreath (as indicated in the recipe) until it was really hard, but not burned.  After it was completely cooled, I covered the wreath in green icing, and sprinkled it with Wilton light green sugar sprinkles.  At this point, the wreath needs to sit for several hours until the icing is completely hardened.

In the meantime, I baked my cookies (I chose two different sizes of stars) and prepared the icing.  I added a few Tablespoons of cold water to the icing to make it almost drizzley (just not runny to where it can't keep it's shape.  See images of icing below).  I divided the icing and colored each batch the colors I'd be using for this project.  I spooned the different icing colors into Wilton squeeze bottles, and a tiny squeeze bottle I found at Daiso.  (The tiny squeeze bottle wasn't necessary, but I love teeny things, so why not?)

To ice the cookies, I used a technique called "flooding" where you outline the area and then "flood" it with the icing.  It's such a fun technique that makes cookies look really impressive.

Step 1)  Outline cookie:

Step 2)  Flood the cookie, using the same icing.  You can use the tip of the squeeze bottle to help spread it around if necessary:

Step 3) Add dots by squeezing contrasting dots of icing onto the icing already on the cookie.  (The icing dots will sink in together and all be flush after a few minutes):

Step 4)  Allow cookies to dry completely (This will take several hours, but time really depends on how much icing is used).

Step 5)  Attach cookies to wreath using the icing as glue.  Let sit for 24 hours or until really hard.

I hung my wreath directly onto a nail, however, this will only work if the wreath is really hard.  The wreath can also be hung by attaching a colorful ribbon and hanging it from the ribbon, or simply display it on a shelf, ledge, or window sill. Better yet, if you're looking for a cheery holiday centerpiece, this is just the ticket!

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Thanksgiving Garland

I don't really do any decorating for Thanksgiving but like the thought of making our house feel a teeny bit more festive when we're celebrating a holiday.

I created this fun little garland by punching out colorful paper leaves with a Marvy paper punch.  (It punches out the paper and embosses little veins into each leaf at the same time).  Then I hot-glued the leaves to bakers twine.

 

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Recipe Box Re-do

Mr. Blue Sky (aka Lukie) went to make some cookies last night and was a little surprised at the state of the recipe box.  "How do you find anything in here?", he asked.  It needed a fix-up.  But I was tired of the boring little dividers and thought that I should make new ones that were pretty and colorful.  Because color is happy, just like Mr. Blue Sky.

And I've started writing out all of my recipes on my collection of recipe cards.

I made the new dividers from scrapbook paper, simply by tracing the old dividers and cutting out.  Isn't scrapbook paper one of the best creations ever?!

I'll be hand-printing the different section titles when I'm all done with this project.  And I'll be sure to use a permanent marker on the dividers and recipe cards so the ink doesn't smear if it gets wet.  My favorite pen for this is a Sharpie, in fine point.  And they come in zillions of colors.

Other sources:

The darling vintage tablecloth is from Retreat.

The recipe box is from Martha Stewart's Macys collection.

The Farm Chicks recipe cards are available on my website.

The Sweet Potato Bake recipe is available here on my blog, and happens to be one of my very favorite Thanksgiving side recipes EVER.

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Covered Button Cuteness

Just recently, I showed you the little covered buttons I made and added to a summer jacket.  I love how simple it is to makeover clothing pieces and add my own personal touch.  I purchased a heavy winter coat from Forever 21 and knew some simple covered buttons would be perfect.  Here it is before:

I use Dritz Cover Buttons because they work really well and have simple, easy instructions on the back. The first time I made buttons, I bought the kit, and now I can just buy the refills for future projects:

To start, cut the button pattern from the back of the package:

Trace the pattern onto the fabric.  I knew I wanted simple buttons with no pattern, and chose red wool, since the coat is heavy and wool is an appropriate texture match:

Cut out the fabric:

Center fabric, wrong-side up over the little mold that comes in the kit and place button shell atop:

Press button shell into mold:

Tuck fabric into button shell and top with button backing:

Take the pusher that comes in the kit and place atop the button backing.  Press into place.  If the fabric is really thick, (as in this case with wool) you might need to use a rubber mallet:

And voila!  A darling new button, completely your own style!

Then, just sew the little cuties into place and you're all done!

 

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Button Love

I love clothing that has a unique touch, or something just a little special to it.  I'm pretty sure that's why I love Anthropologie so much.  But I also don't enjoy spending lots of money, especially for something that I know I can specialize on my own.  One of my favorite things to transform is buttons, because I can take an ordinary piece and make it pretty special.  This summer, I wanted a fun little jacket for our trip to Nantucket.  I went to TJ Maxx and found this little jacket on clearance for $5.

I removed the boring buttons it came with, made some fabric-covered buttons, and added them to the jacket.  (I'll have a tutorial for the buttons in a few days).

And now, it's completely my style.

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Menu Board

Every week, I make a menu for the upcoming week's meals.  I make my grocery list based on those meals and then post what the choices are for the week.  It's a great way to stay on budget and be organized at the same time.  I've always used a chalkboard to post the menu for my family, but thought it would be really fun to make a board using the vintage plaster pin letters I found recently at an estate sale, rather than writing it out each week.  And, a bonus is that I moved the chalkboard to the front porch for messages and greetings.  I love how tidy the new menu board looks.

To make it, I purchased a new cork board and a tiny can of spray paint.  I also went to my fabric stash and selected a fabric that I liked for this project.

I spray painted the frame (covering the inner corkboard with newspaper first).  After the paint dried, I cut the fabric about 1/4" bigger than the cork, all around, and pushed it under the painted frame.  I used my stovetop scraper to push the fabric under the frame, but a thin, dull knife would work well too.  I made sure all edges were snugly tucked under the frame.

And now, we're all set!

Related articles

My Laundry & Mud Room - Part 2

The Printshop - Hearn Brothers

Keeping it Fun!

I try and find fun things for the boys to do each day over the summer.  One of their favorites is Toy a Day, where we can search for paper toy fold-up projects.  They've really enjoyed it.

Movie Munchies

In the summer, we love watching movies on our back deck, projected up onto the outside wall.  It's sort of like the drive-in, just more comfy.  And we love lots of munchies.

This old drawer works as the perfect carry-all for all our movie munching needs.

Curtain Crush

I love simple curtains and I have to admit, even after all these years, I still have a crush on them.  And here's the good part:  I made them out of vintage sheets.  It's true.

I LOVE good cotton sheets (vintage) that have that sturdy, yet soft feel.  And whenever I find them at estate sales, I buy them because they're good for so many projects.  For my home and style, the twin sized sheets are the perfect length for my windows.  And exactly right for my sliding glass doors too.  I use them in my kitchen, living room, and master bedroom.

To make, I just sew ribbon tabs to the top of the sheets, and hang.  Whenever they need to be cleaned, I can just throw them in the washer, and they're as good as new.  And since they're white, the best way to perk them up if they're a bit yellow-ish when I purchase them, is to give them a quick soak in Rit Color Remover.  It turns them perfectly crispy white.

And honestly, it doesn't have to be limited to sheets.  I've found darling blankets that I've turned into curtains for the boys rooms too.  And colorful, patterned sheets are great as well.  But best of all, they're so easy and inexpensive too.

Pocket Journals

One of the boys has a habit of writing on his hands, which I really don't like.  But I understand that his mind is constantly whirring away, and he wants to doodle and write random things.  So, I came up with an idea for tiny pocket journals that he could keep in his pocket - available whenever he'd like.

To make the journals, I drew out a small rectangle (3"x7.5").  I cut a small stack of printer paper into that shape, as well as a heavier scrapbook paper in the same size for the cover.  I stitched a straight line down the middle and folded it in half.

  

When his brother's saw the journals, they wanted some too.  Now they're all sporting pocket journals and are as happy as can be.

 

Embellished Tank

I buy a lot of vintage linens and really love retro prints.  I love the big flowery prints because they're perfect for making plain tank tops look cute.

Start with a plain tank top, fusible iron-on web, and your choice of
fabric for embellishing.

Directions:

1.)  Cut out fabric and fusible web for embellishing.

2.)  Fuse onto tank following instructions provided with the fusible web.

You're done!

Quilted Babydoll Smock

Recently, I was inspired by a $900 Tsumori Chisato dress, and figured I could create my own version for much less.

 

A recent find of a huge bag of antique quilt and floursack squares at one of my favorite thrift shops worked perfectly for this project.

Supplies:

• Target Cotton Tank Top - $6
• Men's XL or XXL Fruit-of-the-Loom Cotton T-Shirt - $5
• Thrift Store Quilt Squares, Floursack - $1

Directions:

1. Pre-wash and dry tank and t-shirt
2. Cut tank top straight across just under chest.
3. Cut t-shirt straight across just under arms.
4. Gather t-shirt on raw edge to fit tank top.
5. Pin tank top and gathered t-shirt, right sides together and stitch.
6. Affix quilt squares and floursack materials using a decorative top stitch or hand-embroidery stitch.

Total Cost: $12

Style Tip:  This smock can be worn alone as a cute little summer dress or over your favorite pair of slim-fit jeans or leggings.

My Place, Your Place, Little Toy Chair Place

Place markers can be such a cute way to liven up the table. I love using tiny vintage toy chairs as holders for everyone's names.  Names can be hand-printed onto paper, folded into a little tent, and set on each chair.

Tree Wrap

I love fabric.  It's patchwork here, calico there and the color just makes us happy.  Our wheels were spinning when we discovered a barren tree at the fairgrounds.  So, we wrapped it up with the most colorful fabric we could find and placed it at the entrance to our show:

We loved walking around the show and hearing women say things like, "I'll meet you at the tree in 2 hours!"and seeing the tree in posts on lots of blogs.

Special thanks to Sweet Addie Vintage for the top image and to Kim at Camp Whimsy for reminding us to post about the tree.

Display it Pretty

I'm always looking for fun ways to display our products at the show.  Last year, for one of The Farm Chicks pendant styles, I made paper cakes to display them on:

I took stick pinks and pushed them into the cake sides, and then hung the pendants on the pins.

To make the cakes, I took graduated circular pieces of white craft foam and covered each one with big sheets of craft paper, measured and cut to fit.  I hot-glued the paper on to each circle, and covered the edge seams with rick rack trim.  I then stacked the cake layers together and glue gunned into place, making sure to keep the paper seams all on the same side (the back).  I adhered the cakes to pretty cakestands with strong velcro squares, which were removable after the show.

 

Magnetic Knife Rack

Finding a cute way to store your knives can be tricky.  This is the perfect
solution.  I started out with a magnetic knife rack from Ikea and covered
it in a cute calico fabric.  Now, the rack is just as darling as the knives!

1.) Iron fabric, and lay out wrong side up. 

2.) Place knife rack face down on fabric.

3.) Cut fabric all around rack, about 3/4 of an inch larger than
rack, or wide enough to be able to pull fabric over the inside lip of the rack.

4.) Pull fabric over the inside lip of the rack, glueing into place
as you go.

5.) Mount according to package instructions.

Materials needed:

Ikea
(Asker) magnetic knife rack

Material of your choice

Hot glue gun

Sources:

The knives were purchased at William Sonoma and TJ Maxx