Stars and Stripes – The AmeriCows

 Uncategorized  15 Responses »
Jul 042012
 
Happy 4th of July everyone!
I’d like to introduce you to the Americows  (America + Cows = AmeriCows).

These two lovely ladies were offered to me by a friend who felt I could give them a second life. Of course I wanted them. Who wouldn’t want wooden cow cutouts?! (You? Ok, I can accept that, but only if you agree to send me any and all cow cutouts you are offered)

*Update: There seems to be confusion about the size of the cows, they are only about 8 inches tall.



They have been kicking around the craft room for a few months a little while. I had originally planned to paint them and hang them outside on the barn somewhere around the barn quilt. I’ll be honest, they lacked vision. They wanted more than just a coat of paint.

They wanted personality.

So when I saw this Patriotic Rooster:



(First I fell in love) then I had my A-HA moment.

First I glued the leg back on the black cow (she had a boo-boo) and pried the hanger off the back of the white cow so the back could be the front. Then they each got one solid coat of paint. The right facing cow is Valspar La Fonda Deep Blue, the left facing cow is apple barrel white acrylic.

I cut a slightly wonky star out with my Slice on paper and used it as a stencil for the stars. The white is more apple barrel acrylic, I more or less dry brushed it.

The stripes are intentionally wavy, I free handed them with a small brush with Valspar Fairmount Penthouse Garnet. For those of you keeping track this is the THIRD project I’ve used these little jars for and I still have more than half left in each jar. I wasn’t paying attention as I worked and ended up with 14 stripes, oh well!

These ladies are destined to live on a shelf I haven’t put up yet. I’ll be curating their environment and getting up new pictures asap!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you tomorrow for the party!

Summer Blog Challenge:

July 3rd: No big plans for summer travel, possibly a short trip to a water park or two with the family

Free Address Labels in Books

 DIY  1 Response »
Jun 302012
 
When you have a lot of these:

It can be hard to keep track of them (the books, not the shelves). My Aunt has a great solution.


You know those address labels you often receive as a “free gift”?
I just got a new sheet from Better Homes and Gardens to entice me to renew my subscription for the low price of way too much (Amazon regularly offers 1 year subscriptions for $5).

I got rid of the offer but kept the stickers.

Put one address sticker in each book. I usually put them on the inside cover even though some have a line to write your name in. It’s easier to find and looks neater than scribbling with a pen

This is really helpful if you loan your books to others (or if you borrow books from friends and don’t remember if the book is yours or someone elses!). It’s also handy if you leave the book somewhere like at work.
Yesterday’s SBC was to post a tutorial. Puppy madness ensued and I didn’t get to take pictures until this morning. 
The boys are settling into a pattern so it’s getting easier.
The biggest problem is Alfie gets too rough and Bandit can’t play like that. 
We’ve finally got him back to walking on all 4 legs though, so that’s something!

What’s Cluckin’ 10

 Uncategorized  5 Responses »
Jun 282012
 
My Aunt made it though surgery ok, she’ll probably be in the hospital until Monday and we’ll probably have Bandit for atleast 2 weeks. He’s a bit of a handful. His ‘house manners’ are pretty much non-existent but he’s settling in nicely. Alfie is really happy to have another dog in the house but Rita is not amused. 
In case you missed it I shared some tips on keeping raspberry bushes under control for easy picking
The top-viewed link last week was from Veronica!

She shared a recipe for Sparkling Summer Punch. Can’t wait to try it!

I’ve also decided to feature the LAST link up from each party!

This weeks last link up was from Rita May:

She shared her Giant Rooster. Is it any surprise I love this guy?

Congrats! You are are top of the pecking order (trust me, it’s the best place to be!)

Chicken Scratch NY

On to the party, here are the rules:

Link up any thing crafty, food, garden or photo related.
Please no giveaways or shops

Link up to a single post, not your blog

Pretty please link back with a text link or button!
It doesn’t have to be on the post, just have it somewhere on your blog

Check out at least 2 other entries for everything you enter.
It’s all about the love!

You don’t have to be a follower but I’d love it!

Link up as much as you want

By linking up here you give me permission to use your photos if you’re featured on my blog and to have your post added to my feature pin board. Maybe even on my new facebook page and twitter!

Chicken Scratch NY\uck/

Summer Blog Challenge:

Day 27: Best Gift:
The Alpacas! I won them in an auction and then Mike’s mom paid for them for our house warming gift (I was going to pay but she wouldn’t let me!)
Day 28: Laundry tip:
Find a boyfriend/fiance/husband who likes to do it!

Fourth of July Faux Mantle

 Uncategorized  6 Responses »
Jun 222012
 
Are you sick of my rustic, country chic Americana yet? No?

Awesome! Cause I’ve got another round for you!

I re-fanicificated the newly painted bookshelf for the upcoming holiday. You might recognize the Firecrackers and the 1776 embroidery from earlier in the week.
The newest projects are the woven burlap runner and the picture frame twine star. 
For the runner:
A piece of burlap for the base, a scrap of woven fabric, a safety pin and scissors.
Rip the fabric into strips. I used 3 strips about 3/4 in wide. 
Decide where you want the strips and pull out the burlap threads. Using the safety pin weave the strips through the burlap. I went over 10 and under 5 for the middle round and eyeballed similar spacing for the outside strips
Come back Sunday for a tutorial on the picture frame star!

Summer Blog Challenge:

Day 20:
Day 21: Recent words of wisdom: “Even if it breaks your heart” 
It’s my new motto. Kinda like Nike, Just Go For It
Day 22: When I was a kid I wanted to be a vet. Or a fashion designer. Or an artist. Or an equine massage therapist. 
I wanted to be a lot but there was always a theme of creativity and love of animals. 
I guess not much has changed :-)

What’s Cluckin 9

 Uncategorized  7 Responses »
Jun 212012
 
It’s been crazy. I’ve hardly been home this week so I’m sorry for not getting to comment on all the links! I did stop by I promise!
If you missed it I gave a tutorial on this super-quick Patriotic Embroidery!
The top-viewed link last week was from Kathe!
I think she’s had the top link for about 1/2 of these parties!

 This time she shared her garden shed re-vamp

Congrats! You are are top of the pecking order (trust me, it’s the best place to be!)

Chicken Scratch NY

On to the party, here are the rules:

Link up any thing crafty, food, garden or photo related.
Please no giveaways or shops

Link up to a single post, not your blog

Pretty please link back with a text link or button!
It doesn’t have to be on the post, just have it somewhere on your blog

Check out at least 2 other entries for everything you enter.
It’s all about the love!

You don’t have to be a follower but I’d love it!

Link up as much as you want

By linking up here you give me permission to use your photos if you’re featured on my blog and to have your post added to my feature pin board. Maybe even on my new facebook page (if I remember…)!

Chicken Scratch NY

4th of July Primitive Embroidery

 DIY  18 Responses »
Jun 192012
 
It seems that my country style is taking a primitive slant this summer. My fingers were itching for something fast and fun to add to the patriotic spirit in my home. I spent about 4 hours in the garden so I knew it had to be easy and my craft room is over flowing so it had to be a stash buster.

This is what I came up with:



You need: A small embroidery hoop
A scrap of burlap bigger than the hoop
A scrap of tightly woven fabric for behind the hoop
A scrap of blue print fabric for the star
Thick red string (I used crochet cotton)
A sharp needle with a large eye

Start by placing the out side hoop on the table, make sure it’s loose
Layer on the burlap and woven fabric. Sandwich tightly with the inner hoop.

Cut a star from the blue print. I highly recomend drawing out a quick 5 point star on paper and making a pattern. My first star looked like a wide, fat man with a really long inseam.

Pin the star onto the burlap closer to the top than center.
Stitch around the edge with a wide straight stitch.

Free-hand (stitch?) “1776″ below the star.
Trim and fray the burlap until you’re happy with it

Hang it up with next your Firecracker centerpiece and you are on your way to celebrating like its 1776!


Linked up at Funky Junk Interiors

Summer blog challenge:

Day 18:  I love this recipe for Cabbage Strudel  – if you follow this recipe you will end up with an excess of filling. But it’s still really good!

Day 19: Something I’m proud of? How about the progress I’ve been making in the garden (finally!)?
I’ll get some pictures up tomorrow but I’ll just say I planted squash, beets, carrots, cucumbers, beans, dill and melons. I also finished transplanting the tomatoes and excavated weeded around the kiwi, current and gooseberry bushes. 

Photo I’m Proud Of

 Uncategorized  7 Responses »
Jun 162012
 

This isn’t the best picture I’ve ever taken but I am proud of it. This is where my baby sleeps all summer. She gets up when she shes me coming so getting a shot of her relaxing is a nice treat.

Usually when I come home from work shes in this window with her paws, belly and face pressed into the screen

Some Life Advice

 Uncategorized  1 Response »
Jun 142012
 
Today’s prompt was to give 15 tips to get though life.

I haven’t lived enough life to really give too much advice so I’ll tell you something my Dad used to say when I would complain about something stupid

“If that’s the worst thing that happens all day, it’s still a good day”

It almost always works to get me over something trivial.

You can pick at least 14 more from this song:

What’s Cluckin 8

 Uncategorized  5 Responses »
Jun 142012
 
It’s been crazy. I’ve hardly been home this week so I’m sorry for not getting to comment on all the links! I did stop by I promise!
If you missed it I gave a tutorial on this pretty primitive 4th of July Firecracker Centerpiece!
The top-viewed link last week was from Kathe

She (finally) told us where she keeps all the things that make her table scapes look so amazing.

Congrats! You are are top of the pecking order (trust me, it’s the best place to be!)

Chicken Scratch NY

On to the party, here are the rules:

Link up any thing crafty, food, garden or photo related.
Please no giveaways or shops

Don’t make me be the grinch!

Link up to a single post, not your blog

Pretty please link back with a text link or button!
It doesn’t have to be on the post, just have it somewhere on your blog

Check out at least 2 other entries for everything you enter.
It’s all about the love!

You don’t have to be a follower but I’d love it!

Link up as much as you want

By linking up here you give me permission to use your photos if you’re featured here on my blog and to have your post added to my feature pin board. Maybe even on my new facebook page (if I remember…)!

Chicken Scratch NY

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