Shabby Corn Shuck Lady Tutorial

I have another really, really simple project for you--

that's perfect for fall--or the Holidays. . . .

I designed and crafted these Corn Shuck Ladies years ago. 

In fact, I sold them through Country Sampler magazine 

and in the Apple Gap Country Store catalog, as well as at craft shows. 

They're timeless--always a hit--

and can be crafted in any style to compliment your decor--

shabby, country, primitive, fall, winter, spring, summer.

For this tutorial, I chose a Shabby Angel theme. . . .

So, let's get busy. . . .

This is a simpler version than the ones I originally designed, but it will give you the same results. . . .
You'll need corn shucks, a 12" styrofoam cone, and floral pins (&/or hot glue for styrofoam).

Cut approximately 1 inch off the top of the cone.

Gather several dry corn husks together and pin the entire bundle with a floral pin to the cone.

I used corn shucks that John saved for me from the garden. 

I like mine to curl up--but you can use the flat ones, too.

Go all the way around the cone. . . .Trim the shucks at the top.

Tie a string around the shucks tightly--as added support.

If you want your lady to have a very full "skirt", add another layer of shucks.

Now, criss-cross opened shucks across the top of the cone, anchoring with more floral pins. Be sure to use a pin on top of the head so the shucks don't shift.

Make up two bundles for the arms. . . .tie in the middle with string. . . .then fold one end under and tie with string to form the hand. . . .trim the opposite end.

Place the arms on the lady and anchor with floral pins or glue.

Your Corn Shuck Lady is ready to dress. . . .

Yes, I know she doesn't look too pretty at this point.

Trust me--she'll turn out beautiful. . . .

The fun part for me is dressing her. . . .

Choose from fabrics, doilies, vintage embroidered pieces--anything you like. . . .

I picked up three cotton doilies last weekend for 10 cents that were perfect.

Two measured 9 x 12--a good size--since I didn't sew up the sides.

Sleeves were cut from the third piece, measuring the length needed according to the length of the arm.

Lay the pieces side-by-side on a flat surface--long piece, sleeve piece, long piece, sleeve piece.

Run a thread (I used cotton crochet thread) along the top. . . .
place on the lady and gather at the neck. . . .tie off. 

Note; If you want a fuller dress (like the one at the end of this tutorial),
the total neck width should be 30-35 inches, and you will need an
additional row of shucks to hold the dress out at the bottom.

Gather the sleeves at the wrist with heavy thread,
being careful to  push the arm strings out of sight. . . .tie off.

Start layering, adding more doilies, ribbon, beads--let your imagination  direct you. . . .

 For my Shabby Angel, I used a vintage doily for her shawl & a piece of burlap between the dress and shawl. . . . hymnal sheet music for wings. . . .a hat with satin roses, a lace & twine bow, and moss that I touched up with antique white paint. . . .pearls, more twine, & a glass angel hang from her neck. . . .she carries her favorite hymn in one hand and a basket of paper roses in the other. . . .
Isn't she sweet?

Want more of a country theme?

 Here's a Peddler Lady I made for my Mom many years ago--
very country looking with calicoes and dried flowers.

She still looks good after all these years. . . . 

I'm thinking I may make a few more this week,
to give as Christmas gifts. . . .
Shabby Angels--but this time, I may add little bells around their necks--
because--as we all know--
"Every time a bell rings, an Angel gets her wings. . .  ."
I'll try to help them along. . . .

Happy Crafting!!!!!!
Til next time. . . .

Sharing with these link parties: * Homestead Barn Hop * Old Time Party * Mop It UP Monday * Show & Tell Friday*Potpourri Friday * Home Sweet Home* Feathered Nest Friday * Simple & Sweet Friday * Vintage Inspiration Friday

Plain & Simple Farmhouse Vignettes

Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Just when I thought we could settle down, checkerboard our kitchen floor,
spend some free time to finish the kitchen/keeping room,
Life Happened . . .

Not a bad life happening--

John was on a job with a contractor last week--into this one--so the floor is on hold until they finish. . .

And, it's not that I had nothing else to do--I'm just anxious to see how the floor will turn out. . .

I've dreamed of one for years now. . .

But, that's the way life goes around here.

I can wait a few more days. . . . 

It's off to other projects this week for me. . . .

while I wait. . . .

Cleared off the kitchen cabinet tops. . . .

and, played with a couple of vignettes. . . .

utilizing the vintage enamel pan,

ironstone and a bread board,

finishing with ironstone pitchers and 

an ironstone sugar bowl.

"Plain and Simple Farmhouse Style"
That's what I'm calling my style of decorating. . . .

I was on a roll. . . .

so, I did another. . . .

Can't decide which one I like the best.

The first one has a romantic flavor to it. . . .

The second is plain and simple. . . .

It probably needs some rosemary in the milk pitcher--
or fall leaves--

but I'm partial to it as it is.

I picked up the marmalade crock for 25 cents at a yard sale.

Can you believe it?

One of my favorite pieces.

I've collected the white pitchers for years.

Some are true ironstone. . . .

Some are stoneware. . . .

Some are ceramic. . . .

I'm planning to decorate for fall with mostly white, so while I had the white pitchers out, 

I placed several on the baker's cabinet--with a few white pumpkins. . . .

Now, I'm off to gather supplies to make a Corn Shuck Lady. . . .
I designed and crafted them years ago--ran across this one I made for my Mom--

 just a sneak peek. . . .
I'll be updating them with "whiter" clothing & accessories.
Be sure and watch for the tutorial later this week. . . .

Guess that's about it from The Farm today. . . .
Hope your week is filled with blessings
and you're enjoying this fall weather!!!!!!!

Check out a wonderful interpretation of these vignettes at:
Chateau Chic

Sharing with: * Creative Things Thursday * Share Your Cup Thursday * White Wednesday * Tweak It Monday

Featured!!!!!

It's always an honor to be one of the featured on a Linky Party. . . .

but, to be honored on three is amazing to me. . . .

 

I never dreamed there would be such an overwhelming response to

 Our White Farmhouse Cabinets . . . .

It's very humbling to me. . . .

To all of you who visited The Country Farm Home. . . .

To all who were so kind and encouraging with your comments. . . .

And, to you who helped me make my decisions about the cabinets

these last few months. . . .

I want to say "Thank You so very much". . . .

Without you, these three features would not have happened. . . .

The Charm of Home 

 "The Farmer's Daughter. . . .showed off her newly repainted cabinets. . . .

Just love the cabinets and the cast iron. . . .and the ironstone!"

Common Ground

"The Farmer's Daughter. . . .shared her wonderful

White Farmhouse Cabinets. . . .

She also had the most party visits!"

2805

"Dru at The Country Farm Home creates a White Farmhouse Kitchen!"

Please click on the links and visit each party--

where you'll find more featured posts,

and over 100 more links at each party. . . . 

You'll find home decor, recipes, fall inspirations, 

and crafts that are all wonderful. 

Everyone of them is a winner, if you ask me. . . .

I've been junking these last few days. . .

but, I'm back safe and sound. . . .

and ready for a new week!!!!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend. . . .

Post Script:

Monday, September 17, 2012

There's a fourth feature!!! How blessed I feel!!! Please join the party at:

Dedicated House

"Pretty Farmer's Daughter painted these lovely cabinets and styled them beautifully. . ."

Chicken In The Kitchen

Henrietta is safe in the kitchen for the winter. . .

She'll be warm and cozy, sitting in her new nesting box beside the fireplace. . . .

After all, it's not a farmhouse without a chicken, is it?

When I was growing up, I did not like chickens at all. . . .

They pecked at my feet,

And, flew at me. . . .

I swore I'd never raise chickens. . . .

But, lately, I've been thinking more and more about some real chicks next spring.

Til then, I'll just enjoy Henrietta. . . .

Chicken Nesting Box--Weathered wood construction

Crafted by my John

Thanks, Dear. . . .

Scarecrows I've Known

A few fashionable farm ladies from years past. . . . 

Isn't Fall a fun time?

Every year our Her Crows come up with some interesting fashion choices.

I never know what they might turn up in,

but I have to say, they get lots of attention.

It's almost time for them to dress in their newest finery. . . .

and return to the farm for all the Harvest festivities.

I wonder what they'll wear this year?

************

If you're interested in constructing a frame for the sitting Her Crow,
 check out my tutorial:  How To Dress a Her Crow Scarecrow

Have a little fun with them. . . .
and be sure to enjoy this wonderful season. . . .


Sharing with:  * Make It Pretty Monday * Homestead Barn Hop * Vintage Inspiration Friday * Rural Thursday * Share Your Cup Thursday

Deep Dish Candy Apple Crisp

I haven't had a red candy apple like you get at the fair in years, but I've been told that they don't have the cinnamon flavoring in them that they once had when I was growing up.
But, if you're like me--and you remember and love those cinnamon-y fair apples on a stick--
or, if you like the taste of sweetness and cinnamon--
I have a treat for you today. . . .

courtesy of my Grandmother Magers. . . .

Years ago she jotted down the following recipe on the inside cover
of her White House Cookbook.

I think I've told you before that
Grandmother never measured anything, unless it was absolutely necessary.
She just added here and there until it looked right.
And, she rarely wrote down a recipe.
If she did, it read something like this one:

"apple pie 
apples
lemon juice
sugar
red hots
butter
1/2 c brwn sug
oats
cinnamon
flour"

Got it?
Or, would you like a translation?
I wrote it out--with directions--
when I was a teenager, learning to cook--

Deep Dish Candy Apple Crisp
In a large bowl, combine
6 cups apples, cored and sliced,
1 tablespoon lemon juice, 
3 tablespoons sugar,
1/2-2/3 cup red hots.
 Stir and set aside.

In another bowl, combine
3 tablespoons melted butter &
1/2 cup brown sugar.
Then add
1/4 cup flour,
3/4-1 cup rolled oats,
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
Mixture should be crumbly.

In the first bowl add 1 tablespoon flour to apple mix.
Pour into a deep dish Pyrex--
top with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
 
Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees until apples are done and the liquid has thickened--
Grandmother lightly covered the pie with foil for about 20-30 minutes,
then uncovered it the remainder of the time--
to be sure the apples cooked quickly
and the topping didn't brown too fast.

Delicious hot or cold--
With or without whipped cream or ice cream. . .

Every year, this was the first pie made with apples from Grandmother's trees. It was as sure a sign that fall was here as the leaves turning red and gold and the days becoming cooler. When our own tree produced it's first apples this year, I got out Grandmother's recipe and whipped up her special dessert. It was as delicious as I remembered. . . . I knew for sure. . . . . It Must Be Fall . . . . .

Hope you'll enjoy Grandmother's Deep Dish Candy Apple Crisp. . . .

It's the next best thing to a red candy apple on a stick. . .

Sharing with: * Farm Girl Friday * Rednesday * Homestead Barn Hop

Easy as 1-2-3 White Wash

This week I found an old barn door in storage that was perfect for hiding the fridge.
I've been looking for one on my junking trips with no luck--a good thing--
I'd forgotten about this one. . . .

Kind of "beat up"--that's the rustic part--
but a bit drab for the white kitchen---

had discolorations and some kind of dark something that had been spilled on it. . . .

So, I decided to give the vintage barn door a face lift.

This white wash technique works best on old wood or pallet wood or any wood with texture. 

 I think it's a lot easier than mixing water with paint and then applying it.

You'll have much more control over the white washing process, too.
Easy as 1-2-3. . . .

1-Water
It's best to lay the object flat.

Brush water directly onto the wood. . . .

2-Paint
Brush on a little "full strength" paint. . . .

Working with a little at a time. . . .

3-Water
Dip the tip of your brush into the water. . . .

Blend the paint and water in  long brush strokes.
 Most of the time, you'll be able to go a long way
without more paint and water.

You'll love the control you have. . . .
The wet boards make blending easy. . . . 

Add a little more paint if there's too much water.

Not too much. . . .

It will dry whiter than it looks when wet.

Still not white enough?

Brush on more paint and add water as needed.
Too white?
Brush on more water.

Once the wood is completely dry,

you can seal it--but it's not necessary.

I spent about 45 minutes total on the entire piece.
Fast and easy--I love those words. . . .

We've used this method on barn wood signs, bird houses,
the bird condo, jelly cabinets, old windows--

anywhere I wanted a little "pickling" effect.

 And, here's the result. . . .
Not bad for a 75 year old.

The door looks fantastic in the kitchen--
helps to hide the refrigerator from sight.
We used "L" brackets on the wide baseboard
to hold the door upright.

John told me months ago if I wanted to be authentic to the 1930s,
I should move the vintage oak icebox in and have ice delivered daily.
Well--some things I don't want to do without--
As long as I can hide them. . . .

Remember:
Easy as 1-2-3. . . .

Sharing with: * Old Time Party * Creative Things Thursday * Show & Tell Friday * Home Sweet Home * Potpourri Friday * Feathered Nest Friday * Simple & Sweet Friday * White Wednesday * Knick of Time Tuesday * Tweak It Tuesday