Printing Feed Sacks for the Pie Safe

It's been almost a year since I first showed you this vintage pie safe. . . .one of my "finds". . . .I asked what I should do about the missing tin panels for the doors?. . . .Many thought chicken wire would be nice. . . .Others suggested glass. . . .While a few more suggested screen. . . .

I considered them all. . . .

 It was so hard to make up my mind. . . .John enjoyed seeing the blue and white pieces. . . .so did I. . . .Then, we had our yearly dust storms. . . .following a winter of keeping an open hearth fire going. . . .I dusted and dusted one day--the day I decided to close up those openings!

Sometimes necessity gives a person the answer. . . .

As always, I wanted something Plain & Simple. . . .My first thought was to use a couple of the vintage feed bags. . . .They were either too large or too "busy". . . .While I wanted the bags to show some printing, I also wanted them to be background instead of overwhelming everything else.

What to do? What to do?

I found a piece of sacking with nothing printed on it. . . .Not quite big enough for both sides, but I could make-do. . . .I looked through graphic after graphic, trying to find a Plain & Simple one. . . .When I did, I attempted three times to print it on freezer paper. . . .Didn't work. . . .Very frustrating. . . .So, how about Plan B?

I reached back into the past--during my craft show days--and did what I knew how to do for the result I desired. . . .rubber stamps. . . .masking tape. . . .and a black ink pad for fabric stamping.

I was so pleased with the result, I may use stamps for more projects I have in mind. . . .I like to learn new tricks of the trade. . . .but, sometimes they just don't work out.

Used a light hand with the stamping to give the impression of faded printing. . . .Allowed smudges to remain for a more vintage look. . . .Thumb tacks on the inside hold the "bags" in place.

At one time in the history of our farm, bags were hand lettered by the farm workers. . . .We have a few in our store for visitors to see. . . .So, my idea wasn't totally original. . . .

They are "Prim" for certain. . . .

It's just the look I wanted. . . .Another plus that I didn't see until all was finished--the white panels compliment the white cupboards and kitchen cabinets. . . .whereas before, the pie safe seemed set apart from the rest of the room. . . .

Sometimes you win without planning it.

It won't be long til I reveal the Summer kitchen. . . .Just have a few more touches. . . .a little more cleaning. . . .some tweaking here and there. . . .If I don't hurry, Summer will be over!. . . .Is it passing by as quickly for you? Or, is it just me?

Whether passing fast or slow, I'm hoping you're enjoying every minute!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

Sharing with: *Simple and Sweet Fridays

Drying and Dying Queen Anne's Lace

I know. . . .I know. . . .I promised you the drying technique for Queen Anne's Lace weeks ago. By the time I roamed the back roads to gather my  favorite wildflower, the larger blooms were gone--they were seed. . . .Smaller blooms were still around though. . . .I managed to pick a bucket full. . . .enough to divide into three groups--some for drying with canning jars, some to hang and dry, and just a few to dye. . . .I'm hoping you still have them blooming in your area and can try these tips out!

Queen Anne's Lace heads tend to curl up into a ball if simply hung to dry. Every now and then there will be one or two that will stay flat, but not many. . . .At least in my experience.

Grandmother came up with an idea years ago. . . . .To use her canning jars as weights to keep the Lace flat. . . .Wasn't that smart?. . . .Some people bury them in sand or silica gel. . . . Since I'm sure she had neither, she made-do with what she had. . . .With her way, you don't lose a lot of the small white blooms that make up the flower head. . . .They are a bit more flat but still beautiful in arrangements.

Take a bucket of water with you to gather the Queen Anne's Lace. . . .Stick each stem into the water as it's cut. . . .This will ensure there will be no curling on the way home.

 Drying with canning jars is very simple. . . .Spread newspaper on a table. . . .I don't worry about drying in the dark, so I use the potting shed table. . . .

Place a head upside down on the newspaper. . . .Add another head beside it, sharing canning jars between them. . . .Below left shows this--see how the two jars hold down each side?. . . .On the right, a jar will be placed between the two to catch both edges. . . .I left it out to show you the technique better.

Try to prop the stems up so that they will dry fairly straight. . . .They'll become very stiff. . . .I rarely have to wire them for arrangements.

Once dry, remove the jars and spray the blooms with a little clear spray paint or hair spray to help prevent shedding. . . .What could be simpler?

You're right! Hanging bunches tied with string or with rubber bands is simpler. . . .I had just hung these when I took the photos, so the heads had not curled up, yet, on the open ones. . . .The curled heads were already going to seed. . . .I do try to dry a few like this for variety.

I love the white blooms just as they are. . . .But, there are times I want to add a little color to them. . . .

To dye--a glass jar, water, and a little food coloring is all you need. . . .Red is usually my choice for tinting them pink, but I decided to try blue this time.

You can adjust the intensity by adding more food color. . . .I started with three or four "squirts" and got this soft, almost aqua blue. . . .Add more coloring until you achieve the color desired, waiting for several hours in between.

I've never tried drying the dyed blooms. . . .Might try it this year and see how they turn out. . . .It would be nice to have a few colors to pick from throughout the year.

If you have any other tips for drying or dying Queen Anne's Lace, please share them with us!
I love learning from YOU!

We all know what tomorrow is. . . .Our Country's Birthday!

I'm curling up in the corn crib swing while John does the cooking. 

He's barbequing chicken, pork and hot dogs for himself--and the freezer--  

grilling fish and veggies for me.

Looks like it will be a nice day weather-wise, too.

Stacking up to be a relaxing time together, I think.

To all our friends out in Blogland,

wherever you are and whatever you do. . . .

Please have a SAFE and HAPPY 4th!

Be sure to sing "Happy Birthday" to this 

wonderful, free America we live in. . . .

. . . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 Sharing with: *Anything Blue Friday

Country Sundays--Bless This House

 

. . . from my farmhouse to yours. . .

Summer's Here!!!. . .& The Country Whites Weekend Top Three

"Spring has sprung,

Fall has fell,

Summer's here

And it's hot. . . .again"

(grin)
Not the usual ending, is it?
(grin)

No lie. . . .It is HOT here in the Delta. . . .

and HUMID.

Around 100 degrees yesterday.

The only thing that loves it is our cotton, which is growing like a weed!

We're up bright and early each morning so we can grab every ounce of "cool". . . .

My first stop is the potting shed, which was once the old chicken coop.

Love these little buildings.

I marvel at their age and still in good shape.

I hope I fair as well at 83 years old!

Visiting them each morning puts a smile on my face,

Gives me the push I need to get to work, 

Reminds me I'm here for a purpose--

Keeping our Delta history alive.

How about you?

How's your summer going?

Our turn-out for Country Whites Weekend last week was a little disappointing. . . .BoooHooo. . . .
I suppose everyone's busy with Summer. . . .or just forgot. 

Sometimes Cindy has to remind me! I lose track of time myself.

We will be changing things up a little next month--doing some tweaking here and there.

Changes are coming! Hopefully, they'll be changes you'll enjoy.

Since it was such a small party, we decided to feature the Top Three instead of  the usual Five.

Hope you didn't miss these!

Oh what gorgeous flowers and vignettes
Kris shared with us from Junk Chic Cottage's
Summer Garden

 

 
  So hard to pick just two photos. . . .Hop on over there and see the rest!

You don't want to miss My Ordinary Life's
A Finished Project either!

Isn't this the cutest idea?


Her chicken coop is to die for, too!
Lots of inspiration here, Ladies.
Click the link and go see for yourself!

Kris says she doesn't sew. . . .Really?
Did you see the no-sew skirts at Junk Chic Cottage's
Skirting Around the House?



She shared two with us. . .The first one is in the laundry. . . .
My laundry never looked that good!
Check it out!!!!

Congratulations to each of you Top Three. . . .
Grab a Featured button!

Thanks to all of you who participated. . . .and to those who visited. . . .
We so appreciate you!

. . . from my farmhouse to yours. . .

Coke Case & Cola Bottles--Farmhouse Style

Coke Case and Cola bottles. . . .What could say "Farmhouse" better?

Summertime is coming to the kitchen/keeping room. I've been stuck in the house so much with vertigo that I need a change in my surroundings. . . .The living room has come to a stand still since I'm not safe on a ladder. It's the pits. . . .I need to be creative!

I know I've said this before. . . .but, I'd like to say it again. . . .True Farmhouse Style only takes a "make-do" attitude. . . .Use what you have. . . .Make everything multipurpose. . . .Let's face it. . . .Though gratifying, farming has never been a glamorous occupation. . . .and neither were the farmhouses. . . .They  had to be functional, with little money left over for frills. . . .That didn't mean the ladies of the house didn't decorate. . . .They did. . . .We DO. . . .but, instead of going to a shopping mall, I visit storage buildings and pantry shelves. . . .yard sales and thrift stores. . . .

Our barns are filled with "tons" of cola bottles--mostly from the 70s-80s--Cokes and Pepsi--some Dr. Peppers. . . .Now and then I find a few of the smaller, older ones. . . .They're tough to clean, since there's 40 years of dust, dirt and grime. . . .Yes, it would have been much easier to just go buy one at $5--or more. . . .But, remember, I'm in a make-do attitude. . . .When I found the old Coke case at a yard sale--already painted--I knew I had to visit the bottle pile. . . .I grabbed a few of the cleaner ones and headed for the house. . . .

The thing I didn't realize was. . . .our 70s cola bottles wouldn't fit into the cases's cubbyholes!
They were mostly king size. . . .The original colas were much smaller. . . .Who knew? Did you?

Back to the barn. . . .and the bottle pile. . . .

On my way, I grabbed some Queen Anne's Lace. . . .my favorite summer wildflower. . . .

From the pantry, a chicken or two (very "farmhouse"). . . .A piece of faded cotton feed sack. . . .

I'm loving it!!!!!. . . .Like I said. . . .Farmhouse Style, Plain & Simple. . . .Making do.
Now that I'm inspired, I'm ready to tackle the rest of the room!. . . . More Coke cases?. . . .More Cola bottles?. . . .of course!!!!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . . 

$1 Coke Case--Yard Sale

Cola bottles--Free

Queen Anne's Lace--Free

Black & White Rag Rug--Yard Sale years ago

$2 Chick and Rooster--Goodwill

$1 Chicken Plates--Goodwill

Moss--???

"Eggs"--Free (from artificial grapes)

Sharing this post with: * Tweak It Tuesday * Feathered Nest Friday * Home Sweet Home * Be Inspired  * Simple & Sweet Fridays * Share Your Cup Tuesday