Winter Layers

 Our house has lovely, wavy glass windows but a not so lovely draft from those old windows.  So it can get pretty chilly in the Winter months without curtains.  But I don't especially like curtains.  I love natural light.  It's important to me that I'm not living in a dungeon all Winter. Believe me, the Chicago area Winters can be bleak with the overcast gray skies.  But even a thin layer between the windows and our heat bill can make a big difference.

I've been collecting different pieces of Battenburg and Tambour lace for a few months hoping to create some layered type of curtains.  One layer during the day, two at night.  The lace has made a beautiful pile in my fabric area but I knew that if I didn't hang them somewhere soon, they were likely to get ripped or ruined.  

 Right now they are just tacked up with push pins.  Why are men so picky about nail holes??  But I'm pretty sure that I love the look enough to make it a more permanent relationship.

 What do you think?

Linking with White Wednesday & Farmhouse Friday

Wax Paper Transfers

I have an odd thing about buckets.  Zinc, enamel, tin... I'm not picky.  Pretty much, if it's an old bucket, I'm drawn to it.  I know, I'm weird.  Don't even get me started on farm tables. 

Well, I decided that it's time to do something with all these cute buckets.  I ran across a wax paper transfer tutorial HERE not long ago and thought I'd give it a try.

I grabbed an image from Graphics Fairy, used some double-stick tape to attach it to a piece of paper and ran it through the printer.

The tutorial that I was using says to mist the surface with water.  I misted more than I probably should have because the ink ran a bit. But overall it worked pretty well.

 I did find however that the ink rubs off easily so I sprayed on a clear glaze finish and that did the trick.  After a few buckets, I found myself wondering if the tutorial was right and the same process would work on fabric.

As it turns out, the process does indeed work on fabric.  BUT the ink easily smudges after it's dry.  Since I was using very old grain sacks and not a fabric that would be worn or touching skin, I just gave it a light spray of the same glaze and voila, no more smudges.  In the past, when I have printed directly on fabric the ink runs if it gets wet.  I've heard that there really isn't a good way to prepare fabric for non-pigment ink.  

I know it's lame to admit how uninformed I am but I have to ask you... Do you know a better way to print directly on fabric (not using fabric transfers)?  And are there pigment ink cartridges for regular inkjet printers?

Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine

With all the talk this week around here about magazines, I have to mention my friend Angela's new digital magazine, Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine.  If you haven't visited with Angela before, let me tell you that she is one of the most lovely people that you'll ever know.  Her eye for decorating, her photography, her unabashed  views on life, her gardening & cooking, her family stories and mostly her love for the Lord - Make me wish I  were her neighbor!  Luckily, we live within an hour or so of one another so I sometimes get to visit her in person.  

I'm so excited for all of us in blogland to get the opportunity to view more of her talent!

You can visit her blog - HERE

Or

Check out her new Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine

European Flea Market

Check it out, our wonderful French Hens Market is listed in Romantic Country as one of the best flea markets for a memorable weekend.  Of course, we couldn't agree more!  Our hosts, Traci & Monica make it a lovely weekend not just for the shoppers but also for the vendors.  Mr. Blessing and I usually have one or more of our kids with us at any given sale.  And our kids actually fight over who gets to go with to the Hens Market!  Yet Steve and I still feel like we have had a "date" by the time we leave.  Big hugs to Traci & Monica for turning a working weekend (with kids) into a romantic getaway. 

You can visit Steve and I (& so many other great vendors) at the Hens Market on the second weekend of each month May - December.  In the meantime, you can visit Traci & Monica at:

Whimsy Decor

Ruby Begonia's

Paper Garland Tutorial

(View this tutorial in the Spring issue of Romantic Country)
Although some might consider it a sacrilege to tear apart books, we did just that to make our window valances.   It may not be politically correct but, trust me, these were books headed to recycling bin.  Our valances were a hit when friends would visit so we began making paper garlands that we offer in our shop.   It's such an easy project!  The hardest thing is finding a place to sit after you crumple all the pages.  

Step 1:  Select your Books.  The number of books you'll use will depend on the size you want the garland to be and what types of books you are working with.  Paperback books are a nice size for smaller garlands, like for draping over a mirror or a doorway.  Hardback books have thicker heavier pages that are good for larger garlands, like for window treatments for a fireplace mantle.  Vintage books have yellowed pages that are lovely against a white backdrop and most resale shops have an inexpensive selection of used books.  But they can be brittle and may fall to pieces when crumpled.  You should do a test on one or two pages before tearing all the pages out of the book.  Newer books are easier to work with and can be purchased at the dollar store.  You can always age the edges of newer books using a damp tea bag.   No matter the books you choose you should plan to use about 400-500 pages for a 4 footgarland and about 800 pages for an 8 foot garland.

Step 2:  After you've torn the pages out of your book (take them completely off the binding so you have individual pages), then taking small sections fold the pages in half and cut about a 1" slit in the center of the pages.  Be sure to do this step before crumpling the pages.  It's easier to cut a few pages at a time when they are not crumpled up.

Step 3:  Loosely crumple your pages - individually.  Believe me, trying to separate groups of crumpled pages without tearing them is not fun.

We incorporate the kids' help, put in a movie and let the paper fly.  

Step 4:  Un-crumple the pages.  I know, like you couldn't have guessed, right?!

Step 5:  Cut a length of twine as long as you want your garland, adding about a foot.  Then tie a large looping knot in one end.

Step 6:  Begin stringing the twine through the holes in the pages. 

When the garland is the length and fullness that you want, tie the other end with the same looping type knot.  Use the loops for hanging your garland.  You can add ribbons or lace if you like.

If you're the kind of person that's always looking for a fun crafty project, you've got to hop over to RandomTutorial!     It's a new site that directs you to simply click a red button and each time you do, it brings up a tutorial of a project from within the blogging community (you can search for specific projects if you want too but I personally like the little red button!). Seriously, you might be there all day so bring sustenance.

And don't forget to check out all the great handmade items at French Cupboard!