Hi everyone!
I can not seem to keep my post visable and am not sure why that is? If you are having trouble viewing my page then let me know. It seems like I can just click on February and they come up, but will not stay up after I log out? Hum, what to do? Sorry if anyone has been trying to view my blog, I didn't know that was happening before this afternoon.
Hugs and blessings,
Stacey
Monday, February 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tea Stain Recipe
I found a great site on the web that had some really wonderful primitive techniques for craft making and I wanted to share with you one of the recipes that she has on her site, which is how to tea stain fabric.
Here is her recipe:
Tea Staining ~ Fabric Tea staining has been around a long time and was first used to hide stains on linens. It is one of the most popular ways to stain fabric and gives it a warm antique look. Different types of teas such a green tea, black tea, rasperry and herbel teas will give you different tints and tones on fabrics so don't be afraid to experiment a bit. Hibiscus tea will give you red tones while black teas give more of a soft brown or cream tone to the fabric. Tea staining works well only on natural fabrics- muslin, cotton, linen and wools dye well. It is very easy to do and just takes a few simple steps:
~If your fabric is new be sure to wash it first to remove the sizing before dying
~I have found 4 cups of water and 4 single cup tea bags will dye one yard of fabric
~Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat add tea and let set for about 5 minutes until the liquid turns the desired color
~Remove the tea bags from the water if you dont the tea bags may make dark stains on your fabric
~Wet the fabric in water thoroughly, removing excess before putting in the tea mixture- stir gently
~Let soak for approxiamately 10 minutes checking to see if the fabric is dark enough
~Remember you fabric will dry a shade lighter
~When fabric has reached the desired color remove from the tea mixture and rinse well with warm water and a mild dish soap- if you don't the fabric may become damaged by the tea- tea contains acid which can destroy fibers over time
~Line dry or place the fabric in the dryer. I like to put the fabric in an old pillowcase to protect my dryer and if Im going to put in white clothes right after I will wipe the dryer out if it jeans I just dont worry
~When the fabric is dry if you want it darker repeat the process , if the fabric is too dark wash the fabric in a gallon of water to which you have added 1 tablespoon of bleach this will lighten the fabric- rinse thoroughly and redry
~If I am going to use the fabric for something that is going to be washed I will soak it in a gallon of cold water to which I have added 1 tablespoon of vinegar to set the color.
Have fun tea staining - remember the possibilities are endless -old linens, clothes, etc can all be tea stained! For more great crafting tips and recipes visit our website Two Old Crows.
Happy crafting and blessings,
Stacey
Here is her recipe:
Tea Staining ~ Fabric Tea staining has been around a long time and was first used to hide stains on linens. It is one of the most popular ways to stain fabric and gives it a warm antique look. Different types of teas such a green tea, black tea, rasperry and herbel teas will give you different tints and tones on fabrics so don't be afraid to experiment a bit. Hibiscus tea will give you red tones while black teas give more of a soft brown or cream tone to the fabric. Tea staining works well only on natural fabrics- muslin, cotton, linen and wools dye well. It is very easy to do and just takes a few simple steps:
~If your fabric is new be sure to wash it first to remove the sizing before dying
~I have found 4 cups of water and 4 single cup tea bags will dye one yard of fabric
~Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat add tea and let set for about 5 minutes until the liquid turns the desired color
~Remove the tea bags from the water if you dont the tea bags may make dark stains on your fabric
~Wet the fabric in water thoroughly, removing excess before putting in the tea mixture- stir gently
~Let soak for approxiamately 10 minutes checking to see if the fabric is dark enough
~Remember you fabric will dry a shade lighter
~When fabric has reached the desired color remove from the tea mixture and rinse well with warm water and a mild dish soap- if you don't the fabric may become damaged by the tea- tea contains acid which can destroy fibers over time
~Line dry or place the fabric in the dryer. I like to put the fabric in an old pillowcase to protect my dryer and if Im going to put in white clothes right after I will wipe the dryer out if it jeans I just dont worry
~When the fabric is dry if you want it darker repeat the process , if the fabric is too dark wash the fabric in a gallon of water to which you have added 1 tablespoon of bleach this will lighten the fabric- rinse thoroughly and redry
~If I am going to use the fabric for something that is going to be washed I will soak it in a gallon of cold water to which I have added 1 tablespoon of vinegar to set the color.
Have fun tea staining - remember the possibilities are endless -old linens, clothes, etc can all be tea stained! For more great crafting tips and recipes visit our website Two Old Crows.
Happy crafting and blessings,
Stacey
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Goodwill finds from Sunday and Monday
I know that some of you have been patiently waiting on me to get pictures of my Goodwill finds on my blog. Well, I finally got all of the pictures taken and am so glad to share them with you. :) It was a great trip to two different area shops and I hope you enjoy the items that I decided to bring home with me.
Perfect Prims and Blessings,
Stacey
Stacey
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Shopping Day and a Little About My Posts
Today I spent shopping and got the chance to go to Goodwill. There I found some really neat things that I will post pictures of on my blog Tuesday afternoon. I spent the whole day shopping at different places and of course spent some money, which is what I do unfortunately when I am depressed. To make a long story short, the reason for my depression today was the news that I am now considered a diabetic. My other blog tells of the journey that my husband Scott and I are going through in order to conceive our miracle. Feel free to visit anytime.
Thank you for all of your kind words and prayers. They mean so much to me and my husband. I also wanted to let you know that I will post everyday, the time however will not always be the same. For me it is usually after Scott goes to bed that I post for the next day, like I am now. But, tomorrow, or actually today, later this afternoon, I will be posting again those pictures of my finds at Goodwill. I am very excited about them! The reason I will be posting again this afternoon is because I am a substitute teacher and have to work in the morning, which makes my time to blog a little shorter since I have to get ready for the day. It is so wonderful to have all of you following my blog, what a blessing and miracle that is for me. :) I am going to get the hang of managing both blogs here, it is just going to take me a little time to adjust because I actually go through all of my followers blogs everyday and leave them comments. So, I will catch up on all of your blogs this afternoon since I did not get to do that.
Perfect prims and blessings,
Stacey
Thank you for all of your kind words and prayers. They mean so much to me and my husband. I also wanted to let you know that I will post everyday, the time however will not always be the same. For me it is usually after Scott goes to bed that I post for the next day, like I am now. But, tomorrow, or actually today, later this afternoon, I will be posting again those pictures of my finds at Goodwill. I am very excited about them! The reason I will be posting again this afternoon is because I am a substitute teacher and have to work in the morning, which makes my time to blog a little shorter since I have to get ready for the day. It is so wonderful to have all of you following my blog, what a blessing and miracle that is for me. :) I am going to get the hang of managing both blogs here, it is just going to take me a little time to adjust because I actually go through all of my followers blogs everyday and leave them comments. So, I will catch up on all of your blogs this afternoon since I did not get to do that.
Perfect prims and blessings,
Stacey
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Silicone Bulbs
Lights are one of my favorite things to use in my primitive farmhouse decorating. I have them EVERYWHERE, including in my windows and they stay lit all year round! Silicone bulbs can be expensive to buy, but I found a recipe for a do-it-yourself version on the web site called Create A Prim. I hope to make a couple of these soon to see how this recipe turns out. Let me know if any of you try it and how it comes out. Have fun and happy primming! :)
Supplies:
~Clear or opaque 100% silicone caulking in a tube (outdoor silicone, not the one for bathrooms) – you can usually find it at your local hardware store
~Night light bulbs, small 5 watt bulbs, or small Christmas lights
~Gloves (uncured silicone can irritate your skin)
~A container with lid such as a margarine tub, or yogurt cup
~Wire
~A suspended wire or something to hang your bulbs on to cure
~A well ventilated room or do your project outside
Directions:
First, always test out each bulb to make sure it works! You don’t want the aggravation of a gorgeously dipped bulb that doesn’t light up! Lol Wrap a length of wire to the metal end of your bulbs so you can hang them after dipping to cure. When dipping, you want to make sure you have enough silicone in your container to completely submerge your bulb; so use your bulb as a measuring guide, and mark a fill line on your container. Empty the tube of silicone into your container up to the fill line (you can cut off the end of the tube). To avoid bubbles, squeeze a little of the silicone into your container, then tap the container on a surface to let the bubbles rise to the top; then squeeze some more in, and tap again. Don’t stir the silicone.
Dip the bulb slowly into the silicone, and then pull straight out without twisting for a smooth surface. Do this slowly for an even coat, and go slower when you get to the end of the bulb to create a long tip. If you twist while dipping, it will give you neat ripples on the bulb. If you get a bump or other flaw, you can rub it with an ice cube to smooth (but make sure you don’t touch the bulb with your fingers).
Hang the bulb up to dry by the wire you attached to the bottom. Let it cure for at least three hours without touching it; then you’re done! Use the new country bulb in your candle lamps, and more!
Happy prims and blessings,
Stacey
Supplies:
~Clear or opaque 100% silicone caulking in a tube (outdoor silicone, not the one for bathrooms) – you can usually find it at your local hardware store
~Night light bulbs, small 5 watt bulbs, or small Christmas lights
~Gloves (uncured silicone can irritate your skin)
~A container with lid such as a margarine tub, or yogurt cup
~Wire
~A suspended wire or something to hang your bulbs on to cure
~A well ventilated room or do your project outside
Directions:
First, always test out each bulb to make sure it works! You don’t want the aggravation of a gorgeously dipped bulb that doesn’t light up! Lol Wrap a length of wire to the metal end of your bulbs so you can hang them after dipping to cure. When dipping, you want to make sure you have enough silicone in your container to completely submerge your bulb; so use your bulb as a measuring guide, and mark a fill line on your container. Empty the tube of silicone into your container up to the fill line (you can cut off the end of the tube). To avoid bubbles, squeeze a little of the silicone into your container, then tap the container on a surface to let the bubbles rise to the top; then squeeze some more in, and tap again. Don’t stir the silicone.
Dip the bulb slowly into the silicone, and then pull straight out without twisting for a smooth surface. Do this slowly for an even coat, and go slower when you get to the end of the bulb to create a long tip. If you twist while dipping, it will give you neat ripples on the bulb. If you get a bump or other flaw, you can rub it with an ice cube to smooth (but make sure you don’t touch the bulb with your fingers).
Hang the bulb up to dry by the wire you attached to the bottom. Let it cure for at least three hours without touching it; then you’re done! Use the new country bulb in your candle lamps, and more!
Happy prims and blessings,
Stacey
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Barn Stars
As many of you will come to see I absolutely love stars. My primitive farmhouse is full of them. When I moved here and started decorating, I did not know just now many stars that I had, but let me tell you there are bunches of them. One of the things that I love about primitive decorating is the fact that there is so much history behind the items that I collect and display. As I was looking at the web site called Create A Prim that Lisa over at Prims From Above posted about, I found a really interesting article that I wanted to share with you about barn stars. I did not know that the different colors that barns stars come in actually meant something different! Plus you will also find a little history lesson about barn stars too in this article. Enjoy!
· Black: Protection, also used to blend or bind together.
BARN STAR:
n: A large metal decoration in the shape of a star; which you would usually see on the face of a barn. On early American barns they were sometimes just for aesthetics, but sometimes they represented the trademark of a specific barn builder. Although they go back to at least the 1820's in Pennsylvania, they were most popular after the American Civil War. Today, we use barn stars to decorate our walls and they have come to be known as signs of good fortune and luck. Each color has a different meaning:
n: A large metal decoration in the shape of a star; which you would usually see on the face of a barn. On early American barns they were sometimes just for aesthetics, but sometimes they represented the trademark of a specific barn builder. Although they go back to at least the 1820's in Pennsylvania, they were most popular after the American Civil War. Today, we use barn stars to decorate our walls and they have come to be known as signs of good fortune and luck. Each color has a different meaning:
· Black: Protection, also used to blend or bind together.
· Blue: Protection, peace, calmness and spirituality.
· Brown: Mother earth, also can mean friendship and strength.
· Green: Growth, fertility, success in things and ideas that grow.
· Orange: Abundance in career, projects and matters needing an added push.
· Red: Emotions, passion, charisma, lust and creativity.
· Purple: Things that are sacred.· White: Purity, power of the moon, allows energy to flow freely.
· Yellow: Health in body and mind, love of man and sun, connection to God.
· Yellow/Red: Passion for a healthy mind and body.
· White/Red: Purity of emotion.
· Red/White/Blue: Creativity, energy and peace.
Here is a picture of my barn star that is on an old corn barn on our farm. Sorry the picture is so far away, but the star in this one is red. I will have to take a better picture of this barn star and some more pictures of the bounty of stars that are displayed around my home, so stay tuned!
Hugs, blessings and perfect prims,
Stacey
Stacey
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to Farm Wife Primitives! I am very excited about getting my primitive blog page set up and going. This has been a goal of mine for several weeks and today was the day! Thank you for stopping by and being patient with me as I get this page started.
Emily from the blog necessities is one of the sweetest ladies and has been so gracious in helping me get some special things to add to my new page. I am so excited. She is very talented and creative at what she does. Go and check out her site, I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Emily from the blog necessities is one of the sweetest ladies and has been so gracious in helping me get some special things to add to my new page. I am so excited. She is very talented and creative at what she does. Go and check out her site, I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
