For some reason Bj does not like the word “muffin” so when I call Tuesday my little muffin he cringes. I think it’s sweet though and it still slips out. I just started making her these muffin tray lunches for our out in the yard summer days. I’m sure you’ve seen them before, here’s our take:
Frozen blueberries, carrot sticks, kettle corn, CANDY, a gummy vitamin, “natural” cheetos, pitted cherries, yogurt, cold hotdog, and pasta salad. I was putting everything directly in the pan, but I took some pity on our dishwasher (Bj) since it sits out and coagulates until he finishes work. These silicon liners are much easier to clean. I got them a while ago at Homegoods and have only used them for this type of thing and not actual muffins. This was really too much food (don’t worry I helped her!) so I want to find a little six hole muffin tin that is a little lighter and smaller. I should have known better than to fill this up so full when there was a bulldozer in the neighborhood!
We sat in my neighbor’s yard staring across the street for a nice long while. And Tuesday was not the only kid in the neighborhood enjoying the driveway remodel, they were all out excitedly watching the machines dig and scrape.
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Celebrating crafts, kids and the everyday through photographs.
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Celebrating crafts, kids and the everyday through photographs.
Despite annoying sewing machine setbacks that are making me want to pull my hair out (repair place, “well, we’ve never seen this before”) I managed to sew a little something. Bj and I are getting ready to have our first ever garage sale and it turns out he doesn’t find my collection of chairs-I-will-some-day-refinish as endearing as I do. His request was that I do something with them or put them in the sale. Since I bought the material to recover this um, years ago I figured I should get to it! I checked out a book from the library that went over how to take this type of outdoor lounger apart, but my (thrifted for a dollar) version was made with dowels and not easily deconstructed. So I decided on a slip-cover.
I was originally going to paint the wooden frame, but I really like the contrast with the fabric. And because we are letting all our other outdoor furniture weather like this I think it will fit in better.
To make the cover I measured the width of the cushion and added an inch. Though I continually under-estimate my seam allowance it seems I have not yet learned my lesson and this was a close call. I recommend an inch and a half. The length of the fabric I needed was longer than the length of the fabric I had so I seamed two pieces together to make one long piece. Then I folded one edge over twice, hiding the raw edge. On the first long stitch I stuck in 10″ lengths of ribbon, then on the second pass (the edge/top stitching) I pulled the ribbon to the edge of the fabric so it would be sticking right out and make for clean ties. I used one of my favorite, most versatile ribbons, herringbone. It is probably the ribbon I most miss having in the house whenever I need it because it is good for everything. And for tying it can’t be beat (the ties on Tuesday’s 4th outfit were a new organic herringbone my mom is carrying). I didn’t bother singeing the ends, as I usually do since this cover will not be on and off as often as say, a sunhat. I used the full eight yards I bought, I thought I would have loads of extra. Do not underestimate the ribbon you need for ties!
Once the ties were in place, and the edges hemmed I pinned where I wanted to finish the short sides. I tried ties, but a very wide (2″) piece of Velcro worked much better, and looked nicer. I happened to have it in my stash after I sent Bj to the store for me once for Velcro. He came back with all different types and asked shocked, “do you know how many types of Velcro there are?” The cover comes off easily, and if it happens to outlast the chair the fabric will be easy to reuse (good because it is regularly 15.99 a yard!).
Besides having to take my machine in multiple times during this super simple project, it was a fast and easy sew. I think it will be great to have on hand for extra seating. Right now I have it on the front porch so I can enjoy it a bit.
I’m happy to have this one off the list! -
Celebrating crafts, kids and the everyday through photographs.
Back in May I saw a post on Sew Liberated that I took note of, like many of hers! It was of a darling little outdoor play kitchen. Then I got busy and kind of forgot about it when I saw a post by Em about their garden kitchen. I showed it to Bj and we knew Tuesday would just love one. I asked around and no one had an extra cupboard (or didn’t want to give it to us for fear it ruin the look of our yard) so we went hunting for one. After a few garage sale drive-bys and thrift stores turned up empty Bj decided he wanted to build Tuesday one. So with 3 6′ 1 x 12 knotty pine boards, a 1 x 2 and a dented metal bowl the kitchen was born!
Tuesday was enamored with the white plastic handled silverware at the thrift store so I let her get a handful. The small metal bowls were stacked in the “sink” for $2.50, and the big hit is the mini floor sifter. All the other things I had; a little scale (bought a while ago for decoration off eBay), jars, plastic bowls, spice containers, pitcher (from Ikea in the plant section) and rags. Bj had the idea to cut a little piece of my left over butcher block countertop and make it into a cutting board.
It’s quite a well stocked little kitchen with beans, grains, and nuts from our real kitchen for her to play with. Here is her favorite creation of the day, candy soup!
Mmm, tasty Tuesday! I would say she loves this kitchen but that would be an understatement. She is obsessed with it. Four hours a row of playing there? No problem.
She just starts spreading out along our retaining wall. Bj moved over her little umbrella when it got bright in the late afternoon. Our neighbor heard us playing and came through our gate to bring fresh broccoli and peas from her garden. I have asked her if she wants to have friends over to play here and she has adamantly told me that she does NOT want to share the play kitchen. So we might have to work on that. Bj and I were left to tweaking the drip system, weeding and pruning as even we were not welcome to cook with her.
And while it will get weathered, as we’re not going to paint or seal it, it is quite tucked away back here. Happy little sounds of our favorite cook coming from behind the bushes and big fern. I really must insist, like Meg, that if you have room to make one and little ones that would like it make one today! Messy outdoor fun is the best. And REAL water in a play kitchen is like gold to toddlers. Good luck, let me know if you want measurements!
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