Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Oilcloth Dining Chair Slipcover

Well, I tried something I have never tried before...sewing with oilcloth (ie.vinyl with alittle bit of fabric on the back side of the vinyl).... and made another slipcover for our dining room chairs...
I had bought the red polka dot oilcloth for our old dining table and used it for awhile but it kept slipping on the table and the kids painted once on it and I couldn't get it off... so I had it sitting in the tablecloth bench for awhile and thought...I wonder if you can make this into a slipcover????
So, I gave it a try... It definently wasn't the easiest fabric to work with, but you know what it did work and I think looks rather cute.. I ended up using all the yard and a half I had for it to do the whole thing...
I think it will be easier to wash off when the kids get food on it then the dropcloth slipcovers and next time I will research a little more on what type of stitch I should use for sewing with oilcloth... the stitch I used have NO Idea what it is called but it was the one I used for the dropcloths and don't know how well it will hold up, I can see the white thread poking through already in a few spots...but atleast it is done and usable... :) It took me about 1-1/2 hrs to finish, that is start to cut to finish the knife edging...so think that is pretty good time wise..
Though it does make me think I should make more of them for the other chairs and who knows I might try and actually upholster the chairs instead of just doing slipcovers....

I only took the one photo and it was taken right after I finished and put it on the chair so it doesn't lay the flatest or have all the folds out, but atleast you get the idea.... :)

Oh, I did use the same pattern as with the dropcloths but I did add the top flap to give it more room, since oilcloth has NO give in it!!
Would love to hear your opinions on it.....and any suggestions...
~Fawn

UPDATE:
The seams are coming undone where the seat back and the seat meet....and I also discovered I did NOT use the right type of seam...I guess I was supposed to use a long running seam NOT a hemming seam :) The good thing is I do have some extra fabric in that area so I should be able to fix it and not have to redo it..... :)

Friday, November 19, 2010

Aloha Trip

a Few pictures of our trip....
A Rainbow on the Road to Hana...

Breakfast for my hubby, scrambled eggs and ham with fresh picked herbs, english muffin with Passion fruit butter, milk and a fresh picked plumeria....

Hubby and I at the Old Lahaina Luau...

My hubby and I went to Maui for 5 days and 4 nights and LOVED it!! It was the first trip we have taken without children since having children (except overnight stays at Grandma/Papa) so it was nice to truly relax! We rented a Mustang Convertible and really enjoyed driving around with the top down! So, I thought I would show a couple pictures of our trip....have to say it was HARD to come back to cold and snow but not hard to come back to our kiddos :)
~Fawn

DIY Dining Chair Slipcover

After:

Before:

Ok, I tried my hand at making a Dining Chair Slipcover! I have never tried making one or any type of slipcover so I was extremely intimidated by it. BUT Ana White from Knock off Wood Made it seem really easy so I gave it a try...I did NOT make her parson chair but I altered her measurement to fit my dining chair. It is NOT perfect but I am ok with it... I did use a drop cloth for fabric that I prewashed. I have 6 dining chairs without arms and 2 with arms so I have a LOT more to sew but atleast I know I can do it and I did this one all cut and sewed while my girls took their afternoon nap...Pretty happy with that!! :) I did have to do a little altering to the way she sewed it since the back was ending up way too long, but that is most likely my own fault with measurements not hers...Now I get to see if it will hold up to 3 kids and a hubby :)
~Fawn
Cost Breakdown:
Drop Cloth I had for another project but never used it (only used half of it)
Thread already had $0
Chair was FREE was given the dining table and chairs $0


I am linking this up with Remodelaholic.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Aloha!!

We, my hubby and I are taking off tonight to MAUI!! We did a rather spur of a moment planned trip...I know it sounds like an oxymoron...We bought our tickets spur of the moment in August for just the hubby and I for 5 days 4 nights in Maui. We have never left all 3 kids for more than a night since our oldest was born almost 7 years ago! So, we are looking forward to sunshine, convertible and quiet!! Also, a luau is in store and a drive to Hana...and some beach time... Thank God for family who love our kids and have no problem taking them all!! So, hopefully I will post a photo or two when we get back!!
~Aloha, Fawn

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Sausage Tomato Pasta Pressure Cooker Recipe


So, I made another pressure cooker recipe today and once again it involved noodles, though this time it was whole wheat spegetti noodles...
This is how I made it.....
Sausage Tomato Pasta
4 link sausages (these were cooked country sausage left over from breakfast)
4 c. of frozen diced tomatoes
1 diced green pepper
1 c. beef broth
4 garlic cloves
1 t. Italian Seasoning
1 t. Garlic and Herb Seasoning
1 splash of olive oil or coconut oil
1 pkg. whole wheat spegetti noodles

First I put the EVERYTHING except the noodles in the pressure cooker (I did dice the sausages in slices) bring to full pressure then let cook for 8 min. Then I took off the burner and let cool to take pressure off then put the noodles in (I did break them in half). I then put the pressure back on and let cook for another 10 min. Then opened it up after a cool down and saw it needed a min/or so on the hot burner to steam off alittle more liquid. Then it was perfect... I did add a little salt and pepper to taste....Yummy!! :)
~Fawn

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Pressure Cooking

I just bought a set of pressure cookers last Thursday and am LOVING it!! I have made applesauce, mac 'n cheese, brisket, mashed potatoes, egg custard and stroganoff. I made the stroganoff and egg custard tonight for dinner and once again it turned out YUMMY!!! The egg custard recipe I got off another blog, BUT the Stroganoff I created myself...I am not the best at taking pics of the food as I make them and since my family ate the entire pot of stroganoff, I can't even show you the leftovers...I will give you the recipe though!
Pressure Cooker Stroganoff (NO Mushrooms)
3 round steaks
3 c. beef broth
1 chopped green pepper
Pressure cook that for about 12 min. at high pressure. Then let cool so you can take the lid off to add the green peppers. Then bring back to pressure and cook for 8min. Then Remove steaks and let rest.
Meanwhile, add 3 heaping scoops of sour cream (probably 1 1/2 cups) to the broth and beef dripping/peppers and whisk for a min. Add alittle salt and pepper and put back to pressure for 4 min. Let it cool naturally or do a quick release and add 3 1/2cups of noodles (I used tri color rotini) and once again bring back to pressure and cook for 10 min. While that is cooking, cut up the steaks to bite size pieces and when the noodles and sauce is done add the meat. (If you want you can bring to pressure again or just serve)
It made about 3 quarts of stroganoff and fed my family of 5, with everyone having seconds and some thirds... I served it with green beans, lemonade and sweet tea..
This was a VERY easy way of preparing stroganoff and especially a tougher/cheaper meat that was SUPER tender and just delicious!!
Let me know if you try it and if liked it...
~Fawn