Yesterday On Tuesday

Farm Chicks Christmas: By the Book

Hi There Friends... You're in for a treat today.   Amanda (she's such a doll) from The Farm Chicks Store is sharing some of her favorite things about the new Farm Chicks Christmas Book.  Festive fun!

What's your favorite decorating tip/idea from The Farm Chicks Christmas?   

I love on how Serena explained the scalloped bunting she made for the outside of her house. I remember when she did that. It was so lovely. A great way to cheer up the outdoors! So often we forget about the outsides of our homes.  What I love so much about this is what inspired her. Often her and Colin (her husband) would go out for dinner here over in Browne's Addition on their date nights. She saw a completely run down building on a corner lot with ratty awnings. But on the awnings was painted a three tiered scallop and she was inspired to make a twist on it and make it her own. Little did she know that that rundown little building years later would home her first little store. I know... sentimental. :)

 

Favorite Recipe from the book?

Hmmm.... My favorite recipe from the book is probably the Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls.  So delicious. But it's hard to say, though. I'm such a foodie! I'm waiting for Christmastime to roll around to try so many more of these recipes.

 

What is a 'Farm Chicks Christmas"?

A Farm Chick Christmas is a Christmas about family, and about creating an atmosphere that is truly "home." No matter where that may be for you, or what your budget is- you can have a beautiful Christmas even if you use tinfoil and yarn! (Both true stories!). You don't need to spend a fortune to make a home for your family. Just make it a happy place that you and your family love. Make your home represent your family, not a price tag.

Any traditions from the book like you're planning to adopt?

I like Teri's tradition of reusing the same tinfoil star on the tree every year, even when a "real" Christmas topper could be afforded. Again, it's about happiness and about representing your family in your home. It's such a sweet tradition.  As far as a tradition I would try... Serena's family tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve... my family has always done the same thing too. I  will always carry that on.

What creative idea from the book did you love the most?

I love the festive shipping ideas.  Instead of wrapping brown crumpled paper in packages, Serena featured a package filled with candies, or greenery, even crumpled music sheets.  It's so much more cheery! I would love to receive a package like that!

Any Christmas collections of your own?

I'm actually just moving out on my own for the first time ever- I just graduated High School about a year ago. I'm super excited. But, no, I don't have much of a collection. I do have 4 antique carolers- they are so happy! I would like to expand that collection. I'm excited to put them around my apartment this year when I have my first Christmas.

The Farm Chicks Christmas Book

Thanks Amanda!  

Photos are property of The Farm Chicks and are used with permission

Farm Chicks: Autumn Update

Hello!  I hope you are enjoying the long weekend.  I thought the unofficial start to the season would be a good excuse to check in with The Farm Chicks and what's fresh for fall in the store and online.  Miss Amanda was sweet to fill me in.

What's been flying off the shelves?

Hamburger Cookies

CANDY has been flying out of here. We have tiny hamburger cookies, ice cream cone marshmellows... lots of fun candies for Birthdays or for stocking stuffers.

Ice Cream Marshmellows

What fun fall themed items are in store? 

Some fun fall items we have at the store would probably be some our vintage pieces. We have some adorable brown and green vintage seed packets.  We have chippy white picture frames and lots of vintage letter press letters. Super cute for spelling out words on a mantle, like "Autumn."

Vintage Seed Packets 

What are you looking forward to this season?

Personally I look forward to the coziness of fall. I love the cool air (but not frigid cold of winter).  I can wear sweaters and scarves and just be cozy. I love the changing colors.  Oh, and an excuse to drink cocoa every single morning with my breakfast.  Really.

Tiny Toadstools
 

Any chance we'll ever see a Farm Chicks Halloween or Thanksgiving Book?

I guess you'll have to wait and see what the future hold for more Farm Chick books!

Thanks Amanda! 

The Farm Chicks Store

Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm and Sunday 11am - 5pm

Located at 1601 W. Pacific in Spokane, Washington

Phone:  509-838-2188

The Farm Chicks Store Online 

Farm Chicks: The Christmas Book

Hi Friends!

It may be August but it's never too early to start thinking about the holidays. That's why I'm doing a happy dance that the brand new Farm Chicks Christmas book is out.

This book is packed with crafts ideas, decorating tips, fun ways to entertain and of course recipes.  But wait, there's more... there are fantastic extras like recipe cards and darling stickers inside.  And the best part is that if you order from The Farm Chicks Online Store, Ms. Serena herself with autograph the book and write any message you want.  The Farm Chicks Christmas book would make a great gift!

Recipe Card Pullouts

 Sweet Stickers

Chick it out! (So sorry, I couldn't help myself).  Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

BIG Hug!  Malia

Farm Chicks: The Store

Howdy FC Fans!  I'd love it if you'd consider following me through Google Friend Connect on the right sidebar.  Leave me a comment if you do so I can be sure to follow you back.

Hi Pals--

I have a fantastic friend who was up in Spokane (via California) for a short visit. But guess what she found time to do for us?  Head over to the brand spanking new Farm Chicks store... take a look around... and take pictures.  She even chatted with the FC Store Manager, Amanda. Yes I know, Amy is the greatest. Thank you so much Amy!

OK, here's Amy...

The shop is very cute and quite large!  The friendly red and white striped awnings catch your eye blocks away.  The bright blue exterior walls and words on the windows seem retro-chic and reminiscent of the fifties and sixties, a very bubbly and happy combinations of colors.  

Parking is very easy with a lot in back and when I was there, a customer just wheeled in on her bike and parked it right in the shop—you’ll see a pic with the bike in it.  I loved that local feel and welcoming spirit and of course, Amanda told her to wheel on in. 

They have a gift for display—very Farm Chicks cool and clever with a tractor grill that held earrings and kernels of corn in jars that cradled lip gloss or held up pens.  They had paper products such as polka dot paper chains, pennants and journals and small notebooks.

Perhaps my favorite thing were the clutches with fabric flowers—fabulous!  They are absolutely adorable. I could see Carrie Bradshaw throwing on her Farm Chicks tractor tank and grabbing her floral clutch to meet her friends for brunch in NYC.   

The eye catching display of cake plates and a variety of spoons and cooking utensils was adorned with the colorful banners that said “let them eat cake” which spoke to my heart.  

How can you not love this store?  There’s unique jewelry, individual silver letters and numbers...

Even a postal bin filled with old fair ribbons for sale.  So different and so cool! They had many ribbons framed around the store.  

Also framed were images of “Betty”…a true farm chick who looked out of the fifties as she’s riding a tractor or posing with a calf.  

They have a variety of Farm Chicks wear—tractor hats, tank tops, t-shirts, coffee mugs, kid shirts and a tasty looking cookbook.  I believe Amanda said they have another FC craft book coming out this fall.

Amy's Mini Interview with Amanda:

Can you describe the FC "style"?  

Farm Girl meets Fifth Avenue is the Farm Chicks style.  It’s cute and colorful.

How does it translate to the store?

You will find things that make you happy—things to make your housework happy and your home happy. 

What have been the most popular items so far?

Everyone is loving the party supplies (such as the decorative tape dispensers), candles and cupcake holders; the polka dot vintage clothes pins; and the vintage jelly jars.

What can people find here that is unique?

Many items from Europe and Denmark such as numerous spoons in a variety of designs and colors found throughout the store.  There are also colorful and playful cupcake liners in polka dot and floral patterns making any cupcake or muffin festive.

Thank you Amanda and thanks again Guest Reporter Amy!

Here's the store info:

The Farm Chicks Store

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11-6

Located at 1601 W. Pacific in Spokane, Washington

Phone:  509-838-2188

Up Tomorrow... What happened when the banana split ran into the cake? (Sounds like the type of joke my 7-year old would tell)!  

Back To School Wreath

Hi Pals!

I had a lot of fun putting this Back To School Wreath together.  It's very simple-- you can even do it while visiting with your friends Sookie Stackhouse and Don Draper (courtesy of TiVo).  This is also a great way to clean out your stash of school themed scrap paper.

Supplies:  12 inch styrofoam wreath, straight pins, scrapbook paper, scissors, ruler or paper trimmer, small chalkboard ($1 at craft store), glue gun, stickers (optional), letter stickers or chalk, crepe paper, felt or cardstock heart

Step 1:  Cut approximately thirty 4 x 4 inch squares.  Double sided paper is best because we're making pinwheels.

 Step 2:  Fold each square diagonally

Step 3:  Fold it diagonally again

 Step 5:  Unfold and cut 2/3 of the way in on the folds

Step 6:  Grab a pin and pierce a hole close to the point on every other point, then through the center.

Step 7:  Congrats!  You made a pinwheel.  Place your pinwheels in the styrofoam wreath-- sort of figuring out where you want your other pieces (A "We" piece, heart, and chalkboard)

Step 8:  To make the little "We" sign, just trace a glass or mug (or a combination) on scrapbook paper or cardstock to make circles.  Use letter stickers to handwrite "We".  To make the crepe paper boarder, fold the paper every half inch or so, securing with a dab of glue from your glue gun. Then glue it on the back of your little sign.

Step 9:  Add your letter stickers or handwrite "school" in chalk on the mini chalkboard.  Mess around with the placement of the pinwheels, "We" sign, heart and chalkboard till you like how it looks.  Hot glue down the larger elements. Optional:  Decorate chalkboard frame with stickers.  Note:  I put pinwheels on the inside of the wreath also.

Step 10:  Celebrate the fact you got a decor item done before the actual event 

Linking up to these fun parties.

 

Farm Chicks Finale

I have one final vendor to show you:

 The Rusty Bird 

Sadly, I didn't get to meet the artist Virginia Shawver, but I can tell you I loved her work!  Beautiful bird themed items (including art work and nests) were tucked into every corner of the space.

Our final stop on The Farm Chicks Finale is "The Man Cave".  What an ingenious idea!  If the guys who attended the show needed a place to hide I mean chill out, they could go to this beautifully designed space. It had ample seating and two giant big screen tv's.  So this was what the last thing I saw on my way out the door (after 5 hours):

Isn't that the most perfect picture? 

I am already looking forward to Farm Chicks 2011!

Visit Vintage Indie for more fun from the Farm Chicks.

More Farm Chicks Fun

I have even more to share from the Farm Chicks Show...

From Chateau Chic Antiques

(I LOVE that Bonjour sign)

From Unexpected Necessities

Could that baby shoe art be any sweeter?  That's the Mom and Daughter Team Kathy and Jennifer... so cute.

Speaking of lovely ladies...  These friends were sharing a space.  That's Rolane on the left from The Vintage Barn and Sharon from "Romance Your Home" on the right.

Sharon makes beautiful fluffy pillows...

And Rolane has an amazing selection of handcrafted lovliness

The Vintage Barn

I've got some good news about The Vintage Barn... they are hosting an Antique Show on July 10th.  They are located in Rathdrum, ID.  Check out their website for more info.

Ok I'll be bring you one more Farm Chicks post soon!