Project 365

6/18/13: Project in progress. Finished product promised next week! #pinteresting #pinterest #pinterestparty #p365

In Search of the Perfect Rug

I want color, I want pattern, I want cushioning, I want durability but when I shopped for that in a rug for the kitchen I came up empty handed. Pinterest to the rescue (sort of). I found this idea shared by two DIY blogs (I Am a Momma Here Me Roar and All Parenting) and thought I better give it a try.

For this project you need a plastic mat, fabric (length/width of mat), scissors, spray adhesive, paint brush, and water-based Polycrylic.

I found a plastic, cushioned rug at Wal-Mart (maybe $10?). The sites suggested the thin ones with a smooth side but I need comfort when I am standing in the kitchen. I thought the texture of the mat was going to show through the fabric but it ended up being fine. If possible get a smooth mat. 

I think the hardest part was finding the fabric. I really wated color but am a bit conservative so I finally settled on a grey and cream chevron ($8yd from Hobby Lobby). I cut the fabric so that it would wrap around the mat and have about 3" on the back. Next time I promise to be more daring with color. My plan is to find something with some orangey-reds in it.

To adhere the fabric to the mat you need a spray adhesive. My #1 tip...follow the directions on the can. If it says wait 30-60 seconds to apply fabric after spraying then do it. They aren't lying. I have had a can of spray adhesive for years and it comes in very handy. No idea how much it costs, Mikey picked it up from the floral company he worked for. 

The water-based Polycrylic I found at Wal-Mart. I was surprised that it was $17 a quart. I applied 3 coats with a paint brush letting each coat dry for more than 3 hours before adding the next. When I painted it on it did appear that I could see the texture in the mat but then when it dried all was good. I think next time I might apply 5 coats.
Here is what I did:

1. Cut fabric by laying it flat with the mat on top. Cut it 3" larger than mat.
2. Iron fabric to get creases out.
3. Set up table with news paper and strips of wax paper to go around the edges of the mat.
4. Lay mat on table with top side up. Lay fabric over mat with print side up to dry fit it. Extra 3" around edges will hang over. Do not tuck under until after applying Polyacrilic.
5. Folded back half the fabric and spray adhesive over half. Let set for suggested time.
6. Apply fabric smoothing out wrinkles and bubbles as you go.
7. Repeat with other half of fabric. And let dry.
8. Paint 3-5 layers of Polycrylic over entire piece of fabric edge to edge. Let dry for 3 hours between coats.
9. Once completely dry, flip mat and fabric over. Dry fit edges around the back creasing the edges and folding in the corners neatly (see image).
10. Carefully spray adhesive where the fabric will lay (I blocked rest of mat with newspaper to keep overspray from occurring). Press down firmly until completely stuck and let dry overnight. I set heavy books on top of the edges to help them stick.

So far this one has held up pretty well. If that continues I have many more mats to make in the near future.
Brooke

P365+1: Days 228-234

234 - 8/21/12: We had to go to the neighbors with his bike so he could eat his apple on their bench before riding his bike.

233 - 8/20/12: My new camera strap.

232 - 8/19/12: Always the helper.

231 - 8/18/12: Guess where we had lunch today.

230 - 8/17/12: Do you think this will get rid of the moles.

229 - 8/16/12: Testing out the new ride....a Strider balance bike.

228 - 8/15/12: Why yes, he is licking the window and I have no idea why :)

P365+1: Days 221-227

227 - 8/14/12: Mommy's fire station.

226 - 8/13/12: Ready to get his drain tube out. He did great with almost no tears.

225 - 8/12/12: Silly faces with new Picture Frames App.

224 - 8/11/12: Another round of Jeni's before leaving town...this time Goat Cheese w/Red Cherries and Brown Butter Almond Brittle. Can't wait for the next trip to Columbus.

223 - 8/10/12: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream - I had a scoop of Sweet Corn and Blackberry and a scoop of Salted Caramel.

222 - 8/9/12: Taking off for Columbus.

221 - 8/8/12: My new 360 App.

Another Photo Challenge - Gratitude

This challenge comes from the blog Positively Present and is a 30-day photo challenge originally posted back in November of 2011. Of course I found it on Pinterest. Think I will work this one in in September or November. Who wants to join me???

P365+1: Days 122-133

133 - 5/12/12: I should have never taught this boy to like avocado...now I have to share my guacamole with someone.

132 - 5/11/12: First movie (only 15 minutes) in a movie theater. 3D Lego movie at Lego Land Discovery Center kept his attention for sure.

131 - 5/10/12: These lions provide endless entertainment when we stop to visit them on our bike rides. Today Daddy was showing G how to put his head in the lions mouth. G wanted nothing to do with that.

130 - 5/9/12: Went on a bike ride this afternoon. I stopped in the kitchen when we were getting ready to leave and said "hold on, I need my sunglasses" and went and got them out of my purse. As soon as G heard me say that he went to the desk drawer in the kitchen and said sunglasses and got a pair out for him. Needless to say they wouldn't stay on and he was a bit crushed to have to leave them home...crushed for about 30 seconds when he found out we were going to see the bus and kids at the ball field.

129 - 5/8/12: Inspired by Pinterest find, not as pretty but still very good - Egg Sandwich with sharp cheddar, turkey bacon, and avocado. Eggs and avocado are YUMMY. G even likes it. FYI - they added tomato and I made my open faced.

128 - 5/7/12: This would be G's first time at the play area in Chick-fil-a. Tentative at first but then headed in and had a great time. He got in the tunnel and kept saying "hellooo" over and over. Wonder how many germs we brought home that day :)

127 - 5/6/12: G showing off his new Birthday Elmo fork and spoon from Grandma She She and Papa Charlie.

126 - 5/5/12:Overseeing Gramps and Pops building his wooden swing set/fort. FYI - took 16 hours and 4 people to get it assembled.

125 - 5/4/12: Cruising around at the garage sale in his PJ's and shades.

124 - 5/3/12: Big boy having an afternoon snack (juice and veggie fries) at the picnic table.

123 - 5/2/12: Don't see this in schools too much. We only had white or chocolate. Hope Jamie Oliver isn't around.

122 - 5/1/12: Never knew a telescoping paint stick would be so entertaining. Wish it would have worked as well with a paint roller as it did keeping G busy in the back yard.

Homemade PopTarts

YES you can make your own "PopTarts" and guess what....they are better than the ones you get out of the box. I found this idea on Pinterest which was originally inspired by a blog post from the BakeMeMore blog.

They could not have been easier....For the filling I used the blueberries I make for Greyson (boil frozen blueberries with a touch of water and blend in the food processor) with a little extra sugar added for flavor. Store bought pie crust made this even easier but you will notice I didn't get the nice rectangle shape but no worries, it didn't affect the flavor :)The topping was a simple glaze with whipping cream and powdered sugar.

They were a hit and I plan to make them again soon.