One day last week I was out and about and I realized the whole world had gone slick. I noticed this first when I saw a sign for a local fundraiser at our grocery store. But it wasn't just a sign. It was part of a campaign. Glossy poster, great graphics, a memorable tag line - altogether admirable. Except it just didn't fit with my idea of how to advertise a local fundraiser. It was too slick.
Later I was at the craft store, probably for something exciting like glue or thread, when I saw the ready-made fondant sheets that can be used with die-cut systems to produce perfectly decorated cakes at home. I'm a fan of a well-decorated cake. But even though I lingered at the display a little longer than I needed to, I realized I this was not the technique for me. Too slick.
There's a lot of that lately. We live in a professional-results-at-home world. It makes me yearn for things that are even more rumpled, tattered and homemade-looking. It also inspired me to visit one of the places I like best when the world is too much with me: the farm supply store.
There were a great many things that interested me, and the place smells awesome: kind of a mixture of grain and leather and hay. As I do not own livestock, there was not a great deal for me to buy. Instead, I wandered the aisles. I was amazed to discover that tractor paint comes in colors like John Deere green and International Harvester red. I also learned that all you need is one simple part and a Mason jar to make a chicken feeder. So I bought that one simple part, because I have many vintage Mason jars, and now I have a partly-vintage chicken feeder.
I came home and got out the sewing machine. I did not make this clothespin bag. I bought it at a sale a couple of weeks ago. I live in an area strangely deficient in vintage clothespin bags, and this is the first one I have found in decent shape. I bought it mostly because I wanted to use it to make a pattern. Which I did.
Here is the one I made, and I'm going to put aside my characteristic Lutheran modesty and say mine is so much better than the original. I do want to tweak the pattern a little, though. I'd like a narrower opening and a fuller apron.
I think this old fabric is spectacular, however.
While I had the sewing machine out, I decided to repair this old pillow. It's a little hard to tell, but the fabric is so old and brittle that it was starting to split in places. The fact that the pillow is stuffed with sharp balsam needles probably hasn't helped matters any. It is such a sweet pillow, though, that I was determined to save it somehow. In the end, I split open the back, emptied out the needles (which were still somewhat fragrant despite being probably 50 years old), then used interfacing to fuse the fabric on the back to the underside of the front. It worked well, especially since I wanted to retain the decorative stitching on the edge.
Here it is in its repaired state, looking not a whole lot different, which was sort of the point. I just sewed a new back onto it and stuffed it with the same balsam needles. Good to go for another 50 years, I hope.
On a somewhat different, soon-to-be-related note: I have been experiencing a boot crisis, and crisis is not too strong a word to use when you do not have adequate boots in a winter in which more than 100 inches of snow has already fallen. I could not find any boots that I liked. They were either Ugg or Ugg-like, but I didn't want that sheepskin finish. But any of the leather boots were tall, dress boots with heels, which I did not want, either. I wanted a sensible, low-heeled, fiercely gripping leather boot.
Which they sell at the farm supply store. Ariat boots, half price. Just what I wanted. My new motto: If they don't have it at the farm supply store, I probably don't need it.
Very good motto!
Posted by: Cheryl | January 17, 2011 at 03:10 PM
Since I frequent the farm store often when I want inspiration I wander the aisles at the hardware store. Recently I was in a dilemma - both heaven and hell. A huge hardware store was going out of business and all the bits and bobs were up to 80% off. The bad part is that it is no longer there for me, as well I as could not justify buying all the wonderful things I wanted. The heaven side was that I got all sorts of fittings and metal tags and thing-a-ma-bobs for pennies! I went back a second day, making the near mistake of taking the hubby along. He has a bad habit of asking "what will you use that for." However this time he understood "if not now..."
I appreciate your take on the too-slick world. Makes you appreciate a handmade sign for a lemonade stand or even a yard sale.
Posted by: dogsmom | January 17, 2011 at 05:44 PM
B you are so funny - living here and in Canada I gave up long ago on stylish winter footwear and just live with my "big muckey boots" as I call them - always funny going into work dressed to the nines but big boats on my feet (heh, they may not be pretty but I don't come in with wet socks and damp toes like some). I must say though your boots look quite nice. And yes on the "slick" part - every time I open a flyer from Michaels or JoAnnes its like they've taken the fun out everything, don't you think. I prefer to stay the psuedo Luddite that I am (LOL)...
Posted by: Julie | January 17, 2011 at 06:19 PM
I like the farm store too. We like to go see the baby chicks and ducks in the Spring. SO cute. I have several of those old chicken feeders that I scored out of a falling down Chicken House. Arkansas is the Poultry Capital of the World, you know.
Posted by: Shara @ monkeybox | January 17, 2011 at 11:18 PM
I did some of my Christmas shopping this year at the Farm Store. They are my go to place for galvanized tubs for plants.
Glad you got out the sewing machine...nothing like a finished project!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | January 17, 2011 at 11:23 PM
You are so right! Of course, when I make something, I want it to look good but if it is too perfect, too slick, it is devoid of character. Part of the reason that I like the patina of vintage. I agree that your peg bag is definitely better and I sure you design improvements will be even better. I will need to check out the farm supply store. I already love old-fashioned hardware stores (not the Home Depot variety) and I am also keen to try the automotive store.
Posted by: Jenifir | January 17, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Can you make them expand to Europe?
Just kidding. We have those shops over here too, they are called; 'de boerenbond' (the farmers' cooperation) and names like that, but you cannot find them, for obvious reasons, in the city.
Your blogpost is just what I am always thinking of the hobby industry. There is a tool (and very expensive ones too) for everything so that you have your little industry at home. You can slice, cut, rubb on etc., according to the rules of magazines. Creativity is something like using another ribbon or using another stamp. I don't like that either.
Your clothespin bag is definitely better.
Posted by: LiLi M. | January 18, 2011 at 02:54 AM
My Ariat boots are going on four years now and are still keeping my feet warm and dry. I have never found more comfortable and durable boots. They may look a little tired, but I've worn them mucking out stalls and tromping through the snow so they've been well used.
Cute bag - darling fabric!
Posted by: Jayme L. | January 18, 2011 at 07:02 AM
I chuckled over your phrase "Luthern modesty". You must be a Garrison Keilor fan too.
I need boots - and there's a tractor supply store right down the street. Thanks for the fashion tip!
Posted by: Beth Leintz | January 18, 2011 at 08:25 AM
We call heh Tractor Supply Store "Cowboy K-Mart"
I always find something there that I can't live without! Loved you post...made me laugh!
Posted by: Kelly | January 18, 2011 at 06:14 PM
My Mom got my boys a cute little birdhouse for Christmas from Tractor Supply. And I always get my Dad's gifts from there. He fixes John Deere tractors, but also collects John Deere stuff.
Might have to check out the boots. I am so done with winter here in CNY and it's not even half over yet.
Posted by: Joy | January 18, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Our household motto "The Tractor Supply Store always has it... Why do we always forget to look here first??"
Posted by: Sue | January 19, 2011 at 08:52 AM
It was a rather traumatic day for me when the local farm supply store closed! I too love the scent of grain and leather, and I'd always go sniff the fly repellent for horses, even though I no longer had a horse. Intoxicating! Now I have to drive 40 minutes to get that kind of fix! I think I'll check out their boots next time too. It's all Uggs or heels here too, with nothing sensible in between!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | January 19, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Ive always loved the smell of the farm store. I grew up with chickens, pigs, cows, a horse... you name it. We were there often. Now we have chickens so I still have a reason to go. But every time I walk by the horse aisle, I wish we had one.
Oh, and there was a vintage chicken feeder here when we moved in :)
Posted by: Wendy | January 22, 2011 at 04:02 PM
One year, I bought a bunch of the chicken feeders and some mason jars, painted the feeders with cute scenes and filled the jars with candy corn. They were a huge hit for Christmas. Obviously, I had to buy new for that. :)
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