Showing posts with label alfresco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alfresco. Show all posts

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Oilcloth Alfresco Series, Chalk Cloth Menu Board



Well this tutorial is long over due tutorial.   It is an easy-peasy one, one I have wanted to do for two months now.   I started out with an old framed print that I found at Goodwill, while the print wasn't my style the frame was a good color and it was a perfect shape and size for the space.   I had hoped that I could find something in my attic because free is so much better than cheap but no luck, it you ask around I am sure you can find something free.   



Stuff you gotta have:
  • 1/2 yard of chalk cloth 
  • old framed print
  • pliers
  • screwdriver
  • scissors 
  • tape measure
  • duck tape
  • spray adhesive 














1)  Give your frame a good whip down and remove any screws and brads.  


2)  Pieces and parts... discard the print and your left with the plexi-glass and cardboard




3)  Use cardboard insert as template, cut chalk cloth an inch and a half larger then insert.

4)  Spray Mount the chalk cloth onto cardboard.  

















5)  Do some fancy cutting and then tape corners around to the back of the cardboard insert.  Don't worry about the corners looking to perfect, they will be well hidden.  




6)  Cure your chalk cloth before put everything back together.  For full instructions see the "cure me" post!  

7)  Now it is time to slid it all back together.  Chalk Cloth/Cardboard combo goes in first and then the plexi-glass.  Bend the brads back in place locking the menu board into the frame.  



All that is left it to plan your menu and invite some of your close friends over it is BBQ time!  

Kelly's Easy-Peasy Potatoes 

Cut up new potatoes into bite size pieces.  Place in a bowl, salt (Kosher) and pepper to taste and toss with butter and fresh rosemary.   Using heavy-duty recycled foil  make a little potato packet.  Wrap it up tight and throw it on the grill about 10 minutes before the meat and it should be done by the time you have the table set.   Careful opening the package up, don't let the steam get ya!  

This was the first dish that I mastered when I started grilling.   A friend used to make it the summer I worked at St. Louis Opera.  We had nightly cookouts on our high-rise rooftop, while looking out across downtown, we had the best view of the Arch!    It was very fun, every night was a party!  Any way this dish still remains one of my favorite "go to" side dishes.   


Sunday, June 7, 2009

The Oilcloth Alfresco Series, NO-SEW Chalk Cloth Bunting!



Todays project is a NO-SEW Chalk Cloth Bunting!   Even those of us that have been sewing for (WAY to many) decades love a good no-sew project.  With just a few tools and a little chalk and oilcloth you can make a cool banner that you will use at all of your parties and celebrations for years to come!   I hope you enjoyed making it as much as I did!  

The number of banner pieces you will need depends on your desired greeting, think Birthdays, Graduations, and Barbecues!  



stuff you gotta have:  
  • 1/2 yard of Chalk Cloth yields 15 banner pieces.  
  • 3 Fat Quarters of Oilcloth, each F. Q. yields 6 pieces. 
  • Rotary Cutter, ticked out with fancy blade!
  • Cool Ruler
  • Cutting Mat
  • 2 spools of 1/4" ribbon 
  • cloths pins (optional)
  • chalk and a white colored pencil 


step one.  Cut chalk cloth 6" by 8" and oilcloth slightly larger at 6 1/4" by 8".   By doing so you get a peak of the back side of the oilcloth--it hints that there is something fun to be seen from the back too.  


step 2.  Once you have all your pieces cut out clip them together.



step 3.  Use white colored pencil to mark your cutting line.  Careful not to clip to close to the edge.  


step 4.  Fold both layers of fabric and clip.



step 5.  You're now ready to string the ribbon through the slits.  I like wrapping the end of the ribbon with a piece of tape to make this easier to work with, think flat shoe lace tips.   Alternate the look by sliding the ribbon in from the top and then on the next piece come up from the bottom.  



step 6.  Now you are ready to chalk it up!  


It should say Happy Summer!  


Everyone wants a pretty backside!