How to Use a Chicken Saddle - Free Pattern

Denim Chicken Saddle

This week I am undertaking a much needed project - sewing chicken saddles for our hens! The kids are all in school and the semester hasn't started for myself yet so I have two weeks of free time. I was also blessed to get a nice sewing cabinet for free a few weeks. Now is the perfect time to set it up and try it out!

For those of you who don't know what a chicken saddle or chicken apron is, they are to cover the backs of hens. This helps protect them from aggressive roosters and other hens pecking at them. You can wind up with a barebacked chicken with enough pecking. The chicken saddle helps the feathers grow back.

I looked around online and found a chicken saddle pattern that looked appropriately sized. Instead of using two layers of fabric and interfacing, I used old jeans instead since we have a bunch to cut up. This meant the edges just needed serged instead of sewn together, flipped, and stitched again. Very fast and easy! Check out the video below to see how to fit the chicken saddle onto a hen.

Here is quick step-by-step rundown of how the chicken saddles were made:

1. Print pattern.
2. Pin pattern to jeans. This cuts two saddles out at once.
3. Serge around edges of each saddle.
4. Fold over top edge of saddle just enough to leave room for elastic after seam is sewn.
5. Sew one edge of elastic to the top right corn.
6. Slide elastic through look created by folding top edge over.
7. Sew other end of elastic to the top left corner.
8. All done!



If you aren't wanting to sew a chicken saddle but need one, they can also be purchased online in varying sizes. A few options are listed below.

Water Gardening for Kids

It's that time of year again - gardening season.  Everyone is prepping the ground and planting the veggies.  Gardening is a fun activity for all ages.  For kids, though, planting a full garden is a lot of work!  Don't worry, though, your garden buddy can start their own fun little indoor garden with these fun ideas.  Make a fun family night out of it and reap the rewards for months to come.

Green Onions

Thank you to homemadeserenity.blogspot.com for this idea.  Green onions are a piece of cake for kids to grow in a glass. Instead of throwing out the roots of green onions, put them in a glass of water or Ball quart wide mouth jar and place in a sunny windowsill. Add a cup of water and keep onions hydrated.  The green onions will grow and you can trim and use as needed.  She does state she pulls the roots out every so often and rinses them.  If you want to make them look decorative, too, do several cups along the windowsill.

Celery

Yup, you can regrow celery the same way, too.  Just save the ends of the celery, put it in a glass with water, and place on your windowsill.  

Romaine Lettuce

This one was surprising for me.  I had no idea you could regrow lettuce indoors.  Like green onions and celery, Top Inspired states all you need is a container and some water.  Old sour cream containers or a wider bowl will work well.  Put the romaine heart in about 1/2" of water in the container and water every few days.  When the leaves are big enough, you can trim them to eat and keep growing the plant. Top Inspired also have several other fun ideas for veggies to regrow if you are interested.

School Supply Sale at OfficeMax and Office Depot.

The stores are trying to rip my summer away from me already.   Is it just me or do the school supply sales start earlier every year?  Nonetheless,  my money mind knows it's better to buy now than pay full price later.

Here are this week's deals at OfficeMax and OfficeDepot.  I asked all of this for $5.66 with tax.  Office Max does put a limit of three on each big discount item. 

Big Deals:

Crayons $.25
Sharpie Markers $.25 each
Highlighters $.25
Pencils $.01
Pencil Boxes $.01
Staplers $.01
Erasers $1.00
Paper Punch $1.00

The kicker here is you must have a minimum purchase of $5.00.  Hence,  the paper punch and erasers, both which we will need anyway.

Now that sales have started,  check the ads every week as each will feature other really good deals to help save on the budget.

Free Kindle eBooks for Thursday, November 5th

Remember to always check the price says $0.00 to get the Kindle eBooks for free.

Free Kindle eBook Titles

A Lady in Defiance (Romance in the Rockies): Romance in the Rockies Book 1

Emma Had A Little Turkey (Emma Books)

Superfoods Cookbook: Over 75 Quick & Easy Gluten Free Low Cholesterol Whole Foods Recipes full of Antioxidants & Phytochemicals (Natural Weight Loss Transformation Book 29)

Coconut Oil Bible: (Boxed Set): Benefits, Remedies and Tips for Beauty and Wight Loss

Browned Butter Frosting Recipe

Pumpkin Bars with Browned Butter Frosting by Taste of Home

Last weekend one of the kids asked for pumpkin bars for a treat.  I LOVE pumpkin so I was more than happy to oblige.  The only problem was I knew we didn't have any cream cheese and going to the store wasn't an option.

So what does any good baker do?  Hit the internet looking for recipes that don't require cream cheese but will still taste good on pumpkin bars!  I'd already made the bars by Paula Deen so only needed a frosting recipe.  I found this Browned Butter Frosting Recipe by Taste of Home that is absolutely delicious.  Keep in mind you will want to spread this thinly as the taste can overpower the pumpkin bars if you use too much or the bars are thinner.

We made the bars in a jelly roll panand used Paula Deen's recipe which was just a little shy of batter for a good thick pumpkin bar.  I decided next time to try a different recipe as there wasn't lots of flavor either.  Although, I love a lot of spice so I may not be the best judge.  Hence, I am only including the Browned Butter Frosting Recipe which we did love.  This ia VERY sweet frosting recipe with a nice caramel flavor to it.

BROWNED BUTTER FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup butter, cubed
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspon vanilla extract
4 to 6 teaspoons 2% milk (we used 4)

COOKING DIRECTIONS:

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until golden brown, stirring continually.  We used unsalted butter but you could use either.  Transfer to a large mixing bowl and gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk to reach desired consistency.  Using a spatula, spread frosting over bars and let cool until set.

COOKING UTENSILS NEEDED:

Gather all of your cooking supplies beforehand for a super fast frosting recipe.  Cooking implements needed are a large jelly roll pan, mixing bowl, small saucepan, spatulas for cooking and spreading, measuring cups and measuring spoons.  Need some new items?  Listed below are items that are similar to what we used to make the Browned Butter Frosting Recipe by Taste of Home.

Singer 7256 Fashion Mate Sewing Machine

SINGER 7256 Fashion Mate

SINGER 7256 Fashion Mate 70-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine with Automatic Needle Threader

I'll admit I am definitely not a fabulous seamstress even though both my mother and grandmother are.  They tried and I did pick up a some skills just watching them.  But, sometimes as kids we have other things we want to do.  And I'll admit, I was not the most patient kid to teach anything.

Fast forward to getting married and wanting to beautify our home.  I pulled out my nice sturdy Bernette sewing machine and got to work.  I tried lots of different things.  However, what I achieved most with that sewing machine was lots of frustration.  Turns out my sturdy Bernette was a solid piece of junk.

Move on another 15 years or so and I finally decided I wanted to start sewing again.  I bought a very basic $50 Christmas sale machine from Walmart and discovered how much fun sewing can be again!  We also enrolled a few kids in basic sewing classes so they could learn some skills.    

Once I got going with sewing, I wanted a few extra features after awhile.  Fortunately for me I found another great Walmart sale on a Brother machine with threader, drop in bottom and a whole bunch of stitches.  NOW we are having lots of fun!  Why do a plain border when you can do a decorative one, right?  I'll admit my girls and I now have much more fun sewing now!

Which brings me to YOU.  Ready to move up to something a little funner but don't want to break the bank?  Try this Amazon Deal of the Day out!

 SINGER 7256 Fashion Mate - Sale Price $99.99

Amazon.com says the list price is $259.99 and it is only sale for only $99.99 with free shipping!  That's a killer deal - or is it?  I wanted to be sure so I checked WalMart, the low price store for the most part.  Walmart lists the Singer 7256 Fashion Mate for $154.56.  So, yes, $99.99 is definitely a good buy for the Singer sewing maching then.  And, it's a SINGER!

If you are looking for a few extra goodies, this one has it.  So, hop on over to SINGER 7256 Fashion Mate and get it today before it is gone!

• 70 Stitch Sewing Machine with 5 Presser Feet & Instructional DVD is Perfect For Crafting, Sewing and Quilting
• Easy Threading System with Automatic Needle Threader
• LED Display Screen with Automatic Stitch Length and Width
• Easy-to-Load Top Drop-In Bobbin System with Clear Cover
• 6 Fully Automatic 1-Step Buttonholes provide a professional finish. 110 volt machine designed for United States and Canadian use only

FREE Kindle eBooks for Monday, September 21st

Remember to double check that the price says $0.00 before downloading.  Prices subject to change at any time buy seller's.
 

Free Kindle eBook titles 

Katie's Redemption (Brides of Amish Country Book 1)

Summer of the Midnight Sun (Alaskan Quest Book #1)

City of Angels (The Trials of Kit Shannon #1)

Mental Strength: Mental Training Skills to Develop Courage, Confidence and Commitment

The Chef's Mail Order Bride: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Wild West Frontier Brides Book 1)

Ketogenic Diet: Rapid Weight Loss Breakfasts VOLUME 2: Lose Up To 30 Lbs. In 30 Days (Free eBook with Download) (Ketogenic Diet Rapid Weight Loss Breakfasts)