So, up until this point leading to the real first day of summer, I’ve been “go, go, go!” but I think I must have tired myself out because I’ve been EXHAUSTED this week. I went to bed at 9pm last night, which never happens. The good news is that summertime may be full of adventure possibilities, but it’s also acceptable to do absolutely nothing, too.
Suffice to say that’s exactly what I’ll be doing this weekend. There might even be a sunporch nap on my Saturday/Sunday to-do list. Anyway, I hope you’re feeling much more energized and excited to tackle something new these next two days to celebrate the new season, and, if so, here’s some inspiration to get you going double time.
2. I want to swap one meaty meal a week this summer with something vegetarian, so I’m bookmarking this roundup of plant-based recipes to reference later on.
4. This home tour totally (and completely) stole my heart. I’m smitten with the relaxed, laid back look, and how each room flows seamlessly into the next.
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Great choice for closet light. Good price.
Recipe photos very enticing but I wondered about list of ingredients. Clicked on sweet potato and black bean chili and looked very easy to prepare and I probably had most ingredients in my pantry. Will also try the cauliflower recipe.ReplyCancel
CarrieJune 22, 2018 - 10:30 am
Thanks! We’re planning to try that chili, too—hope you enjoy 🙂ReplyCancel
If you guys have learned anything about me over the years (or even just over the past few days if you’re new!) I can never, ever leave “well enough” alone. I’m always thinking about how I can improve something with a little paint, glue, rope, or greenery—which is almost exactly how today’s camping craft came to be.
Scroll on to find out how to make this couldn’t-be-easier DIY potato stamped campfire stool in partnership with Duraflame, a brand we have worked with time and time again because they’re that awesome. Seriously. Get the details in both photo and video format below!
Use a paring knife to lightly draw a shape onto one “face” of your halved potato. Simple is best for this type of stamp project, so I drew out two different kinds of squiggles. Once you have your general shape lightly cut into the surface of the potato, go ahead and cut about a 1/2-inch deep. Next, come in from the sides of the potato to cut away the excess from the edges. You should be left with a pronounced stamp on the face of your potato.
Step Two
Use a paper towel to dry off any moisture from the cut surface of the potato, and then squeeze a healthy dollop of paint onto a paper plate. I used acrylic paint because I had it on hand, and I find that it’s really good at adhering to fabric (i.e. I learned the hard way that it does not come out of your clothes once it’s dry). Fabric paint will work, though, if you’d prefer to use that. Dab each of your potato stamps into the paint to load it up with pigment, then lightly tap off the excess paint on a clean area of the paper plate.
Step Three
If you’re able to take your camping stool apart, do so now and lay the fabric on a flat work surface for stamping. If you’re not able to take the fabric off the frame (like our stool), you can press a piece of thick scrap cardboard under the fabric to give yourself a fairly even surface to work on. Press the paint-laden potato stamp onto the fabric, gently pressing into all sides for an evenly painted shape. Then, lift the stamp straight off. Reload the stamp with paint and repeat, rotating and switching out the stamps every now and then to get a random look.
Step Four
Fill any uneven shapes in with extra paint using an angled detail paint brush. NOTE: if you’re able to remove the fabric on your stool and stamp over a truly even work surface, you probably won’t need to worry as much about doing this step.
Step Five
Let the paint on the stools dry for 24 hours before handling or folding, then you’re done and ready to pack the DIY-decorated seats up for your next camping or bonfire adventure. Click ‘Play’ on the video below to see the whole process in action!
Again, the stools were perfectly fine right out of the box, but I love the patterned seat so much more than the original plain fabric. Now that we customized them, there’s no chance that they’ll be mistaken for anything other than ours.
Another thing I’m smitten with is how easy these stools are to fold and pack away for travel. In fact, we’ve since tucked them and a box of Firelogs into the flat space under the back seats in my car so they’re handy for any spontaneous bonfire with friends this summer.
Big thanks to Duraflame for helping inspire this fun seasonal craft, and now I’m dying to know: what pattern would you use for your stamp? Would you do simple polka dots or triangles? Maybe something a little more complicated, like hearts or even letters to spell something out? Do tell in the comments below, and allow me to be the first to wish you a happy start to summer today!
I just looooove these cute stools, and your video!! Makes me feel like I’m right there in that gorgeous scenery. Thanks so much for sharing! XxReplyCancel
Stop it with this cuteness — I used to LOVE potato stamping! I’d love to try a mud cloth pattern with it. 🙂 And we love those firelogs at our place, too! ReplyCancel
CarrieJuly 18, 2018 - 2:57 pm
Awww, thanks, friend!! So glad you like how it turned out, and I looooove your idea for a mud cloth pattern.ReplyCancel
Great choice for closet light. Good price.
Recipe photos very enticing but I wondered about list of ingredients. Clicked on sweet potato and black bean chili and looked very easy to prepare and I probably had most ingredients in my pantry. Will also try the cauliflower recipe.
Thanks! We’re planning to try that chili, too—hope you enjoy 🙂