The Farm Chicks

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Serena — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:35:12 -0700

My site has moved. You can subscribe to my new feed by clicking here.

My Website Has Moved

Serena — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:50:28 -0700

My website has mooo-ved. You can visit my new site by clicking here.

Ifong Chen

As Far as the Eye Can See

Serena — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:08:57 -0700

Colin and I went for a hike up Palm Canyon. It's a beauty to behold. Groves of palms and a stream, shockingly appear out of the desert.

Then just as suddenly as they appear, they're gone again, giving way to magnificent rock formations that are a beauty all their own.

As we make our way up and out of the canyon, the desert unfolds as far as the eye can see.

A warm breeze blows through and we stop to catch our breath and take it all in. There's a happiness that comes with seeing new things with the one I love.

We retrace our steps, several miles worth, until the canyon appears once again. The view that was at our backs as we climbed is now revealed as we descend.

And back to the canyon are we.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~Mark Twain

Hello Mailbox

Serena — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:08:15 -0700

Hello,

I'm a little card that would love to make my way to your mailbox.

If you email me your name and address, I will be there soon.

Love,

little card

Email: mail at thefarmchicks.com

xxoo

The Printshop - Hearn Brothers

Serena — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:49:34 -0700

I've been working with Dale at Hearn Brothers Printing in Spokane for many years. His printshop has printed much of the materials for The Farm Chicks Antiques Show. This year, the printshop has been busy printing the show posters and postcard flyers. I thought you might enjoy seeing how they are made.

Before we begin the process, I always meet with Dale to go over paper options for my project. For these posters, I had one sort of paper in mind, but after consulting with Dale, I was convinced I needed to head in a different direction to make sure we ended up with the best possible poster. Once the paper is selected, the process of my materials being printed begins.

It all starts with the art file. The file is opened up and analyzed. Here is the postcard art shown on the left and then super-magnified on the right for color analysis.

Once the file is ready to go, it's sent to this piece of equipment to make the film.

Once the film is produced, it's analyzed to check that everything looks correct. The film is then placed on the machine that produces the printing plates, secured via notches in the film.

A plastic cover is placed over the film,

and the machine cover is closed. The platemaking process begins.

Four plates are made, as there are four colors in the posters and postcards. The plates are then taken to the printing area and placed into the printing machine. Since the posters and postcards have only four colors, only four of the six printing chambers are used.

Scrap paper from previous print jobs is taken from the shelf and placed into the feeder on the print machine for a test run.

Standing on the platform of the print machine, and looking down into the chambers, you can see the posters run through black:

Yellow (seen below), Magenta, and Cyan.

And out they come, on the other end.

The test posters are then very carefully analyzed to make sure the colors are exactly correct.

This magnifier is used to check the colors.

This is what it looks like through the magnification lens:

Million of dots, completely unseen to the naked eye. These little dots are what make up the image that you see. Amazing, isn't it?

Tiny adjustments are made and testers are run through a couple of more times until it's just right. Then, they're ready to print the posters. Fresh paper is brought out and taken to the cutting machine to cut down to the correct size for this project.

Then it's back to the feeder with the fresh-cut paper and the process is started once again, this time with the final version.

And here they are:

Next, the posters are taken back to the cutter and are trimmed to size. Then the process starts all over for the postcards.

Hearn Brothers Printing is located in Spokane, Washington. You can reach them by phone at 509-327-6308.

P.S. I'm having a little Pop Up Poster Release Party in Spokane this Friday. I'd love for you to pop in for some flyers and I'll treat you to a cupcake! You can find all the details here.

Designing a Poster

Serena — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:41:07 -0700

The Farm Chicks Show poster holds a special place in my heart. A tradition started on the very first little sale in my friend, Meegan's barn, across the prairie from my house, more than a decade ago. The first two flyers were made by my sister and printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets of paper.

My love for beautiful signage and advertising began long ago, when my parent's incorporated it into pretty much every area of our life. You can say I was born this way. Old signs adorned the outside of our gypsy wagon home.

Inside, the walls were covered in more signage and advertising, and my dad made a part-time living as a sign painter, painting signs and cars as a way to supplement his income. It was his true passion, honed by all the years he spent interning with Tommy the Greek in his hometown of Oakland, California.

The posters and signage created for the show are more than just promotions for the show. They are artful creations steeped in a rich history that pays homage to my roots.

As the years have gone by, the posters have evolved and become more poster-sized. And for the last few years, I've begun to tie the theme of each year's show into the poster - a fun foreshadowing of what's to come. This year, I commissioned artist Isabel Reyes Feeney to create both the poster and postcard flyer.

I chose Isabel because there was a certain look I was going for, which I thought she could capture, and I love her soft vintage, yet current color palate that she works in. We discussed different ideas and elements that I wanted to make sure and include. And then Isabel began to sketch and eventually came to this which we were both really happy with:

And then, Isabel brought the sketch to life:

Which resulted in this, the poster:

Now you know, when you're looking at a poster for The Farm Chicks Show, you're looking at a little piece of my heart.

P.S. I'm hosting a Pop Up Poster Release party this Friday, in Spokane. Pop in for some flyers to pass out to friends, family and customers and I'll treat you to a cupcake! You can find out more about it here.

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Tomorrow I'm going to take you on a little trip to the printer to watch how my posters get made.

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The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held just once a year in my hometown, Spokane, Washington, the first weekend of June. This year, the show falls on June 1st & 2nd. You can find out more about the show here.

The images of Isabel Reyes Feeney and her work are courtesy of Isabel Reyes Feeney.

You can find more of Isabel's work and products for purchase in her Little Atae Etsy Store.

You can read more about my childhood history here.

Pop Up Poster Party!

Serena — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:51:37 -0800

Guess What? I'm hosting a little Pop Up Party to celebrate the release of the 2013 Farm Chicks Show poster and the soon-to-be-revealed 2013 Farm Chicks Show flyers and YOU'RE INVITED!

I'll be giving out stacks of flyers for you to share with your friends, family, customers, and anyone else you'd like. And if you have a business where you can put up a poster, I'll love to give you one of those (shown above) as well.

And I'll treat you to one of these:

Because what's a party without a treat?

Join me at Sweet Frostings in Spokane, Washington on Friday, March 15th, from 4-6pm:

Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop is located at 15 S. Washington in Spokane. You can RSVP for the Pop Up Party here. Hip! Hip! Hooray!

A Winter Treat

Serena — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 06:00:00 -0800

Step 1: Gather little cookies, your favorite sprinkles, and some ice cream.

Step 2: Place a scoop of ice cream on a cookie and top with another, making a little sandwich.

Step 3: Roll the ice cream sandwich edges in the sprinkles.

Enjoy!

Sources:

Confetti sprinkles can be found in most supermarkets.

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies: Trader Joes

Ice Cream Scoop: Beam & Anchor, Portland, Oregon

Jimmies

Serena — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:00:00 -0800

It's fun to find new ways to serve up treats. What can you do when you have tipsy little treats that wobble about when placed on a serving tray? Why, fill a favorite vessel with Jimmies, of course!

Then, place your little treats...

Oops, now that's better with ice cream. Just place your little treats, and serve! No more wobbly treats.

Sources:

Jimmies can be found in most supermarkets.

Ceramic Berry Basket: Crate and Barrel

Mini Ice Cream Cones: Walmart

Tablecloth: Pottery Barn

Sprinkle Shakes

Serena — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:01:31 -0800

Shakes are delicious and tasty. But in February, I like to give them a special spark. Take this ordinary vanilla shake, for example. Ho. Hum.

Add some sprinkles...

And stir.

It's like a tasty fireworks shake. Shake! Shake! Shake! Shake it up!

Note:

To make the "fireworks, you'll need to make sure to use the teeny tiny dot sprinkles available at most supermarkets.

And that's how you brighten up a gray, February day.

Sprinkles

Serena — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:18:44 -0800

This time of year I begin craving color, light, and happy things. What can you find around the house that can add a little cheer?

How about sprinkles? This week, I'm going to show you some happy little things you can do with these sweethearts of the pantry.

Sprinkles make pretty confetti. Sprinkle them all about the table.

It's like an instant party. Just because.

And that makes me happy.

Sources:

Star sprinkles can be found in most supermarkets.

Jar: Walmart

Tablecloth: Pottery Barn

Pink Dotty Paper Cup: Bake it Pretty

Letter Candies: Hope and Greenwood

Pink Square Plate: Martha Stewart, Macy's

White Square Plate: Target

Button Candies on plate: Jean Philippe

Miniature Plastic Fork: Target

The Farm Chicks Antiques Show 2013 Poster

Serena — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:51:36 -0800

I'm starting to get butterflies for the show. It's coming up in June.

Come forage for finds!

You can RSVP for the show here on Facebook or invite your friends!