Last weekend, we went thrifting in a friend’s apartment. She’s moving in with her fiancé and invited some of us over to see if we wanted anything before hauling her (very lovely) castoffs to Goodwill. Mike and I showed up moments before another couple, and it kind of felt like one of those game shows where you tear through the store, filling your cart before time runs out. We got some great loot: pots, pans, plants, a rug, glassware. Included in the booty were two kitchen stools that have transformed our island from a junktrap to serene eating counter (we'll see how long this lasts). I didn’t grow up with a dining room, we ate every meal - from childhood breakfasts to holidays to our wedding brunch - around a old barn door that my parents turned into the kitchen table. So I feel particularly at home with this return to kitchen eating.

The update inspired me to make placemats out of some felt I silkscreened more than a year ago. These are a really easy project, and if you aren't a silkscreener (I'll join you in that category because my silkscreening stint was pretty short-lived), you can just use a stamp with fabric ink instead.

Simply cut 16x11 inch rectangles out of wool felt with fabric shears, round the edges, and run a zig-zag stitch around the whole thing. Then set a little lunch and enjoy, like I did immediately after snapping these photos. PS, Please forgive the wrinkles, these were folded for a year and the first ironing job didn't do the trick!