StarSparrow

Smith-Corona and a No-Good-Very-Bad Week

This has been an "off" week for me. You know what I'm talking about, we've all had them! That's why there have been so few posts. I've gotten NO sewing done. My internet has been down intermittently (on my computer only, J's is fine... thanks Dell...) for the past few weeks, and this week it was down for several days in a row! Dell sent out a technician to replace the wireless card, but it's still touch and go. I think my next computer will have to be a Mac, this has just sealed the deal for me! To top it off, my skin has gone insane, making me look like a teenager who needs Proactive. I've also got a very sore throat and my ears keep popping, so I think that means I've got something mean going on with my sinuses. Not fun!

So all in all, not my best week. Tomorrow starts a new week, and this one will be better.

I did manage to cram some small glimmers of goodness into this week:

Lucy and I went shopping at a new antique mall in town, and although it was mostly junk, I did manage to find this great old Smith-Corona typewriter for just $6! Love it!   
 I also discovered that Pompeii likes sing-alongs! We've had Pompeii for 16 months (out of his 5-ish years of life so far -- he was a rescue) but we had never heard him make any vocal noises other than barking at the local homeless population. This weekend, J was watching YouTube videos, one of which was of a dog howling. We joined in howling (J and I) to see Pompeii's reaction. After looking momentarily confused and horrified, he took up the chorus. It was adorable! Now if I could only teach him to clean house...

StarSparrow Goes Antiquing, and International

Hello! I'm sorry it's been so quiet around here this week. My internet went down again (on my computer only. The hubby's 2 wireless pc's were still getting internet) for three days this time. I called Dell, and it turns out that the coffeemaker on the other side of the wall was the culprit. The coffeemaker has now been relocated, and my internet is back!

This Thursday, my Mom and Nana came down to visit me. I get to see Mom pretty frequently, she lives an hour away, but Nana lives two hours away and dislikes driving, so seeing her here is a rare treat. We went out for lunch, and then antiquing at Angel's in Opelika, Alabama (something we can all enjoy!). I got the above swan planter there, it's perfect for holding all my makeup brushes!

I also picked up this robin's egg blue telephone while I was there. It works! However, I don't have it plugged in yet, we get too many calls from telemarketers! One day when I have my own separate studio, I'll use it in there to receive calls from prominent magazine editors and gallery owners (a girl can dream, right?).

This was my favorite treasure of the day: A full 45 piece set of Atomic Blue Heaven china! I've been eying this for weeks, I adore this pattern (reminds me of my childhood spent watching the Jetsons!) but it was out of my price range. Well, while discussing antiques with my neighbor, I mentioned it, how much I loved it, etc. She said "We owe you a belated wedding gift!" and she bought it for me! Don't I have the most awesome neighbors?

I also picked up this awesome Pyrex butter dish. I have a little collection of Pyrex in this pattern that was my Great-Great-Grandmother's, and I use it daily.

After we finished up at Angel's, we popped next door to the Salvation Army for a few minutes (you never know what you'll find) and I scored this awesome steamer trunk for $5! It's in great condition inside and out, and it's currently enjoying a second life as a bin for my fabric scraps.

In non-antiquing news, I've got all the Matroyshka doll mini quilts quilted, and once they've got their bindings they'll be in the shop!

In really really awesome non-antiquing news: I will be travelling to England, Ireland, and Scotland for 15 days this coming April. I went to Japan two years ago, but the fashion and lifestyle there were familiar to me before I went. The U.K., I know nothing about. I'm not sure how it is that I know more about an Asian country than I do about another English-speaking nation (being of Irish, Scottish, and English descent myself), but there you have it. Those of you living in the U.K., or having visited there: What do I pack for April weather? I've already heard: a collapsible umbrella, a mid-thigh length raincoat with a hood (because the rain comes down sideways), a heavy wool coat, scarves, comfortable shoes that are NOT sneakers/trainers. Anything else I need to pack/not pack? I'll be travelling through all three countries, and I know I'll be recognizable as an American due to my accent, posture, mannerisms, and whathaveyou, but I'd rather not have a blaring neon "TOURIST" sign above my head. 

How To Make a Vintage Chalkboard

I've been lusting for ages after those amazing vintage chalkboards I see in decorating magazines, but with price tags in the triple digits, I've kept my distance. Until I found out I could make my own, that is!
All you need is:

• an old window 
• RustOleum Chalkboard spray paint
• Scotch-Blue™ Painter's Tape
• sandpaper
• alcohol

First, scrape any loose paint off of the frame. Be careful doing this. If the paint is old, it could contain lead, so be sure you research lead safety before you start. Wear a breathing mask as well, so you don't inhale any of the dust, lead is very dangerous and there is no "safe" lead level in the body. Any exposure is harmful. (Okay, Public Service Announcement is over now.)

Next, lightly sand whichever side of the window glass you plan to use as your chalkboard. This will give it some "tooth" so that the paint can grip the glass. Clean the glass with the alcohol to remove any dust or residual oils you may have left behind. Let dry. 

After sanding and cleaning the glass, tape off the front of the window. Carefully surround all of the window panes with the painter's tape, being extra careful not to put the tape on the glass, only put it on the wood. Cover all exposed wood on the front and around the sides with the painter's tape. 

Now you're ready to paint! Move the taped-off window into a well-ventilated area, and be sure you have something underneath to protect your floors (or walls, if you have the window propped up). Begin spraying, holding the can about 10" away from the glass and moving it in light, sweeping motions. Once you've got the first coat on, follow immediately with a second light coat. Let dry for about 45 minutes to an hour. After the drying time, apply a third coat, making sure that the window glass is totally covered with a smooth, even coat of the spray. Add more layers if necessary. Leave alone and let dry for 24 hours. 

Lastly, once the 24 hour drying time has passed, carefully and gently remove the painter's tape. And voilà! Before you first use your chalkboard, condition it by lightly running the side of a chalk stick over the entire surface. Erase with your felt eraser, and you're ready to go! If you want to prop your chalkboard on a mantle or on an easel, there is nothing else you need to do. If you want to hang it on the wall, add hanging hardware at this point, and hang. Enjoy!

Here's mine (I still need to add the hanging hardware): 

I picked a window with two large panels, so that J and I can each have our own side to record our own tasks and reminders. If you have more than 2 people in your house, you could buy a window with 4, 6, or even 8 panels so that there's one for everyone. Or even if there's just you, multiple panels could help for organization. One panel for "Do Now" and one for "Do Later", maybe?

Let me know how your chalkboard comes out! I'd love to see! 

Butch Anthony's Museum of Wonder

(Photo: Butch Anthony with a "Pot Head" and the catch of the day)

 Yesterday, Kitty (Fritzi Marie) and I went to see Mr. Butch Anthony and his Museum of Wonder in Seale, Alabama. For those of you nearby who have not been: Go. Now. The Museum of Wonder alone is worth the trip, and add to that all the other incredible sights on Butch's 80-acre compound, and you've got a no-brainer.
 Kitty and I had made plans to come by Butch's Museum while at the Possum Trot Auction with the American Pickers last week, and I can tell you, nothing could have prepared us for the experience.

 The first stop was Butch's lovely home, built by hand over a 20 year period with found and salvaged materials. The New York Times did a feature on his home a few months ago. You can read the article here (it's a fascinating read, and their photos are much better than mine!).

 As soon as we walked through his living room and onto his back porch, I had to suppress a giggle. That's my dining room table! The first time I met Butch was at the Possum Trot Auction, where J and I had taken our table to sell.
I bought the table when I moved out of my parent's house at 21, and it was my first piece of "real" furniture. The table went with me when I moved to Columbus a year later, and then when we moved into our new apartment a year after that. There are so many happy memories of meals around that table! However, it wouldn't fit it our new, tiny apartment when we moved in a little over a year ago, so J built a new one that would fit, and this one went to the auction, and then home with Butch. 
I miss my table, but I think it likes its new home. Butch's bedroom is built into the ground, so it stays cool in the Summer and holds heat better in the Winter. Free insulation! The entire house is beautiful, but the bedroom is an exercise in minimalist modernity, and it took my breath away. The bed platform is made of license plates, and the texture of all the raised letters and numbers is just sublime. Butch uses solar power to heat his water, so in the warmer months he can bathe outdoors in nature. I'm hoping no hapless tourists choose Butch's bath time to come take a lookie-loo around. They might get more tour than they were hoping for!
 Can you imagine bathing outdoors with this incredible view stretching out beside you?
And for us shy-types, Butch has an indoor bathroom filled with incredible and colorful artwork.
Next up on the tour was the Museum of Wonder. I took a ton of photos, but unfortunately a lot of them were too dark due to the low lighting (and my aversion to using flash). The Museum is filled with all manner of fascinating curiousities, including the world's largest gallstone, proof of Bigfoot's existance, and several "missing links".
I love Butch's art. I especially love the irreverence of it. His X-ray drawings are my favorites! 
Outside, Butch showed us some of his metal sculptures (while my favorites are his x-ray drawings, J's favorites are the metal pieces). Butch said he doesn't know what these are, but that they are like quilted balls of metal. I think they would look really neat just laying around in a yard. Unfortunately for me, my landlords don't appreciate good art. Not to mention, the local homeless population loves when I leave things outside for them to use to decorate their shopping carts. These woudn't last 5 minutes in my yard!
Here are some more of Butch's drawings on a line. Kitty and I clipped them up with clothespins for some interesting shots. We will be listing a ton of Butch's art on his etsy shop for him in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to check it out! Also be watching your t.v. guide for an upcoming episode of American Pickers, where they will be visiting Butch in Seale, Alabama.

Kitty and I are both a little star-struck to be helping Butch with his esty shop. I think he is not only one of the best folk-artists around, but also one of the most creative minds out there. Maybe some of that will rub off on me (it sure would be nice!) 
 P.S. After our tour, we dropped by the Possum Trot auction, where Kitty and I both scored more treasures. I got an awesome little industrial rolling cart for $15!

Antiquaholics Anonymous

I think I have an antiquing problem. In the past week I have met the American Pickers, and acquired more antiques than should be necessary. My newest acquisition is this very, very old medical cabinet. I suppose this was in some early 20th century hospital. Oh the things it must have seen! Now it sits in my kitchen looking neat and holding necessities. My step-Daddy is making me some aluminum shelves for it, which I'll paint off-white to match.

While I was picking that lovely gem up yesterday, I also stumbled across this old RC Cola crate. Perfect for organizing magazines on my coffee table! 

These were five dollars. My life may be complete now. Well... as complete as it can be. I still need a complete set of Atomic Blue Heaven dishes. And a light blue or yellow rectangular Formica table with chrome legs. Then I will be in antiquing Heaven.   

 Lastly, I picked up this too-cool-for-school organizer. I love that the slot in the middle is labeled "problems". I should just file everything in there!