Spray Paint and a Stencil

Oh, how I love spray paint! It transforms so quickly. I love instant gratification, but who doesn't?

We are working diligently on the Southern Makers event on May 4, 2013. Southern Accents is transforming the Train Station in Montgomery into a Southern Accents design! We have lots of projects to cover: the dumpster fencing, the outside bathroom walls, the stage, a workstation, and lots of little spots all over the area.

I went by Cullman Sign and Banner to hang out with Suzi. She made us a few vinyl stencils to try out for putting our logo all over the place! We chose to do one with our long logo and the other is just the monogram. After I picked through these really cool letters from the back, I took the stencils over to the Vintage Wood Warehouse where Ryan helped me find some spray paint. I was just going to find a junk piece of wood for testing and then I saw an industrial cart. Oh yeah! Who wouldn't love to have the SA monogram on an old industrial cart? I didn't clean the wood with soap and water nor did I sand it. You can imagine the texture on the cart. Vinyl doesn't stick very well to dirt and bumps, so I used a little painters tape to hold it all in place. 

It turned out really cool, I think!

The bigger logo wouldn't fit on a cart, so Ryan helped me find a really wide piece of wood. This one could not have been more perfect! I wiped it down with a paper towel and stuck the vinyl on as good as I could. The top and bottom wrapped around and that helped hold it in place. I really loved the white contrast with the wood coming through....maybe another option soon? I can paint the opposite white and have the wood showing through as the logo.

Next step spray paint. I let it sit for a few minutes and noticed the vinyl was bubbling up! I guess the spray paint is too strong. It's probably best to use roll on stain or paint.

I pulled up the vinyl slowly.......I LOVE it! It's just a clean look with the rustic wood behind it.

I have no idea why it says Cullman, Alabama on there twice. Must have been a glitch in the machine! Oh well, they are proud to be from there....so, it fits!

Point Your Toes

Meet the State Champion Level 7 13-14 year old. She scored first place in all three events! 

Look at those pointed toes! (yay)

                   

This is her T&T BFF, Emma, or as she is called at the gym, Steve. 

These two are a lot alike in a lot of ways. I love that Farmer has Steve as a role model. She is a great girl and is going to be an amazing woman! 

I've had a blast hanging out with my girl. We have so much fun together. She thinks I'm a little weird and.....the feelings are mutual! We don't get a lot of one on one time. She's always with a friend and if she's with us...well, it's us, not just the two of us. 

Some of the funny things she's said. hashtag winner...or just hashtag anything. She's called me Jack 12 times...at least. She's working on a Doing book. It's supposed to help her be creative and do things. I had to read part of it aloud and LOVED what I read. She wanted to Vine me. 

She's not sure if she wants to keep doing T&T. The meets seem to fall on a weekend when there is something else fun going on. I wouldn't miss her meets for anything. If she wants to keep it up. I will be here every. single. time. 

Home Run Hero

I had a moment last night. I guess all Mom's do and often, right?  We were at John Connor's baseball game. We got there early, so it was a long night on the bleachers. The first inning had us biting our nails. It was 2 all. We got up to bat again and our team went through the lineup almost twice. Whole new, boring game. The games usually make it to 4 innings. The time limit is an hour and 40 minutes or 10 run mercy rule at the end of the 4th. There were 15 minutes left and we were winning 12-14. Two runs or 15 minutes...which ever came first, it would be over. We had the family there! Even Grayson came to watch. He's our studly 8th grade baseball player-cousin from Trussville. They beat Oak Mountain in the area tournament on Monday night. It was their first year to play at the middle school level. Last year they didn't have a team. Let's be honest,  he was a little bored and ready to go.

Earlier that day, John Connor had been begging for a new bat. Everyone has been using "white lightning" and it was the rockstar bat. He didn't necessarily want that one (i'm sure he did). He wanted one immediately and you have to order that one. We went to Academy. He was spending his money from his birthday. I don't have a clue about bats. I didn't see one that was his size and he really didn't want any of them. We left with no bat.

Back to the game. We had a runner on 3rd. John Connor just needed a hit to get him to home. He was using his old bat. Hayden was pitching like a machine. They were fast! It was 2 balls 2 strikes. You have to swing if you get anything. He did. It was solid and went straight over the first baseman's head out to the fence! He was running so fast and we were all screaming! He was going for it. He ran around 3rd without even checking up!! He slid right into home plate and we were on our feet, throwing high 5's all around!! The umpire looked to the crowd and yelled, "Game over!". I had to control the tears. My heart was so full.

I'm so proud of him. He was so proud. Even Emma was proud! She wanted her picture made with him. LOVE these moments. So worth documenting. I think I'm still floating!

Digging the Past so Much, They Recycle it!

I'm a salvage junkie. I don't discriminate either. It can be from the 1800's or the 1950's.

I want to introduce you to Digs Design. This is a Mom and Daughter team that have an incredible eye! You will find them at any pop up flea market in Birmingham. You can also call for an appointment during the week. They are usually open in their showroom on Saturdays. It's one of those...they have cool things and you will work around their schedule kind of places! (wink)

We have been chatting back and forth on Facebook and Instagram. You know, you become friends with people through social media so much easier!! We both have this love of old and repurposed. These guys specialize in party rental and the mid-century look. If you need an industrial light or a letter to spell out something fabulous, you will find that here! They have cool and funky couches, chairs and industrial carts that you have to have. or just look at and post on Instagram!

I stalked them down at the Pop Up at Railroad park. Ok, stalking may not be the right word. I walked right up and introduced myself. We felt like kindred spirits from the start!! I wanted to go by their shop the next week, but we couldn't get our schedules together. I went by their location and snuck in behind the curtain. Yes, the curtain! They are in a huge warehouse downtown and their space is in the back. It's 10,000 square feet of vignettes that will make your heart sing! I can't wait to get back down there and start a pile and let Zade give me a price. It's fun stuff, y'all!

Who wants to go on a field trip?

Southern Makers

Alabama Cool. That's what I call all the talented people that are proud to call Alabama home. You've heard me talk about a few of them: Alabama Chanin, Billy Reid, Alabama Shakes, Frank Stitt, Chris Hastings, Belle Chèvre, Butch Anthony, he's been on American Pickers and in the New York Times! I also have a print of Amos Paul Kennedy (eek)....ok, I haven't really talked about them all right here, but you've probably heard of most of them.  A very talented new friend, Andrea Jean, has created an event called Southern Makers. I saw it on Alabama Chanin's Facebook page. When I saw all the talent that was going to be there, I KNEW I had to be a part of it. I left a message on Facebook and with Tiffany on her voicemail. It was Good Friday at 6:00pm. I didn't expect to hear from anyone until Monday. I called Garlan and told him about it. I was so excited, I could barely explain it. I knew he would want to be there, too. He checked it out that night and realized he had a contact at one of the creators. He made a call. Again, it was Easter weekend. We had to be patient. Monday, we both get emails saying the booths were full. We would be placed on the waiting list and the email list for next year. NOT ACCEPTABLE! I replied saying we would love to sponsor the event if they still needed someone. This is where the tables started to turn! Garlan had also been working on his guy. I left town and on Tuesday he sent me an email saying he was on the phone with someone in charge. Next thing I knew he was in Montgomery in their offices working out a way for us to be involved! When I got the email from Tiffany saying we would be communicating about what needs they had from us, she also told me her mom had recently moved to Birmingham and was IN THE STORE when Garlan was in her office!! She called Tiffany and told her that she had just found the coolest place and knew her daughter would love it. Yes, this was meant to be!

Fast forward to the next Sunday. Garlan and Ryan go to Montgomery to measure the spaces that we are going to help them with: the stage, the workshop area, covering 34 feet of 8ft fencing and the entrance! It's going to be a TON of work....but, so worth it! Did I mention this event is listed in Garden and Gun as something to do in Alabama in May? Well, it is!

I went to Cullman on Wednesday and walked through the store and wood warehouse to pick out all the pieces we want to use. We found doors, shutters, display pieces, tables, windows, porch posts....seriously a ton of stuff. We drew it out on a notepad, took a lot of pictures and sent it all over to Andrea and Tiffany.

Monday we all met at the store. Their team is awesome. Everyone was walking around with fresh views of the store and lots of fun ideas. It's just over 2 weeks away. (gulp) I am so excited about this event. There will be so many talented makers from all over the state. The date is May 4, 2013 2:00pm-7:00pm. I hope you all will come out and see what we create. I think it's going to be amazing!