It runs in the family

I'm not a scientist. I have not studied genetics beyond Punnet squares. But anecdotal evidence and personal observations tell me artistic talent is hereditary. 

I'm pretty sure mine did NOT come from my mom's side of the family. I have never, in my 29 years, seen my mother draw. As a small child, whenever I asked her to draw me a picture, she'd smile and say, "I can't even draw stick figures! YOU draw something for ME!" I think the main talent that runs on her side is music (which, hurray! I got it, too). There's some crafting and quilting, too, I think, but not as pronounced as on my dad's side.

Yup, I'm pretty sure that's where my arts & crafts gene came from. My grandmother was an excellent seamstress and knitter, as well as a painter. When I was in 4th grade, I drew a picture of a dress I had dreamed up. Mom suggested I send it to MorMor. Not long after, a package arrived with the very same dress! She had made it using an awkward kid's drawing as a pattern! She also taught me to knit, something I still do, and painted. I am sure she had many more talents and hobbies, but those were the ones I knew about. She died when I was thirteen.

My aunt and cousins are also very crafty. We lived in Michigan and later moved to Oregon; my dad's family lives in Maryland, so we didn't get to visit as much as we wanted to. I remember my aunt often carried a knitting or crochet project, which she would work on as we chatted. The last time I saw my cousins in person, they had a Lord of the Rings painting project in the basement (and I'm sorry for messing it up). That was... God, that was about 13 years ago. Anyway, through the wonder of Facebook, I occasionally see a drawing or cross-stitch project, and they're awesome. Two of my cousins are entering the Etsy, blog, & craft fair scene! Go look: Tiffany Rex Designs (blog).

Good luck, cousins, and congrats on getting yourselves out there! (And get that shop up quick so I can buy something!)

Adventures! part 2

Two weeks ago, the same day I visited Muse Art & Design, I went up to check out The Rebuilding Center on Mississippi. I wasn't sure what to expect. I had a vision in my head that was somewhere between a thrift store and Home Depot.

Which wasn't too far off the mark. It's a huge warehouse divided into various sections. The cabinets were to the North, the doors to the South, the plumbing, lighting, tile, etc. in between. And then another warehouse across the alley to the West with trim, floorboards, brick, countertops. And all of it was donated or salvaged. Some of it was new and left over from building and DIY projects (LOTS of backsplash tiles), and some of it was ripped out after a remodel (there was a full set of kitchen cabinets, maybe 12 pieces, frosted glass doors and all).

I found a few things, some mirrors that I considered getting, but even though the prices were great, I had only intended to look and not buy. One of my "bosom enemies" (to quote Louisa May Alcott) is impulse purchasing. When I got home, I thought of quite a few places I could put the mirrors, but I wasn't broken up about it (pun intended). However, these cabinet doors I should have gotten, as I had the space in my car and even an idea for a project:

I'm sure they're gone by now.

The idea was to strip 'em down, repaint or stain them, join them at the middle to make them one piece, and then put a mural or mosaic behind it. It would look lovely over a twin bed (and I do have a daughter who is getting too big for her current bed). Maybe I will go back soon with that in mind. I am sure these are gone by now, but that doesn't mean there aren't other awesome doors or windows or mirror frames that would work just as well. And it changes all the time. It's kind of like a treasure hunt.

One of the best parts was that in just about every aisle there were tutorials from a local Do-It-Yourself-er on how to repurpose the materials. Someone had made a birdbath from an old ceiling light - the kind shaped like a dish. Another person had used an old sliding pocket door as a canvas for an awesome mural.

I have never watched Dr. Who, but I did see a set of blue doors that reminded me of a TARDIS. Should have taken a picture, but oh well. Bet those are gone, too. Some old doors had mail slots.

I can't quite put into words how I felt. From the cashier singing "Ain't No Sunshine" (she had a gorgeous, rich voice) to the passionate volunteers to the entry made entirely of rescued wood (doors, beams, 2x4s, floorboards, etc), I was totally blown away. I felt humbled, awed, excited, but even these words don't quite hit the mark. I'm getting goosebumps remembering it. I can't wait to go back.

Have you ever visited The Rebuilding Center or some place similar? What was your experience? Did you buy anything? What did you do with it? Leave a comment - I love hearing new ideas!