Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils - Things We Love

Never knew discussing things we love would lead to such lively discussions!  This week our list is

Rusty Things, Little Things and Vintage Cars

Kyle and I often walk along a little piece of beach just at the bottom of the hill we live on.  The first thing we look for are the sea lions - they like to rest on the logs just off shore - although we usually hear them "barking" before we see them.   Along this beach I usually look for Rusty Things, hoping for something that has come off of a ship, however with a recycle yard close by I end up finding rusty car parts.  Either way, I have a little collection in my yard.  Kyle looks for sea shells - tiny ones.  He really loves Little Things, little rocks, sea shells, miniature ANYTHING.  He has a little collection that he sells on Etsy :)  if you'd like to check it out.  Next,  Vintage Cars.  We go to most of the car shows in our area and often visit the Lemay Car Museum, and Stews Man Cave is decorated with model vintage cars along with vintage signage.

If you have not been to America's Car Museum it is worth seeing at least once if you are a car enthusiast. 

Tips For Attracting Birds to Bird Houses

Cavity Nesting Birds are simply birds that build nests, lay eggs and raise young inside sheltered chambers, natural or abandoned cavities or man made birdhouses.

Kyle's First Bird House He Built.  Family Nest Every Year

Over the years of making and selling birdhouses the most common questions I get are:  When do birds use bird houses?  What is the best time to put up bird houses?  How can I attract birds to my bird house?

When Birds Use Bird Houses

Different birds nest at different times, the earliest nesting birds may begin investigating potential nest sites and bird houses as part of their courtship as early as January or February. Other birds may not nest until later in the season, but they may still use the available houses as shelters from predators, cold temperatures and poor weather both before and after the nesting season. 

Best Time to Put Up Bird Houses

There is no bad time to put up bird houses!  Put them up is as soon as you have them available.  The tips below will help you attract birds to your bird houses.

Tips for Attracting Birds to Bird Houses

No matter when you put up bird houses, there are ways to make them more attractive to birds looking for a home for their new family.

• Choose a safe bird house design (three elements are critical for safety: drainage, ventilation and floor size) that will protect the nesting birds from poor weather and predators.
   
• Check that the entrance hole size is appropriate for the birds you want to use the house so larger, more aggressive birds cannot take over.  Make sure its perch free!! 
   
• Position the bird house carefully so it is sheltered from inclement weather but not too far from food to help overworked parents.
   
• Clean out the bird house after the nest is empty or at the end of the nesting season to keep it from harboring mice or parasites that can harm birds.  In order to clean it out, make sure it has a removable bottom, top or side panel.
   
• Take steps to attract birds to your yard by providing a water source, natural plants that supply food and include offering nesting material to make the overall habitat ideal for nesting birds.

http://charswildart.blogspot.com/search/label/birds for more details on purchasing a safe bird house design, or to identify the birds visiting your yard

http://www.50birds.com/birdhouses/bird-species-that-nest-in-birdhouses.htm  for a list of 70 birds that nest in bird houses or on platforms

http://www.shermanstreetdesign.com/bird-houses.html safe bird houses made by Sherman Street Design

Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils - Things We Love

This week for things we love our focus is on living here in the beautiful northwest.  Our state has long been associated with rain, rain and always raining.  I wont argue that we get our share of rain (sometime more than our fair share) but without it we would not be called the Emerald State.  Our list this month

Green Grass, Water and Hiking

Yip mowing season has begun.  Nearly every morning we wake to the sound of lawnmowers and the smell of freshly mowed grass.  Green Grass - mowed or long and natural is a beautiful sight -bonus, it attracts many species of wildlife - we see bunnies and birds daily enjoying lawns and parks.  

For our second favorite thing, we couldn't all agree on one source of Water - from our numerous lakes, to abundant ponds and streams to our salt enriched Puget Sound and Pacific Ocean.  We are certainly blessed with water.

For spring break we took several hikes on Mt. St. Helen's.  The nice part about hiking in the pacific northwest is you can do a small .75 mile hike - more like a walk - and see a beautiful waterfall or you can hike 3-5 miles to a beautiful secluded lake or you can hike and camp to the tops of mountains or along the pacific ocean. 

If your planning a trip to this area, check out Washington Hiking Guide -->  https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes  This guide is the most comprehensive database of hikes in Washington, and comprises content from eight guidebooks, user submitted info, and data compiled by WTA.

Join us next week for Coffee, PJ's & Sharp Pencils.

Thanks!!

Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils - Things We Love

The Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils weekly article has been a discussion theme at our house. We are really enjoying focusing on small, yet important, positive things we love.  This week we have chosen..

Quality,  Hummingbirds and Tin Snips  

Quality was discussed regarding our products, how we make sure our items exceed quality standards in beauty and functionality.  Quality was also discussed in regards to our family, we make our relationship a priority by spending quality time together in business, home and in relaxation.  Hummingbirds!! They are nesting and in need of extra diligence in feeding them and keeping their nectar fresh.  We've only counted 3 different birds that use our feeder, therefore I only make enough nectar to feed them for three days at a time.  Lastly, tin snips were just discovered by our son, he diligently watched me the other day cutting out flowers to add to my cork jewelry, apparently he was impressed.  Ever since he has been cutting cans to bits!!  He's always got ideas, so we are waiting to see what he comes up with.


Also, wanted to share a YouTube video on the harvesting of Cork.  Our family enjoys touring Vineyards and Winery's every summer and at Sherman Street Design we recycle wine bottles into lights and corks into pendants and earrings.  Did you know cork stoppers represent about 60% of all cork based production?  A study was conducted in 2008 concluded that cork is the most environmentally responsible stopper, compared with plastic stoppers and aluminum screw caps!

Join us next week for Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils

Thanks!!


 

April Featured Item - Kyles Collection

Sherman Street Design is a true family business.  Each of us contribute to its success, design, process and production.  When our son was a small toddler, he peeled the paper backs off of plastic pieces that were used to sandwich miniature art for promotional giveaway's.

Today, he searches - literally everywhere - for treasures, mostly in miniature, but also natural elements like rocks and shells.  He takes great care in cleaning, fixing if necessary, his treasures before they are sent to our photographer (who also happens to be family) and eventually added to either our Etsy Shop or to our website.

Also look for his Pacific Sand Dollars! COMING SOON!!  These are beautiful sitting next to your nautical decor, inside a shadow box with other ocean collectibles or for artist to paint on.  What ever you use them for, he has cleaned them (NON CHEMICAL - just water!) and emptied *most* of the sand from inside them.

Thanks!



nautical decor, sand dollars, art supply, die cast metal, pencil sharpener, vintage, kyles collection, shermanstreetdesign.com, Etsy

Country Style Spareribs With Honey Barbecue Sauce - YUM

Country Spareribs With Honey BBQ Sauce

This is a very simple, quick and delicious meal!!  My daughters grew up eating this at least a couple times a month.  It can easily be done on the grill if you prefer, and its delish smoked.  FYI:  Even though I give "measurements" for the BBQ sauce, I just estimate the amounts, you cant ruin it!!

3 pounds spareribs, cut into serving pieces.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Place ribs in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan.  Roast in a 350° oven for 30 minutes.  Brush ribs generously with Honey Barbecue Sauce (below) and continue baking and basting until ribs are tender and beautifully glazed, about 1 hour more.

Honey BBQ Sauce

3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1 tblsp vinegar
2 tsp Dijon-style mustard
2 tblsp brown sugar
1 tblsp soy sauce
1 clove garlic, put through a press

Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.  Makes about 1 1/2 cups sauce.  Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for later use - but we always use ALL of it, either for basting or for dipping.  Enjoy.


THANKS!!

Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils - Things We Love

Things We Love Thursday

  Introducing a new weekly blog posting on Thursdays titled

 "Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils"

It's day one of  "Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils" blog posts and we are happy to share a list of 3 things our family loves.  My husbands favorite this week is Coffee, he has a three cup-a-day habit!  Some mornings he adds a packet of hot chocolate and almond milk to the first cup.  Smells delish here!!  Mine would have to be PJ's, oh so comfy!!  Our son decided his number one thing he loves and appreciates is Sharp Pencils.  I never thought about it before, but he has a point (LOL)

We also want to share a local event with you, playing at the Grand Cinema is "Science on Screen: Making Water on Mars."  Sounds interesting, admission is $10 on April 4th.  For more information  visit www.grandcinema.com 

Join us every Thursday for Coffee, PJ's and Sharp Pencils.

Thanks!!

Recycled Wine Cork Art - Inspiration

This is a photo feast for your eyes, to feed your imagination and inspire you to happy shopping or great DIY projects!

Recycled Wine Cork Art - Inspiration

Lets start with wine cork art by Albanian artist Saimir Strati. It took almost 230,000 corks to create “Romeo with a crown of grapes playing the guitar while dancing with the sea and the sun,” a homage to life living in the Mediterranean. Over the years, Saimir’s art has earned him the title “The Master of Mosaics” and also four Guinness Records. 

Saimir Strati

 Cork baskets?  Love the work of Steven Leslie!  This piece of art took 670 corks and stands 37 inches tall.  Be sure to visit his website One of a Cork

Steven Leslie

Moving on to wine cork jewelry found on Etsy.  Zona Sherman (great name *wink wink*, but we are not related) fashions jewelry from slices of wine cork into beautiful mosaic style wearable art.  Please visit her Etsy page for more.

Zona Sherman Designs

Cat Ivins has been a favorite of mine ever since I found her on Etsy!  The hardest part of including her, was picking my favorite piece to highlight!!  I love the leather straps & simple design style.

Cat Ivins - Uncorked

Artist Charlotte Sherman (yip, that's me) is inspired by Country Living, Shabby Victorian and Romantic purples and reds.  Sherman Street Design 

Charlotte Sherman

I hope you enjoyed our tour of Wine Art, happy shopping!! 

Want to try some wine cork projects?  Visit this page for 25 DIY wine cork projects.  Happy creating!

25 DIY Wine Cork Projects

THANKS!!