October 12, 2012

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A GREAT Local Artist and Friend

August 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
     

Rob grew up in Waynesboro, VA where he learned to love the outdoors. He attended and graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta in 1985 with a degree in Visual Communications.

After college, Rob moved to Charlotte, NC and worked for several advertising agencies before joining one of the nations largest banking companies – eventually earned a creative director’s position. His career with the bank spanned 13 years, 3 corporate name changes and countless mergers.
Today, Rob makes his home in Charlotte, NC with his wife Heather, his children Morgan, John and their golden retrievers, Annie and Sophie.
If you don’t find him in the garden planting something colorful or on the lake fishing, he’s probably in his studio trying to put images to paper or canvas.

Where can you see more?
To view additional work, visit The Sleepy Poet where I maintain a permanent display.
 The Sleepy Poet was originally in Charlotte’s Southend but in March of 2008 moved to a larger location at 4450 South Blvd, near Woodlawn Rd. Along with my paintings, I have a large selection of bookends, books and furniture dating from the late 1800′s to mid-1900′s. If you have a day to spend looking for vintage or antique items this is the place to start. Look for me on isle 9 or ask someone at the front desk for assistance locating vendor BWD.           bluewater-design.com
    
Filed Under: Featured, Home Decorating Tips by "Chabby" Chaberek, Made in the USA

Aprons by Deborah…

December 2, 2011 By 1 Comment
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    This is a friend of mine that used her own creative abilities to start her own business. Deborah loves what she does, so she does it well . In Deborah’s own words…

I’ve always loved to create things whether it’s sewing, cooking, decorating or scrapbooking. While working on a Christmas present for my son I found a cute piece of fabric with cats on it.  I immediately thought of my friend Shirley and her cat. I knew I wanted to make an apron but didn’t have a definite pattern in mind.

At home I realized that the apron I wear the most is one that belonged to my great-grandmother. It is made from an old flour sack and the printing is still visible on the back side of the apron. I love it because of its history but also because it is comfortable. I can wear it for hours and even forget I have it on.

From there my small business was born. I love working with fun and bright fabrics, anything that makes me smile. A lot of my aprons are not just traditional “food” prints but anything from polka dots to paisley. I love creating something new so I keep experimenting with new ideas and am hoping to begin a line from recycled fabrics like vintage tablecloths. I have a few mother/daughter sets and some holiday theme aprons.

It’s not too late to place an order for Christmas. You can contact me via email at debm617@hotmail.com. Aprons are $16 each with $2 shipping and fabric samples can be viewed on my Facebook page using the following link.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1513817725437.2067583.1234242448&type=1&l=9aff27bce8

Filed Under: Featured, Made in the USA Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Create Jobs for the USA.

October 18, 2011 By 2 Comments
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Yes!!!  This morning I came across this and could not wait to share it with you all!

Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks and Opportunity Finance Network are working together

to create and sustain jobs in underserved communities. They specialize in bringing low-cost

loans to small business startups, assist them in business planning, and get them to the point

of hiring new employees. To say I was shocked that a titan of corporate america see’s a direction

and is willing to put his money where his mouth is was an understatement. Before posting to this

blog,  I checked out a couple of interviews Mr. Schultz did and found him to be a breath

of fresh air. He seems to have a tremendous amount of knowledge and ideas on how to bring America back

to prosperity.

Starbucks is donating the first 5 million dollars and as of Nov 1, 2012 we all can donate, just $5.00.

We think this is a great idea, and will be donating ourselves. Check out the link provided. We look forward

bringing you more stories like this!! Lets bring back the great USA! We all can make a difference.   S. Chaberek

http://www.createjobsforusa.org/

Filed Under: Featured, Made in the USA Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Good tip for cleaning glass shower doors

October 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I love finding multiple uses for household items, and hate cleaning as most people do.  So here are two tips that will help with both. If you have glass shower doors use a new, not used fabric softener sheet (bounce) to clean off soap scum. The coarseness of the dryer sheet cuts through the soap scum, but doesn’t scratch the glass  (if you have a lot of soap scum build up, it may take several sheets). Once the doors are clean use Rain-X window cleaner as the finally step. You will be amazed at how clean it will make your glass. Rain-X works just like it does on your car windshield, the water  beads up and runs off! This will cut down on the number of times you have to clean. So don’t just use  your fabric softener sheet in the dryer only and go buy some Rain-X window cleaner. Rain-X will become a staple in your home once you try it! And, I almost forgot…. use the Rain-X cleaner on your car windshield too, since it was made for that! Stephen Spurling

Filed Under: Made in the USA Tagged With: , , , ,

Every home should have a set of “Hand Trucks”

October 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Hand trucks are not just for the delivery of goods, for construction workers, or movers anymore. They actually are the best tool for your home! As I have aged I have realized much to my dismay, I cannot just throw a big ol concrete planter over my shoulder and move it to another location. Or move heavy objects for cleaning or rearranging things. As many of us are downsizing,  container gardening is becoming the rage. They are easy to replant, keep neat, weed free, and work well on porches and patios. I do like to change my mind and move my containers about four times a year for a new look and seasonal decorating.  We here at Southern Smarts are happy to promote products and services that are made here in the great USA. We find this very important indeed! Its time to get this great country of ours back up and running!

We recommend  “Milwaukee Hand Trucks” (which is owned by Gleason industrial) but built in Greenfield, WI. I did

check out their site and they are offering free shipping..

Hope you find this Hand Trucks tip helpful! They can be used for many tasks and your “back” will thank you! :) Steven Chaberek http://www.milwaukeehandtrucks.com/

 

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How to Build A Made In America Home

October 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I will be glad to do more than 5%  This was featured on ABC news! 

   

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In Bozeman, Montana, Anders Lewendal is hard at work building a home he hopes will be a blueprint for creating jobs in America.

Lewendal, an economist turned builder, is constructing a house made entirely from American-made products. Everything from the nails, screws and bolts, to the steel, staples and bathtub is made in the United States.

In all there are more than 120 products from more than 33 states. However, the builders do acknowledge that using American products can be more expensive.

A box of nails is $5 more than those made in China and steel is $146 more a bundle. Even though certain goods are more expensive, in total, the cost of the house is nearly identical. Currently, the all-American home, which is not yet finished , is running only 1 to 2 percent more than a foreign-sourced house.

Lewendal is convinced that if every builder bought just 5 percent more American materials it would create 220,000 jobs.

THIS STORY WAS  FEATURED ON ABC NEW. I am going to make every effort to use made in America products with all future projects. This is what we all have to do! Bring America Back from the brink! Stephen Spurling

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