Michael, anyone: paint genealogy question from Home Dec
moonshadow
16 years ago
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housekeeping
16 years ago
Michael
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Some New Fun Halloween Decs!
Comments (18)Lynn, you are just being smart. We all know that it you don't buy things early, it will be all picked over or gone by Halloween. You've sure found some neat Halloween things. That cage is going to be a great home for your new raven! Boy, I learned something new from this post, did not even know about glitter paint! Jane, did you say it comes in a spray paint too? Yipee! So much easier than the "old fashioned" way. Your cobwebing and your big spiders look just like some I picked up at DT today. Gosh, I sure love the bargains at those stores! I'll post a few pics of my finds soon too. Have fun planning and shopping. ;o) Luvs...See MoreGenealogy
Comments (30)It is also interesting to see how paths have crossed between not only cousins but families. For instance, in the 1850-1870 census my 5thGG was living next to a Dibble family in Flint, MI. When I was growing up in Flint, MI our neighbors were Dibble! Last year I decided to research a branch of my family that had migrated to Battle Creek, MI. There was quite a bit of info on this family in the local library and I decided to bring the research forward and contact some of the remaining family members. Not sure if anyone remembers the movie "Bitter Harvest" directed by Ron Howard? It was about the horrible problem of PBB, a fire retardant, that was accidently mixed in with dairy cattle fed in MI. I remember seeing that movie in the early '80s and I've talked about it several times over the years and it has always stuck in my mind. Come to find out it was my cousin that discovered the contaminated feed and it was on his family dairy farm! It is odd that I referenced that movie so many times and I had a connection to it other then drinking the contaminated milk! I ran into some birth records in IL for the same surname as my GC. Of course my interest was peaked and I did his genealogy back to the early 1700s. There was tons of info on his family at the local library so it was not difficult at all. His 4thGGM was named ELIZABETH but used the nickname LIBBIE. My GC has a daughter, 3yo, named ELIZABETH and they call her LIBBIE. I asked him if he had named Libbie after his GGM and he said he had no idea about his family history. Oddly enough both used "IE" instead of "Y" in Libbie. This is not the first time I've seen this either. Actually, what I started my family history research was my Mother wanted a copy of her father's birth certificate and had tried to find it but was not sucessful. I remember thinking that this was something I could do for my Mom and set off to find the BC. I finally did track down the BC but before hand found many interesting documents like his WWI military record, school records and so on. Well, that is all I needed! For me doing my family history is finding out just a bit about how my ancestors lived and what decisions they made along the way. My most precious record is that of my 4th GGM who one an award for hand spun wool at the 1854 MI State Agriculture Fair. I do tons of needlework and do weave and this connection was absolutely a thrill for me to find!...See MoreRobert Michael Sofa/Furniture ??
Comments (38)I bought my Robert Michael Ltd. "Main Street" sectional in "Passion Suede Chocolate" microfiber in 2006, and I'm still sitting on it (super comfortably) as I type this comment right now. It is THE most comfortable sofa I have ever sat or slept on, and I can't actually believe that I've had it 17 years. It's survived being hauled to and from storage across 3 different moves, and withstood the assault of multiple adults plus at least 5 different dogs (including a Siberian Husky), so I definitely reiterate the sentiments of everyone else on here who has said these sofas really do stand the test of time. The Husky has tried to dig/tear at the fabric on several occasions, yet only succeeded in making a couple tiny holes in the back pillows--which is astonishing, as this dog can eat through a plastic airline kennel--so it seems that the microfiber is pretty tough. It's so easy to wipe spills and stains from this fabric, as well. It's true that the loose back pillows and seat cushions squish and lose their shape due to their being filled with down, but even if they don't look the greatest anymore, they don't ever stop being comfortable. I definitely didn't buy this sofa because of the looks--I had originally gotten it new and made to order from some no-name hole-in-the-wall import furniture store on La Brea in Hollywood (CA). It was my first major furniture purchase, so I had simply asked the salesman, "give me your most comfortable sofa in a dogproof fabric and color that will last a long time" and this is what he recommended, and boy, was he right. When I remove the upholstery covers, there are definitely feathers everywhere inside the cushions, but honestly, I haven't had issues with feathers escaping the covers. I have other down accent pillows that literally litter the room with feathers if you even sit near one, but the sofa has been totally fine. I only wish I had known how to take care of the cushions as well as I see now that many of you have, but alas, the reason I'm here is because 5 minutes ago, I just dragged the chaise portion of the sectional out to the curb :/ I had just made the decision to finally get rid of this sofa because the fabric and inner cushions have finally become so dirty and gross after never having been formally cared for in 17 years (no fault of the sofa's), but since I haven't been able to find something that I like nearly as much yet, I decided to keep just the "sofa" portion for the time being, which is what I'm still happily sitting on right now, until I find a new sofa. So, when I took the chaise cushion off to throw it out, that's when, for the very first time, I saw the label that stated Robert Michael Ltd, Santa Ana, CA! I Googled it and thus found this page of comments...and now am super sad that I may not ever be able to get this sofa again, if Robert Michael is truly out of business. I have not been able to find the original furniture store again (not sure if it survived the pandemic), so I don't know what to do. This sectional was huge, approx 108" wide (from one arm to the end of the "L") and the chaise was 60" deep, and I'd paid $1700 for it in 2006. I'm just shocked at sofa prices now (upwards of $5k even for non-sectional sofas, and even without down cushions!!) but regardless of price, I've checked out sofas from RH, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, CB2, Macy's, Ikea, etc plus any number of vintage stores and so far, have not found anything remotely approaching the comfort and sheer heft/quality of this Robert Michael sofa. I'd been hoping to purchase essentially the same sofa, but hopefully with a more updated design so the shape is a bit more modern, but with the quality and comfort preserved. I had a small velvet loveseat from World Market for just 3 years in a different room, and in just that short time with light use, a spring gave out and made the sofa basically unusable. I'd definitely rather pay for good quality furniture, especially if they last as long and feel as good as this Robert Michael sofa!! If anyone has ideas for what other brands are comparable to the quality of this Robert Michael sofa that are currently available that perhaps have a more trendy design, and hopefully are under $3k for a non-sectional sofa around 86-90", I'm all ears!!! If it's possible to get something that feels as good that doesn't use real bird feathers, that would be even better, but I think that would be asking for the moon. :( I'm really sad now that my chaise is gone. :(...See MoreGetting things framed at Michael's
Comments (57)In the past few weeks I've had several old family photos reframed, and/or re-backed with acid-free mats, non-glare glass cut, etc. for (dare I confess? LOL) the gallery wall I'm hanging in my short hallway. I took FIL's 1946 graduation portrait in to a high-end frame shop to be totally reframed. The girl at the counter "thought" (?) they could frame it. I told her the photo had dust smudges around the edges from the original frame not being sealed properly. She took it out of the damaged frame, bare handed, and started rubbing her grubby fingers on the front of the photo. I tried my best to not have a raging fit. I took the photo from her, by the edges, (resisting the urge to sharply whack her fingers with the metal ruler laying on the table) and asked if she had cotton "photo" gloves. I asked if she had an acid free eraser. I asked if she had a protective sleeve to keep the photo in until it was framed. I knew right then they were not going to be touching my beloved family pictures. I went to Hobby Lobby and spoke to the very young, part-time worker at their framing counter. She looked at the photo where I'd set it on the counter. She leaned down, pulled out white cotton gloves from a box full under the table and put them on. Then she touched the picture, lightly wiped the edges with a gum eraser, and said it would be a breeze to clean up, back with foam core, and frame properly with non-glare glass and a sealed back paper. Since the portrait was 8x10, and wasn't being matted, I used a lovely vintage frame I found in near-new condition at a thrift store for $2. They have a large work shop behind the counter; all matting and framing is done in-store. I am so pleased with their work. So far they have double matted, backed, and cut frames an aunt's WWII Army photo, a picture of my Mom, and the only photo Wes has of his grandparents together. They've also cut several pieces of non-glare glass and refurbished a couple of frames that needed acid free backing and resealing. I checked Michael's too, but I was not impressed with how they handled my "test" photo. The Hobby Lobby here does not have the unending selection of mats and frame stock that the high-end Frame and Art shop does, but they have a very caring, customer service attitude. I am so happy how my rouges' gallery is progressing. I choose mats to go with each photo, the scenery, or the subject's personality. I know "gallery walls" and "family photos" are not "in fashion" with Pinterest, Houzz, and the décor gurus at large, unless the photos are reprinted in black-and-white with white mats and plain black frames and hung like soldiers on parade. That's just not my look. I love the old sepia photos in their original, slighted oxidized brass frames, and the newer, brighter photos in the frames that match their style and decade. Mix them all together and it looks like what it is...a mix of generations, styles, and events that form one story. I think when all hung together they look great. This post was edited by caroline on Thu, Apr 17, 14 at 13:14...See Moremoonshadow
16 years agoMichael
16 years agomoonshadow
16 years agoMichael
16 years agomoonshadow
16 years agohousekeeping
16 years agoMichael
16 years agomoonshadow
16 years agohousekeeping
16 years ago
PROLori A. Sawaya
16 years agoMichael
16 years agohousekeeping
16 years ago- PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
16 years ago moonshadow
16 years agomoonshadow
16 years ago
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