Jetpack Test Flight #1 : Success!

You read that right.  I said jetpack.

A couple of summers ago, Mr. Hank Schimstock (shown above) stumbled across a three-fer deal of Electrolux vacuum cleaners at a rummage sale.  One he generously polished up, and I use it for my housework.  The other two went in the barn and proceeded to get lost in amongst the thrifted furniture and swapmeet car parts.  He joked that they would be perfect for a jetpack.  I rolled my eyes and forgot about the whole thing.

Fast forward to last month when the Oshkosh Public Museum put out a facebook call for any and all ray guns in the Greater Wisconsin area.  Ray guns?  This warranted more investigation.  Come to find out that they are busily working away on a Steampunk Exhibit scheduled to open this summer.  They were asking for masterfully crafted guns to be submitted for consideration.  I forwarded it on to Hank as a 'here might be fun project' idea.  Well, let me tell you, the whole thing has exploded.

Peaches by the Numbers

65 Big Smile peaches ~ peeled, pitted and squished into

13 quarts ~ processed on my stove top using

3 pots ~ of boiling steaminess 

~ raising the temperature in the house by 9 degrees 

~ the scraps from which resulted in

2 happy piggies ~ and

1 christened apron ~ and

1 sweaty, satisfied housewife.

Saving Grace Salvage Company

Open for the season! Housed in an old flour mill built in 1866, Saving Grace is a feast for the eyes.  An eclectic mix of salvaged architectural pieces, antiques and up-cycled decor, you should allow at least an hour to wander the three floors.  I suggest making several passes from different directions just to be sure you've seen it all.

The ten foot tall, yellow front door has been open for four years now, but only from May thru October, and only on Fridays and Saturdays.  But to anyone renovating, decorating or scrounging for their old house, it's definitely worth juggling your schedule. 

The front yard is loaded with garden and barnyard primitives - enamel, stainless washtubs, terracotta - not to mention this rack of vintage bicycles.

But one step thru that yellow door, and your senses reel.

I'll just stop talking now, and let you take it all in.

The kitchen area is probably my favorite.

But this is my daughter's favorite view.

 

Found the shifter knob for my Ford Shoebox on one of these shelves.

Somewhere in this photo are five sewing machines.

And I didn't take any photos of the basement.  Truly, if you are in the area, this is a must-see.  Or visit their facebook page to see more photos of the awesome-ness that is Saving Grace. 

Apron Challenge: January

Having finished all my Christmas sewing, I was finally able to think about my January apron.  The only problem was that my eggnog-laden brain totally lacked any creative ideas.  And my Spritz cookie sore fingers lacked motivation.  

So one day over vacation while my daughter and I sloshed through the pile of dirty dishes, I asked her what to do.  "Oh, just use white and purple and blue like snowflakes," she said.  Ah, sheer genius!

So I took her quite literally at her word and created this simple cotton apron.

 
I found two cool shades in my box of solids (because some day I'll get to that Amish quilt, after all).  Such a treat to be sewing a sensible cotton after that Scottie dog taffeta!  Then I used Heat 'n Bond to apply the snowflakes (same method I used on my spooky eyes).

Although it's not very flashy,  this is my style.  All those childhood years of watching "Little House on the Prairie" really stuck with me.  Of course, I do like to toss on the chiffon crinoline more often now. 

And just in case you weren't able to get a good look at the fabulous 1947 Frigidaire behind me, here she is!

Best rummage sale find EVER!  Saved from certain fate as a beer fridge, this little baby is a highlight in my kitchen.  Truly, I'm starting to think that I have an unhealthy love affair with vintage appliances, what with all the Sunbeams I have stashed in the pantry.  But look at that badge, "Made Only by General Motors."  My heart sings!



So back to the topic at hand . . .I'd love to see your Apron Challenge creations.  Don't forget to post photos and links in our photo album.

Yes, it's another Sunbeam.

I am both slightly embarrassed and yet giddy about posting this . . . a light pink Sunbeam Mixmaster has recently joined my collection (yes, it's a bondafide collection now).  I couldn't pass up a pink one . . . with a manual . . . and two milkglass bowls.

Details on the acquisition of previous Mixmasters can be found here and here.

Now seriously, this is an obscene number of mixers.  Of course I always grab the same one so why do I need the whole fleet?  I really am missing my countertop work space!

Of course the new pink one has slightly different beaters, slightly different markings on the knob (that gorgeous black bullet on the back of the head) and slightly different sized rings on the bottom of the bowls.  Which means that things do now swap around the way I'd like them too.  The authentic bowls with Sunbeam markings on the bottom do not automatically fit the mixer of my choice (the one with the beater eject).  All I can say is God bless the invention of interchangeable parts!

Speaking of parts, I did find the meat grinder attachment at a rummage this summer, complete in the original box with a greasy slip of taped together instructions (eew!).  I haven't tried it yet, but this paired with my juicer attachment just adds to the insanity of the collection (haven't tried that attachment either).  Last weekend I bravely walked past a Sunbeam at the thrift store (only one clear bowl and it looked pretty abused) only to have my husband gawk in disbelief.  "We could use it for parts!" was his reply.  So you see what I'm up against!

I'm determined to make some hard decisions.  Time to buckle down, pick one mixer, fit two (maybe three) bowls and let the rest go.  Of course it goes without saying that I'll be keeping both manuals, the juicer and meat grinder (I'm not so crazy as to let those go!).  And when I say "let the rest go," that really means stuff one or two under the counter for parts.  After all, the hubby said so.  :)

The Sunbeam Saga Continues

 

And so another Sunbeam mixer is welcomed into the flock!   Over Memorial Day weekend, my husband did a bit of rummaging and picked up the newest appliance for my growing collection, the Model 9 mixer in the foreground with the juicer attachment.  It's in better condition than it's twin (almost) standing just behind AND we were lucky to get the original manual! For the back story on the previous two, read more here.

Here are a few pages showcasing all the attachments available for purchase.  Thirteen in all, including: meat grinder/food chopper, drink mixer, slicer/shredder, butter churn, colander, can opener, bean slicer, ice cream freezer, coffee grinder, knife sharpener, polisher, pea sheller and potato peeler (click on any image to enlarge).

 

So I think a bit of organizing in the pantry is warranted as I have no counter space left, it being totally consumed by vintage machinery.  But you can be sure that these mixers have not seen their last bowl of frosting . . . or in today's case, a Lazy Daisy Cake destined for strawberries and cream!  I don't collect antiques only to support my love affair with the dust cloth, but to use them in all their vintage glory!

Is it possible to geek out over a stand mixer?  Oh ya, baby!

Join up today!

Before you go. . .

...come into my pantry for a minute (that sounds creepier than I intend it to.  LOL).  I thought I'd show you my latest collection.  Okay, two is hardly a collection, but you have to start somewhere, right?

Last summer I was ecstatic to find a vintage Sunbeam Mixmaster at a rummage for $5.  It was without bowls, but hummed right along with no problem.  Good beaters.  Good cord.  I cleaned it up and whipped frosting to my hearts content!

Sunbeam has been has been around since before the turn of the century.  Originally they produced horse trimming and sheep shearing equipment (how cool is that?!).  Their first appliance for the home was the Princess Electric Iron in 1910 and the MixMaster followed in 1931. 


I believe this mixer to be a Model 7, introduced in 1941.  Production was halted during the war years and started up again in 1946.

So that brings me to the other half of my collection, a slightly larger, more plastic 1950s Sunbeam MixMaster. Same cool streamlined design, but the base, bowl tray and black setting knob are all plastic. 

 

 

This mixer was on craigslist and living not 30 miles from me.  To my joy it came with two sets of beaters and four bowls!  All the bowls are marked "FireKingware Made in USA for Sunbeam."  Great looking bowls with just a hint of beater marks inside to remind you of their years of faithful service.

So now, of course, I'm on the lookout for the milkglass juicer attachment that fits on top (knock twice if you happen to know where one is). And with the humble beginnings of my latest collection, perhaps the number of layer cakes destined to come out of my kitchen has just slightly increased.  I never intended to collect kitchen appliances (and it's very likely that I'll stop right here).  But I do always get a certain sense of satisfaction when I can salvage one of these old beauties and in so doing, relegate my modern appliances to the basement!