Friday, July 30, 2010

Wait... Time Out!


Time out...
They wrote a pretty useful article. check it out here if you like. Were big fans of Time Out, and happy to be a part of this happening.



Thursday, July 29, 2010

Spider Plant. Baby I think your special.




Chlorophytum comosum Vittatum, yeah... I know your name. You wrote it down on a napkin at Perogi Fest last weekend, but that number you gave me seems busy all the time. My roomie thinks your just trying to blow me off. Could be. But here is deal, your so special to me, there are so many things I love about you. OK, love is a Strong word, so... like. Yeah, so many things I like about you. Your looks are amazing, you seem to flow out of the top of the planter with such grace and style. And the way you make little babies all the time. Some guys might find that to be a bit much, but I like it. New life if great, and besides, I can give your little ones away to my friends. If that is cool with you. A friend told me, that all I have to do is wait for your little ones to get a few inches long, and to snip them off, set them in water (root knob down) and within a week or so, there will be roots. Then I can just plant your little babies in potting mix, and bam, new plant. But like I said, only if it's cool with you. You look real nice with them flowing off of your main body as well. Your coloration is pretty. Nice and light looking. you even come with stripes, it's like your a race car or something. Your so rugged to, you take abuse well. Nothing mean, just an occasional lack of water. I will do my best to keep you watered about every 5-7 days, I know that depends on where we decide your going to live. Another thing that is amazing about you is your rate production of oxygen, your always in the top 5 for air producing, and air cleaning. And believe me, my air can be pretty toxic from time to time. I'm thinking your going to hang, is that cool? If you want, I could just pot you low, and you can rock it floor plant style. Either way works for me. I just like how low maintenance you are, this is my main reason to love you. So many people diss you, call you a weed, or typical. To that I say, they are so wrong, they just can't see what I see in you. Your the tops. Full sun, to bright indirect light is all you need, some water from time to time, and well... this can be our dream together. Not like that stupid movie inception. Yeah, I don't even mind that your part of the Lilly Family, that doesn't bother me a bit. Being from South and West Africa is cool, adds character for sure. I know about you being sensitive to fluoride, we can work past that. There is one thing that kind of sucks about you. You became the craze during the Victorian period, LAME!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Next Terrarium Class, Wednesday August 18th, come grow.


Our next class will be Wednesday August 18th, at 6pm. We'll demonstrate the steps for building an open terrarium, including planting mediums, plants that work together, and maintenance. Participants can bring their own container and purchase the materials (rocks, charcoal, soil, and plants) for a fee or they may purchase a container at the store. If you bring your own container, make sure the opening is wide enough to fit your hand into. Material charges are based on the size of container and plant pricing (estimated charges are $35 - $75). RSVP to info@sprouthome.com space is limited. We had a great time at the last one, check out blogspot to see some great pictures of attendees and their terrariums.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

CRIBS, the bird edition.



I first met Jacob the Violet Green Swallow on Mud Bay Road in Olympia Washington in the Spring of 1994, Jacob was just starting out with his band, Skinny Jean Killer, (little did we both know back then, that making fun of hipsters was going to be the thing to do in 2010) Jacob was always ahead of the game, sick tabla player as well. We met at Star Lounge cafe yesterday for a follow up interview, though we kind of got stuck on the topic of his two new homes. Here is part of the interview.


Sprout Home Chicago: So Jacob, 6 world tours, 2 stints in rehab, and 4 drummers later, Skinny Jean Killer is still rocking. What brings you to Chicago?


Jacob: Pitchdork


SHC: wow! you guys are doing really, that festival is one of the most progressive indie minded events of the summer here.


Jacob: yeah, it was ok... lots of skinny jeans, so that was kind of awkward for us, being called Skinny Jean Killer and all. We got some flack yelled at us as we were taking the stage.


SHC: Flack, like what?


Jacob: Oh, well this one chick wearing purple high wasted 90's cut shorts and big dumb goonies perscription glasses, yelled out "whats with the name? are you dissing us?"


SHC: Were you?



Jacob: Well, yes. Of course, but we still need these people to support us, you know how the music biz is, luckily we rocked their worlds and I don't think people really thought about us being called Skinny Jean Killer after our first song "I don't care, because it's cool not to care" kicked in.


SHC: Wait, what! Is that song title also a diss to hipsters? That seems kind of messed up, I mean, your already barely getting away with this with your name, and then this song... man that must really make people upset.


Jacob: No no one really ever seems upset, we play dance rock, and that is what is hot right now, you don't really even have to be good these days, I mean half of our songs are 80's covers, we just change the lyrics and flip the beat a little bit. We have songs that if you listen closely, sound like Duran Duran, Gang Of Four, The Cure, Kajagoogoo. It's really funny.


SHC: That is funny, uhm... where do you live these days?


Jacob: I have two homes, they rock. I got them at Sprout Home. I have one that keep in Mansfield Illinois, and the other I have hanging up in Edenbourough PA. I have the log there.


SHC: What is so great about your homes?


Jacob: What is with all questions dude? One is classic A Frame, and the other is shaped like a log, they both have great openings, just big enough for my kind, but not for the annoying Blue Jays, they have fat butts and won't fit. Which works for me and my family, they totally suck! But the Beatles song Blue Jay Way is really great. My houses also have air vents, and a great little secret opening at the bottom for when we need to clean up. I like the words that are printed on the houses also, though I can't read, being a bird and all...


SHC: You know Jacob, your kinda weird. This interview is over, but thanks for the photos of your homes, we will for sure use them in the article.
Jacob: Well your a jerk and i'm outta here.
Jacob left and went to feed, where he ordered chicken. We here at Sprout Home find Jacobs the Violet Green Swallows choice of dish to be very disturbing.


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

don't sleep on this sale item at Sprout Home


We loved this wall decals by Ad-Zif, but they for some reason just didn't move that well. There are three patterns. Were just shocked that they are still here. So if your into this, peep the sale page on our site. Wall Decals Check it!
Red Modern Cotton (shown above) Orange Cotton, and Birds On A Wire are the last three styles.

Next Terrarium Class, August 18th 6pm

Our next class will be Wednesday August 18th, at 6pm.
We'll demonstrate the steps for building an open terrarium, including planting mediums, plants that work together, and maintenance. Participants can bring their own container and purchase the materials (rocks, charcoal, soil, and plants) for a fee or they may purchase a container at the store. If you bring your own container, make sure the opening is wide enough to fit your hand into. Material charges are based on the size of container and plant pricing (estimated charges are $35 - $75). RSVP to info@sprouthome.com space is limited.

Monday, July 12, 2010

just a couple lovelies to look at.




Pineapple and Thistle, you rock!


Warrior Planters... what a funny name.


But they sure look good. No drainage, Plenty of style.

Concretelite Table.... ooohh!


the look, feel - and comfort - of smooth concrete, but 70% lighter. 31" tall and just amazing. Come and check it out.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Look What We Made.









































































































































We had a really fun terrarium building class last night at Sprout Home. Turnout was good, terrariums were potted up, plants found new homes. We love that some people went with the succulent vibe, in addition to the moss, fern types. Erin and Elisabeth did Sprout Home proud, such good teachers. Look at the creations our new friends created.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Want to meet a dog, and maybe give it a home

Looking for a new doggie to love? Saturday July 10th, we are setting up an event with Project Rescue Chicago, http://www.projectrescuechicago.org/ They will be here with some cuties for you to meet, who knows... maybe you start your adoption process that day. At least come meet some cute dogs. They will be set up here at Sprout Home from 12-3pm.