Sunshine Nellie on Etsy Lots of new goodness!

Yep!
Thats right folks in denile!!!
A lot of things have happned over the past week and i'd like to just rush this along and reboot on a different kind of path. Wish we could do that, life would be so much easier! Seriously.....
So, I have been busy working (pssh part time) and creating new items for the Etsy Shop! Find me here Sunshine Nellie on Etsy!  I have been trying really hard to get some things made.

I am relying on my Etsy again. Unfortunately some rocks have hit the perpetual blender and its time to try to make this into a smoothie!

Check my shop out if you haven't. I take a lot of pride in what I create and I really enjoy selling something that was made from my own two hands to someone that enjoys the feature and look of it as much as I did. There is so little made in the US of A it seems anymore that we are consumers of other parts of the world when we are hurting so bad here.

Imagine a world where people buy handmade and homegrown ONLY.. yes,the cost may be a little more but,what if these things were made from home grown fabric fibers and a small band of people created those wickedly adorable jeans your wearing? I would pay extra for a pair of jeans that helps our economy. I know of people that ONLY buy American made items..NO JOKE really..there are FEW and far in between of those folks in America  because, its hard to find stuff made here..

SO, Visist my shop you won't be let down

The end of my weekends events!

Last night I set my mind to wanting to go find a lavender farm that I hadn't found with my brother prior to going to visit family Saturday....
So, I actually used my Navigation on my Phone to find it today...
The little drive there was GORGEOUS!

My journey took place after a quick 2 cups of coffee,shower,and making of my bed. By 10AM I was there...
Corbett,Oregon

This farm was featured in Saturdays Early Edition in the Oregonian. It is well worth the drive!!! $5.00 for a large handful of lavender! You do have to be cautious of the bees however. I have former experiance with bees because my brother Dustin,Father and I had bee hives so, it wasn't a big deal at all I just moved slow,didn't wear perfume (because I knew of the bee warning) and waited patiently for my turn with the lavender, I wish I would have gotten a photo of the bees..it was GORGEOUS!
My loot was...two different kinds of Lavender, I can not remember the names..oopsies.. but they had two kinds of the purple and one kind White ....

 Another thing I got today was the vase the lavender is in-sorry awful photo- its in my bedroom on my headboard (Formerlly my fathers bed I just recently was given, my father passed away from ALS in 2004 and having this bed meant A LOT to me..I didn't know his friends had it, they contacted me a few months ago...anyways..) The vase I got at Goodwill..because I LOVE THRIFTING The glass was handwrapped by someone-the donater-and I LOVED IT it was PERFECT for my lavender!!! I was so excited it was just as I pictured in my head before I knew Goodwill had it! $1.99 wooty woot woot! I also got the magazine holder-I was going to get a cardboard one and cover it with fabric and make it all cutesie.. but that takes patients and the use of my lovely fabric..and its just in my bedroom anways..so whatever.. it flows with my unorganized chaos right now! ..its black.. $1.99 another wooot woot!
My bedroom smells HEAVENLY by the way!

I spend some time organizing my corner a little and playing on the laptop as I am right now... I also finished a project..

Another one of my bags from MY OWN pattern! for the other Activities Assistant at work :) The lining is baby/bubblegum pink polka dots (Michael Miller) with 3 pockets, the backside has a huge same size as the bag zip up pocket.

I made myself dinner/2 lunches for the week- on the Electric Grill my mother in law gave us .... she only used it twice Nicholas said... I LOVE it... its fantastic..I super glued the bbq sauce to it though..so im waiting till it cools to clean it..whoopsies! By the City we are not allowed to have any flamed barbeque so...this worked great! and FREE!

I ate my smoked salmon today...gone before I could show the numminess..and the superb quality! Dustin and I (My brother) stopped off in Cascade locks before coming home last night and I bought us cherries-that were HEAVENLY! and I bought myself this smoked salmon.....LET ME TELL YOU the joy that came from this healthy treat!!!!!!!!!! oh my! The salmon was so moist,AMAZINGLY smoked! and just heaven to my soul  I WILL be going back there next time we go see our family..WHICH IS SOOOOON... it was $10.00 cheaper than the small peice you could get at Whole foods-where I normally buy my smoked salmon or salmon jurky..(OMG numm) AND it supports the person that caught that fish,smoked it and packed it..so that is alright..might I add they were smoking a joint as we drove off...so Oregon..I thought it was funny..Dustin and I laughed hysterically over it!

So now...
I'm doing just what my cup says NOT to do...


I also upgraded to Flicker PRO..I was reaching the 200 photo limit and for all the contests I do..and the photos I enjoy showing..it was pretty necessary..and seriously...it wasn't spendy either... So I just gave in and said "might as well!!!'

...........Now i'm off to paint my fingernails with a new color..GunMetal grey!! (i'll post a photo later)

 and watch Grimm ....while looking at a Storage Magazine...a special edition from Better homes and gardens..

By the way... 

If you like the Mug.... VISIT: Lenny Mud's Etsy Shop Right now they don't have this cup BUT i'm sure if you ask they can make you one..ITS WELL WORTH IT if you love sweet cuteness cups like I do.... It holds its weight it is finely made, its handmade,support your artisit-WELL worth it!

If you live in Oregon and want to visit the gorgous Lavender farm...

Address: 38401 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, Corbett 

 Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through September 

 Prices: $5 for cut-your-own lavender, $10 for large pre-cut bunches 

 Other products: Soaps, lotions and sachets, $5; distilled lavender oil and lavender honey coming soon

I arrived at the Lavender farm at about 10AM right when they were ready for business and the bees were out like mad! if your allergic-stay in the car-or buy a precut bunch. The bees really mind there own business, just be careful when reaching over to cut or walking down isles as they are EVERYWHERE! Don't wear perfume!!!  It is well worth the drive, easy to get to from Portland and the surrounding areas. 

------------------Hope you all are having a wonderful evening!------------------

New Products for the Shop!

...to make bigger things for my Etsy shop than I normally do.
I love the little things I make because sometimes, the littlest things are the most helpful.
I had partaken in Purse Palooza over at Sew Sweetness about a month ago. I had made a pattern all by myself. I had made 4 purses in total from the same one pattern and decided that I loved it so much and had skilled how to make it. No directions except a template that I had made from wax paper... I wanted to make a couple for my Etsy shop to see if I got any bites. I had made 3 for myself and one for my best friend. I have gotten TONS of comments about the bags and so has my friend so, I decided Saturday evening that I was going to make more than what I had already.

 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is the back of the bag^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had sewn two pieces of bias tape to the pieces before placing the zipper on the back. This pocket is the whole backside of the bag so it fits a tablet or IPad.

 ^^^^^^^^^^^The Front of the bag of course^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
it closes with elastic over a button. Because I think its easier for ladies to use the elastic over finding a pesky magnetic snap or velcro.

 The back of this bag..with the TWO added bonuses!! A tissue cozy and a zip up pouch for extra organization!

 The interior of the bag has ONE pocket Why? because I find it better to have less when tossing in wallet! My wallet kept getting caught on the open pockets on other handbags I have made and purchased. This pocket has a pen slip too making it possible to find that little rascal!

 And the tissue cozy..a little patch worked to use scraps because I really dislike "wasting" fabric!!

The zip up pouch..it has a coordinating in color strip pattern. This pouch would fit an IPhone or the like with more room for lipgloss..etc..
This bag is offered at a low price because I love to share my art with others and would rather not have it hang out for months before selling. Sewing is a hobby not my lively hood. 
 :)

I finished another bag today also I just haven't made the tissue pouch or zip up pouch to go along with it yet..so it will be posted soon!!

To see if this bag is still for purchase click here

This weekends schinanigan

A garage sale........ but not "junk" ...I will have a table of nearly everything in my Etsy shop PLUS some things that I do not have listed.
I have high hopes to come home with very little things to relist on Etsy after closing for the weekend.
Visit Here, shop closes Friday Night I have made up a bunch of reusable zip up snack bags. I plan to make a bunch of sandwich bags also! These are fun to make, I org. made them for myself for my lunches because i'm trying to be as Eco-friendly as possible and I really do dislike plastic bags! They are machine washable and reusable, and most of all..HANDMADE! WAHOO!
I made a bunch of new tissue cozys,recipe boxes,photo boxes,kindle cases,handbags, and I am bringing some up cycled goods.. so..we shall see.

I think I have high hopes for my sales. I'd like to be able to at least get my shops name out there a little bit more! it is always lovely to sell an item. I love the shipping process except, going to the post office :)
so...thats that....

Whats going on in the world of my crafty space....new additions to the space!

What a lovely day I had with my other mum today!
I picked her up at 9am and we headed to Jim and Pattys in Portland,Oregon,
My favorite drink there is the soviet mocha-NUMM! made with sour cream-don't knock it until you've tried it ya'll! Jim and Pattys is the org. Coffee People. After the buy out of Starbucks (boo!) Coffee people no longer....was Coffee People- total bummer! I hadn't lived in Oregon for very long at the time they had released the information that they were going to be selling out and no longer be around... so sad *insert hypothetical tear here* ...................Then about a year ago..my husband was crusing the web and saw somthing about "Jim and Pattys, The Org. Coffee People" ..when I saw the photo..BINGO! it was them!!! they had a cafe! I was totally stoked- few days later we drove to get our paws on the goods....and.....its like it should be..all over again... without the drive threw-the treats are still amazing and the coffee still so delish.......... okay...so i'm done rambeling!
So, after we had left Jim & Pattys we jolted to IKEA... because..how can you not LOVE IKEA!
I had been pondering how to "cut off" my sewing/craft corner (AKA- use to be our dining room that was never used in our apartment) from the rest of the place...I needed a little space to allow my creativity to flow and our bedroom with a King Sized bed wasn't working so, I did a little research. I began to think I would buy a sound board- to block out the noise- a fake wall to bolt to the ceiling, cubical walls to add a little privacy. Then it donned on me! IKEA! they had the answer!! The key to my "issue"......
A wire "rod" that you hook to the wall or ceiling by two brackets that bend and voila! The only problem was- I wasn't sure how i'd do it. So today, I took the leap. Invested the $12 somthing on the wire rod and another $15 on the curtains to boot... a large savings over the "screen" I would have ended up with that is really..not private at all-and would become a chew toy for my house bunny. We had also browsed- I ended up with a rod and 3 hanging thingy majigs and a $10 as-is rug that matches a fellow grey rug we have from IKEA also-which i'm going to move into my craft area and put the old grey rug back into the living room- The red plays off our red couch too much-clashes!

This is one corner of my area-see the curtain peeking by? Jar full of thread spools ..and of course the cup that reminds me.... :) The new rack with pink "buckets" newly installed today-very clever...those IKEA Designers!

The print of my new curtains- Black and White- Birds sit upon the branches

Messy Yet organized..those blue boxes sitting on the floor have TONS of notion goodness-vintage and other misc. Still trying to figure out a wall for those! and of course, my mess-need to be folded bins of fabric!

A small opening for the walkway to the living room

Kind of a mess still. This is my cutting and computer desk-I working in a small space

I just whipped this up really quick tonight as the boys were watching a movie. I just measured and cut, thats how I like to do things! The linen was a vintage table cloth that had gotten ruined by company so, rather than tossing it I cut it up for a sewing machine cover! The bias tape is vintage- JC Penny & Co.. The floral fabric was a steal at Fabric Depot (Approx $3.00 a yard!) I thought it was wicked cute! The cotton lace was $.25 cents a yard!!!! I bought almost all they had!

Another part of my mess! The chair under my photo box was my Grandfathers, the table is at my aunts..im waiting to go get it once I have space, for now the chair is all I could take :) It use to have mates but age takes its toll. The set im sure is over 50 years old. All those purses hanging on my poor mani are bags ive made for either The Zakka Style SAL or for Purse Polooza :) poor Mani is getting weighed down..Those resin dolls hidden in various places of my craft area are- Berries & Co- I collect them

.............my mess..............
Anyways..just wanted to share!

Wooty Woot.......woot....!!!! FABRIC AHOY!

I was totally stoked to get a brown box in the mail this evening........

WOOOT WOOOOOOOT!! haul aboard the happy train!
 I received my goodies from Fat Quarter Shop today and I was totally excited. I had impatiently been waiting for the arrival of these delisious cotton bits to arrive all day today! what a pleasent surprise when I had gotten home, As my husband waived it infront of my face like it was a giant sized coffee beverage..... yulp...this goodie box topped that a few times over! ....
The package dosent look like much but, there are a few layers hiding that you can not see. I ordered my full $75.00 worth of fabric from my gift certificate that I had won from the Zakka style Sew Along Click her to be directed to join in! you need the book Zakka Style... more infor here!    Anyhootie...

Happy Friday! im going to get started on the next project for Week 7.... "Zakka Block Quilt" Created by Leslie Good .............................................

Promising yet not eventful

Today was interesting.
I woke up at my normal "Day off time" of 9am and the hubby and I got out the door at about 10:15Am to run errands. I had wanted to complete a few projects today and get maybe a few things in my shop that are new. Since taking a long break from my Etsy shop SpunkyChildDesign I pondered at either shutting it down completely because it was taking up all the free time I had after working an already full time job, or just taking a long break. So in the end, the long break and a 10 day vacation from work really helped. So for the first few items I had created since my nearly 2 months from my Etsy shop I listed them and then sold 4 items within those 48 hours which was and always is, thrilling.
Today I thought I wanted to make a few clutches- I fly by the seat of my pants normally when I create things that are from my imagination and not from someone elses pattern that ive been able to recreate with there permission and all rights given to them in my Etsy listings. I decided I would just start on something for my mother for her Mothers Day gift, which I cut and got things together and then decided not to start on it yet until I had more energy.
So, 2 sugar free Rockstars later its almost Monday and...well....
this is what i've done today............

I have been accumulating a lot of scraps since I started sewing again about 6 months ago and I have been wanting to make something out of them. I had began to make a lap quilt and then stopped doing that because it was just awkward and kind of annoying. So, I first cut out 3x3 squares and sewn them togeather then cut them again in 1 1/2 inch rectangles and these little pretties were born. I even ran to the Dollar Tree to get a pretty mug :) I am now thinking with the rest of my scraps and maybe even more, I will make a few of these and put them in my Etsy shop for fun! Because...who needs a pile of these laying around? I already have one I made myself during 2nd week of the Zakka Sew Along!

Good night!

Zakka Zakka Zakka!

After beginning the Zakka Sew Along with the Zakka Style Book Compiled by Rashida Coleman-Hale 24 projects stitched with ease to give,use & enjoy.... I am addicted! So many fun projects! 

 I had a lot of fun sewing this Zig Zag Tote for week 1. Week 1 came during Easter and well, many folks enjoy the holidays with there families and I was over a hundred miles away from home to completed the tote in time for the link up. I finished it the next day and this was my outcome. The zig zag doesn't have pointed peaks like they should but, I think my color variations and the fact I used a colored linen was fun!

 The house pouch to the right was really fun too! I used a (hard to see in the photo) cotton fabric that looks lacy and femanine for the roof. I followed the directions fairly close other than adding long stems and leafes to the flowers and adding a welcome wooden door sign that says "Welcome The Raichels" to make this house more personal! The interior is light blue with a white floral pattern. I used a lighter than "normal" linen for the main body of this pouch. I think I will take this lovely with me when we go on trips for my sewing goodies!

The Zakka Pincushion was week 3's project. 

I followed the directions again fairly close, adding my own flair to the project. The pin cushion on the left didn't turn out as I had wanted to. So, I made a second. The pin cushion on the right I think came out very sweet. I pieced together 1 inch squares to add a little quilt action to it, something that i've very new at still! I have not made a large quilt, I think the biggest quilt I've made was my mug rug! :)

For week 4 the above photo is of my version of the sewing kit. I used an almost duck canvas for the exterior and a summertime print for the interior. I hand stamped pink flowers on the exterior and two black flowers on the interior. This was a fun project, fairly simple to create and something i'll use on the go! I normally take sewing projects with me to work if I know my lunch time will be boring.  For week 5 i'm done I just need to perfect it a little and then i'll be posting that boogar tomarrow for the link up :)!

Now, for the rest of the day.....................

Yesterday I had been browsing threw a Craft Warehouse ad (my fav. close by store for fabric) from the paper and saw a new book.... I <3 Patchwork, 21 irresistible zakka projects to sew by Rashida Coleman-hale. It was on sale! I had to snatch one up! I phoned craft warehouse, spoke to a woman in the quilting department and found out they didn't have any! :( I was bummed! So, the lovely sweet lady, as they always are! said "we will give you a call when we find one or it comes in, it looks like we only have 2! just somewhere!" so within an hour I received a phone call... "we found you a book!" I was so excited "I said, "oh thank you so much for calling me back! I am excited, I will come get it right after work" which...I did..... 

This book is very cute! the projects just as sweet as the compiled Zakka Style book... I highly suggest it! 

Maybe there will be a sew-along for this one too??? 

Happy Sewing!

Etsy, you have consumed me once again!

I have a shop on Etsy dedicated to a variety of items. I enjoy to sew,paint,decoupage,knit,crochet, and collect vintage goodies to share with others. My Etsy Shop is SpunkyChildDesign if anyone would like to check it out. I know I don't have many followers but hey, you never know who is going to stumble upon your bloggie!

Today I have created a new Recipe Box. I first started my Etsy shop with many Recipe boxes and Photo boxes because that at the time, was my thrill. I am working on a second new box to put in my Etsy shop that is too cute! almost too cute to sell but..my intent was to make it for my shop so, i'll go ahead to pout when its gone to a new home.
My Etsy has been open for a little over a year now. I had opened it to dedicate myself to a hobby. To keep my mind off other events in my life and the stress of the day to day that some people have. So, from boxes came crochet things like hats and scarves. I told my husband because I buy the crafting supplies and enjoy creating things, I didn't want a stockpile of "stuff" sitting around our small apartment. My best friend was actually the person to tell me "you should start an Etsy shop!" .... so to her we applaud.
I shortly discoverd that having an Etsy shop in the sea of millions of people was very hard. I researched a bit and discovred that my boxes were pretty unique compared to the others that were up for grabs in other shops. Talented artists stock Etsy with such a vibrancy that its hard to compete with others. I continued to build on my available items in my shop and discovered that if I had more than 30 items, I was getting more hits. Now aday's I try to keep approx 80 items available for the sake of having a stocked store for folks to discover new finds and gifts.
I get a real thrill out of selling something handmade to someone, Ive shipped things all over the United States and as far as New Finland which, was really exciting. I've sold "props" to a certain someone to be featured in a Movie... that was VERY exciting.
Simple things catch me and lift my spirits up. Like many crafters you hit a wall.
I discovered Heartsy.me (whom is now closed due to I don't know why) that would feature my shop, sell vouchers and i'd basically be wiped clean in my shop. I found out that the first time around, I was getting hosed. Good for the folks that had gotten such an amazing deal on pretties but oh dear...for me..not so well.. I was loosing profits and I felt really bummed. I kept on trucking on, all a learning experience. A few months later I sold vouchers again on Heartsy. This time coming out on the positive side.
I dedicated all my time and effort after coming home from an already full time job to create things for my Etsy shop. I was not getting a "day off" for weeks and weeks if not months. I was consumed. Etsy had me by the hair and it was not letting go....

I took a month off from creating any new products for my Etsy shop. About a year ago we moved into our new Apartment home in a better neighborhood and closer to work for my Husband and I. Our dining room was going untouched and not being used. We have a 2 bedroom apartment home, my window in the dining room faces a very large pine tree (I think) My husband bought me my first table from Craigslist. As we are young and putting him threw college money is tight so we had to make due. $50 bought me the table that is home to my cutting mat and laptop. Our kitchen table in the far right corner now houses storage space under for my ready to ship items and storage on top for fabrics and other supplies. I use Antique Ball Wire jars to store spools of thread,Velcro,ribbon,bobbles and bits. I found a box of about 12 blue jars from the early 1940's if not sooner at a second hand store-I was thrilled and grinning ear to ear feeling as if I just hit the mother goose! The next piece of furniture to the right of the corner table is an ugly shelf my husband homed that was going to the dump..Hey..another persons junk is another s treasure! I found other pieces of shelving at second hand stores for super duper cheap-im uniquely fantastic and bargain shopping ;-) and during my break from Etsy I made drapes for my kitchen table and attached a curtain rod to my ugly book shelf and then had sewn bunting to the bottom for an added color pop. This space is special to me.
After a long break from Etsy i'm back, in almost full action.
Im still learning to blog so please, bare with me. I really enjoy  writing. This also feeds my desire to share :)