Local Artist Feature

With so many talented artists in my home state of Oregon, I decided to focus on some local Etsy shops this week on my blog. You can see a few of my local favorites on the left-side of the screen. The artist to feature was not a difficult decision. There is an Etsy shop owner who donates 10% off all earnings to our local food bank. If you follow my blog, you know that is a cause close to my heart too. So here is the talented and generous...

Sally, owner of both MoonLightSally and SallyRags!

Tell me a little about your shops and how you got started on Etsy.

I have two shops. SallyRags consists almost entirely of recycled items. When I look at sheets, pillowcases, curtains and used clothing, I actually see usable fabric. My initial shop is MoonLightSally. I chose the name as I love to stay up late while everyone is sleeping and sew, knit, crochet or dream up new items!

At the time I opened the shop, I also had a job I was very unhappy with and I saw crafting as supplemental income, moonlighting. My sister, PolymerPamela, actually introduced me to Etsy. She is also a crafter and we try to support each others passion.

What is the best part about having a shop on Etsy?

The best part about having a shop on Etsy is how it stimulates me to create new and different things. The range of things you can buy on Etsy is amazing.

Other than your crafts, what else are you passionate about?

I am passionate about my family, especially my 3 year old grandson, Jaden. Collecting fabric, both new and recycled is also a passion. I also love to donate to the Marion Polk Food Share and plan to expand my efforts as soon as possible.

Tell me about donating part of your earnings to the food bank.

Even though the amount I donate now isn't nearly as much as I wish it was, I hope I am helping to feed some of Salem's children.

What is your view of hand-crafted items: I think there is immense value in handcrafted items. My father was a clock maker and carver and my Mom did beautiful hand embroidery. I treasure handcrafted things.

Visit Sally at: http://www.moonlightsally.etsy.com/ AND http://www.sallyrags.com/

So Proud

So last month my son did a food drive for his 6th birthday, collecting food for the local food pantry rather than gifts. He collected 224 lbs. of food and $20.00 - much more than we had expected. Our local paper featured him in a story twice and since then the food pantry has had many children doing the same for their birthdays. Of course we are so proud.

On top of all of this, we received a letter shortly after the first article, from one of our State Senators who wanted to meet our son after reading in the paper about what he had done. So we went to the Capitol Building last week and he got to meet Oregon State Senator Jackie Winters and have his picture taken with her on the Senate floor. I think he'll think it is a big deal when he is older and better understands, but he was proud!

Decorate on a Budget!

Who has an endless budget for decorating? I know I don't and if you don't either, perhaps you will find this post inspiring. Garage/yard/estate sales - here we come!!!

So I got to decorate our guest room anyway I wanted, and I knew I was going all out girly! I love Mary Englebreit, so that was my inspiration. I had a few pieces that I had received as gifts (free) and went from there! See below my great finds:

Green desk/vanity - sofa table purchased for $8.00, paint $.50! The chair was $5.00 and the clock I found on clearance at Target for $3.00. Curtains free from mother-in-law, pictures $5.00 for both.
TOTAL: $21.50!



Table = $2.00 (craigslist)
Futon = $150 (reg. $800; knew store employee)
Pictures = $3.00 (garage/estate sales)
Rug = $10.00 (Ikea sale)
TOTAL = $265.00!

Wall shelf = $2.00 (garage sale)

Knick-knacks = $10.00 (gifts/garage sales)

Candle holders = $5.00 (garage sale)

Candles = $4.00 (Habitat for Humanity store)

Antique stool = $1.00 (estate sale)

Coasters = $2.50 (antique/gift shop)

TOTAL = $24.50!

Framed pictures = $20.00 for both (gift shop)

Table = $3.00 (garage sale)

Accessories = $1.25 (garage sales)

Old Wooden Toy Box = $3.00 (garage sale)

Wicker Coffee Table = $8.00 (garage sale)

3-wick Candle = $3.00 (retail clearance)

Plate = $1.00 (retail clearance)

TOTAL = $39.25

This is just part of our guest suite. The other room has 2 beds (free from a friend), clearance bedding ($45.00 for both beds), a wicker side table = $5.00 garage sale find, lamp = $1.00 (garage sale), and wall decor = $12.00 (all garage sales).

Find a theme or colors, then hit the sales! Happy shopping!

Time to Celebrate!

So my daughter turned 2 over the weekend and we had a great little party for her at home with family. She loves Elmo and Sesame Street so, of course, I went all out. She had a lot of fun playing in the backyard with all of her cousins...and she loved the cake. Looking forward to the next one!

Plentiful Garden

So this is the time of year when all of the hard work planting a vegetable garden really starts to pay off. We planted: snow peas, snap peas, tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, carrots, corn, strawberries, cucumbers, zucchini, and pumpkin.

Currently we are picking a bowl full of strawberries a day and a good-size handfull of peas each day. We also have A LOT of lettuce. Unfortunately the carrots didn't grow and the rest of the veggies are not ready, so no garden salads. We're trying to keep up with the lettuce by making sandwiches often. My daughter is loving eating right out of the garden. Raw veggies have been a tough sell for her, so I could not be happier.

Thunderstorms!

We don't get a lot of crazy weather here in Oregon, but we went from several days in the 80's to an intense thunderstorm that hit suddenly and even a small tornado. This just doesn't happen here. Our gutters overflowed as I tried to get a picture of the strong storm. It actually made for a pretty neat picture. I am ready for the weather to clear up now though.

My Favorite Product

So I love to share when I find something great that I think other people would want to know about. So attention parents of little ones! I know a lot of people don't like Walmart, but I have to praise these wipes they have. They are organic and because they are made from all natural products, they are biodegradable!! I haven't found another store that offers these. If you don't want to use washable, reusable wipes, but want to be good to our precious planet, these are a great alternative.

http://walmart.triaddigital.com/Sustainability-Page_ektid39900.aspx

Our Children are Sponges

We have to remember that our children are always watching us and learning from us (good or bad).

So the other day I walked into the kitchen and caught my 6 year-old son taking pictures of his legos. When I asked what he was doing, he said "I'm taking pictures of my creations."

It's exactly what I do! He created many things from his legos, then took pictures of them. He wants to print them to put in his little album, but I just had to blog about it.

**DISCLAIMER: His creations are not for sale.