Family Cookout with Kallie's Cotton

Family Cookout with Kallie's Cotton:

Snowflake: We are continuing our outdoor theme this week with our 'Family Cookout Party'! Let's check-in with our roaming reporter and see who is in the Spotlight!

Sunshine: Potato salad, hamburger, lemonade, ice cream and ants....bring them along to our family cookout party and craft show.
Kallie's Cotton is our featured member in this week's online craft show event. Kallie is a Mother and Grandmother from Oklahoma...let's find out more about her handmade items in this interview....

1. What do you like best about running your Etsy shop?
 The freedom to explore and make the things I love to make and share with others.

2. How long have you been in Business and what caused you to open your shop?
 I have been on Etsy for one year, but I have sewn for the public for 30 years.

3. Where can folks find you online?
 http://kalliescotton.etsy.com

4. Please share a DIY craft project with our readers.
 I will share how to make a TuTu fabric baby Skirt.
First cut a strip of fabric 9" x the width of fabric around 44", cut the side of fabric in half to make two pieces.

put right sides together, with outsides showing.

Sew side seams, then finish seams.

Finish top and bottom of the skirt edges, on the top make a 1" casing, sew the casing leaving a 2" opening for elastic. 

Next insert a 17" piece of elastic inside the casing, sew the ends of elastic together when you make the full circle of the casing on the skirt.

Sew the opening closed,

Put a shirt tail hem in the bottom.

 You're done Enjoy!

5. Please share a giveaway with our readers.
I will be giving away to one lucky blog shopper a pair of mini hot pads.

6. Please share a special just for our blog readers.
Special use coupon code Blog10 for a 10% discount at http://kalliescotton.etsy.com


Snowflake: What new at the co-op Sunshine?

Sunshine: Glad you asked Snowflake...the Sunshine Farmgirl Co-op Etsy team is working hard on the July sampler bag with over 10 shops contributing beautiful samples with a fun family summer theme.

Each sampler box will be filled to the brim with handmade samples. Here is a preview of the shops that will be in the bag. Feel free to visit them in our Sunshine Market Place to get an idea of the fabulous items that will be in our Family Summer Sampler Bag!

* Sunshine Sisters
* Country Cents
* Reflections of Kayla
* Jeanpatch by MK
* Vintage 50s Treasures
* Creative Designs
* Creative Craft Supplies
* Kallie's Cotton
* CJW Designs
* Dala Designs

Snowflake: Thanks for that preview of the July Family Summer sampler bag. Be sure to check the Sunshine Newsletter on the home page of the website for more great co-op news.

Join the 'Buyer Club' and shop with the specials listed on the members only page with our Sunshine Market Place shops.

Get free downloads to use each month for your craft projects or use as incentives for your customer's.


Eco-Gift Sampler bags are available on our website. We are down to just a few so hurry and get one before they are all gone!

The school year is almost over, why not give a sampler bag to your child's teacher to show them how much you appreciate their dedication to education.

There you have if folks, another great week of activities here at the Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op blog.

Tune in next week to see who our featured member will be.

Same co-op time! Same co-op blog!!

Beach Party Splash! Sun!,,,,Surf!......Sand!

SNOWFLAKE: Last one in the water is a rotten egg!!!! Record player on, volume turned up, listening to the Beach Boys!

Let's check-in with our roaming reporter and see who is in the spotlight this week!

SUNSHINE: Let's go surfing with Kayla from Reflections of Kayla in this weeks online craft show event. Sandy beaches are what Kayla loves best about living in Florida.
Does that bring back any childhood memories? I can remember those summers spent at the beach soaking up the rays!

Here is what she had to say in our interview:

1. What is your next drawing going to be? I thought I would do some beach scenes since the summer vacation time is upon us.

2. Can you share a DIY project with our reader's? Sure, how about these fun vintage beach scene labels. They can be used as tags or in scrapbook projects.

3. Where can folks find you online? At the Sunshine Market Place here on the Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op website and in my Etsy shop. You can also follow me on my Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/reflectionsofkayla 
and on Twitter at:  http://www.twitter.com/reflectionsofka


Back to you Snowflake!

Snowflake: There you have it folks. We hope you enjoyed another fun week with us and will join us at the online craft show and soak up some great gifts in the shops that are featured. Be sure to check out the calender of events at the top of the page for the location.

Tune in next week and find out who is our next featured shop.


Same co-op time! Same co-op blog!!!

Decadent Nature at Your Service!

Snowflake: Rise and shine and step out into the sunshine! Got a little dittie for you by that great oldies singer Mr. Burl Ives to get you in the mood for some shopping fun! The names were changed to protect the ...Hit it boys!
Once a lonely caterpillar sat and cried,
To a sympathetic beetle by his side.
"I've got nobody to hug,
I'm such an decadent bug."
Then a spider and a dragon fly replied,
"If you're serious and want to win a bride,
Come along with us,
To the glorious
Annual decadent bug ball."

Come on let's crawl
Gotta crawl, gotta crawl
To the decadent bug ball
To the ball, to the ball
And a happy time we'll have there
One and all
At the decadent bug ball

While the crickets clicked their tricky melodies
All the ants were fancy-dancing with the fleas
Then up from under the ground
The worms came squirming around
Oh they danced until there legs were nearly lame
Every little crawling creature you could name

They were so happy they came!
Come on let's crawl
Gotta crawl, gotta crawl
To the decadent bug ball
To the ball, to the ball
And a happy time we'll have there
One and all!
At the decadent bug ball.

Then our caterpillar saw a pretty queen
She was beautiful in yellow, black and green
He said, "Would you care to dance?"
Their dancing led to romance.
And she sat upon his caterpillar knees
And he gave his caterpillar queen a squeeze
Soon they'll honeymoon
Build a big cocoon
Thanks to the decadent bug ball

Come on let's crawl
Gotta crawl, gotta crawl,
To the decadent bug ball
To the ball, to the ball
And a happy time we'll have there
One and all!
At the decadent bug ball!

Sunshine: That is the cutest song, I am singing it already and dancing around with my apron cape on!!! Our featured shop this week is Jennifer from Decadent Nature! You'll find her shop in our Sunshine Market Place and can see her decadent natural products and learn a little bit about Jennifer.

You'll find lotions, and lip balms to sooth those delicate skin issues. Why not stop by for a visit today! You can make this a great week for Jennifer's spotlight feature by shopping in her store and helping get the word out about her great natural products.

Snowflake: I hear you have some special news to share with our readers.

Sunshine: I sure do Snowflake! I was a guest on Shabby Lane Shops blog talk radio show last week! Wahoo!! I shared some yummy gluten free recipes and am doing a give-a-way contest on my Jeanpatch blog. Why not check it out today!
         Find our website in the Apple ITunes Store!

Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op is also featured on Apples App store under Shabby Lane Shops. Now, we have another great way for folks to find us and shop with our vendors and Etsy team members. Woot! Just another great reason for folks to support the co-op by joining and help keep the co-op thriving with these great ways we advertise here at Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op.

Go to the "AP Store" & type in
Shabby Lane Shops & there we are!

Coming Soon! to Kindle Fire & Android tablet!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                       

We are thrilled that we have had such a wonderful response to our Eco-Gift Sampler Bags. We will be sending one out to a national magazine editor. One will go to a local newspaper editor.
If you would like to order one of our Eco-Gift Sampler Bags, please click here!


Shop Owner?
Get to know us better, join as a 'Buyer Club' member/Vendor and get your first month as a vendor free! Your membership includes numerous levels of advertising all for the one low annual price of $20.00!Click here to preview the benefits of Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op membership!


Sign up for our co-op Newsletter!
to get great savings when shopping with our vendors and diy projects and news!
Click here to subscribe!

Snowflake: Thank you for all those great updates Sunshine! And thank you dear reader's for spending time with us today! Check out the Calender of Events for our craft show location.

Tune in next week to find out who is in the spotlight!

Same co-op time!!! Same co-op blog!!!

Reflections of Kayla Circus Party!

Snowflake: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up folks and enter our 'Big Top' where you'll see the most amazing artists from all over! You never know what will be around the next corner, but I know someone who does. Let's check in with our roaming reporter and see who is in the center ring this week.

Sunshine: I've had the most amazing visit with our featured artist, Kayla of Reflections of Kayla! While sitting in her studio she took me around the world as we toured her album of drawings.

Our first stop was the Serengeti - There stood the most majestic animal, a Black Rhino! you don't want to run into him face to face. She captured every detail of his wrinkled body to a tee.

As she turned the page we were leaving Africa and landed in Ireland. Those big black eyes just drew me in and I could imagine myself sitting in the audience at a music festival.....River Dance anyone. This female violinist will put you in the mood to turn on the tunes and dance around the room.

Want to learn more about Kayla?

Here is the interview I conducted with Kayla:

1. Are you planning on adding anything new to your shop? Yes, as a matter of fact I am learning to draw with pastels and hope to add custom announcements and invitations later this year.


2. Where can folks find you online? In the Sunshine Market Place and in my Etsy shop.

3. Do you have a special for our readers? Of course, I will include a free ATC (Artist trading card) with each order this week for your blog readers and those who favorite my shop. Be sure to mention this blog post in the comments section at check-out.4. Can you share a DIY Craft Project with our readers? I'd love to, have you heard of ATC (Artist trading cards)? They are fun and take less time to make than a full size card.

Supplies:

rubber stamps, ink pad, markers, brads, ruler, scissors, colored card stock paper cut to 3x4 inches, fabric labels

I've made two in a nature theme using fabric labels. On the back of each card print your name, date it was made, theme, shop address and number it like they do trading cards. Since this a series I am making, I'm waiting to finish them before I write the id number. 

Sunshine: There you have it folks. Another great story for you and a really fun and easy craft project. Plus, a special deal just for our blog readers who shop with Reflections of Kayla this week!

Snowflake: I hope you have enjoyed this weeks edition of our Sunshine Blog with our featured artist, Reflections of Kayla. Be sure to show Kayla some love by heading over to her shop and adding it to your favorites and picking up an item or two while you are there.


Tune in next week to see who our SFGCTEAM spotlight member will be.

Same co-op time! Same co-op blog! 

Bring Nature Inside!

Snowflake: Welcome to our week with Nature!! Let's check-in with our roaming reporter and see who is in the spotlight this week.

Sunshine: "Home, home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day'!! ....Churp! Churp!.....Ribbit! Ribbit!....those are the sounds of Nature coming to your live this week from our featured spotlight members shop Cindy of Pine Branch Designs!! Welcome Cindy! I know you are eager to learn more about Cindy and her nature shop so here is what she had to say.....

1. Why did you start your business? 

    Dec 2010
2. How long have you been in business? 

    Informally, 3 years
3. Can you share a diy project with our readers? 

    Yes. I can tell them how to use our branch slices to make a moss & branch centerpiece/planter

Moss and Branch Centerpiece

Supplies:

Branch Slices (cut your own or you may custom order them through my Etsy Shop)

Floral Moss (Available at Walmart)

Wooden Box (use your own or you may custom order one through my Etsy Shop)- natural or stained. It is best to use a box that does not have varnish on it.

1. Collect branch slices in a variety of sizes and shapes- the number of slices you need will depend on the size of box you are covering.

2. Apply a thick layer of wood glue to coat a 4-6" section of the box. Place the branch slices firmly in the glue, leaving enough space to tuck in thin sections of floral moss. Wrap the moss around each branch slice and press into the glue. Lay the box on the side you just completed and allow to dry for 20-30 minutes before going on to the next side.

3. Repeat step 2 until all 4 sides are covered.

4. Finish the top edges of the box by coating them with glue and attaching floral moss.

The finished product makes an earthy and organic display for flowers, river rocks, bath towels, etc. 

4. Where can folks find you online?

          Pinebranchdesigns.etsy.com          &         etsy.com/people/PineBranchDesigns

5. Where do you get ideas from? 

     Nature,Personal experiences, suggestion from customers!

6. Can you offer our reader's a special discount?

    new customers may receive 25% off their first order with this discount code: NEW25.

Snowflake: It is so much fun to visit a new members shop each week here on our Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op blog. Only our blog reader's will get to use this special coupon code and save big in Cindy's shop this week and only at our online craft show. Check out the Calender of Events page at the top of this page for location.

What else do you have for us Sunshine?

Sunshine: So glad you asked Snowflake! I wanted to announce our winner from last weeks Spring Cleaning Contest. The winner is.......drum roll........another drum roll.......Congrats! to.......using random.org.....our winner is......Brandee of homesteddinmom blog! She won the crochet flower cleaning cloth from Jeanpatch by MK! Woot!

♥ Next, Sampler Bags......we still have a few available so head on over to our website and visit the sampler bag  page and give yourself or a friend a very special gift!

You'll find something from Sunshine Sisters, Reflections of Kayla, Country Cents and Jeanpatchbymk in our Eco-Gift Sampler Bag. We will be posting testimonials once they are all sold! You won't be disappointed, unless you miss getting one!!! hehe!

♥ Big Announcement....we can now be heard on blog talk radio.....visit the home page of our website and click on the arrow to listen to the show where I am a featured guest. I will be back on the show May 10th at 7 p.m. cst!/8 p.m. est! mark your calenders. I will be talking about gluten free baking and more!

♥ Vendors Wanted - for the sampler bags - If you would like to advertise your business in our successful Eco-Gift sampler bags then fill out the vendor application on our join page and the sampler application found on the sampler bag page on the left side bar. You will be rewarded for each month that you complete. See details on the application page.

It is a good idea to purchase a sampler bag so you can see how to wrap your samples and what to include with each one. Back to you Snowflake!

Snowflake: Thank you Sunshine for all those great updates for our readers and members. We have a fun game for you this week. It is called the Referral Game! Here is how to play and what one person will win!

Rules:

1. Refer a friend to follow our blog - 1 entry
2. Refer a friend to join the co-op as a 'Buyer Club' member-5 entries
3. New followers leave a comment telling who referred you.
4. New 'buyer club' members leave a comment saying who referred you.

Reward: The winner will receive a renewal for their annual 'Buyer Club' membership! Woot! WooHoo!!! (you must be a current 'Buyer Club' member to receive the renewal membership)
Whose ready to play?! The more active you are in the co-op the more rewards your will receive. Tune in next week for another great game and to see who our next spotlight member will be.

Same co-op time! Same Co-op blog!

SPRING CLEANING WITH JEANPATCH BY MK!!!

SNOWFLAKE: It's time to announce the winner of last weeks recipe swap contest. Congrats! to Kalliescotton!!! Yay! Now, let's check in with our roaming reporter and see what she has in store for us this week....follow me.


SUNSHINE: Spring is in the air Snowflake, and to get us in the mood for some spring cleaning fun around the house and home office, let's put on some mood music shall we. How about that golden oldie "Happy Trails", I have it playing in the background....can you hear the clipity-clop of the horses hooves as it trots along the brick road? He is stopping in front of our featured members shop- JEANPATCH BY MK to drop off his passengers for some shopping fun!!!


Jeanpatch has a great variety of handmade sustainable items made from vintage books, vintage hankies and cotton fabric and yarn. She also offers a great line of crochet flower cleaning cloths, just the thing for our spring cleaning theme this week. They are available in a variety of colors. Custom orders are welcomed.


SPRING CLEANING GIVE-A-WAY CONTEST!!!

                                        
Jeanpatch has offered one of our reader's the chance to win one of her pretty flower cleaning cloths this week. Here's how to enter....
                                

1. Follow her blog at http://jeanpatch.blogspot.com -1 entry.

2. Follow this blog for 2 entries

3. Share this post by clicking the Facebook, twitter and blog buttons 3 entries

4. Leave a comment saying what you did
                                

Earn Extra Entries by.....

5. Favorite her Jeanpatchbymk shop on Etsy 1 entry (www.jeanpatchbymk.etsy.com)
6. Join our website as a 'Buyer Club' member 2 entries www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com/JoinUs.html
7. Buy a Sampler Bag on our website 3 entries
www.sunshinefarmgirlcoop.com/SamplerBoxOrdering.html
8. Come back and leave a comment saying what you did


SNOWFLAKE: That is sure to put us in the mood to spruce up the house. I can already see those windows sparkling while using one of Jeanpatch's cleaning cloths. Thank you for doing this for our reader's. I'm headed over to start on the list and get those extra entry points.


SUNSHINE: Join us for some shopping fun this week with our Online Craft Show in the BNS on Etsy. There you will be able to shop with Jeanpatch and her Etsy team members. You'll find handmade products, vintage collectibles and craft supplies and much more.

We have an extra treat for our reader's this week. Marsha of The Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op is going to be a guest on Shabby Lane Shops blog talk radio show. Wahoo!!! Here is the link so you can tune in. This Thursday, April 26th at 11 a.m. cst, 12 noon est!

www.blogtalkradio.com/shabby-lane-shops/2012/04/26/shabby-lane-shops

You'll learn tips for re-purposing items around the house and for your business, plus do-it-yourself craft projects. Find out which of our members gets a shout out from Marsha when she is on the show.
SNOWFLAKE: That was a great scoop Sunshine. Thanks for bringing us another featured member from the Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op Etsy team (SFGCTEAM).

Who will be in the spotlight next week? Tune in here to find out. You won't be disappointed.Same co-op time! Same co-op blog!!!!

MONEY SAVING RECIPE SWAP & GIVEAWAY!

SNOWFLAKE: Welcome to another week of fun here on the Sunshine Farm Girl Co-op blog. Let's check in with our roaming reporter and see what she has in store for us.

SUNSHINE: Howdy Folks! I have some great events planned for you this week. I hope you can keep up with all the happenings. Back in the spotlight is Nicole of Woodstreamdream.

1. Where do you get your inspiration?

There's so much beauty out in the world, I would have to say that nature is my biggest inspiration.

2. What is your favorite item to make in your shop?

That's really tough! I enjoy making all of my items, but I would have to say that I really have a lot of fun cutting and handstitching my flowers for the Marie Collection.

3. Can you share an easy recipe with our reader's?

My recipe is a penny stretcher. For years I'd bought butter with olive oil in it because it was easy to spread. It was expensive, but easy. Well, last year sometime it dawned on me that for a lot cheaper, I could buy butter by the pound on sale and whip my own olive oil into it. It took a little working on, but this is what has worked for quite some time for my family. With a husband and two little boys who love pancakes - we go through butter quickly and this has helped to stretch the penny for our home! This amount of butter usually lasts at least three weeks in the fridge - before it's eaten!

Whipped Butter

2 sticks, 1/2 pound salted butter - softened (if you use unsalted, just add 1/2 tsp kosher salt)

2 ounces water

5 ounces olive oil

2 2-cup pyrex dishes with lids

Once the butter is really soft (take it out in the morning and do this before dinner), dump it in the bowl of your stand mixer. Pour in the water and olive oil. Start on low. Scrape down the bowl after about 2 minutes. Gradually turn up to medium-high speed and let the butter get really fluffy and white, about 5 minutes unattended. Scrape down the bowl one more time and let it mix for another minute or two.

Then scrape the fluffy butter into glass storage bowls that have tight-fitting lids.

Then enjoy - the butter spreads easily from the refrigerator onto bread, pancakes, toast - for whatever you need!

4. Where can folks find you online?

I can be found many places online... My shop is www.woodstreamdream.etsy.com  My blog - where you can learn more about me, my upcoming craft shows, and see custom creations is www.woodstreamdream.blogspot.com I'm also on Facebook www.facebook.com/WoodstreamDream Twitter @WoodstreamDream, and Pinterest www.pinterest.com/woodstreamdream Soon I'll be opening my new shop - WoodstreamPapery www.woodstreampapery.etsy.com where you'll be able to find all of my stationary and gift packaging items.

5. Can you offer a special just for our blog reader's?

Blog readers can enjoy SUNSHINE20 for 20% off any purchase, not including gift certificates.

SNOWFLAKE: What else do you have for us Sunshine?

SUNSHINE: A fun "Money-Saving Recipe Swap & Giveway!" Just post your favorite money-saving recipe here in the comments section. For added fun I'll do a drawing at the end of the week on Sunday and draw one name from those who post a recipe.

SNOWFLAKE: What will you be giving away?

SUNSHINE: I'll give one of my gluten free recipe journals to one of our reader's who posts a recipe in the comments section this week. 

SNOWFLAKE: You always have such nice surprises for us and fun activities too.
In addition to helpful do-it-yourself tips and features of our Etsy team members we offer these great rewards on our website.

FOR SHOPPERS: Check out our Sunshine Market section, where you can shop in the comfort of your home.

FOR CRAFTERS: Advertise with us! We offer our crafters a vendor page. Promotions at Shabby Lane Shops website and national magazine.

NEED MARKETING? Try our Eco-Gift Sampler Bag program. A great way to let shoppers try before they buy.

BONUS: Join us as a 'Buying Member' and receive free do-it-yourself downloads and free advertising in our classified section and much more!
We look forward to seeing and trying all of your yummy money-saving recipes. Tune in next week for more great news from our roaming reporter Sunshine!

Same co-op time! Same co-op blog!