Sunshine and Ravioli

Moving Day....

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:46:00 +0000

WOW!

It's been a l-o-n-g (!!) time.

Life has been bittersweet for me the past few, but I am ready for more sweet, less bitter.

With that, guess what?

Sunshine and Ravioli's blog has a new home (and a great new website!)

Still at the "baby-steps" stage, but I plan to post regularly again...

Won't you come visit? Say "HI" if you feel like it!

Until Next time,

Apache Blessing

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:43:00 +0000

A quick note today...

Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both
in the journey ahead and through all the years,
May happiness be your companion
and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

~Apache Blessing

Just wanted to share this custom order I will be sending out today. This Apache Blessing is so pretty. For a very small wedding, the guests will sign their names all around the tree and the bride and groom will frame for a keepsake of the day. We used this woodland image on her invitations as well....

One of my favorite projects this month, possibly because it has such a rustic, harvest feel that just embraces the season, and I am so ready to "give thanks" this year...

Pin O' the Day

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:08:00 +0000

Source: theclothspring.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Have you discovered Pinterest yet?

If not, go check it out and thank me later. So much eye- popping inspiration, so addictive!

The quote from John Lennon above is one of my current favorites (and I found it through my niece- thank you Hannah!). I identify with John's Mother because in all of the mind numbing, overwhelming-ness (I know, not a word, but it conveys exactly how I feel about this, and I'm not even the one doing most of the work) of the college application process, I remember a moment when I told my daughter this exact thing: find something that make you happy .

Not rich. Not famous.

Just happy.

When you find it, you will know it, and try not to stress about the fact that at age 18, you're not sure what you want to do (I think we put too much pressure on our kids to figure it all out before they even apply to colleges).

Explore. Learn. And enjoy the process.
Seriously.

My Kind of Town...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:38:00 +0000

Chicago is on my mind this weekend...
Not because I am trying to get tickets to Oprah. Or because my teenage daughter thinks the University of Chicago is her kind of school (she'll be a high school junior this year-the search for the right college is on). Or because I have ever visited the Windy City (unfortunately, I have not). I haven't developed a sudden obsession with the Cubs...or da Bears...or the Bulls...

It's because I am am working on a couple of very fun projects for two different Chicago brides. First up...escort cards and table markers with an unmistakable Chicago flair (even I can guess that Wrigleyville just might be in Chicago).

I am so loving this project!
Juliette came to me with an idea and a collection of old Chicago post cards. Each of these tags will have a guest's name on the opposite side. Instead of the traditional number system, we are using Chicago neighborhoods to identify each table.

How creative! I am so glad she came to me with this project...

Next up is a re-do of sorts. Round one of Mary's "sweet" favor cones got sucked in to the black hole of the USPS, never to be seen again. I didn't get photos taken the first time around and I was kicking myself for that. So this time around, I wanted to make sure I didn't make the same mistake again.

Chicago -bound with tomorrow's mail and destined to be filled with sweet treats for her guests, fingers crossed that this batch gets to Mary safe and sound....

Here's hoping your weekend has been filled with sweet treats as well!

Until Next Time,

Starting All Over Again...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:19:00 +0000

It's pretty obvious.

I have not been blogging.
Life got in the way...again...
for many reasons, too many to explore, but many of them good.
So that's what I will focus on.

And begin again.

Back track almost a year...

On a whim, after studying the Google Analytics for my Etsy shop, I decided it might be a good idea to shift the emphasis of Sunshine and Ravioli, to explore more bridal and special occasion custom work. I did not realize the wonderful, amazing, exhilarating ocean I was diving into head first (off of a very steep cliff). It has kept me extremely busy and I am so very thankful.

I love the work I am doing now and it feels right. I love working with brides- they are happy and excited and viewing the world with rose colored glasses for the most part and I like that. I know there are Bridezillas out there, but either they become that way much closer to the big day (perhaps my work happens before the real stress sets in) or they don't like my work (and that's OK too)...

I am grateful to have stumbled upon my niche, but that means the focus of this blog will also change slightly. The potential and possibilities of what can be done with a simple, beautiful piece of paper and some vintage inspiration intrigues me and I want to explore that. I hope you will join me...

Until next time,

My Cat's Eyes are Working Overtime...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:40:00 +0000

These Cat's Eyes, that is (my real cat is old and cranky- I don't ask him to work on anything)....I use them on almost every single piece of paper that leaves the studio.

My business basket is full of things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving week.

And THIS is the most exciting (but not the only thing in the basket)...

My salt and pepper shaker gift tags were chosen to be included in the December issue of Country Living Magazine , in an article featuring Christmas ornaments on Etsy (page 61 if you want to flip straight to it). I love all of the ornaments featured, a really nice showcase of Etsy talent....

What a thrill! Seriously...beyond thrilling...beyond any very grateful, thankful happy dance I have ever done for Sunshine and Ravioli...I am as high as a kite and any other happy as a clam cliche you can come up with!

Here's my other thankful for it item this week...

See that yellow star in the bottom row? That's my vintage spoon ornament in the Etsy voter this week!

Here's a closer view...And here's my SOS...

Can you help me? I would LOVE to break the top ten (as of Wednesday morning, I'm at #11). Yes, I'm just thrilled to be included and I don't expect to win, but I would really, really like to finish respectably...

If you can spare a vote, head on over to the Voter and cast your ballots...

THANK YOU!!

And last but not least, a peek at what else has been keeping me busy...custom orders...lots of them!

This is a recent favorite, for a holiday themed baby shower (it's a boy, can you tell?). This is the first shower I have made place markers for and I think they turned out great! I have to thank my creative customer for this one- never would have thought to use these images for baby showers (OK, maybe the deer, but the others....).

Alright, there's a turkey to prep (I'll be using this recipe-the juiciest non fried turkey ever!) and pies to be made...

I hope this Thanksgiving finds you with plenty to be grateful for...

Until next time (I can't get my sig to upload!),

Steph

Apples, Apples, Apples!

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:51:00 +0000

I am actually a little late on this (surprise!)...apple season is close to done, I think, but a few weeks back we spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Mexico, NY at a pick-em-yourself apple orchard...

...and since I seem to be a blogging delinquent lately (SOS to all regular bloggers...how do you do it? There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day!)...late is my norm these days anyway, right?

Apples, Apples everywhere....

So many different varieties...

There were families loading up the Radio Flyer with pounds and pounds of apples...we just picked a few...

Even the teenage girl child got in on the action....

BIG Apples....

...and wee little apples (I wouldn't eat this one, but it was cute!)...
a great way to get some crisp fresh air (and CIDER!) on a sunny Upstate Saturday....

And I just could resist this...this is a school in Mexico,NY on our way to the orchard. Doesn't it just scream "Leave it to Beaver", "It's a Wonderful Life" Americana?

I was so smitten that Mr. Sunshine even pulled off the main road so I could get a better picture...of a school! That's true love, I think....

Until Next Time,

Steph

Well....

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:24:00 +0000

What's my excuse this time?

I was on such a good blogging roll...posting regularly, sharing a good mix of life and work. And then about a week after my last post (almost a month ago- ack!), we experienced computer meltdown.

No computer (with the exception of my I phone, which made replying to emails possible, but to do anything online proved challenging) for close to two weeks. Try it sometime- not easy for someone like me, let me tell you!

So after the purchase of a NEW laptop (ouch), I was back online again. But the chores had to get done before the play could begin, so I have been tending to my Etsy shop, getting ready for the holidays, and filling an increasing number of custom orders. On a side note, I am so enjoying the bridal market! Such a happy time in life, and I love hearing each bride's story.

And NOW I can blog again....

You would think that such a long absence would mean I had a mountain of post ideas, but the case is the opposite for me...

So in the meantime, I will share a few photos, maybe a recipe or two (have a fantastic pumpkin bread recipe that you need this time of year) and slowly get back in to the groove again...

Until next time,
(which won't be a month from now, I promise)

The HeartoMatic Trifecta...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Oh MY!

OH myohmyohmyohmy!

Yesterday was pretty exciting around here, as the Weekend Deals Storque article and email went live...

But then I wake up this morning to this:

Thank you TiedUpMemories ,for including me in this beautiful treasury!

AND this, which I am almost CERTAIN will never ever happen again. I hit the HeartoMatic Trifecta! HeartoMatic is an extremely nifty tool for Etsy sellers that lets you track your traffic, hearts, features, etc. If you are a seller and haven't visitied this page, hightail it over there and check it out. I'll save your spot....

On the "featured" page, it usually reads that I have not been on the FP, have not been in the Storque, am not in any Gift Guide, so this really made my morning!

Celebrate with me,will you?

Until Next Time,

Did She Say FREE??

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:51:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, on a whim, I threw my name in the hat for the Etsy "Weekend Deals" post...

What the heck, think positively and all that stuff...

Well, I got an email from an Etsy admin yesterday afternoon...

That meant burning the midnight oil last night (and that's OK, because boy child's birthday sleepover was last night. I still went to bed before they did!)...tidying the shop, sweeping the floors, adjusting shipping info...

I looked like this by the time I went to bed last night...

But the great news...
These stickers were chosen to be one of the featured items for this weeks' "Weekend Deals" on Etsy....

In exchange for this lovely, free PR, I am running a sale ....a pretty darn good sale...FREE (yes, she did say free) shipping all weekend long!
Anywhere I ship (which really is anywhere), the shipping's on me, if you order and pay this weekend (through 11:59 EST, August 16).

And if you are a fan of my FB page, make sure you head on over there....I've got a little bonus "thank you" for you!
Heck, even if you become a fan this weekend, you're still eligible ('cause I appreciate you too!). Check it out!

So I hope to have a busy weekend, printing all sorts of FREE shipping labels....

Until Next Time,

11? Already?

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:44:00 +0000

It was just yesterday that I was heading to the hospital in the sweltering Louisiana heat, very pregnant, two weeks overdue, extremely cranky.

Fast forward eleven years- today is my baby's birthday.We went to the Dollar Tree this morning to gather a few things that we had forgotten for his sleepover tonight...Groucho Glasses? Check....
Weird wiggly, googly-eyed creature? Check....Silly...errrr....Goofy String (this is the Dollar Tree- no brand names here) in every color? Check....
Birthday Cookie with butter cream icing, sprinkles and a message written by his big sister? Check....

So we're all set. Off to celebrate a birthday...

Until Next Time,

It's Not Just a Burger...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:08:00 +0000

You Texas girls probably already know where I am going with this...

It's a Whataburger.
What....A.....Burger!

This is my last Texas post (we have been home almost a month, for crying out loud), but not one of our trips home would be complete without at least one meal here...a Texas institution, the McDonald's of the Lone Star State, home of the BEST ketchup anywhere (not sure why but it is gooood!)...There are very few Whataburgers on the "wrong" side of the state line (did a little research, they are actually in ten states now- say it isn't so!). We did frequent one very close to the border in LA -if I remember right- when Mr. Sunshine was stationed at Ft. Polk.

I think one of the minor reasons I enjoy Whataburger is their great colors and theming. Who doesn't love orange crush stripes with a slice of blue sky? And never was a paper bag more truthful: "Rarely do the fries make it all the way home".

When I was a girl, the old-school Whataburgers were drive-ins, triangle shaped buildings with the roof coming to a point. The first meal I remember eating at a fast food joint after we moved to Texas (that wasn't McDonald's) was- yes, you guessed it- at a What-a-Burger.
In high school, a good many lunches were a large order of fries, lots of that special ketchup and a large Diet Coke. What can I say, I was poor and I had a junk-tooth (but have never ever liked the taste of "real" coke- go figure).

Every time we travel home, a stop at Whataburger is usually our first and last meal in the state (unless we can last long enough to hit a Taco Cabana- Mr. Sunshine's fave). This trip was mid summer and Molly went along, so most meals were drive through (you don't leave a poochy in the car during Texas' 100+ degree summers), but a potty break was necessary for one of us this time. I stayed out in the truck with this sad face....

She was happy a few minutes later though, because, of course, Mr. Sunshine shared a few of these with her:
No fancy ketchup for the Molly though....that was all mine.

Until Next Time,

I admit it...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:37:00 +0000

I ordered this book the day it came out....

I paid extra for overnight delivery....

It's Blogging for Bliss.

I am devouring it as I have time...kudos to you, Tara Frey! You've managed to create a beautiful how-to book. For all of the harried bloggers with short attention spans out here, I salute you!

And as a good student should, I am taking notes. But being the realistic gal that I usually am, I know I will never achieve the heights of some of the absolutely gorgeous blogs featured in the book.
Honestly, it's not really "me" anyway. I like things with worn edges, a little tattered and not so amazingly perfect (how am I doing?).
I will always write how I talk- lots of "..."s , a few typos that sneak through, and you can't even imagine how often I really want to add a smiley face after something I have written. I know, it's sad (a grown woman am I!)...but I really like an occasional (0; !

None of these things are really conducive to a beautiful, grown -up blog, are they? Sigh...But there's room out here for all sorts of bloggers: the beautiful, the clever, the adorable, the witty, the "total packages" that have it all. And me.

But I am doing a few simple things that Tara suggested...playing with photo frames and effects is one you may have noticed over the past few posts...it's a work in progress, but I will tweak it 'til I am satisfied. I do like a simple frame around the photos- they look a bit more finished, but some of the other effects just take too much time to do to every single picture that I include here. I suppose I could reduce the number of photos....on second thought....

And I have finally admitted that maybe some people may not share my taste in music. Or may not want to hear it when they visit. Every. Single. Time.

So I came up with my little helper here. Isn't she cute? Isn't she helpful? If you'd like her to help your readers too, feel free to right click and take her home with you....

And seriously, I hope I did not sound negative about Blogging for Bliss. So far, I love the book and have learned a ton. One of the things that I have learned is that I love to visit lush, frilly, gorgeous blogs (and admire their authors oh so much)... but I gotta be me. And I'm OK with that.

(0;

Until Next Time,

my {only} sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:05:00 +0000

I think I jinxed myself last night.... made this bright sunshine-y treasury.

L-O-V-E it! I even love the alternates (which, I may be the only one, but sometimes when I curate treasuries, the alternates can be difficult), so I included them in this screen shot. Give them some Etsy love, please!

Top row (L to R, every time):
*LemonsLittles
*blendastudio
*urbanbabybonnets
*yellowdogvintage

Second row:
*uniquedichroic
*moxy
*GemGourmet
*rumandrubies

Third Row:
*lbrodar
*farouche
*swanmountainsoaps
*lakenandlila

Fourth Row:
*sarap
*sissysoap
*sosovintage
*opart

But...I wake up this morning to such a gloomy day! It was even too dark to take pictures this morning...my little photo set-up is situated in an are that only on the darkest days is it too dark to get a decent shot...

So I will share some Target love in the meantime. Went to my fav-o-rite big box store yesterday. It had been awhile. I spent too much. Of course.

Doubly dangerous for me is this time of year at Target.
I always love their fun (and cheap) picks
for dorm rooms.

Had to have this very very cute pink lamp for my studio desk (boy child tried to talk me in to apple green and it was tempting, but girl child won this one with her vote for PINK). And it was only $7.99...I am happy.

Also picked up these very cute little tins, on clearance (yes!), in the dollar aisle. I love little buckets this size. They are so great to hold all sorts of little loose things. And I have little loose things everywhere. Organization is not my spec-i-al-ity.
Now that should elicit a comment from Mr.Sunshine...wait for it, 'cause I'm sure at least a snort is sure to follow from his general vicinity... note to the Mr: you better end it with "but I love you!" cause I love you too! (o;

Most of my Target money went to back to school necessities...yawn. But I thought you might like my little studio pick-me-ups...

Make sure you pay my treasury friends a visit...give 'em some Etsy love- they deserve it!

Until Next Time,

Fresh Country Air...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:25:00 +0000

What a beautiful day we had in Upstate NY !It started with a hint of autumn in the air and a phone call from a friend inviting me to go to a craft show.

I have not been to a craft show for close to a year (and that one was the first I had been to in at least three years).

I hate to admit this, but I generally do not find them so much fun any more. Maybe it was actually being behind the scenes selling at them for a few years (fun in some ways but so much work!).
Maybe it's the glut of imports you generally (and unfortunately) see at larger shows. Maybe I'm just feeling like maybe I should be doing some local shows. But then I think how busy all of my online friends keep me- that's enough for now...
Fresh, crisp air and good company are soothing to the soul (and I had been holed up in my studio all week working- probably would have spent today the same way if my friend hadn't called). Add that the drive there was scenic and the actual grounds were part of the historical society that was hosting the fundraiser. I like these kinds of craft shows- they are generally smaller, quainter and the host puts the profits back into something good (not their own pockets).

One thing I love about living up here is the history. Old buildings are everywhere and they are oh so charming! This truly is one of the most beautiful areas that the Army has sent us to (a close second to Germany, I think). It's very rural, but lovely. Unfortunately, I didn't learn too much about this historical society, but I enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere and snapping some shots (not sure why but the view through this window- through to the other side of the building caught my eye)...I took these with my smaller, pocket sized Canon, so they aren't quite on par with shots taken with my main camera. I didn't want to haul the big guy around though, so cute little turquoise point-n-shoot it was...

What's a Fair without food?
NO, not goat food....although I think she got all the attention and grass she could handle...

And fresh-squeezed Lemonade?
I was good though, saving myself for the fudge...mmm..chocolate, all gone before I could take pics!

There was plenty of personality served up too! How charmingly nostalgic is this
snow cone /popcorn stand? I could almost see Richie Cunningham making snow cones in this baby (wearing a white paper hat, and a red bow tie, of course)...

I think they must have left the door open just so I could take a shot....right? "Time to Lean Is Time To Clean". I need one of these signs for my kids...they'd abide by it, right?

Just one more shot because seriously, this stand was the highlight of my morning...
I didn't buy too much...got some home made fudge, of course, a couple of very nifty beaded hair clippie, pony holder type things that are much prettier and less painful than the dreaded plastic butterfly clips (which always give me a headache- so far almost 10 hours later, no headache and it's holding my thick but fine hair perfectly), and some goat's milk lotion- three different scents because I just couldn't choose.

This gal did not contribute to my goat's milk lotion but she was in attendance...she had a date but all he seemed to want to show me was his hind end....typical man...

And so I will sign off for now where I started- with a flower shot. Don't know what it is about flowers, but I could literally take pictures of almost nothing else and still be happy...

Until Next Time,

Dum Dum De Dum...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:06:00 +0000

...as in "Here Comes the Bride"...

Since I started making and selling paper stuff, I have repeatedly gotten requests for wedding stuff...

...gift tags, save the date cards, thank you's, table markers, etc....

I'm not quite sure why I have never really pursued this...pretty thick-headed of me, I suspect. Not necessarily because I think brides will now be beating down my doors, keeping me busy forever. Honestly, I should have done this earlier because it is fun!

I am enjoying thinking a little bit outside of my usual cardboard box...not too far, not yet. I don't think I could handle doing invitations at this point (and I suspect that because of the time involved, I would have to charge an astronomical price- wouldn't be able to compete with printers, who make one proof and start the machine rolling), but I do like working on the little touches.

Items like these beach-y "save the date" bookmarks are more my speed for the time being...

Even though I am now officially in the wedding biz, I have been making custom tags and stickers for the occasional bride pretty much since I opened my Etsy shop. Brides and Babies have always been my favorite custom clients. I love the fact that they are celebrating life...just seems like some of those good vibes always make my day happier. And who couldn't use all the happy thoughts that they can get these days?

So if you're getting hitched or you know someone who is, let's talk...

Until Next Time,

The Old Chicken Farm...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Warning (and an apology!):

There are a ton of photos in this post, but I just couldn't decide which ones to cut. I apologize but hope that it will be worth whatever time you had to wait for the pictures to download...

It's been awhile since I shared anything new in the shop. OK, it's been awhile since there's been anything truly new in the shop to share. We all have them, those creative voids where nothing new is coming out of the noggin no matter how hard you try (maybe even because you are trying so hard). Well my void had grown to the size of the Grand Canyon by the time we went on vacation in June...

...the Old Chicken Farm Art Center...

And then I went to see my sister in San Angelo, Texas for her birthday. She took me to this wonderful place called The Chicken Farm. I know what you're thinking: "doesn't sound like a place to get the creative juices flowing...sounds kind of stinky, to be honest"...

...est. 1971...

But this is not your typical Chicken Farm.
By the way, I had to be corrected more than once- it is NOT a Chicken RANCH...that's a whole 'nother set of stories there!

...an old phone booth...

The Chicken Farm Art Center is a wonderful little compound in San Angelo, filled with art studios a first class restaurant and a very cute B&B.

...vintage lawn chairs and "no Hunting"...
...maybe that's why all the (fake) birds are perched on the ledge above...

And the grounds were particularly fun for me because they were filled with a wonderful eclectic mix of stuff, from hubcaps to hand painted theater seats to huge metal sculptures to a hand crafted chess table tucked under an arbor covered with grapes. A feast for the senses, with junque and art sharing the same space peacefully...my kind of place, for sure! Not girly or frilly in the least but oh so much FUN!

...just because I liked it....

Sister Sunshine (otherwise known as Green Dragon Dreams) sells her beautiful jewelry at the Chicken Farm the first weekend of just about every month. I have been hearing about the place for a few years now, so this was a treat....

...a bicycle built for two all from junk...

It was hard to get a good shot of the whole thing but this was so awesome! My sister tells me this was a collaborative project, finished by a group artists in one weekend...

....allow me to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Rust...

The close-ups might give you a better idea....all scraps and junk- amazing! I love her curly hair! You can't really see it in the photos but their hands were old forks. Gears and pulleys, rusty rakes and tractor seats, forks and wheel rims...everywhere you looked, you saw castaway broken down items given a new life...my kind of recycling!

...not quite as elaborate as the bicycle, but my son enjoyed trying to get this guy to giddyup...

...it's not just chickens at the Chicken Farm...

I think we shall call this portion of the tour "Only in Texas".
If you are from Texas or have any ties to Texas, you'll know what I mean.

...these antlers are more my speed...

...seriously, not just chicken...

You might be noticing that my pictures are all of the grounds... but there were so many beautiful studios as well...I was just too chicken to ask to take pictures inside...

...handmade chess table and pieces...

This chess table was just to the left of the fountain above. If it hadn't been 105 degrees, I could have seriously seen myself sitting here for the afternoon, under the grapes, enjoying a game of chess (which I would lose no matter who I played because I do not play chess), listening to the water bubble...

If you turned right at the fountain, you came in to this courtyard. Part of the B&B and the restaurant are in this building...

...tennis anyone?

This big guy was just to the other side of the tree framing the right edge of the photo above...

...an interesting door...

...and a little terra cotta cutie....

This area is the background of the "Jumbo McEnroe" shot above...there's another guest room for the B&B and a gallery...

...sweet wildflowers...

I cannot even begin to say how many of these theater seats we passed on at auctions when we lived in Kansas (And the pain! They were so cheap!)...the elements haven't been kind to this set but the hand painted flowers had me at "Hello" nonetheless...charming!

And so there you have it, the three hour tour (at least that's how long it took me to assemble this post) of The Old Chicken Farm (D'oh! I almost typed "Ranch" again!) in San Angelo. If you're ever in West Texas (Fredericksburg is just a few hours away), it's definitely worth a visit...and a great place to get reacquainted with your creative mojo (more on that tomorrow)....

Oh yeah, and on the way home, my sister pulled over so I could take a picture of this....

Even the garage is pink- Oh my!

Until Next Time,

Life in 360 Degrees...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Last night at boy child's soccer game...

This was in front of me.

And THIS was behind me.

It's a beautiful world we live in isn't it?

And these pictures were taken with a ten minute span- we didn't even leave our chairs to take any of the shots...crazy isn't it? My daughter took the bottom photo- she is becoming quite the photographer....that's my girl!

Just reminds me that sometimes we should take the time to look ALL around....life in 360 degrees...

Until Next Time,

My Father's House...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:55:00 +0000

I promised I'd share some pictures from Texas...

These are photos of my Dad and step-Mom's place.
It will be going on the market soon and while we were there for what was probably the last time, I wanted to take some pictures so my kids could remember Granny Karen and Grandpa's place....
I won't share the boring living room shots, but I did wander the property, reminiscing and taking some macro shots (my go-to setting) of my favorite things about the place...

The magnolia tree above was just a seedling when my Dad moved out here. My kids climbed this tree throughout their younger years- it seemed to grow at the same rate they did, making it the perfect climbing tree every time we visited...

Dad made this picket fence. It protected his large garden, full of tomatoes and squash and (when we moved within driving distance for a few years) watermelon for the kids. It's showing the wear of a few year's worth of neglect. After my Father passed, the acreage was almost too much to handle for Karen, even before she got sick. Once showing off a crisp coat of whitewash every spring, it has now weathered to a more natural state.
I think I prefer it this way, to be honest....

I cannot, for the life of me, think of the name of this flowering bush. It's a Texas native plant and it's very popular. Can any of my Texas peeps help me out with this?

Literally 10 feet high and almost as wide, you can go out at almost any time of the day and find at least one beautiful butterfly having a meal. I could only find one on this particular day but there have been times that I have seen a dozen or more buzzing around it.

Did I mention that I got my love for junk from my Dad?

And like my Father, I love rusty things.
Just something about how the orange-y brown patina creeps across the metal...yes, I know it's destructive, but it's also fascinating to me...

South Texas is going through a serious drought, so where at one point the grass would have been green, it's now showing the stress...
Again, at the height of Dad's gardening heydays, there were vines climbing this old iron fence. It was beautiful in a much different way than it is now....

I just cannot resist that super-macro button. I "heart" my Canon camera....

More super macro shots...this is a...well, I don't know what this is.
Some sort of antique farming machine. I love the peeling red paint exposing the rusting metal...

A side view of the mystery machine...Gears and wheels intrigue me also...I tend to take many shots of them...even when I don't have a clue what they actually do...

Another mysterious machine.
I liked all of the different textures here: more rust and weathered wood, cracking and peeling paint in faded blues and reds...

Nothing mysterious here...
Morning Glories, my second favorite flowers, behind red geraniums...
If you look very closely (click the pic to enlarge), you can see a bug, not sure what kind of bug because I didn't even notice him when I took the picture. But he's down in there- you can just make out his wings...

So there you have it- a mini tour of a place that holds many great memories for the "Sunshine" family. We will miss everything about it...particularly the people who made it such a special place to be...

Until next Time,

Dashboard Photography...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:43:00 +0000

Well Hello there!

Another one of those "long time, no post" days...please forgive my absence. I had very good intentions to post before our trip home to Texas, but sometimes good blogging plans get all mucked up by the real world.

On June 18th, my Step-Mom Karen passed away after a lengthy struggle with cancer. Things were looking up and we thought she had gotten through her third round with the nasty disease, but other complications set in. I'm not good with these words and I don't want to bog things down too much, but I will miss her. She literally gave my Dad a second lease on life (and a relationship with his daughter-me) and for that she will always have my love. Not to mention that she loved junk as much as I do (almost more). She and Dad were my antique/flea market/ thrifting buddies....we had fun and I will miss that too...

After we got the news, we were on the road 36 hours later...

With our biennial moving schedule, we have seen allot of this country, most of it through automobile safety glass. I have never actually tried to document our travels, but on this trip I decided to keep my camera out and see what I could come up with, taking pictures at 70 mph, through the glass.

...OK, not ALL were taken through the windshield (these rest stop flowers in Ohio being the best example).....

I snapped a ton of shots, but as you can imagine, not all of them came out...

I think Cincinnati was the prettiest downtown area that we drove through....

Just in case you didn't know, driving from upstate NY to South Texas is a 30 hour drive. The very first time we did it almost two years ago, we did it in two days- big mistake!

Since that first disastrous two day drive, we have started to break it down to three much more manageable ten hour days, driving through Syracuse, Rochester, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin and finally San Antonio.
Louisville is also a lovely town...
....and it was about here that the speed limit went up to 70mph from 65....
Mr. Sunshine was a happy camper!

I think the prettiest drive has got to be the stretch between Louisville and Memphis. Tennessee is just so beautiful this time of year.
I could see myself settling down there...rolling hills and trees as far as the eye can see...

And because this post is approaching book length and picture overload, I made a little picnik collage of the rest of the road trip....

Starting in the upper left corner, these are pics of Memphis, the Arkansas/Tennessee state line, downtown Little Rock, Cincinnati (just because I love the color of those bridge supports so much!), sleeping kids, more rear-view views, a semi I liked, Cincinnati (again!) and the road home...

And I still haven't shared most of my Texas pictures! I'll try to scatter those posts in with the crafty biz over the next few weeks....speaking of crafty biz...I worked on this guy while in Texas. Froggy is the first in a series of Fisher Price Pull Toys that I am working on....he's not quite done but I thought I'd share a sneaky peak...

Now off to that mountain of travel laundry that I have been avoiding...

Until Next Time,

Summertime....finally!

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Seems summer has finally arrived to Northern New York...

And that means...

Soccer...lots of soccer, the way it's meant to be played: outside...
and that also means me doing allot of this...

and Miss Molly doing allot of this...

And my son doing a ton of this...

Nothing like it for some good family time...

And since we're talking summer time...the Fourth is just around the corner, can you believe it? It snuck up on me again!

But I did manage to add a couple of things to the shop...

This "Let freedom Ring" Rusty jingle bell is my favorite! Haven't done one of these bells in quite awhile, not sure why, because they are a ton of fun to make...

We will be back in Texas for the Fourth this year...can't wait! Mr. Sunshine is longing to see home for a bit after being gone for a year...so our vacation will be spent with family...the best way to say "three cheers for the red, white and blue!"

Hope everyone is enjoying a bright sunny summer day!

Until Next Time,

Saturday Potpourri...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:54:00 +0000

Over a week since I blogged? Ooops...

So this will be a catch up post...

Some great links to share and something new in the shop...so let's get going!

First (and I am excited about this!), see the Junk Party button over there to the left?
->->->->->->->->

This one:

I was reading my blog list yesterday and came across this on TidyMom's site. Yet another cute and sassy blogger to follow! Kennesha over at Me & My House is hosting a JUNK PARTY on June 18th.

I wish I had thought of this, but since I did not, I will most definitely be
participating ! Being the junk lover, collector and rescuer that I am, I'm always game for taking a few pics and sharing...If you're interested, go visit Me & My House for all of the details.

And another new link....

My friend Kathy of Catnip Cottage Chronicles has started another blog, completely dedicated to ephemera: Vintage Catnip (isn't that a cute name?) .

FREE (yes, FREE!) vintage ephemera!

Yours for the taking with a right click and an occasional "thank you". She just started, but if you like vintage ephemera, this is a great visit! And if I know Kathy, it will only get better, so make sure you add yourself to her "follow" list....

And last but not least, I added a little something to the shop this morning...

Sometimes you start working with one thing in mind, and something completely different comes out...

Going into the studio last night, I was determined to make some brighter, less pastel tags...

And you can see where THAT got me! I have been thinking I need to branch out a bit, reach out to the peeps who are more fond of deep rich color rather than my usual fluffy cotton candy mix...

Believe it or not I do like the darker colors...

But these personalized monogram tags just sort of morphed on their own, and I like them, so I will say Uncle and bend to the iron-fisted will of my girly subconscious...

She's a tough chick, that's for sure!

Hope Everyone has a Wonderful Weekend- we're off to finally see Night at the Museum- can't wait!

Until Next Time,

A Happy Birthday, the Great Escape, and Adventures in Macro...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:05:00 +0000

First, and seriously the most important item of the day...

Happy Birthday, Mr. Sunshine!!
(and Bonnie, I know you're out there...this is your gift for him all wrapped up!)

It's a beautiful day in Northern New York, a perfect day to celebrate a birthday, and celebrate we will!

Nothing specific planned, but sleeping in was high on the big guy's agenda (you don't get to do much of that in Iraq)...cake is baked, still needs to be iced (home made butter cream frosting- NO Exceptions!)...and I am enjoying the beautiful morning on my own, for the time being....

On a normal day, this is the view beyond my laptop....not bad, there's a grove of trees right across the street...pretty and lush and green.

This morning when I sat to down to check email and various shops, this was the view I was treated to. I know I have posted pictures of deer before, but I just can't help it. They enchant me. They seem like such gentle and innocent creatures and they are just so delicately pretty. I know they can be pests but please don't burst my bubble this morning. I'm communing with nature and whatnot....

So I took a few shots through my window, and then I decided to try to sneak outside and get a bit closer. She was still far enough away that I could tip toe just a bit closer and cut our vehicles out of the pictures...

THIS would be the "whatnot"...

As I was taking my pictures of the pretty doe, my cat Casey, otherwise known as "the cranky tank", thought he would make a mad dash for freedom ....he's not normally an outside cat, although we do let him out back because, quite frankly, I don't think he could scale the fence if he wanted to. And he loves to roll around on the concrete porch on a sunny afternoon. But the front yard is different...he can roam out here. So back inside you go, fat cat.

While I was out snapping shots, I decided to play with the camera. I like to just walk around, shooting things that catch my interest. And I learned a new (for me) camera trick that I would like to use on product shots: playing with the macro (and super macro) mode and depth of field by custom setting the f-stop (great article in the Storque- click *here* to read). I think these geranium shots are a pretty good example for a beginner....see how the background is kind of fuzzy? That's what I am trying to learn how to do....

Doesn't hurt that I absolutely love geraniums. Seriously, my favorite flower and I could shoot pics of them all day. As a newlywed living in Germany, nothing made me happier than a sunny summer drive through small villages, narrow streets lines with ancient homes, window baskets crammed full of ivy geraniums tumbling down. It is one of my fondest memories of our time there.

I couldn't decide which of these shots I liked more, so you get two for the price of one...

I love these "candy cane" (my term for them- not sure of their actual name) ivy geraniums...this bloom is on the downside, but it's still might purty...

Speaking of Germany, this is a beer bottle collected during our time there. They were everywhere, so I felt a little silly packing one up when we moved back to the States, but I am so glad I did. I still find it very pretty and in most houses we live in, it earns a spot in a particularly sunny window sill (the laundry room this time).

Oh and just for fun, how about one more shot of something green I brought home from Germany (it's funny how posts sometimes form a theme unintentionally). I seem to have singled out many of my German finds to practice my new acquired depth of field skills on. This is the spigot of an old galvanized watering can. I picked it up at a flea Market a long time ago and it has sat on the porch of every house since. The patina is a naturally earned crackle, as it has always been outside. It gets a little chippier with every passing season.

I think that's enough pics for today- I have a birthday to celebrate!
Hope everyone has a wonderful warm and sunny Thursday!

Until Next Time,

A Few New Things...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:42:00 +0000

Got a few new things to share with you.

Not too many..sorry. I have recently started going to the gym right after the kids get on the bus...still adjusting because morning is usually my most creative time. The trade-off is worth it though, because I feel so much better!

I've also added a new music player...cute, isn't it? With a few new songs and a few accoustic versions of some old faves...

But anyway...on with the photos....

I think my bowhead lollapalooza from a few weeks ago "girlied" me out (say it ain't so!)...been drawn to very vintage, graphic images with not so much femininity to them (but there's always a touch- I am a girl, after all).

Right before the big move, I got a huge order of stamps that I had been waiting on for what seemed like forever. This particular company makes your stamps to order and stamps are not their primary product, so you have to be patient. My bowheads were part of that order and so were these vintage cat and dog toy images...LOVE them!

And...finally...the black ink is growing on me again ( I willl never give up the sepia, but variety is good). I like to keep the main image simple, simple, simple, that's why most tags will feature a sepia or black image, with the highlight color in the background...

Summer is moving season...have a new neighbor? Going to a BBQ with a hostess gift? Housewarming? How fun would it be to attach one of these tags to a kitchen themed basket filled with flavored oils, pestos and crusty breads?

The background of the ENJOY photo is a page from one of the few books I did not share *here* ...it's a shopping directory from Watertown, NY dated 1880. I think this was the ephemera find of that shopping expedition...it's a whole post on its' own, but I'll share a snap of the inside cover...

Last but not least, in that same huge stamp order was a series of vintage transportation images, from scooters to sailboats. I will be doing allot with these and some of the antique books I have been rescuing (these were bound for a dumpster- obscure fiction with no prized illustrations), and here's the first- an antique convertible...love it! And just in time for Father's Day...

Happy Wednesday to ALL!

Until Next Time,

Hello, My Name Is...

noreply@blogger.com (SunshineandRavioli) — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:47:00 +0000

...Stephanie, and...

I have a problem...

Remember Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the classic cartoon?
Remember the Island of Misfit Toys?

Seems my home has recently become the Island of Misfit Books...

I love to go antiquing.

Perhaps I should say I love to go JUNKING because honestly, I know absolutely nothing about true value of most of the stuff crammed into antique shops. If I like it and feel it's a fair price (fair price=how much is in my budget on any given day), I will buy it, no matter the condition. Yes, I am the sucker the dealers see coming...but I am usually a happy victim when I leave...

And lately, it seems, I can spend hours going through the stalls selling old texts.

The book above caught my attention because of the painting of this artistic woman. I only wish I looked a fraction as elegant when painting.

The rest of my recent score was more juvenile in nature...

This Little Golden Book, with its' missing clock hands, would be symbolic of both my love of misfits and my complete lack of time management skills when I am going through book stalls. My watch has no hands either when I am lost in piles of vintage paper....

Of course it had to come home with me...my favorite image is this sweet little girl in her pink swimsuit...

The Breakfast of the Birds

I admit it, some of these books I bought just because I liked the cover. This is the first example. It's such a cheerful blue color, accented by cherry red...it made me smile and that was reason enough to bring it home...

More birds and kids...

Mrs. Leslie's Books for Little Children The Robin Redbreast Series

None of these books were in ideal condition, but this one needs more attention than most.

Still trying to figure out how to get that....musitness...to go away. But if there is one thing I have learned, it is that through Google-ing, one can find the best way to do just about anything.

"Mr. and Mrs. Robin were deeply pained by Dick's bad conduct."

Can you imagine telling your child that their behavior "deeply pained" you (I cannot)?
How genteel...

I think the oldest book I found is this primary geography school book.

It's full of wonderful illustrations like these...
and my favorite map...

Not because the focal point is my home state....look a little higher, where Oklahoma should be...that there's Indian Territory...

And last but not least, this picture word book had me at hello...
The colors, the subject matter, the stripes...I was sold at first glance, didn't care what was inside (which is not quite as whimsical and allot less colorful)...

I heart cherry eating giraffes in BK crowns!

And what's not to love about a cute li'l fluffy bunny?

I'm such a sucker for the cuteness!

Believe it or not, there are even more books I collected on this trip...but they will have to wait for another day...

Until Next Time...