Yesterday, I had a studio full of helpers! Beth brought Button with her to work on the gift bags she designed for Bird Song.
But not only did she print out all the bird images on vintage fabric, she brought her friend, Karla, (who I call New Karla, although she and Beth have been buddies since they were just little kids) and the two of them helped me with my taxes.
Both are accountants and claimed that it was fun to sort through my Pay Pal info.
Fun?
It didn't sound like fun to me. It was wonderful to have someone get all the stuff ready for me to pack it up to take to my own accountant. I'd have worked on it for a week, but Karla did it in an hour or so.
But not only that, they brought lunch too.
And Beth brought me new velvet slippers. With an N brooch on them for "nest" or "Nathan", as well as a book of alphabet fonts for me to scan and print for the NEST banners we are making in Bird Song.
But wait- there's more! Not only did they do my accounting, feed me, bring me gifts and sew bags, they helped me push my son's car when it got stuck in the ice. And did I mention that it was a below zero day?
For once I didn't care how cold it was, it was a GREAT day! Aren't friends the best?? I felt pampered all day long. Especially since I was wearing new velvet slippers in a royal plum color- my feet even felt pampered.
Here is the bag that Beth made as a prototype. She hand stitched hers, but we used the sewing machine to make the 20 some gift bags.
The images she printed on to old fabric were from Dawn, the Graphics Fairy, Mary, and collages that Beth had done herself.
She used old linen from an estate sale, that she stuck to full sized Avery Labels, to run through the printer.
The bags are some that my friend, Andrea has used in the past and recommended on her blog. I Lightly dyed them in a small amount tan Rit dye, then soaked them all day in coffee. When they were dry, I threw them in the dryer to heat set. I like the crumply, aged look it made. And they are so nice and soft, too.
Beth had offered to make ribbon rosettes for each bag, like the one she did on her sample, but I just couldn't let her do it. She'd already done so much work on these.
I started to embellish bags myself with some different things. Old lace, brown velvet ribbon, millinery, jewelry.
Goodies are already starting to pile up to go into the bags for the students! I've got a few sponsors and am making some things myself.
So far, the sponsors are:
And if you'd like to be a sponsor, I'd love to have you! We would need either 25 items to fill gift bags, or a single gift as a raffle prize. Please contact me if you'd like to sponsor. I'll be doing a post showing all the gifts and linking back to the giver's blogs closer to the event.
Or if you'd like to come to the event itself, there are still spaces. Its the last day of April, first day of May and will be here in my studio. Two days of classes with Lisa, Carol, Debbie, and myself for $250 (includes meals)
I filled a bag with old millinery in colors Beth liked as a thank you, but I think I need to take those two helpers out to lunch, don't you? Not only did they do a ton of things for me, they just plain old made my day by being so nice.
There is no better way to beat the winter blahs than to be treated so royally by friends!
Speaking of treats, I need to announce the winners of the rhinestone bracelets that I'm giving away.
Cindy (who gave Sugarwings the cute dress she was wearing in the snow fort photos)
Rita Zink
What a nice day for you and it sounded like a fun day as well. So excited that one of those pretty bird bags is for me!!
Karla,
THANK YOU for drawing my name to win the bracelets. I am so excited. If you want to you can just bring them to Moulin to save shipping. Would you like to do that? The day with Beth & Karla #2 sounds like it was wonderful. Not pushing the car though. Stay warm & THANK YOU AGAIN!
Charlene
Wow, I can hardly wait!!!!!
Hi Karla!
My mom is mailing out the sealah no sew tape samples for your event in the morning :))
Love all your pretties~~~! Can’t wait to see you next month!!
xo
Kay Ellen
congrats to the winners.
oh the bags are fabulous karla, now drooling over them!
hugs
tabitha
Karla those bags are so pretty! I’m glad you had a great day, you deserve it.
Oh! How much fun is that?! It makes me so happy to see those beautiful gift bags! You’re right: they did treat you like a Queen! What wonderful friends! It’s Karma.
I didn’t know you could run fabric through a printer, but it makes sense. I would love to see how you guys did that! The bags are fabulous
What a sweet friend, and those slippers – love them! The gift bags are so pretty! Sending some warm wishes your way ~ Heidi
Karla,
Yes, friends really are the best! It sounds like you all had a great day. I am still sad that I can’t come, but, I would love to contribute to your event as a sponsor, email me and we will work out the details. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Karla! I would like to become a sponsor for your Bird Songs event. Are you more in need of items for the goodie bags, or raffle prizes? The wheels are turning in my mind right now…..
Ok, this is what I need — an accountant who is creative (in ways other than numerically) who comes to do taxes and brings all sorts of fun things and lunch. Few and far between I think!
Love the bags – -must stop by and tell Beth!