The fairy grand baby came to have a sleepover and we were able to jam a lot into one day.
Since the weather was so nice, we did some yard work. I trimmed trees while she watered flowers. And herself. And me. And Twinkle. And the driveway.
Then, she discovered that the big old birdcage I use for a planter was a perfect doll house for a cast iron fairy that I keep on the porch.
Sugarwings spent a good deal of time tucking the fairy into the cage and telling her "night night" so I was able to prune my roses as well as the maple tree.
All the roses are now cut back. It was sad to cut all the blooms off, but I have company coming in a couple weeks, and have learned that if I trim the shrubs back ahead of time for a special occasion, they will be full of flowers when I need them to be. 
After a morning of gardening and tucking in fairies, we went to the nursing home where her Hippy Chick Mommy works to go to a carnival.
I hope that someday, if I am ever in a nursing home, some cute little girl like Sugarwings comes to visit me. You should have seen the eyes light up around the room when she walked in.
I could identify with their need to hold this little sweetie on their laps and give her hugs. I saw these ladies arms automatically reach out for her as she came near them.
She did sit on a few laps, even the clown’s. That is one brave little girl, I don’t think I would have done that at her age. 
But you could tell this clown was someone’s grandma and pretty nice.
Yep, she is brave! I took her out on the boat after the carnival and she went tubing for the first time.
That kid didn’t even mind walking in the deep, ooshy mud of the lake bottom, when we pulled up to the campsite where she was camping all night with her family.
There was hardly anyone out on the lake. Lake Clinton is a pretty spot, 10 minutes from our house and rarely busy. Its Sparkle’s favorite place in the whole world. One of mine too. Especially when Sugarwings is there with me.
There hasn’t been much time to make things with my new pretties from all the shopping last week. I did squeeze in another tussie mussie, (listed on etsy) and made use of some of the loot.
Some of the vintage jewels were missing stones, and I have been gluing in new ones to replace them. Here, I used a pearl instead of another rhinestone, it seemed to go well with the style of the cone I had added it to.
I am itching to make stuff with all of my vintage bounty! 
Some of my French ephemera from Gwen, and an earring from the garage sale went into wrapping this Etsy purchase.
And these matchboxes have some of the lace on them, as well as the French ephemera from my friend, Gwen.
Good friends from my childhood are coming out to celebrate our 50th birthdays together and I am making up gift baskets for the guest rooms.
Little decorated candles, treats, pretties, I am not sure what else will go in them. But I thought embellished match boxes would be a good idea to go along with the candles.
One friend lives in Sonoma County, the other on the beach in Florida. When we talked about where to meet up, they both chose Kansas!! So, I need to pamper them and treat them extra special, if they want to come to my cottage for our big birthday celebration instead of lying on the beach in Florida or touring wine country in California!
Any ideas on what would be nice to put into a guest room gift basket?
Aww! Thanks for all the sweet pix of Sugarwings! I love the dress she went to the nursing home in. No wonder the ladies’ faces lit up. It would be cute if you brought Twinkle, too, next time!
Sugarwings is adorable. I keep nagging my kids to give me a grandbaby but I’m not having any luck!!
Those pictures are too cute. Bethany loves the water too! Sounds like you are going to have some fun company! What about some little snacks, a few magazines and maybe some chocolate? Hmmm do you have time for me to whip up some mallows and pop them in the mail? 🙂
I love that Sugarwings was in her little bare feet working in the yard. She probably made the week for the nursing home guests when she visited. Aren’t grandchildren just the best?
Gretchen
Oh sugarwings looks so grown up and her hair has gotten so blonde! What a cutie! I would have been one of those old ladies to hold my arms out for her to jump on my lap, too! Your birthday get together sounds fun… how about adding some of your fairy bottles to your baskets, and maybe some vintage hankeys and a mini bottle of wine??
awfully nice of you to share sugarwings with those folks at the home. loving the picture of your puppy with the wind in his hair! i always like cookies in a gift basket … they almost never last the visit 🙂
Curious…how did you come up with “Sugar Wings?” It does fit her perfectly, I might say, from seeing her photos. She is precious! You’re a year younger than me. It gets easier after the big 5-0! You make such beautiful things! Where on earth do you get all the ideas from! (And the time!)
Brenda
Oh Karla, this is just the sweetest post! Sugarwings gets cuter by the day! Her putting that little fairy in the birdcage is so cute! I would have wanted to do the same thing! And she is gorgeous in her pretty dress! My grandma always dressed up like a clown when we were little. But I am so scared of clowns! Your fairy is definitely brave!
Your new pretties are fabulous as always! Whoever gets them will be so happy!!!
Love ya,
Amy
Enjoying the company of a child is the BEST medicine in the world for the elderly. I don’t know what my parents would do without his great grands living right next door. They bring them so much joy.
How special for your friends to want to come out to Kansas for your reunion.
~elaine~
Leelee playing putting the fairy to bed in the birdcage is so sweet. I love her tie dye skirt- and her pretty “going to visit” outfit.
the lake looks beautiful! I love the pretties for the gift basket too! Another addition to the gift basket could be bottled water with Karlas custom labels! Scented soaps are always nice too!
Thats really sweet you took Sugarwings to see her mama at work and I’m sure the residents loved it!
…and soaps for your guests. You can put soap in a kitchen machine and then make new soap with molds or mold with your hands like clay. Some people here make soap chains. One soap, let’s say heart shape, a few pearls and so on. I like the ideas above of a little snack and the magazines, perhaps little guest towels with ribbon or lace stitched on them. You and Sugarwings made a lot of people happy today!
I think all little girls would love have a grandma just like you.
Include a luxurious lotion in your gift basket. Everyone likes smoothing on a great lotion.
She is adorable! I bet those old people just loved her! That is so sweet and special! I would maybe put vintage tea towels with a little travel scrap kit to make a page of the special event!And some fresh lavender !
Are there any good local food products in your area?? Those are always good..honey, cookies, jams, etc; Something they can either try there or take home to share.
For your guest baskets:
Soap/shower gel or lotion are all nice. Bottled water. Chocolates. A handmade tag from you would be wonderful. A magazine to read at night. Now I really need fly out there and visit…My friend is leaving for Kansas on Wed. maybe I can squeeze into her carry on bag! Have fun with your friends! Sugar Wings is soooo adorable! Taking her or the doggy are wonderful for the elderly!
Have a great weekend! karen b…
recycled rita
Sugarwings is so cute. She is so tiny and perfect! Just can’t help but put a big smile on your face when you see her.
Your dog looks like he is having the time of his life on that boat. The wind blowing through his fur and not a care in the world.
Your little baskets sound so fun. I would love to find some yummy homemade cookies and a bottle of water along with some pretty magazines. That way, at night I could read and have a snack before going to bed. Making your own labels on the water would be darling.
Hugs,
Joanne
Beautiful new creation! YEs, She is so sweet. I can see how she lit up their day!
It is great to see more of Sugarwings, Since I don’t think I am ever going to have Grandbabies! She is such a darling. I love the old birdcage in your garden. What a wonderful shape. Everyone is going to want to come visit you to receive one of your special baskets. You just can’t hide talent, not only in making such wonderful things but in making people feel like their comments really count. Have a great night.
Jean in Virginia
Sugarwings is too cute! She sure is a brave little thing. I’ve started reading your blog from the beginning. Yours is only the second one I’ve attempted to do that with, but I love your style. You are a Real Artist and I love the way you decorate your home. Have you ever thought of opening a Bed and Breakfast? Take Care
I remember going to visit nursing homes when I was a little girl. I believe I had as much fun as the residents! It was like a whole lot of grandmas and papas all in one place who were thrilled to have a little one around! Your little darling looks like a bundle of sweetness!
Everyone had great suggestions for the guest bedroom baskets. How about making little vintage journals; chocolate in homemade, decorated boxes; comfy, cozy bedroom socks; small bottle of lavendar bedding spritzer…
Love all the goodies you are making for your friends. I am sure they will feel like queens.
I see some of the others said bottled waters, my friend always leaves me nice little soaps and packets of bubble bath or those soap leaves. Maybe some potpourri? Postcards from your area? Microwave popcorn? tea?
Have fun!! And thanks for the sweet pix of your fairy grand baby.. so cute!!
I so look forward to your blog and pics of the darlins. I would suggest a empty frame to be filled with a pic of your special 50th of the three of you. Hugs, Terri
Ohhhhh, Sugar Wings is so cute out gardening. I am not surprised that she lights up a room upon her entry. Such a sweetie!
Cute photos, Karla!!
:)Becky
Oh Karla; Sugar wings is so adorable and what big blue eyes. Love the pictures, grand babies are such fun in the garden so willing to help out. you have so many great gift ideas from everyone. So I guess I will share some of mine, home made bath salts with a lavender sent would be great, even a salt scrub, the magazine is a great idea too, maybe even some chocolate covered strawberries to eat while reading in the bath of home made bath salts. What ever you put in it I am sure it is going to be wonderful. Have a great weekend. Oh and I love all you pretties you found and made.
Hugs;
Alaura
It looks like another beautiful Kansas Day! Sugarwings was really brave to sit on that clown’s lap. Her wee little face does show a bit of concern, however….
For the basket how about one of those tiny bottles of wine you get in a 4 pack with a pretty decorated wine glass? Some nice body powder in an old salt shaker with your “Karla” touches might be nice after a lovely summer bath.
We can’t wait to see the baskets!! (hint,hint)
Kathy
Karla: is wonderful as Sugarwings is your partner! Your work with lace and jewelry are very nice, I want to decorate a shoe wooden this way. There are new award for you in my blog, if you wish.
Awww…so nice to share Sugarwings with those people…and teach her to love them too. Kids usually are pretty scared of clowns! Mine were mortified of Chuck E. Cheese.
Love your pretties as always. That french paper is great.
That little tiny chick is adorable. I can see the sugar dusting on her wings, sweet nana chick!! 🙂
Smoochies,
Connie
First thought: (of course!) CHOCOLATE. Next one is lavendar sheet spray, I always spritz it on my pillow at bedtime and even with my husband and five dogs in the bed, it relaxes and soothes me.
As a nursing home nurse, let me say thank you! for taking SugarWings to visit. She is So Brave, most little ones are scared to death of the sights, sounds and (unfortunately) smells at a facility. But it is such a blessing for the residents. And very good for the little one, too, it helps them to develop empathy and compassion and understanding of our sometimes forgotten elders.
SugarWings is getting so big! I envy you having her (in a nice way, not a mean one!). I, too, will probably never have any grandbabies, and when you share her with us, it makes me so happy! Thanks, as always, for sharing your life with us! Bobbi
I just love visiting with you karla , you pack so much into a day. I love the picture of Sparkles on the boat , that is one happy little dog. Your guests will feel very special staying at your cottage. I wish it was me. Donna
What a wonderful day for grandma and Sugarwings! You’re both just so adorable!
Karla,
I haven’t met your Aunt Carolyn but I know your cousin Carolyn. I meant to post this earlier but like all good intentions….you know the rest. It was such fun to see all the birthday cards The creativity was just awesome! Carolyn had been telling me about the party and I just loved the chance to see the cards. What a special gift for a special lady!
Sandspur
You guys are wearing me out! I love the photo of the clown and also the nursing home resident. I’d smile with the Sugarwing incentive, too! Who wouldn’t?
Sugarwings look so sweet in her summery dress. No wonder all the eyes lit up when she walked into the room.
Guest baskets are fun to make. What about a folder of things to do in your area – maps, brochures, etc. You could foof it up in your special way. Or a small album for them to fill with memories of their trip. Chocolate, of course – there are so many great ideas given already.
Lorrie
Karla, cute as a button are the pics of Sugarwings puttering in your garden…which looks beautiful btw…for the gift baskets i suggest: something sweet to eat, a good read, and maybe some sort of momento/memory book to celebrate the occasion {hand made with love by you}
how sweet that you took your little miss to the nursing home…at the facility where i work, they used to have nursing home wings and i always took my boys when they were small to their halloween shindig…what you said about the residents faces lighting up is so true…that always made me happy that they were so thrilled to see the little ones
I turned 50 in January! Can I come:D??
Do you have any pictures from your childhood days with your friends? Make copies and start a mini scrapbook album for each that can be added to with pics of the visit! Add some lotion, soap, linen spray, bottled water with flavor packets, and a few Victorian or Romantic Country mags out to peruse. Anything you make will be greatly appreciated (and loved!), I’m sure!
Little Sugarwings had a busy day–what fun you all must have had! I love the photos of her watering and playing with the garden angel in the birdcage:)
I just know your gift baskets are going to be perfect–look at those matchboxes!
The tussie mussie is so beautiful! I love the vintage jewels used. Pink is always so gorgeous.
Sugarwings is even more so! She was incredibly brave to sit on the lap of the clown. I would have bolted out from the room. Clown jitters!