I used to be much worse about moodiness, but had a hysterectomy back when I was 40 (the day before my 40th birthday actually!!) Now that I am hollow like a chocolate Easter Bunny, most of my moods are on a pretty even keel. But those cranky days do come around, and when they are passed, the next day seems even better than it really is.
Of course, my day really was pretty special….. We started out with a tea party breakfast. 
This table and chairs was 4 bucks at a garage sale this weekend and I wanted something to replace the highchair in the kitchen, so that Sugarwings had her own space in there. I was hoping to find a cute, vintagey table, but no luck yet. Hopefully, something elegant and beautiful and equally cheap will turn up and I can replace this media frenzy monster that is smack dab in the middle of my kitchen.
But I am kind of afraid that Sugarwings won't let me… She loves this one. Ooops!
Her favorite part of the meal, (well besides the garish table and chairs) was this mini grape that she called a "fairy berry" because it was so tiny.
Doing this book has taught me a lot about editing software!! I scanned vintage wallpaper, then aged and tinted it as a different color for each page's background. Then, I scanned the painting, edited and sized it on Picassa, but couldn't do a frame there. So, I went to Picnik and made frames, and did a digital collage with the image onto the background in Piccassa, then added text in colors to coordinate with the painting.
It was complicated, but worth it! When I first started, I was just using the paintings as is, but now, I really like the results of all the extra effort to pretty it up.
I'd like to get the books ordered and delivered by her birthday on August 16th. If I rush, I can do it, but I think I'm going to take my time and make sure it is right. I might order one book to start with to see how it looks. I'd like to order more to sell in the Boutique.
What do you think? Any interest?
In looking around the studio for something to give as the August Giveaway, I realized I still had some of these hand painted charms, and since I was in a painting mood, I figured they would be appropriate.
All comments, all month count. Especially, all those sweet and thoughtful ones that you sent when I was needing a lift! Thanks again!
Good Morning ..from British Columbia I read your web every day ,happy you are feeling better.Just go with those days..if every day felt the same ,how would we know wnen we were happy !! right!! love your work…. Lorraine
I hear ya on the Princesses – I’m sure Chelsea will want some of this mass produced stuff someday. Guess we just have to go with the flow right? The book is turning out so well! I’d be interested in it.
Karla
Karla ! OMG ! You are so talented, and your art work is so beautiful ! Wow !
Yes, I’d buy one too. Sugarwings, is adorable, as always. Hope you find your old vintagey, table find. I feel like it will show up around the corner, very soon.
I, too read your blog every day. You brighten up my world way out here, in “NO-WHERE-VILLE.” Keep up with the Artwork, its your calling ! Wish I could paint that beautifully. You have to tell me how to paint roses, one day. I’m ok, with some flowers, but Roses, are a little hard for me.
Love,
Deborah
Karla, Glad you are feeling better, I’ve kind of been going through the same thing, but every day is new and we must go on hoping that the sun will shine again. Your book for Sugar Wings is just WONDERFUL!! What a treasure it will be to this little girl all her life. You are such a great grandma to help her in her fantasy dreams. Real life hits us soon enough and the longer we can keep our little ones in “fairy land” the better I feel. The princess table looks wonderful and the smile it brings to her face makes it even more so. As they grow, it takes a little more than a princess table to light them up! ha. My oldest granddaughters are 11+ and I’m running out of tricks! ha. Have a great and fabulous day. Would love to win the charm! Linda
I would be interested in a book if you shipped to England? My little girl is 3 and I’m sure she’d love it, as she is such a girly girl and loves fairies and flowers and pretties. :o)
I’m glad your blah mood is behind you. You are so right, rotten days just mean we enjoy the next day even more when our happy moods return. I turn into a grumpy old mare sometimes for no reason, then my little one will say something like ‘mum, I love you lots of hearts and kisses’ and that’s it, happiness restored! :o)
I’ve been sneaking around here for a little while now, and have to say that I love your blog. I enjoy seeing you painting makeovers (the little bed was absolutely adorable), and am so envious of your studio! It’s divine.
Kind regards
Sadie C
Karla,
Love your blog – thanks for sharing your talents with us!!! I love tea parties, herbs and roses and am doing a seminar on them this Saturday. You are making precious memories for your granddaughter.
Gail
Oh, my, Gosh! The book is just so beautiful. You really do need to send it to a publisher.
I know what you mean about the moods. That happens to me and I tell myself that it is a passing mood and that tomorrow I’ll feel better and I usually do. However when it happens, it’s a very draining feeling.
~elaine~
Hi Karla,
The illustrations look darling! I’d buy one (or more). You absolutely should try to publish it. I read your blog every day and always find inspiration.
Thanks!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would LOVE to buy one of the books!!! Oh Karla!! The illustrations are beautiful!! You are so talented, your lucky!! Sugarwings will LOVE the book!
I know exactly what you are saying about moods! I am so glad you are feeling better 🙂
Hugs,
Amy
Your book is delightful…your paintings are beautiful and draw me in to a magical world that I simply do not want to leave 🙂 And, I have said it before and will say it again, there is no sweeter little character than “sugar wings”…I love, love, love your charm!
Would Sugarwings let you age the table up a bit? That way it wouldn’t be so bright and overbearing?
I think you should get your book published properly and officially. it’s beautiful.
Mahala
Serving breakfast from Cindarella’s breast. Now if that isn’t a Disney Family moment LOL!!
The illustrations of your book look wonderful. And big kudo’s to you for figuring out all that editing stuff!
Cinderella’s Breasts!!! LOL:) you crack me UP Karla…poor Walt probably turned a little in his grave when you typed that up!!!
i can’t believe you are finished with the pictures for your book already…Sugarwings is going to be SO excited to get that gift from you…you are the best grandma:)
Your illustrations are absolutely beautiful, Karla. You’re such a talent!
Karla I know your book is amazing, as your talent is. What a beautiful accomplishment.
Have a wonderful day.
Jean in Virginia
I would like to buy the book…please keep us informed!!
Karla,your illustrations are just as beautiful as those in any published childrens book out there. It really should be on store shelves.
Karla…is it me, or does your darling sugarwings just get cuter by the day?? I can’t wait until my own little granddarling is old enough for fairy berries and tacky furniture {which is cute!!} Glad you are on the upswing…the book looks fabulous.
xoxo Lidy
ps. I’m having a give away, please stop in and join the fun.
Your talent amazes me my friend… time and time again!
Karla, I’m glad you’re feeling better.. I’m glad you got your little princess back..The tea party looks like a fun time… I love the pictures of your book, you did such an amazing job, like always…I just loooove it..
You have me cracking up laughing about tea on Cinderella’s breast(hehe)!!!
Stephenie
Book is looking fantastic, Karla! I love your art. 🙂
~S.
Dearest Karla,
Thank you for visiting my site! I know that I have seen your name before and your site, and have been very impressed, but WOW! I don’t think I have seen your work at this close proximity! Your work is outstanding! I am getting more and more interested in honing my drawing and painting talents. Very beautiful!!! Anita
Finished already? I mean almost .. . Sugarwing’s very own fairytale story. A very beautiful gift Karla. Sweet and very very beautiful.
You and Sugarwings is so close together and share almost everything that I can see why it can be quite an adjustment to not see that little fairy prancing and dancing in the studio or in the garden.
Li
Karla, your book page looks absolutely amazing. How impressive, using all those software tools. You should definitely sell your book – I sometimes have my own grumpy fairy at home, and she would love your book.
Hi Karla. I’ve just popped over to say thanks for visiting me and have found myself in a wonderland. I love your last illustration of the sweet sleeping child. Just beautiful. I have some watercolours in an autograph book that belonged to my mother. I must dig them out now. Such a lovely medium. Julie
Hi karla, great to hear that your feeling better. moods can be a pain in the butt – but we can’t help them we just have to deal with them. I think the Grumpy Fairy would do well in your boutique.
Alison
Hi Karla!!
Your illustrations are just as beautiful.
I love your art.
Hugs
Thank you again for visiting! Anita
Karla, who wouldn’t want one of your books full of original art? I cannot believe how quickly you made it — from idea to finish!
Oh my goodness. Your work is out of this world “incredible”. To think you have an idea in your head and put it on paper is just wonderful. I love your little helper.. She is adorable. I too, had a hystrectomy about 20 years ago. And for the most part am pretty even keel. There are days with my husbands health issues I have a tendacy to get down and blue. Sweetie I take Vitamin B which was recommended by a doctor many years ago and is wonderful. It’s natural and helps that chemical imbalance we have pop up on occassion.. I pray you’re feeling much better now… Thank you so much for swinging by the blog and leaving such a sweet comment. It’s great to know you live fairly close.. I’m over here in Missouri outside of Kansas City.. Small world huh? I hope today is all you want it to be.. come and see me again soon… hugs ~lynne~
You are the best grandma EVER!! I have been taking notes, recently, as I am going to be a grandma for the first time in December…to a GIRL!! I am thrilled beyond words, and have been loving all your fun times with your sweet Sugarwings!!
I am starting a “Hope Chest” of sorts..storing away things for my grand-daughter for when it becomes age appropriate for her. I would buy your book for my hope chest! 😉
Glad you’re feeling better…I think it’s sweeping across the country~I myself, have been fighting the moody-blues. Love the word “wonky”~gonna be adding that to my vocabulary!
Blessings,
Myrna
I LOVE the book! I can not wait to see how it turns out! We are all about the fairies here! My little Gina’s baby nursery was an enchanted forest, with fairies tucked all around. My mom is a painter too and painted the most glorious scenes! It was a sad day when we moved! Good thing for the photo memories.
Your illustrations are stunning…can’t wait to see the finished product. It’s such a beautiful way to capture a moment in time that Sugarwings will, I’m sure, treasure always.
Karla,
Why not “distress” the table a bit to make her look more vintage. Sandpaper away!
It couldn’t be that Sugarwings is back and that has brighten your day? I am glad for both of you! Martha
karla,
i would love to order a copy!!!maybe i could bring it to sb and have the author sign it (wink)!!!
meleen
Your illustrations are beautiful!!!
What a special book!!!
My favorite berries (and marbles, remember marbles?) are the “ferry berry” ones!
Hugs,
Mary
I was wondering what those “fairy berries” were! How lovely! And that moon man creamer (is that what it is?) has got me drooling… Your taste in the details is wondrous and I love seeing them showcased here on your blog. 🙂
Karla, I loved your post and especially found your “chocolate Easter bunny” comment hilarious and relevant….I just had a hysterectomy in June (the new robotic surgery with shorter recovery time) I’m still having some hormone related symptoms but hopefully things will even out for me soon. Keep up the wonderful artwork and never lose your fabulous sense of humor! I enjoy them very much, as do so many others.
Mitzi Curi
Hello sweet Karla, Sugarwings so sweet pouring her tea. It’s so hard not to get sucked into Disney mania. Although, I try my very best. The book is beautiful! You are such a talent!
moods? moODS????? MOODS???? LET’S not even GO THERE…
yes..def…on the book…!!! love it!
p.s. wish you were closer..we have a vintage wood table and “chair” that has been outgrown…(used to have two chairs…) now it’s just a chair…..darn
Your illustration work is just so beautiful! I don’t even have a kidlet and I love the book (from the peeps that I have seen). Do it! 😀
hugs,
-c
yapping cat
I love the birthday book. It’s beautiful. I like all the things you have added — backgrounds, border and of course the fabulous watercolors.
Glad you’re feeling a better. It’s no fun to be blue, even for a short time!
~Marilee
Hello Karla, What a joy to visit your blog. I’m going to add your blog to my very favorites. I loved your words, not every day can be a day over the rainbow…but sliding down the rainbow is a colorful slide and it’s a happy landing. Glad to hear your up and at it again. You can visit me at Once Upon a Fairyland
Karla,
PLEASE reserve me a copy of the book!!! I MUST MUST HAVE to read to me wee one’s. 🙂 Im truly excited and thrilled for you! What a big rewarding accomplishment! I SO think a publisher should pick it up! 😉
Glad you and sugarwings had a lovely tea party, and Im especially happy to know you are feeling happier and better again. 😉 XO,Jenn
Hi there! I found your website when searching for how-tos on spray painting, and I am absolutely enchanted by your lovely watercolors. I would love to buy one of your Grumpy Fairy books for my friend’s daughter. I can’t wait! 🙂
This Cajun girl from South Louisiana is saying hello. I have been in a rough way also. I recently had a hip replaced and can not get around to do the crafting I would like to. So cheer up, at least you have walking legs. Go walk, run, skip with that cutie and be happy.
Best Wishes,
Sandi
Impatient Cajun
That moon and the final painting are lovely! So glad you are finished, ready to print and not grumpy anymore either!