Sugarwings will have to take my title as the "Hat Whisperer". We stopped at a couple of antique shops on the way to the zoo.
(that kid is happy anywhere I carry her, she will shop for hours and love it)
Her job was to find a hat. I wasn’t having any luck, and she was doing pretty good finding plain ones, or ones in photos on the wall. I thought that was what she was telling me about, a cowboy in a photo, but no, she saw this $3 beauty that I missed!
She is the one who found the box of old sewing supplies for 25 cents each too.
Did I need another hat?
I used to pull the blooms off and organize them by color. ( I have a similar, smaller box by my work table, too)
But lately, I have been on such a roll, I haven’t had time to sort through them all and pull off the flowers. Yes, this is a heap, there are hats on top of hats, on top of hats.
But, the way I look at it, these are only getting more and more scarce and I won’t always find them at such bargain prices, like Sugarwing’s $3 bonnet.
Especially when all of you out there tell me how hard millinery flowers are to find. 
Same way with this stuff.
Yes, I found more deals on old jewels! All of this (and more not shown) came from 3 bags marked $4 each.
Would you hate me if I tell you that I found a 14kt gold piece, that I think has a real diamond in it?
These are far from perfect, but old and really cool! Ideal for projects and gluing.
I know I’ll be happy to have sparkly little reindeer at Silverbella to add to my holiday projects.
And I can’t wait to use the roses with colored rhinestone centers on something special.
Last night I decorated a few button filled jars with some of my new treasures.
I had sprayed a flower with walnut ink and it got on this old French book page, and look at how the colors bled and spread.
How cool, that walnut ink turned into a tie dye rainbow of colors on this paper! I made a label out of it and went with a hippy, flower power theme for the bottle.
This tiny jar already had the cutest rosey lid ever. I just added some goobers to the jar itself to foof it up, then tied on a vintage velvet bow and filled it with pretty buttons in colors to match the outside.
Yes, it was a very lucky, lucky day.
Sugarwings and I had a lovely day, with shopping and the zoo. Not many animals were around to see on such a hot day, but we didn’t mind.
Not many people either, it was later in the afternoon, mid week.
So the attendant let us play on the 100 year old carousel as long as we wanted, no one else was there to ride.
We sat on every single animal there, then when it was time to ride, we were told to ride as long as we liked. 
I’m afraid I had to stop the fun early, I get motion sickness. My head was spinning for a while after a few turns. So we just played on the horses instead of going in circles.
By the way, do you know what a cowgirl says? According to my fairy grandbaby, it is "moooooooooo". 
And maybe you can help me with this question-
Do you know what these shells are called? When I showed a necklace that my great aunt had made with similar shells, a reader pal said she thinks they are rare.
If you have any info, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!
Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter the Christmas in July giveaway and the regular monthly giveaway, if you’d like a few colorful pieces of old jewelry and some cute buttons!
Karla, you will here me knocking at your door soon. I am coming to find fun hats to hang on my antique hall tree in our foyer.
ooh, i’d love to have a chance at winning your giveaway.deana
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! You hit the jack-pot!! Beautiful!!
~Blessings,
Jan
Looks like a delightful day with your little cutie! The carousel has always been my favorite ride!!
🙂
That’s an amazing hat collection! I’d buy as many as I could while they’re still available, too.
Great finds, Karla!!
I know you’ll make some magical treasures!!
What a fun day!!! Looks like you found some wonderful treasures too.
Oh, it was a fabulously lucky day! Treasures and a sweet sugar baby too! Looks like so much fun, you are such a fun grandma!
Lovely little girl…
You have been given an award !
see my blog 🙂
OMG, look at all of those hats! No wonder no one else can find them, they are all at your house!!!!! How funny! The pictures of sugarwings at the park on the carousel are adorable! Love all the jewelry you found, too! My current obsession is vintage rhinestone jewelry, man have I gotten alot lately. I have it hanging on my curtains, I just love the way the light glitters off of it!
That is it! I am on my way over to shop at Karlas! I need Sugarwings to help me, lol! What a smart little doll! I love that carousel. Their is just something about them that makes me happy 🙂 I Love everything you bought!!
My mom found me some nice things at the Salvation Army that I put on my blog today. She did better than I ever do!!
Hugs,
Amy
she is such a doll! what a fun day! 🙂 and what great treasures!!! 🙂
What wonderful treasures! You certainly have the knack on finding them! Maybe Sugar Wings gets that from you!
Ms.Wingsie looks ADORABLE on that carousel horse 🙂
I’ve never seen shells like that!
What wonderful finds! And so many hats. Beatuiful and I bet y’all had fun fun fun!!!
Karla, you better get busy plucking those blooms. I think they’d go over really well at Silver Bella in your booth. It will take you until November to pluck those suckers though. You always find the best stuff. Sugarwings is too cute. I’d say I’d hook her up with my three year old, but he likes older women. 🙂
First off, I have an award for you. Please come by my blog and pick it up.
Now, Karla how can anyone hate YOU? I mean really. Please! 🙂
That hat pile of is absolutely gorgeous clutter. Sure beats my husband’s tools he leaves about — LOL.
My goodness!!!! Looks like pure heaven to me over at your house Karla!! I love everything you’ve been finding…you are on quite a lucky streak! I think that maybe your sweet Sugarwings is the lucky charm ~ xxoo, Dawn
You do find the cutest things, don’t you? I wish I had your eye for decor….
OK, that seals it. I am moving to KS. You find the BEST stuff! If it makes you feel any better, I can’t even watch a merry-go-round go around – even that makes me dizzy. I’m no fun at the fair!
Oh what a mountain of hats…where DO you find them? I never see hats anyplace in Indianapolis. IF I see them in thrift stores they are marked very high. The white hat on the right corner of the table..my mother had one exactly like it she wore to church in the early 60’s with her ‘sheath’ dress and white slingback heels…oh and gloves.
Wow — I can’t believe you have a little one who loves to shop! That’s a big deal — no crankiness! And she’s good, too! Love the photo on the carousel. That’s a gem.
You sure got some great finds! I especially love your little bottles!
Karla, seriously…are there ANY hats LEFT in kansas…LOL…i love the pictures of your fairy grandbaby today, she looks darling sweet!!!
ps: boy are coming home monday…did you find any good shops in the link i sent?
Hi, I found you through Lilli M. You have a wonderful blog and your creations are very inspiring. And some hat collection!
Greetings
Aahhh these pictures of Sugarwings are priceless again. Everybody can understand why a day the two of you share together is a lucky day, let alone the finding of a gold pin with a diamond sold to you as a rhinestone!!! We always say good luck is with the dumb ones, but I don’t believe it (and you will not agree too!). I think Sugarwings and you are heading for a great future, both beauty, brains and sheer luck now that’s quite a combination. I have enjoyed your post again Karla, thanks!
Oh, I’m so jealous of you. Then throw in the Grandbaby and I’m super duper jealous of you. Sorry I don’t know the story behind Sugar Wings, is this your son or daughters baby? I have two sons, so a Grand Daughter someday would be just fine. Take Care
I am dreaming of hats! What special ones you have. Your little sugarwings is adorable! I’m a grama, too – it just doesn’t get better – especially when they love the things we do.
Girl, You are unbeleivable in your treasure finds. I have never seen such a pile of hats before, but you are right- they are getting harder to find. I collect hats and if by chance you ever come and visit and the flower petals start to disappear I’ll know why. I never knew anyone plucked the flowers off hats before. Learn something new everyday. Sugarwings is a precious little lady, and a lucky charm to boot. I’m so glad you had such a fun day. Have a fun evening creating more beautiful treasures.
Jean in Virginia
WOW! More great finds! Lucky you!
What a bounty of blooms! Your sugarwings is a sweet one for sure. I’m glad you have that little blessing in your life. Enjoy!
Thx for stopping by my blog to say hello…I have been a “lurker” on yours for quite some time so was thrilled to find out it was the same “Karla’s Cottage!” My best girlfriend from across the country is attending SB with me and her name is Karla also…so we both can’t wait to meet you!
xoxo
cs
Karla, if there is ahat lottery, I think you won it 😉 Hat whisperer, I like that. 🙂
Jen R
Thank you so much for stopping by our blog! It really made my day to see that you had been there. You are very looked up to in our house considering you have been in Somerset Life magazine! Yes, I suppose all us crafters have collections of supplies that we will never use, but it is the exquisite way you store and display yours that make us all admire you! Twyla
What great finds with the jewelry! Even without a possible diamond, looks like you got a lot of good stuff. I love the way you did up the jar containers! Very pretty as is the little grandaughter!
I don’t know what the shells are but they are beautiful. You really made a haul with all your goodies.
goodness gosh.. you should open a hat shop.. and hat whisperer should be the name of the shop.. and sugarwings will be the lil pretty assistant.. hehehehe.. anyway.. as usual you got the most wonderful treasures!.. very lucky girl! I love the flowery box you have on the first picture..
Can I come over and sit at that table? I promise not to drool too much. Maybe Sugarwings will let me borrow a bib! She looks adorable on the merry go round with her little sun kissed cheeks!
Your blog is beautiful I love all the pretty things you have found to share with us, and yes you have been very lucky, what wonderful finds! What a darling little fairy you have (: I just got my own grand baby Fairy June 1st. Going to have lot’s of fun.
Hugs, Diane
Oh my gosh! I think all the vintage hats were sent to Kansas. I rarely see any at the estate sales here.
Sugarwings is just so precious. You do know you’re turning her into a mini-version of her grandma??
OMG Karla I just realized that you are the gal I purchased the wonderful Altered Fairy Doll from on Etsy, and I gifted that to my daughter and grand baby girl. It was so beautiful a nice treasure keepsake.
I just added your Blog to my list of Favs, stop by sometime (:
Hugs, Diane
Sugarwings is adorable! Wow, I can’t believe all of your gorgeous treasures! Can’t wait to see your vendor booth at Silver Bella!
Wow that was a bargain. Sugarwings got the eyes from you. And the jewelery. Lovely!! /linnea-maria
Enjoy your blog and sharing….Finding treaures… creating and sharing our thoughts and ideas… How devine.
I can’t believe he let you ride all you wanted to ride, cottage chick! WOW! That would have been a draeam for sure. AND you fiiiiiiinds!!!!!! Oh my what a sweet day you must have had!
Smoochies,
Connie………lusting after it all!!!
Sugarwings is a girl after her grandma’s heart! What fun to share treasure hunting with her.
Lorrie
You’re teaching Sugarwings quite well!! She is now your lucky charm for shopping I’m sure!! Great finds, I can’t believe your table of hats Karla! All those flowers!! What a treasure. But of course Sugarwings is the REAL treasure!!
Hugs, Sherry
Karla, you are training your little sweetheart well.
Karen
Oh, the rick rack! Oh, the hats! Oh, the everything! Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with Sugarwings! And, thanks for the chance to win some goodies!
Sugarwings is just adorable. I can’t believe all those hats too. Wow!
Please enter me in your drawing.
Gretchen
What gorgeous eyes that little Sugarwings has! She is the prettiest of all of your pretties!!
Love your site. The button jars are great.Like labels. Pretty Grandaughter. Had to (LOL) when U said your head was dizzy after rides. What we do for our grandchildren. ( :). LaVonna Tetzlaff
Ok, I’m so jealous! Your table full of hats is amazing!!! You have Sugarwings trained so well for treasure hunting. What fun you two have!!
-Karoline
Hi, Karla
I sent you an email with links referring to the shells. I don’t know how you didn’t get it. Oh well.
I googled rare Hawaiian shells and a bunch of sites came up. Here are three of the sites I found. They’re called Niihau Shells. I’m not sure if those are the same shells that you have. You would need to do a little research. Niihau shells are tiny.
http://tinyurl.com/5tjeon
http://tinyurl.com/5w729r
http://www.macusi.com/shop/index.php?c=102
~elaine~
You always have the prettiest stuff! Sugar wings is adorable! 🙂 I love that rose box..It is so pretty!
Oh man, I love all of those hats! Yes, keep them and box them up, becuase they are NO WHERE in my area (beach side, central florida). Maybe in Mt. Dora! lol I’ll have to go there someday soon just to shop. Wish you and Sugarwings lived closer so we could go on a little jaunt and find some great things!
Lisa
sugarwings is so adorable. i can’t believe it. i bet she has the time of her life at your house. i can’t even imagine all the things she goes through over there. you have so many things to play with. how could a little one resist? i know mine doesn’t!
Ya know, I forgot that your little Sugar Wings had another name. I cannot imagine anyone calling her anything else.
Karla, Karla, Karla,
WOW!
Sugarwings is beautiful just like her grandma. I loved talking with you the other day. Hope to see you soon.
Patty
Wow – Sugarwings is such a cutie! I love the pictures of her at the nursing home – and with the clown too! I love your blog – the things you make – your gardens – just everything! How far away from Kansas is Michigan? Oh – and by the way, would you please enter me in the Christmas in the July giveaway???
Thanks – and hugs from Michigan – Diane
HOLY MOLY.. my heart is about to stop….looking at that amazing bunch of GORGEOUS stuff!!! I’m in heaven .. oooogling over all that goodness!
I would think I had died and gone to heaven to have a table piled with that many hats and flowers!!! I love it!!! Makes me want to go shopping!!! Hope you have a great getaway and a Happy Anniversary! Sugarwings is the cutest thing! She will be famous in blogland even before she is in school!!!-Sandra
Oh my goodness, Karla. You are AMAZING and an inspiration! I love what you do with what you find. I’m YOU in my heart and soul, now if I could only create as you do. Thank you for sharing your projects. I look forward to trying my hand at painting some roses on some old windows I’ve been saving. Cheers!!