My bedroom photo shoot went well, Diane and I finished in record time.
My Queen Anne’s Lace was tinted perfectly blue over night and was ready to go into the bottles on the mantel in time for the pictures.
Normally,we count on about one hour per photo, but yesterday, we had sparkling sunlight shining through the windows and that made the whole process go so much easier! We had all 7 photos in 3 1/2 hours, that is a record for us.(although these blog photos were taken at night with a flash, not nearly as pretty as the ones with sunlight for the magazine)
By the way, this trick of using food coloring in the water to dye white flowers works with blossoms other than this weed. Try daisies or carnations too. It is a great teaching tool for kids so they learn how flowers soak up water through their stems, too.
Here is a snippet of my first paragraph:
"A romantic retreat with morning light dancing through lace curtains and reflected from antique mirrors will make you want to linger in bed with a tray full of treats while sinking into plush pillows."
The first time I did a photo shoot, I thought it would be a perfect time to have a party, afterward. I thought that my house was at its most spotless and foofed up best and I should invite people over while it looked good.
But, at the end of an exhausting day of hard work, my house looked like some one had picked it upside down and shook it!
During a shoot, all throughout the day, furniture and knick knacks are shifted here and there, moved out of the way, switched around, taken in and out of the frame, and moved away to make space for the camera.
Kind of a mess, with stuff piled up everywhere to get it out of the sight of the lens!
Not the best day for a party! Since then, I have learned to not plan anything else but sitting down after the shoot ends.
I wait and put it all back together and write the article the next day when I have recovered. No matter how much fun it is to do, there is a lot involved and it does tend to wreck the place.
But today, all is back to normal, my piles of books and bottles of water are back beside the bed and all the clutter is spread back out where it usually lurks.
I’ve been adding to my etsy shop this afternoon.thanks, this one is sold
Nothing that I have made, but creative pieces for others to use. I keep seeing Halloween projects popping up all over blogland and thought the timing was right to make up some millinery flower packs in these colors.
sold
Making up kits and supply packs is almost as much fun as actually creating a piece. 
I just love picking out items that go together prettily and imagining what they will become when they go to their new homes.
If you have ever ordered anything from me, you’ll notice that I love to wrap and make the package pretty. One thing I don’t do though, is use brand new packing boxes. I do my best to recycle and reuse, and don’t much care if the outside of the envelope has past addresses marked out.
all Halloween packs are sold, but I am listing more. I will have maybe 8 more to list, then am out of black and orange!
It is important to me to make the presentation of the item itself pretty, but the envelope, I’d rather reuse and keep my shipping prices down while helping to save the world in my own little way.
But after receiving this box, that was perfect from the outside, in, I might have to change my practices!
Oh my, it was delightful. Even the outside was pretty, every detail was gorgeous.
The box was from Andrea, and was filled with her goodies for our Pre-Bella swap.
Oh my.
Did I say that already? Well, this gift box was so pretty, I might have said that a few times while gazing at it, trying to decide if I should open it or place it on a shelf and enjoy the box as it was.
Of course, I opened it!! And once again, OH MY! Look at the prettiness involved in this box.
This pile is gifts that Andrea sent to me, as hostess. Oh my, I haven’t even opened my swap box from her yet. I am waiting till all of the packages are in from the rest of the swappers.
I am so lucky to be a part of this talented group of artists who agreed to be in this swap with me. Here is the list, if you’d like to visit any of them, they all have wonderful blogs! I know I have posted this list before, but it is a fun group and definitely worth you going to visit.
A Get Acquainted- Get Inspired
Pre- Silver Bella Swap
1-Heather- http://www.prettypetals.typepad.com/
2-Cheryl Dack- http://roseyposeyconfections.blogspot.com/
3-jennifer Hayslip- http://sweeteyecandycreations.typepad.com/
4-Jessi Nagy- http://www.scrappyjessi.blogspot.com/
5-Kim Caldwell- http://www.artisticbliss.typepad.com/
6-Holly- http://www.hollydoodledesigns.com/shop/
7-Natasha- http://www.natashaburns.blogspot.com/
8-Analisa- http://www.leesiebella.typepad.com/
9-Andrea- http://velvetstrawberries.typepad.com/andreasingarella/
10-Cheryl Stoneham- http://www.insidethebubble.typepad.com/
11- Tiffany- www.shabbyscraps.typepad.com
12- Carol Spinski – http://raisedincotton.typepad.com/
And don’t forget that every comment is entered into my August giveaway. Heck, maybe I’ll even wrap it up in a pretty new envelope to send it out!
Your package is indeed absolutely beautiful. Glad you took a photo before you opened it! And your home is just gorgeous, with all your pretties!
Brenda
Hi Karla! Your room is gorgeous, so inviting! And it looks like it belongs in a magazine 🙂 LOVE everything! The Queen Anne’s Lace looks gorgeous!! I am going to do that for sure!
LOVE the pretty pink wrapping! So pretty, I wouldnt want to open it, lol!
Hugs,
Amy
If you can’t find a good flower when showing kids hoe that little science project works, you can use celery.
Anyway, beautiful all the way around as usual, even with the furniture and rug out of place!
I loved reading the behind-the-scenes of a photo shoot in this post and the one before it! I just know the photos are going to gorgeous!
My mother loved putting daisys in a jar of food coloring–thanks for the memories:)
What a pretty photo shoot! Thanks for sharing the secrets though, I am oddly comforted knowing they have to wreck a house to create the pretty pictures! I love that you get to meet all those great girls. You and Natasha are two of my very favorite bloogy friends and I love thinking of the two of you hanging out!
Well, as always, absolutely enchanting! Love your headboard — is it a mantle? The tinted flowers — wonderful idea — I had forgotten that from long ago! And your gift from Andrea — wow! Beautiful kits, too. Oh, Karla — everything in this post just grabs me!
Oh My GOODNESS Karla~ your bedroom is utterly amazing… So glad everything worked out for the photo shoot! :0)
Andrea is just the best isn’t she? Everything she touches looks absolutely incredible!
xoxo
Analise
Your room looked wonderful, so inviting! I just love that shade of blue on the walls and the flowers you dyed look fantastic. It looks like a great retreat.
Karla, your bedroom is just so beautiful…i love all the doo dads you have to pretty it up, i am really taken by the birds in the jars on that lovely silver tray…what a great look…the queen annes lace really picked up the blue, it looks pretty…SO jealous of your goodies from Andrea…WOW!!! what a sweet little bounty of goodness!!!
So glad to hear that the photo shoot went well. I love the mantel headboard and all the pretties in your room.
All the talk of Silver Bella is so much fun, even though I won’t be there. But I love hearing about it.
Lorrie
Your bedroom looked so inviting and romantic! What a lot of treasures from Andrea!!! Love her packaging!!
Karla I ADORE your bedroom and I can’t wait to see it for myself when I come to visit. (so don’t be changing it before then…hehe)I can’t wait to see the article!
Andrea’s presents for the swap are INCREDIBLE! I can’t wait to see the inside. xoxo Heather
Karla, your room looks positively beautiful.
I don’t know if I could have opened that beautiful package. I believe I would still be gazing upon it.
Hah, I thought that’s what they did, honey! Put all the pretty furniture up front and hide the rest. I made a blog post a few days ago that is about that very thing. It’s scheduled to come on line at midnight tonight so ya might wanna read it, my sweet chickadee! It’s an “Ode to Photographers and Stylists”….(she says laughingly). 😉 But I truly do have that post coming up tomorrow.
Smoochies for Sugarwings,
Connie
You bedroom is divine! I love that built-in!!! Blue is my favorite tint to dye the Queen Anne’s Lace as well, Wilton has a sky blue that gave a different hue…
Charmed as always by your shabby chic-ness!
Great to hear that even the most charming places in magazines have a real side to them to(the clutter like piles of books and such) I would be unable to sleep at night if I didn’t have some books near me. Your room looks amazing-love the ceiling!
What have I told you! A bed and breakfast honeymoon or anniversary suite, I can see it now. It looks wonderful!
Karla,
Your bedroom looked SO dreamy and romantic! STUNNIG! Photo shoots are NOT what they seem. Yes! The house is always in disary afterwards. LOL!!!
I am GIDDY over Andrea’s beautiful packaging! You will BUST a gut when you see my packaging. Let’s put it this way it’s no where as beautiful as Andreas. You’ll see soon! 😉 XOXO
OMG, I am seriously squealing with delight looking at those boxes from Andrea. What a bunch of fabulous goodies await us. Your home is gorgeous — I am ready to move in!!
Hugs, Kim
Karla, you never cease to amaze me. Your bedroom looks heavenly. I love the idea for the Queen Anne’s lace too. 🙂
Joy
Your home looks amazing and you deserve a restful time now!
I love your bedroom it is so pretty with the flowers sitting on the mantel and the queen anne lace is so pretty! I need to do that with bethany she would love to see that change colors!
Everything looks so pretty, I just love looking at how you display things…
Please tell me when this is in the magazine..
Brenda
OMG Karla, how beautiful is your bedroom and Andrea’s packages-sigh, heaven!
Hugs,
Carol
How beautiful your bedroom looks, Karla! Be sure to let us know when the article will be published. It’ll be fun to know about some of the ‘behind the scenes’ activity! Wow, this is really like 3 posts in one, with your Etsy packets and then the Silver Bella swap part too — all so beautiful! Always a treat to keep up with your blog.
Jane – Jacksonville
Karla,
Your bedroom is beautiful. I especially like the built-in! I love the idea of recycling envelopes. I even save the junk mail “return” envelopes for my children at school to use in the writing lab. They love to “write” notes for friends and family.
Blessings,
Lorilee
Such a pretty bedroom, but I’m glad there was a clutter closet somewhere in the house when all the photos were snapped. I’m relieved that you don’t live this way ALL the time.
Jody
I had forgotten about that beautiful bedroom ceiling. I think I like that the best.
Those gifts from Andrea are amazing!
~elaine~
Glad everything turned out well for the photo shoot and the birthday girl. Happy Thursday Karla.
Karla
I just kept looking and looking at every detail in your bedroom–what a gorgeous room!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures of your home. I love your goodeis that you received from Andrea – can’t wait to see all the goodies you get!
Your bedroom is really beautiful and inviting. I can’t wait to see the article.
I’ve never tried to tint flowers but that would be a good lesson for the grandchildren.
Gretchen
what a beautiful room!
cant wait to see more,
smiles,
Sandy
Lovely eye candy and the Queen Annes Lace turned out great.
Karen
Your bedroom is gorgeous and a beautiful place to relax in. Your package was so pretty and creative. You ladies amaze me so many times with your abilities. I can’t wait to see the magazine article, and tell my friends I “know” the brilliant Karla.
Have a wonderful day.
Jean in Virginia
georgeous home you have. what a fabulous package you got wowee all you Silver Bella girls are so talented and sweet! Hugs Grace
What a beautiful bedroom! I love the soft colors. I want to linger there too! Twyla
The spread will turn out lovely! Loved all the photos you did show, even the behind the lenses! What a fun Pre-Silver-Bella swap!
*Heidi*
Hi Karla! Goody!! Another photo shoot! Your bedroom looks divine! I’ve missed visiting with you lately ~ glanced quickly at some of your other posts & must say, I adore the little books & all the paintings you are doing of Sugarwings & Twinkle!!
Big Tx Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
So very, very romantic.. LOVE your bedroom. Everything is so pretty to look at on your blog!!! :o)
Your bedroom is just divine!! Love all the little artful touches you foofed it with for the shoot – looks fabulous!
Love Queen Anne’s Lace too! Some people don’t, but I do. And we have a ton of it around here. Think this will be a fun project to do with the munchkins. Time to fit in a few more summer activities before school starts 🙂
You have such a beautiful home, Karla! What a great idea making your Queen Anne’s Lace pale blue! I think I just may need to try that idea… we have a FIELD of them growing at hubby’s shop and I can just imagine a vase full of pastel-multi-colored posies!
How exciting that Silver Bella is just around the corner!
Beautiful room! Can’t wait to visit these Bella blogs! I’m new to SilverBella this year and am really excited that I will be there with all you Bella “stars”!
VictorianGypsy
Absolutely gorgeous! I’m so glad that I don’t have to foof up my house right now =) No kitchen cabinets and the school books are starting to overflow. But your photos are just stunning!
Halloween?? I’m so not ready. I noticed however that some leaves were falling today. Have a lovely evening. Blessings… Polly
oh the room just looks beautiful! I love the color in the Queen Anns lace! The packages are beautiful! I sent yours out FINALLY today….I think it’s on a slow boat to China though! Make a note to yourself….don’t swap with me because I’m the worst procrastinator!
I can’t wait to see the article in print! Beautiful job Karla! As always!
So many beautiful things, good gracious I am in love with your blog.
🙂
Teresa
so very pretty! Your house is darling! love the blue queen annes lace especially in bouquets ~ Those packages are so pretty..I just love andrea’s shop!
Ok, I want to move into your house. Your bedroom is GORGEOUS!!! Please tell me you had to move piles of laundry before the photo shoot….I would feel so much better!
I’m glad you liked your hostess gift goodies! It was fun, and I can’t wait to get everyone’s packages! Thanks for hosting the swap!
Your bedroom looks so beautiful! Can’t wait to see the full spread. Lovely, lovely lovely!!! Thanks for sharing.
Debbie
How incredible those photos look!! It makes me want to stay home today and decorate!!! And those packages from Andrea are fabulous, what fun to see such lovely pictures and how exciting for you that your home and article will appear in a magazine!!! Love to read your blog and see your pics…so inspiring and encouraging!!!
I love your decorating skills. Which I had half of them. What a lot of work for the photo shoot but it looks fabulous. Looks like you received lots of goodies too
Everything is beautiful as always. You are such a busy girl, it’s hard to kep up with you!
Hugs, Rhondi
You are teasing me again with your pre-Bella pictures! Your bedroom is GORGEOUS. I am actually redoing my living room and the colors look similar. You are just so talented and even though, I’m not going to Silver Bella, or am involved in a photo shoot, I get to live virtually through bloggers like you! The blue flowers are so dainty and beautiful. What a grand idea!
your home is so pretty! even your night time photos look great. your swap goodies are yummy. and you’ll many more coming it looks like.
In what magazine will this beautiful bedroom be? I adored your beautiful, romantic room.
Becky
Laceandlures.blogspot.com
You. Got. Talent.
Okay, I can’t let that stay.
You. Have. Talent.
Better…(and true).
Helen
I love the picnic baskets stacked up! I have a few unpainted and it gave me a great idea! Thanks!
Your blog is so lovely…I just did a post about my studio re-organization…Come and visit if you have time!…Katie