Author name: Karla Nathan

The curse of “I CAN DO IT MYSELF”

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), swaps, vintage paper/collage art
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Aunt_caroline_063_2 Why do I always think I can "do it myself" no matter what it is?  Poor Twinkle is the latest example.

I cut her hair today.  She looks awful. I doubt if there are two hairs on her entire body that are the same length.

The other day I dug a thorn out of my husband’s knee with an exacto blade craft knife. His knee didn’t look much better than Twinkle’s hair style.

A few weeks ago, when Ry’s truck broke down, and he was late to work, I figured I would handle it myself after dropping him off at his job.  I had a big old four wheel drive truck and a rope, I’d just haul it home instead of calling a tow truck.

Well, I had some trouble trying to figure out how to hook the rope under the truck, I knew that it had to be hooked to the frame, but how can you tell what is frame and what is just random truck parts? So I called my brother-in-law for advice, and he was there within minutes, telling me that you cannot pull a vehicle alone, you need someone in the pulled vehicle to steer and brake.  I had been worrying a bit about the hill on the way home. Being a do-it-yourselfer leads me into trouble sometimes.Scraps_320

I’ve been known to try to carry a large dresser up the stairs alone and get stuck halfway with it balanced on my shoulders yelling for help.

Its a rare thing for me to think a task through before starting in on it, I just always figure I can do it. 

So, I am extremely proud and surprised at myself for not trying to do a birthday party here at the cottage for my 50th on May 5th. (the same week of a major flea market I HAVE to go to, and an art show I am a part of) I am having it at a restaurant!! That is not like me at all. Letting professionals handle something I could DO MYSELF??!! never!! 

Last year, we had my 49th here, and invited 60 some people, and I cooked goodies for it, cleaned, fixed up the yard, etc, etc.

Maybe at 50, I am grown up enough to let someone else take over a job? Or am I just tired???

Scraps_323

For now, I will stick to making tags for our swap, and getting ready for my art show (the day before the party).

This tag is made with the downloads for the swap from Vintage Workshop, that I edited to be in sepia tone. Then- I used some pastels to add color and glued dark pink roses from an old greeting card onto it for another splash of color.

For our swap, we have 3 collections to use from Vintage Workshop, and I think you can see from my last few posts that you can do a lot of different things using the same images.  I am excited to see what all the other artists come up with.

Adding other elements, like the greeting card roses, and the pastels, or ribbons and jewels adds variety too.Scraps_324_2

Besides butchering Twinkle’s fur and making what seemed like a thousand more tags today, I doctored up this old photo with paints and pastels, then added ribbons, old wallpaper, and flowers to it.  I plan on sending it to Pam.

Her sis is ill, and there is a fund raiser coming up. Pam is needing handmade items to fill a basket for the raffle.

I want to send three things, a gift for Pam, something for her sis and something for the raffle.   This is my first item, tomorrow I will make some more things for the box I am sending.

More items are needed, and  if you would like Pam’s address to send her something, let me know. Aunt_caroline_070

I know how generous you all are!

Cards for my great aunt’s 100th birthday are pouring in!

Aunt_caroline_073 Colleen Cavanaugh sent these two pretty pinky ones, and they showed up wrapped so lovely, along with an Eiffel Tower card for me too!

Aunt_caroline_076 Three more came from Heidi Woodruff, Phyllis Covington, and Pam Warden. (blog addresses available on my previous post)

See what I mean about generous? Pam has health issues herself as well as ill family members, and she took time to make a card for my aunt!Scraps_325_2

OK, it is 2am and I need to get to bed, but first a little Earth Day reminder to be kind to the planet!  Today is Earth Day, well, actually, I am up so late  that yesterday was Earth Day.

I went to a fashion show tonight where vintage and recycled clothing were the highlights on the stage.

I try to redo and reuse as much as I can, personally,with antiques, furniture and art supplies, but I never thought of remaking clothes from old prom dresses and men’s ties like this gown. Hmm, I think I could do this myself….. 

Count down to the big birthday bash, but Oh-Oh, what bash?????

antiques/junking, celebrations, Etsy Goodies, parties, swaps, vintage paper/collage art
By /

Scraps_313 Once again, I got very little done today. Sugarwings and I snuck out for lunch and a trip to the nature center to look at snakes and fishies.

Scraps_308 Before I left, I did make a few tags, I wanted to try something new, I kind of made a big collage sheet, glued tags to the back of it and cut them out, so that they were parts of a crazy quilt type pattern.Aunt_caroline_038

The first step was to print my Vintage Workshop images for the swap Beth and I are co-hosting, after editing them in sepia tones.

Since I use an ink jet printer, I always spray my copies with matt finish clear coat before I work with them, so the ink doesn’t run.Aunt_caroline_040

I made multiple copies of the same images in various sizes and cut off the white edges so they wouldn’t show in the collage.Aunt_caroline_044

Here is my collage sheet, everything is glued to one of the wallpaper patterns printed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Aunt_caroline_043

And if you think my odd collection of tags that I glued to the back is kind of unusual, you are right.

I save all tags that come on stuff I buy, and cover them in paper.  Yep, there is a tag from a garden trowel, a file box, and a pair of jeans, among typical shipping tags.

After they are glued into place, I cut around them with an exacto knife.Scraps_314_2

This was a pretty quick process, I did a whole passel of tags in one swoop!

After cutting them out, I darkened the edges with  a walnut ink pad, and started to embellish the tags with millinery flowers, crystals, velvet ribbons, jewels,  and some complimentary wallpaper.

Beth had shown me some brown and blue things she was working on and I loved it so much, I wanted to try to keep my palette simple, with just these colors too.

Scraps_318

This one is done with the same collections of images, but printed in color instead of sepia. I’ve really had a good time with the printer and changing settings to try new tricks.

If you want to play with Vintage Workshop images too, you can join our swap.  Everyone gets the pictures from the 3 collections we are working with for the Birds and Bonnets screes, plus one free download of your choice for signing up!

Did I mention there were also lots of prizes? I’ll be giving out some of these tags, there are purses, and gift certificates, and who knows what all we’ll be giving away.  We like presents!

Join up fast, the clock is ticking!!Scraps_315

Here is what the backs of the tags look like.  Some were done with the left over patch work pieces cut to fit, others are of a single pattern. Mostly, I was using what ever scraps were on the table.

The blue velvet is from the bow on an old hat.Scraps_301

I stopped to visit a friend’s shop today after taking the fairy grand baby home, and look at the goodies I found!  For $24 I bought these photos, 4 rolls of old ribbon, and a bagful of blooms!Aunt_caroline_053

And these are perfect blossoms, I love working with the tiny ones.Aunt_caroline_058

Since I had way too much ribbon (well, honestly I have to admit that it does happen, I keep buying more than I will ever use!)- I made up some packets of it to sell on Etsy.

I listed 5 of them, if you are interested.Scraps_303

I made one more stop at an antique shop where I had a fascinating discussion about flocked wallpaper with the store owner. He thinks he knows where he can score some for me.

I feel like an addict with a new dealer.

He sold me this grab bag of jewels for $12, as a "taste".  I’ll be going back, I can’t stop myself. 

Scraps_305  Yesterday’s post was my 300th and I didn’t even realize it! Blogging has become such an everyday part of my life, I don’t even notice the landmarks anymore. 

Another landmark coming up for me is my 50th birthday. I am throwing myself a party, but have no details yet.  I should have planned it sooner.

It will be a hectic week, I have to pick my husband up at the airport, go to the best flea market in the area,  participate in an art show, have a family birthday celebration and throw a big party for myself too.

I’ve been making calls to various places to figure out where I want to have the party, because I just don’t think I want to try to fit in cleaning my house to the rest of that schedule.

I’d like to do something special and unique, but the fact that I forgot to plan anything till 2 weeks before, kind of puts a dent into that idea.

Here are some suggestions from Beth for the event. Do you have any ideas?

Ps- most of these are private jokes, that probably won’t even make any sense to you, but hey, it is my birthday and they entertained me, so I am showing them!!!

  • Chuck E Cheese
  • Skateland
  • Cruise the Kaw
  • Rent Saturday Night Fever
  • Build a Bear party at the mall
  • Dairy Queen
  • Rent a red convertible
  • BBQ party catered by Vermont St BBQ
  • kegger & a bonfire
  • grown up sophisticated cocktail party
  • party with ballon animal man
  • rent a stretch hummer and party while cruising the Flint Hills
  • antiquing in Texas
  • OK, antiquing in Sparks
  • all you can eat desserts at Andres
  • call yourself queen for a day and make everyone curtsy before you
  • glamour shots
  • paint ball party
  • Outward Bound experience (don’t invite me!)
  • ask Padma and Tom if the Top Chef crew can cater your party
  • fly to Paris on the Concorde
  • change your name to Karkie
  • ok, just change your blog name to Karkie
  • rent an inflatable bounce house for a party
  • do whatever Oprah did- I think she devoted a whole magazine to it
  • have a party and make everyone wear bunny ears
  • put you business card in 500 helium balloons with a message that tells the finders that if they comment on your blog, you’ll enter there name in a drawing
  • start training for a triathlon
  • rent a chocolate fountain
  • paint your house pink
  • OK, just help your friend paint her booth
  • square dancing party in your barn—oops, too late
  • snipe all the good wallpaper auctions ending about 10 days before your birthday, so you get a butt load of wallpaper on your birthday
  • Weiner roast with marshmallows

Granny Panties full of Rocks

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, Sugarwings, swaps, vintage paper/collage art
By /

Rock_pile_001  I’ve had a fun couple of Sugarwings days this week.  We had some gravel delivered and before I get out the shovel and start spreading it, the fairy grandbaby and I decided to play a little king of the hill.Rock_pile_008_2

Or "princesses" of the hill.  Sugarwings and Twinkle had a blast in the rocks. So did I. We climbed, rolled, slid, dug, and fell all over them. And I may never get all the gravel out of my socks and clothes. I was downright crunchy by the time we were done.

If you are asking yourself why Karla has a dress hanging out the window of her chicken coop, well, good question.  I really should clean that building out, it hasn’t been used since an antique sale TWO YEARS AGO! The other day,there was a big wind storm (yes this is Kansas), the window blew open and a vintage dress blew out.

For all of you who think I get so much accomplished, this is proof that a lot of things just go by the wayside and never get done! That shed sure could use a cleaning out.Rock_pile_008_3   

Anyone want an old dress or should I haul it to Goodwill?

I could save it for Sugarwing’s dress up parties, she can be a fairy and I can wear that ugly old thing and be  Auntie Em! Scraps_293 

Beside playing with the baby, and picking rocks out of my granny panties, I did make time to do a few tags for the Birds and Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap that Beth and I are co-hosting.

We will be having a drawing for presents for the participants. So far, we have:

2 clutches with a set of pearl beads, one from Beth, one from me

6 $25 gift certificates from Vintage Workshop for free downloads

Some tags from me

And now, here is  a new one!!Scraps_296

Not only is Vintage Workshop providing all these cool images from 3 of their collections for us to use in the swap, plus the 6 gift certificates, everyone who enters will also receive a free download collection of their choice!Scraps_297

I thought that was a nice little bonus!

I made all of these tags from the wallpaper backgrounds collection that we have available for the swap.

Scraps_298

To the backgrounds (various wallpaper patterns that I printed in different sizes then glued down in a crazy quilt way) I added some roses cut from my stash of wallpaper, some ladies from the Vintage Workshop collections, old seam binding ribbons, buttons and jewels.Scraps_299

And of course- millinery flowers!! My projects don’t feel ‘done’ until I add a flower.

Scraps_287 Speaking of my vintage wallpaper stash, I just added a bunch for sale on Etsy.  And it is flying out of there! If you are needing wallpaper, this is a good time to check out the shop, before it all flies away.Aunt_caroline_026

And what is flying in to me? CARDS! CARDS! AND MORE CARDS!

This is from Shawn Behrends and her daughter Bethany (3 yrs old)

(Shawn do I have you on the list??)Aunt_caroline_023

And this is from my pal, Scrappi Jessi, one of the liveliest people in blogworld.  Using one of her terms, "you rock, girl!"Aunt_caroline_022

This tasty cake is from Kathy Algonzzine

Aunt_caroline_029 Pretty pink roses from Betty Bates.

Aunt_caroline_030 Lovely faded flowers and portrait embellished with Caroline’s initial from Debbie Doughty.

Aunt_caroline_034 Old fashioned romantic style from Kathy
Maximo.Birthday_card_131 

Here is a photo I received of a card on its way from Nancy Burns. Ooo La la!Caroline_card

And this one is being sent in by my East coast buddy, Robin (Thrifty Miss Priss).

I am so excited about the beauty and generosity pouring into my mail box!

But, I do need to warn all you nice people that are sending in cards. I tend to screw things up. Bad lists, mixed up piles.  So, if I make a mistake on saying who sent what as I post the 100 cards or so that are coming in, please don’t be offended, and please correct me!

I already accidentally deleted half the flickr file and am going back to reload it after I do this.

Please check it out when you get a chance, but give me a few minutes to correct my screw ups.

Curious_sofa_025

Here is the updated list of contributors. If you are not on it and should be, please tell me, because this is the list that I am drawing names from for prizes.

The clutch is one prize.  Maybe some vintage wallpaper and millinery flowers?  A card kit to make some more cards?

You are doing me a big favor and a sweet thing for my aunt. What would you like to get as a gift for helping out?

100 cards

  1. Karin http://madrekarin.blogspot.com
  2. Michelle http://www.ginghamworld.blogspot.com
  3. Pam http://blogcabinfever.typepad.com
  4. Lesa Farmer
  5. Robin~ thrifty_misspriss@yahoo.com
  6. Robin Foster
  7. Lori http://faeriewindow.blogspot.com
  8. Kathy http://www.kathyscottage.blogspot.com:80/
  9. http://oodlesandoodles.typepad.com/
  10. Carol Spinsky RaisedInCotton@aol.com
  11. http://soinspired.blogspot.com
  12. Lori http://pinkfadedroses.blogspot.com:80/ 
  13. Janine http://angelgurl.wordpress.com/
  14. http://emmaspaperpatch.blogspot.com:80/
  15. Liane Tatum
  16. http://bluemuf.blogspot.com:80/ Karen
  17. http://simplysage.blogspot.com Mahala
  18. Beth http://bethleintz.typepad.com:80/
  19. Debbie Doughty http://queendebbee.blogspot.com/
  20. Alice Wingerden http://www.paintedwhite.com:80/
  21. Karoline http://www.cherishedvintage.blogspot.com
  22. Joyce Rodli
  23. Lili http://lilimsadventures.blogspot.com:80/
  24. Mandy Blake
  25. *Heidi* http://journals.aol.com/hwoodred/everyday-cookies/
  26. http://www.bonoramamama.blogspot.com:80/
  27. Kirstie http://adelinecountrycottage.blogspot.com
  28. Phyllis http://shabbyinthecity.blogspot.com
  29. Sherry (Edie Marie’s Attic)
  30. Pinkie Denise
  31. Marilyn http://marilynbutler.blogspot.com:80/
  32. Melissa http://melissaburford.typepad.com:80/burford_designs/
  33. Lisa Russell http://www.violetsandsnapdragons.blogspot.com/
  34. Crystal http://www.fariebees.blogspot.com
  35. Janice Rehmeyer
  36. Meredith http://www.thevictorianlady.blogspot.com
  37. Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur http://feteetfleur.blogspot.com
  38. Jessi http://www.scrappyjessi.blogspot.com:80/
  39. Donell
  40. Jenn~ http://whinenroses.blogspot.com/
  41. Lolly http://lollysnestegg.blogspot.com
  42. Gail   Sell
  43. Kathy http://www.vintagesnapsandscraps.com
  44. Barbara http://smith411.typepad.com
  45. crchaffee@cox.net
  46. Edie Marie http://ediemariesattic.blogspot.com
  47. María Elena
  48. Kelley  http://www.junqueygal.blogspot.com/
  49. Kelley: http://teacupmosaics.blogspot.com
  50. Carlene http://carlenefederer.blogspot.com/
  51. Barb http://www.123lavenderlollipoplane.blogspot.com:80/
  52. Louisa http://beachyscapecodcupboard.blogspot.com

  1. Jen http://Sanctuaryarts.blogspot.com
  2. Sandy Babb
  3. Colleen Cavanaugh http://cc-creativeramblings.blogspot.com
  4. Rachael http://theroseroomnz.blogspot.com/
  5. Valerie http://Queenschocolate.blogspot.com
  6. Joy http://www.thejoyof.blogspot.com
  7. Sheri Ingrande http://www.pawshpoodle.com
  8. Mary Isabella  http://daisybouquet.blogspot.com
  9. Natasha Burns http://www.natashaburns.blogspot.com
  10. Di Ann Sheps
  11. Pat
  12. Cami http://www.camillefano.typepad.com
  13. 3rdEyeMuse http://3rdEyeMuse.blogspot.com
  14. M.Kate http://www.melialissa.blogspot.com
  15. DELIA  http://brooksidecottage.blogspot.com/
  16. Kathy
  17. Samantha 
  18. Karen http://karenharveycox.blogspot.com:80/
  19. Sarah Lee (Adelaide’s Country  Cottage)
  20. Louise http://pinkgate.blogspot.com/
  21. Betty http://shessewpretty.typepad.com/
  22. Amy Wald
  23. Tera http://Stampqueen.blogspot.com
  24. Kari and Kijsa http://www.kariandkijsa.blogspot.com
  25. Kathy Jacobson  kathyjacobson.typepad.com
  26. Vickie http://www.whisperofinspiration.blogspot.net
  27. Amy P http://www.rubymoonart.blogspot.com
  28. Shannon J  http://www.faithandchocolate.blogspot.com:80/
  29. Gail http://boutiqueginabeana.blogspot.com/
  30. Cindy http://yappingcatstudio.typepad.com/my_weblog
  31. Rhonda http://rhondamum.blogspot.com
  32. Irma http://irmasrosecottage.blogspot.com
  33. Rhonda RhondaMum.blogspot.com
  34. Alison Gibbs
  35. Paula Kay
  36. Jeanette http://scrapnchick-keepmeinstitches.blogspot.com/
  37. Lisa http://reflectionsinagazingball.blogspot.com/
  38. Jeanie http://www.themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com
  39. Whitney Johnson http://www.kindredjoy.blogspot.com
  40. Corina http://corinaj.wordpress.com
  41. Lisa Lee l-lee@sbcglobal.net
  42. Sammy  don@stafney.com http://sammystuff.blogspot.com/
  43. Rachael’s Princess
  44. Rachael’s Mum
  45. Sissy
  46. sonya http://www.loveofyellowroses.blogspot.com
  47. Beverly http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/
  48. Holly Abston >http://www.hollydoodledesigns.com
  49. Adla http://www.vintagedelights.blogspot.com
  50. Anja http://newclassichome.blogspot.com
  51. Angelina http://beautifulcards.typepad.com/angelinascards/
  52. Maxine v.maxlie@charter.net
  53. Jennifer 
  54. Heather R. Kowalski http://www.prettypetalsboutique.blogspot.com/
  55. Barbara York http://panhandlesuequiltingspot.blogspot.com

Buttons, Blossoms, and Beauties

family, swaps, vintage paper/collage art
By /

Aunt_caroline_016 Thanks to all of you generous souls who signed up to make a card for my Great Aunt’s 100th birthday.

I am close to getting enough cards, but could still use a few more to make up 100.  And it wouldn’t hurt to have a few extras in case someone isn’t able to after all.Aunt_caroline_020

This is the one I made for her.  I copied her photo, and added color with pastels, then glued it to a vintage card with roses.

After that, I cut out a cake from another old card, glued it down and sugared it up with glitter.

Aunt_caroline_017 

To add some sparkle to her lace dress, I used a Gelly Roll Stardust pen to highlight the scrolls and flowers in the lace.Aunt_caroline_010

Aunt Caroline is in wonderful health, even for a much younger woman.

Here is a photo of her at 91 in her home in front of a painting I did for her. 

She is sharp as a tack and will really be tickled by all these cards.  As a person who has made hand crafted things all of her life, she will appreciate the work that is going into this bonanza of mail for her.

She told me once that she lives by this motto, and it has always stuck with me and I try to live by it as well, "Think Right, Live Right, and Do Right".

Curious_sofa_025 I will be having a drawing for a prize to give one of the 100 card creators before I pack  up the cards to take to her in Florida this June.

This Vintage Workshop clutch is covered in in a printable fabric and I will give it as a thank you gift to the winner.  I just wish I had 100 of them to give, I really appreciate all your work and help with this surprise!Curious_sofa_041_2 

I will also be giving a 2nd purse to a drawing winner from the swappers in the Birds and Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap that Beth and I are co- hosting.

We have a good number signed up already, but there is room for more! The more that sign up, the more presents we’ll offer for the drawing. So far we are up to 10 gifts.Millinery_223

Speaking of swaps, I am in a mini swap with my friend, Lili in The Netherlands.  She said she has a hard time finding millinery flowers where she lives, so I am sending her a few.Millinery_209

Living here, deep in the Bible Belt of the Midwest, I am in millinery heaven.  My theory is that there wasn’t a single, good God fearing woman in the state back in the good old days, who didn’t own a flowery hat to wear to church every week.  And since Midwesterners also believe in "waste not want not", most of those hats were saved.

So, this bunch of blossoms is on its way across the ocean right now, hope you like them, Lili! Thanks for swapping with me. (I can’t wait to see what she surprises me with, she has exquisite taste!)6a00d83451ead569e200e551c24d3a88348

And while on the subject of millinery flowers, Jenny Doh of Somerset Life asked me if she could use this photo in an upcoming issue.  I was happy to have it in there, of course!Img146

If you would like to post this button about Aunt Caroline’s 100 cards for her 100th birthday, feel free to do so.  I’ve also got a flickr site for it, if you want to make a card and upload it there.

I plan on loading the photos myself when the cards arrive too.  Here is the site for Aunt Caroline’s cards:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/679216@N25/ (and people have already added some cards to it!)

And here is the site for our Birds and Bonnets swap:http://www.flickr.com/groups/702816@N20/

Remember to sign up for the swap!6a00d8345159d669e200e551cf04fe88338

Here is the list I have so far for the Cards for Caroline Creators.  If you have signed up and missed you on the list, would you please let me know?  (or if you see any other mistakes, I do tend to make some)

Thanks.  And thanks for the help, she will be so pleased!

EDIT- I have 100!! But, if anyone would still like to send one, I’m sure she would love to get it. I will add another prize to the drawing since I am now over 100 people.  Thanks so much for helping me do this fun surprise for Aunt Caroline!!

100cards

  1. Karin http://madrekarin.blogspot.com
  2. Michelle http://www.ginghamworld.blogspot.com
  3. Pam http://blogcabinfever.typepad.com
  4. Lesa Farmer
  5. Robin~ thrifty_misspriss@yahoo.com
  6. Robin Foster
  7. Lori http://faeriewindow.blogspot.com
  8. Kathy http://www.kathyscottage.blogspot.com:
  9. http://oodlesandoodles.typepad.com/
  10. Carol Spinsky RaisedInCotton@aol.com
  11. http://soinspired.blogspot.com
  12. Lori http://pinkfadedroses.blogspot.com
  13. Janine http://angelgurl.wordpress.com/
  14. http://emmaspaperpatch.blogspot.com
  15. Liane Tatum
  16. http://bluemuf.blogspot.com Karen
  17. http://simplysage.blogspot.com Mahala
  18. Beth http://bethleintz.typepad.com
  19. Debbie Doughty http://queendebbee.blogspot.com/
  20. Alice Wingerden http://www.paintedwhite.com
  21. Karoline http://www.cherishedvintage.blogspot.com
  22. Joyce Rodli
  23. Lili http://lilimsadventures.blogspot.com
  24. Mandy Blake
  25. *Heidi* http://journals.aol.com/hwoodred/everyday-cookies/
  26. http://www.bonoramamama.blogspot.com
  27. Kirstie http://adelinecountrycottage.blogspot.com
  28. Phyllis http://shabbyinthecity.blogspot.com
  29. Sherry (Edie Marie’s Attic)
  30. Pinkie Denise
  31. Marilyn http://marilynbutler.blogspot.com
  32. Melissa http://melissaburford.typepad.com
  33. Lisa Russell
  34. Crystal http://www.fariebees.blogspot.com
  35. Janice Rehmeyer
  36. Meredith http://www.thevictorianlady.blogspot.com
  37. Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur http://feteetfleur.blogspot.com
  38. Jessi http://www.scrappyjessi.blogspot.com
  39. Donell
  40. Jenn~ http://whinenroses.blogspot.com/
  41. Lolly http://lollysnestegg.blogspot.com
  42. Gail   Sell
  43. Kathy http://www.vintagesnapsandscraps.com
  44. Barbara http://smith411.typepad.com
  45. crchaffee@cox.net
  46. Edie Marie http://ediemariesattic.blogspot.com
  47. María Elena
  48. Kelley  http://www.junqueygal.blogspot.com/
  49. Kelley: http://teacupmosaics.blogspot.com
  50. Carlene http://carlenefederer.blogspot.com/
  51. Barb http://www.123lavenderlollipoplane.blogspot.com
  52. Louisa http://beachyscapecodcupboard.blogspot.com
  53. Jen http://Sanctuaryarts.blogspot.com
  54. Sandy Babb
  55. Colleen Cavanaugh http://cc-creativeramblings.blogspot.com
  56. Rachael http://theroseroomnz.blogspot.com/
  57. Valerie http://Queenschocolate.blogspot.com
  58. Joy http://www.thejoyof.blogspot.com
  59. Sheri Ingrande http://www.pawshpoodle.com
  60. Mary Isabella
  61. Natasha Burns http://www.natashaburns.blogspot.com
  62. Di Ann Sheps
  63. Pat
  64. Cami http://www.camillefano.typepad.com
  65. 3rdEyeMuse http://3rdEyeMuse.blogspot.com
  66. M.Kate http://www.melialissa.blogspot.com
  67. DELIA  http://brooksidecottage.blogspot.com/
  68. Joyce
  69. Kathy
  70. Samantha 
  71. Karen http://karenharveycox.blogspot.com
  72. Sarah Lee (Adelaide’s Country  Cottage)
  73. Louise http://pinkgate.blogspot.com/
  74. Betty http://shessewpretty.typepad.com/
  75. Amy Wald
  76. Tera http://Stampqueen.blogspot.com
  77. Kari and Kijsa http://www.kariandkijsa.blogspot.com
  78. Kathy Jacobson  kathyjacobson.typepad.com
  79. Vickie http://www.whisperofinspiration.blogspot.net
  80. Amy P http://www.rubymoonart.blogspot.com
  81. Shannon J  http://www.faithandchocolate.blogspot.com
  82. Gail http://boutiqueginabeana.blogspot.com/
  83. Cindy http://yappingcatstudio.typepad.com/my_weblog
  84. Rhonda http://rhondamum.blogspot.com
  85. Irma http://irmasrosecottage.blogspot.com
  86. Rhonda RhondaMum.blogspot.com
  87. Alison Gibbs
  88. Paula Kay
  89. Jeanette http://scrapnchick-keepmeinstitches.blogspot.com/

  90. Jeanie http://www.themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com
  91. Whitney Johnson http://www.kindredjoy.blogspot.com
  92. Corina http://corinaj.wordpress.com
  93. Lisa Lee l-lee@sbcglobal.net
  94. Sammy  don@stafney.com http://sammystuff.blogspot.com/
  95. Rachael’s Princess
  96. Rachael’s Mum
  97. Sissy
  98. sonya http://www.loveofyellowroses.blogspot.com

  99. Beverly http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

  100. Holly Abston >http://www.hollydoodledesigns.com
  101. Adla http://www.vintagedelights.blogspot.com

Birds And Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap with Karla and Beth

swaps, vintage paper/collage art
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6a00d8345159d669e200e551cf04fe88338 Here is your official invitation to join our latest swap!

You can sign up at Beth’s blog, Gathering Dust, and she will send you the file full of images provided by the Vintage Workshop to use for your creations.

Please feel free to add this button to your blog, and upload photos to this flickr site:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/702816@N20/

The images provided by Vintage Workshop are pretty as a, well,  a picture!Curious_sofa_051

You can embellish, redo, add to, paint, ink, stamp, cut, crop, glue, foof, what ever you want to do to the panels you make.

It will be so cool to see what each artist does by adding their own touch to the theme.  Check out Beth’s examples on her site too.Curious_sofa_049

You will be decorating 4 panels, each side.  Here is the flip side of mine.Curious_sofa_042

Curious_sofa_030 Some of the tricks I used on mine were printing the images in multiple sizes and printing them on different textures of paper.

Crackle glaze, diamond glaze and crystals made good accents too.Curious_sofa_055 

I also added some hand painted details like the gilded bird cage and the tree branches the birds sit on.Curious_sofa_047

This is two of Vintage Workshop’s back ground wallpapers that I painted branches onto, then cut out and glued a bird on. 

The bird is wearing a bonnet I printed on fabric paper and cut out and she has a black crystal eye.    The hand painted branches are accented with flowers I pulled off of an old hat in my stash.Curious_sofa_046

Here is a mistake I made- DON"T glue anything too near the edge where the hole punch needs to go for the connecting ring!!

By putting this cool, old button in that spot, I ruined this panel and it doesn’t quite fit right.  I’ll have to make another one.

We’ll let you know the measurements of where the punches will go so you don’t make the same mistake I did.

Curious_sofa_037 Did I mention the PRIZES?  We will have a drawing and pick winners from all the participants.

Beth and I each made a clutch from these cute purses that Vintage Workshop sells.

Amy, the owner, gave us a bagful of fun things to make up, and I will be making   a couple more presents too.

Plus– Vintage Workshop is providing SIX gift certificates!Curious_sofa_039

This purse is embellished with a vintage pink rose and bow of velvet from an antique bonnet as well as crystals and images from Vintage Workshop that I printed onto their fabric paper.  Curious_sofa_041

I am including the pretty hanky and the string of pearls since they look like they are all meant to be together.

Beth is including pearls with her purse too.

Ready for the official rules and guild lines?  I hope you sign up! Here is the info you will need:

Karla & Beth’s Birds & Bonnets

Vintage Workshop Swap

To introduce its beautiful and versatile new printable wallpaper collection, The Vintage Workshop (Thevintageworkshop.com) is teaming up with Karla and Beth to host a swap. 

Decorate both sides of four 4” x 5 1/2” panels using at least one image or background from The Vintage Workshop collections on each panel. After you sign up for the swap, we’ll send you a link and log on to a website where you can download, resize, digitally collage and print the images you’d like to use.   You can make your panels all the same or each one different.

You can use more than one image per panel, and you can use other collage materials, too.  In other words, feel free to use your own accents, buttons, and trims to compliment the images we’ll send you.  All digital collage is great, too.  Or you can work digitally and embellish copies.  Just about anything goes, as long as you use at least one of the Vintage Workshop images or backgrounds we send you.

Send the panels back to us, and we’ll assemble the panels into unique decorative screens using ring binders.

We’ll be photographing the finished screens for The Vintage Workshop, so please be aware that by participating in the swap, you are agreeing to let The Vintage Workshop use your panels on its website or in future publications.

The Details

The Images- The images for the swap will be sent to you via an emailed file.  You will need to size and print the images you select to use to use make your panels. 

The Panels- 4” x 5 ½”, made of something in weight similar to chipboard or book board.  The cardboard back of a tablet works great for this.  Whatever you use, it has to be substantial enough that it can stand up as part of a screen, but thin enough to be hole punched.

Sign Up Date- Sign up by emailing Beth, using the email link on the upper left side of her blog.  The deadline is April 18. 

On Apr 20, we’ll send a confirmation email with the jpeg image file with to all participants. 

Receive by Date – We’ll need to RECEIVE your panels by May 19. 

Cost- The cost for a padded envelope, mailing and materials is $5.  The $5 needs to be included with your panels.

What You’ll Get– A unique four panel screens, with each panel made by a different player.   We’ll mail the screens by Jun 1.

Remember, there is not a limit to this one, so there is room for everyone.  So far we have 8 prizes, but if we get a lot of people we will add more gifts to the drawing. You know I LOVE to give presents!  Every comment you leave is entered into my monthly giveaway.

Birds and Bonnets (Please join us!!)

swaps, vintage paper/collage art
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Curious_sofa_006 Beth and I had a fun day Thursday, one of our stops was Curious Sofa.  Deb Dousenberry has such wonderful taste, her shop is an experience.Curious_sofa_003

So many simple ideas, and simple everyday objects are made special just by the way Deb puts them together and displays them.Curious_sofa_009

We also went to see Amy of Vintage Workshop, then treated ourselves to bakery goods from Andres to sort out ideas about our next swap.Curious_sofa_011

Vintage Workshop is providing the images for our swap! Here are a few of them.

I like to download the pictures, then print them in multiple sizes.Curious_sofa_014

Especially the wallpaper backgrounds.  I print those in at least 3 sizes. Having the same image in different forms is really fun to play around with.Curious_sofa_030

Sugarwings stayed all night again last night and I am afraid I didn’t get finished with everything I wanted to show you for the swap we are doing, but here is a sneak peak.

I made these four "panels" from the Vintage Workshop downloads and then doo-dadded them up.

I haven’t decorated the backs yet, that needs to be done so they can fit together like a screen.Screen_2

This screen is one that Beth has made (hers is finished, unlike mine!)  Curious_sofa_032

Here are some of the details of the swap:

Everyone will make 4 of these panels using at least one image from Vintage workshop.

You can decorate it up as elaborately or simply as you’d like.

By everyone using the same 3 Vintage Workshop collections, we’ll have a cohesive look, so that all the panels will look lovely together.

Curious_sofa_033

But by having so many artists do the work, then putting 4 different person’s work into one screen, they will be eclectic and fun.

By using the various sizes of  the pictures  and printing some of it on textured paper (the lovely lady is printed onto fabric paper that Amy sells. She gave me some to try and I have to say I am hooked on it now!)Curious_sofa_034 you can get lots of different looks from the same imgages, so the choices are limitless!

Mine are done with using some added millinery flowers, crystals, pages from an old book, then crackle or paper glazes for texture.  On this one, I outlined the details in a shimmering ink (shows up better in person) and then used paper glaze over the central design, rubbed the edges with a walnut ink pad and glued down crystals to the pattern of the paper.  Curious_sofa_035

This one wasn’t much more complicated, I layered the different papers I had printed out from the wallpaper background collection, then added a page from an old French book, inked the edges, glued them down, and cut a bird out of one of the collections. 

She is nesting in the scraps from cutting out the French book page, and is accented with crystals and a couple old buttons.

I’ll get more examples made up, and also some panels made so I can swap too!

What I am trying to show you with these, is that you can do a lot of different styles with these 3 collections Vintage Workshop is providing for us (We get to play with her fun papers for FREE! YAY, Amy!) Curious_sofa_018

Amy is also supplying us with PRIZES!  We’ll have a drawing from all of the entrants in the swap and 6 will get gift certificates to download more images to create with.

Vintage Workshop sells these purses to embellish, and I got a few to foof up with the printable fabric, sticky back paper.

One, I will give as a drawing prize for the swappers, and the other will be  a drawing prize for all the kind people who are making a card for my Aunt Caroline’s 100th birthday.Curious_sofa_024

These clutches are so fun to make, I made up the 2 of them, with the fronts and backs different.

Curious_sofa_025

I lined the bottom with a wide velvet ribbon in the best shade of faded pink on both of them, and added some old rhinestone buttons, millinery flowers and crystals.

Beth will make a prize too. And knowing me, I will make more. I like to give presents!

Exact details of the swap will be added later. Beth has it all written up and ready to go, and sign ups will be on her blog.

Auntcaroline So, I hope we get a lot of sign ups! This will be a pretty swap, who doesn’t love Birds and Bonnets?

And I want to thank all of you who have offered to make a card for my great Aunt Caroline’s 100th birthday. 

I have 68 so far, am almost to 100, so could use a few more people to surprise her with 100 cards.

I will be showing the cards on my blog as they come in, so we can all enjoy them, and will draw a name from the 100 people who help me out and send one a Vintage Workshop clutch.

Here is the flickr site if you want to post a photo of a card you have made:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/679216@N25/

A favor from you, please

collections, family
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Millinery_229 Sugarwings has gone back home now and my house seems way too quiet after having her for two nights.

When she left, I took a much needed, 2 hour nap (that little pixie is very busy and wears me out!) and then I decided to hang the plates I bought at the auction last week.Millinery_227

I think I’d like them even more if the wall was a pale robin’s egg blue…. One simple change can sure spark ideas for more changes!  But I am restraining myself.  I have too many other things planned to take time to paint a ceiling- I’d have to move a ton of stuff out of the way and I just redid that room!Millinery_046

After hanging plates, I planted a few more pansies.  The pink window box seemed a little sparse, since it is so early in the season and the pansies are still small yet.Millinery_045

To fill it in, I added some pink (90% off at Target) Easter grass and planted a couple plates there too.

Millinery_148

Many of you agreed with me yesterday during Lori’s Doll Day party, that I could count my fairy figurines as dolls because the fairy grandbaby and I play with them.

So, I thought I’d show a few more of them today.

This handsome devil was made by my Great Aunt Caroline. She is about to turn 100 this summer.  Which brings me to a favor I’d like to ask of you.Millinery_128

Caroline has always been creative and appreciates hand made things.

She would be so thrilled with handmade birthday cards. (well, who wouldn’t be?)Millinery_132

My idea, and the favor I’d like to ask of you, is to try to get 100 hand made birthday cards for her 100th birthday June 26th.

I know that you don’t know her personally, but she is really quite wonderful. She is in pretty  good health for someone 99 and 3/4, loves to laugh, read, follow baseball, she liked to try her hand at lots of types of crafts.Millinery_134

Anyone who can help me out with a card for her, please email me and I’ll start a list of names.

All the cards can be sent to me, I will take pictures of them, start a flickr group of the cards and feature them on my blog as they arrive.

I will also draw a name from the participants and I will make a special gift to send to the winner.

Millinery_133

Then, in June, I am going to Mt. Dora, FL for the birthday bash and I will bring the box of (hopefully) 100 cards with me to surprise her.

Can’t you just picture her face when she sees them all???Aunt_caroline_001

And what a lovely face she has! This is her in her youth.

(I want that dress!)

She has given me  a strand of pearl beads, and I really think that they are the ones in this photo.  Her father strung them for her mother.Aunt_caroline_015

Doesn’t it look like the same strand?

You all have been so generous, making Sugarwings the most spoiled little sprite in blogland, with all the sweet gifts you have sent to her.

Can you please help me spoil a wonderful lady who is about to celebrate a full century?

Off with her head!

antiques/junking, collections, Etsy Goodies, fairies, Sugarwings
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Millinery_115 One of my favorite bloggers, Lori is hosting "Doll Day" and I just had to play along, even though I didn’t really think of myself as a doll person.

Of course, there is always, Sugarwings, she is my doll baby!

Millinery_169 This new one that I have plans to doodad up is an obvious choice to photograph, she is quite the doll.

Then, I thought, well, thats all to that story.

Millinery_144

While I was cooking lunch (crusty baked chicken strips), Sugarwings opened the china cabinet and reminded me about all of the dollies in there, she loves to take sneaky and grabby peeks at them any chance she gets.Millinery_131

I took pictures of  a few of these guys, but thought, no these aren’t dolls, they are figurines. No matter how much the fairy grand baby and I enjoy playing with them.  Millinery_155

Since they are right on her level and she can open doors, many of these little fairy and pixie creatures are down to only one wing, or have chipped toes.

But since everything I own is from garage sales or auctions and much of it chipped already, that doesn’t bother me too much.Millinery_164

And I broke this one all by myself with no help from Sugarwings at all.

I can glue her head back on and make a necklace to cover the seam. 

Or leave her as she is and make a box with her and call it "Marie Antoinette AFTER the Guillotine"?Millinery_181

That sparked my memory and I realized I have HEADS! Doll heads!  These are from a junking trip with my sisses in Greenwood, Indiana last summer. I bought a boxful of these old pieces ($24)  to fix up and sell, but kept them as they were and set them in my bathroom cabinet.Millinery_171

And this elegantly coiffed head is from my shopping trip last weekend, she was only $1. I don’t think she is old.Millinery_178

This doll head (wearing my fairy grandmother tiara) is from a junking stop on the drive to Silverbella last November.  Beth and I ran into Carol there and the 3 of us shopped together.Millinery_079

Sugarwings also reminded me that she had a few dolls up in her room.  I like to buy old bears and dolls for her  at garage sales so we can tuck them in to the cradles and doll beds I fixed up for her.

I found this cradle for $2, cleaned it up and painted it with roses.  Millinery_165

Do my fairy ballerinas count too?  No, I guess they aren’t technically dolls, they are meant to go onto cupcakes.

This one is on clearance in my Etsy shop right now.Millinery_123

Here is a selection of some of the things I marked down. If you go to the shop, and look over on the right hand side near the top, where it says "sections" you can click on "clearance sale priced" and see the 28 things that are on sale right now.  I was in a mood to clear some things out.Millinery_166

Because I always need to make room for more!

I bought these beveled glass panels at an antique mall this weekend, and got 6 of them for a dollar.

I am making collages in them and adding copper to the back and hope to get my soldering iron out this week to finish them and put hooks onto them.Millinery_158

I also went to an auction with Beth this weekend and bought way too many plates! But I love plates with the double handles and plan to loop some ribbon through those handles and hang the whole stack of plates along the soffet in my studio.

Beth gave the silver ladle to me, it was in a box of stuff she got and wasn’t something she wanted (plus she is good about sharing, very good!)

I might use it as a glitter dipper.  And I have a feeling the lidded candy dishes will be filled with buttons soon.Millinery_184

One more doll before I go get Sugarwings up from her nap.

This guy pretends to be the biggest, roughest, meanest barn cat you’ve ever met.  He breezes in every couple weeks from wherever he prowls when he isn’t around here and acts like we owe him big time for showing up.

But honestly, he is nothing but a fluffy old doll baby himself. 

Oh, and PS-

JAYHAWKS ARE NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION!  Yay Lawrence!

Gardens of Velvet and Silk

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, flowers, Sugarwings
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Millinery_031 It doesn’t look like I am the only one who is crazy about millinery flowers. 

I use them all the time, seems like I can’t make anything anymore without adding a posey or two!Millinery_003

If I haven’t actually used them in the composition, I love to twist them up into the ribbons that I hang the piece from.Millinery_006_3

I started out very greedy and hoardish with them.  But now, with my (sorry, I think I mention this a LOT, but it is a major issue with me) New Years resolution to use my good stuff and enjoy it, I have generously used these flowers in globs and bunches and garlands as well as just simple accents.

(all of the projects pictured are listed in my Etsy shop)

2378873363_d8f30e13f1_o If you love old hat blooms as much as I do, you’ll have fun today browsing through blogland and checking out the gardens of velvet and silk that are part of Sugar Sugar and Little Pink Studio’s show and tell.Millinery_012

This is definitely one of my obsessions.  And I store them in a vintage wallpaper covered box, to compliment another of my collection compulsions.Millinery_010

And in a wallpaper covered drawer.

Millinery_022_2 With a little glass full on my desk within easy reach if I need one quickly!Millinery_026

Not to mention the ones scattered here and there on my desk from past  and present projects.Millinery_028

Oh, and the leaves!! I adore the leaves too!!!Millinery_019

There are always hats around for playing dress up with for Twinks and Sugarwings.Holiday_home_166

Aparently this one isn’t quite the right style for her.

The hats aren’t bought to keep as is, I buy them just for the flowers, but store them intact and pluck one here and there as I need it.

Up until lately, I had tossed the naked hats when I was done with them, but then decided they would be perfect to save for the fairy grand baby and I to decorate together when she is older.

Won’t it be fun to invite all of her little friends over for a tea party and give them each a hat and a pile of foof to add to it?Millinery_034_2   I can just see the glue, glitter and doodads flying everywhere in my studio from all the little girls designing their wearable works of art!

These are my latest acquisitions.  The perfectly aged, ROSE wallpaper covered hat box was $3, and the hats were $3 and $5. I almost passed on both hats, the pink one didn’t have many flowers on it, and the orange one was hideous.Millinery_035

But then, I thought about it, and realized that the pink one’s few flowers were definitely worth the $3 price, plus PINK is the best color to find! Millinery_043

And I made myself look past the hideousness of the orange hat, and plucked off all the creamy colored flowers, realizing that I had a bargain!Millinery_039

And after taking off the ugly (or so I had thought) orange ones and getting them away from the uncomplimentary tone of the green leaves, I saw that they were actually a very pretty sherbet shade.

Not a bad haul on that one $5 hat.Millinery_014

My favorite flowers to find will always be the dainty white ones.  Millinery_015

And I never turn down a big velvety red rose.  Although, so far, I have not used any in a project.  They just make me smile when I come across them while digging through the blossoms to find just the right one to finish a project. 

Because you know, it just isn’t done till I add a flower!

Hmm, I think that my giveaway for April should include some of these in some way.  Remember, every comment during the month is entered to win.

I Heart Lawrence, KS

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, flowers, Sugarwings
By /

Scraps_256 Sunshine!  Wow, I had almost forgotten what it felt like.  What a long and rough winter we’ve had. I don’t think it is quite done with us yet, but I am taking advantage of today’s nice weather and planting some pansies.Scraps_261

There was  no way I was going to wait any longer. The grocery store has their pansies out on the sidewalk and I can’t pass by them to go in for a gallon of milk and a case of Coke Vanilla Zero without stopping to daydream about warm weather.

Then, Target had garden tools with pink handles in thier Dollar Spot. How could I resist? Scraps_263

Pansies are pretty hardy, they should do well.  And their little faces sure do brighten my own every time I walk by them planted by my front door.Scraps_241_2

Yesterday was delightful also. I went downtown (Lawrence, KS has a lively, active and entertaining downtown area with lots going on) and we went to visit one of the big Jayhawks that I painted and mosaic-ed with another artist a couple years back.Scraps_251

I could possibly be the only person in this entire town who isn’t planning on watching the big KU game tonight.  The downtown atmosphere was pulsing with excitement.

I may not be a basketball fan, but I do love my town and know how important the game is to it.

My husband is a HUGE fan, and is in DC right now, so I bought Sugarwings a KU shirt (pink, of course) and took some photos to send to him before the game.Scraps_253

When I got the pictures back, she was so cute, I had to make some scrap book pages.

As a non-typical fan, I couldn’t just do a sporty page.  I used vintage wallpaper, some old sheet music (one song about basketball, the other about the state flower of Kansas, the sunflower).

And since I am a lazy scrap booker, I made a pocket on one page to put multiple photos into, instead of trying to think up ideas for using all of them on the pages. Scraps_255

I used KU colors, of red, blue and yellow, but had to do it in flowers and ribbon.

When I make scrapbook pages, I tend to not worry too much about making it perfect.  Edges are a bit crooked and things aren’t lined up exact.  Mostly, I just want to get the photos into the book and get something attractive on the pages with them.

If I worried too much about it, I’d never get them in the books, and  having fun memories in the albums is the main goal.

And anyway, that baby is so cute, no one notices what I do to the page, people who look at albums are more interested in the pictures of her, and the backgrounds are just that- backgrounds.

I’m off to enjoy more of this pretty day and walk out in our woods with the dogs. Of course, that means I will probably be picking cockle burrs off of them this evening but hey, I wasn’t planning on watching the big game on TV tonight anyway!

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