family – Page 69 – Karla's Cottage

Flower bed visitors

By Karla Nathan / June 19, 2009

Finally! I was able to do some yard work. Normally, I am way too early with my plants because I just can't wait to get the blooms started. This is the latest I have ever been in setting out annuals. But I discovered if you wait till this late in the season, all the plants are half price! That made me feel a bit better about it being so far behind.

Sugarwings was quite the helper. She discovered how easily the plants popped out of the ground and right back into the divided plastic trays they came in. So, we had to elaborately tuck the new flowers into their "beds" and pat the soil around them to distract her from replanting them right back into their previous containers. After giving them plant food and a drink, I think she got the picture.

Did you notice this unusual planting in the first photo? My first reaction, was, "oh no, the Lamb's Ear will be smashed!". Then I realized just how prolific this flower is, and how hard to kill. Plus, who could blame her for wanting to pull off her dress and sink down into soft, fluffy leaves of Lamb's Ear?

In the past, I've been quite a flower lover, but for now, I think I'd rather spend my time growing fairies.

It was the day for soft and fluffy.

This little guy was hopping around in the flowers too. We held him for a while, then sat him down to hop on home to his family. That wasn't easy to do, Sugarwings was pretty fond of him. When I asked her what his name was, she said it was "Mine".

Sweet Sioux

family, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / May 28, 2009

We're back from Sioux City, and it was an emotional trip, as well as being filled with all sorts of Sugarwings Fun.

When I was a young, divorced, and penniless, mom with two rambunctious sons, my Mom took us in. She had been transferred to Sioux City, so my sisters packed us up in Indiana, and drove the boys out to her home in Iowa, since I didn't even own a car at the time.

My Mom has been gone a few years now, but I will be grateful all of my life for the help she was to us when I really really needed her. She not only took us in, she helped take care of my wild and crazy boys while I worked and got back on my feet. To do that, she sold her cozy little one bedroom cottage, that was just perfect for her, and bought this beautiful, old brick palace with space for a family.

That house was so stately and special. Going back to see it again was heart wrenching, but was the first thing I had to do when we got to town. The house meant a lot to Mom too, she'd been through some rough times, and not so nice men in her life, so owning a house like this and being able to support us when we were desperate for help, was a boost of confidence for her. She was so proud of how hard she had worked and this house was kind of a symbol of all she had done for herself to get to that point. And was she was even prouder to be able to say that she did it "without a man".

Dear Abby and Ann Landers had been raised in this house. (I'm sure I could have used some of their advice at times while I was a single mom) And it had once been a fantastic neighborhood. But the area seems to be going down hill, now. It made me very happy to see "our" house so well cared for and tended to. It looked like a huge, and multi-generational family lived there now, with a grampa in the garden and babies on the porch. That seemed fitting.

While in Sioux City, we visited Palmer Candy. Sugarwings was pretty happy with that part of the trip….

We bought a case of their Cherry Twin Bings, as souvenirs to give to family and friends here at home.

Down along the river, a monument to Lewis and Clark has been built in the years since we lived in that town. The fairy grand baby figured it was part of the playground equipment.

Since we were doing a lot of driving around and sightseeing, we promised to stop at all the parks we passed for Sugarwings to get out and stretch. My husband's mom is a kid at heart too and she was happy to do more than just stretch when we made park stops.

Traveling with a two year old meant lunches at places like Chuck E Cheese instead of quaint roadside diners my husband usually prefers. Usually, we tryto eat local cuisine, like Iowa loose meats, but for this trip, it was a lot of hotel food and kid friendly restaurants.

Honestly, we didn't care what the meal was, just spending all that time with our little one and doing things she loved to do made this trip one of the best of our lives. Finding a hotel with a water park was the best part of the trip for her, we stayed at a Holiday Inn downtown Omaha that seemed to be empty except for us. We had the whole pool area to ourselves.

And right now, Holiday Inn has a special. Stay 3 nights at any hotel they own, and get a 4th free in August. We plan on going back to Omaha in August for Sugarwings birthday to stay at this one again. I threw my back out on this trip, and didn't get to play in the water park. I sure enjoyed the hot tub, though. When we go back in August, I look forward to splashing around on all the slides.

Since I hurt my back, I won't be going to see Aunt Caroline this week. Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers for her health, it sounds like she is doing well. I hope that I can go to Florida to see her for her 101st birthday in June instead.

The Blue Bird of Happiness has moved in with us at the Cottage

family, flowers, Food and Drink, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / May 21, 2009

Today felt more like Summer than Springtime, and while I was hit with guilt about not having my bedding plants out yet, I was sure enjoying the perennials and so glad that we have such well established beds that can be completely and totally ignored and still look good (well, that is if you look away from the grass growing in the iris)

It was such a pretty day, we took lunch outside to eat.

Doesn't everything taste even better outside? Especially when served off of a princess plate.

The day was too nice to stay sitting at the table, Sugarwings wanted to explore.

And of course, she had to make sure that Grammy was following her. This is a wooden bridge that I found in a dump 15 years ago (don't ask how I drug it out and got it home myself). I always liked the little bridge, but this fairy grand baby just adores crossing it. She always stops to check underneath of it for trolls.

If only iris bloomed all summer…. I just love this time of year, I'll miss these when they are done, they bloom and fade too fast.

Sugarwings is learning the names of the flowers, she calls quite a few of them iris or snowball bushes, though. She thinks that the peonies are snowballs like the viburnums. I have to agree with her, they do look like big white snowballs.

But the peonies smell better.

The best part of summer coming? We can paint outside! (yes, she is still a paint taster, although it looks like she has moved on from blue to black paint now) Last year, there was a photo of her printed in "Where Women Create" all covered in blue paint.

But now, it is MY turn to be a model!

Yep, I am gracing the pages of a trade magazine that showcases New Holland Tractors, along with my niece, Shelli. Hmm, should I add this to my list of publications that I've been in? Probably not…

As if things weren't happy enough around here, most days, at least- look at this! The blue bird of happiness has come to live with us. Its a gift from Cindy and I just love it. Thanks, Cindy!!

A Barrell of Monkeys

family

By Karla Nathan / May 13, 2009

What do you think my roomie will say when I unpack and THIS comes popping out of my suitcase?

Believe it or not, I did finish packing. Now, don't ask me what exactly is in the bag, because, with this one's help, the goal was just to finish, not to be fashionable. My craft supplies, clothes and gifts for Jenn are all crammed in there, somehow. I don't even know what I have in the way of craft supplies, I just grabbed what was handy. Plus some tees and jeans. Well, at least I hope I remembered jeans.

One time, I was planning to go on a cruise with a friend, and was working out of town before the trip. I caught the flu and stayed an extra few days at the hotel, then called my son to pack my bags for the cruise so my friend could get my bag from him and meet me at the airport for our flight, since I was still out of town and had been too sick to come home and pack before I left.

My son was 13at the time and not comfortable packing underwear for mom, apparently, so I got none of that. He did manage to get me a swim suit, but it was the worn out, stained top that I did yard work in and bottoms that didn't match. He also put in my gardening clothes for day trips in the Bahamas, and for some reason, a dozen disposable razors (for a 5 day cruise). Luckily, he added a sundress and Birkenstocks- for the Captain's Dinner. Did I mention that the sundress had seen better days and was more appropriate for covering a swimsuit?

I'd been out of town on a job painting murals, and it was midwinter. All I had in the van with me, was painting clothes, tennis shoes covered in paint, and snow gear. I might not have been the best dressed person on the ship, but I sure had fun anyway.

I have a sinking feeling that I am about as well prepared for this trip to Georgia as I was for that trip to the Bahamas! Life has been hectic around here lately, so no matter what I end up with in my bag when I open it at Jenn's, I am going to be thrilled just to be away.

Even if the papers and ribbons I threw in the bag don't go well together, I can't wait to start creating things with this talented group of ladies.

See you when I get back!

The right way to get the day you really want!

antiques/junking, celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, give away, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / May 6, 2009

Thanks for all your happy birthday wishes! It was a fun day, I invited some pals over for a tee shirt embellishment day and for birthday cake. There were some issues with the transfer paper, we never did figure it out. But I had bought a bunch of different types of printable fabrics to try too, and those worked out well. For this brown tee, I added a copy of one of my favorite vintage paintings, then some velvet and lace trim under it. To finish off, it got old seam binding around the neck. The shirt is Lycra, so I stretched it as far as I could and straight stitched the ribbon to the neckline. When I let go of the pulled fabric, the ribbon ruffled just like I hoped that it would!

Everyone brought their own shirts or bags to work on, and then I had an assortment of goodies for them to go through and add to them, as well as a bunch of pictures I had downloaded and printed onto fabric. Of course, nothing was exactly right for what they needed, and we spent most of the day going through my supplies and my folders of images to see what they wanted to use for their pieces. Isn't that how it always goes? The stuff set aside for a project is never quite what you want, something buried or squirreled away is much more intriguing.

The crystals and glitter pens were popular though. Well, dur! Of course crystals are great to use!!

After the group left for the day, I sat down and worked on a couple shirts for myself, it had been hectic earlier with so much going on and I wanted to wear a new shirt when my boys and I went out for dinner. Ryan and Sugarwing's Daddy took me to my favorite Italian place, then we went to see Wolverine. Hugh was my favorite Xman before, but after this movie, I love him even more! And Ryan Reynolds is a fave of mine too, so it was fun to see Van Helsing take on Van Wilder.

Thanks also for your get well wishes for poor little Twinkle's toes. She is no longer whining and whimpering, and is back to running around, so I'd say she is feeling better.

Especially after a visit from one of her puppies, Bella.

Sugarwings (who by the way, is an excellent helper when it is time to blow out birthday candles) was glad to see Bella too.

Are you noticing anything different about my blog today?

Guess what came as my birthday gift! The CANNON REBEL!!!!!!!!! yep, that one. The one I've whined about and wished for. And you know who gave it to me? I did.

The best way to have a wonderful birthday is to throw it for yourself. I bought a cake, invited friends over for a craft day, supplied the crafts, picked out the restaurant and movie to to take my sons to, and bought the gift I wanted for the last year. The perfect birthday, perfectly orchestrated by me. Everyone was happy to have the burden of what to do for mom lifted from them and I had exactly what I wanted. Now, why did it take me 51 birthdays to figure that out? I guess wisdom comes with age.

Good camera, huh? What a nice gift!!!

I realized that I never showed you the goods that I bought last week at the flea mkt, so I'll leave you with a few photos from my OLD camera of my finds.

Can you see the difference?

Now, that wasn't a horrid camera, and I will still be using it quite a bit. It fits so nicely into my jeans pocket. But I love my new Rebel XSi!!!

Well, that photo sure isn't very good. I wonder what makes me show them any way, when I know they are bad?

Last week's shopping trip was a day for figurines and babies, as well as millinery and jewels. Lots of small things, I liked not having much to carry in at the end of the day.

Before I go, I need to announce the hand painted Birthday Cupcake Charm-

Claudia

And to say thanks again for helping make my day special with all of your kind comments!

Hoppy Easter!

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / April 12, 2009

Happy Easter! We've had a fun one so far, lots of egg hunting excitement, and we've decided that instead of Sugarwings, the fairy grand baby's new name is "Sugar Rush".

She might have had one too many jelly beans today! Although, her Daddy did buy organic ones and only hid one treat in each egg, she was insistant on opening them up and devouring the treat the moment she found it.

After all the eggscitement, she has been tucked in for a nap (well, we HOPE she'll take a nap- tucking in Miss Sugar Rush was like trying to convince a Tasmanian Devil to get some rest).

We are having a small dinner tonight, only about 9 of us, so we'll fit in the dining room. I didn't have to clean the studio after all!

My Handsome Husband is smoking a pork tenderloin, stuffed with apples and brown sugar plus a turkey breast, I am making baked mac and cheese, and Sugarwing's Daddy has whipped up vegetarian beans in the crock pot. My sister-in-law is bringing some other dishes. Aren't pitch ins the best meals ever?

Sugarwings did her part of preparing dinner by helping to decorate this cake. And it has taken over her mind, even with all the jelly beans she has consumed, all she can think about is this cake she created. Every other sentence she speaks includes something about Easter Bunny Birthday Cake.

And I don't blame her! This cake is a candy lover's dream! Sprinkles in the batter, as well as 3 kinds of sprinkles on top, 4 colors of sprinkled sugar, edible glitter, peeps, and little coconut nests filled with Cadbury eggs. I can't wait either!

Here is a tip for making coconut nests, I had never done it before, but figured out how to do it.

Mix one cup of sweetened, flaked coconut with a few drops of green food coloring

Add a splash of milk

Stir in a 1/4 cup of powdered sugar

The trick to make it work, was the powdered sugar, that and the milk make the coconut easy to form into nests. Kind of like play dough.

My home is now covered in pink Easter grass, but I think I kind of like it. I was going to clean it up before dinner, but its festive, so I'll probably leave it all over the floor. But I do need to go and put together my mac and cheese casserole and set the table. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday too!

Join me in the studio!

celebrations, fairies, family

By Karla Nathan / February 16, 2009

mini studio tour
Originally uploaded by Karla's Cottage

Here is a quickie video of my studio. I called it "Part One" as I was making it, but I was able to fit the whole room in and don't know if a part two is neccessary. If you'd like to see more, let me know.

I've shown lots of photos of the room before, but the odd way I have it laid out, makes it hard for everyone to picture altogether. So, I thought I'd give you a little mini tour.

Today is my Mom's birthday. I miss her all the time, but even more today. She is a person who understood the love of a good work room! Mom was a quilter and could spend hours in her basement sewing room. ( under the vintage card is a quilt that she made for me).

At the end of her life, she was in the hospital for months, very ill and weak. Watching her in her final weeks, I saw that the most simple of pleasures, like having a loved one near by, sharing a laugh, and the sweet taste of a favorite treat are the true treasures in life. The joy on her face when my sisters and I fed her a bite of canned Mandarin oranges, brought tears to my eyes. She didn't have much of an appetite and was tiring of hospital food, so we brought her cans of oranges, one thing she had always enjoyed.

The oranges weren't something fancy or exotic, but were special to her. The simplicity of the food itself kind of became a symbol to me. It made me remember to appreciate life's little perks.

So, when she died, I scooped up a can of oranges that was left on her table.

Today, for her birthday, I wanted to make the can into something I could use. After emptying it, I took off the label and glued it to the inside of the can, and then looked through old books for some words that reminded me of her. I found this little poem about a daughter sitting at her mother's feet while she sewed, and that was just perfect! (I've got lots of memories of sitting under the sewing machine and playing with fabric scraps)

Mom loved fairies as much as I do, so I drew and colored, and sparkled two sets of wings and glued them to a picture of her cut from a copy of an old photo. The first pair, I glued down, the second, I bent up for a 3-D effect.

With a green sparkle marker that Sissy gave me, I colored the dress Mom is wearing. I chose green for the rick rack that I lined the edges of the cans too, because that was her favorite color.

As soon as the glue is dried, I will fill it with sparkly marker pens and keep it on my desk, in my studio, since that is such a special place for me. I feel close to her there, knowing how happy she was in her own workroom.

A Noodle Flinging Sweetheart

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, give away, Sugarwings, swaps

By Karla Nathan / February 15, 2009

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentines Day! Mine was great, I can't imagine a more fun day. We had Sugarwings till noon, then I played with puppies and afterwards, went junking a bit and met up with my husband to go see a movie (Taken- very gripping and scary) , then pick up Thai food (there was no way we could fight the lines to go to a restaurant!!) and ate it while watching a rented movie (My Best Friend's Girlfriend- predictable and stupid, but had its fun moments, I like dumb comedies).

This photo is from Bella's new family. Yes, one puppy is gone already. It was hard to let her go, but she is just down the road at Teddy's house, so I will get to keep up with her and see her as she grows up.

These roses are a custom order for someone, I thought they'd be pretty to show for Valentine's Day, even though that was yesterday. I usually consider a holiday to last a bit longer than just the one day. We celebrated Friday night too, and I guess I will just consider this "Valentine Weekend".

For Friday night's celebration, we took the whole family to a Japanese steakhouse. Sugarwings thought the fire was a little scary, but really got into the chef throwing shrimp into everyone's mouths. She was kind enough to share too, and thought she'd toss him one of her noodles.

We've had to move the puppies out of their pond and make a barricade for them in the studio, they have already gotten big enough to climb out of the wading pool! I made a couple little videos of them if you'd like to see the fluffy babies in action, go here.

I also made a studio tour video, but it was too big to load. I need to figure out just how long they can be, because it really was pretty short. But too long for Flickr I guess. Maybe YouTube allows more time, I should try there.

This little noodle flinger was her Daddy's Valentine Sweetie.

Oh- I forgot to announce the winner of my 2 year Blog Anniversary! It is

LYNNE

Please send me your address, Lynne, and I will get your gift in the mail. Thanks everyone for commenting and coming by to visit! Please remember that you can still enter the February giveaway by leaving a comment on any post.

If you'd like to visit some blogs who are featuring photos of our Puppy Love Tag Book Swap, here is a list of swappers who have sent me links. If you are showing your book on your blog, please let me know and I'll add you to the list.

Sheila-

http://www.blessedanddistressed.blogspot.com/

Cheryl –

http://insidethebubble.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/the-puppies-have-arrived.html#comments

Gretchen –

www.mimitoriasdesigns.blogspot.com

Meleen –

http://passionatedetails.typepad.com/

Robin –

http://thriftymissprissy.typepad.com/thrifty_miss_priss/2009/02/puppy-love-and-friday-the-13th.html#comments

Kana –

http://kanacreates.blogspot.com/2009/02/puppy-love-arrives.html?showComment=1234533240000#c5418216385443080485

Andrea –

www.vintagebellastudio.blogspot.com

Dawn-

http://gahangirls.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-tags-are-here-my-tags-are-here.html

Christa-

http://chloerosedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/02/sweetheart-of-package-in-mailbox.html

Nancy-

Http://wwwnancymatters.blogspot.com

Marilee-

http://rose-brier.blogspot.com:80/

Jenny-

http://fatedfollies.blogspot.com:80/2009/02/romancing-blog-valentines-day-party.html

Marilyn-

http://marilynbutler.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-puppy-love-tag-book.html

Carla-

http://myvintagevignettes.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-puppy-valentines.html

Karoline-

http://cherishedvintage.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-very-own-puppy-love-tag-book.html

Tiffany-

http://shabbyscraps.typepad.com/shabbyscraps/2009/02/americas-got-talent.html

Jeanie-

http://themarmeladegypsy.blogspot.com/2009/02/puppy-love-and-one-world-winners.html

Cheryl-

http://fromthepines.blogspot.com:80/2009/02/puppy-love-book.html

Blown Away

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Sugarwings, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 9, 2009

The wind began to switch, the house to pitch, then suddenly the hinges started to unhitch!

Well, it wasn't quite that windy today, but it sure felt like it. Enough that Sugarwings quoted Dorothy and also the Big Bad Wolf a LOT today. And I was able to open all the windows and blow some of winter's funk out of the house.

This is February??? Wow, what a gift this last week has been. And I had a bonus baby day, Sugarwing's Hippy Chick Mommy called to ask me if I could watch the fairy grand baby for a couple of hours. And even though I had a pile of tag books waiting to be assembled, how could I say no?

It was the kind of day that had us both jumping for joy.

We decided it was a great day to take Millie and Tinker Bella out for some fresh air.

Sugarwings is always attracted to this tree out in the field. Maybe because it is the perfect shape for a beginning climber? Or because silly Grammy tied a chandelier to it for a photo shoot and left it out there in the woods like that? She always wants to go out to see this tree and seems to get a kick out of it, so I guess the chandelier will have to be a permanent feature.

Poor pups aren't quite big enough to go running across the field with the baby yet. Its sad to think that by the time they are ready to run and play, they will be at their new homes, and not here to chase us. I miss them already, just thinking about it.

Tinker Bella and Millie went back inside to their nest in the Puppy Pond, and the rest of us decided to explore the back yard and the creek a bit.

These are the kind of days that keep me going through winter. Last year, it was so harsh and cold, we didn't get a single one like this. This winter has had its share of harsh days, but at least we have had these breaks of shiny sun and crisp breezes.

Yes, the day was well worth it, even though I will have to burn the midnight oil to get these packages made up and ready to mail. I sent out about 15 tag books yesterday, and have most of the books made up. I'll be addressing them tonight and getting them to the PO tomorrow.

But there is no rush. I am taking my time and wrapping them all up pretty. No two are alike, these books and the packaging they go in are all unique.

Of course, I have company while I work. These guys have the run of the studio now, and have found some hats to play with. I've posed them in hats enough, that I guess it just comes naturally for them to climb in one when they see it!

OK, back to work. Be watching for the books, if you are in the swap! Some are already on the way.

And remember, if you want to enter the February Giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment and the winner will get one of my glass heart charms. I had 30 of them, and have been randomly attaching them to Puppy Love Tag books too, as well as giving them out as prizes for the Name that Puppy Contest.

Good thing the puppies don’t hold still much

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Miss Frenchie's, Sugarwings, swaps, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2009

Today is the last day for naming a puppy. There sure have been some good ones, choosing will be hard. Some are almost too good to give to a puppy that will be leaving me in a few weeks! There are names in the list that I want to give to a dog that I will keep forever!

Beth and I had a fun craft day yesterday, and she brought a Valentine ribbon to tie around this little one's neck. Of course, the minute I put her (the dog, not Beth) back in the Puppy Pond, she was turned into an object of tug-o-war and her sissies pulled off the ribbon and are still playing with it today.

Besides making up little heart shaped "Puppy Love" tags for the swap, I spent the craft day covering anything that didn't move with vintage wallpaper.

In honor of Miss Frenchie's sale (April 17th), I lined the drawer of this shelf with a page from an old French dictionary.

And speaking of Miss Frenchie's, here are some new additions to our group there, as well as new additions to the blog world! Three Shabby Chicks have a beautiful new blog, go by and tell them I sent you to say hi! They only have two posts up so far, but you can tell by looking at them, that they will have pretty things to come.

Back to my quest to paper the world- isn't this old silverware box great with the top wallpapered? The interior is a perfect match for the pink of the roses too.

Maybe I should name this pup "Vanna White" she is great at showing off the products.

Beth and I debated over these metal boxes I covered. We both thought it needed something. I decided that they should be left as is for now, what they need is a label stating what is stored inside. And for now they are empty. But the vintage cards I glued to the front have the PERFECT place to write on when they do find a purpose. I think I will take these to Miss Frenchie's sale too. I used more of the French dictionary pages here too. I wonder if I should come up with a pretty word in French to add to the labels before I take them in to sell? Or leave them blank for the new owner to label themselves?

What do you think?

Know any pretty French storage type words??

These bits and pieces of old sewing goods and trims were just listed in the boutiquetonight, while I listened to Lost. I got a good over view of the program, but will go back and watch it on TIVO later tonight, and of course I will watch Idol on TIVO too. Yes, pathetic soul that I am, I watch it TWICE in a night.The first time, I am usually working and listening (and tonight, it was while opening some of that package avalanche I have been expecting) so I watch it a 2nd time to actually sit down and see what is going on.

Top Chef is looking good too. Gotta love Wednesdays! And of course, Thursdays. Although Mondays aren't so shabby either.

OOOOOOHHH, that reminds me!!!!!!! Did you hear about Rachael Ashwell??? She is declaring bankruptcy. I hope all works out for her business, I'd miss all the gorgeousness.

Of course, I have plenty of gorgeousness right here. Little Miss Sugarwings is awful nice to look at. She is being sweet and cuddly tonight, her Daddy, isn't feeling well, so she is snuggling up to make him feel better. And to keep them company is a fluffy puppy that came in a red felt Valentine purse from Stephanie Oyler. Thanks, Stephanie, she really is enjoying it!

Stephanie's gift was part of the avalanche of swap goods (this is about half the stuff!). You can't tell from this photo, but I am being very organized with this swap. Even Beth, the account, said she was proud of me for keeping track of everything.

I have a check list on the table where I mark if the address was included, then I slip the address itself into an envelope and mark down if the postage was included and put the money on the pile of dollars. Tags get counted and marked off the list, then go into the large wire basket. All ribbons and tissues and boxes and bubble wrap are "harvested" for reuse. I recycle!

On the wall, is another project I started today. Remember the soffit in the studio that I covered in rose and floral wallpapers? On this side of the studio, I decided to feature flocked, neutral colored papers in old frames I painted different shades of white. Its not done yet. I might add some sepia toned photos. And more small frames to fill in.

Well, it is time for the Top Chef judging table and I have to be able to look into Tom's eyes for this. I've got a slight crush on Chef….

Oh, quickly before I miss Chef's eyes- Beth brought me these wrought iron pieces!! Love them!