We have house guests at the cottage this weekend. An old college friend of my husband’s and his 3 teenagers with their dog, Bennet.
So far, Bennet and Twinks have wrestled non stop since he got here. It sounds like an entire herd of dogs running around upstairs. That is, when Twinkle’s feet get a chance to touch the ground. Our beautiful guest,Maddy is quite the dog lover and has been carrying Twinks everywhere she goes.
Maddy looks a bit like this paper doll doesn’t she?
I did this picture yesterday and have it listed on Etsy today.
Something a little different than what I usually do. I discovered that framed collage pieces require a a different mindset than the tags.
I made a couple more hanging pieces while I was at it. This one has a unique frame, it is a metal dish that I found junking this summer. Those portraits are tinted with pastels and then set down into the 2 cups of the tray. The piece itself is like a nut dish, or something like that. I can see it used for mints and nuts at a wedding a long time ago. 
I am pretending that the old photos are of two sisters, one kind of plain and serious and the other blond and flirty and cute. Sounds a bit like the beginning to a Jane Austen novel, doesn’t it? I’m sure that the plain and serious sister married well and for love. And had nuts and mints at her wedding. 
This is another metal tray from an estate sale, maybe it was meant as a boudoir tray? I think it might need a word or a phrase added to it. I am not good with that part of collage, but I will think about it, and look through some old books. Down near the doll there is a spot that could use a little something.
How sick are you of me showing button jars? I LOVE making those. I listed this one yesterday, all the others have sold and I only have 5 empty jars left to embellish, a couple of them will be commissions.
I’ll have to start checking out other jars to use, because they are so fun to make and it is rewarding when they fly out of the Etsy shop!
Although, I really need to get ready for my Holiday Sale. I should be getting serious and getting some painting done. I have to hand paint a few dozen ornaments and make some more of these signs
.
As well as a million other things I need to have ready. I try to make a list of what needs to be done when, but I simply can’t follow it. I am not wired that way. I get side tracked by shiny objects and go off track and do something totally different.
Or I get sidetracked by my fairy grand baby. She has spent a lot of time with me this week. Last night she helped me make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies from this recipe. I don’t usually use recipes, I wing it. But I saw this on Monica’s blog.
preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Cream butter; gradually add sugars beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in morsels; drop by rounded spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from sheets and cool on rack.
With a houseful of teenagers for the weekend, I thought I could use some more snacks so I mixed up a big batch of honey roasted nuts, regular peanuts, cashews, candy corn, broken up Hershey bars, and peanut butter chips.
I like to keep bowls of treats out to spoil the kids when they come to visit, and this is about as easy as it gets.
Speaking of cooking, I need to go tend to my huge pot of black bean chili that is on the stove. I am feeding a lot of people while they watch a KU game this afternoon. Maybe while they are watching football, I can squeeze in painting a few signs.
I will have my 200th post on Monday. Please leave a comment on this one, #199, or the 200th and I will have a drawing for the Foof of Life book and a hand made book mark to go with it.
The drawing will be on my 201st.
You are the best entertainer!! I’m coming over!!! But we will be watching the OSU/Michigan game today!!! Go Bucks!
I like your mint tray and the paper doll girl! And I’m not surprised the button jars are selling quickly..so pretty!
Have a great weekend Karla!!!
Oh you have me wanting to make pumpkin cookies. Your other dessert looks yummy also. I would so love to live close to you and come and play with all your stuff or just come to look. All your stuff is so awesome.
The pumpkin cookies sound yummy! Love the collage pieces.
Karla,
I love all your pictures! I especially like what you did with the metal dishes. Were they already painted those colors? They are unique.
You make entertaining seem so effortless. I would be stressed and feel like I had to be on my toes all weekend. LOL
~elaine~
I have started to make collages following your works. It is very funny.
Love those signs! I can’t wait for your drawing. 🙂
Oh Karla, you are such a busy girl. I wish I had your energy! All I did today was sit in the rain and watch my daughter play soccer and then come home and take a nap. I really need to get busy! Thanks for sharing your fun projects.
Lisa
I love all your pics. You are sure busy this weekend. You sure know how to spoil teenagers for sure. Your metal trays are absolutely gorgeous love your work.
I think your button jars are darling. And that nut snack you made looks yummy. I’ll have to try that one.
What a gorgeous young lady your house guest is! And those signs, just beautiful!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
That mixture sounds yummy! I’m going to make some tomorrow – more ballgames, you know!
Love the picture you made with paper doll. So very, very sweet!
MimiG
Hi Karla! Oh everytime I come to your blog there is something new…and I’m too busy to blog while I’m still looking for those gnome armies hahaha!! I have to tell you that they become very frightened when I suggest that they will come and live with you. “OH NO, no gnome will ever survive that activity, so they told me…hahaha!! But the worse part is they won’t come home with me after that either. :-))
Thanks for your informing about the crafty challenge, I’m in too and I’m excited already! Have a nice weekend!
The little paper doll collage is adorable! So sweet of you to think of the teenagers and have lots of snacks sitting around!
I love the adorable paper doll collage! It’s so sweet of you to think of the teens and have lots of snacks sitting out! I’m sure they appreciate it!
What fun, what a great host you are! Yes Maddy does look like that cute paper doll!!!
Yummy-sounding cookies for a houseful, and such a pretty house guest among them. Happy weekend!
I’m so glad that your button jars are doing well…something that you enjoy doing and obviously others enjoy purchasing!!
I love the Christmas signs by the way…gorgeous!
What a beautiful young lady; and her fur babies are gorgeous too! How fun to have a houseful. That snack mix sounds like something I need to make and send upstairs…cause I would have my hand in the bowl ’till it was all gone…lol!
LOVE those Christmas signs! They are Fabulous!!
What a beautiful girl! And her hair is just gorgeous!
Your creations, as always, are just lovely! I just can’t believe all the amazing work you do in such a short amount of time! It would take me MONTHS!
Karla,
I noted your fall mix ingredients. It sounds easy and tasty, even though I myself tend to eat only one ingredient at a time.
I really enjoy seeing your jars and buttons. Do keep sharing the photos. Also, the tin photo collages are very creative.
Carrie
Loved these collages! So pretty! And I loved the picture of sugarwings tea party, reminded me so of my little girl and tea parties, they are the best!
Karla, what wonderful collages. I really like what you did with the metal trays. Also, the cookie recipe sounds so yummy, thank you for posting.
Karen
Bluemuf
How in the world do you find enough time to get it all done? You are incredible. I love the collages. I have so many old things from my granny just in a trunk and I need to get them all out ! I have some things displayed but you’ve given me some great ideas.
You’ve been so busy, and I’ve been so lazy. Thanks for the comment about Beth’s purse. It was fun to make. Your paper doll collage is as cute as your friend.
I really like the paper doll. I have a weakness for paper dolls My grandmother use to make them for me when I was small. Thanks for the recipe. I love to cook and I am always looking for new recipes. Wonderful post. Love to visit you. i have only had my computer since July and started to blog in Aug. So I am still learning. Please stop by and visit me anytime at Dasiy Bouquet Mary
Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and then I read your blog…creating art, cooking and playing nana to that sweet grandchild, then palying hostess to houseguest!! YOu are truly a “jack of all trades”, please pat yourself on the back for filling so many shoes and in such a creative way!!! I love seeing the stories of your grandchild, it reminds me so much of my daughter and my mom…she was the first grandchild and they did so many wonderful things together!!! Making memories, that your sweet fairy grandaughter will never forget! To this day, my daughter calls my mom as much as she calls me from college…and my mom is the first to know all things important from her. Would not have it any other way! Nana’s are the best!!!-Sandra F.
Such a lovely blog you have full of all kinds of creative happenings. Like the looks of those pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
Oh everything is so pretty! Love the signs and paper doll collage especially! I love your painting!
love the signs! so pretty! have a good weekend!
Sounds like a busy (but fun!) weekend! How do you get so much done?
I need a lesson in time management! LOL
Good morning! Love your signs and that girl…totally beautiful!
Aw, your gal guest is a living doll!
And, as always, you never cease to amaze me with all you do!
Hope you are having a super Sunday!
Maddy truly looks like that paper doll! Gorgeous girl.
I love all of your projects and they are very inventive! That bowl of mixed stuff sounds great. I’m embellishing jars too! Somebody stop me!
You do such wonderful work, just gorgeous.
Bristol
You always have so much eye candy to share. I love visiting and I adore that metal tray collage. So lovely and so clever. Congrats on reaching your 200 mark!!
What a great idea for those old metal trays! And I love your pretty button jars!!
Barbara
The paper doll collage is wonderful.
Karla…you are my idol!
Priscilla
Karla – you are superwoman! How do you find the time? The new art pieces are wonderful! Love them!
-Lolly
Just started visiting your blog — fun, inspiring posts!! Love your work.
OMG- Pretty stuff again! You do not KNOW the inspiration you give me. My creativity has been “on vacation”. Till now. LOL!
Check out those little tiny 6 or 8 sided glass jars that people pack and sell honey in and you’ll have plenty of button jars! There’s a bee keeper’s supply company in Olathe. Have a great one!
-Becs
I am so excited to see your collages. I think about doing them and then don’t like them when I do, but I am inspired to try them again now. Also, love the paper doll picture. Very cute.
Karla,
You’ve been tagged! Please visit my blog for details!
Jen
Hi Karla! I’ve been missing you ~ up to my neck in beads, ribbon, & lace foufing up stuff for the wedding! Wow, 200 posts!! Congratulations! Love all the pics you posted today. Beautiful visitor, neat food ideas ~ I’m hungry now! Thanks! I’ll be dreaming of nuts, Hershey’s choc & peanut butter chips now! Are you trying to sabotage my plans to be able to fit into the pretty MOB dress I bought for the wedding!?!?!
I especially love your signs ~ hope you are doing some for the holidays!!
Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Just a quick note to tell you I enjoy your blog so much. And Sugarwings looks just like a little fairy!!! Precious!!!!
I love the paper doll collage and the button jars! Your visitor is very pretty & properly spoiling Twinks. I’m looking forward to your 200th post. Every one of your posts have been so enjoyable for me & I truly miss seeing what you are doing on the times that you are not able to post every day. Hugs to all. Sissy
I am so glad to be back home – my Mom has dial up and limited online time with her plan so I didn’t see much of you for almost 2 weeks – ouch!!!! Hope I win – but I win anyway with being able to “use” you for inspiration!!!
Tera
Wow, she really does look like that paper doll. Congrats on 200 posts! I can’t remember if I already commented but please enter me in the giveaway!
Hi Karla:
Just a quick peek to say hi and back to bed. Please enter me in your 200th post giveaway. I still use the first bookmark iI got off your etsy shop : )
oxo
carole
Congratulations Karla on your blogging milestone. You’ve definitely taken to blogging in a big way. Good for you!
All of he new work is lovely.
Best wishes to you!
Hi Karla,
I love reading your beautiful blog! It’s like reading one of my favorite shelter magazines. So inspiring!
I just received one of your Etsy ephemera packages in the mail and I am thrilled. It’s more than I expected. I can’t wait to start working.
Stephanie Vanderslice