Heading East

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Etsy_paper_packs_011 More snow here!

Twinkle loves chasing the red birds who stand out so pretty against the white snow.  The other dogs are staying by the wood stove and keeping warm.

This is the view out the back door of my studio, where I have been working away on TAXES- urgh.  Everyone asks me how I manage to get so much creative and decorative stuff done. Well, I don’t do the things I should, like keeping up with quarterly taxes!!

I waited till the end of the year to do all of them at once.  Did I mention that the State of KS has been calling to chat with me about it???

The thing is, since I have so many on line sales, I owe very little to Kansas, so I put it all off.  They don’t like that, as I am finding out.Etsy_paper_packs_012

I am also working on the list for packing up and driving to DC to move into the new apartment.

My husband made up the list, and I see it includes a painting I had done on a Florida vacation and the painting I did of our barn (that used to sit behind our house, where this photo is taken. We made a garden in the old foundation)

It also includes a stained glass lamp a good friend made for us, a cribbage board, his guitar, and a bottle of Captain (rum).  That is just the start of the list. Plus a lot of his clothes, an extra computer, and tons more.

The thing is, he wants to drive HIS car out there, across country in the winter. Jag_001

His car is sporty, and doesn’t do well in bad weather or hold much.  Those stained glass lamps will take up the whole back seat.  And we sure aren’t pulling a U-Haul with his car!

Hopefully our luck will hold out and the roads will be clear and I can balance a lamp on my head the whole way there.

You know how I am always going on about how lucky I am? This car is 5 years old, and a week before the warranty was up, we took it in for a small problem that they couldn’t find, so they replaced the ENTIRE ENGINE!! We drive our cars until they turn to dirt (at least 10 years), then give them to our kids, so this one just doubled its lifespan by getting a new engine!! Etsy_paper_packs_026

We leave on Sunday, and Ry will stay here and take care of the house and the Dorkies. He has been known to build them a nice warm fire to lay by, even though he lives in the other end of the house in an apartment, and gets no heat from the wood stove over there for himself.

That guy has a soft heart.

Etsy_paper_packs_015 I am trying to get some goodies listed on Etsy before I go out of town, and mark down some Christmas items already listed.Etsy_paper_packs_018

I made up 18 Cottage Collage Kits filled with ephemera to sell.  Somerset Living magazine is featuring one of my kits in the next issue and I HOPE to sell some from my Etsy shop after they are seen in the magazine. 

So I thought I should have some there to sell, just in case!Etsy_paper_packs_027

I’d like to get the computer set up in DC and try to write on my blog from there, but I am not sure how it will all go.

It will be a big job to set up an apartment from scratch! And there will be shopping to do for all the things that will NOT FIT into the car on the way out. 

As Sugarwings says all the time now, "Oh My!"

I don’t know if I am up for this move.Etsy_paper_packs_029

We are breaking up the drive  by staying in Indianapolis with Sissy.   Luckily, that is about 1/2 way there. So we are hanging out there for New Year’s Eve, to have a quiet evening with my sister’s families. 

I think I should be able to announce my December drawing winner from Sissy’s house and post there.

Also, I am very close to receiving my 5,000th comment!!!!!!!!!!!  Again, to borrow from Sugarwings– "Oh My!"

Thanks so much for all your comments, I love to hear from you.

I will try to think of something special for that. But if I am not near a computer, I might have to wait and do a special giveaway for the 5,555th comment.  I like the sound of that lucky number.Little_joan_216

Speaking of lucky, look at the sweet gifts I received from Sandy (snowman and snowflake, plus a pretty "K") and from Betty (the lovely rose tag)!! thanks, ladies!

By the way, Betty is hosting a nice giveaway right now, you need to go and enter!

Little_joan_219 Here are a couple more pages from the book that Beth made for me as a Christmas gift (along with a subscription to Victoria!!!)

Notice she took all the pages out of the book before she covered them, then went to the trouble to punch new holes and re-bind it all? That was something we learned in a Silverbella class. I thought it was way,way too much work, but I sure like the way it looks!

Little_joan_222 Well, I am off to mail taxes and pack up lamps and rum.  We have two parties to go to before we leave, so I’d better get my work out of the way and leave some time for fun.

61 thoughts on “Heading East”

  1. Mahala

    Have a nice trip. Seeing a sister is always a bonus. I’ll miss your posts until you return.
    Take care and stay warm with the lamp on your head!
    Mahala

    Reply
  2. Elaine L.

    I love your husband’s car! It will be very apropro for DC.
    Try to think of setting up the new apartment as a fun challenge.
    Oh, I’m going to miss you!
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  3. gail

    Be careful on those roads! My dad had a car like yours and it didn’t do very well in bad weather! Hope you arrive safely and get your computer set up soon! We (I) miss you when you take a hiatus! Have a great New Year’s eve with your sister!

    Reply
  8. Kirstie

    Karla, be safe and have a wonderful trip to DC, have lots of fun setting up and decorating the apartment, which I’m sure you will, I’ll send some nice hot weather from down under as we have a soring hot one today dry windy and hard to breath heat, to keep you warm in your hubbys car, blog you soon.
    Warmest regards
    Kirstie
    Ps. Sugarwings looks soooo cute in the carebear suit!

    Reply
  9. Darly

    Hullo Karla,
    Just discovered your blog and am so glad I did. I had no idea they got such snowfalls in Texas! Your art is wonderful. I am certain to return to view more postings.
    Seasons Blessings,
    Darly

    Reply
  12. Sandy

    Have a wonderful and SAFE trip! Look forward to your return to blogland. Am working on my cards and tags and will get those mailed very soon.
    Enjoy the last weekend in 2007 and have a blessed 2008!
    Blessings,
    Sandy 🙂

    Reply
  14. sharron

    Please have a safe trip and enjoy the view. stay warm!!!! I will be looking forward to your blogs!!!!
    I just rec’d my Victoria and it is a sweet issue!!!
    Have a Happy New Year!!!
    gonna go and check out your Etsy..

    Reply
  15. Miss Sandy

    Thank you for your well wishes and you are most welcome for the hostess gifts. Have a safe journey and I look forward to hearing of your advetures along the way. No one will think a thing of a lampshade on your head if you smell of rum!

    Reply
  17. Nancy

    Hi Karla! I wish you a safe and speedy journey back east! I’ll miss your beautiful posts. I was too late for the swap you are doing but hopeful I can do the next one.
    Blessings to you in this adventurous New Year!! Nancy

    Reply
  18. Barbara Burkard

    i see some soul is making the trip east! funny to mention my hubby came home a minute ago and said we are 3 miles away from 200,000 miles on the car…she’s a beast and plows thru any snow we get!
    travel safe! i posted my recipe for the swap!

    Reply
  24. Karen Young

    Dear Karla, Have a very safe trip and I will miss your daily post. Look forward to hearing from you from your Sis’s place and hopefully again before you go.
    take care
    Karen

    Reply
  34. carlene

    Good luck with the move…having two houses sounds like a lot of work!!! Twinkles looks so cute playing in the snow…Do all Dorkies like snow? My Daisy has never even seen snow!!! Drive safe!

    Reply
  37. Tammy

    Karla,
    I just wanted to let you know, I’ve been Lurking around your blog the last few weeks.
    I love it!
    I had taken a break from blogging and have opened a new blog for the New Year.
    I’ll be sending you an invitation and I hope you come and see me sometime.
    Happy New Year to you and yours!

    Reply
  38. JORGELINA

    que hermoso paisaje invernal!!!
    adoro la nieve!!!
    quiero desearte un muy feliz 2008 y que este lleno de salud y trabajo.
    felicidades!!!!
    jorgelina

    Reply
  45. Cre8Tiva

    i think i have only 10 more boxes to unpack from out july move…hope you do better… safe trip for you and your belongings…visitng you always brightens my day…may the spirit of a new year fill your home with an abundance of love, laughter, and joy…may the magic of the moment bring peace to your heart all year long…may your creativity take you to amazing places and may you experience the resulting bliss…much love you and your family…rebecca

    Reply
  48. Jeanne

    Happy New Year to you my lovely friend.
    God bless us all real good in the New Year.
    2008 will be great.
    I love all that you share with us.
    Blessings!
    Love Jeanne

    Reply
  49. malin

    That book looks gorgeaus, lucky you! I only found out about your roses and recipes swap today, too late unfortunately – it sounds so much fun! Hope you do something like that again!

    Reply
  50. Pam

    Great new pics. I made my first attempt to get into the Swap but it was filled. Is that usual, to fill up so quickly? I’ll try again next time. Hope your move is going smoothly.
    Pam

    Reply
  54. Casii

    Good luck with the taxes and the move! Think of all the adventures you’ll have exploring the DC and surrounding area. If you want some girly fun stuff for the apartment, check out the Old Lucketts Store in Leesburg. The Beekeepers Cottage is right next door and down the road a bit is another place (forget the name). You can’t miss it. It’s a big barn painted pink with black polka dots. More fun, romantic, shabby, cottage finds. If you need a shopping partner, let me know. 🙂

    Reply
  57. Maureen

    Gosh,those photos make me miss snow, but not the cold! Amazing how many comments you’ve racked up, and sweet that you have frequent giveaways. I’m having my first one – a Winter White celebration, and it’s open to all! Do stop by if you can! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  59. beachy

    I’m slowly catching up with everyone after the holidays. Sounds like you’re the busiest gal I’ve bumped into in blogland so far! Hope your move went smoothly, and that you’re able to fill up that apartment with all sorts of “new” vintage treasures! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  61. Heather- Pretty Petals

    Karla, what a beautiful book Beth made for you! That was SO thoughtful! I will be so excited to meet both of you this year… 🙂
    Hope you have a safe trip back home! Do you drive through the Pittsburgh area at all?
    xoxo Heather

    Reply

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