Why am I wasting my time? I don’t know why I am not creating much, piddling seems to be all that I am doing. Nothing really constructive, just goofing around.
I glittered up the chalk ware dorky and gave her a pearl crown and matching chocolate pearl eyes, then made a collar and dog tag for her with ribbon and part of an old earring.
The glue is still wet, she isn’t really foaming at the mouth.
While shopping in Beth’s Bargain Basement, I found some cute doll and baby clothes.
And – ultimate bargain!! – they were a gift for Sugarwings. I thought I was buying them for $1 each, which is a pretty good deal in itself, but she just gave them to us. Beth is generous with stuff like that.
Plus she took an IOU for the stuff I did buy, I’d forgotten my check book-oops.
Not that it was a waste of time to play with the new dresses, but really, how high on my priority list should playing with doll clothes be?
Especially when Sugarwings isn’t even here. If she was, she’d be wearing this blue cutey, it looks like it would fit her.
But lately, all she wants to do is sculpt with play dough or paint. I can’t convince her to put on a pretty dress and play tea party with me and Twinkle. She is obsessed with paint. I think I am beginning to understand how my husband feels when I lock myself into the studio to paint and won’t come out.
This morning, I puttered around at a few garage sales, even though nothing in the newspaper looked all that interesting, and when I got there and saw them in person, they were even worse than described.
I spent a few dollars and got a couple little things with potential, though. I picture this pink poodle all foofy with glitters and goobers. She will be a poodle diva soon.
And the birds can be glittered, maybe one can nest in the crocheted basket?
But the bows, oh my, those are really, really nice as is! They were 50cents for all three.
One garage sale had stacks of sheet music. They were going for 50 cents each, but I always ask what the volume buying price is before I shop.
I was able to buy 25 for 25 cents each.
The deep colors are great on this one, but don’t you think that the woman is a bit scandalous to be wearing PANTS?? Of course, the cover does say she is the Heavenly Sinner"
More rich colors on this one, but the lady seems sad. She must be waiting home alone while her man is chasing after that harlot wearing pants.
This cover is my favorite. As much as I loved the saturated colors of the first two, these soft and dreamy shades are more my style.
This assortment of stoppered bottles came free in the pink poodle mug.
Two are hand blown glass and I am not sure what their real purpose is. One was filled with peppermint oil that I poured into the trash, and now my whole studio is scented with mint.
These can be re-made into fairy dust containers, don’t you think?
These little picks might be my best find of the day.
And of course, the best are the 3 pink ballerinas. I am really attracted to pink ballerinas. Well, that didn’t sound the way I meant it. Not that there is anything wrong with that.. I just meant the vintage plastic variety. Lets not start any gossip about what goes on here at Karla’s Cottage, OK?
There were a few mermaids in the bunch too. I wanted to be a mermaid when I was little. I knew I could never be a ballerina, because I am more than slightly clumsy and have no dancing skills. But for some reason, I thought I might have a shot at being a mermaid someday.
Now, these girls aren’t picks, I wonder, are they cake decorations? 
Keping with my day of puttering around and not really accomplishing much, I decided to clean these bottles from the flea market. Carol and I have plans for a group project with a few bottles and pumpkin heads.
Sounds odd, but when our magazine article comes out in the next issue of Romantic Country, it will make sense.
First I soaked them in hot water.
Then, I dropped in denture cleaning tablets.
Still dirty. So I dropped in a few more. The bottles were pretty cheap, but I spent $4 on the denture cleaner.
They aren’t looking much better yet, so I will let them soak over night. I’ve heard this will work, but who knows.
Between the denture tablets and the peppermint oil, my studio smells like a dentist office.
TO BE CONTINUED
(OK, now you have to picture the voice of a soap opera announcer- or can you picture a voice? I must mean, imagine the voice-)
Will the bottles ever become clean?
Will Karla ever get the minty fresh scent of peppermint oil out of her studio? Or will Karla hear dentist drills in her dreams tonight from the over powering smell?
Will the chalk ware Dorky’s apparent rabies cause it to attack Karla’s toes as she works at her desk?
Will the scandalous woman in pants steal the husband of the daydreaming lady?
Will Karla quit goofing off with piddly projects and get any work done? Or will she sprout a tail and swim off with some pink ballet dancer?
Karla, reading your blog is just like going to a yard sale, you never know what you will find.This is what makes your blog so special and fun to read. You can always put a smile on my face. I will probably go to sleep tonight with thoughts of denture cleaner and rabid dorkies. Heaven knows what my dreams will be. You have a fantastic evening.
Jean in Virginia
I await the outcome of these fascinating questions with worms in my mouth….(bated breath…) or maybe it’s “baited breath”, and on that subject, I have always wondered, do mermaids eat fish? That just can’t be right…let me know about that, too, come to think of it. (If the whole mermaid thing works out for you) and do they get pruney fingers? I wonder about these things, just usually try not to let those voices making questions in my head speak aloud, but I figure we’re with friends here. Anyway, the best find for me (you know how I like to feel involved) is the pink poodle mug, I always sign my emails and letters to my Samantha “Love You Oodles of Pink Poodles”. Your friend, Bobbi
I felt like I was there with you!! great post!!
Cant wait to see what your going to create !
Diane
I SO love your blog stories….its like I was right there with you at the garage sales. You definitely have a gift of seeing through the face value of an item and picturing it as a real jewel! Can’t wait to see what you do with your treasures! Oh, and your pink ballet story is safe with me! (lol)
Howdy ho neighbor! i have to type with one hand cause the lab baby tells me i’ve been gone too much and must pet her now! you brought a smile to my face this evening after a far too long day/week. can’t wait to see what happens on the next episode-don’t leave me hanging too long!
Hi Karla!
The mermaids that you weren’t sure about are glass charms. You hang them on your glass at parties….
Fun stuff! xoxo karen…
LOL!!!!! You are so funny! 🙂
Karla, you can start any vicious rumor about me and hubs you’d like, sweetpea!! I need the excitement. The “steamier” the better as far as that goes! Not much happens in Idaho, ya know. *Sigh*……….. I’m so desperate I’d accept a date with Walter Brennan going dutch treat……and he’s been dead more than a “few” years!! Booorrriiinggggggg, chick….
Smochies,
Connie
LOL- You need to get Sugarwings a little fur coat to wear over her paint clothes so she can be just like Gramma. Isn’t it funny that she’s as obsessed with painting as you were?
But I really do want to see her in that cherry dress.
And as long as you can keep us entertained by showing us pictures of bottles soaking in denture cleaner, why would you need to tell us anything more?
hmmmmm….minty fresh – is this an orbit gum commercial? I’m so glad you told us about the denture tablets for those bottles – we are having a heck of a time cleaning some bottles that we just got last weekend – can’t wait to see “what’s next” in the Karla saga!!
Karla & Karrie
I love love love the pink poodle
And the ballerina picks!
I love looking thru your beautiful blog! You are so much fun to read!
Lindsey
You are SO funny, but I understand. I wander aimlessly when I can’t create and I shop/read/type too much because it keeps me from the act of creating. Or I’ll set to it and make something that I feel is just plain stupid and boring only to have it become a best seller. I am always and forever at a loss when it comes to this business of creating and most other stuff too 🙂
Hugs,
Pam
I don’t know the answers to any of those questions, but your pink ballerina secret is safe with me. What happens at Karla’s Cottage stays at Karla’s Cottage.
Funny girl! You’re just in a dormant state- you know that next week you will be bursting with amazing ideas!
For the bottles: Try uncooked rice with a little bit of soapy water. Put your finger over the opening and shake the bottle vigorously. The rice will “scrub” the inside of the bottle.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I just realized that you and I attended the same flea market (Sparks). My BFF, Meaghan, and I went on Friday. Obviously, we didn’t realize we could go on Thur., because I would have died for that pink cabinet. I did bring back a big haul of stuff to Colorado for my shop. It was beastly hot, but worth the trip. Sooooo much fun! Can’t wait until May! Love your blog and your things…you have a great eye!
Hi Karla, what wonderful finds as always…I love the poodle!! I think your little mermaids might actually sit inside or perhaps outside a drinking glass, sort of like little cocktail stirrers….i have this strange image in my memory bank of something similar….or I might be just dreaming….I love mermaids also, they are such fun to paint because they have such glittery tails and long flowing hair!! Kiss Noises Linda Lilly Cottage.
Of course now I read that someone else already said that about the mermaids for your glass….I really should read other peoples comments first but I am scared I will forget what I was going to write!! Kiss Noises again, Linda.
Fun post, I giggled my way through it! Rachaelxo
Karla,
You find the best stuff no matter where you go. The little dog is adorable and the blue dress is just perfect for Sugar Wings. I wouldn’t have a stinkin’ clue as to what to do with all your purchases but I know when you are done, I’ll want to buy them all.
Gretchen
The Mermaid glass sitters remind me of the charms that Sonic used to put around their foam cups back in the 70’s, we used to collect them! Can’t wait to hear the “rest of the story”…!
That show “How Clean is Your House” says to use baking soda, vinegar, and rice. The baking soda scrubs, and the rice helps beat it around. HTH! 🙂
Oh Karla, you crack me up, lol! You always find the best things! And sometimes, you find things I wouldnt buy and then make it into something so beautiful! You definitely have me seeing potential in everything, which I LOVE! It makes me more open minded!
Love ya,
Amy
Too funny – I actually bought the same type mermaids (martini glass hangers) to tie to the “Sister Trip” book I’m bringing to you in a few weeks! And, you ARE a mermaid in the book. Can’t wait for you to see it!
Great Post! Love the to be continued. What about vinegar in the bottles? It seems to clean everything else. Take care
I think I liked the mermaids the best! I never really wanted to be one but think they are neat! I love your *TO BE CONTINUED*…I’m still laughing at those!
The sheet music covers are really pretty! I love old illustrations!
Blessings,
Lorilee
I’ve never heard of the denture tablets for cleaning bottles. I have some I must try it on. I love the mermaids too!! Too cute.
I love the pink poodle. It’s adorable.
Okay, now I am sitting here laughing aloud. You sound like a Geico commercial.
so much great stuff. Love the old music covers. I’ll be back to see if you swim away with the pink ballet dancer….ha
Hi Karla,
Just wanted to send my neat solution for yucky dirty bottles. I put some warm water in the bottles. Just a little, then the secret ingredient…….bird cage gravel! Dump some in, You can make a little funnel by folding a sheet of paper and sticking the point into the bottle. Then put your finger over the top and shake it ~ shake it ~ shake it. I guess it is the sharp edges on the gravel just get in there and scour the inside of that dirty little bottle. Makes them sparkle. I use this on my hummingbird feeders also. You know they sometimes get a little gunkie. Give it a try and let us all know how it works for your bottles. Good Luck, and by the way I love your blog. Lynn
And the saga continues…I’ll stay tuned.lol Laurie
It would appear that you scored big time at your garage sales!!! Lucky you.
Thanks for visiting me.
Linda
Great stuff again and I especially like the inside stories! Cannot wait to hear how this all will end up! Have a great week!
Even when you are ‘piddling around and goofing off’ you delight me with your sense of humour – too funny!!!
Enjoy your week.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Karla, I loved the glittered dorky. I may finally break out my glitter bottle that I have yet to use. I cleaned calcium deposits off a ceramic piece this weekend by soaking it in white vinegar. You’re cleaning something different on the bottles, but give it a try just in case. It’s cheap! I’ll tune in the for next episode 😉
What lovely things – I especially like the doll clothes. They are pretty and look to be very well made.
I am still laughing to hard, it brought tears to my eyes! Can’t wait to see how those bottles turn out or if you if stopped piddling and turned into a mermaid and swam off!
I’m waiting with bated breath for the answers to those questions…
Sounds like you had a light-hearted day!
Lorrie
love it all! can’t wait to find out what happens next!
🙂 Heidi
Oh! You found the bestest stuff! I am so jealous of that pink poodle planter! And those picks! Why don’t I find things that grand?! Congratulations and have a fantastic week! Twyla
Fun post! I absolutely could hear the soap opera announcer at the end and it made me laugh!
The sheet music was a terrific find! You can do a lot with that one!
oh my God those Mermaids again…know what they are for? to hang on the side of tropical drink glasses no joke! They have monkeys also. I promise to post pic or send to you. At this Mexican restaraunt they had huge pitchers full of them and Monkeys yes Monkeys! My friend was putting them around her top.The Monkeys are on my blog in older posts Soho Cupcakes and fun me and my friend holding a drink they are on the table. I will send pic tonight too funny I actually saw those things yet again! Imagine drinking too much and swallowing them? They said they do not give it to tipsy people and tell them to pull them off LOL! Hugs Grace
Hi Karla! When I was in highschool here in TX in the mid 70’s, Sonic used the little plastic mermaids along with 3 or 4 other shapes as edge of cup “decorations”. I used to keep them all!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents