Karla's Cottage – Page 246

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!

The 3rd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), paintings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / May 4, 2009

This is the 3rd year in a row that I will be participating in the Cottage Charm giveaway, hosted by Kim.

And once again, I am taking it literally and offering a Charm as the Cottage Charm prize! This one is a hand painted white rose, and it is accented with a genuine pearl. I've tied it to a mini tag made from vintage papers, but you could add the charm to a necklace or bracelet instead if you'd rather.

I've only been at this blogging life, for a little over two years, but it is fun to see traditions building up and things to look forward to year after year. Thanks, Kim, for this "charming" tradition!

Plus, you guys know I love giveaways, and I am on a charm kick lately. Here is the painted cup cake charm that is the gift I'm sharing for my 51st (ouch) birthday tomorrow. All comments, any post between May 1st and 5th count. For the Cottage Charm prize, any comment, any post until the 30th counts too. So, leave as many as you'd like.

I was asked if giveaways help build up my following. Honestly, I don't know if it does. I know I get more comments, and I do enjoy the feedback. Also, I get a LOT out of blogging and like to give back. Plus, I make a LOT of crap or find a lot of good junk at great prices and like to share. Ask any of my non-cyber friends and they'll tell you the same thing. Its fun to give little pressies!

Good luck, on all the Cottage Charm drawings, there will be tons of fun blogs to hop around to and visit to sign up for wonderful prizes!

We've had a traumatic day here, poor Twinks broke her water dish and had to be put under to get some stitches in foot. She's still feeling drowsy and is on pain meds for the cut. I could tell she was really hurt, you should have heard her whimpering, I felt so bad for her. Now, she has a solid, unbreakable, tin water bowl. No more pretty, vintage glass for this dog!

I felt bad for me too, you should have seen the blood everywhere, that I had to clean up. It looked pretty bad. I'm glad I went in the house to get something and heard her crying, because I'd hate to have let her go on much longer like that, she was really bleeding. My husband wrapped her foot in a rag and put a rubber band around it like a tourniquet and the vet said that was an excellent idea, and that it helped.

Aren't you glad I didn't take pictures of that mess??

The vintage wallpaper journal kits that I sent to Somerset Life are back now. I'm not sure which issue they will be in, but most likely soon, I'd guess.

Two of the journal kits are listed in the Boutique.

A few more wallpaper packs got added today too. I'm still wrapping and photographing the rest of the rainbow of wallpaper you saw spread out in the studio a few posts back. And some that have been listed have sold out, but there will be more on the way. Thanks so much for checking in to see what is there!

I'll leave you with a more cheerful picture of poor little Twinkle. She's posing with Miss Pink Frenchie, who I bought at the flea market last week.

PS- Cindy, at My Romantic Home (who just had her ONE MILLIONTH visitor, wow!!) is having a May giveaway too, to enter, check HERE

April Showers and a May Flower Giveaway

antiques/junking, flowers, give away

By Karla Nathan / May 2, 2009

Yesterday, Beth and I headed to Sparks and White Cloud to the flea market we never miss twice a year. There have been times when it has been chilly, other times when we feel like we have heat stroke. We've gone when it was drizzling a bit too.

But yesterday, when we left, the forecast was for a 60% possibility of thunderstorms all day and it was raining so hard I could barely see the road.

And I kept driving anyway. And I decided I will never again tease my husband when he gets all bundled up to go to an outdoor sporting event in blizzardy weather. I had always thought he was crazy. But now, I get it. The pluses out weigh the minuses, and it was worth it to me to brave the weather, just in case there was a break in it and we could do some fun shopping.

Luckily, the weather cleared! We had some minor drizzle here and there, and our shoes were muddy from walking in the fields, but the day was GREAT. We always have a blast there, and say that it isn't just shopping, it is an event. So we figured it was worth the risk of getting a little wet.

And if the only thing I bought all day was these posies, it would have been worth getting really muddy. (but of course I bought more. Much more.)

These were marked $4 each. I asked (very nicely) how much it would be if I bought all of them, and was thrilled to hear that they could go for 50 cents each if I bought the bowlful. I always say, it never hurts to ask.

Since, I was at Sparks all day yesterday, I wasn't able to list more wallpaper yet. I did add a few packs to my Boutique the night before and many have already sold out. Today, I had Sugarwings to keep me busy, and tomorrow I am helping at a fund raising garage sale for some friends. I hope to add more packs and will let you know when I do.

Isn't this vintage greeting card beautiful? It is actually on a flocked paper background! I had 3 of them, one I kept for myself and two I made up wallpaper packs to coordinate with.

Well, that garage sale is going to come pretty early tomorrow, I'd better get to bed, now that I finally have Sugarwings tucked in. She is at a stage when she thinks she'd rather stay up and play, not go to bed, and sees no reason why she shouldn't just do what ever she wants. So, tucking in has become a marathon event around here.

Before I go, I want to announce the April Giveaway winner:

Marilyn

And don't forget that I have a gift for you for my birthday, May the 5th. Any comment between May 1st and 5th is entered.

How to cut vintage wallpaper

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / April 29, 2009

If you are going to be trimming vintage paper to use in craft projects, its time consuming and you'll need company to talk to so you aren't too bored. Luckily, I have Twinks to hang with.

For me, vintage wallpaper is simply a billion times better to use in art projects than any scrap booking paper could ever be. Now, I'll scan a really, really wonderful piece before cutting it up, so I'll always have it, but honestly, I don't much like using the copied pieces. The feel just isn't right.

Trouble is, vintage wallpaper can be a LOT of trouble. Its usually curly from being rolled up forever and it is often brittle.

Ironing it makes it much easier to work with.

I kind of go back and forth on what is the best way to iron and cut it. If it is really fragile, or I am just cutting a few pieces, I'll cut it right off the roll, then iron the pieces. If I am on a marathon of ironing and have good movie to watch while doing it, I'll iron it directly off the roll, like the first photo.

Here are some tips for cutting:

Keep a fresh blade in your exacto knife, or the edges of the paper will shred.

Find something the right shape and size to cut around. I use the glass from an 8 x 10 frame. That makes a good size bit to work with for most projects, and if I am making up packs to sell, its easy to mail.

Self healing cutting mats are wonderful! My blade doesn't get dull too fast and I don't slice up the table underneath. I used to try to measure the paper by the grid on the mat, but that was way too much work. Now, I just line up my 8 x 10 piece of glass with the straight edge of the paper and zip the blade around it. Much easier.

Iron the back side of the paper. Old paper is not prepasted, so the back is safe to iron on. If yours is gooey and gluey, its probably not very old. And your iron will be messed up.

The paper is often painted, if you want to protect your ironing board cover, you can lay a sheet of clean paper, or fabric over the board.

Ironing is almost as bad as sewing, but sometimes it has to be done. But ironing paper isn't nearly as bad as ironing clothes, since there are no cuffs or collars. At least, that is what I tell myself to get through it.

The iron can be left on its highest setting and some cut papers can be ironed in a stack of two or three pieces at a time to speed things along.

It has taken me most of the day to do this pile, but I'm still in my organizing mood, and it is rainy outside, so it was a good day to do it. I might even pull out a few more rolls to cut up before I start making up packets to sell. (this is just a fraction of the in my obsessed collection)

I'll let you know when I get them packed up and photographed and listed in the shop.

EDIT- I was able to add a few packs of wallpaper to the Boutique tonight

Man, there are a lot of steps aren't there? Sometimes I wonder why I don't get a real job… but then, I get to play with and sort out all these pretty papers while I sing to the Dorkie who never leaves my feet and think that this isn't such a bad job after all.

Before the skies turned gray and the rain started, I got a few photos of things to add in to the Boutique.

Slowly, but surely, I am getting some new things in there.

And I am trying to build up the Etsy shop too. Mostly supplies over there. But an assortment.

Wall paper packs will be coming soon, probably in both shops. If you see something you want in both, please email me before paying, so I can combine your shipping costs!

(There are some cute vintage swizzle sticks in both right now)

Some one asked me the other day if I wanted to trade links. You know, I rarely update my Pretty Places and am missing out on lots of good blogs.

If you want to trade links with me, JUST WHISTLE!

Also- one of my Etsy listings is in this pretty treasury, if you'd like to take a look.

Okay, I promise to stop showing photos of the studio and yammering on about Miss Frenchies (after this)

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / April 27, 2009

Actually, I'm all out of Miss Frenchie photos! But here are a few more from the studio redo:

I'm just so glad to have the room all spankin clean and refoofed! I'm ready to dive in and get to work. Compare the studio to this shot of my basement. No, celler- basement is too classy of a term for this hole under my house! And I'm sure you'll understand why I'd rather just keep working on my studio instead of going down to the home of giant spiders and dank smells under the stairs when the sirens go off around here!

There are worse things than being blown away.

Ahhh, that’s better!

housework, how to's, magazine pictures or articles, Miss Frenchie's, paintings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / April 27, 2009

Today, I made time for a little more sprucing in the studio. I repainted Sugarwing's old milk box seat and her little vanity.

Both were done in my short cut style. I use spray bonding primer in white, then brush on/wipe off glaze (pink for the fairy grand baby), let dry and spray varnish. How simple and quick is that? No sanding and not much time involved.

Spray primer (Zinzer Bulls-eye, bonding primer) adheres to anything. And, is meant to be under paint, so you can't leave it as is. But I skip the whole painting step and go straight to glaze, then top coat it and it really does well that way, plus saves time. Which I never have enough of!

To me, this is a big improvement in the room. There is so much going on in here anyway, that having the furniture more tone on tone is much more soothing.

Lightening up these two chests with wallpaper on the drawers helps too.

Who am I kidding? This room is crazy busy no matter what I do!!

But, its fun for me to have all the things I love around. Some people make inspiration boards to hang over their workspace, I use the whole room as one.

The canvas mural I painted for my booth at Miss Frenchie's was bothering me too. I had hung it in the closet area behind the folding screen, but I prefer the plain white wall there. With just a bit of the mural peeking over the doors, it seemed kind of messy. And I get plenty of messiness with projects strewn all over, I didn't need any faux messes.

But I was able to find a space for it that fit better. Here it is hanging in my computer gazebo area. The studio is one big room, and I have it divided up with doors, screens, large pieces of furniture, and yes, a gazebo.

My son and I made it really simply with 4 porch columns, decorative iron brackets, and two by fours.

We built the structure as a display area when I used to have antique sales at my home and used my studio as a showroom. This photo was taken by Diane Guthrie for Romantic Country magazine.

I loved the twinkle lights and tulle, but the lights burnt out and the tulle got all dusty and full of spiders, so it is gone now.

Having the French market scene above my computer will be a fun memento of a great weekend at Miss Frenchie's.

Unless it drives me crazy staring at my own work and I do nothing but pick out the flaws in it…. Of course, there used to be a mirror there before the mural. And I have to tell you, there were plenty more flaws to pick out there.

Ahh, yes, I think I'm going to like it here. Spring cleaning and a fresh start has made me excited to get back to work.

Too bad I am such a pig when I work, or I could wear this new tee from Robin and match my studio!

And isn't this just the sweetest thing? A guest at Miss Frenchie's sent this lovely note to my friend, Angie, for telling her about our sale!

First of all, what a thoughtful thing to do, and second- I want to write like that! I wish I could do calligraphy!!!!!!!!!!! Especially this pretty.

Remember these? When I was prepping for the sale, I made up LOTS of extra inventory to list in my Boutique. Slowly but surely, I hope to get stuff listed there. I did add a few of these knobs and some of my watch necklaces.

A few odds and ends of craft supplies have been added too. Not many yet, I really need to get myself back to working instead of playing dress up with my studio.

EDIT- Tour more redos at this Make Over Open House:

http://sanctuaryart.blogspot.com/2009/04/welcome-to-make-over-open-house.html

In the eye of the storm

housework, jewelry, show and tell

By Karla Nathan / April 25, 2009

Its getting dark here, we've had a nasty storm. I knew I had been working too hard on cleaning up my studio when the tornado sirens went off and I was thinking how angry I'd be if my studio had a branch come through the window and everything got all wet or blown after slaving over the redo for days!

This redo has been very detailed. I started by getting a new tall, storage cabinet and that turned into shuffling everything around. I took my time and went through all my supplies, made them easier to get to, got reacquainted with things I forgot I had, and even pulled the jewelry I had from one end of the room to the other, all into one area.

These are the kind of jobs that eat up the hours. It took me the length of three "America's Next Top Model" reruns to find, and separate all my sparklies.

The case I have them in is from TJMaxx, I'd bought it years ago to use for display at art shows for my hand made jewelry. 99% of its life was spent in the back of the closet, taking up space. Then, it dawned on me, that this table with its display case and glass top would be ideal to have at my desk. Kind of like a kid's school room desk, with the top that opens up, but there certainly aren't any math books in here!

School would have been a lot more fun if this was what was inside the desks there.

All these gems and pretties on display, but under glass and not getting dusty, will certainly be handy and inspirational!

And maybe it will remind me to stop buying more. And more. And more.

But, I get such good deals! I have to buy glitzy pieces when they are a couple dollars or less, I'd be crazy not to!

But, I do seem to have a lifetime supply!

But, my favorite flea market is this week, and they always have rhinestones!

Sugarwing's part of the studio got some redoing too. I found this antique, toy vanity for her at a garage sale today. I think I'll paint it white, if the rain ever stops. I thought about painting her table to match, but I really enjoy the blue. Maybe I'll paint the old milk box that she uses as a chair and stores her coloring books in.

I sorted more than jewelry. I went through wallpaper scraps, ephemera, and ribbons and got those all tidy and put in useful places.

To celebrate having the place all spiffed up, I put the table cloth onto my work table. Not practical at all, but since I am not sitting there and working right now, and won't have time to for a few days, I thought I'd enjoy seeing it there like that.

And I do.

In the back is the culprit that started all this fuss. Who would have thought that one new piece of furniture would turn into 4 days (and counting) of sorting and cleaning?

There are still things I want to do, like cover the drawers of those two old cardboard/wallpaper chests in prettier paper. I'll leave the outside of the chest, but the drawer fronts would look better in lighter colors.

Of course, it has taken me 4 days so far, because I play with stuff too much. If I was just dusting, mopping and tidying up, one day would have been plenty.

The storm outside is still pretty bad, but at least the sirens have stopped going off. That must mean that the possible tornado blew elsewhere.

Storms don't bother me, I kind of liked my day of sorting and playing with my goodies as the sky grew darker and darker. Both of my sons called to make sure I was ok, since I was home alone. That made my day even better. There is no one more loving than a grown up son. I'm lucky to have two of them. Plus it was good to hear that Sugarwing's Daddy had her safely tucked into a basement (with shoes on, we always put on shoes if there is a storm, you never know when there might be broken glass) and away from the Kansas wind.

Finally photos of the April Giveaway, before May comes!

give away, housework, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / April 24, 2009

Finally, I have a photo of the April Giveaway. And how far am I into April by now? Just about May?

If you have left a comment, you entered the drawing for this two sided charm. One side says "Inspire" the other is a rose that I painted. I used metallic paints, so it is kind of a unique effect. You can add it to a charm bracelet, use it as a pendant, or tie it onto a craft project. Like an altered bottle or tag.

While I am at it, I'll show you a teeny tiny cupcake charm too. These are less than an inch long and are painted onto paper added to an existing charm, then coated with Paper Glaze for a durable finish.

The cupcake will be part of a giveaway for my 51st birthday on May 5th. 51 doesn't seem as fun and exciting as 50 did, so I'm going to have to create some fun for myself. And you know I enjoy wrapping and sending gifts!

All comments between May 1st and May 5th will go into a drawing for the cupcake. The rose is open to all comments the entire month of April.

And why was I too busy to take a simple photo of a gift all month? Well, Miss Frenchie's was sure taking up some time. And after that I decided to treat myself to a new cabinet for the studio with some of the loot I made at the sale. This great storage piece is over 8 feet tall and has sooooo much space in it!

Of course, it inspired a full studio redo. I'm still in the middle of that, but did take some time today to get photos of things I'll be listing soon, as well as getting purchases packed and shipped. Usually I am more on the ball than that, and get them out faster. But this week, I've mostly been on a cleaning binge. First, the house, then a bit of the yard, and now the studio.

Uhm, it might have needed a bit of cleaning….

This is the after for the sink area in my storage corner of the studio. I am taking all those half cans of paint to the Habitat for Humanity store for reuse and I rearranged the rest so I could get to the sink without scaling a junk pile.

The other end of the room was just as bad.

But is so much better now! Not exactly gorgeous, but hey, it is storage. The best I can go for is functional. I'd let it really get away with me, and hadn't taken the time to put anything back in its place.

One cute thing that I have in my closet (which really isn't a closet, it is just a corner of the room, that I blocked off with doors and furniture) is this old postal cart. I store my shipping supplies in it, seems fitting for that purpose.

The studio is coming along. I really didn't think I'd spend so much time on it, but you move one thing, that starts an avalanche of other things that need moved too. So, day three of the big clean up and I am close to done, but not quite.

Of course, I've had this little person helping off and on. Right now, she is sound asleep, napping on the floor of the studio, but I hear her stirring. I'd better run, its probably just about time for a play dough break.

A mini tutorial just in time for May Day and Mother’s Day

flowers, how-to projects, Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 20, 2009

For some reason, I didn't do much shopping at Miss Frenchie's myself. I missed out on some great items, and am kicking myself about some vintage lace curtain panels thatDebbie had. I guess that when I go to a show, I am in a selling mode, not a buying one.

There were a few little souveniers I picked up for myself, though. One of these great "Miss Frenchie's April in Paris" candles from Debbie, and from Beth, this Eiffel tower. I might glitter it up. When I get caught up. If that can ever happen.

Part of getting caught up was cleaning up around the house a bit, (with me away 4 days in a row, and life going on without me to pick up after it, the house got a little – no a lot- messy). And I have neglected my yard getting ready for this sale, so I took a couple hours today to tidy up and hit dandelions with Round Up. I adore that stuff. I should own stock in the company I use so much of it.

The bundles of pansies and violas that I used as props at the sale needed to be potted, so I planted them, and used the moss I'd had for the sale too.

People at the sale seemed to be taken with the bundles of pansies, and I got a lot of inquiries about them. So, I thought I'd do a mini tutorial for you. With May Day and Mother's Day both around the corner, these are a handy and inexpensive little gift.

Start with a 4 pack of bedding plants and try to get a good one, with lots of blooms on it.

Remove from the pots and soak the roots in water. (you can add root starter if you'd like)

Wrap the wet root ball in a paper napkin.

Wrap the wet napkin-ed roots in a piece of Saran Wrap, making sure you have it covered well, so it won't leak.

Select paper to tie up the plant in. I used pages torn from an old book titled "Art in Every Day Life" because I liked seeing those words across the top of the package.

You could use scrapbook paper, lace paper doilies, gift wrap, just about anything you'd like.

I chose a wide, ivory ribbon to tie around my plants. Raffia, rickrack, lots of things would work.

Since I was going to a show and needed greenery for my tables, I made up quite a few of these. There was no leakage, and 5 days later they were still in good shape to plant.

These bundles look so pretty and it is a nice presentation that takes little time or money. Sometimes, I add one to a gift bag to stick out of the top. Its like a bouquet with a bonus, because they can be planted later and enjoyed for a long time!

Magic in a Midwestern Barn

Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 19, 2009

We had a fantastic weekend at Miss Frenchie's! And Alexander Majors Barn (and Historical House) was a perfect location for the event. Not only was the staff welcoming, kind, and over the top helpful, we also got to contribute to this historical home and bring in some people to see it, who might not have even been aware that it existed.

Our merchandise was set up in the barn behind the home, and some of our vendors,
Donnie Volkart, and Elizabeth Maxson, had taken advantage of the lovely day and sat up on the lawn while this hardworking lady in the background tills up the garden the old fashioned way- with a hand plow!

I hope we at least raised enough money for the place to afford a mule for planting time.

The show was WELL ATTENDED, and that is no exaggeration! I kind of poled people as they checked out, asking how they heard about the show. Of course the biggest number was from Curious Sofa, Debbie has a well deserved following. But I was also pleased to hear that some people saw my sign while driving by and dropped in.

Donnie's things on the lawn probably caught the eye of people passing by too!

He had an eclectic mix, packed up straight from his week in Round Top.

Last winter, when we had our first ever, Frenchie's Brocante, we only used a fraction of the space. This time we opened up the other half of the barn, plus used the upstairs and the yards.

This is Carol's area, leading back to Elizabeth's.

And remember me telling you about the chandeliers Elizabeth was hanging? Well, it sure was worth her dangling 20 feet in the air and staying up till 4am, look at her space!

Everything was breathtaking back there.

Of course, so was Debbie's.

And Carol's.

And ALL OF IT. We had some amazing dealers and artists.

With gorgeous views from every angle!

(this is looking down on Beth's booth from the stairs)

I was glad I had taken the time to drape my ceiling in lights and lace. It made for a romantic atmosphere that I enjoyed spending time in.

Beth and I had adjoining spaces, and we shared a checkout table under the stair way to save room. I draped it in lace too, mostly to make it nice to sit under, so we didn't feel like trolls under a bridge, but also because I didn't want dirt and ucky stuff falling through the open stairs onto our heads.

Next, time, we are filling that crinoline with twinkle lights! The ones we plugged in this time didn't work, and there was no time to get another string of them.

My worries about sitting next to the bakery all weekend were justified. THEY BAKE HOME MADE CROISSANTS. And did I mention that they were some of the most buttery, delicious things I have ever had????

I'll leave you with a few shots of my booth.

In the next few days, as I unpack, I'll be listing some goodies in the shop. When I prepared for the show, I made up lots of extras to have for my on line Boutique.

I'll also pick a gift out for the April Giveaway and take a photo of that for you. I hope that you all know that there is always a PRESENT of some kind here on my blog? and all comments count all month as entries.