Karla's Cottage – Page 250

Bye Bye, Babies!

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

By Karla Nathan / February 23, 2009

Isn't she gorgeous? And talented too! When Bethany comes over here for craft day with her mom, Shawn, she usually gets a lot more accomplished than the rest of us do. Although, for this craft day, we spent a lot of the time cuddling puppies. (photo by Shawn, and I am jealous of her camera)

We had a new friend join us for craft day, this time. Marycame and brought these pretty things. She said she knew I liked "girly" stuff, and boy, she was right. I love these! I've already used some of it in a journal I worked on that day.

Beth has been selling these old ledgers, and I bought a few to fix up.

Last week, I made one for myself, with postal rates, birthdays, addresses, and passwords in it. For this one, I didn't write in an page titles, but will customize it for free for up to 6 categories for whoever buys it. I am listing this book in my Boutique today.

Its a bit more expensive than my stuff usually is, but this is all GOOD STUFF, great papers and really old. Plus, a lot of time and thought went into the planning of it. I wanted it to be lovely as well as functional.

The old handwriting in the pages is so nice, so I wanted it to show, but had to figure a way to keep it and still have the pages ready to be written on by the new owner. So, I have used a variety of papers, such as this glimmer misted 8" tag, with ribbons tailing out the bottom of the book, and some water color paper. On other pages, I have used old stationery, or wallpaper to cover the words.

This page makes use of the stationery paper, as well as one of the girly cards from Mary.

There are lots of hand drawn embellishments too. I've done them in glittery or metallic inks.

Most of the hand drawn pretties are vines, swirls and butterflies.

Some pages are left plain, some have ephemera glued down, others have the hand drawn elements.

And I have even included a hand painted tea cup filled with roses.

There are a total of 14 pages (28 counting both sides) so I won't show them all.

While I was cutting up vintage wallpaper for the project, I cut up a few extra pieces and listed some packs in the Boutique.

Then, I listed a few more bits of last week's loot on Etsy.

Thanks to all of you who came by to shop and get some of these collage goodies!

I've got more to list in the shop soon, but right now am busy getting caught up on real life. After craft day, all of a sudden, I caught a cold. One minute, I was fine, the next, I was sneezing, blowing my nose and feeling awful. So I spent a day in bed, and slept for most of it. I had to, there was nothing on TV till Oscar time, and my head was throbbing too much to read.

Oscars were a bit anticlimactic. My favorite part was a red carpet interview with Miley Cyrus who talked about her movie, saying she hoped to be nominated next year for it. I laughed out so loud that I scared the dogs.

Nothing can make you feel better than a good laugh. Puppies are usually pretty good for a laugh too. I've been out in the studio with the lone pup that is left today and she has been pretty entertaining.

What am I going to do when they are all gone?? I'd better go get some cuddling in while I still can, only a few days left with my last little one.

(these photos of pups are from Shawn and her magnificent camera too) It dawned on me, that I could have bought my dream camera with the puppy money I got from Twinkle's babies. Man, what was I thinking when I promised it to Sugarwing's college fund??? Oh well, I am sure that is a much better way to spend a chunk of cash. Investing in the baby's future can never be a mistake.

Giveaway reminder- yes, there is a present for February! All you need to do is leave a comment. I don't know what it will be yet, so lets call it a SUPER SURPRISE!

Swappers are still adding posts about their Puppy Love Tag Books. you can see Ele's here.

Chasing Sugarwings

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / February 20, 2009

Whats better than hugging a fuzzy puppy on a sun shiny day?

How about a whole armload of them?

Yep, not much is better than snuggly puppies.

These guys are becoming such fun, and I am losing them! We are just getting to the good part, where they come running at the sound of our voices and want to play. Even though Sugarwings tends to be a little rough (she's only 1-1/2), these babies were still following her every move when we took them all outside to play today. They are either really brave, or really stupid, because they keep coming back for one more, too-tight squeeze from her.

Two more girls leave on Sunday, then I will only have one until the 28th when her new family arrives to get her. Trouble is, she is my favorite, and a week alone with just her is going to make it even harder to give her up!!

Well, once all the girls are gone, I will have more time for actual work. Right now, a lot of my studio time is spent playing with pups.

I did sort out more of the loot from yesterday and make a couple of little crowns.

One box had a bunch of these old metal trim pieces, and I can see all sorts of tiaras being formed with these!

Soon, everyone in the studio will be sporting their own crown. Hmm, I still have a couple of days to make puppy crowns, don't I? Or as Sugarwings calls them, "corns".

This is some more of the loot that I am keeping for projects myself. I'm not sure what I'll make, these bits and pieces are all great materials, though!

And thanks to all of you who filled up shopping carts at Etsy!

This is another collage/assembly kit that I added to Etsy today.

Details, of the kit.

I hope to add more of the vintage loot packs to Etsy, but right now, I hear Sugarwings getting up from her nap.

She's worn me to a frazzle today, too bad the nap wasn't a little bit longer, I've enjoyed my little break in front of the computer. That is one BUSY kid!!

Salvaged goods

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

By Karla Nathan / February 19, 2009

Like Mother, like daughter?

These pups are everywhere, following every move that Twinkle and I make! Remember the movie, Gremlins? Now, that these remaining babies are so rambunctious, I feel like I have a house full of Mogwai that are taking over. I'd better not feed them after midnight…

Today,Beth and I went to a great sale. A Friend, who is a magnificent assemblage artist was clearing out before a move.

We loaded up on her fun bits and pieces.

When I got home, I started playing with them all right away. I made a crown from some salvage metal trim (photos later, its not quite done yet), then I organized my purchases. And realized I bought more than I can use…

See what I mean? Cool stuff. But this is only a fraction of the boxes and boxes I snapped up.

So, I started listing small lots for Etsy. Then, I got bored with listing and packaging and describing it all, knowing that Thursday is the most glorious TV night of the week, and I had SHOWS to go watch soon! So I lumped a bunch of vintage delights into one big listing to finish up.

I still have a couple more things to add, but tonight is good TV and tomorrow is a Sugarwings Day, so it won't be till this weekend that I get more up. I have some goodie packs with ephemera included too.

A lot of you have asked about the knobs I showed photos of yesterday. Thanks so much for asking. I will probably list some and take the rest to Miss Frenchies. I'll keep you posted.

And now, it is time for Survivor, I have to run. I'll leave you with more shameless huckstering. Here are photos of the latest goodies listed in my Boutique.

Nesting (how to paint a bird’s nest)

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), how-to projects, paintings, swaps, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / February 18, 2009

The babies are starting to leave me. Today, little Glitter went to her new home, she is living now with a reader of this blog who happens to be in Kansas City. Glitter was the pensive pup, who was always happy to watch a while before joining in the rough housing with the other girls. Micah, the tiny little firecracker who had the most energy of all, is with her new family too. Tinker Bella has gone to live with Teddy's family.

There are still 3 little furry bundles of joy to keep me company while I work in the studio, but not for much longer. Its going to be quiet around here after they go…

Today, I've been busy at work in the studio painting drawer pulls. I had a boxful, some from Beth,some that I harvested from dressers when I fixed them up and changed out the handles to glass knobs. The first step in the redo was to prime them with a can of Zinzer spray primer. Then, I painted them white with acrylic craft paint.

Are you up for a how-to? I thought I show you the steps in painting a nest. First, start with a nest shape blob in dark brown.

Next, add two vaguely egg shaped blue blobs.

Add white highlights to the eggs.

Switch to a thin, liner brush and outline the eggs in the same dark brown used for the back ground of the nest.

Now, switch back to a small, round brush and load it with yellow and tan.

Add some of the yellow tan color, in lines that follow the shape of the nest.

Repeat with a layer of olive green.

This is all about the layers. Let each previous layer peek through the next. Don't go at this with a heavy hand, let your layers of color build up, just as a bird would have built it with layers of sticks.

Now is time to switch back to the thin, liner brush. Using the dark brown, follow the shape of the nest again with your strokes. This time, be a little messy, with "twigs" sticking out all around.

Repeat the last step with white or ivory.

Fine tune the nest by outlining some strokes with the dark brown on a liner brush, here and there as needed

To finish, brush on a water based clear coat, or spray with a can of poly. I prefer the brushed on method myself. It might look like this was a lot of steps, but really, it goes fast and unsure, shaky lines make even better twigs than perfect lines! So give it a try, a nest is a simple thing to paint.

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

A Table Top Party (I’ve danced on a few tables, haven’t you?)

celebrations, Etsy Goodies, holiday decor, parties, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 12, 2009

Its been a long time since I attended a blog party! Today, Cindy is hosting a Center Piece party.

Which is fitting for me, because my very first post was a picture of a Valentine brunch I was having that day for my friends, 2 years ago Feb. 14th.

Also, Cindy was one of the first, "WOW" blogs that I came across. And she just gets better and better all the time.

Join me in attending her centerpiece party, and go check out her blog for addresses of other table scapes to see. I'll bet there will be some romantic inspirations for this weekend's Valentine celebrations.

This first table I am showing you is in my studio, and I've gathered up pretty Valentine themed (or colored) gifts from my sweet swap friends.

To the gifts, I added a cherry covered old hat. Isn't it supposed to be bad luck to have a hat on the table? If so, I am in TROUBLE, I do this a lot, but then, I just love old hats. Sometimes, I think that old wives tales and superstitions started for a reason. Like, maybe it was unsanitary to have a greasy, dirty hat on a table where people eat. Or if you walk under a ladder you could knock over the person standing on it and hurt them. Or a broken mirror was sharp and dangerous and telling kids they were bad luck to break maybe kept them from play ing with them?

But maybe that subject is better for Friday the 13th coming up tomorrow?

In my studio, I have two dining tables. I use them for "clean" work, like sorting or sewing, or piling crap up. Not painting or gluing. I actually try to keep at least one set up nice for when company drops by to visit me in the studio. Since we've had puppies out here, I've had lots of visitors come by lately.

(I really should clear off the top of that buffet a bit, I end up piling pretties there and it gets to the point where it is just a jumble)

Table scapes need to look good from each side! I plan them out, so that each person sitting at the table has something interesting in front of them.

The tables in my studio are usually filled with things I happen to have around, supplies, millinery flowers, jewels, pulled together with a color theme onto a tray, mirror, or series of doilies. I like to have my supplies out where I can see and enjoy them. Out of sight, out of mind, is a true saying. If I put things away, I never use them.

Thanks, Cindy for hosting this get together! I look forward to getting around to the blogs she has links to and seeing all the inspiring tables.

Of course, it is hard to beat a center piece that is all crafting goodies! My friend, Angie, invited me over last night for a Valentine making party.

She supplied wine, cupcakes, chocolate and all the Valentine's supplies you could ever need!

There was some gorgeous rose printed fabric to cut into, so I tried something different and clipped around the roses, then glued the fabric to sheet music that I had covered this mini journal in.

Then, I outlined the fabric's edge in soft tan marker to make a shadow, inked the edges of the book and tied it all up in a ribbon with a small tag and a flower. This was my Valentine to Angie for hosting the party.

Then I made a couple blank note cards. (these are listed on Etsy, $8 for a pair)

This tag is going to my pal, Heather, for some help she gave me on my website. I could not have set it up without her. Or without Beth. I really OWE her a big one too, she deciphered the web speak of the site and explained it all to me.

The little tags tied to this project and the mini journal came from Beth too. She'd made up a bagful for me to use, and I tied quite a few to the Puppy Love Swap tag books.

This darling little Sugarwings pen was a gift from a swapper too! How cute is that? I hear that the books are arriving, and everyone sounds pleased so far. As soon as I get a list of blogs that are showing the books, I'll post links here.

Saturday the 14th is my 2 year blog anniversary and I will be having a drawing for one of these Millefiori glass heart charms. This one is listed in my Boutique, along with 3 others. I have one more for the February giveaway too.

Now that the swap is over, I actually had time to list some stuff to sell in the Boutiqueand on Etsy!

Mostly, I added lots of millinery. I noticed that I was low on wallpaper too, and hope to make some up for next week. Thanks so much to all of you who shop there!

Now, go check out Cindy's Romantic Home and her beautiful table tops!

I’ve lightened up

antiques/junking, Chandeliers, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Sugarwings, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 11, 2009

Typepad just ate my post. A LONG rambling post, like I tend to do, and with LINKS. Lots of links that took me an hour to do. I'm so sorry I don't have time to replace them, but I will show the photos with apologies to the artists who contributed.

This is the book I made for myself from the tags, and cards I got as gifts in the swap. Robin did this one, and it has a "K" stick pin on it, how cute.

Many people made extra tags for me, and I really enjoyed collecting them into a bundle. This one is from Susan Goffman.

Some were vintage tags tied to the packages, others were extras from the swap.

Then others were made up special as a gift! Like this one from Marilyn.

This is from Brenda.

For the swap, we were each meant to make 6 tags to share. I added my six to various books, (plus I made the 65 covers). So, I picked out 6 tags from the group to keep for my own book. but one of them, I kept out to tie to the key for my new cabinet. I saw this one from Andrea and scooped it up immediately!

Once, again, I am sorry that Typepad erased all my work in adding links to artists who made all of these. Tell you what- if you were in the swap, have a blog and are going to show photos of your books- please send me a link to the post and I will post the list of them all together so everyone can come and visit each other and see their work spread out into all these little tag books.

All of the tag books are assembled and sent! So, my table is now cleared, but here is the view I had for a few days, tags and booklets everywhere.

That is my new cabinet, found last weekend at my favorite second hand store for only $150. I'd love to redo the whole studio with "fancy" furniture.

Especially pieces like this that are so functional.

Plus, this one has space for display too.

This chandelier ($130) is from the same store. I'd had my eye on it for a while, and finally went back to get it, and the cabinet had just been brought in. So, I ended up with both. Happily!

The best thing about it, isn't the bouquet of porcelain roses, it is that it has SIX bulbs, and makes a huge difference in the lighting above my desk!! I can see!!!

Now the swap is over, the studio is illuminated and all cleaned up. I'll be excited about getting back to work. I've neglected my Boutique and Etsy shop while working on the tag swap. As soon as I get them re-stocked, I'll let you know.

But Sugarwings comes tonight, and we will need to do some coloring, that has to come first! She got the cutest crayon carry all from Ele. This weekend, we'll be playing with all the art supplies she received in the swap, thanks again, everyone!

That is, when we can get a break from these guys!

Here is a link for a short puppy video on Flickr. You know how I say, that Twinkle thinks the camera is always out just for her? Here you can see what I mean. And please ignore the dirty floor….

Also, all swappers are welcome to add any puppy love photos to our flickr group and everyone is welcome to look through the photos. I might have added more than a few myself…. I hope others add also!

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.

Where to start???

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, Sugarwings, swaps

By Karla Nathan / February 7, 2009

Where to start??? Where to start??? I have to say, the Puppy Love Tag book swap is just wonderfully overwhelming for me.

And overwhelming for the Fairy Grand baby too. We had a blast dressing up for our little present party. She was pretty serious, though. I think she was feeling the abundance the same way I was. Oh my, there is more fun stuff to open and play with???

All of the art supplies are greatly appreciated. My little crafter can go through tons of stickers in an afternoon of work in the "our studio."

We made good use of the treats too!

I think I will be able to keep my energy up while assembling books. Between the chocolates and the teas and cocoas and home made marshmellows (Shawn knows I am addicted and treats me to them a lot, she is a good friend to have!) I've already dipped into the goodie supply, notice that the chocolate bar wrapper is empty? (but it is so cute, I have to save it and use it in my art journal or else my own tag book)

Beth scored a big box of old journals at an auction (she has some to sell here - although when I went to her site to get a link, I kind of bought the last one….. but I know she has more and they are only $10 each, so ask her!!)

So many artists are making art journals, but I have never done one. Beth gave me one of her ledgers and I decided to make it a semi-art journal. I'm using it for practical things. Like postage rates. I wanted a pretty book to keep next to my computer to have handy for figuring postage.

And to keep passwords in. I have two pages filled with passwords from dozens of sites online. You need a password to do anything! And I hear it isn't smart to be repetitive with them, so I have to keep a log, or I would NEVER be able to open anything.

And then there are certain addresses that are good to have at hand.

And I am sure there are lots of other things I will think of to add to the book. So I am making up lots of extra pages that will be waiting and ready when I need to jot down something important.

Or just doodle.

Meanwhile, back at the tag book swap…. I have started assembling books!

When building them, I debated one hole or two at the top. I started making some with two holes, but switched back to one. For one thing, its half the work! For another, I kind of like to be able to fan the tags out like this, and see them all at once.

This book includes work by:

Kathy in Chicago

Andrea Tarling

LiLi M.

Sarah Elder

Carla Fisch

Samantha Miranda

and a cover by me

OMG aren't these going to be something when they are done????? Of course, the "when they are done" part is the tough part. I have about 450 tags spread out over my studio right now.

Some here…

And some here, along with goodies and gifties that haven't been consumed or displayed yet.

There are so many sweet gifts that I was, as I might have mentioned, OVER WHELMED!!! So, my plan, is to slow down and enjoy them. Play with a couple at a time, sip some tea, make some books, nibble some chocolate, then go and play with some more gifties. I hung up this banner from my East Coast Junking Buddy, Robin. It fit perfect on my hat garden buffet. Although, it also is good for tying around my waist and dancing around in. Just ask Sugarwings what Grammy wore to the dress up tea party and she'll tell you all about it.

Today, I slipped on this beautiful fairy necklace made by my pal, Gretchen and went to rent myself a huge stack of movies. I'll need them to keep me going as I assemble all these books. Brideshead Revisited is my first one to watch.

(Gretchen has great jewelry for sale on her blog, you should take a look)

See what I mean about wonderful goodies? Here are a few more of the presents that came as hostess gifts. There are also lots of pretty ribbons from quite a few of the swappers. What a perfect thing to include, I'll be needing it for tying tags together. And I got so much Valentine ephemera, that I will absolutely have to do this swap again next year, so I will can use it all up!!

There are thougthful gifts everywhere I look, spread out all over the studio. I just don't know what will happen to me next week when the swap is all done and over with. NO PACKAGES IN THE MAIL???? That will be hard to get used to!

Oh, I just had to show you this one, the box that it came in was such a joy to open and explore. You can read all about her tag series on her blog.

Thanks again to everyone who participated, and for all of your thoughtfulness and generosity with your time and your treats and your crafting skills!

Sugarwings and I had a lovely party to celebrate all the Puppy Love we got. I'll leave you with a couple more photos of our special day.