What's this?
Your present for December. Well, at least a little peak of it! Isn't the suspense of "what's in the package" one of the exciting things about this time of year? So, I decided not to show you the entire giveaway item. I might have a couple more hints between now and the end of the month, because I know I used to love the hints my Mom would give me about my presents, years ago!
Little bits of Christmas are starting to show up around the cottage. I am supposed to be cleaning up my studio and getting ready for a craft day with friends, but I have been distracting myself with a few minor holiday trimmings. I set a couple of things in the breezeway, and others up high. All out of the reach of Little Miss Grab and Smash,uhm, I mean, sweet little Sugarwings.
And when I say minor, I mean really simple. I was unpacking some displays fromMiss Frenchie's sale and thought I'd redo them a bit to set out around the house. This crate had been full of bottle brush trees, the branches were strewn about my booth for atmosphere, and the silver tree had held tussie mussies.
So, I piled the branches into the crate next to the tree, added the paper stars I'd made at our Thanksgiving craft day, and in a matter of minutes, it was ready to set on the breezeway table.
Filling boxes and baskets with vintage ornaments and branches is one of my favorite holiday tricks. For this tool caddy, I added the branches first, then piled in shiny ornaments, and a few pine cones, tied on a large jingle bell, and topped it off with a glittered dove. Instant sparkle!
Did you notice Twinks in the background of the breezeway photo? She can't believe that I want to point the camera at anything but her. So I indulged her and took a photo of her tummy full of puppies. Yep, she is expanding, we should be having teeny little dorkies sometime between Christmas and New Year. Now, where I will keep their nest is an issue. With a two year old running around, I need to keep the babies safe, but let Twinkle still have access to the doggy door. I don't know, they might all just have to live in the studio, and Twinks will have to give up some of her freedom and ask to be let out.
Motherhood is like that. Sometimes you have to BEG to be let out of the house. She'll be finding out soon enough.
This bit of holiday cheer is thanks to my pal, Carol. She embellished the box with transparencies, isn't it lovely?
Here is a close up. I wish I knew how to do that… its really cool. If you'd like one of your own, I think she has some for sale.
The embellished box Carol gifted me with was from Miss Frenchie's. Where I also got this table, that I haven't made use of yet. I bought it from Elizabeth and it has the most perfect marble top. I paint furniture myself so can appreciate what a good job she did painting the base of this little French piece. It was a total indulgent treat for myself, since like I said, I do paint furniture myself. But there was something about the lines of this one, and the fact that the weekend was such a special time, I wanted to buy something special for myself as a memento.
Plus, you know, when you are at a craft/antique show, the money you make doesn't seem real until you get it all home. Its easier to spend it away while you have cash in your hands and are surrounded by things you love and want! (once again, I'm glad my husband rarely reads this)
And speaking of things that don't seem real- look at the size of these grapes!!!!!!! They remind me of those big, glass globe grapes from the 70's. Didn't every coffee table in the Midwest have a bunch of these sitting on it back then?
Those grapes are huge! I look so forward to photos of baby dorkies. Twinks is probably looking forward to it also! Poor little belly getting so big. What a job!
OMG! Karla – I had to giggle with the 70’s grapes . . .I do so remember. (course all fruit was in then wasn’t it??)
I love your blog – I have read so many of your articles, and looked at so many of your beautiful photos through the years. I didn’t know you had a blog until I read about you at Quill cottage blog. You now have a new subscriber!
I love the arrangement for the breezeway, so pretty! Puppies!!! how exciting. My yorkie Loki is about a year and a half, I would love for her to have just one litter. I am still toying with the idea. She is just so adorable and tiny, I am worried that have a litter might change her temperate or appearance. Hmmmm what do you think?
Just a scrap of vintage wallpaper makes me sooo interested in your monthly giveaway. I totally agree with you. I specialize in wrapping things unrecognizable. My son thought he was unpacking an x box 360 but is was a box with 6 tubes of chips. Hahaha, that’s the fun part of Sinterklaas. I’m looking forward to see those little Dorkies!
Can’t wait to see pictures of the new puppies when they arrive! Just read your article in the most recent Romantic Country, which arrived over the weekend. Before I saw that you were the author, I was thinking the pictures had a familiarity to them! Then discovered they were yours! And I recognized your studio!! Another Excellent job!
Oh my goodness Karla – I laughed so hard – it’s like puppy porn! How cute is she?! lol
Oh my…… poor twinks. She looks like she is saying please rub my belly. We did not find a Husband for our Jackie last time she was “ready” for a Husband. So we will not be dorkie grandparents. But congrats to you Karla.
Love all of your decorations. I must make some of those stars.
Twinkles is SOOOooooo cute! I love the way that you filled the crate and the caddy! I have a caddy similar to that one, I may have to follow your lead with it. I’ll have to paint if first though, it’s just plain old wood right now!
Twinks sure looks like a very happy well cared for pooch! I bet you spoil everyone over at your house. I have been keeping an eye out in your Shop to see if you are going to list any of your altered Putz Boxes! They were a treat. But all your creations are yummy.
Hugs, Diane
Twinkle looks like a happy-mama-to-be. She’s adorable!
I just started following your blog. And love all of your work. It is so inspiring to just browse through your pictures.
Cheers~
Amanda
The grapes look yummy… I love the table, it is beautiful! As is your basket/tool box, I love it’s sparkle. And puppy, well what can I say, she is a cutie. I love hints, you gift giveaway is getting me all curious. I too love hints.
I love your blog, having recently discovered it. Your decorations inspire me! I sure love the basket/tool box. Beautiful!
We had a breezeway growing up…at least thats what my mom called it! I’ve never heard it called that again until now! Must be a midwest thing? I learned to roller skate on our breezeway! Love the decorating…so simplified but elegant!
Congrats to twinks! So exciting! My sisters little pomeranian Coco might be preggers too! Such tiny little dogs having pups!
Karla,
Wow the grapes do look big.
Glad to read that Twinkle’s is expecting soon.
Happy Holidays,
Karla,
You have such a gift for arranging things! Twinks is so sweet, and I love the transparency on the box! I want to try some of the fan-folded ornaments. They are so pretty!
Blessings,
Lorilee
what a cute display in your crate!! i so wanted to go to miss frenchie’s sale…looks like it had alot of eye candy. glad to hear that it was a success. i have to say…i was so inspired by your huge paper stars i had to make one for the top of my tree. thanks!
alissa
…oh yes!!! we had blue and green glass grapes on the table! AND AS FOR THE MOM’S NEEDING TO GO OUT..THING…i used to have a shirt (when the babies were little) that said…ESCAPED MOM…DON’T TELL ANYONE YOU SAW ME..!
OH you should have a design the puppy nursery idea shout out! lol
Everything looks so pretty! Love your decorations too. My Grandparents had some of those glass grapes my cousin and I would try plucking them off the glass stems. haha see you on thursday 🙂
I love hints and that bit of sparkly blue is very enticing. Your decorations are always pretty – I have some music paper and might make some of those folded ornaments.
Lorrie
Twinkles is going to be the cutest Mama ever and I can’t wait to see the puppies. I just love how you put things together and they look beautiful. I just love surprises especially at Christmas time ,and I bet your December present will be a doozy.
Have a good evening Karla. I love your new table. Its always good to get a present and award for yourself.
Jean in Virginia
I like your decorating. I’m going to go small, this year. Just simple little touches, here and there. I’m tired of lugging out all the crates and moving things.
It takes too much effort to put it all away.
It must have been nice to buy something that you didn’t have to paint. Something that was just perfect to take home.
OMG! Those grapes are huge. They look like grapes that have been fed on steroids.
~elaine~
Oh, my, how much does an average newborn yorkie weigh? I’m trying to imagine–they must be very tiny!
Oh, my, how much does an average newborn yorkie weigh? I’m trying to imagine–they must be very tiny!
Oh, my, how much does an average newborn yorkie weigh? I’m trying to imagine–they must be very tiny!
Ha Ha! I remember those glass grapes…my mom still has them…Yikes.lol! Cant wait to see how little the little ones will be…she certainly doesnt mind showing us her sweet belly.lol. Laurie
I’d love to be in your Give Away 🙂 And I want a puppy too….pretty puuuleeeaseeee.
Hugs,
Pam
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog (almost every day) now for a while. Beautiful to see and fun to read. Love your style!
I’m loving your little December peek…!! And what a cool image with the transparencies!!
Hi Karla
Little Twinks looks so cute…..has she been a mommy before?? I couldn’t imagine 3 or 4 little yorkie pups running around – must be so adorable. We just got another little cutie pie girl (this ones for my husband!). She is so cuddly!
Those grapes are ginormous! Did they taste good??
Your place is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Happy decorating!
Rochelle
oooh, what shiny pretties on your pages. do you have a brick and mortar shop? i live in oak grove…a kansas city suburb. a daytrip to lawrence is so much fun!
Chasity
Will Ms. Twinks is a cutie! I can’t wait to see pictures of mini dorkies. Cute, cute, cute!! I’m still laughing about those glass grapes! I haven’t thought of those for years. That, and one of the above posts that said “puppy porn”. Puppy porn? hahahahaha
Well, if the fun news about Blagojevich hasn’t made me laugh enough today, this post sure did.
BTW – love all the pics of your Christmas decorating. You never fail to inspire.
Kathy from Chicago where politics IS the only game in town!
I can’t wait to see pics of puppies when they arrive! How sweet they will be!
Your treasures are darling and your displays are so festive!
so is that last picture the daddy of the puppies?? its not Twinks from a different angle is it?? i’m new to your blog too, don’t know all the doggers names yet!! Twink is sure cute, i got quite a giggle from her lovely belly full of puppies!! dorkies… too cute!! enjoy your day!!
How exciting about Twinks!!! I can’t wait to see the puppies. I love puppies.
We got some of those mega-grapes recently, too. They were so big they seemed a bit freaky, but they were oh so delicious.
Oh, I’m so glad Twinks’ got on well with her date — I didn’t know — must have missed something!
The decorations are lovely, as always and as I’ve come to expect! Simple, elegant and done! I like the “done” part!
Oh how sweet Twinks having babies. she looks so little herself. Besure and put pictures of your Grandpuppies on line, so we can see them. all your pictures are wonderful.
Janice In Missouri
Those grapes! lol Every table in New England had them, too!
Just look at Twinkle-mama! Posing for the camera ala Demi Moore! lol Can’t wait to hear about the puppies! =)
Awwww, puppies! I’m all misty thinking about it (until I remember caring for puppies at all hours).
If you can’t think of a place for that table yet, I could use it here!
Beautiful pieces but I nearly forgot what you were talking about when I came to the shot of your sweet little pup! Adorable! Season’s Greetings!
Sandra Evertson
Wow!! This picture sure did bring back memories! Both my mother and grandmother had the big glass grapes! Wish I had them still! Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
Artful Blessings,
Kathryn
Wow! Those grapes look wonderful! I love grapes and could go for a bunch right now!
Hugs,
Joanne
Just wanted you to know that your postings always make my day…thank you for your gentle words and your delightful photos, and your creativity just pours through every little detail of your posts, from words to pictures, to tone…what a gift you are 🙂 Thank you 🙂