I’m going to Virginia tomorrow to stay at our apartment there for a few days. I’ve posted a bit ahead and they are timed and ready to go. I’ve never tried that before, but it sounds like a good idea! There just seems to be more to photograph around here than in the bachelor pad my husband lives in part time.
I still haven’t packed for the trip yet. This photo might explain why. Sugarwings spent the night with us and I had her till 6pm today.
We discovered a new trick- Grandmama’s studio floor is perfect for chalk!
My little budding artist also discovered that if you chew up and spit out the blue chalk, it makes a great paint you can smear around on the floor with your fingers.
Sounds like something I would try to do myself. 
The fairy grand baby also helped me to make this today. Of course, she mostly wanted to put the blue eggs in her mouth. I hope my swap partner doesn’t mind getting eggs that have been slightly chewed on.
My partner is Heather and her blog is Jeweled Elegance, so I knew I’d need some sparklies on this nest.
I added a crown covered in jewels and glitter, a sparkly robins’ egg, and some old flowers that I sprinkled with the sparklies too.
The swap is hosted by Heather at Speckled Egg. I have NEVER gotten into one of her cool swaps in time, I was so glad to squeak into this one at the last minute, thanks, Heather!
Plus this was a quick one to put together. Sugarwings and I made this while chasing her around the studio today testing out my supplies. I had all the elements glittered up all ready to go, all we did was glue them into place in this Johnson Bros. tea cup.
Speaking of birds and their homes, I started a flickr group for our Birdhouse Bling Day. (details for the swap in my previous post).
Here is the Flickr site. It is open to the public, feel free to post birdhouse photos whenever you’d like! You don’t have to write a blog to use this, its open to all.
And speaking of swaps– is anyone interested in a St Pats Tag Swap? Just a simple quickie.
A reader, Jenny, asked me if I knew of any St Pat swaps and I hadn’t seen any around, so I asked her if she wanted to do a one on one tag swap. Come to find out, she is a newbie and hasn’t had a chance to swap yet. So I thought, we should do one and show her how!
All you need to do is make 2 tags, any size, any shape, any old way you want as long as they have a St Patrick’s Day theme. Send it to me with a self addressed, stamped envelope (make sure that your postage is covered, this might weigh more than one stamp’s worth). I’ll swap them around and send you two back.
Quick and easy, no large packages and tons of stuff involved, just send a couple, get a couple.
Have them here by March 5th (Friday) and I’ll get them out to you in time to slip under your pillow on St Pat’s eve for good luck, and sweet dreams of green beer.
Also, help yourself to any of these Irish images I scanned. I thought I had more, hmmm. This tag thing could be harder than I thought if this is all I have to work with.
Sissy, do you have any Celtic type things you’d like to send along and share?
While I was scanning, I copied the cover of Somerset Life and sent it to Sadie Olive (who beautifully laid out my blog for me). She added this one to the list of magazines to the left. Thanks, Sara!!
As promised, I made up some Cottage Collage Bird House Bling Kits and listed them on Etsy for $10 each. There are 3 left I think.
I might be able to make up a few more when I get back from DC.
I also listed a few more things, tried to stock up before I go out of town.
But I’m afraid all orders won’t get mailed till after I get back on Monday. Then, Tuesday is my Sugarwings day and not a lot gets done when she is around! They will be packed up that night after she leaves. Unless you don’t mind having your things slobbery and chewed on, I don’t think I should let her help.
Well, no more excuses, I need to go and pack for my trip!
Hi Karla! I love the birdhouses in your next post! Perhaps I join the fun too. St. Patricks swap will be a bit difficult as our stamps are worth nothing in the States, but that doesn’t matter! Loved reading your post again and looking at your nice pictures. Especially those of artist Sugarwings making a special blue paint.
Have a nice trip! xoxo L.
Hi, Karla! What is your deadline for the StP swap? (It might be in there, I’ll check again!) I’d love to participate, but not sure where to mail my tags! (There is an ATC swap going on in the yahoo atc_group, but I think I’d like to do tags this time! You may email me with the info or leave it on the Marmelade Gypsy! That would be fun to swap with some new folks, too!
Karla, from what I see in your blog, you will have no trouble finding inspiration even in your hubby’s part-time bachelor pad.
My Sunday School kids made a bunch of valentine’s for our local food pantry recipients. They are pictured on my blog (www.northwoodsramblings.blogspot.com). I thought of you while we made them, but I was too chicken to turn a dozen or so 3-10 loose with glitter. They are ‘heartfelt’ but lack glitz. I need to order myself a little bit of reckless abandon!
HI KARLA!!
Remember me?? 🙂
Just wanted to pop in and try to make some rounds and catch up with one of my favorite bloggers! 🙂 I’ve missed so much!
Hopefully I will be able to catch up with all your fabulousness now that I am not having morning sickness and exhuastion ALL DAY!! 😛
As usual you inspire me!
*muah*
Michelle
Karla
HAve fun on your trip–the birdhouses, I think, will be just gorgeous, I am anxious to see what results!
Karla, I’d love to join in on your St. Pat’s Tag swap. Sounds like fun!!! And your beautiful wallpaper folder came the other day and it is even more beautiful than the photos. Thank you so much!
Have a great trip, Karla! I always love to pop in and see the latest adventures of Sugarwings, the Fairy Grandbaby! I love your little royal birdie in her throne cup too… so sweet.
I want to make a St Patrick’s Day tag or two too.
Mahala
Will you put me on the invite for Sugarwings first artist showing? Looks like creative talent runs in your sweet family:)
Hugs:)
Carol
Hi! HOW ARE YOU????
Your cute baby and she is great artist!
Have a great trip, Karla!
Talk with you soon
Enjoy your day! xo xo
Marina
Hi Karla!
Your cute baby and she is great artist!
Have a great trip, Karla!
Talk with you soon
Enjoy your day! xo xo
Marina
I’d love to make the tags too, but I’m also so new to all of this (I just hosted my first give-away: One World One Heart)that I’m not sure what the definition of a “Tag” is. Please describe :-)I’d love to make one. Is it like a book mark? I really enjoy making bookmarks.
Have a blast in D.C. and Happy Valentines Day.
Pam
babeta.etsy
I would to make some St. Pat’s tags. I love St. Pat’s day. I’ll need to know where to sent them.
Claudia
I’m new to swapping -the two tags seems fun, I’ve got green and one quote but not much else! Will have to work something. The “covering cost of” is want I’d be concerned about. Would $3.00 in stamps cover it?
Have never done Flicr before so if I do the bird house thing you might have to take my word for it!!!
Hi Karla!
I’d love to join in on your St. Patricks day tag swap! Thanks!
Heather will love that birdie, precious chewed blue eggs and all:) I’ll pop two St Pats tags in the mail to you:) Rachael
Karla ,would love to do this tag swap — 2 tags can do them in my sleep, after our forty item one –was so excellent tho !! — except , like you not many elements here — will hafta –get – busy find something cute —
Kathy – countrychintz.blogspot.com
HI KARLA!
I just purchased my copy of this issue and your spread is wonderful! Kudos!
KJ
Hi Karla,
Please add me to your St. Pat’s day swap.
Suze
Karla, I’d love to do the St. Pat’s day tag swap too! Please add me to your list. With my mom in the hospital, I don’t have much time to play but I can fit in some tags and I want to Bling a Birdhouse too!
I would like to join your St. Patrick tag swap. Too bad the pictures I sent you wouldn’t post right on your blog. There are lots of vintage St. Patrick’s Day images on the internet to choose from. It is just wonderful that Sugarwings can create art with you & especially to use the studio floor as a canvas. You have seen the glitter & glue on my kitchen table left from some of my grandchildrens’ creations…
Hi Karla,
I need your address for the St. Pat’s Day Tag Swap!
Thanks,
xo jeanne
Karla, please send me your address for the St. Pat’s Day tag swap. 🙂
Thanks,
xo jeanne
I absolutly LOVE that little Birdie with the crown and the necklace!!!! That is the BOMB!!!! I love all your stuff but this birdie – WOW!!! Could I still get in on your Irish Tag swap? Would love to swap!!!
Tera