What a nice surprise yesterday when I started getting emails congratulating me on my article in Somerset Life! I've been so busy with Sugarwings while her Daddy and my husband were out of town, that I hadn't even got the mail in yet. So when I heard that this was out, I had to trot down to the end of the drive and take a peek in the mailbox. Yep, it was here! Now, I just need some time to curl up by the fire and read through it….
Looks like its a interesting issue, and I've glimpsed through and saw lots of friends in it too, so can't wait to have a good look!
What's keeping me so busy? Well, things like this. While Sugarwings is a school today, I dug out this book that was my sons' favorite when they were little. I'm going to surprise her after school with this sleepy bear in her dolly bed and a few Christmas bears in her doll house.
Years ago, we'd buy a new bear to add to the collection every year. But since my boys have grown up, I kind of stopped getting the bears out. My Christmas palette has changed to pastels, gold, and silver. But with the fairy grand baby 3 now and loving all things Christmas, I think she'll be very excited to see all these furry guys in red and green waiting in her doll house after school today.
My own house has more of a snowy color theme this year. I'm glad the cheery and bright bears are finding a home in Sugarwing's room. I've missed them, and will be happy to see them out and about this year celebrating the season with us.
While the guys have been gone and its just been girl's week around here, (actually, its only on the 3rd day, but it kind of feels like a week. Three year olds need a whole family to help with them, not just one, poor, old, Grammy by herself!!) we've gone to see Princess and the Frog (GREAT!!) and made 6 batches of fudge, plus some glittered snow flakes.
This was an easy project for the two of us. We dipped these hand crocheted circles (made by my Great Aunt Caroline) into starch. Sugarwings dumped most of a bottle We sprinkled glitter into the bowl of starch before dipping the snow flakes in it, and then flattened them out onto a cookie sheet. Now that they have dried over night, I tied ribbons to them to hang some on the tree. The glitter looks better in person, than it does in the photos.
While she has been in school, I've tried to add to the shop, but really haven't got much done. I've got two sets of these place setting markers. You can write the names on with dry erase markers, or with crayons like I did here. I can also see them used in craft projects. Pretty, huh?
I've also made some attempts to do my own Christmas shopping, but all I seem to buy are clothes for you know who. My current obsession is that Gap commercial with all the little girls chanting "I love my comfy sweater, how cute are these boots?" and I just keep finding colorful, comfy, cute clothes for Sugarwings instead of shopping for the stuff I should be buying!
That Gap commercial just sticks in my head…
Hey, don't forget that Amy Barickman has given me this book PLUS a $25 gift certificate to download images at Vintage Workshop as a prize for my December giveaway. I'm also including a two sweet hankies to use when you make a project from the Hankie Style book.
Karla, that Sugarwings is so blessed to have a Grammy like you. I love the bear book and all of the bears. I know she will love them too.
And the snowflakes are so pretty. I know Great Aunt Caroline is smiling down on you now.
I can’t wait to get my Somerset Life to find your article. Congrats!
Love the snowflakes I love that look!
Sugar wings will be thrilled to see so many bears in her playhouse.Lucky little girl!!
I am going to go buy a Somerset right now!
Diane
Sugarwings has the best grandma in the world! I love your snowy white decor.
Take time to enjoy the moments.
LOrrie
Congrats Karla on your Somerset article! I cant wait to get my hands on a copy! Your home looks dreamy and GORGEOUS! Love the soft creamy white colors! Cute snowflakes! What a fun project! That’s if you dont have glitter dumped everywhere. tee! hee! XO,Jenn
Congrats on your Somerset Life! I’m saving mine for the week between Christmas and New Years when I’m off from work!! Wishing you and your entire family a wonderful glittered Christmas!
Enjoy!
Leann
Karla..where can I buy Somerset Life..I have also seen a mag called Dove tail….I`m in Calif..I`ve never seen them….love Aunt Carolines ornaments..what a treasure..Lorraine
You are one good Grammy! That’s what my grandson calls me too. I’m not shopping at all this year. My adult daughters and I decided against continuing this last year. And I give money generally to my daughter with the kids for her to buy what she desires for them. Then during the year, unexpectedly, Grammy will send them things in the mail. Congratulations on the article! I’ll pick it up when I get out again.
Brenda
Karla..where can I get Somerset Life…I`m in calif…I`ve also seen one called Dovetail….love Aunt Carolines ornaments what a treasure..Lorraine
I want to come and hang out at your house. Will you let us drink red wine in the white Christmas room?
I do have a question – did you actually trot to the mailbox?
Karla,
Your home looks so homey! I love the colors. It is so peaceful.
Wish I could crochet so I could have some of those snowflakes! They remind me of my childhood – my mom had some!
Everything looks so beautiful. I just love the linen hankies. I ironed up about 12 vintage (new) ones yesterday. All crisp and white.
Huge congrats on your Somerset article. You go girl
Happy Holidays,
Cathy
I love the pics of Sugarwing’s dollhouse! It is just adorable. Your house looks beautiful too. I made snowflakes like that many years ago. I have a bunch of those little tiny circles too. Now, if I just had more time. I am going to have to go look for that Hanky Style book. I love that blouse on the cover and I have tons of hankies. I also have to go buy the Somerset Life. I can’t wait to see what you’ve done.
Isn’t Christmas so much more fun with little people around? Less productive, but more fun!
You are simply the best grammy a child could possibly have. You create such magic for Sugarwings everyday. I hope you take pics of her with the bears.
By the way, let us know how school’s going. Did she make Christmas gifts?
~elaine~
those snowflakes look really pretty Karla…what a great idea!!!
The shop can wait – there’s nothing better than making these memories with Sugarwings! My 12 year old 3 year old wants to make fudge, too! He’s off school beginning today so that’s on our list for the coming week.
I can’t wait to find the new Somerset! Congratulations!
I tracked down a site that sold Somerset life and sent it to here, but the p&p was so expensive that I couldn’t justify it. Congrats on your article!
Am chortling about the candy cane story! I’ve yet to take Humbug to see Father Christmas, mainly because the ones in shops here aren’t good enough. Fake beards are ok, but at least *try* to make them look real!!! When I find a decent one, I’ll take her.
Love your starchy snowflakes, what a lovely idea. We’ve got real snow at the moment in my part of the UK. Everywhere looks so festive and perfect. It won’t last until Christmas Day, but it’s still wonderful to see.
Time I was off. Please, please save me a book! I’ll be requesting a PP invoice at the start of Jan!
xx
Karla,
You are just the BEST Fairy Grandmother! I am amazed! I am so looking forwrad to this stage.
Congratulations on being in Somerset Life. What a nice honor. I was at the bookstore yesterday and didn’t see it but I think they send an early free copy to people that are in the magazine (not that I have been published!!!). it is so odd to see so many people I know after being at Silver Bella…some real Rock Stars there…you included!)
Hi Karla, Oh my goodness, your home is just stunning with your gorgeous Christmas decorations, love your color scheme!!! I love that you saved your son’s favorite book and all those sweet little bears, sugarwings will LOVE those!!!! And your snowflakes that were made by your Aunt Caroline’s sweet hands, what a wonderful treasure to have!!! And a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on being published in Somerset Life!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to get this issue and read and see your article!!!! And guess what????? I’m PUBLISHED in the Jan/Feb issue of Somerset Studio!!!!!!! And our art project made the cover, too!!!!!!!! This is my first time to ever be published and oh my, it’s SO exciting!!!!!! I love that you share so much of your wonderful days spent with sugarwings, everytime I see what the two of you are up to, I want a grandbaby SO bad!!! You’re the best grammy!!! Hope you and your beautiful family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
(((hugs)))
Milli Wagoner (sashagirl on flickr)
Congrats on Somerset Life….I can hardly wait to go out and buy mine. I will check out your pages ASAP. Loving Sugarwings Christmas house and all that you do for her!!
Sugarwings is adorable!!! And yes, it takes more than one tired Grandmother to care for these little angels. I know when my little ones leave I am so tired! Of course, the fact that we stop everything & just entertain them doesn’t help the schedules either. But, enjoy her because YOU know how fast this will pass. They grow up TOOOOOOOOOOO fast. Merry Christms! Charlene
Congratulations on the article in Somerset Life. I will have to go out and buy it today before they are all gone. Yes, it is tiring for Grandmas to take care of our little ones, but oh the joy and love we receive in turn. I am watching Miss Sarah (13 months) right now at my daughter’s house. She is actually napping now, so I am catching up on my blog reading.
Great idea with the snowflakes! I bet they would look great strung as a garland or hanging in a window too! Congrats on the Somerset Life article. Can’t wait until the 1st so I can go out and by my issue!
How precious! What a sweet Grammy you are! Thanks for sharing.
Susan at Charm of the Carolines
Your house looks beautiful!! I love your pastel colors for Christmas. Congrats on the Article, I look forward to reading it.
Take Care,
Tracy M.
I so enjoy your blog! Each time I come by I get so much inspiration. Everything is so beautiful!!!
Blessings,
Christine
The Christmas decor is wonderful! I’m sure Sugarwings feels like she’s in a magical wonderland there!
Congrats on being published (again!)
Have a wonderful Christmas Karla!
From one grandmother to another, have you ever visited this site for little girls’ clothes?
http://www.edensbouquet.com/index.php
I am so behind in reading, commenting and posting but I wanted to drop in and tell you all to have a wonderfully MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
love,
angela
You are an extra special Grammy, you know that? What a wonderful thing to have Christmas bears to greet upon arriving home!
Hmmm, whoever did that Gap commercial should get an advertising bonus for doing such a good job if they can distract you from your Christmas shopping. Good luck getting it all done in time!