Have you ever had a project that almost defeats you? Beth was asking on a post the other day, if you :
1-gave up on a piece that was going badly
2-set it aside and got back to it later with a fresh eye
or
3-do as Tim Gun says and "make it work"
I am a "make it work" type. I don’t give up, but on the other hand, I also normally work pretty fast and don’t dwell on any one piece too much.
This one, my recipe page for our Sweet Treats and Roses Recipe Swap just about did me in today!
The problem was trying to copy it. Since I used 3D items it wouldn’t scan well and most photos I took of it made huge shadows.
I must have photographed it 200 times or more, trying to get a copy where you could actually read the recipe! This is as good as I’ll get it, I guess. I should have used a larger font, that might have helped.
I’ve emailed this image of it to the UPS Store, they have a 19 cent color copy special right now. Which helps if you are making 42! (actually 21, with two per page)
I got a few covers for the recipe books done today, but not as many as I would have liked, since my recipe ate up most of the day and I refused to let it beat me down!
One of our swappers, Sarah Huckman, included some pretty scraps and bits and pieces for Beth and I to play with when she sent in her pages. I used some of them on this one, over the back ground of vintage wallpaper.
This one includes a great old, floral playing card that Beth gave me to use (sorry about the glare, but after hours of trying to get a good picture of the recipe, I was willing to let this one go as is!).
The Victorian scrap art bird was from Beth too. The bird is wearing a crystal heart necklace attached with a millinery flower.
There is another of those pretty playing cards on this one. Beth left a few for me and I plan on using them all, I love the way they work on these covers.
The pink rhinestones are actually a pair of earrings, that I cut the back off of. My darling niece, JoRenda (yes, that is really her name, it was taken from a fairy tale about JoRenda and JoRingle. We are glad our JoJo wasn’t a twin, because you know what her twin would be named! Which might be a bit much, if there were two of them, but JoRenda is the perfect name for this girl and it suits her.)
Where was I? Oh, yes, JoRenda gave me a big bag of prom style crystal and rhinestone jewelry that had been on clearance at Claires. I have been chopping it up and gluing it like crazy. Sparkly things to glue on stuff?? How sweet of her, I am thrilled with it. 
This is my favorite cover so far, I am in love with this pink and brown flocked wallpaper. I only had a little piece of it, and it was just enough to make two covers. I hope the person who gets this appreciates old wallpapers as much as I do and understands the sacrifice of using this stuff instead of hoarding it!
Oh-oh, more glare on this one too. I used up my entire quotient of editing patience today on the recipe page. Sorry.
This one is pretty simple, I used the old, pretty paper with just the added heart made of German text and another wallpaper. Then, I drew vines and leaves all over the background in gold ink.
I might add some rhinestones and crystals. But I do like the simplicity of this one.
I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked, due to the copy problems and the fact that I had to go shoe shopping.
And not only just regular shoes, I need SANDALS for a trip I am going on. That isn’t easy to find in Kansas in January. Especially when my feet are shaped like Fred Flintstone’s. That limits my choices.
I don’t enjoy shoe shopping and tend to wear shoes until they fall apart, because they are so hard to replace. I can usually find something in the little girl’s department, my feet are short and fat. But I am going to a ritzy place and think that child’s shoes won’t be appropriate. I need glamor! I need big girl shoes!! I need -oh no- high heels!! I have to wear a dress too. This will be hard for me too. Did I mention that I had Barney Rubble legs to go with the Fred feet?
We are going to Palm Springs and it is with the new company my husband works for, so I can’t show up with kid’s sneakers on with jeans.
Ironically, I was invited to a Romantic Homes launch party for their new book, Vintage Vavoom, next week in California! How often does a Midwesterner just happen to be in CA?? I was really tempted to go to this, since I will (hopefully) own a new pair of shoes and a DRESS. But, the timing wasn’t quite right, plus, going to a country club and spa will be enough of a stretch for me for one week.
It would be interesting though, wouldn’t it??
Karla, The covers look beautiful! Your favorite is mine too. Love that flocked wallpaper, it’s gorgeous!
-Karoline
I have very carefully and slowly read this so as not to scroll down too far to the next post! Lovely recipe sheet, gorgeous covers. Have fun shoe shopping, big girl shoes will make your legs look taller and thinner, trust me, I am 4ft10 & a 1/2 so I know all about legs, well the lack of!!!
I am a make it work type myself 🙂
Going to CA will be lots of FUN – especially the spa!
xo
Mary
Karla all of the covers are beautiful.
Love the simplicity of the last one but a couple of ‘bits of something sparkly would look fabulous.
Alison
I had no trouble reading your recipe on the computer if that was what you meant. And my eyesight sucks.
The layouts are gorgeous. I love the one at the bottom with the lilac roses the most … I think. They’re all beautiful.
The covers are gorgeous. Good work.
Karla, your book covers are just simply gorgeous…i am a make it work kind of gal…however, that said i have been known to throw things away that were going no~where fast…oh, and sometimes i take them back out and try again…
Karla… YOU HAVE TO GO. I got invited to a movie premeier in LA once and I passed it up because I was 5 months pregnant and thought with the kids schedule and being so fat, and thier school,,, blah blah blah. I regret it to this day….What a great opportunity…GO GO GO!
JEn R
Oh Golly, They are all so beautiful and truly a work of love. That flocked wallpaper is yummy.
I have recently discovered the world of blogs (no I don’t live under a rock!) and am having a grand time looking at what all such talented ladies there are out there! I love what you do, not only your art but your page. So beautiful!
Every single one looks SO pretty!!! That flocked paper is amazing. I can’t believe you gave it up! lol
I can’t believe you only paid 19cents for your copies… I paid 25.00 at staples!!!!!!! lol
xoxo Heather
Beautiful papers, you make the sweetest creations! I’m so in love with paper art! Hugs, Kimberly
I am definitely a “set it aside” kind of person. In fact, there is a project I just started last week (or was that 2 weeks ago) that I thought I would have finished by now… sigh! I think I get “paint fear” or something like that! LOL!
How cool was that to be invited to a Romantic Homes shindig???? WOW.
~ Jillian
PS. I started my very FIRST giveaway today! I’m so excited! I’m such a newbie. 🙂
All the covers that you have made are beautiful. Smiles….
Karla, Stopped by to say hi! I have been up to my elbows in cake batter and ganache! Lovely posts, gee I’ve some newer wallpaper pieces with flowers you’d like but can you find a spot for them??? Later, Lori
Such Beautiful Work! Please enter me in the monthly draw.
Your recipe looks great! Kudos to you for going through all the stress of getting it just right. The covers are all so wonderful – esp. the pink and brown paper. I think we all understand how hard it is to use paper and then to give it away! The Romantic Homes party would have been very interesting but it sounds like you will be having just as lovely a time! Send some warm Palm Springs vibes my way.
Karla
Such drama… I think your recipe page turned out great! I feel like any time I do a big project that something like that happens. It is exhausting, isn’t it?
Good luck with the shoes/sandals!!! I have hard to fit feet too and it takes me forever to find shoes I really like. And I laughed because I always say that my husband has Fred Flinstone toes…square at the ends!!! 🙂 You’ll be absolutely beautiful!!!
I think the recipe is beautiful and the covers are gorgeous. The flocked paper is to die for!!
Hugs! Nancy
Those are all beautiful covers Karla. I love your recipe card too. As far as wearing a dress to a party in Palm Springs. This is California. We don’t dress up. LOL Well maybe a little. I’m sure you could wear pants though.
I have that book on hold at a shop I go to. Has it come out yet?
Hey Karla, I’m so excited with all the Sweet Treat and Roses covers and can’t wait to get mine, everyone of them is sooooo beautiful, I’ll be happy and honored to have anyone of your wonderful creations….Oh Karla you must go to Romanic Homes Launch Party, how much fun would you have there….take lots of photo’s and post it on your blog an we can pretend we went to the party too…LOL
Have a Fantasic Day Karla!
Hugs
Kirstie.
I love the same cover you love for the recipe book. I love comung here to visit your page .It’s so different from mine yet in a away we alike . your picture drawing of the fairy was really beauitful. nice talking with you. Be back soon. Love Debb
Oh man, too bad you can’t skip the country club! That sounds a little tedious, but a Romantic Homes party- woohoo!
Those covers are looking fabulous!! Esp. the wallpaper and sparkly bits 🙂
I thought I just saw that book at Borders last week. Hmm.. starting to doubt myself though if that is a launch party.. doesn’t that mean it isn’t out yet?
oh I hate to dress like a grown up!!! the older I get the worse I dress.. give me baggy.. holey.. anything just give me confy!!!
Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the sunshine and time with your hubby!!
P.S. the swap books are lovely……
Hubby and I are talking about going to Branson to see the Noah’s Ark show this Fall and he (hubby, not Noah) said to me, “You know you’ll have to dress up for that right?” Geeezzz… like I don’t know how or something! Your swap stuff all looks so amazing!! I’ll swap you a dress for it. =) Blessings… Polly
Your covers are gorgeous! Every one of them are just perfection…confection perfection! :]
Hugs,
Deb
Karla
I’m working on my 42 pages–your covers are gorgeous!
Recipe looks great despite all the problems.
DWS is a great place to find really interesting shoes. They may have outlets even in Kansas because they do in Wi.
Maybe it’s DSW. Hope this helps.
Pam
Love the Books !! They will be heirlooms for sure !! 🙂 Have fun in Ca. The weather is just gorgeous. I have to admit, that nothing in this life could get me in heels ever again !! lol. You go girl !! Come enter my give away !! :)hugs,
Rhea
Oh you just gotta go to that think in Ca. so we can hear about it!!! High heels though…hmmm…I’d have to think that one over.
I love all of your pages, glare and all but that birdie is my favorite element!
Love your recipe. 19 cents a copy!!!! My heaven’s I paid just over $36.00 for 21 double sided copies(2 recipes per page) at my UPS store in Canada. I want to move. LOL
Karen
well done.