22 years (and a waistline) ago on August 10th, I married my sweetie. We are not going to be able to celebrate this year, I’m afraid between his business trips and my family reunion trip coming up, we are missing being together that day.
After being together for so long, we’ve learned that being together on the date itself isn’t as important as the fact that we enjoy being together every day.
When I get to Indiana, my sis and I are doing a swap, with Beth. Sis and I were already doing an art hat doll swap together, and Beth and I have already swapped supplies. But now, we are making gift bags and swapping some other fun items.
I made this bag from a big brown grocery bag, scrap booking papers, a copy of an old postcard, ribbon, stamps, gold pen and of course- glitter!
Then, I tied on two tags I had made, one with her initial (s for Sissy, or Sharon) and a smaller copy of the same birdie postcard I used on the bag.
The other tag has been stamped with red and brown inks, then one of my hand painted wallpaper medallions was glued to it.
So far, I have packed up a bundle of the bubble silverware that I bought at a garage sale and Sissy liked, a couple of fairy stories from an old book, and a vintage dishtowel with her initial on it.
This little hand carved angel is something I bought at the Renaissance Festival a few years back, and repainted. I thought Sissy might like it for her garden.
I also have a glow in the dark garden stake for her.
We decided that we wouldn’t mail the art doll hats to each other, we’d save the money from postage and use it to buy a bottle of wine, then we will wear our hats and drink the wine together while we open up our swap gifts!
I have spent the rest of the morning making tags, since I was "tagged" by Phyllis for a unique form of the tag game.
You are supposed to write the names of the taggees onto a "world wonder". But Phyllis used chalk boards and Sandi used green tomatoes, so I figured I could use what I wanted, so I used TAGS.
I started with Kim at Daisy Cottage, with her lively reds and yellows, it was fun to work with a different palette and make this "K" for her.
Next is a wonderful artist, my new blog friend, Bethany . I did some hand drawn swirls and added this artist pallette copied from an old post card.
Next, is my buddy, Beth who has a passion for vintage sewing supplies. 
One of the very first bloggers I met was the wonderful Vicki who was so kind and helpful when I was a newbie. She also makes the greatest stuff, and right now has a funny story on her blog about things that go bump in the night.
EDIT- Phyllis just emailed me to ask where I found the "Marryville" for Mrs Staggs, her blog is about "Merryville". It was a total random accident and I didn’t know I had done it!!!
And for the kind and genteel Mrs. Staggs who is taking a blog break right now, due to family illnesses. But I thought a little tag in the mail would help cheer her up, and let her know that even though she isn’t blogging right now, we haven’t forgotten her.
And last ( I think I was supposed to do 8, but ran out of time to make tags, I have a trip to pack for!)
Connie who is so techno savyy and is always ready to jump in and explain how to fix a problem. Check out the hand made roses she is doing on her blog right now!
OK, taggees, if you want to play, you tag some people yourselves and add their name to a picture. Most people have used photo shop, I don’t have those skills, so I hand made some real life tags.
Tomorrow, Kari
is holding an Artful Blogger party to celebrate her article in the magazine. She is asking for tutorials, so I decided to post "How to Paint Furniture". It will include step by steps on how I did these two chairs.
Hope you come back to check out the party tomorrow!
August give away reminder
I will give the winner a choice- if you are an artist and want a Cottage Collage Kit filled with vintage goodness, I’ll send that. If you are not and don’t want the kit, I will make something for you from one of my kits!!! Leave a message to enter, as often as you’d like. I do love me some comments!
You handled that tag quickly and with style! Love those…especially Beth’s and HOW did you find paper that said Merryville on it to make Mrs. Stagg’s tag? She surely isn’t forgotten and I’m gonna make sure of that.
Love the tags you created they are beautiful. Also did you hand paint the back of the chair?? I love it!!
Thank you Karla!!!! I LOVE mine! 😉 I will play, but I have to think of something to do now :???? .
Ellie is home and recuperating (I have one whole week to keep her from running around or chewing on her stitches…yikes!)
Fantastic tags! So much inspiration there, and I love all the colors on the gift bag. It makes those little creative wheels in my brain get turning faster! 🙂
I like your tags, they are very creative.
I hope read your tutorials.
oh my gosh the tags are so beautiful
Karla, Where in Indiana are you visiting can I ask? Happy Anniversary you are such a gorgous couple then and now!! Have fun and get ready for Indiana heat!!! Lori
Beths blue tag is to DIE FOR!! well, maybe not that extreme but it is pretty neato. I love those colors and glitter! What a fun idea. I love that you just give stuff away! I had just “Random thought” tagged someone but I don’t think they are going to play nice….they didn’t post anything yet. I had fun doing it anyway.
Oh yeah, Your wedding photo…tickle me pink cute!! You two seem so happy!
OH Karla… You are just the sweetest most talented person ever!! I LOVE that gorgeous tag and I’m so so touched that you would think of me! Hugs Friend! Vicki
wow, I think your posts are worth like three of everyone else’s. So much good stuff in there! Loved it all, especially your wedding pic, loved that “waistline ago” know exactly what you mean(she says with a cookie in her hand!) Have lots of fun with your sis!
Karla,
I love your wedding photo. You look so HAPPY!!
Everything that you do has so much detail and is so special.
~elaine~
Happy anniversary Karla, it always makes me so happy to see people married along time !!! Here is to many more years. I am sure your tag will touch Lena so. It was soo kind of you xoxoxox Clarice
Happy Anniversary, Karla! Our 20th wedding anniversary is actually today, August 8. I loved your many tags and are using them for inspiration. Also, thank you for the painting furniture tutorial—very helpful. I hope you have a great anniversary day and a fun trip.
Thanks for stopping by & for sharing your lovely talents! Happy Anniversary as well!
So glad I found your blog via Kari’s…I’m learning so much. You have fabulous style! Oh, and Happy Anniversary!!
I love the tags…they are so wonderful!
I love the tags, they are so gorgeous. This is the first time I have found yr site, it’s great and thanks for sharing the ‘how to’ with furniture. Love it!
You did such a great job tagging with those tags! You have talent oozing!
Oh Karla! I just now found this post and I love “my” tag!!!LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Too cute! ALL of them are just as sweet and creative as they can be! You are sooooooo good!!!!
((((hugs))))
Kim
Happy Anniversary! Wow, 22 years, that’s amazing in this day & age!
Love the tags!