Sugarwings and I had a pretend tea party this weekend, and we both opened hostess gifts from the Dorothy tag books swap. I'm so touched by all the thoughtfulness! Anyone who knows me, knows that the way to my heart is to spoil that little fairy grand baby of mine.
Or to make something for me, I Iove hand made things! Or to give me ephemera and supplies to use in my own work. Or to to make a thoughtful gesture. I guess there are lots of ways to get to me, I so appreciate an act of kindness!
Before the party started, we opened a gift from Barbara, that she sent, "just because". I swear, don't you meet the nicest people in the blog world?
We called it the Yellow Brick Road Dress. It's a colorful concoction featuring a road, appliqued ruby slippers down the front, and poppies stitched to the shoulder.
Sugarwings has both red glittered slippers from the Oz movie and silver glittered slippers that were in the Oz book. I found them at garage sales, and she loves them so much, that she insists they are on her bed at night when I tuck her in. Not exactly cuddly, but they make her happy. And I know how women can be about their shoes. Personally, I have Fred Flinstone feet and am always happy to find a non-Birkenstock that fits me. So, I can't be a shoe person like she is. Wish I could.
Agnes Rosebud was invited to the party, and I dressed her up in the poppy headband that Barb had made to go with the dress. But the little pup wasn't all that interested in our presents.
Until this one came out of the box! Even the dogs were remembered with a hostess gift of tasty treats.
And oh my! Do you see that flying monkey on the altered blocks?? Sorry its not facing the camera completely, the two blocks spell OZ in green glittered letters and its cuter than a bug! Its from Amy Bauer.
The monkey was all wrapped up as a gift to me, but Sugarwings can't quite believe it is not for her. If we have to arm wrestle for it, I think I can take her.
The ribbon in her hair was part of the wrapping that I saved from the packages filled with tags. I salvage every little bit of tissue, bubble wrap, and ribbon that comes along with the avalanche of artwork. When you order goods from my shop, I try to use as much recycled packaging as I can, and the outside of the envelopes often are covered with black sharpie scribbles marking out the old addresses. But I really take time and care to make the purchases look good when you get the package open.
And so many of the swappers did too. I did some oohing and awing over the way some of the tags were wrapped up. Then, I scooped up the stuff to save and use again! Thanks, swappers!
The Good Witch/Bad Witch buttons that are pinned to her Yellow Brick Road dress were gifts from my Sissy to Sugarwing's Hippie Chick Mommy. This kid gets her love of all things Oz from her mom and her dear departed Nanny, who were both huge Oz fans.
As much as I enjoy the Dorothy story, I don't come close to those girls. They are fanatics.
I've become more of an Oz afficionado since being around them. I can definately quote the movie, act it out, and sing the songs when called for.
Toto is my favorite character, so I really enjoyed this cute zipper pull and will add it to my little fairie's winter coat.
Many of the swappers included extra tags for my own book, or hand made thank you cards that were so cute, I had to add them to my tag book.
This one features little Agnes Rosebud as a tiny baby.
When I host a swap, I'm lucky to get lots of extra tags to fatten my books up. I have them all on display in the studio hanging from this metal shelf. And everyonce in a while I'll take them down to flip through. Its wonderful to have a mini collection of so many artist's work.
To receive hand made, personal gifts from the artists too, is just amazing! Cheryl made this box and book and I was floored when I opened it. Do you ever feel like a dweeb compared to other artists? I was overwhelmed by so many of the really extrordinary art that arrived at my doorstep for this swap. Its impressive to see the talent out there, and even more impressive to see all the tags spread out on my table tops to drool over.
So, if your book is a little curled up on the edges, that is just drool from my admirations.
Okay, now here comes the embarrassing part. I hate to admit this to you, but I might have screwed up. After finishing all the mailing, there is still a book on my desk….
I never said I was good at this. I just said I tried really, really hard to stay organized.
All the names are marked off the list. So, I have no idea who didn't get one.
On the other hand, so many people sent in extra tags, and I made so many myself, and of course, that will really throw off the numbers.
So, if you don't have your book by the end of the week, please let me know. So Sorry. Very Sorry.
Also, someone didn't get a Toto tag in their basket on the cover of the book. If your basket is empty let me know. There is a Toto on my desk waiting to be reunited with his Dorothy. ooops again.
Thank you, to all who were part of the swap and thanks also for all of the thoughtful gifts! Totally unessacary, but greatly enjoyed by us both!
did you notice that the “colorful” part of the dress are actually the wizard of oz characters..(well they are pumpkins dressed as the characters!!!)…sooo happpy she likes it!!! and works well with a shirt under and leggings too!!!!
SMOOOOOOOOOOOCHES!!!
Adorable and soooo thoughtful! There are a lot of talented people out there! Just an incentive to make us all try harder!!
Thanks for sharing Karla. As always those big blue eyes are captivating! Yeh Sugarwings!!
Sandy
This is such a gorgeous post Karla – I always love your photos and nice easy chatty posts!
I wish I had seen your post about this swap – I’ll keep my eyes open next time for sure.
I’ve never taken part in one but I feel it’s time to be brave!!!
Take care
Karla, Just love the dress
on Sugarwings. How sweet. Please keep her clothes for a quilt you might make her someday for her wedding gift or graduation. She will look back on all the fun she had with her Grammie.
Just asking, are you selling any Oz tags? {You made up}}}I did not get involved because i do not know how to make the tags. But would really love on, since i am a Oz fan. Please send me your address, i have something i must send you.
It has to be amazing to receive such fabulous work from so many artists.
I love the pictures of Sugarwings. It doesn’t make any difference how much she receives, she always has such an awed look on her face. She will be amazed some day when she realizes that not all kids get such fabulous gifts on a regular basis.
~elaine~
My book was waiting for me when I got home from a weekend at the lake, and I was lucky enough to get TWO Karla tags, or a cover and a tag — however you do it! WONDERFUL, beautiful work. And did I see a little Sugarwings in those Dorothys? Karla, thank you — I’m thrilled.
How fabulous; So much talent! I am so happy YOU loved the little dog zipper pull! I thought it was so cute! Who wouldn’t like it~ Thank you for all your effort; I am enjoying my tag book; off to email the gals that made my tags! Thanks for making magic, again xXx
Ohh it looks like so much fun. I just love the dress and her face is lit up with excitement! I am loving those pretty blue eyes. Such special times together!!
Karla, this is a beautiful post and I was so excited to see my clothespin and the tag I made you of sweet Agnes Rosebud with Glenda!!! Thanks for letting me participate, I had so much fun doing it and can’t wait to get the book you made me.
Sugarwings just gets more and more beautiful. She is going to break a lot of boys hearts someday!!
Hugs
Ginger
Karla, Karla,
You are absolutely the best swap hostess! I love looking at the pictures of your tags and gifts. I am always amazed how the tags get more and more fabulous with each new swap. There are some immensely talented people out there!!!
That Sugarwings has the most beautiful eyes I have seen. Lashes…wow! They are so blue! I thinks she looks adorable in that dress. She is just the little fantasy princess! Sure makes me long for those days again.
Hugs,
Suz
I love seeing all the treats. And I always love seeing photos of Sugarwings. She is so beautiful.
In doing this swap I realized I love the witches. They really are my favs! Who wouldn’t love a line like, ” . . .my magnificent wickedness. . .” Thanks again for hosting it.
~Marilee
Wow, that really looked like an epic adventure for it all! Congratulations on only ending up with one lost book and Toto. I’m sure they’ll be resolved in the epilogue (aka within the next week).
Thank you for sharing the adventure with all of use too!
Karla….
I’m thrilled, jumping for joy, so excited at my little Oz book. Got back from my camping weekend and there it was sitting in my mailbox with a note from my neighbor saying, “I’m waiting for you to get home so we can open them together”…. how sweet is that? So that’s exactly what we did. Ripping into the packages with big smiles on our faces in such anticipation of what tags we would get. OMG, we are both so happy with our tags….Mmmmmm so cute, so delicious, happy happy girls are we. Thank you Karla for hosting such a fun tag event, it was our first, but….certainly not last, can’t wait for the next one. Thank you all for such creative tags, you’ve raised the bar for me, that’s forsure. I know everyone must be as happy as I am with this adventure. THANK YOU ALL….and a big kiss to Sugarwings and her delightful Grandma. xoso Sandy
Hey girl… thanks for the sweet comments… your so kind! I received my tags that you sent and I am beyond delighted with them. Whens the next swap? lol
Muuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaah~
Cheryl
Im new to your blog and I wish I had known about this swap…..I feel left out 🙁 all the tags are so cute!!
What a cute dress on lil sugarwings….I have a grand daughter around the same age and she is so much fun!!!
Robin
I DIDN’T GET A TAG BOOK OR A TOTO CARD OR ANYTHING AND NOW i AM SO SAD AND i THINK YOU SHOULD SEND ME ALL THE EXTRA STUFF AT ONCE.
Okay, I lied. But it was worth a shot. Love, love, love my tag book! Thank you, Karla, from the bottom of my heart! Bobbi
Sugarwings is the sweetest little girl, those eyes, my goodness!
Karla for President. With your organizational skills and sparkling personality who wouldn’t vote for you? The Oz tag book I received is drool-worthy. Only 1 tag had contact info on it, so I shall say “I love everything, and all so different”, here in hope all tag participants will read my thank you. OK, Karla. What’s next? 🙂
Got my tags today! Have glanced through them and can’t wait to really look at them. You did a great job with this.
How many participated???
Thanks again–
Melinda
What a wonderful post Karla, so fun! And the photos of Sugarwings are amazing ~ those eyes!!!
Thanks I think she is pretty cute
Sent from my iPho