Today is my 200th post! Wow, who knew when I started doing this I would LOVE blogging so much and have such a great time with it?
Before I started writing a blog, I didn’t even really read them. I didn’t know the wealth of friendship, entertainment, and creativity out there.
If I had, I would have come up with a more creative name, or at least I’d like to think that! I would have at least used "Karkie" instead of "Karla", that is what my family calls me. My business name was "Comfort and Joy" that might have been better. Oh well, too hard to change at this point!!
Maybe I’ll list 200 reasons why I love writing my blog?! I am known for long and rambling posts….
Well, here are a few at least-
I’ve met the most generous and fun people. Like the blogger friend who sent little Sugarwings this dress as a gift, but doesn’t want me to tell anyone who she is.
I always say that bloggers are the most generous souls I’ve ever met.
I’ve gotten to know some other artists, whose works I’d never have seen, like my friend, Bethany who drew this for her 200th post and let me "borrow" it because I just thought it was the cutest sketch ever.
I get to have fun with my Sis, by she and I participating in challenges and swaps together.
Beachy is having a challenge now to use an old photo and show what you have done. This is Sissy’s result!! Wow!!
Here is mine, from the same vintage photo. Not as fanciful as Sis’s, but what could be, hers is so wonderfully fun!
I combined the challenge with making a card for Carole who is a kind hearted blogging friend who is having a rough time with her back surgery.
Mary Lou is gathering up cards to send to Carole. See, didn’t I say that bloggers were giving people?
I’ve shown this photo before, it is of my Sissy. Can you see why her challenge photo turned into a flock of fairies? She IS a fairy. Sugarwings takes after her Great Aunt Sissy.
I love that my blog keeps me in touch with my family and friends. I live far away from most of them and this just makes me feel a bit more connected. Maybe they can feel like they are more of a part of my life when they see Sugarwings and the rest of us and read about what we are up to.
And of course, I have been able to sell my work from the blog, and connect it to my Etsy Shop, which I’d never even heard of before seeing it pop up on so many other blogs.
Now, Phyllis will be having a virtual craft show, yet another fun way to meet more bloggers and do some mingling and shopping.
I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to show some of my artwork too. What artist doesn’t need a venue to be seen in?
And I have been encourage and inspired to try different things and branch out by other bloggers and the things I see them do.
My buddy, Beth and I like to make projects together and gossip about what we’ve read and who is doing what. We feel like these blogs we read are written by neighbors and friends. Each one is like getting a post card full of news from a pal.
(by the way- there is a FLEA MARKET on Beth’s site right now, time for more shopping!)
Also, I get to share my experiences and talk about where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing.
Like the party I went to on Saturday. An artist friend,Louis Copt, has "CoptOberFest" every fall at his home.
Louis and Phyllis have the coolest, artiest home ever and I just feel like I HAVE to have a place to show photos of it! How many people do you know that build a kitchen around a wood fired pizza oven?
This is in Louis’ studio, with his Kansas landscapes on the walls behind Jen and Diane (more art friends).
Louis doesn’t just paint Kansas, he travels the world and does scenes from all over, he has taken groups on painting tours of France and Italy through the local art center. Someday, I hope to join one, but it will take a while to save up for it!
I took a class from Louis, and this is one of the paintings I did in it.
Which brings me to another reason I love blogging- tea parties!! Wasn’t Karis tea party fun? And I was so thrilled that I had so many ‘guests’ at my Romantic Country publication celebration, showing what they LOVED about their own homes.
I look forward to the "What do you Love about your Holiday Home" party. It will be on Wednesday Dec. 12th. PLEASE NOTE, THAT THIS IS A CHANGE- TOO MANY PEOPLE DON’T HAVE THEIR HOMES READY BY THE 5TH AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED!
I hope to meet many more new friends at that party. I hope you can all attend and tell your friends to come too.
I always am inspired by the generosity of bloggers, and want to thank Angelina’s cards for featuring me in her hightlighted artist segment.
And have I mentioned swaps and giveaways yet?? How fun are those? I just won these pretties from Dena, and will have tea party with my fairy grand baby with them soon.
I also love having giveaways myself. For my 200th post, all comments on #199 and today’s 200th will be entered to win this book and hand made book mark.
I will announce the winner on Wed. so everyone has time to enter.
Plus all comments through out the month are entered into my monthly drawing.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to look at my pictures and read my ramblings and to the people who have taken the time to leave me over 3,500 comments! I try to answer each and everyone, but sometimes, for some weird reason, Typepad kicks the responses back to me, and the emails don’t go through. If you didn’t hear an answer from me, it wasn’t because I didn’t try.
Thanks again!
I discovered your blog only recently and am spending time going back through your posts. Fun stuff!
Congratulations on your 200th post Karla! I always love visiting your blog. I love your decorating, your roses and Sugarwings. You’re such a sweet lady too. Leave my name out of the hat. I already have that cute book thanks to Natalea Kandefer. I just wanted to add my well wishes for another 200 posts!
Congrats on your 200th blogpost! You trully inspire me with your creativity and energy (wish I had more of it LOL) and I really like reading your ramblings!
Thank you for the tip about the book. They are currently sold out but maybe I’ll get lucky… Have a fun day!
Congratulations on your 200th Blog! I remember how excited I was the day I ‘googled’ your name to see if your shop was back open and discovered your blog! It is the highlight of my day to read your blog and see all of your pictures. I have loved watching Sugarwings grow up! She is so cute and makes me anxious for my first grandchild, which is due in May! You are such a talented artist. Thanks for sharing all of your talent with us!
Congratulations on your fine achievement of your 200th post. It has been a blessing for me to read your warm and sharing posts. Thank you very much!
I agree – our fellow bloggers are so kind and generous. I’ve “met” some dear souls on this blogosphere. It’s lovely to have so many new friends.
So glad you are here in blogland. Yours was one of the first I found. Congrats on your 200th and may you have many more to come!
I’ve enjoyed many of the same things you’ve mentioned, and I am so glad I discovered you — I think it was through the Artful Blogger party!
Congrats! I have so enjoyed visiting your blog, and your “what I love about my home” party was wonderful. I discovered some wonderful crafty blogs via your gathering. Keep up the good work! Thanks for being so generous too. Would love to be entered in your drawing! – Amy B
Happy 200th! Well if it was one post a year, you’d be…lets see…never mind LOL!
Sugawings is precious in that classic diaper-showing picture! I love what you and Sissy did to those ladies and now I’m intimidated as usual here KARKIE…I got teary eyes thinking about Carole suffering. I hope she can soon get her fingers on a keyboard~that will make it better! Thanks for the advertisement 🙂
Yea! 200!
Ooo! I’m marking December 5 on my calendar right now.
I guess this makes your bi-centennial post!! Blogerville is a wonderful venue to meet new people, expand your horizons and visit places you never dreamed existed. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photographs (the first one of sugarwings is making me laugh out loud!) and sharing all the places where you’ve made friends.
Karla,
Happy 200! I am so glad to have found you and your blog is an inspiration and something I look forward to every day.
Have a good day!
Cheryl
Woo-hoo, look at you go! Great pics and stories as always… 🙂
Happy 200th Karla! I couldn’t agree more with you comments on how wonderful blogging is and the wonderful friends and resources that we never would have known otherwise. I most certainly count you in that group of wonderful friends!
Hugs,
Karla
Congrats on your 200th post! So glad you joined the blogging world…and with a vengeance, lol! Thanx for sharing all your good things with us!!!
Congratulations on your 200th post Karla! I love your blog and look forward to visiting every day! 🙂
Karla, for all that you get out of your blog, the rest of us get the enjoyment of seeing what you have been making and the inspiration for creativity that you spark! Thanks for a great blog, I enjoy it so much:>)
Sugarwings has such a HAPPY smile – she really looks like she enjoys being around you!
Congrats on your 200th. Please keep blogging!!!
MimiG
What do you mean – “take the time” to read your news and look at your wonderful pictures?! We CAN’T WAIT to visit each day! Despite your huge talent and goal-oriented days, you seem so down to earth and like a friend. Please keep blogging. Congrats on your 200th.
Happy 200! I get lots of creative inspiration from your blog.
Karla, congrats on 200, I enjoy every single one of your posts, you always inspire me so much!
I do not remember as I have arrived at your blog, but it is my favorite, I appreciate your time in responding each comment. Congratulations on 200 posts and continuing alike.
Congratulations on your milestone! 200 posts is a lot! But for such a talented person I’m not surprised. I wish I was talented. I can cook. That’s about it. Let me think…yep. That’s it.
Thank you for sponsoring your giveaways too. Not just this one but all of them. I’m so glad I popped over your party a while back.
Love,
Julie
Your life is SO diverse and your posts about your family and friends and how art fits into all that is SO inspiring. I can’t wait to read you in the publications you mensioned.
LOVED that “yard art” iron sculpture your friend made.
Shine on, woman!
-Becs
Congrats on your 200 post. You are such a sweet person. You even email each and everyone of us back. Love reading your blog everyday. Love all your work.
Congratulations on your 200th post Karla, I have so enjoyed getting to know you. Your energy and love of life comes through every post. By the way I think that tea pot is my favorite thing you have painted. I just love it. xoxoxo Clarice
Hi Karla!! Congrats on your 200th post!! Keep going on like this, we all like it. I do hope you postpone the ‘what do you like about your holiday home party’. You see, I live in Holland and it is a deadly sinn here to decorate your home for christmas before Santa has left. Santa’s party is december 5th…please please add a couple of days so I can join the party.
Congratulations on your 200th blog- so glad you started a blog – because your’s is always such a delight to visit. 🙂
crystal
happy blogday! thank you for letting us visit your lovely world!!!
Congratulations on your 200th post! You should make a book out of them!
I always look forward to reading your blog. It’s always something to admire, incorporate into my home or thoughts,something to hope for (my own little Sugar Wings) or something just beautiful. And always a treat…thanks so much!
Now, if you wouldn’t mind…just take that gorgeous pansy teapot and send it my way!
Fall blessings,
Melissa
I’m glad you enjoy blogging because I sure enjoy reading it! I’m a Karla’s Cottage junkie and need my daily fix. 😉
Sugarwings’ dress is so pretty and of course she’s an absolute doll.
I love that pitcher you painted. Your shading is spectacular and makes the pitcher lifelike.
Love visiting your blog, Karla!! I’m starting to know you, and enjoying your artwork. You inspire me to start working on my collage’s and sharing more of them.
Hugs and congratulations on your 200th!
Deb
Karla,
Congratulations on your 200th post!!! I just love visiting your blog, there is always something fun and pretty to see. I’m always surprised and delighted to receive your responses, I can’t believe you take the time to respond to everyone. Keep up the great work! Here’s to another 200!
Congratulations on 200 magnificent posts Karla! It’s always such fun visiting here!
Happy 200th!! I always look forward to visiting your blog Karkie! (so cute)!! And I agree with you that there are just so many wonderful bloggers out there! Sugarwings looks as precious as ever in her cute little dress! How sweet of that “someone” who sent it to her! Wishing you many, many more happy and creative posts!
Barbara
Congratulations Karla. I love reading your posts, seeing your art, your home, friends and family and the darling little Sugarwings. Just love the photo of her in the delicious smocked dress, kicking back laughing! She is gorgeous – happy days to you – xo
Hi Karla, congratulations on your 200 th. post!!Although I am in Australia I feel I have gotten to know you well via your Blog. Always positive and inspiring! I so enjoy my time reading the updates in your life.[am also enraptured with the beautiful Sugarwings] Keep up the good work!
What an inspiring blog! Congrats on making your 200th, your artwork is beautiful and I think from what I see of your blog (or read), you are just as wonderful as you think your readers are! karen benson
WOW! CONGRAD. I HAVE ENJOYING LOOKING AT YOUR BLOG, YOU HAVE VERY NICE HANDMADE STUFF. YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER IS VERY CUTE. I JUST LOVE YOUR LITTLE DOG TOO. THANKS FOR SHARING. AND I HOPE I WIN THE BOOK AND BOOK MARK. I DO LOVE BOOKS.
Beautiful painting of the rose. I stop in to see your blog often.
Here’s to 200 more posts!
Cathy Nash
Hi Karla! Congrats on 200 posts! Like I’ve said before, it’s like opening up a delicious magazine everytime we visit!
Robin
Happy 200th Karla!!! What would I do without you??!! You are one of my best blog friends and I never feel lonely when I pull up your latest post! Thanks for making us a part of your life. You are a role model for me…I try to be as friendly and sweet to people as you are!!!
Love,
Bethany
Wow, what a lot of comments. I’m not surprised. Your blog is so sweet. I really enjoy your ramblings or whatever you called it. I know what you mean about how blogging has been such a wonderful outlet/experience for you. It has been for me and I haven’t even gotten to #50 yet, but soon! Congratulations on #200!
Lisa
Congrats Karla!!! Bloggers are great people arent they? Beautiful stuff you share friend! Love it all!!
WhooHoo, CONGRATULATIONS ON REACHING 200 POSTS!
Karla, you expressed everything regarding blogging so well. I have only been reading the blogs, since summer. It started with one link. I feel as though I have made positive connections with women all over the country.
I regard all of you as dear friends and enjoy coming home from work and reading about how your day has gone.
Looking at all the lovely pictures of the things all of you have created is also inspiring me to want to nurture the creative side of my nature.
I, also, love all the decorating ideas and words of wisdom.
It’s nice to get a peek at the lives of other women across our great country and realize how alike we are in the value we place on our homes, families, and country.
I look so forward to continuing to read your blog.
~elaine~
I agree with you completely on all your reasons! I feel exactly the same way! It is amazing to me that at this time last year I didn’t even know what a blog was. So glad to be part of this community and glad you are here too!
Karla
Congratulations on you 200th post! I love reading what you have been up too. I adore your sweet little fairy grandbaby she is the absolute most darling doll baby I have ever seen. However the little girl who visited this weekend was precious too. It is so nice to get acquainted with your friends and family.
JOY!
I went to bed last night thinking “I forgot about Karla’s blogniversary”! So here I am, thank you for such a lovely post!I am sure you will have a lot of fun in the future with your lovely blog!
congrats sweet girl! your blog is always such a treat….always waiting to see the new adventures of sweet miss sugarwings…(thinkinbg there is a book series there…!!!) AGAIN WOO HOOO….CONGRATS! big hugz from chatanooga, tn…enroute HOME….from vacation!
Congratulations on your 200! I always enjoy my visit to your blog 🙂
Congratulations on # 200! I always love all your posts and pictures!
Hi Karla, love the painting you created in your class, it came out just beautifully. I’m like you, I’ve gotten so wrapped up in blogging now. I never thought I would when I first started but it is one of my biggest hobbies now and I truly love it. It gives me another outlet to showcase my work and I think even more importantly, inspires me to finish projects I’ve been working on. If anyone would have told me years ago I would get into this, I wouldn’t have believed them…now I love it so.
I LOVE your watercolors! I’ve been meaning to paint one of my teapots on paper, but never got around to doing it. Your’s is GORGEOUS!!! And the rose you painted… WOWZA! This is such a great post. The pretties you and your Sissy made with the photo challenge are SUPER!
Congrats on 200! Love your watercolor of the teapot! Heres to many more beautiful posts!!
Congratulations on your 200th post. Since I started blogging and reading blogs yours has inspired me and makes me happy. I am always checking to see if you have a new post. I look forward to your 300th post.
Thank you for helping us to be more creative.
Hugs Karen
Bluemuf
Congratulations Karla on your 200th post anniversary, Yay!!!!! I am totally addicted to reading blogs, esp. yours! I love your rose paintings and art work and adventures in thrifting and esp. the cuteness of sugarwings. We have a new grandaughter born on Sept. 26 07 my pet name for her is rosebud, because her mouth shape reminds of a rosebud. So I am looking forward to fairy tea parties when she is old enough. Grandchildren are the best!!!! Your blog inspires my creativity, although I don’t get anywhere near as much accomplished as you do, I wish!!
Keep bloggin and creating, enjoy!
Jacquelene L.
Congratulations and a big thank you Karla!
Congrats on your 200th post! So much fun, I agree!
Happy 200th!
I have really enjoyed getting to know you and your blogging style. You are so creative that it inspires me to do more. I love that! I’ll keep checking on you!
Karla,I don,t have a blog but I certainly want to say congratulations on your 200th post.I found your blog a few weeks ago and your posts have just inspired me and put a smile on my face.Thank you for sharing your amazing talents and everything else.I’m enjoying my button jar and other purchases from your etsy.Looking forward to many more posts on your blog.Denise
Congratulations on 200 posts.
Your’s was one of the first creative blogs I found and always enjoyed visiting. You put so much thought and effort into what you share with us all. The wonderful creative people that you refer us to, the fun photos, makes for a bright spot in my day. Learning that there are other people who like to recycle pretty or unusual things and has been the biggest push on the muse button and for that we have to say thank you.
Holiday Home is perfect timing on the 12th, I will be back from a visit with the extended family with hopefully lots of great photos to share.
Happy 200th!
I just tagged you! =) When/if you wish to participate… you just list five things along the lines of “I remember when…” =)
Karla, I’ve passed along the Spirit of Christmas Award to you. Surely I’m not the first? Anyway, hope this doesn’t get lost in the other 60+ comments you’ve got here! LOL You can pop over to my blog and get the code for the graphic.
Thanks for the great parties and blog.
Karla, I love your blog, but my favorite pictures are of your precious Sugarwings…she looks like such a happy little girl! Cheryl
Happy 200th Karla – keep up the great work! 🙂
Found you thru Wanda. So glad I did. Congrats on your 200! Love your site
wow you are one busy and talented lady! inspiring too with your fantastic art and homemaking skills! btw you can always change the name (not that it’s not fabu)…but i started as Claudia’s Clutter!
Congratulations on #200. Your posts are so chock full of photo’s and a wealth of information that they should count for at least double that number.
Keep it up!
Darla
Karla, Congrats to you and many more fun and creative blogs to you to share with all your friends! Your a dash of sunshine on gloomy days!! Love, Lori
Karla,
I always enjoy viewing your blog! You are a very talented artist! I’ll be back another day!!
Peggy
Congrats on your 200th post!! Always look forward to visiting you!!
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Wow 200 posts!Fantastic.
Alison