The swap panels are coming along nicely.
There are only about 400 or so to punch holes in and ring together. 
But honestly, it isn’t monotonous or boring at all. I look at it as a chance to examine and admire each artwork.
Since Beth and I sorted them according to colors, styles and themes, they are already in piles ready to be assembled in groups that coordinate nicely.
Its kind of like doing one of those Flickr mosaics.
Or more like doing dozens of those Flickr mosaics!
I’m happy with the way they are looking, and hope everyone agrees that it was worth our time to match up sets of four instead of randomly hooking them together.
Tomorrow, Beth comes over for the day to finish and pack up the rest so we can get them in the mail.
A number of them will be late, though. Amy Barrickman wants to have a large selection professionally photographed for her newsletters and possible other publications.
We’ve had so many gorgeous ones come in, it will be hard to chose a few to send to Amy, so we are giving her a box full and letting her decide.
There are prizes going out to a LOT of swappers. Not based on their art (we love it all!) but by random drawing.
6 gift certificates from Vintage Workshop
2 clutches made by Beth and I with Vintage Workshop images
This lightweight cotton scarf, hand made by Beth and dyed by me
And a slew of tags I made from the images Amy provided
We’ve informed a couple of winners, but not all prizes are drawn yet.
I feel like I won a prize, look at the score I made today on a quick junking trip!
Sterling silver mini tiaras covered in crystal rhinestones, ready for me to foof and doodad up even further. I can’t wait to make these even more gaudy!!
Also, vintage trims and more cabinet cards. I KNOW I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO BUY ANY MORE PHOTOS. But when they are 50 cents or so, how can I not??? (the tiaras were $4 each and are going to be the most gaudily gorgeous things ever!)
Well, not as gorgeous as my fairy grand baby. Nothing is, in my book.
And look what I got, from my pal Lili! Isn’t she just adorable??? Thanks so much, Lili, I just love it!
I have my little fairy baby hanging on a chandelier in my art studio and can’t wait for her to come and see it there. She always notices my light fixtures and has a comment on them. I like to hang extras from them to surprise her, since she appreciates it so much.
Do you remember this photo of little Sugarwings at the zoo?
Today, after taking my husband to the airport at FIVE THIRTY IN THE MORNING– ugh- and going to the gym- double ugh- I sat down and painted a quick watercolor of this picture.
I ‘fairied" her up a bit more and added glitter. No respectable watercolorist adds Stickles glitter to their work, but hey, who needs to be respected? I’d rather be sparkly!
By the time this baby is in school, I’ll have enough paintings and collages of her to fill all the walls in my house.
If I had any sense at all, I’d spend my time on commissions instead of painting my own baby over and over!
Or instead of buying hats all the time. But, at least I pulled a few more flowers (and cherries!) off of a few and listed them on Etsy. And some on Ebay too. I hadn’t done Ebay in months. It isn’t hard to do, I just don’t enjoy it like I do my sweet little Etsy shop.
Thanks to all of you who help keep my shop going, I couldn’t do it, if I didn’t have you all shopping there. Yuck, I’d have to go and get a real job and not have time to waste on blog writing and reading all the other fun blogs out there!
That is why I am so happy to do giveaways. I owe you!!
So remember, you still have till the end of the month to enter to win the birdhouse for the Cottage Charm giveaway. And check out my previous post for the pics of my other giveway prize pack for May.
Yippee, another long post!
Wow, I want to know the details regarding how you dyed that scarf. What color was it to begin with and what kind of dye did you use?
The swap panels are absolutely beautiful and you two did so much work getting them together!
Awwwwww, SugarWings is a lucky little girl to have you for a grammie. You both have so much to look forward to.
~elaine~
Well, the panels are looking so pretty, I know I am going to love mine….You and Beth have done a fabulous job with them..
Oh, I love the fairy button doll of Sugarwings, that is really sweet, but the watercolor you did of her, Man, it is awesome, such detail…I love it and admire your talent..
Hugs
Brenda
Hi Karla!
I LOVE the painting of Sugarwings! It’s absolutely fabulous!! You are so talented Karla.
Hugs, Sherry
The cards are so fabulous!! I shouldn’t have done it because mine don’t begin to compare! There are so many wonderful artists out there! I’m glad you had a good weekend. Your watercolor is so good… and I HAVE seen glitter in watercolor (French Toast Girl has used it!) so go ahead and glitter it up! You definitely could be taking commissions too. But do what makes you happy! 🙂
Oh that painting is to die for! I love how you did her little ears. She will be so thrilled to have these when she gets older.
You always do such beautiful work.
Joanne
I adore the painting ogf Sugarwings….Mary
Wow what an amazing assortment of creative cards. Your painting of sugar wings is wonderful. You are such an fun grandma xoxox Clarice
The panels are so pretty! It will be so much fun to see which ones we get! That painting is gorgeous, what talent you have!
Karla, Of course with your talent you are doing so well with your shop! If I thought for a minute I could make “close” to my salary I’d quit my job in a heart beat! The painting is fabulous!
Everyone did such a beautiful job on their panels. Thanks for all the pictures. Your painting is precious and really captures Sugarwings’ sweet innocence.
Karla, That watercolor of Sugarwings is just gorgeous!! I am in awe at your talent. Seriously!
The screens look great- they do look like those FLickr mosaics!
The panels are too amazing!
M ^..^
Oh Karla, the panels look wonderful. I can hardly wait for mine. I love the watercolour of Sugarwings and the little fairy of Sugarwings that Lili made is so lovely.
Karen
Yummm… Thanks for all the delicious eye candy! The panels look amazing. The extra TLC you two have put into coordinating them was well worth the effort! (Easy for me to say) The painting of your granddaughter is beautiful. You’ve been one busy lady! I wish I had half your energy and talent 🙂
I’m ooooh-ing and ahhhhhh-ing… Can you hear me?! I love the panels and the fairybaby and your latest finds and that absolutely out of this world beautiful scarf. You like hats… I like scarves. Figures I live in Texas and can wear them for about 45 days a year, but on those days you can be assured I’m sportin’ one! Oh, and the watercolor. Awwww!
I love the swap panels! They are truly gorgeous!! This may seem like a dumb question, but what exactly are panels used for?
You are SOOOO talented!!! That picture you painted is stunning!!!
Michele
luvkitysmeowmail@gmail.com
What a gorgeous blog you have. Such wonderful ideas and inspiration here. I love the panels. And I love the birdhouse. And now I’m off to investigate your flickr pics! Another hour gone!!!
Thank you for your kind comment about my sewing box – it was great fun to do.
Caroline
The panels are all so beautiful, your junking finds are fabulous and that child is just so fairy like, she is beautiful, your water colour of her is exquisite. Frankly, I am not big on respectable myself . . .
Hi!! Those panels are great!! I’m amazed that you punched them all right! I would probably be talking and ‘punch’ ooooh the wrong side. You did some fab shopping too!! Your watercolor is so nice. You really have captured Sugarwings. And I’m happy you like the fairy button hanger, hope Sugarwings likes it too! Have a nice day!
wow Karla, the water colour of your DGD is stunning, love the little angel of her too 🙂 The panels looks fab, a lot of fab work in them xxx
Karla, I’m so glad you don’t have to get a “regular” job. After all, who would give me all the smiles you do?
I love all of your new (and old) treasures. I especially love the painting of Fairy Sugarwings. That little girl is growing up surrounded by so much love.
that button fairy that LiLi made is soooo adorable:) how sweet…
love the painting, you captured your little sugarwings perfectly!!!
You are so talented! Such a sweet fairy baby painting.
I LOVE the look of wonder & awe on Sugarwings face! And you’ve captured it beautifully in the painting of her. You’ll cherish your paintings of her, wayyyy more than you would money so keep on painting that adorable little girl!
Karla so good to hear from you!!! wowowow lovin it all..Jennifer
WOW! The panel screens look great! I can hardly wait ’til mine arrives. I already have a place for it…it’s going to hide/pretty up one of those ugly surround sound speakers that boys insist on having in the house. 🙂
I just knew you would make that adorable sugarwings pic into a sweet painting. It came out great! She is going to treasure all of the paintings when she grows up…so I say paint and sparkle away!
The panels are gorgeous and I think we’re all so excited! And that portrait — maybe you SHOULDN’t paint the same child over and over again, but I would do exactly the same thing. How could you possibly resist! The chandelier looks great with its own personal fairy!
Oh Karla, there is so much beauty in this post! I LOVE the tiaras!! And that scarf~whoever gets that is so LUCKY!! i love scarves!!
But the prettiest of all? Miss Sugarwings of course! That painting is beautiful Karla and looks just like her!!!
Hugs,
Amy
As always there are so many beautiful things to look at on your blog. Today I read one of your older blogs. Sept. 07, 2007…..Is that seriously your bathroom????
Do you leave it voluntarily or are you dragged kicking and screaming out of it daily. I would bring my sewing machine and computer in there and never leave!!!
I love the painting of sugarfairy! You know that will last much longer than any $ made from commisions. Blessings and have a great weekend!
Oh Karla, the painting is precious! I love it and you are so talented!! I am sure sugarwings will love seeing her image up on the chandelier, too! (My fairy grandbaby girl was born yesterday!!)
That portrait turned out gorgeous! And the swap peeks are looking gorgeous too 🙂
Karla, the panels look so beautiful and that watercolor of yours, breathtaking. Love your plates in the garden below. Think I’ll have to try that one! You and Beth are so wonderful to put in all this work. Just like the cookbook, I will treasure the panels.
Love your watercolor of Sugarwings. I love adding sparkles to my paintings, especially the watercolors!
Can you keep an eye out for something odd arriving in your mail from me please 🙂
Blessings,
Pam
The swap panels are wonderful. Such a huge job you and beth have taken on.
Love the new ‘Sugarwings’ art work
Alison
Just taken another look (and now I have to go visit Sept. 07, 2007),before hubby get’s home…not bored -just have ears and thoat issues…so comment, comment, comment, comment, comment, and a little more comment(a very quite LOL here). Happy happies.
Hi Karla! I’m so honored you stopped by today! I had emailed you last year or so about Sugarwing’s nursery walls and you were so kind to respond. I never got to use that technique yet, but it’s on my *list*!
Your watercolor of Sugarwings is just fantabulous. A lovely blog, I’ll have to stay a while!
Nikki
Hi Karla
Such a lot of beautiful things in this post! The swap cards are amazing. evn though it musy have been a lot of work it sure must have been fun to see them all.
Thanks for all the eye candy today!
Hugs, Rhondi
Hey Karla! I haven’t popped in for a little while, so it was lovely to cruise through the last month and admire the pretties and glitteries! The painting of your little Fairy is lovely – and I’m with you, who needs to be a ‘respected’ artist when you can be one who’s having fun! Bear Hugs! KRIS (Tag Along Teddies)
the painting you did of sugarwings is great karla. you just whipped all quick, huh? i wish i could paint. 🙂
jenny
Everything is gorgeous, especially your own little fairy grandgirl!
Hi Karla,
Love the watercolour of sugarwings, I don’t think that the respectable watercolourists know what they are missing out on not using glitter.
Cheers Linda
Beautiful panels for your swap and the time spent matching panels make them even more special.I love all the goodies from your junking trip….and what a precious painting of Sugarwings. Linda
oh such grandeur!!! and miss fairy princess her self looks sooo precious!!!
hugz
Wow. I can only say wow. The painting, the junk finds. Wow. I love coming here.
Hope your weekend is fun!
Peggy
she is just adorable in life and in the water color. how lucky she is to have some one like you!
you have got to be the coolest gramma around….how cute!