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Happy Halloween!
We are back from our fantastic trip to Florida, in time to send Sugarwings out trick or treating with her mom, and for me to get caught up with my pal, Hope on the blog redo.
Isn't it beautiful???? She has been working away on it while I was gone. What a wonderful "treat" for me to come home to.
I hope you're having a sweet holiday too!
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While we are in Jacksonville, we'll be staying with my brother-in-law, Randy and his husband, Kevin. They are two of my favorite people in the world, and I wanted to make something special for them, since they are going through some trouble baby proofing their house before we arrive with Sugarwings. These two guys collect valuable pottery, and their house is pure, vintage perfection. Not exactly a perfect playground for a 3 year old....
Randy loves fairies as much as I do, so I fixed up this antique hankie box for him, using lots of sparkly elements, and his face cut out of a photo and attached to a flower fairy cut out out of a book. I tell you, it was not easy to size the head to fit the body... it took a few trips to the printer to finally get the size copied right.
Since I am going to be away from my computer for a few days, I thought I'd leave you with some spooky pictures for Halloween. Although, this sweet witch (my niece, JoRenda) is way to pretty to be spooky, huh?
After spending some beach time with Sugarwings, I am going to meet up with my sisses and help our cousin go through some of Great Aunt Caroline's things. It will be an emotional trip, but there will be lots of fun too.
My little Fairy Grand Baby is going to go to a Halloween party at Sea World on Friday, with my husband while I work on the house. We are going to get her a mermaid costume to wear, so she'll fit right in there. She pretends to be a mermaid most of the time, any way. I have a feeling she is going to love Florida.
Thanks for all your interest in the pastel bottle brush trees and the Grumpy Fairy book. More Christmas trees will get listed when I get back. The shop is open, of course, while I am gone (ya gotta love online shops!!) but the purchases won't be sent out until after I get back, November 2nd.
(these two photos are from my favorite antique mall, Rusty Chandelier- they can sure decorate with style at that place!)
This is a photo I took of a votive holder my Sissy bought on our last trip to Florida when we went to Great Aunt Caroline's funeral the day after she would have turned 101. The shot is as is, I don't know why the lightning is shooting out of its eyes, but love the effect!
In person, this guy was much cuter. In photos he kind of looks like flaming poo with eyes. But I did think he fit in very well for my spooky Halloween post.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that any witches you run into are the sweet kind.
And remember, the most wonderful day of the year comes the day after Halloween- HALF PRICED CANDY DAY!! I'll be hitting the store before I even unpack my suitcase to snap up some M&Ms and Reece Cups!
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I will be away from my computer for our trip to Florida this week. I've added some more Grumpy Fairy books to the Boutique
Thanks so much for all of your interest! If you place an order, it will go out after I return, on November 2nd. I'll also announce the winner of one of the books for my October Giveaway and the winner of one of my ephemera packs for creating a paper doll dress. For each 10 people that use my $10 discount code (karlascottage) to enroll in Artist Class, I will give away one pack of supplies to make the tutorial. So, I'll be giving one (or more?) after my trip.
This is who I am going to see in Jacksonville on Tuesday.
Along with my Sissy, too. Sadly, she won't have her werewolf with her...
And my sister, Bobbie Sue.
I've been having a some fun with Picnik and the wonderful editing tools
they have there. Its pretty easy to do, and quick, I didn't really
blow THAT much time on it...
Between getting my goods gathered for Silver Bella, getting the book done, and pastelling up some trees, I've started getting ready for our adventure to Florida too.
Target had these Mermaid snack bags that were just what we needed for packing up goodies. I didn't want to be left at the mercy of convenience stores or fast food when Sugarwings needed a fast snack. So, there are bags of homemade granola and bags filled with cereal with nuts, raisins, and mini marshmallows.
Considering she eats like a hummingbird, I might have packed a bit extra...
I'll leave you with a MEME that Jessi
passed along to me. After doing it, I realized it was supposed to be one word answers, oops. Hard to shut me up, isn't it??
Where is your cell phone?
In my purse, out in the car, in the garage. I rarely take it out of there.
Your hair color?
Lately, Cinnamon Stick, a non-permanent rinse I've been doing myself because I got tired of paying for highlights to cover the gray. The gray is peeking through this rinse, so I might have to rethink this plan.
Your Mother?
She was funny, silly, loving, and hard working. I miss her.
Your Father?
Missing him too.
Favorite food?
Anything that my family and I cook together. Sugarwings is the official stirrer of most things that come out of my kitchen.
Favorite drink?
Diet Vanilla Coke, I drink way too much of it.
Last night's dream?
I slept like a rock last night, no dreams that I remember.
Your dream or goal?
I'm not a goal setter. Might be why I never got very far, career-wise, huh? I'm a day to day person.
What room are you in?
My studio/office where I should be glittering book pages....
Your hobby?
Lets see, if arty stuff is my job, what is my hobby? Everything I do might be considered a hobby to most people.
Your fear?
That one is easy! Heights! I used to paint murals for a living, but never got used to scaffolding. Oh, and zombies.
Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Now does this have to tie back to the lack of goals and plans, or can I just say that Healthy sounds good?
Where were you last night?
My handsome husband and I had a date, we went to see "The Vampire's Assistant". Not typically his type of movie,but he actually enjoyed it, and I thought it was wonderful.Something you aren't?
Caught up. Ever.
Muffin?
Home made, low fat, with lots and lots of stuff added in them, sunflower seeds, flax, fruit, pecans, almost more stuff than muffin. Then, eaten fresh and hot from the oven. Sugarwings helps me make them every Tuesday night when she comes here from her mom's, so we have muffins for her breakfasts.
Where did you grow up?
Pendleton,
Indiana in a brick ranch style house for 11 years, then in a trailer in
the back yard of my sister's house with my mom for a while after that.
That home was out in the country surrounded by corn fields, and I had a
big Irish Setter who was my best friend.
Wish list item?
Time. I seem to always be trying to stretch the boundaries of my week.
Last thing you did?
My husband and I took our boat to the car wash and then parked it in a friend's barn for the winter. A VERY good friend, that's for sure!
What are you wearing?
Jeans, a shirt with paint on it, and a Washington DC souvenier sweat shirt. And this is dressed up for me, sadly.Your TV?
A little one in the studio, and a big one in the bedroom that has a DVR. I never, ever miss a program anymore since they can be programed to watch later! Plus, of course, I can watch things online too on the computer in the studio. Mostly I listen to the radio, NPR, on my computer while working, but on weekends, their programing isn't as good.
Your pets?
Three Dorkies. I call my Yorkies that because they tend to be such silly, funny, little dogs.
Friends?
I'm lucky to have lots of close friends. I try to let them know they are appreciated and even though everyone is busy, I make an effort to plan get togethers. Its important to hold on to your friends.
Your life?
Busy. Did I mention that before? Three dogs, a big house and yard, and a three year old who is here with us a few days and her mom's a few days, is enough to keep me hopping, let alone finding time to make all the things I want to make. Plus all my online buds that I love to visit, and all the TV shows that I can't miss!
Your mood?
Its important to keep yourself happy. Happiness isn't always a natural state, sometimes you need to work at it.
Missing someone?
My mom, always and forever.
Your car?
A white Scion, that everyone makes fun of. Its called a toaster, a deep freeze, a lunch box, a toy. But I love it.
Something you aren't wearing?
Makeup. I rarely do.
Favorite store?
Goodwill with my sisses!
Favorite color?
Faded, old pink
Last time you laughed?
My husband makes me laugh all the time, he's got a great sense of humor. But yesterday, Beth was here and had me laughing with her, about my cat possibly having rabies and attacking us. I guess you had to be here to appreciate the story.
Last time you cried?
I had tears in my eyes when I saw how horribly injured my poor little dog was this week. He was in such pain.
Your best friend?
Can I only have one? Not possible!
Place you go all the time?
The grocery store. Way too much.Also the airport. My husband travels on business and I pick him up and drop him off there every week.
Person who emails you reguarly?
Beth
Favorite place to eat?
In front of the TV if Sugarwings isn't here. If she is, then I love our Family Dinner Hour where we talk about our day. She is learning to ask questions about what we've been doing and telling us about who she played with and what she did too. Its pretty durn cute. But of course, I always think every thing she does is pretty durn cute.
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Its done! I have the Grumpy Fairy book hand glittered and ready to sell. I've actually listed it in my Boutique and it is available now, if you would like one.
The story is illustrated with my watercolor and ink paintings, then each picture is layered over vintage flocked wallpaper in coordinating colors.
The pages are printed onto high quality, gloss card stock and it is bound in white. I really like the colorful, but soothing palette of colors and took a lot of joy in pulling it all together.
The fairy on the front cover is hand glittered, and I've added a touch or two inside the books too.
You had to guess when you saw this wreath on the bed in the first photo, that this picture would be coming, didn't you??
Beth came along to keep me company today while I glittered books. She worked on some Christmas ornaments in sepia while we chatted. But first, I helped her with photos of these glorious gown she is listing on Ebay. We have had some cold weather, but no hard frost yet, so the flower bed in the center of my drive way is still blooming a bit. We thought it made a pretty setting for the prom dresses.
YUM!
Isn't the skirt on this one about as frothy as a concoction can be?
After taking the pics, we had some fun with Picnik, and made this one ghostly. It was done in "ghostify".
This photo was retouched with "vampire scope", but I don't think it is actually spooky, just a cool look. I hope that these applications are available after Halloween, too, I really like this one. I used it on the ruffles above too.
I'd better get back to glittering. Too bad I can't just photo edit that in....
And remember, if you want to win one of my Grumpy Fairy books, I'll be giving one away next weekend as the gift for my October Giveaway.
All comments, all month count. And I also want to thank so many of you for the kind, kind words you sent my way. I needed that.
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Thanks for all your well wishes for poor little Bookie. His fever is gone, and he is doing better. But I can tell that he is still feeling bad, he follows me around and stares at me, like he is begging me to help him. It just breaks my heart to see him in pain and confused about what is going on with him.
My trees are coming along well. I have some of the actual vintage ones that I have dyed and glittered listed in my Boutique.
There weren't very many to list, because I was using them all up in my own projects! I've been decorating the trees themselves, and also using them on the Putz houses that I've been remodeling. But I've got lots more soaking in the bleach right now and will be dying them tomorrow.
Sugarwings has offered to help, so I'll be dying them in Kool Aid. I've never tried that but hear its wonderful to use.
There are a few more finished pastel trees in my Etsy shop, too. Not many until the fairy grand baby and I get that soaking sinkful finished. Hopefully, we'll do that tomorrow, because I need to RE-DO the glitter on my Grumpy Fairy books over the weekend!!
The printer made a mistake and the covers that I spent hours glittering were cut wrong. But I didn't cry. My lip might have trembled a bit, but I took a deep breath, and took the box of pages back and asked for a redo. I'll just need to set aside a few more hours to glitter these new covers. Oh well. That kind of mistake happens, I just have to deal with it and get glittering.
While waiting for the new book covers and for the dark trees to bleach out, I started planning my Silver Bella booth.
Next week, we are going to Florida to help clear out my Great Aunt Caroline's home, so I want to have everything done and ready before then. When I get back, I'll do price tags and pack it all up. I'm happier if any show I do is packed and ready at least a week before the event. It makes life so much more calm and enjoyable!
So, in the front half of my studio, I'm setting up a 10' x 10' booth to play dress up with my goods. We have a very small window of time to set up the booth on Vendor Night at Silver Bella, so I want to be as prepped as possible. No surprises, no problems, all planned ahead.
Plus, it would be hard to relax on my trip to Florida, if I was fretting about all the work I've left behind. And this is a special trip, Sugarwing's first time on an airplane!
We have a day to go to the beach in Jacksonville, then down to Orlando for a day at Sea World, and another day that we don't have plans for yet. We can't take her to Disney World... a long story that I'm sure you don't want to hear... If you've spent time in the Orlando area with a 3 year old, I'd love some tips on where to take her for that last free day.
Any ideas?
And please remember, that all comments go into the drawing for a copy of the Grumpy Fairy bedtime story book as the gift for the OCTOBER GIVEAWAY.
If it ever gets done and glittered, that is.
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Progress is being made on the Christmas trees. All are bleached, dyed, and glittered, and a few are foofed.
This year, I am trying something new with the glitter. I used a high gloss poly spray to mist each tree, then rolled it in a snowy glitter. After that, I spritzed it with a spray can of silver glitter/poly, hoping that would seal it.
Now, some of the glitter always flakes off no matter how you put it on, so there will be some molting, but it seems to be working very well.
The cold weather snap is over and yesterday was beautifully fallish. I had the doors and windows open, and sat outside in the rocks to spray trees. Is it ironic that I was enjoying the warm weather so much that I started on a Christmas project?
While I was feeling the holiday spirit, I started on a few putz house remodeling projects too.
It involved repainting some of the more garish colors, adding wallpaper, glitter, fake snow, and some of my teeniest dyed trees. Also, some little vintage characters, snowmen and deer that I glittered up.
These houses are now ready to display as is, or for me to use on some ephemera covered boxes I want to get started on.
My table is looking like Santa's Workshop!
Of course, I don't have any of that cheap elf labor, its all me doing the glittering and gluing. The only helper I know that would work for candy canes is Sugarwings and she has a bit of a heavy hand with the glue... I've known her to use a half a bottle on one bird house, so I doubt if I'll let that little pixie be my assistant on this.
Beth did help me out, though, she GAVE me a lot of the boxes that I will be covering with ephemera and topping with houses, plus a ton of the old bead garlands!!
Normally, I collect those old mercury bead garlands all year at garage sales, flea markets, etc, but this year was a bit of a dud. Not much luck on the strings of beads, no matter where I looked. (at a decent price, at least)
There were some left from last year and I did buy 4 strands, but I go through quite a bit of them at the holidays. So, Beth was a great help, but then, she always is.
By the way, Beth is having a wallpaper giveaway, you should go visit her!
She is owed a lunch for her generosity, at least, huh? I think I need to treat her to our favorite place, Pei Wei, on Friday when we hang out together. She is always giving me the best stuff.
We are planning on estate sailing on Friday in Kansas City, then crafting at her house, but it all depends on how this little guy is doing. This is Bookie, you rarely see photos of him, because he is old and likes to spend his days sitting on the porch all alone, or laying on his pillow.
The poor little guy has been attacked, by something, I have no idea what, or when. He is such a loner in his old age, that some days, I hardly see him, he is like a shadow around the house. We have a doggie door and a fenced yard, so he comes and goes as he pleases. So, I'm not sure when he was hurt. I know he was fine on Saturday when I gave him a treat.
But on Monday, I noticed he was covered in blood and was ill!! I rushed him to the vet, and was told that something had bitten his head and that it was infected pretty bad. He had a fever, and his head was horribly swollen. He might have a broken leg too, but was in too bad of shape to be put under for an X-ray.
What could have done this to him?? A possum? A raccoon? Our mean farm cat? That cat hates Bookie, it could be. It has to be something that could get over the fence. It terrifies me to think that there is a creature out there on my property that is attacking my mild mannered, sweet, little, guy.
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Thanks to everyone who has signed up for Artist Class using my code! I hope you enjoy all the tutorials, it looks like a good range of classes and lots of fun.
I've been working away on the Grumpy Fairy book.
The hardest part about glittering the book pages is simply space. The pages need to be seperated so they don't stick together, so I need to spread them all out. Funny, that even a large studio isn't big enough.... I have one table filled with jewelry making projects, one with book pages, two with pre-bella set up, and another with an assortment of odds and ends that I am working on.
So, I've moved into the kitchen and am filling all availalbe spaces there too! My kitchen cabinets are covered with hand dyed bottle brush trees and the dining room table has more book pages.
My little Sugarwings and I had a fun Girl's Night, and I had plenty of opportunites to be the wicked witch. Luckily I was wearing a hoodie, so I could pull up the hood, cackle and offer her an apple. She'd take a bite, fall over, and I'd have to quickly switch to a Dwarf's hat (a stocking cap) and cry that Snow White was asleep and wouldn't wake up. Miss Snow White would then lay still, looking beautiful, and trying not to giggle until her Prince Charming would kiss her face.
And who got to be Prince Charming? Twinkle. She was happy to lick Sugarwings face every time Snow White would lay down on the floor.
About 40 times. I think the movie was a hit with her. Usually, we play Wizard of Oz over and over. But now, my flying monkey arms might get a break for a while, maybe we'll play Snow White instead of Dorothy for a bit.
Back to my tables full of piles, and piles.....
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My Handsome Husband whisked me away to Chicago for the night to see our favorite musician, Lucinda Williams in concert!
Typically, I'm not a concert goer. Too bad, my husband loves them, and would really appreciate it if I'd go with him to more shows. But Lucinda is such a favorite of ours, and the setting was a more intimate club, not a big convention center or stadium. We had great seats, and she is so real and down to earth, I'd go to a lot more concerts if they were as nice as this. Not too loud, not too crowded, just right. Geez, do I sound like an old fuddy duddy? But, I've always been like this even in high school. I'm just not a concert person.
Even though the hall was all black and set up with typical stage lighting and paraphenelia, I had this pretty view above our table. The building used to be an old theater and they were smart enough to save the intricate plaster work on the ceiling when they remodeled it.
Before the concert, we went out to dinner at Art Smith's cozy little restaurant, Table 52. I'd seen him on Top Chef Masters, and if you've ever read my blog, you know what a tv junkie I am, so I was excited to go to a place I'd heard of on one of my regular programs. I was as excited as Sugarwings would have been if she'd gone to Arial's grotto for dinner.
And not only was it a lovely place to eat, the food was amazing. And I do like good food.
The next day, I flew home just in time to make it over to my friend, Angie's house to be a part of a surprise party for her. She had NO idea that we were all in her home waiting for her, it was so cute to see her reaction and to see all the love and caring that her family put into the planning.
See the painting behind us? She
got it at an estate sale, and took it to Antiques Roadshow. She was
told it is worth $8,000, not bad for a $30 estate sale piece, huh?
Why do I show bad photos of myself? Yes, I was pretty tired, (and look it, too) after two days of travel and being stuck in Chicago traffic, and waiting at the airport for hours on standby, trying to get back a bit early so I could be home for the surprise.
But honestly, NO ONE would look good next to Angie, she is such a beauty.
I guess you could say she is the fairest of them all.
Tonight, Sugarwings and I are having a girl's night. Its just the two of us and we are going to spend it watching Snow White and making caramel apples. She loves to act out her favorite parts of movies, so I bought her this gown to wear and I am prepared to be the wicked witch. I am always assigned the scary parts, the wicked witch, a flying monkey, or the big, bad wolf.
In the meantime, I have a few hours before she gets here for our Snow White Festival and will start assembling the Grumpy Fairy books. I'm extremely happy with the paper quality, and color. But am not so happy with the mountain of work ahead of me, binding them all myself.
Especially since I decided to hand glitter highlights on the pages. Stickles is a wonder product, and the sparkles won't rub or flake off like gluing down regular glitter, so I think this is the answer to getting Sugarwing's wings to look sugary and not having glitter all over the reader's hands.
I'll let you know if I ever get any ready to sell... I hope to have them in the Boutique in time for holiday shopping, and also have some to take to Silver Bella. But I will for sure have one ready to give away for the October Giveaway.
All comments all month count for the prize. (I do appreciate your comments!)
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As promised, here is the tutorial on dolly do-overs. Also, a reminder about the
October Giveaway of one of my GRUMPY FAIRY books.
I've figured out the printing problems and will have some ready to sell soon. As thanks for all your inquiries and interest (and patience!) I'll give one away in October to a commenter.
Helpful tips:
Keep a baby wipe or Wet One handy to de-glue your mucky finger tips reguarly
To use the light bulb for ironing, you need at least a 60 watt bulb
Pull the dress tightly over the bulb and run it back and forth, go all the way around the skirt
You can use the light bulb for ironing ribbons or flowers too
Sometimes, you just need to dip your fingers in water and dampen a ribbon that is already tied to the doll, to pull on it and straighten it out.
Keep your embellishments in scale with the doll. No giant buttons or jewelry, they all need to be small bits.
Try to use items the same age as the doll. You don't want to add brand new embellishments to a vintage doll.
Don't be afraid to glue everything directly to the doll, her clothes don't need to come off to be washed or changed, so just glue everything permanently to her!
She doesn't have to be perfect. You want her to still look her age.
If her rubber band that holds her head and arms on is loose, just glue the body parts in place. She really doesn't use her arms, or turn her head and look around anyway. But do it after you fix her up, if the arms are glued solid, they might be in the way. Add them last.
PS- adding lots of flowers to her hair covers up any bald spots that couldn't be corrected!
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Today, I had a mini craft day with my friend, Angie. I'd made some muffins for us, and we talked for hours, while we worked. It sure brightened up our gray, cold, rainy afternoon!
I used a box mix for the treats, but changed it up a bit:
One box of cinnamon muffin mix
2 eggs
1-1/2 cup organic cinnamon applesauce
1 cup of dried mix fruits (blueberry, cranberry, cherry)
1 cup of roasted sunflower seeds
3/4 cup milled flax seed
Angie had brought some old French postcards, that we scanned, printed, and glued to some little wooden plaques that I spray painted cream. They have a touch of glitter to them too, but it doesn't show much in the photo.
And look at the vintage glitter that she gave to me!!! I love the can it comes in, too. She says she also has a giant vat of OLD german silver glitter that she will bring over next week. Can you hear me squealing with joy??
My job today was dollie do-overs.
(Isn't the lamp fab?)
Over the last couple of years, I have been collecting neglected, old, washed up beauties to rejuvenate.
Don't you think that the girl in the back probably resents the one in the front? If they were sisters, she'd be the big boned, "handsome" one who watched her flirty little sis attract all the men.
I really should have gotten a before pic of this bride. She was so spooky looking, that I was tempted to use her as a Halloween decoration as she was.
I did get a before of one of the pink dolls, and wrote up a step by step how to for the makeovers. I'll post that Friday if you are interested.
Also, geez, here it is mid October and I haven't announced the OCTOBER GIVEAWAY yet!!
Don't worry, I thought of something fun for you. Remember, all comments, all month count, there is always a monthly giveaway. I was just so busy with other stuff, I forgot. But I have it figured out, how about one of my GRUMPY FAIRY books?I've figured out the printing problems and will have some ready to sell soon. As thanks for all your inquiries and interest (and patience!) I'll give one away in October to a commenter.
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