Sister Swaps, Buddy Swaps, and some Freebies for you

I have had the best day!  I missed having time on my own in the studio in the last couple of weeks. Now, I loved the guests and I loved the trip and babysitting the fairy grand baby is a beautiful way to spend time, but man, I missed my studio!!

I worked all day (well, since noon at least, I had errands to run this morning) and my husband is out of town, if I want to, I can power up with a power bar and work all night too.

I am in the Art Doll Hat swap hosted by http://craftingbycandlelight.blogspot.com/ and have been making plans for that, but also, my sis and I decided to swap art doll hats, both using the same picture. 

So, here is what I made for her.  Sissy loves to collect, wear, hoarde, and buy tons of jewelry, so I decked out my doll in jewels.

She likes holographic papers too, so I used a gold holographic party hat for a base.  The over skirt is my favorite scrap booking paper, a blue with roses. Over that is a bit torn off of an old curtain I found in a dumpster, I thought it tied in with the upper part of the dress in the picture.

I added some gold glitter to compliment the holographic base.

The crown/hat on the doll's head is also scrapbook paper that is glittered up with a rhinestone button added. The button was given to me by my great aunt Caroline who just turned 99 this week.

I gave the doll some vintage flowers to hold and wrapped them up in ribbons to match her dress. I hope that Sissy likes the hat better than the Dorkies did. Twinks refused to wear it and Sparkle wore it grudgingly.

Here is the doll that Sissy made for me, look at that great skirt! And the magic wand!! I love it!!

Lets see, what else did I get done today?  I made mailable art for Michelle Wards challenge this month. http://michelleward.typepad.com/how_cool_is_that/  I wasn't going to participate this month, because it isn't my style, but I saw envelopes I really liked at http://pennyrabbitart.typepad.com/penny_rabbit_art/2007/07/gpp-crusade-mai.html and thought I'd try the spray paint technique.

Here is the front, (and I bought pretty stamps to use too).  Beth http://bethleintz.typepad.com/gathering_dust/2007/07/beginner-mail-a.html is also doing this challenge, and she is offering to give hers away.  Part of the challenge is to actually use them in the mail.

So, if you want one (ask Beth for hers, she might still have some) or ask me.  I'll mail them to the first 4 people who ask for one.  Who knows, maybe there will be a little something tucked inside them???  Also, leave a comment if you want to enter July's drawing for a Cottage Collage Kit.

Speaking of Beth, she and I are doing a crafting day tomorrow in her new studio.  We are also swapping bags of paper goods.

Trouble is, SHE HAS EVERYTHING. What do you trade to someone who has the best selection of craft goods on the planet???

A letter from the School for the Feebleminded written in 1931.  But I wouldn't be surprised if she already has one.

I also got two rolls of this textured, paint-able wallpaper border at Goodwill today for 99 cents each.  I cut off a length with 3 medallions, glazed it in umber, and added roses to the middle oval.  I included a couple single ovals too, she can add a picture, or who knows what, these are COOL for collage work!

Ipacked up some odds and ends of old papers for Beth and while I was at it, I made up more Cottage Collage Kits for Etsy.  These four are all neutral colors.

I included some of the glazed wallpaper pieces, papers from 1913-1930, a  millinery flower, old buttons, pictures, lace, quite a bit actually. I haven't listed them yet, if you want one they are $14 plus shipping.  Oh, I made up 3 aqua themed packs too. It is surprising how long and involved that process is.

Then, I set the table for Friday's Mini Spa Day at Home for the new mom. Yes, I know I am early, but I won't be using the table and setting it up is so fun.

People have mentioned to me that maybe the new mother shouldn't soak in the tub. But, she and her mother are both RNs, so I am not worried about it, they know what is safe to do.  I have an assortment of bath enhancers, she can decide for herself if she wants to use one or not, or just enjoy the jacuzzi as it is.  I like to use the Vaseline Intensive Care Bath beads. I think it is pretty gentle, but I'll leave it up to my guest. Thanks for caring about her and warning me.

Well, I need to pack up a bag of stuff to take to Beth's to work on tomorrow. We are doing Silver Bella stuff!!  Yay, Bellas!! Can't wait.

Comments

[michelle ward]

karla - this post is packed with beautiful visuals! love that you got inspired to join in the mail crusade....wonderful offerings that will spread love across the miles. thanks for playing! AND - that anagylpta was a real score. i'm sure i said this before....i wanna shop with you!

[deb]

So many fabulous things in this post! Total eye candy. thanks for entering my giveaway and I'd love to be entered in yours!! :)

[Vickie]

Lot's of eye candy. The art dolls are fun!

[amy]

your dog is so cute it looks like its saying check out the hat on the other dorkie glad its not me. love the challenge stuff wouldn't mind some for myself

[Nancy]

I don't want to just come shop with you...I want to come live in your studio and just soak up your creativity. I hope that didn't sound as weird as it looks, LOL.

Great, great stuff as always. You amaze me!

[clarice]

Beautiful doll hat, Twinks must not realize how stunning she (he ??) looks :-) Clarice

[LaTeaDah]

Oh my, what a TOTALLY inspiring post! I love beautiful doll hats! I can't decide which one I like best --- both are perfect! And your spa table is so inviting and pretty. I have a feeling your mind is always working on some great idea or project! Oh, to be so talented! Great job and thanks for sharing your inspiration with us!

:) LaTeaDah

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

oh what fun! I wish I could go with you to Beths. You two must have a great time!

[Beth Leintz]

I'm going to love the collage pack- and I think I want more than a letter from the school for the feeble minded- I want a diploma!

[beth]

hi karla !! i have bookmarked your blog !! love all your vintage goodies - the hat is so wonderful! see you at the bella ,
Beth

[Penny Stuart]

Love your doll, she is absolutely beautiful. Your dog is too cute for words! I LOVE your spray painted envies, I must know about the flower stencil!? Did you make it? It's gorgeous! So happy to see you were inspired to join....I am so happy that your entry brought me to see your blog! It's GORGEOUS!

[Linda C]

Love the collage pack! Very inspiring. And your spa day looks like fun too!

[Elaine]

Oh my, what to say? Another wonderful post with beuuuuuutiful pictures! You are so creative. I love how you whip up those roses on everything.

The table is so Lovely!

The "new mother" is certainly lucky.

~elaine~

[María Elena]

Estoy encantada con tu blog,los muebles,collages,hadas,rosas,todo me fascina. Mientras más leo tu blog, no hayo la hora de comenzar un collage para mi casa.

[fromthepines]

Karla,

I am also going to do the mail art challenge with Michelle Ward by envelopes I am doing in swap bot. I am getting one of Beths envelopes and I would LOVE one of yours too!

Thanks!
Cheryl

[shabbyinthecity]

I love that textured wallpaper border you painted on!
I'm like you, I'll set up a table days in advance just because it's so fun. Your table looks so pretty with all the varied colors and things on display.

[Karen Young]

Karla,

You do inspire me. I'm sorry I missed out on your envelopes, It would have been nice to have one.

the art doll hats are just beautiful. Both yours and your sisters are so lovely

Karen
Bluemuf

[Amy Carver]

Am I entirely too late for one of the envelopes? :( Well I still enjoyed your blog. I love the party hats, what a novel idea. That would be a cute idea for little girls tea partys make some glam. party hats like that for all the little girls, im pictureing big feather boas and little plastic high heals with rhinstones galore! ....Lovely...

[Julie G. Baxley]

Karla,

You're doll hats are so chic, and I love the fact the button came from your 99 year old aunt, that really touched my heart, makes it a little more special! Aren't those handkerchiefs beautiful in the teacaups; great table. I would love that fabulous collage package, if I'm not to late for your drawing!

Cheers, Julie

[Karla]

Fun stuff! Love the doll hats! So interesting to see the different take on the same photo. The Dorkies don't know what they are missing!
Karla

[Genevieve]

Ohh look at all of those pretties!! Even if she has everything, I am sure she will be delighted with everything you gave her! And those dolls, fantastic jobs ladies!! Enter me in for the cottage giveaway!!

[Carolr]

Your Yorkies are just the cutest. I'm still laughing at that pitiful face with the crown. And your doll! Oh, my. Just lovely.

[Nicole]

Oh these envelopes are great and the dolls are just fabulous, would love to get something from you. ;-)

[Chrissy]

I thought you were kidding about the letter from the School for the Feebleminded until I took a closer look at the photo. Do you find old correspondence anywhere other than antique stores? I really envy your stash, but I'm slowly working on my own. Please enter me in your July contest. Thanks.

[Sis]

I most definately need the "School for the Feeble Minded" document. You have the magic touch to find such wonderful stuuuff. Remember how I had to drag you screaming to antique shows & shops?! Now you love it...

[Sis]

I most definately need the "School for the Feeble Minded" document. You have the magic touch to find such wonderful stuuuff. Remember how I had to drag you screaming to antique shows & shops?! Now you love it...

[Sis]

Sorry for the double post - my computer (and me)are so crazy. Will the double posts count as double entries for your give-a-way?

[Sis]

One more thing - thank you so much for the lovely art doll hat. Milla is so beautiful!

[Mizsmoochielips]

Well holy guacamole! The doll is so precious!! And I think I can safely say that you AND Beth both have the best stuff everrrrrrr.
Were you serious about deer eating dogs? That is so gross...

[Maggie]

What wonderful finds you have and all the great collage pieces. Count me in!

[Dymphie]

All this wonderful eye candy to look at, just awesome! Love the way you did your envelopes (that's how I found you, Michelle Wards streetteam blog), your doll's are gorgeous (ooowww that poor little doggie *lol*).

[eb]

wow - lovin all this - I am about to launch my mail art crusade - yours certainly inspired me

xox - eb.

[Stephanie]

What a beautiful table setting. I do the same thing, decorate a day or two early just so I can enjoy it longer!

Stephanie
Angelic Accents