A Romantic Country Article and then a bug that I wished would just KILL me and get it over with

First of all I wanted to let you know that for some reason, my answers to comments are not all going through. About 1 out of 5 gets sent back to me with a failure notice. I really am answering them, I don't know what the deal with Typepad is. Anyone else having this problem???

Tuesday night after the fairy grand baby went home to her parents, I finished an article I am writing for Romantic Country.  Here is a teeny peek at one of the pictures. 

The story is about tips to create a romantic style bathroom.  I don't know when it is to be published, I'll let you know when I hear.  Sometimes, I just check the stands when the new magazines come out and am surprised to find photos of my house inside! Barbara Jacksier used to be the editor there and she was so helpful, she used to always send advanced copies.  Editors don't always have a chance to do that, but she always made time to. She would even send a reprint of a photo from one story into a different magazine, not even an article I had written.

She has a new cottage book coming out, check out her blog for lovely details!

I enjoyed making the paper doll wedding dress for Stephanie as part of her August Give Away prize so much, I made a few more. Eventually, I will list them on Etsy for $6 each, plus shipping, but if you want one now, please email or comment and you can buy it directly from me.

And thanks to the nice purchasers of my hand painted buckets. The two rosy ones have been sold.  The angel bucket is still available.

LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU WANT TO ENTER SEPTEMBER'S GIVEAWAY!

You all know I tend to be a tad bit productive,(which is why I can keep my prices so low for what I do- I do a LOT) but the article and dresses are all I managed all week. I was hit hard with a BUG of some kind and spent the last two days wishing I would just die.  I doubt if you  need anymore details than that.

I had my old mural and painted furniture photo album out the other day, so I thought I'd show some pictures from that.

The quality might not be as good as it should be, since I have simply taken photos of photos in an album.  Sorry.

I used to paint furniture on just about a daily basis.  I kind of miss it, and I just drool over cheap, beat up bargain pieces at garage sales that are calling out to be saved. But I restrain myself and no longer have a double car garage, an antique mall booth, a garden shed and a showroom full of this stuff.

This cabinet was in my kitchen for a while.  I used to constantly change out furniture, find something new, take the old piece out to sell.  It drove my family crazy.

Here is my garden shed before a sale.  The table cloth on the drop leaf is actually hand painted.

These palm trees were painted at the Tampa Country Club. That is the best job I ever had, I stayed at their private hotel for 2 weeks, with free room service (great food) and hung out by the pool or drove to a really cool movie theater nearby when I wasn't working on murals.

I did research on palm trees before I  went down there, to know what they looked like, but then, I realized once I got to Florida, all I had to do was look out a window for ideas!!

(Molding was added to the walls right under where the paintings stop)

This photo was in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine and was taken by Bill Mathews. 

It is of a ceiling I painted to camouflage a missing piece of curved molding that the designer didn't want to try to replace.

And this gloriously gaudy fruit picture is from my friend, Kari's, kitchen. She is a hair dresser and I get my hair done for free when I paint for her.

My client for this mural wanted her whole dining room - every inch of the walls- painted in a scene she found in a book.  She had me add the family pets to it too.

That sweet little white dog hung out next to me the entire week I painted at her house.

Looks like even when I don't  have anything new to say, I can still run on and on, can't I?

****EDIT****

  -ADD ON-

There is a Spring Party going on at this blog site on the other side of the globe.  After feeling so sick and run down all week,I have been gloomy, thinking about fall and winter coming in- being cooped up, having colds, BEING cold.  I think I will just pretend it is Springtime and go enjoy this party! Want to join me?

Comments

[Karen Young]

I'm so glad you are feeling a bit better. It must drive you nuts not being able to be productive. I enjoyed all the eye candy and love the paper bride dresses. Look forward to seeing your article

Karen
Bluemuf

[phyllis]

Ooo sorry you've been sick. I've heard of this a lot lately. Think I'll go play with some Purell.
I like the mural that says 'my father's daughter'. What was it for?
The garden shed sale is something I would like to attend and host!!! It looks very inviting...and so does that article you are working on.

[Karla]

I get a little behind in my blogging and look at all that I miss! Your photo album is very inspiring and I love the wedding dresses. They would make a great add on for a wedding shower gift.
Karla

[beachy]

Such beautiful photos!!! I hope you feel better quickly!

I am always amazed at people who paint furniture! The time involved just makes me dizzy thinking of it! All my creative ideas need to be accomplished in short spurts, or I'd never get anything done around my house! heehee

[Joy]

I want to move into your garden shed!

p.s. hope you are feeling better soon...
:)
Joy

[Kathleen Grace]

Beautiful stuff Karla! Your shed is so pretty! I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Sandy McTier]

I'm sitting here in AWE! Beautiful, beautiful paintings!
Hope you are feeling better soon ~ I have felt something coming on all day and hope it's not a BUG!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Sandy :)

[Bethany]

I'm so sorry you were sick...hopefully getting better? I had no idea you were famous too... creative, we already knew!!! Your pictures are gorgeous and your murals are fantastic. You're much better than some "professionals" around here! I love the pet paintings! Take care of yourself!!!

[Rachael]

I am so sorry you have been sick. Wondered as I was missing your daily postings. Hope you are 100% again. Could look at your work all day long so the photos of the photos are just fine. Have a happy day - Rachaelxo

[Raised In Cotton]

Hi Karla :) You are so talented! Paint more furniture!!!! I really enjoyed all of your lovely pictures. Hope you are feeling better.

Carol

[Stephanie]

Boy, what a tease you are ~ that bathroom looks incredible! Did you get my ecard? How are you feeling now? Do I need to come hide all sharp objects? Hope you are much better.

Love the painted furniture, the shed, the murals, all of it! I especially LOVE all the wedding gowns & how they are each unique!!!

Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

[Bejeweled]

So sorry you are not feeling well. Being sick is no fun :( Hope you feel better soon!

It was really fun being taken an a virtual tour through your photo album! You are one super talented and creative lady! And you know I just love those dainty wedding dresses :)

[coleen]

oh my!! I just stumbled in here!!!! Love the lil dresses!!!! And your painted furniture is to drool over for sure!!!!
WeeFae (Coleen)

[coleen]

oh my!! I just stumbled in here!!!! Love the lil dresses!!!! And your painted furniture is to drool over for sure!!!!
WeeFae (Coleen)

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Karla, I'll be waiting for your article. I love all of your murals, especially the one with the dogs. Glad you're feeling better.

[Niesz Vintage Home]

I sure hope you're feeling better soon.

I can't wait to see the romantic style bathrooms article.
Oh My! What a talented artist you are. Your murals and painted furniture pieces are amazing. Really beautiful!

Take care and thanks for sharing your lovely photos.

Kimberly :)

[Vicki Chrisman]

Karla, you just blow me away every single time I come here! You are so amazingly talented in so many ways... thankyou for sharing your beautiful works!

[Jody]

Love the bath picture. I'm ready to plunge in! The paper doll wedding dresses are wonderful.

Jody

[Mizsmoochielips]

I like it when you don't have anything "new" to say!! That fruit obsessed kitchen (or was it dining room?) reminds me of my first ever fake ficus tree. Lol. One year I thought I'd get real "cool!" and hang fake fruit (like every kind possibly recreated in plastic) from it. haha. To add to the ghettorificness, I threw on white Xmas lights too. Just in case you missed all the grapes and strawberrys hanging from the tree... the lights illuminated it.
bwahaha. Can you say "you've come a long way, baby"
FYI, I don't have fake plants anymore. Thank goodness, right?

[Heather ~ Pretty Petals]

Karla...this post is AMAZING!!! I love seeing your beautiful work. What an inspiring artist you are Karla!!

p.s. Thank you about the wallpaper... I will send you a goody in the mail as well OK?

[Mrs.Staggs]

I hope you feel back to yourself soon. Good thoughts are coming your way!
I have always loved old dropleaf tables. You made that one even more special with your painted tablecloth.
Best wishes on your article. I know it will be a good one!
Take care.

[michelle]

Wow, that was a great post! Now you have me wondering about your history. sometime you should post about how you came to be here. Did you study art? Intend to do murals or furniture? I find all that so fascinating. Especially after seeing your end results that I love so much!

[Elaine L.]

Karla, I hope you feel better, soon. I'm sure you're not the type of person who has much patience for illness. LOL

~elaine~

[Amy Carver]

I hope you feel better soon.

I love your paper dolls! Here's my version.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6998937

[Vickie]

You are so amazing. I wish I could paint that well. Heck I wish I had your energy. I love coming here, you are so talented.

[carole]

Hi Karla:
I truly hope you are feeling better!!! Find a fly swatter and kill that "bug."
It is always nice to see your work; you are delightful!!!
Peace to you
carole

[María Elena]

Hope you are feeling better. I have palm trees in my garden and they resisted very well the cold winter that finished. They are beautiful.

[suzy]

Wow, I am speechless, your work is just so fabulous. I know that I recognize some of it from the magazines. Thank you so much for sharing it!! xo, suzy

[Daisy Cottage]

Just trying to catch up and wanted to say congratulations on your upcoming article in Romantic Country! I can't wait to read it - I'm so happy for you! And I hope you are feeling better too.. these dresses are adorable! I love looking at my "K" tag every day in my office - and thinking of you! Keep up the great inspiration Karla!
You are awesome!
xo,
Kim