Beth and I had a fun but frustrating craft day at her house yesterday. Well, I guess I should speak for myself, she was on a roll and doing fine. I, on the other hand was messing everything up, and at one point, said "I am a crappy little crafter today!" And for some reason, that gave us the giggles. Whats a craft day without giggles?
I tried to do a St Pat's tag for my swap using a rainbow theme. It looked like a Jamaican preschool project.
I gave up on the rainbow colors and stuck with what I knew I could handle. But that wasn't my only issue. Everything I did, I had to redo.
These tags somehow ended up finished and not horrid after all, but there was a lot of ripping, replacing, and complaining while doing them.
These are for my St Pats Day Two Tag Swap. I will extend the deadline till March 7th if you still want to get in on it. Email me if you do! All you need to make are two tags, and you get two other people's tags back.
Well, hopefully. I screwed up on Phyllis's Sweet Treats and Roses Swap and sent her own tag back to her on the recipe book!!
She is in my St Pats swap, so I will make an extra tag to add for her to make up for it.
While at Beth's I decorated these two old green bottles. And yes, there were some issues as I worked on these too. It simply wasn't t an easy day for me.
I was smart enough at this point, to use my text from an old book about rainbows, but not try to add rainbow colors after the tag fiasco.
I listed both of these bottles on Etsy this morning, if you are interested in either.
The small one has buttons and a pretty little Made In Japan glass cameo in green on it too.
I had forgotten all about these cameos I had. I used to add them to charm bracelets and make earrings from them.
At one time, I had tons of them. Now, I am down to a couple handfuls. I traded a few to Beth for some of her white, (sorted and cleaned, which is really nice!) vintage buttons.
Notice the nut cups? Beth wants to do a challenge- "what do you do with a nut cup?" Of course, you can always put a nut in it, like she did. I think that if she is going to make herself a hat from it, she should add some old millinery flowers at least.
Look at what found! THE nicest, old wallpaper book I have ever seen. Perfect condition! I just don't know if I can cut it up and use it, the pages are so pristine. And the book itself is giant! (and heavy)
This picture is on the inside cover, she looks pretty high fa-luting, huh? I'd say this was a high dollar wallpaper book from the looks of it, pretty classy.
And unique too, this metallic penguin paper isn't typical of what I usually see around.
Another reason to not cut into it is that the designs are all very large. Small patterns are better for collage work. These are beautiful backgrounds, I might just save the book to use as a photo back drop.
What a lucky find! I like flipping through it as if it were a magazine. And the cost was reasonable, only about $20, it cost more than that to ship it! I think the seller should have used book rate, but I was so happy to get my greedy little hands on the book, I didn't care.
Speaking of spending money on whims, I need to get back to my stairway redo. Time to pickup Sugarwing's daddy so he can help me pull off the carpet and see just how hard (and expensive) this task is going to be to complete!
You find the coolest stuff. I'm going to have to follow you around. And I mean that in a completely non-creepy way.
When we buy our new house in TN next month, I'll need all kinds of decorating help!
But what fun to decorate a new (to me) home!
Posted by: Cheri | February 29, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Thanks so much for the great wallpaper images! I love the one of the pretty lady and the Art Deco style penguin... Also, thanks for sharing about your crafting issues. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who messes up and feels like a crappy crafter. But your pieces look great and congrats for pushing through the discouragement:)
Have a great day!
Posted by: Stacey Newton | February 29, 2008 at 01:25 PM
You're too funny! I LOL'd when I saw your post title. I guess we all have our "off" days when nothing comes together easily. But, from what I can see, your St. Pat's tags still turned out beautifully.
Posted by: Jessica | February 29, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I'd love to get in on your "two tag swap!"
Point me to the details!
Thanks~
karen
Posted by: Miss_k_p | February 29, 2008 at 02:00 PM
The bottles are beautiful and the high society woman is stunning!
Posted by: Whitney | February 29, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Love all your goodies:-). Giggling is better than chocolate, well almost *LOL*.
Have a great weekend!!
Posted by: Angela | February 29, 2008 at 02:40 PM
You two are cracking me up today!
I thought I'd learn about the history of aviation when I came here...but No...I got Jamaican preschool hahha!
And you don't have to make me a tag...I shouldn't have told you about that...
Posted by: phyllis | February 29, 2008 at 02:49 PM
What sweet projects ~ some days just don't go great in the crafting :) I just messed up a project :( Good luck on tearing out your carpet - took mine off last month ~ what a job ~ lucky you have help :) Be careful around those picky tack strips ~ I think a hundred of them were used on our stairs :) My toe is just now back right from hitting one !
crystal :)
Posted by: Crystal | February 29, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Your lovely blog is true serendipity! I found it today and can’t help – think I spent couple hours there. What a charming house! You are such a talented decorator! And I would LOVE to get yours "two tag"!
Posted by: Lenka | February 29, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Ah a crappy crafter - a girl after my own heart. I'm a messy crafter. Known for getting glitter in all the wrong places! And taking out everything I own and only produce a tiny tag. Isn't it fun to craft with a friend? I wish I could do that more often. Great wallpaper book! Hope I didn't bid against you, lol!
Posted by: Kelley | February 29, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Why did you use Photoshop to give me a crooked part and extra chin?
*Somebody* told me once that having a crappy craft day is just another way of suffering for your art!
Posted by: Beth Leintz | February 29, 2008 at 04:41 PM
I'm so glad to hear that you are a sometimes a "crappy crafter" too, though I doubt that you really are. Funny picture of Beth!! I love that wallpaper book. What a score! Oh my gosh, it's beautiful!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | February 29, 2008 at 05:14 PM
ummm...this is for Beth..I didn't mean you were funny looking with your crooked part and all...just the funny little hat! teehee Beth's a cutie even though she is a little nutty!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | February 29, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Sounds like you and Beth had a fun time. Love the wall paper book.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | February 29, 2008 at 06:06 PM
so happy that I find youre blogg! Its beautiful!!!! What an artist you are!!!!
I love to come back here!!!
So sweet birdiehouse!!!
Love and Hugs Millan Sweden
Posted by: mamma millan | February 29, 2008 at 06:10 PM
so happy that I find youre blogg! Its beautiful!!!! What an artist you are!!!!
I love to come back here!!!
So sweet birdiehouse!!!
Love and Hugs Millan Sweden
Posted by: mamma millan | February 29, 2008 at 06:11 PM
I can totally relate to your adventures with crafting yesterday. Some days it seems like nothing turns out for some reason, while other days you are completely in the flow of things. We all have those days...I loved your post..so funny! Amy
Posted by: Amy | February 29, 2008 at 07:09 PM
You a crappy crafter? Never.
Once a lady walked into my friends house, my friend has crafty things all over her house, and when the lady walked in, out of her mouth came, "Look at all the crap...I mean crafts!" It was so funny, because she never meant to say that out loud!
So crappy crafter has been a bit of an inside joke for us!
Posted by: Mahala | February 29, 2008 at 09:31 PM
I must not be a very nice friend, but it makes me feel a bit better to know that not all your crafting days are awesome! YOur end results look really good to me! Sorry the process was hard.
Posted by: michelle | February 29, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Hello! The vintage portrait from the wallpaper book looks reminiscent of the vintage watercolours I just had framed & posted! Almost eerie!
Posted by: Maureen | February 29, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Your pre-school comment made me laugh out loud. We all know that feeling. You are not alone:)
Thanks for extending the Tag for St. Pats. Every single time I attempt to finish the second one, something gets all my attention and another day bites the dust.
I do have my photos for the Bird House day. Since I am basically a painter I am sharing a birdhouse that I had painted for my second grandchild. Do I post it on my blog or send them to you???
And Beth: Your picture is adorable!
Pam
Posted by: Pam | February 29, 2008 at 11:16 PM
you were cracking me up with your crappy little crafter comment! i feel that way when i am PMS'ing. i just should do art at that time! i am irritated and everything pisses me off in my studio! Now, do tell, wherever did you find that fabo wallpaper book? i never seen those around here and i am a tad envious right now!
kEcIa
Posted by: kecia | February 29, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Now I don't know who's post I chucked over more, yours or Beth's. Either way you two are certainly kindred spirits. I love the nut cup photo. That wallpaper book looks like such a treasure. Maybe you should just scan those designs into your computer and print them instead of taking the book apart. Where do you find these? As far as your projects going "off" a bit, I just finished this lovely shaker card...it took me hours. When I stood back to admire it, I realized the script was upside down buried beneath layers of tape and the shadow box frame. Oh well. Blessings, Karen
Posted by: karen | February 29, 2008 at 11:51 PM
You and Beth have so much fun together. I love visiting your blogs to see what you've been up to. Definitely kindred spirits there! I can hardly wait for garage and estate sales to hit here with a "bang" because I'm surely going to be more observant of all the cool little goodies and trinket I can find to add to my crafty, artsy endeavors. You are both such and inspiration!
Posted by: Shelley | March 01, 2008 at 05:18 AM
You and Beth have so much fun together. I love visiting your blogs to see what you've been up to. Definitely kindred spirits there! I can hardly wait for garage and estate sales to hit here with a "bang" because I'm surely going to be more observant of all the cool little goodies and trinket I can find to add to my crafty, artsy endeavors. You are both such and inspiration!
Posted by: Shelley | March 01, 2008 at 05:19 AM
You and Beth have so much fun together. I love visiting your blogs to see what you've been up to. Definitely kindred spirits there! I can hardly wait for garage and estate sales to hit here with a "bang" because I'm surely going to be more observant of all the cool little goodies and trinket I can find to add to my crafty, artsy endeavors. You are both such and inspiration!
Posted by: Shelley | March 01, 2008 at 05:19 AM
Karla, I think you just made all of us feel better for having a crappy crafting day. LOL It sounds like you had a great day anyway and it sure worked out in the end. That wallpaper book is absolutely phenomenal. I can understand the hesitation to cut it up.
Posted by: Lallee | March 01, 2008 at 07:11 AM
I love reading what you and Beth have been up to, such delightful things!
Posted by: Tara | March 01, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Wow -- the wallpaper book is the ultimate fine! Three cheers on that one -- I'm not sure I could cut it up either!
Just so you know, I put my tags in the mail on Friday night -- they probably won't go out till this morning, but you should have them by the fifth, and certainly by the seventh.
Gee, I love coming here! I'm so glad that people ever so much more talented than I get crafter's block, too!
Posted by: Jeanie | March 01, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Oh how I wish I could join you and Beth for an afternoon of crappy crafting! lol
LOVE the wallpaper book - what a steal!
Posted by: Joy | March 01, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Wow what a pretty wallpaper book! So beautiful pattern, you are a lucky girl to find that!
Posted by: svenja | March 02, 2008 at 05:50 AM
You and Beth have fun working united!. Beautiful book!
Posted by: María Elena | March 02, 2008 at 06:17 AM
Are you kidding , I cant even imagine you "crabby". lol Everything is gorgeous! that wallpaper is to die for. Love you ST Pat's tag and that bottle is darling!
Posted by: Vicki Chrisman | March 02, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Crappy or Crabby! lol neither one for you! lol
Posted by: Vicki Chrisman | March 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Gorgeous wallpaper book -- what a find!
Your St Patrick's Day tags came out great! Lucky the person that gets them.
Happy Sunday!
Posted by: Pat | March 02, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Karla, you are so funny~ ! I love crappy crafting, in fact just about every craft I do is crap!;)
Jen R
Posted by: Jen R | March 02, 2008 at 02:45 PM
don't you hate it when you can't seem to get things created right, though I think your tage are cute!....what a wonderful wallpaper book! btw, thanks for visting my blog. i just might be interested in a wallpaper swap. just let me know.
alissa
Posted by: Alissa Millsap | March 02, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Oh I'm loving your site. I'm going to join the bird house party...how fun
Blessings,
Terisa
Posted by: Terisa | March 03, 2008 at 01:20 PM