Craft day was such fun! We laughed and talked and played for about 8 hours and the day flew by like it was no time at all.
And I actually got the studio cleaned up!
The tables were all cleared for work space and I just sat out some wallpaper pieces and the tags for each person to mark their spots. 
It didn't take long for all the tables to turn into this! Everyone brought such interesting piles of goodies it was a day long adventure just to check out everyone's stash of stuff.
Especially our new pal, Gwen. She is a reader who answered my blog invitation to come by and play.
I'm so glad she did, what a fascinating and fun person. She was an FBI agent, stationed in France for years and brought back the BEST French ephemera.
Gwen gifted all of us with French book pages, and Shawn brought her Cuddlbug. We were rolling papers through it and embossing everything in sight.
I kept wanting to put pasta through it and make embossed noodles for lunch.
I actually got very little made today. This is a 100% French papered background for a tag, I will add a picture to the center later.
I was busy Cuddlebugging a lifetime supply of papers to use later, and scanning all the cool old Frenchie things that Gwen brought!
We all made books too, here is one by Marilyn. I had my binder out and she used some Cuddled papers, post cards, and sheet music to create this.
Since I met Marilyn and Shawn through our Birds and Bonnets Swap, I thought it was appropriate to use the screen from that swap as part of my centerpiece for lunch.
Shawn's daughter, Bethany had a good time sipping out of a tiny teacup at lunchtime. She was adorable all day, one cute thing after another.
Lunch itself was pretty great, everyone brought a dish, and all were tasty! Shawn even brought each of us a bag full of home made marshmallows. I was going to arrange them on a pretty plate and take a photo, but I ate them. Sorry.
I know this isn't the best picture of Beth, but she is only looking worried because I threatened to knock her over and steal her hat.
She taunted me all day with this rose encrusted gem of a hat that she bought for $5, and that I couldn't take my jealous, little, beady eyes off of.
Gwen is a reader that has never left a comment, and I hadn't met her before. I'm so glad she took me up on the invitation and came out today, along with our other blog friends.
Sometimes I wonder who is out there reading this, and it was very nice to meet one of "silent majority" who is on the other end of the blog, but I never hear from.
I'm sure she won't mind if I share this with you, it is an old ad from a magazine she brought today. I scanned it to print and use for backgrounds. Please feel free to use it for your own work too, just click and save. I'd love to see what you do with it, if you make anything from this ad.
And thanks again to Beth, and Shawn, and Marilyn too for the fun time!
OH MY! What fun you all must have had! I so wish I lived closer to come by & be inspired!
Thanks for sharing!
& the reason I stopped by today was to say 'WOW' I LOVED your spread in my new issue of Somerset Life! CONGRATS!!!
Posted by: debbie | July 11, 2008 at 12:53 AM
What a fun day! Funny how things always come together and you got to make those cute Oz pages yesterday too! Love the french ad, I copied it to add to my collection!
Posted by: michelle | July 11, 2008 at 01:29 AM
What fun you girls must have had!!! I love all the beautiful things you created too ~ I love the embossing....I've got to look into that! xxoo, Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | July 11, 2008 at 02:32 AM
It sounds like it was a WONDERFUL and FUN day!!! Love that tag you made with the "M' on it....M for Michele....hee hee!!! Your table setting looks gorgeous, too!!
Hugs,
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by: Michele | July 11, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Karla, what a fun day!!! i love how that embossed paper looks, very pretty:) and that really is a stunner of a hat that Beth is wearing, i would be coveting it also!!!
Posted by: Lori | July 11, 2008 at 06:14 AM
What a good time we had! I can't wait for our next craft party, I'm off today to get some more embossing plates they have one that looks like sheet music :) I'll remember a bigger bag of marshmallows next time! You'll have to tell me your fav flavor. The orange and chocolate ones I make are pretty darn good! Thanks again Karla for everything!
Posted by: Shawn | July 11, 2008 at 08:28 AM
I don't know if this will make your hat envy better or worse, but when I bought the hat, I was going to give it to you. But when I put it on, I looked so pretty (as you can tell from that oh so attractive picture), I had to keep it to wear for a few days. But don't fret, when I pull the flowers, you'll get your share!
Posted by: Beth Leintz | July 11, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Looks like such a great day! Loved the creations! Thanks for sharing!
Kim
Posted by: Kim V | July 11, 2008 at 09:31 AM
what a fabulous day!! so fun!!
i want to come and play at karlas house.
tee hee.
oxoxo,
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | July 11, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Oh it looks like you had fun! I have seen ads for cuddlebugs, but I didn't realize what they did, how cool! Love the gorgeous green glasses you used on your dining table!
Posted by: gail | July 11, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Wonderful photos, Karla! It really was the most fun kind of day--being with friends who love paper and tidbits and laughing and sharing! Thanks for your incredible hospitality...hugs, Marilyn:)
Posted by: Marilyn | July 11, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Man, I wish I could of been one of the lucky gals sitting around that table - looks like so much FUN! Definitely my idea of a good time! :)
Joy
Posted by: Joy | July 11, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Ok, Karla I'm finally coming out of woodwork! I really had so much fun, I can't thank you enough for including me. You've inspired me to scan more of my stuff and finish those cards I started and start some new projects. I'm in awe of everyone else's scrapbooking talents and must play catch up. Thanks again.
Posted by: Gwen | July 11, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Well, if I wasn't on the west coast I'd be there like a SHOT, my crafting chick. (Ronda recently called me a nattering nuthatch and I'm still wondering what that one is! hah) But anyway, I'm soooo envious that you can all get together like that but looks like you had a glooooorrious fun time, you clever loveys!!!
Smoochies,
Connie
Posted by: Connie | July 11, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Karla,
You look like you were all having such fun! I am totally jealous of your craft space. So large and so beautiful.
I left you a little something on my blog today. Please stop by and check it out. Amy :)
Posted by: Amy | July 11, 2008 at 12:47 PM
It looks like you ladies had a wonderful time! How fun to get all the French goodies! Wish I lived closer so I could drop in and join in the fun!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | July 11, 2008 at 01:21 PM
What a fun day! Maybe I can talk my family into moving to Kansas. LOL
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | July 11, 2008 at 01:33 PM
You just have so much fun. Do you want to move on my street? There is a house for sale?
Posted by: Beverly | July 11, 2008 at 01:37 PM
What a fun day you all had! Loved the hat. Wished I lived closer.
I have heard of the Cuddlebug, I need to check into that seems like you can do alot with it.
Irma :)
Posted by: Irma's Rose Cottage | July 11, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Wow, I'm impressed with that embossing machine! It would be cool to print out a Christmas letter and then emboss it.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | July 11, 2008 at 03:18 PM
How fun was that? Sounds like it was a blast! I really need to organize a craft day like this=sounds wonderful.
~Sadie
Posted by: Sadie Lou | July 11, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Your home is so full of life, friends and happiness! I wish I lived near you. I would love to come by and play too!
Posted by: Peggy | July 11, 2008 at 03:45 PM
it looks like you guys had a fantastic time and what a cute little girl!
jenny
Posted by: jenny | July 11, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Once agan.. SO JEALOUS!!!
Posted by: Vicki Chrisman | July 11, 2008 at 07:00 PM
What a fun day you all had! The table looks like creativity is brewing, not messy.
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie | July 11, 2008 at 07:51 PM
I would've loved to have been there! Glad you all had fun! karen....
Posted by: karen | July 11, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Karla, looks like you all had a wonderful time eating and crafting. Love the ad from the magazine. thank you for sharing.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | July 11, 2008 at 08:14 PM
What a great time -- sounds like a grand meeting of spirits! And your table -- as always -- looked absolutely elegant! Nice creations, too. I have to look into those Cuddlebugs! (Please encourage Gwen to have a blog -- she sounds fascinating and fun!)
Posted by: Jeanie | July 12, 2008 at 09:49 AM
What a great time! Even the sippy cup matched the decor :) I am close to you, but with gas prices, not close enough :( It does look like a lovely time.
Posted by: Gail | July 12, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Oh I am so sorry I had to work and miss this crafting day. It sounded like such fun. Your table was so pretty and the personalized tags you made were wonderful. Love the picture of Beth in the hat--she does look a bit protective!
Posted by: Carla | July 12, 2008 at 05:33 PM
I wish I lived in the area and could come craft with you gals!
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 14, 2008 at 11:36 AM