Karla's Cottage

How long till Spring?????????

 

January seems like the longest month of all.  Ugh, not only is it cold, we have severe wind warnings, which means that all of my lawn chairs (yes, maybe I should have put them away before winter??) are blowing around and it is too cold to go outside and pick them up. Well, they can't go too far, I'll pick them up on a nicer day.

This is a good time of year for indoor projects. I'm enjoying working on the tags, and am so glad we had such a big turn out for the tag book swap.  I started a Flickr group for the swap, so if you would like to add photos of your tags, please do. 

It is an open group, anyone can join or look at pictures.  So, please, add your Puppy Love tags and spread the word!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/998886@N21/

 

This cold weather has me thinking about Spring time.  I have this little painting hanging in an area where it doesn't show much, so I rearranged and brought it out where I can see it and day dream of springtime.

I've always loved vintage greeting cards, and did this acrylic painting about 30 years ago, inspired by an old card.  Probably not the best painting I ever did, technically, but emotionally, I think I hit the mark with it!  Every time I see it, I think Spring.  Also, I had given it to my Mom, and it had hung in her house for a very long time. That makes it extra precious to me, now that she is gone.

 

Pockets of Springtime are all around my cottage.  I am definitely NOT a winter person.  I'd love to live somewhere with sunshine year round.

 

Of course, January does serve a good purpose for me.  Its a great month for mini redos.  Being cooped up indoors and staring at the same walls over and over, prods me to rearrange a few things here and there.   Simple changes like hanging this old oval picture on my Gothic window frame give me a bit of a cheer up.

 

And who can have gloomy thoughts when there are little cuties like this around to cuddle up with on a cozy chair by the fire???

 

Thank you to everyone who inquired about buying some of the tags I am making for the swap. I still have about 28 to make yet just to fulfill my obligation to the swap! But I think I'll make a few extra to give away for some prizes too..... There are a lot of prizes, the January and February giveaways, as well as my 2 year blog anniversary on Valentine's Day and seems like there was another.... Oh, yes, we will have a name the puppy contest!  As soon as they open their eyes and start to get some personality, I'll post photos of each and ask for names.  Puppy Love altered tags will be prizes in that.

Guess I'd better get back to the craft table!

Tagging along

 

How is that for some puppy love?  At this point the little princesses are mostly sleeping and eating. They curl up and they cry for mama and that is about it. 

Beth came by to help with my website today, and we spent some time cuddling the puppies, although at first she thought they were too tiny to hold. But these little guys enjoy being held and Twinks doesn't seem to mind.

 

Although, she certainly doesn't take her eyes off of them once we pick them up!  I could tell she was a devoted mother, when she went out to potty yesterday and a rabbit ran right in front of her.  Instead of taking off like a shot into the woods to get tangled in cockle burrs, thinking that she might just catch the wascal this time, she simply turned around and came to the door to be let back in to her babies.  Not even a glance over her shoulder to see where it might have gone to. 

Worrying about your kids can sure take precedence over other things, that is for sure.

Luckily, at this point, my kids are doing well, so I can worry about tags!  60 some tags. Now that is a lot of worrying.

 

As I was blog hopping (instead of making tags) the other day, I saw a pretty hand painted tag by Suzanne Duda and used her idea as inspiration. I added hand painted designs to the vintage papers of the one on the right, and then added a bit of old papers to the painted roses on the tag on the left.

 

I think this one is my fave, though. I painted a floral heart wreath directly onto an old photo and added the words to the top.

 

And this one is about half and half, with some flocked wallpaper as a heart.  I'm copying them all and then embellishing the copies with millinery blooms, lace, ribbons, glittery ink, etc.  That sure helps me toward my goal of 60 plus. 

 

This one is a copy I made of one of the painted tags. I think they copy well.  I added lace and glittery ink in accents, then covered the back in wallpaper. By the time they get uber-foofed with charms and ribbons when tied onto the books, I think they will look fine.

 

Today's mail brought some sweetness from Sugar Sugar.  

 

What a nice surprise from Analise!

 

Beth spent the day here in the studio with me, we worked on swap pages and website stuff, with a LOT of help emailed to us from Heather.  Now, I am getting ready to head out the door and go see a movie with some friends.  Looks like "Slumdog Millionaire" did great at the Golden Globes the other night, I am looking forward to seeing it.  Last night, I went to see "Benjamin Button" and can't stop thinking about it. Maybe it is too soon to go see another flick, since the one last night was so good, my thought are still lingering on  it.

Nah- its never too soon to go to another movie!! My idea of a great afternoon, is to see a double (or Triple!) feature.

 

So, before I head out, I'll leave you with a few pictures of this beautiful little book I bought in St. Joe the other day. It is signed and dedicated in 1922. I really appreciate those little written introductions in old books that were given as gifts years ago.

 

Oops, puppies everywhere in this house!!

Time to add the Buttons

 Thanks to all of you who joined my Valentine Tag Book Swap!  We are at 50 right now, so unless I have communicated with you about joining and we haven't gotten back together about it yet, it is too late to join.

Or, if you have commented that you wanted to join and haven't heard back, please email me.  I have some trouble with TypePad at times and can't always return comments. One that got returned to me was from Carrie, and I have no way of contacting her. 

I've added this button to my side bar. If you are in the swap, please grab this and add it to yours too! Thanks for being a part of it all.  Now, I just need to go and whip up about 50 tag covers....

 

Time does have a way of getting away from me- especially when I blow a day by going shopping and not working.

 

But shopping IS working for me, not just recreation.  All these old watches will make gorgeous necklaces! The other goodies will be wonderful things to take to Miss Frenchie's April in Paris sale this spring.

Not the trims, though. Those were a gift from Beth (who was my partner in playing hooky for the day). She gave them to me to use in my new obsession to "Pearl Up" my home, after reading the Magnolia Pearl book.

 

Beth also made this pile of tags for me with her cuddle bug and a deck of cards.  I'll make use of many of them in the swap book covers.  Especially ones that have hearts on the backside!

Red isn't typically my color. I bypass it at Christmas, but at Valentines, I get sucked in by  juicy redness.  Especially when I see such a sweet baby doll dress with tiny flocked, dotted Swiss style hearts on it!! (I wish it fit Sugarwings)

 

I know I am not the only one who enjoys a splash of red for February, so if you'd rather have ruby tones for the blog swap button, please help yourself to this one.

 

My hat-whispering skills weren't focused during our jaunt to St. Joe to visit Jesse James Antique Mall and The Rusty Chandelier.  (both worth the almost 2 hour trip).  But I snagged a couple of flowery concoctions. Man, the one on the bottom left is just asking to be ripped apart.  Some hats are so pretty as they are, that I don't take them apart until I need a specific bloom from it, but this one is just plain awful as is.  Like some sort of smooshed up wedding bouquet made by a blind florist.  Who designed this? It is one of every kind of flower, in each color, with no rhyme or reason to the placement.  But good for me, because, did I mention- one of every kind of flower?  Beautiful to use in other projects!

 

These grocery store price tags are nicely aged. But what I like about them is the holders. Can't you picture them as place card holders? I just can't wait for my next fairy tea party!!

 

This throw was found at the Rusty Chandelier too, it isn't all antiques. This isn't exactly new, but far from old.  I fell for it, because of the soft, plush velvet and the metallic bronze vines that go so well with the ones I painted on the ceiling.

And see the blue rhinestone? They are scattered across the vines, and match the room perfectly!  Nothing like a little sprinkle of added sparkle.

For those of you who needed a puppy fix, here's one of the teeny tiny babies. For those of you who are already tired of me posting dog photos everyday, we'll just pretend this is a picture of the blanket I bought. 

Tag Book Swap samples

 

After Sugarwings went to bed last night, I made up a sample tag book to show you.  Many were wondering what they would be like when finished.  Well, no two will be just the same, of course, but this will give you an idea.

 

The 7 tags that I made last night will all be used as covers on the swapper's books.  (sorry about photo quality, my better -not good, like my longed  for Cannon Rebel, but better than this- camera is out in the car and my husband drove off to take Sugarwings to her Hippy Chick Mommy's house.)

 

This is the back side of my 7 tags.  Notice one isn't covered? I will ink it up a bit, but not all tags have to be finished on each side, that is the swapper's choice.

Also, note that the tags are similar sized, but not exact? I tried to make a variety of sizes for the sample book, so you'd get an idea of how varied the actual book will be. With so many artists participating, it will be a potpourri of sizes and shapes. Just as long as you stay near the target size, you'll be fine with your tag.

 

Just as I expected, this swap was a good jump start for me.  January is a sluggish craft time for me every year.  I have lots of things coming up that need to be planned and worked on, but I simply wasn't facing any of it. Plus, it was all vague, out there, in the future stuff.

 

Committing myself to possible dozens of tag book covers, well, that got me going.  And I have noticed in my life, that the more I do, the more I WANT to do.  If I get away from my studio for a few weeks, like I just did over Christmas and New Years, I need a push to return. Then, I am firmly lodged in there and can't be removed.

Good timing for me, my sweetheart is leaving for Virginia today. He will be gone 12 days, so I needed a project to do while he was gone. Since October, we have been together pretty much all the time.  He has been able to work here from Kansas, or I have traveled with him to VA.  We'll have an adjustment period to deal with.  Sugarwings will too, her Pop Pop is a big factor in her life.   Last time he was away, she called him and said "I want Pop Pop at the DOOR not at the PHONE."

 

I will miss him as much as Sugarwings does.

 

But I have my blog friends, and all these projects (Miss Frenchie's, a new web site, an Etsy shop to fill).

Some of the tags I make to cover the books will be copies of my originals, but knowing me, I'll make quite a few originals.  Each book will be tied up with vintage ribbons, like this one is, and will have the tiny, heart shaped, "Puppy Love" tag attached, as well as maybe some charm or other goodies. I ordered lots of vintage gum ball dog charms in pretty colors of plastic and have lots of little brass charms, as well as other tidbits to dangle here or there.

So, remember to not add anything to the TOP of your tag. You can add what ever you want to to the bottom, and have it dangle there, if you want.  Ruffles, ribbons, charms, etc.  That will make the book more interesting.

 

Here is a photo of true Puppy Love to inspire you.  Teddy and Twinkle all cuddled up together, back in their free spirited days before they became parents.

There is still room in the swap, I might be crazy to commit myself to so many covers, but hey, that I just how I roll.

More Puppy Love, a list of LOOT, and a Valentine's Swap

 

You didn't' think I could go more than one post without showing puppies did you?  You guys are going to be so sick of my puppy photos by the time they go to their new homes.  I'll have a reputation of being "that boring dog blog".

But I know that there are some of you who are feeling the Puppy Love too, so here's an idea......

How about a Puppy Love swap for Valentine's Day??

 

Of course, "puppy love" also means young love, so your contributions don't have to be dog related at all.

Lets make a tag book.  You send me 6 tags and I will make a cover, then assemble the book. Everyone will receive a 7 tag book back.

 

 Valentine's Day is my two year blog anniversary, the puppies will be about old enough to go to their new homes then, too. It seems fitting to have this theme for my swap.  What do you think?

Oh geez, this means I need to make a button, doesn't it? I'm so inept at that.  Lately, tech stuff has been getting the better of me. My buddy, Beth, has bailed me out and is helping me with getting my website going, thank goodness.

And maybe some of you wonder why I am making dozens of tags for book covers instead of making things to fill my new website or list on Etsy or sell at Miss Frenchie's in April?  Beats me, it isn't a smart business choice, that is for sure.  But doesn't the swap sound fun?

   

Here is a recap of Karla's Cottage goings ons and LOOT:

• Yes, there is a giveaway for January, that I keep forgetting to announce. Lets solve that and just call it a SURPRISE GIVEAWAY!  Just always count on me giving at least one present each month, all comments are entered into the monthly drawing.
• Swap sign ups are first come first serve.  I'll start making some tag covers for the book and see how many I can handle before I put a limit on the entries. The last couple of swaps I did filled fast, so enter soon!
• There will be a name a puppy contest. With a PRIZE (to be named later, or shall we just call that one  a SURPRISE PRIZE  too?) We'll need to get to know these guys a little better before we can name them.
• There will be a, you guessed it, a SURPRISE PRIZE for my two year blog anniversary on Valentine's Day too. (I need to make some stuff for these prizes, huh?)

And while we are on the subject of pups and love, here is Teddy meeting his babies for the first time. Twinkle is not as fond of him as she was a couple months ago. 

Are you wanting swap details? Here they are.  And email me if you are interested in joining.  I hope you'll want to play, it will be a fun one, and a pretty simple one to make. The turn around time is about a month, but 6 little tags are quick to do. 

Puppy Love

For this swap, you will make 6 tags, with the theme of “puppy love”.  Dogs, sweethearts, young love, however you wish to interpret it is fine.

Decorate the tags in any way you wish, but please do not add ribbons to the hole, that is where I will connect 6 random tags to make a book for you, using my own ribbons and baubles. 

You can add embellishments or ties or ribbons to the bottom of the tag, foof it up as much as you’d like!

Please use tags approximately 4 ½” by 2 ½”.  You don’t have to be exact with this, but do try to be in that ballpark, so that your tag will fit well into the books.  You can be an inch or so bigger or smaller, but not much more than that.  Variety is quite nice, but if your tag is too far off, it won’t work with the books.

You are welcome to cut your tag out of any material you want to use.  You DO NOT have to use a pre-made tag, you can fabricate your own.  Fabric, metal, chipboard, etc, feel free to experiment!

You are welcome to finish both sides of the tags as elaborate as you’d like to, but only have to do one side, if that is all time allows you.

Please sign your tag, so the recipient will know whose work they are enjoying!

Once tags arrive at my cottage, I will sort them into piles that look cute together and assemble books from 6 different tags, plus a cover by myself.  Some covers will be hand made, some will be copies, it will be a random mix, depending upon how many I need to make!  And you might receive your own tag back in the book that I make for you, you might not.  I’m sure you’ll be proud of it and how it looks with the other pretty tags so will be happy to get it as part of a book, if that happens.

 

Please have your 6 tags to my studio by February 5^th to be included in the books for Valentine’s Day.

Along with your tags, please send $6 for postage and supplies plus your return address. 

Should a poor sewer who hates to even try, attempt a Magnolia Pearl inspired slip cover on a RECLINER? While taking muscle relaxers for a strained back??

 

Have you read the Magnolia Pearl book? Beth gave it to me for Christmas and I have been obsessed with the photos.  Now, not all are to my taste exactly (I think old rugs on the walls in the kitchen is just gross and dusty and musty)but I love the idea of it all.  But in MY colors.  Still, just look at this sofa. I was inspired by the opulence of it all, and have always loved the crazy quilt layering of fabrics when I make slipcovers.

 

My sofa could use a bit of the embellishments I spied in the book.  I have a good start with the mixed fabrics already.  If I added a few velvets and trims, I'd be close. Well, close enough for my house.   I have to consider that it is climbed on by two year olds and dorkies, plus we use the sofa for real life, not for display!!!  All of my fabrics need to be washable.

 

One element I really enjoyed from the book was the use of old textiles.  So, I cut up a tapestry I'd found at an antique mall years ago and added a section to the center pillow of the couch.

 

Another one, got cut up for ruffles on the chair that I decided to recover in a Magnolia Pearl-ISH way. This tapestry's design wasn't as pretty as the Grecian ladies on the other runner, this one was elephants and guys in turbans.  But I loved the over all look of the fabric itself, it really shows its age.

 

The next step was to gather up piles of remnants and trims and doilies and whatever else I had lurking in the linen cabinet in my studio.  I wasn't exactly sure how and where I'd use it all, and actually didn't end up usingmost of the bits and pieces. But it was good to have a pile to look through, hold up to the chair and pick from.  Nothing was planned out, this chair just came together from the inspiration of what I'd seen in the Magnolia Pearl book and what was left over from other projects or laying around the studio.

   

If a furniture store ever sells you an insurance package for light colored fabrics, please read the fine print.  I liked this oyster white velvet, but was worried about dirt showing. So, for an extra $35, I got a guarantee.  Any stain or dirt that got on the chair would be cleaned off by the company or else I'd get the chair recovered free.

Sounded good.  But it wasn't.  The fine print says it covers everything in the world but normal dirt.  So, the chair got a bit funky and no matter how I cleaned it, it always looked smudgy. The oyster white slowly became mucky gray.   I daydreamed about recovering it.

A local seamstress was going to make a slipcover for me, but she decided not to, she said recliners are too hard to do.

So, of course, I figured I could do it myself. Even though, if you sat near me in the sewing segment of Silver Bella, you would know from the constant complaints I spouted, I HATE to sew.  Hate it. And am a novice.

   

Since  I was house bound, while babysitting new puppies and their poor little, over worked mommy, I thought a project that I could do in the newborn's nursery (my dining room) would keep me busy.  I'd strained my back at the gym and was on muscle relaxers so wasn't quite in my right mind either.

You  know, I kind of thought when I started working on the chair, that it would make a good How-To for the blog.  Until I got going on it, then realized, it was just too hard to explain, since I was making it up as I went along.

 

But here are some helpful tips if you feel like making yourself bonkers by trying to make slipcovers for a recliner from a hodge podge of fabrics:

• gather up lots of materials to play with.  What you think you are going to use, might not work, you need plenty of odds and ends to choose from
• lay out your fabrics right side up to judge where you want them, then flip them over inside out to pin.  I pinned mine where I wanted it, then trimmed the fabric around the pins
• have all your pin heads face the same direction!
• don't sew over any pins, unless you really enjoy changing needles on the machine
• keep the sewing machine manual handy in case you need to change needles
• those pearl pins are easier than regular straight pins.  Especially the bright colored ones, they show up better and you hit less of them with the sewing machine needle
• eye balling is easier than measuring.  No one will be using  a tape measure on your chair when they come to visit, so if you think it looks pretty good, you should trust yourself enough to go with that.
• it doesn't have to be perfect.  A slouchy look has a lot of room for errors. 
• throw in some unexpected textiles for fun
• fringes and trims can cover up crooked seams pretty good
• if you don't have any muscle relaxers, try  a glass of wine before starting the project

 

The "sleeves" of my chair were terribly twisty. But the fringe saved them.

 

 The back side should be interesting too! This is the side that faces the newborn's nursery (my dining room).  I gathered up the ruffle with some old taupe velvet ribbon and roses that I pulled off an old hat (I have a few of those around).

If you decide to cover a recliner, you need to remember that it MOVES.  The cover has to be done in pieces, not all one throw like a regular chair.  I made the "'sleeves" first, then attached them with upholstery screws, to the inside of the arms.  Then, the seat is simply a hemmed and trimmed piece of fabric that is tucked in around the sides, not attached to anything.  The piece over the back, is made like  a pillow case, that slips over it.  And the foot rest cover is screwed down too.  Buy extra upholstery screws, you will need more than you think!

 

Well, not exactly Magnolia Pearl, but it is at least Pearl-ish.  Of course, the chair itself is the wrong style, not antique and not ornate.  But it is comfy and I like a soft recliner for reading in.  I call this my Grammy Gypsy Chair.

 

Hopefully, the busy fabrics won't show dirt the way the original one did.  And, I can always take it apart and wash any section that gets dirty, if needed.

 

While cleaning up the room, I was ready for some more changes, and added this iron piece to the wall. (I'd had it up in the guest room, but now that Sugarwing's Daddy lives up there, he prefers his Hippy Tie Dye to my antique decor, so I took it down).  Notice that I still have Christmas lights in the urn in the corner? I am calling it a winter decoration, instead of a Christmas one and keeping them there for a while. I enjoy the glow.  And the vintage photo of the WhiteWitch that I had up for Halloween is back as a pretty lady dressed for Mardi Gras instead.  That sounds better than "the Clash of the Holidays"!

January always makes me want to redo a bit. I guess it is being cooped up indoors, and staring at the same stuff over and over and getting tired of it.  Also, taking down all the glitz of the Christmas decorations, makes the home seem dull with out them.

Or maybe it is just the muscle relaxers.

Puppy Love

 

Sugarwings is as infatuated with the new babies as the rest of us are. 

 

Twinkle is  happy to share the pups, and is being a good Mama.  A little nervous, but loving.  She is such a good natured dog, I shouldn't have expected anything less from her.

 

And when Sugarwings heard us talking about one of the babies having a star on its chest, she started to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and brought one of the wooden stars from her craft supplies as a gift to the newborn.

She doesn't realize it yet, but these puppies have a gift for her too.  Since Twinkle is her dog, all the money from selling pups will go into a college fund for the fairy grand baby.  Thanks, Twinkle!!

Guess who is here!!!?!!!

 

Puppy time!

 

Yesterday afternoon, Twinkle decided that in front of the wood stove on a fluffy pillow was the best place to have the babies.  Bookie and Sparkle were caught unaware and dozed through the first part of it all.

 

But when they realized what was happening, Bookie took off to hide under something (anything, just HIDE, Bookie, HIDE!!!) and Sparkle sat nearby to offer moral support and keep an eye on Twinks.

 

Poor Twinks, I was worried about her at first.  She kept staring into my eyes, asking for help.  Then, when the first baby came along, she was exhausted and took a little nap.  But when she woke up, she was ready for business and at full attention to the babies.    All it took was one little squeaky toy sounding peep from puppy #1 to make her realize these guys were hers and they were pretty interesting. 

 

Who wouldn't fall in love with this?

 

And good thing she figured it out after the first one, because 5 more little squeaky toys came along soon after.

All girls!

 

This morning, Twinkle can't be convinced that the babies would be happier kept in a box, she keeps taking them to the sofa or to MY bed.  While I find them totally adorable, I also find them stinky and messy. So I have a feeling that she will not be getting her way, these girls will be staying in the box for the next couple of weeks until we set up a play ground for them to romp in. 

Since I finished my book yesterday, I might need a project I can work on in the house, and stay near  the new mama, she is a bit nervous and I don't want to be out in the studio for long.  I'd better get back in to them now, please forgive me if I don't answer emails today.

Frenchie-fied

 

Yesterday, the Miss Frenchie's group had a meeting at Mission Road Antique mall. One of our members is Gwen, who has a booth at the mall, so I thought I'd show some of her wares.  She travels to France to buy her inventory, and has a great eye, this is some GORGEOUS STUFF!!

 

The meeting was productive, as well as entertaining.  Our luncheon turned into almost 3 hours of chatting. As much as I love my little fairy grand baby,  my family, and my studio, it was nice to get out, be in a lovely setting and talk about interesting topics that didn't include kiddie activities.  Even grammies need days out sometimes. 

 

Plus, these women are smart, professional, and creative.  Besides business plans for the April in Paris show we are working on, design, blogs, magazines and interiors were talked about.  Carol can quote the Wall Street Journal about business, and Debbie is sharp as a tack about colors and well, just about anything in retail and design.  While hitting other subjects of interest, we still managed to stay on track and discuss what we were there to talk about, Miss Frenchie.

 I've been president of our local art guild in the past, and I have to tell you, keeping creative people focused on  the subject isn't easy. But I was impressed with this group and the way we had a good time, but still got business done.  Deb took on a leadership role and handled it all well.

 

From what everyone had to say, I can promise that this next sale will be a wowzer.  More vendors, more time for preparing, more visual va-voom for each booth!  And I thought the LAST one was spectacular.  I just can't wait till the next one!

This cabinet was making me wish I hadn't spent all my money on Christmas gifts.  It would look perfect in my studio.... What a yummy blue interior.   Gwen's stuff is always yummy.

There is something about this time of year that has me wanting to redo, fix up, change my house.  Partially it is from being cooped up inside and seeing the same view over and over.  Also, having all the glitz and glitter of the holiday decorations, makes the house seem more special and when they are gone, everything seems a little more dull.

 

Right now, I am housebound, hanging out with Twinkle  and waiting for puppies. She and I slept in the living room so I could check on her every hour and sleep with the light on, but not disturb my husband.  That poor dog is past her guesstimated semi-calculated due date and I can tell she is ready.  So, I am using "our" confinement time to read, be lazy and kick back.

Beth loaned me "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" and I am loving it.   I just finished two books by Jennifer Weiner and one by Sophie Kinsella.  Why can't my favorite authors be more prolific??? I am all out of their books now and who knows how long I'll have to wait till a new one is out?

 

We have a fire going in the wood stove, I am going to make a pot of soup and go cuddle up with my fuzzy baby who just isn't feeling well and read the rest of my book.   We thought she was in labor last night, and was once again pretty restless.  Or was that because I was checking on her every hour and the poor thing got no rest?

Wish us luck. I hope that next time you hear from me, I'll have puppy photos to show you!

An Elf Celebration

   

Today we had an Elf Celebration.  Sugarwings was so excited, and talked about it all day yesterday, she just couldn't wait. She thought it was the elf's birthday  and sang Happy Birthday all morning.

She and I drew an elf, then painted and cut it to copy onto this little rhyme that I wrote about the party's theme, then we made up gift bags for the kids who were coming over.

 

Each small guest got some treats, a black and white copy of the elf picture to color, and an elf of their own.

 

I have had a fondness for these cuties since I was a kid and have a big collection of them, that I was happy to share with my friends today.

 

We started with edible snowflakes, cut from soft flour tortillas.  The idea was to saute the cut tortillas in butter and add powdered sugar and color sugar sprinkles, but my little fairy grand baby enjoyed snacking on the corners she cut out of her creation.  She also really got into dumping colored sugars onto the finished product.

 

There were lots of other goodies to eat, along with sparkling fruit juice in glasses you could toast with.

 

At Michael's after Christmas sale, I bought lots of supplies to make elf hats for 75% off, and rolls of snowman wrapping paper to use as table clothes.

 

The work could be pretty serious at times.

 

But at others, jumping up and down was called for. Sugarwings was a blur most of the day. My friends are a bit shocked at how much energy that little one has coiled up inside of her. She is always on the go!

 

But, with her buddy, Julia's help, she slowed down enough to get a elf hat completed.

 

Shawn's daughter, Bethany made a really cute hat. She is an accomplished crafter and when Shawn comes out for a craft day, I always know that Bethany will create something sweet.

 

Max made a snow guy hat. And asked me to paint a matching snowman on his face.

 

 

When it was Sugarwing's turn for some face painting, she turned the tables and painted me instead.

 

We both ended up painted, although, most of my paint is on my saggy, baggy, old lady neck and when I look down, like in this photo, it is hidden.

I just can't imagine a more fun way to spend a morning.  Time to sit and talk with best friends while drinking coffees and eating quiche, hot Cinnamon rolls and crunchy snowflakes, then crafting elf hats with some of my other, smaller pals.    This is a good start to the new year, I can't wait to see what other fun is waiting for me in 2009!

edit- Shawn has a great camera and just sent me photos from today, so I am adding them on-