Karla's Cottage

I've lightened up

   

Typepad just ate my post.  A LONG rambling post, like I tend to do, and with LINKS.  Lots of links that took me an hour to do.  I'm so sorry I don't have time to replace them, but I will show the photos with apologies to the artists who contributed.

 

This is the book I made for myself from the tags, and cards I got as gifts in the swap.  Robin did this one, and it has a "K" stick pin on it, how cute.

Many people made extra tags for me, and I really enjoyed collecting them into a bundle. This one is from Susan Goffman.

 

Some were vintage tags tied to the packages, others were extras from the swap.

 

Then others were made up special as a gift! Like this one from Marilyn.

 

This is from Brenda.

 

For the swap, we were each meant to make 6 tags to share.  I added my six to various books, (plus I made the 65 covers).  So, I picked out 6 tags from the group to keep for my own book. but one of them, I kept out to tie to the key for my new cabinet.  I saw this one from Andrea and scooped it up immediately!

Once, again, I am sorry that Typepad erased all my work in adding links to artists who made all of these.  Tell you what- if you were in the swap, have a blog and are going to show photos of your books- please send me a link to the post and I will post the list of them all together so everyone can come and visit each other and see their work spread out into all these little tag books.

 

All of the tag books are assembled and sent! So, my table is now cleared, but here is the view I had for a few days, tags and booklets everywhere.

That is my new cabinet, found last weekend at my favorite second hand store for only $150. I'd love to redo the whole studio with "fancy" furniture. 

 

Especially pieces like this that are so functional.

 

Plus, this one has space for display too.

 

This chandelier ($130) is from the same store. I'd had my eye on it for a while, and finally went back to get it, and the cabinet had just been brought in.  So, I ended up with both. Happily!

 

The best thing about it, isn't the bouquet of porcelain roses, it is that it has SIX bulbs, and makes a huge difference in the lighting above my desk!! I can see!!!

Now the swap is over, the studio is illuminated and all cleaned up. I'll be excited about getting back to work. I've neglected my Boutique and Etsy shop while working on the tag swap.  As soon as I get them re-stocked, I'll let you know.

But Sugarwings comes tonight, and we will need to do some coloring, that has to come first! She got the cutest crayon carry all from Ele.  This weekend, we'll be playing with all the art supplies she received in the swap, thanks again, everyone!

That is, when we can get a break from these guys! 

Here is a link for a short puppy video on Flickr. You know how I say, that Twinkle thinks the camera is always out just for her? Here you can see what I mean. And please ignore the dirty floor....

 

Also, all swappers are welcome to add any puppy love photos to our flickr group and everyone is welcome to look through the photos. I might have added more than a few myself.... I hope others add also!

Blown Away

The wind began to switch, the house to pitch, then suddenly the hinges started to unhitch!

 

Well, it wasn't quite that windy today, but it sure felt like it.  Enough that Sugarwings quoted Dorothy and also the Big Bad Wolf a LOT today. And I was able to open all the windows and blow some of winter's funk out of the house.

This is February??? Wow, what a gift this last week has been. And I had a bonus baby day, Sugarwing's Hippy Chick Mommy called to ask me if I could watch the fairy grand baby for a couple of hours.  And even though I had a pile of tag books waiting to be assembled, how could I say no?

 

It was the kind of day that had us both jumping for joy.

 

We decided it was a great day to take Millie and Tinker Bella out for some fresh air.

 

Sugarwings is always attracted to this tree out in the field.  Maybe because it is the perfect shape for a beginning climber?  Or because silly Grammy tied a chandelier to it for a photo shoot and left it out there in the woods like that?  She always wants to go out to see this tree and seems to get a kick out of it, so I guess the chandelier will have to be a permanent feature.  

 

Poor pups aren't quite big enough to go running across the field with the baby yet.  Its sad to think that by the time they are ready to run and play, they will be at their new homes, and not here to chase us.  I miss them already, just thinking about it.

 

Tinker Bella and Millie went back inside to their nest in the Puppy Pond, and the rest of us decided to explore the back yard and the creek a bit.

 

These are the kind of days that keep me going through winter.  Last year, it was so harsh and cold, we didn't get a single one like this.  This winter has had its share of harsh days, but at least we have had these breaks of shiny sun and crisp breezes.

 

Yes, the day was well worth it, even though I will have to burn the midnight oil to get these packages made up and ready to mail.  I sent out about 15 tag books yesterday, and have most of the books made up.  I'll be addressing them tonight and getting them to the PO tomorrow.

 

But there is no rush. I am taking my time and wrapping them all up pretty.  No two are alike, these books and the packaging they go in are all unique.

 

Of course, I have company while I work. These guys have the run of the studio now, and have found some hats to play with. I've posed them in hats enough, that I guess it just comes naturally for them to climb in one when they see it!

OK, back to work.  Be watching for the books, if you are in the swap!  Some are already on the way.

And remember, if you want to enter the February Giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment and the winner will get one of my glass heart charms.  I had 30 of them, and have been randomly attaching them to Puppy Love Tag books too, as well as giving them out as prizes for the Name that Puppy Contest.

Where to start???

Where to start??? Where to start???  I have to say, the Puppy Love Tag book swap is just wonderfully overwhelming for me.

 

And overwhelming for the Fairy Grand baby too.  We had a blast dressing up for our little present party.  She was pretty serious, though.  I think she was feeling the abundance the same way I was.  Oh my, there is more fun stuff to open and play with???

All of the art supplies are greatly appreciated. My little crafter can go through tons of stickers in an afternoon of work  in the "our studio."

We made good use of the treats too!

 

I think I will be able to keep my energy up while assembling books. Between the chocolates and the teas and cocoas and home made marshmellows (Shawn knows I am addicted and treats me to them a lot, she is a good friend to have!) I've already dipped into the goodie supply, notice that the chocolate bar wrapper is empty? (but it is so cute, I have to save it and use it in my art journal or else my own tag book)

 

Beth scored a big box of old journals at an auction (she has some to sell here - although when I went to her site to get a link, I kind of bought the last one..... but I know she has more and they are only $10 each, so ask her!!)

 

So many artists are making art journals, but I have never done one.  Beth gave me one of her ledgers and I decided to make it a semi-art journal.  I'm using it for practical things.  Like postage rates. I wanted a pretty book to keep next to my computer to have handy for figuring postage.

   

And to keep passwords in.  I have two pages filled with passwords from dozens of sites online.  You need a password to do anything!  And I hear it isn't smart to be repetitive with them, so I have to keep a log, or I would NEVER be able to open anything.

 

And then there are certain addresses that are good to have at hand.

 

And I am sure there are lots of other things I will think of to add to the book.  So I am making up lots of extra pages that will be waiting and ready when I need to jot down something important.

Or just doodle.

 

Meanwhile, back at the tag book swap.... I have started assembling books!

 

When building them, I debated one hole or two at the top. I started making some with two holes, but switched back to one.  For one thing, its half the work! For another, I kind of like to be able to fan the tags out like this, and see them all at once.

This book includes work by:

Kathy in Chicago

Andrea Tarling

LiLi M.

Sarah Elder

Carla Fisch

Samantha Miranda

and a cover by me

OMG aren't these going to be something when they are done?????  Of course, the "when they are done" part is the tough part.  I have about 450 tags spread out over my studio right now.

 

Some here...

 

And some here, along with goodies and gifties that haven't been consumed or displayed yet.

 

There are so many sweet gifts that I was, as I might have mentioned, OVER WHELMED!!! So, my plan, is to slow down and enjoy them.  Play with a couple at a time, sip some tea, make some books, nibble some chocolate, then go and play with some more gifties.  I hung up this banner from my East Coast Junking Buddy, Robin. It fit perfect on my hat garden buffet. Although, it also is good for tying around my waist and dancing around in.  Just ask Sugarwings what Grammy wore to the dress up tea party and she'll tell you all about it.

 

Today, I slipped on this beautiful fairy necklace made by my pal, Gretchen and went to rent myself a huge stack of movies.  I'll need them to keep me going as I assemble all these books.  Brideshead Revisited is my first one to watch.

(Gretchen has great jewelry for sale on her blog, you should take a look)

 

See what I mean about wonderful goodies?  Here are a few more of the presents that came as hostess gifts.  There are also lots of pretty ribbons from quite a few of the swappers. What a perfect thing to include,  I'll be needing it for tying tags together.  And I got so much Valentine ephemera, that I will absolutely have to do this swap again next year, so I will can use it all up!!

 

There are thougthful gifts everywhere I look, spread out all over the studio.  I just don't know what will happen to me next week when the swap is all done and over with. NO PACKAGES IN THE MAIL???? That will be hard to get used to!

 

Oh, I just had to show you this one, the box that it came in was such a joy to open and explore.  You can read all about her tag series on her blog. 

 

Thanks again to everyone who participated, and for all of your thoughtfulness and generosity with your time and your treats and your crafting skills!

Sugarwings and I had a lovely party to celebrate all the Puppy Love we got. I'll leave you with a couple more photos of our special day.

Introducing Little Star, Millie, Tinker Bella, Trinket, Micah, and Glitter

 

Oh my, we sure had some entries for the Name the Puppy contest!  Hundreds of cute names came in.  Thanks so much, I enjoyed reading all the names and wished I had a dozen more pups to name. (but that would also mean a dozen more to mop up after too, so maybe not)

It was hard to select winners, so many were so good!  But here it goes-

 This little girl is Little Star and was named by Sugarwings. 

Meet Millie, named  by Carla for one of my favorite things in the world, millinery flowers.

And of course, I had to have a BELLA, but even better, how about Tinker Bella??? Don't you love that?? The winner for this one is Cheryl.

Sissy was the winner for this girl, her name is now Trinket.

 

The teeniest, tiniest puppy of them all is going to be called Micah.  As in a shiny little flake of glitter! How perfect for her.  The winner for this name is Jingle.

 

And Adeline Grace suggested Glitter. That seemed to suit this itty bitty princess.

All of the girls are modeling the heart charms that will go to the ladies who named them.  If you are a winner, please send me your address, unless you are in the Puppy Love swap, and I will just add your charm to the package when I mail them out this weekend.

The last two babies are nestled into more gifts from Puppy Love swappers! Can you believe the goodies?? Tomorrow, the fairy grand baby and I are having  our dress up Tea Party and opening presents together. She is very excited, especially when she saw the Tinkerbell tag on one of her packages.

 

Twinks can't bear me taking photos of her babies and not her, so I indulged her with this shot.  I'm redoing a high chair for Sugarwings, here it is in progress.  Of course, don't let Twinks know the picture is of the chair, not her.

 

The packages are coming in fast and furious now!  I hope to make up the tag books over the weekend.

 

This tag swap has made me pay attention to the wall behind the bench in my studio. I've had a bad habit of hanging whatever I just found at a garage sale, or just painted, onto any old nail that was already there, over the years.  But, standing at the table, sorting tags and facing the wall, made me realize how blah and unattractive it was. 

Natasha, Heather and I had a discussion once about framing wallpaper as art, the three of us love it so much, we all thought it was lovely enough on its own to be framed.  I finally got around to doing just that.  I'm still foofing and not quite done. I want to add more small frames of wallpaper to the center of the big frames.  Maybe hung on velvet ribbons?  Or I might still go with the sepia photo idea.   Or old post cards? But I do LOVE just wallpaper.   Ooh, I could add some Millinery flowers!!!!!!

Good thing the puppies don't hold still much

 

Today is the last day for naming a puppy.  There sure have been some good ones, choosing will be hard.  Some are almost too good to give to a puppy that will be leaving me in a few weeks!  There are names in the list that I want to give to a dog that I will keep forever!

Beth and I had a fun craft day yesterday, and she brought a Valentine ribbon to tie around this little one's neck. Of course, the minute I put her (the dog, not Beth) back in the Puppy Pond, she was turned into an object of tug-o-war and her sissies pulled off the ribbon and are still playing with it today.

 

Besides making up little heart shaped "Puppy Love" tags for the swap, I spent the craft day covering anything that didn't move with vintage wallpaper.

 

In honor of Miss Frenchie's sale (April 17th), I lined the drawer of this shelf with a page from an old French dictionary.

And speaking of Miss Frenchie's, here are some new additions to our group there, as well as new additions to the blog world! Three Shabby Chicks have  a beautiful new blog, go by and tell them I sent you to say hi!  They only have two posts up so far, but you can tell by looking at them, that they will have pretty things to come.

 

Back to my quest to paper the world- isn't this old silverware box great with the top wallpapered? The interior is a perfect match for the pink of the roses too.

 

Maybe I should name this pup "Vanna White" she is great at showing off the products.

 

Beth and I debated over these metal boxes I covered. We both thought it needed something.  I decided that they should be left as is for now, what they need is a label stating what is stored inside. And for now they are empty. But the vintage cards I glued to the front have the PERFECT place to write on when they do find a purpose.  I think I will take these to Miss Frenchie's sale too.  I used more of the French dictionary pages here too. I wonder if I should come up with a pretty word in French to add to the labels before I take them in to sell? Or leave them blank for the new owner to label themselves? 

What do you think?

Know any pretty French storage type words??

 

These bits and pieces of old sewing goods and trims were just listed in the boutiquetonight, while I listened to Lost.  I got a good over view of the program, but will go back and watch it on TIVO later tonight, and of course I will watch Idol on TIVO too. Yes, pathetic soul that I am, I watch it TWICE in a night.The first time, I am usually working and listening (and tonight, it was while opening some of that package avalanche I have been expecting) so I watch it a 2nd time to actually sit down and see what is going on.

Top Chef is looking good too. Gotta love Wednesdays!  And of course, Thursdays. Although Mondays aren't so shabby either.

OOOOOOHHH, that reminds me!!!!!!! Did you hear about Rachael Ashwell??? She is declaring bankruptcy.  I hope all works out for her business, I'd miss all the gorgeousness.

 

Of course, I have plenty of gorgeousness right here. Little Miss Sugarwings is awful nice to look at.  She is being sweet and cuddly tonight, her Daddy, isn't feeling well, so she is snuggling up to make him feel better. And to keep them company is a fluffy puppy that came in a red felt Valentine purse from Stephanie Oyler. Thanks, Stephanie, she really is enjoying it!

 

Stephanie's gift was part of the avalanche of swap goods (this is about half the stuff!). You can't tell from this photo, but I am being very organized with this swap. Even Beth, the account, said she was proud of me for keeping track of everything. 

  I have a check list on the table where I mark if the address was included, then I slip the address itself into an envelope and mark down if the postage was included and put the money on the pile of dollars.  Tags get counted and marked off the list, then go into the large wire basket.  All ribbons and tissues and boxes and bubble wrap are "harvested" for reuse. I recycle!

On the wall, is another project I started today. Remember the soffit in the studio that I covered in rose and floral wallpapers? On this side of the studio, I decided to feature flocked, neutral colored papers in old frames I painted different shades of white. Its not done yet.  I might add some sepia toned photos.  And more small frames to fill in.

Well, it is time for the Top Chef judging table and I have to be able to look into Tom's eyes for this. I've got a slight crush on Chef....

 

Oh, quickly before I miss Chef's eyes- Beth brought me these wrought iron pieces!! Love them!

How noisy would a pocket full of puppies be?

 

You know that avalanche of packages I am expecting?  Well, it will be a big one, because I am expecting over 30 this week, and today only one came and yesterday's mail just brought two!  My friend, Carla sent her tags wrapped up so sweetly. See why it is fun to open these boxes???

 

My mom used to watch for the mail man everyday like it was a major event. I used to tease her about it, she wasn't ever really expecting anything but bills, and flyers.  Now, with all these packages coming to me, post time is becoming the highlight of my day too! My kids were teasing me about watching for the mail lady.

(art work bySara)

 

Of course, with these guys now living in the studio, I have plenty of distractions to take my mind off the mail.

 

Uhm, maybe I need something to distract me from posing pups in odd places? Actually, they seem to enjoy it, and are always pretty pleased to be the one singled out for extra attention.  Twinkle simply can't understand why on Earth anyone would point the camera at anyone but her, though.

Thanks for all the puppy names!  Keep them coming, every time I have a fave, another good one comes along. And remember, if there are duplicates, those comments will be pulled from a hat to break the tie.

Details on the contest here.

 

I've added some new things to the Boutique

 

And toEtsy as well. Aren't these photos wonderful? I love that they were mounted onto pastel cards, not the typical dark colored ones I usually see. I did save a couple to make something with them myself, but kind of think that I like the idea of just laying them in a bowl on the table, not even making them into anything else. 

Although, it is hard for me to NOT foof....

 

Today should be fun, I am making Valentines with Beth. Then going to a movie night with the girls.  I wonder if I can sneak a pocket full of puppies into the theater with me??

I'm a Winner too!!!!!!!!!!

AND THE WINNER IS---ME!!!!!!! Well, it sure feels like I am a big time winner, you should see all the pretties that have come in the mail to me this week!

 

Honestly, these are wrapped too pretty to open.   Sugarwings and I will have a dress up tea party together and wear our floral hats and open the pile of pressies together when she comes over at the end of the week. For, now, I am enjoying the lovely wrappings!

 

So many of our Puppy Love Tag book swappers have sent in lovely gifts, I just don't know where to start in thanking everyone.  Tons of generosity and thoughtfulness is filling up my mailbox along with all the beautiful tags!

  

These gifts are a sweet bonus to the fun of doing the swap. I am slightly overwhelmed. Well, more than slightly...  Bowled over is more like it.

 

But I absolutely do not want to give you the wrong idea, that gifts are required or expected when you send in your packages of tags!! Or any other swap I host.

 

So, I want to thank ALL of the swappers who joined in to trade tags, and let you know how much I appreciate the effort that each and every one of you has made to put these cute books together. And yes, they are going to be really cute. I love the ones I have seen so far!

And I have to say, if you have never hosted a swap before, you should give it a try. Anticipating the mail lady's arrival each day, opening up the boxes and packages to admire the tags, meeting all these talented artists, it has just been a blast.

 

The reason I like this swap so much, is that it is collaborative.  It does mean extra work for me, but it is worth it to see all the creations all togther and in person.  I don't care for one on one swaps, (even though I was paired with GREAT swappers and got cool returns on what I sent in, when I have done some!!)  I've heard horror stories of swaps gone bad, but with this type of swap, if one person doesn't come through with their portion, no one is left in the lurch without a partner. (like I said, it didn't happen to me, but I have talked to people that it did happen to)

 

The deadline for tags to be in is Feb. 5th and I will be showing you some pictures of the books as I put them all together.  I'd say about half are in already, so I should have an avalanche of packages coming in filled with tags in the next few days!

 

In the middle of receiving the first 30 or so bundles of tags, I got these gifts in the mail from two different blog contests that I won! The millinery flowers (YUM!) are from Andrea and the sugared house is from Side of the Road. Thanks, ladies!

Oh, but you are probably interested in who won the January prize from me, huh? I keep running on about me and my gifts, well, here is one for you- and it goes to:

Mahala

And hey, she is a Puppy Love swapper!

 

Don't forget, we are still having the Name That Puppycontest going till Feb. 5th, so leave a comment on the previous post if you want a chance to win a milliefiori heart charm and name one of my furry little buddies.

This heart is a leaded and beveled glass one that I foofed and spiffed with vintage wallpaper and a red velvet flower.  I'm going to list it in my Boutique tonight.

 

Today was mostly paper work and boring crap, no time to make anything at all, but I did get a few millinery craft packs listed on the boutique.

 

 

Oh, and I fixed up this gumball machine that I found at the Goodwill a few days ago.  I've never been an orange fan, but that was an easy change.

 

All it took was a can of "Ballerina Slipper" pink spray paint, sandpaper and white acrylic paint. After a coat of sprayed on pink, I roughed it up with the sandpaper, and dry brushed a hint of white over the top. Its now filled with yogurt raisins and sits in the studio so that Sugarwings and I can have a snack when we need a boost of energy during those big play dough projects!

 

(artwork by Tiffany)

The puppies are up and running now, well kind of.  If you'd like to see a video of them on Flickr to help inpire a name for them, please check it out here.  But please keep in mind, that I thought the camera was off when it really wasn't and the second puppy video has me talking baby talk to one of them (and sounding like a doof).