Beth and I finally got together today, we've been trying since Christmas Day! She and her husband were supposed to have Christmas dinner with us, but got snowed in. Between bad weather, and many other little issues, we hadn't had a chance to hang out since.
Today, she was able to come here and we worked away in the studio making things and talking for what seemed like a few minutes, but was really hours. When she left, I begged her to come back tomorrow, it was so nice to have a day to relax, chat, and catch up while creating things.
We also exchanged gifts, a few weeks late. Here is what she brought me. I hated to open it, the wrapping was so flowery and gorgeous, but was glad I did! I got a sharp, pink kitchen knife and cutting board (everyone HATES my kitchen utensil situation when they come over, and I really needed this upgrade), as well as a stack of especially pretty post cards and a floral box.
I'd made her a Christmas tree (yes, kind of late to enjoy that one!!) and placed it into a lidded glass jar that I decorated with her initial. I figured she could pack away the tree and use the jar in her studio for supplies. I also gave her a coffee travel mug that I fixed up, but forgot to take a picture of. I did a similar one for myself, so I'll show that with some how to's another day.
For me, today was birdie day. I had some red birds, that were a nice, vintage cotton fiber, but honestly, I just am not a red person. So, I thought I'd try painting them. I used a combination of acrylic paint, then crackle paint, then glitter and was pretty happy with the results.
These two are in love.
They are all love birds now, instead of cardinals. Some have already been used in projects and will be lovely Valentine displays, that can carry on into Spring time since there are no hearts or other blatant signs of Valentine's - just a feeling of it.
Others are individual birds that are ready for you to use in your own projects, or to simply enjoy as is.
If you'd like one, they are listed in my Boutique.
I've got big plans brewing for beefing the Boutique back up, its a bit emptied out after the holidays.
I've already listed a few packs of Heavenly Wallpapers (sorry, they are already sold!) but am still chopping and will be adding more soon as I get all the slicing and dicing done.
There will be an announcement when they are ready to sell. I've got 11 x 14 and 8 x 10 in about 15 styles so far, but want to cut more up and get a full restock done. Since I've got over 200 rolls of wallpaper, I can't cut them all without spending a lifetime doing nothing else, but I at least want a BIG assortment ready to share with you. I hope to have at least 25- 30 patterns cut and ironed and photographed by the end of the week.
There will be some new millinery packs coming too.
Its a lot of work to pluck the blooms, but at least I have a helper!
I forgot all about the January Giveaway!! How about a bird? I made an army of them today, the ones pictured here are just a few. If you'd like a foofed and glittered bird, please leave a comment on any post, all month.
Well you were feeling spunky today! Bless your heart. I suppose I am a bit of a new follower so I do not understand what the wallpaper packets are for? Can you direct me on a path of understanding? :) Much love to you this week, Cherie
Posted by: Cherie | January 19, 2010 at 10:50 PM
So nice to have time to create with a friend. What could be better.
Posted by: Gerry | January 19, 2010 at 10:59 PM
love the birdies, i have been painting mine cause i cant find the right color when i go shopping. yours are more shabby which i like. they are great. looks like she is having fun ! lol
Posted by: JoAnn S | January 19, 2010 at 11:52 PM
I so wish I had more time for some creating- my crafts are all a disarray - I so need to get some kind of organization going!
Love what you have done to those sweet birds!
blessings
mary
Posted by: Mary | January 19, 2010 at 11:56 PM
I love the wallpaper and the gorgeous birds! Your little granddaughter is the cutest thing ever btw!
Posted by: Ashley Schott | January 20, 2010 at 12:18 AM
She is the cutest flower plucker.
Posted by: Mahala | January 20, 2010 at 01:26 AM
200 rolls of wallpaper sigh....
Posted by: LiLi M. | January 20, 2010 at 03:58 AM
Karla, i didn't realize you were a wallpaper whisperer as well...that's a lotta rolls...how clever to paint those red birds...now they look all shabby and delicious!!!
Posted by: Lori | January 20, 2010 at 05:44 AM
Hello Karla... oooh, your birdies are just precious! I especially love the ones that are in love! Yes, please enter me in your giveaway... I woud soo love to own a pretty little birdie... xoxo Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie | January 20, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Karla - how fun !! love to see what you two were creating -- Love the birdies -- also Sugarwings and her hats - too adorable -kathy - ga ♥
Posted by: kathy lowry | January 20, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Sounds like a fun day spent with you dear friend Beth. I love what you did with the "love birds" - and they look wonderful as a flock!
Enjoy this day too!
Leann
Posted by: leann | January 20, 2010 at 10:13 AM
I love how those birds turned out! I had some red feathers birds that I didn't like too much but they were from the 60's and had a plastic body underneath so I ripped all the feathers off and pasted on aged paper. I'll be posting the project I did with it tomorrow. I do like very much how your birds turned out. I love the crackle paint with just a hint of the red showing through. It softens their harsh red look. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Thespoena McLaughlin | January 20, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Hi Karla, I love the birds, and would love to have one. Mona
Posted by: Mona | January 20, 2010 at 10:45 AM
I LOVE everything Karla!! The birds are wonderful as I am so ready for spring! I want to be Sugarwings and play in your millinery!!! YUMMY!!
Hugs,
Amy
Posted by: Bunny Rose Cottage | January 20, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Hi, Karla! The sweet birds are lovely, but even better is having Sugarwings as a helper! (Makes me miss my own cuties so far away)
Hugs -
Betty :)
Posted by: Sammy Girl (Betty) | January 20, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Would love a foofed and glittered bird!!
Please enter my name. =0)
thanks for coming by for a visit
blessings
barbara jean
Posted by: Barbara Jean | January 20, 2010 at 12:29 PM
I am sure you and Beth had a wonderful time! Where did she find a pink knife?! Hope it works well. When my family visits, they all hate my dull knifes. I have been using them for 20 yrs of marriage and they seem to work well for me! The wallpaper looks great and I do like the painted birds!
Posted by: kana | January 20, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Those birdies are so cute! And, with that hint of red peeking out from their tail feathers they would go so nice in my home! :)
xoxo
Rochelle
Posted by: Rochelle Gaukel | January 20, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Hi Karla sweet little birds..sweet little girl...love the wallpaper...200 rolls?..think I need to take some home to Canada...we are in the middle of a huge rain storm..well huge for California..not huge for B.C. kind of normal for me..Lorraine
Posted by: LORRAINE BELL | January 20, 2010 at 02:28 PM
I would love to win a bird! They are so cute, Karla. I loved my November prize! I was so lucky. I didn't realize how many names you had at the time!
I thought i missed your wallpaper sale again and I came back and reread this...whew! I am so glad I didn't!
Hear you have ice there...we are getting it tomorrow. I like to say that I live on the only hill in St Paul (this being a prairie!). I need to get down that hill to go to the warm water pool!
Posted by: Suz Reaney | January 20, 2010 at 03:55 PM
nice pressie exchange with Beth, I like the sound of a pink knife! Rachaelxo
Posted by: Rachael | January 20, 2010 at 04:05 PM
Sounds like you girls had a wonderful day! The birds turned out so cute and look at that sweet little thing playing with the hats! She's a knock- out!
Posted by: gabrielle | January 20, 2010 at 04:12 PM
Hello Sweet Karla! Would it be wrong to tell you that I have absolutely nothing to say but really want to win a lovebird??? :) I really like the ones on Etsy, too...and SugarWings is your best advertisement, digging in the millinery cupboard! How did tai chi go? I guess that your fingers are still agile, hope the rest of you is, as well! Your Friend, Bobbi
Posted by: Bobbi | January 20, 2010 at 05:44 PM
What beautiful Birds!!! And what a fabulous idea to paint them. Love, love, love them!!!
Posted by: Binky | January 20, 2010 at 06:48 PM
Love the birdies!
Posted by: michelle | January 20, 2010 at 08:26 PM
I enjoyed hearing about
your time with your friend.
The birds are beautiful.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 21, 2010 at 12:04 AM
The birds look gorgeous and oh my all that gorgeous wall paper
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | January 21, 2010 at 01:18 AM
Well, those are some darn sweet birdies! I had an art day with a friend today too, I get so much more done when we're together!
Posted by: Stacy | January 21, 2010 at 01:42 AM
I would love to be included in this giveaway! Thanks, Pearl
Posted by: Pearl | January 21, 2010 at 01:55 AM
Karla:
Love the new creations. The birds are gorgeous, and the tree you made your friend Beth is lovely too.
Wallpaper, in 11 x 14 ??? we need to talk !
Wow ! Blessed is not the word ! Take Care.
Deborah
Posted by: Deborah Woodrow | January 21, 2010 at 02:50 AM
those birds are divine
Posted by: Jean Knee | January 21, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Looks like you and Beth had a wonderful time crafting. Your little love birds are so adorable, and what a helper!!! Too cute! Wish I had a sweet little helper around again, mine seem to be too big to "help" anymore!!!
Kate
Posted by: kate | January 21, 2010 at 10:47 AM
I love to be entered in your giveaway, Karla!!
The birds are so pretty!!
Jenn~
Posted by: Jenn~ | January 21, 2010 at 01:41 PM
Each of your birds are so lovely! As is baby girl!!!
~ Autumn Clark
Posted by: Autumn Clark | January 21, 2010 at 04:59 PM
Pretty birds! Looked like they were ready to perk you up for spring.
Hah, the picture of overflowing millinery flowers was cute. How fun to be drowning in your happy thoughts. Good luck to you and Sugarwings in sorting through the blossoms.
Posted by: Soarenth | January 21, 2010 at 05:48 PM
I am new-to-you and am loving what I'm seeing. Sure - toss my name in the hopper because one can never have enough birds. Ever.
Posted by: SuZeQ | January 23, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Hi there :) I am new to your blog and am in love with your beautiful little birds! So please do enter me, I'd be so thrilled to win one (crossing fingers lol)~
PS - I think your vintage creations and projects, decor etc is simply wonderful, Thanks for all the great inspirations!!!
Posted by: Mary | January 23, 2010 at 09:13 PM
The little princess in your studio is just adorable! Your birds are so sweet and Thank you for the chance to win one!
I enjoy your blog so much.
Pattyjo
Posted by: Pattyjo | January 25, 2010 at 07:46 AM
Your painted birds are splendid! I have some vintage cardinals that could use some toning down, so I might try painting them too. I'm also a fan of your wallpaper packets, and agree that even the smallest scraps of vintage wallpaper can be used for something. I just made a decoupage/collage picture frame using wallpaper scraps and it turned out really great.
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | January 26, 2010 at 06:46 AM
I would love a little bird. I will put him on my Christmas tree and he will be passed along to my daughter along with my other "vintage Christmas " ornaments.
Posted by: Laraine Atherton | January 28, 2010 at 10:28 AM
HI Karla,
I had computer problems these last couple of week. A new provider and email address and now i am back in business. I missed not reading your blog. It is so good to be back.
Were you in the snow/sleet area this past week???
Hope all is well.
Posted by: Janice Rehmeyer | January 30, 2010 at 05:38 PM