Surprise! Today is a surprise baby shower for our sweet as can be, friend, Andrea. She is expecting a little sister for her two boys.
So, a group of us are helping her celebrate by sending her some hand made girly gifts to Hope, who lives near Andrea and is gathering all the presents and surprising her with a shower.
My gift is a little cartoon painting of her two sons as elves, holding a newborn fairy girl.
Its done in watercolor with ink. And I added some pearl paint to the baby sister's wings, with a hint of glitter.
Her gift was sent wrapped in vintage paper, and I used very little tape, so she could reuse it for a project. Don't you hate getting some cool old paper and having it ruined by the tape?
Here is a section of the paper that you can click on to enlarge if you'd like to print it to use.
And of course, what is a baby shower without some yummy treats? I made a carrot cake up for yet another baby shower. Tuesday, we celebrated Shawn's upcoming addition with a Craft Day Baby Shower Tea Party at my cottage.
As a surprise, I made a fairy picture of Shawn's daughter, Bethany holding a new baby brother.
We really wanted an Alice theme for our tea party, but since I had the photo shoot the day before, my time was short. I was able to make a mini effort to Alice up the table. The party favors were little Charlotte babies that came along with a pig picture cut out of a vintage book. Since Alice was holding a bundled baby that turned into a pig.
And I cut out little "drink me" notes to put by all the tea cups.
Beth was the Mad Hatter (or Russel from Survivor?) and I was the March Hare.
Shawn and Bethany came with Rabbit Ears too.
Shawn has more photos of the day here.
Shawn's baby is due after Twinkle's babies are coming, so I told everyone we had to squeeze in one more craft day and make it a baby shower for Twinks. (if you live nearby and want to come, let me know!)
For Shawn's gift, we bought her an album and each created a page for it. Her husband is an aquarium enthusiast, so I thought that a fish theme would be good for my page. I made a pocket out of watercolor paper that I painted like to look like water, with little purple fishies in it. I cut out fish shaped tags for her to glue photos to, and slid them into the pocket.
Next, I painted some colorful fish and grasses on watercolor paper and cut them out to glue onto the pocket for a 3-D effect.
For the back side of my page, I used sparkle scrapbook paper over reversible scrap book paper that I folded into a pocket page. I do like pockets in photo albums. The little card with the old fashioned baby picture opens up, so that Shawn can add a small picture there too.
But that isn't all the babies, or all the gifts! Our other friend, Holly, is expecting her 3rd son. I wanted to send a little something to her and since I am on a Charlotte roll, I thought I'd use one of them. Although her child is a boy, so we won't say Charlotte, we'll say Charles.
The carriage is made from a box that I have cut down and covered in flocked wallpaper, then lined with white velvet, and trimmed with ruffled ribbon. The wheels are mother-of-pearl buttons.
And geez, as if this post wasn't already long enough, I need to let you know that I've restocked the crown rings in my Boutique.
Also, I will be emailing everyone who asked me to save a Peat Pot Pretty with Fairy for them, and will have a couple left to add to the shop too. Thanks so much!
And congratulations, Andrea, Shawn, Holly, and Twinkle on this spring's new crop of little ones!
What a beautiful and celebratory post Karla! I ADORE the cartoon painting of the boys and soon to be wee one. I cant help but smile over it's serious cuteness! Andrea is going to LOVE it!!! ;) XOXO,Jenn
Posted by: Jennifer Hayslip | March 10, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Oh what fun we had!!! I got all the pictures I had taken up on my blog also. Thank you again for the beautiful watercolor of Bethany. I bet Andrea will treasure hers too! I can't wait for Twinkles shower next and I'm jealous she's having those babies before me :)
Posted by: Shawn | March 10, 2010 at 12:12 PM
oh my goodness karla, your artwork always amazes me!! such talent! andrea will love it~!
oh, and I have a love/hate relationship with russell, does look like his hat!!
xoxo, Tiffany
Posted by: Tiffany | March 10, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Hi Karla! Oh, you make me smile, you are so fun! Andrea is going to love your illustration, you are such a talent!!
Have a great day pally!
xo
Analise
Posted by: Analise | March 10, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Karla...the little painting is adorable! Soooo sweet!(I love mine,too!lol) I am sure Andrea is going to love it.
Also, all the things you made for the other girls are precious, as well. I can't get over your talented self!!!
love,
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry Williams | March 10, 2010 at 12:49 PM
KARLA!!!! WOW!!! Those paintings are soooo beautiful! I cannot think of a more heartfelt and perfect gift for these sweet mommies! I love that you all are doing the baby shower for Andrea, she is so sweet and I am so excited for her to be having a little girl!
The party turned out beautiful and you all look so adorable!!! Everything looks just perfect!!
Love ya,
Amy
Posted by: Bunny Rose Cottage | March 10, 2010 at 01:00 PM
What beautiful illustrations for both babies!
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | March 10, 2010 at 01:02 PM
Karla, What fun you have been having and babies everywhere. If they all live in Kansas is it in the water??? Creating new life is so wonderful! As a former L&D nurse, you can never grow tired of watching babies come into this world. Congrats to all the soon to be moms.
Love all your painting and adore the little baby buggy.
Sandy
Posted by: sandy | March 10, 2010 at 01:03 PM
PS Love the pictures of you and Beth! They are too funny! You two look adorable!
Posted by: sandy | March 10, 2010 at 01:15 PM
How delightful! What a fun shower!
Posted by: Jeanie | March 10, 2010 at 01:16 PM
This all looks fabulous! What a wonderful party!
Posted by: Jingle | March 10, 2010 at 01:53 PM
This is one baby shower, that looks like truly a dream setting. You have so many creative and amazing little touches. I know you are busy with the tag books, but when you have the time check out the Easter decorations I have made up on askmichelespecialpaperprojects.blogspot.com I think you would enjoy seeing them.
Posted by: Michele Askeroth | March 10, 2010 at 02:01 PM
What a wonderful thing to do. An online baby shower! How great! And all those wonderful little things, I just love that little "Charles"! Have a happy day!
Posted by: Thespoena McLaughlin | March 10, 2010 at 02:31 PM
Karla,
I just love that painting. I am sure Andrea will treasure it!
This is such a sweet and generous thing to do and I am loving going from blog to blog and seeing the handmade presents.
Hugs,
Suz
Posted by: Suz Reaney | March 10, 2010 at 02:52 PM
How fun! Surprise parties seem harder and harder to host.
Hope the baby showers were a delightful success. Extra congratulations to Andrea, Shawn, Holly, and Twinkle. Good luck with the craft day to celebrate Twinkle's upcoming pups!
Posted by: Soarenth | March 10, 2010 at 03:02 PM
What a dear friend you are...I know the girls are treasuring your love and talent! Thank you for sharing with all of us...sending warmest wishes your way!
XO,
Rosalyn-Sue
Posted by: Rosalyn-Sue | March 10, 2010 at 03:09 PM
Karla your paintings are too cute, as ever! I should have had that photo of you as a March Hare sooner, I could have used it in the tag swap hehehehe! Great party over at your place! The tags are on their way, fingers crossed they will be with you next week!
Posted by: LiLi M. | March 10, 2010 at 06:18 PM
Karla, your illustrations are amazing! The elfs of Mario & Sam with baby Singarella look JUST like those boys! Your talents are endless.
Posted by: holly abston | March 10, 2010 at 06:31 PM
Karla, we all LOVED that little painting of the Singarella kids! You really captured Sam and Mario! You're amazing!
Posted by: Gabrielle | March 10, 2010 at 06:58 PM
That little baby carriage is the cutest, sweetest little thing!
Posted by: Erica@ZunkyChic | March 10, 2010 at 07:15 PM
Karla,
You are sooo talented; They will love their wonderful gifts!
I love the baby carriage, it is adorable! You all look so
festive at your tea party. We were talking about doing that, too! Wow, puppies, too...quite the celebration!
Thanks for sharing with us, all the great pics!
Posted by: Ellen | March 10, 2010 at 08:07 PM
Karla....very clever to paint all of Andrea's kids. I love it!
Lori
Posted by: loir oles | March 10, 2010 at 08:27 PM
what a wonderful idea! I've been enjoying seeing all the baby goodness today! I just LOVE the paintings! So sweet of you to focus on the siblings...and what their new little lives will be like with the new additions! I love the "pinching the toes" shot of Andreas little boy! The painting of shawns daughter is just so sweet as well! I'm sure she'll have that baby in her arms as much as her mama lets her!
Posted by: Robin | March 10, 2010 at 09:12 PM
What a touching, sweet personal gift! I love it. And I love all the pictures of your celebration. Fun!
Posted by: Amy Powers | March 10, 2010 at 09:20 PM
Hello Karla; I so love to stop by and see what you have been doing,,,, I just adore your drawings,, they are so cute,,, they are going love them... you have been Blessed with a amazing talent.... love the photos too, what a adorable bunny you make.....
Hugs;
Alaura
Posted by: alaurajane | March 10, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Oh I just love love love babies! I am ready for another one... well almost. :) In true Karla Fashion your blog is looking lovely. I keep seeing the most beautiful Alice tags for your swap around town. It is going to be an awesome swap. I'm feeling a little sorry for myself that I didn't join in this time. :( I've been looking over your boutique recently hoping to find a pink pack of millinery flowers but to no avail. They are hard to find right now and I don't have an F. Market nearby. I guess that could be me f-bombing on your blog. Oops, you know what I mean. :)
Posted by: Jenny Fowler | March 10, 2010 at 10:58 PM
Those peat pot pretties are adorable! Love the scrapbook pages, what wonderful places to keep precious memories....So many babies on the way! What a wonderful spring is in store for you!
Posted by: bev | March 11, 2010 at 01:41 AM
Yikes how perfect!!! Andrea's boys look exactly like they do in photos!!! Love that idea of them holding their baby sister, seriously adorable!
Gosh I've been under a rock and had no idea Shawn was having a bubba, I will have to go see her blog :)
Holly's carriage is gorgeous, I bet she will love it! xo
Posted by: Natasha Burns | March 11, 2010 at 02:40 AM
What beautiful baby shower gifts
You must just about be all baby showered out!!
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | March 11, 2010 at 05:22 AM
It's all so gorgeously gorgeous! Fabulous. :o)
Posted by: sadie | March 11, 2010 at 07:46 AM
What is in that Kansas water?! (Wink) Twinkle looks so adorable on Beth's lap - she is eyeballing those rabbit ears! You look great yourself, Karla - you are back to good health, and I'm glad! The showers were just wonderful - lucky ladies and kids, too, to get those personal portraits from you! You always go the extra mile!
Posted by: Laurie | March 11, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Oh my! Everything is so, so cute!
I just love the pretty vintage wrapping paper.
And the Alice themed party is fantastic! the "Drink Me" signs are priceless. :-)
You have such an expert eye for detail!
Kimberly
Posted by: Niesz Vintage Home | March 11, 2010 at 10:55 AM
Thank you so much Karla!
Your painting is amazing! I can't get over how it looks so much like my boys. George and I keep looking at it and chuckling, and Mario thinks it's the coolest thing in the world that someone painted him! It's seriously adorable, and it will look so sweet in the nursery.
Thank you for being a part of this shower. It was such a surprise to me, and I'll always cherish these sweet handmade gifts.
xo andrea
Posted by: Andrea S | March 11, 2010 at 09:29 PM
Oh my gosh Karla what a wonderful gift you created for Andrea - so touching, I'm sure she loves it! You girls all made the most amazing things, she's one lucky girl to have such great friends!
Posted by: Laura | March 11, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Wow Karla you amaze me! I've missed a couple days of your blog and come back to all the lovely pretties you've been making and showers you've been part of.
I was out looking at antiques today and so wish to be part of a swap someday soon! It sounds so fun!
Posted by: Angela C | March 13, 2010 at 12:50 AM
I like your painting.
You are so talented.
I've not been to see
your blog for a bit.
(I was busy doing my
resume and job hunting.)
I am sooo amazed at all
the pretty items that you
and others have made.
Sounds like you all had a
fun time at the shower.
Posted by: Cheryl | March 13, 2010 at 03:06 AM
What fun!!! I swear..one day.. I'm coming for a visit with you fun girls!
Posted by: Vicki Chrisman | March 13, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Your tea party shower came out just lovely...looks like a fun time was had by all. And your paintings of the little ones holding their new babies are too precious for words...what a treasure for the families!
Some computer issues last week kept me from commenting, so forgive me for commenting on a few at once today. :)
Posted by: Samantha | March 15, 2010 at 11:59 AM
How absolutely wonderful!
Posted by: cathy/ladyhightower | March 17, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Hi Karla, I love the crown ring, but it seem like the smallest you have is a US size 5? My right size is US size 4 (still a little lose), do you by any chance have one in size 4?
Posted by: kirsty vittetoe | March 18, 2010 at 10:18 PM