Friends from far away coming to stay

A quick note- due to some shuffling, I have extra spaces available for Bird Song. If you'd like to sign up, please contact me.

We had the best time over the weekend! What a great group of friends, I was honored that they would travel so far just to come and hang out in Kansas.

Pictured is:

 * Heather * Suzanne * Lori * me * Jenn * Andrea *

On Thursday, we just hung out, chatted and got caught up on each others happenings. Then on Friday, we took off to KC to go to Bottom's Up and some other sales, then over to visit Carol.  I foofed up bags for each of us, and filled them with bottled water, treats, gum, and lip gloss so we'd be set for the day's adventures.

We all piled in the borrowed van (from Sugarwing's Daddy) and then just sat there.  Apparently, the key comes out of the ignition when the car is still set on "auxiliary" and I left it on all night draining the battery.

So, after unsuccessfully hunting in every nook and cranny for our jumper cables, my son, Ryan, volunteered to run to the store to pick up another set.  He soon had the van jumped and running so we could hit the road.

Bottoms Up is once a month and located is the West Bottoms district in KC, MO. (someone walking by us said we looked glamorous!!  Now that is something I don't hear very often about myself.  And from my pigeon toed stance in this photo, I don't think I'll be hearing much in the future either)

There are several shops with monthly sales in this old warehouse area, and its pretty cool to see.

And to shop at!

 
 

Gwen of French By Design has some very drool worthy goods.  The vendors range from ultra classy and elegant to fun junk.  So there is something for everyone.  I know we found plenty.

Did you know that Victorian Trading Co. is based in KC?  After hitting Beth's booth at Mission Road Antique mall, we went next door to shop at the outlet store for this catalog shop. There are only two brick and mortar stores for this company and both are right here in Kansas City.

The clothes there are so durn gorgeous.  The girls were buying some perfect outfits for Jenn's romantic event in NC this fall.  I tried on quite a few, then decided that I was 10 years and 10 lbs off to fit into the dresses right. Not to mention that I am too short.  But I loved looking at them and seeing what everyone else picked out.

Then, I bought a shower curtain.  (photos later, I'm dying it, and repainting my bathroom to match it)

Carol had us over for dinner, and if you think her home looks like it was right out of a book, you are right.  She's in Romantic Prairie Style (and oooooooohhhhh, what a pretty book!)

Carol is not only a talented photographer and decorator, she is a hostess with a huge heart.

And a good cook!

Every single detail, every where you looked, her house is perfect.  Just perfect.  I feel like I am in the pages of a decorating book when I am there.

So, I was really touched to see something I made for her out on display. 

She served some local made honey flavored wine over dinner, and it was a good thing I was driving, or I'd have drank way too much of it.   I could go  Winnie the Pooh all over this honey nectar!  Man, it was good.

Carol just had this fire place built in her backyard. It was a lovely evening to curl up by the fire and tell ghost stories. Even though the others didn't like ghost stories much.  We quickly moved on to more fun stories and had a lot of laughs.  If you've ever spent an evening with Carol, you know there will be lots of laughter.

Here is the back of her home, near the fireplace.

This is the tree that Carol is teaching for Bird Song.  Pretty, huh? 

I'll have more photos later of our studio day.  After that day with all the creative types in my studio, I am even more pumped about Bird Song.  I can't wait to fill the room back up with arty friends and see them in action!

 

Comments

[stefanie]

oh, looks like a perfect weekend!!! everything is just gorgeous!! and that tree!!!eeeekkkk

[Stephanie O.]

Great photos! I have that same galvanized rectangular "tray" that Carol has put above her sink...I am so going to grab that baby, clean it up, and duplicate Miss Carol's style!

Indiana girls are gathering at Lisa's Lola Rue on Friday to work on some Bird Song projects...so, so very excited for the end of the month to get here....

[bettyann]

oh so much fun Karla..Carol has such a lovely home..I love looking at your warm home also...have fun...

[Kelley]

Looks like a blast! and the strawberry short cake - swoon!

A night in front of the fire with gal friends - how divine!

On a side note, I was SO HAPPY to see Heather out and about - I was worried that something may have happened since she's dropped off her blog - I thought I'd have to wait 'til summer to run in to her at the antique show (we're in the same corner of PA).

[Sandy]

Karla,
Looks like you all had a blast. I can't wait to do some shopping when I get to KC. I'm a little intimidated to be with so many talented people at Bird Song. I've not done a whole lot of those type of projects so it will be a learning experience for me.
I'm just sorry that Debbie closed The Curious Sofa before I could get there to absorb the ambiance. Plan on hitting Carol's shop and Beths booth, and Wow I didn't know that Victorian Trading had a shop in Corinth!! I knew it was out of KC but not PV.
I am in the process of selling my current house and buying a bigger one so I can have a whole room for my studio, so I will be looking for some great souveniers to use in the new house. I'll tell you more when the deal gets done. Pray that I can get my current home sold!
See you soon!! I'm getting excited, especially when you post all these great pixs of your last week end!!
Sandy

[linnea-maria]

You seemed to have such a wonderful time together. And I think it was nice to see Heather. She haven't been very busy on her blog so I've started to wonder if she was ok.
Hugs to you girls! /Therese
By the way. The parcel I ordered arrived today. Thank you so much, that was the bliss for the day! <3

[holly]

Such beautiful pictures Karla. I love the group shots and the colors... very very pretty! Happy you all had such fun togheter. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Holly

[Wanda @ Just Vintage]

You ARE a glamorous group! And it looked like you all were having so much fun. And of course you were! And Carol's house. Gasp! How did you ever tear yourself away?

[vivian]

karla, what a fun weekend for all of you. cant wait to see what you all made!
xo
vivian

[Peggy Jones]

What a wonderful time you gals must have had. The photos are beautiful. I almost fainted at the sight of the strawberries. I have not had anything like that since the DM diagnosis. I know I can have just a little but that will be hard to do. The bags were impressive too.
QMM

[Laurie]

I can't wait, either! I mean -- I REALLY cannot wait! I'm so glad we have swaps to do to keep us busy in between!

[Tina]

Sounds like you have had an awesome weekend Karla. with lots of fun. Thanks for sharing
xo Tina

[Jennifer Hayslip]

Karla, Thank you SO much for inviting me to your fabulous home! I had the BEST time!!! So many laughs, giggles, crafting and munching on delicious sweets. It was PERFECT!!
Miss you already! Can't wait for October! Hugs!! XOXO,Jenn

[Dorthe]

Karla, as alwayes, a wonderfull -get together ,in your home--I love the photoes of you and the other girls- you are all looking so joyfull, and glad-and I can see you had a wonderfull time together.
Hugs, Dorthe

[Janice Watts]

Karla, You girls look like you had a wonderful weekend! Do you happen to know the name of the " honey wine"? I bought a bottle of wine made from honey last weekend In Lawrence, I was just wondering if it was the same stuff. I haven't opened mine yet, but now I'm anxious to!! Janice Watts

[jill]

Oh my goodness that looks like a fun time!

[andrea]

oh it was such fun, Karla! Thank you again. I miss you girls!!!!

[sadie]

what a glorious time. I'm so jealous! x

[jeanie]

How wonderful! Oh, I'll have to keep that Bottoms Up link -- in my perfect world, it will be in KC when I'm there in October! May be emailing you and Beth about other must-hit spots when I get there -- might be worth adding an extra day! What fun to see so many happy smiles and energy that leaps off the screen!