Secrets and Surprises

I came home from work today to find some secrets and surprises waiting for me! A Halloween box was waiting for me from my new friend Kathi. We joined Heather's Halloween box swap and were swapmates. My box of goodies included a feather pen and some vintage papers,

handmade ephemera, flowers, paper doilies, candy, all wrapped in pretty tissue. Kathi put a lot of time and love into the box and it REALLY made my day!

and they were all in a great tin box!

Check out Kathi's blog to hear her story of how she trudged through the rain to get this very special gift to me! Thank you Kathi, see you at Silver Bella in 7 short weeks! Julie

My day at Karla's Cottage

Today I met some very creative souls. I was awestruck to be in the company of Karla Nathan, Lori Oles, and Carol Spinsky who have all been published numerous times in our favorite magazines! Karla hosted a "play date" at her home near Kansas City. Karla had a "closet of goodies" for us. When you walked in the door, it's the first thing you saw. It was like going to an artist's retreat! THe carrot cake was to die for!

Karla and her husband made lunch for us and this was part of her tablescape.It was so vintage and elegant. Every bird in her home has a crown on! Everyone's napkin ring was actually a cuff bracelet that we got to keep! My other new friends are Jami Miller and Nora Neely.

I traveled to Kansas City from my home about an hour west of Chicago (~500 miles) to "play" in Karla's Cottage. The other ladies came from as far away as Arkansas! On the way, I stopped at the Rusty Chandelier and the Curious Sofa. I was too chicken to ask the stores if I could take pictures for my blog so those are still in my head. This is Karla and her granddaughter. Look closely to see the wire crown on Sugarwings' head!