April 2009 – Karla's Cottage

How to cut vintage wallpaper

By Karla Nathan / April 29, 2009

If you are going to be trimming vintage paper to use in craft projects, its time consuming and you'll need company to talk to so you aren't too bored. Luckily, I have Twinks to hang with.

For me, vintage wallpaper is simply a billion times better to use in art projects than any scrap booking paper could ever be. Now, I'll scan a really, really wonderful piece before cutting it up, so I'll always have it, but honestly, I don't much like using the copied pieces. The feel just isn't right.

Trouble is, vintage wallpaper can be a LOT of trouble. Its usually curly from being rolled up forever and it is often brittle.

Ironing it makes it much easier to work with.

I kind of go back and forth on what is the best way to iron and cut it. If it is really fragile, or I am just cutting a few pieces, I'll cut it right off the roll, then iron the pieces. If I am on a marathon of ironing and have good movie to watch while doing it, I'll iron it directly off the roll, like the first photo.

Here are some tips for cutting:

Keep a fresh blade in your exacto knife, or the edges of the paper will shred.

Find something the right shape and size to cut around. I use the glass from an 8 x 10 frame. That makes a good size bit to work with for most projects, and if I am making up packs to sell, its easy to mail.

Self healing cutting mats are wonderful! My blade doesn't get dull too fast and I don't slice up the table underneath. I used to try to measure the paper by the grid on the mat, but that was way too much work. Now, I just line up my 8 x 10 piece of glass with the straight edge of the paper and zip the blade around it. Much easier.

Iron the back side of the paper. Old paper is not prepasted, so the back is safe to iron on. If yours is gooey and gluey, its probably not very old. And your iron will be messed up.

The paper is often painted, if you want to protect your ironing board cover, you can lay a sheet of clean paper, or fabric over the board.

Ironing is almost as bad as sewing, but sometimes it has to be done. But ironing paper isn't nearly as bad as ironing clothes, since there are no cuffs or collars. At least, that is what I tell myself to get through it.

The iron can be left on its highest setting and some cut papers can be ironed in a stack of two or three pieces at a time to speed things along.

It has taken me most of the day to do this pile, but I'm still in my organizing mood, and it is rainy outside, so it was a good day to do it. I might even pull out a few more rolls to cut up before I start making up packets to sell. (this is just a fraction of the in my obsessed collection)

I'll let you know when I get them packed up and photographed and listed in the shop.

EDIT- I was able to add a few packs of wallpaper to the Boutique tonight

Man, there are a lot of steps aren't there? Sometimes I wonder why I don't get a real job… but then, I get to play with and sort out all these pretty papers while I sing to the Dorkie who never leaves my feet and think that this isn't such a bad job after all.

Before the skies turned gray and the rain started, I got a few photos of things to add in to the Boutique.

Slowly, but surely, I am getting some new things in there.

And I am trying to build up the Etsy shop too. Mostly supplies over there. But an assortment.

Wall paper packs will be coming soon, probably in both shops. If you see something you want in both, please email me before paying, so I can combine your shipping costs!

(There are some cute vintage swizzle sticks in both right now)

Some one asked me the other day if I wanted to trade links. You know, I rarely update my Pretty Places and am missing out on lots of good blogs.

If you want to trade links with me, JUST WHISTLE!

Also- one of my Etsy listings is in this pretty treasury, if you'd like to take a look.

Okay, I promise to stop showing photos of the studio and yammering on about Miss Frenchies (after this)

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / April 27, 2009

Actually, I'm all out of Miss Frenchie photos! But here are a few more from the studio redo:

I'm just so glad to have the room all spankin clean and refoofed! I'm ready to dive in and get to work. Compare the studio to this shot of my basement. No, celler- basement is too classy of a term for this hole under my house! And I'm sure you'll understand why I'd rather just keep working on my studio instead of going down to the home of giant spiders and dank smells under the stairs when the sirens go off around here!

There are worse things than being blown away.

Ahhh, that’s better!

housework, how to's, magazine pictures or articles, Miss Frenchie's, paintings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / April 27, 2009

Today, I made time for a little more sprucing in the studio. I repainted Sugarwing's old milk box seat and her little vanity.

Both were done in my short cut style. I use spray bonding primer in white, then brush on/wipe off glaze (pink for the fairy grand baby), let dry and spray varnish. How simple and quick is that? No sanding and not much time involved.

Spray primer (Zinzer Bulls-eye, bonding primer) adheres to anything. And, is meant to be under paint, so you can't leave it as is. But I skip the whole painting step and go straight to glaze, then top coat it and it really does well that way, plus saves time. Which I never have enough of!

To me, this is a big improvement in the room. There is so much going on in here anyway, that having the furniture more tone on tone is much more soothing.

Lightening up these two chests with wallpaper on the drawers helps too.

Who am I kidding? This room is crazy busy no matter what I do!!

But, its fun for me to have all the things I love around. Some people make inspiration boards to hang over their workspace, I use the whole room as one.

The canvas mural I painted for my booth at Miss Frenchie's was bothering me too. I had hung it in the closet area behind the folding screen, but I prefer the plain white wall there. With just a bit of the mural peeking over the doors, it seemed kind of messy. And I get plenty of messiness with projects strewn all over, I didn't need any faux messes.

But I was able to find a space for it that fit better. Here it is hanging in my computer gazebo area. The studio is one big room, and I have it divided up with doors, screens, large pieces of furniture, and yes, a gazebo.

My son and I made it really simply with 4 porch columns, decorative iron brackets, and two by fours.

We built the structure as a display area when I used to have antique sales at my home and used my studio as a showroom. This photo was taken by Diane Guthrie for Romantic Country magazine.

I loved the twinkle lights and tulle, but the lights burnt out and the tulle got all dusty and full of spiders, so it is gone now.

Having the French market scene above my computer will be a fun memento of a great weekend at Miss Frenchie's.

Unless it drives me crazy staring at my own work and I do nothing but pick out the flaws in it…. Of course, there used to be a mirror there before the mural. And I have to tell you, there were plenty more flaws to pick out there.

Ahh, yes, I think I'm going to like it here. Spring cleaning and a fresh start has made me excited to get back to work.

Too bad I am such a pig when I work, or I could wear this new tee from Robin and match my studio!

And isn't this just the sweetest thing? A guest at Miss Frenchie's sent this lovely note to my friend, Angie, for telling her about our sale!

First of all, what a thoughtful thing to do, and second- I want to write like that! I wish I could do calligraphy!!!!!!!!!!! Especially this pretty.

Remember these? When I was prepping for the sale, I made up LOTS of extra inventory to list in my Boutique. Slowly but surely, I hope to get stuff listed there. I did add a few of these knobs and some of my watch necklaces.

A few odds and ends of craft supplies have been added too. Not many yet, I really need to get myself back to working instead of playing dress up with my studio.

EDIT- Tour more redos at this Make Over Open House:

http://sanctuaryart.blogspot.com/2009/04/welcome-to-make-over-open-house.html

In the eye of the storm

housework, jewelry, show and tell

By Karla Nathan / April 25, 2009

Its getting dark here, we've had a nasty storm. I knew I had been working too hard on cleaning up my studio when the tornado sirens went off and I was thinking how angry I'd be if my studio had a branch come through the window and everything got all wet or blown after slaving over the redo for days!

This redo has been very detailed. I started by getting a new tall, storage cabinet and that turned into shuffling everything around. I took my time and went through all my supplies, made them easier to get to, got reacquainted with things I forgot I had, and even pulled the jewelry I had from one end of the room to the other, all into one area.

These are the kind of jobs that eat up the hours. It took me the length of three "America's Next Top Model" reruns to find, and separate all my sparklies.

The case I have them in is from TJMaxx, I'd bought it years ago to use for display at art shows for my hand made jewelry. 99% of its life was spent in the back of the closet, taking up space. Then, it dawned on me, that this table with its display case and glass top would be ideal to have at my desk. Kind of like a kid's school room desk, with the top that opens up, but there certainly aren't any math books in here!

School would have been a lot more fun if this was what was inside the desks there.

All these gems and pretties on display, but under glass and not getting dusty, will certainly be handy and inspirational!

And maybe it will remind me to stop buying more. And more. And more.

But, I get such good deals! I have to buy glitzy pieces when they are a couple dollars or less, I'd be crazy not to!

But, I do seem to have a lifetime supply!

But, my favorite flea market is this week, and they always have rhinestones!

Sugarwing's part of the studio got some redoing too. I found this antique, toy vanity for her at a garage sale today. I think I'll paint it white, if the rain ever stops. I thought about painting her table to match, but I really enjoy the blue. Maybe I'll paint the old milk box that she uses as a chair and stores her coloring books in.

I sorted more than jewelry. I went through wallpaper scraps, ephemera, and ribbons and got those all tidy and put in useful places.

To celebrate having the place all spiffed up, I put the table cloth onto my work table. Not practical at all, but since I am not sitting there and working right now, and won't have time to for a few days, I thought I'd enjoy seeing it there like that.

And I do.

In the back is the culprit that started all this fuss. Who would have thought that one new piece of furniture would turn into 4 days (and counting) of sorting and cleaning?

There are still things I want to do, like cover the drawers of those two old cardboard/wallpaper chests in prettier paper. I'll leave the outside of the chest, but the drawer fronts would look better in lighter colors.

Of course, it has taken me 4 days so far, because I play with stuff too much. If I was just dusting, mopping and tidying up, one day would have been plenty.

The storm outside is still pretty bad, but at least the sirens have stopped going off. That must mean that the possible tornado blew elsewhere.

Storms don't bother me, I kind of liked my day of sorting and playing with my goodies as the sky grew darker and darker. Both of my sons called to make sure I was ok, since I was home alone. That made my day even better. There is no one more loving than a grown up son. I'm lucky to have two of them. Plus it was good to hear that Sugarwing's Daddy had her safely tucked into a basement (with shoes on, we always put on shoes if there is a storm, you never know when there might be broken glass) and away from the Kansas wind.

Finally photos of the April Giveaway, before May comes!

give away, housework, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / April 24, 2009

Finally, I have a photo of the April Giveaway. And how far am I into April by now? Just about May?

If you have left a comment, you entered the drawing for this two sided charm. One side says "Inspire" the other is a rose that I painted. I used metallic paints, so it is kind of a unique effect. You can add it to a charm bracelet, use it as a pendant, or tie it onto a craft project. Like an altered bottle or tag.

While I am at it, I'll show you a teeny tiny cupcake charm too. These are less than an inch long and are painted onto paper added to an existing charm, then coated with Paper Glaze for a durable finish.

The cupcake will be part of a giveaway for my 51st birthday on May 5th. 51 doesn't seem as fun and exciting as 50 did, so I'm going to have to create some fun for myself. And you know I enjoy wrapping and sending gifts!

All comments between May 1st and May 5th will go into a drawing for the cupcake. The rose is open to all comments the entire month of April.

And why was I too busy to take a simple photo of a gift all month? Well, Miss Frenchie's was sure taking up some time. And after that I decided to treat myself to a new cabinet for the studio with some of the loot I made at the sale. This great storage piece is over 8 feet tall and has sooooo much space in it!

Of course, it inspired a full studio redo. I'm still in the middle of that, but did take some time today to get photos of things I'll be listing soon, as well as getting purchases packed and shipped. Usually I am more on the ball than that, and get them out faster. But this week, I've mostly been on a cleaning binge. First, the house, then a bit of the yard, and now the studio.

Uhm, it might have needed a bit of cleaning….

This is the after for the sink area in my storage corner of the studio. I am taking all those half cans of paint to the Habitat for Humanity store for reuse and I rearranged the rest so I could get to the sink without scaling a junk pile.

The other end of the room was just as bad.

But is so much better now! Not exactly gorgeous, but hey, it is storage. The best I can go for is functional. I'd let it really get away with me, and hadn't taken the time to put anything back in its place.

One cute thing that I have in my closet (which really isn't a closet, it is just a corner of the room, that I blocked off with doors and furniture) is this old postal cart. I store my shipping supplies in it, seems fitting for that purpose.

The studio is coming along. I really didn't think I'd spend so much time on it, but you move one thing, that starts an avalanche of other things that need moved too. So, day three of the big clean up and I am close to done, but not quite.

Of course, I've had this little person helping off and on. Right now, she is sound asleep, napping on the floor of the studio, but I hear her stirring. I'd better run, its probably just about time for a play dough break.

A mini tutorial just in time for May Day and Mother’s Day

flowers, how-to projects, Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 20, 2009

For some reason, I didn't do much shopping at Miss Frenchie's myself. I missed out on some great items, and am kicking myself about some vintage lace curtain panels thatDebbie had. I guess that when I go to a show, I am in a selling mode, not a buying one.

There were a few little souveniers I picked up for myself, though. One of these great "Miss Frenchie's April in Paris" candles from Debbie, and from Beth, this Eiffel tower. I might glitter it up. When I get caught up. If that can ever happen.

Part of getting caught up was cleaning up around the house a bit, (with me away 4 days in a row, and life going on without me to pick up after it, the house got a little – no a lot- messy). And I have neglected my yard getting ready for this sale, so I took a couple hours today to tidy up and hit dandelions with Round Up. I adore that stuff. I should own stock in the company I use so much of it.

The bundles of pansies and violas that I used as props at the sale needed to be potted, so I planted them, and used the moss I'd had for the sale too.

People at the sale seemed to be taken with the bundles of pansies, and I got a lot of inquiries about them. So, I thought I'd do a mini tutorial for you. With May Day and Mother's Day both around the corner, these are a handy and inexpensive little gift.

Start with a 4 pack of bedding plants and try to get a good one, with lots of blooms on it.

Remove from the pots and soak the roots in water. (you can add root starter if you'd like)

Wrap the wet root ball in a paper napkin.

Wrap the wet napkin-ed roots in a piece of Saran Wrap, making sure you have it covered well, so it won't leak.

Select paper to tie up the plant in. I used pages torn from an old book titled "Art in Every Day Life" because I liked seeing those words across the top of the package.

You could use scrapbook paper, lace paper doilies, gift wrap, just about anything you'd like.

I chose a wide, ivory ribbon to tie around my plants. Raffia, rickrack, lots of things would work.

Since I was going to a show and needed greenery for my tables, I made up quite a few of these. There was no leakage, and 5 days later they were still in good shape to plant.

These bundles look so pretty and it is a nice presentation that takes little time or money. Sometimes, I add one to a gift bag to stick out of the top. Its like a bouquet with a bonus, because they can be planted later and enjoyed for a long time!

Magic in a Midwestern Barn

Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 19, 2009

We had a fantastic weekend at Miss Frenchie's! And Alexander Majors Barn (and Historical House) was a perfect location for the event. Not only was the staff welcoming, kind, and over the top helpful, we also got to contribute to this historical home and bring in some people to see it, who might not have even been aware that it existed.

Our merchandise was set up in the barn behind the home, and some of our vendors,
Donnie Volkart, and Elizabeth Maxson, had taken advantage of the lovely day and sat up on the lawn while this hardworking lady in the background tills up the garden the old fashioned way- with a hand plow!

I hope we at least raised enough money for the place to afford a mule for planting time.

The show was WELL ATTENDED, and that is no exaggeration! I kind of poled people as they checked out, asking how they heard about the show. Of course the biggest number was from Curious Sofa, Debbie has a well deserved following. But I was also pleased to hear that some people saw my sign while driving by and dropped in.

Donnie's things on the lawn probably caught the eye of people passing by too!

He had an eclectic mix, packed up straight from his week in Round Top.

Last winter, when we had our first ever, Frenchie's Brocante, we only used a fraction of the space. This time we opened up the other half of the barn, plus used the upstairs and the yards.

This is Carol's area, leading back to Elizabeth's.

And remember me telling you about the chandeliers Elizabeth was hanging? Well, it sure was worth her dangling 20 feet in the air and staying up till 4am, look at her space!

Everything was breathtaking back there.

Of course, so was Debbie's.

And Carol's.

And ALL OF IT. We had some amazing dealers and artists.

With gorgeous views from every angle!

(this is looking down on Beth's booth from the stairs)

I was glad I had taken the time to drape my ceiling in lights and lace. It made for a romantic atmosphere that I enjoyed spending time in.

Beth and I had adjoining spaces, and we shared a checkout table under the stair way to save room. I draped it in lace too, mostly to make it nice to sit under, so we didn't feel like trolls under a bridge, but also because I didn't want dirt and ucky stuff falling through the open stairs onto our heads.

Next, time, we are filling that crinoline with twinkle lights! The ones we plugged in this time didn't work, and there was no time to get another string of them.

My worries about sitting next to the bakery all weekend were justified. THEY BAKE HOME MADE CROISSANTS. And did I mention that they were some of the most buttery, delicious things I have ever had????

I'll leave you with a few shots of my booth.

In the next few days, as I unpack, I'll be listing some goodies in the shop. When I prepared for the show, I made up lots of extras to have for my on line Boutique.

I'll also pick a gift out for the April Giveaway and take a photo of that for you. I hope that you all know that there is always a PRESENT of some kind here on my blog? and all comments count all month as entries.

Off to restock!

Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 18, 2009

We are having way too much fun at Miss Frenchies! I'm on my way back to Kansas City to restock my booth and get ready for today's bustling bunch of shoppers. So, no time for more pictures, but I promise, there are tons coming. This one is from Marylin, and HERE is a link to some from Mary.

April in Paris

Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 17, 2009

We aren't even completely set up yet at Miss Frenchie's and I am already shopping. How could I resist this candle? Debbie had them specially made up. And they have the perfect scent for the occasion to, a lemongrass rosemary concoction of some kind. One was burning in her booth, and the whole barn was filled with the scent. I was addicted before I even saw the label. I hate perfumey candles, I like natural smells just like this, herbs with a hint of citrus. I also love vanillas and cinnamon, and Kohls has a Birthday Cake candle that has special meaning for my Sissy and I. I always think of her when I burn one.

Just as I will always think of the fun group at Miss Frenchies when I burn this new candle from Debbie. We could have used one of those birthday cake candles yesterday, though. It was Little Miss Pearl's birthday. I think she just might have gotten a little attention for it too.

The sale is looking great! We have dealers that shop only in Europe, and bring back things like this PINK French farmhouse table and other gorgeousness that you rarely come across in the Midwest.

And then there are local dealers, like my BFF, Beth, who finds the coolest things that Kansas has to offer, and usually at the best prices too.

Then, there is the exotic and imaginative Elizabeth, who spent hours hanging a unique chandelier display 20 feet up in the air. She has quite a flair for drama, and it is worth coming just to see her displays!

(this is mid-set up, not done yet) Elizabeth's chandies hung in bags from cheesecloth most of the evening, I kept thinking about that scene in Van Helsing where all the baby vampires were hanging in the caves…

Now, I don't exactly consider myself a schmuck when it comes to being creative. I have my moments. But- when I walked around and ogled the displays that the vendors came up with, I sure was impressed and felt honored to be included with this group. This booth is by Greg Johnson, who designs popular calenders.

Heck, even piles of stuff not set up and "styled" yet, looked really good too!

Hope to see you there! For more info about the show and the dealers/artists, please look here.

EDIT- TYPEPAD MAKES ME SO ANGRY!!!!!!!! I had to hit ctrl/alt/delete SEVEN TIMES to write this post, my screen kept locking up. What is the deal with this? I never had trouble and just loved Typepad before their so called improvements. Since they "fixed things" there are days when I lose my post completely. Its really frustrating and I am getting fed up.

I discovered it is not a problem with my own computer, like they tried to tell me it was, when I wrote a post from another computer and the same thing happened to me.

OK, enough ranting,sorry, here was what I was trying to add-

I wasn't able to add this link to the body of the post, so am adding it here at the end. It is a link to the calanders that Greg Johnson designs:

http://www.amazon.com/Seasons-LLC-Andrews-McMeel-Publishing/dp/0740767666/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Making it Girly

antiques/junking, how to's, Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 15, 2009

Today, I got a head start on my booth at the Miss Frenchie's sale. I went in to help Debbie and Carol tape out the booths, and decorate, and ended up staying and hanging my lights and drapes. The building is a dark, rough wood barn, so I wanted to make my spot a bit more girly. Hmm, I think I might have got it. Lots of lace, and cheesecloth and mini white lights are at least a good start! Tomorrow, it will feel good to have this part done, and I'll be able to throw on my table cloths and start piling up the crap.

Well, I wish it was that easy…. there is still the hauling all the heavy boxes in from the big, red, redneck truck and figuring out just where it should all fit.

Getting ready early is sure the way to go. I was thrilled with having so much ready weeks in advance. Yes, I still have some little things here and there that need done, but I'd say 90% of it was tagged and bagged before I went to DC. Wait a minute, isn't tagged and bagged what detectives on TV say when they have a body to wrap up?

Since I was mostly ready pretty early, I was able to hang out and make tags last night while I watched American Idol (I can't decide if I am a Gokey fan or an Adam fan, I really like them both).

Here is the process for this tag-

I drew the dress form on heavy watercolor paper in brown ink, then added a wash of paint.

Next, I glued the cut out dress form onto my favorite wallpaper ( a gift from Heather)

That was glued to a page from an old sewing magazine (a gift from Barb)

Next, I glued all of that to some vintage sheet music that I had sprayed with chocolate Glimmer Mist, and glued all of it to a 4" x 8" shipping tag, and trimmed the edges.

The bottom is trimmed with a sewn ruffle of pattern paper, and highlighted with gold Stickles (love that stuff, I don't know why I don't use it more often)

More Stickles was used around the wallpaper piece, I tied a silk ribbon to the top and glued on some old millinery blooms.

This one uses hand painted butterflies cut out from that heavy watercolor paper too. That just might be my new favorite trick. I did the same thing, with the hat that I painted for the piece I posted about last time.

My goal is to paint more. I just adore doing collage work, but have realized lately that I miss painting. So, I'm going to try to mix the two elements more.

And since I am feeling Frenchie this weekend, I wrote "butterflies" in French on the tag.

This one is a thank you gift for Stephanie who co-hosted the apron swap withHeather. Butterflies have a special meaning to her, so I hope she'll like this. The tag with the old hat goes to Heather and the dress form is for my buddy, Beth, because without her, I never would have finished that apron!

Well, like I said, I have a few little things left to do to get ready for the sale this weekend. I need to add a bulb to this GREAT lamp. Which I just might keep…..

If you are in the area, or wanting to take a road trip to come and see us, come on by Miss Frenchie's sale this weekend! Make sure you come by and introduce yourself. I'll be the one under the lace awning straight back on the left, by the bakery.