April 2009 – Page 2 – Karla's Cottage

An ABC of crafting- Aprons, Bellas, and Changes

Miss Frenchie's, Silver Bella, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / April 14, 2009

Are you going to be a Bella this year?? I wouldn't miss it! The atmosphere created by all those creative types gathered together and sharing ideas, gossip, giggles, as well as glue and glitter is quite something. The timing makes it good kick off to the Christmas holiday season, I come home wanting to spread sparkles and cheer everywhere I go.

Silverbella is more than just classes, it is an Event, with a capital E. If you want to go, check it out here:

http://www.paperbellastudio.com/pages/silverbella.htm

Another fun thing I am trying to plan is a get away to DC with not one, but two batches of friends all in the same week. A group of Lawrence, KS buddies wants to join me there for a Girl's Getaway, during the week, and then when the weekend comes, I hope to meet up with Blog Buddies in Leesburg for shopping.

Heather and Stephanie,who hosted the apron swap I am in, are going to meet me there, as well as some local Virginia area pals. I'm hoping Beth will go too. Last time I was there, I found this wooden hanger for her collection and brought it back as a souvenir. The rest of the pile of goodies is what I pulled together to use to make the apron I did for Zita as my part of the swap.

But does anything ever go as planned? Very little of my pile of supplies made it into the finished product. I took the bag of laces and ribbons and flowers with me to Beth'sthe other day for a couple hours of escapism into craft time, which I really needed. Seems like some projects just need a 2nd person's opinion, and some days, you just need the outlet of a friend to talk to while you work.

I'd been struggling with this one, nothing I was doing was working, and one vintage apron actually fell apart on me, after I tried bleaching, dying, and aging it. But, having Beth around to bounce ideas off of, and to hand me things from her studio to try on it, really helped. She even provided this apron to use, as well as the image of the little girl. She downloaded it from Vintage Workshop and printed it on cloth. I'd done the same thing with a rose picture, but it somehow just wasn't quite right.

Sometimes, the plans just don't work. I've learned to be flexible, do my best to rearrange, make changes, and then do what Tim Gunn always says, "Make it work".

The pieces I had picked out to use for Zita, really were things I thought she'd like, so I used them as the gift wrap for the finished apron.

And I was even able to use the first apron that I thought was ruined, as a liner, no, I guess for fabrics, you'd say, lining, huh?

Its on its way to Canada now, I hope she enjoys it! I barely got it done by the deadline. Some how, I am not keeping up with my life as well as I should. I did have Sugarwings all week, and am trying to get ready for Miss Frenchie's, plus we just had Easter, and I took a week's vacation. Well, any one of those things could explain why I am so behind on everything.

Tomorrow, I go and help Debbie and Carol set up decorations and mark booth spaces for the show, and I need to pack a few straggles up that I don't have tagged and ready yet. But instead of tagging and packing, I have been doing something more fun. I'm making thank you gifts for the two hostesses of the swap.

Its always good to have an excuse to make things! And some how those tags will get on that stuff, and everything will get thrown into the big red, redneck truck I drive. So, I made this last night while I watched "House" instead of making price tags.

For this, I even got my watercolors out. I want to make a gift for Beth too, she was a major factor in me getting that apron done at all.

Ah, it feels good to just sit and make something that I really enjoy. But for now, I'd better get those price tags made. I have a feeling that my fairy godmother isn't going to show up and do it for me. I'll have to create the other two paintings that I have in mind later.

Hoppy Easter!

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / April 12, 2009

Happy Easter! We've had a fun one so far, lots of egg hunting excitement, and we've decided that instead of Sugarwings, the fairy grand baby's new name is "Sugar Rush".

She might have had one too many jelly beans today! Although, her Daddy did buy organic ones and only hid one treat in each egg, she was insistant on opening them up and devouring the treat the moment she found it.

After all the eggscitement, she has been tucked in for a nap (well, we HOPE she'll take a nap- tucking in Miss Sugar Rush was like trying to convince a Tasmanian Devil to get some rest).

We are having a small dinner tonight, only about 9 of us, so we'll fit in the dining room. I didn't have to clean the studio after all!

My Handsome Husband is smoking a pork tenderloin, stuffed with apples and brown sugar plus a turkey breast, I am making baked mac and cheese, and Sugarwing's Daddy has whipped up vegetarian beans in the crock pot. My sister-in-law is bringing some other dishes. Aren't pitch ins the best meals ever?

Sugarwings did her part of preparing dinner by helping to decorate this cake. And it has taken over her mind, even with all the jelly beans she has consumed, all she can think about is this cake she created. Every other sentence she speaks includes something about Easter Bunny Birthday Cake.

And I don't blame her! This cake is a candy lover's dream! Sprinkles in the batter, as well as 3 kinds of sprinkles on top, 4 colors of sprinkled sugar, edible glitter, peeps, and little coconut nests filled with Cadbury eggs. I can't wait either!

Here is a tip for making coconut nests, I had never done it before, but figured out how to do it.

Mix one cup of sweetened, flaked coconut with a few drops of green food coloring

Add a splash of milk

Stir in a 1/4 cup of powdered sugar

The trick to make it work, was the powdered sugar, that and the milk make the coconut easy to form into nests. Kind of like play dough.

My home is now covered in pink Easter grass, but I think I kind of like it. I was going to clean it up before dinner, but its festive, so I'll probably leave it all over the floor. But I do need to go and put together my mac and cheese casserole and set the table. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday too!

Cest La Vie

hand painted signs, Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / April 10, 2009

Miss Frenchie's sale is next weekend, and since I don't have much in the way of genuine French goods, like some of the other dealers, I faked it and made up a few little French inspired signs and tags. This is a mix of vintage paper, ink, paint, lace and part of an old necklace.

Both of these signs are painted and collaged onto old door panels. This one is sparkled up with some OLD beaded trim from a vintage dress. What good is the good stuff if it is just tucked away somewhere? I'm using mine!

It was fun to mix elements and come up with these plaques. And I think that everything looks better with a bit of crackled finish.

For some reason, I was in a "scripted" mood. My handwriting is notoriously bad, it was a joke in my family for years. Back in olden times, when letters were handwritten, my mom and sisses dreaded hearing from me, because they knew they would only be able to read every other word, if they were lucky.

But when I paint words, my handwriting changes. I love frilly, curvy lettering done free hand. En Le Jardin refers to the gathering at Jenn's that I am over flowing with anticipation for.

Maybe it was that phrase that got me started on this signage. (this one is for Jenn, not for the sale) Jenn has ordered fleurs (I'm still feeling Frenchie, I guess) from me for a project she is doing as decor for the gathering. So, I have been laying out piles of flowers to photograph for her and have enjoyed them covering my table top so much, that I left them there for the back ground of all these pictures.

See, isn't a pile of flowers, I mean, fleurs, prettier than any table runner I could have used behind this card?

And aren't these old Easter cards cute? Although, if I were a kid hunting eggs and came across some that big, I might be a bit freaked out. What laid those, dinosaurs??? Just how old are these cards, if they depict kids hunting dino eggs?

Speaking of being freaked out by dinosaurs, Miss Sugarwings went to T-Rex today and had some prehistoric close encounters herself.

That is my new favorite restaurant! Gosh, I wish I had the job of doing all the mural painting for those, what fun work that must have been. And the decor is too perfect, I thought the ice age areas are beautiful as can be.

Here is Sugarwings in some of the eerie blue light coming off the fake ice. She was craning her neck out as far as she could to take in the sights. Every once in a while, she'd let out a little scream, but it was all in fun, as long as she was being held, she was loving all the scary creatures.

Its been a busy day, picking up my husband at the airport, dining with dinos, and trying to squeeze in some work between dinner and an art opening I went to tonight. I was able to get some packages wrapped up to get into Saturday's mail, and that is something I hate to rush. Wrapping up the package is such fun. This is the necklace that Kana won for my March Giveaway. The tag that is tied to it is made of a copy of some French ephemera from my pal, Gwen, who will also be at Miss Frenchie's sale (actually, the whole event was her idea to start with).

This pretty Easter postcard went in the package of goods that Valita bought from my boutique. And of course, the floral wallpaper was so perfect with it, I had to use that to wrap it in.

Jewelry has been popular as a giveaway item for me lately, how about more jewels for the April gift? Right now, all my pieces are packed up for the sale next week, but here is a sampling from an earlier picture.

So, after Miss Frenchie's I'll get something pretty picked out to photograph and that will be the April Giveaway. All of the comments all month count.

do you get tired of me repeating that line all the time?

As hectic as today was, I'm glad I took the time to go to the art opening downtown. Meeting up with friends (even REALLY SKINNY ONES- why do I always have to stand next to my skinniest friend, Jen, in photos??) is a nice way to cap off a day!

A Frothy Concoction of pink and fluff just for me!

Miss Frenchie's, swaps

By Karla Nathan / April 8, 2009

When I first started my blog, I wasn't a blog reader, wasn't even quite sure what they were for or about. I thought it would just be a business tool. When I saw "swaps" going on, after browsing a bit, I wondered what the heck those were about. Giveaways too. Why would anyone give away their hand made goods to strangers???

Then, as I got to know my readers and other bloggers, I realized that they are not strangers at all! And giveaways are just a small part of giving back all the goodness I get from all of you out there.

And swaps?! Wow! Its so fun to see other artist's take on the same subject and it is just wonderful to see what each one comes up with for the theme.

This altered apron swap hosted by Heather and her good buddy, Stephanie(who is new to blogging, but has sure hit the ground running and has a nice spot to visit!) is a great example of the talent and generosity out there in blogworld. This frothy concoction was waiting for me this afternoon on the porch.

Just look at the details that went into its transformation! Lori drew my name as the person she was whipping up an apron for and she sure nailed my tastes, didn't she?

Lori sent along a goodie packet with the apron.

The "Bluebird Buttons" card went directly into my china cabinet with my blue bird collection.

And the embroidered hanky went right to Twinkle. I think I'll have her wear it for Easter Sunday's egg hunt.

I know what I'll be wearing! Thanks, Lori!!

On a much, much less pretty note, this is what my studio looks like right now. I think I've mentioned that I use my two dining room tables in the front half of the studio for big family dinners. But why do dinners always seem to be around the same time as something big going on that causes me to trash my studio? Right now, I am packing up for Miss Frenchie's sale (by the way, that blog is updated). So, the room looks like a twister hit it, not like I am going to be serving a turkey dinner there.

I'd better get cracking on that, huh? I'll try to gather up something for April's giveaway to show you in the next post. I'll probably find something really nice buried in that mess somewhere. Just because I don't have a prize yet doesn't mean there isn't a giveaway. All comments count, all month.

Presents from the Lollipop lady, Loot from the trip, and a SALE in the Boutique

antiques/junking, Etsy Goodies, Miss Frenchie's, Moving to DC, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / April 6, 2009

There is no place like home! Especially when I come home to this little girl. And waiting for us was a lovely box from my pal, Barbara. It was filled with fairies and treats and crafting supplies, and on and on and on!! She really went over the top on this "Just Because Box". Sugarwings and I will be serving PINK hot chocolate at our next tea party, thanks to Barb.

(There is nothing wrong with the fairy grand baby's eyes, that is a weird editing problem that happened when I tried to get rid of red eye, so don't worry that she got into some horrible glitter accident and was blinded)

Did I mention that I found a couple of hats in Virginia? The Hat Whisperer strikes again! I swear, I can sniff these little vintage nuggets of blooms anywhere I go. And JACKPOT, these are mostly roses. And all were bargains.

Of course, on Wednesday, I had the help of another hat lover, Andrea. She took me to all of her haunts in Frederisksburg. I was able to snag a couple there, but most were found in Manasses.

One of the very first things I unpacked when I got home, was the floral egg that Andrea gave to me. Its under a cloche in my bedroom now. Bethand I always say that things look more important under glass, but this little poof of foof looks very important even without the dome!

Another of my favorite purchases was thanks to Andrea too. She took me to a shop that was holding a pink sap bucket for her, and after she picked the one she wanted, she was fine with me buying the rest. Have I ever mentioned that I can't stop at just ONE of anything? Or did you notice without me mentioning it?

I'll use these buckets at my Miss Frenchie's sale, and what ever is left over, I'll be happy to keep in the studio.

By the way, Deb has updated the Miss Frenchie's Blog! Check it out for new photos and a list of the artists and dealers.

Andrea sent me this photo of our luncheon at Pinkadillys. Next time I go, I'll want to play dress up with the stash of millinery in the back room that is available for tea parties. And yes, I'll be going back, for sure!! Maybe I can organize some sort of blogger tea party for a group of us in that area? If you live out that way, let me know if you are interested.

On our way to Gettysburg, I was able to squeeze in a sneak visit for a few minutes each at Luckettes and at that pink polka dotted shop down the road from it.

Sorry, I can't remember the name of the shop, but I know that if you have ever been to Luckettes, you have also stopped at the polka dotted barn. If not, you must be so excited to be heading toward Luckettes that you have tunnel vision. Not that I blame you, that place is special, but look at this one!

Every time I go, I see the prettiest stuff. But this time, I noticed (as leaving, and already too late) a sign that said NO PHOTOS. oops…. I'm thinking that these are grandfathered in, since I had already snapped them??? Rude of me?

On the other hand, why would they object to me telling hundreds of people how beautiful their shop is? Maybe because I can't remember the name of it?

Downtown Leesburg, on the way home from Gettysburg, I mentioned to the other people in my group that there was a cute little Irish pub around the corner. They all immediately were ready for a break and pulled over. I ran down to the antique mall that Sue has a spot in and had a few minutes there before it close up at 5:30, while my traveling companions were swigging their beers.

Sue (Vintage Rescue) had the BEST daily blog postsfrom Rountop.

Well, I'd better get back to work. Today is my catch up day. Looks like I will probably need a few more, one doesn't cut it.

I'm adding to the Etsy Shop and to the Boutique, but mostly, I have been marking sale prices. To get ready for Miss Frenchie's and the aftermath (lots of new listings from that huge pile of inventory) I'm clearing things out of the Boutique. Today, I marked clearance prices on over 30 items.

This one is all about the FOOD

celebrations, Food and Drink, Moving to DC

By Karla Nathan / April 5, 2009

As wonderful as so many things about my week in Virginiahave been, I have to say that the food at the Tower Club was one of the highlights! Right up there with the day we spent in Gettysburg (no, I'm not a Civil War buff, but man, that Cyclorama!!! What a painting, that painted battle scene was like magic, it comes to life with a light show).

But how many restaurants have a view like this?

And special treatments like this? Our name was on the mints when we got to the table. Now, I might just be a country hick, but I was sure impressed.

And yes, a country hick would photograph all the food. The waitress remembered me from the last time I was there a year ago. Apparently, not a lot of people take pictures before they take bites.

I had scallops as a starter, followed by Caesar salad prepared table side. Anything made table side is always extra good!!!

See why I pulled out the camera? Lobster and fillet, nothing prettier. Not even the foofiest of flowery hats! (oh, and I have been in top hat whispering form, and filled a SUITCASE with flowers! photos when I get home)

Since I'd been there before, I knew what a treat the coffee was. So I had the Baileys and coffee in place of dessert.

Was it rude of me to dip my spoon in the whip cream, then in the chocolate shavings and eat both little bowlful?

Then, yippee!! Treats to go with the coffee, as a surprise! (That mini hamburger looking thing was really tasty)

Rainbows over DC

Moving to DC

By Karla Nathan / April 4, 2009

I don't think we're in Kansas anymore! Look, we found the flying monkeys! I wish Sugarwings could have been here to see this painting at the James Monroe Gallery, she is as big of a flying monkey fan as I am.

On second thought, a 2-1/2 year old really wouldn't fit in so well at an art opening in this historic home! What a wonderful location for an art show, I was floored by the history and beauty of the building. Itmight have been a challenge to convince the fairy grand baby to look with her eyes, not her fingers.

How intriguing to be able to wander about and explore this home, while enjoying the mix of antique pieces original to the past president and the wonderful art on display by artists from all over the world!

And imagine how proud I was of my buddy, Connie for having her work on display there!

We've had a blast this week, not just pretending to pick the nose of James Monroe, but also exploring DC, Gettysburg, Leesburg, and all the junk stores we could manage to fit in.

DC is beautiful, especially during the height of the cherry blossoms, and we were lucky to time our trip to see them. But it was all the details of the statuary that captured my eye.

We visited all the important spots, like where Forest Gump ran across the reflecting pool to meet his sweet Jenny and where Lincoln was replaced by a Damn Dirty Ape in the Planet of the Apes remake.

And look! A rainbow over the Washington Monument!

If you are in the neighborhood sometime this month, I certainly recommend dropping by to see Constance Ehrlich's show at the James Monroe home. Not only is the work quirky and fun to see, this house is amazing. It was surreal to peek around the place, like being behind the scenes in a museum.

Pinkadilly-icious!

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Food and Drink, Moving to DC, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / April 2, 2009

What a wonderful trip! Lots of friends, lots of fun, and I've been to visit two of my grand dogs.

Yesterday, I took a trip to Fredericksburg to meet Andrea Singerella for some junking downtown. I would have been happy just spending the entire day in her perfectly pretty studio and watching her cute kids play, but downtown sure wasn't bad.

Did you see the decorated eggs she had in her shop for such a BRIEF time? Those eggs flew out within minutes of her listing them. She mentioned in her blog that they would go on sale at 4pm, and when I went to look at them about 5:30, they were long gone. But when I got to her home yesterday, look what was waiting for me! A little treasure egg of my own.

I'd brought her a wallpaper journal ready for her to fill with pictures and some homemade, organic granola for the boys. Then, I realized that in today's day and age, you don't just hand someone a bag full of nut goodies, there are so many people allergic to nuts anymore. Luckily, she said nuts were fine in her family, so I didn't cause any anaphalactic shock, because that isn't the best way to start a good junking day.

Shopping in Virginia is different than in Kansas. The buildings in downtowns here are so old, that it is fun to simply walk the sidewalks and enjoy the views even if you don't have any thing to buy. Fredericksburg was every bit as quaint and inviting as Leesburg, where I had gone on previous trips out this way.

This sign is above the oldest soda fountain still in service in the US. I fell for it, because the bright red of the Coke sign had faded out to such a nice pink.

And while I am mentioning pink- look at this lady!

She had lavender and green sisters too. Sorry, I don't even remember what store this window display was in, but I love the mannequins and will probably ~~steal~~use this idea! It is similar, but not quite what I had in mind for my new dress form. Miss Ta Ta (yes that name stuck!)is headless, and neutral toned, but I have big plans for an exciting floral display in place of her head. Now, maybe, I'll drape her in tulles too.

Andrea treated me to a tea party luncheon at Pinkadillies. I didn't even care what the food was, I loved the name of the place so much, the meal wouldn't have mattered. But it was really tasty and the place was cute as a bug. We shared a pot of Peaches and Cream tea and had a good meal.

We weren't the only ones having a good time there. These ladies had no idea how near they were sitting to an obsessed millinery collector or they would have been holding onto their hats! Luckily, my hat whispering skills were in fine form and I was able to find a few good deals this trip, so didn't have to resort to mugging little old ladies.

And did I mention grand dogs?! Here is Lola. She goes to the office everyday with Mary, who works with my husband.

Doesn't she have quite the set up? Here she is in her box, with a stack of mail on top of it. I wonder if it is her job to lick the stamps? From all the kisses she gave me, I'd say it would be a good career move for her.

Lola's big sister lives nearby and we saw her last night. She seems like she could get a part time job as a stamp licker too.

This little one is twice the size of her baby sister! She is growing like a weed and is sweet as can be. Both recognized me (I'm positive) and seemed to be as happy to see me as I was to see them.

Today, I've taken a day off to stay in the apartment and work. Mostly paperwork for tax preparing when I get back home, but I also brought along these gloves to paint on. They started out way too vibrantly colored, so I soaked them in bleach for a day, then tea dyed them before I packed them up for the trip. Today, I drew vines on them with a fabric marker, then painted in the leaves. I've got a few pair of them, I thought they'd be a nice accent to the gardening display I am doing for my Miss Frenchie's booth in a couple of weeks.

I'd love to do some pairs with some real embellishment, but seriously, that wouldn't be feasible for using them. Rhinestones and millinery blooms would sure be pretty, but not useful if someone actually wanted to garden in them. At least not the way I garden, I get filthy when I work outside.

Oh- before I go and tackle that horrid paperwork waiting for me- here is the winner of the MARCH GIVEAWAY:

Kana

And remembber, the APRIL GIVEAWAY started yesterday! All comments, all month count toward the drawing. I'll let you know what the prize is, as soon as I come up with something good!