August 2009 – Page 2 – Karla's Cottage

Varmits

By Karla Nathan / August 13, 2009

Since we have company coming to stay soon, Sugarwing's Daddy has been helping me clean up the place. We've got a yard full of family coming to visit and camp out here with us.

My son filled the truck with branches he removed and has them over by the bonfire pit, ready to burn.

Even though I've severely neglected the yard this year, all the rain we've had has kept it decent. With enough bushes and perrenials, staying green, its passable. So all those years that I did spend working on it have paid off. Of course, it would be better with lots of flowering annuals tucked in here and there, but that just didn't happen.

Sometimes, good enough just has to be good enough.

The veggie garden has been on auto pilot for the season too. We spread recycled brown paper and grass clippings down and have been about 99% weed free!

Its a summertime miracle. I haven't had to hoe, dig, or pull weeds out there at all. Or get desperate and invest in vats of Roundup either.

But we didn't count on this development. Mice live under the paper and eat our
tomatoes just as they start to turn color!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we have to trap the varmits to protect our crop.

Next year, I think I'll do the same thing anyway. Weed free is the only way to go. I might plant some grape vines on the fence, too, we are all crazy about grapes.

I doubt if these adorable, little champagne grapes will grow around here, I wish they would. Sugarwings just loves them. I serve them on butter pat plates because mini grapes deserve mini plates, don't you think?

There are a few new things in the Boutique, that I listed before I went out of town. I'm afraid I can't mail them until Tuesday the 18th after I get back. (This post was written before my trip to the East Coast)

Away we go

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / August 11, 2009

Have you tried these Logomachy (don't ask me how to pronounce that one) cards from Mary yet? I am enamored with them! For only 6 bucks, you can download a set for yourself. I've used them for so many things now, they are fun to play with. I especially like to make these logos, or to print the cards to make personalized tags.

And I think it is nice the that K for Karla says "prize" on it.

Speaking of prizes…. I made up this package to send to my pal, Kim. She is hosting another one of her art gatherings and I am providing a drawing prize for it.

SOMEDAY, I will get out there and go to one of her over-the-top-fabulous-wonderful-arty-beautiful events. Someday…

In the meantime, though, it seems like I've had one trip after another all year. So, I just couldn't fit one more in and still stay sane.

As a matter of fact, I am flying away tomorrow. I am going with my husband on a business trip to Nag's Head. We plan on celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary on the beach. While in that part of the country, we are going to a wedding in Charlotte, then flying home just in time to celebrate Sugarwing's third birthday.

Does anyone have any advice about dining or shopping in either area? I'll have a whole day in Charlotte and would love to find some shops. I've never been to that part of the country before, so any tips would be appreciated!

We are bringing my sweet little mother-in-law home with us, and will have my husband's sister and her husband here for a couple days too. As soon as they leave, I am flying off to Indiana for my sister, Bobbie Sue's big 60th birthday bash, coming home just in time to catch up for a few days, then going to the annual flea market in Sparks and White Cloud with Beth.

Then, my other sister's family will be coming to stay for Labor Day weekend to go to the Renfest with us. I think we'll have about 20 house guests…. But they are bringing tents and camping out!! How fun is that? I might just set up a tent and sleep outside too!

So, no trip to California to go to Kim's event in September.

I added this calender page from a vintage kid's book to the package I sent to Kim for the drawing, and thought I'd share it if you wanted to print and use it, but sorry, its a bit crookedy.

I'll be able to use the hotel computer to check emails, but won't get to post while I am away, so I will do a couple of posts in advance for this week. ( this one was written on Monday, so I am already soaking up sunshine on the beach-through the sunscreen, of course, gotta guard against even more wrinkles)

Please remember that all comments are entered into the monthly drawing, and this month, it is another one of my hand painted charms.

Maybe next month, I'll have my book ready and can give away one of those!!

Thanks so much for the kind words about the book! I'll let you know when I have some to sell. I need to proof read the sample copy, then order some and foof them a bit.
Don't you think the wings need to be glittered up???? I just have to be careful to not use a glitter that will flake off, since this is a bedtime story, but then, sparkly sheets don't sound too bad to me.

My sweet boy

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, Food and Drink, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / August 9, 2009

Look what was waiting for me when I came in the house, after working for about 10 hours straight on the editing of my little story book ! Sugarwing's Daddy is a sweet heart of a son. He picked tomatoes and peppers and fresh herbs from the garden to make the sauce for the egg plant (from the garden too!)

Not only that, he was invaluable in helping me edit the book. My son has a sharp and critical eye for detail and isn't afraid to let me know if something needs changed in my artwork. It could be irritating, but it isn't because he is usually right.

Plus, did I mention he is a massage therapist??? There was also a FOOT MASSAGE for me after sitting at the computer all day. Yep, he is just about a perfect son.

Its been a good day. Garage sales in the morning, the farmer's market with Sugarwings and her Daddy, then I finished and ordered prints of the book!

Here is the cover.

And this is the title page.

Beth and I had a craft day at her house yesterday, and I painted this page while we talked. I decided that it is much easier to pack for craft day if I'm just painting a little something. If I am packing for a whole hog craft day project, I have to haul boxes and bags of supplies with me!

Beth has a great studio, there is so much to see there. And it is FULL of vintage treasures. You could say overflowing… We joked about starting a new diet fad, the Craft Room Diet. You fill your studio with so much stuff that you have to lose weight to fit in the room with all of it.

Poor Beth, I might have over stayed my welcome. I tend to lose track of time and keep working away. It was after 6 when I realized that maybe I should take off for home.

But she was gracious, even though I am one of those guests that you can't get rid of. She even gave me a stack of these pretty bowls.

And she sent home presents for Twinkle. Now the Dorkies have a whole new wardrobe of neck scarves to show off in.

Yesterday was a slow day for estate sales, my pickins were slim.

But even though I didn't find much, what I found was really nice! Quality beats quantity any day. Seems like I've been on a book streak lately, here is another of those slim, Victorian gift books.

All the items in this collage are in the Boutique now.

Here is the back cover of the book.

I've ordered just a couple copies to see how they look in person before I offer them to anyone. I sincerely appreciate your support and kind words (and inquiries to buy!!).

A Fairy Berry and some other goodness

Books, fairies, family, Food and Drink, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / August 6, 2009

My Blue Mood is behind me now, thanks for all your thoughtful and caring comments about it. Really, it was not a big deal at all. I think everyone has those days, they are just part of life and aren't anything to worry about. Not everyday can be over the rainbow. And you know what, sometimes, even when things are perfect, a mood can be wonky and out of it. It just happens.

I used to be much worse about moodiness, but had a hysterectomy back when I was 40 (the day before my 40th birthday actually!!) Now that I am hollow like a chocolate Easter Bunny, most of my moods are on a pretty even keel. But those cranky days do come around, and when they are passed, the next day seems even better than it really is.

Of course, my day really was pretty special….. We started out with a tea party breakfast.

And yes, I hate to admit it, but I have succumbed to Disney Princess mania around here. We are serving our tea party breakfast from Cinderella's breasts.

This table and chairs was 4 bucks at a garage sale this weekend and I wanted something to replace the highchair in the kitchen, so that Sugarwings had her own space in there. I was hoping to find a cute, vintagey table, but no luck yet. Hopefully, something elegant and beautiful and equally cheap will turn up and I can replace this media frenzy monster that is smack dab in the middle of my kitchen.

But I am kind of afraid that Sugarwings won't let me… She loves this one. Ooops!

Her favorite part of the meal, (well besides the garish table and chairs) was this mini grape that she called a "fairy berry" because it was so tiny.

The last illustration for my Grumpy Fairy bedtime story is done!! Now, I just need to do a cover, and a title page.

Doing this book has taught me a lot about editing software!! I scanned vintage wallpaper, then aged and tinted it as a different color for each page's background. Then, I scanned the painting, edited and sized it on Picassa, but couldn't do a frame there. So, I went to Picnik and made frames, and did a digital collage with the image onto the background in Piccassa, then added text in colors to coordinate with the painting.

It was complicated, but worth it! When I first started, I was just using the paintings as is, but now, I really like the results of all the extra effort to pretty it up.

I'd like to get the books ordered and delivered by her birthday on August 16th. If I rush, I can do it, but I think I'm going to take my time and make sure it is right. I might order one book to start with to see how it looks. I'd like to order more to sell in the Boutique.

What do you think? Any interest?

In looking around the studio for something to give as the August Giveaway, I realized I still had some of these hand painted charms, and since I was in a painting mood, I figured they would be appropriate.

All comments, all month count. Especially, all those sweet and thoughtful ones that you sent when I was needing a lift! Thanks again!

Feeling down, but not very far down

fairies, family, flowers

By Karla Nathan / August 4, 2009

This is the aftermath when Sugarwings leaves to go to her Hippy Chick Mommy's house. I should pick up the fairy dress and sweep away the bits of play doh off the studio floor, but I kind of like seeing it all there, it makes me feel like she is still close by.

Today is a down in the dumps day. No real reason why, just a few little things that have got me down. It always seems quiet around here after I've had the whole family here and a lot going on, then they go off to their own ways and I'm on my own. I usually take advantage of those days and zip through a lot of studio hours, but for some reason, today, I am having problems adjusting.

So, I took myself out of the house and into the garden so soak up some sunshine and have a little bit of flower therapy.

Being greeted by a sea of pink Surprise Lilies every where I turned was just what I needed. (And I did a good job of looking at the overgrown masses of perennials that needed divided and weeded as "lush" not "messy".)

The purple cone flowers were still in full force too. This mild summer has kept everything beautiful. A typical August usually means a dry and cracked ground with brown grass. Not this year!

And the cleomes have taken off too! They are still short, and will grow another foot or so, but the blooms are thick and filled with little white butterflies.

I'm just sure that there has to be a few fairies flitting about in that jungle of blooms.

I'm feeling a little better after my walk around outside. But I might just take off and see a movie this afternoon too. There is magic in a dark movie theater, I love to go to afternoon movies all by myself. Especially if there is a zombie movie to go see, but looks like I'll have to settle for a sappy romantic comedy. I've heard great reviews of 500 Days of Summer. Sounds like a good cheer up one to see.

Feeling a bit down isn't exactly a bad thing. I guess you need some blah days to really appreciate the best ones when they come around. A bit of bleckiness won't hurt me now and then. On the other hand, I'm not a believer of wallowing in self pity or letting the sad days take over. So, I'll take a bit of today to let myself be sad about some things that are not going well, miss my family, and feel a tad bit lonely. Then, I'll get over it and move on.

Enjoying the flowers in the garden, and playing with my garden of vintage hats, seeing a movie, then maybe treating myself to ice cream for dinner and taking joy in the fact that I don't have to cook for anyone should be just the ticket for cheering up my day.

(I spent some time taking pictures of millinery for the Boutique today, including some fall and Halloween colors)

And how can I stay down for long, after getting this beautiful party invitation from the mailbox!? My sister, Bobbie Sue is turning SIXTY, and Sissy is throwing her a slumber party where we all get to dress up in our fairy wings.

Thanks to all of you who helped me get a hold of my Typepad dilema. I'm trying out Mozilla Firefox as a browser, so far, so good!!!!!!!

Faded pink

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / August 2, 2009

Miss Sugarwings has been here a lot this week, and with the trip out of town and the trips out on the lake to picnic and float around, I have not been able to finish the Grumpy Fairy illustrations yet. I did make a few quickie projects. When I am rushed and don't have time to start something big, a bottle of glue, some paper and old flowers will fill the need to get me creating and make me feel better.

This bird cage/dress form lady was really cheesy when I got her from a garage sale. I hope that her cheesiness has metlted away now that she is vintaged up with French dictionary pages, a skirt made from an old veil, millinery, a bird and some bling.

Honestly, there was not a single thing wrong with this little hand crocheted box. Its old and lined in silk! No problems there, that is for sure. But, I thought it could use a mini fix up and I added silk ribbons and flowers to the top of it.

This babe was in definite need of some Nanny 911. Her dress was way too big, her carriage wheels were missing, and the carriage itself wasn't in that great of shape.

Ta da! Grammy 911 to the rescue!

I stitched up her gown and took in the voluminous sides of it, then added a ribbon belt. She gets a hand made bonnet from vintage lace too.

The carriage is still cracked, but no one would know, I've covered the sides with millinery blossoms, and then I lined the bed with a lacey hankie.

Actually, she is lucky to be alive at all, her redo almost did her in. Sugarwings was "helping" me. I was able to convince my little one to work on a play-doh baby while I worked on this vintage one. This fragile tot wouldn't be able to withstand Sugarwing's good intentions, I am sure.

Last of all, I glued old buttons on to replace the missing wheels, and gave them tiny flower hub cabs.

I've also been gluing flowers on boxes and a few other things. Its good to have these type of projects that are more "fluff" than work when I have the baby in the studio with me. I can't get into anything too serious with her by my side. She'll be 3 in a couple of weeks, so even when she does get into her own projects, I am up and down with her, admiring her work, or showing her a trick or two with the play- doh. I'm quite lucky to get anything done, really.

She and I did pluck some flowers from the hat garden. I almost hate to do anything like that in front of her, in case she is tempted to get into the hats and pluck away without me….

But, she mostly wore a few and danced around as she sang some of her favorite songs while I sorted the flowers and plucked. I realized it is not too early to start gathering up and listing the fall colors to sell. Although, I sure prefer the soft pinks in the earlier pics, its fun to have a change for the fall season that is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER- ugh! I'll miss summer. But its not gone yet, I'm on my way to the lake again for the evening to soak up as much of this gorgeous weather while I can. Its oddly cool for August, but I'm not complaining!

Before I hit the water, I wanted to let you know who won the JULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY PRIZE PACK-

Kathy from Chicago

ps- have I ever mentioned how much I HATE (*^*%$#()^^*TYPEPAD???????

I have to write the entire post off the top of my head, there is NO going back in and changing one little thing. If I try, my computer screen locks up. So, in the paragraph about Sugarwings and her work, I meant to say "play-doh" NOT just "play" and I cannot fix it.

If I ever sound like an idiot, please blame Typepad not me. Well, I do say dumb things, but still, I'd like them to take ALL the blame, I am mad right now after my screen locking up 4 times while trying to fix this one line and now I am late for the lake!!!

RE-Edit- I just downloaded Firefox to use instead of Internet Explorer and was able to go back in and change 'play' to 'play-doh'. But the hour glass icon was still flashing like it does right before the screen locks up, so I don't know if it will be the answer to the problem or not. But thanks, to all of you for your suggestions!!