July 2010 – Karla's Cottage

Air clay vs paper clay and some more mermaidy goodness

celebrations, collections, show and tell, Silver Bella, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / July 30, 2010

I appreciate all your input on my Silver Bella worries about clique-ishness. My reason for bringing it up, is that I LOVE that event and would hate to see it develop any kind of bad rep. I always find such a happy, creative atmosphere when I am there, that I feel sad to think others might not see it that way.

Thanks for joining in on the conversation. I hope that you will consider coming to Omaha in November and see for yourself just how magical the weekend is.

My life is finally getting back to normal from my trip out to CA. I'm listing some new things in the Boutique and getting back to work. The first few days back, I had a horrible time trying to focus on doing anything constructive. I just wanted to water flower beds, play with Sugarwings and Agnes Rosebud, and keep reading. My mind didn't want to switch out of vacation mode!

After a week of having plenty of time to enjoy reading good books, it wasn't easy to put them down. Especially when I was in the middle of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I just had to finish it before I started back up with real life.

Yesterday, I was able to combine playing with Sugarwings and working. She and I got some clay out and made mermaids.

This one is still a bit rough. I used cheapo air clay by Crayola instead of getting the good stuff, the paper clay recommended by teachers at my Mermaid getaway in CA. I found this harder to work with, it gets really goopy and easily messed up. The paper clay is easier to use, is lighter weight and dries faster.

It feels like it will be days before this one is dry enough to paint. Before I do, I'll get out some fine sandpaper and clean up the facial features, since I was simply smearing them around with my fingers dipped in water. I must have wiped her poor little nose clear off her face three times. This clay got so mushy, it just washes away.

Paper Clay works wonderfully with wet finger tips as a smoothing tool. So, I ordered some online from the site that Jenny suggested, Creative Paper Clay Company

The site had kind of high prices, ($11.99) but offered a wholesale price too ($6) . So, I clicked on the wholesale button, and got the packages of clay half price. With no minimum order and no questions about whether you were a business or not. Odd. But I was happy they told me that I could buy it for less if I left their retail site! How nice of them to let us know.

One of the teachers I especially enjoyed in CA was Julie Haymaker

Her class was a crown/headband, but she encouraged mixing it up and trying something different. Knowing I wouldn't be comfortable in a head band (they give me headaches) I decided to use her ideas on a collage instead.

There was an itinerary on the table in front of each of us, conveniently printed on sturdy card stock. So, I flipped it over, covered it in vintage papers and turned it into this. I liked using that, because this piece becomes even more of a souvenir of the event, with the time table on the back.

Charlene gave me the transfer of a mermaid that she made from instructions by Lisa from a class at Paper Cowgirls. It was exactly what I needed.

Julie provided us with star fish made from Paper Clay, and head pins with beads to make the sprays coming out of the shell.

I added a frozen Charlotte mermaid and some rhinestone sparklies.

Our last class of the weekend was this journal/album taught by Melissa Phillips. It has a canvas cover that we embellished with Glimmer Mist and stenciled shapes.

I brought some old wallpaper and paper dolls with a summer time feel, and used those instead of the papers provided. The papers were interesting and I'll save them for a photo album. I use scrap book papers in scrapbooks, but for art projects I prefer old things.

I'm saving space in this little book for some photos of my buddies at the event. Its full of pockets that I've already tucked business cards and mementos into.

And I don't think I've shown you won of my lucky wins, have I? This art doll mermaid is from Jennifer Norman

I was lucky to get Jenn Hayslip as a swap partner in Jessi's art bottle swap. She found sheet music featuring a fairy boat and made the cutest pink bottle with this little baby fairy on it for me. Yep, it was my lucky week!

You still have today and tomorrow to enter the drawing for my mermaid inspired pearl earrings. Where did July go, anyway???

Is Silver Bella Cliquey?

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Silver Bella, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / July 28, 2010

There are still some pictures to share from my marvelous mermaid adventures, but I'm going to take a break from scales and tails to talk about something that has been on my mind lately. Its a topic that came up a lot during my arty trip to California, and I've also had the discussion with blog friends online.

Then, yesterday I had a craft day with friends, and was reminded again. Spending time with other artists while creating is a very satisfying thing. We may all be doing something different, like on craft days in my studio, or it might be a class like at Kim's event. Either way, the shared experience is a boost to my soul.

Even though I have these guys to keep me company while I work in the studio, art can be a very solitary profession. Not that I mind, I'm perfectly comfortable on my own and can get quite lost in what ever project I have going.

But, having a friend around is a nice break. Sharing tips, opinions, or just a laugh is good for inspiration.

That is why going to an event like the one I just returned from is so important to me. The first one I went to was Silver Bella, and I fell head over heels in love with the whole idea of shared art time and mingling over mixed media, even though I've never considered myself much of a class taker- I've always been self taught.

Its the companionship that means so much to me. The friendships that form, the ideas I hear, the excitement in the air from so many creative women gathering together.

Sadly, I've been hearing a LOT of people saying that these things can be cliquey, especially Silver Bella. It seems like this event is getting a reputation for that. I hate to hear that people feel that way and that it stops them from signing up.

I've never seen it myself. I hope that doesn't mean that I am cliquey and didn't even know I was doing it?

One reason might be that if you've been to multiple events, you start to get to know attendees as friends and enjoy hanging out with them when you meet up at the next art get away. Maybe that looks like a clique from the outside, but honestly, its just friends catching up.

And remember, those friends were once first timers who met at a previous event themselves.

Another thought I had was, you know how when you read someone's blog, you feel like you know them?

And when two bloggers read each other's blogs, they have a big head start in a friendship when they meet in person because they have "talked" online or followed each other. Its a huge short cut to making friends.

Its always so fun to look forward to meeting up with people you've spent time with at one of these, but only see once or twice a year.

But that doesn't mean there isn't room for new friends. One thing I've tried to do, is sit with a different group for each of the 5 classes offered at Silver Bella. I've also not been shy of just walking up to a fellow Bella and butting in joining in on their conversations.

I've never seen anyone rude or snubbing anyone, except in one circumstance, and you know, those kind of people are just everywhere you go. You don't have to hang out with someone like that, no matter where you are!

A friend and I co-host the Glitter Lounge to kick off the event and we invited people we knew, and tried to include a lot of ladies. But, its held in our hotel room and only so many fit without becoming unbearably crowded and hot.

Other groups have formed that have their own kick off parties too. Its a fun way to get your glitter on and get geared up, I hope it doesn't seem "clique-ish". I certainly didn't mean it that way. We would never turn away someone who wanted to come, but its too small of a space to invite the whole group.

I'd be sad if I found out that the Glitter Lounge was one of the reasons that the event has been called cliquey.

Every year, I look more and more forward to my big Omaha trip in November. I've met some great friends, and actually had phone calls from two of them this week. Some have come to stay with me at my home. I hope more come to visit too.

And I can't wait to see who I meet and what friendships I form this year! I hope that you will be one of them. Please don't feel intimidated by the event. There are some spaces left, I hope you'll sign up and meet me there.

Don't worry if the classes you wanted most are already taken. The classes, and teachers, as wonderful as they are, are just a part of the event. I've taken classes that aren't my favorite, and still loved being in them. You learn something from each class.

There is a program for "big sisses" and "little sisses" at Silver Bella too. This is for veterans of the event to help out newbies. I've offered to take on two "sisses" this year. But if you need an unofficial "auntie" just let me know and I'll be there for whoever needs one. Even if you've attended in the past, but still could use a boost of buddy time.

Just email me with any questions, and maybe we can plan a breakfast together the first day before we all get rolling.

And if I've seemed to be unfriendly in the past at these events, please forgive me, it was totally unintentional.

I hope to see you there.

Oh, all the things shown here are in my boutique now, (except the pets!).

Also the earrings in the last picture. Just leave a comment if you want to enter the giveaway for these earrings.

Grammy’s saggy butt

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / July 25, 2010

I should be feeling pruny after all this time submerged in Mermaid land! But I am still just loving it, and enjoying unpacking all the projects and gifts. This is my pillow from Holly's class. Beth finished the stitching for me, since I am a crappy sewer. We traded, I painted the face of her mermaid. We also traded with packing, she packed all the sewing things, I brought painting supplies and paper clay. That helps when it comes to getting ready to go, and making it all fit into a suitcase.

I was happy to paint the face of her mermaid. I LOVED this class. Here is my girl.

This one is Beth's.

A few other people asked me to help them out too. I think I did about a dozen or so.

Jenny Hernadez outdid herself, she made each of us one to paint, plus made all the stuff we needed to create one of our own. It didn't have time to dry to finish, that is why she put two in the kits for us.

I decided to go with a Grammy/Sugarwings set for my two. The one that I got to mold has a lumpy, grammy body. And a hysterectomy scar, complete with belly pooch.

As well as a saggy old lady butt.

My larger one still is not all finished, I've got some work to do on the box, I'll cover it in matching wallpaper to the other one.

Now, I've got to put away the paper clay mermaids and go play in the water myself. We are off for a trip out on the lake with some friends.

How lucky!!

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / July 23, 2010

What a week! Its hard to get back to reality today after such a pampering time in California. First at Kim's over the top, wonderful event, then a few days with my husband at Rancho Las Palmas.

By the way, if you have heard that Kim throws the best art events and pays attention to every little tiny, pretty detail of the weekend, its true. No exaggerating. She's got some SKILLS. Mad skills.

Plus, she's fun.

The hotel she chose for the art-a-thon couldn't have been more perfect. And the teachers? I learned something from each class. I'll have photos of the classes later on.

I grinned so much that my face hurt. And I tend to ruin a lot of people's photos by closing my eyes. Jessi says its because I smile too big. But there was no stopping that. So, there were LOTS of times we had to take and retake group shots because I had my eyes closed. Me, every time, no one else.

But I had a lot to smile about!

Not only did I hang with old blog friends, get to meet new friends, and learn lots of good tricks from the generous teachers, I was on a winning streak!

I won 2 drawings during the event itself, plus got a giftie for answering one of Julie's questions during a game. Then, while at our Long Beach/Orange bus tour and shopping extravaganza, I won two door prizes, including this glam apron. Perfect for Silverbella, huh???

Then, I found out that I am a winner in the Where Blogger's Create party thrown by Karen Valentine. Everyone has been telling me to go and buy lottery tickets while I was on a hot streak of good luck.

Jo Packham chose three winners from the studio show and tell to be featured in her magazine. I was wowed by Laughing with Angels and am so glad that she won, she had my vote. If there had been voting. Her place is dreamy. And there is non stop vintage goodness at Old Grey Mare. I'm honored to be in their company.

Yep, I'm pretty lucky. Not just for the prizes, those are just the icing on the cake. And I do love cake.

I'm pretty lucky to have a handsome, funny, lovable husband who whisked me off to a romantic getaway.

He's not bad on a daily basis either.

The weather in California was perfect. Even in the desert, it was just as the cliches say, a "dry heat" and not as sweltering as it is here at home in the Midwest.

And everything is so pretty out there. This is a house we walked by while heading to the beach.

The food was great, and everything I ate was just as pretty as a picture.

The stores in the city of Orange had me wanting to move to CA. And while everyone was warning me that I wouldn't like the prices, honestly, I didn't think they were that bad.

At the Long Beach flea market, I found good deals on old hats. This one, covered in pale pink roses was only $10.

But my best deal of the day was a duffle jammed full of Ariel paraphenillia for only $20. Sugarwings is having a birthday soon, and this will be the theme for the party. Kim gave me handfuls of shells left over from the tablescapes, and I have plenty of other mermaid decor from my projects, prizes, and gifts.

My husband was fully prepared to have this Ariel duffle as his carry on too, but we were able to stuff it all into his golf bag.

I'll leave you with some photos of a few of the wonderful people that I got to play with. I wish I had photos of more of them. (Nice to meet you, Kathleen!!)

This is Joy, who co-hostessed a martini gathering for us.

Talented Kay Ellen and my buddy, Beth

Cynthia co-hostess of the cocktail bash, sassy Jessi, and baby doll Sherry

Generous Valerie (who I wish I had gotten to know up at Silverbella! I hope to spend time with her there this year)

The beauty queen, Andrea

Classy Charlene

Danielle and Cheryl, two of the nicest people you could ever meet.

Majia who regally held court in the lounge.

And I was so happy to meet Karin! She is every bit as nice and as funny as she is on her blog.

And these two aqua marine mermaid queens are Jenn and Christine

Okay, now, I'm off to play with my sweet puppy, that I missed while I was away.

Okay, now, I'm off to play with my sweet puppy, that I missed while I was away.

A silly way to spend a day

fairies, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / July 21, 2010

Isn't this a gorgeous pendant? I liked it on this bust so much that I thought about keeping it there, but I took the listing photos anyway, and will add it to the Boutique.

Along with a few other trinkets.

Hmmm, odd picture? My son found these rocks out in Western Kansas, I'm not sure what they are, but they are unique. Some of them are large and have caves in them, others look like little peanuts. Or, to Sugarwings and I, they looked like people. So we drew faces on the peanutty little rocks with black markers.

Some of the little stones looked more like dogs than people.

Sugarwing's Daddy brought a pile of these rocks and left them heaped up by my garage last year. I don't know why. I figured he had some plan for them and just ignored them. But today my fairy grand baby and I sat down to look at them and realized just what a gold mine of fun they were.

It was her idea to add the glitter. A lot of glitter.

I tied ribbons to a stick to make a flag. We built our "castle" near a weed that was growing through the rocks so our people could have some shade.

Funny, that such a silly thing made such a fun morning for me. I hope it was for her too. And I'm glad that I didn't nag at my son to "do something with those durn rocks or get rid of them!" like I had been tempted to do a few times over the last year or so.

She and I might have some of the peanut people come and live in our mini fairy garden too.

I am in CA playing mermaid with my arty friends and spa-ing it up, so this was written before I left, and I will not be able to answer emails or ship purchases until I return.

Please do leave comments, though, I love reading them. And each is an entry for the July Giveaway, a pair of genuine pearl and sterling silver earrings.

Siren of the Seas gift packs

give away, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / July 19, 2010

Isn't this a sweet little mermaid? I was so happy to see these in a bunch of vintage stir sticks that I bought at a flea market. And then, I saw NEW ones sold at World Market just like these. They hang over the side of a cocktail glass for some added festive-ness.

These two green girls are tied to the packages of ephemera that I am donating as prizes for Kim's mermaid event in Manhattan Beach, CA.

(that's where I am right now, this is pre-posted before I went out of town)Doesn't the old print that I used as wrapping paper have a peaceful scene on it? Its not of the ocean, but I still think there could be a mermaid in that water.

As a Mid-Westerner, I'd like to think that mermaids don't just live in the sea. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there is one in the lake by our house.

When I was a kid, I was sure there was one in the swimming pool too.

I don't know when Kim will do the drawing for prizes, but I hope its early on in the weekend, so attendees can use some of these beachy themed supplies for the weekend's crafts.

I packed up old millinery flowers in oceany colors, and found pictures of boats in old books. I've added vintage wallpaper in blues and greens.

And I even found an old ad featuring a mermaid. But only one. The two packs differ slightly. I could have made copies, but I really prefer originals. Especially since this is a gift. I wanted to use the good stuff!

Most of it is loosely related to the theme of the weekend, but I tried. All of it is vintage goodies that I pulled from my stash. It was easy for me to find all this, because I sure had mermaids on the mind while getting ready for the trip!

"See you" when I get back. Please forgive me for not answering messages. But please do feel free to comment, to enter the giveaway, a pair of genuine pearl and sterling silver earrings.

Sirens of the Sea Swapping Sisters

celebrations, swaps, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / July 17, 2010

Swaps always sound like fun, but I always run out of time and rarely enter them. At Silver Bella, I usually feel left out because I didn't join in. So, for my trip to CA and Kim's siren of the seas adventure, I made sure to join up for one, and told my roomie, Beth the same thing. It can be sad and lonely on swap night to have no presents to trade with a friend!

When I saw that my buddy, Jessi was hosting a swap with decorated bottles, I knew I'd found the right one for me.

I made the mermaid from one of those china half dolls, and added a tail made of paper clay that I glittered and glued on after it dried.

Then, my buddy, Jenn was paired with me to swap bottles with and I knew I could make something extra foofed and she'd love it. She's even more foof-a-fied than I am, and that is a hard thing to be.

Isn't that chandelier drop a unique shape? Beth had some in her booth at the antique mall, so I bought a handful of them to make into charms. I glued a vintage bathing beauty picture to the back for this one.

The charm is hanging from a silk ribbon that I have tied to a message tucked into the bottle.

Part of the swap was to slip a recipe for a cocktail into the bottle, but I did something a little different. Have you seen Jenn? She is GORGEOUS. And I know that she is fond of champagne. So, I wrote this note for her and glued it to the back of an old add for champagne.

I've got the world's worst hand writing, I should have done the note on the computer- It says:

"Jenn- you are much too pretty to mix your own drinks! Bat those eyelashes and some handsome guy will bring you some bubbly!"

As a hostess gift for Miss Jessi, I made another bottle with a 1" Frozen Charlotte sporting a tail made from paper clay.

No recipe for cocktails in it, either. I filled it with pretty little shells, crystals, and pearls instead.

I want to make more of these girls!!

The first couple that I made were for the soap box challenge Lisa hosted. I'm big on being efficient when I can be, so I killed two birds with one stone by making the challenge into a gift for my pal, Kim for hosting the mermaid event.

Hopefully, the mermaids will travel well. I've got them all wrapped tightly in bubble wrap and tucked into lidded plastic containers in my suitcase. I packed the gift wrap separate so that I can pretty the packages up there after checking to make sure the presents arrived safely.

In all the trips I've taken, I've never had my luggage lost or damaged. But I have had it rifled through by inspectors, but no problems from that. So, I figured these will be okay in the checked bags instead of the carry ons.

I'll "see you" when I'm done gallivanting around the beach with the mermaids. Please forgive me if I can't answer emails, or comments till I get back. All purchases from the shop will be sent out after I return too.

But please do feel free to leave a comment, I enjoy them, and will be able to read them from my new Iphone toy, I just haven't figured out how to answer them from it yet… And each comment is entered into the drawing for the July Giveaway, these pearl earrings.

Frickets

celebrations, parties, show and tell, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / July 16, 2010

Its been Mermaid Madness around the studio getting ready for my BIG weekend in California.

I'll be in Manhattan Beach for a sea side art escape hostessed by Kim. Who, I've heard, is the world's best hostess. From spending time with her in the past and hearing her stories about preparing for her events, I believe it. She is dedicated and does it all with devotion. I know we are in for a good time.

And from looking at the class descriptions, I can tell that the projects will be just wonderful. I'm sure they come with lots of goodies, but I like to pack extras to give the finished products my own touch.

These two mermaids might end up on the journal or the crown… not sure which, but what project wouldn't be appropriate to add a sparkling little merperson to?

I've made these sprites with vintage cake topper ballerinas. I doubt if this would work with the reproduction ballerinas, the plastic they are made of is too hard and would crack if you tried to cut into it. The older ones are of a softer material and were easy, well not easy, but semi-easy, to cut with jewelry clippers.

I cut off their skirts and legs (remember the movie "Boxing Helena"?) then made a tail from paper clay, let it dry, glued it on and glittered it.

The silver one has a bit of a chunky butt going on, because I didn't trim enough skirt off. But I can't hold it against her, I do too. So, I added an accessory to draw the eye away from her extra wide hips. All those years of watching "What Not to Wear" have taught me a little something.

Besides supplies, and gifts for my swap hostess, (tomorrow's post) I wanted some extra little gifties to pass out here and there. So, I made a mermaid from a girl cut from a Victorian scrap book, and added a wallpaper tail.

Then, I glued her to this pink underwater wallpaper (how cool was that to find in my sample books!?) and made copies on card stock.

After cutting them all out, I embellished each with metallic inks, ribbons, ruffles, and trims.

Each one got a Mother of Pearl button and a little shell.

To the top of each, I tied a small vial filled with teeny shells, crystals, and pearls.

If you'd like to make your own mermaid, here is the original scrap art that I used. If I have done this right, you should be able to click on it to make it bigger. Then, print the larger one to cut out and use in your art. If you print it directly from the post as is, it won't have enough pixels to make it usable.

And here is the girl with her tail on the back ground if you'd like to print it this way to use. I hope I've done it right. If not, let me know and I'll try to redo it when I get back from my trip next week.

Another perk for the upcoming weekend, is the parties. Beyond the event itself, there are bonus parties thrown by some of the attendees. One is a cupcake gathering, that can't be bad.

So, I used a couple of my hand painted cup cake pictures and made up gift tags as thanks for the ladies who are treating us to the frosty goodies.

Another couple of ladies are hosting a welcoming cocktail party. I wanted a little thank you for them too, so made up these vintage test tubes filled with shells and baubles to use during the weekend. I topped them off with these plastic mermaids that hang on the side of a drink.

I think they are fitting for a cocktail party. By the way, I saw new ones like these at World Market, if you need some.

And last but not least, a room mate gift for Beth.

Did you just gasp with awe at its beauty? Or shriek with terror? Yes, its a gag gift, and about as tacky as anything could be.

Its an ucky story behind it. Sugarwings got herself a head full of lice. She says they hop like "Frickets". I think she means crickets. But to me, lice will always be frickets. And she said it in a very upbeat, cheerful way. Frickets!!!!!!

My head itches just thinking about it. No matter how many cleanings the house gets and the heads get, it still freaks me out and I itch. Of course, I already have chigger bites, but not on my head.

Gee, don't you love coming to visit me and hearing about chiggers in my drawers, lice, snakes, and rats? Maybe I should change my blog title to "Karla's Creepy Crawly Cottage".

Its brave of Beth to room with Creepy Crawly Karla, so I wanted to give her a little thank you gift too, a glittered and foofed lice comb of her very own.

Since I'm in CA as this posts, I won't be able to answer emails, comments, or ship packages till I return. But please do leave a comment, I'm giving away some pretty pearl earrings for this month's gift.

Blather

antiques/junking, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / July 15, 2010

While I am away, frolicking with mermaids by the sea, I'm leaving you with a few pre-written posts. This one is nothing but shameless huckstering.

All of these pictures are of things I've been listing in the Boutique.

Slowly, but surely, I've been making my way through the Giant Tub-o-Fun, that is filled to the brim with stuff I've been meaning to get around to trying to foist off onto you list in my online boutique and offer to my readers.

So, there are quite a few new things in the shop, and when I get back from my trip, I'll have LOTS more to add. That tub doesn't seem to be emptying out very fast.

There isn't much to this post, huh?

After listing all of this, and writing a handful of posts in advance, I'm slightly burnt out from being at the computer ALL DAY. This is the last one that I've written, but it isn't posted in chronological order.

Its one of the first that will come up while I'm away, even though its the last I've written.

Hopefully, the others will be more interesting. I wasn't suffering from computer burn out when I wrote those.

I might even had something interesting to say in those other posts. Well, maybe not. I do tend to ramble on and on about nothing, on a regular basis.

Geez, I'm lucky any of you EVER come back to read this blathering, aren't I? Thanks. I do appreciate you for being there!!

Randomness, swoonyness, winners, tasty puppies, and SNAKES- just another day at the cottage

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, jewelry, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / July 13, 2010

While getting ready for my mermaid trip to California, I was thinking about tidbits to pack up for class supplies, and gathered up lots of little pearls and shells.

The pearls inspired my July Giveaway, of a pair of genuine pearl earrings. I made these with sterling silver hooks, then wrapped them up in a lovely vintage hankie. All comments- all month count toward the drawing.

I need to announce the winner of the other giveaway I was having, a pair of vintage rhinestone earrings go to Kay Ellen. I'll be meeting her at Kim's event, so will pack her gift in my bag and bring it along. Too bad its not one of my heavier giveaways, I'm only saving about a buck 40 in postage for lightweight earrings….

On Thursday last week, I didn't get a chance to take many pictures during Carol's farm house photo shoot with Fifi. I was trying to not be obnoxious, which is hard for me. But I managed to keep my camera out of everyone's face.

I did ask Carol to pose for me, as we were putting away props from a shoot they had done outside. She was carrying in this vase of sunflowers and looked so pretty in her fresh, white cotton top, that I just had to get her picture.

Here is a quickie pic of Fifi and Mark Lohman (the photographer) going over a shot that they had just done. Carol's house is just swoony, every shot I saw them get was a keeper!

And since I am doing such a random, here-there-and everywhere-post, this is my purchase from Bottom's Up the week before. Its a gesso-ed and foofed box by Linda that I filled with sparkled birds when I got home. Willow's Nest was a great addition to the show, I hope they become regulars.

When I am working in my studio on nice days, I just leave the back door wide open and let the dogs wander in and out. Agnes Rosebud wears a jingle bell, so I can keep track of what is going on by listening to her follow her mom around.

But today, it was Twinkle I heard, she was barking and causing a ruckus.

When I ran out to see what was going on, I was greeted with this. So, I scooped up the tasty, rat-sized puppy and ran with her back to the studio so the snake didn't decide to snack on her, and grabbed my camera to run back out to get Twinkle.

She didn't seem to need to be saved.

That is what I love about terriers. They have NO fear and don't know they are little dogs.

I love living in the country, but some times, there are some drawbacks. Not, the snake,I'm happy to see him, he'll eat the hated rats (those are a BIG drawback). Chiggers are another one.

By running out into the grass to see what was going on, I'm sure I'll be itching all night. There was no time to stop and spray myself with bug repellent before I snatched up that delicious puppy.

One of the best things about going on vacation, is the break from bugs. Kansas in July is a chigger fest, and my yard seems to be party central for these guys. I'll be happy to be in California, at a completely different sort of party, away from this itchy critters.