November 2012 – Page 2 – Karla's Cottage

Fine Fall Days

Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / November 9, 2012

These buddies had a good time the other day. Dewdrop's parents came over to plant some trees for me, and instead of helping, this kiddo and I took the pups down the Fairy Berry Trail.

We have not used it as much this year as we usually do. Sugarwings and I have spent lots of time out there having tea parties and picnics in previous years, but this summer was so hot, and then we had the wild cat scare (no sign of him again), so the Fairy Berry Trail was avoided.

Dewdrop was thrilled with all the details. At Birdsong last spring, some of the ladies brought pretties to foof up the trail extra fairy-ish for us. And it really does look cute this season! Dewdrop looked around like it was her first time there, and I felt bad that it was all so new to her.

That trail in the woods is such a part of my heart, I didn't even realize this baby was too little to remember playing out there last spring. But it was fun to see it through her eyes again. She had to point out every single fairy to me.

I'll try to make it up to her before the weather gets too cold. But I am still a little worried about the Big Giant Cat that came through this summer. The trappers expect him back this winter and are returning to try to get him.

Maybe Dewdrop and I will wait till the cat is gone…. We might just play in the yard for now!

Sugarwings and I have been working on the yard. Or lack of yard, I guess I mean.

We spread some straw over the bare spots, hoping they would reseed for next summer.

Of course, we had some helpers.

The babies are growing. Albie Brave and Strong can now sit on command. Dorothy Rosebud can run in and out of the doggie door on her mom's coat tails.

Just another reason why its a good idea to purchase someone’s tutorial

holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Tutorials, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 7, 2012

Don't you just love tutorials to stimulate your creativity?

My pal, Dawn, has a good one going right now. But I have a confession to make.

My BFF, Beth, came over for craft day after purchasing Dawn's tutorial and was making wings while I worked on other things. I kept watching her and was intrigued. I thought I'd whip up a pair myself.

No, I didn't purchase the tutorial.

I kind of glanced at what Beth was doing and "winged" it myself.

Well, I learned a lesson. The reason you PAY for a tutorial is because the person who wrote it, already worked out all of the kinks and came up with the best way to make the project. She includes tips and tricks that she has learned along the way.

Mine were a mess. I didn't follow the steps and when I got them put together, they were a floppy, sad, droopy pile of wrongness.

I ended up having to redo them and go through a lot more steps (in the wrong order) to figure out how to fix them so that they didn't look like they were made of wilted lettuce.

My plan was to do something inspired by Dawn, but not by copying her. I used different materials and my own patterns. And I wasn't even thinking that it might not be the polite thing to do.

If I was smart, I'd have paid the $5 and did it correctly the first time.

Not only did I make them wrong, I started to feel bad, like I had been stealing from a freind. She did all the work to create the art, and the instructions. I sell tutorials myself, so I would be sad if I saw a friend's blog filled with projects she had taken from my offerings.

I didn't mean to be dishonest, I was just tempted by how pretty Beth's turned out and started to make some myself. But, its a tough art world out there and we should support each other, not take advantage.

So, I've paid for the class now and feel much better. $5 isn't much to spend to ease my conscience and do right by a friend.

That said, I want to say that if you purchase one of my online classes, I don't mind if you make projects with a friend. I would hope that you wouldn't pass the codes on to others, I do want to sell the tutorials. But it is reasonable to expect that you might share with your pal if you guys are working together. I wouldn't be upset.

Still, I felt like I owed Dawn the five bucks and I was happy to send it to her. I'll be making more of these pretty sets of wings, but I'll be doing the framework HER way, to save some time in making them sturdy! I can still add my own flair and design style to her pattern. That is the fun part of having a set of instructions to use as guidelines.

This set of angel wings is going to Kim's as a door prize for her Winter Wonderland workshop.

This piece, "Visions of Sugar Plums", is on its way to another friend, Karen, who is hosting a holiday workshop too. I've also included a few packs of old millinery for her to raffle off.

I've got a few packs of flowers added to my Boutique now, these are Nice November Neutrals. But I think they'd be pretty year round, don't you?

And I've been busy adding mini, dyed and glittered trees to my Etsy shop.

This year, I've got some new colors, the previous one is a Peppermint Trio, and this one is Gumdrop.

Of course, I'll always have white!

Here is another new one, Winter Sky Blue.

I've been in front of the computer listing away. Thank you to all who came by and shopped with me! I am going to make more trees, there are still some in the shop, but there will be more coming. Contact me if you have a custom color in mind.

Ps- I will be at my friend, Angie's, open house at her shop, My Father's Daughter- 646 Locust Street Lawrence, KS 66044

I'll be doing a make and take using one of my own tutorials. Its a holiday star, and I will provide all materials if you want to make a glittery ornament and do some shopping.

Two Millionth Visitor

celebrations, family

By Karla Nathan / November 5, 2012

No, I'm not talking about the puppies. There were days when 9 pups climbing all over me, felt like a million or so, but I meant my blog- sometime over night, my TWO MILLIONTH visitor came by!

Oh my. I certainly never expected that when I first started my blog and had 3 people a week looking at it.

Thanks so much for coming by to see me. My blog started out as a marketing tool, but has become so much more to me. I've met the best people, and made some lasting friendships.

Definitely blogging has become more than work.

Its my journal, my scrapbook, my musings. I can whine a little about my problems, I can share my joys. Its nice to have a place to show someone what I've been working on, like this painted tee for Sugarwings. She told me that she wished all pumpkins were pink and shaped like hearts, so I created one for her.

Having a blog has led me to capturing photos of the grand fairies that I will always treasure.

I wish I'd had this kind of incentive to snap photos of my own sons when they were little. Of course, no digi cameras back then, I was dirt poor, so film and developing were a luxury.

And where else could I talk about flea market and garage sale finds with people who get it and drool along with me? My husband's eyes just glaze over when I start showing him my purchases. Until he starts to wonder just how much I've spent…

Yep,my blog has been a great marketing tool, but I'd say its the sharing that means the most to me.

Working as an artist, I spend a lot of time alone. But with my blog, I have friends to chat with right here with me, just a click away.

Thanks for keeping me company!

Buddies, ouchies, and curses- beware of Wednesdays!

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), puppies!

By Karla Nathan / November 3, 2012

These guys have grown since I took this photo! My Dorothy Rosebud and Albie Brave and Strong (yes, we use their full names, dorky as that is) weighed in at the vet's office at 2.2 and 3 lbs.

Doctor Bayouth seconded my son's diagnosis about the swelling on tiny Dorothy's belly. I was afraid it was a hernia, since the vet had warned that could be a problem after she was injured after being attacked by Dixie.

But my son had been reassuring me that the damage was only muscular. The vet agreed, but added that she may never walk straight again. We call her Sidewinder, because she has a wiggly, little, crookedy walk.

(this beautiful border collie, is cousin Duke, and the little dogs all have a case of hero worship for him)

I feel like I may never walk straight again myself. In the last few weeks, I have been injured almost every Wednesday.

We have decided that I must be cursed.

Getting ready for Romantic Gothic Ghosts workshop, I stood on a small chair to reach the chandelier to take down a fly strip. (yes, a yucky, disgusting fly strip was hanging from my crystal chandy, I'd rather have flies on that than on my kitchen stuff!)

The chair was a bit more wobbly than I realized and as it started to topple, I did my best to not get wrapped up in a be-speckled fly strip. In my horror of the possibility of having that stick to me, I twisted away from it, desperate to not get caught in the icky, carcass covered goo, fell badly, sprained a finger and beat myself up a bit.

The next Wednesday, I was mopping up the pup pen in the garage and Twinkle entwined herself in my feet, along with nine babies. While doing my best to not step on one, I slipped, and did the splits on the wet concrete, and ended up with a pulled groin muscle.

It might have been a while since I'd done the splits. 30 years?

The next Wednesday came along and I was a bit worried, but ended up with a mere migraine. I dismissed it and figured the streak was broken.

But no, it was still on when Wednesday struck again.

We were putting our boat away for the season, parking it in a generous friend's large barn. When we arrived, another boat was right inside the door. Instead of waiting for the owner to move his speedboat, we decided to just move it ourselves.

It was on cement. It had wheels. Why not?

Because it is heavy and unpredictable when it starts to roll, that is why! It came rolling at me, I was at the opening of the garage, guiding the front of the boat when it went wild, and I whacked my wrist on the tongue of the trailer.

As if that wasn't enough, I backed into the propeller of my own boat parked behind me and gashed my head, knocked myself silly for a bit and laid on the ground and cried like a little girl. Then, got up and helped heave the boat out of the gravel, back up over the lip onto the concrete. Eventually, my husband and I managed to get it maneuvered to the other side of the building and our own boat backed in next to it.

But I was grumpy and my wrist had a knot the size of a golf ball on it.

At this point, I'm starting to think that I should swaddle myself up in bubble wrap and stay in bed on Wednesdays.

Maybe not, the curse might be waning. I was walking to my car from the grocery store and slipped in a wet, oily spot in the parking lot on this week's unlucky day.

But I didn't fall down! A bit of windmilling with grocery bags flying around me, some unladylike flopping around, and I caught my balance. The rest of the day went by with no incident.

Maybe the curse has been broken? I hope so because we are flying to NC to a wedding soon. On a WEDNESDAY!

Well, maybe I'm just clumsy and due to take a spill once a week or so… Maybe its not a curse, because over all, I tend to be very lucky. I give thanks for all the things in my life that I never thought I'd have.

And I'm quite sure that I haven't raided any tombs lately or angered any evil old gypsies.

ps- if you are not afraid to sit next to me in case I am cursed, and are a newbie at one of Kim's events, please contact me. I was hoping to pull together a group of first timers to be my table mates in April.

And don't worry, the party is on a Friday and Saturday, no Wednesdays involved.

and ps again-

I've started to reopen my poor, little, long neglected Etsy shop. So far, I've added some bottle brush trees that I have been working on.

Yep, I know, its a gamble this year. I have a feeling that everyone either owns or makes their own now. But, just in case someone out there doesn't have one yet, or time to make some, I have listed a few, with more to come.

Sugarwings and I enjoy dying them together so much every year, I just couldn't miss doing it.

Back to the Beautiful Belamar

holiday decor, Snow White, Sugarwings, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 1, 2012

Did you hear the news about the Snow White bash that Kim is throwing? Due to some unsurmountable issues, she has had to change the venue, which also meant changing the date.

We will be leaving the Disney location and going back to the beautiful Belamar, which is a place I just love.

It's imtimate, boutique hotel lay out makes it ideal for meeting and mingling at an arty gathering. I always know that if I have a few spare moments, that I can wander out to the courtyard, lobby, or lounge and find a friend around the corner to sit and talk to.

Now, I'm batty about Disney and loved the idea of visiting there, but I think that for one of these events, a place like the Belamar is much more convenient and cozier.

Plus quite a bit cheaper!! The classes themselves have been lowered $44 dollars and the hotel rooms are about that much less per night. So for a 4 night stay with classes you save $204 over what you would have spent at the original location.

You know that I'm cheap, so savings are great- but the best part is the smaller gathering place. I go to these events to mingle and meet other people who "get" me and my style. Ladies that I know I will have so much in common with, because we have so many loves in common.

At the Belamar, we are in a spot that is perfect for hanging with friends. We have our very own building with a lovely courtyard to spend time in, and are able to work late into the night if we want to finish projects started during class. Kim sets up a sweet and treats buffet and we can wear our jammies and have a slumber party while we chat.

Of course, I always learn some tricks from the classes, and come home with some nice pieces to treasure, but for me, that is a side benefit from the weekend. I'll be teaching at this one, so I hope that the ladies get something they love out of my class, but I know that its the camaraderie that takes the cake.

That said, the other teachers are amazing artists and I have already signed up to take the classes myself! I wouldn't miss them.

(feel free to click on this vintage image to save to your computer and print to use)

Will I be seeing you there next spring? I have to say, I love these events. Kim is a detail oriented person and spares no expense at making every inch of the room something beautiful to behold, and portrays the theme perfectly.

She transports everyone to a magic location with her decor and attention to all the little things. Plus, she is a thoughtful, caring hostess.

Now, don't be misled by this vintage page I just added, her Snow White will not be the typical Disney fluff of an endangered princess, we are going darker and deeper, more like the heroines portrayed on Once Upon a Time and Snow White and the Huntsman.

And please don't feel like you have to spend a fortune on an over the top outfit to wear. While we get a rare opportunity as grown ups to play dress up and TONS of photo ops, not everyone goes all out with the theme. For Breakfast at Tiffany's last spring, I simply wore a borrowed black dress, in a more modern style. I didn't go all out Audry. But it sure was fun to see all those who did!!!

Feel free to email me, karlanathan@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions about attending. I've been to 3 of Kim's workshops at the Belamar and would be happy to help out any newbies who might be going. My husband's sister, Terry, who came to visit me for Romantic Gothic Ghosts is also a first time attendee at one of Kim's parties, and I will be big-sissing her for the weekend. I'd be thrilled to add you to our group. Kim lets us asks ahead who we want to sit with, and we can request a "newbie" table together if you want.

While this photo of Calliope is more Halloween fairy than fairy princess, its still more the "feeling" of a darker princess that we will be having next spring.

We attended "Ghosts and Giggles" at Lions Gate Country Club over the weekend, and it was the cutest little Halloween party.

Sugarwings was Ariel (as usual!)

And Little Love was a Puppy Dr.

We had a grown up Ariel too.

There was dancing, games, balloons and a clown. Plus a great dinner complete with ice cream served in tombstones and topped with Oreo dirt and gummy worms.

I hope your Halloween Holiday was a fun one too!

Now that Halloween is respectfully over, I'm going to join in on the Christmas Retail Rush and start listing some yuletide items in my Boutique.

As well as a whole new catagory, Vintage Garments.

I'll be adding even more to it soon. I've been collecting vintage dresses for little girls just so I could dress Sugarwings in them for me to Ooh and Awe over. Once they are outgrown, I'm ready to pass them along.

Plus some doll dresses, and millinery pretties.

I'll leave you with a few more pics of what's new.