November 2015 – Karla's Cottage

Respect the Turkey

By Karla Nathan / November 30, 2015

Last week as the Thanksgiving dinner grew closer, Sugarwings and I also started to feel the burgeoning anticipation of Christmas and all the fun of decking our halls coming up.

We really, really tried to reign it in. Our phrase to each other, when we started to feel it build was, "Respect the Turkey!!"

It was our way of reminding each other to enjoy the holiday at hand and not overlook it for the glistening, glittering, joy of Christmas on its way.

It wasn't easy, but we kept our decorating plans on hold till the day after Thanksgiving. Then, whoosh! All of it came blasting out. As my Handsome Husband is fond of saying, "It looks like Christmas threw up all over the place."

I typically have most of the decorating done before Sugarwings or Dewdrop get involved. There is always a chunk saved for them, and they have their own bucket of non-breakable ornies to arrange and rearrange (dozens of times, typically) throughout the season on their very own trees.

That keeps tiny hands off of my big tree and most of the more fragile decor. (If I'm lucky)

If I had a trick that worked as well to keep the puppy out of it all, that would be great too. Basically, Honey gets a pile of big bones, and chew toys to divert her from the holiday foof all around her. And I've set my 7 foot tree up on a 2 foot table to save it from her tail. It seems a little imposing, up that high, but I like it better too high than knocked over on the floor.

But she is a retriever. And her job seems to be to wander around the house, retrieve things, then eat them if she gets a chance to.

So far, the count of chewed or destroyed decorations is only at one.

This year, I've loved having my lil Sugarplum fairies to set out under the buffet top tree and on the dining table.

If you'd like to make your own, kits are available here and here.

Unpacking all of the hand made pieces from years past has made me want to spend time out in the studio making even more.

But we've been pretty busy. I hope to get some studio time in this week.

This is a tree topper from Romantic White Christmas, that Beth and I did together a few years back. I didn't need it for the top of the tree, so it is tucked underneath, and I like it there too. (the workshop is still available and comes with printables to use for all the decorations, as well as decorating ideas and fun tips for the holidays)

Seeing so many handmade pretties on my trees, also brings back memories of the times they were made. I have this fairy from Birdsong 4, and a big selection of swap gifts I was so lucky to get.

All are sweet mementos of very good times.

But isn't that one of the wonderful parts of unpacking your stored away ornaments? All the memories, of what you were doing the year that you got this one or that one. Who gave it to you. Where you were when you got it, what you were doing.

Who you loved.

All year long, I look forward to the moment the boxes get opened and the memories start spilling out. And I try to add to them each year. I wonder what the little girls and I will be reminiscing about in the future when we unpack this Sugarplum fairy from this season?

A Happy Thanksgiving

By Karla Nathan / November 28, 2015

We had a happy day for Thanksgiving. A houseful of people, laughing and eating, sipping sparkling cider mimosas (which might explain the laughter), what more can you ask for?

I'm slightly hooked on making these pie crust leaves. It was so much fun, that I added them not only to the pies but to the veggie spirals. And made a turkey from pie crust too.

The spirals would be easier to make if I had a mandolin to slice the veggies. I ended up using a potato peeler and don't recommend that one little bit!

If the golden beets, rainbow carrots, and squash are sliced in an easier way, these are simple to make. But if you are fighting a potato peeler, forget it! To make them, slice up your colorful vegetables. Fill a pie pan with crust or puff pastry, either is tasty. Next, spread cream cheese or ricotta lightly across the bottom of the crust to create a glue to hold the spirals. Sprinkle that with your favorite seasonings. Then, start rolling up selections of pretty colored slices, stick them into your cheesey glue, and fill the pan with twirlies.

Sprinkle the top with more spices, and drizzle with vegetable broth.

Bake til golden brown.

Another nice thing about our holiday was all the help. Not only with washing up, but with the prep. With 22 people to feed, it was good to have others bake up their specialities to bring.

Tree made organic green bean casserole with fresh beans.

Mommo made squash casserole.

Sharon brought sweet potato casserole and a cheesy spinach casserole.

Brooke whipped up creamed corn crock pot casserole.

Thanksgiving is the day for never ending casseroles, isn't it? YUM!

Our Hippy Chick brought veggie stuffing and pies. Sharon also made cranberry sauce and appetizers, Cole baked German Chocolate Cake. I made a TWENTY FIVE POUND turkey, which was way too much, considering how many vegetarians we had with us that day.

My sister had a good idea, she said she likes to bake the bird the day before, debone it, and then rewarm it in the crock pot for the gathering. And wow, was she right! That saved so much time, and the turkey was as tender and juicy as it could ever be.

I also made veggie pies, mac and cheese with lobster and broccoli, and homemade rolls with chia seeds and flax, mushrooms stuffed with parmesan fresh kale and spinach, vegetarian gravy with dairy free mashed potatoes as well as turkey gravy with regular mashers.

This was all way, way too much food. Especially with the appetizers of baked rosemary brie, smoked salmon and cranberry bruschettas. Seriously, I'm still full.

But the very best part? Seeing Sugarwings and Pixie Pie together again. Those two were BFFs for the first few years of their lives, it was great to see them reunited and having happy cousin time together.

They created crowns, played dress up, and played the day away.

Before Pixie Pie had to head back north to South Dakota with her family, she came back over to help decorate Christmas trees. It was hard to say goodbye, and we were so glad to have had some time with her again.

We were also glad to have Mommo here from North Carolina. When a family is spread out as far as ours is, it's extra special when we get holidays with far away loved ones.

What is on the menu? Grow, greens, grow!!!!

cottage, Garden, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / November 25, 2015

This photo was taken a couple of days ago. The greens were still a little puny, but they are growing as fast as they can. I'm hoping to have fresh salad for our big family dinner tomorrow.

The nights are getting colder, and this window box that my son built (4 old wooden windows from the Habit ReStore screwed together with a hinged one top) is getting wobbly from being outdoors for a few years. The glass on the top is loose, so I've had to go out and cover it all with plastic every night, then remove that so the sun can shine it during the day.

So far, so good. But with 22 people to feed, this might end up being a skimpy salad…

It hasn't been that long since it was planted, but maybe I should have started a week earlier. This was a simple project I saw on Pinterest, and it worked well.

All you do is buy a bag of topsoil, slit it open and sprinkle in seeds. The bag sits directly on the ground, and there are a few holes poked in the bottom of the bag before making slits in the top and adding the mixed greens seeds.

I've never watered it. If my window box wasn't old and wonky, it would be even easier, I wouldn't have had to cover it on cold nights.

I might buy another window (they are usually $5 each at the Habitat store) and replace the top one that is falling apart and see if Kansas will allow a lettuce crop for our Christmas dinner too. That might be pushing it.

But worth trying!

Our 2015 pumpkin harvest wasn't all that bountiful.

Mostly because I didn't plant any- a vines sprang up from last year's gourds! Trouble was, they were in a bad spot, sprouting from a flower bed in front of the chicken coop, where the vines wanted to stretch out across the yard. So a lot got ran over with the mower.

But a few little punkins survived. I'll be roasting one today to see if it is big enough to bake a pie. Things that are home grown are even more special for a holiday meal, don't you think?

I hope you have a tasty day surrounded by loved ones too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elf shoes

holiday decor, how to's

By Karla Nathan / November 23, 2015

Beth and Karla came over to visit for a much needed afternoon of laughter and crafters last week. Beth stitched, Karla did some crochet, and I worked on these elfin booties.

They started out as tiny, Made in Japan porcelain shoes. I didn't care for the orange flowers on them, but liked the shoes themselves, so thought I'd cover up the flowers somehow.

That became a whole makeover from sole to top. The toughest part was making them into something that could hang on a tree. While they would be sweet sitting around on a table top, I really wanted them to be tree ornaments.

So, I took a long wire, twisted it to fill the bottom of the inside of the shoe, then flooded it with glue. Over that, I stuffed the shoes with fiberfil, and topped it with mica flakes.

After the structural part was finished, I could get on with fun parts- the foofing!

And the filling. This one has a tiny, wrapped gift.

Each is just a little different.

They are $12 each and you can find them here.

I've also started glittering and dyeing trees. This might be my preferred look for this year. The tree itself is a natural tone and sits on a simple, vintage, wooden spool.

So far, it is the only one I have listed on Etsy in this color. More to come, I hope… there are some whites and pastels and I do have a table full that needs organizing, photographing, and listing.

But for now? I'm off to the grocery store to fill my car with ingredients to fix a feast for our big gathering on Thursday. I've got some helpers chipping in on the cooking, but there are some special tidbits I have in mind to make too.

I hope your planning is going well, too. Have a good holiday week!

Sugarplum Fairy Banners

collections, Etsy Goodies, fairies, holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / November 20, 2015

It is hard to make up my mind, sometimes "JOY" is my favorite word for the season, other times it is "Merry". I can't go wrong either way, both are full of holiday cheer. Of course, with Thanksgiving coming up, "Thankful" is another one that is on my mind.

Well, I'm feeling them all.

I am Thankful that I've had some Merry time in the studio creating these Joyful banners!

There is nothing I enjoy creating more than Christmassy, glittery, foofy, merry, and joyful decorations!

Especially with all of my favorite supplies. Like the soft pink, hand dyed wool roving on this little lady's Santa hat. And velvet. Oh, and MICA flakes! Flocked Wallpaper!! And lace, yes, lots of lace and netting!

Throw in a few Sugarplum Fairies and I'm a happy little elf.

I know, I know, it isn't quite Thanksgiving yet…

But Christmas is coming. And I adore making things for it.

I've been lucky to have a couple of uninterrupted days to play with my favorite supplies and whip all of these up, along with the Sugarplum Fairy Kits I posted about last time.

If you are ready for some festive pretties too, you can find some trees in my Etsy shop. The Sugarplum Fairy Kits and banners are in the Boutique.

If things go as I hope they do… more will be coming too. My heart is all a twitter just thinking about stuffing tiny little stockings with vintage cuteness, and oh, the tart tins! I haven't unpacked the tart tins yet. Those are such fun to fill up with pretties…

Sugarplum Fairy Kits

fairies, holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / November 19, 2015

Two of my favorite things in the whole world? Fairies and Christmas! (that includes grand fairies, too, of course)

I'd started out making angels, but as I worked on them, they became Sugarplum Fairies. Although, if you look at them right, they make sweet little cherubs too.

Something else that I love- THE GOOD STUFF!

I do not believe in saving my best supplies for something better. As I always say, if a project is worth my time, it is worth the BEST supplies. And I figure you'll agree with me, that these sparkly sprites deserve to don their best for the holiday season, right?

Kits are $18-$22 (Mercy is a bit more, she has a larger tree and the flocked wallpaper)

Each girl gets a very, very vintage silk ribbon flower from my stash of prized pretties.

The pictures I used are all old sepia ones that I edited, sized, and printed on high quality photo paper.

And all of the mercury glass beads for the little trees are authentic.

There will be shiny rhinestones, some of my favorite old wallpapers, and lots of other pretty things to work with, including hand illustrated instructions to follow. I've done a basic set of instructions, then listed each of the girls separate. The sprite that you order will be circled on the instructions, but you can also look through the directions for the other girls in case that gives you some ideas for creating your lil fairy.

Each kit offers the choice of making a magic wand for your Sugarplum Fairy to hold, or a mini tree instead. If you don't want to put the tree into her hand, you can sit it on the little gift that you'll wrap in vintage paper.

The kits come with trees too. You have the option to decorate a spool for the tree to set on, or use it as is with the white base, like here.

I've included a spoonful of mica flakes to add some snowy sparkly too.

(the bottle brush trees are already mica-ed up for you)

The girls all have white feather wings to honor all the Christmas angels watching over us.

(you could add a touch of glitter to them if you'd like)

This girl, Constance Joy, comes in ivory or pink, but on both, I've provided some gorgeous, gold metallic wallpaper to use on her base.

While Mercy stands on plush, pink, flocked paper.

You will back them with card stock that I have printed with Jingle Bells sheet music.

Because it is important for a project to look just as good from all angles, right?

My studio is filled with these darlings right now. I've loved making them, even more that I did the little Witchy Girls I had whipped up for Halloween. I probably enjoyed making them a little too much, by the looks of this room… I might have to list some finished ones to sell too.

Or just keep them and love them.

Vacation art journal pages

Books, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 17, 2015

In my last post, I mentioned my journal obsession. I took two with me on my sister trip and worked on them in front of the view of the ocean. One was a family journal, the other was my travel one. I did as much as I could with instant photos, drawings, doodles, and memorabilia while on the trip, and then finished with printed photos of our time there once I got home.

It helps me to do my "doodle pages" while there, for one thing because I like drawing while we sit and talk and watch the waves. For another, it helps me remember funny little things that happen and write them down.

GEEZER ALERT-I'M GOING TO SOUND CRANKY NOW:

"My Pleasure" was a phrase we all decided we liked. While staying at a fancy hotel, we noticed that employees don't use the annoying term, "no problem" when you say thank you to them. They respond, "my pleasure" or even the good old fashioned, "you're welcome." Which I rarely hear anywhere any more.

We went out for lunch one day, a treat from my husband, and we sent him a text to thank him. He responded "my pleasure" not knowing that was just what we had been talking about.

This silly doodle page is from our Great Flamingo Hunt.

At least that is what it was in my mind.

I saw bright pink birds fly across our beach and Bobbie loves flamingos, so we raced outside to get photos. When we got close we were trying to be sneaky, and I imagined hearing Elmer Fudd singsong "Kill the Wabbitt, Kill the Wabbit".

So, I changed it to "Get the Birwdie" and tromped around like Elmer.

I'm afraid the birds were spoonbills, not flamingos, but it was still a fun hunt.

On every sister trip, I find a photo to turn use as a fairy picture.

This one of Sissy at Venice beach hunting shark teeth looked like a good fairy opportunity too.

I wrote the word, "blessings" under the photo of her handful of teeth, because that was what was inscribed on her gold band, and also the day was filled with the blessings of being with my sisses.

An actual tooth was glued to the banner I added.

More teeth and a small shell were glued to an instant photo of the day, I saved the label from a coke I'd bought (Nathan!), and added a picture of one of our matching shirts.

All of it was done over the text of the book page, that I'd dry brushed paint onto. But none of it was planned and it all looked off balance, so I drew in a shark behind it all to tie it together.

My art journals are a mix. I use photos of the trip, scraps of things I've picked up along the way, (brochures, coasters, hotel soap wrappers, tickets, etc), doo dads, charms, flowers, lace, drawings,and some pages are just for fun, like this one.

The book itself is one of the altered book kits I have in the Boutique, including card stock pages printed with old text scanned from vintage horoscope and fortune telling books. They made an interesting background for an October journal.

This little Witchy Girl was in the kit, but I added the shells and some dragonfly wings from one of the ginormus dragonflies that dwelled in the area. They were as large as helicopters.

You might notice that when I scrapbook, I don't care if things are acid free. I doubt if wings plucked from a dead bug would qualify as being archival quality.

Here is an example of using a hotel room coaster in my book. It is simply attached with washi tape on the outside and again on the inside to make a hinge.

(the picture above is doctored up by Bobbie, she changed three of the hags into the three of us)

The coaster opens up to hold a cartoon of three witches that Bobbie brought, and a picture of the three of us as witches too.

Have you seen the rainbow film available at Michaels for instant cameras? It makes for a nice change from the white framed pictures. I thought these colors were pretty with the vintage Florida postcard I'd picked up on one of our antiquing outings. Above that is some coordinating washi tape as a border and an old, ribbon flower wreath as a frame for a cut out picture of Bobbie.

I rubbed a pink ink pad over the edges of the paper to tie in all the soft colors.

A couple more of the rainbow instant pictures went into the last page of the book. The grand fairies posed for me as I was trying out the film.

And Sugarwings made this "bye bye" card for me as a farewell for the trip, so that is what their pictures went into.

Another item I used from the vacation was the tissue paper from a shopping bag, glued down as a background.

This page features photos Bobbie brought of our grandma's trailer on Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota. The old book that I'd brought with me to tear up and use in the journal, had this little story about a sea shell "home" in it and I thought that went along nicely with the trailer pictures.

More things I saved were the key card holder from the Pink Palace, and the wrist band we were given there to use the resort facilities.

Some pictures, I like to cut out the person, other times I like to save the backgrounds. A nice mix is what I go for.

I'd preferred it if the Pink Palace had more PINK goodies for me to use, but on the other hand, the orange and black were perfectly fine considering I was doing a Halloween inspired album, right?

Since I had turned around and went on another trip as soon as I got home from this one, I included both in the same journal.

Especially since both looked great together with the Halloween theme I had going.

Last year's travel journal was similar, I'd gone from a beach vacation with my sisses straight to Vermont for the the Guncles' wedding. (There was no trip home in between for that one, and I can tell you, that the packing wasn't easy for such varied weather!)

We have already booked our condo on Siesta Sands for next year, looks like this Sister Trip is going to become an annual thing. And it looks like I'll be starting a collection of travel books for our visits!

Sugarplum fairies flitting in, soon

fairies, holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / November 15, 2015

Do you remember my little witch friends, Leitha and Rowena? Well, those girls have twin sisters! This is Merry, she is a Sugarplum fairy, her sis is Leitha the little Witchy Girl.

Rowena has a twin named Constance, who is also a fairy. I'm working on getting these fairies, some angels and other girls gathered together to make kits for the holidays in case you'd like a flock of fairies around your own home for holiday decor.

Luckily, I have a whole troupe of fairies to pitch in and help, I'm pretty far behind for the season.

I've barely even started on the tree dying. No glitter or color has been applied yet. There are a few trees listed on Etsy, but very, very few compared to my regular November schedule.

Now, while October was one of the most fun months I've ever had, with non-stop travel, parties and fun, November has turned into a serious catch up time. Well, at least it should be… I'm afraid that I haven't gotten much catching up done yet and the month is half over…

I feel very much like that irresponsible grasshopper that the ant has to lecture about not being prepared.

But you know what? I kinda liked being the grasshopper, for a change! Bouncing around from trip to trip and having fun with people I love. It was very hard for me to get back into worker ant mode when I returned. I played with grand fairies, did yard work to take advantage of the brilliant and uncommon November weather we have had, and then worked in my souvenir style art journals.

I love making mementos of my trips while the memories are still fresh, and once I get going on a journal it is hard to stop, and I also created a whole album for the rest of the year. I filled the vintage photo album journal that Beth taught me how to make, leaving just a few pages for the holiday season to be added later.

(I'll have some journal pages to show you too)

Both journals are done for now, even though I'm tempted to keep adding and adding little tidbits (are art journals ever really done?) They are still nearby on my desk and if I find something interesting in my stash, or an idea pops into my head, the journals get fiddled with again and I take a break from my belated Christmas crafts.

But lookee here! I got some wings made. These are now in the Boutique. I also whipped up a few banners and am designing that flock of fairies that I'd mentioned.

Soooo, I'm trying to get in gear. Now that I've got most of the journal compulsion under control, I've enjoyed sliding into my mica flake/glitter obsession. The things that I make this time of year are usually a few of my favorite things. (and in my Christmas loving mind, that was sung to the tune of, well, you know the song).

I'm not going to beat myself up about being behind, I'm going to throw myself into making those things that I adore and let the carols blast away in the background as I work.

Also, I want to thank all of you who buy my sparkly pretties each year, and let you know how much I love making them all. November is a time for gratitude (well, every month should be, but at Thanksgiving, the thoughts are more prevalent, aren't they?) And I want to express gratitude for the ability to travel, and for the flexibility of being able work on journals and get caught up with family activities when I return even if it puts me behind in my sales for the season. And that I have someone who will buy my pretties when I do get them made.

I know I'm lucky.

Thanks!

Siesta Sands Sister Trip

family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 12, 2015

The condo we had on the beach at Siesta Sands had a huge picture window over looking the Gulf, with a craft table in front of it.

Well, we also were able to squeeze in a bit of dining at the table too. But I kind of over took it for my art journal.

Now, I really, really, really love my studio at home.

But I discovered that I feel a ton more creative with this view while I am working!

Siesta Sands is a very old, cement block building right on the prettiest beach you'll ever see. Siesta Key always ranks high on any USA travel advisor, and there is a reason. The sand is white quartz and always cool to the touch, it is pure powdered sugar.

My grandma lived in the area when I was a kid and I grew up visiting here.

I became a beach snob very young. I thought all beaches were covered in sand that you could add some butter to and turn it into icing.

But I do have an appreciation for all beaches, and we always love to go to the rough and rocky Venice beach to search for shark teeth fossils while we are in the area.

It was actually a bit warmer there than 40 minutes north in Sarasota, so I was able to do a little more swimming in Venice. (yes that is 57 year old me in a swimsuit on the internet. Do I have no shame or vanity? Guess not)

Plus Venice has some cute shops. Not many open on Sunday when we went, but still fun.

These are the shirts I gifted my sisters with.

(And this was my view for a lot of the week, I was always a few yards ahead of them every where we went.)

Matching gifts were in abundance!

Sissy gave us rainbow moonstones with a sand dollar in silver.

And these mermaid shirts that we added glitter to.

While out one day, someone asked us if these were from a foundation. I said of course, and asked if they'd like to donate, that we were the founding members!

Bobbie gave us photo mugs in memory of our dad and last year's trip to spread his ashes.

I'd made us some art journals to fill up with our adventures.

And we got pretty rainbow quartz stones from Sis.

Each of us brought things to add to the journals, here is a witchy picture Bobbie doctored up and added us to.

But the best gift?

Having these ladies as sisters and best friends.

I love you, Bobbie and Sissy!

Siesta Sands Mermaid

fairies, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 9, 2015

Last year's "First Annual Sister Trip to Siesta Key" was to spread our father's ashes on his favorite beach. We found the perfect, heart shaped shell, filled it with his ashes, and took it out to the sandbar to float away.

So, when I saw this little butterfly shell on the beach, I thought it was ideal to use to recreate the moment by filling it with glitter and crystals in memory of Daddy.

Instead of a fairy, I made a mermaid, but of course, she did end up with wings. There was a dead dragonfly right by where I made her, so I plucked off it's wings. Gross to do, but I like the look…

Sissy and I knew that our sentimental sister, Bobbie, would want to keep this one, since it was in honor of our Dad. Usually I leave the fairies on the beach the last day of my trip as a farewell and a thank you.

This time, though, I created an environment for her and glued her together into a sea shell home. (Minus the wings, which would just rot. And who knows what the seaweed will do?)

I guess that means I owe Siesta Key a fairy…. durn, I'll just have to go back again, huh?