January 2017 – Karla's Cottage

The Boutique is back in business, brimming with baubles and beads- and BARGAINS

By Karla Nathan / January 29, 2017

Thanks to Beth and Hope, my BOUTIQUE is re-opened!

(What was wrong with it?? Well, a combo of misadventures that all stemmed from the messages they send to me being lost. For some reason, my email address is not compatible with their site or their site is reprehensible to my email server, because I just ain't gittin 'em. That wasn't solved, but the website was re-instated and is running again. I'll make an effort to manually check the admin page for messages now, since I know I will not be getting email notifications.)

Things are looking up in the studio, the smell is going away, my shop is back, I've happily been able to get back to work.

The first thing I did was clean up the store. Somehow, many of the photos had jumbled up. For some reason, quite a few of the items were illustrated with a picture of a vintage "Carter's Little Liver Pills" box (sold a year ago).

Hmm… maybe my site was trying to tell me it was ill and needed help??

Anyway, odd random pics are banished, and items that have been lingering are MARKED DOWN DRASTICALLY.

I thought about having a percentage off sale, but instead went through each item, piece by piece, and marked them down individually, because many are over 50% off.

There are ten pages of sale items, 50% off and more. Please check them out here, if you are bargain shopping. And please keep in mind that I refund excess shipping after the packages are weighed.

My next step was to start taking photos of these wrap style bracelets. The first ones into the shop are the "Sweetheart Collection" just in time for Valentines Day!

I've also created a "Romance Collection"

There is some Cinderella blue in the Sweetheart Collection.

And some brighter blues in the Mermaid Collection.

There are single wraps, double, triple and quadruple too. They come in a wide variety of prices, depending on how many beads and what kind.

My friends Queenie and Beth, at Beth’s Booth

antiques/junking

By Karla Nathan / January 27, 2017

A couple times a year, Beth participates at the Old Summit Country Antique Show in Lees Summit. She and I used to do shows together and I sure miss it sometimes. So, to get my fix of junk stylin', I help her set up her wares.

She always has pretty stuff to work with. Displays almost create themselves, she has coordinated her inventory so well.

Unless I start picking through it, that is. The ribbon flowers? I snagged 'em.

While unpacking boxes, we had a visitor.

I did say COUNTRY SHOW, right?

Well, even though that is the name of the event, it doesn't mean that you are guaranteed a chance to snuggle farm animals.

Queenie was only 4 days old, too little to be left at home while her adopted family set up their own space at the show. She was pretty dang adorable and I was tempted to go pig shopping on my way home.

I've heard they are good pets.

But after more than a year and a half, we are still adjusting to owning a large dog. The mix with Honey the golden retriever with three goofy, little dorkies, has not been easy.

After considering just how much a piglet could complicate the already precarious union of those four dogs, I came to my senses. Plus, my studio already smells bad enough. Ugh- I think there is a dead mouse in the wall. It has been too awful to go in there to get any work done.

Oh, but wasn't Queenie a cutey????

Baubles, bangles, beads, and bothers

jewelry, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / January 23, 2017

The last two weeks have been very frustrating for me. First, my studio developed an odor.

That odor blossomed into a stench.

Before I knew it, I was dealing with a pungent REEK.

The smell seems to be a dead mouse in the wall. But I don't know why it is lingering so long. At first, I was patient. I simply packed up beads and hauled them to the dining room to work on.

I figured that in a few days, I could take the bracelets that I'd made and head back to the studio and list them in my Boutique.

Little did I know that the REEK would grow.

And that my website would disappear.

As in- gone-

all gone-

not there-

no access because it doesn't exist anymore!

Sob.

I tried everything I could to contact the webhost, Pappashop, got no answers. So, I've hired Hope at Paper Relics, who designed the pages, to look into it for me.

In the meantime, my boxes of beads and I are hanging out in the dining room with a stack of over 40 bracelets and I just keep on making more, biding my time until the studio is stench-less.

Once the room is safe to enter without my eyes watering from the hideousness of whatever is decomposing, I hope that my beloved Boutique has been restored.

If not, there is always Etsy. But, that just isn't the same. I miss my online store! It probably ran away from home because I'd neglected it for so long. It thinks I didn't love it any more.

But I do.

Please come home, little store!

Much needed vacation craft days

fairies, guncles, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 21, 2017

When Guncle Randy and I get together, there is usually some pretty paper and glue around. We always make time for a craft day and on my last visit, we even fit in more than that.

We had a full day with our pal, Regina plus a lot more time back in the stuffed to the brim (with delights) art room he has.

Regina gifted me with some gemstones, and I'm looking forward to getting them turned into jewelry.

During our play date, I made some cards, my sis had a birthday coming up.

And a nephew had just gotten married.

Randy had this awesome, old, ballerina photo that he copied for me to use, so I made this Valentine from the picture. I also created a Valentine banner with some red felt triangles he gave to me.

After I finished my sweetheart banner filled with ballerina girls, Randy and I collaborated on a banner with hunks for his mantel.

The left hand piece is by me, the right by Randy.

Here is another that I made for him. The red felt pieces are from Target's Dollar Spot. They always have good supplies, don't they?

I never get out of there with spending just ONE dollar….

When I left Kansas, I threw a few supplies in my suitcase, but not enough. No problem, at the Guncles' house, there are lotsa goodies to play with. Randy shared with me and we worked for hours back in his room of wonders.

Yep, it was a fun brother/sister/best friend week. Thanks, Baby Bro!

It’s a very guncle-y Christmas!

guncles, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / January 18, 2017

For a few years in a row, something has come up where I happen to have a shot at getting to Florida in January and make it to the Guncles' house to see their festive Christmas decor still on display and making the place even more sparkly than usual. This year, my husband had a business trip and I was luckily able to to tag along.

The guys have a marvelous collection of shiny brites, enough to fill an old, tinsel tree.

That tree is loaded to the brim, and has a fantastic selection of ornies.

Little Perry Clayton likes it too.

It is touching to see them use some gifts I've made for them over the years in the midst of their abundant cheeriness. Like this banner that I created last year.

Every inch of their home is transformed for the holiday, with the tiniest detail not over looked.

The home is already spectacular, filled with all of the vintage finds, Kevin, the antiques expert, scavanges from garage sales around the city.

Adding a layer of Christmas splendor makes it even more special. Thanks for the hospitality and the beautiful visit, Randy and Kevin!!

A Sea Shell Fairy Controversy and some disappointing shell searches

guncles, sea shell fairies, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 15, 2017

Over the years I've developed some vacation traditions. One is that I wear this necklace with charms and a moonstone from my sisses every time I go to Florida. (I also wear it when I'm feeling homesick for family too)

Another is making a sea shell fairy for every beach I visit. This trip was bi-coastal with a tour of Clearwater before driving to spend the night in St. Augustine, driving up to Jacksonville for guncle time then a trek up to Charleston for a mini family reunion on Sullivan Island.

It was also a quick trip. We arrived from the airport in time for lunch with a view of the sea, but then didn't get to the hotel til after dark, because my husband had some visits to make. After breakfast the next morning, we quickly strolled along the beach at Clearwater, but didn't have enough time to gather shells. I wish now that I'd made the time, because that was the most perfect weather I'd had that week.

And there was a plethora of shells to be found.

I shoulda, coulda, woulda stopped and snagged some if I'd known how the next few beaches would go….

Jax proved to be barren of shells for the day, and it was COLD. Too cold to try to get enough together to make a sprite, because it might have taken hours to find what I needed. And for some silly reason, I'd packed sandals and Ugg boots only. No shoes to wear, so my tootsies weren't happy with a beach stroll.

(yep, my eyes are closed)

There was time before breakfast to make a shell fairy on St. Augustine Beach, and I was soooo happy to be playing in the sand and day dreaming about happy little fairies. Till I posted the picture online of the little gal that I'd created, that is.

Soon, I got messages saying that my fairy looked a little "too happy."

When I realized what they were seeing, I deleted the Facebook and Instagram pics. Ooops! I showed it to a few more people and they agreed. Do you see the problem? If not, I won't mention it.

By the way, THAT IS AN ARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well, I had a chance of vindication at Charleston, right? Nope! It was beyond cold there. Too cold to even stand on the balcony and look at the beach, let alone walk down to it.

Well durn- 4 beaches, 1 fairy.

One that was accidentally R rated.

Luckily, I did have a picture on my camera of this version of my little fae.

And here is an edited version that I hope takes away the optical illusion??

Or should I just write her (him?) off and delete all the photos? It all made me feel sad, I adore making little sea shell girls and this time it just didn't go well. Although, everyone I showed the photos too, got a huge laugh out of it.

Sugarwings earns tickets for good behavior in her class and can use them for purchases at the end of the day. She'd over heard me saying that I was sad about the shell fairy that I'd made and that I couldn't make another one.

So, she used her tickets to buy some shells for me, and we made these three in the dining room at breakfast. There wasn't a shell for the wings, so I cut up the tissue paper they came wrapped in.

I've made quite a few water sprites over the last few years, but none that were as sweet as the ones that I made with real life, grand fairy.

Recipes and memories

Food and Drink, guncles

By Karla Nathan / January 13, 2017

Last week while visiting the Guncles, I was given some Florida lemons fresh off the tree to bring home to my grand fairies. The girlies and I love lemon meringue pie, lemonade, and working in the kitchen together. So a bag of lemons was the souvenir I brought back from my vacation to them.

Most kids might be disappointed with a gift of fruit instead of a toy or cute tee shirt with an alligator on it, but what did these two do when given lemons??

We made LEMON PIE!!!!!

Normally, I make things up as I cook and rarely reference recipes. But when it is time for lemon pie, Sugarwings and I make a ceremony of carefully opening up the old tin box of note cards I made as a 13 year old and we make the dessert just the way my mom would've done. My mom passed before the girls were born, but in small ways like this they can have a connection with her too.

My mom made the best pies, dumplings, well, just about anything. And when I close my eyes to take a bite of this lemony delight, I remember her in the kitchen making something special for me.

Mom's pies were great, but with this combo of fresh citrus from the guncles, smiles from the grand fairies, and memories of my mom, I think we've made some improvements on her originals!

Rainbow Spiral Veggie Pie

Food and Drink

By Karla Nathan / January 10, 2017

I've mentioned making these pies in the past, and I love them so much, I wanted to talk about it again. I've made a few now and figured out some tricks. You can find a recipe anywhere online or Pinterest, so I'm not giving you one of those, instead, I'm giving you some tips on making it easier.

And tastier! This time, I chopped, seasoned (rosemary garlic and sea salt) and sautéed mushrooms to whip into cream cheese to line the puff pastry.

Before, I've cut the veggies by hand. Now, I am the proud owner of a mandolin, a wondrous, magical slicer that makes all of the pieces the same thickness!

Even though the pieces are easier to use when cut the same size, there can still be some issues with rolling them up. It helps to put a handful of veggies at a time into a bowl of water and microwave them. But, my son and his family think that microwaves kill all nutrients in foods.

I do NOT believe that, but when I cook for them, I don't use one.

A slightly softened strip of beet or carrot curls better than a hard one. So, steaming the strips can help, in a microwave if you aren't afraid of them, or in a pan on the stove if you have to.

Just remember not to fully cook them, just soften them enough to bend without breaking.

Even with the veggies steamed, the spirals don't always twirl into place perfectly. Another tip I learned is to roll them, stick them down into the cream cheese "glue", then if needed, fill the center with a tiny roll after you get them in place. It's pretty easy to slide a little curl down into the center.

I also add small curls to fill gaps between the bigger rolls.

Spritz with oil and sprinkle more seasoning over the top and bake until the crust is browned.

I used yellow and green squashes, rainbow carrots, and golden beets, in no particular order. Eggplant gets too mushy, and red beets dye the whole thing.

All of these kept their colors and baked up nicely.

Poodle Portrait

dogs, guncles, paintings

By Karla Nathan / January 7, 2017

As you read this, I am visiting the GUNCLES!!!!

Yay, me!

Since I knew I'd be seeing them right after the holidays, I didn't mail their gift, instead I'm packing it in my carry on to bring down. They are fantastic, loving, doggie dads, so I painted one of their babies for them. This is Oliver, and he is pretty dang sweet.

Fairy cards

fairies, family, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 4, 2017

The week before Christmas, I squeezed in a smidgeon of time to make a few cards to send out. Not many as I would have liked to create, but enough to bring me a smile from getting my fingers gluey and glittery and to send to my sisses and my husband's moms.

For the great grandmas in my grand fairies' lives, I printed this happy picture from the punkin patch onto matt presentation paper. The hands had been cropped out, but I figured I could make it work. I cut out the girls, leaving space to add mittens for Dewdrop and one for Sugarwings, but she was missing a lower arm too. So, I layered the pictures on the card to position her missing arm under her sis, making it look like a hug.

They do a lot of hugging, so that was a fitting fix.

To remove the Happy Halloween feel and add some Merry Christmas cheer, wings, scarves, and hats were added, then the fairies were glittered up and colored with markers and gel pens. On this card, I added lace, and glued them onto a sky blue piece of card stock. At the bottom I smeared on some of that crafty snow paint that comes in a jar. Then drew snowflakes with a white gel pen.

This card for Bobbie was done in a similar way. We were wearing mermaid shirts in the photo and Sissy was holding a little mermaid figurine. Which were cute as a beach photo, but not what I wanted for a Christmas card. So I used markers to draw poinsettias on the shirts, and drew, cut out, and glued a candy cane into Sissy's hand.

The same photo from our Sister Trip to Siesta Key was used for Sissy's card too, but done in her favorite color of sea blue. I covered up the mermaids with a silk rosebud, glitter, a rhinestone and a mini tree.

ps-For some reason, my [printer is not feeling well. All of the photos I used weren't as clear as I'd like them to be. I've gone through the fixes on the toolbar of the printer, but I still get lines and less detail than there should be with high quality paper. Hmm, I'm not sure what is going on, but I used the photos anyway. The quality bothers me, but I hope that the joy I felt while creating still comes through to the people I sent these to.