March 2018 – Karla's Cottage

Another view of the eggs

By Karla Nathan / March 29, 2018

The other day, I was complaining about my camera. I'd prefer using my iPhone for all of my close up photos because the camera seems to hyper focus on one spot and blur out too much. This photo is from my phone.

This one is from my camera. I didn't like the base blurring, since I had no control over it. A soft background is nice, but the item itself, should be sharp, if you are trying to sell it.

Here is another comparison. First is the camera, second is the phone.

My problem was that the cloud sharing between my phone and computer was oddly timed. Somedays, a photo would appear the minute it was taken. Other times, it would take DAYS. Hooking them by wire, using iTunes, and many other tricks didn't help.

(phone pic)

So, I couldn't count on using the pictures when needed to blog or add to my Boutique. I was getting frustrated by the problem. Then, I remembered the magic of using air drop!

(camera- blurry bottom half of the photo)

So, Yay! Now, I can get better pictures of my goods to peddle. Before I pat myself on the back for being so dang smart, though, I'll bypass the part of the story where it took me about two years of complaining to come up with a solution.

Seriously, this is so much better. I'm happy to have figured it out, even though I wasn't so quick on the draw.

By the way, the camera is a Canon G9X. I've adored all of my past Canons, and was sad each time I did something terrible to one and had to replace it. But in the past, I'd been lucky enough that every replacement was better than the one before. Then, I got this one. And it is NOT a good fit for me, and it never, ever breaks, so I've been stuck with it.

The iPhone sure does beat out the Canon. Nice and sharp, and clear.

My phone is a 6s, and I daydream about replacing it with a newer one because I hear that the camera on them are even better…. but I can't justify that, since my own phone seems to be just fine. And these pics are pretty dang nice.

Not as good in low light, but still better than my camera. I'll keep taking photos with the Canon when I travel, because I've noticed that when there is no wireless to use the iCloud photo storage, the phone thinks it is full and won't take more pics. So, a camera in my purse is a great back up when needed.

But I will not be using that camera for items I'm trying to sell any more. I've been so disappointed my Boutique photos, but now that I've got the dilemma solved, maybe I'll feel like adding more to the Boutique?

PS- there are still some eggs in the Boutique if you are interested, and some had the photos replaced, some are still the blurred ones from the camera, though. Thank you to everyone who purchased eggs and wallpaper from me already!!

More projects from my fab,1920s wallpaper, lucky find! And hoarding pays off.

By Karla Nathan / March 26, 2018

This paper is just lovely, isn't it? I've enjoyed working with it, and couldn't resist making some more pieces with it.

For about 10 years, I'd been hoarding an address book that had a compartment for notes, knowing it could be something someday- it had good bones. I finally figured out this use for it, making the compartment at the bottom into a treasure box.

Then turning the address book part into a book, by demolishing it, throwing away the pages, and using the remnants to reassemble into a book.

I knew it was worth saving that old address book for years and years! Now I have vindication to continue hoarding stockpiling supplies that could someday be something, right???

This is the back of the book.

And here is the inside. The pages are blank.

This is the interior of the box.

Yummy, yummy Good Stuff was used throughout.

The book and treasure box are both in the Boutique. As are a few more packs of the wallpaper. The scrap packs sold out over the weekend, but the art journal includes a mini scrap pack to use in finishing the book.

Fancy, Floral, Sugared Eggs

collections, holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / March 24, 2018

Wednesday was the BEST day.

I was able to be at my desk for most of the whole, entire day!

An uninterrupted space of time to make whatever I want? Nope, you can't beat that.

I headed out there to make wallpaper packets…. oops.

I got a little bit side tracked.

And I was soooo glad I did, because soon I was happily lost in a pile of millinery and some glittered eggs.

It was

MUCH

FUN!

If I could, I'd still be making them, it was hard to stop.

But I did, and I even cut up some more wallpaper to add to the Boutique along with all of these eggs.

Not that I got the wallpaper listed yet.

But I did add these babes as well as all of the foofy eggs.

I just wish the photos had turned out better. I seriously dislike my camera. I've always like Canons, but this one, G9X, does horrid close ups. Seems like it focuses on one small area, and blurs out the rest of the piece. It is great when the background blurs out, but not the piece itself.

The pictures just aren't sharp enough for me, even with editing.

This banner, "Easter Greetings" is the best example of what my camera does wrong.

If I had my druthers (that is a word I don't know if I've ever used, but I think I'll start) I'd buy a new Iphone because I hear that the camera is great on those, and simply not bother with my point and shoot anymore.

If I get some pics of the wallpaper packs done, I'll let you know. Thanks to everyone who bought the previous listings from me!

EDIT- A FEW SCRAP PACKS ARE ADDED TO THE BOUTIQUE NOW

A road trip through the plains and mountains

family, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / March 22, 2018

Our Wyoming trip to see family over St Pat's was just as nice as can be. Sugarwings reunited with her cousin, Sydnee. They "ship" their names, Leandra and Sydnee, to Syd-Lee, and are best buds. I was thrilled to find these green (ish) matching shirts at Target for them to wear-

Together we are better than Unicorns, Sprinkles, and Rainbows.

Perfect!

They cheerleaded on trampoline during a family football game (no, I did NOT play), crafted, treated us to green mani-pedis, and each used their copious make believe skills nonstop.

We also spent some time with Grandma Joan, in the assisted living center. And even better, she felt good enough to come over to the house for a dinner and a brunch!

I was torn over seeing this hanging prominently in her room. I painted it in '87, it is a scene from Arkansas. It was sweet that she'd saved it, but sad that it wasn't a better painting…. I should paint something new for her to replace it, I think my style now has improved. Visiting family can become a stroll down a lane of forgotten artwork, that can be a cringy tour of past ineptitudes.

If you own a painting of mine from ages ago- please, please, please don't feel like you have to display it or you'll hurt my feelings!!! I'm fine (thrilled) with you taking it down, throwing it away, burning it, or disposing it in the best way to prevent me from that gut wrenching feeling of

"OH NO, what was I thinking?"

Green isn't always my color, so I made a bracelet to wear for the holiday and avoiding a pinch. Then brought another for my sister-in-law as a thanks for hosting us. I brought more beads and some child sized memory wire for the Syd-Lees to make their own jewelry too.

The drive across Colorado and Wyoming was breathtaking, and we were extremely lucky that this was old snow, the storm had passed, roads were clear, but the view of remnants was lovely to see. I enjoyed the drive, as we listened to Bridge to Terabithia, and Stardust. A good book can make a trip fly by, and if you have a view like this, sometimes the trip can seem to go too quickly.

Sugarwings is an ideal travelling companion, she was in the car for hours on end and never once asked if we were there yet, or had a single complaint.

Of course, breaking up the drive with an overnight at Great Wolf didn't hurt.

And I had some fun at Great Wolf too. Swimming for a few hours makes up for sitting in the car that long.

Thank you to the Wyoming Nathans for a warm, welcoming, fun filled, visit! It's just too dang bad that our family is so far apart, it would be nice to see them more often.

Oh, and thank you to all who cleared out my wallpaper scrap packs and journals! All were mailed when I got back from our travels, and I hope to have more cut and listed to sell too. But for today, I'm happily knee deep in Easter Eggs with vintage millinery. I came out to the studio with a mindset to work on wallpaper packs, but you know how that goes. All of a sudden, I'm glittering eggs and gluing on ribbons and flowers. instead of cutting papers.

Photos soon!

Vintage Wallpaper Art Journals and a giveaway

Books, give away, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 18, 2018

Here are some of the wallpaper journals available in the Boutique now. Each comes with a scrap pack of more of the great, old paper for you to use as you create in your new journal.

And if you leave a comment here, or on my Facebook post announcing the giveaway, you can be entered to win some of this wonderful,1920s paper.

I will be out in Wyoming visiting family for a few days, so shipping will be Wednesday, March 21st. Thank you for looking!

A rare find- never ending rolls of old wallpaper on a junking day!

antiques/junking, Books, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 16, 2018

Beth and I had a morning out at estate sales and the Old West Bottoms antique district, and while out, I hit paydirt. Again, and again!

Which is pretty rare, to find such old, and wonderful wallpaper at an estate sale then turn around and find more at a shop, that wasn't even an antique or vintage store.

(Well, that scene isn't all that wonderful, is it? But the black, graphic background is really pretty, even though the drawing reminds me of the Sunday funny papers).

This makes up for the goofy cartoon scenes.

Most of the papers have metallic elements.

And many have GLITTER!

The only problem is that they are extremely old and fragile. I ironed a lot of it to use, and discovered that it is best for small projects. So I cut up some smaller, scrap packs to sell in the Boutique.

I'm in love!

I had to make something out of it, right away.

So, I covered this box, inside and outside with some of the glittery goodness.

These piles are the scrap packs I told you about. Some are for sale in the Boutique, ($14) one is for a giveaway to celebrate my find (details to come in my next post).

The rest will be included with the purchase of the art journals that I made with the fab papers.

You can find the books here.

As well as a few other finds, and some bargain markdowns that I put on sale.

But please be patient with me for shipping if you'd like to order something. I'm headed to Wyoming to see family and will be sending out boxes on Wednesday next week.

A new do for the Doodle

dogs

By Karla Nathan / March 13, 2018

Sugar went to the doggie spa and came back a whole, new woman. (I think I could use a spa break myself…. I wonder if Petsmart can work wonders with me?)

Here she is before her makeover.

And after!

I was happy to see those eyes. But everyone misses her fluffy style. Personally, I wish I could afford to keep it this short all of the time, she spends a lot of time out in the woods, and her fluff is made of some sort of velcro that attracts everything she runs by.

We are lucky that these two like to clean each other up after a run on the Fairy Berry Trail behind our house. They are pretty good about chewing burs out of their fur. But with Sugar's tight curls, she tends to matt and needs a lot of extra brushing.

Sugar doesn't shed, but I wouldn't call her needs "low maintainence".

She is worth the extra care, she is such a sweetheart, her name fits her well.

Fun with Fairies at Make it with Michaels

Dew Drop, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / March 10, 2018

These two love to go to Michael's Kids Crafts class on Saturdays.

Funny, they have more art supplies at home than they will ever get to the bottom of, and have encroached so much upon my studio that sometimes they have more space out there than I do.

Still, they love going to Michaels and playing with different supplies.

I sure understand, I certainly don't turn down a chance to add to my stash of goodies to work with and am thrilled to get a craft day with good friends. There is something about working on a project while talking to other creative types that make it extra special.

On this day, the little girl across the table was practicing for her part in an upcoming play, and all the kids joined in on the songs she was singing.

Pretty

dang

cute.

Pussy Willows and Bluebirds with Pink Roses, ahhhhhh

cottage

By Karla Nathan / March 7, 2018

Somewhere, someplace, it is Springtime, and I have proof. The grocery store was selling pussy willow branches and I just had to buy an armful for myself. (now, don't try to tell me that they were grown in a greenhouse, because in my mind, they are gloriously, blooming in a field of flowers under a spring sky, and I want some of that magic in my house)

Such a sweet, fluffy plant!! Mom had one planted in our yard when I was a kiddo, but I haven't been able to get one to grow here. I tried a weeping pussy willow once, and had no luck. I think this year is the time to try again. Because when these fuzzy little kittens spring up, they always make me smile.

After bringing the branches home, I decided that I needed to get my mantel looking more season appropriate. I'd still had the rose paintings covered with burlap and angel wings. Those had been put up for Christmas and thought I'd leave them for Valentine's Day too, but they were still covering up the pink flowers into March.

It was nice to see my little bluebird of happiness again! To keep him company, I sat some other bluebird inspired pieces out on the shelf.

That larger bird is a vase, a gift from my friend, Lisa. I think it needs fresh pink roses in it.

Speaking of roses, I still have a Valentine topiary on my cabinet's chalkboard door. Maybe I'll have the grand fairies color it in for me, I still like it. But it seems too wintery right now. A bit of colorful chalk should help.

While I had the camera out, I thought I'd take a photo from the other side of the room. Last time the bigger kids were here doing their circus tricks, they forgot to put away the lira. So, I am keeping the ladder I used to redo the mantel next to the hoop. If I don't, I forget it is there and clunk my head every time I walk through the room.

The ladder kind of obstructs the view of my bluebird mantel and pussy willow branches, but I have to admit, it doesn't really bother me. When you have grand fairies in and out of the house, things are rarely pristine. Sometimes, when my husband is out of town, and the kids aren't visiting, I clean everything up and enjoy a day or two of serene surroundings, but it doesn't last.

And that is okay, because a lively house is better than a perfect one, right?

“Good Day, February. I Said GOOD DAY!” A month that starts with a Willie Wonka quote has to be a good one, right????? Welcome March! Goodbye, February. Adieu. Aufwiedersehen. Gesundheit. Farewell.

cottage

By Karla Nathan / March 4, 2018

Not to be a whiner, but DANG, February was cold! I will not miss that. On the other hand, I had two wonderful Valentine gatherings with friends, and one with family, so the whole month wasn't so bad.

I also had a mini craft day with The Other Karla and Beth. I'd been feeling a tad uncreative lately and didn't have a plan for making something that day. Luckily, Beth had a plan for me and set me to making this tiny book with a stack of vintage papers she had for me to use.

Sometimes, just gluing in background papers and putting something together gets the artsyness going. I felt much better after compiling pages. Now, I think I'm ready to fill them up with embellishments and pictures. It might just be my next photo album.

For me, photo albums and scrapbooks are excellent projects when I am not at full capacity. They are easy, fun to do, and don't take a lot of thought. Winter doldrum type work.

But hey! Winter is slipping away, right??!!

Welcome home, March, I'm thrilled to see you arriving!

My pal, Diane gifted me with this Mason Bee home. I can't wait to get it set up in the veggie garden. Having this in the dining room now, reminds me of Spring's approach.

Another friend, Connie, gifted me with this little painting. It may be itty bitty, but it has a full sized impact of serenity. I'm not sure what season she meant it to be, but in my mind, it looks like the slow greening of spring while the gray of winter still lingers.

Exactly what I need on the mantel right now to focus my mind on the promise of warmer days ahead!

So, how can I complain about a chilly winter, cooped up indoors (while my fitbit has been used only as a watch, not to count steps) when I have such kind hearted, generous friends who give me such sweet presents?

I'm grateful for the changing season and for the good friends who made the cold bearable.