Karla Nathan – Page 102 – Karla's Cottage

Springtime entertaining and making things

By Karla Nathan / April 19, 2017

We had some friends over before Easter for a small dinner party. One had a daughter near Dewdrop's age, so I set up a special table for them to dine at. Afterwards, they had craft projects to do and eggs to dye.

This is my favorite time of year, and I adore the colors of spring! I broke out the new, pastel, floral table cloth that the guncles gave to me, and the white dishes from Beth, for a soft colored look to fit the season.

My pal, Shan, brought this mosaic flower pot to me when she came for dinner. Just perfect with all of my sugared eggs! Those eggs were the perfect craft for me, I had a ton of fun making them, got to use them in my decor, sold a bunch, and gave away a dozen or so to followers.

Sugarwings has become a Pinterest fan. We saw some bunny cupcakes there and the family had a cupcake decorating party one night. They were nice enough to make some extras for the dinner party too.

Of course, we are always at our happiest when we are making things. I stopped at Michaels before our gathering to get the craft supplies for the little girls and we took some time to attend one of their kids' workshops. These are often free, or if they cost anything, it is minimal.

The teacher was sweet as can be, and Dewdrop was the only kid attending. I hope more children turn out for these things, I'd hate to see them get cancelled due to lack of participation. We sure enjoy them!

PS- Sign ups for A Snowbird's Song, (Birdsong 6) begin on Friday. If you have attended any classes at my cottage, or sponsored gifts for an event, you are welcome to sign up between Friday and Tuesday. On Tuesday, it opens up for new friends to join us. Details on Friday! (Also, if you are signing up this weekend, you are welcome to add a pal who is new to the group, if you do not wish to attend on your own. It's always fun to bring a buddy to room with, right?)

Rainforest fairies

family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 17, 2017

The origin of our trip to Florida was to drop off Dewdrop to her mommy for Spring break. It grew from there, with heading to Disney for a couple of days, to my husband and Sugarwings both joining me while I waited for the week to end and to pick up our littlest fairy after her visit.

My husband travels a lot for business, and his points on Southwest add up fast. So, with the flying part free for all of us, we decided to make a special 10 days of Florida fun out of the trip.

I'd hoped to spend more time with our Gypsy, who now lives in Sarasota, but ended up getting some sort of bug while there, and having kind of a laid back trip while at the beach. We met up at Disney, and I arranged for her to spend a day there with her little one, then had another day together at the Botanical Garden.

Which was filled with laughs.

And rainbows.

Even though I was feeling a bit peaked, (and looked it) it was good to hang out with someone special that I see rarely.

And to see our littlest fairy so happy to be in her mommy's arms.

There is a fantastic, kids' area there, with drums and chimes to play, trees to climb, dress up things, swings, and a rope bridge.

Along with the gorgeous gardens and statues, that all made it an ideal spot to spend an afternoon.

There were pretty paths, benches in the shade, and a view of the bay. Plus a cute, little French Bistro with an outdoor seating area.

A beautiful day with beautiful company!

Best Wishes for a lovely Easter Day!

holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / April 16, 2017

Sea Shell Fairies on Siesta Key at Siesta Sands on the Beach

sea shell fairies, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 13, 2017

As I love to do when I visit a beach, especially my beloved, Siesta Key, I leave behind a thank you fairy after collecting shells during my stay.

I wonder if anyone ever sees them? I always hope a small child finds her and feels the joy I put into her.

This week, I had a never ending slew of shells to chose from, and took advantage of that by making a second sprite.

Sugarwings loves this beach too. We got in too late on Saturday night to get out in the sand, but the minute we woke up, we were out to greet the day at our home away from home for the next week.

Have you ever flown a kite at the beach? This was a first for us, but will be a tradition from now on.

(This is the yard of our condo, perfect for its beautiful views, and for providing space to play in, far enough away from the Gulf that I don't have to worry about Sugarwings being tempted by the water)

The first day, I had my eye on this umbrella that the wind had taken up into the brush. It was there all day, no one claimed it by dark, so I sent my husband through the scrub and sticker plants to scoop it up for Sugarwings to play under. It was slightly broken, I guess the original owners didn't want it. (We did leave it out in case someone was looking for it)

Their loss, our gain! It was just what we needed for her to stay in the shade to play in the sand. We also purchased a couple of folding chairs, and that made the trip much more comfy, for sitting out by the water and reading. I don't know why I've been too cheap to do that in the past. Low beach chairs are about $10-15 at Walmart, and we could use them all week.

It always seemed wasteful when I'd thought about buying one in the past, but isn't when I realized that when I go to other hotels that have chair rentals, I pay $25 for one afternoon to borrow them. Silly that I hesitated to purchase a seat for less than I'd rent one.

I might even buy an umbrella next time, since chances are we won't be lucky enough to have one blow our way again. And it made the trip so much better for my grand fairy.

Sugarwings was as dedicated to shell finding as I was. We bought her a boogie board, but the waves weren't cooperating. She used it instead as a shell transport system, pulling it behind her as she searched for treasure in the shallow water and then placing them on the board to bring them back to shore.

We didn't have Dewdrop with us by the water, she was spending the week with her mama who lives in Sarasota. How lucky for me that I needed to deliver her on Spring break to my favorite city in the world?!

We had a very laid back week, with some chilly temperatures that required jackets on the beach a couple of days, and I picked up a slight illness that slowed me down, while my poor husband had a horrid bought of the flu with on and off fevers. Still, if you aren't feeling your best, where better to rest up and take it easy? We sat by the water in our folding chairs, watched the waves and our pretty grand fairy.

I'll miss you, Siesta Key!

More Sugared Eggs, More Snowbird Talk

bird song art event, holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / April 11, 2017

Thank you to everyone who left comments to enter the egg giveaway! I am shipping off winners from my blog, Instagram, and Facebook today.

Also, a big thanks to those of you who bought some eggs from me!

I do enjoy making them, and while I know it is sorta late for the holiday, I listed a few more in the Boutique.

These are a little different, I had some speckled eggs to work with.

Although there were still a few of the candy colored ones too. (these are sitting on a quilt square made by my mom, I always use it in my Easter decorating, the colors are so sweet)

And some come in their own basket.

While my first eggs were mostly normal, hen sized eggs, all of these are different. I have teensy ones, regular, 2-1/2" and 3" The larger ones fill a palm.

It was nice to see all of the comments for the giveaway, I appreciate you taking the time to enter.

Sometimes, it is good to get a reminder that there is someone on the other side of this blog, who actually reads it. I just kinda ramble on and talk to myself.

And thanks for celebrating my "hatching" of Snowbird's Song with me.

I plan on whipping up some details soon, and having sign ups set to go. Anyone who has sponsored gifts or attended a previous Birdsong get a first shot at attending.

It is a more intimate gathering too, since it will be in the colder weather. I will limit the guests to how many will fit into my dining room and new hearth room area for meals. Maybe 20 instead of 30?

Please save the date of Friday November 10- Saturday 11, if you are interested. I'll let everyone know when I have the details in line and you can make your reservation. If you haven't joined us before, you can learn more about it here, and read about past events.

If you are planning on a trip to our holiday Birdsong, or to some other art event, how are you packing your treasures?

I came across a few of these vintage, expandable file folders and added them to my boutique after filling them up with some ephemera to get you started. They are perfect for carrying papers!

And what a pretty, velvet cover. Drool-making, huh? I think it could be even better embellished by its new owner…. A little lace? No, a LOT of lace!!

Girlfriends’ Craft Day, Birdsong Talk, and an Easter Giveaway

bird song art event, give away, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / April 8, 2017

My friend, Tami, hosted another craft day recently, it was great to catch up with Birdsong Peeps. And it always means the world to me, to see the friendship between these ladies, that started with Birdsong! That just made me miss all of the "Birdsong Ladies" (as Sugarwings calls them) even more.

Sooooooo…….. I'm most likely planning another one……. how about- "A Snowbird's Song" in November? Just in time to make an elegant necklace to wear with your little black dress at holiday parties, some table top festive pretties, perhaps a banner and a smattering of ornies for the tree?

I'm thinking November 10-11. More details when sign ups are set to go…..soon!

Crafting at Tami's workroom just drove home to me, what a gathering of arty, happy, creative types can do for the soul. Making things together with my Peeps brings me a sense of community, gives me soooo many new ideas, learned from others in the group, and just plain old makes me grin.

I miss doing that in my studio!

Our day was full of joy, laughter, and creativity. I was on a roll, pumping out one project after another. Here are just a few, this peat pot is decked out then filled with a bunny Tami gifted me with and is placed into a snow globe that I redo for different holidays.

More peat pots and baskets were decorated and filled, as well as the large blue egg with bunny inside, pictured at the top of the post, and this egg covered in old ledger paper and foofed with a vellum bunny and lace.

I've been making these sugared eggs too. Some, I've decorated with, some I've given away.

Do you want one? Leave a comment here or on my Facebook post and I'll draw a few names, and drop these little confections into the mail in celebration of hatching my Snowbird plans!

ps- There are a few sugared eggs for sale in the Boutique too.

Sugared Eggs for Sale and as gifts

give away, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / April 5, 2017

I know Easter is rather close, but there is still time for decorating, right?

So, I added some of these sugared eggs to the Boutique.

They come in two and three packs, some have foofed up, vintage baskets.

And some are gifts!

Yep, I'll share the eggs with a few giveaways, in honor of the plans I am "hatching" for A Snowbird's Song in November.

Please leave a comment on this post, or the previous one, or on Facebook.

Painting at the shore

paintings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 4, 2017

Our time at Siesta Key was the best.

As always.

We like to stay at a place right on the sand, and while it isn't fancy, it is my idea of a dream vacation spot. When my sisters and I stay there, we like to craft and look out the window at the waves. Sugarwings and I took it a step further and did our artwork out on the patio, listening to the ocean as we painted our view.

We found a sea sponge on the beach to use in texturizing our pictures. It was just what I needed to paint the sand, along with a few splatters from a rough brush. Sugarwings got into the splattering too, I'm glad we were using watercolors, or we might have had some issues with the management…. As it was, I had to ask her to do her splatters away from me, I was getting a few extra on my own painting.

This one is sunset with a wet on wet watercolor sky.

Same view, different angle, so that the small rise seems bigger, almost a hill. I worked from photos that taken on my ipad, and then propped up on the table to look at. I know there was a big ocean right in front of me, but I prefer using the photos.

The lighter green in the water is the sand bar and the area to the right is where we spread my Dad's ashes a few years ago.

This is one that I painted with acrylic paints after I got home, from a quick, watercolor sketch I did that day on the patio.

These are small, 9×12", and I'm not sure what I'll do with them. They are kind of small for the wall since they wouldn't show up in detail from across a room. The size isn't standard, I'd have to custom frame them. They aren't that good to spend too much money on getting them framed… so, I don't know if I'll spring for that. Maybe a standard frame with a custom cut mat is more affordable, then hang in a small area, like the bathroom?

They might just go into a scrapbook as a memory of a lovely time with my grand fairy at one of our favorite places.

Annual visit from the Bluebirds of Happiness!

celebrations, cottage

By Karla Nathan / April 2, 2017

I must be on a migration route for these sweeties, because for 4 years in a row, there is one, blessed day when a large flock comes to see me.

It is often on a snowy day, always at the end of winter, after a nice break in the winter when we have had a glimpse of spring. Then, cold comes back for a few days, and here they come with it, to make me feel better about facing a few more days of freezing temps.

Usually, I glance out of the window and see a flash of blue, and know it is my lucky day.

This year, my husband was the one to discover our visitors. He stepped out the door, frightened the flock, and they flew up all at once. I was afraid they were gone for the day (they don't stay long).

But after about 15-20 minutes, they settled back in to snack on the dried berries from this overgrown bush.

They also love the warmed waterer we keep outdoors in the winter for the cats.

Maybe they remember that warm water on a cold day and pass the message along each year?

I feel like I need to read up on these birds, I'd like to find a way to convince them to stay longer.

They eat, drink, rest up for the morning, then are on their way again by afternoon.

Its quite amazing that I catch the fleeting bit of time that they are here.

It happens so fast and would be so easy to miss. They arrived the day before I packed up for our trip to the beach, it was a close call. A matter of less then 48 hours difference and I'd have lost the chance to enjoy them this year. Or if they had come the day before, I'd have been out running errands all day long and wouldn't have seen them.

How sad, if I'd lost this brief opportunity for my annual blessing of happiness upon our home!

And how blessed I am to catch them on their journey, yet again.

They do bring happiness.

Visiting the neighbors

friends, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / March 30, 2017

I miss having horses. We used to have a wonderful, old barn filled with these creatures with the world's softest noses.

Seriously, what is softer than the velvet of a horse's nose????

But while that barn was wonderful to me, it wasn't exactly stable. Over 100 years old and leaning, it was near toppling over. And the cost to restore it? More than we could handle at the time.

(If I had it to do over again, I'd have taken out a second mortgage, and done anything I could to save it!!)

It has been gone for years now. And we are horseless.

But our neighbors have some we can visit!

We hopped on the 4 wheeler and drove up the road to call on them, and Sugarwings fell head over heels for the horses.

She was in heaven there for the afternoon and keeps asking me why we don't have a "real farm".

But as much as I miss having a barnyard full of these guys, I also remember how much work they can be.

For now, I'll just consider myself lucky to have neighbors who welcome us when we want to come over and be reminded of how good a horse's neck smells when you put your arm around it and just how velvety their noses are.

Author name: Karla Nathan