Karla Nathan – Page 133 – Karla's Cottage

Dewdrop

By Karla Nathan / March 21, 2015

My littlest fairy is in for some changes. Her mommy and some of the other siblings have moved 13 hours away. She has been here with us and her daddy til her family gets settled out there, and then we will be doing a long distance switch off every few weeks.

Between breaking out in tears at random moments at the thought of her going (but never in front of her), I get plenty of hugs and snuggles. And I have a mantra that I say to her and to myself.

"I'll be so sad to have you away from me, but I'll be glad that you are with your mommy that you love. And I'll be sooooo happy when you come back to see me again soon. I love you."

Saying that to her a lot, is what is keeping me together.

A belated Christmas party. WAAAAY late!! (but worth waiting for)

By Karla Nathan / March 19, 2015

My friend, Angie, and I had been trying to get together to exchange Christmas gifts, and finally got around to it in February.

Since we were so late, I added a Valentine and a Shamrock to her gift box, then wrapped it up in an old editorial cartoon featuring Grover Cleveland (for President's Day) I was a bit surprised how easy it was for me to come up with the old president picture. My studio has about anything I might need, no matter how obscure.

Beth was coming in town for craft day, what good timing, for her to meet us for lunch. (I'm not really a foot taller than these two, it's the angle)

I'm still dribbling drool over the pretty gift Angie made for me. She foofed up this great, old celluloid box, with some of my favorite things.

Inside and outside!

Plus filled it up with even more faves.

And as much as I loved the gifts, the company was even better. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants, and took our time, catching up, telling stories, and laughing.

By the way, Angie is a new dealer at Bottom's Up, as well as at Mission Road Antique Mall, near Beth's booth there.

Angie is just getting hers going, she has this one plus a case.

This one is Beth's. We recently had a play date to redo and rearrange. I miss doing that, it was my favorite part of having my own spot. So, I'm always happy when I get to mess with her booth.

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PS- I've got 50% off the Boutique right now. But you MUST use this link:

http://www.karlascottage.com/?code=Fling

to get to the sale site. If you go through the regular link, the 50% off won't register. If you can't click on it to get to the page, you might want to try cutting and pasting it to your browser. Thanks for helping me spring clean!

Victorian Trading Co. outlet store

antiques/junking, bird song art event

By Karla Nathan / March 17, 2015

Happy St Paddy's Day!

This picture is from a display at Victorian Trading Company's outlet store in KC, KS.

They have all the holidays covered there, year round.

If you ever need a Santa fix about mid summer, this is the place to go. Of course, you can always wait a couple days and most stores will be hawking their Christmas goods about then….

But year round Halloween is harder to come by. They have lots of it here!

As well as stock up goods, like apothecary jars.

And pretty things, just to treat yourself.

It is my number one favorite place to buy a new coat. And many of my clothes are from the clearance rack here.

You never know what will be in stock, but I've discovered that if there aren't many clothes to look through that day, there might be a whole, huge selection of some other things that I had no idea I needed, but fell in love with when I saw them.

There is always free hot tea, sometimes with cookies. I keep thinking I'll try the different flavors, but each time, I have a cup of maple tea.

The catalog is something I've drooled over for years, before discovering that the one and only outlet store is right here in my area.

It is a very unassuming place, in a warehouse district.

Much more exciting on the inside than what you'd think from the outside!

The manager has offered a special gift, of this pretty, soy candle to all the Birdsong Peeps in town for our party June 5-6th. And a nice discount coupon too! How generous of her.

Last year, many of the ladies stopped by to shop, so I thought I'd ask if the store would like to do something for them this year. And Diane, the manager, was happy to help out. She even remembered some of the ladies by name and is looking forward to seeing them again.

You can find out more about Birdsong here. Or click on the button on my sidebar to go to the sign up post if you'd like to join us.

Or, maybe you'd like to be a sponsor too? If so, please email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Deb Mitchell, a friendly blog reader has sent a package of birdie charms for the tweet bags. It's my first package to arrive for the event and I was so excited to open it. Over the years, the BEST stuff has come in the mail for our Peeps to share. And it gets to be like Christmas as the packages start rolling in! Thanks Deb!

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PS- I've got 50% off the Boutique right now. But you MUST use this link:

http://www.karlascottage.com/?code=Fling

Free images for St Paddy’s Day

free images

By Karla Nathan / March 15, 2015

As I was sorting through old greeting cards to slip into kits for the Birdsong journal class, I came across a birthday card with pretty shamrocks. Since it was so timely (for St Pat's, not for any birthdays around here), I scanned it, erased the birthday message, and thought it would be handy to have to print.

And I thought maybe you might want to use it too.

click on the image, open in a larger window, save that to your computer, and print from there

Here is another incarnation of the card, this time with a leprechaun fairy and pot of gold framed in the wreath of clovers.

I think she is much cuter than a bearded short guy with a black pot, don't you? I snagged her off of a Christmas card. But in this context, she looks ready for the current holiday. Of course, I think fairies are right for any occasion.

PS- I've got 50% off the Boutique right now. But you MUST use this link:

http://www.karlascottage.com/?code=Fling

to get to the sale site. If you go through the regular link, the 50% off won't register. Thanks for helping me spring clean!

Family art

collections, cottage, family, paintings

By Karla Nathan / March 11, 2015

While redoing the guest room (like I said, it never ends, a redo steam rolls!), I gathered up some old family photos and drawings that had hung in there and moved them to make a display in my stairway.

This is a drawing I did of my grandma about 30 years ago, from a photo of her as a young girl. The frame had broken, so while it was out, I gave it a little revamp with some color pencils and I've done a bit of digital editing to it, by cropping and adding a background of text from a handwritten note by her mother. I'm going to reframe it to go with the rest of the pictures on the wall.

This is how it looked before I added to it.

Of course, the original doesn't have the text, that is just in the digital copy. But I did add color by hand to the original, not digitally.

This sketch is of my dad's mom, that I did at 16.

This is a watercolor of her husband, my grandfather Harry, done a couple years later.

And a quick sketch of Ryan as a little boy. (with his Kevin Bacon hairstyle, he LOVED Footloose as a kid)

This one is a watercolor that I did of a photo of my husband's grandmother, Gladys. The photo sits on a quilt that she had made.

The collage of my sisters and I is a more recent work, but not all that recent. 7 years ago, maybe? Before I discovered photo editing, that photo I used of us is kind of dark. We are standing by a road sign for Downey street, our maiden name.

As I was hanging the pictures in the stairway, I knew that not a single art piece was a good example of work, and that none of the frames went together well. It is a hodge podge grouping, of some cool, some cheap frames, some really nice antique frames, old photos, and some so-so drawings, that don't really have a cohesive look together.

But all are meaningful to me. And a home can't have all perfectly groomed decor, or it becomes a showhouse, not a home. My house will always have a place for so-so artwork, family mementos, and sentimental items. Even if they aren't the prettiest items around. Maybe someday, I'll reframe them all in a better way, but for now, I just enjoy walking by them and seeing them as is.

PS- I've got 50% off the Boutique right now. But you MUST use this link:

http://www.karlascottage.com/?code=Fling

My classes for Birdsong 5

bird song art event, Books, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 8, 2015

For quite a while, I've known what my 2 Birdsong classes will be, but I have had to wait till I pulled together all my materials before I could finish the examples for the class.

When I take a class, I like to see a full photo of what I'll be doing, not just a snippet of a corner. It's good to plan for variations and extras that I'll want to pack to personalize the project.

And when I teach a class, I have to know that the examples are accurate. That I'll be able to find enough of each item needed to make sure every kit is equal and of the same quality as every other kit.

But while I do want the kits equal, I do like them to have some flexibility and choice. So, I've got options for the students. These books can be made with the canvas as the outside cover, or as the lining. I've got a few selections of vintage fabric to use along with the canvas.

And I have been hand dying velvet ribbons to coordinate with the vintage curtain fabric and barkcloth that I've purchased to create the covers.

As well as hand painting little charms to dangle from the ribbons of each book.

(back of the book)

There was no problem with finding plenty of old lace, I have it by the bucket load out in the studio. I'll be measuring and cutting it to stuff the kits with, and since it is vintage and the velvet is hand dyed, no two books will turn out exactly the same.

That is my favorite part of a class! I adore looking around the room and seeing all the individual takes on the project.

(backs again)

This class will show step by step how to create a journal from a provided pattern based on an old cabinet card photo folder.

And will include some old photos to add to the books.

After we have assembled the books made of old, floral fabrics and canvas (no sew), the foofing will begin, with lace, velvet, millinery, ribbons, charms, and a vintage picture.

This book has the floral fabric used on the inside cover, instead of on the exterior of the book. All the books will tie shut with soft ribbons topped with sparkly bits of rhinestones.

On day two, for my second class, we will fill the pages up. I have pages of tips on doodles, lots of vintagey goods, and plenty of images and wallpaper to provide to make each book a work of art.

But that isn't all! Beth and Hope will each pitch in for part of the class with their favorite tips on art journalling. It's a three for one class!

Each student should be able to leave the weekend classes with a completed book, some finished pages, and lots of ideas on how to complete the journal at home, as well as a fun bag of supplies to work on the rest of the pages with.

Classes are at my Lawrence, KS studio, here at my cottage on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6. More about the event can be found here and here.

The other two classes will be taught by Lori Oles and Lesa Dailey. How lucky am I to snag this magnitude of talent to come to teach here???

Aging a picture with crackle

Hand painted, Hand Painted Furniture, hand painted signs, how to's, how-to projects, paintings

By Karla Nathan / March 6, 2015

I was asked about this picture in my new guest room, so thought I'd give a quick how-to.

First, find a botanical, or other picture you like. Glue it to a canvas.

Next, tear and collage old papers around it. I chose a background of sheet music with an oval "frame" of roses torn out of old wrapping paper. All are rough, torn edges, different shapes, and glued down with white school glue.

When dry, I clear coated it with water based Polycrylic from Minwax.

I let that dry, then brushed on a weathered crackle finish by McClosky.

After that dried, another coat of Polycrylic went on.

The next day, I wiped on a sepia tinted glaze, let it settle into the cracks made by the weather crackle, and wiped it off.

Weathered crackle finish usually is applied over paint, then a second coat of paint is used over it to create a crackled paint finish.

But, water based clear coat is much like paint without color, and creates the same effect. But this way it is tone on tone, and clear. So, adding the sepia glaze shows off the crackle and ages any paper or canvas you do this over.

Here is a picture I used this technique on years ago for a Romantic Country article. The teapot is a photo copy of one of my original watercolors.

For this one, I glazed over it after it was in a white frame, concentrating the sepia tone heavily in the corners, and also using it on the frame too.

I sincerely hate the look of crackle applied as it is supposed to be used, it is soooooooo fake. But I love it to use in aging a picture. And in aging other things too. The trick, to me, is to keep it tone on tone, to add texture.

Here, I took an old piece of scrolly metal. It was antique, but it was not painted and I didn't want the paint I added to look too new.

So, I painted the piece white, did the crackle, then a clear coat, then the glaze. Over that, I did the hand painted roses.

Same technique was used here on this canvas before painting roses.

Instant age for a brand new painting!

Craft day with friends

bird song art event, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / March 4, 2015

Three very talented and interesting friends came to join me for a craft day in the studio. Lesa Dailey is going to teach at Birdsong, and it was nice to get a chance to catch up on details about the upcoming party. Although, it was hard to fit in business talk when Carol and Debbie have such fun stories to hear, it's always fascinating to hear what is going on in their world of design and vintage goods.

I asked Carol to get a snap of Lesa and I together for the Birdsong blog, but I'm afraid, besides that, I didn't have my camera out for much of the day.

I just took a couple of photos. Debbie brought jewelry to work on, while Carol and Lesa did some coloring.

I've been making "doodle pages" for Birdsong 5, to include with the journal kits filled with old papers, and vintagey goodness. My friends were kind enough to try them out for me.

I've colored in a few myself too.

I've made a few of these, some are examples of ideas on how to make one yourself, along with some tips on elements you can use on your own page. Others are completed pages, ready to color, to get the feel of making one.

And really, just because it is fun to color. How often do you get to do that as an adult??

I had to force myself to step away from the markers, after a point, because I was putting way too much time into these pages and could have sat at the kitchen table and colored away for weeks. I did spend an entire single week doing it, before I came to my senses and was able to move on.

But I still feel the draw of the markers, and would love to sit and doodle away….

So, I was extremely pleased to see that my friends understood the lure of the markers too and had a good time coloring themselves.

These ladies also brought presents!!!!!! Lesa made this hanky/brooch bracelet and the glittered basket.

Pretty, isn't it? And such a simple and sweet idea.

Deb brought gifts from her store, which is a wonderful shop. And an even bigger gift, she has offered to be a Birdsong 5 sponsor, with a gift for each of our ladies who come to visit her at Top Hat Mercantile. It is in the Old West Bottoms Antique District.

And while about half of the shops will be closed on the Sunday of Birdsong weekend (our classes are Friday June 5th and Saturday June 6th), Deb's store is one that is open. And to tell the truth, there are SO MANY shops there now that I usually can only make it to half anyway.

So, if you are planning on coming to Birdsong (by the way, I have a couple spots left), you might want to plan on spending Sunday in KC. The shopping is pretty durn good there!

Carol brought me a hyacinth, in the same pink as the tulip I had on the table. What a perfect pairing!

And what thoughtful gifts. You know what the best part of getting little hostess gifties is? After my friends are gone, I have these momentos of the fun day.

PS- If you'd like to be a Birdsong Sponsor, please contact me for details. My "Birdsong Ladies" (as Sugarwings calls them) would love to have your gifts in the goodie bags, otherwise known as "Tweet Bags" or as a door prize.

A little luncheon for friends

cottage, Food and Drink, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / March 2, 2015

One of my favorite things is a day in the studio. Throw in friends and the day is ideal! It isn't always easy to get everyone together, with all of their busy schedules, so when we do, it is even more special.

I went out to the coop and gathered up some very fresh eggs to whip up little mini quiches (because any food looks more special when baked in individual pans), baked some rosemary garlic rolls (because rosemary makes anything seem fancier), and set the table with my favorite old dishes (because, DURH! Birdies!!!).

For the quiche, I tried something a little different and used puff pastry instead of pie crust. I liked it, and it was even better for leftovers, sometimes quiche pie crust can be soggy on the second day.

I thought I'd try to make a flourless chocolate cake too. It really fell apart pretty bad when I took it out of the pan (the trick is to have the right kind of pan, instead of just a cake pan, I think). So, I drizzled it with lots of dark chocolate syrup, dusted it with powdered sugar, and sprinkled a few chopped choc. chips over it. That did some camouflage work. Plus, no matter how crookedy a cake is, placing it under a glass dome works miracles.

Beth taught me years ago when we shared an antique booth, that anything looks better under glass. She could set the oddest bit of junk under a cloche in the middle of a pretty display, and it would be the first thing to sell every time.

We still had some Valentine decor up. Around here, holidays linger.

Since I had company coming, it was a good reason to spiff up around the cottage. And to take some photos, because I don't think the place has been cleaned up much since I put away all the previous holiday decor.

The trapeze like swags of cobwebs even got wiped away. Those are the one downfall I've come across from the tin ceiling. The uneven surface tends to attract cobwebs. And I end up not noticing them until there are enough for a full fledge circus performance overhead.

But I discovered the perfect way to get rid of them! A quick brush with the cinnamon broom that I got at Trader Joe's over the holidays snags each little web easily.

My tables are always a mismatch of pieces. I've given up on silverware. Who knows where the forks disappear to???? sigh

I've discovered that I can replace cutlery for 10 cents a piece at Goodwill, so I just don't worry about it anymore. Most of my house is a hodge podge, why should my table settings be any different?

Mostly, I was just happy to have a break from my house looking like this. I love a reason to clean up, because if I don't have one, this is how it stays.

But messy or clean, there is no place like home! And I love having company come to join me here.

Cottage Guestroom redo

cottage, redos

By Karla Nathan / February 28, 2015

We finished the guest room last week, and I was able to shuffle around things I already had, to put it all together. Oh, sure, I talked big about not wanting a room that was filled with left over bits and pieces, but once I started looking around, I decided that I liked the stuff that I already owned. Why go buy something else?

Especially when I had so many sentimental things. This quilt square was made by my husband's grandma, and I framed it. It sits on one of her journals next to a cup that was my mom's.

As I was going through some things I had packed away, I was surprised at how much I had that went with the new blue walls ("clear pond" from Behr).

Funny, I'd owned them because of their pinkness. But all had a touch of this aqua-blue too.

I bought this vintage bed spread years ago and have tried using it, but as much as I loved the roses, I never liked the way it looked in a room. But now, it seems ideal for this guest bed.

The oak washstand on the right used to belong to my husband's other grandmother. And the book case on the left was already in the room. I thought about painting them, but after I saw them in place, I liked the contrast. Most of my house is soft colored, so it is fun to have a space that is bright and cottagey, with some darker furniture.

My mother made the little, blue pillow, and I stitched up the curtains from a torn, vintage panel.

One of these tins was my mom's. And the wedding photo is a family picture from the Nathans. I thought the sepia photo went well with the dark furniture.

The heart valance is made of a strip of netting tulle, and three hearts hand made by Lori Oles and Andrea Singarella.

The sign is one that I'd painted years ago, when I used to sell these. It is made from the siding of the old garage that was on the property when we moved in. It was the first garage in Douglas Co., KS, and you know me, I can't toss anything.

Of course I found a use for the wood when we ripped the structure down!

I reused the same bed that was in the room before.

And brought in this desk from the studio. It used to be a drop leaf table. The leaf was removed, and attached facing up instead of down, to make a back wall, and I added a shelf supported with metal brackets and spindles.

One of the butterfly plates was my mom's and so were the two carnival glass dishes.

When Sugarwings saw the completed space, she decided to help out and set out the tins for me, and has claimed it as her grown up room. I don't know if she will actually move into it when she is staying here, she hardly even uses the room that she does have, and sleeps downstairs on the sofa. But if she wants it, I told her she could have the room after Birdsong, when I need it for guests.

The room is small, scavenged from the attic of the old part of the house. When we built it, I asked that the wasted space in the roofline be saved and made useful. So, a storage area was built in.

I don't have much in it, but it is handy to have there. Kind of a secret space to hide things away in, then forget that they are there.

This is what it looked like before. I'm relieved to see the last of the dull, heavy carpet. The room feels so much cleaner now. But, I'm just not a carpet person.

Author name: Karla Nathan