Karla Nathan – Page 155 – Karla's Cottage

A royal visit to the Renfest

celebrations, Dew Drop, fairies, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / September 23, 2013

Last weekend, we made our annual trip to the Rennesaince Festival. We always love going, and since Sugarwings was born, I rarely miss it. Before that, it had probably been 7-8 years between visits. But seeing it with my very own little fairy by my side, has made the experience very special.

This year, I had both girls with me. They decided they wanted to be princesses, not fairies, so I created some gowns for them. We had some ivory satin dresses in the play cabinet, but they'd seen better days. Around here, dress up clothes get a heavy duty workout.

So, I stitched bundles of white tulle around the waists, and took the plastic innards out of silk roses, and sewed them on the bodices. It's not a great sewing job, I just bunched up the tulle and pushed it through the machine. I was pretty pleased with myself for not sewing the back of the dress to its own front, with so many layers of bunched up fabric in those full skirts, I was impressed that I could do it. And I ran the pedal right over the silk rose and leaves, no careful hand stitching here.

After that, we threw them both in the washer with a half bottle each of pale pink and fuchsia Rit dye (because that is what I had), along with a few stained tee shirts, hoping to salvage the shirts by hiding the stain under a coat of pink. Anytime I dye stuff, I fill up the machine with as many things as I can find, kind of to see what can be repaired that is stained, but also just because it's fun to see a new color emerge.

Dewdrop and I sat in front of the washer and watched the clothes spin as the color sunk in. I'd say we watched it at least 10 minutes, until I started to wonder exactly what had become of my life, that sitting in front of a washing machine was now entertainment…

We arrived at the festival just in time for the beginning of the Dance of the Fairies going on right inside the gate. It's always the highlight of our day there. I was glad we started with that, I had my hands full with these guys, so it was nice that I didn't have to keep my eye on the clock to make it across the park to get to a showtime for the dance later in the day.

Uncle Ryan came along to help me out, he hadn't been to the festival since he was in high school. Ry has some social phobias and doesn't enjoy crowded places. But his near death experience seems to be opening him up to new adventures.

And I needed the backup. My husband was out of town, all the parents were working, it was just us.

While these princesses are adorable, lovable, and the lights of my life, they are still not easy for me to handle alone with all the crowds and excitement. Sugarwings especially thrives with one on one attention, and that isn't possible, when there is a two year old who needs caring for. Usually, my husband and I "divide and conquer" on outings.

Ryan was handy to have, although, he has his own issues, and needs tending also. He has to be cajoled and joked with, to keep his mood up and his mind calm.

I'm glad he came, we had some laughs, and even when one little girl would get distracted by something shiny and the other one would be angered by something not quite going her way, he managed to hold it together despite the crowds that bother him so much. I was proud of him and thankful to have his help.

I might have been even more impressed with his attitude than with my ability not to sew the bunches of skirts into a big wad.

I recommend this event so highly.

It is set in a lovely, wooded park and has permanent buildings that are as cute as can be. A pretty little fantasy to join in on.

This wasn't my favorite visit there, but it wasn't the fault of the park, it was me trying to juggle too many special needs at once. I'd like to take each girl on her own, to really enjoy the days with them. Plus, going to that festival is always such a special time for me, that I feel like I missed out on some of the joy this year, our trip wasn't a typical one for us, it had it's stressed moments.

I want a do-over!!

Isn't this entrance to the play area cute? I wouldn't mind taking ONE girl at a time there, just to hang out at the play place for a couple hours. Their father is selling his jewelry and managing a booth there this season, so we have free passes for his kids to go.

He is also helping a friend build a castle there. The guy my son is working for, is a talented stone mason. This is an ongoing project, in it's third year, and still has a few years ahead of it till it is completed.

Here he is, his name is Forrest. I'm not sure you can see all the detail of his work from my photos, but it's quite intricate and arty.

Cool, huh? At this point, it is more like a courtyard than a castle, very open. I think it's magical as it is, but am looking forward to watching it grow.

That column and window are fantastic.

I'll leave you with some more photos of our trip.

PS- Thank you for all of your enquiries about Ryan. He is doing well, is working at the new job while still going to cardiac rehab. That job is kicking his butt, it is very hard work, but he is happy to be there.

Journalling

Books, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 21, 2013

Beth gave me a hand made journal to doodle or glue in and I've enjoyed playing with it. I've glued in pictures like this that I really liked and wanted to save, as well as just messed around with layering stuff simply for the sheer joy of doing it.

This page is a vintage photo printed on a transparency, over old paper, with a phrase tucked underneath.

Not having a goal or deadline or even a reason to work in the book, besides just wanting to, has been good for me. It's been a long, odd, summer for me, without a lot of creating. I've tended the fairy grands, and did some long needed chores and fix ups around the house. I've had trips, a fried computer, broken appliances, illnesses, family issues, and done a LOT of weed pulling and gardening. I've been a chaufer, and a cook, and a babysitter, but not much of an artist.

A few little things got made here and there, but not my typical, nonstop creating. There have been long stretches of days when I don't go to the studio at all.

And when I did, I had the little ones with me. Sugarwings made this page in my journal. We used the bubble paper that we made with food coloring, here.

Piddling around with theses pages and making some charms has been good for me. Hopefully, I'll get back into gear soon. At least it's a start. I need to re-find myself as an artist. Taking a summer off to help with the girls was something I'll cherish, and I know how lucky I was to be able to do it, but by not spending much time in my studio, I've gotten away from some very important parts of myself.

Or I could just be depressed because of all the strife we have faced the last few months.

I think I'll go make another page now, that would be good for me.

Painted Fairies

cottage, Dew Drop, family

By Karla Nathan / September 19, 2013

Silly me. I keep paint out in the garden for the fairies to help themselves to anytime they like. It's washable paint, but sometimes the messes are still unwelcome.

But cute. Unless it's time to go somewhere or get dinner on the table.

We spend so much time outdoors that they are either covered in mud, water or some sort of mess, so why not paint?

How to make a 3-D collaged charm

fairies, how to's, how-to projects, jewelry, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 16, 2013

After Birdsong, I had a few of the pendant charms left and had a good time playing with them. So much so, that I bought a few more.

Quite a few more! Actually, a couple hundred… I tend to over do when I get interested in something. But, I figure that if I find it so much fun, then others might too. So, I get plenty to stock my Boutique with.

Yep, I did it! I added some stuff to my shop. Finally. Did you even remember I had one? Except for my whining here and there about ignoring it, you probably forgot it even exists.

But now, it is filled up with plenty of primed and antiqued tray pendants in a couple sizes and in multiple colors.

I have a few more to put in there too.

While I was at it, I primed, painted and glazed some fairy charms too to put in the shop.

And added lengths of rhinestone chain in lots of colors.

And lots of rhinestone clusters.

And in case you were wondering how to use all these components, I thought I'd do a little tutorial with some ideas.

I've used the Mod Podge glaze on all of mine, though in the past have liked the Paper Glaze too. It tends to dry slower and can be milky if you use it too thickly. Mod Podge is shiny and clear, and dries fast.

To create a pattern to fit the interior oval of the pendants, I simply place a thin piece of paper over it, and trace with my fingernail.

For me, this is better than the charm coming with a pattern. Because you can create your own pattern for any size charm quickly and easily if you learn this trick.

I cut out the pattern and use it to trace onto my pretty paper, and then cut out that. For mine, I prefer using a tan marker, because it makes the edges look aged.

Next, glue it into the pendant.

Over this, you can create your collage, anyway you'd like. If you are going to add a 3D piece, use a drop of Ultimate Glue under it.

Rhinestones, charms, many things make a pretty addition over your paper collage.

To transform this teensy, weensy Charlotte doll into a fairy, I laid her onto sheet music, drew wings to cut out and color with markers.

Then, glued down the wings to the pretty paper in the pendant, and glued the doll onto them.

I found a word I liked, Joyful, and slipped it underneath.

Have you ever watched Martha Stewart ice cookies? You do the glaze the same way she does her icing. You outline the area (make a "dam"), and "flood" the interior after. (The rim of the oval tray holds the flow of glaze in place. The Mod Podge brand is pretty fluid and almost requires a contained area, but the Paper Glaze is thicker and can be used on a flat surface with no rim)

If you end up with bubbles, pop them with a pin. If those bubbles roll away and won't pop, your pin isn't sharp enough. I like those tiny, thin, quilter's pins if I have trouble with a regular one. And wipe off the tip every single time. The glaze builds up on the end of the pin and it won't penetrate the bubble.

Then, set it aside to dry. Between the glue under your chosen 3D element and the hardened glaze around it, the piece is secure.

I've worn many necklaces with rhinestones, charms, etc. added to a pendant this way and all have held up well.

These fairies come with a ring at the top to hang them, and look nice this way too. If you decide to use them in a pendant instead of hanging off of one, you should snip that ring off. I use the Tim Holtz red handled magic scissors that cut through anything, but you could also use wire cutters.

Of course, the pendants look cute with simple paper collages in them also. (oops, missed some bubbles under the word there)

And they don't have to be used as jewelry. I glued one into my journal too. I'm picturing some Christmas tree ornies too. Hung from ribbons? Maybe with dangly crystals?

Please note that when adding metal pieces, like the rhinestones, a patina forms from the chemical reaction between the glaze and the metal. I like it it, myself.

ps- After looking at my photos and seeing how messy my nails look, I think my next project will probably involve this.

gawdy photo editing tips

family, how to's, photography

By Karla Nathan / September 13, 2013

Although the reason for my trip to Indy was a sad one, I'm always glad for a chance to see my family there. Since I've been home, I've been playing with some of the photos from the visit. Picmonkey has some great tools to use. For this one, I used Bokah to blow out the back ground to white by making the sparkles as large as they'll go, erased it from the figures, then added more bokah stars here and there, and a starry background from the selection of textures.

I also turned it black and white, then erased that from the skin tones. To warm up the skin tones, I colored them with sepia, then faded it.

Over that, I added Orton.

Here it is undoctored.

(I loved my new dress! Pima cotton, comfy as wearing jammies. And only $20 from the Tonganoxie thrift store that carries brand new clothes from the Peruvian Connection.)

In this one, we were standing in front of a gray wall, that had distracting piece of trim head level, and it looked choppy. So I bokah-ed it away. I'm sure that people who know how to use Photo Shop are much better at this and can cut images out in a more professional manner. But this is so easy and quick, I'm sticking with the (mostly) free online editing!

After that, I added Orton for glow, and more sparkles from Bokah. And a lens flare at the bottom.

These girls were standing in a big family group shot, so I used bokah and wrinkle remover to blur out the other people after cropping, and then made it all glowy with orton.

Wrinkle remover is found under the lipstick icon, for facial touch ups, but I use it to get rid of backgrounds I don't like. It probably took about 4 times to blur out the wall enough to add the colorful bokah sparkles. Shelli didn't need any wrinkles erased from her pretty face! I really think that when you use that feature on faces, it looks plastic and fake.

This is the original, untouched up.

This closeup is from the same photo I showed first. Instead of stars, I used the cloud texture. And then softened the picture, and tinted it with sepia (faded).

This photo is a bokah explosion. Hearts, pink and white done in lots of sizes, some stars, and lots of sparkles. Then, Orton for over all glow.

If you thought I went a little over the top on the other ones, get a load of this one. I don't even know what I did to it, lots of sparkles, tints, glows, and some drawing.The gawdier and brighter the better!

Lately, I've not felt like I've really had much time to do artwork, or to photograph and list things for my shop. But I've been able to satisfy some creative yearnings by playing with these pictures. Each only takes a few minutes and is a no muss, no fuss way to play.

Plus, I kind of get to spend a little more time with my family when they are far away.

PS- thanks so much for your concern about Ryan. He is doing rehab now and getting stronger. He has a date to be released to work and called the warehouse that had hired him before all this happened. No word back from them yet, but our fingers are crossed that they still have a job for him.

Rolling with it

Dew Drop, fairies, family, give away, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / September 9, 2013

Thank you for all of your kind words about Ryan. He is doing remarkably well and has no permanent damage. But will be on meds all of his life so this doesn't happen again.

And thanks for your encouragement to me not to feel guilty. I think most of us understand Mom Guilt. It stays with you.

My husband said my last blog post sounded like I was giving myself a pity party. He is probably right, I've turned into a mushy mess, now that the crisis is past.

It's been an odd year for me, with upheavals (good and bad), no real routine to settle into, and lots of trips. Change doesn't always settle well with me, I'm a stick in the mud, homebody type. I'm ready for some monotonous, day to day, regular boring days. Ha! Like that will happen….

In the meantime, I guess I'll keep rolling with the waves.

It's past due for me to announce my two giveaway winners. The charming little novel goes to:

A surprise winner…. I have her address from something else, so I will just drop this in the mail and surprise her with it. I'll let you know who it was later on.

And for Carol's generous giveaway of an entry to Jeanne's online seminar? The winner is this comment:

I would
love to win this awesome class! The book sounds awesome, too. I'd love
to win either. Thank you for the opportunity! Mona

Mona, I'll give your info to Carol and she will contact you. I know she is out of town this week, so don't think she has forgotten you if you don't hear from her right away.

How not to win a Mother of the Year Award

family

By Karla Nathan / September 6, 2013

I think I've mentioned that Ry lost his job, rather unfairly? He is a hard worker, never late, stayed on at the end of his shift when the midnight guy didn't show, quite often working a double. He also went in every week off the clock to unload the truck, no matter how many times I told him not to let them take advantage of him that way. Any way, he'd made a mistake on his cash drawer, for the third time in 4 years working at Kwik Shop, for a total over the last four years of under $100.

So, he was let go. Three strikes, you're out.

He has been trying hard to find another. I've spent countless hours with him doing online applications that can really suck up hours of time. Those personality tests at the end sure are sneaky arn't they? With their tricky double and triple negative questions like, "When was the last time you did not think it wasn't OK to take cash from your employer while feeling anger build up against a coworker you sold drugs to?"

Ry had been down about losing his job, his car breaking down, and ending a relationship. When he seemed to lose interest in doing some odd jobs I'd given him, I was starting to think that he was busy feeling sorry for himself and being gloomy (which he had plenty of reason to do) and not trying to get on with his life.

When he slept through an interview (from an application I'd given 2-1/2 hours of my own life into helping him with), I was fed up. He'd laid around all week and hadn't done a thing I'd asked. So, I yelled at him. Loud. And bitchy. Telling him to get out of bed and get to work. Either spend 6-8 hours a day job hunting or doing yard work, no lying in bed during the day if he wanted to live in my house.

He looked awful and I figured he was hung over. Not that he is a big drinker, but I knew he was down and thought maybe he tried to drown his sorrows. So, I was even angrier.

Of course, he didn't mention he was feeling bad. Real bad. He went out and shovelled mulch for 4 hours, while in extreme pain.

And the next day did the same thing. I didn't see him all weekend, thinking he was avoiding me because I'd gone ballistic on him. Actually, he was sick in bed between the mulch jobs. Ryan has a sensory processing disorder, which makes it hard for him to know the difference between a serious pain or a minor irritation, he just figured he'd ignore the problem, and it would go away if he laid down, then he would get up and work some more.

Finally, on Monday night, he came to ask me to take him to the hospital and told me how sick he'd been for a week and how much worse it had become. One look at him and I yelled for my husband to watch snoozing Dewdrop for me, and I was out the door with Ry. The ER doc agreed that he was seriously bad off, and admitted him.

I should have known that Ryan would not blow off a job interview, he is completely freaked out and embarrassed by being unemployed right now.

Our family spent a couple nights (not) sleeping on chairs in the hospital room after Ryan had a procedure. Which went well. He went from near death to complaining about chigger bites in a few hours. I knew he was better when the itchiness was bothering him more than his illness!

He is going to be just fine, is home from the hospital and is being completely spoiled now. I settled him in his apartment, and gave it a deep cleaning, as well as redoing his bathroom with new shower curtains, rug, hooks on the wall, etc. Not just out of Mom guilt, but because there really isn't much I can do to make him feel better, so it made me feel better just to be doing something.

The Dr. even says that Ry can go back to work in two weeks with no restrictions. And he received a call saying he was hired at the job he really, really wanted. Hopefully, they will hold it for him. Ryan is impatient to get started. (and we are both tired of applications!)

After the quick flight to Indiana for the funeral, then 4 days with the little girls, who seemed to be in an argumentative state the whole time, then the big scare with my son, and sleepless nights at the hospital, I've been worn out. Funny, I was fine during all the chaos, but the day after Ryan came home, recovering and bored about having to rest, I fell apart. It finally hit me that I almost lost him.

There is a deflated balloon feeling in my soul, and I think I need a day or so to just do nothing at all. Since I have some minor dental surgery today, that will be a good excuse to be lazy.

hey there

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / September 5, 2013

I've been away for a bit, lots going on here at the Cottage. Luckily, everyone is fine, but it's not been easy. I'm appreciating my family and being with them right now.

I'll return with the drawing winners soon.

Magazine Clean

cottage, family, magazine pictures or articles

By Karla Nathan / September 1, 2013

Before Fifi came to take photos for Romantic Country, I had to clean and spiff up. Like I mentioned before, I knew not to try to pre-style the place, but it still had to be clean, arranged, and ready.

Not all the rooms were shot, so I thought I'd show you the photos I took of my sparkly, clean house instead of wasting all that work!!

I guess it wasn't exactly wasted, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of banning my family and having a clean cottage for about 24 hours.

And yes, I really did BAN them. I packed a picnic breakfast and fresh clothes for the little girls and sent them with their dad to sleep in the office!

The house was oddly quiet, and spookily spotless.

I even banned the dorkies. Those poor pupeesh couldn't believe they were being kept out.

My husband was out of town on business, which worked out well. He wouldn't have put up with any banning. And while he is adorable, he might be the messiest of them all.

The girls weren't all that happy with it either, and everyone gladly came in to clutter up and make it all more homey and real as soon as Fifi and Mark pulled out of the driveway.

I admire people who can keep their homes up to this standard of tidiness, but I don't know how they manage it.

Of course, having tiny fairy girls tromping about doesn't always lead to chaos, it just seems that way sometimes.

But the kind of chaos they create is so much more fun than cleaning house!

I do try to keep things picked up, and the little sprites know to leave my "pretties" to an eyes only, no fingers exploration.

Most of the time.

They know they can pull out all their dress up clothes for a fashion show, or empty all the crayons and markers onto their table, or bring in their latest pretty rocks or bugs found outside, and Grammy will enjoy seeing the newest creation or them all dressed up.

Sometimes, I have to draw the line about bugs, though.

Sugarwings and Dewdrop leave to go to their mommies and I if I'm not too worn to a frazzle from all the goings ons, I'll shovel out the mess when they are away.

But even then, my house rarely looks this good! I'm glad I have some photos to prove it can happen.

See, not a juice bottle, dirty sock, or naked Barbie anywhere.

Which reminds me, why do all the dolls have to be stripped? Even poor Ariel gets her tail snapped off if it is removable. There isn't a doll that we own that is wearing anything. Although, sometimes Dewdrop will take off her own panties and put them on a doll.

Which is a bit weird.

While it's nice to have a day of tidy living, I miss the clutter that comes from family. Sometimes when the girls leave, I purposely walk around a pink shoe in the middle of the floor instead of picking it up. Because it reminds me that soon, a little girl will be back to fill that shoe.

When they first leave, my husband and I will take a deep sigh of relief for the quiet. Then, an hour or so goes by and one of us mentions some funny thing one of them had said or done. In another hour, we start to wonder how long it will be till we get to see them and laugh with them again.

Someday, too soon, they will be busy with friends, college, jobs, and finding a true love. My house will be clean and I'll miss those naked Barbies and forgotten socks.

Who am I kidding? My house will never be perfectly clean!! I'll still have dogs bringing in sticks, tracking in mud, and leaving toys all around. And remember that adorable, but messy husband I mentioned? I can't imagine our dining room table will magically lose it's collection of crossword puzzles saved from the newspaper, or the half empty coffee cup on it!

Magazine clean just isn't real. It's a fun fantasy for a day, but that is about as long as I could live in it.

PS-Leave a comment on this post, if you would like to enter my two giveaways. I'm away at the moment, but will draw names after Labor Day weekend

Fairies and friends will always cheer you up

Books, fairies, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / August 29, 2013

I've been fairying it up around here. I draw these little girls onto plain paper, then cut them out to use as patterns to use on vintage text and wallpaper. After they are assembled and glued to a background, I embellish them with some millinery flowers.

This one is in a very old metal frame.

This one lives in a painted and distressed,wooden frame that I lined with rose patterned wallpaper.

At the bottom of the frame, I glued a branch of little blooms and used that to hang some butterfly charms on.

At first, I'd made the heads from text too, but I missed having a facial expression, so I cut out new heads from the border of the text and used markers to add a sweet, little face.

Both of these will be added to the Boutique. That is, if I ever get around to adding anything to that poor, neglected little shop again…. If you are interested in either for $35, you can send me an email at: Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

This sprite is one that I am keeping for myself, I've added her to a book that Beth made for me.

Don't you love the binding on it? She knew I was having some personal troubles and made the journal for me to fill up as a distraction. Plus, she listens to my complaints. Now, that is a friend.

Between poor Ry losing his job (rather unfairly) and the hours I've spent trying to help him find another, worries about this and that, as well as feeling crappy, I'm afraid I've been a bit cranky. I don't even know why she is still my friend, all she ever hears from me are complaints.

Ry has some interviews, I've been to the Dr. and have treatment now for esophagitis (from swallowing a heavy, string wrapped around a grilled tenderloin and scratching my throat, I thought it was gristle and tried to be polite by not spitting it out, since we were at a friend's house for a dinner party), and the other problems? Well, things work out somehow, don't they?

It's going to be fun filling up this journal with doodles, and doodads, and dwaddles. Getting creative again has made me feel better already!

One of the patterns I'd made for these kids was lying on my desk and it reminded me of a shadow, so I added it to the next page of the journal.

This fairy is a new creation too.

She and this angel have been added to the Mini Dress Form tutorial, with some simple how tos to embellish the basic forms that are taught there. If you have already purchased the class, these are a bonus and you will find them under "fairy" and "angel" in the category list on the side bar of the blog.

If you'd like to join the class, you can do that here.

PS-Leave a comment on this post, if you would like to enter my two giveaways. I'm away at the moment, but will draw names after Labor Day weekend

Author name: Karla Nathan