Karla Nathan – Page 158 – Karla's Cottage

Georgia part 3

By Karla Nathan / October 22, 2013

When Lori Oles, Andrea Singerella,,Hope Wallace Kearny, and I flew down to see Suzanne and Jennifer Hayslip my buddy, Sherry kindly invited us to her antique haven of a home for a visit and then hauled us around to some of her favorite shops.

One of our stops was for authentic, down home style southern cooking at the Blue Willow.

Hope snagged info from there, as from all of the spots we hit, for her travel journal, that she had completely done and ready to pop photos into when she got home.

Sherry's house had more to see in it, than at any antique shop we could ever find.

GOODNESS

I don't know that I could possibly describe the treasures lurking behind, beyond, under and over each other in her Victorian dream house.

This is one small snippet, of a giant house filled with fripperies and fineries.

I was touched to see so many familiar pieces in the midst of her major collections. This is a painting I did of one of her grands.

And here is her project from Lori's Birdsong class this spring.

And from Lisa's class 3 years ago.

And a mushroom that I made for Jenn's fairy tale event in Asheville a couple of autumns ago.

There was a lampshade from Debbie's Birdsong class too.

I saw some clever ideas.

Gorgeous, vintage books.

And piles and piles of pretties.

I seriously can't imagine so many cool things in one home. I should've tried to get an all over photo of at least one of the rooms, you wouldn't believe it.

Sherry is a master shopper, for sure and has created a home filled to the brim with what she loves.It was quite an experience to see her collections.

And quite an experience to get to spend time with such good friends too.

I miss them already!

How to make a Hocus Pocus/ Practical Magic/ Grimmerie/ Evil Dead/ Evil Eye/ whatever you want to call it, magic spell book

Books, how-to projects, Tutorials

By Karla Nathan / October 20, 2013

My sisses came to see me last week and we were able to squeeze in a craft day between all of our runnings around. One trip out was to the Victorian Trading Co. outlet store in KC, and Bobbie saw something there that she had wanted to order, but was glad she did because it wasn't as cool in person.

It was an evil eye, magic spell book. Kind of like the Hocus Pocus book. I decided we could make our own and use better materials instead of the resin that fake book was made of. Plus, our books are functional, Bobbie is using hers as a photo album for our trip.

One of mine is actually a faux book that opens up as a trinket box. I've got three books listed on Etsy if you are interested in buying one.

Or if you'd rather make your own, here are some quick how-to's.

This eye, is made of paper clay and hand painted, but if you aren't a painter, I have a short cut for you.

You can use a doll eye from the craft store.

On this one, I cut the back off so it had a lower profile.

The eyelids are made of paperclay.

Simply surround it with a couple of snake rolls.

Then smoosh them out and add wrinkles with a toothpick or clay tool.

I used some modelling paste over the old paper I added to the cover, and a piece of lace to texture it all. You could also use a thin layer of paper clay, but it is more expensive and heavier, I found the modelling compound easier to use for an all over dragon skin look.

I won't go into details about finishing my books, the decor is a personal choice and you can embellish your book however you like now that you know how to make the evil eye.

What was important to me while making them, was that I kept the covers pretty even while they were spooky.

Lots of rhinestones, ribbons, and Victorian lace.

The Good Stuff.

I also thought a key hole and key were a good touch.

And don't neglect the insides! These pages are inked and edged to look old. The inside covers are sheathed in vintage wallpaper.

I even found some "nice" spells in an old fairy tale.

"Weave your Joy

Sing your Spells

Wave your Charms"

It seemed to me, with an eye that creepy on the front, the books all needed an extra wallop of pretty to counter balance that.

Plus, who wants an evil witch book around?

I much prefer good witches. This cover reads:

"As good and kind as you are fair"

True Eye Candy

dogs, parties, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / October 17, 2013

Yep, believe it or not, this is REAL. A real life home, filled with kids, dogs, and love. As well as some of the prettiest collections you'll ever find.

Jenn's house is pretty as pretty can be.

A sweet confection of frothiness and pastel beauties.

With a fair share of whimsy too.

And attention to detail throughout.

And a home with a Yorkshire Terrier in it, is a very special home to me.

Throw in a second one and I'm a happy house guest.

Jenn graciously invited us to stay with her in her Georgia mansion and it was our home base for a couple of nights on our trip.

There was something breathtaking to see, everywhere I looked. But the loveliest item off all, was this photo that Jenn took of her daughter, Vivian.

She is beginning a new photography business called Pink Ellie

From the examples she has posted, I can see that she will do well. Oh my! She has captured some beautiful moments.

Jenn opened up her equally frothilly sweet studio to us too. I brought charms and glaze, Lori and Hope provided old papers, so we could all have some creating time.

The room is Jenn from floor to ceiling.

Pictured: Jennifer Hayslip

Hope Wallace Kearny

We had decided not to do a whole craft day, or any big projects. This little one was just right, to satisfy the creative urge but still leave plenty of time for just relaxing.

Pictured:

Suzanne Duda and Lori Oles

And of course, was a great excuse to soak up Jenn's stellar studio. And pose. We did a lot of posing.

d And smiling. Tons of smiling.

An altered book, Fairy Tale style, or Fun with Trophies

Books, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 15, 2013

This year, I've made a lot of class kits that needed book covers. Therefore, I had a LOT of naked books. Most of them, I recycled, but a few I saved to play with.

I'd always wanted to try making one of these folded page thingies with a story book theme. For this one, I chose Cinderella because Beth gave me a ballroom dancing trophy that reminded me of a prince charming and his true love.

I primed and painted the trophy, then took it apart, it was easier to paint the topper while it was attached. Her dress got a sugary coat of glitter, I added some crowns, and set it aside.

The fun part was adding the storybook elements. This broken, old cameo looked like Cinderella to me, so was perfect for the front of the piece.

In my kitchen, I had a pile of white, paper clay, pumpkins in a dish to set out for fall decorating, and stole one of those to use as a pre-carriage.

There was a big pile of old, old, Cinderella books all piled up on my booksheft to sift through for ideas. But I decided to keep this diorama cohesive by using illustrations from the same book. This one was published in the 1800s.

All the figures that I cut out, got backed with cardstock from Bingo cards. Tabs were made on the feet so I'd have something to glob glue on and slide between the pages to make the people stand up.

When I cut out pages to make the opening for the scene, I didn't do a very good job, it was pretty uneven and ragged. I'd say a dremel tool would be the way to go. To cover up my choppy mess, I covered it in flocked wallpaper, which I thought looked appropriately royal.

At the top of the cut out opening, I covered up the badly cut pages with a ruffle of crepe paper. I'm all about making it work, somehow or another. After all that work of ripping that dang book apart, I wasn't going to dump it because I'd done it so poorly. I just hid the mistakes behind layers.

I would do dozens and dozens of these if there wasn't that pesky part about folding the hundreds of pages and cutting out the opening.

Tedious times ten.

But worth it. Maybe I'll fold pages some evening in front of the TV. I really did enjoy the creative part of the project.

This trophy got a more simple makeover. The topper was glittered, added to a big spool, then sat on a box lid covered in sheet music.

Layers of crepe paper, and some German foil, a magic wand, a couple bits-o-bling, and ta dah.

And doesn't everything look better under glass?

Friends, fun, and a farmhouse

free images, Travel, wallpaper, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 12, 2013

Gorgeous old paper, isn't it?

Suzanne gave us a tour of the 1875 farm house she is redoing and I was wildly enamoured with this wallpaper in the front parlor.

We are a bunch who appreciates old paper, and there was a chorus of oohing and ahhing during the sneak peek into the home.

Each room had layer upon layer, and Suzanne is patiently peeling it away in her labor of love to redo this stately, old charmer.

She was able to pull some of it away in big sheets. And she shared them with us! I was surprised to see how nicely this gold paper came away from the birds and vines below it.

This is probably a more typical outcome. Harder for her, of course, but lovely to see in all of it's crackly, peely, wonderfulness.

As much as I hate to see the aged papers being taken off and disposed of, once she showed us a finished room, I was able to let go of my feelings of loss.

Suzanne had the workers indulge her and finish this room while still doing demo on the rest of the home, so that she would have a place to go and have faith in the project's completion.

Smart plan, huh? It is an elegant and beautiful spot, an oasis in all the demo mess. Although, I hope that chandy doesn't give her too much trouble in keeping the crystals clean.

pictured: Lori Oles, Hope Wallace Kearny, Suzanne Duda, Jennifer Hayslip, Andrea Singerella, and me

The home sits on 22 acres, and Suzanne has a golf cart for buzzing around in.

We took a ride down to the lake, and out into the woods on a curving trail cut through the trees.

There were lots of photo ops. I don't think we missed a single one.

Lots of out buildings are on the property too.

So much work has been done already, and Suzanne has big plans for the home and grounds. She has a lot of people who love her and believe in what she is doing, while backing her up and helping her with the project too.

Including her adorable son who took a break from tearing out walls to snap photos of the group of us. With all of our phones and cameras. He's a cutie, isn't he?

We happened to be in town for her birthday and Jenn picked up a cake, topped with pink roses, Suzanne's favorite. And when you make the roses out of icing, they are my fave too. YUM

Even though it was her birthday, Suzanne fixed us a feast, at a lavishly set table. We stayed at her home the first night, and it was the coziest, lushest B&B you could ever visit. Big, ole. soft sofas, a warm and happy kitchen, everything was infused with Suzanne's over the top, generous soul. She is a dream hostess.

And I plan on stealing her idea for a shutter centerpiece.

Our night was relaxing and full of laughter. Maybe a little wine too… There could have been a couple glasses sipped while she opened her gifts.

Which explains why I didn't get more photos of her beautiful, shabby chic home.

That first night, we were so busy catching up and giggling, that I didn't get my camera out much.

I made up for it the rest of the trip, and was glad to get some "before" pics of the fab farm. I have all my fingers and toes crossed that I'll be invited back someday to see the "afters" too.

Not just because I can't wait to see her vision of her farmhouse fulfilled, (I know it is going to be beyond beautious), but because she is a person that I wished I could spend more time with. What fun weekend, I can only hope to repeat it again someday when all the refurbishments are done on the home.

(you can click on the first image to open in a larger window, save to your computer and print it for use in your art) I'll have photos of the rest of the trip coming soon.

Double the fun

family, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 10, 2013

Did you have a chance to see the Wizard of Oz during the limited dates at the 3D Imax? We had to go, of course!!

And I was glad I did. If only to watch Glenda's bubble float through the sky and see her sparkling gown. oh my! I really enjoyed the new look of the movie. Details like the live birds wandering around in the background and the wallpaper in Dorothy's room were something I'd never noticed before.

I'm a sucker for almost anything 3D, and wish I didn't have to drive all the way to Kansas City to see it in Imax. My husband doesn't care for 3D, and Dewdrop is too little, so I usually only go when it is just Sugarwings along with me. She and I are both enthralled by them. And when you couple 3D Imax with a classic movie favorite of ours- woo hoo! What a night. Her mommy (who can recite the whole script in her sleep) came to, so it was Girls Night Out for us.

A BIG Girls Night Out for me, because after I dropped off my kiddos, I hit the town with some friends for a wild night of…

Well, just sitting and talking at a quiet restaurant.

When we discussed where to go for the evening, the consensus was, somewhere that we could hear each other. No place loud.

It was so nice. What an ideal evening. Two nights out in one night.

Rusty Chandelier Parking Lot Flea

antiques/junking

By Karla Nathan / October 7, 2013

Rusty Chandelier has had a few parking lot sales this year, and I finally made it up to one. Next door is Jesse James Antique Mall, where I found this mirror tray. The silvering is off the back in an ex shape. Probably from tape? I want to sand off more of the silver, so the shape isn't as linear, and cover the back with wallpaper.

Beth found a good looking $12 chair. It's always nice to see her find something to keep, she is mostly a resale buyer. It's a rare occasion that she treats herself to a piece.

I found a few little goodies in the parking lot, but mostly was there just to enjoy a spur of the moment day out. I'd decided to head that way, and stopped to call Beth to see if I could convince her to ride along. She was just finishing an episode of Breaking Bad, so the timing was good. NO ONE could ever leave in the middle of an episode!

I found some pink millinery roses, some project ideas, and we had a tasty lunch, so over all, a good day.

Plus, found some interesting titles for candle scents. ????

This teapot was one of my best purchases of the day.

And I have already added some rose wallpaper to the back of the mirror, it turned out nice. Of course, you can't see it very well in this picture, it's blocked by my dressform fairies.

I'll leave you with some pictures of Rusty, it's always a pretty place to visit.

a Good Morning

Dew Drop

By Karla Nathan / October 5, 2013

I think eating breakfast while wearing My Little Pony panties and a crown is an ideal way to start a day, don't you?

I'm away from home for a few days, visiting Jenn.

She is a GREAT hostess and I promise to have some pretty pictures to show you when I get back. Any thing ordered from the boutique will be mailed on Tuesday the 8th.

A steampunk punkin and more from the patch

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 3, 2013

Well, I guess the pumpkin itself is not steam punk, but the tag tied to it is.

It is made from a watercolor paper that I washed with paint, and I added an image cut from an old deck of cards (he is a cool Joker, isn't he?). He's got a feather glued to his hat and is topped with a salesman sample, old watch crystal.

A clock hand and some lace was added to the bottom of the tag and there is a ruffle of text under him.

I'm not exactly sure what makes something steampunk or not, but everyonce in a while I make my attempt at it for someone who is into the style. I always think the style looks cool when I see it elsewhere, but I'm not sure if I've grasped the concept for making it myself.

Here is what I found on Wikipedia says, hmmm:

Steampunk design emphasizes a balance between the form and function.^[44] Like the Arts and Crafts Movement,
this blurs the line between tool and decoration. Various modern
utilitarian objects have been modified by enthusiasts into a
pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style.^[9]^[45] Example objects include computer keyboards and electric guitars.^[46]
The goal of such redesigns is to employ appropriate materials (such as
polished brass, iron, wood, and leather) with design elements and
craftsmanship consistent with the Victorian era,^[13]^[47] rejecting the aesthetic of industrial design.^[44]

My pumpkin adventures have been going on much longer than I ever would have guessed. Those little guys are addictive. I harvested some vines from the garden and left them in the sun to dry. Kitty Boy seems to think they make a nice bed on this table top.

This might be my new fave. It's made from a doll dress.

Like this one was.

The blue one is in the Boutique, but the bronze satin one is planned as a gift.

This one is a gift too.

It's tag is from a French postcard with purple writing. I've added an orangish velvet bloom for some traditional autumn colors that still fall into shades that I like to work with.

This one is just itty bitty, and you can find it in the shop.

New, old flowers

holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / September 30, 2013

Most of the pumpkins from my previous post are spoken for, but I had a few to add to the Boutique.

A white velveteen, vintage black velvet, and a blue doll dress fabric one.