Karla Nathan – Page 252 – Karla's Cottage

More sludgy than juicy

By Karla Nathan / December 28, 2008

Are any of you having a hard time getting back on track with normal every day life, now that Christmas has passed? I seem to be in limbo, and unmotivated to get anything accomplished. I guess now that all the hustle and bustle and rush to make the holiday happen is over, I don't quite know what to do with myself.

My creative juices are more like a sludge right now. So, here are a few paintings I did for Christmas cards in years past. My husband works for a golf company and he likes me to make up golf themed cards for him.

Thats not such a good photo of this drawing, but in my state of lethargy, I'm thinking "so what". Hmm, you might wonder why I even bothered you all with a half assed post? I'm trying to get myself motivated to make something or DO something and my blog has always been good incentive to keep me moving.

After all the excitement, it isn't easy to rush back to work. We just had way too much fun over Christmas!

Yes, the holiday was pretty exciting around here. Sugarwing's Mom, the Hippie Chick showed us her fire dancing.

After opening gifts and stuffing our selves with goodies on Christmas Day, we all went outside to watch the Hippie Chick light her hula hoop on fire and put on a show for us.

She's quite talented, and even though it is a bit scary for me to watch, the flames were really dramatic in the dark, icy night.

Tuesday I have a play date scheduled with Beth, to go junking, tomorrow I start work on my new web shop, then, there is New Years's parties, and puppies due to be born, so I guess a couple of days to meander around the computer, read books, and resettle into post-holiday life isn't so bad. Is this what it feels like to relax!!??? Maybe that is what I am doing. A couple of days of doing NOTHING, really isn't so bad, is it?

Holiday Girth

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers)

By Karla Nathan / December 27, 2008

After all the fudge and tiramisu and ham and cookies and turkey and the rest, I feel a bit like Twinks looks right now.

No puppies yet, but the way she was complaining last night, I thought they might be on their way. Nope, false alarm. Sugarwings is fascinated to hear about the puppies in her dog's tummy, she doesn't quite get the whole thing. But she did bring Twinkle a book about puppies from her toy box.

Lots of people are asking, so I wanted to let you know, there will certainly be updates and baby pictures as soon as the little ones arrive.

And maybe a name the puppy contest??

Family Bliss

holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 26, 2008

What a wonderful holiday! I had such a relaxing, family day. How nice to have such a fun, easy going houseful of people. Dinner was tasty and simple to fix, and the dessert thatBeth brought was over the top, wonderful! (frozen tiramisu)

Beth also made this wallpaper encrusted box for me and filled it with tidbits and ephemeral treats.

Who else knows me well enough to give me a box loaded with with pretty little things like this?

And this? Not to mention, she also gifted me with a Magnolia Pearl book! This was my year for gifts, I raked them in, a pink cashmere scarf from Ryan and a GPS from my husband, as well as a drawing on pink paper from Sugarwings! She knows what colors I like, just like Ry did. And with the GPS, I will never miss out on finding a garage sale again.

Sugarwings was entranced by the treat cabinet.

She made a few trips back to it.

There was some singing and dancing.

Handsome sons opening gifts.

New friends getting acquainted.

And promises kept. Yes, Santa brought the Mermaid that Sugarwings was waiting for. I can't imagine a better holiday.

Sugarwings and I are going to go hang out and play with her new friends, and maybe see a movie. So, I'll leave you with a few photos of the Christmas Dinner dining table. I tend to fill the center of the table with odds and ends of pretty things, so that each person sitting down to eat, has something interesting to look at.

Merry Christmas

family

By Karla Nathan / December 25, 2008

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday!

Our Romantic Surprise Getaway

Moving to DC, Travel

By Karla Nathan / December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!

I have a new post, that for some reason, understood only by those people who "improved" Typepad…..any way, who knows why, but my NEW post from Tuesday popped up AFTER this post from Monday night. So, please scroll down if you'd like to see it. And Happy Holidays! May your Christmas be filled with joy and laughter and lots of happy memories to look back on.

We're back from our romantic, surprise getaway! And look at our rustic, cottagey accommodations!

Isn't it adorable??? Actually, this is called Jefferson Pools, it is a hot mineral spring bath house, named after Thomas Jefferson, who used to bathe there. It is part of the resort we stayed at, and I have to say, as lovely as the resort was, I just fell head over heals for this little part of it!

Of course, I didn't realize when the hotel shuttle dropped us off for our one hour dip in the hot springs, that it was going to be quite so… rustic. No heat. No frills. No ROOF. And the day was topping out at about 26 degrees. I'd do it again, it was a fun experience, but I'd do it on a warmer day! And I would bring something warm to wrap up in when I got out of the steamy water. There was actual ice on my sweat pants when I went to get dressed after my dip!!!!!!

This is the resort we stayed at. The Homestead, in Hot Springs, Virginia.

We were lucky enough to have a tower suite.

Of course, with that 26 degree weather, we didn't get to use the balcony, no matter how tempting that beautiful view from it was.

And look— the room was PINK!!!!!!

This little alcove was a cozy , warm, spot to relax and read while sipping wine. I didn't even miss the balcony.

There were lots of old fashioned details that I just loved about the place. I was glad that the bathroom had not been updated to something sleek and trendy. The building was over 200 years old and wasn't trying to pretend to be something it was not.

Everywhere I looked, there was something interesting to see.

With plenty of old photos of the hotel's past on all the walls.

Newspaper clippings and stories about all the presidents who had stayed there.

But the best part was High Tea served in the lobby every day at 3pm while we were serenaded with Christmas music on the piano. Those scones were served warm from the ovens, and the whole hotel smelled heavenly from all the fresh baked goodies.

Imagine my surprise to see so much pink everywhere. The combo of pink cushions, with celedon and aqua walls in this walk way to the spool, spa and gym area was one of my favorite places, too. I guess I had a lot of faves.

The walkway offered a view of the backside of the building, through its old, wavy glass windows.

The swimming pool was filled with natural mineral spring water too. In a slightly more luxurious form than at Jefferson Pools.

Yep, it was kind of schmancy there. Can you see why I was blown away?

She seems to like it there too.

Here is part of the grand lobby where the tea was served. This photo was taken before the party, but by about 2:30 each afternoon, the room would fill up with dozens and dozens of families and couples ready to relax and sip tea. Teams of waitresses and waiters with tray after tray of teapots and treats would file through the room going form table to table passing it all out. I'd go back just for afternoon tea. My husband wasn't as impressed as I was by this, but humored me and sat and sipped along.

He's pretty sweet.

But the poor guy never did get to make it out onto the golf courses. And this place has the oldest first tee still in constant use in the country.

Did I mention the food????? OMG

The BEST. Every bite I ate while there, and I did have more than my share of bites of food, was wonderful. It seemed kind of old fashioned and the menus reminded me of something you would have seen in the 50s or 60s, not in a typical restaurant today. I liked that, and the fact that the building wasn't afraid to show its age. That place had a history to be proud of and didn't feel like everything had to be brand new and shiny. As a person feeling my own age and history, I appreciated its imperfections brought on by age and its time worn loveliness.

In a time when local shopping centers and malls are constantly being abandoned for bigger, better, newer, shinier places, it is wonderful to see a business that has thrived since 1766 and is still going strong. As much as the luxury and beauty of the resort appealed to me, the historical aspect was even more interesting.

Oh, but I did enjoy the luxury!

OK little girl, let’s give someone else a turn!

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, paintings, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 23, 2008

We took Sugarwings to see Santa today and she wouldn't leave him alone. She sat there on his lap and waited for the Mermaid doll she asked for. Finally, she got down for the bribe of a candy cane, but then went back and got another candy cane to give to Santa. Then went back for another sit on his lap. Then for another hug. It looked like St. Nick was enjoying her visit, I think it might be nice for him to have someone with no fear come to hang out a while.

I think this little one loves Christmas as much as her Grammy does.

She stopped to speak to every single Santa she saw at the mall.

And she didn't think it would hurt to put in a word with the giant cow for that doll she wanted.

When I got back from my trip, there was a stack of packages waiting for me! One was from a sweet reader pal, Jean, who lives in Virginia.

Not only were there surprises for Sugarwings, she sent me some treats too, including a box of these white doves.

I've added the glass doves to the dining room chandelier along with other birdies and some snowflakes I have received this year. They might just all stay there a while after the holidays as more "winter decor" than Christmas decorations.

One of the snowflakes was from Tiffany, a Silver Bella pal. I'd ordered this cute little bottle of Christmas wishes from her shop, and she sent along lots of pretties, including this card. It brings back memories of a class we took together in Omaha, where she was helping me with using hot wax over parts of my project. I really like the way she has applied wax over the scene in the center of the card.

Previously, I had shown you some of my little paintings that I was making into cards. Here are a few (of the dozens) that I made while in the hotel room.

And in case you were feeling sorry for the poor dorkies, at home alone while I was out on a fabulous vacation, they had some fun while I was gone. Twinks was invited over to stay at the farm where her true love, Teddy lives. And the other two dogs were so happy to have Twinkle away and not bothering them, they felt like a queen and king with the whole house to themselves. (Twinks can be a little bossy)

I'm off to go work on my Christmas shopping. Typically, I am not a last minute shopper. When my kids were little, we used to love to go to the mall on Christmas Eve and eat lunch at the food court while we watched all the crazed last minute buying, and I'd bask in a warm glow from the knoweldge that my packages were wrapped and under the tree. Not this year!

I hope all of you are having a lovely holiday week. Merry Christmas to all of you from Sugarwings and I.

Itsy Bitsty Christmas Card paintings and a giveaway reminder

give away, holiday decor, Moving to DC, paintings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 18, 2008

This may be a vacation, but it doesn't mean I can't get some work done!

My husband and I are in Virginia at our cozy little apartment, and while he is at work today, I've been doing some tiny paintings to make Christmas cards from. I guess our vacation hasn't officially started yet, it just kind of feels like it to me, since I am away from home and have been able to sit around in my jammies all day and do what ever I wanted to.

And what is it that I always want to do, when I have my choice of doing any thing at all? Create things, of course!

So, I have been painting away. I packed up enough supplies to make up holiday cards, as well as envelopes and even remembered the printed labels, to get them all into the mail. Today was spent making a couple dozen itsy bitsy pictures (the largest is about 4" tall), and tomorrow, from our hotel room in Richmond, I will make the cards. Hopefully, I will get them all finished by Saturday morning. That is when we leave for our romantic getaway.

And I have a feeling my husband wouldn't appreciate me ruining his surprise get away by cutting and gluing and glittering all weekend. (well, it sounds like fun to me, but I know it wouldn't to him!)

Don't forget that I have a surprise for you guys too. The December Giveaway Secret Gift!! I will be out of town for a few days,and maybe not near a computer after this- but you can still leave a comment to enter the drawing and have a chance to win.

Here is a hint of what the surprise is. Surprises are such a fun part of the season,aren't they?

If I don't "see" you again while I am out of town, I hope that you are all having a good time with your holiday preparations and are getting all glittery too!

Recycled photos

holiday decor, magazine pictures or articles, Moving to DC, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 16, 2008

Wasn't Heather's party a fun one? I am looking forward to having time to go through all the links and visit the holiday homes. I've only had a chance to look at a few, and was blown away by the ones I saw! Bloggers know how to do a holiday, that is for sure. There are some beautiful decorations out there and luckily we get to take a peek at them!

Thanks to everyone who came by my shop for my Blog Readers Appreciation Sale. I enjoyed wrapping up packages and getting them out to you all, I hope you enjoy your treats.

Have I ever mentioned Ashwell? My shabby chic colored cat? Actually, he lives in Ryan's apartment,and Ry thinks his name is Ash, from the hero of the Evil Dead trilogy. You might have noticed a few pictures of Dorkies and fairy grand babies around the cottage, but we have a whole menagerie here, lots of people, lots of pets. That makes the home even more special for the holidays.

My husband and I will be out of town for a few days, so I won't be mailing any purchases from my Etsy shop after Tuesday afternoon. Thanks so much for your support of my shop! I do appreciate you coming by to browse. I'll restock after the holidays and will also be opening a new on line store. (Details to come)

Since I have been packing up oodles of items to ship out today, and running last minute errands all over town to get ready for Christmas and my trip, I have NOTHING new to show you.

So here is some stuff from a few years ago. These photos are by the talented Bill Mathews and styled by the skilled Gloria Gale. (who have both given me permission to show photos we worked on together, don't ever show magainze photos on your blog, it is not legal without permission!!!) We did the shoot for Victorian Decorating magazine and they were done in the most elaborate and gorgeous Victorian house. We were lucky to have access to it for the day.

My job was to come up with easy decorating tips and ideas and then display them in the home and write how to's for the magazine.

This photo is of something I didn't do this year, but I really like it and might use it for my table scape during Christmas Eve dinner. I've taken the metal cap off the top of ornaments, filled them with water and used them as vases. To keep the balls from rolling around and the water spilling out, I used a bit of that clay like stuff that you can hold things together with. And of course, I forget what that is called.

The tip for these two pictures, is to use stickers on bottles or ornaments and add glitter over them. The previous pictures showed a garden planter as a buffet server, with glittered and painted terra cotta pots to hold silverware and napkins. I used this idea at a friend's's wedding reception and it was a nice touch.

Lets see, the other one is making place card holders from pictures of Victorian ladies and more stickers. I was on quite the sticker kick that year.

Here is a variation of an idea I also had published in Somerset Life, making a magnetic message board from an old ceiling tin.

This one is about as easy as it can get, punch holes in the top of old Christmas postcards and add a hanger made out of tinsel, and hang the cards on your mantel or tree.

Beth loaned me the birdcage full of ornaments, and that was going to be the picture, but we decided that we needed more, so asked the homeowners if we could borrow some mail, and tucked it in the cage to show it used as a display for Christmas cards. Sometimes, you aren't quite sure what the shots will be till you get into it and see what develops.

This is another quickie, last minute idea. Gloria turned over some stemware and made them into mini cloches.

Well, I am off to pack for my trip to who knows where. It is just killing my husband to keep this secret! He is bursting with wanting to spill the beans. I won't let him, though! I want to be surprised when we get there, wherever it is. Although, not knowing does make packing complicated.

Hopefully, I will get to post from our apartment in Virginia, but I might not. So if I don't talk to you until Christmas, I wish you all the very, very best of holidays!

I’m loving my pretty little Christmas!

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, holiday decor, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 15, 2008

Have yourself a pretty little Christmas!

Heather is having a holiday gathering for us to show our pretties. I had a "What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home?" party last year and am so sorry that there is no time for me to squeeze that in this year. So, I am so glad that Heather is doing this, I love parties, and any party Heather throws, has to be an extra pretty one!

Since time is short with shows I've had, and trips I'm taking and a two year old that I am running after, my decor is about as "edited" as I've ever seen here at my cottage.

Sugarwings has her own little pink tree in the living room, right at her level, so she can foof and refoof it all she wants to. I've kept my hands OFF of her tree, trying to teach her that I won't mess with her stuff if she won't mess with mine. She has been in complete charge of her tree, but does still tend to want to get into my things when she thinks no one will notice.

So, this year, there is no big tree in the living room. A few small, white trees are set out, and kept pretty simple too.

Using what I have and adding some embellishments really appeals to me. For the top of this armoire, I plopped some white trees into urns, and draped them simply with ropes of beads (the beads don't show up as well in the photos, sorry). Then I set out a wintry branch, with a single white ball next to it.

Fast and easy!

Another little tree with beads and no ornaments sits by the sofa. If tiny little fingers decide to explore this one, there is nothing breakable to worry about.

But I was missing the pretty lights that would have gone onto a big tree, so I filled an urn with white lights and topped it with clear, plastic balls. Its not the same, but does have a nice glow.

All of the rest of my pretties went up high, like on this cabinet in the kitchen.

The vintage tree is a music box that plays Jingle Bells. Sugarwings likes for me to wind it up while we visit the reindeer. The deer represent Pop Pop, Grammy and Sugarwings. Hmm, I should add some rhinestone jewelry to the Grammy deer. Or at least a millinery bloom.

Now, I do love snowmen, and Santas, and angels, of course. But my favorite at the holidays is the deer. Oh, and the elves! Santa's little friends and helpers!

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And I am big on using my regular decor and just spiffing it up with a few little additions.

Like filling my kitchen window with pink roses and sweet pixies.

Yes, there were dirty dishes in the sink in the last picture I showed. But look at how pretty they are! Beth got dishes she didn't want in a box at an auction and passed them along to me. Of course, I wanted them!

There are many more pixie pals lurking in the boxes under my stairway. Lots of well loved ornaments and beautiful things, that I just didn't unpack this year. I do miss all the elaborate displays, but on the other hand, I am really enjoying my "Pretty Little Christmas". Heather's title for her party really touched on my feelings for my house this year.

Normally, I am all about being Over the Top. (yes, with capitals)

But this year, my compromise with the fairy grand baby with the the time constraints has made me happy.

There is a little something in every room. Just enough to make me smile and know that Christmas is just around the corner. Not enough to have taken up much time or to have been any trouble at all.

2008's decking of the halls probably took less time to finish the whole house than I usually spend on one tree.

Well, that right there is enough to make me smile!! Is there ever enough time? I might make this year's streamlined Christmas a new tradition!

Remember I was saying how lucky I was to meet so many wonderful friends through blogging? One of them sent this dainty fairy pin to me. Later, she'll go on a jacket, but for now, she perches in the dining room centerpiece. Thanks, Hannah!

And thanks, Heather, for hosting this get together. I look forward to having time to follow the links and visit all the homes participating.

Also, thanks to all of you for your overwhelming shopping spree for my Christmas special on Etsy! The shop is half gone, but there are still some goodies left. Please check for details in the previous post if you'd like a chance to win a present from me, while you are visiting my Etsy store during my "thanks to my readers" sale-a-thon!

Please remember to ASK FOR AN INVOICE FROM ME.

A special thank you

Etsy Goodies

By Karla Nathan / December 13, 2008

Here is a little fairy in progress. She is a collaboration of items from various friends. Jennifer Hayslip gave me the little doll, the beautiful bronze/brown glitter is fromShawn, and the box I am redoing to make a house for her is from my Silver Bella pal, Julie Baxley.

Some of the wallpaper is from a shared roll Beth and I went in on to purchase (flocked stuff can be expensive, sometimes you need a partner to afford it!!)

All of the gifts from friends has once again made me think how lucky I am to have made such great buddies in the blogworld. And that makes me think about how lucky I am over all, and what a great year I have had. I try to give lots of gifts to my readers, with a minimum of at least one drawing a month, but I wanted to offer a big special thank you for the holidays.

So, from now (Saturday, Dec. 13th) till Monday, Dec. 15th- EVERYTHING in my Etsy shop is HALF OFF. And random shoppers will get extra suprise gifts in their packages.

This is only for my Reader Pals- so these prices will not show up on the Etsy site. What you need to do, is purchase what you want on the site, BUT DO NOT PAY right then. Ask me to sent you an invoice for the sale price.

After Monday, my shop will be closed for the holiday, so this is for a limited time only. I just want you to know that I have appreciated your businessand I am so happy with the great sales I have had all year in Etsy, Silver Bella and Miss Frenchies! All of it, thanks to you.

(please remember to REQUEST and wait for an invoice, or I won't be able to give you the sale price!)

Author name: Karla Nathan