Karla Nathan – Page 292 – Karla's Cottage

Bucket Binge

By Karla Nathan / April 26, 2007

So, what if I didn’t get anything done for the art show today? I had fun being inspired by the great prize package of goodies I won from Vickie http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/ and made this bucket with it. I seem to be on a bucket binge.

I found the coolest buckets with a space to weave ribbon through. So I used one of the ribbons from Vickie’s packet.

I lined the bucket with paper she gave and topped it with lace from her also.

Vickie had a cute little tag stamped with birds, I used that idea to paint some little birds on the tag I tied to the bucket and painted some birdies on the branches I painted on the bucket itself. Then, glued on the mini scrabble letters that spell out "spring."

While I was in the bucket business, I painted this one too.

Here is the front.

And there are mini roses on the back, with a sheer gold ribbon tied up on it.

I also listed some signs on Ebay, including "Simplify" which I showed earlier today. Hey, maybe I’d get more done if I wasn’t on the computer so much. Two postings in one day?? I should go finish my portraits I need to work on.

Or paint more buckets? I have two more to do, and they are fun. Hey, if you’d like one, they are $10 for the painted rose one and $12 for the embellished birdie bucket plus $4.05 postage each. I paint fast and can keep my prices down.

You can still enter the MAY BUCKET drawing- just comment on any post, and I’ll enter you.

Simplify

hand painted signs

By Karla Nathan / April 26, 2007

I got a present!! Vickie at http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/ sent me this Spring mix as a prize in her drawing. Lucky, lucky me! Now, I really just want to sit down and glue stuff. But- I have an art show to get ready for and need to finish some portraits.

I spent so much time on the banner yesterday, before being bailed out by Beth, who zipped in and got it fixed, that I got nothing else done. Plus, my husband (who I really do love and I really do miss when he is out of town) came back a day early from his business trip! I just don’t get accomplished what I need to when he is home. But, I am glad he is back and I know how lucky I am to have a handsome husband who wants to hang out with me. So, I won’t complain, I know I am lucky. Heck, I have a prize from Vickie to prove it, too!!

Here is a sign I painted on a piece of old wood from a drawer. I think it is a worthwhile message. I do tend to make things complicated. I never think that a little bit is enough, I go all out with everything I do. Having SugarWings, my fairy grand baby, in my life has helped with that. Sometimes, all you need to do is simply "be". Just relax and enjoy the minute. Watching her grow is my favorite pastime now. when she is here, I don’t feel the need to constantly be working and pretty-fy-ing junk.

Heck, I have a TON of inventory I can take to the art show next week.I shouldn’t let myself get worked up about getting more work done. I’m going to go and glue something pretty with the Spring gift pack from Vickie. Thanks, again, Vickie!

I have a Banner!!

how-to projects

By Karla Nathan / April 25, 2007

Thanks, thanks, thanks to Beth http://bethleintz.typepad.com/ for putting up my banner (and for giving me the typepad upgrade as a birthday gift). And thanks to all the nice blogger friends who gave me advice and offers of help. Also, enough people emailed me to say that, yes, a lesson would be nice, so here are the steps I went through to create the banner. Just not the technical installation steps, you don’t want to hear about the hours of trouble I had with that. I think that the computer gremlins are after me.

How this banner was created:

1- on Arches cold press water color, I drew a scalloped oval shape by tracing a pretty plate. I then drew the words where I wanted them and the little cottage to the side.

2- The center of the scalloped area was washed with water, carefully avoiding the cottage. While wet, I dropped in watercolor paints for the soft faded background.

3-When dry, I painted the cottage with watercolors too, keeping the color light.

4-the lettering was done in dark gold paint, highlighted with a shiny gold and shadowed with sepia, all acrylic craft paint, with liner brushes.

5- birds, nest, fairies, etc. also done with an acrylic craft paint on a 1/2 inch flat brush, details with a liner brush.

6- this painted scalloped piece was cut out and glued onto a letter sized sheet of card stock that I had collaged sheet music to. By the way, the music is "Moonlight and Roses"

7- after gluing down the scalloped piece, I painted the scallops with the 2 colors of gold and outlined it in sepia

8- Rose shaped blobs in dark red are laid out on winding vines in dark green, dark brown, and the leaves are painted a base color of dark green

9- highlights of lighter greens are used on the leaves and an azalea colored pink is swirled over the red blob roses with a 1/2 inch flat brush

10- I added a pale pink, and bright yellow to my brush and swirled them on over the dark red and bright pink to finish the roses.

11- the vines were finished by using a small liner brush and lighter greens, taupe and white over the dark green vines I put down as a base. Lots of curliques and squiggles give them a flow.

ooops

hand painted signs

By Karla Nathan / April 24, 2007

Well, it is a start. I tried to load my new banner and all I have is a corner of it! I also changed some colors and fonts and will try those out and see if I like them. Might be a bit before I can get the banner repaired and made to fit, this will require HELP!!!

So, in the mean time, all you get is a peak at the new look!

Beginings of a Banner

paintings

By Karla Nathan / April 24, 2007

My banner is beginning- here are some of the first brush strokes. Yes, I know I have an art show May 6th that I am not ready for yet. Yes, I know I have my husband’s boss coming for dinner and a big birthday bash planned that week and should at least try to kill some of the larger dust bunnies in the house. And yes, I know that I have nothing listed on Ebay.

BUT BETH GAVE ME A BANNER AND I WANT TO PLAY WITH MY NEW TOY!!

I was wondering if anyone wanted step by step instructions on how I am doing the painting? I have been asked lately to do some, maybe this would be a good place to start? I’ve done "how to" articles for magazines and enjoy it. Not because I just like telling people what to do, either. I’d rather think of it as sharing.

Hey, there is something new in the May Bucket!

And it is not too late to enter, keep commenting, at the bottom of any of these posts and you will be entered. As many times as you would like to enter.

I’ve looked around and have ideas for a 2nd prize too, since soooo many inquired about the May Bucket. Maybe a 3rd prize will have to be found too.

I have had some emails not go through when I have tried to answer some of the comments or personal emails I have been getting. Sorry. I do answer each one, but I have had about a dozen come back this week for some reason.

Dorkies in the Sky, and Great Friends to Count on

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers)

By Karla Nathan / April 23, 2007

My great friend, Beth http://bethleintz.typepad.com/ did the nicest thing for me. (Or maybe she did it for herself so she wouldn’t have to listen to me whine about not having a banner over and over??) She is buying me a banner for my blog for my birthday! I should have just gone ahead and done it myself, after drooling over all the great ones I see out there, but I was being cheap. Like I tend to be.

I dig junk out of dumpsters or pick up trash along the road to fix up.
I make old things work instead of buying new.
I cut my dog’s hair myself instead of taking them to a groomer, even though people make fun of the way the dogs look when I am done.
I buy clothes at Goodwill or garage sales, when I can, clearance at TJMAxx when Goodwill doesn’t have any I need.
I drink store brand cola
I horde my best paper collage supplies because I don’t want to waste them (what good are they in a drawer?)
I pick up rocks along the side of the road to use in my landscaping
I buy my paint when it goes on sale half price at the surplus store, then make do with what colors they have
I willingly go only to restaurants I have a coupon for, I go under protest without one
I am CHEAP. I try to pretend that I am thrifty- but I know the truth- I AM CHEAP.
Did I mention that my husband has a great job, and I do pretty good too? I’ve had mural jobs that pay over $1,500 a day. Well, not everyday, that is for sure, but hey, I am employable. I am not poor, I am cheap, there is a big diff. I’ve been poor before, so I know. Hey, maybe that is why I am so cheap now? You can take the girl out of the trailer, but you can’t take the trailer out of the girl.

But, I have a generous friend, and she has given me a very nice gift that I was too cheap to give myself. I’m busily sketching away to make the banner just exactly what I have been day dreaming about. Thanks, Beth!

Another thoughtful friend, Jen, (what would we have if we didn’t have friends?) took this photo for me on the day that my fairy grandbaby, Sugar Wings, was born. She photographed the sunset over my house that day, and what do you think was there??? My dog, Sparkle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at this cloud- it is a leaping Dorkie!

Here is a picture of Sparkle for you to compare. Imagine her without the frou frou stuff, and leaping away, like she’d really rather be doing instead of being dressed up like an idiot, I mean, like a princess.

One more thing, thanks to all the inquiries about the blue bucket, it is going to Mrs. Staggs, http://ahappymiscellany.typepad.com/ how kind of her to ask to buy it. I might try to paint a few more, they are fun to do.

I finished this painting today, wanted to use soft, dreamy colors and keep it simple. It is a mix of watercolor and acrylic paint on watercolor paper.

Hey, one thing I am not cheap about is gifts. I love to give presents. So don’t forget about the May Bucket Giveaway, it is not too late to enter- and I have more to add to it! Also, looks like we will have a 2nd place prize –to be announced.

Romantic Log Cabin STYLE

Food and Drink

By Karla Nathan / April 22, 2007

What a wonderful trip! Big Cedar Lodge, south of Branson was so luxurious it was almost decadent. But, with the lodge theme, it has a comfy, down home quality about it so it is very relaxing there.

As an artist, my eyes were drawn to all the detail put into making the place beautiful. Here is a close up of some of the iron work on a sign.

And although my personal style is more "Shabby Chic" or "Cottage", I sure can appreciate the rustic yet romantic log cabin style that we were staying in. This iron chandelier was hanging above our bed and there were stained glass windows everywhere.

We all got away to the spa and treated ourselves to massages or pedicures. I chose pedicure because it was a tad bit cheaper than the massage, and I had to keep telling myself not to think how far that much cash would go at a garage sale.

It did seem a waste to spend money on feet like mine. I think I have mentioned that I have Fred Flintsone Feet? But after the hour of spa pampering, these Freds were sparkling, soft, and topped off with Ruby polish. The best part was the little pink slippers that seemed made to fit my feet.

We got out to the "NEW Branson" for the evening and I got to show off my sparkling toes. Branson has changed, not just a country music, all you can eat, hoe down any more. Besides the classy Big Cedar, there was so much to see and do. but I am afraid, that mostly we ate, just not at the big buffets.

Every notice how much better everything tastes on vacation? We supplemented our dinners out with healthy snacks at the cabin, out on the balcony over looking the cedars. But ate quite a few unhealthy (and worth every calorie) treats too.

The big joke of the weekend was the complimentary snacks. We all did voices of what kind of compliments the snacks were paying us. The pretzels were a little twisted, but the cookies were very sweet in what they had to say. And all of us thought the popcorn was a bit cheesy with its comments.

Yes, I guess we were the cheesy ones. But hey, if you can’t be silly with good friends, when can you be?

Now that I am home, I am wrapping up my package to send to my very first swap partner, Karin at http://www.creativechaos.typepad.com/. I hope I have stuffed it with enough stuff. I added a collage magnet that I made to some of the same things I have put into the May Bucket Giveaway (by the way, you can still enter that by leaving a comment!) and some other trinkets. I have some vintage robins’ egg pearl beads, some crystal joools, a silver buckle, velvet millinary flowers, note cards, and a plastic dinasour. Well, that last may sound odd, but- she posted that her sons asked her if she was alive during the Flintstones era. With my own connection to Fred (my feet), I couldn’t resist adding that little symbol. Hope I did ok with it, I just am so impressed by the swaps I see and what people show they received.

Here is the third bucket I painted. I have one for the swap, one for the giveaway and one to sell. Anyone need a blue, hand painted bucket? $10.00 if you are interested. (puppy not inclueded!!!!!!)

Porker Mommies, Dorkies, and Waller Worts

antiques/junking

By Karla Nathan / April 20, 2007

Another trip? I seem to have something every week, whether house guests or a trip somewhere. We’ve had a houseful 3 weekends in a row, went to Minneapolis last week and today we are heading to a cabin in the Ozarks. I wonder how I manage to get anything done besides have fun….. Well, if you think about it, all I do is fun stuff anyway. Junking, painting, playing with the fairy grand baby, more painting, making jewelry, painting. Not a bad life. Company, trips and painting roses on junk!

Thanks for the inquiries about the green doodads I rescued from the bonfire and painted flowers on. Heather of http://prettypetalsboutique.blogspot.com/ and Becca of http://bluebirdroses.blogspot.com/ have asked to purchase them. I love to save things that were destined to be trash and turn them into a piece of art that someone wants to have in their home. Thanks to Heather and Becca for helping me on my quest to prettify the world by recycling!

Michelle Ward’s crusade challenge this month is interesting, "Say What?" http://michelleward.typepad.com/how_cool_is_that/. I didn’t do an art journal page and enter, but here are my family phrases anyway. Maybe I’ll get around to illustrating them???? Sure I will. I’ll get my floors mopped too, I’m positive. Any way, thanks again, Michelle for a fun project, even if I only get half way through it!

Porker Mommies- hidden candy, usually bags of chocolate on clearance after a holiday. My family always knows there is a stash of porker mommies somewhere in the house.

Dorkies- what we call our Yorkshire Terriers.

Leash Kids- children of our houseguests who are entranced by our Dorkies and want to drag them all over the house on leashes the whole time they are visiting.The dorkies go along with it, but glare at us over their shoulders as they are drug away.

Waller Worting- Rassling and tickling and snuggling with your small child, usually ending up with one person blowing a razzberry on the other’s tummy and making them giggle so hard they snort like a wart hog.

Speaking of small children, my only good find on the Big Kansas City Junking Day was a pile of books for my fairy grand baby, Sugar Wings. Here are a couple that look pretty in her room here at my cottage.

Beth, http://bethleintz.typepad.com/gathering_dust/ and I had a good time, though. A day out with a buddy, whether you hit the mother lode of treasure or not, is always fun. Well, that goes right back to what I said earlier- all I do is fun stuff!

I am trying to decide if I want to go horseback riding on this Ozark trip. I used to keep horses here at the old farmhouse cottage, (well, actually out in the barn behind the cottage) and fell off one and broke a few vertebrae. I am a bit shy of riding now, but might muster up the courage to give it a try again. A broken back isn’t much fun, but years of pain taught me to enjoy every minute and make the most of everyday. Probably not a lesson I need to learn again, so maybe I won’t ride this weekend……..

One more thing before I go and pack for my weekend getaway- Kelli at http://www.kellishouse.blogspot.com/ is hosting a show and tell Fridays (just like in grade school!!! It was always my favorite day of the week).

So I am showing my find– this cute vintage toy piano I bought for SugarWings. It was $12 and ugly, I sanded, primed and painted it a pale sage green, then added a touch of crackle for age and texture and finished with a top coat with a hint of stain in it for depth. The fairy grand baby pounds away at it and it seems to be her favorite toy here.

OK, now I am off for my fun weekend. hmm, wonder how I can convince everyone to let me stop at a couple of roadside antique shops on the trip???

Note Cards in the May Bucket

give away

By Karla Nathan / April 19, 2007

Have you seen http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/? Kim Demmon has this site along with her other one http://scrap-to-my-lu.blogspot.com/. On Today’s Creative Blog, she finds good stuff out there in the blog world to let us know about. It is a good guide for who has what and fun to look at. She has kindly offered to feature me this week! Take a peek, you never know what you’ll find there! And thanks, Kim! I appreciate it.

This morning (before my big Kansas City Junking Day with Beth) I made some note cards with copies of my watercolor hydrangea and acrylic antique roses paintings. I mounted them on simple white card stock and left the inside blank, so someone could add a personal message there.

I hope to get more paintings made into cards for the show coming up in Lawrence- Art in the Park. Cards do well, it is the week before Mother’s Day. I sell them for $2.50 each or a 6 pack (assorted or one kind, your pick) for $10.

For now, I thought a few would be a nice addition to the MAY BUCKET GIVEAWAY.

I’m off to meet Beth http://bethleintz.typepad.com/gathering_dust/ for our junking day! Can’t wait to see what goodies we find!

If only all days went this well!

paintings

By Karla Nathan / April 18, 2007

It has been one of those wonderful days that seem to have extra hours. I didn’t get up early, but here it is only 3pm and I feel like I have got a lot done and still have a chunk of daytime left and energy to do more! Plus, tonight LOST is on. What a good day! I might get take out Tai food and sit in front of the TV after I accomplish a few more things!

What did I do today, so far? Well, after enjoying an hour or so of reading favorite blogs (if only every day could start like that!)~ I added something to the May Bucket Give Away.

Not exactly a big accomplishment, but fun to do! Here it is- a vintage pearl bead necklace in Robin’s Egg Blue. It is a nice heavy one, and knotted between each pearl. I adore the color, and can’t imagine anyone who it would not be pretty on. Although, I’d love to see a redhead win it… that color would look so good with firey red hair.

In the May Bucket Give Away so far:

well, of course, a hand painted floral bucket- a prize in itself?
a china shard pendant on a sterling silver bail
delicate lace trimmed hankie
2 old keys, foofed up a bit with silver paint and a bow
vintage pearls in robins egg blue
NOT THE PUPPY- (unless, I can’t convince her to stop peeing on everything)

I worked on a watercolor of my other Dorkie, Sparkle. Here is her painting. Still wet, and maybe not done. I’ll finish it tonight and get a frame while out junking tomorrow. Yes, I know!! I am not only getting a wonderful day today, tomorrow I get a junking day!!!!!! How lucky am I????

Here is my Sparkle painting so far. Also, I started a rose painting and added a rose to these cool little doodads I found in the burn pile. Should never let a husband clean out the garage, he’ll put great stuff in a bon fire.

I’ll add hooks to the back of the doodads and hang them on the wall. Or maybe I can sell them to someone else who likes pink roses on green doodads on their walls. Any takers? I can mail them right to you, $8 each!

My last big project for today was to haul all of these rocks and arrange them to form a flower bed. I added an old iron headboard that I will plant evergreens behind, and set a chair in front of. This area needs major work after the construction that has been going on here- it was all torn up ( I used to have a cute pond in that spot, sigh) I am off to the garden center for mulch and shrubs and to TJ Maxx to see if they still have the big white iron chair I drooled over last week.

A client came by to pick up and pay for some artwork. She is always hard to deal with (before I wrote this about her, I asked if she reads blogs, she doesn’t know what they are, so I can feel free to say how nasty she always is to me.) Why do I paint for her again, after bad experiences? Well, I like to paint. And she does pay me. although, not a lot, I am very reasonable because I am fast. She always complains and has me redo everything. And not in a nice way. This time, she got the watering cans and said, "You will have to paint something on the back, I will be facing it the other direction". No, "I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this before you painted it" No, "I’ll pay you for your time". No "please or thank you". I should have charged her more, but instead, I decided to be gracious, and added a sprig of geranium to the back while she waited. I feel like unkind people should be shown how to act properly, and try to set a good example.

And anyway, I want people to be happy with what I paint for them. Even if some people just don’t seem to know what ‘happy’ is. Sour puss, crabby, nasty, person. Oh, well, that wasn’t very gracious, was it?

Author name: Karla Nathan