Karla Nathan – Page 54 – Karla's Cottage

I froze my watch off

Corona virus, cottage, Current Affairs, dogs

By Karla Nathan / February 17, 2021

The dogs are so happy with their new, furry, chair protecting, throw that they do not seem to notice the cold. This weather is scary cold, and the rolling blackouts make it a crap shoot for keeping warm. We woke up to no power on Tuesday, with minus 16 degrees outside.

It was only three hours for us, and we have a good fireplace with a heat blower on it, indoors, the temp only dropped to 56. Other parts of our land aren’t doing as well, I hope that these temporary blackouts stop the problem from getting even worse!

Last week, I volunteered a second time at the Covid vaccine drive through and it was only 14 degrees at the highest point of the day. This weather has gone beyond “cold snap” to “frozen smashed and broken”. Or something like that.

I hate cold with a passion and my family knows that I am a cowering mess of fear when I think the swimming pool water might be a tiny bit more chilly than I like.

Yes, quite the wimp.

I really didn’t think I could take being outdoors in that weather for six hours, but it is a cause that means a lot to me and I was so proud of myself for doing it.

It took:

3 pair of Cuddleduds leggings
2 Cuddleduds shirts
a fleece vet
a jersey lined, long lace skirt (because I could’t fit another pair of pants on)
wool socks
Ugg boots
a fleece gaitor/hood
fur lined hat
fleece scarf
lots of Toasty Toe warmers
fleece gloves (I had mittens to wear over them, but was handling paperwork and couldn’t use the mits, dang)
puffy jacket
Pretty mask

Did I mention, LOTS of warmers? I stuck them all over me.

I knew that all would show was my eyes, so I wore a ton of eye makeup. But didn’t realize that the fleece gaitor would cause my mask to steam up and I’d have a wet, red, icy nose all day. And that it would cause my mascara to melt into puddles that not only ran down my cheeks, but smeared in ragged half circles and froze above my eyes.

As if I had drunkenly drawn on weird eyebrows with a black sharpie.

And no one told me that I looked demented, as I greeted hundreds of drivers.

The cold was so bad, that my poor Apple Watch couldn’t take it. I had it buckled to my vest, because I couldn’t get to my wrist through all of my layers. The frigid air shut the watch down.

After dealing with freezing my watch off outdoors as a volunteer, a few hours in front of a fireplace, under a blanket with the power off didn’t seem so bad.

My next volunteer date is supposed to have temperatures way up to a balmy 21, so I am looking forward to the heat wave!

Hopefully you are warm, safe, and healthy. If you are, please turn down your heat a tad, turn off extra appliances and lights, and conserve what you can so that the grid doesn’t crash and the power stays off a while. Take care out there!

Cherishing

celebrations, Corona virus, cottage, family

By Karla Nathan / February 14, 2021

Do you have plans for this special day? I typically go all out, with gifts for everyone in the family, Galentine craft days, and decorations everywhere.

This is the anniversary of the day my husband adopted our boys and we have celebrated it as a family, instead of the usual couple date. Last year, we were in Florida, so had our family night early, but our son, Adam met us there to be together. The weather turned cold and rainy, our little Dewdrop had a bad cough, but we made our time fun and we were so happy to have them with us for a few days.

Here is a photo from one of my best Valentine’s, the grand fairies and I put glitter and confetti on the ceiling fan blades and had everyone gather in a circle. This is a capture still from the little video. It was such a jolt of pleasure to see a snippet of Ryan laughing when the video memory popped up on Facebook.

This season, our holiday is on the quiet side. The weather is unbearably cold today, with a high of two degrees, because of Covid we aren’t going to restaurants or gathering with friends for a craft day. Our pipes are frozen, so having a big dinner here, even with just half of us would be difficult. Sugarwings’ mama is working herself to exhaustion in finishing her clinical for her midwife’s degree and is too busy to get together. Adam and Dewdrop are far away in North Carolina.

And my Ryan is gone.

Life goes on, changes keep on coming. While we will never get over losing Ry, the arctic wind has stirred up his wind chimes and they are making a pretty song that I can hear in my studio today.

Adam loves his life in the mountains and has found a job where he can express his creativity, I love seeing photos of his carpentry projects, knowing he is using his art skills. I was blessed to have both of my sons close by and with me as adults for as long as I did.

Our Hippy Chick’s years of hard work are close to paying off and she will be starting her new career soon.

The years when I had my little fairy babies were filled with magic. But so is watching them grow and become become strong women with endless possibilities ahead of them.

Having family move on, grow, and flourish can feel like I have been left behind, if I let it. But I prefer to feel gratitude and pride for what they are doing with their lives.

When we get together, whether in small groups, or as a big ole, bundle, I can count my blessings and know that I am surrounded by love from near and far.

You can’t stop change, no matter if it is heart wrenching or heartfelt. Valentine’s Day is also Twinkle’s birthday. Today she is 14, and no longer the frisky pup she once was. But she still knows her name and likes when I repeat it to her, it’s her favorite thing. I’ll be cherishing her for as long as I can.

For New Year’s, I choose a word to honor for the upcoming year. 2021 has “Cherish”.

I’ll cherish the time I get with my true love, as our family goes through changes and we have time to travel and be together, just the two of us.

I’ll cherish my memories, my family and their dreams for the future.

I’ll cherish my friends and the fun they bring to my life. Even through social distancing we have remained close in our hearts.

I’ll cherish my house full of dogs and let them know they are loved, whether they are a puppy in their first year, or an aging baby like Twinks who might be in her last.

(a card from my pal, Angie)

Today might not be a typical Valentine’s Day for me, but I will cherish what I have and be thankful for the love I have been shown.

A small addition and a bit of an escape

collections, Corona virus, cottage

By Karla Nathan / February 10, 2021

Sometimes adding a little knick knack brightens a mood. Especially in these days where, if you are anything like me, you don’t get out much. After looking at the same sameness all the time, even a tiny twerk in home decor cheers me, so finding a nice treasure to add to my countertop and getting out to shop made for double the good time.

The other day I just needed to go SOMEWHERE. Do you get those feelings? Or are you already out and about? I’d been hearing about a new antique mall for months and months, and figured that if I wore a mask plus shield and didn’t linger, I should be fine.

And I was. Plus, I had such a great time. And I wanted everything I saw.

My main purchase was this chippy, old cigar stand that seemed perfect for my kitchen window.

Just what I needed to hold some greenery. I wish I could fill the window with herbs, but there isn’t enough sun. Instead, I use low light plants and cut flowers. Because plants add so much life to a home, don’t they?

I am not exactly a recluse, I do get out. These aqua appliances are from Hobby Lobby. Shopping there and at Michaels are just as essential as the grocery store in my mind.

Antiquing, on the other hand, isn’t something I’ve done much of.

And I’ve missed it!

There is no rush for me, though. There is a light shining brightly through the gloom, a beacon of hope that makes me feel like we can soon get back to a “new” normal.

The other day, I volunteered at a Covid vaccine drive through. It was very moving to be a part of, even if all I did was a Vanna White point to the exit. (I tried to make pointing and waving as fun as I could).

With a few, well a lot, more of these dates under our belts, there is a plan for getting out safely.

And I see a lot of antiquing around the corner!

A bowl full of sweetness

dogs, Goldendoodle Puppies, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / February 7, 2021

No matter how many dog beds I have strewn around the studio, every pup I have had wants to curl up in these bowls.

Back when I stored lace in the bowls, Twinkle decided that it was really meant for her instead.

Once she had her own pups, she showed them just how cozy a hard, ceramic bowl was.

Dorothy and Albie have spent their lifetime sleeping in bowls, so eventually I gave up on trying to get them to use doggie beds and put pillows in the dishes.

And I provided a second one for them. Twin beds.

I doubt if Molly will fit hers for very long. She is already 30 lbs and according to her DNA results, has another 25 to go.

My favorite part about seeing Molly share bowl beds with Dorothy, is that it shows how well all the dogs get along. When we first got Honey, war broke out between the Bigs and Littles.

It was ugly.

Then, Honey had her babies and we kept Sugar. I worked with Honey extensively on resource guarding, but the Littles were still leery of her. Sugar adored them and wanted to play, but they didn’t trust her for a long time. It started to get better.

War had ended, but there wasn’t much love between the two factions.

And now there is Molly. Sweet, gentle, Molasses, who could resist her?

After years of adjusting, or maybe just finally giving up? The individuals are now a pack. Littles and Bigs snuggle together, whether in side by side vintage bowls, in the dog beds, or on the sofa where I tell the Bigs they aren’t allowed.

Trying to be creative

Corona virus, cottage, dogs, family, Painting with thread, Ryan

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2021

The malaise of 2020 is spilling over into 2021 for me. I have made efforts to be creative and busy, but haven’t had any project consume me, like they have in the past.

Lots of embroidery happened, because it’s kind of a mindless task, just to keep my hands busy in front of the TV.

I’ve had some studio time, but it is all a lot of simple projects, like doodling on this tag.

Or trying to make my own dog tags. I have also painted a lot of things, repaired and reorganized. But most were “one of”. Nothing prolific, as I have always been in the past. Typically, if I make something, I can’t stop and next thing you know, there are twenty of them.

I made a scrapbook for Ryan, fairy wings with the grand fairies, and added a vinyl floor to the closet/laundry room.

That was a long delayed job, and has made the floor much warmer.

I even decided that I’d start grooming the dogs myself.

At least the little dogs.

So, I’ve kept busy. I’ve gone for long walks, had socially distant visits with friends, and stayed active. I think the unease and uncertainty in the world because of the virus, and the unimaginable loss of my son who was also one of my best friends has dampened my drive.

We have a camper trip planned, and I hope to clear my mind and refresh my soul with some sea air. When I get back, I’d like to work on reopening my shop. It’s not exactly closed, but it is ignored right now. It would be good for me to revamp and restock for spring.

It has been important to me that I don’t lose myself to the sadness, that I keep crafting, creating, contributing. And while nothing will ever be the same, I am slowly trying to rebuild my world.

Just an after, I forgot to take a before

redos

By Karla Nathan / February 1, 2021

Yep, I shoulda snapped a picture of this trophy-ish thing before I painted it. It was slightly vintage, not antique, kind of a fake, green brass color on a wooden block.

I dry brushed some white chalk paint over it, leaving some of the dark tones to peep through in crevices.

The wooden base was painted too, but the end result was sort of blah. So, I covered it in text, added an old clock face, a text pom pom, and rhinestone.

It’s much better now.
I guess you’ll have to take my word for that since you have nothing to compare it to.

An altered doll wardrobe, everything is better with wallpaper!

redos, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper

By Karla Nathan / January 30, 2021

Beth gave me a doll wardrobe that definitely showed it’s age. She knew I needed a challenge.

See what I mean?
It needed a few minor repairs where the joints had pulled apart, but mostly just some pretty papers.

Keeping with the theme, I glued vintage paper with pictures of children’s clothes patterns to the inside.

I used two wallpapers on the outside.

Then I added clusters of flowers on the ribbons that tie the top and bottom together. I sanded the edges a little, so it didn’t look too fresh and new, then hung a nicely tattered, old doll dress on the hook inside.

Most likely, I’ll just use it as a storage box on my desk, not for doll clothes. But it was cute to see it with the dress hanging in it, as it was meant to be.

A book for Ryan

Books, celebrations, Corona virus, family, Ryan

By Karla Nathan / January 27, 2021

When Ryan died, I looked on Facebook, my blog, old albums, anywhere I could to gather photos of him.

With a break to raise puppies, I have been working on a scrapbook for him since.

Some times, the pictures and memories would reduce me to a puddle of snot and tears so, I couldn’t work on it every day.

The goal was to have it done today, his birthday.

He was a guy who loved his birthday! He usually took a week off of work, just to relax.

Although, relaxing for Ryan meant going to the gym to work out and walking 20,000 steps a day.

I will celebrate his birthday by going for a walk, and have been trying to get one in daily this week, like I would’ve if he’d been with me.

On cold days, we’d go to the community rec center. I was worried about using it now, but checked it out, and it is pretty empty. The track is built as a loft over four basketball courts that are not open due to Covid. It is a newer building and seems airy.

On nice days, I walk on the sidewalks and trails we used to go on together. But there has been a cold streak in Kansas, so I needed to use the track for his birthday week. Which is tough, because it requires a mask. That in itself is fine, but when I am thinking of how much I enjoyed running, walking and talking with my boy, I start to cry.

You can’t cry well in a mask.

So, I listen to an audiobook and try not to sob and get my mask soggy, since I can’t take it off to blow my nose.

Ryan’s book is finished, I made it from the canvas of a pour painting that he hung in his apartment.

I wish he would’ve joined me in creating a painting of his own. He did hang out with me as I swirled and played with paints, and he loved watching them come together.

The charm on this book was a pour paint necklace that he wore.

The book itself is a planner from Hobby Lobby. I cut the painting off its frame and pieced a gold toned canvas together to cover the exterior.

The interior is covered in a red canvas he also had in his room.

Ryan’s life long friends gave me an entire folder filled with sketches and doodles he did over the decades while playing card games with them!

What a treasure!

Some I cut up to make a collage, others I used as backgrounds as is. And the rest I used as additions throughout the book. I included some condolence cards too, this page is made of a card from his friends’ mom.

It’s too bad my hand writing isn’t nice, but it was still very important to me to add stories, so I didn’t let it bother me.

On this page, I listed some of his favorite tv shows, that we’d watch together.

And I added a few on my own doodles too.

Now that it is done, I am wishing that I’d bought a bigger book to use. This is stuffed tightly, and I would’ve liked to add printed pages from my blog about Ryan. There is no space left in this book.

I will keep this book by my favorite chair.

There is no recovery from a loss like this.

But there is comfort in reminiscing, and in memories.

Working on this album was healing for me.

And I’ll be glad to keep it nearby.

It looks like it was a big effort, but this is really just a mini redo

cottage, Hand Painted Furniture

By Karla Nathan / January 24, 2021

When I fell in love with this hutch, it was despite the yellow, goldish color it had been painted. I thought I could live with it as is, but it grated on me, until I finally had to neutralize the piece and make it this classic white.

The original hardware was gorgeous, but too dark for me, so it got painted too.

See what I mean? It is a magnificent hunk of furniture, but just didn’t go with my house as it was. Maybe the tones were more Mediterranean instead of romantic cottage?

Ahhhhhhh, much better!

And a much more simple project than you’d think. I bought a quart of white chalk paint at JoAnne’s with a 50% off coupon. (There was a lot of paint leftover)

No prep needed, I just brushed it on. I didn’t take out drawers or remove hardware, I just carefully painted them in place, watching out for drips as I went along. After painting a drawer, I’d leave it open a crack so it didn’t stick shut.

I considered doing a glaze over all of it to accentuate the carvings and details. Then decided against it, because they showed up nicely in the solid color. Plus, other items in the room were painted that way, and I don’t like things too matchy.

The handles got the treatment, though. They looked odd in plain white, like they were unfinished.

The brass was turning a little green through the white paint and I kind of liked it, but didn’t want too much of it, so I used a clear coat on them, then another coat of white, barely leaving the green patina to peek through.

After that, I brushed on umber paint and wiped it off.

Then the whole cabinet got a satin, water based clear coat. Not wax! That stuff would have been soooooo much work to apply and buff on something like this! The clear poly worked just fine and was done in a fraction of the time.

Chalk paint dries quickly and covers well. It took one coat plus touch ups. The entire project was done in three hours, start to finish.

In a painting frame of mind

flowers, friends, Hand Painted Furniture

By Karla Nathan / January 21, 2021

Lately, I’ve been getting some furniture painted. I’ve enjoyed it so much, that I am considering painting some pieces to frame too. I hope I get around to that.

A “painting with thread” project got started too. Those are drawn on a shirt with washable marker to start with, and the marker is more of a guideline than anything else. I liked this sketch, so will try to follow it. Sometimes things change a lot once I get started.

Here is a photo of the dresser, not all the way before, but near the beginning. It is in Angie’s booth at Good JuJu and we went in there one afternoon while the building was empty for me to paint while Beth and Angie redid their neighboring spaces.

It had been a while since I’d added roses to furniture. I had planned something completely different, but this is how it turned out.

Author name: Karla Nathan