Karla Nathan – Page 66 – Karla's Cottage

Listen to Your Heart, a class in Deland, FL

holiday decor, Travel, Valentine's Day, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / January 9, 2020

My dear, Special K, the divine hostess, Karen Hillman has invited me to teach a Valentine class on Saturday, Feb.8th at her Cozy Castle.

Whenever she comes to my home, she comments on some hearts I have hanging in my dining room. They were made during a girlfriends’ craft day at my good friend,Tami’s house.

So we will be making a version of those. Which makes it even more special to me. Craft projects made together with people you care about, already are infused with love, right?

Perfect for Valentine’s Day!

My kits will include a collage sheet printed onto linen, so everyone can choose their favorite photo to add. And faded, old, millinery blooms will in in the kit along with soft, pure silk ribbon to hang the lace covered hearts from.

Oooh, and the lace! YUMMY!

Yes, this is the Good Stuff, all the way. Class size and extra kits to sell will be limited due to the amount of this decadent lace that I have. There are two vintage gowns that I am taking apart to use, and I think the previous owners were pretty petite.

We will also be learning a quick and easy beading trick.

I’ve salvaged some vintage curtains that used to hang in my kitchen to make tiny, little tokens to hang from the knot of silk ribbon.

Your sewing skill level can be any level for this class. You can blow us away with your needlework, or get out a bottle of Fabric-Tac to assemble it.

I am not much of a sewer myself…

My Mom, who was a highly skilled seamstress, would be shocked to know that I am attempting to teach a class that involves needle and thread. But the main focus on this isn't the actual stitching of it, it is the foofing and decorating that is the best part.

Well, for me, the best part will be a day at the Cozy Castle with friends. Karen is an extraordinary hostess and has a beautiful home. I was lucky enough to teach with her there last year, and am thrilled to have a chance to say farewell.

She has sold her historic home, and will be moving this spring. It is a such a beautiful place, I will miss it and am honored to get one last visit.

Please contact me if you’d like more info, I would love to see you there.

Valentine Fairies and more

Books, fairies, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 6, 2020

Thank you so much to everyone who purchased fairies from me for their Christmas tree!

I loved making each and every one.

But just because Christmas season has passed, that doesn't have to mean that fairy season is over.

These sprites are lovely for Valentines Day too.

Especially this gal.

She wants to be your Galentine.

I have given many of them hand drawn roses or hearts on their clothes.

While they look extra cute in pink for the holiday, they aren't necessarily just for Valentines.

Although they would make nice gifts for someone you love.

And the fairies, with or without a book are sweet as candy year round.

I love any excuse to make one.

There are more to come too. I have more to get pics of.

It is much more fun to make them than it is to photograph them, edit the pictures and list them in the Boutique.

I adore making books, and making fairies, so I figured I would combine my loves and put them together. Maybe I will make some sweet banners also since I love those too…

The books are 100% handmade, cover to cover. I used acrylic pour paint canvases, cut up to cover chipboard to hand craft them. Cut and tied the pages in, lined the covers with vintage wallpaper, created ties to hold the books closed, then decorated them.

If you would like one, you can find them here in my Boutique.

The halls are still decked

cottage, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / January 4, 2020

Typically, I have all of my holiday decor put away by now.

This year, we had Dewdrop visiting from North Carolina, so I left it up while she was still here.

Then, Sugarwings was staying with us for a couple of days after her sis left.

I can't dismantle a mountain of Christmas crap with a little girl around. The grand fairies are too sad to see it go.

And my house is in total disarray during the process. It takes magical skills to make it all fit where it needs to go. The huge task requires mega amounts of concentration and plotting.

So, I'll enjoy it, as long as I need to. Then go full force in finagling all of this into one small closet. I'm not sure if I will miss it or not. I think I will miss the twinkling lights, but I am possibly ready for the clutter to be gone. I did get the studio cleared of all signs of the holiday, and have enjoyed getting it back to normal and getting some work done out there.

Which reminds me, there will be some new, non Christmas, fairies flying their way to the Boutique soon. Photos to come.

Highlights for 2019 of trips, redos, art events, and more

celebrations, family

By Karla Nathan / January 1, 2020

While 2019 had some very rough moments, there were some major highlights for me too. Sugarwings and I have spent maybe about 10,000 gajillion hours together in the studio, and this year, she seemed to come into her own with coming up with well executed, interesting projects.

There were many times that she would show me something and I'd be surprised a kid had done it. Like these hot glue roses. Really nice!

I also got to host a few gatherings, like "Love Bird Song" for Valentine's Day, where I became addicted to cutting carrots into heart shapes and made up excuses to have visitors just to serve more heart shaped carrots.

Sadly, though, the day after the class, I slipped in the studio and conked my head. If you are going to be keeping track, this is Concussion #1.

And Art Event #1

My buddy, Karen came to the cottage to teach in August, and we had a great weekend with friends.

Art Event #2 (these aren't in order, I am just counting them)

Then, one big ole, wonderful, weekend happened in November with A Snowbird's Song, and I am still feeling happy thoughts thinking about that get together!

(And yes, I am planning on doing one again in November 2020, please come and join the fun!)

Art Event #3

In February, I taught at the Cozy Castle, with two Valenting projects.

And guess what? I will be doing that again this February!! It will be a bittersweet experience, her gorgeous home has sold, and this will be my last visit to see her while I happen to be in Florida vacationing. I am quite glad to get one more night in that lovely place.

Art Event #4

In April, Jenn Hayslip invited me to teach at Jekyll Island where I roomed with my Honey Bunny, Guncle Randy.

Art Event #5

We laughed our fluffy little bunny tails off, and had a great time with great people.

After I taught at the Cozy Castle, my husband and Sugarwings met me in Orlando, and we drove down to Ft Lauderdale for some winter getaway beach time.

Then, he played golf with friends while she and I hung with Mickey.

And if you are going to be keeping track, this is Disney #1.

After Jenn's event in Georgia, I was flying home from Jacksonville, and of course, had to spend time at Guncleland while there. And when in Florida, I thought it would be smart to meet up with Terry and Dale to make a lil visit to Disney again..

Disney #2

We spent a day at Universal too.

And oops! See the forehead starting to turn color?

Yep.

Concussion #2, I got dizzy on a ride and fell face first into a wall of lockers.

June held a trip to Park City to Terry's grand masquerade/family reunion.

Where we had some exciting dress up time, and bonding with loved ones.

All of the other trips were flying (mostly on free flights from Southwest points) but I took a cross country trip to pick up Dewdrop by car and stopped in Indy to see my family there.

And I got to spend a night at my fab friend, Lori's beautiful home in Louisville too.

During a roadside antique mall stop, I found these curtains that inspired a bathroom redo when I got home.

Redo count? #1

A huge moment in last spring was redoing my studio. I straightened, sorted, painted, and rearranged to make a much more useful space. It was a week of nonstop hard work, but I still am uplifted by the redo everytime I walk in there.

Redo count #2

Redo count #3 A not so interesting redo, but one I was proud of myself for tackling was power washing and repainting this garage all by myself. Although, if I knew what was ahead of me, I probably would have just taken the time to rest up instead…

Because that is when my son's family broke up and we had to do a major redo on this house to get it on the market before the brief, fall selling season was over. We tore down out buildings, repainted the shed, cleaned out the garage, repainted ceilings, bathroom cabinets, stairs, and all but two rooms. Then hauled gravel and shovelled it into the driveway, redid flower beds, mowed and mowed and trimmed and trimmed, and hauled off all of the household of filth and junk and everything else the temporary renters had left including maggots in the kitchen and well, I won't get into that, I am letting it all go….

The house looked homey and welcoming after our nonstop month of work and it sold with multiple offers in less than a week, so, as I said, I am letting the rage and exhaustion go.

Or at least trying.

Redo count? #4- to #4,000?

It felt like more.

Having a houseful of doodle babies to come home to every day, sure made me feel better. I loved every second of time I had with these wonderful pups, they were my smartest, sweetest litter, ever.

After we finished the house, we flew the kids to Clearwater Beach and to Disney. We wanted them to know that even though our son wasn't with their mom, we loved them and they were family. Also, we wanted to celebrate my husband's retirement.

He left his job just as we started working to get that house sold.

Disney count #3

Clearwater is where this happened.

Concussion count #3

My Dr. says that if I were an athlete, I would be benched.

After A Snow Bird's Song, I had one more trip, another reunion. This time, for our annual Sister Trip to Florida, we were joined by my sister's kids. It was such a joy to spend time with them, even though the weather at home in KS was warmer than it was in Sarasota most of the week. We just wrapped up in lots of blankets and layers and enjoyed the patio anyway. Luckily, before the time we had to go home there was sunshine and a couple of perfect days.

But for the Disney count? Nope, I didn't sneak out for a day at the park, the count ended at 3. Each was loved and appreciated, but I think that might be the end of my Disney days for a while, our trips will be different now with my handsome husband happily retired.

The year ended with a room full of love. I had cried my heart out while getting that house ready to sell, not thinking we would ever have another big family dinner together.

But, I am lucky to have these people in my life. And even with the changes, disruptions, unheavels, and moves, they came together for the holiday and that meant the world to me. This year had its rough times.

But it sure had its good ones too.

Thank you, 2019 for the lessons and for the love.

Holiday Blessings

fairies, family, sea shell fairies

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2019

Our weather on Christmas Eve and Day was spectacular. Upper 60s? In Kansas on December 24th? You just never know, some years are blizzards, others are meant for being outside.

We found a new trail behind the dog park that lead to the river, and on my first steps along the bank, I spied a rock that looked like an angel wing.

Of course I had to make a Beach Blessings angel as a thank you.

Dewdrop harvested some algae to make the wreath and as I placed it in the angel’s arms, I saw a teensy, heart shaped rock to add to it.

We had two days of walking weather, with various family members going along each day. Kansas might not have gorgeous scenery, but I still appreciate our time in the woods when we can get it.

I would love to live somewhere more interesting, with hills or beaches, but I figure a person should make the most of what they have and look for the best in it. I am lucky to live in a town that cares about making trails for its citizens (and dogs). And am also quite lucky to have a few acres of our own woods to enjoy.

And winter walking weather in Kansas was a pretty nice Christmas present!

i should’ve made a bigger thank you angel…

Our Cottage Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, dogs, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 27, 2019

Could I describe Christmas as both laid back and lively at the same time?

Maybe what I mean is that we had a lot of fun with simple pleasures.

Like princess cocoa parties with melting snowmen cocoa bombs while using Nanny’s china.

Decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread men together.

Taking advantage of the unusually, lovely weather by going for long walks.

In jammies.

We had a build your own calzone/pizza bar, so everyone got their favorites and it was a group effort for Christmas Eve dinner.

I chopped and sautéed most of the toppings the day in advance, then Ryan helped with the rest.

We had a house full for both days, with almost the entire family sleeping over, staying up late to watch holiday movies, using the hot tub to relax, and playing the games that were given as gifts.

I think what made it all so wonderfully sweet was that there was nothing at all formal about it. There was a nice, casual flow about the holiday.

We went light on gifts, with easy meals, took a few walks, had a wonderful time with everyone under one roof.

Dewdrop will be with us for the rest of winter break, so there will be more family fun time to come.

Sugarwings has plans for surprising her lil sis with elf pranks every day. We will see some movies, hang out in the studio to make things with all the new art supplies they got, and of course, snack away on those beautifully decorated cookies.

I hope your holiday was a blessed one too.

A Handmade Christmas Countdown

holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 24, 2019

This year, I decided to feature some of my hand made ornies each day as a countdown to Christmas.

I posted them on IG and FB daily and thought I would share them all at once with you here too.

Some are special, with family stories behind them, like the previous ones with family photos (my immediate family, and my great grandmother and her sister) or this one made from one of Sugarwing's old shoes.

This is one of Dewdrop's baby shoes.

Others are just for fun.

This was a scrap of watercolor paper I had been practicing on, years ago, and came across in a box of junk. I cut it into a ball shaped ornament and hung it on the tree. (The snowy effect is done by sprinkling salt onto the wet paint)

This is one that I made at a craft day with pals.

And this one reminds me of my early vintage paper days. I went through a paper doll making stage, that was every bit as fun as playing with the paper dolls I had as a child.

Once, a friend gave me a packet of photo paper she didn't want and there were a few photos in it. I didn't realize they were family pictures her husband had copied years ago, just thought they were some old photos they didn't want (I personally have tons of old pictures like this, so thought nothing of it) and made one into an ornament. She was here for craft day, and had fun making decorations with the images herself. It was a nice surprise for her to find them in my studio on craft day.

It doesn't matter if the pieces have a special meaning for me, each is special.

And I love unpacking the box of goodies each year and looking through my treasures as I add them to the tree.

I will leave you with the rest of the countdowns and wish you a very, very Merry day.

Actual grand fairies

Dew Drop, fairies, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 22, 2019

Making Sugarplum fairies has kept me so busy that I am just now wrapping gifts, today.

My husband is in Chicago at a Chiefs game, Ryan is at work, Sugarwings with her mom, and Dewdrop won’t be arriving with her daddy til tomorrow.

That means I have an empty dining room to spread out gifts and get them packaged up. I just finished my shopping yesterday, on a fun day out with some of the family, letting them choose their own pressies instead of trying to surprise them.

As much as I love surprises, sometimes you just gotta let them do the picking. And even though I’d heard that yesterday was the busiest shopping day of the year, I still preferred strolling through stores with people I love and going out to lunch over ordering from Amazon at home.

It felt more like Christmas that way. Oh, I used Amazon for quite a bit, but a shopping date was like the icing on the Christmas cookie to top off my holiday festivities.

I also made some gifts, like this Sully Sugarplum Fairy for a great niece. It is as pink, glittery, and gaudy as possible for a very sweet lil princess.

I used another photo of her on a card.

This banner is for The Guncles’ nature tree. They can take them apart to use as ornies or hang as is.

I used the painted brown paper table covers from a Snowbird’s Song as a background. I also made use of it as wrapping paper this year.

Speaking of wrapping paper, I’d better get to work. I am sitting at the table having my morning coffee, surrounded by stacks of gifties and rolls of paper.

Holiday Happenings

celebrations, family, friends

By Karla Nathan / December 19, 2019

I never turn down a Christmas invitation and look for as many holiday adventures to cram into December as I can.

Meeting up with friends for lunch and going shopping? Yes, please!

Especially a visit to Angie’s. She lives within walking distance of the museum, where we ate at the courtyard cafe, the made me feel as tho I was dining in Europe.

(I fell in love with that dyed wreath! And have plans to try to dye some of my dried hydrangeas aqua…)

We peeked around the museum and soaked up a smidgeon of culture before heading out to shop.

The displays at J’Dore were inspiring. We hit a thrift store too.

But the best part? Just chatting and catching up over sparkly wine and chocolates at Angie’s pretty apartment in the sky.

The grand fairies and I had a night out to see a Magical Cirque Christmas. It reminded me more of an old school variety show than a typical Cirque extravaganza. The teens thought it was new and different, having not grown up in the age of Ed Sullivan.

Sugarwings loved the corny magician, and while we had a late night for a Tuesday, it was worth all of the sleepy yawns on Wednesday morning.

She and I also attended Matilda at the local theater. There is a kid friendly play there every year at the holidays and we have a happy tradition of going.

Tonight is the last, big bash of the year, a party for her Martial Arts group, with dinner and dancing at the Doubletree. Last year we danced so hard, Sugarwings’ shoes fell apart.

Well, I guess I mean the last outside function, we will be rocking around the Christmas tree with Dewdrop soon!

She will be back in Kansas for Christmas break. I am thrilled to be having our tiniest family member with us again.

I have been on pins and needles with the transportation plans, they have been iffy, but seem straightened out now.

We will be having cocoa parties in front of the tree, dancing North Pole Style together (to a kid’s musical dance party toy that most of the family finds annoying, but that we love), and making gingerbread men together.

Because there can always be a party waiting to happen if you just look for it.

The last Sugarplum fairies of the decade, a look back at the year, and a giveaway

fairies, family, give away, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 18, 2019

Oh my, that is true, we are not just near the end of the year, it is the end of a decade!

My year is ending with a blast, I have loved hunkering down in the studio and making Sugarplum Fairy after fairy after fairy.

And I am thankful for all of the people who bought them for me so that I could indulge in my love of crafting these gals.

It has been a mixed year for me. Lots of wonderful moments and people, lots of injury and heartache and worry.

It is odd that a year can be soooo good, but yet so bad at the same time.

Teaching at Karen's Cozy Castle, and at Jenn Hayslip's retreat, seeing family members from far away, and having a studio full of Peeps come to see me a couple of times this year made up for a lot of the problems I have had.

It is hard to be too down about a minor skull fracture, multiple concussions, and other aches and pains when I have so many positives in my life too.

The break up of my son's family and the draining work of getting their house on the market was heart wrenching. But having little Dewdrop come back for Christmas eases that pain. And while my son and his littlest girl now live across the country, I am adjusting. And still have the other 3 grand fairies with me. We are trying to get back to family dinners with the group, and while it is a change to not have two of our people, there is still a lot of love on those nights.

And seriously, how lucky and blessed were we to have an uptick in the local real estate market just as we finished the remodelling of the house we had bought for my son's family and to get out from under that mortgage in less than a week? We worked our asses off to make it happen for weeks, but yes, it did work out.

We could have been stuck with an empty house to take care of and keep up all winter.

My husband's early retirement also threw me for a loop. But we are adjusting and he is the happiest he has ever been in his life.

Life is all about changes and how you deal with them. Honestly, I did NOT deal well with having to do so much to that house to get it sold, and with the family splitting up.

Did I mention that my husband unexpectedly retired that week and that I also had my hormones cut in half at the same time? But I got through it, and did what was needed to make things work.

(I have since found out that my rotator cuff was torn and my bicep tendon was ruptured at the time, so that makes me feel better now about being so whiny while painting ceilings then! I am now in PT for those injuries.)

I have had beautiful trips with people I love (even though I came home with a concussion twice).

I have had dozens of fun and caring Peeps here at the cottage.

I have had a nest full of puppies to cheer me up with snuggles at the end of a long day of repainting a house we were afraid we were stuck with, but were not.

I had the joy of running through the waves with Sugarwings, splashing through Disney in the rain and laughing with all four girls, making seashell fairies on 4 beaches to leave as thank yous for the beauty of the trip.

I have had people let me down, but others show so much caring that I could get past the hurt of the let downs.

And I have had the joy of making all of these Sugarplum fairies. What a happy way to end the year. I was so thrilled to see that they sold so quickly, and while this is kind of late to be adding more to the Boutique, I had a lot of happiness go into making each and every one whether they sell or not.

2019 has been eventful.

These fairies might seem like a silly little thing to be so emotional about, but a lot of healing went into the creation of them.

I would like to share the cheer. Please leave a comment if you want to be entered to win a fairy of your own.

(You can also enter on FB and IG)

Author name: Karla Nathan