Karla Nathan – Page 88 – Karla's Cottage

Randomness

By Karla Nathan / May 16, 2018

This was painted years ago for a friend, and I just recently visited their home and saw it again, what a nice surprise.

On one of our LONG, cold Spring days, while waiting for the weather to change, we went out for hair cuts and treated ourselves to milkshakes, pretending that we were not cold.

We spent a few days at the Discovery Zone in Topeka too.

There is always plenty to do there.

The grand fairies could stay for the whole day, and sometimes we do.

Sugarwings has been making mini waffles for us, after getting her own waffle iron from the Easter Bunny.

I don't think this is the Easter Bunny himself, just some random bunny I saw at Home Depot. A toddler, shopping with his mom, helped me follow him around and watch him nibble on the flowers.

Aren't these a pretty color? I mean, two pretty colors? I love these shoes and they were only $10 since they were mismatched.

A two toned bargain didn't bother me at all.

And here is some random cuteness from my world. A picture of lazy dogs for this lazy, post I just wrote.

Prom

family

By Karla Nathan / May 13, 2018

Avahni is graduating soon, and her Senior Prom was the week before our cruise. I was lucky enough to get to help her choose her prom dress!

And she let me do a photo shoot with her as we waited for her date.

When he arrived, he was a good sport and posed for me too.

Aren't they cute together?

I thought this gown suited her dramatic coloring.

And he chose the ideal corsage for her to wear.

It was an honor to be a part of her big night.

Dewdrop enjoyed the prep too, and had a bit of a make over herself.

We are proud of our girl, not only because of how gorgeous she looks, how kind hearted she is, and how talented she is when she flies through the air on the silks. She has made plans to be a paramedic and has been taking college classes toward her goal while still in high school. She has even gotten some scholarships lined up for future classes! Congrats, Avahni, we love you!!

Great Grandma Nellie and her sister, Martha

family, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / May 10, 2018

Previously, I showed you the old, family photo my sister had, and how I edited it. I was so in love with the picture, I wanted to do a very special frame for it, hopefully, a shadowbox.

But I couldn't find a shadow box as ornate as I'd like. Instead, I bought a black, oval frame ($7, Hobby Lobby), painted and distressed it. Then, filled it as I liked and added the glass to the top rim of the frame instead of flat against the insides as it was meant to be.

I glued it down (Crafter's Pick, the Ultimate Glue), but the glass was made slightly larger than the place I wanted it to be, so I had to do some camouflage.

I goobered it up, with ruffled ribbon, and lots of foof. That took care of the problem.

The sisters were cut out of the picture, and edged in brown marker, with a little brown water color on the vintage, ledger paper behind them, to make them stand out. Their dresses were sparkled with a Gelly Roll stardust pen in clear, and I gave them millinery flowers to hold.

There was also a slight, gappy looking area around the inside of the frame, where the glass should have been before I decided it needed to be on top instead.

I ruffled some crepe paper and trimmed it to about a 1" long and then pressed it into a bead of glue all the way around the inside edge of the frame before permanently gluing the glass down to the top and foofing it up.

Special K Day, a party in the studio

celebrations, flowers, Food and Drink, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / May 7, 2018

When I'd heard that my Fab, Florida Friend, Karen Hillman, was going to be in Kansas, I thought it would be an ideal time to plan a craft day.

Since my birthday was coming up, I thought I'd combine her visit with a little party to celebrate the occaision.

Karen and I call each other, "Special K", along with our third K, Guncle Kevin. And I wanted to make the day extra special for my K, so I set the table with some of my favorites and we all made some goodies for a ladies' luncheon.

I fixed quiche, bread, and cupcakes. Others brought snacks, treats, and plenty of deliciousness.

While in Florida, I arm wrestled Guncle Randy for the leftovers of the cake Karen had baked, packed it in my carryon and froze it that night, to thaw out for Special K Day and serve to the guests.

It was every bit as mouth watering as it was the day she made it. Wow, I need to try to make one of those.

We had some afternoon goodies in the treat cabinet too.

Can you have enough desserts on craft day? I don't know if I like craft days for the food or the projects.

For birthday party gifties, I provided unfinished wood shadowboxes, with a table full of the supplies to fill them up.

I also found some Crabtree and Evelyn scented cream, in pretty, spring like tubes for everyone.

It always makes me happy to see what variations the artists come up with for the projects.

I didn't have kits as I would for an actual class, just a table full of goodies to chose through, so the styles were even more unique than usual. I also set out wooden bird houses to fix up.

(That dark paper with the birds? A gift from Alice-Anne, it is scented drawer liner that came in a box labeled, "Birdsong"!

Pretty ideas, aren't they?

So sweet.

Tami brought this lovely bouquet and table runner for me.

And Nora crafted this hand made basket! My friends were very generous and thoughtful. It made Special K Day even more special to spend it with some of my dear, Birdsong Peeps!

Bahama Bound

celebrations

By Karla Nathan / May 5, 2018

Today, I am 60.

I've decided to relish every second of this year and celebrate throughout.

I'll wear the swimsuit that might not be quite age appropriate, knowing that if I don't now, then WHEN? (This sagginess isn't going to get any better.)

I'll ride the roller coaster (after taking ginger pills) and deal with the motion sickness because life is too short to avoid fun when it is offered.

I'll say YES when friends offer an invitation and make the most of the time spent with them.

I'll play hooky with the grand fairies and float away with them across the seas to explore new places.

I'll take the time to paint, to play, to walk in the woods.

I'll look for the happiness that is always waiting for us, if we just give it a chance.

I'll be thankful and recognize the blessings I have, and treat each day as a brand new gift.

The 4 grandfairies, my Handsome Husband, and I are on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas now, and my birthday dinner will be before Pirate Night on the ship, after a day on the beaches. It can't get any better than that. We are also celebrating our eldest girl's high school graduation while floating around.

Did I mention that I feel blessed?

celebrations, friends, Travel

By Karla Nathan / May 3, 2018

While in Florida, I didn't expect to see my pal, Karen Hillman.

She was planning a trip to Kansas the next week and we had plans then.

But Guncle Randy took me out to a shopping center one morning while I was in Jax, and as I strolled into a pretty shop- there she was! What a surprise. She'd driven almost TWO HOURS, brought me a decadent cake, and a gift card, leaving me speechless when I saw her waiting for me.

She couldn't stay for the day, she had to turn around, drive that long trek right back and get to work for the afternoon (two photo shoots). During her quick trip, she helped me choose a pile of things to try on and we had an hour together while Randy waited patiently, and was asked to comment here and there on our Pretty Woman style spree.

He was much more patient than you'd expect. What a nice guy to hang out while we tried on mountains of clothes.

It seems like I rarely have time to shop, and when I do, it is for the grand fairies. Or I'm at TJ Maxx, finding a quick tee shirt or two. Shopping with buddies was a nice change, and both convinced me to buy things I probably wouldn't have on my own.

When a person with as much style as Karen does, tells you that you should wear more red, you buy something red. She also thought this dress wasn't too young for me… I'm going to wear it on my Big Birthday Boat Trip.

This was waiting in front of the dressing room door, how cute.

The cake was amazing too. And how sweet of her to take the time to do this for me. I feel so blessed.

MORE from the florida trip??? Yep, I was blessed!

celebrations, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / May 1, 2018

After seeing my life long, best buds to celebrate the three of us turning 60, the party went on! Sister Terry drove from Orlando to St. Augustine to fetch me, and headed back again to Orlando, so we could go straight to the Flower and Garden event at Epcot.

Afterwards, we checked into a luxurious suite at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where we were greeted by some of the creatures that roam the grounds.

The next day, Terry had quite an adventure planned. I started off lazying about on the balcony, sipping my coffee and watching for zebras to visit, then we headed to Animal KIngdom park. She had set up fast passes for the afternoon, then an evening filled with the best Disney magic you could ever hope for…

WE WENT ON THE VIP TOUR!

And yes, it was amazing. And even better than you'd think it would be.

I was blown away.

We were taken on a tour of the top 5 rides and then front row and center at the Rivers of Light, by two guides, one who looked like he stepped right out of a Disney movie.

He kept us entertained with puns and trivia. I told him that my grand fairies would have been very impressed with him. (because that is what grammies do, they blather on with cute, young guys about how darling they are, without shame or embarrassment)

We were told there would be a snack, and were to pick a dessert and drink. I chose wine, because I was feeling very pampered, not thinking about my problems with motion sickness…

But you know what? I pounded non-drowsy, organic ginger tablets for nausea, and wore motion sickness bands. Along with the power of my will, and making myself find a focal point to not think about getting dizzy-

I RODE A ROLLER COASTER!!!!!

And the Banshee 3D virtual reality thing at Pandora!

Right afterwards, it was time for the "snack" they'd promised.

Which was a feast, much more than expected.

My stomach was ready to argue with me, but I would NOT let it.

Dang it, this was my special treat, and that wine was not going to drink itself.

I powered thru by sheer determination.

Having a ton of fun sure helped me prevent a lifetime of motion sickness from letting me from back out on some of the more twisty rides.

Am I going to be a regular on the merry go round with the kiddos?

Or hop on more roller coasters?

I seriously doubt that.

But I have decided that age 60, is a good time to not let myself be ruled by what might happen. If I'm offered a special treat, like a night of adventure at Disney, I am not going to turn it down because I'm afraid of a little motion sickness. (well, typically a lot, but it can be overcome if you try hard enough).

At 60, I know life ahead of me is shorter than what is behind me. I'm going to make the most of the rest of it.

I'm going to grab onto the fun I find out there and hang on tightly!

And look for hidden magic, or unexpected joy in every corner. (I'm always excited to find "Hidden Mickeys" at the parks)

I might be a Grammy, all cozy in her cottage, but I'm not ready to be old.

Thank you, Terry, for not only, a magnificent, and generous trip, but a chance to get out of my comfort zone, and fly through Pandora on a winged beast!!

More guncle-riffic-ness

guncles

By Karla Nathan / April 28, 2018

The interior of the Guncles' home is quite wonderful, but it doesn't stop there! Out in the lush, tropical, Florida garden, tucked into the corner, is a rather plain looking, tent covered, metal gazebo.

If you open the flaps and peek inside, you will find that the outside is deceptive. Inside, is a dining wonderland, whose theme changes every time I visit. It is a charming, herb themed set up now, and this chandy is simply breathtaking.

Lovely!

In the Land of Guncles

family, guncles

By Karla Nathan / April 25, 2018

While in Florida to celebrate our 60th birthdays with my life long buddies, I thought I should take advantage of my plane tickets and extend my trip to visit family.

First, I spent some time with Terry at Disney, then the two of us headed up to Jax to revel in the hospitality of the Guncles.

As always, the table was set with style and flair. This time, nodding to our sister trip to Animal Kingdom with a jungle setting. I should have gotten a photo of the food, but I was way, way too busy shoving it into my face as fast as I could.

Oh my goodness!

Lobster tails, BBQ Shrimp, Fish Tacos!!!

Oh my!

After my couple of days there, I felt like I waddled out, stuffed to the brim with some of the best meals I'd ever had the pleasure of being served.

All deliciousness was devoured with joy, and with the best views and company possible.

Every corner of the Guncles' home is filled with eye candy.

Whimsy abounds.

Color astounds.

Vintage goodies surround.

There is never a shortage of pretty displays to get lost in.

Thank you, Randy and Kevin, for the wonderful, welcoming time. Lots of love, lots of laughs, your home is the best!

A flock of seashell fairies

celebrations, friends, sea shell fairies, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 22, 2018

My visit to St. Augustine was better than I even hoped it would be.

The weather was pretty dang bad the first couple of days.

And chilly after about 48 hours of thunderstorms.

So we didn't get to do the things we planned.

Hmm, not sounding great, huh?

Oh, but it was!! I met up with friends from childhood and beyond, they are lifetime friends that I rarely get to see. We made the most of the weather, wrapped ourselves in warm quilts, drank some wine, and enjoyed the view of the storms across the ocean.

We also enjoyed our never ending conversations that started when we met at the airport and flowed non-stop til I rolled my bag out to the car to leave.

It wasn't what we were doing, it was who we were doing it with that counted.

Although, we did manage to get a lot of fun activities going despite the weather.

When the sun finally came back out, we had LONG walks on the beach and hunted seaglass.

I'll leave you with a few photos of the 180 Years of Celebration trip. (all three of us were having our 60th birthdays, one in February, two in May)

Author name: Karla Nathan