bird song art event – Page 11

Spring cleaning in the garden

By Karla Nathan / May 13, 2013

Having an arty weekend at your home is a good incentive to get some yard work done! When we had some trees removed this winter, the sunshiney areas in my courtyard tripled and I've had a chance to add some roses to the area.

We've never had enough sun back there before to grow much other than ground cover and begonias. So, this week, I planted some knockout roses and a few miniature roses. Knockouts are so easy to take care (you don't have to do anything much more than watering as needed) I can't get enough of them. And they always go on sale at Home Depot for $10 around Mother's Day.

I'd hoped to replace a drooping deck this year, but we ran out of time. (I don't even want to talk about budget, we'll just say there was no time to do it).

The boards are warped and some stick up. My temporary solution was an outdoor rug under the tables. I found one on sale at Kohls for $85, which is much quicker and cheaper than ripping out a deck and replacing it. I saved soooo much money on the deck issue, that I splurged and bought a colorful new umbrella from World Market too ($99) and a couple cement birds from TJMaxx ($6 each). I really should have taken the photo with the cushions on the chairs (sky blues) and the umbrella open (blue, pink, orange, green paisleys on cream).

Don't you just love it when bloggers basically say, "here is a crappy picture, please use your imagination, I promise it really looks better than the photo"?

I've been rearranging the tables and chairs too, and now have two groupings that I like, one on the gravel and one on the drooping deck.

In my dream world, the whole area is redone in paver stones, with moss and thyme peeking between the stones, and there is a fountain trickling in the center of it all.

In real life, I have second hand furniture held together with wire and a deck that trips people in one area and a pile of gravel in another.

But instead of dilapidated, I chose to call it charming. And when the court yard is filled with my friends at Birdsong, it will be so cozy and fun! (as long as no one trips on that dang, droopy deck)

Bird collage pendants

bird song art event, fairies, family, jewelry, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / May 10, 2013

I did it! Not only did I finally figure out what my second class was going to be for Birdsong, I got lots of samples made and packed every single kit up and have them tucked away ready to go when my peeps arrive!

Beth, Mary, and Karla came over on Tuesday to participate in a practice class, here are a couple of their pieces. The book they are lying on is filled with little bird images and was published in the 1800s. I've used these old birdies in the kits, so of course, no two will be alike. In case someone gets a bird they don't care for, there are plenty of extras to chose from so the artist can find just the right little creature to put on her collage.

This is the actual pendant we will be working on, it's a large one, so we have space to play with the collage.

Now, I just need to get the bird cage kits packed up for my other class. All of the elements are prepped and ready, I just need to get them wrapped up.

If you would like to make a bird cage/wire cloche, I have spent weeks working out the best way to make them and have made a tutorial with step by step illustrated instructions, along with downloadable images to make fairies to keep in the cages once you get them made.

I've come up with a way to make the cages that I've not seen anywhere else. My son helped me come up with some great ideas that simplifies the process and keeps the wires from springing out every which way and driving you crazy.

He really deserves a lot of the credit, the boy is great with wire, and is a talented jewelry maker. This bracelet that we collaborated on will be featured in Jewelry Affaire. I'm thrilled to be doing an article with my son!

And greatly appreciate his input on the birdcage problems I was having.

Birdsong 3 Sponsors are sending gifts! Would you like to be a sponsor too?

bird song art event

By Karla Nathan / April 17, 2013

Cute chick, huh?

Colleen Moody generously shared one of her creations with me to use as a door prize for Birdsong 3! This one is a necklace. Sweet!

I've added a Birdsong 3 sponsor list to my side bar on this blog and on Birdsong

The list will remain up till after the next Birdsong, or at least a year. So, if you'd like a little bit of free advertising for your URL on my side bar, or if you are just disapointed in not being able to attend Birdsong and still would like to be a part of it, let me know if you would want to be a sponsor.

Sponsors, as well as past attendees are welcome to sign up early for the next event before I open it to the public too.

My friend, Janette, who will be a third time attendee, donated the bags this year. I love it when the ladies like to gift each other. Some bring pressies to pass out during the weekend, others send treats to be added to the bags. All is appreciated. And extra generous. I know that attending a weekend like this is not an inexpensive thing to do, with travel, class fees, and swap making, etc.

I do try to keep expenses for everyone by not expecting lavish new outfits, or by charging them higher fees so I can decorate special for the event. We keep it casual and not extravegant and still have a lovely time. Plus, I try to stuff them full with meals and treats so they aren't spending alot of money on dinners out.

We used to do a mini breakfast too, but I cancelled that this year, I think that so many hotels offer food in the morning that what I served was not needed. We are still doing coffee talk together before classes, but I'm not baking muffins this year. Like I said, I try to budget for what counts most.

And Sweet Suzanne, sent these vintage egg cartons. I might use them as kit boxes. Sponsor gifts can be a small gift to add to each goodie bag, a raffle item or something useful for the weekend.

Laurie has sent these lovely hand made pretties for us.

Lori Oles (who will be teaching too) sent a pretty roll of paper to share. I'm not sure how I'll use it, but I know the ladies will enjoy it in whatever way it is presented. My sister is donating a necklace that she made. Hope will be giving an entry to her online journalling class as a door prize, along with a journal kit.

Thoughtfulness comes in many forms!

Wire bird cages

bird song art event

By Karla Nathan / March 12, 2013

Over the weekend, I made birdcages, over and over and over.

I'm trying to pin down the best way to whip them up. So that I can share the lessons at Birdsong and at another little gathering that I'm going to.

There are lots of tricks and short cuts that I have picked up along the way.

I'm going to do a bit more experimenting with different wires, but I have the basics down to a way that makes the process sooooo much more simple!

The short cut I developed has made all the difference! After twisting and bending for days on end, I think I have a worthwhile lesson to share.

Of course, the fun part is always the details and the embellishing.

Once I whip up a few more cloche/cage thingies, I'll hone in on the details and figure out just what the finished kits will contain for my guests.

It is a relief to have a project in mind, though. I've got a lot of ladies coming to my house to play, it would have been a mess if I didn't have something for them to make when they got here! Usually, I don't offer a class till all my ducklings are in a row, but there were too many other things in line to be finished, so I had to just go for it and announce the sign ups for Birdsong.

Of course, I'm very glad I did. We've had a lovely response from friends and it filled fast. I hope they like the projects that we will be doing. They signed up blindly, not knowing what they'd get.

There is still one more to be decided, but at least I have this one knocked off the list!

Birdsong 3, filled with friends!

bird song art event, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / February 25, 2013

Wow! I really feel blessed. Birdsong 3
is filled in less than a week, before I've even opened it up for
registration. I gave past guests, sponsors and their friends first shot
and we had an enthusiastic response.

The fact that people who have
been here before, want to come back and to bring friends with them
means so much to me. That warms my heart.

My projects are still in the design phase, but Beth
has a good start on hers. Here is a little sneak peek of what she is
planning. Her class will involve making 3 felt and lace hearts and
planting them in a decked out peat pot.

While Birdsong is "nature inspired," we do like our nature fanciful and foofed!

Thanks
for all of your interest in our upcoming event. While it seems to be
full, I don't have deposits from everyone yet, so I will keep a waiting
list in case there are cancellations.

And if you would like to be a
sponsor and donate something for the goodie bags or for the door
prizes, we would be thrilled to have you. I'll post a list of sponsors on my blog sidebar until the next Birdsong, and all of the sponsor lists remain up on the Birdsong blog site.

At the Valentine Journal Workshop AND some free images

bird song art event, Books, celebrations, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), free images, holiday decor, puppies!, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2013

I had such a nice time at the Valentine Journal workshop. There is something wonderful about a Valentine theme, that always makes me happy. Roses? Hearts? PINKS? All of it!

We had a small group, so only needed to use half of the studio. I used this half to set out extra supplies. So, not only did we have kits stuffed with Vintagey goodies, I had enough extras to make dozens more books. One table was just used to display previously made books as examples. I showed my travel journal, my samples for An Enchanted Affair, the Valentine book, as well as a couple of books from swaps I'd been in.

By the way, Kim was able to squeeze in one more table at her arty event this spring, and has sold all but one space at it! If you are interested, better jump in fast! Hope to see you there.

Another table held lots of extra pretty papers, while a third was all tidbits, ribbons, lace, and embellishments.

I should do fresh flowers in my studio more often, its a nice treat.

Our local grocery store usually marks a dozen roses down to $1.99 every Monday, but for some reason, they were on sale this Friday too. So, I was able to set out flowers all around the house.

When prepping for the class, I spent about 14 hours making kits, and thought I might just end up running away from home to get away from them. What was I thinking, waiting till the last day to make them???? That isn't like me. I sure learned a lesson, and will be getting a jump start on spring time class kits so this won't happen again.

Kits can be fun to make, and I enjoy playing with my piles of papers and deciding what to include, but not at the last minute. I had to write instructions, edit photos, sort papers, plus dozens of other things that make the kits successful and well thought out. It shouldn't be done the day before the workshop!!

I made up what I thought were lots of extras, but not quite enough. They sold out in one day, thank you to all who bought them! It is never any more trouble to make an extra 10 or so while putting together enough for a class, so I always make some to sell. Plus one for myself, so that I can pull things out during class to demonstrate and know that the kits are functional and have what they need in them.

The best part of making a kit, is seeing how it is used.

Of course, since they are vintage, no two are exactly alike, but still I love the way everyone changes things around so much and puts their own stamp of uniqueness on their work.

And its very pretty to see how far some go to change it up.

We do mini workshops for holidays throughout the year, just for my friends and their kids to come over and play, and of course, I have Birdsong too. (Which I have not done a single thing for yet this year! I need to gather my thoughts and get the website done for sign ups!!)

We did a Halloween gathering and then this little Valentine party, and I really enjoyed both. I would like to do more small, one afternoon workshops if possible. Its so much more intimate than a big to do. Of course, even Birdsong is not big at all, compared to most arty weekends, its 25 people and all cozy in my studio.

Still, it would be nice to do a smaller class like this and have them quarterly or so. Just a thought. 10 people or less, hanging out, chatting all together instead of broken off in groups around the room.

Either way, no matter how many come, I love having company in my studio. Its not that I don't enjoy a good day alone with my creations, but since I have soooo many of those days, working all alone, its nice to have some company.

I can't imagine any other job than the one I do (although the thought of one that pays better, is pretty tempting), but it does get lonely. Which is why having a blog and all of my blog friends is so nice.

Of course, these guys too! They are great company when they aren't stealing things from me to shred. Dorothy can't jump or climb because of the injury she had when she was tiny, but Albie is good at getting on the table and grabbing something fun for them to rip up.

Auntie Beth brought them some Valentine tees, and even girlie-ed up Dorothy's with some lace.

She also brought this. Beautiful, isn't it?

One of my guests brought this lovely, old image, and I was asked to copy it to share. I thought maybe you would like to have it too. Just click on the image to open it to a larger window, then save it to your computer to print.

And this one was in one of the kits and I was asked to copy it also.

When scanning it, I took a few moments to edit it in a romantic way. Please save these the same way as the cabin picture.

A new pillow and a pup-date on pillow shaped Twinkle

bird song art event, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), yorkies

By Karla Nathan / August 11, 2012

Miss Daisy is not the camera hog that Twinkle is. She was a bit shy when I asked her to pose next to the pillow I bought at 4 Corners on Sunday for $7.

Or maybe she loved the soft, downy fluff of it so much that she just wanted to bury her little face into it?

I got her attention and had her look at the camera by making a high pitched screechy sound. Remember the noise that Madison the mermaid makes in the movie, "Splash"? That is my attention getter for most dogs.

Its not necessary for Twinks though. She's always posing for the camera. I hope her puppies enjoy getting their photos taken too, because I'm sure looking forward to sticking them in hats and cups and all over the place to take dozens of pictures of the little cuties when they are ready!

She looks like she is about to pop, doesn't she? But I'm afraid she has a bit to go, poor girl. She already is overstuffed and is huffing and puffing like she is out of breath, getting up all night to go to tinkle, and can't climb back up on the bed by herself. She will be glad when they get here too.

I'll leave you with some shots of what's new in
The Boutique

Romantic Gothic Ghosts Workshop at Karla’s Studio

bird song art event, holiday decor, parties, Romantic Gothic Ghosts, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / July 25, 2012

Beth and I are planning some classes at my studio, a one day event, a bit more casual than Birdsong was. She'll teach in the morning while I get lunch ready, then its my turn to have an afternoon class. Both will be very much in tune with the online Romantic Gothic Ghost online projects we did a couple of years ago.

That online class is still available for $25 or you can get it free when you come to our classes at my home.

Projects for the day are still to be announced, we are in the midst of prototypes. I can promise that they are going to be moody and romantic, a lovely piece to decorate your home with for Halloween, with no garish purple or orange to be seen.

Lunch, complete kits full of vintage goodness, dessert, and drinks will be included, as well as the bonus online class. And we'll schedule some time for coffee and muffins before the work day begins so everyone can get acquainted.

Saturday Oct. 6, 2012 from 9am-6pm

Cost is $100

Email me if you'd like to pay by check, or click here, and scroll to the bottom of the post to get to the pay pal button.

Classes at my home are very casual, tee shirt and jeans type things, not dressy at all. But feel free to be a little witchy for Halloween if you'd like. My Sissy is coming and she will be all witchied-up. I might be too.

Also, I've got to warn you, that we will be surrounded by werewolves. 1-2 lb ones, though, so not as dangerous as most. Twinkle's puppies will be at the age where they will be scampering about underfoot all day. Feel free to snuggle one on your lap while you work if it looks like its getting tired. Sometimes little werewolf cubs need more rest than they think, and should be encouraged to nap.

But only if you are strong willed enough to ignore the tempting price tags tied around their necks. Yep, puppies will be for sale…..

It did my heart good to have some Birdsong friends sign up as soon as I announced this on Facebook Tuesday!! It matters a lot to me that people who have been here before are looking forward to coming back.

This class will have limited seating, and will one day only. If you are coming in town for it, its a great weekend to be in the KC area. The Old West Bottoms area of Kansas City is opened up with tons of once a month junk and antique stores, and the Renfest is going on too. I LOVE both. (Our class is on a Saturday, and I plan on being at Bottoms Up on Friday, and the Renfest on Sunday myself.) more info about both can be found here
All food served will be homemade, with fresh ingredients. I usually cook pretty healthy and low fat, but I make up for the calorie savings with some decadent desserts.

Beth and I would love to see you there. Hope we do!

Nests and fairies and birdies and peeps

bird song art event, Dew Drop, fairies, family, free images, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / May 26, 2012

While I was in CA, I celebrated my 54th birthday, and it was a joy to be with friends that day. A group of them took me out to lunch the day before, and Carol treated me to dinner that night.

My roomie, Lori, even brought me a sweet little gift in bed when I woke up on my birthday. Now, that is special treatment!!

Lori has some photos in Jenny Doh's new book, and one of them is of me! Well, part of me, at least.

As a thank you to my freinds for making my birthday so nice, I made up some wire nests (from my Twining and Twirling online workshop).

These are all on their way to my thoughtful buddies now. Just a token to thank them for the great weekend.

(I've added a few nests to my Boutique also)

While we are talking nests, I thought I'd show you my banner from the Birdsong swap I joined. I wish I could have been a part of all of them, but I was a little overwhelmed at the time. There were some really great swaps, I was impressed. And so glad that I was in this one! I usually try to join one swap whenever I go to an arty event, because I spend so much time oohing and ah-hing when I watch the trades getting opened and end up jealous over the beautiful loot everyone gets.

These letters were temporarily clipped to my curtain rod in the kitchen, but I kind of like them there, and they might hang out that way for a while.

This book is a Birdsong treat that I got from my friend, Tami.

Its more than perfect, because when I send messages to the Birdsong group, I call them my "peeps". Plus, I kind of like fairies a bit…

Its an adorable book, that Sugarwings and I fell in love with right away. Cute illustrations,and a fun little story filled with songs and poems and lots of fairies.

She has been entranced by it, and after I read it to her, she sat and looked at the book for over an hour.

And this is a kid that doesn't sit still much.

The peeps who came to Birdsong were overly generous! Very thoughtful gifts came our way, what a wonderful bonus on top of the great weekend of fun that I had with all the ladies.

I'll leave you with a scan of one of my favorite pages, and of the cover. Click to open in a larger size before you save them to your computer to print.

Birdsong Two Shopping

antiques/junking, bird song art event, Food and Drink

By Karla Nathan / May 7, 2012

Did I mention that there was shopping at Birdsong too?

I was floored by the response to the little shopping area we set up last year, so this time, we tried to expand a bit and make it less crowded. And we hopefully handled the frenzy a little better. Kind Karla was the cashier in another room to help lesson the crowding, Beth, Lisa and I tried to make piles and fill boxes for people, then Beth prewrote out tickets for the Peeps to hand to Karla to pay.

My garage was transformed!

Its surprising how much space was available in a single car garage. Beth, Lisa and I both sold out of that area.

Debbie was supposed to set up in the driveway under a tent, but the weather just was not cooperating with her, so I emptied out the breezeway and that seemed ideal.

Next year, I think we'll use the breezeway again, it was nice and light and airy.

Any place would look wonderful filled with Curious Sofa goods!

When dinner time drew near, I had to bail out on the shopping activities and attend to supper.

Sadly, the weather didn't cooperate with my plans for all 29 of us to sit down together outside for dinner. It was breezy and cold. Funny, after months of freakishly warm weather, we get a cold spell during my party. Oh well, the Peeps didn't seem to mind.

Here is our menu for the weekend:

Friday am– fresh muffins and coffee

Mid morning– oatmeal scotchies and chocolate peanut butter cookies/ fruit tea

Lunch- Prime rib (baked and sliced by me the day before), turkey breast, ham, and cheese platters/ sunflower seed bread/ citrus coleslaw, pita chips and hummus/ tea/ Belgian chocolate covered peanut butter balls

Mid afternoon- coconut chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies/ coffee and tea

Dinner- Vegetarian lasagna/ bread sticks/ turkey breast meatballs/ with pink champagne cupcakes and lemon cheesecake/ fruit punch/ wine

Saturday mid morning- coffee/ vanilla chai tea/ oatmeal scotchies

Lunch- Breast of chicken salad/ croissants/ twice baked potato salad/ chips and dip/ orange tea/ bird shaped sugar cookies and coconut almond nests