When I saw these vintage, chipboard fawns, I knew I wanted to give one to each of my ladies at A Snowbird's Song, but I wasn't quite happy with the red bell.
So, I snipped off the bell and added silver tinsel glitter over the collars. An easy fix to pretty up the raindeer for my friends!
Was Halloween actually less than a week ago????
It has been a whirlwind week, from Ghouls to Glitz as I decked the halls of the cottage and started getting ready for the Peeps to come visit me for A Snowbird's Song. The garage is set up as a store, and last minute touches were added to projects, and jewelry that I've made for sale. The tables and chairs are set up in the studio. The guest rooms for my helpers are cleaned top to bottom and made up with fresh bedding. Lights are hung on the front of the studio, and I've filled the freezer with treats to share with friends.
Gift bags and door prizes are arranged and ready to delight the attendees.
Flea's Fibers sent these pretty packages. Sweet, huh?
Today, I'm feeling a bit like these two. Dog tired!
So, I'm taking a day to sit at my computer, writing up lists, menus, schedules and even do a little pre-posting on my blog so there will be something for you to come back and see while I'm partying with the peeps and having the best time ever at the event.
Some time to rest up before shopping and baking will do me a world of good.
My vintage chandelier quit on me and had to be replaced or redone. Replacing was quicker and easier.
Ta Dah! Here is the brand new one. Foofed up with the vintage shades, and old crystals, with floral wallpaper wrapped around the tube part that holds the bulb, it does a good job pretending to be old.
The only way I'd notice that it was replaced was by the excellent bright light I now have to work by at the sink.
And I've got one more item crossed off of the big list that needs to be done before my guests arrive in November to attend A Snowbird's Song.
And I am not the only one thinking ahead to the party. Jeanie Hatch made gifts for the Tweet Bags and sent them in these cute, stamped packages.
I love that stamp. Serendipitous, huh?
Thanks, Jeanie!
It may look like I've done nothing but play with puppies for the last couple of months, but I've also been busy as a little Christmas Elf getting things ready for A Snowbird's Song in November.
And I'm not the only one thinking about Christmas in July. Sandy Babb of Quill Cottage has sent sponsor gifts to us for the Peeps to have in their gift bags.
Gifts from far away friends are much appreciated. I'm always impressed with the generosity of the presents that are sent to our group. Sandy's name, along with Beth, Maggie Raguse, and Guncle Randy, who have donated supplies or door prizes, are on the side bar of my blog with links to their sites. I'll have photos of the gifts from Randy and Beth later. If you'd like to donate a present or sponsor goodies for gift bags, please contact me at:
karlanathan@sbcglobal.net
(Sponsors, as well as past participants, get first shot at attending our get togethers.)
Thank you, Sandy, for the pretty packaged kits you have sent for us to enjoy!
I am honored to have Lesa Dailey teaching a class here for A Snowbird's Song in November. She has her example created and sent me this sneak peek.
Oooooh, those angel wings on that bird!!!
When I create mine (Yep, I sit in on classes as much as I can and love learning from the other teachers) I know that this little gal, "Tweet Tidings" will have a prominent space in my future holiday decor. I'm already in love with just the thought of her! And I can't wait to make one of my own.
Yay, Lesa!! Thank you!
Birdsong is BACK!
I sure missed hosting it in 2016, and was afraid that this year would zoom by and I would miss seeing my Peeps yet again. So, I decided to make it work for later in the year. And my very, very, very favorite season is Christmas, soooooo, we are having a Holiday version of our gathering, with lots of sparkle to kick the season off.
The party will begin Friday morning, November 10, 2017 (Veteran's Day) with classes again on Saturday the 11th at my studio in Lawrence, KS. (We are about 50 minutes from the Kansas City airport.)
The weekend will include two days of classes, with lunch (and plenty of treats) served both days, and a dinner party with wine on Friday night.
Please scroll down through previous posts to see photos about past Birdsong events, if you'd like to see some of the fun we've had. Or feel free to email me:
Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net
Classes will once again be taught by Lesa Daily, Lori Oles, and myself.
Lesa will be showing us how to make a cute, lil candy box with a Snowbird and Angel. (photos to come later, but here is an example of her beautiful work)
And Lori will be decking us out in this elegant necklace, perfect to wear to any holiday occasion.
As for me, I'll have two classes.
The first is this "Sugarplum Fairy" banner. With kits available in blush or ivory, both with accents of gold.
I'll be pulling out some of my treasured vintage wallpapers for these, you know my motto- "Use the Good Stuff- your work deserves the Best!"
The last class of the weekend will be mine also, we will make a selection of ornaments for the tree. I'll have a couple of kits to pass out and explain, plus a table of supplies to use for free time. You can spend it making ornies, or maybe a Christmas card for somebody special? Or continue foofing up that banner, or adding last minute details to one of the other projects. We will eat cake, chat, relax, create, and think about how hard it will be to say goodbye to friends at the end of the day.
Unofficially, those who are in town gather for "Birdsong Eve" on Thursday night before our party starts. And we try to get a group together for dinner Sunday night after it ends, to put those good byes off just a little while longer.
I'll have photos of some of my ornament ideas soon. But I've already starting pulling kits together for the banners. The wallpaper and millinery are piled up in my studio, and I've been sorting through my vintage tinsel collection too.
But please don't be on the fence long, while making plans to come! Since the weather will be cool, we will be downsizing our group a bit. There aren't as many seats available as there are for the spring time parties, where we can sit in the garden for meals.
If you have attended any of my events in the past (including the Halloween or Valentine ones) or have sponsored one of these, you can sign up today through Tuesday. Also, you can have a pal who is new to the cottage retreats register with you, I know it is much more fun to travel and room with a buddy.
Tuesday at 5pm, we will open up registration for new friends to join us.
The cost for the event is $395. This can be broken up into 3 payments with $150 due at sign up. Please email me for a paypal invoice, or for an address to mail a check to.
I hope to see you here!
Thank you to everyone who left comments to enter the egg giveaway! I am shipping off winners from my blog, Instagram, and Facebook today.
Also, a big thanks to those of you who bought some eggs from me!
I do enjoy making them, and while I know it is sorta late for the holiday, I listed a few more in the Boutique.
These are a little different, I had some speckled eggs to work with.
Although there were still a few of the candy colored ones too. (these are sitting on a quilt square made by my mom, I always use it in my Easter decorating, the colors are so sweet)
And some come in their own basket.
While my first eggs were mostly normal, hen sized eggs, all of these are different. I have teensy ones, regular, 2-1/2" and 3" The larger ones fill a palm. 
It was nice to see all of the comments for the giveaway, I appreciate you taking the time to enter.
Sometimes, it is good to get a reminder that there is someone on the other side of this blog, who actually reads it. I just kinda ramble on and talk to myself.
And thanks for celebrating my "hatching" of Snowbird's Song with me.
I plan on whipping up some details soon, and having sign ups set to go. Anyone who has sponsored gifts or attended a previous Birdsong get a first shot at attending.
It is a more intimate gathering too, since it will be in the colder weather. I will limit the guests to how many will fit into my dining room and new hearth room area for meals. Maybe 20 instead of 30?
Please save the date of Friday November 10- Saturday 11, if you are interested. I'll let everyone know when I have the details in line and you can make your reservation. If you haven't joined us before, you can learn more about it here, and read about past events.
If you are planning on a trip to our holiday Birdsong, or to some other art event, how are you packing your treasures?
I came across a few of these vintage, expandable file folders and added them to my boutique after filling them up with some ephemera to get you started. They are perfect for carrying papers!
And what a pretty, velvet cover. Drool-making, huh? I think it could be even better embellished by its new owner…. A little lace? No, a LOT of lace!!
My friend, Tami, hosted another craft day recently, it was great to catch up with Birdsong Peeps. And it always means the world to me, to see the friendship between these ladies, that started with Birdsong! That just made me miss all of the "Birdsong Ladies" (as Sugarwings calls them) even more.
Sooooooo…….. I'm most likely planning another one……. how about- "A Snowbird's Song" in November? Just in time to make an elegant necklace to wear with your little black dress at holiday parties, some table top festive pretties, perhaps a banner and a smattering of ornies for the tree?
I'm thinking November 10-11. More details when sign ups are set to go…..soon!
Crafting at Tami's workroom just drove home to me, what a gathering of arty, happy, creative types can do for the soul. Making things together with my Peeps brings me a sense of community, gives me soooo many new ideas, learned from others in the group, and just plain old makes me grin.
I miss doing that in my studio!
Our day was full of joy, laughter, and creativity. I was on a roll, pumping out one project after another. Here are just a few, this peat pot is decked out then filled with a bunny Tami gifted me with and is placed into a snow globe that I redo for different holidays.
More peat pots and baskets were decorated and filled, as well as the large blue egg with bunny inside, pictured at the top of the post, and this egg covered in old ledger paper and foofed with a vellum bunny and lace.
I've been making these sugared eggs too. Some, I've decorated with, some I've given away.
Do you want one? Leave a comment here or on my Facebook post and I'll draw a few names, and drop these little confections into the mail in celebration of hatching my Snowbird plans!
ps- There are a few sugared eggs for sale in the Boutique too.
Did you think I'd finished gushing about how much I loved hosting Birdsong 5? Nope, I still have some pictures to share. These are the thoughtful, generous gifts that my Peeps gave to me.
This pic is of some ephemera that has a perfect sentiment for how the weekend went.
I was overwhelmed with the gifts I received. Everything was thought out, with a birdie, fairy, or romantic cottage theme. Everyone seemed to know just what I'd love. The vintage powder box from Linda was immediately put to use as a temporary tooth soaker.
Yep, I'm still dealing with toothlessness issues and had a "flipper" that had to be left in water while not wearing it. This pretty powder box was an ideal solution for where to keep it. The ugly box from the dentist was a depressing looking blah thing that was just a reminder of the whole sad, ugly situation. This little box was a cheerful replacement!
The soaps, lotions, and other treats in the basket were wonderful too! I am trying to hoard them away til next year's event to use then, but… those bottles sure are purdy, and the soap smells soooo good. I might not be able to resist using them now.
These bluebird measuring cups from Shelli sure made me do a happy dance when I opened them. Birdie shaped? With a PINK ROSEBUD wing?? Perfect for my glass canisters in the kitchen!!
Not only was this vintage book a beautiful gift on its own, Jenn and her little Vivvie had made a set of cards to go along with it, and tied them up with soft, silky ribbons.
Tami blew me away with her fairy garden creation.
And Cheri's pink heart garland fits my studio window like she designed it for that spot.
See what I mean? These Peeps were so kind to shower me with loveliness!
Tins, tidbits, doodads, old stuff, hand made stuff, specialty coffees, teas, soaps, and more. Thoughtfulness at its most thoughtful!
Goodies galore!
All of it was above and beyond.
I can't wait to make something with these tiny, satin shoes.
And how perfect is this tin tea set from Jane?
Dewdrop and I made up some tasty playdough sandwiches to serve on it.
Sissy gifted me with the ideal apron. I've always had trouble with aprons, finding one comfy to wear, but still functional. This one feels weightless around my neck, has two big pockets, and it is just plain old, beautiful. I think I'd be comfortable wearing it daily, but I'd hate to ruin it. At least I can enjoy seeing it daily, hung on my bedroom door.
And isn't it pretty with the silk rose she had given to me earlier?
And do you believe this??? Wow! Another Lori Oles original for my collection. She is my favorite jewelry making artist. And one of my favorite people, too.
Lesa gifted me with this angel, which will go on my holiday tree this year, along with a few other goodies I've bought from her over the years. I have a nice Lesa Daily collection going too.
Both of these treasures came from Betti.
Thank you, to everyone for being such a delight to have in my home, that was gift enough. I know that vacation time and dollars are a tight stretch with all the things we want to do. So, it means the world to me that my Peeps join me here in Kansas for Birdsong. The true gift is the creative energy they all share while here.
But honestly? I'm loving these lil pressies too!! Thank you, Peeps!
Do you know what I love best about Birdsong? My peeps, of course!
It's a special time with old friends and new, plus a few family members who come along to be a part of it, and to help out.
Gail, Nora, Beth, and Tami have been to every Birdsong (plus many of the smaller workshops we have throughout the year- and by the way, I've got a Halloween idea in the works…)
To commemorate their 5th year, I made up special ribbons for them to wear, and added little birdie pins to their name tags.
Most of us gathered for dinner the night before our party began.
I'm so glad it worked out to meet for a Pre-Birdsong dinner, because by that time, I'm very impatient to get the party started.
And you know what else is special about Birdsong to me? Family members who want to be a part of the gathering. While this is my busiest time of the entire year, and I don't always have much extra time, I'm happy to have them nearby and share the experience with me.
There is a lot of fluttering and flitting from one thing to another, but we manage to squeeze in a few good conversations here and there. Especially while prepping in the kitchen. But it does go by fast, and then all of a sudden, everyone is leaving and I'm wondering how days slipped by without getting around to topics I wanted to talk about. When Terry and her husband pulled out of the driveway to head back to Utah, I found myself teary eyed to see them go, thinking that we barely scratched the surface of all we wanted to talk about, and knowing it would be months before I saw her again.
That is how I feel about all of my Peeps, when the weekend starts, it seems like there is so much time to talk, play, and create, then all of a sudden, it is over. And I miss them all.
This year, Sissy brought her daughter, Shelli. It was a first time for her, and I hope she comes back for another one.
Especially when she looks so cute in her outfit that matches my fly strip…. Ha!! (I did take the strip down before guests arrived, even though it was a very stylish pattern)
This year, there were a lot of weddings, graduations, and family events that prevented some of our regulars from attending, so we got to add some new Peeps to the group. (sign ups are offered first to previous attendees or sponsors)
Along with some favorite friends who come back every time.
Terry once again offered neck massages for hard working crafters. I think some of my friends attend just for her magic touch!
And my baby bro, Guncle Randy, is our official parking guide. (Or as he calls himself, the "Parking B*#ch")
It is surprising how many cars we can fit into our driveway,when properly coordinated, and he has the pattern down pat after years of guiding the way.
Birdsong is a highlight of my year, and it means a lot to me that so many people join in and make it special for us all.
It's a lovely group, and I'm happy to call them friends.
If you are interested, Birdsong kits are available here.
ps-If you are here for the studio tour, you can find it here.
