celebrations – Page 23 – Karla's Cottage

So, what’s new?

celebrations, parties, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / March 28, 2011

(felted nests $5-6)

This week, I am planning a get away with some buddies. Well, it might not be an actual get away for me, since its at my house, but it will still feel like one. A girl's weekend, where I can make stuff, shop, eat goodies and chat, chat, chat with blog friends that I just adore and love to spend time with will feel like a fantastic vacation, even if its in my own back yard.

(Lots of pink cupcake people, starting at $2 a package)

We are planning dinner at my house on Thursday after I make an airport run to scoop them all up that afternoon. I'm not sure yet what I will fix for our meal, it needs to be something that is all ready to go ahead of time so I can slip it into the oven when we get back from the airport.

(rhinestone rondelles 10 for $4.00)

For these kind of meals, I usually do something Italian. It always seems easier to serve, and is something that tastes good when made the day before. Those flavors develop over night and just get better, don't they?

Plus, I'm good at making an Italian dish nice and light. Lots of fresh veggies, a low fat tomato sauce, and a light sprinkling of cheese. It tastes good, but is not heavy. I have a feeling that we'll be having lots of goodies around for the weekend, so kicking it off with a lighter meal will probably be appreciated.

(mini rhinestone crowns $4.50 each)

But its not the meals that will be important, its the time together. I'm soooo flattered that these special ladies are flying across the country to come to visit and spend time.

Blog world has been very good to me, and I am extremely lucky to have met such good friends through their blogs, and through going to art events. Funny, we each are at different ages and stages of our lives, but all of us have a love of beautiful vintage things, and never run out of conversation topics.

Friday will be shopping in KC, and then on Saturday, we'll hunker down in the studio and play with pretties. Nothing formal, just comfortable and relaxed. If weather permits, we might sit by the bonfire that night. But then again, we might be having so much fun in the studio, we won't want to leave it. So, I'm not setting schedule, we'll do what sounds good.

That is the best kind of vacation, isn't it?

So, this week, I'll be busy Spring cleaning and getting the guest rooms ready for friends. I've got 3 extra beds, 2 sofas, and we'll set up a blow up mattress. Just like the slumber parties I loved as a kid!

Growing up in Pendleton, IN, my friends and I lived for slumber parties. Any occasion was a reason to throw one. I used to have a big birthday party every March for my Irish Setter, Ambie, and would have a whole group of girls come for a sleep over.

Now, as a grown up, I'm glad to continue the parties. My favorite thing about visiting with my sisses is that last glass of wine at night, sitting up late and talking. That cozy feeling of knowing you are in for the night and can talk as late as you like, all curled up in your jammies, laughing and being silly.

Do we ever out grow that? I hope I don't. I always want to enjoy that 14 year old girl that is still a part of me, who likes to giggle and stay up late with friends.

(rhinestones $3.50 a foot)

I'd hoped to get the yard cleaned up for the party, but it snowed over the weekend, and spring is just not cooperating with me. Oh well. I have a feeling no one will really care if my flower beds are planted or not.

But they will care if the studio is too messy to find a path to the tables! So, I'd better get to work. I don't know how I do it, but I sure tend to pile things up in there. It gets away from me, and I live like a pig out there. I'm not that way in my home, I get antsy if my house is cluttery and messy, but I sure can let the studio fall apart and fill up fast.

(glass stones 25 for $3.50)

I'm off to clean. I need a giant trash can and a shovel, I think.

I've been trying to get it done, but keep getting distracted by shiny things. All these photos are of new things I've listed in the Boutique. This last one is clear glass stones from the 40s, aren't they nice?

If you'd like a chance to win a souvenir from Moulin Rouge, please leave a comment anytime (or as many as you'd like) till March 31st.

Yes, I Can Can!

celebrations, Travel, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 20, 2011

This is a can can girl watercolor that I did for Kim, who is hosting the Moulin Rouge event I am attending in Cali.

I cut the lady (honestly, is she really a lady?? I suspect not) and glued her to a tag that I had made. At that point, before I added any baubles, I scanned it while it was flat.

You can click on it, save it to your computer and print it out, if you'd like to use the image for your own projects.

Here is the finished tag. I added a flocked butterfly and wrote the words "Moulin Rouge" onto some French text, added ribbons to the top, a feather and crystals to her hair.

Oh, and of course, some glitter.

Here are the gifties I made up for the goodie bags. Kim has 70 guests, but these didn't take me too long, it was pretty simple to stitch up the envelopes of flocked wallpaper, then I used the CuttleBug to chop up some butterflies of red flocked paper.

What's really cool, is that they are on adhesive backed contact paper, so the butterflies are now stickers.

I threw in a colorful feather and some rhinestones. Things that every can can girl needs in her supply kit.

I hope everyone likes them!

Snot, Elbows, and some Vintage Valentines for you (the images are for you, that is, not the snot and elbows)

celebrations, family, free images, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope that you are having a day filled with love. Around here, this year's holiday is more about tissues and Nyquil than chocolates and champagne.

My husband and I usually celebrate Valentines Day as a family because it is the anniversary of him adopting our boys. So, we take the kids out to a nice restaurant and toast each other. Because of everyone's busy schedules we weren't able to do our dinner on the 14th, we spent Sunday evening at our favorite Italian place instead.

The food was so good and the company so wonderful, I was able to forget about this nasty cold I have, and had a spectacular time. The only bad part was that I was trying to avoid holding the baby, so I wouldn't spread my germs to her.

Can you imagine how hard that was for me??? Look at that face! Don't you just want to scoop her up and squeeze her?

She was being extra cute too, giving everyone big smiles. Usually, she is very serious, so seeing all those grins made it even harder for me to stay away.

When we got to the restaurant, I asked the hostess to seat us out of the way, so my nose blowing wouldn't gross out the rest of the guests. It all worked out fine, I timed my cold medicine to be at its peak through the meal and I was glad I didn't cancel to stay home and blow my nose in bed, like I almost did.

The cold hit me extra hard because I'm just getting over the flu. And on Saturday night I got no sleep at all. Poor little Sugarwings was in pain, and I had her sleep with me to take care of her. She cried out in her sleep from a sore arm, and I felt so bad for her that I didn't get much rest myself.

Finally, the next morning we took her to the ER and found out that she had a dislocated elbow. You have no idea how bad I felt by making her wait over night to go to the Dr. But her daddy had thought she should wait till the next morning to see how she was, and her mom was tied up. Its hard to be the grandparents sometimes. You have to respect the parent's wishes, and try to follow their guidelines and rules for raising the kids, even if it goes against your own ideas on what to do.

But luckily, all was settled on Sunday morning and we got our little one to the hospital where she was fixed up so quickly that it was like flipping a switch. Once that elbow got twisted back in place, she perked up and was her old self again, bouncing around like Tigger.

The whole time she was in pain, she was so brave and so sweet. I have to say, that she is the happiest kid I've ever met, even when suffering.

Have you ever heard of nursemaid's elbow? Apparently, its very common for kids under 4 to dislocate their elbow when someone is holding their hand and they twist away from them. She had happened to be holding her mom's hand and threw herself to the floor, and pop! There it went. We were told that once it happens, it can recur quite often for a couple of years.

At least we'll know next time to get her to the Dr. immediately!! Since she waited over 12 hours to get treatment, it wasn't easy to fix due to swelling. The nurse tried a couple of times, but no luck. So, a Dr. was called in to do it, and she had to give the arm a good wrench. My husband, Sugarwing's Hippy Chick Mommy, and I all had tears on our cheeks when we heard our fairy baby cry out in pain.

It just hurts so much more to see a little one in pain than to be hurt yourself.

She put it all behind her quickly, and then proceeded to let loose all that pent up energy that she had felt too bad to use since the day before. If only I could recover that fast! This cold is kicking my butt. Too bad they don't make chocolate truffle cough drops for people who are sick on Valentines Day.

Somehow this holiday mostly got away from me. I didn't make a single thing for it, or do any kind of romantic decor in my house. There is not a heart to be seen, except these few bits of jewelry that I found in my supplies to show you.

Between illnesses, injuries, and just plain old being busy, I seem to have missed out on getting all geared up for Valentines Day.

But, its not all about the hearts and flowers, is it? I might not have decorated or created anything with a Valentine theme, but there has been plenty of love in the household. And while dinner out with the kids and a big box of Kleenex, while I had a nose that looks like Rudolf's and eyes that are glowing red like a demon's, doesn't sound so romantic- my sweet husband still took my hand, looked into my runny red eyes and asked me to be his Valentine. And our dinner out with the kids was so much fun, that we laughed and talked for over 2 hours.

Yep, its not been a traditional holiday. But its a good one. Even with the snot.

I'll leave you with a couple of Valentines from the 1930's. You can click on them to pop up in a larger window, then save them to your own computer to print.

A Good bye

celebrations, family

By Karla Nathan / January 12, 2011

Yesterday, my father-in-law died suddenly.

Today, family from all over the country is flying in. My husband has the best family, and we will have a wonderful gathering, all 7 of the kids, plus most of the spouses, together- talking, laughing, sharing memories.

The group is quite varied. About as many different religions as people. And as many different outlooks on life. But one thing they all have in common is a deep love for each other.

I'll be away from my blog for a few days, and won't be opening up the Bird Song event on May Day weekend for sale till after things get settled. Because I'll be busy enjoying the blessing of this close group of people coming from far away to be be together for this farewell.

Now, I'm off to freshen up beds and do some baking with Sugarwings to make our house welcoming before we start airport runs.

At the Gunkles/ 40% off in the Boutique/ and a May Day announcement

celebrations, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 7, 2011

Any trip we make to Florida has to include a visit to the Gunkles. (Gay Uncles) They have a home filled with magical decor, vintage treasures, sweet puppies, and lots of love.

Plus great food and laughter!

The guys are such good cooks, we never take them out to dinner as a thanks for having us stay with them. Instead we get fresh seafood for them to fix for us. This time lobster! Last time we were there, we had lobster tail on the grill with some fish too. When Sugarwings saw it cooking, she asked what the fish was and Gunkle Kevin told her it was flounder. So, she looked at the lobster tail and asked if that was Ariel.

Gunkle Randy sets up elegant dining in the back garden. This year, they'd had a freeze and told us that it looked awful. To me, they were wrong, any time there is something blooming and some green left in January, its quite beautiful to me! Plus the layout and design of the yard is so interesting and full of little surprises stashed amidst the plants. Its always a treat to sit out in the gunkle's garden.

Even better when there is a big plate of fresh seafood in front of me.

He makes a mean mac and cheese too. With chopped peppers, onions, white wine and dijon.

This little guy didn't care for Sugarwings, but the other dogs cuddled up to her. Bella, the Bichon especially took a liking to her.

So much so, that the two girls decided to draw with markers on each other's heads. Well, at least that was Sugarwing's story. That Bella drew on her head too. They both did it to each other.

We'd brought WASHABLE markers that were supposed to be invisible unless used on the special Color Wonder paper that came with them, but the Crayola company needs to change the label to say that the colors will show up on dog fur too. And that they don't wash out. At least not all the way.

Just ask Yella Bella.

Ollie managed to avoid any of the marker play. He's not a puppy like Bella, he was interested but kept his distance while the two girls drew on each other.

One of the best things about the garden was the fruit trees.

Nothing tastes better than fresh orange juice and lemon-aide that you get to make yourself.

I ate way too much good stuff while staying there. After the holiday treats and the vacation food, I'm afraid to wash my jeans. You know, how you wear them a couple days and they stretch out to fit nice and comfy, but if you wash them, they shrink up and become way, way too tight? It might be a while before I can wash mine again, if I want them to zip.

Christmas goodies were everywhere we went on the trip. And decorations were still up all over. I was so glad that Randy and Kevin still had theirs up, they have such a flair with decorating, and their house is so festive.

Its extra special to get to be at a family member's home while it is all decked for the season.

Although, I am sick of my own holiday foof and ready to see it go, I loved being at my bro's home and seeing his.

When I got home from the trip, I walked into a house still overflowing with not only my Christmas decor, but the holiday mess from opening gifts and having lots of company. I didn't have a chance to clean before I left, and it was a shock to come home to such clutter after staying at Randy and Kevin's perfectly clean and decorated house.

(all of these photos are from their lovely home)

Not only was my house messy, it was dusty and just felt deserted. I vowed to never go out of town and leave a dirty house behind again. Its worth the extra effort to pick up and spiff a bit before leaving. The end of a vacation is sad enough without being depressed about coming back to an unwelcoming house.

And it hasn't helped that my furnace bit the dust while I was gone. The house was freezing cold too. There is a repairman here now, and I've got my fingers crossed that its a simple repair and that we'll have some heat soon.

Luckily, the studio has a separate furnace, so I'm staying out here till the main part of the house warms up. Its a good excuse to avoid cleaning it or taking down the Christmas decorations too. I'm not ready to face all of that yet.

So,I'm hanign out in the warm and toasty studio and I'm slowly but surely packing up all the purchases made during my BIG clearance sale. Thanks so much for shopping with me!

I'm going to extend the sale for a few more days. If you want anything for 40% off in the Boutique, please use this link to go there to shop.

There are big plans for redoing my Boutique and the less I have in it, the easier it will be to redo. I'll be making new labels and categories, so will be starting from scratch.

I'm also working on setting up the sale site for my "Bird Song" art gathering on May Day weekend. I've had lots of inquiries and promise to have the sign ups ready soon. Sadly, we've lost Dawn of the Feathered Nest, she had to drop out as a teacher.

But, the timing was good for asking my friend, Debbie Dusenberry to join in her place. Her fabulous store, Curious Sofa, is closing this weekend, and she will be branching out into different ventures (and you can still shop online with her). I'm so thrilled that she agreed to do a class at my workshop!!!!

Things are really hectic for her at the moment, so I told her not to worry about photos of her project yet, just a YES was all I needed from her. I have a feeling that anyone who signs up for the classes will agree with me. We'll all be happy to learn from her, no matter what she teaches!

Thanks for all of your interest. Its going to be the BEST, with Lisa and Carol as teachers too, I'm feeling pumped about the weekend!! Plus, Beth and Mary Green will be setting up vintage goodies for sale.

As soon as I get project ideas settled and menus priced, I'll open it up for enrollment.

Happiest of holidays!

celebrations, fairies, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 3, 2011

What happens when two little cousins get matching ballerina dresses for Christmas?

Well, they are asked to pose for a picture, of course.

But soon, they just can't contain their happiness about the new outfits…

And the dancing begins!

PS- to shop at 40% off in my Boutique, you need to use this link:

http://www.karlascottage.com?code=happynewyear

A year in pictures part two

Books, celebrations, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 1, 2011

This is the book that I made for our Hippy Chick from all of my favorite 2010 images of her and Sugarwings.

Before I wrapped it up, Sugarwings wanted me to "read" it to her over and over. Of course, being the drama queen that she is, she loves any story that she is the star of.

And if she is a princess in the story, even better!

And combining princess crowns with fairy clothes, just about makes her giddy with happiness.

Still, I think what she liked about this book was that it was a story of her and her mommy and things they had fun doing this year.

Happy New Year! I wish for you a year filled with hugs from people that you love!

PS- to shop at 40% off in my Boutique, you need to use this link:

http://www.karlascottage.com?code=happynewyear

We believe!

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / December 29, 2010

Was Santa good to you too?

We had the best Christmas morning ever, even though it was a couple of days after Christmas….

Sugarwings and her mommy stayed all night after the big family dinner on Sunday, and Santa came to see us that night. Apparently, he came by my house on Christmas Eve, but Sugarwings was not here, so he came back another day.

Kids are happy with any story that you tell them, as long as it ends in them getting presents.

He brought her a new art table, and lots of supplies. Plus, the little girl who sang "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" a few hundred times a day, got the game, Hungry Hungry Hippos.

I had it when I was a kid, and it is every bit as much fun now as it was then. We sat on the floor and played it for quite a while before even opening the other gifts. She was so sweet and cute with her presents. Just one would have been plenty for her. She was happy to sit and play with the first thing she opened and seemed surprised that there was more.

I think she was more fascinated by Santa's empty cookie plate than by the gifts themselves.

She also got a fairydoll that lights up with a pretty rainbow glow. It will be just perfect to play with on the airplane when we go to DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, that gift is for me. I get to take my Sugarwings to Disney. She is the perfect age to go, she is in her princess prime. She believes.

Her parents are very anti-commercialism, but love me and indulged my whim to take her there. They know that I love princesses and fairies as much as their little girl does.

We are staying at the park itself for two nights, and I can hardly wait. I've told Sugarwings that we are going, but she doesn't really get it. She does like the idea of taking an airplane trip with us. When I went to DC, she was heartbroken to be left behind. And being 4 years old, plus very dramatic, when she says her heart is broken, she MEANS it.

So, this time, we are cashing in the Southwest airline points and taking her along. One of the great things about SW Airlines is that you can fly into one city, rent a car, travel around and fly home from another city for no extra cost. So, we are hop scotching our way across the South.

We're going to Atlanta first to meet up with friends, then driving to Savanah for cupcakes on our way to stay at Hilton Head for a night. Then on to my baby brother and his husband's house in Jacksonville before our couple of nights in Orlando. Lots of driving time for a 4 year old, but she travels well with us.

Sugarwings is not a low key type kid, but when she gets one on one time, she is a joy to be around. Now, if I try to do something that doesn't involve her, things can get complicated.

We are meeting up with Jenn and her fairy Vivie. I'm hoping that our little Tasmanian Devil won't scare that sweet little Southern Belle away…. We are having lunch with them and with my pal Suzanne who lives in Atlanta too. And my husband has given up a round of golf to come along and help with Sugarwings so I can chat with my friends who I rarely see.

She is a wonderful, sweet, loving, caring child, but she can be a handful. There is just way too much personality to fit in that tiny little body of hers, so sometimes we have to do tag team child care with her. One person can't always manage alone in public. She has a way of going off into a land that only she can see and doesn't hear anything that is said to her.

Sugarwings and I are so close because I understand her and can find her when she goes off into her make believe world. But if I am distracted, she has trouble dealing with it. So, bringing my husband along will help.

A week is a long time to be away from my other babies, all the grand kids and the dorkies. I have a feeling I'll be homesick about half way through the trip. But then, we'll hit Disney World and that will get me over it!

Not only did I get a trip to Disney for Christmas, I also got this pretty pillow/wall hanging.

Beth made it for me. Look at the detail in the embroidery!

My oldest son gave me some candles, which is his standard gift. He keeps me supplied for every holiday and has it timed just right, so that I run out just as the next occasion arrives.

Mr. Zen, Sugarwing's Daddy, found me an old fashioned pop corn popper along with some organic coconut oil and local popcorn for it. I tried some of the corn he makes with his and have not had microwave popcorn once since then. YUM I was thrilled with his gift!

Yep, my family and friends know me well and spoiled me rotten. I know I say it a lot, but its true, I am very lucky!

My talented son, made wire wrapped charms for all the kids in the family, this one went to his brother RyGuy. There was a lot of hand made and heart felt gifting going on around here, the best kind of presents! I hope your Christmas was a jolly one too, with gifts from the heart and lots of family time.

Family time

celebrations, family, holiday decor, how to's

By Karla Nathan / December 28, 2010

Cute, huh? She is a serious one so far. She just watches and listens and takes all the commotion around her in with no fussing. On Christmas Day, she went with us to a movie (True Grit- REAL good!!) and dinner (sushi- really, really good!) and I don't think we heard a peep from her all day.

After so many parties this season, it was so pleasant to spend Christmas Day itself at the theater and out to eat while Sugarwings went with her Hippy Chick mommy to their family.Having a 'day off' to rest up got me ready to host the big dinner party on Sunday night. Both girls stayed all night with us after the party and had Santa visit lMonday morning, so we got to extend our celebrating even more.

Mayara's favorite Christmas present was a blanket that my grandma made for my son 31 years ago. It was a night of handmade goodness and thrift store finds. An excellent way to do gifts!

Christmas Eve was a quiet one around here. Just Sugarwings and her sister, Daddy, and his Beloved plus my husband and I. We had rainbow trout, fresh brussel sprouts, and garlic fingerling potatoes, and waited to open gifts when my oldest son, Ryan got off of work.

(by the way, the nickname for our littlest fairy didn't stick. No Star Brite for her. I found out that is Rainbow Brite's horse's name. Not that I am anti-pony, I love horses, but I'd rather not name my grand daughter after one)

Poor Ry Guy had to work till 9 or so on Christmas Eve, but we were happy to wait up for him for presents.

A couple of us had some last minute work to do to finish up gifts. I worked on things right up till dinner time, myself. I made so many last minute creations, that I didn't even have a chance to photograph any of them. I was whipping stuff up so fast, I was like all of Santa's elves bundled into one crazy, gluey, woman.

But I did manage to snap a picture of these headbands for the little girls. They are so easy to make! I simply took a plain, plastic headband, ran a bead of glue along each side, and wrapped cloth or ribbon around and around from one end to the other, pressing it into place.

Then, glued on a pretty. Each took a matter of moments. I'd say it took longer to pick out the pretty and ribbon than it did to actually finish the headbands.

I've got more Christmas photos to share in the next post. I hope Santa brought you all the joy and goodies you asked for from him!

Frazzled, but happy

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 26, 2010

Agnes Rosebud and I are almost worn to a frazzle by Christmas. But not quite yet, two parties left to go! We'll have to muster some cheer and hang on to that last frazzle of strength to get us through.

Looking at Sugarwings' happy little face is usually all it takes for me. Although a nap doesn't sound bad… I wouldn't mind curling up on the pillow with the pup.

Ever notice, that no matter how soft the surface is, whether it is a couch or a bed, or a chair- that a little dog will always climb up on a pillow or blanket that is lying there? Like the sofa itself isn't quite soft enough, they need a pillow too.

Tonight is our dinner for 21, which is a pitch in meal, so should be easy to make. I'm keeping it simple so I can relax and enjoy the company. I'm still making a few gifts in the studio, then need to re-fluff the space into a dining room. But I'll leave an area set aside for artwork, while dinner is cooking, we'll be making projects out there.

So far, its been the loveliest weekend, ever. Even if I am worn out by all of Sugarwing's excitment and energy. She has stayed all night with us a few nights this week, but tonight is the one when Santa is coming to our house. Her mommy is having a sleepover here too. We are making pancakes again in the morning, along with a salmon quiche after we see what Santa has brought.

Friday morning, we took our fairy grand baby to the restaurant that her Daddy cooks at part time while he is trying to build up his massage/energy work business. Since he had to work on Christmas Eve, we thought we'd come to see him and eat our breakfast there.

Sugarwings ordered a strawberry pancake and her father surprised her with a Santa face on it.

Its the happy little fun details that have made this Christmas so wonderful. Cuddling up to watch Rudolf, painting each other's noses red just like our favorite deer's nose, having a hot cocoa party every night before bed, drawing pictures with a pen shaped like Frosty. Nothing that costs much, but lots of happy Holiday things to do together.

The last few days, an elf has come in to our home and hidden her candy cane that she needs for stirring her hot chocolate. So, she has had to follow clues around the house to lead her to the treasure. After jumping up and down with glee a bit when finding the jackpot candy cane, we pull her table over in front of her pink lit Christmas tree, and have our party.

I hope your Christmas has been one to cherish too. Ours is full of good memories, and more to come. I'd better go color on my Rudolf nose and get busy before the guests arrive.

I've been reading my comments and emails on my magic phone, but haven't had a chance to answer any. Thanks for the Christmas wishes! And that I am wishing the Merriest of Christmas seasons right back at you!