dogs – Page 18 – Karla's Cottage

At Home with the Guncles

By Karla Nathan / April 9, 2013

I swear, I could wear out a camera at Randy and Kevin's house. Cutest dogs, ever, a great collection of, well, too many things to count, and fun stuff going on all the time.

And it was very touching to me, that with all the cool collections and fabulous antiques they have, I saw bits and pieces of my own art work all around the house. This is a nest from my wire workshop

They've added some white birds for Spring to the cabinet of white pottery.

I'd love to find a top hat like this silk one they have. It's hosting some paper clay creations I sent to them. The little elf is supposed to look like Kevin.

Hmm, kind of hard to tell from this photo.

There is a string of crystals hanging in the window of their patio room, that sends prisms all around the space every afternoon. Here is Kevin, sprinkled in "light birdies", as my Sissy always calls them.

On Sunday, we spent the day in Randy's craft room with our pal, Regina. Over the years, he and I painted the entire room, floor and ceiling with murals, but there are so many treasures in there, not much shows!

Tad and Tillie ( Beloved Bishons of the Past) watch over us as we work there.

Regina worked on making a bird cage like the ones we had done at Karen's for the workshop at the Kozy Kottage. Randy made cards (his specialty) and I cranked out a couple dozen birds to decorate my studio for Birdsong.

Randy also prepped the background for this painting he asked me to do. A friend of his had a painting of a white peacock wearing pearls and he loved it, and asked me to copy it. I don't like to copy, but told him I'd do another version of it my own way.

So, he found a swan in his wild life books and asked me to paint her. The back ground is metallic, and the bird is regular paint. I think it really makes the swan stand out in a dramatic way.

The swan in the book had red eyes, but I went for pink. It was a quick job, and there were some things I'd have tweaked if I had time, but I was finishing it up Monday before I went to the airport, and had to rush. Of course, at that point, I didn't know my flight was cancelled and I'd have hours to sit at the airport.

Randy is so kind about my artwork, he is my #1 collector. Here is a watercolor of Zack that hangs in the craft room.

There is also a big screen TV in there, and he has a cabinet full of shows. I was able to get caught up on the few episodes of Downton Abby that I had missed and we watched Les Mis while working too. Funny, when I "watch" TV while working, I rarely look up. At one point, I finally looked at the screen and was wowed, it was really a good picture. I hadn't even noticed that it was such sharp high def.

I should ask what brand it is, I'm in the market for a new one myself.

Yep, it was a fun visit. Great food, great friends, great fun, great crafts, great TV picture (hey, that's important!) and great dogs.

Whimsy and fun at every corner. Accompanied by fresh shrimp.

And there are always big, brown eyes looking up into your face.

I'll leave you with some pictures around the house. There is a treat every place you look there!

Dorkies in flight

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), puppies!

By Karla Nathan / February 9, 2013

Our neighbor, Scruffy, came to visit. He is Twinkle's son and brother to my pups, but looks like a different species! His fur is thick and black as can be.

They love to run together, and get so excited they practically fly. Here, I caught them all mostly airborne. Dorothy Rosebud is my best flyer, she is the one in front.

Look at this furball! He is the puppy who had the dark face as a baby. I didn't think he'd turn silver and I think I'm right. Although, Yorkies can surprise you, their color isn't set for months. Eventually, all the baby fine puppy hair needs to be shaved off and the new, adult dog is revealed in its glorious new color. But I hate to trim mine up too early, because I love that puppy stage and will miss it when they get their first hair cuts and look all grown up.

Our two are turning light and are so two toned and raggedy, they almost look like opossums. We call them Crash and Eddie because the look like the two guys from Ice Age. Plus, they are such goofballs. Which is also why I call them all Dorkies instead of Yorkies. They are a group of dorkie and silly dogs.

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.

Oopsy daisy

cottage, dogs

By Karla Nathan / January 23, 2013

Even when my house is cleaned up, it still looks "homey". Toys, books, a soft blanky left out, that never bothers me. I smile when I see reminders of the grand fairie's last visits.

But this is just a bit much, isn't it? As I was about ready to leave for my trip, I discovered that my dog is in heat. And messy as can be. Ugh. I had to cover up everything in house just in case she jumped on something while I'm away. Towels and old blankets drape all the furniture. I hate leaving Sandy to deal with this and I hate leaving my house looking like a wreck, but man, am I ever ready to get away.

Aunt Sandy will be watching Twinkle and will keep her locked in the studio (where there is a moppable cement floor) while I am gone. But, yuck. Double Yuck.

Sorry, I do tend to talk about unpretty things, don't I?

There is plenty of floor cleaner made up for Aunt Sandy to use. I make my own, using white vinegar, orange peels, and a few drops of lavender oil, and of glycerin.

You are supposed to strain it, but I never do. I just leave the peels in the jar.

And letting it age is good, but I use it up before its ready and it still works fine.

This January has been mild so far, a bit cold, but not too bad. Still, I've craved green, so I made up some planters, but that is not the same as spring air and being outdoors in the gardens. Carol brought me the flowers last week and they were just right for this display.

My trip to Hawaii should cure my yearning for growing things, a week in paradise is just what I need right now. Although I almost didn't get to go! At 24 hours pre-flight, I went to print my boarding pass and discovered that my ticket was for the WRONG DATE.

We bought tickets months in advance, using my husband's travel points for a free flight, and booked it for the wrong day.

I had to scurry to get a new ticket, and I can tell you that it was NOT free. Not close. At all. My trip is beginning with a huge expenditure that we sure didn't expect.

But- I'm lucky we could pay it. I'm lucky that there was a seat available. I'm lucky to be going to freakin Hawaii!! So what if I will have to watch my spending there since we blew our budget on our date screw up? I'm still lucky to be going.

I'm away from
my computer on a dream trip to Hawaii right now, but please check back
for fresh posts left for you before I flew off. If you want to order
from the Boutique, all orders will be shipped on the 30th. If you'd like
to enter the drawing for one of Amy's books, please leave a comment on
any post.

If you'd like to sign up for my Valentine workshop, please email me for an invoice at: karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Workshops, giveaways, and an angel of a dog

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, puppies!, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / January 19, 2013

Dorothy Rosebud and I just might need to order more cupid wings for foofing. She likes to play dress up as much as Sugarwings does, apparently.

Plus, I like making them.

I've also been hooked on making wire cages. As I work on them, I'm taking photos so I can do an online tutorial too.

But so far, the cage details aren't worth passing on. I need to make a few more to get it perfected. Each one I make teaches me a bit more on the best ways to build them from the ground up

Which is important in a tutorial. The first few I make of something, I just wing it. Then, if I like the idea and make more prototypes, I start narrowing down just what works, what doesn't, how long is this piece, how big is that one.

Weeks of work go into making a tutorial, but they can sell for years, so they are worth the effort for me to get it right.

And if you enjoy my online classes, maybe you'd like an in person one? Valentine Journal Workshop on Saturday, Feb 2nd, all supplies included, just bring tools! $100, Details in the previous post.

I'll be giving away one of Amy's books then. Or you can win one by leaving a comment on my blog on any post.

I'll be away from my computer for a while, I'm in PARADISE as you read this. Any Etsy or Boutique orders will be mailed on the 30th.

Mixed media with watercolor tips and tricks

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), drawing, free images, holiday decor, how to's

By Karla Nathan / January 3, 2013

Well, the holiday season is winding down, time for getting on with the New Year. If you aren't all Santa-ed out, I've got some how tos for the painting I used as our Christmas card this year.

First step is the drawing, in pencil on watercolor paper.

Second, I draw with ink over my sketch, then erase the pencil marks.

Since I want the background to have a soft, faraway look, I don't draw it in ink, only pencil.

Next, I wash in the sky and shadows of the snow, carefully keeping the drawing in the foreground clean and dry. Keep in mind that the color is deeper at the top, and gets lighter toward the horizon line, along with a touch of blush tone above the ground and trees.

Before the sky dries, I add color to the tree line and a bit to the shadows of the pines.

When the sky is starting to dry, and the paper shows a slight sheen of dampness, I sprinkle salt lightly over it.

As the paint finishes drying, the salt absorbs moisture, along with that, color. It makes a pretty snow speckled look.

I let dry completely and brush off salt before proceeding any further.

Here is where the watercolor cheating comes in, by adding white paint. (so I just call the painting, "mixed media") First, I paint in the bare branch trees, with faded browns and purples. Never deep or harsh or bright colors for a background, they have to look faded and distant.

I do save the white of the bare paper, as you should in watercolor, but I really like a touch of pure white over it for even more depth. I use white acrylic paint for snow and highlights.

Next, the foreground gets painted. When working with watercolors, the trick is in knowing that the color flows wherever the paper is wet. You have to be careful to paint small areas at a time, with drawings like this, and not do adjacent areas until the first section dries. So, I wet a segment, such as this part of the jacket, and drop in bright red. While still wet, I add darker red along the shadowed areas.

I would do the other side of the jacket, waiting for that to dry before painting the sleeve or belt, since they are right next to what I just painted. If I were to paint the belt right away, the red paint would run right into it, as well as some of the black flowing into the red, where that was still wet. Water pulls the color.

Black is always more interesting if you mix it yourself, using a dark brown and dark blue, never use black watercolor paint.

When the painting is done, I dip a wet brush into white acrylic paint and flick it over the picture for more snow.

I take my finished paintings to a copy shop and have them shrunk down and printed four per page to make into Christmas cards.

The trick then is to get them signed and mailed…. I am afraid I didn't send a single Christmas card this year!! After all this work.

My husband did send some out to his co-workers and we used a few on bags of home made candy that we gave away along with a bottle of wine to some friends.

My husband works in the golf industry, so likes the club swinging Santa. I was more into puppies for this season. After Twinkle's nine babies in August, I thought a pup was a good theme for family cards. But once again, I didn't get these mailed either.

At least the cards got made. Maybe I can add hearts and call it a Valentine? No, I think I just missed the boat this season and am out of the time window to mail anything this Christmassy.

Let's call this a belated Christmas card from me to you. You can click on the image to open in a larger window, save to your computer and print it.

The Merriest!

celebrations, Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 28, 2012

We had the BEST Christmas! This is a little video of our gift from our littlest fairy, Dewdrop. She practiced a dance and gave us a performance. The non-stop giggling you hear is me, she had me laughing through the whole show.

The video is pretty short, because she kept slipping and falling since her tights were slippery on the wood floor. A lot of the video was filled with mooning. Her little bottom was the star of the show. While I think itsy bitsy baby bottoms are adorable, maybe the internet is not the best place for them, so here is the edited version.

Our whole holiday was filled with laughter.

And a few tears too. I got a hand made stocking from our Gypsy and it was filled to the brim with sweet notes from all of the kids. I grinned and cried as I read each one.

We are a sentimental bunch. The calendar that the Hippy Chick and Sugarwings filled with family photos was a hit too.

Sweet is a good word for our
Christmas. Very, very, very sweet.

Sometimes I just babble on too much about things no one wants to hear

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), holiday decor, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / December 23, 2012

House breaking puppies in the winter is NOT easy. Especially when they think that the corner behind the Christmas tree is the best place in the whole house to poo. Much better than braving the winter chill outside and much sneakier than leaving their "gifts" to me in an easy to get to place. So, I found some old wire fencing in my shed and wrapped it around the tree a few times.

They sure look sweet and innocent, don't they? Its shocking just how much poop two puppies can produce. Normally, they use the pads I have laying around the house (yes, its not very attractive, but better than them using the floor), but they are drawn to the white cloth that I used as a tree skirt too.

The little puppesh still like to climb into the bowl that Twinkle slept in while she was pregnant and that all nine used to sleep together in. I guess its home to them. There are pillows and other softer spots for them to lay down, but they love that bowl.

Someone needs to tell these guys that they might be getting too big to pile in together.

I've had winter puppies before and always told myself, never again. They are slow to learn how to go outside and not on the pads because I am too cold to take them out as much as I should. Just shoving them out the door doesn't do the job, they need to be told that they are good dogs at the moment they squat, not when they come in.

I need to be strong and face the cold, or that Albie will soon be lifting his leg and hitting the furniture, not the pee pads!

But why am I even talking about all of this? Does anyone peruse blogs to hear about dog pee?

Probably not.

But you never know what you'll be hearing about here.

Maybe I'll just shut up and show you some pretty pictures.

Over the river and through the woods

cottage, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / December 11, 2012

Its been much more fallish than wintery around here lately and we've been taking advantage of that weather. Last week, we crossed the creek and went out in the woods to cut down a tree for the Hippy Chick and her roomies. They wanted to set up a nature tree outdoors for the birds and animals and are going to garland it with popcorn and berries, and make birdseed ornies to hang on it.

We've got tons of scrub cedars, that it never hurts to clear out a bit, so we all trouped off into the woods to pick a pretty one for them.

Dorothy Rosebud was a big chicken, and had to be carried across the creek, and through most of the underbrush. Twinkle and Albie Brave and Strong ran off ahead were so busy that all the pictures I tried to get of them were just blurs. They ran non-stop and explored every fallen leaf.

Cedars aren't the best trees for indoors, but I think it will be a good one for the birdies to have their snacks arranged on outside. I hear that it was a bit sappy, the girls had a Griswald-ish time getting the sticky off of themselves!

While it was nice outside, I took some time to clean up the yard and move furniture into the shed.

These chairs are brand new from an estate sale, I'm looking forward to figuring out where to use them next spring. I got 4 chairs and a table for $20. They are meant for indoors, but have metal frames, so I'm thinking that if I cover the seats in something waterproof, they will be good in the yard.

Some day, I'll do something fun with this shed. It used to be my antique store, now the other half of it is the chicken coop. It might be nice to turn this half into a play house for the fairy grand babies. The new estate sale table is not going to be good for outdoors, even though the chairs can work outside. So, leaving it in the shed can be a start for making the play area next year.

Well, at least its something to day dream about once the long, cold winter hits!

I've added some neutral toned mini wreaths with millinery to my Etsy shop.

As well as a few more trees.

Some not so neutral pretties too!

The last couple of weeks, I've been trying to accommodate as many special orders as I could, but I'm now officially out of stock, after what is listed is gone. So, what is pictured is all that there is.

Sorry I can't do any special packages for you now, but I can't even find any dark trees to fix up, the stores all sold out early this year, so I am too! I made quite a few tree runs this season, and now its time to move on.

At the time I am writing this, there is still a good selection in the shop, especially the ones that I have decorated.

Thanks to everyone who shopped with me this year, I appreciate all the tree sales!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / November 28, 2012

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I usually get my halls decked. Every year, I seem to spend less and less time on it, the decor is becoming more about quality than quantity. Or am I getting old and just don't do as much?

As I finished late in the evening, it was nice to sit and relax and enjoy a glass of wine with my husband in the light of the tree.

The dogs were all curious about the tree and think that the area beneath it is their new club house.

Aunt Sandy joined us along with Daisy and Dixie. We are trying to make all the dogs get along. Kind of a cease fire for the holidays.

It wasn't exactly a success, but at least there was no blood shed.

Albie wanted to wrassle under the tree, so refused to pose there. But he joined in for a family portrait once he got away from the excitement of the bright lights. Although, these guys are growing so much, that they are too big to sit in front of their mom, you can hardly see her.

The studio is all Christmassy too. Although it looks more like Santa's workshop after the elves have been working overtime.

Right now, there are trees taking over the place. One table is filled with trees photographed and listed, another with groups waiting their turn to have their pictures taken. Then, there is the drying table for the pile of newly dyed and glittered ones. And of course, my desk is filled with in progress ones being decorated.

These are all my newest color, I call the collection coffee and cream. I probably should have named the brown ones cocoa since they are a holiday item, but I dipped them in coffee, so just went literal.