Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers) – Page 19

Ghostly gowns, grumpy fairies and a dog two ways

Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, flowers, paintings, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / October 24, 2009

Its done! I have the Grumpy Fairy book hand glittered and ready to sell. I've actually listed it in my Boutique and it is available now, if you would like one.

The story is illustrated with my watercolor and ink paintings, then each picture is layered over vintage flocked wallpaper in coordinating colors.

The pages are printed onto high quality, gloss card stock and it is bound in white. I really like the colorful, but soothing palette of colors and took a lot of joy in pulling it all together.

The fairy on the front cover is hand glittered, and I've added a touch or two inside the books too.

You had to guess when you saw this wreath on the bed in the first photo, that this picture would be coming, didn't you??

Beth came along to keep me company today while I glittered books. She worked on some Christmas ornaments in sepia while we chatted. But first, I helped her with photos of these glorious gown she is listing on Ebay. We have had some cold weather, but no hard frost yet, so the flower bed in the center of my drive way is still blooming a bit. We thought it made a pretty setting for the prom dresses.

YUM!

Isn't the skirt on this one about as frothy as a concoction can be?

After taking the pics, we had some fun with Picnik, and made this one ghostly. It was done in "ghostify".

This photo was retouched with "vampire scope", but I don't think it is actually spooky, just a cool look. I hope that these applications are available after Halloween, too, I really like this one. I used it on the ruffles above too.

I'd better get back to glittering. Too bad I can't just photo edit that in….

And remember, if you want to win one of my Grumpy Fairy books, I'll be giving one away next weekend as the gift for my October Giveaway.

All comments, all month count. And I also want to thank so many of you for the kind, kind words you sent my way. I needed that.

In the pastel forest

antiques/junking, Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, family, paintings

By Karla Nathan / October 22, 2009

Thanks for all your well wishes for poor little Bookie. His fever is
gone, and he is doing better. But I can tell that he is still feeling
bad, he follows me around and stares at me, like he is begging me to
help him. It just breaks my heart to see him in pain and confused about
what is going on with him.

My trees are coming along well. I have some of the actual vintage ones that I have dyed and glittered listed in my Boutique.

There weren't very many to list, because I was using them all up in my own projects! I've been decorating the trees themselves, and also using them on the Putz houses that I've been remodeling. But I've got lots more soaking in the bleach right now and will be dying them tomorrow.

Sugarwings has offered to help, so I'll be dying them in Kool Aid. I've never tried that but hear its wonderful to use.

There are a few more finished pastel trees in my Etsy shop, too. Not many until the fairy grand baby and I get that soaking sinkful finished. Hopefully, we'll do that tomorrow, because I need to RE-DO the glitter on my Grumpy Fairy books over the weekend!!

The printer made a mistake and the covers that I spent hours glittering were cut wrong. But I didn't cry. My lip might have trembled a bit, but I took a deep breath, and took the box of pages back and asked for a redo. I'll just need to set aside a few more hours to glitter these new covers. Oh well. That kind of mistake happens, I just have to deal with it and get glittering.

While waiting for the new book covers and for the dark trees to bleach out, I started planning my Silver Bella booth.

Next week, we are going to Florida to help clear out my Great Aunt Caroline's home, so I want to have everything done and ready before then. When I get back, I'll do price tags and pack it all up. I'm happier if any show I do is packed and ready at least a week before the event. It makes life so much more calm and enjoyable!

So, in the front half of my studio, I'm setting up a 10' x 10' booth to play dress up with my goods. We have a very small window of time to set up the booth on Vendor Night at Silver Bella, so I want to be as prepped as possible. No surprises, no problems, all planned ahead.

Plus, it would be hard to relax on my trip to Florida, if I was fretting about all the work I've left behind. And this is a special trip, Sugarwing's first time on an airplane!

We have a day to go to the beach in Jacksonville, then down to Orlando for a day at Sea World, and another day that we don't have plans for yet. We can't take her to Disney World… a long story that I'm sure you don't want to hear… If you've spent time in the Orlando area with a 3 year old, I'd love some tips on where to take her for that last free day.

Any ideas?

And please remember, that all comments go into the drawing for a copy of the Grumpy Fairy bedtime story book as the gift for the OCTOBER GIVEAWAY.

If it ever gets done and glittered, that is.

Tending to my Christmas tree farm

collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), holiday decor, redos, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / October 20, 2009

Progress is being made on the Christmas trees. All are bleached, dyed, and glittered, and a few are foofed.

This year, I am trying something new with the glitter. I used a high gloss poly spray to mist each tree, then rolled it in a snowy glitter. After that, I spritzed it with a spray can of silver glitter/poly, hoping that would seal it.

Now, some of the glitter always flakes off no matter how you put it on, so there will be some molting, but it seems to be working very well.

The cold weather snap is over and yesterday was beautifully fallish. I had the doors and windows open, and sat outside in the rocks to spray trees. Is it ironic that I was enjoying the warm weather so much that I started on a Christmas project?

While I was feeling the holiday spirit, I started on a few putz house remodeling projects too.

It involved repainting some of the more garish colors, adding wallpaper, glitter, fake snow, and some of my teeniest dyed trees. Also, some little vintage characters, snowmen and deer that I glittered up.

These houses are now ready to display as is, or for me to use on some ephemera covered boxes I want to get started on.

My table is looking like Santa's Workshop!

Of course, I don't have any of that cheap elf labor, its all me doing the glittering and gluing. The only helper I know that would work for candy canes is Sugarwings and she has a bit of a heavy hand with the glue… I've known her to use a half a bottle on one bird house, so I doubt if I'll let that little pixie be my assistant on this.

Beth did help me out, though, she GAVE me a lot of the boxes that I will be covering with ephemera and topping with houses, plus a ton of the old bead garlands!!

Normally, I collect those old mercury bead garlands all year at garage sales, flea markets, etc, but this year was a bit of a dud. Not much luck on the strings of beads, no matter where I looked. (at a decent price, at least)

There were some left from last year and I did buy 4 strands, but I go through quite a bit of them at the holidays. So, Beth was a great help, but then, she always is.

By the way, Beth is having a wallpaper giveaway, you should go visit her!

She is owed a lunch for her generosity, at least, huh? I think I need to treat her to our favorite place, Pei Wei, on Friday when we hang out together. She is always giving me the best stuff.

We are planning on estate sailing on Friday in Kansas City, then crafting at her house, but it all depends on how this little guy is doing. This is Bookie, you rarely see photos of him, because he is old and likes to spend his days sitting on the porch all alone, or laying on his pillow.

The poor little guy has been attacked, by something, I have no idea what, or when. He is such a loner in his old age, that some days, I hardly see him, he is like a shadow around the house. We have a doggie door and a fenced yard, so he comes and goes as he pleases. So, I'm not sure when he was hurt. I know he was fine on Saturday when I gave him a treat.

But on Monday, I noticed he was covered in blood and was ill!! I rushed him to the vet, and was told that something had bitten his head and that it was infected pretty bad. He had a fever, and his head was horribly swollen. He might have a broken leg too, but was in too bad of shape to be put under for an X-ray.

What could have done this to him?? A possum? A raccoon? Our mean farm cat? That cat hates Bookie, it could be. It has to be something that could get over the fence. It terrifies me to think that there is a creature out there on my property that is attacking my mild mannered, sweet, little, guy.

A Farmhouse McMansion

collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / October 5, 2009

My house was empty over the weekend, just me and my dogs. When not parked in front of the DVR with a bowl full of popcorn, I spent time making some jewelry.  But mostly, I watched way, way too much TV.  
My TV addiction has become a serious problem.  I might need an intervention.  Or follow Beth's advice and get a job as a TV critic.
 
  
I was in a girly mood when I did this one.  Hmm, I think I'll switch the blue oval rhinestone with the rhinestone flower, this isn't balanced… I also think some pink crystal beads would be nice to add.
That is why I make my jewelry far in advance of an art show. I look it over, wear it, see if it hangs well and is comfy, or catches on anything. Changes sometimes need to be made.
 
Sugarwing's Daddy brought home a free dollhouse for her.  While I think it is magnificent, and actually kind of looks like our house (if I added some black shutters to it), its a bit overwhelming. Wow, it is huge!
"That's what she said."– see, I watch too many "Office" episodes, I am quoting Steve Carrell.
 
This mansion has hinges on each end so that a third of the house swings open, as well as part of the roof lifting up. I'd say it was hand made, with a lot of care. 
And big HEAVY ply wood.
 
My fairy grand baby already has a nice doll house in her room. This one is sturdy, wooden and hand made too, I found it at a garage sale for $20 a few years ago and painted it to match her room when she was big enough to play with it.  Its large, but not overwhelming like the white one her Daddy brought home to her.
 
Plus, it is furnished in just her style, with the blue flying monkey and rainbow haired troll dolls feeling right at home there.
 
There is a vintage log cabin with no roof that we use as a book case in her room too.  Its also from a garage sale, it was $10.  I lost the roof somewhere, and painted it white.  
It was probably worth something before I "fixed it up".
 
There is also a doll house in my studio.  This one does double duty, I dump her toys out and take it with me to shows, its a great display shelf. Its tall and lightweight and adds a visual impact to my booth. 
I certainly couldn't do that with the 2 ton, 20 room version that my son brought home this week.  Heck, maybe I'll use the new one for a dog house, its big enough for all three Dorkies to move into.
Notice how Twinkle automatically poses when I get out my camera? She thinks the photos are all about her. When I pick up the camera, she sits and waits to be admired.  The dog is turning into a bigger ham every day.
 
See what I mean? She can't imagine I'd take a photo without her in it. If you've wondered why I call the Yorkies "Dorkies" its because of their silly, and adorable behavior, like this.
 
Yes, Twinkle is pretty good company, she is right at my feet all day while I work, and is endlessly fascinated by all that I do.  I find myself showing her what I am working on, and her little head tilts to the side like she really cares and is intrigued by what I came up with. 
And of course, she thinks some things just look like dog toys. She really wants one of these chicks.
 
Not that she is getting one.  I kept a few for myself to make some things, and the rest are listed in the Boutique.  I've sold a LOT of them, but there are still some left.  But I can't recommend them as dog toys, no matter what Twinkle says.

Pet Parade Party

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / September 30, 2009

Oh My Gosh! I'm late linking to Keylee Katillac's fund raiser for animal welfare. And then, when I get started, I see that Twinkle has won first place!!

Since
the scarf we were to design for the fund raiser was a Lance Armstrong,
LIVE STRONG theme, Twinkle posed with a bike for her photo. Plus, the
scarf is so big on her, doesn't she look like a super hero? (I even
cut it in half for her, she only weighs about 7 lbs).

For her Live Strong scarf, I simply cut it in half, and laid out
some velvet flower petals on it, then sewed part of an old apron over
that to make a see through pocket to hold the petals. Its held on with
a vintage ribbon tie, and vintage millinery is pinned to the bow.

Since the apron is made of tulle, you can peek through it and see the Lance Armstrong motto printed on the yellow scarf.

Go
and check out the other dogs at the party, and make sure you leave a
comment, because each comment means a $1 donation to the shelter.
Also, you are entered to win a gift certificate for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS
to Hobby Lobby!

Please help Keylee help the dogs! She has already raised $2,000 through this campaign, lets get those pups some more money!

(Notice Twink's new tags, I feel safer for her now)

And while Sugarwings loves to play hide and seek, she was
so heartbroken when she couldn't find her Toto. If Twinkle hadn't lost
her tags, we wouldn't have lost her!

Also, please
remember, today is the last day to leave a comment here for a chance to
win the September giveaway. Wow, that month sure flew by fast!

40 ways to say happy birthday

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Food and Drink, how-to projects

By Karla Nathan / September 29, 2009

This morning, we celebrated a friend's birthday with a brunch at my house.  It was a simple meal, organic vanilla yogurt, fresh fruit salad, and Rhodes cinnamon rolls hot out of the the oven, with a birthday candle stuck in them.

Since she was turning 40, a group of her friends came up with 40 charms for me to make into a bracelet for her.  We've done this for a couple of other pals in our circle on their 40th too.

Since 8 different people bought, or made the pieces, it really looked like a charm bracelet full of tidbits collected over a lifetime.  Some had special meaning, like her kid's photos, a coffee pot (to symbolize our regular coffee gatherings), a bowling pin (from bowling dates together), her initials, etc.  But some were just cute little things that were "filler".  

Since she owns two dorkie pups from one of my dog's litters, I really tried to find a Yorky charm for her.  But, one of her dogs is a giant, king sized terrier, that I swear is half golden retriever (we had goldens at the time too, so I really think that is possible…), so I figured that this over-sized blue dog looked enough 
like him to work.

To make the charms with her kid's photos:
 I bought frame charms from the craft store, and cut out at plain bit of green paper to fit them (her favorite color).
Then, I found photos of her kids on my computer, edited them to black and white, and emailed them to the copy store with instructions to reduce them so that the faces were just under 3/4" inches.
Color photo copies seem to work better under paper glaze than the pictures I make with my own printer. The ink never runs with photo copies.
I cut out the faces and glued those to the green paper, and covered it all with a layer of paper glaze. Love that stuff! It is self leveling, so you don't have to be perfect with it. You do need to watch it as it dries, though and pop any bubbles that form. (use a pin)

After it was all assembled, I wrapped the bracelet in a green, vintage hankie and put it into a decorated cone.  The Dollar Tree store was selling packages of these gold or silver cones 6 for a dollar! 
They were pretty as is, and make great favor wraps, or small gift packages.  I added a medallion with her initial, and then pinned some festive ribbons to the bottom with vintage brooch that she can take off and wear on her jacket.

This photo is a bit redundant, since I've already shown you the bracelet, but hey, look at my new lady!!  She is from Rusty Chandelier 
one of the BEST antique malls, EVER.  She isn't named yet, or finished. I am thinking about covering her in old French ephemera like I did the hand that Robin gave to me.

Especially since this gift just came in the mail!  Zita sent these French Canadian books to me and the pages are just perfect for redoing the face of my new lady, huh?

She'll be wonderful for selling hats and necklaces, plus will class up my booth a bit!

Before I get to work on her, I need to go and tidy up after the brunch. I never mind the after party mess, its usually a time to think about who said what and what funny things came up, and to enjoy the pretty dishes and bowls as I am washing them up.

Just like picking up after Sugarwings. Her leavings often give my heart a little tug, like this pile of her favorites set on the stairs waiting to be carried up to her room.

Gone

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers)

By Karla Nathan / September 25, 2009

  Twinkle went missing and it was all my fault. I had a door open during craft day to air out the room and enjoy the breeze while we worked. Twinks slept under my table or wandered out to check on the rabbit population every once in a while.  She is not a runner, she always stays close and comes when called.  But, bunnies can be tempting and I guess, she went too far.

And it seems like I have some bad habits that I need to break. I let my dogs wander around the yard when I am out, and since we have 10 acres, they have plenty of room to roam. But, we no longer live in the country. For 10 years, our house was in the middle of no where. Then neighborhoods came in around us. But for about a year a half, the road in front of the house was closed to traffic due to construction.

 

 So, we got used to not worrying about the dogs getting out. They aren't the types to run off, they stick around.  But now, the road is open, there are a thousand houses around us, and there is constant traffic on the street and the side walks.  When someone sees a little dog out, they scoop her up to "save" her. They are trying to help, not knowing that the dog isn't lost.  
Plus, the dogs could get run over, if they ventured further.

Apparently, that is what happened on Tuesday after craft day. Someone saw Twinks in front of the house and took her home.  We searched everywhere, called the Humane Society 4 times, went in to there to look, twice. Hung flyers, made posters.  

After no luck for two days, I figured she was gone forever.  

Not only was I worried, I felt so guilty about letting her disappear right from under my eyes while I was having fun chatting with my friends.

Somehow messages got lost at the pound, but today we got it straightened out and were able to retrieve her.  She had been well taken care of by someone who thought she was neglected and lost, and picked her up from our sidewalk. 
And honestly, they are probably right. A person should know where their dogs are and not let them wander. I don't live in the country anymore and she isn't a big, old, rough and tough farm dog. She's a sweet little bit of fluff and deserves to be treated like one!
Plus, look closely at this photo that I posted recently— see the hook on her collar? No tag! It had fallen off, and I didn't even notice.  Poor baby, its not like she can tell people where she lives.  
So, on the way home from picking her up from the good Samaritans, we got her new a new tag, with 5 lines of info, so that there is no questions about who she is and where she belongs. 
We are going to get one of those radio controlled collars for her too.

I can't begin to tell you how lucky I feel to have her back.  And how guilty I feel for letting this happen to her TWICE in recent times.  
I've been a careless doggie mom.
Do me a favor, please. Go and check your dog's tags, just in case.  You never know when they might come loose without you noticing!

Bungled baubles, an Alice Obsession, and parading pooches

Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 23, 2009

Yesterday, at craft day, Beth brought her embossing supplies for me to try. I've never done that before and was intrigued with the idea of embossing small collages on these medals. So, I thought I'd share some step by step how to's with you.

But, it turns out that I am not very good at embossing. The paper bubbled and burnt, the finish looked thick and gloppy. Maybe you'd appreciate instructions from someone who actually can do it correctly? You certainly could do better asking anyone else but me!

Sorry.

So, no new charms to add to the Boutique. I will probably salvage them to tie onto things, they are cute enough to use that way. Just not good enough to make into a charm bracelet or necklace.

I did finish this old box and add it to the shop, though. It was in pieces when I got it, so it is all repaired and re-glued and covered with pretty vintage papers, then topped with a pale pink rose.

My guess is that it at one time held a manicure set. What do you think?

Also, thanks to everyone who snapped up one of my vintage goods prize ribbons. I made another with a triple row of ruffles, then thought I'd make up a few more till I ran out of crepe paper.

So, there are a few more added to the Boutique, waiting for you to let me know what initial needs to be added. All the initials are hand drawn and glittered, no stencils, or patterns. Also, no two are alike. And now, I'm out of crepe paper, and since it was an old roll from a flea market, that is the end of that.

Now, I am obsessed with making an Alice in Wonderland book. No reason, just because. It really is a bad idea to get started on…. I've got Silver Bella to plan for (those 10 feet vendor booths hold a lot of crap to sell), house guests coming for the rest of the week, and a trip to Florida to help clean out my Great Aunt Caroline's home.

Also, the Sugarwings Grumpy Fairy book needs a tweaking. The website that I had it printed on sucked about as much as my embossing skills…..

So, here I am, fulfilling a whim and playing with this Alice spread instead of acting like a big girl and getting my work done.

But look at how much fun it is!!!! I've had that cat with green eyes postcard on my desk for years. When Mary gave me an old Alice in Wonderland book cover, I knew immediately that I needed to add a Cheshire grin to this picture and turn it into a book.

I drew the grin onto paper from the back of an old greeting card, so it wouldn't look too new and stand out for the wrong reasons. then glued it on. I've made up about 8 pages so far, so hopefully, this obsession with be done and over with soon, so I can get back to business.

Before I get back to work, I want to tell you about a fund raiser to help pets. You can get details at Kelee's.

She is hosting a blog party and every link earns the charity $3.

Hope to see you there, Sept. 30!

A bonus giveaway to share the joy

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, flowers, give away, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / September 2, 2009

Yesterday was such a good day! One for the record books.

* Lovely weather

* Family helping with yard work, getting things trimmed and tidied, and enjoying being outside together

* A bonus of a few extra, unexpected hours to play with Sugarwings

* The look of joy on my fairy grand baby's face when she saw the new additions to the Fairy Berry Trail

* A thoughtful, surprise gift in the mail from a reader (thank you, Susan!!)

* Giant mums in bloom, on sale for only $5.99 (I bought 6!)

* A delicious meal whipped up from our garden, by my son

* The happy anticipation of getting ready for the big family reunion this weekend

* A furry friend, who is always happy even when I have to pick tons of burrs from her silky hair.

* Time to spend in the studio making up some pretties

It was one of those days that make me happy and grateful for my life.

It was such a good day, that I wanted to share some of my good luck, and draw two names for the August giveaway instead of just one. Plus, I realized it was my SIX HUNDREDTH post.

So, here are the two winners, each get one of these hand painted charms.

And the second winner is:

Gabrielle

Bur dog 115

Yep, yesterday was a beautiful day, and you know, today is starting off pretty good too. Hope yours is also!

Not that I have anything against Canadians

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, paintings

By Karla Nathan / August 31, 2009

Button mania!  I've stuffed my overflowing buttons into some old jam jars and decked them out with lots of tiny millinery blooms.
 

Buttons and something to fill up with them has become my latest obsession. Well, that and my DVR.  I got all caught up on the shows I had missed while traveling.  DVRs are magic, what a brilliant invention, for a TV junkie like me. 
Did anyone see all the big, blooming hats on Mad Men last night!!!??? I couldn't even pay attention to the story, I was so overwhelmed with the millinery at the Derby party.  
 

The styles and clothes on that show always grab my attention, I'd watch it even if it didn't feature such good writing.  
(These jewels are available in my Boutique and the jam jars are on Etsy)
  

Twinkle and I have been working in the yard to get ready for the family reunion camp out in my yard coming up this weekend. I decided to mow paths through the grass in the fields for walking trails that connect to the Fairy Berry Trail.

I've been enjoying going out for walks on them myself. But while out there, I noticed the Canadian Thistle had gone a bit crazy. I know that thistle is considered an noxious weed, but I've always loved it. This drawing, is one that I did at age 15 for a biology class. Its the drawing that made me realize that I wanted to be an artist.

To this day, I keep this ink drawing out on display. You don't want to do the math to know how long that has been.

But as much as I enjoy the thistle plant, I know they have to go. So, as I started to chop them down to burn (the only way to dispose of them without spreading the seeds), it dawned on me that I had two adult sons who live here with me and one of them should do it all instead of me! So I went to fetch Ryan and set him on the chore.  
Why don't I think of that more often? I am finally gaining the wisdom that comes with age (or getting lazy).
 

So, while Ryan cleared the field of thistles, I was free to foof the Fairy Berry Trail!
Ace Hardware had some clearance garden decor that was just right for out there. Wind chimes with doe-doe birds, and bright metal flowers on stakes.  Sugarwings will be excited when she comes home on Tuesday (she spends a few days with her Hippy Chick Mommy and other grandma every week)  I love to surprise her with new additions to the trail, she always notices right away when we go for our walks along the path.
 
And how perfect was this? Its a gift from a buddy who knew I'd love it for the trail. And it is very fitting now, my handsome husband has been expanding the trail, so that now it goes up the hill from the valley it was first made in.  He and Sugarwing's Daddy took a chain saw out there and cleared a path through the brush.  (We'd do anything and everything for that fairy baby)
So, I've nailed this plaque to a tree at the top of the hill, at the beginning of the walkway.
Sugarwings can't read, but we will both stop and read it together every time we go into the woods.