The January Giveaway (finally)- you still have time to enter

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, swaps, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / January 26, 2009

The babies have moved into their new home and are now my studio buddies during the day.

When I go to work, they will come with me and play in the "Puppy Pond". So far, they are just barely contemplating the idea of running and playing, they still prefer their nest. At least they have the option now! In a few days, they will be glad to attempt to wander out and have some fun.

There is already a difference in their expressions. I can see some recognition when they look at me. And some interest in people, not just in their Mommy.

Fun times are ahead! I'm ready for them to come running to the edge of the Puppy Pond every time they hear me coming. Its such a wonderful feeling!

The movie date with my sweetheart was nice, but the movie should have been a rental instead. It wasn't exactly the best of the "Underworld" series. My husband didn't care for it much, he only goes to see these vampire movies with me because of Kate Beckinsale and she wasn't in this one.

I made time this morning to list this Valentine's Bird on Etsy, and also had a chance to create some thing, even with the distraction of puppies in the studio!

I bought two of these little jewel boxes on my last junking trip, knowing they would be perfect for foofing up as a Valentine piece.

This one is topped with a little Fairy painting I did a while back. The inside is pale pink and I dooded it up too, with old wallpaper, millinery and a glittered crown. I'd show you, but the glue is still wet and if I open it, it would fall apart.

When it dries, I'll get some pictures and list it in my boutique.

While I am on a Valentine's kick, I thought I'd offer this tussy mussy full of treats as my January giveaway.

The image on the front is a gift from one of the Puppy Love Tag Book swappers, Ruth. Thanks for the thoughtful gifts, Ruth, I'm already making use of them!

All comments from the first of the month are entered. All comments, all month long. (that is the easiest way for me to handle it!!)

Curious puppy not included…

Sugarwings and the puppy

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 23, 2009

Sugarwings and the puppy
Originally uploaded by Karla's Cottage

Sugarwings found the tutu that I bought for her from Holly up at Silver Bella Vendor night, and has worn it all day today.
I thought I'd do an experimental video from Flickr. Please let me know if you had any issues with it or if it slowed down my blog? Here is another one, if you want to see the little Fariy grandbaby showing off her tutu. She's pretty pleased with it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlascottage/3220199271/

I'm going to try to get some more items added to the Boutique at Karla's Cottage. Like this crackled glaze collage in an old frame. Thanks so much for your shopping trips to see me! sold thanks

Now, I hear Sugarwings stirring over the baby moniter, I don't think she is going to nap after all. Maybe I won't get that picture listed in the shop until later tonight…..

Sunshine??? Honestly??!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies

By Karla Nathan / January 22, 2009

What a day! It is in the 60's and we are taking full advantage of this gift of sunshine. Sugarwings got to go to the park and the babies got to go outside for the first time in short lives.

Looks like the bright day and the interesting new sights and smells made this princess attempt to play with that tiny spotted creature she stumbled across.

Playing didn't last long. A few moments of looking around, squeaking, and tripping over wood chips, and these guys had enough.

Then, it was time to curl up for a nap in the soft, lamb's ear.

I hope these pups enjoyed their outing, tomorrow, the temps go back down to the 20s. I know I have enjoyed every second of this glimpse of sunshine, and will certainly miss it tomorrow. It has inspired me to do some spring cleaning and right now, I have my studio turned upside down while the fairy grand baby and the passel of pups are napping.

I have also used the sunshine to get some photos taken and got more flowers and brooches listed in my shop. If I can finish cleaning my studio in a decent time, I'll try to take sunshiny photos of wallpaper packs and get them listed too.

Thanks again to everyone who visited my Boutique! I hope you'll be coming back?

doll and large brooch sold, thanks

Read any good books lately?

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers)

By Karla Nathan / January 19, 2009

Now that the puppies are getting more interesting, Sugarwings has become totally infatuated with the babies.

And who can blame her? I'm smitten too. Soon, I will move their nest out to my studio so we can spend the days together while I work. The more the pups are snuggled, the better dogs they will be when they grow up. I raise puppies to be loving and social, so that involves a lot of lap time. Its a tough job, but some body has to hold the dogs all day!

On a less fun note, I'vebeen cleaning my house, uck.

Tonight I am hosting book club, so I wanted to kill two birds with one stone and take photos of the house while it was cleaned up, since that rarely happens! I'd show you some of the pictures, but they are for something else- I was invited by Sandra to be featured as her "Jewell of the Month" for February. Wow, Miss February! As much as I hate the cold and winter and the doldrums that go along with that, I love February. Mostly because of the 75% off clearance chocolate on the 15th.

Might explain why my house is Miss February, but I will never be that….

Besides slaving away over housework and puppy holding, I also was knee deep in website set up this weekend. OMG what a disaster I had with that. I was all done, ready to open and for some reason, all my photos scrambled up.

So, now a redo and a clean up before I can open. I'll let you know when it is ready. I'll throw myself a big ole grand opening bash when it is ready! Although, that might just mean me sitting here at the computer with a glass of wine and a few puppies in my lap. Well, that isn't such a bad way to celebrate!

Okay, I'm off to make up trays of food and light candles for book club.

Whiling away a day, when you can’t go outside to play

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 15, 2009

So, how do you entertain yourself on a day so cold that you simply don't feel warm no matter what you do? Well, you find distractions. Like arranging sleepy puppies into a heart shape. Well, kind of a heart shape, they are a tad wiggly to pose very well.

You can also see what happens if you add bubbles to a whirl pool tub.

We discovered that the jets create lots and lots of bubbles. And just as many giggles.

Here is a flickr video of Sugarwings splashing away: http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlascottage/

How long till Spring?????????

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, paintings, swaps

By Karla Nathan / January 14, 2009

January seems like the longest month of all. Ugh, not only is it cold, we have severe wind warnings, which means that all of my lawn chairs (yes, maybe I should have put them away before winter??) are blowing around and it is too cold to go outside and pick them up. Well, they can't go too far, I'll pick them up on a nicer day.

This is a good time of year for indoor projects. I'm enjoying working on the tags, and am so glad we had such a big turn out for the tag book swap. I started a Flickr group for the swap, so if you would like to add photos of your tags, please do.

It is an open group, anyone can join or look at pictures. So, please, add your Puppy Love tags and spread the word!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/998886@N21/

This cold weather has me thinking about Spring time. I have this little painting hanging in an area where it doesn't show much, so I rearranged and brought it out where I can see it and day dream of springtime.

I've always loved vintage greeting cards, and did this acrylic painting about 30 years ago, inspired by an old card. Probably not the best painting I ever did, technically, but emotionally, I think I hit the mark with it! Every time I see it, I think Spring. Also, I had given it to my Mom, and it had hung in her house for a very long time. That makes it extra precious to me, now that she is gone.

Pockets of Springtime are all around my cottage. I am definitely NOT a winter person. I'd love to live somewhere with sunshine year round.

Of course, January does serve a good purpose for me. Its a great month for mini redos. Being cooped up indoors and staring at the same walls over and over, prods me to rearrange a few things here and there. Simple changes like hanging this old oval picture on my Gothic window frame give me a bit of a cheer up.

And who can have gloomy thoughts when there are little cuties like this around to cuddle up with on a cozy chair by the fire???

Thank you to everyone who inquired about buying some of the tags I am making for the swap. I still have about 28 to make yet just to fulfill my obligation to the swap! But I think I'll make a few extra to give away for some prizes too….. There are a lot of prizes, the January and February giveaways, as well as my 2 year blog anniversary on Valentine's Day and seems like there was another…. Oh, yes, we will have a name the puppy contest! As soon as they open their eyes and start to get some personality, I'll post photos of each and ask for names. Puppy Love altered tags will be prizes in that.

Guess I'd better get back to the craft table!

Tagging along

antiques/junking, Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), paintings, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 13, 2009

How is that for some puppy love? At this point the little princesses are mostly sleeping and eating. They curl up and they cry for mama and that is about it.

Beth came by to help with my website today, and we spent some time cuddling the puppies, although at first she thought they were too tiny to hold. But these little guys enjoy being held and Twinks doesn't seem to mind.

Although, she certainly doesn't take her eyes off of them once we pick them up! I could tell she was a devoted mother, when she went out to potty yesterday and a rabbit ran right in front of her. Instead of taking off like a shot into the woods to get tangled in cockle burrs, thinking that she might just catch the wascal this time, she simply turned around and came to the door to be let back in to her babies. Not even a glance over her shoulder to see where it might have gone to.

Worrying about your kids can sure take precedence over other things, that is for sure.

Luckily, at this point, my kids are doing well, so I can worry about tags! 60 some tags. Now that is a lot of worrying.

As I was blog hopping (instead of making tags) the other day, I saw a pretty hand painted tag by Suzanne Duda and used her idea as inspiration. I added hand painted designs to the vintage papers of the one on the right, and then added a bit of old papers to the painted roses on the tag on the left.

I think this one is my fave, though. I painted a floral heart wreath directly onto an old photo and added the words to the top.

And this one is about half and half, with some flocked wallpaper as a heart. I'm copying them all and then embellishing the copies with millinery blooms, lace, ribbons, glittery ink, etc. That sure helps me toward my goal of 60 plus.

This one is a copy I made of one of the painted tags. I think they copy well. I added lace and glittery ink in accents, then covered the back in wallpaper. By the time they get uber-foofed with charms and ribbons when tied onto the books, I think they will look fine.

Today's mail brought some sweetness from Sugar Sugar.

What a nice surprise from Analise!

Beth spent the day here in the studio with me, we worked on swap pages and website stuff, with a LOT of help emailed to us from Heather. Now, I am getting ready to head out the door and go see a movie with some friends. Looks like "Slumdog Millionaire" did great at the Golden Globes the other night, I am looking forward to seeing it. Last night, I went to see "Benjamin Button" and can't stop thinking about it. Maybe it is too soon to go see another flick, since the one last night was so good, my thought are still lingering on it.

Nah- its never too soon to go to another movie!! My idea of a great afternoon, is to see a double (or Triple!) feature.

So, before I head out, I'll leave you with a few pictures of this beautiful little book I bought in St. Joe the other day. It is signed and dedicated in 1922. I really appreciate those little written introductions in old books that were given as gifts years ago.

Oops, puppies everywhere in this house!!

Time to add the Buttons

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 11, 2009

Thanks to all of you who joined my Valentine Tag Book Swap! We are at 50 right now, so unless I have communicated with you about joining and we haven't gotten back together about it yet, it is too late to join.

Or, if you have commented that you wanted to join and haven't heard back, please email me. I have some trouble with TypePad at times and can't always return comments. One that got returned to me was from Carrie, and I have no way of contacting her.

I've added this button to my side bar. If you are in the swap, please grab this and add it to yours too! Thanks for being a part of it all. Now, I just need to go and whip up about 50 tag covers….

Time does have a way of getting away from me- especially when I blow a day by going shopping and not working.

But shopping IS working for me, not just recreation. All these old watches will make gorgeous necklaces! The other goodies will be wonderful things to take to Miss Frenchie's April in Paris sale this spring.

Not the trims, though. Those were a gift from Beth (who was my partner in playing hooky for the day). She gave them to me to use in my new obsession to "Pearl Up" my home, after reading the Magnolia Pearl book.

Beth also made this pile of tags for me with her cuddle bug and a deck of cards. I'll make use of many of them in the swap book covers. Especially ones that have hearts on the backside!

Red isn't typically my color. I bypass it at Christmas, but at Valentines, I get sucked in by juicy redness. Especially when I see such a sweet baby doll dress with tiny flocked, dotted Swiss style hearts on it!! (I wish it fit Sugarwings)

I know I am not the only one who enjoys a splash of red for February, so if you'd rather have ruby tones for the blog swap button, please help yourself to this one.

My hat-whispering skills weren't focused during our jaunt to St. Joe to visit Jesse James Antique Mall and The Rusty Chandelier. (both worth the almost 2 hour trip). But I snagged a couple of flowery concoctions. Man, the one on the bottom left is just asking to be ripped apart. Some hats are so pretty as they are, that I don't take them apart until I need a specific bloom from it, but this one is just plain awful as is. Like some sort of smooshed up wedding bouquet made by a blind florist. Who designed this? It is one of every kind of flower, in each color, with no rhyme or reason to the placement. But good for me, because, did I mention- one of every kind of flower? Beautiful to use in other projects!

These grocery store price tags are nicely aged. But what I like about them is the holders. Can't you picture them as place card holders? I just can't wait for my next fairy tea party!!

This throw was found at the Rusty Chandelier too, it isn't all antiques. This isn't exactly new, but far from old. I fell for it, because of the soft, plush velvet and the metallic bronze vines that go so well with the ones I painted on the ceiling.

And see the blue rhinestone? They are scattered across the vines, and match the room perfectly! Nothing like a little sprinkle of added sparkle.

For those of you who needed a puppy fix, here's one of the teeny tiny babies. For those of you who are already tired of me posting dog photos everyday, we'll just pretend this is a picture of the blanket I bought.

Tag Book Swap samples

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 10, 2009

After Sugarwings went to bed last night, I made up a sample tag book to show you. Many were wondering what they would be like when finished. Well, no two will be just the same, of course, but this will give you an idea.

The 7 tags that I made last night will all be used as covers on the swapper's books. (sorry about photo quality, my better –not good, like my longed for Cannon Rebel, but better than this- camera is out in the car and my husband drove off to take Sugarwings to her Hippy Chick Mommy's house.)

This is the back side of my 7 tags. Notice one isn't covered? I will ink it up a bit, but not all tags have to be finished on each side, that is the swapper's choice.

Also, note that the tags are similar sized, but not exact? I tried to make a variety of sizes for the sample book, so you'd get an idea of how varied the actual book will be. With so many artists participating, it will be a potpourri of sizes and shapes. Just as long as you stay near the target size, you'll be fine with your tag.

Just as I expected, this swap was a good jump start for me. January is a sluggish craft time for me every year. I have lots of things coming up that need to be planned and worked on, but I simply wasn't facing any of it. Plus, it was all vague, out there, in the future stuff.

Committing myself to possible dozens of tag book covers, well, that got me going. And I have noticed in my life, that the more I do, the more I WANT to do. If I get away from my studio for a few weeks, like I just did over Christmas and New Years, I need a push to return. Then, I am firmly lodged in there and can't be removed.

Good timing for me, my sweetheart is leaving for Virginia today. He will be gone 12 days, so I needed a project to do while he was gone. Since October, we have been together pretty much all the time. He has been able to work here from Kansas, or I have traveled with him to VA. We'll have an adjustment period to deal with. Sugarwings will too, her Pop Pop is a big factor in her life. Last time he was away, she called him and said "I want Pop Pop at the DOOR not at the PHONE."

I will miss him as much as Sugarwings does.

But I have my blog friends, and all these projects (Miss Frenchie's, a new web site, an Etsy shop to fill).

Some of the tags I make to cover the books will be copies of my originals, but knowing me, I'll make quite a few originals. Each book will be tied up with vintage ribbons, like this one is, and will have the tiny, heart shaped, "Puppy Love" tag attached, as well as maybe some charm or other goodies. I ordered lots of vintage gum ball dog charms in pretty colors of plastic and have lots of little brass charms, as well as other tidbits to dangle here or there.

So, remember to not add anything to the TOP of your tag. You can add what ever you want to to the bottom, and have it dangle there, if you want. Ruffles, ribbons, charms, etc. That will make the book more interesting.

Here is a photo of true Puppy Love to inspire you. Teddy and Twinkle all cuddled up together, back in their free spirited days before they became parents.

There is still room in the swap, I might be crazy to commit myself to so many covers, but hey, that I just how I roll.

More Puppy Love, a list of LOOT, and a Valentine’s Swap

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 8, 2009

You didn't' think I could go more than one post without showing puppies did you? You guys are going to be so sick of my puppy photos by the time they go to their new homes. I'll have a reputation of being "that boring dog blog".

But I know that there are some of you who are feeling the Puppy Love too, so here's an idea……

How about a Puppy Love swap for Valentine's Day??

Of course, "puppy love" also means young love, so your contributions don't have to be dog related at all.

Lets make a tag book. You send me 6 tags and I will make a cover, then assemble the book. Everyone will receive a 7 tag book back.

Valentine's Day is my two year blog anniversary, the puppies will be about old enough to go to their new homes then, too. It seems fitting to have this theme for my swap. What do you think?

Oh geez, this means I need to make a button, doesn't it? I'm so inept at that. Lately, tech stuff has been getting the better of me. My buddy, Beth, has bailed me out and is helping me with getting my website going, thank goodness.

And maybe some of you wonder why I am making dozens of tags for book covers instead of making things to fill my new website or list on Etsy or sell at Miss Frenchie's in April? Beats me, it isn't a smart business choice, that is for sure. But doesn't the swap sound fun?

Here is a recap of Karla's Cottage goings ons and LOOT:

Yes, there is a giveaway for January, that I keep forgetting to announce. Lets solve that and just call it a SURPRISE GIVEAWAY! Just always count on me giving at least one present each month, all comments are entered into the monthly drawing.
Swap sign ups are first come first serve. I'll start making some tag covers for the book and see how many I can handle before I put a limit on the entries. The last couple of swaps I did filled fast, so enter soon!
There will be a name a puppy contest. With a PRIZE (to be named later, or shall we just call that one a SURPRISE PRIZE too?) We'll need to get to know these guys a little better before we can name them.
There will be a, you guessed it, a SURPRISE PRIZE for my two year blog anniversary on Valentine's Day too. (I need to make some stuff for these prizes, huh?)

And while we are on the subject of pups and love, here is Teddy meeting his babies for the first time. Twinkle is not as fond of him as she was a couple months ago.

Are you wanting swap details? Here they are. And email me if you are interested in joining. I hope you'll want to play, it will be a fun one, and a pretty simple one to make. The turn around time is about a month, but 6 little tags are quick to do.

Puppy Love

For this swap, you will make 6 tags, with the theme of “puppy love”. Dogs, sweethearts, young love, however you wish to interpret it is fine.

Decorate the tags in any way you wish, but please do not add ribbons to the hole, that is where I will connect 6 random tags to make a book for you, using my own ribbons and baubles.

You can add embellishments or ties or ribbons to the bottom of the tag, foof it up as much as you’d like!

Please use tags approximately 4 ½” by 2 ½”. You don’t have to be exact with this, but do try to be in that ballpark, so that your tag will fit well into the books. You can be an inch or so bigger or smaller, but not much more than that. Variety is quite nice, but if your tag is too far off, it won’t work with the books.

You are welcome to cut your tag out of any material you want to use. You DO NOT have to use a pre-made tag, you can fabricate your own. Fabric, metal, chipboard, etc, feel free to experiment!

You are welcome to finish both sides of the tags as elaborate as you’d like to, but only have to do one side, if that is all time allows you.

Please sign your tag, so the recipient will know whose work they are enjoying!

Once tags arrive at my cottage, I will sort them into piles that look cute together and assemble books from 6 different tags, plus a cover by myself. Some covers will be hand made, some will be copies, it will be a random mix, depending upon how many I need to make! And you might receive your own tag back in the book that I make for you, you might not. I’m sure you’ll be proud of it and how it looks with the other pretty tags so will be happy to get it as part of a book, if that happens.

Please have your 6 tags to my studio by February 5^th to be included in the books for Valentine’s Day.

Along with your tags, please send $6 for postage and supplies plus your return address.