Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers) – Page 30

Guests come by the Cottage and one is a real live doll

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, family, Food and Drink, give away, hand painted signs, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 20, 2007

We have house guests at the cottage this weekend. An old college friend of my husband’s and his 3 teenagers with their dog, Bennet.

So far, Bennet and Twinks have wrestled non stop since he got here. It sounds like an entire herd of dogs running around upstairs. That is, when Twinkle’s feet get a chance to touch the ground. Our beautiful guest,Maddy is quite the dog lover and has been carrying Twinks everywhere she goes.

Maddy looks a bit like this paper doll doesn’t she?

I did this picture yesterday and have it listed on Etsy today.

Something a little different than what I usually do. I discovered that framed collage pieces require a a different mindset than the tags.

I made a couple more hanging pieces while I was at it. This one has a unique frame, it is a metal dish that I found junking this summer. Those portraits are tinted with pastels and then set down into the 2 cups of the tray. The piece itself is like a nut dish, or something like that. I can see it used for mints and nuts at a wedding a long time ago.

I am pretending that the old photos are of two sisters, one kind of plain and serious and the other blond and flirty and cute. Sounds a bit like the beginning to a Jane Austen novel, doesn’t it? I’m sure that the plain and serious sister married well and for love. And had nuts and mints at her wedding.

This is another metal tray from an estate sale, maybe it was meant as a boudoir tray? I think it might need a word or a phrase added to it. I am not good with that part of collage, but I will think about it, and look through some old books. Down near the doll there is a spot that could use a little something.

How sick are you of me showing button jars? I LOVE making those. I listed this one yesterday, all the others have sold and I only have 5 empty jars left to embellish, a couple of them will be commissions.

I’ll have to start checking out other jars to use, because they are so fun to make and it is rewarding when they fly out of the Etsy shop!

Although, I really need to get ready for my Holiday Sale. I should be getting serious and getting some painting done. I have to hand paint a few dozen ornaments and make some more of these signs.

As well as a million other things I need to have ready. I try to make a list of what needs to be done when, but I simply can’t follow it. I am not wired that way. I get side tracked by shiny objects and go off track and do something totally different.

Or I get sidetracked by my fairy grand baby. She has spent a lot of time with me this week. Last night she helped me make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies from this recipe. I don’t usually use recipes, I wing it. But I saw this on Monica’s blog.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:
2 Cups flour
1 cup quick or old fashion oats, uncooked
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter /margarine, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Libby’s Solid Pack Pumpkin
1 cup semi sweet chocolate morsels

preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Cream butter; gradually add sugars beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in morsels; drop by rounded spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from sheets and cool on rack.

With a houseful of teenagers for the weekend, I thought I could use some more snacks so I mixed up a big batch of honey roasted nuts, regular peanuts, cashews, candy corn, broken up Hershey bars, and peanut butter chips.

I like to keep bowls of treats out to spoil the kids when they come to visit, and this is about as easy as it gets.

Speaking of cooking, I need to go tend to my huge pot of black bean chili that is on the stove. I am feeding a lot of people while they watch a KU game this afternoon. Maybe while they are watching football, I can squeeze in painting a few signs.

I will have my 200th post on Monday. Please leave a comment on this one, #199, or the 200th and I will have a drawing for the Foof of Life book and a hand made book mark to go with it. The drawing will be on my 201st.

198 and Counting and Sugarwings serves Tea

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, paintings, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 18, 2007

Will you be irritated with me if I complain about not getting much done again? I work fast, but I seem to have LIFE get in the way of getting artwork done.

Yesterday all I was able to do was this painting of roses, in an embellished frame, and a few more button jars.

I’ve really enjoyed making these jars, and they are selling as fast as I list them! That is a nice (and rare)feeling.

The pink one, filled with all pink buttons is my favorite. I hope to list it today. Yesterday my Internet went down, it was going off and on, unpredictably, and I would get kicked off just as I was in the middle of downloading a photo.

I have spent the better part of the morning talking to a tech person on the phone, but I think I have the computer back up and running. Or at least I hope so. Maybe I should make this a fast post instead of my typical ramblings, so I don’t lose it all?

The other reason I didn’t get work much done? I was doing better things!

Sugarwings and I had our first tea party together. She was excited to put on her party dress over her regular clothes and actually played with the tea cups and spoon as they were meant to be. She is growing up so fast.

She spent a lot of time pretending to feed Twinkle and the teddy bears. But Twinks was more interested in eating the crayons we’d been using instead.

OK, this is classic Karla here– notice the bright orange Goodwill tag still on the shoulder of the pretty dress? Yep, I take special "First Tea Party" photos for the scrapbook and the baby is wearing a Goodwill tag.

My fairy grand baby stayed over night and most of both days, so we got a lot of playing done and not much else.

We both woke up with the same bed-head hairstyle. Somehow,it is cuter on her….

Sugarwings went with me to run errands, I had to drop off some packages. I’d run out of poster board to wrap wallpaper in, and had to use the poster that I had as display for face painting last week.

When there is a baby around, you have to make do with what you have, it isn’t easy to drop everything and run to the store for poster board to wrap a package.

By the way, the going rate around here for a pumpkin or a butterfly on the side of your child’s face is $2.

This is fun- Beachy is having a challenge. She wants us to use this photo any way we want and then show the results. I plan on making a get well card for Carole of Scoundrels and Rogues, who is having a rough time with back surgery. I’ve had quite a few back surgeries myself and know what it is like. I spent a couple of years practically bed ridden and still have some nerve loss in my left leg.

If you want to send Carole a card, I can give you the info on where to send it. Marylou is putting a box together for her. I promise to add the link tomorrow, but am having computer issues today and can’t seem to do it.

Today is post #198, remember on my 200th, I will be giving away this beautiful book and a hand painted book mark to keep track of your place in it.

Also, leaving any comment at all, any time this month enters you in the regular drawing I have. Do you get sick of me explaining that every time? I should make up a button or something to keep displayed so I don’t say it over and over!

EDIT: here is the info for Carole

Hello Gal blogger friends! Our dear sweet friend Carole of Click here: Scoundrels And Rogues is having a very hard time of it. She’s had 2 back surgeries in the last 10 days. When she called me last Saturday she was in so much pain. I felt so bad for her…She’s in for a long slow recovery. She told me it will be 1 to 2 years until she will be able to walk again on her own again.

Marylou from Click here: Marylou’s Thoughts & Other Critical Matter:) has started the project "Cards for Carole" to help cheer Carole up. She would like you to all send Carole a get well card..Please. Click on Marylou’s blog to find out more of what’s going on. Or you can email Marylou at maryloudalcino@sbcglobal.net. I’m trying to get the word out for Marylou. Thanks so very much!! You and Marylou are just the best group of Gals there is out there in blogging land. Lets all show Carole how much we care about her…

Bless your hearts! ~Mary~ IsabellasCloset

Giving away some Foof and some practcial painting tips

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, give away, Hand Painted Furniture, how-to projects

By Karla Nathan / October 16, 2007

Even though my slipcovers turned out cute, (as long as you didn’t look closely at the seams and corners!!) I still hate to sew.

But vintage sewing stuff is so cool. I love the color of the satin on this sewing box, and it is also a music box!

I listed it on Ebay yesterday after filling it with pretties. I know I will NEVER use it if I keep it around.

I try to tell myself that I can’t keep everything. That also goes along with the rule "you can’t buy everything" when you are at a flea market.

Luckily there is Etsy too. I have sincerely loved this venue. I don’t sell a ton of stuff, but enough to justify making more!

I would say that for me, Etsy is about the equivalent of a small art and craft show once a month. Without leaving my cottage!

I made two more button jars to list on Etsy yesterday, one full of blue buttons, with a blue lid, the other red.

But I didn’t make much yesterday, I felt like the day was a mishmash and nothing really got accomplished. I did clean house, babysit and go to the gym and that was a chunk of daylight right there.

I also re-did this cabinet, chest of drawers thing from a garage sale ($25).

It was grey to start with, I lightly sanded and primed it.

I used Zinzer Bullseye spray bonding primer. The only place I can ever find that product (best primer on the planet!!!) is Home Depot.

I always take the drawers out to paint them. And I do paint INSIDE the drawers of old pieces, so they are nice and clean and fresh. I rarely prime the interior, it doesn’t seem to need priming.

Never paint the outside of a drawer, though, that will make it hard to pull in and out.

And of course, it is good to have company while you are working.

I use a small, flat, wheeled square thing that I got at a garage sale for 50 cents to move my furniture. It is easier than maneuvering a dolly. I have built bigger ones like this with a piece of wood covered in carpet remnants and wheels from the hardware store to handle larger pieces of furniture.

I like being able to move almost any piece by myself without asking for help. So all the little tricks and tools I can get, I’m happy to use.

I debated how much time to put into this piece. I know it would have looked great with trim added to the top and the handles removed,their holes filled in with putty, and then glass knobs added.

But, I don’t sell furniture full time now like I used to, and I have few markets for the piece. I am having a sale in December, but if it doesn’t sell then, I’ll be keeping it.

So, I kept the project simple, and primed and painted over the existing handles. I think they have kind of a rustic charm about them.

I lined the inside of the opening with some of my favorite vintage wallpaper. It hurt me a little bit to cut so much off the roll! I usually am making smaller projects with it.

I know it would look great to line the drawers with wallpaper too, but I was being practical with this one. Fresh paint was good enough. Sometimes good enough is OK.

Hmm, if this piece doesn’t sell, I think it will make a pretty backdrop for photographing items I have to sell.

But these are not for sale- the book "Foof of Life" and a handmade bookmark with a tiny painted rose on it will be your prize for my 200th posting!

Today is #197, so check back and enter by leaving a comment on the day of my 200th.

Every comment you leave on any post enters you into my October giveaway, which will be your choice of a Cottage Collage Kit, or else something I have made from one, if you are not a crafter.

Last night, I went to a talk given by a good friend of mine, Louis Copt. He is an amazing artist and does paintings of Kansas landscapes that are so beautiful, you almost think Kansas would be a cool place to live.

Here is his website, take a look at his Prairie Fire series!!!

http://www.louiscopt.com/

The Last Day of the 3 day Living Room do-over

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Hand Painted Furniture, how to's, paintings

By Karla Nathan / October 10, 2007

I have a giveaway reminder:

I am at 194! On the day I hit 200, I’ll pick a name from all the comments that day.

Also, every comment is an entry into my Oct. drawing. I should make a button for that, people get confused and ask me a lot.

I finished the rest of the living room last night, with a faux finish on the walls done in the same glazes I used over the book "wallpaper".

I switched out aqua accessories for gold and white, with a hint of roses.

Then glued scraps of the left over slipcover fabric to my lamp shade, added some beads and old millinery flowers. I used to always redo lamp shades with hot glue and had the blisters to show for it. But this time, I used my favorite glue, "The Ultimate". It gets tacky fast and holds the pieces in place so that you can stick them down, hold it a second and move on. Every bit as quick as hot glue, but a better hold, no blisters and no little spidery web-strings everywhere.

I might paint the wood on the chair white too….. I’m not sure yet. Sometimes, it is nice to have the contrast.

Here is a close up of the wall, hmmmm, maybe it doesn’t show up too well.

I had the walls already painted a deep tan shade and used a creamy white, bronze, and metallic gold over that.

After I applied glazes, I went back over the entire room with the base coat, of the deep tan color, over the top of it all to blend. That is my number one best tip I will ever give you for a paint job!

Using the base coat as a top layer (rubbed on, over all of the walls, covering every inch in a light wash) gives a professional, designer finish look to the walls and makes any faux finish look great!

Here you can see the whole wall, that is covered in text. Maybe I need to darken the closet door a bit with a bronze glaze?

I also repainted the table I bought from Hobby Lobby’s clearance area for $28 to use as a toy box for Sugarwings. It is a small, compact piece that is a perfect shape to use a coffee table in my petite living room.

When I saw the tons of dust on everything that I moved out of the room to paint it, I decided to edit what I brought back in. I don’t know how long I will be able to hold myself back from glomming the room back up with clutter, but for now, it is nice and streamlined. Well, for me it is.

I rehung some of my paintings, but am not real happy with this one, I’ve never liked it much, mostly I like the frame! I might either repaint it, or just paint something else to hang here. Maybe something a lot bigger.

This water color is one that I did in my mom’s hospital room in the weeks before she died. I packed up my paints and brushes and drove to Indiana to stay with her while she was in the hospital.

The nurses were kind and set up a corner of her room for me to work in, and I got a lot of paintings finished in those few weeks, while I was taking care of her and keeping her company. Some nights, I would just stay over and sleep in a chair, but most nights, Sissy and I stayed in Mom’s house and sat on the porch drinking pink wine and laughing together all evening after we left the hospital. Our sister, Bobbie Sue, would join us on Mom’s back porch for a lot of those summer evenings. As awful as it was to lose Mom, those weeks are some of my fondness memories. I will keep this painting forever,and even used the image on cards as my price tags for the furniture I sell.

But- back to the redo—

I found a use for the hand painted floor mat that kept curling up so much that it couldn’t be used as a rug- I cut it down to place mat size for the dog dishes.

The little dorkies live in this corner, with a bed under the table I set a hutch on.

They have a doggie door cut into the wall to the right side of the picture next to their bed, so they can go out into the white picket fenced front yard when ever they want to.

So why does Twinkle still pee on my floor???

I won some awards!!! From Carol, I get a Smile Award. Check out her blog if you need a smile, she has a new header with an adorable fairy princess on it!

And Betty gave me a Creative Blogger Award. Speaking of, she has some cute Halloween yard art creations pictured on her site. Thanks, buddies!

Here is something fun- Go to HGTV.com and check out "Rate My Space". http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/SNC/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b&itemguid=bc6c28a0-7c97-4bee-98e7-2baba26e4f95

I listed my living room, it is #8704470

Give it a rating!

Great, this is all we need, one more computer addiction!! this site can really suck you in!!

The Writing is on the Wall

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), hand painted signs, jewelry, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / October 5, 2007

I finally found some charms that are exactly what I was looking for to paint on! These come in a pack of 3 at Jo Ann’s and I only bought a few packs to try them out.

Now that I know how much I like painting them, I’ll need to get more! I’ve listed 3 on Etsy today, at $12 each, if you are interested.

They are dainty, about the size of a postage stamp. It takes a teeny brush to get the details in.

Its funny that I was painting such tiny things last night, because I had just taken Sugarwings for a walk and we happened to walk by a school where I had done some mural work, the opposite of the teeny little pictures.

We popped in to look at the mural so I could take a photo. (Yes, these are my normal clothes, I am always covered in paint!)

What is cool about this large wall, is that over the faux finish, I added words naming qualities to strive for as an inspiration wall for the students (this is in the study room).

In the flash of the camera, many of the words show up, but they are painted in a way, that you have to move around to see them, they only show as the light hits them just right. I used transparent, metallic paints and it is a really interesting effect.

I liked to think that this wall symbolized need to strive to attain goals, and that these traits represented by this text had to be earned, they weren’t that simple to grasp.

Plus, I thought it was a pretty way to do it!

On the way home from my son’s house after dropping off the little Fairy Grand baby, I stopped at a garage sale.

Junker Jo sets up a beautiful sale, and it is all great stuff at good prices.

I bought a couple things. This English pitcher was only $3 and so was the salvage piece. I plan on painting it, it will make a great sign.

Today I did get a few signs painted for my holiday show.

Although, I seemed to be having writers block on good phrases to use. Maybe I’ve made so many signs over the years, that I am feeling repetitive.

Any body know any French phrases that would make a pretty sign? Keep in mind I don’t speak French, and it wouldn’t be funny to trick me into writing dirty words on the signs, the Holiday Sale is for charity!!!

We are having unseasonably warm weather around here. So I took advantage of it by going out to the lake with Sugarwings and Sparkle today while I babysat.

The wind made the water a bit choppy, so we didn’t stay out on the boat long, but we had a great time with the wagon up by the Marina. Sugarwings got to break in her new $1 garage sale life jacket, and wasn’t too happy about the bulkiness of it.

I had some people inquiring about the desk in my newly rearrange office that I showed a few days ago. It is buried in my Etsy listed inventory. but sure is a pretty piece, isn’t it? It is the original blue that I got it in, but I did add a touch of white wash to make the roses show up more.

Tomorrow I am face painting at a fair in a nearby town that is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

I did some practicing on Sugarwing’s cheek this afternoon. If this is an example of the work I’m going to be producing, I shouldn’t be charging for it!

Hopefully, I’ll have some less wiggly kids to paint up tomorrow. Or I am in trouble.

Well, the baby is gone for the day and I am exhausted. Grandmama needs a nap.

Can there be TOO Many Roses? and a Temporary Hobby comes to an end.

antiques/junking, Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, holiday decor, how to's, magazine pictures or articles, paintings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 4, 2007

Do you ever do a project that you put some time into, but it was still a wasted effort?

I painted this floral on the back of a linoleum scrap to make a rug. I’ve done this many times, it is a great way to make a cheap rug that is durable. (I have a stone patterned one in my office from a post a few days ago)

For some reason, this linoleum curls up on the edges, and will not lay flat, no matter what I try to do to flatten it. Guess I should have made sure it was going to be flat before I painted it, huh? Well there goes $10 in supplies and an hour of my time!

On a happier note, look at my new frying pan!!!

I got it for $1 at an estate sale last Saturday! It is a good, well made and well loved pan, and has a lot of use left in it- and it is PINK!!!

Carole sent little Sugarwings this book for her first birthday, and I promptly fell in love with Tasha Tudor. How can I have gone almost 50 years without noticing her work before?

I love her style and thought I would "adopt" it for a series of Christmas ornaments.

Generous Carole, is having back surgery tomorrow, please drop by to wish her well if you can. As a person with a bad back, I know how emotionally and physically draining that can be. I’ve had my share of back surgeries!

I only got a couple more ornaments painted yesterday,but they are not Tasha Tudor inspired, just my regular roses.

I also used two of my hand painted rose medallions (available on Etsy) to make a folder from one of my favorite vintage wallpapers. I’ll stuff it with Cottage Collage Kit vintage goodness and have it offered on Etsy too. (This is the same pattern as the ones that will be featured in Somerset Living – yippee- love that magazine!!)

I purchased these unfinished wood frames at Hobby Lobby after the 4th of July for under 50 cents each. I thought they could be Shabby Chic Christmas style instead of Independence Day with a few changes.

This one has a simple and sweet border of barely-there glitter and the roses are painted onto green sheet music, then coated with paper glaze, for a sheen.

the second one got a gloriously gaudy border with a heavier application of glitter, and a small silver star with a vintage rose bit of jewelry added to it at the top.

These roses are painted onto gold and white old wallpaper, but I got carried away and the paper doesn’t even show.

Are you all rosed-out at this point? I did have quite the rose painting day, yesterday between running errands (20 minutes to wait for a prescription at Wal-Mart????).

My Sissy gave me this print as part of the Swap we did in August. See the little Dorkie in it at the girl’s feet??

I decided to make the little girl in the picture into a fairy, by painting on some wings and antennas. (Although,if she wants to put her pretty bonnet back on now, the antenna might get in the way.)

To make the paint look like it belonged to the print, I used a crackle glaze over the whole picture after the paint dried, then when that dried well, I wiped a dark umber glaze into the cracks.

I used old ribbon and a fairy charm to hang it.

I covered the mat in the same vintage wallpaper I had happened to have laying on the craft table from making the folder (some decisions are best left to chance, I move quicker that way!) I used my stardust Gelly pen to outline the roses in the paper and give it some sparkle.

The inside edge of the mat is covered with seam binding ribbon and the old pink velvet is glued down then old earring are glued over that. I tore a chunk of flowers and velvet off a lovley old hat and added that at the bottom for extra foof.

Can you see the bottom of the painted wreath it is hanging from? I painted that on my closet door and hang little pretties from it sometimes. Others, I just leave it as a plain grapevine wreath.

And speaking of grapevine wreaths- I have finished my "temporary hobby" of making wreaths.

This is my 4th and final wreath. The rest of the 25 cent silk flowers will just go into vases. I did enjoy doing these few wreaths, but decided it just isn’t for me.

I was just making wreaths to get them done and over with, life is too short to make things because you feel like you have to.

By the way, in case you don’t know, if you leave a comment you are entered into October’s Giveaway Drawing.

Also, I am at 190 posts! I’ll have a special drawing for #200 and giveaway a gift then too!

Beth, Birdies, Bertie, and a bit of weirdness

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, how to's, I do tend to run on, don't I?, I've been tagged, paintings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 29, 2007

Yesterday was a Sugarwings Day. She is still feeling cuddly and quiet from her flu bug, so she wanted just to be held or to be pushed in her new ($3 from a garage sale) car.

While she was napping, I decided to surprise her by making her new car a bit more fitting for someone as special as she is.

I primed it, spray painted it pink, then dumped two vials of glitter all over the wet paint and covered that with a spray of clear coat.

I wish the glitter showed in the photo, because it really shines in the sun. Sugarwings might need some sunglasses when she rides in her pink convertible.

By the way, this is what I am using as a stroller. We go for long walks up and down the sidewalks and to the park in it. So much more interesting than most strollers, and the handles come off so I can put it in my car if we go somewhere.

Today was a Beth day. I went to her house and we crafted the afternoon away. Why is it so much more fun to dig through someone else’s bags and boxes of supplies than your own?

We both had new goods to work with, she’d gotten a tin full of broken jewelry at an estate sale and I had a stack of some of the prettiest paper ever from Heather. She and I did a mini swap of vintage wall papers.

This blue rose paper is one from Heather and the rhinestone posy shaped button is from Beth’s tin of sparkly bits and pieces.

Beth also had a drawer full of different wooden shapes, and she shared this birdie with me. And yep, the eye is from her stash of sparklies too. Plus- she gave me a baggie full of them to take home!

Beth had a page of Victorian bird pictures she had reduced and copied, so I was full speed into the bird theme today. I also was trying out her "Stickles" and decided that it was a product I won’t be able to do with out.

I used the burgundy Stickles ( a brand of glitter glue that has a very fine glitter in it, comes in many colors, and flows easliy from the bottle) to outline some of the flowers in the old wallpaper (from Heather) and the oval cut out of the bird (from Beth).

I also drew extra vines, leaves, and swirls with Gelly Roll Stardust pens. Another product that will always be on my desk!

The Stardust pens are what I used to outline flowers and leaves, then smudge it slightly for a subtle glittery look. (A trick I learned from Sissy)

Another new favorite is this genuine sliver glitter from Heather. She sells it in her shop and you HAVE to try it. Especially if you use it with yet ANOTHER new favorite of mine- a ball point pen that has glue instead of ink! I’d seen glue pens before, but these (from Michaels) have such a fine line and great control of where the glue goes, I just am crazy about them.

So do you have your shopping list of must haves for collage and scrap booking??

1. Stardust Gelly Roll pens (clear is the BEST)

2. Stickles

3. Ball point pen with glue instead of ink

4. Genuine silver dust glitter from Heather at Pretty Petals

These are my new "Can’t do with out ’ems" when I need to make something sparkle. And I always need to make stuff sparkle!

Here is what Beth made today. We might have gotten more done if we weren’t laughing so hard all day. For some reason, every sentence seemed to strike a funny bone.

Not a bad way to spend a day, laughing and gluing glitter on vintage wallpaper. Oh- and going out to lunch at Pei-Wei (a chain owned by PF Chang and just as good but half the price!)

Here is more of what Beth made today, she isn’t quite done with them, but I took the picture anyway, they look good to me.

Also, I have been tagged by Jennifer (Queen of the Ravens) to list 7 weird things about myself. Well, I’ve played this game before, twice, but I think I have plenty of weird to spare. Here are a couple at least.

1- This is embarrassing but true, and I did go back to finish later and jeez, I don’t know why I’d even tell anyone this- but I am a high school drop out. I’m not stupid, I was an A student, I wasn’t a loser or a druggie or anything like that, it was just family difficulties and I was a tad bit homeless at the time.

2- I am a serial renovator. I can’t stop. When we bought this old farmhouse, it was 800 sq feet. It is now almost 5,000. We just add and add and add.

3- I am a serial painter too. My living room gets repainted at least twice a year. Maybe more. Maybe twice a week if I feel like I need to. When I had an antique booth, I’d paint it every couple of months. Other rooms last longer in their colors, the living room seems to be my main target.

4- I sing and make up rhymes all day long and am completely tone deaf, but I don’t let that stop me. Sugarwings and the dorkies think it is pretty cool but the rest of the world finds me irritating.

5- I keep a file of co-incidences. Such as two days after this puppy, Bertie, died, I made a tie dye tee shirt that was supposed to be a butterfly, but it turned out to look like her portrait.

Anytime something odd or cute or coincidental happens, I make a note of it. I call it my Co-Inky Dinks and Odd Occurances file.

Like this picture of the sky over my cottage the day Sugarwings was born- this cloud is shaped like Sparkle, my dorky!!!

5- I have developed an addiction to vintage wallpaper.

A serious, dangerous addiction that can’t be stopped.

6- I once had a mural job that paid me $2,000 in one day. I paint fast, and usually try to make the job last longer so the person who hired me doesn’t feel like he got a bad deal. But sometimes, I can’t help myself, I zip through the work so fast, I get done too early. I’ve painted a 20′ x 60′ mural in 2 days, thats probably my speed record.

Here is are a couple photos of part of it, its a big ‘un.

7- I once broke my back. I fell off (was not thrown, that would be a better story) a pony –not a horse – a pony we bought from a church camp. A kid’s pony. I just was careless, slid off (it wasn’t very far to the ground either) and landed wrong. I broke 2 vertebrae and was in bad shape for years. Lots of surgeries, etc. I do exercises and keep limber or the arthritis in my back will cripple me up again.

8- bonus weird item- I don’t embarrass! (and I don’t know when to shut up) You can tell by the fact that I wrote all of this!!!!

I will do the drawing for September’s prize Sunday night. Thanks everyone for leaving comments, I appreciate it. Also, I am taking suggestions for October’s prize.

Tranquility

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, give away, magazine pictures or articles, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / September 21, 2007

Christmas is still under construction here at the cottage. Almost there….

Today, I made a few hand painted ornaments while the baby played with her Aunt Sandy and her Pop Pop.

I didn’t do as many as I would’ve liked, maybe a dozen.

I’ll do a few more before Monday, then I have until November to get more done to sell. I usually do a few dozen every Christmas. I give tons away, and sell a few here and there.

When I was a single mother working as a waitress, I financed all my little boy’s Christmas gifts by painting ornaments and selling them. Back then, they went for $3 a piece. Now I sell them from $12.

I do take special orders, by the way………

This morning I gave my $8 garage sale mirror a tan glaze so it will look better above my mantel/headboard.

I am keeping the holiday decor simple in the bedroom, 2 white trees, and 2 feather wreaths.

Here is a dilemma I sure could use help with-

Where do I find a PRETTY electric alarm clock??? I’d love to have one and have searched online, estate sales, department stores, all over!!! What does your alarm clock look like??

Today’s "What I LOVE about my home" is my tranquil bedroom. The colors are so peaceful and the room is a quiet retreat in a household that can get a bit crazed at times.

Reminders:

Romantic country party on Tues. the 25th!!

Leave a comment/enter the drawing for a Romantic Country magazine, and for my Sept. giveaway prize.

Family Chaos and a Jingly Bed Plus MORE Christmas In September

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, family, holiday decor, magazine pictures or articles, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / September 20, 2007

My SIL, Sandy, is visiting from Tennessee and the whole family came by tonight to see her.

We hadn’t made any plans and next thing I know I am trying to figure out how 4 salmon fillets will feed 11 people, while trying to convince Sugarwings not to wrestle on the stairs with Twinkle or put spoons in the potty.

We played with babies and laughed a lot, and found a turkey tenderloin to go on the grill with the salmon and everyone pitched in chopping up potatoes and making salads and brownies.

What do I love about my home today? Not a color choice or an item, it is the fact that everyone feels at home and comfortable at my cottage and can show up at any time knowing that they will be fed and we’ll have a good time.

Before the dinner rush, Sister Sandy and I went out shopping this afternoon. Tuesday Morning has 50% all clearance items and I found this throw for the day bed in the baby’s room.

Its pink on one side and pink and ivory flowered on the other and seems to look right at home with the other floral quilts and pillows.

I bought these silver metal letters on clearance at Restoration Hardware last year at the after Christmas sale, and have added glitter to them (of course) and hung them from sheer pink ribbons to the day bed to spell Leandra’s nickname, Lee Lee.

She is too little to sleep in this bed yet, but I know she will love it when she is older. The letters clink a little against the metal frame and it sounds like wind chimes when the bed moves. When she comes to stay all night with me and have tea parties, I will ask her if she wants to sleep in her jingley bed, and give it a little shake when I tuck her in, to make the letters tinkle against the bars.

Sugarwings will be able to lay in her jingly bed and look up at the sky her grandmama painted just for her. I will make up fairy stories to tell her at bedtime and have her be the heroine of all tales about the sparkling fairies playing in the forest together.

Yes, I love my home, quite a bit and love the things in it, I have gathered them or made them with a lot of thought and care. But the family that is in the home gets a big chunk of love from me too.

I am looking forward to seeing photos of what other bloggers love about their homes during our Romantic Country Party on the 25th. The magazine was supposed to be out today, but I couldn’t find it yet. If anyone sees it, will you let me know?

And now, some Christmas in September – how wrong is that????

I have plans to make some hand painted ornaments to hang up for the pictures on Monday, but haven’t seemed to have time to get it done yet…..

These are some that I collaged with vintage papers. I also glittered up vintage birdies and added them to mini wreaths with old millinery flowers.

Vitnage doll parts are on display on white iron with some charm jewelry I make from old pieces.

I’d like to have time to make more paper doll dresses to hang on the trees too.

I’ve been hanging tags onto the trees and made a garland of them to hang over the window. Karen. I added a vintage butterfly spray that I glittered up.

And of course, there are tussie mussies all over the place! The tree topper is a bouquet of flowers from my first ever swap and were given to me by

Speaking of glitter, I should be making something sparkle. the house is quiet the guests are settled, the babies have gone home. Late at night might be the only time this old granny has time to get any glittering done, so I am off to work!

Let’s see, what do I love about my home today? Well,today it isn’t a thing or a decor choice, it is the fact that everyone feels at home here, and likes to gather here.

Beths’s Button and what I love (besides loving Beth for bailing me out)

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, give away, Hand Painted Furniture, magazine pictures or articles, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / September 14, 2007

URGGHG!!

That sums it up. I struggled over and over trying to make a button for the Romantic Country Party on the 25th, I must have loaded it (incorrectly) 20 times or more. Then I gave up, and posted my blog for the day, those long rambly, take my time, things that I do, and as I hit save, Twinkle (or shall I call her STINKLE) stepped on the power strip and turned off the computer.

I have forgiven Stinkle and Beth created the button for me, so I am off to re-do my post for the day.

If you want to put the party invitation button on your sidebar so people will know you are showing photos of what you love in your home on the 25th, please do. If you need help, you can try to ask me, but I might have to send you to Beth!

I thought I’d start showing some things that I love about my house, maybe a few with each post till the party (I love everything about my house!!)

This pitcher is from one of my first trips to the annual flea market Beth and I go to. It was only $5 and I use it to keep my remote controls in.

This little side table that I painted is another favorite thing. It was part of a set of 2 night stands, 2 twin beds (gorgeous with curved foot boards) and a dresser with big mirror that I got at an auction for $140 all together. I painted them up and sold them one at a time, but kept this as a living room table, its narrow shape makes a perfect fit in a small room.

Sometimes, it is the little things that can make a room. I LOVE my curtains and tie backs. I usually change my curtains with the seasons, but these Shabby Chic (Target) drapes have been up for over a year and I am not tired of them at all.

I tied them back with white velvet ribbon edged in pearls and held that in place with a vintage buckle.

The interior of my home is done in soft and calming colors, but the breezeway rocks! I love to walk in the doors and be welcomed by this cheerful green color.

The azalea pink and black accents really make the colors pop. I doubt if I’d be comfortable with these shades to live in, but as an entry way, it always makes me smile walking through.

And there is big LOVE for this piece. My son took this old table I had in the shed (garage sale $10) and made it into a sink for me.

I’m looking forward to seeing all the things my blogger friends love about their homes too, during our Romantic Country Party. If you don’t have a blog, you can leave comments and tell us what makes you smile in your home!

What have I been up to today besides pulling my hair out over computer woes?

Glitter up to my eyebrows.

Hobby Lobby has theirs on sale half price this week and I bought a bagful.

I’ve been making all of my vintage cake toppers into Christmas decor and at my cottage, that requires a bagful of glitter!

Did I mention I have to have part of my house decorated for Xmas by Sept. 24th for a photo shoot???? And that I have a sweet house guest this week? I think I’ll put her to work stringing lights!

Today I turned little peat pots into ornaments by filling them with vintage yarn nests, little angels, millinery flowers, buttons and GLITTER, GLITTER, GLITTER.

My flock of red flocked birds are now sugar coated and ready to grace holiday decor.

I feel even more like it is Christmas, because not only have I made a few dozen decorations today, I have a gift! These are from Michelle, I won her give away and she geared the gifts towards what she knew I would like- yep, she was right, I LOVE them!

Don’t forget I am having a few giveaways that you can enter by leaving a comment:
One is my regular monthly giveaway and the prize is your choice of a Cottage Collage Kit or a piece I have made from my vintagey stash of goodies.

.The second is a copy of Romantic Country magazine to a blogger who participates in the party and a copy to a non-blogging reader

And now for a mini parade of tussie mussies that I made today from my new toys- vintage wallpapers I ordered!