fairies – Page 24 – Karla's Cottage

Flower bed visitors

By Karla Nathan / June 19, 2009

Finally! I was able to do some yard work. Normally, I am way too early with my plants because I just can't wait to get the blooms started. This is the latest I have ever been in setting out annuals. But I discovered if you wait till this late in the season, all the plants are half price! That made me feel a bit better about it being so far behind.

Sugarwings was quite the helper. She discovered how easily the plants popped out of the ground and right back into the divided plastic trays they came in. So, we had to elaborately tuck the new flowers into their "beds" and pat the soil around them to distract her from replanting them right back into their previous containers. After giving them plant food and a drink, I think she got the picture.

Did you notice this unusual planting in the first photo? My first reaction, was, "oh no, the Lamb's Ear will be smashed!". Then I realized just how prolific this flower is, and how hard to kill. Plus, who could blame her for wanting to pull off her dress and sink down into soft, fluffy leaves of Lamb's Ear?

In the past, I've been quite a flower lover, but for now, I think I'd rather spend my time growing fairies.

It was the day for soft and fluffy.

This little guy was hopping around in the flowers too. We held him for a while, then sat him down to hop on home to his family. That wasn't easy to do, Sugarwings was pretty fond of him. When I asked her what his name was, she said it was "Mine".

pages and pages of fairies plus the June Giveaway prize

fairies, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / June 3, 2009

The sketch I showed you last time is finished, and photocopied to use for a swap I am in with a few of the friends who attended En Le Jardin, the art and garden party hosted by Jenn.

This flower fairy (as Jenn called all of her attendees) is inspired by a cute little sprite, Jessi.

This photo by Tiffany, was so adorable, that I had to use the pose and the fountain for my page in the memory books.

I first, cut out card stock paper to the size of the book pages we were to make. Then, I glued vintage wallpaper over that.

The pocket added to the page is made from another wallpaper, that is old, but sturdy and thick. I started out folding the edges of the pockets over and gluing them down, but soon I switched to sewing them onto the page. Same thing with the lace border. On some pages, it is glued, others, it is sewn.

Then, I cut the fairy picture out, glued it down and drew the vining arch with silver ink and black ink. To dress it up a bit, I used a glitter pen on the fairy's wings and dress. (that doesn't show in this picture, but it is sparkly in real life).

Since I don't measure, all the pockets are different sizes, but I figured that certainly didn't matter. They were all okay to put photos into, so all was fine. And it was quicker to not take time to measure. Measuring is always the worst part!

All of the background wallpaper is the same on the fronts of the pages, but for the backs, I used a variety.

It gets boring if each and every one is just alike! Its hard enough to make 12 of the same thing, I had to be able to vary them as I went along.

For the backs, I used copies of logmachy cards from Mary in the initials of the person receiving that page. Its is kind of an inside joke, from a game we played in the limo, involving vintage style flash cards and the alphabet.

Those cards are sooooo lovely! Mary has the copies for sale on a disc if you are interested. I foofed them up a bit with some gel and glitter pens and added the girl's names to each. And since we were flower fairies, I had to add butterfly wings to each picture!

I just can't wait to see these books assembled. We are shipping our pages off to Kim. As soon as I get mine back, I'll be showing you what everyone else did.

Before I go, I wanted to tell you what the gift for June is. And I am actually on the ball and at the beginning of the month with my announcement for once!

As always, all month, all comments count as an entry. Thanks for visiting me, I appreciate hearing from you!

In the land of never ending cupcakes

celebrations, fairies, Food and Drink, give away, paintings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / May 18, 2009

My weekend at Jenn's retreat was such fun, I'm still running it over and over in my head today. So, I gave in to the daydreams and did a little cartoon of the event. Here are a few highlights, hmmm, maybe you needed to be there to get it?

Maybe this one will explain the cupcakes all over the drawing? It was a weekend full of never ending cupcakes!

Jenn was the Queen Flower Fairy, so she is the one flying in the center of the painting, wearing a crown.

The luncheon and craft tables were set so beautifully with pastel colors, lots of flowers, and each had a concrete cherub.

The crowns that Jenn made for the lil angels inspired the one I drew on her fairy portrait.

Jessi and Kim were across from me at my table. I also got to sit with Carol, Suzanne, and Analise.

Poor, sweet, Carol had a painful black eye. That explains the big purple smudge on her face in the drawing. She and I were roomies, and I am afraid that in the middle of the night when she had a leg cramp and fell face first onto the floor, I laughed way too much.

Honestly, I didn't realize she was hurt! But it might just be one of the reasons why Angela said that she was so surprised when she met some of the people whose blogs she read. She says we aren't at all what she expected. I asked her what she meant and she said, "I thought Karla would be NICE!"

That has to be my favorite quote from the whole weekend. And there were lots of good ones!

I'm afraid that Typepad is giving me fits, and I can't do links to the people I am mentioning. If you'd like to visit them, all of their links can be found on the En Le Jardin site, here.

We had such a lovely luncheon! Jenn had set up the room ahead of time and kept it under lock and key till the surprise unveiling at lunch time.

Definitely worth waiting for!

Carol is a pro with her camera, so we got in early to get some good shots. Don't tell anyone, but while we were getting a sneak preview of the room, I also got a sneak taste of some of the treats.

Tonight, Typepad is being extra unkind to me, I need to finish before my screen locks up again. There are plenty more photos of En Le Jardin and I'll be back with more later on. But I wanted to remind you that all comments all month of May are entered into the drawing for this hand painted charm, and vintage paper tag.

Also, I added some tags to the Boutique. I'll leave you with a few photos of the newly listed pretties.

Happy little Garden Fairies

celebrations, fairies, parties, Travel, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / May 17, 2009

This past weekend at Jenn Hayslip's home was over the top beautiful, just like she is. Every inch of her home is swathed in gorgeousness. She never missed a detail of making our visit the best it could be.

It was all such a pleasure, that this is how I felt all weekend, ready to burst with joy!

We weren't just treated to Jenn's graciousness, we were treated to a giant dollop of Southern Hospitality by her neighbors too. They offered up guest cottages for some of us to stay in. Here is the view from our balcony.

Not a bad scene to wake up to each morning, huh?

You guys might have heard me gush a few times about Silverbella and how much I love going there? Well, of course, I love that event and always will, but this trip to Macon was even more special. I always say that the best part of Silver Bella isn't the classes(but of course, they are interesting and its great to meet the talented bunch of instructors). My favorite part of Silver Bella is the camaraderie, of meeting like minds and spending time with a group of women who feel the same way.

Jenn's classes were adorable, her home, the treats, the day trips, the limo, all of it was abso-freakin-lutely special. But most of all, it was the time to just hang out and talk, bond, and laugh for hours that made this so remarkable.

Jenn never missed a detail, and provided for all of our needs in her own extraordinary way. And I love details! Her attention to our care and happiness created a magical time, where we could forget about "real life" and be silly, happy garden faires for a few days.

Thanks, Jenn, for bringing together such a delightful group for such a memorable weekend!

Packing up

fairies, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / May 12, 2009

Oh, I am so far behind! I'm leaving Thursday for Jenn's event- En Le Jardin and had hoped to make up goodies to take to the mini market that Jenn is setting up for us during part of the weekend. But between Sugarwing's Daddy being ill, and a few other unplanned issues, I've got nothing ready.

Some weeks, there just isn't enough time in the days. Well, most weeks.

I thought I'd make up some tags, some wallpaper packs and then bring a bundle of bling. Vintage jewels are always a hit! But, even though I ironed and sorted wallpaper and made up a couple dozen tags, and piled up some old jewels, none of them are quite ready to go. Pricing and packing are holding me up.

Creating never seems to be the problem, that is the fun part to squeeze in! Its the marketing that gets me.

My revised plan, is to just get my necessities packed and ready to go. Then, if there is time (and space in the suitcase!), I'll gather up some of these goods and toss them in the bag.

Some how, I doubt there will be time. I have the fairy grand baby for most of this week till I fly away to Atlanta with my good buddy, Carol.

Plus, its a vacation! I don't want to stress out about getting ready. This is going to be fun and relaxing, I don't think I want to turn it into work. Plus, its not like these tags will go to waste. I listed a few in my Boutique already, and can add the wallpaper and the rest of the tags when I return from the Deep South.

This trip is something I have been looking forward to for so long, I can't believe that it is already here! I really do need to pack. I have about 12 hours straight tomorrow with Sugarwings, who can pull things out of a suitcase as fast as it goes in, so I should pack early and get it done tonight after she goes to bed.

She has been so funny this week. Life with her has been a parade of one costume after another. Here she is as "Glenda" from Oz. Its really just a princess dress from Target, but to her, she is a Good Witch now. I've had her helping me with potions too, we are making up all natural bug repellent.

I really dislike the smell of citronella, and don't want to use pesticides on her, so here is what I came up with, water in a spray bottle, with some of each of these essential oils plus some no-foam biodegradable soap. I'll let you know if we end up covered and chigger and mosquito bites anyway.

Besides taking care of Sugarwings and her poor, sick Daddy, then making tags and cutting wallpaper after her bedtime, I've done a little sewing. Yes, I know, I complain about sewing a lot, but I do it anyway. It isn't as if I like the action of doing it, I like the stuff I get out of it.

So, I put up with the stupid machine.

Remember when Scarlett O'Hara made a dress out of drapes? I feel a bit like that, decking out a tee shirt with doilies.

I figured it was appropriate for visiting Georgia.

This one is made from a couple of vintage pictures I downloaded and printed onto fabric and sewed onto the shirt. I sewed the girl onto the butterfly to create a fairy.

Then, I further goobered it up with dye markers, glitter pens and ribbon. Oh, and a ritzy rhinestone button from my hoarded stash of old buttons. I hate clothes. I hate shopping for and buying clothes, and really hate packing for a trip. All I like to wear are tee shirts, so I thought I'd foof a few for the trip.

But on the other hand, I am worrying that I am turning into my mother who used to sew quilt squares and appliques onto her sweat shirts. Scary thought. I love my mom, but I really don't want to dress like her…..

A little too smug?

antiques/junking, fairies, Miss Frenchie's, Moving to DC, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 28, 2009

Oops, I spoke too soon. Remember my smug bragging about being set up for the big sale 3 weeks early, before I leave for my trip? Well, that self imposed, fake deadline didn't fool me. I know that I have 3 weeks and every pore of my being is telling me that I have plenty of time…. go ahead, have some fun, the stuff can get packed later!!

Practice Table #1 is tagged and boxed and ready to go, so I am not a complete slacker. Practice Table #2 is set up in a dry run display waiting for tags and packing.

But, we are having an ice storm, with snow forecast, and my packing tubs are in the detached garage.

Who am I kidding! This second table is not packed up yet because tags and packing are BORING.

So, I took Sugarwings to a movie (Monsters vs Aliens, very fun!), baked and played in the kitchen (had to have fresh, homemade organic granola bars for the trip), surfed blogs (I'm going to miss visiting while I am away!), and finished some projects for the sale.

I also learned a new trick. I am enamored with sewn paper ruffles now! As much as I hate sewing, it just might be worth doing, to get more of these.

They are vintage pattern tissue, and I love the dimension they add to a piece.

Some of the tissue ruffle is used on the bottom of this ATC too. (yes, another side track, I took some cutting and gluing time off to make this)

The card is made of vintage wallpaper, with a cut out of a girl from an old greeting card. I've added glitter ink and white ink details to her, and made 3-D butterfly wings from a page of text from an old book and markers. When I found these words on some sheet music, I just had to draw a teacup in the little fairy's hand!

Then, I added an old German die cut and the ruffly tissue I love so much, topped off with a millinery posey.

In the midst of all the crap I was doing to avoid tagging bagging, I also made some slide shows. I saw one on Carol's blog and had to give it a try.

One, of Twinkle's pups, is on the lower left hand side bar of my blog.

If you'd like to see a larger version, or one of Sugarwings, you can click on the slide show and it will take you to the home site.

We leave for Virginia on Monday and will be going to see a friend's art opening. Here are details if you are in the area:

Constance Ehrlich will be showing her work from April 3-24 at the Arts Club of Washington in DC. The opening reception is Friday April 3, 6:30 – 9 pm.

Headquartered in the James Monroe House, a National Historic Landmark, the Arts Club of Washington was founded in 1916 and is the oldest non-profit arts organization in the city. Its programs and activities focus on promoting public appreciation of, study, and participation in the arts through ongoing educational and cultural programs.

In the show Constance will be displaying 17 paintings that document the fun-filled adventures of a group of friends as they visit famous museums around the world. During these travels, each character poses in front of their favorite masterpiece creating a perfect Kodak moment.

The winning comment for March's Giveaway, of a hand made Spring inspired necklace, will be drawn and announced from Virginia. You still have time to enter, the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

A Pufik Day

fairies, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 24, 2009

Do you ever make ATCs? I rarely have, but just recently, a friend asked for one, then I saw that Donna had a call out for swappers of ATCs on her blog and I offered to do one for her too. For me, it is always easier to get started on something if I have more than one to make. I guess I hit my stride and get going once I get into it and hate to stop at just one of anything I make.

Or buy… but that is another story. And you don't want to hear about the jelly beans sitting on my desk right now. I mean, what is left of the jelly beans.

Also, sometimes the first one I make isn't always a keeper. Like this one. I should just keep going till I get a better one, huh? The problem was that I like to use authentic vintage pieces when I make something like this and the only old photo I had in the right size was of a little boy. I tried to transvestite him up into a little fairy girl, but just might have missed the mark with this one. That foofy, millinery petal skirt doesn't really go well with the lumpy sweater and knee socks. Its kind of like a sorry mix, and I am sure that this kid will grow up to have issues.

Sorry, Vicki, you deserve better than this! I'll make another. Trouble is, that is GREAT wallpaper, some that Heather and Natasha shared with me after we visited Wallpaper Heaven. Its a shame to waste a teeny square of that one. I'll salvage this card to keep for myself. Or as a gift for my gay brother-in-law. He'll love it.

This little boy is a different story. Although his clothes are a bit over the top, he is perfect just the way he is ( I barely did anything to this card that was part of a set given to me by Mary. )

This morning, Sugarwings said that about me, out of the blue, she told me that I was perfect! Although it sounded more like "you pufik". Then, she added, "just the way you are". Now, has she been watching Bridget Jones? I asked her where she heard it and she told me Jimeny Cricket told her that. Well, if crickets are going to talk to you, that is a nice thing for them to say. And I'll take a compliment like that any day, she sure made me feel good.

This is the back of Donna's ATC. I made it on one of Mary's cards too. Gosh, I wish I had a lifetime supply of these, aren't they gorgeous???

At the grocery store today, I couldn't resist this bundle of roses. How springy! I was lucky to get them, the flowers go on sale every Monday for $1.99, and there aren't usually any left on Tuesdays. This is my lucky day, first, my fairy grand baby tells me I am perfect, then some very important documents I have been trying to get a hold of finally come, and now $1.99 roses on a Tuesday. Man, what else can this day have in store for me??

This too! My mom's old watch, hasn't worked in years. I took it in for an estimate and found that it only needed a cleaning and a battery, nothing major. Now that is lucky, Mom loved this watch and I will enjoy wearing it and thinking of her. I splurged and got a new band for it. I wouldn't usually be attracted to white leather watch bands, but today, it just looked right. I think it compliments the opals and amethysts.

My husband and I will be heading out East for an art opening and a visit to our apartment out there for a bit, on the 30th. But, you still have till the 31st to enter the drawing for this springtime floral necklace that I made. I'll draw a name from out computer there, and mail the gift when I get back.

Join me in the studio!

celebrations, fairies, family

By Karla Nathan / February 16, 2009

mini studio tour
Originally uploaded by Karla's Cottage

Here is a quickie video of my studio. I called it "Part One" as I was making it, but I was able to fit the whole room in and don't know if a part two is neccessary. If you'd like to see more, let me know.

I've shown lots of photos of the room before, but the odd way I have it laid out, makes it hard for everyone to picture altogether. So, I thought I'd give you a little mini tour.

Today is my Mom's birthday. I miss her all the time, but even more today. She is a person who understood the love of a good work room! Mom was a quilter and could spend hours in her basement sewing room. ( under the vintage card is a quilt that she made for me).

At the end of her life, she was in the hospital for months, very ill and weak. Watching her in her final weeks, I saw that the most simple of pleasures, like having a loved one near by, sharing a laugh, and the sweet taste of a favorite treat are the true treasures in life. The joy on her face when my sisters and I fed her a bite of canned Mandarin oranges, brought tears to my eyes. She didn't have much of an appetite and was tiring of hospital food, so we brought her cans of oranges, one thing she had always enjoyed.

The oranges weren't something fancy or exotic, but were special to her. The simplicity of the food itself kind of became a symbol to me. It made me remember to appreciate life's little perks.

So, when she died, I scooped up a can of oranges that was left on her table.

Today, for her birthday, I wanted to make the can into something I could use. After emptying it, I took off the label and glued it to the inside of the can, and then looked through old books for some words that reminded me of her. I found this little poem about a daughter sitting at her mother's feet while she sewed, and that was just perfect! (I've got lots of memories of sitting under the sewing machine and playing with fabric scraps)

Mom loved fairies as much as I do, so I drew and colored, and sparkled two sets of wings and glued them to a picture of her cut from a copy of an old photo. The first pair, I glued down, the second, I bent up for a 3-D effect.

With a green sparkle marker that Sissy gave me, I colored the dress Mom is wearing. I chose green for the rick rack that I lined the edges of the cans too, because that was her favorite color.

As soon as the glue is dried, I will fill it with sparkly marker pens and keep it on my desk, in my studio, since that is such a special place for me. I feel close to her there, knowing how happy she was in her own workroom.

Where to start???

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, Sugarwings, swaps

By Karla Nathan / February 7, 2009

Where to start??? Where to start??? I have to say, the Puppy Love Tag book swap is just wonderfully overwhelming for me.

And overwhelming for the Fairy Grand baby too. We had a blast dressing up for our little present party. She was pretty serious, though. I think she was feeling the abundance the same way I was. Oh my, there is more fun stuff to open and play with???

All of the art supplies are greatly appreciated. My little crafter can go through tons of stickers in an afternoon of work in the "our studio."

We made good use of the treats too!

I think I will be able to keep my energy up while assembling books. Between the chocolates and the teas and cocoas and home made marshmellows (Shawn knows I am addicted and treats me to them a lot, she is a good friend to have!) I've already dipped into the goodie supply, notice that the chocolate bar wrapper is empty? (but it is so cute, I have to save it and use it in my art journal or else my own tag book)

Beth scored a big box of old journals at an auction (she has some to sell here - although when I went to her site to get a link, I kind of bought the last one….. but I know she has more and they are only $10 each, so ask her!!)

So many artists are making art journals, but I have never done one. Beth gave me one of her ledgers and I decided to make it a semi-art journal. I'm using it for practical things. Like postage rates. I wanted a pretty book to keep next to my computer to have handy for figuring postage.

And to keep passwords in. I have two pages filled with passwords from dozens of sites online. You need a password to do anything! And I hear it isn't smart to be repetitive with them, so I have to keep a log, or I would NEVER be able to open anything.

And then there are certain addresses that are good to have at hand.

And I am sure there are lots of other things I will think of to add to the book. So I am making up lots of extra pages that will be waiting and ready when I need to jot down something important.

Or just doodle.

Meanwhile, back at the tag book swap…. I have started assembling books!

When building them, I debated one hole or two at the top. I started making some with two holes, but switched back to one. For one thing, its half the work! For another, I kind of like to be able to fan the tags out like this, and see them all at once.

This book includes work by:

Kathy in Chicago

Andrea Tarling

LiLi M.

Sarah Elder

Carla Fisch

Samantha Miranda

and a cover by me

OMG aren't these going to be something when they are done????? Of course, the "when they are done" part is the tough part. I have about 450 tags spread out over my studio right now.

Some here…

And some here, along with goodies and gifties that haven't been consumed or displayed yet.

There are so many sweet gifts that I was, as I might have mentioned, OVER WHELMED!!! So, my plan, is to slow down and enjoy them. Play with a couple at a time, sip some tea, make some books, nibble some chocolate, then go and play with some more gifties. I hung up this banner from my East Coast Junking Buddy, Robin. It fit perfect on my hat garden buffet. Although, it also is good for tying around my waist and dancing around in. Just ask Sugarwings what Grammy wore to the dress up tea party and she'll tell you all about it.

Today, I slipped on this beautiful fairy necklace made by my pal, Gretchen and went to rent myself a huge stack of movies. I'll need them to keep me going as I assemble all these books. Brideshead Revisited is my first one to watch.

(Gretchen has great jewelry for sale on her blog, you should take a look)

See what I mean about wonderful goodies? Here are a few more of the presents that came as hostess gifts. There are also lots of pretty ribbons from quite a few of the swappers. What a perfect thing to include, I'll be needing it for tying tags together. And I got so much Valentine ephemera, that I will absolutely have to do this swap again next year, so I will can use it all up!!

There are thougthful gifts everywhere I look, spread out all over the studio. I just don't know what will happen to me next week when the swap is all done and over with. NO PACKAGES IN THE MAIL???? That will be hard to get used to!

Oh, I just had to show you this one, the box that it came in was such a joy to open and explore. You can read all about her tag series on her blog.

Thanks again to everyone who participated, and for all of your thoughtfulness and generosity with your time and your treats and your crafting skills!

Sugarwings and I had a lovely party to celebrate all the Puppy Love we got. I'll leave you with a couple more photos of our special day.

How noisy would a pocket full of puppies be?

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

By Karla Nathan / February 3, 2009

You know that avalanche of packages I am expecting? Well, it will be a big one, because I am expecting over 30 this week, and today only one came and yesterday's mail just brought two! My friend, Carla sent her tags wrapped up so sweetly. See why it is fun to open these boxes???

My mom used to watch for the mail man everyday like it was a major event. I used to tease her about it, she wasn't ever really expecting anything but bills, and flyers. Now, with all these packages coming to me, post time is becoming the highlight of my day too! My kids were teasing me about watching for the mail lady.

(art work bySara)

Of course, with these guys now living in the studio, I have plenty of distractions to take my mind off the mail.

Uhm, maybe I need something to distract me from posing pups in odd places? Actually, they seem to enjoy it, and are always pretty pleased to be the one singled out for extra attention. Twinkle simply can't understand why on Earth anyone would point the camera at anyone but her, though.

Thanks for all the puppy names! Keep them coming, every time I have a fave, another good one comes along. And remember, if there are duplicates, those comments will be pulled from a hat to break the tie.

Details on the contest here.

I've added some new things to the Boutique

And toEtsy as well. Aren't these photos wonderful? I love that they were mounted onto pastel cards, not the typical dark colored ones I usually see. I did save a couple to make something with them myself, but kind of think that I like the idea of just laying them in a bowl on the table, not even making them into anything else.

Although, it is hard for me to NOT foof….

Today should be fun, I am making Valentines with Beth. Then going to a movie night with the girls. I wonder if I can sneak a pocket full of puppies into the theater with me??