family – Page 46 – Karla's Cottage

Waiting for Spring

By Karla Nathan / May 3, 2013

Hope you had a happy May Day! It's one of my favorite days of the year. As a kid, it meant it was almost my birthday. So, that is always nice, but it also means SPRING! At least it should, but this year, I don't know if Spring will ever get here.

Before going out of town, my husband and I had nice day out at the Topeka Zoo with Sugarwing's class. It was soooo chilly, we had to bundle up in lots of layers. I thought I'd be peeling off layers throughout the day, but instead, I was wishing I'd piled on a few more.

We also made a trip out to the country to pick up some new ladies to join the Coop Group.

We aren't sure what kind of hens they are, only that they produce a pink, a brown and a blue egg. And that they are very pretty chickens.

Yes, I did say PINK!!!!!!!!

One of those new ladies is laying pink eggs. What a delightful surprise! We also picked up 6 little red hens who lay brown eggs. It's a full coop now.

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I've been working on this wire birdcage tutorial, and now have it ready to send to you! You can get the details here.

Jewelry-o-rama in front of the TV

family, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / April 25, 2013

My son and I have both been making some jewelry. He does wire wrap and crystals, more of a new age look. But I thought one of his amethyst crystal pieces would be perfect for me to wear to Snow White.

He does a silver wire base, adds crystals to it, puts it into a mold and pours epoxy over it all. Or something like that.

Then, he added the strip of violet suede to make a bracelet. I had some gemstone beads, in ruby, garnet, amethyst, and laborite that I made chains out of for the sides.

These beads aren't my typical colors, but I loved the stones. And the bracelet Mr. Zen created. So, I added some of the gems to my pendant from Victorian Trading Co.

It's been jewelry-o-rama around here lately. A friend of mine and Guncle Randy's, Regina, gave me a bag of gemstone beads and I can't stop playing with them. Last week, I was meeting friends for a little birthday celebration at our traditional hang out. (we do happy hour appetizers and half price wine at a place called 715 when one of us has a special occasion)

So, I whipped up a few pair of earrings with stuff laying around on my desk to take as party favors.

Besides making jewelry, I've been puttering, getting things set for Snow White and Birdsong mostly. And watching too much tv. What's on the DVR that I've been getting caught up on? Loads!

The Voice- Blake and Adam are adorable
The Following- thrilling
The Americans- well made
Game of Thrones!!! – I'm a huge fan of the books too, why can't he write faster?
Shameless- Smart kids trying despite bad surroundings, and don't you think that Lip looks like a young Robert Mitchum? (oh my, that shows my age, and also makes me feel like a pervy old lady to be eying that kiddo)
Girls- annoying people, but interesting writing
Modern Family- best comedy on TV
Once Upon A Time- well dur, it's a fairy tale
Idol and Survivor ( I'm not as enthusiastic, but can't quit them)
I haven't gotten to Bates Motel or Hannibal yet, I heard they were good
The Middle- Sue Heck is my hero, she never gives up
Mad Men- John Hamm? Swoon! I wish he'd do more comedy too.
Sofia the First- Sugarwings and I love her to pieces and she looks like my little girl
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic- Dewdrop and I end up watching this while I work at my desk and she paints at her little table so her parents can work in the garden, and I have become a fan against my will.

My list is actually much longer than this, but I'm embarrassed to let you know just how much TV I watch. It's pretty bad.

I've also been reading the Walking Dead graphic novels since I am having withdrawals from the show. Trouble is, they are eight bucks a piece on my Kindle Reader app, and the books only last an hour or so. It looks to me like I could spend a small fortune in a day or two, so I stopped at #5. That took some will power!

I've been working on this wire birdcage tutorial, and now have it ready to send to you! You can get the details here.

At Home with the Guncles

dogs, family, guncles, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 9, 2013

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

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

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

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

Hmm, kind of hard to tell from this photo.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the Guncles’ Garden and some travel woes

family, flowers, guncles, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 7, 2013

On my trip to Florida, I didn't even make it anywhere near a beach. As much as I love staring at the ocean, on a quick trip, I'm so happy at the Guncle's house I don't even remember that the Atlantic is nearby.

Their home and garden are so inviting, and they are so welcoming, it's a joy to be there and part of their little family.

After the cold Feb. and March we've had in KS, I was happy just to see some sunshine. While I was there, it was snowing up a blizzard back home. I thought my timing was great for the trip when I heard that. Originally, I had planned to go home on Sunday, but there was such a huge difference in ticket prices, that I changed it to Monday to help out Karen, who was gifting me with the ticket.

And it snowed at home on Sunday, so I thought I'd made the right choice, I had a craft day with Guncle Randy and some time to hug the doggies.

But the snow caused major airline delays on Monday too. I sat at the Jacksonville airport for hours before it was confirmed that I was not getting home that night. My cold had turned into a pounder of a sinus infection and I wanted my own bed more than anything else.

The guncles are the best hosts ever, but I needed to get home somehow and if I stayed overnight again in Jacksonville, I wouldn't be able to catch a flight till the next evening, plus the guys would have to work, so I wouldn't even see them till time to catch a ride to the airport.

Normally, I am pretty tough. But I think, being sick for a few days away from home and trying to pretend I wasn't sick through all the social activities that were too fun to miss, had worn me down. I am embarrassed to say that I called my husband crying when I found out I was stuck at the airport.

What a big baby.

And of course, tears do NOT make a sinus problem feel any better. The pounding became a steady wallopping.

So, my husband got online and found the quickest route home, through nashville, away from the snowy places, then early the next morning, back to KS and home by 8:30 am. He arranged a hotel and shuttle for me too, and I felt much better.

Now, all that is stuff I could do myself with no trouble, but it was sweet for him to take over and take care of me. It's sure nice to have someone who cares enough to take charge when you are down.

And it doesn't hurt to let someone take care of you sometimes. As moms or grammies we tend to always be the ones who take care of everyone else, don't we?

Hoppy Easter

Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / April 3, 2013

Did you have a good Easter? Ours was unexpectedly really nice.From no plans at all to a small family dinner and egg hunt in a matter of an afternoon.

Sugarwing's mom ended up switching her plans, so we had our fairy grand child over night and all day. Dewdrop came over with her mom at dinner time, and we were able to find buckets full of eggs on the Fairy Berry Trail as the sun was setting.

And what beautiful weather we had! I'd thought I'd finish the banner I am working on for the Snow White blast coming up way too soon, but instead, I ran and played with Sugarwings all day and enjoyed the sunshine.

I was able to do some yard clean up too, and foofed the Fairy Berry Trail up for the season. Easter seems to be the time that we whip it into shape, just in time for hunting eggs the bunny left there.

Funny, how fast two little girls can find over 50 eggs. This was a quick run through the forest, with lots of squealing along the way. Dewdrop let out a yelp every time she spied an egg. And everything is a squealfest around Sugarwings anyway.

Luckily, I had plenty of plastic eggs up in the closet and could find packets of tiny toys and junky fun crap to stuff in them for our impromtu hunt.

Although, the few pieces of chocolate I had on hand were the biggest hits when the eggs were open, of course. But, I do think that if there was nothing in them at all, it wouldn't have dampened the fun.

The thrill of the hunt was the best part.

Dewdrop loved every minute of it. She is a cute age to be out in the woods gathering eggs.

She enjoyed the dying too, although it didn't last long because she thought it was just as much fun to pour the dye out on the ground as it was to dip the eggs in. But they had plenty of glitter paints to add to the eggs once the dirt under the table was dyed.

We sat up the mini picnic table in the gazebo and I turned the kids loose with dyes and glitters.

Which was a great plan, considering that everyone had been playing outside and there was a bit of mud from the gardening project clinging to them. Plus, Dewdrop's fascination with pouring out the dye worked better out doors than it would have inside.

I'll have more photos from the Mt. Dora trip after this little break for some Happy Easter wishes.

There is only so much time in the day, so I try to make the most of it!

Books, Dew Drop, fairies, family, Snow White, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / March 7, 2013

There is not much new around here, I'm still wading through piles of Snow White books and items to stuff into the kits.

See what I mean? Every table in the studio is heaped up with carefully sorted (even though it doesn't look like it) goodies to do with the kits. I even set up two extra tables, and also filled tubs.

But hey, there is HOPE! Look at the stack of wrapped kits on the far table, in front of the window. Yep, the packaging is almost done. The rest of the room is just littered with the detritis of making the kits.

Those stacks of cut wallpaper on the table? Some of those are sorted into piles, ready to photograph and add to the shop. My son and I got just a tad carried away on those chopping and ironing days we had.

But the truth about why nothing else is happening around here, is that I am soooo hooked on the books themselves. I've made up four examples for the class, including one that I'm am keeping for myself and personalizing with family fairy tale photos.

On this page, I've taken a page from one of the children's story books, and cut Black Beauty from it, with another page behind the horse as I cut it out so that I ended up with a second animal shape. (it was an accident, but one that I am glad that I did!) I added a unicorn horn to each, flipped one over, layered them on the paper, and tinted them with glitter markers.

Dewdrop adores "honies" above all things. She is a "My Little Pony" addict, and calls them honies. So, this page is for her.

There are other things I could be doing, but this is more fun. Plus, I thought the students might appreciate having samples in different stages to look through. This one will be almost complete, but I am saving space in it to add pictures from the event itself.

There has also been some Birdsong3 behind the scenes details to tend to. It's funny how much time such things take up, even when the event in months away. Oh, but how worth it! I'm really excited to know that I have both of these fun weekends to look forward to.

Hopefully, once I get all of these kits boxed and ready to mail, I can concentrate on making Birdsong projects and kits. And selling that pile of wallpaper. And doing my taxes (Beth offered to help!! Yay, there is nothing better than having an accountant buddy at tax time. And all I have to do for her is redo her antique mall booth. Heck, that is a pleasure to do, not a hair pulling, tear inducing, fork in the eye, task like tax prep).

There are also extra kits from last year's Birdsong that I forgot about. And need to add to the Boutique. I'd planned on listing them last year and haven't yet. I also found a stack of surplus Fairy Book covers that I'd planned to sell too.

But there is only so much time in the day. You know what I have noticed? I can keep going full tilt and workiing my backside off (not really, it actually seems to grow, not diminish) and never really get ahead. Because there is always more to do, and only so much time in a day.

I've noticed that my income seems to level out, no matter what I am working on, because nothing is "extra", it ends up taking the place of something else. So, if I do shows, I am ignoring my shop. If I concentrate on the shops, I am not having time to make things. And on and on.

You just can't do it all. At least not at the same time. But that is what is such fun about my so called job.

I can switch it up, go from classes, events, creating, selling, shows, one to the next. It certainly never gets boring! When I focus on one area, it does very well, especially the Boutique. But my life would be very dull if all I did was photograph and list and ship every day. So, I'm glad I can stretch out and try different venues and take breaks from the online shop. It's still there, still selling, but not as much when I'm not adding to it reguarly.

Yes, changing my focus might not be getting me ahead financially, but it sure keeps me hopping and happy!

Sugar and Spice

Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / March 3, 2013

As I sat through endless episodes of The Dukes of Hazard, stepped on Hot Wheels cars left everywhere, or listened to fart jokes, I used to wonder how I'd survive raising Boys. That is Boys with a captial B. They were as rough and tumble, as wild and crazy, as little Boys can be. It was a rolicking, good time, and while they didn't always have the same interests as I did, we found lots of fun together.

And now they are two grown men that I'm proud to call family.

Then, along came two grand daughters! Who are every bit as rough and
tumble, wild, and crazy as their dad.

Now, we watch My Little Pony or Ariel, and I step on doll parts, and still listen to fart jokes. But from small people dressed as fairies this time.

Yep, I know, I'm pretty lucky. It's been good.

ps- Anne has asked me to tell you about Magnolia Pearl's $2,000 giveaway. Woo Hoo, that is a GOOD one, huh? Check it out at Fiona and Twig.

A birthday balloon suprise at the door.

collections, Dew Drop, family

By Karla Nathan / February 13, 2013

Fin and Clover had birthdays recently, so I decided to surprise them
after school one day with a face full of balloons. My son and I blew up a few, and taped a bagful of them to the door frame. The plastic bag only covers the outside of the balloons, they are sandwiched between it and the door.

This was the only door in my house that opened the right direction to make the trick work, so I asked them to go in the studio to get something for me when we parked in the garage. The door has to open toward the surprisee for the balloons to properly cascade down onto them.

It was a fun surprise, and I think Sugarwings enjoyed planning it and keeping the secret as much as I did.

Afterwards, we took the whole family to TRex, the dino restaurant to celebrate the two birthdays. We have been going there for special occasions since Sugarwings was tiny, and this is the FIRST time we saw that there was a huge play area with dinosaur video games, and crystal caves in the back! I'd seen the sand pit with fossils, but thought that was all there was to it. There is a ton of fun waiting in the back for only $2.50 per kid!

My big kid loved it too. He is our Mr. Zen the Crystal Guy, so he was wallowing in all the chakra glory.

The kids loved exploring the caves so much, we barely visited the Roars. Which is what Dewdrop calls anything a little scary like the animatronic dinosaurs there.

The other day, when I was singing to her in what I thought was a very fun way, she held up a hand to stop me, and said,

"Uhm, Grammie?"

I said, "yes dear?"

She answered, "Roar" and pointed to me.

Apparently, my singing voice is lumped in the same category as scary, giant, prehistoric beasts.

Maui dreams

family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 28, 2013

We had a welcoming committee waiting when we got back from Hawaii. Sweet Sweet Sweety was happy to see us and was perched by the door asking for attention as we pulled up. (my porch needs some attention too, huh? Christmas branches? Let's just pretend they are "winter decorations" not holiday ones, okay?)

The grand fairies liked the souvenir tees they got, but I think what they really liked was the boxes and bags of macadamia nut and chocolate candies we filled a carry on up with.

Our trip was the best ever. Terry and Dale, my in-laws, were there for 3 weeks (lucky ducks) and greeted us at the airport with leis. I wore mine till it was brown and limp, and still the scent lingered on, so I kept it draped across the lamp shade in our room.

I hope we get to go back again some day. It could very well be the prettiest place in the world. Even the overly populated and tourist areas are lovely.

Its definitely varied, from dessert, to bamboo, to ocean, to rain forest. All of that on a single polka dot in the middle of the Pacific.

We participated in lots of tourist activities. Our travel buddies had been there a week before us and knew all the best places to go ahead of time, not just from that week, but from years of experience. It was nice to let go and let them plan. They were kind enough to haul us from one fantastic place to another.

Terry even took me to a swap meet for some cute little ticky tackys to take home as remembrances. And she isn't a swap meet type shopper. I think she enjoyed it too, we both made a good haul there.

The swap meet had lots of $4 tee shirts, plenty of junk, but also some nice things made by local artists, farmer's market goods, and a few vintage things. Terry surprised me with this necklace from a jewelry vendor whose work I admired. I don't know how she managed to sneak buying it with me standing right next to her! It was a sweet surprise. The stone is larimar, and it will always remind me of the ocean in Maui.

My favorite part of the whole trip was just simply being there, soaking it all in, listening to the ocean outside the balcony of our hotel.

I almost admitted to you that my most favorite part was sleeping, but I don't want everyone to know just how boring I really am.

But, dang! That was the BEST sleep of my life! Not only was the weather perfect, and the air bug free so that we could leave the sliding doors open all week, but we could listen to this fountain as well as the ocean in our dreams.

I slept 8-10 hours, and while it felt like a deep, deep, restful snoozefest, I still was aware of the sounds of the water. So soothing.

My body stayed on Kansas time, and I was up before the sun every day about 5 or 6 am. For those of you who did the math, yes, I was in bed by 8 some nights. I never see the sunrise around here, I'm never up that early on Central Time, so it was quite a treat. My mornings over looking the ocean and drinking Kona coffee were highlights of my trip. Waking up was as much fun as going to sleep.

Oh my, I am a little old lady, aren't I???? Who goes to Hawaii then talks about how good the sleepin weather is there???

The food wasn't bad either. I loaded up at a local fruit stand a couple of times.

The same fruit I buy in Kansas, was sooooo different there. The pineapples were beyond juicy and ripe, so much so that there was no core at all, we ate the whole thing. No fibery center like we have in the ones at home.

Funny, though. Roadside, the pineapples were $10, and at the Safeway they were $7. Today at Walmart in KS they were only $2. Now I have to say, the fresh in Maui ones were so good, they were worth ten bucks, but it confuses me that its cheaper to ship them across the world than to buy them straight off the bushes.

Everything there was pricey. Beyond pricey.

But the beauty was free. I loved the little touches I found, like this painted weed outside a store.

And the floral message left in the banyan tree courtyard.

Little details kept catching my eye, like this recycled glass used in planters of a parking lot. It sparkled so bright, I was drawn right to it. We were hunting back and forth, up and down for a parking spot, but instead of watching out for one and being a helpful passenger, I kept saying, "Is that GLASS?" "That is so sparkly, what on earth do you think it is?" "Maybe that is glass!"

Parking is not easy on Maui. Lot of cars and not enough spaces to put them. Plus the spots are tiny. Who drew the parking lot lines anyway? Some one who only drives a moped?

I have more photos and more to say, but I have a grand fairy visiting now and need to go scoop up my hugs. I have ten days of lost huggin time to make up for.

To be continued…..

ps- last day to enter the drawing for one of Amy's books!

Our Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, parties, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2012

It's hard to say goodbye to Christmas this year, but on the other hand, on the 26th, I was itching to take down the tree. I wasn't able to, due to other goings on, but I was ready to see it go. I think its because the lights all went out on the tree the minute the last gift was opened! That was some sort of sign. Plus, I feel like a dark tree is a bit sad. So, into the closet it goes, and I'll deal with the kaput lights next year.

We had an extended Christmas celebration, with all the kids over on the 24th for brunch and gifts, with a hot cocoa and cookie party afterwards.

Dewdrop came over with her parents on Christmas morning to see what Santa left under Grammie's tree while all the rest of the family visited other relatives. I think it was special for the youngest of 7 to have a whole morning of being the center of it all and opening gifts just for her. She was pretty excited, and a joy to watch.

We spent a lazy day, watching our littlest fairy play. My son, Mr. Zen and his Gypsy cooked a great meal for us all. Broiled lobster with seafood pasta.

YUM! The only thing better than having someone cook a meal for you, is if the meal is lobster.

Sugarwings had a sleepover on Christmas night, so Santa could bring some gifts to Grammie's tree for her too. She loves the whole spectacle of Santa, Christmas, and the arrival of gifts, but I think the stories and ambiance are what she appreciates even more than the presents. We decided that if we didn't buy a thing for her, and told her that the Grinch had come and taken everything out from under the tree, she would have been so excited, she would have popped.

That kid lives for fantasies and her imaginary world. She'd love to be plopped into the middle of the Grinch story and wouldn't think twice about not getting a present.

On the other hand, she was in heaven with the magic of everyone's gifts.

Many of the photos I tried to take look like this. She is darting about from one person to the next, excited to see what is under the wrappings. When I'd snap the picture, I'd get a blurry image of Sugarwings racing in to check out the latest, greatest gift her siblings got to open.

Yet, in the middle of all the gifting frenzy, she did the sweetest thing ever. We had 14 people squeezed into this little living room, along with three Christmas trees. So, Aunt Sandy made herself comfortable on the stairs.

When Sandy got a gift, Sugarwings would take it to her and sit to watch while she opened it. And finally, took her by the hand and led her to the center of the room and told her that she was "part of the group" and shouldn't be sitting by herself.

I was so proud of our little angel, who was caring about her great aunt during all of the hullabaloo, and not wanting her to feel left out of all the joy.

And joy there was. Plenty of it!

I think the dogs had a good time too. With so many kids around, there were plenty of crumbs. Twinkle tends to park herself under the highchair at most gatherings.

We kept the meal simple, honey baked ham, French toast and hashbrown casseroles made the night before, sweet corn frozen from last summer's farmer's market with some peas added for color, and scrambled eggs straight from the hen house, with chopped spinach and red peppers to be festive.

Paper plates, plastic forks, and foil pans made it all even easier. There was minimal clean up time, so we could get right to the fun stuff and gather around the tree! For some of us, it was hard to wait for that part.

I'll leave you with some photos of our day and I hope that yours was joyful as well.