family – Page 51 – Karla's Cottage

Galentines Day with the Gal Pals

By Karla Nathan / February 18, 2012

My husband was out of town for Valentine's Day, but I kept myself busy by planning THREE parties in one day. The dogs were my official greeters when guests came to the door, and I needed their help. When I opened the door to say hi, I realized that I had laryngitis!

Luckily, it wasn't an all day thing, my voice has been coming and going a lot since then, but I manage to keep talking no matter what.

I had one group of friends over for brunch, and another for afternoon crafting in the studio. We called it Galentines Day, had some goodies, and a lot of fun.

These little Valenine treats were simple to make, by the way. I like to serve easy things that look a lot more complicated to make than they really are.

For these, I cut puff pastry with a heart shaped cookie cutter, and baked them ahead of time.

After they cooled, I spread a bit of cream cheese onto them, topped it with a slice of fruit and drizzled melted chocolate over it all.

That evening, I got to spend with the kiddos. Any day I hang with them is one jam packed with lots of love!

Craft day was good for me. I'd lacked time or oppurtunity to be creative for a while and had hit a dry spell. so, a day in the studio with gal pals and time to just make stuff was exaclty what I needed. And I cranked stuff out, after I loosened up and got going.

First I started with something really simple, these vintage ceramic shoes were already cute to start with, and I just glued some crap to them to foof 'em up a bit. These kind of are along the style of Lisa's wonderful tutorial, but there isn't nearly as much to these little ceramic shoes.

Then, I moved on to something a little more complicated. It was nice just to be gluing and thinking about where things go. This is a teensy little box that a bar of hotel soap came in. The legs are bingo tiles and the Charlotte fairy is only 1" tall. (she is in the Boutique now)

I made a few more things that day too, but haven't got photos of them yet. I did get some pics of some things to add to the shop, I'll leave you with a selection of whats new. I hope you are having a great weekend and still enjoying your Valentine goodies.

Mothers and Daughters

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family

By Karla Nathan / February 16, 2012

Today is my Mom's birthday and like always, she has been on my mind a lot. I learned a lot from her, and wish that I'd learned more. We were very much alike, yet oh, soooo different in many ways.

She was a sewer and for a while owned an upholstery shop. I can't stitch a straight line, but at least I absorbed a lot of knowelgdge about how it was done by sitting under her sewing table for hours as she worked when I was a kid. I know the basics on how to do any of it, but its the actual needle and thread work that stumps me.

She took pride in perfect stitches and even knew exactly how many per inch she hand sewed into her quilting or upholstering.

But me? If I pick up a piece of thread, it automatically starts twirling itself into a million knots. So, I transferred her love of creating to paint and other craftiness. Sewing has always eluded me.

Even this crazy quilt that she made is not as random as it seems. I remember her showing me the individual blocks that she was putting together with mathematical precision.

She taught me to take joy in hard work. That a job worth doing is worth doing right. That a clean house feels, and smells good and is worth the effort it takes. Now, I certainly don't take it to the levels she used to, this is a lady who used to vacuum under the bird feeder out in the yard. I've never gone so far as to vacuum the grass, but I do like my home tidy and comfortable.

Mom taught me never to be afraid to tackle anything. Any big job can be broken down into smaller parts, tackled one at a time, just like her quilts were patched together square by square.

Twinkle thinks this picture is about her, like every photo I take. Even if I'm taking a close up of something on a table, she is posing under the table thinking that the camera must be about her.

Mom made this quilt for me too. Its one of my favorite patterns, Log Cabin. You can't see the detail in the center, but its a hand stitched drawing of iris. In person, it shows up nicely, but the camera doesn't do it justice.

In honor of my mom's birthday, I put this quilt on Sugarwing's new Big Girl Bed. Maybe she'll feel my mom's love wrapped around her the next time she crawls in.

I chose this bed because of the ovals. Don't they look like frames, just waiting for a painting? I have plans to add some pictures soon. Lately, there has been too much going on and I think I might have mentioned, and maybe whined a bit about the fact that I am NOT caught up.

Hopefully, Sugarwings and Dewdrop will learn from me, just as I learned from Mom, to love having a pretty home around them, and taking joy in making it that way. Whatever talents they have as they grow up, I want them to know that you can tackle any job if you do it one block at a time and that nothing is too big to face if you are willing to do the hard work to achieve it.

And that hard work is much easier to face if you find something to laugh about while you are at it!

My mom was FUN. I hope all of my kids and grands think I am too.

A Heartful of Blathering and Babbling

family, kitties

By Karla Nathan / February 14, 2012

We finally got a snow this year. Not that I missed the cold, bad roads, and frozen toes that come along with it. But I do know my garden needs the moisture for a healthy spring, and we need the hard freeze for a bug free season ahead.

But the white stuff came as a surprise to Panda Bear and Rainbow Bright Joy Nathan. Sister wasn't quite sure if she should head out the door to see what it was about or not.

But Brother took a running leap right into it and soon she joined him, and my snowy, pristine, backyard wonderland was turned into a scene of mangled carnage. There wasn't a drift or smooth spot left. You'd think they'd been huffing cat nip, not snow flakes, they went crazy playing out there.

Too bad they only get one day of winter. For Valentines Day, we warm up again. Not quite to the level of the false spring we've had most of this winter, but not bad.

I can live with a One Snow Winter. It wouldn't be terrible if this is all we get for this season!

Valentines Day is special to me. Well, I do tend to LOVE most holidays and get sentimental about them all. But this date is even more important because its the anniversary of my sons' adoption.

And the anniversary of the beginning of my blog. I had friends over for brunch the morning of my first blog post,and I took a tiny, little, dark photo of the table and wrote about it. Wondering if anyone would ever see it or find me in my little corner of the internet.

(these pictures are all new stuff in my shop, and in the Etsy store,)

And no, I don't think anyone did. But I'd taken the first step and put myself out there. Months later, I'd made lots of blogging friends, and I can't imagine not having this blog to blabber and blather on in.

Sadly, we weren't able to have our big, family adoption celebration on Sunday night, our littlest fairy was so ill that she had to go to the ER for re-hydration. Dewdrop is better now, but it sure was sad to see someone soooo tiny, feel so bad. She was pale and fragile, not her normal bouncy, in charge self.

Dewdrop is doing fine today, and we'll do some sort of celebration when we can. In the meantime, I'm hosting another little Valentine's Day brunch just like I did 5 years ago. Then, in the afternoon, is a craft day with Beth and Mary. I think that I'll take a trick from one of my favorite characters, Leslie Knope, and call it, "Galentines Day".

A festive day of treats and fun with the gals!

I'm counting my blessings this year and am enjoying all the loves in my life.

My handsome, hardworking husband who sweeps me off my feet and leaves me breathless, and who surprised me with flowers on Sunday

My cute little fairy grand babies who I can giggle and be silly with.

My sweet boys, who I love so much and who were lucky to have such a great dad come into their lives.

My girls who are loving mothers to those sweet fairies I adore.

My gal friends who keep me sane, friends I can share both woes and laughter with.

My blog buddies who have given me a place to blather and babble, for 5 years now and who have visited me over a million and a half times. I tell ya, when I wrote that first little, dark post without much to say, I had no idea I'd be talking online years later to bunches and gobs of people, and to actually get to make great friends online and in person with so many of them.

Yep. My heart is full.

Thanks everyone, for five fun filled years of blathering!

Oh, and the winner of my chalk board topped heart shaped box is:

Judi Storm

New skills

Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, paper cowgirl, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2012

Congratulations to Agnes Rosebud for catching her first mouse! She might end up being as talented as her mom, who has a voracious appetite for chasing varmits.

Agnes Rosebud isn't the only one learning new skills. Dewdrop got a painting lesson from her big sis this week.

Sugarwings is a bit of an unconventional artist. She is always ready to set the paper aside and try something new. She likes to paint all of her small toys, and anything else that she can get a hold of. I figure, as long as its just watercolors and she is painting her own belongings, that is fine. I'll wash them down and she can paint them again later. She;d rather paint her toys than play with them.

She knows to ask before she starts painting any of my stuff that is within her reach.

Well, most of the time. Every once in a while she needs a reminder. I've not had anything too important turned pink yet, just a few tidbits and supplies.

We bought some markers for window panes, and she has this big window by my garden door that she likes to work on. I can see why she enjoys this canvas, I like to draw on the window with her.

Their father is a bit worried that Dewdrop will take this idea and redecorate the world with it. My thoughts are to teach them when they are little where they can paint and where they can't, but give them some interesting options. He's afraid that she is way too little to know the difference and might just color all of the walls she sees now.

But as a person who used to paint murals for a living, and who painted that faux brick floor that the girls are pictured on, its hard for me to limit them to just paper. Its good to see them coloring outside of the lines and being individuals.

When I teach a class, its hard for me to limit the kits to just exactly what is needed. I like to have a pile of extras for the students to pick through, so they can create a one of a kind piece, and do their own version of "coloring outside of the lines".

So, I'm gathering up a nice selection of goodies for the Paper Cowgirl class I'll be teaching in March, down in Texas. The class isn't full yet, if you'd like to dig through the pile of pretties and make a wreath with me.

Surfaces

family

By Karla Nathan / January 29, 2012

My oldest son had a birthday this week. I realized that I rarely get photos of him, so when the family took him out to celebrate at his favorite restaurant, I made sure to bring my camera.

He always chooses this Japanese steak house on his birthday for Sugarwings because he knows she has so much fun there.

He's a loving uncle, a handsome guy, a hard worker, a sweet man, and I'm proud to have his as a son.

He has a strong work ethic and has been working 2 part time jobs for years, but just recently went full time at one of them.

He goes to the gym almost everyday, takes care of himself, saved up for and bought his own car, does his own laundry, and is a good cook.

He lost about 100 pounds and has kept it off for years and years.

Ryan has never had it easy. He has to try a lot harder than other people, but he never gives up. He has excelled in his life and when I tell people that my son works full time at a convenience store, I say it with a big glob of pride, every bit as much pride as the mother of a gifted student who becomes a rocket scientist would have.

Probably more pride because I know how he has struggled to get so far.

When customers are rude to him and tell him to hurry, I wonder if they realize how hurtful that is? That they are being cruel to someone who always tries his hardest and has accomplished more than anyone ever thought he would?

They don't see past the surface.

I think people see his blue eyes, handsome face, and 6 pack abs, and don't even realize that he has learning difficulties. They might see how shy and quiet he is and not realize that he has a speech problem, they will just think he isn't friendly, or has little to say. He has also been called stoned or drunk when people hear his speech or see that he is slow at times when trying to do something.

Ryan has been taken advantage of by some bad people in the past. Low lifes who used his sweet nature against him, so now he lives with us, in an apartment we built over my studio. Its important for him to have his independence, but also to be near family.

But we are lucky to have him here. He helps around the kitchen, mows our acreage, carries in groceries, and never, ever leaves a room without saying "I love you". And that is usually accompanied by me getting a kiss on the top of my head.

Is my family as perfect as it looks on the surface? Oh heavens no.

When you look past the surface you see something better than perfection.

You can see what caring, love, and strength built by adversity and a determination to make it all work better than it should, can do for a circle of people who need each other in their lives.

Patches

family

By Karla Nathan / January 26, 2012

Thanks for all your kind comments, but I'm not about to fall to pieces. I'm just a bit blue and slightly overwhelmed at the moment, but things get better. Life is an up and down thing.

When things go wrong, you fix what you can, patch up the messy spots and keep your eye on the happy shiny stuff ahead!

So, please don't think I'm in bad shape, I hope I wasn't complaining too much. Sometimes I over share on this blog…

Maybe to even out my negative post about being down I should print a happy list?

I have nice kids to worry about.
Sugarwings' elbow will heal.
My husband is buying chain saw pants to wear for the next time he cuts wood!
Sparkle was the sweetest puppy mama and lap dog EVER, and we were lucky to have her for as long as we did.
Winter might suck, but this one has not been very cold, and I've not got snowed in once. I've not even slid across the driveway and fallen on my butt yet. NO ICE!!!
Grandfairies are pretty cool to have around.
Our Hippy Chick is academically gifted and doing great in nursing school
Our Gypsy is starting at KU this week and loves her classes, and both girls will pass on the love of learning to the grandfairies.
My husband makes me laugh. A lot. He's fun to live with.
Agnes Rosebud could possibly grow up to be as sweet as Sparkle was.
My studio is a wonderful retreat, even when I am not feeling arty, its a beautiful place to be and I'm lucky to have it.
I have a new kitchen. A perfectly vintage, brand new, big kitchen.
All of our cars are repaired and back on the road and hopefully will go on for a long time before they need replaced.
American Idol is back and better than ever.
I sure enjoyed baking all those Christmas cookies that are stuck to my backside. Sugarwings and I love to bake together. Dewdrop has decided she wants to help in the kitchen and likes to stir the batters with us.
My shop is practically empty, and needs restocked.
People from last year's Birdsong are signing up to come back again and bring friends. That must mean that they liked it here at my cottage with me. That is a lovely compliment that so many are returning. And I look forward to seeing them again!
My friends are some of the funnest and caring people around.
I'm at a place in my life where if I want to take a couple of days off to feel blue, I can. My home won't be taken from me, my family won't go hungry, no one will even notice if I am not working a couple of days. I'm my own boss. That is a big plus right there.
You guys cared when I was a little down, even though it was just a little down. Thanks!

(3 kinds of new rhinestone chain is available in the Boutique, $3.50 a foot)

Thoughfulness

bird song art event, fairies, family

By Karla Nathan / January 20, 2012

My friend, Meleen, sent me a nice surprise this week. A beautiful box full of boxes! And not just any boxes, very vintage, never used, bird seed packaging.

Meleen is from Oyster Bay and embellished the gift with this cute idea.

These boxes will be IDEAL for Birdsong Two. I already have something in mind for them. And I will be adding Meleen's blog to my side bar as an official sponsor for the weekend.

If you would like to sponsor the event, please contact me. All you do is donate something that the ladies will enjoy. Most of the gifties will go into the goodie bags they will be receiving. Hmmmm….. that reminds me…. I need to brainstorm some goodie bag design ideas…….. heck, I don't even have my project done for you to see, let alone details like goodie bags pulled together yet.

I could be behind due to the fact that I have spent a lot of time here, in the "force field", which is what Sugarwings has been calling her clubhouse/fort under the dining room table.

Its a cozy spot, with an assortment of fluffy pillows- a soft, princess pillows, a tooth fairy pillow (a gift from Cindy), and a unicorn Pillow Pet/ Plus, handmade afghan from our Gypsy, a DVD player with a stack of movies, some fairy friends dangling from the bottom of the table as well as some drawn underneath the table top.

What more do you need? She slipped into her princess gown, and slung on her decorated sling, grabbed a dog and settled in for a few movies. I curled up next to her with a good book, and didn't want to come out.

Yesterday Dr. Pretty Boy (the resident at Children's Mercy that took care of our little broken wing fairy was quite beautiful to see, her mom and I really enjoyed his visits) gave her the go-ahead to return to school, with limited activities. Over protective Grams didn't take her first thing this morning, I thought a half day was a good transition after being hurt and out of class for a while.

But, now she is back to pre-K and my time is my own again. Hopefully there will soon be a necklace to show you for Birdsong, and my mind can start percolating on some goodie bag ideas.

More gifts came recent;y too. Beth had a tattered lace table cloth for me, just perfect for turning into leaves for my Song Of Spring wreath class for Paper Cowgirls, and a pretty water jug to serve tea in at Birdsong Two.

Beth brought all these to me on our last craft day, as a bereavement gift for losing poor little Sparkle. Although, Beth never really needs a reason to bring gifts, she finds things for me at auctions and estate sales and picks up little tidbits all the time.

Another bag full of lace was delivered in person to my front door by a new friend who read my blog and knew I'd give her grandma's lace a good home. She happened to be in town having a girl's day out with her quiliting buddies and they all came by to see me. It was so nice to have company, and so thoughtful of her to bring me the pretties. How sweet!

PS- Beth will be at the Old Summit Antique Show this weekend. Will I see you there?

Good bye Sparkle

dogs, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 11, 2012

Well, little Sparkle was just too sick to hang on. Its heartbreaking to say goodbye, but we knew it was coming, just not this soon. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement for our family right now.

In happier news, Sugarwings is doing well with one arm and its not slowing her down one bit. Even though the Dr. says she needs to be slowed down…. that kid is hard to stop. Her teeth and toes are always ready to help out that left hand when needed and so far, she doesn't seem to mind not using her right hand.

Today, she came out to the studio with me to decorate her ugly, navy blue sling. We played around with gutting a stuffed animal and making that into the sling, but I was worried that I wouldn't get the angle right, and that we should stick with using the one that was provided by the hospital. Now we have an empty plush dog that Dewdrop thinks makes a fine puppet.

She might seem to have a lot of energy right now, and is tough to keep at rest, but she cries out in pain while sleeping, so I know that it must really hurt.

My husband's leg is doing well, and he says it hurts enough to remind him just how dumb he was to be careless with the chain saw.

Okay, enough sadness and fear for a long, long while.

Sparkie Jo (my mom called me Karkie Jo, and I called Sparkle, Sparkie Jo) was a sweet girl, and the most gentle dog you could meet. She had lots of puppies in her life and of all the mama dogs I've ever owned, she was the most loving toward her pups. She treasured and cuddled and spent much more time just playing with them than most mother dogs. She was like that with everyone, always ready to show caring and sweetness.

I choose to remember how lucky we were to have her with us for the ten short years she was part of our family. And also to count myself lucky that Sugarwings and my Handsome Husband were not hurt worse than they were and that we will have them around for many more decades and decades.

Next post, I hope to have some more fun things to talk about. In the mean time, the sale is still on in the Boutique (40%) and the Etsy shop (50%). I haven't had a chance to take it down. You can get some good deals on millinery, doodads, pretties, and other stuff. Tutorials are also on sale!

It was the best of days, it was the worst of days

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family

By Karla Nathan / January 9, 2012

French by Design

Saturday started out Great. Extra Great. So wonderful that I wouldn't shut up about what a Great Day it was.

Seedbox

Beth and I met up to go to Bottom's Up. The BEST antiquing experience in KC. Gwen and Terry find the most intriguing dealers whose displays and talent are crammed to the brim with inspiration and wow.

Raised in Cotton

But best of all, we kept running into friends and spent lots of time chatting and catching up with fellow junking buddies.

I'd had a bad cold and a back ache for a couple of weeks, through the busy holiday time, and kept pushing myself to pretend I was fine and to keep enjoying the jingle bell season instead of letting myself get rested and over it all. Plus, Sugarwings had been sick before Christmas and I'd been traveling, and well, you know how worked up a person can get at that time of year anyway, add a few tasty little tid bits like that and moods can really turn dour and sour when the whole after Christmas let down period kicks in.

Yep, I was down, and tired and not quite myself. I've been trying to get my examples for the Birdsong Two classes done and nothing was clicking, because of my mood.

So, I took some time off from trying to be creative, eradicated all trace of holiday decor from my house, and zipped off to KC to Bottom's Up and to hang with my BFF.

Did I mention that it was a Great Day? And I was so happy, I was obnoxious about it. I desperately needed a day of pure fun.

And not only did I visit with friends, see beautiful old stuff, I BOUGHT a lot of beautiful, wonderful, old stuff. At beautiful, wonderful prices. Yep, Bottom's Up is a top-of-the-line place, but there are deals to be found there too. You can find exquisite, one of a kind, high dollar items, and you can also find exquisite, one of a kind, great deals!

What really made me happy was that I found just the ideas and supplies I needed to make my Birdsong projects for the classes!

Yep, not only did I come up with a plan, I found enough to make 25 kits, plus extras for examples and to practice on.

I hope to get them done soon and get the photos up.

I'm so pleased with the registration for Birdsong Two. Its filling up quickly. I've been away from my computer, so don't have an exact count, but its getting there. (you can still join us the last weekend of April if you'd like!)

Yes, a Great Day was just what I needed, Beth and I went to BU, as well as all the other pop up stores that are only open one weekend a month in the Old West Bottom's region of Kansas City, tucked into warehouses and abandoned buildings. The backgrounds of the stores are always interesting.

Look what we came across at one of the places, I can't remember which. There are LOTS of them now, all within a few blocks. Maybe it was at Bella Patina?

Anyway, its a buffet that I painted years ago and sold at my old antique mall booth.

Its always cheery to see one of my pieces out in the world. And I was feeling so cheery by then, I was almost punch drunk. I think I told Beth that I loved her a few times.

Then, things started to fall apart. I dropped Beth off at her home, just as the phone was ringing to tell me that Sugarwings was in the hospital, not far from Beth's house, luckily I was ten minutes away.

When I got there, I heard the story that she had been at one of those big, indoor play places at a birthday party, and had fallen from the top level, luckily hitting a bouncy slide on her way down before plummeting to the ground.

Her mommy was the hero that day. She couldn't find anyone to help her or to let them out of the play area, through the canvas sides. So, she had to scoop up our little fairy with her broken wing and carry her through the rest of the kid's obstacle course to get her out of the building! Up and down a slide, through the ball pit, etc, she ran while carrying her daughter. No employee came to help her or answered her calls to let them out a short cut.

All of the family gathered as soon as they could at the hospital. Her Daddy's truck wouldn't start, and he took off on his bike to meet my husband to get a ride from Lawrence, leaving his bike in a ditch when he finally met up with his dad and hopping in his truck.

When they arrived, my husband was limping. And wouldn't tell me why, said it could wait till we got our fairy baby transferred to the Children's hospital for surgery.

Apparently, he knew I had needed a fun day out and hadn't called me earlier to tell me that he'd stood on a dead log that broke in half while he was using his chain saw, and that he gashed his leg open with that saw. Well, that is my nightmare come true. I hate those things and have been dreading this for years.

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers while I was staying up at the hospital with our girl, who is much braver than I am. She is feeling better and uses her left hand and her toes to do about anything she wants to.

We are home now, and its hard to keep her quiet. It was a very serious break, and she is not to play outside for a while. Somehow or another, we are supposed to keep that little fireball tranquil a few weeks so she can heal. She has 3 pins in her elbow and some nerve damage in her hand, that the Dr. says should heal within a year. But its important to not bump or move it all around much for right now.

So, we are watching movies, and movies, and more movies. Today we all went to see TinTin in 3D.

I'm doing better now too. That first night, I concentrated on not fainting or letting my thoughts dwell on chainsaws. I was in more than a bit of shock, and didn't cope well with either accident. But both patients are sturdy and doing well. And I think that my Great Day with Beth helped me quite a bit and gave me the boost I needed to cope.

Sadly, while we were staying at hotels near the hospital a couple of days, our little Sparkle's health has deteriorated. Her kidneys have been failing, but now its beyond that. I came home to floors covered in, well, we won't go into that, you've heard enough. I bathed her, sanitized the floors, and called the vet. If you have any well wishes left to spare for my family, I'd appreciate some sent to "Special Sparkle" as Sugarwings calls her. She's frail and not doing well at all.

Thanks again for caring. I was too shaky to read any of my book, and newsprint just blurred in front of my eyes while I was in the waiting rooms. It was nice to have those sweet, caring Facebook and blog comments to read. Some people don't understand and wonder why I care what strangers have to say. But these weren't from "strangers".

Some were from our family, some were close friends, some were blog friends, some Bellas, some art buddies. All were people who cared. And reading those caring words really did help.

Thanks so much.

A closet full of fun

fairies, family

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2011

With a house filled with helpers staying with me for Christmas, I thought it would be the perfect time to do a little end of the year clean up. We emptied all of the dress up clothes from the girl's closet and hung about 30 hooks all around it, right at their height.

We still need a solution for the pile of hats and other things that we didn't have enough hooks for. For now, they are tossed into a too-small tub. I need a couple of baskets to hold them all.

I didn't realize just how many dress up clothes we had, I just knew that they always ended up in one big pile at the bottom of the closet after all the sprites were done playing with them. Now, they have hooks to hang them up on, and so far, its been much tidier. After the holiday bash, clean up went much smoother in the dress up area.

My favorite place to find fairy princess garb is at garage sales. Most of this closet full of fluff is all second hand, the rest is thoughtful gifts from friends who know how much we love to play with wings and fairy dresses.

You are never too big to be a princess.

Or an elfish prince.

Around here, even the dolls get in the act. For Christmas, our Gypsy gave all the little girls a doll from the Goodwill that she made over into a fairy queen.

The nicest thing happened to my son's Gypsy Beloved on Christmas Eve. She went to the Goodwill to buy supplies to make gifts for her 6 little ones and a guy stopped her in the parking lot to give her a $100 bill.

What a thoughtful Santa!

And she made Dewdrop this sock monster doll, with sockies the little baby has out grown, and a onesie that I had painted for her.

I made some creatures myself, these gifts were sent to the Guncles.

I'd seen the cutest little birds with pine cone hats that I knew Guncle Randy would love, and of course, I decided I could make my own instead of buying one. The elf and the birdie are both paper clay.

If you need some vintage goodies to trim out your own creations, don't forget there is a sale in both of my shops right now.

Everything is 30% off in the Boutique if you use THIS LINK.

And the small print says: The only catch is, that I won't be doing any mailing for a few days. You might not recieve your box till after New Years.

And if you click on the website directly, you can't get the sale price, its only available from THIS LINK

When you fill your shopping cart, you need to type in the words- happyholidays – then hit "recalculate" to get the special price. Its simple to do.

For Etsy, use the same code word- happyholidays -to get 30% off there too.

And by the way, a Very Happy Holidays to you all!