family – Page 68 – Karla's Cottage

Not that I have anything against Canadians

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, paintings

By Karla Nathan / August 31, 2009

Button mania!  I've stuffed my overflowing buttons into some old jam jars and decked them out with lots of tiny millinery blooms.
 

Buttons and something to fill up with them has become my latest obsession. Well, that and my DVR.  I got all caught up on the shows I had missed while traveling.  DVRs are magic, what a brilliant invention, for a TV junkie like me. 
Did anyone see all the big, blooming hats on Mad Men last night!!!??? I couldn't even pay attention to the story, I was so overwhelmed with the millinery at the Derby party.  
 

The styles and clothes on that show always grab my attention, I'd watch it even if it didn't feature such good writing.  
(These jewels are available in my Boutique and the jam jars are on Etsy)
  

Twinkle and I have been working in the yard to get ready for the family reunion camp out in my yard coming up this weekend. I decided to mow paths through the grass in the fields for walking trails that connect to the Fairy Berry Trail.

I've been enjoying going out for walks on them myself. But while out there, I noticed the Canadian Thistle had gone a bit crazy. I know that thistle is considered an noxious weed, but I've always loved it. This drawing, is one that I did at age 15 for a biology class. Its the drawing that made me realize that I wanted to be an artist.

To this day, I keep this ink drawing out on display. You don't want to do the math to know how long that has been.

But as much as I enjoy the thistle plant, I know they have to go. So, as I started to chop them down to burn (the only way to dispose of them without spreading the seeds), it dawned on me that I had two adult sons who live here with me and one of them should do it all instead of me! So I went to fetch Ryan and set him on the chore.  
Why don't I think of that more often? I am finally gaining the wisdom that comes with age (or getting lazy).
 

So, while Ryan cleared the field of thistles, I was free to foof the Fairy Berry Trail!
Ace Hardware had some clearance garden decor that was just right for out there. Wind chimes with doe-doe birds, and bright metal flowers on stakes.  Sugarwings will be excited when she comes home on Tuesday (she spends a few days with her Hippy Chick Mommy and other grandma every week)  I love to surprise her with new additions to the trail, she always notices right away when we go for our walks along the path.
 
And how perfect was this? Its a gift from a buddy who knew I'd love it for the trail. And it is very fitting now, my handsome husband has been expanding the trail, so that now it goes up the hill from the valley it was first made in.  He and Sugarwing's Daddy took a chain saw out there and cleared a path through the brush.  (We'd do anything and everything for that fairy baby)
So, I've nailed this plaque to a tree at the top of the hill, at the beginning of the walkway.
Sugarwings can't read, but we will both stop and read it together every time we go into the woods.

Buttons and beakers

antiques/junking, family, redos

By Karla Nathan / August 26, 2009

Man, it felt good to get the glue out today!  I've had a busy summer, but today, I was all on my own, just me, the glue, and the studio.  It seems odd to have Sugarwings gone all day at school, but it does make a difference in my productivity.  After making her some Care Bear toast (sunflower seed, whole grain bread cut with a teddy bear shaped cookie cutter after toasting), I sent her on her way and went to work.
 

So what did I do? Just simple projects, adding wallpaper to a jewelry box, and sorting buttons into interesting vessels and foofing those up to sale at Silver Bella.
 

These vintage test tubes were fun to fill and foof.  I had to run to Hobby Lobby to buy some corks for them, but everything else used is all vintage. Little squares of wallpaper make the label, and it is tied up with old ribbon and topped with a millinery bloom.  Then, the corks each got a pretty button to spruce them up.
I only had 10 of them, I wish I had more. That is the trouble with using vintage things, I can't just order more when I need them. I just kind of use what I find when I go out treasure hunting.  
 

Earlier this summer, I found a boxful of these old jam jars.  These three are pretty as is, so I just filled them with buttons and that's it.  The rest have lost the details on their lids, so I'll get to play with them a bit more.
 

At my last garage sailing trip, a lady gave me this jewelry box. It was marked a dime, but she said she wanted to get rid of stuff, so she gave it to me, along with an armload of beautiful, plum colored velvet bedding! (that I gave to a friend who was redecorating)
 

The box was not that attractive, but I saw some possibilities. First, I primed and glazed it, with the technique in my sidebar.
Then, I glued down three coordinating wallpapers that were a birthday gift from Beth.
  
I'm not sure if I'll do more to it or not… I could put another paper on the top and do something to the front of the door, but I kind of like it as is.

The door of the jewelry box could never be as pretty as Sissy's front door. As the sun flows through the window, it hits all the prisms she has hanging there and creates light birdies that fly all around the room.
   

And onto the dog.
 

Isn't she a cutey? This is Elphie, my little cock-a-poo niece.  She'll be coming to visit next week when I have the Nathan Campgrounds open for business (20 relatives camping in our yard!!)  I just hope that bossy little Twinks plays nice with her.  They are just about the same size, but Twinkle thinks she's bigger than she really is.
 

Its almost time for Sugarwings to get home from school, so productive time is about over.  I'll leave you with a few photos of my Sissy's sparkles, then I need to squeeze out a bit more work from this last half hour of time that I have.
 

Isn't everything colorful and pretty at Sissy's house?
 
Don't forget you have a few more days to enter the August Giveaway by leaving a comment.

Sisterhood Magic

celebrations, family, Food and Drink, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / August 25, 2009

My sister's birthday party and sleepover was even more fun than I had hoped.  The invitation said to come as a fairy, or dress witchy and magical, or be comfy cozy.  I made myself a witch hat, but couldn't resist being a fairy.  Sissy, who is about as wide as a stick of gum, had this skirt for me to borrow (she wears it with LOTS of safety pins).  

Cousin Paula fair-ied it up too. She found the hair extensions at her local dollar store on clearance for 11 cents!!!  We added some wings to her from Sissy's collection. I thought Sugarwings had a lot of sparkly wings and dress up clothes, but my sister has her beat.
 

Everything is magical at Sissy's house.  Everywhere you look, there is something that sparkles.  
 

Her home was the perfect location for  a magical birthday party. We only had to gather up pretties that were already in the house to decorate with. 
 

There were enough crystal balls to start her own magic shop…
  

Of course, we had to add some edible glitter to the pink cupcakes!
 

Plus confetti on the counter tops. And on the table tops. And on the floor. And on each other….  Sissy will be vacuuming those up for weeks.
 

We each lit a candle and made a wish for Bobbie for the upcoming year.
  

The weekend didn't last nearly long enough, but was one big slumber party the whole time. We stayed at Sissy's, had the big event for Bobbie on Friday, then on Saturday, we honored our Mother on the anniversary of her death.  
We decided to do things she loved to do with us. We went to Goodwill to shop, saw a scary movie and at popcorn at the theater, then went out to a restaurant she enjoyed (and one that we had a coupon for, to save money!)
Mom would have loved it.  And the fairy party too, you are never too old to enjoy laughing and being silly with people you love.

Fairies for all ages

celebrations, fairies, family, Food and Drink, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / August 23, 2009

Fairy parties aren't just for kids!  When my Sissy turned 60, she threw herself a fairy themed slumber party.  Now, my sister, Bobbie Sue is turning 60 this week and Sissy is having us all to her home for another sleepover, BYOFW (bring your own fairy wings)
While I am in Indiana for Bobbie's celebration, I thought I'd leave you with some pictures from the earlier event.

Sissy's home is a perfect location for a fairy gathering, she collects sparkling objects, glittery trinkets, and crystal balls. Things like that are everywhere, like the ones hanging in the window behind this year's birthday girl, Bobbie Sue.
(yes, I am wearing Tinker Bell jammies, with a sparkly tuxedo jacket)
 
I had some stick on crystals on my nose, but after seeing this, that might have been a mistake, they look more like growths…
My husband's brother came to the sleep over, he's pretty close to Sissy.  Having a gay brother is almost like having a 3rd sister. Plus, he lets me draw on his face.
 
And he knows how to dress up for the occasion, too!
 

Connie is a life long friend of Sissy's and is also practically one of the sisters. She conducted a ceremony in honor of the birthday.
 

Candles and fresh flowers were just as important in the decor as all the glitter and crystal balls.

Each of us had something to say about the honoree, then about a woman in our lives who had been meaningful to us.

I convinced Bobbie Sue to let me teach her how to belly dance. Of course, I had no idea how to myself, and I dance about as graceful as a hippo. But there is something to be said for not caring how the dance looks and just going for it anyway!
 
Did I ever mention that I used to raise peafowl?  I have a lot of peacock feathers from Percy (our papa bird) and have been making fans from them with vintage millinery and ribbon added.  I thought one of the feathers would be just right to make a magic wand for Bobbie's Birthday.  
It has hot pink, curly feathers from an old hat, some silk ribbon, and a millinery bloom topped off with a jewel pried from a broken vintage brooch.
Now, for a dash of fairy dust to get the magic kicked in gear, and its ready to wrap up and give to her at the party. I can't wait!! (maybe there will be more dancing..)

A flock of Fairies

celebrations, fairies, family, Food and Drink, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / August 20, 2009

 
We flew my husband's mother from Wyoming to North Carolina for the wedding last week, and then brought her home with us for a few days after.  So, in honor of Grandma Joan's visit to Kansas, I threw her a fairy tea party with her great grand daughters.
 
Sugarwings was still in the party mood, after all the birthday celebrations this week.  She and little Pixie Pie have had a wonderful time together with so many family gatherings going on all week while Grandma Joan was here.
 
Even the big girls got into dressing up as fairies, although we couldn't convince their boyfriends to wear wings….
 
Our little ones were patient while we took some pictures before the party started. But not for too long.  At 2 and 3, waiting times are limited when there is something exciting scheduled to happen.
 
We served blueberry and cranberry herb teas, but the tiniest fairies were more interested in the spoonfuls of sugar they could add to their cups.
 Sugarwings drank cup after cup, just so she could pour more. 
 
For Sugarwing's birthday, I let her help me decorate the dining room with Dollar Store garlands.  Yes, gaudy and over the top, but she is in love with them, so we left them up for this party too.
 
We just added some fairies here and there. I happened to have a few around to use….
 
We served:
 cherry tomatoes from the garden on toothpicks with grilled chicken breast
 cherries and grapes with mandarin oranges
 crust-less cucumber sandwiches
 red cabbage with cream cheese rolled up in green tortilla shells
  peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the littlest ones.  
 
These are my fairy shoes, saved for special occasions like this.  
 
Luckily you can't really tell here, but my makeup job was a bit like Baby Jane.  Remember that scary Betty Davis movie?  I got carried away with the eyeshadow, not a pretty sight after 50… 
I'm on my way now to Indiana for my sister's 60th birthday party.  I'd better pack my fairy wings and hit the road.  The parties never end around here, huh?

24

antiques/junking, family, flowers, Travel

By Karla Nathan / August 19, 2009

We took the trip to the East for a combination of reasons.  My husband's nephew was getting married, it was our 24th wedding anniversary, and my husband had some work to do.  A lot to squeeze into less than a week, and a lot of traveling from one place to another.
  
 But it was wonderful to spend time with family and see this little guy all grown up and happily married, so we were glad we went.  
 This antique mall was in Nag's Head, or Kitty Hawk, or one of those pretty little towns that run into each other.  We stayed at a hotel on the beach in Nag's Head for 2 nights, but got in late the first night and left early, so really had only one whole day there.   
On the trip in, I kept seeing one antique shop after another and of course, we were on a mission to get to the hotel and go out for dinner, so didn't have time to stop.  Well, that is what one person in the car thought, anyway. 
   But that worked out fine, the non-antiquer in the family had to work the next day so, I spent the morning exploring and was able to trace my way back to most of the shops I had seen on the drive in.
Those shops were as cute as I had expected them to be, and I was able to find some millinery, but not a lot.  Some hats were over 40 bucks.  ??!!??  But I turned on my hat whisperer skills and searched out the under $10 variety and did okay.   I especially like the velvet petals on the sagey green flowers, they are such a perfect color to use.  That color is nicely faded and just plain old looking!  Like the pink on the skirt of the dolly, I'm sure it was a pretty shade to start with, but the years have made it even better.

Some flowers have been added to the Boutique but I am once again- on my way out of town, so if you want to purchase some, I can't mail them until I return, thanks for your patience. 
Our balcony was on the side of the hotel, but we still had an ocean view, and I sat out there for my morning coffee and a glass of wine in the evening. I was able to twist around with the camera and get a semi-ocean background for the picture of my flowers.
 
My husband took me to see one of the golf courses his company runs, on Nag's Head.  I have never played a round of golf in my life, and know for a fact that I never will, but I can still appreciate the beauty of the places and am always happy to go and see some of them with him.  
As long as he doesn't expect me to learn to play!  Just like I don't expect him to take up the never ending millinery hunt with me.
 
  We've got it all worked out pretty well, after all of these years together.  If I am lucky enough to have the longevity of my Great Aunt Caroline and live to be over 100, I plan on keeping him around for it.

My sweet boy

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, Food and Drink, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / August 9, 2009

Look what was waiting for me when I came in the house, after working for about 10 hours straight on the editing of my little story book ! Sugarwing's Daddy is a sweet heart of a son. He picked tomatoes and peppers and fresh herbs from the garden to make the sauce for the egg plant (from the garden too!)

Not only that, he was invaluable in helping me edit the book. My son has a sharp and critical eye for detail and isn't afraid to let me know if something needs changed in my artwork. It could be irritating, but it isn't because he is usually right.

Plus, did I mention he is a massage therapist??? There was also a FOOT MASSAGE for me after sitting at the computer all day. Yep, he is just about a perfect son.

Its been a good day. Garage sales in the morning, the farmer's market with Sugarwings and her Daddy, then I finished and ordered prints of the book!

Here is the cover.

And this is the title page.

Beth and I had a craft day at her house yesterday, and I painted this page while we talked. I decided that it is much easier to pack for craft day if I'm just painting a little something. If I am packing for a whole hog craft day project, I have to haul boxes and bags of supplies with me!

Beth has a great studio, there is so much to see there. And it is FULL of vintage treasures. You could say overflowing… We joked about starting a new diet fad, the Craft Room Diet. You fill your studio with so much stuff that you have to lose weight to fit in the room with all of it.

Poor Beth, I might have over stayed my welcome. I tend to lose track of time and keep working away. It was after 6 when I realized that maybe I should take off for home.

But she was gracious, even though I am one of those guests that you can't get rid of. She even gave me a stack of these pretty bowls.

And she sent home presents for Twinkle. Now the Dorkies have a whole new wardrobe of neck scarves to show off in.

Yesterday was a slow day for estate sales, my pickins were slim.

But even though I didn't find much, what I found was really nice! Quality beats quantity any day. Seems like I've been on a book streak lately, here is another of those slim, Victorian gift books.

All the items in this collage are in the Boutique now.

Here is the back cover of the book.

I've ordered just a couple copies to see how they look in person before I offer them to anyone. I sincerely appreciate your support and kind words (and inquiries to buy!!).

A Fairy Berry and some other goodness

Books, fairies, family, Food and Drink, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / August 6, 2009

My Blue Mood is behind me now, thanks for all your thoughtful and caring comments about it. Really, it was not a big deal at all. I think everyone has those days, they are just part of life and aren't anything to worry about. Not everyday can be over the rainbow. And you know what, sometimes, even when things are perfect, a mood can be wonky and out of it. It just happens.

I used to be much worse about moodiness, but had a hysterectomy back when I was 40 (the day before my 40th birthday actually!!) Now that I am hollow like a chocolate Easter Bunny, most of my moods are on a pretty even keel. But those cranky days do come around, and when they are passed, the next day seems even better than it really is.

Of course, my day really was pretty special….. We started out with a tea party breakfast.

And yes, I hate to admit it, but I have succumbed to Disney Princess mania around here. We are serving our tea party breakfast from Cinderella's breasts.

This table and chairs was 4 bucks at a garage sale this weekend and I wanted something to replace the highchair in the kitchen, so that Sugarwings had her own space in there. I was hoping to find a cute, vintagey table, but no luck yet. Hopefully, something elegant and beautiful and equally cheap will turn up and I can replace this media frenzy monster that is smack dab in the middle of my kitchen.

But I am kind of afraid that Sugarwings won't let me… She loves this one. Ooops!

Her favorite part of the meal, (well besides the garish table and chairs) was this mini grape that she called a "fairy berry" because it was so tiny.

The last illustration for my Grumpy Fairy bedtime story is done!! Now, I just need to do a cover, and a title page.

Doing this book has taught me a lot about editing software!! I scanned vintage wallpaper, then aged and tinted it as a different color for each page's background. Then, I scanned the painting, edited and sized it on Picassa, but couldn't do a frame there. So, I went to Picnik and made frames, and did a digital collage with the image onto the background in Piccassa, then added text in colors to coordinate with the painting.

It was complicated, but worth it! When I first started, I was just using the paintings as is, but now, I really like the results of all the extra effort to pretty it up.

I'd like to get the books ordered and delivered by her birthday on August 16th. If I rush, I can do it, but I think I'm going to take my time and make sure it is right. I might order one book to start with to see how it looks. I'd like to order more to sell in the Boutique.

What do you think? Any interest?

In looking around the studio for something to give as the August Giveaway, I realized I still had some of these hand painted charms, and since I was in a painting mood, I figured they would be appropriate.

All comments, all month count. Especially, all those sweet and thoughtful ones that you sent when I was needing a lift! Thanks again!

Feeling down, but not very far down

fairies, family, flowers

By Karla Nathan / August 4, 2009

This is the aftermath when Sugarwings leaves to go to her Hippy Chick Mommy's house. I should pick up the fairy dress and sweep away the bits of play doh off the studio floor, but I kind of like seeing it all there, it makes me feel like she is still close by.

Today is a down in the dumps day. No real reason why, just a few little things that have got me down. It always seems quiet around here after I've had the whole family here and a lot going on, then they go off to their own ways and I'm on my own. I usually take advantage of those days and zip through a lot of studio hours, but for some reason, today, I am having problems adjusting.

So, I took myself out of the house and into the garden so soak up some sunshine and have a little bit of flower therapy.

Being greeted by a sea of pink Surprise Lilies every where I turned was just what I needed. (And I did a good job of looking at the overgrown masses of perennials that needed divided and weeded as "lush" not "messy".)

The purple cone flowers were still in full force too. This mild summer has kept everything beautiful. A typical August usually means a dry and cracked ground with brown grass. Not this year!

And the cleomes have taken off too! They are still short, and will grow another foot or so, but the blooms are thick and filled with little white butterflies.

I'm just sure that there has to be a few fairies flitting about in that jungle of blooms.

I'm feeling a little better after my walk around outside. But I might just take off and see a movie this afternoon too. There is magic in a dark movie theater, I love to go to afternoon movies all by myself. Especially if there is a zombie movie to go see, but looks like I'll have to settle for a sappy romantic comedy. I've heard great reviews of 500 Days of Summer. Sounds like a good cheer up one to see.

Feeling a bit down isn't exactly a bad thing. I guess you need some blah days to really appreciate the best ones when they come around. A bit of bleckiness won't hurt me now and then. On the other hand, I'm not a believer of wallowing in self pity or letting the sad days take over. So, I'll take a bit of today to let myself be sad about some things that are not going well, miss my family, and feel a tad bit lonely. Then, I'll get over it and move on.

Enjoying the flowers in the garden, and playing with my garden of vintage hats, seeing a movie, then maybe treating myself to ice cream for dinner and taking joy in the fact that I don't have to cook for anyone should be just the ticket for cheering up my day.

(I spent some time taking pictures of millinery for the Boutique today, including some fall and Halloween colors)

And how can I stay down for long, after getting this beautiful party invitation from the mailbox!? My sister, Bobbie Sue is turning SIXTY, and Sissy is throwing her a slumber party where we all get to dress up in our fairy wings.

Thanks to all of you who helped me get a hold of my Typepad dilema. I'm trying out Mozilla Firefox as a browser, so far, so good!!!!!!!

Fluttery friends

fairies, family, flowers, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 31, 2009

The Omaha Zoo is fantastic! Our little Topeka zoo is cute and easy to take little ones to for a couple of hours, but the one in Omaha is in a whole other category. Its not just a simple walk around a park with animals to look at, here, each building is an adventure. We especially liked the aquarium where you could walk under the glass tunnel of sharks.

My husband and I had just taken Sugarwings there a few weeks ago, but saw less than half the zoo, because we let her go at her own pace, and if she wanted to sit and play with dirt and rocks instead of squeezing in another sight, we let her. This time, we took her Daddy along with us and his attitude was, that she can amble along and be entertained by dirt anytime. Today was the day to see what the park had to offer.

And still we didn't see all of it!

It might have been a bit much, this is what we ended up with. Our fairy baby wore herself out. We rented a wagon to pull her in and it was worth every penny of the $12.95 it cost. She was able to rest up and get her happy face back on so she could enjoy the butterfly house and the jungle experience.

She started out a little sleepy and cranky in the butterfly house, but once she got to put on her own butterfly wings, she felt better.

And when she got to make friends with some of the other winged creatures, then the fun started.

Her Daddy took this picture. He seemed to know more about my camera than I did

and taught me some tricks with it.

The butterflies were our favorite part of the day!

But this dainty little "Fairy Bluebird" had to be my favorite zoo inhabitant. Isn't she pretty?

Its been hard to get back to work today after such a fast, but fun filled trip. I wasn't feeling like sitting right down and painting more illustrations for the Grumpy Fairy book, so I spent a while sorting some old millinery flowers. These sets are listed in the Boutique. I also "cleaned house" there and deleted some sold goods and added some more easy to follow categories.

But now, I need to get cracking on the fairy paintings. I was so caught up in the painting process, I hated to stop and leave for the trip on Wednesday, and now that I am back, I have to restart the creative flow and get into that groove all over again. I don't transition well….

All items
Sale priced goods
Flea Market Finds
Hand made by Karla
Vintage Craft Supplies or Kits
Aprons
Vintage jewelry
Millinery blossoms
Vintage wallpaper

Here are the new categories, what do you think?