flowers – Page 16 – Karla's Cottage

Happy and sparkling

Books, collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, magazine pictures or articles, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / July 9, 2010

My gazebo planter boxes rarely do well. I don't know why. This year, I planted colorful foliage instead of flowers and that seems to be a good fix for the problem.

The violets are wild, and I like the look of them. Its always nice when nature adds her own touch to my gardening!

Of course, adding Agnes Rosebud is always a nice bonus. She's a sweet little posy!

After visiting Carol and Fifi (by the way, she really is FABULOUS!) I stopped at the mall while I was in Kansas City to find some new sandals for my trip to California. The mall is a rare trip for me, I'm a Goodwill, garage sale, and TJMax shopper.

The parking lot I like is covered and out of the heat, but the doors open into Neiman Marcus- or Needless Markup, as I call it. I don't shop there much because I'm cheap. But as I stepped into the door, these jewel encrusted sandals were the first thing I saw and, I had to pick them up and drool over admire the sparkly rhinestones!

Since I was already in love, I was afraid to flip them over and see how much they were, but I sucked up the courage, braced myself and took a peek.At first I thought the tag read $158. And I was not surprised. That's pretty typical there.

But they were only $58! And now they are mine. And for that price, I can still afford a pedicure to go along with them!

Little Aggie Rose takes after her mom, Twinkle and thinks every photo is of her. By the way, Twinkle is posing too, but got cropped out. They both see a camera and start to ham it up.

Yesterday, I took everyone's advice and returned to the salon for a do over. It was a good idea, I much prefer a brighter look, and the hair dresser was sweet as can be about it. No charge, so I gave her a $20 tip.

I was feeling very happy and sparkly inside after the good news about the new baby, so wanted to look sparkly outside too.

My earrings are from Curious Sofa. Hand made
from Victorian buttons, and I just love them. Normally, I make my own
jewelry or wear vintage, but I'm a sucker for anything Debbie has to
sell… I love that store. She's sold my jewelry there before too. Its
an honor to sell there, she has such great taste.(here is some of my hand made earrings, on this page)

So, since I've been splurging, with new shoes, new hair color, and earrings I'd better get some things listed in my own shop and recoup some of the cash I blew.

When I cleaned up the studio last week, I filled a 33 gallon container with stuff I need to photograph and sell.
One tub doesn't sound like a lot, but when a bunch of it is jewelry pieces, it feels like a LOT. The tub is brimming with little things.

So far, there isn't much of a dent in the box.

But I'm working on it. Here is some of what I snapped pix of today. Which doesn't exactly mean that I've got it in the Boutique yet…. but its coming!

The June Giveaway Winner and some pictures that aren’t what I’m talking about

antiques/junking, flowers, give away, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / July 2, 2010

Does everyone have some fun plans for the 4th? We hope to do a bit of boating this weekend. But for me, today is the fun day, I'm going to Bottoms Up with Carol Spinski.

This show is a new gem for Kansas City. Its organized in part by my pal, Gwen. She is an expert in French antiques and lived in France for years while serving our country as a big shot FBI agent. Gwen is fascinating, and not at all what I expected from someone who is a lawyer working for the FBI. (of course, she is the only one I've ever met, in my circle there are mostly artists and junkers). She is also an artist and has one of the best trained eyes around for antiques. (her bottles were featured on the last cover of Somerset Life)

If you are in the area, or can get here this weekend- here are directions:

Not only will Gwen have her French goodies there, but my pal Beth will be there with her beautiful bargains (she is known for some of the BEST prices in KC, but hurry, the dealers clean her booth out right away!!).

Not only that, but Willow's Nest will be setting up too. Oh my, their booth is beyond dreamy. I'll have some photos for you tomorrow for sure!!

The pictures I have today have nothing to do with Bottoms Up. They are of new items that I listed in my shop this morning before I go shopping with Carol. I figure that while I'm giving my pal's show a plug, I could throw in one for my own stuff.

Beth has some photos from Willow's Nest on her blog. They are just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I'm always so impressed with Linda and Ludmil's displays.

On Saturday, my husband will be playing golf, so I hope to have time to list more in the Boutique.

Also, there are LOTS of new markdowns in my shop. You can find them here.

And this is the beginning of July, so I'd better announce my June Giveaway.

It goes to Lori

If you didn't win this month, remember, every month starts a new giveaway. I'll see what I can scrounge up for July.

And if you are a follower, I have a separate giveaway for Google Friends. But, please remember, you HAVE to be on my Google Friends list to enter that. Following on Google Reader doesn't add your name to a list that I can see to draw from.

Simple Summer Centerpiece

family, flowers

By Karla Nathan / June 26, 2010

Today, Sugarwings and I picked some parsley and dill that had started to flower. I try to keep my herbs pinched back so they grow lush and full, but sometimes it just gets away from me.

And I'm kind of glad that I let it go this time, they had some pretty blooms. A bit like Queen Anne's Lace, one of my favorites.

So, instead of just pinching it back, we cut long stems of the fragrant blooms and brought them into the dining room.

I tend to have a lot going on in my house, decoratively (and emotionally!) so I really enjoy the simple look of a white pot full of blooming parsley on the table.

Thank you to everyone who offered prayers and encouragement about the expected baby and her possible difficulties. We are trying to not worry too much until more tests tell us that we need to. For now, we are thinking happy thoughts her way.

Lucky charms

antiques/junking, collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, flowers, Sugarwings, Travel, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / June 14, 2010

We had a great trip to Indiana! Traveling with 3 puppies and one 3 year old made the drive challenging, but unique. Instead of stopping for typical roadside breaks, we needed to find spots for all the little ones to stretch and play. Lunch was a quick trip to Trader Joe's in St Louis to pick up a picnic, then take it to a city park to eat it and play for an hour or so.

And for one break, we found a giant field of clovers to run in.

Adam's loved one has magical four leaf clover hunting skills. I've spent a life time trying to find just ONE. She says its all in the way you look at them. I consider myself a lucky person, and I have sharp eyes, but I can't find a lucky clover for anything. And I search!!

Its been a quest of mine since I was a little girl. Other goals, I've had to leave behind. Like trying to go one full mile on a pogo stick. I spent an entire summer when I was about 8 years old on that one, and had to give it up. Or the summer I tried to learn how to do a back flip into the pool. My body just doesn't do those and I gave up that dream too.

I'm not giving up on the clover search, and now I have a Clover Master to teach me her skills.

My poor little car was filled to the brim on the way there, and we had to half unload it every time we got the pups out.

But it was not too full to add some purchases along the way! My hat whispering skills were in fine form and I found so many (cheap!) along I70, that I am almost embarrassed to tell you about it.

These are just a few that I have unpacked so far. The rest are in my suitcase with all the dirty laundry and I am avoiding that. Its hard enough to admit a vacation is over, doing up the laundry and unpacking is just too much to face.

(The wallpaper covered box is full of old corsages. I got a bag filled with them for $11.)

So, I maybe my lucky charm isn't a four leaf clover its a millinery flower?

All the puppies are settled into their new homes now. We are down to Agnes Rose, who I am calling Rosebud instead of Rose now. She is just too little to be a big flower, she's just a bud.

I'm adjusting to the fact that we actually KEPT one. A couple days ago, she was one of the pups, now she is MY dog.

Well, that point is debatable. Someone else claims Agnes Rosebud.

They kept each other company for most of the drive home.

My fairy grand baby’s room

fairies, family, flowers, Hand Painted Furniture, paintings, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / June 13, 2010

While I am away from my computer for a few days I thought I'd leave you with some photos of the cottage. I'll be back on Sunday, and will have trip photos as well as some new listings to add to the shop (well, hopefully, I'll have some successful shopping while away!!) Any orders while I am gone will be sent out on Monday the 14th.

This is Sugarwing's room. She's pretty proud of the fact that she is big enough for her own night light (shaped like a tea pot) next to her bed. Her closet doors are painted with a mural of fairies in the flowers, and our dog, Sparkle.

Since she only comes to stay, and doesn't live her full time, the closet didn't need to be filled with her regular clothes, so it holds all of her dress up and play clothes. I'm always on the hunt at garage sales and thrift stores for fairy wings and princess dresses that are cute and cheap.

The ceiling and the area above the shelf are both painted like the sky. The shelves hold a collection of fairies and pixies, and little bird houses covered in vintage wallpaper for them to live in.

Her princess bed is vintage, I found it at an auction, and painted it white with pink glaze (instructions on my short cut paint technique are on my side bar under "tutorials")

Since the room is upstairs in an old house, it tends to get stuffy, so we had to add a window air conditioner. It doesn't exactly look great there, but it keeps her comfy.

There are white sheers on the windows, then above them, I screwed painted and glittered branches to the wall and tied trailing ribbons to them. We've clipped little butterflies and dragonflies to the ribbons and dangled fairies from the branches.

When Sugarwings was tiny, these pastel pails hung over her changing table and held her lotions. Now they hold fairy dolls that readers have sent to her.

I painted the fairy to look down at her on the changing table and she used to love to coo and talk to her while getting diapers changed.

I've painted LOTS of murals in nurseries over my lifetime and one thing I always make sure of, is that the pictures are interactive for the kids. In places where the baby spends time, like the changing area or crib, I was careful to add something of special interest for them to see. And in the rest of the room, all the creatures had friends. No matter what the theme was, fish, dogs, teddys- they all were in conversational groups.

One night when my fairy grand baby was just learning to string sentences together, we were laying on the floor of her room playing and she said "Grammy has pretty stuff". I told her, no baby, this is all YOUR stuff, this is YOUR room. She was speechless for a moment, probably for the only time in her chatterboxing life.

I think she likes her space.

A cottage tour

flowers, housework

By Karla Nathan / June 11, 2010

I will be away from my computer for a few days, but have some
fresh posts scheduled for while I am away. I won't be able to answer
comments, and all packages will be mailed on Monday the 14th.

But please
do leave a comment if you'd like to be entered in the JUNE GIVEAWAY.

Before I had everyone come to visit for my Creative Cottage Girls Weekend, I actually cleaned my whole house. All of it! at once!

While it was spiffed up, I took advantage of the tidiness and snapped some photos. I thought that I'd post them while I was out of town. This is the back door of my studio. I found this table (at a garage sale) made from an old grate that matches the round grate that I use as a welcome mat.

The shutter is an old one that I painted for a design show house that I was part of a few years back. Its been out in the shed, because I don't have a lot of red and black around here. But I kind of like it in this outdoor spot.

A month or so ago, I did a major over haul on the bathroom and posted about it then. But it got a few more switcheroos recently. Some of the mirrors that were in the dining room got moved into the bathroom. Not a big change, just some bigger mirrors.

Its a small room with no windows, so an assortment of mirrors is good for making it feel bigger and lighter.

On the side of the built in cabinet, I hung 2 old bird pictures from a flea market, that were under $1 each and a $2 framed picture that I got at Bottoms Up market.

The redecorating that I started after Christmas was mostly a lot of editing and lightening up. I've removed most of the colorful things from the downstairs of the main part of the cottage and gone all neutral.

I'm finding it very calming. And with a houseful of puppies, a couple of elderly dogs, and a 3 year old, calming is not bad.

When I repainted my dining room furniture and redid a buffet that had been in my son's room as a dresser, I showed you some photos of what I'd done. But here is a final look, with it all pulled together and cleaned up. You won't see that often around here.

Well, mostly cleaned up, kind of looks like I was in the process of cleaning, see the mop? Which reminds me, have you tried the Mr Clean Magic Eraser mop?????? It is beyond wonderful. I have light floors that are always all dog tracked and dirty. This mop cleans the tile with one light sweep across the floor better than all the scrubbing and scouring with my old mop ever did.

This is the last of our peonies for the year, I already miss them!

Most of the peony bushes that I have are white with a blush of pink. They were planted years ago by the farm wife who lived in this home way before we did. I owe her a thank you!

Finally, I have found the right chairs for Sugarwings' table!! These are pastel, old, and just the right amount of chippy. I sanded them up so more paint wouldn't chip off, then sprayed them heavily with poly to baby proof them, and painted her table white to coordinate. (lots of poly on it too) I'm thrilled to have her plastic and vinyl Disney Princess table and chairs gone now. There was always something disturbing about dining off of Cinderella's breasts.

Notice the rug? Its bamboo and can be mopped. Which is good because I have a dog about to turn 17, is senile, and he can't be trusted to know where he is peeing. No other rugs are allowed in the house because of him. Probably more than you wanted to know about my house… But I am diligent about keeping the dog pee cleaned up and gone. I clean the floor with vinegar and orange peel, so unless I am just fooling myself, the house doesn't stink.

I'm pretty paranoid about that, but besides keeping that old guy corralled most of the time, there isn't much I can do about it.

Next post while I am with my sisses and away from the computer will be Sugarwing's room.

my Rose Room

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, Hand Painted Furniture, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / June 5, 2010

I'll be away for a couple of days to celebrate my husband's birthday. Ryan will be here with the big dogs and the pups will stay with their dad's family, where they can visit their spotted brother who has gone to live there with them.

So, I won't be able to answer comments, but I will enjoy reading them when I get back. And each is entered into the June Giveaway.

When I was getting ready for friends to come for the Creative Cottage Girls Weekend, I decided that my guest room needed a redo. It was inspired by this 1940s bedspread that I picked up at a local flea mkt. I already had the floral curtains, they came from a dumpster a few years back. The shutter that I hung over the bed was out in my shed, and all of the tins and rose pieces were scattered around the house.

The shutters on each side of the window were some that I painted for a client who never came to get them. So, I guess they are mine after a couple of years, huh?

This isn't exactly zero dollar decorating, since I bought the bedspread. But everything else that I used was pulled from another room, or out of my storage shed.

I've been collecting porcelain roses for years, but have been trying to use more neutral colors downstairs, so it was a perfect fit to bring all of the roses upstairs to my new guest room, and call it the Rose Room.

This chest of drawers is another item never claimed by a client. She had it in lay-a-way for years, and never showed for it. Should that make me feel like a loser, with both of these unwanted, hand painted pieces left behind?

Actually, I'm kind of glad that this was never claimed. I just don't paint furniture any more like I used to, and now am glad to have a piece to keep for myself. It was always one of my favorites, even while it was taking up space in the garage for 3 years waiting for the person to come and get it!!!

The De Longpre roses are from a garage sale for 50 cents. I've had all these things in my studio for a few years, and as much as I liked them, they just never matched all the other things out there. So, I was glad to move them into the Rose Room.

This is a room we added in the attic when we bought the 800 square foot farmhouse 19 years ago. Its been through many transformations, both boys used it as their bedroom at one time or another, for a while it was my studio, before we built the addition. A brother moved in for a few months, and later on a niece. Then, Sugarwing's Daddy has used it off and on in the last few years. Each time, it got a make over.

But of all of the redos, I like this one best. To me, it says Cottage B&B. I hope my guests feel that when they come to stay.

Upstairs in the old part of the house, I have Sugarwing's room, the Rose Room, and the Library. My fairy grand baby and I love to curl up in that big, soft chair with a good book to share. This room is a bit of a hodge podge. Doesn't every house have a catch all room with all the left over pieces in it?

While my house was actually cleaned up (that happens so rarely) I got photos of all of it. I'll show a few more next week.

For now, I'll leave you with another puppy video. You didn't think I'd do a puppy-less post did you???

Peonies and puppies

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, flowers, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / May 27, 2010

Here are a couple of little videos of the pups on You Tube. Each is a minute or so, really short.

Springtime is my favorite time of year. I love seeing the ground wake up and turn green, and plants take off blooming. While I don't have the greenest thumb around (sometimes, I think I should just plant dollar bills, I wouldn't be any worse off) I have learned about gardening by experience.

And after 19 years at this old farmstead, my yard has come to be a place that I look forward to spending time in every Spring. After all these years, most of the big, hard labor jobs are done. I've moved tons of rock with wheelbarrows, I've planted dozens of trees, hundreds of flowers, built sidewalks with stones I've dug up from the side of the road.

This is the year to really enjoy all the previous years of hard work. There is still a lot of maintenance to do, and weeds to pull, but the major projects are finished and now I can take time to sit in the garden swing with my little buddies and soak up Spring.

Nothing around here is very polished or perfect. Its homey. Its home.

When something really insists on growing somewhere, like the violets in this planter, I just let them go. Instead of weeding them out, I just added a couple of coleus for color.

I've learned that this big old yard will never be well manicured, that some plants live and some plants don't. That a favorite area one year might not do well ever again, and to enjoy that area while it is thriving.

And that any garden looks better with puppies playing in it!

The little guys have taken over our world here, they are underfoot every step I take. We've been spending a lot of time outdoors lately. But tiny pups need naps, so while they sleep, I've gotten a little work done. I've added wings to the Charlotte on my bird house.

And now have got all these Charlotte fairy projects done and ready to mail to Somerset Life.

This is the bottom of the pocket watch with the fairy in it. Its one of the images from Mary's class. She has tons of images that she has included for the glue books, and I just had to use this one somewhere.

During the dorkies' nap time yesterday, I made up a couple of these little books (less than 4" square). They are filled with watercolor paper and the inside of the covers are lined with rose wallpaper.

I've added one of the books, and some of these fun vintage doggies to my Boutique.

Sounds like nap time is over and there is a basket full of furry babies calling out to me. I'd better get them outside to potty!

Creative Cottage Getaway

celebrations, flowers, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / May 22, 2010

Our Creative Cottage Girls Weekend is so much fun! Thankfully, Twinkle's vet appointment this morning gave her the all clear and she is doing well. The pups are handling being taken away from her much better than I expected. But they were getting plenty of attention from all the guests!

We made bird cottages. I had piles of supplies and a big basket of bird houses to work with. Beth brought goodies to add too.

I'll have some more photos later, right now its time to go play, we are on our way to Carol's renovated 1800s farmhouse for lunch.

Visits

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, We're having a party, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / May 19, 2010

Thanks for all the puppy names! There are some good ones coming in… its going to be fun to make choices. I'll really need good prizes for the winners! I love the names coming in. If you haven't entered yet, you can leave some suggested names on this previous post.

I'll announce the winners on Monday.

This year, I laid out bales of hay around the garden veggies to help keep weeds out. Since the garden is fenced to keep out deer and bunnies, I thought it was the perfect place to turn puppies loose for a while to get some fresh air and sunshine. It kept them contained so they could play and run without getting lost.

The little guys had a blast wrestling and hiding in the hay. Here is a photo of the front of the garden, with the wisteria in bloom. The fence was just right for keeping pups in while we worked in the yard for the afternoon. Sugarwings, her daddy and his beloved came by to help get the yard spiffed up for my Creative Cottage Girls Weekend. The wisteria, iris, and peonies are in full bloom and looking pretty, but all of my annuals are still skimpy and not flowering much. The clematis is on its way out, I think the last petals might be on the ground by Friday when my guests arrive.

And it has rained too much to get any mowing done yet. I've warned my friends not to expect perfection, this will be relaxed and comfortable and very homey, not an over the top weekend. My plan is to enjoy it as much as they do, and not exhaust myself and my budget by thinking it all has to be perfect.

In my mind, the secret to entertaining is to enjoy your guests. I keep it comfy and welcoming but if there are a few toys left out, or some weeds in the flower bed, I don't think that will ruin anyone's visit. Now, I do love things pretty of course, but I try to keep that in mind for every day living, not just special occasions. I think that if a home looks loved and is filled with love, you are always ready for guests.

But I will clean up the studio mess before I invite anyone out there to have a craft day! That is my plan for the next couple of hours.

It looks a lot worse than it really is. I'll zip through and stash things away and the room will be ready to go in no time.

I had kind of thought that I'd get the studio cleaned up yesterday, but I was too busy having fun in the afternoon working in the yard and even more fun in the morning with some pals. A Silver Bella buddy, Cheryl was driving from California to New York and stopped for a visit.

Before visiting Curious Sofa and Mission Road Antique Mall, for shopping and lunch with Carol, Deb, and Beth, Carol invited us to her glorious farmhouse- its so beautiful, I think I might still be glowing green with envy today.

She is hosting a lunch for everyone coming to the girl's weekend too. Ooooh, that will be so pretty, I'll really have to watch my manners. Not act too jealous, and not stare too much and forget to talk to everyone at the table because I am mesmerized by the house.

I took Carol a little planter made from ceiling tins and filled with purple flowers as a house warming gift.

Cheryl had the prettiest hand made bags with fabric flowers for Carol and I.

Inside the bag was a fluffy, gray scarf. Instead of wearing it, I am using it as a table runner, the colors and textures were just too right for this room I just redid.

See what I mean? What a lovely gift. But Cheryl is a lovely lady and we had such a nice visit. Her family was kind enough to take a break in their cross country drive to hang out in KC for a bit.

Thanks, Cheryl!