friends – Page 7 – Karla's Cottage

A Galantine Gathering

By Karla Nathan / February 11, 2020

My pal, Tami, invited a group of us over for a Valentine Craft Day.

I enjoyed the ambience of all of the decor even more than usual since I am not doing anything for the holiday myself. I will be in the camper in Florida for Valentine’s, and there isn’t a spare inch in it for any decoration at all.

When I return, I will be having knee surgery, so I was afraid I would not feel up to clearing hearts and roses from my home after our trip.

Tami transforms her home for each holiday or season and I am always impressed with her displays.

And her hospitality!

Thank you for the beautiful, eye candy, Tami!

And for the actual peanut butter heart shaped candy too- Yum!

Holiday Happenings

celebrations, family, friends

By Karla Nathan / December 19, 2019

I never turn down a Christmas invitation and look for as many holiday adventures to cram into December as I can.

Meeting up with friends for lunch and going shopping? Yes, please!

Especially a visit to Angie’s. She lives within walking distance of the museum, where we ate at the courtyard cafe, the made me feel as tho I was dining in Europe.

(I fell in love with that dyed wreath! And have plans to try to dye some of my dried hydrangeas aqua…)

We peeked around the museum and soaked up a smidgeon of culture before heading out to shop.

The displays at J’Dore were inspiring. We hit a thrift store too.

But the best part? Just chatting and catching up over sparkly wine and chocolates at Angie’s pretty apartment in the sky.

The grand fairies and I had a night out to see a Magical Cirque Christmas. It reminded me more of an old school variety show than a typical Cirque extravaganza. The teens thought it was new and different, having not grown up in the age of Ed Sullivan.

Sugarwings loved the corny magician, and while we had a late night for a Tuesday, it was worth all of the sleepy yawns on Wednesday morning.

She and I also attended Matilda at the local theater. There is a kid friendly play there every year at the holidays and we have a happy tradition of going.

Tonight is the last, big bash of the year, a party for her Martial Arts group, with dinner and dancing at the Doubletree. Last year we danced so hard, Sugarwings’ shoes fell apart.

Well, I guess I mean the last outside function, we will be rocking around the Christmas tree with Dewdrop soon!

She will be back in Kansas for Christmas break. I am thrilled to be having our tiniest family member with us again.

I have been on pins and needles with the transportation plans, they have been iffy, but seem straightened out now.

We will be having cocoa parties in front of the tree, dancing North Pole Style together (to a kid’s musical dance party toy that most of the family finds annoying, but that we love), and making gingerbread men together.

Because there can always be a party waiting to happen if you just look for it.

Treats from Karen- Carmel Apple Cake Pops

Food and Drink, friends, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / September 11, 2019

My pal, Karen, has a way with entertaining. And she is so good about sharing tips and tricks. For our workshop, she gave us all a lesson in making caramel apple cake pops.

It was hands on, with everyone helping.

Including on a lesson in making leaves from green candy melts and a toothpick.

The cake mix was baked with apple cider. The rest of the cider was used to make a special "Welcome Autumn" beverage for lunch, Caramel Apple Sangria. Oh my!

Chopped up honeycrisp apples floated in cider with white wine, spiked with caramel vodka. I was wishing that I wasn't such a wimpy drinker, it was so tasty, I wanted a mugful instead of a sip. But I can't focus on doing anything but giggle if I have a mid day drink. And there was a watercolor class to teach, sooooo, I woefully had to stop myself from having more than a taste.

Karen wrote up the recipe for everyone to take home.

If you ever get a chance to attend one of her workshops at the Cozy Castle, you really should. Plus, it is in Florida, and that is a great place to visit. (Did I mention it wasn't too far from the world's best place to visit, or should I say the happiest? DISNEYWORLD!)

I sat our luncheon table with a fall theme, and cooked a wild turkey breast that Karen shot herself.

It was good to have an excuse to get out a smidgeon of autumn decor. I had told myself that I wasn't going to do much fall decorating, since I am working on fixing up another house to get on the market, then going straight into Christmas decorating on November 1st for A Snowbirds' Song.

No time for Halloween, no matter how much I enjoy it. So, a few mini, white pumpkins on the table will have to surfice.

Our little workshop sure got me in the mood for fall and cheered me up. What a beautiful day! Huge thank yous to everyone who came and for Karen's delightfulness. She and I hope to work together in the future too, I have been invited to teach at her "Beauty in Blue" during Blue Bonnet season in Texas. Maybe we will see you there?

ps- pups for sale!! https://karlascottage.typepad.com/cottage_doodles/

A sweet visit

dogs, friends, Goldendoodle Puppies

By Karla Nathan / September 8, 2019

We had some company at the Cottage.

The pups were pretty happy to see them.

A very welcome getaway

friends, Travel

By Karla Nathan / September 2, 2019

I certainly needed a break. It has been super busy around here, between hungry pups needing snugggles, getting a property ready to put on the market, malfunctioning machinery, blown circuit breakers in the studio, plumbers needed in our house, and more.

What could be better than a getaway with good friends?

At a beautiful location?

Down the road from my favorite flea market?

With crafting!!??

Karen invited me to stay at Rawhide Outfitters Camp

Overlooking a bluff of the Missouri, in Northern Kansas. This is the third year in a row that I have been lucky enough to attend this gathering and enjoy the Whetshire's hospitality, and Tracy's expert cooking.

It is near Sparks and White Cloud, so we spent some time shopping at the flea markets.

I found piles of treasures!

Tami provided a project for us to create one evening over wine and giggles.

I was only able to be there for a day and night, due to pressing concerns at home. But I adored every single second of the trip.

And- I slept for a solid 9 hours. I hadn't done that since the pups were born. I came away rested and refreshed.

More sewing?? Yep, another shirt!

Books, friends, sewing?

By Karla Nathan / July 16, 2019

Some long time friends, and Birdsong Peeps, suggested that we do a "boho" clothing workshop.

I am NOT a sewer, but was ready to tackle the shirt project that Lorrie Scott had featured in the Gilded Journey

But, it turns out, I didn't have to. Sweet Nora loves to sew, and happily did about 90% of the job for me. What a nice surprise!!

I had cut up two of my husband's old shirts and was going to sew them together as the directions layed out, but Nora went a step further and custom fitted the pieces to me so that the duster was exactly my size.

I made some pockets and had vintage lace ready to add.

But she did all of the hard parts.

Tami had brought some sewing to do too, she was adding doilies to a runner.

A lot of the day was spent in me looking for the pile of mother of pearl buttons that I had set aside to add to the shirt. I swear, sometimes my studio is a black hole. I set something down and -poof!- gone.

Finally, I gave up and dug out more buttons to use instead. I added them to the duster and felt like I had made a major accomplishment, since I am not a thread and needle person. Thanks to Nora, I only did the minor jobs on the piece, she whipped it up and made it wonderful!

What a nice day.

If you'd like to turn two, old shirts into one amazing duster, you can find the instructions in this beautiful book. Oh, and by the way? I have a chapter in the book too. My story is about crafting a travel journal. The book is just lovely, and I hope to make many more of the projects inside.

Lovelies from Lori

friends, Lori's Class, Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 22, 2019

Dewdrop has come to spend some summer with us. My pal, Lori was kind to offer to have me stay over in her Kentucky home as a half way spot to pick up our grand fairy, who was coming from NC.

Not only did I get some precious time to reconnect with an old friend, I got to meet her family for the first time. And yep, they were as wonderful as she is.

And her home? I was probably too full of seething jealousy to take photos…

Seriously, what was wrong with me? Why didn’t I take pics?

Every inch of her home is a delight. I snapped this of some of her artwork on display in her studio, but it doesn’t represent her home, which is more neutral toned and filled with vintage and farmhouse glam design.

Plus, the most important part of any home, comfort and hospitality. There wasn’t a single area in that house that didn’t call out, “Hey, sink into this comfy chair and relax a bit!”

Lori will be teaching at A Snowbird’s Song, and she sent her finished examples home with me (photos soon.)

That isn’t all she sent home with me…

She filled my car with this load of vintage glory!

(Maybe she was afraid that I would steal her sweet, little Lucy, and wanted to make sure there was no space in the car to squeeze her into? I did fall for her girls, and that littlest one really grabbed my heart. I wanted to keep her.)

Recently, I had redone my studio and had everything rearranged and streamlined. But all of the wonders Lori sent home with me went seamlessly into the room and made it even better. Probably because all of it was stuff I loved.

If you decorate with things you love, they always mix and match well together, right?

This prom gown and stack of boxes from her look like they were supposed to be here, don’t they?

Thank you, Lori, for your generosity in sharing your home, family, and pretties with me.

I'm glad I didn’t kidnap your daughter, that would not have been a very nice thing to do to repay you for your kindness (although, I would have enjoyed having her around!)

Cinderella’s Carriage

fairies, family, Food and Drink, friends

By Karla Nathan / April 29, 2019

When Karen came to visit me last week, she brought along gifts from our friend, Julie. When we first saw these, we thought they were perfume bottles, then were corrected by Julie. They are actually oil lamps

But to both of us, they were Cinderella carriages!

Karen brought these supplies to use on hers. We both removed the bevelled glass (my amber glass will someday become full moons, with little witches on them) and painted the brass white.

Here is Karen's all prepped and ready for a princess to ride in.

And she even had a princess ready to roll. Ta dah!

Lovely!

We took a lunch break and had pie, (well, a wonderful lunch too, but oh man, that pie!!) at Ladybird Diner.

Karen had read about our local cafe in Food Network magazine, and wanted to check it out while she was in Kansas. I'm always up for a lunch there, the buttermilk fried chicken is my favorite and I don't need much of an excuse to go have some again.

(At this point, my bruise was 2 weeks old and not fading much, but by now it is almost 3 weeks and starting to look a bit better. It doesn't hurt, so I forget about it, and am surprised when people ask me if I am ok, or what on earth happened to me. They aren't expecting a story about Harry Potter)

Mine holds two, very special princesses.

With a unique Fairy Godmother on top. Along with a giant, vial of pixie dust. Because at our house, there is no such thing as too much fairy dust to sprinkle around.

I also broke out the very, very special, vintage silk ribbon roses for both of us to use on our royal coaches.

In mine, the clock is about to strike 12, and there are white pumpkins behind the girls.

And the princesses are decked out in very sparkly gowns.

The wheels are vintage rhinestone buttons and earrings.

Mine is not quite finished here, I still had flowers to add.

Thank you Karen, for sharing your treasures from Julie, and thank you Julie, for this gift! It already has a special place in my home.

Once Upon an Easter

celebrations, Food and Drink, friends, guncles, holiday decor, parties, Travel, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / April 18, 2019

Jenn Hayslip’s bunny bash was every bit as special as I knew it would be.

It was great to catch up with old friends…

Meet some new friends…

Learn some entertaining tricks..

Attend a tea party with my baby bro…

Make Eastery foofiness in fun classes…

Eat wonderful food in fancy settings with fun people…

Teach a class…

Go to an Easter egg hunt…

Play dress up…

Eat more great food…

And more…

I even got to decorate an Easter tree and do some other sprucing up before things started.

Thank you, Jenn, it was lovely!

Living like a Queen at the Cozy Castle, plus Kit and Class info

antiques/junking, bird song art event, celebrations, Food and Drink, friends, Travel, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / March 11, 2019

This is my buddy from my weekend at the Cozy Castle.

Queen Satine, is as gentle and sweet as she is glamorous.

I felt as queenly as Satine looks the whole time I was with Karen.

From the very first night, walking up to her welcoming home, I was wrapped up in comfort, caring, and luxury.

It was heavenly!!!!!

These wings are painted on an alley wall in Deland, FL. Karen took me out for a night of exploration of the cute downtown and we stopped to check out the artwork.

The workshops that I taught were hosted at her event space nearby, and she has it every bit as pretty as her home.

We had a group of fun ladies there to make angel wings and a memory book with me, and they came bearing gifts.

After this leg of my journey, I was meeting Sugarwings and my husband, and they were very happy to see me the chocolate when I picked them up at the airport.

The wings were the same kits from the class that I had at the cottage for Valentine's Day, A Lovebird's Song.

But we put a Karen style spin on it, and had frozen Charlottes and bisque babies available for purchase to add to the wings. (Karen will be teaching a class using the sweet bisque babes here at the cottage if you'd like to join us on April 20th)

The kits I provided were neutral with soft pink, but I always enjoy seeing what goodies people bring to add some extra touches to their own projects. My friend, Becky gave her wings some Florida Flair.

We had two rooms set up for the students, and I was busy flittering about between the two. It almost made the teaching go a little easier than the same amount of people in just one room, because when they are at separate tables in the same space, I still have to repeat the instructions to each table, but this way, I didn't feel like I was bothering one table to say my spiel to another table.

After the morning's class, we were lucky enough to be guided to the Cozy Castle for a lunch break, to dine at a beautifully appointed table Karen had prepared for us.

And to be treated to the world's best cake!

Last year, Karen baked one for my birthday, and gave it to me on a surprise visit. I was quite happy to get another taste of one of her specialties.

After our schmancy luncheon of deliciousness and beauty, we went back to the workspace for round two, and made these memory, or autograph books.

There are some extra kits, (I always make plenty) I just haven't had a chance to get them listed in the Boutique because I am in the middle of BLECK! taxes BLECK! and in getting kits made for the Once Upon and Easter event that Jenn Hayslip is hosting on Jekyll Island. (I am making extra for those too)

I will have more time when I return in April, after the OTHER CLASS that I am also prepping for here at the cottage with Karen.

Whew! That is a lot of classes in a row!

You can inquire about the wings and autograph book kits now, ($40 each) or wait until all are listed in mid April. Sorry I'm not on the ball for the kits yet. But soon, there will be a slew of them. You can be crafting away up to your knees is kits if you feel like it. (ha)

Or maybe I will be seeing you at A Song of Spring and you can be treated like a queen by Karen too? She brings light and love and happiness and glamour and style and sincerity and beauty everywhere she goes, and I think you'll enjoy the classes.

Her only free time, while in Kansas visiting, is Easter weekend. Soooo…… it is not an easy time for people to get away for a workshop. Looks like it will be a smaller class, which means we have plenty of space available if you'd like to join us?

Lunch, treats, 3 classes, and lots of laughing, foofiness, and fun.

Sorry, I wish I could offer poodle hugs, but Queen Satine will not be attending. She must have an appointment with the Easter Bunny too.

email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

if you are interested in one of the kits from my past workshops or attending a future one.

I will leave you with a couple more photos from my royal weekend with Satine and Karen. It was the BEST! She even took me to Mt Dora's famous flea market.

Yep, it was the BEST.