give away – Page 4 – Karla's Cottage

Ooooooh, Curious Sofa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

antiques/junking, give away, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / November 2, 2010

There are few things prettier than Curious Sofa at the holidays! And nothing better to inspire me and jump start the transition from Witches to Angels. I know, Halloween barely cold in its grave at this point, but I'm all in gear to move on and start Christmassing it up!

And I just adore her whites. Being there, surrounded by all the shades of ivory and silver was just what I needed as that extra boost for completing my projects for Romantic White Christmas, the online classes that Beth and I are teaching.

She is coming over today so we can get pictures done for our sign up page. Which means, I'll be pulling out some of my Christmas decorations as backdrop for the photos.

Things have been so crazy busy around here, and on top of that, I've had a dreary cold. So, my baby shower decorations are still up, along with the Halloween stuff. Its going to look like quite the holiday mash up when I start adding white Christmas to the mix.

Next week, some Bella Buds are flying in early for Silver Bella and visiting Kansas City for a couple days. I've invited them out to the cottage to dinner, and I sincerely hope that I can tame the run away holiday mess before then.

I have a feeling that I might not. But that won't stop me from enjoying my evening with them. I'll tell them that its extra festive to be celebrating so many things at once, and throw some Silver Bella decorations on the Halloween, Christmas, and baby shower conglomeration to top it all off.

We'll take them all to Curious Sofa, and we'll visit Carol's farmhouse, too. So they won't be under the impression that midwesterners have no sense when it comes to decorating. Carol and Debbie are the queens of understated glam decor.

My favorite thing at Curious Sofa was this set of plates that Debbie embellished. She is so busy with the store, I doubt she gets much time to do artwork, and thats too bad. She creates beautiful things.

My other favorite thing that night? Well, my BFF, Beth, of course! She met me at the open house for the evening. It was nice to get out of the house and do something festive.

I'd better get busy now, and set some things up for pictures today before Beth gets here. Before I go, I have three winners to announce-

The Romantic Gothic Ghost giveaway from me goes to Janet Ghio.

The one from Beth goes to Samantha Miranda

And my October Giveaway is for Laurie

I'll have details about the Romantic White Christmas as well as my November Giveaway in my next post.

Remnants of Dorothy

give away, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 15, 2010

Today I actually started to restock my Etsy shop, after saying I was going to for months. Maybe clearing out the shed, helped me clear my head too, and get some work done that needed doing!

I also "cleaned house" in my Boutique and deleted all the sold items to make it easier to shop through.

And of course, I added a few 'new' old things to the mix!

Not everything in the out buildings got sent away. I found a box full of cool salvage trim type things that I painted and distressed today and added those too. There were a lot of these pieces that are made from molds of decorative pieces.

My goal is to add things to the Etsy shop a few times a week until I can get it built back up. I really let it go… and Etsy is such a good way to meet new customers all over the world.

Its just so much easier to use my Boutique, and it feels like "home" to me. Etsy photos are edited at 1000 instead of 600/200 like my shop, and have to be square. Hmm, now really, does that sound like such a big deal to complain about?

What a whiner !! Its just not my habit to do it that way, and I have to stop and think as I work on it instead of being on auto pilot and doing the job automatically like I do for my website.

I've had some requests for Dorothy tags from people who weren't able to join the swap. If you are an Oz fan, check out the kits, tag book, and extra tags that I have made up.

Here is an ephemera filled pack of Dorothy goodies, that includes a lot of fun doo dads for dressing up your own tags.

I'll be adding a lot more millinery soon, too. And it looks like I'm down to one package of wallpaper, I'd better be thinking about chopping some of that.

Don't forget, you can enter to win one of my Romantic Gothic Ghost completed projects as my prize for the October Giveaway. Or you can make your own by joining the class, you still have time to whip up some ORANGE free Halloween decor to decorate your home with some moody atmosphere.

Beth and I will have one more drawing before Halloween since we've had so many new joiners to the Ezine since the prizes were all given out. We'll come up with a craft pack of goodies to give to one of the artists who have signed up to do our online classes.

To win the completed piece of artwork from me, all you have to do is leave a comment anytime, all month long on any post of my blog. Just because I like giving presents!

Falling for pastels and the August giveaway winner

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Tutorials, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / September 1, 2010

Beth and I had the best day on Tuesday with our craft day/photo day. We sat up a few displays using the finished products we made in Romantic Gothic Ghosts so we could add some posts with Halloween decorating tips. Orange-FREE tips!

We also made a few little instructional videos, and it took a bit longer than planned because we had to scrap most of them due to giggle fits. After that, I was able to work on one of Beth's first projects, and she made it easy for all of us. Not only did she include how-to's, she provided the entire collage as a finished piece. I printed it as it was and just embellished the piece.

Some of the classmates are posting their projects on Flickr if you'd like to take a peek. If you want to join the class, please do! Its open indefinitely, but all the giveaways end when we post the last set of instructions. To win the prizes, you need to be enrolled during the "live" part of the class. (The millinery pack is just one of our presents to be offered during the class)

Today I was able to get around to adding some things to the Boutique as promised.

Maybe because I've spent so much time working with the warm tones and sepias of the Romantic Gothic Ghost class, I've been especially drawn to pastels and sweetness.

As I was flipping through my stash of things that needed to be photographed for the shop, I kept going back over and over to florally pastels.

And cutie pie baby things.

Like this 1940s baby book.

The can of Mennen baby powder still smells so fresh, like the top of a new born's head. Funny how long that powder scent lasts.

And can't you imagine this pillow being under a tiny baby's head years and years ago?

In honor of fall, I did list some more neutral tones too.

Can you believe its September???? Sugarwings is back in school and doing well. I think that for her, the Montessouri school is a better fit than the Waldorf. She seems happier there.

And since Sept. is here, I need to announce the winner of the August giveaway-

Debbie Berracha!!

I'll be sending her one of the projects I completed for our Ghost class. I think I'll do the same thing for September. If you'd like to win one of my Romantic Gothic Ghost Halloween decorations, just leave a comment on any post all month. I'll get some pictures soon.

Here are Button and Agnes Rosebud, enjoying yesterday's play date while Beth and I set the table for a fake dinner party to take pictures of it. But we didn't mind, we got to eat the chocolates afterwards. And the dogs had fun watching us!

Some pretties

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, holiday decor, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / August 31, 2010

Did I mention how wonderful it was to be home with little Agnes Rosebud? She is the sweetest pup, ever. Cuddly, devoted, and always right next to me. Here she is only a few months old, and calm enough to be a model for my pictures. She is helping me out with selling this vintage pillow. I've been getting photos ready to do a major list-a-thon of new products in my Boutique.

I'll let you know when I get them up for sale. In the meantime, there is too much other excitement going on.

Beth is coming over today with Button for a play date with Aggie Rose. Which means that Beth and I get a play date too.

We are going to foof around with our Romantic Gothic Ghost projects and come up with some ideas for Halloween decor that is moody but won't scare the socks off of you when you see your lovely home all decked out in garish orange. That's right, we are lobbying for an Orange Free Halloween this year.

As part of our online tutorial, we want to offer decor tips and little videos too. We'll be posting a few between classes.

As well as a few giveaways. I thought it would be nice to offer some of my favorite supplies to participants. For the Banner class, I'm giving away my extreme fave, these Stardust Gelly Roll clear sparkle pens.

Next, a selection of old velvets and blooms that would be great to use in any of the projects we are doing.

After that, I'll probably do some rhinestoney things. None are big giveaways, but just little sweet treats to aid in finishing the projects. I figured it would be more fun for the people who have signed up to have lots of little door prizes, instead of one big one. Beth has plans for goodies too.

And while I am on the subject of goodies- here are some extra good ones! My pal, Heather whipped up this bracelet and hand stitched the bag for it, especially for me before our lunch last week.

She has recently opened an Etsy shop if you are wishing you had one of these… she makes the prettiest jewelry.

August Giveaway announcement and some ghosts drifting by

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, paintings, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / August 18, 2010

Beth came over yesterday for a craft day, and brought Button.

He and Agnes Rosebud were thrilled to see each other, and it was wrestle mania for most of the day. They had some ferocious growling too. Well at least, they thought they sounded pretty fierce, I kind of thought they sounded like a sewing machine.

Beth also brought her projects for our upcoming classes for me to photograph. Yep, we have decided to do some online tutorials!

Romantic Gothic Ghosts, for all of us who would love to decorate our homes for Halloween but don't want to put up with orange, purple and black! We will focus on the moody, flowing, dark style of old Gothic romance novels. Think Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, and did I mention, moody?

Details coming- I hope you'll join us. I've been BUSY scanning and editing tons of illustrations, backgrounds and portraits that we'll provide for you to copy and print to use in our projects. And I have a feeling that you'll find lots of uses for all these images!

Now, I just need to get busy and come up with some projects myself. I'm behind! Beth had a boxful of great stuff she'd been doing, and all I've done is prep work so far. Now that Sugarwings' birthday bash is behind me, I can get to work on my dark and dreamy creations for the classes.

Can you take one more mermaid from me? I've been on a siren of the sea kick for months, haven't I? But this is something special for my pal, Majia.

Its her 50th, and Jessi gathered up 50 artists to each do a page in a scrap book as a gift for her. My page is a watercolor of her as a mermaid "holding court" in the lounge of the hotel we stayed at during Kim's event last month. Happy Birthday, Majia!!

Now, I'd better go brainstorm and make some stuff for our upcoming classes. I have some ideas brewing and my fingers are itching to get started.

Please leave a comment if you'd like to enter my August Giveaway. I'll be giving away one of those upcoming projects. One that is still in my head, so I can't show you any photos yet!

3 Dorothys

antiques/junking, Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, swaps, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / August 2, 2010

What a nice weekend we had. Of course, any weekend when Sugarwings comes to stay is a good one. We spent as much of it as possible out on the lake, and I have no pictures from there because my pocket camera is MISSING. I've turned the house and studio upside down searching for it.

I bought the handy little thing so I could take it with me to places where I don't want to haul out the big guns. That Rebel is wonderful, but heavy and I also don't want to get it wet on the boat or beach. I always kept the little Cannon (seems like they have the best lenses for a small camera) in my bag so I could always be ready to snap a shot if something interesting popped up.

I miss it!

And since Sugarwings was mostly naked while we were at home, I didn't take any pictures of her with the big camera. She seems to be in a stage where it is awfully hard to keep her dressed. But the weather is so hot, that I really don't blame her.

When she is here, she is either outside being filthy dirty in the mud and dirt and jumping in the little pool or sprinkler, or else smearing paint and clay all over herself. Not exactly a dainty girl. So naked isn't bad for her, it sure saves on laundry. But I don't think I should post pics of a little muddy girl smeared with neon orange paint running around in her panties.

So here is a dog picture instead!

And here is a naked dog picture.

This is Twinkle's pup, Dorothy. Her name is Josie now, I gave her to my niece and Josie is named after my mom, Martha Josephine.

All yorkies are born black and then start to change colors as the puppy fur grows out. The baby fur is so fine, that it gets all matted up and nasty, and has to be shaved off to let the silky adult fur grow in.

I haven't shaved my little Agnes Rosebud yet, because I'll miss that fuzzy, floppy puppy look. But after seeing how silvery and pretty her sis is, I just might get out the clippers.

This morning, I have been adding goodies to the Boutique.

At a recent flea market, I was lucky enough to find a big box of old flowers. ALL ROSES!

Yes, these are the flowers that the puppy has been laying on in the big bowl.

One more tidbit about Yorky fur, these guys don't shed. So the flowers aren't hairy.

What do you think of this one? Its lovely, but is it old? It seems so perfect. I usually buy hats to take apart, so can date the flowers by the hat itself. These flowers were mostly corsages and single flowers, all in a big box. The others were old, but I'm iffy on this one. Either way, its nice!

I've been going through some of my jewelry supplies too, and bagged up some vintage glass beads and findings to add to the shop.

Along with an assortment of some other fun stuff.

I'll show you some pictures of what's new (well, old- but new in the Boutique) while I ask you about something else.

At the flea where I found the flowers, I also picked up a ragged Wizard of Oz book from 1920. This year is the 75th anniversary of the movie, and the story is a big favorite around my house.

Am I the only Dorothy fan, or would any of you be interested in doing a tag swap similar to the Alice tag book swap that we did earlier this year?

If there is enough interest, I'd enjoy putting one together and scanning some pages from the book for you to use, like I did with the old Alice in Wonderland book that I had.

There are just soooooo many ideas that could be cute tags with a Dorothy theme!! Witches, picnic baskets, Toto, slippers –ruby or silver like the original-, rainbows, gingham, greens, lions, tigers, and bears, oh my- I could go on and on.

What do you think?

I hope there are enough of you who would enjoy making Dorothy tags as much as I would! Let me know, and I'll come up with guidelines and some scans of the book.

Before I go get to work for the day, I need to announce the winner of the July giveaway. The pearl earrings go all the way across the ocean to another Dorothy- Dorthe.

Siren of the Seas gift packs

give away, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / July 19, 2010

Isn't this a sweet little mermaid? I was so happy to see these in a bunch of vintage stir sticks that I bought at a flea market. And then, I saw NEW ones sold at World Market just like these. They hang over the side of a cocktail glass for some added festive-ness.

These two green girls are tied to the packages of ephemera that I am donating as prizes for Kim's mermaid event in Manhattan Beach, CA.

(that's where I am right now, this is pre-posted before I went out of town)Doesn't the old print that I used as wrapping paper have a peaceful scene on it? Its not of the ocean, but I still think there could be a mermaid in that water.

As a Mid-Westerner, I'd like to think that mermaids don't just live in the sea. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there is one in the lake by our house.

When I was a kid, I was sure there was one in the swimming pool too.

I don't know when Kim will do the drawing for prizes, but I hope its early on in the weekend, so attendees can use some of these beachy themed supplies for the weekend's crafts.

I packed up old millinery flowers in oceany colors, and found pictures of boats in old books. I've added vintage wallpaper in blues and greens.

And I even found an old ad featuring a mermaid. But only one. The two packs differ slightly. I could have made copies, but I really prefer originals. Especially since this is a gift. I wanted to use the good stuff!

Most of it is loosely related to the theme of the weekend, but I tried. All of it is vintage goodies that I pulled from my stash. It was easy for me to find all this, because I sure had mermaids on the mind while getting ready for the trip!

"See you" when I get back. Please forgive me for not answering messages. But please do feel free to comment, to enter the giveaway, a pair of genuine pearl and sterling silver earrings.

Randomness, swoonyness, winners, tasty puppies, and SNAKES- just another day at the cottage

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, jewelry, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / July 13, 2010

While getting ready for my mermaid trip to California, I was thinking about tidbits to pack up for class supplies, and gathered up lots of little pearls and shells.

The pearls inspired my July Giveaway, of a pair of genuine pearl earrings. I made these with sterling silver hooks, then wrapped them up in a lovely vintage hankie. All comments- all month count toward the drawing.

I need to announce the winner of the other giveaway I was having, a pair of vintage rhinestone earrings go to Kay Ellen. I'll be meeting her at Kim's event, so will pack her gift in my bag and bring it along. Too bad its not one of my heavier giveaways, I'm only saving about a buck 40 in postage for lightweight earrings….

On Thursday last week, I didn't get a chance to take many pictures during Carol's farm house photo shoot with Fifi. I was trying to not be obnoxious, which is hard for me. But I managed to keep my camera out of everyone's face.

I did ask Carol to pose for me, as we were putting away props from a shoot they had done outside. She was carrying in this vase of sunflowers and looked so pretty in her fresh, white cotton top, that I just had to get her picture.

Here is a quickie pic of Fifi and Mark Lohman (the photographer) going over a shot that they had just done. Carol's house is just swoony, every shot I saw them get was a keeper!

And since I am doing such a random, here-there-and everywhere-post, this is my purchase from Bottom's Up the week before. Its a gesso-ed and foofed box by Linda that I filled with sparkled birds when I got home. Willow's Nest was a great addition to the show, I hope they become regulars.

When I am working in my studio on nice days, I just leave the back door wide open and let the dogs wander in and out. Agnes Rosebud wears a jingle bell, so I can keep track of what is going on by listening to her follow her mom around.

But today, it was Twinkle I heard, she was barking and causing a ruckus.

When I ran out to see what was going on, I was greeted with this. So, I scooped up the tasty, rat-sized puppy and ran with her back to the studio so the snake didn't decide to snack on her, and grabbed my camera to run back out to get Twinkle.

She didn't seem to need to be saved.

That is what I love about terriers. They have NO fear and don't know they are little dogs.

I love living in the country, but some times, there are some drawbacks. Not, the snake,I'm happy to see him, he'll eat the hated rats (those are a BIG drawback). Chiggers are another one.

By running out into the grass to see what was going on, I'm sure I'll be itching all night. There was no time to stop and spray myself with bug repellent before I snatched up that delicious puppy.

One of the best things about going on vacation, is the break from bugs. Kansas in July is a chigger fest, and my yard seems to be party central for these guys. I'll be happy to be in California, at a completely different sort of party, away from this itchy critters.

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.

June Giveaway and Inside the Treat Cabinet

collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, Hand Painted Furniture, paintings, show and tell

By Karla Nathan / June 17, 2010

On Tuesday night, I had a little dinner party. It was an iffy day, sometimes too hot, sometimes too wet, so I set up a tent for shade in case the rain stayed away and we could eat outside.

Luckily, no rain, and the shade from the little pop up tent was ideal for dining outside in the evening after the heat of the day had passed.

Which made Twinkle and Agnes Rosebud pretty happy, they'd stay outdoors every minute of the day if I'd let them.

Since the day was unpredictable and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to eat outdoors if a storm came up, I cleaned my studio just in case we had to move indoors with our plates. I have two dining room tables in the front half of my workshop, that are usually piled up so high with crap, I mean, great stuff that you can't even see the tables.

The area usually only gets cleaned up for company, which is kind of sad. I wonder why I can't keep it nice for just me?

Anyway, its clean now and since it won't stay that way long, I thought I'd make the most of it and get some studio pictures.

This is the Treat Cabinet. (Lacking in treats at the moment.) I fill it up with goodies when company comes for dinner, or on craft days. If I'm out in the studio alone, that just is not a safe thing to do. If I had a full treat cabinet, I'd never get any work done.

Recently, I've decided to use the top shelf of the wardrobe as wallpaper storage, quite a bit of my collection fit up there.

This cabinet was meant to be a closet or wardrobe. It has the one shelf at the top and a bar for clothes. I added tables to set the goodies on, and cut a hole in the back to run an extension cord through for lighting.

Picking a vintage wallpaper to cover the back was tough. First of all, I wanted it to be kind of neutral- not a lot of color. Second, I wanted rosy. I chose this toile rose pattern because I think it would look good with lots of different displays when I change things up a bit.

The space under the table cloths makes great storage for cups/napkins/etc.

This is a new addition to the Treat Cabinet. My pal, Suzanne Duda, gave me this foofed up, old suitcase pocket. I thought it was ideal to use for serving pieces. I slipped a couple large cups inside it, one to hold plastic forks, the other to hold napkins, so they wouldn't all just fall into the bottom of the pockets.

Behind the cups, I slid the paper plates.

A few years back, I used to paint furniture and sell it at a Kansas City antique mall. Some days I miss doing that, but not very often. I didn't realize how hard I was working until I quit doing it. Its nice to concentrate on small items that fit into an envelope now instead!!

There are a few pieces of painted stuff still around the house, and even more in the studio. You can probably tell that the room is a bit of a hodge podge of what ever I had.

The two dining tables usually have either recently made items, or stuff for sale, or things I just bought set out on them.

The centers of the tables are filled with things that just kinda make me smile…

By the way, I do have a giveaway chosen for June! And the month is only half way over, too. All comments all month still count.

And here it is-

I'll be giving away a Peat Pot Pretty with a frozen Charlotte fairy. These will be featured in Somerset Life, I'm writing an article about it next week, which is always an honor!!

Leave a comment if you'd like a chance to win one!

I'll leave you with a couple more pics of some hand painted pieces in the studio.

And for more peeks into the room, please come back on June 19th, I'll be a part of the Where Bloggers Create party hosted by Karen Valentine.

While the room was cleaned up I made a little video of the space.