holiday decor – Page 17 – Karla's Cottage

Annual Holiday Home Tour

By Karla Nathan / December 15, 2016

We had lovely weather for the Holiday Home Tour this year and there was a great selections of houses to peek through.

This kitchen could've made me turn as grinchy green as those apples, with seething envy if I wasn't so in love with my own cottagy kitchen. (well, maybe I was a slight shade of green)

Here is the room from another view.

What a wonderful, old home.

The details of the recent remodel were so smartly done. Like using the original garage doors as siding in the TV room.

And at this house, they went all out with props to use for photo ops.

This won my heart as we drove up. When I saw the tree tied to the roof of the station wagon, I knew the house was going to be a fun one to tour.

I was right.

Every home we went to, was very well done. I'll leave you with a few pics of the day.

A holiday dinner party at the cottage

celebrations, cottage, friends, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 12, 2016

Last week, I hosted the annual holiday book club party. Here is 2014 and here is 2015. In the past, I've just done snacks and treats, but this year, I thought it would be nice to have a sit down dinner.

Since we have the new space, I was thrilled to have a chance to use it. Plus, the book club ladies are a nice group, it is good to have a night where we can kick back and chat about things other than books.

The new space is ideal for entertaining. I picked up a small, drop leaf table that I keep in the hearth room by the door, and we carried it to the dining area, slanted the main table and added the drop leaf one onto the end of it.

Originally, I thought I'd get a gigantic, rustic, farmhouse table to fill the space, and to seat my large family.

But then, I saw the price tags.

So, I bought a $60 drop leaf table to create more seating instead.

The drop leaf fits nicely, and solves the problem when needed. It is wonderful to have plenty of room to seat everyone without bringing in a folding table. In the past, I'd have to move the island (I built it on wheels), set up a folding table from the studio, and cram in a few extra chairs.

Now, all of the guests fit comfortably without having to move the island.

As much as I like the look of a farm house table, I think I prefer having a more flexible set up. My dining table has 3 leaves and expands to 110", the little drop leaf adds space for 5 more people. We had 11 for the party, and I think I can probably make three more fit if I got creative with where the chairs go.

Nothing on my table matches, and all of it is from garage or estate sales. Sometimes, I think, maybe I should go buy some matching silverware, or glasses…. but honestly, I don't think anyone minds. The lights are dim, the candles are lit, there is plenty of wine.

For this party, I used white dinner plates, table cloths and napkins, clear and gold salad plates, floral bread plates, and clear glasses. I added a string of battery power lights to a bowl of painted pine cones topped with Shiny Brite fruit, and put some sparkling branches with lights, a pink glass garland, and gold Shiny Brite balls.

My local grocery store has $1.99 flowers on Mondays, and just happened to have some perfect ones for the party marked down and waiting for me. Pink and green, with a touch of red for the holiday.

I was going for a white on white look with a splash of color.

I made vegetarian lasagna, and stuffed shells with chicken and butternut squash a week ahead of time, then pulled it out of the freezer to bake up that night. I always believe in as many short cuts as possible when planning a party. Everyone brought wine to share, I baked some bread, bought packaged salad, and kept the dinner part simple.

Add a nice bunch of ladies, and it was a very nice party!

A girlfriends’ day out on the town in the Big City

celebrations, friends, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 10, 2016

My pal, Angie, once again, generously invited a group of us to visit her apartment in the sky over looking the Plaza in Kansas City.

We started the afternoon with a late lunch at Union Station, and ended up with wine and desserts at Angie's home to enjoy this view of the Plaza lights.

As always, she went all out making it special for us.

Beth says that Angie is determined to bring some culture into our lives. She takes us to museums, botanical gardens, and other big city things that I never think about doing, but adore visiting when I'm taken there.

On this day, I did something WAY, WAY out of my comfort zone! We explored Science City at Union Station, and all of us rode the sky bike.

I'm terrified of heights, and have no balance. But apparently, this thing can not tip over, it is balanced by the load of bricks that hang beneath it.

Hmmm…

It felt like I was going to plummet to the ground. Bypassing that net somehow, of course.

But I did it. Twice! I did not enjoy either time, but it was good for my soul to give it a try. Just like all of the culture Angie has me soaking up, that is a nice change from my typical days, a little change of scene has been good for me.

We checked out the Kaufman Gardens to see the Poinsettias, and goofed off with a photo shoot. I'm channeling my inner Zoolander here.

Silliness was the main part of the day, we played like little kids, giggled, and belly laughed all afternoon.

In my opinion, adults need to get some childlike, joyous, laughing fits going every once in a while to stay sane.

I started out my day with some crafting, so was already in a very happy mood. In the last month, I've not spent much time with my glue bottle. I made up a few of these ornies to pass out at our lunch, and it felt wonderful to be doing things I loved again.

My heart rate seems normal, and at Science City, I could run up and down stairs without needing a break or getting light headed. Looks to me like my cardiac procedure was a success, and I was celebrating feeling normal again.

I don't think I realized how bad I'd felt for how long. Most of my summer was droopy and tired.

Of course, spending a day with fun friends, is always helpful.

I've been throwing myself headfirst into holiday happenings, and for a while was feeling like I'd over scheduled and it was too much, but just this week, I've gotten past that and am loving all of the activities and excitement.

Now, my problem is trying not to feel guilty about not getting any work done…

I'd told myself earlier that I'd just take it easy and not worry about work for a while, so I haven't updated my Boutique with new items for Christmas. That was fine when I was still a little weak or droopy, but now that I'm flying through the sky on bikes, that seems a bit hypocritical.

Well, too late, the holiday selling season has about passed. I need to let go of the guilt, enjoy feeling better, and plan for getting some work done in January instead.

For now?

I am Merry Christmassing it up. Going for the glory and the joy of the month. And I am blessed by my new found good health!

Wire and lace angel wings

holiday decor, how to's, how-to projects

By Karla Nathan / December 6, 2016

When we built the new mantle, I had hung a couple of my paintings and a mirror above it. To keep them secure, we anchored the frames to the stone. Which was a good idea, but wasn't handy for changing out the pictures for the holidays, and I felt that the pink roses were a little springy for Christmas.

So, I covered the glass of the two paintings with burlap, using two sided foam tape, then hung some hand made angel wings over that.

I wanted one large pair of wire and lace wings for the giant frame that used to be the top of a Victorian door.

To make them, I used wire wrapped in raffia. I thought that roughness of the raffia would be a good surface to adhere the lace to, I'd worried that the plain wire might be too slick. I'm sure I could've made it work by either wrapping the wire in ribbon first, or stitching the lace instead of gluing, but I also liked the rustic look of the brown raffia under the dainty lace I was going to use.

I cut two pieces of wire the same length, and twisted them into wing shapes. leaving a tail on each to twine together in the center to connect the two wings.

This vintage, beaded, lace dress was from a thrift store for $5. I cut the lining out and and roughly trimmed two sides of it to fit over the wire wing shapes.

Glue guns are rarely my favorite tool, but in this instance, just what I needed. I glued the lace to the top of the wire in small sections at a time.

Once the lace was attached, I flipped the wings over and trimmed the fabric down to about an inch of excess.

Then, I rolled it around the wire and glued it down on the backside too.

I liked them as they were, but wanted some embellishments. I added a few white feathers, and velvet leaves, to the center, and tied on silk ribbon to hang them from, then glued a faded millinery bloom over that.

The silk is tied to a small nail I put into the frame.

When they were hung, they were a bit wonky. I think a heavier gauge wire would prevent that. To keep the wings from swaying and looking like a pair of droopy stockings, I stretched them out and used straight pins to attach them to the burlap. They keep their shape ok that way, but if I make another pair, I will definitely use a sturdier wire so there is no droop.

The ruffled pair of wings is similar to the tutorial Dawn has for angel wings. I did these differently, but it is the same sort of style. Mine are layered with dyed crepe paper and more of the beaded lace from the vintage dress, then embellished much like the wired set.

I'd drawn my own pattern onto cardboard and covered it. Dawn offers a pattern and full directions on her site if you'd like to make a pair yourself. Plus, she is just plain old, nice to visit.

Some Cottage Christmas pictures

cottage, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 3, 2016

Our cottage is feeling festive, even though the decorations are slightly streamlined from previous years. I spent a good part of a whole day setting up trees and little holiday vignettes like these reindeer figurines on moss. The day included a lot of breaks, plus a trip to buy a few strands of lights, so it was a lite work day, but I'm happy with how much I got set up.

It was exciting to have a new room to deck! I bought a flocked, white tree (half price at Hobby Lobby) that is the perfect height for the nook by the fireplace. Sugarwings did the math to see how tall it would be while sitting on a table (to keep it above the danger zone from Honey's exuberant, but destructive, wagging tail.)

It is not only the ideal size, it is a happy compromise on color scheme for the kids and I.

They want colorful lights, I like white.

It has been a dilemma for years.

This tree has a button to push that changes the lights from rainbow to plain white! So the grandfairies can enjoy all of the colors during cocoa parties in front of the tree, and I can have my serene whites when I want them.

I have to admit, the multi toned twinklies are a nice option to have. I love the white lights, but this look is fun.

Of course, I always wonder just how long those built in lights will last. On my old tree, I had to add extra strings as the permanent lights proved to be not so permanent after all.

I hadn't planned on keeping my old white tree this year, since I had a spanking new one to set up. But I realized that I had plenty of space (we LOVE the new addition!!!!) and I decided to toss the bottom section of the old tree, and keep the top part to create a table top tree for the living room.

The small table between the rooms is our cocoa party area. It is perfectly located with a view of both white trees, as well as the TV, so we can watch Frosty or the Grinch as we sip our cocoa and stir it with a candy cane.

We made our own cocoa mix with baking cocoa, organic sugar, chocolate chips, and vanilla beans in the blender. It's so creamy and rich when we stir it into warmed milk poured from a floral teapot, that we hardly need marshmallows. But we throw a couple in anyway because it's all part of the ceremony.

Around here, tea parties and cocoa parties aren't just about the treats. We love the traditions of getting out the good teacups, setting the table pretty, using the silver spoons from my mom and Great Aunt Caroline, then passing the dishes of toppings around the table while practicing our best manners.

Well, Dewdrop still is in it just for the treats, but she is only in kindergarten, she'll learn soon enough that it is the holiday traditions that make the season special. Sugarwings and I are teaching her.

I'll leave you with a few more pictures around the house.

The Halls are Decked!

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / November 30, 2016

Typically, the day after Thanksgiving, I delve deeply into the boxes of holiday goods that I've been waiting to decorate with. Sugarwings and I have a saying, "Respect the Bird." Which means that we hold ourselves back from tumbling headfirst into Christmas until after the Thanksgiving turkey has been eaten.

This year, I was a bit slower, it was Monday before I got around to tackling the trees.

I set up quite a few, slowly but surely, and by the end of the day, I was ready to kick back, eat some Thai take out and enjoy the lights.

Thank you for all of your kind comments and messages about my health. My heart is beating as it should, the procedure worked, which is great news. I'm feeling a tad worn down but am rallying a bit more each day.

There will be some more photos of the holiday decor soon. I'm using my infirmity as an excuse to be lazy for now.

Giving Thanks

holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / November 24, 2016

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday, with many thanks to give.

My list is so long, I don't even know where to start. From little things that brighten my day, to the goliath, mega meaningful things that make up our lives. Itsy bitsy, or large and looming, I'm feeling very lucky on many counts. I think I'll make a little list of some of the things on my mind right now.

1- I successfully dried hydrangeas for the first time in my life!! Yay!! And they are beautiful, autumn colors that make me smile.

2- I feel better. I've been sooo sick for quit a while and the cure was almost worse that the problem. But I'm on my way back and actually feel almost like myself again.

3- GRAND FAIRIES. Seriously, what could be better?

4- Well, the whole family does bring me a lot of joy. And I'm thankful for my husband who brings us all together.

5- My sibling trip to Florida, I'm lucky to have extended family to love and laugh with.

6- Pupeesh! I am so blessed that Dorothy came back to live with us after her time away with Auntie Beth and Uncle Jeff. Honey is growing up and becoming a pretty smart dog, and seems to be more gentle with the little dogs now. Dorothy feels safe in her own home, and I'm happy she is back.

7- Friends- BFFs who always get me and make me laugh. The buddies down the road that I get together with for a cup of coffee and linger over for hours, and the ones who fly in from afar and gather for a weekend of giggles.

8- Did I mention family? Grown up sons are a very special thing. Ryan has become my right hand man this summer while I was so ill, and Adam can fix anything with a hug or a screw gun. Plus, he brought a circus full of people to love into my life, he has brought a passel of ladies for us to love and welcome to our hearts.

9- A fireplace to sit next to and read. We are loving our new room, and the roaring fire with two leather chairs to relax in and warm our toes.

10- Circus tricks and those who do them. Not only entertaining to watch, but fun to try. What an exotic and interesting lifestyle my family has taken on. Yet another reason to love the new room, with the apparatus hanging from the ceiling. And I've enjoyed trying a sample of them myself.

Seawitches

holiday decor, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 20, 2016

Our Sister Trips to Sarasota always include crafting time. And lots of Halloweenish witchy things too.

This year, we turned some black hats covered in sheer fabric into seawitch hats. I dyed them before I packed, and threw bags full of goodies into my suitcase for doctoring them up. (witch-doctoring, I mean)

I whipped mine up fast, thinking I would be using it as my beach hat all week, since it was so comfy and soft, plus had a wide brim to keep off the sun.

Once it was shell and flower laden, it wasn't nearly as comfy. It tended to list to the heaviest side. So, not a good sun hat, unless I wanted to tie it on like a bonnet.

While they didn't end up being our full time beach hats, we still got to play around and wear them sometimes.

And they made great silhouettes against the sunset.

And some of our condo neighbors told us they liked them too. And we overheard others whispering, as they pointed at us, "Those are the ladies that turn into witches!"

Of course we do! Being a sister seawitch is the BEST!

Happy Halloween!

holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / October 31, 2016

Halloween decor at my house is witchy and white pumpkin-ish.

Mostly black and white, but with a little color. Not much in the way of orange.

These mini pumpkins are on a candle ring. I got them at a garage sale for a quarter and spray painted them white. They can stay out til it is time to deck the halls.

Same with these velvet ones that I stitched up. I'll put away the little witch, but the pumpkins will be out for Thanksgiving.

This is a plaster one, made by my pal, Tami.

Besides sitting out a few witchy goods, I try to warm up the rooms for the season. Heavier throws on the sofa, deeper colored pillows, along with rusty and wine toned mums make the cottage feel like autumn has arrived.

Plus a touch of spooky, of course!

Have a happy Halloween, everyone.

Pumpkin Party

Dew Drop, holiday decor, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 27, 2016

For breakfast the other day, we had pumpkins made from mandarin oranges. It took (literally) seconds to do. The sections of oranges stack up easily, and I put a cashew on the top as a stem.

The grand fairy ghouls didn't have school on Friday, and I was about to fly off to Florida for my annual sister trip and would be missing Halloween with them, so we thought it would be a good idea to have an early celebration. There was bobbing for apples, making caramel apples, crafts, and pumpkin painting.

The girls were surprised to find their craft area in the studio decorated with all the garish Halloweeness colors that they love.

We live in a house that features white pumpkins that I display all fall, so the kiddos get extra excited when I let loose and do the traditional, flashy stuff that makes them so happy. Throw in a few dollar bin crafts and they were happy as any little ghoul can be.

Me too.

I'm going to miss them while I'm away.