holiday decor – Page 18 – Karla's Cottage

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

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.

A couple of Witchy girl banners

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 16, 2016

Last Halloween, I was enamoured with making witchy girl banners. And as October was progressing this season, I felt the urge to conjure up a couple more.

And I still love making them.

Especially creating little skirts or embellishing the gowns with vintage fabric and trims.

Or making the magic wands. That is my favorite part.

No, wait! My favorite part is making the brooms! I love going out in the yard, finding a stick to trim and adding the "straw" so that my enchantress has a broom to fly away on.

Maybe I just plain old love making these. Last Halloween I was whipping them out nonstop. This year, this is probably it, I've got a couple of trips planned and have been busy with finishing up the remodel plus some entertaining.

Hopefully, I'll be able to make Sugarplum Fairy banners for Christmas, they are every bit as much fun to sparkle up and glue together. In the meantime, if you'd like a witch themed banner made with lots of vintagey goods, you can find these two here.

Coffee Filter flowers for Valentine’s Day

flowers, holiday decor, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / February 13, 2016

To celebrate the holiday, Sugarwings asked if we could throw a craft day party. I try to do these for other occasions too, some years we have one for every holiday, other years are hit and miss. It is always a good excuse to clean up the studio and hang out with good friends. so if I can make a party happen, I'm glad to do it.

And it is such fun to see Sugarwing's excitement and to watch her little wheels turn as she plans a soiree. We made a couple of trips to craft stores, and she picked out all the supplies needed to make cards.

The menu was all her idea too. Of course, Conversation Hearts were a main treat.

Along with Ghirardelli chocolate dipped strawberries.

Sadly, about an hour before the party, I got a call from her, in tears because she was ill. Our poor, fairy baby had a fever and had to cancel. Luckily, her Nurse Mommy had a day off, and was there for her.

Which meant she was in very good hands. (Here comes a bragging moment, and a big one-) Her mom, our Hippy Chick, is on the nominated list for "The Best of Lawrence" voting for Best Nurse in town!

And that is a big deal, isn't it?

After talking to Sugarwings, I talked to her daddy and discovered that Kia, my Faux Granddaughter, was ill too. So, no family for the big party. Dewdrop is in NC with her own mommy, and the rest of the bunch were taking care of sick kids.

I was down for a bit, sad that my girl couldn't come to the party she had planned out, but I'm leaving it all set up and letting her throw another one for her family, and I had a lovely day with my good friends and their kids.

Lots of cards to spread Valentine love were crafted, and we also made some coffee filter flowers.

Here is a vaseful at a point when I thought they were done.

But, I decided that they needed something more, and figured out that a kid's marker dipped in water was great to give the petal edges some color.

Watercolor paints work well on the petals too.

I added some leaves pulled off my favorite old hats too.

Much better!

They were so much fun to make, that I'm also having one more coffee filter craft day too. Plus, I have dyed HUNDREDS of filters…

Twinkle really needs to learn to not be so curious when I'm dying things. She always ends up with a polka dot on her head.

It's been a few days and the color is barely fading.

I bought two packages each of small, medium, and large filters, and dipped them in fiber reactive dyes. Once they were done, the amount seemed to quadruple.

I'm going to need more friends to help me use these up….

Or I could just sit and make flower, after flower, after flower. (this is the same flower I showed painted and using a marker on. Big difference, huh?)

Because they are addictive and beautiful. I seem to have the best luck with peonies, I wish my roses turned out better. And I find it hard to work with the dang floral tape.

Why is it even called tape? It has very little stickiness, which is basically tape's main ingredient.

But the flowers are really pretty easy to make, we all had some beauts. The kids might have even out-flowered the adults.

The hardest part for me was adding the wire stem with the floral tape. I discovered that it was better to use artist tape to hold the flower onto the wire, then cover it in the green tape.

It still wasn't perfect. I'll need to do some research before friends come back to make more flowers with me.

If you want to make some, there are so many how-to videos and guides online, that it probably isn't worth my time to give you any directions. This site has links to many different tutorials. I tried a variety of styles, some easier than others. I gave up on the Martha Stewart ones. They are unbearably beautiful, but not a quick process.

The joy of the other directions was that they are so simple and look like you spent a lot of time on them, when you really didn't.

I'll let you know if we figure out any good shortcuts or tips when we make more. I'm glad to be having more parties!