holiday decor – Page 25 – Karla's Cottage

A bookclub Christmas party

celebrations, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 22, 2013

Before I left for my quick, Florida trip, I hosted our book club's holiday gathering.

This year, I am throwing myself whole heartedly into every opportunity to celebrate the season.

Lots of baking, lots of parties, lots of fun!

I'm hosting 4 gatherings, plus our family get togethers, took the girls to a play, attended a few parties, went to the Festival of Trees, and have Christmas lights burning brightly from morning till night.

When I had to have my decorations up before Thanksgiving, I thought it might be too much, that I'd be tired of all of them by the time the main event rolled around.

But nope, I've revelled in them and hate to see it all come to a close soon. It will be hard to pack it up and say goodbye to all of my twinkle lights and sparkly pretties till next year.

So for now, I'm soaking up as much holiday cheer as I can cram into myself, and into these two. We've done cocoa parties by the light of the tree and read Christmas stories galore.

Of course, I've had to pay the price of all this gallivanting and fun.

My shopping isn't done yet!

Oh, I've made a few gifts, like these trees I sent to my sisses. But for the most part, I've tried to make the holiday more about precious time together instead of presents.

Although, as the big day approaches, I'm starting to worry about my lack of presents under the tree, and really do need to get a few wrapped for the children, of course. I'm doing gift cards for the adults in our family, so they don't feel left out, but for me this year, it's about the joy not the gifts.

A Black Velvet Christmas with the Guncles

celebrations, family, Food and Drink, guncles, holiday decor, Travel, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 18, 2013

Our "Black Velvet Christmas" weekend at the Guncles was FAB.

Yep, that is the best word for it.

Except, the word should be written like this instead:

FAB!!!!!!!!!!

The home was colorfully filled with magical Christmas displays.

Tucked into every nook and cranny.

Not to mention that the house was also knee deep in gifts, that the guncles had generously bought and beautifully wrapped for their guests.

Fantastic, fresh seafood was fixed for every meal.

There were lots of pups waiting for cuddles.

A glamorous dinner party set up in a garden tent, where we cozily dined on lobster tails while a soft rain fell outside.

It was fun to have a reason to get gussied up.

I don't think I've ever been invited to a dinner party where my Handsome Husband put on a tux.

There was a complete bar set up with fresh limes from the garden.

And while it was rainy during our big dinner party, the rest of the weekend had perfect weather.

Especially since, back home in Kansas, the temps were in the 20s.

I loved being outside in the sunshine.

It was good for my soul to see fresh, blooming plants in winter.

And to share such a warm, welcoming weekend with good friends, old and new. Karen and I were already pals, and I enjoyed meeting her husband.

Randy and Kevin are top notch hosts, offering up more than just their home, they open their hearts up to their guests too.

And those guys are pretty lovable themselves.

They were overly generous with their gifting, but the best gift of all was them sharing their this haven of kindness, giving, and caring that is their home.

I'm very lucky to have married into this family. What great guys.

Thanks, Randy and Kevin!

Domed glass frame ornaments

antiques/junking, Dew Drop, family, guncles, holiday decor, how to's, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 15, 2013

While out junking, I found three of these domed glass ornaments for $1 each. (I wish there had been more!!) They were pretty as is, but I had other ideas for them. First step was to find just the right picture of my little fairy princesses, then back it with heavy paper, and cut out the images.

After that, I pried off the the back of the frame. That was harder than I thought it would be, but it ended up coming off okay.

Next, I covered the existing cardboard circle with very old, gold wallpaper on the front/sheet music on the back, and added the girls to it. Dewdrop is layered over Sugarwings, with a wadded up piece of paper under her to make her image a little higher than her sister's image.

Since the glass was domed, I wanted to take advantage of the space inside and have the pictures at different levels.

Next, I added millinery flowers to their hair, and glitter pen sparkles to their dresses.

On Sugarwing's hair posy, I added a rhinestone. And then slid the word, "joy" under Dewdrop's head.

Bunched up lace and ribbon were glued over Sugarwing's skirt, and a silver pipe cleaner tree was put into Dewdrop's hand.

I took a snip from the pipe cleaner, and bent it into a V shape, and trimmed the fringe, so that it was all shaped up neatly. Then, I cut another snip off of a pipe cleaner, and trimmed almost all the fringe off of it right down to the wire, and glued that into a hole poked into the picture of Dewdrop's fist. Over that, I glued the V shape, faux tree, so that the piece glued into her hand looked like the trunk of the tree.

Next, I ran a bead of glue around the circle, dumped a bunch of sparkly glitter on the center of the circle, and rammed the piece back into the metal frame, under the glass. It wasn't much easier to put back in that it was to take out. But it went in, and the glue will hold it.

The glitter is loose, and makes me think this looks like a snow globe.

The other two that I bought were turned into gifts for Guncle Randy and Guncle Kevin. I made up a couple of pretty boy angels on black velvet for them.

Our trip to visit them in Florida involved a fancy dress up dinner party that was themed, "A Black Velvet Christmas."

I had some gorgeous, old black velvet to cut up, and used it for the background plus cut some up as ribbons.

The old watch face is ringed by tinsel, to make it Christmassy.

Foil leaves and sparkly snowflakes were tied to the ribbons.

The angels in both are vintage, and the feathers are from my hen, Sophia. She had such pretty, silver colored feathers, that were just perfect for the angel wings. This handsome guy got his suit foofed up with silver stripes, and a boutonniere with a rhinestone center on his lapel.

When I get back, I'll have some pictures to show of the guncle's FAB holiday home. They always do it up right. I'll probably come home about 10lbs heavier too, they cook every bit as good as they decorate, and these guys love to spoil their guests!

Christmas creations

holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 11, 2013

Last week, I was still immersed in making ornaments.

Beth and I had gone to a flea market where I found a bag of little doll shoes, and have been busy turning them into pretties to hang on the tree.

At the flea, we were drawn to a box of buttons, and after we'd each found a handful, we thought it was funny to see how different our picks were. Bright, bakelite for Beth, and sparkling blinginess for me. Beth said we should take a photo, and the jostling of bundled purchases, coats, and scarves while digging of the cameras out of pockets while not messing up our selections was pretty entertaining.

Afterward, I thought, now, why didn't I just set the buttons down, get out the phone, and then re-arrange the buttons? Well, that would have made it just too easy, I guess.

It wasn't the best flea market I've ever been to, but it was a lot of laughs. And I was glad to get a bag filled with a dozen little shoes.

They have been addictive, I made up quite a few of them. Some to keep, some to sell, some to give as gifts.

I'll save one for Sugarwings to make with me too. She is always looking for a new crafting adventure, and I think she'll enjoy redesigning a little shoe.

I've listed a few of these in the Boutique.

And there are a few new creations in the etsy shop too. (and kits to make your own)

As well as these funny, little angel earrings, which I didn't make. They are vintage clip ons.

I will be away from my computer till Monday, we are off to see the Guncles in Florida. All packages will be mailed when I get back. Thanks for your patience.

I'll leave you with some photos of what is new in the Boutique.

Holiday Home decor temptations

cottage, family, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 8, 2013

This season, I was a tad bit worried about the Christmas decorations staying where I put them.

Between the dogs and the Grand Fairies, I doubted that any of it stood a chance of surviving till Christmas, since it went up so early.

But the little girls have been ideal. Dewdrop is enamoured of it all, yet doesn't mess with it.

Much…

I think the trick to keeping little fingers off the vintage and hand made pieces that I want to use, but not have destroyed, was to give them their very own tree.

Sugarwings and I started this tradition when she was tiny. I gave her a pink tree and a basket full of decorations to put on, take off, play with, do as she pleased.

Now, Dewdrop is enjoying the tree along with her. And is pretty good about not getting into the other decor.

I also think it helps that I make a big deal out of the way the house is decorated and pick them up to show them individual things and talk about them. The Grand Fairies feel included, and enjoy the pretties around the cottage, I want them to feel like our home is fixed up for all of us, not that it is just a big pile of Grammie NO NOs.

Kind of like what we do in the studio. The girls have their own tables, and cabinets full of art supplies that belong to them. They have learned to, well kind of, keep curious fingers out of my supplies. I like to show them what I am working on and tell them about it, but I am also trying to teach them to respect my things and to use their own.

Of course, Dewdrop is barely 3, and Sugarwings has an ongoing story happening in her head that requires lots of interesting props to act out… so, it's a challenge and a gamble to set out precious things within their reach.

But worth it. If something breaks here and there (which it has), it's only stuff. I hope that I am showing them how good it is for the soul to have the peace and calm that pretty surroundings can bring to you.

And it means a lot to me to have our home all Christmassed up.

I think they like it too.

Now, if I can only convince the Twin Terrier Terrors that none of it is meant for them. Those dogs are infatuated with it all.

Wish us luck!

Hand painted ornaments

flowers, holiday decor, paintings

By Karla Nathan / December 5, 2013

For my guests at Romantic Cottage Christmas, I painted some ornaments.

Hand painted balls used to be a huge tradition with me. I have no idea how many hundreds I've done over the years. When I was a poor, single mom, I hawked these like crazy to earn money to buy the kids' gifts.

Then, for 20 years or so, painted ornaments were gifts I did for family.

Somehow, I've gotten away from making them. A few here and there maybe, over the last few seasons, but not to the extent that I used to make them. My boys have one for each year while they were growing up, with all sorts of pictures, from snowmen, to Santas, to a picture of their first cars, but I don't think I've made any yet for the grand fairies.

Maybe I needed that little break from making these, because it sure felt good to sit at the desk and swirl roses out of pink paint onto glass balls. Ryan came by the studio while I was working on them, and seemed so pleased to see me back at it. I guess I didn't realize my family had missed them.

I'd kind of branched out into different types of holiday projects once I discovered how much I loved playing with vintage elements. But painting was my first love and I had a great day making some for my friends.

Maybe I'll get out the brushes and make a few more…

Romantic Cottage Christmas in the Studio

celebrations, holiday decor, studio tour, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 30, 2013

Seems like I've been full tilt into Christmas for weeks now. With all the fun of getting ready for my holiday workshop, I had my decor up and running way early this year.

I don't always deck the studio, but I sure am enjoying having all the holiday pretties up in here.

The party itself was such a good day. I hope the ladies enjoyed it as much as I did.

On Monday, I've got another group of friends coming over for an ornament making party, and on the 20th, I'm having a family ornie party. So, I'm hoping to keep the room tidy till then.

There is something about a tidy studio, that just fills me with anticipation. Because I know that it wouldn't be all cleaned up, if something fun wasn't about to happen in it!

It's exciting knowing that the room is looking it's best and ready for company!

And having holiday decorations in the room makes it even more fun. I kept the decor simple, but still festive. I exchanged the hanging birds, still up from Birdsong, with some ornaments.

And traded out bird pictures in the old frames for some glittery holiday messages and stars.

And of course, the Treat Cabinet always looks better when filled up with goodies.

But my favorite part?

A room filled with creative souls, laughing and making pretty things together.

I'll leave you with some pictures from the day.

PS, there are still some kits available for the cherub and the tree on a spool in my Etsy shop.

Christmas ornament kits

holiday decor, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 26, 2013

Our workshop was such fun on Saturday! What a nice group of ladies.

I'll have photos of the day to show you, but today has been crazy. We own a driveway full of vehicles (3 cars, 2 trucks), and are down to one that runs, or isn't loaned out to someone. We've been jumping, towing, trying to find rides, swapping them out, loaning them out, it has been a jumble around here.

The Hippy Chick's car died too, and we loaned her a truck that, of course, died. And our other truck died on the way to fetch her and Sugarwings when they were stranded on the roadside in the cold.

But I wanted to pop in here quickly, to let you know that there were still a few kits from the party left over. I made up extra of three of the projects, and they are going fast on Etsy.

I will be listing some of the angels that I made in preparation for the class, later on, if you are interested in those.

Or there are still kits if you'd like to make one of your own!

There are versions in pink and in gold/neutral tones.

Hopefully, in the next couple of days, I'll get some photos edited of our lovely day making these Christmassy goodies and get a new post up about it.

In the meantime, please check out the ornie kits for sale. Grammie needs a new alternator belt (and a compressor, and a battery, and well, probably a whole new car…)

Cagey

holiday decor, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 22, 2013

When I am planning a class, I always make more than one example of the project. When I made the little wire birdcages, I probably made two thousand or more, since they were pretty complicated and I wanted to streamline them before writing up instructions for the online class. Online versions have to be extra careful since the student isn't in the same room to easily ask questions like at an art event workshop.

So, as I was spiffing up the studio and getting ready for company and for the holidays, I came across those two thousand plus cages- here, there, and everywhere around the room.

Instead of packing them away to make room for holiday things, I decided to use them as holiday decorations on my mini tree.

Of course, the tree is pretty tiny, and they take up most of it, but I like the look. I think I'll put some on my big tree in the house too.

Wouldn't they be cute with a few tiny shiny brites in the cage?

Since I have a few thousand of them to use….

Sidetracks

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 13, 2013

Yep, I know, I know, I need to make kits for the Romantic Cottage Christmas workshop November 23rd.

But I've been having too much fun playing with all the supplies I have out to create the kits How on Earth could I resist taking an extra set of wings and turning them into a little ornament on their own?

So nice, I did it twice.

I've been experimenting with different ribbons and lace to see which makes the best wing texture.

I've decided this lace makes the prettiest wings. And was the easiest to work with.

Of course, we'll have lots of different lace and trims to try that day if the participants prefer something other than what comes in the kits.

And yes, there will be kits, eventually. I have all the Tart Tin Trees wrapped up and ready to go, in neutral and pink so my guests will have a choice. (I love having extra choices, the fun part of a workshop is seeing how varied one project looks done in different ways)

But, gosh, where there are little remnants lying on my table, I can't resist turning it into something.

I have been way too distracted by shiny things this week!

While cutting up this beyond wonderful, pink flock wallpaper, I couldn't let the scraps go to waste. Some I cut into die cut shapes to use later, but if there were any snippets too small for that, I used them to wrap around the spools for my little trees.

I treasure each little, left over, bit too much. To me, the old paper is too precious to let anything usable go to waste.

And I love a good excuse to get out of the task at hand…

But now, back to work. I really do enjoy putting kits together, and an excuse to stop and play just extends the fun. I refuse to look at it as procrastinating. It's too much fun to be labelled in a negative way!!