holiday decor – Page 25 – Karla's Cottage

Another person’s trash….

By Karla Nathan / March 12, 2014

As I've been gathering up fairy making materials to fill kits for Birdsong, I've taken a few breaks here and there to make a couple of other things too.

Beth came over for a craft day and brought me a bag of her trash. Now, that might sound odd, but she throws away stuff that I am thrilled to get. Like a stack of old books, half started projects, piles of ribbon, doilies, sewing supplies, all sorts of stuff that she cleaned out of her studio.

We thought the little fairies were going to join us for craft day, but they were busy outside all afternoon.

This cardboard box lid was in there. She'd lined it with the bird print on text and some ribbon, then quit. I couldn't leave it like that. I added beeswax to the background, more trim, some rhinestones, a nest and more birds.

It reminded us of that challenge on Top Chef where the chefs go from station to station doing the next step in a dish others started.

I'm setting this aside to use for a drawing prize for Birdsong 4. I'll be using the doilies she brought over to wrap up drawing prizes too. I'm already setting things aside to make up bundles of gifts to pick from when I pull a name out of the flowered hat during our weekend.

And I have a bonus gift too, from Gwen McClure She is giving us a $50 gift certificate to Bottoms Up!

Sponsors who give us little prizes for the gift bags or something for the drawing will be added to the side bar of my blog for a year. Plus, I'll show off your kind gift on my blog.

And you will make the Birdsong peeps very happy! If you want to be a sponsor, please email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

This was made with trash from Beth too, or at least some of it. She tried out the hot wax I was using on the bird piece, but didn't like the technique. So, I rescued her waxed French postcard and layered it with lace, flowers, and this baby picture.

The wax was interesting, but I doubt if I'll make much use of it. I am too impatient to get it hot enough, and it was gloppy and hard to work with. I like things I can do without thinking about ahead of time or planning.

Gee, that sounds lazy.

Is it that hard to warm up a pot of wax before I need it????

I've added the baby collage to the Boutique, along with a few Easter Eggs on stands too.

Here comes Pretty Cottontail

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 1, 2014

Lately, I've been working on building kits for Birdsong, but I just had to take a little break to create something JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT. Just because I wanted to make something.

I'd found this styrofoam, hollow egg at a flea mkt, years ago and came across it in the cabinet while looking for something I needed for the kits I was gathering together. At that point, I simply had no choice but to stop everything else I was doing, and sit down to remake this thing.
The interior of it was filled with a scene that included a bunch of this kind of stuff. The outside of it was covered in pale blue fabric and crispy, cheap lace. Ugh. I should have got a photo of the whole thing, but you are probably glad that I didn't, it wasn't all that pretty to see.

I remade some of the pieces from its center into this. The horses are saved for something else. I thought it would be cuter with a bunny pulling the cart. The wheels were painted and put back on, but I added mother of pearl buttons over them, to match the MOP paint I used on the carriage.

The egg itself got all of the lace ripped off (I'd love to know what fantastic glue had been used on it, that stuff really held!), and I decoupaged right over the fabric with pages torn from an old French book. That was a little harsh for me, so I brushed over the words with cream, then with white Mother of Pearl paint. And over that, some fine, clear glitter.

It's pretty from the back too, but simple.

When I started on it, the plan was jelly bean colors. Hmm, that didn't happen, did it? It turned into a soft, low color piece, which is often how things go with me. I love the tones of vintage lace and old pages, and lean towards using them even when I planned on doing something else.

To me, it makes the piece less Easter-y, something that you could display year round if you wanted to.

What will the bunny be bringing to you this year? If you'd like one of these pieces in your basket, you can find them here.

Sweethearts and some card making tips

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, how to's, Sugarwings, Valentine's Day, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 21, 2014

I hope you had a good Valentines Day? We sure did. Actually, a week of it! My Handsome Husband took me out to dinner one night, then the next, we all got dressed up and went out for a fancy meal with Sugarwings, her mommy and her mommy's sweetheart. And this was all before Valentines ever arrived. On the day of, I had the grand fairies and we decided to play with food coloring out in the snow.

Of course, not all of the artwork can be hearts and love notes when you are creating with a 3 year old, and most of it all got trampled. When Ryan came down his stairs later as it was starting to get dark out, he thought there had been some sort of massacre in the snow from all the red squirted everywhere.

Sugarwings took off for a weekend with her mommy while Dewdrop spent some time with us. We got all dressed up with her and went out on the town again, to do a little dining and dancing while a friend's band played.

Then, and yes there is MORE. My husband and I went out to dinner AGAIN with some friends. I think I might just forget how to cook. I could get used to this life of restaurants and celebrations.

Except it all came to a crashing end when I had more gum surgery on Monday morning. No more dining for me for a while, it's jello time now.

Between galas and bashes and dinners and celebrating, I made up some cards to send out. These are a little different for me, not all elements are pure vintage. I had this rose print paper, and thought it was perfect for the holiday.

To start, I folded a chocolate brown sheet of card stock to make the card, and inked all the edges inside and out. Next, I cut out the rose paper to fit on the card, and with an exacto blade, cut slits in the faux picture frame on the paper, to slide in a Victorian die cut cherub.

To make the frame a bit more 3d, I used a soft brown marker to outline the inside of the frame and create shadows.

Around the card, I doodled with a metallic gold ink pen. The message inside the card is with the same ink.

To finish, I glued two sets of millinery petals, and added a red rhinestone to the center.

This card was made in much the same way, then I added velvet ribbon, a crepe paper ruffle, a painted brass piece and a millinery leaf to the edge.

For the brass, I used Martha Stewart craft paint that is made for metal, painted it on and wiped it off.

This time, the card also features a painted metal piece, that I've tied ribbons to. On top of it, I glued some vintage butterfly wings and on those, a pink cake topper lady, who is now a fairy.

I had another pink lady, and used her over some die cut butterfly wings that my friend, Hope, had given me. I layered her over another painted brass piece and some lace.

This one was made after I ran out of the pretty rose paper but was still in a card making mood. I cut sheet music into a heart, inked the edges and added a crepe paper ruffle to the back.

Onto the card, I added a Victorian die cut lady. Her dress had been baby blue, but I changed that with markers for a more Valentiney look. Her wings are two different butterflies printed onto vellum paper, and slid under her shoulders.

I added some millinery and a touch of sparkle with Stickles glitter.

I just love the way vellum paper looks with images printed on it. This photo is on vellum, and I cut a heart out of sparkly, white scrap book paper to layer underneath, then put both over a tan mat for contrast. It went into a frame, not onto a card.

If you'd like to try the snow painting, it is simple as can be. A small amount of food coloring in a jug of water is all it takes to make the paint. Then, put it into squirt bottles. It is surprising how fast it goes, though, so be prepared for a lot of refilling.

PS- if you'd like to sign up for a chance to win a copy of Where Women Create, please leave a comment on my previous post, or on FB.

Free Images to Sweeten someone’s day for Valentines

flowers, free images, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / January 27, 2014

There isn't much that is more fun to me than a day in the studio. Especially with friends. Which is why I adore Birdsong so much and why I want to plan more mini workshops at the cottage.

Last week, I was able to have a little get together in there with a few good friends, and little Dewdrop. One friend works for United Way and was putting on a coordinated workday with the Boys and Girls Club to make some cards to deliver with Meals on Wheels for Valentines Day.

She asked her crafty friends to help with some samples to display for the event, and brought her supplies over for us to come up with some cards using them. Well, it's always fun to delve into a pile of new goodies, of course, so I was all for it. Since I usually work with vintage papers, it was a challenge to try something different than what I am used to. Lori brought pretty scrapbook papers, so it was a joy to try them out.

Still, I did make some copies of flowers and old Valentines, plus some messages to add inside the cards.

I'll post them here for you to use too. Maybe you'll make a card for someone who otherwise might not be getting one this year?

Some of these I might have posted before, some are new. All would be pretty used in a Valentine! Click to open into a larger window and save the image to your computer before you print it off.

A Gingerbread Dream House for the fairies

holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 21, 2014

Last week, Sugarwings and I took advantage of the warmer weather and took our Gingerbread Dreamhouse out to the Fairy Berry Trail for the fairies to move into.

(after cutting out a doorway, so they could walk into it)

I asked her why she was sitting it on a table instead of under a tree on the ground and she looked at me like I was dense and reminded me that fairies can fly.

Then, she took the Santa out of the chimney and added a sparkly, blue fairy to greet the new occupants.

I'm sure the little people will be thrilled with their Dreamhouse.

Unless it is devoured by wildlife before the little Dorkies discover it in the woods. Albie Brave and Strong has had his eyes on the tasty looking home since we first started smearing icing on it.

In case Sugarwings goes out to check on how her fairies are liking the new abode and instead of housing sprites, it has been eaten by woodland creatures, I explained to her that as soon as the fae folk move in, it disappears into the magic fairy realm and becomes invisible.

Which means, I'd better go out and check to see if there are remnants of it lying around before she finds those, huh?

Birdsong 4 is now open for registration to new attendees. There might be an opening or two, I'm holding a couple of spots for past sponsors and guests who are checking dates and info, but these seats might be up for grabs. I'm starting a waiting list just in case. Please let me know if you are interested in coming or being a sponsor.

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

A Holiday Ornament making party

celebrations, family, holiday decor, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / January 11, 2014

Is it too late to still be talking about Christmas?

I feel like I missed a chunk of the holiday since I got so sick with a 24 hour bug that I was in bed for almost a week. Luckily, the rest of the family didn't get hit so hard. But I was a pure wimp about it.

So, I feel a bit behind with my holiday recaps. Plus, I'm writing this ahead of my trip to Hawaii so my blog will update while I'm away, making this not quite as old of news to me as it is to you….

On the weekend before Christmas, we had an ornament making party. It was a big, pitch in dinner, with lots of tasty treats, about 40 or so people, and I filled a table in the studio with tons of supplies so whoever wanted to make something for their tree could snip and paste and glitter away. Most of the husbands preferred beers in the office to glitter in the studio. The kids and moms were all able to make at least a couple ornies each.

I think Finn set the record, he was a regular Santa's Helper Elf. That kid was cranking them out.

And, I'd say the glitter was certainly used in full force! I will be sweeping up glitter for months. Or not, I kind of like having it sparkling up the floors.

Actually, it was one of many ornament parties I went to. First, the workshop early in the season, then a few friends over the next week to make some of the leftover projects. And my pal, Tami, invited me to a holiday ornament party at her house with some of our Birdsong friends.

Those were all such fun, that I threw this big one with the dinner party too. But poor Sugarwings, who was so excited about helping me plan it, got sick and couldn't come. I had a mini party for her where she could craft her own sparkly creations to make it up to her.

I'd bought a bagful of those papermache shapes on strings at Michael's when they were 40% and I had a 25% off everything coupon. These made for some fun concoctions, and I think I should go back and get more if they are still on clearance there . I have a feeling that they are gone by now. They are good to work with for the adults as well as the kids.

I wish I'd had my camera out more. I was elbow deep in sparkly stuff and too busy to take many pictures til things slowed down and all the kids had been helped with the glue gun and basic steps.

Over the years, I've had other seasonal parties with crafts in the studio. I love making things so much, these are my favorite kind of parties. I'm blessed with the space to do this and also have more supplies than I'll ever use. Might as well share, huh?

Speaking of supplies, my friend, Jen, had given me a stack of photo paper she wasn't going to use. Some how, some old photos (copies) of her relatives were left in the envelopes, but I wasn't sure if they were from her or some I had, or what, because it was a year or so later that I opened them and I had lots of pictures and photo paper.

She saw the photos I had out for everyone to cut and play with and recognized her grandma in them. She and her daughter had a great time making family themed ornaments to give away for Christmas. And it was cute to hear her daughter come over and say, "Mom, can I have another relative, please?"

Gosh, I hated to see the holidays come to an end. In my house, all the decor was packed up and stored away on Jan.1st. But there is still a silver and gold explosion of Christmas out in the studio. I have a feeling that when I return from Hawaii, I will be wishing I'd got that all boxed up too. Heck, I didn't even have a chance to clean up the room from the party yet.

That will be one of the first things on my list to do when I get settled. Because the girls and I have new toys to play with, I got these art sets at Michael's for them (those go on sale every year for a couple dollars) and Sugarwings bought one for me too! She had earned money from selling dyed bottle brush trees on Etsy and took that to her school holiday shop where things are donated by the community for kids to buy.

We were so tickled to see that we'd got the same gifts for each other. I can't wait till we get to sit down in the studio, spread out all the colors and give them a whirl.

Sometimes holidays aren’t what you planned, are they?

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2013

Oh, we pulled Christmas off wonderfully, after all, but it was a bit of a bumpy ride.

First, Sugarwings came down with an upper respiratory bug and fever that made her miss the last day of school, with its big holiday bash, and then our annual ornament making party too. As she started to get better, her mommy got a stomach bug, and Ryan got the head cold thing and high fever. Then, shifts at work started shifting for the other parents, and all of our plans were topsy turvy.

We were back and forth on what day, what time, when to celebrate, but it all worked out with all of us feeling healthy on the same day and off work at the same time. For one, beautiful, sparkly evening Christmas night, no one was sick. We had a lovely party, with lots of happy giggles.

And Santa was able to find the girls at our house on the morning after Christmas.

But then, people started to trade bugs back and forth and before you know it, we had all succumbed to one or the other.

Lucky me, I had both at once. I can't even remember how long I was in bed, it felt like years. And my selfish family refused to put a pillow over my head and smother me to put me out of my snotty, nauseating misery. Even when I assured them that I was too weak to struggle and would go quickly.

Our littlest fairy has the feverish bug now, along with both of her parents. Hopefully, her brothers and sisters won't get it too, because we are still trying to find a day when we can bring them an armload of gifts.

On Christmas Eve, when the parents were at work or sick, Sugarwings was feeling better, so we took the girls to the restaurant her Daddy was working at. I almost felt guilty about enjoying it so much with most of the family either sick or at work on the holiday, but man, it was a beautiful thing to have someone else cook a great meal on Christmas Eve.

Years ago. before we had the Fairy Granddaughters, we used to eat Christmas dinner with Ryan at a bar and grill where he was employed as a cook. There are few things as sad as bar food and listening to drunks cry into their beers over not seeing their kids on Christmas while we ate chicken strips and buffalo wings. But hey, you do your best to be with family and keep them company on the holidays. And we did our best to make it fun.

It was a whole different thing to get fancied up really nice and put red, velvety dresses on the girls to go out for an Italian meal at my favorite restaurant.

We have aimed at traditions over the years and sometimes succeed. But, we've discovered that it doesn't always matter if you have a certain meal on a certain night.

As long as we can find a day to be together, we are pretty happy.

Grammie’s house at Christmas, photographed by Sugarwings

Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 24, 2013

When I downloaded the photos from my Florida trip to the Guncles' home, I found a series of pictures that I hadn't taken. I saw Dewdrop as a model, and quickly figured out who might have been the photographer.

Sugarwings must have come across my camera sitting on the table waiting to be slipped into my purse for the trip and decided to take some pictures around the living room.

She did a good job with the photos, and I liked seeing the room from her point of view.

So, I decided to share them with you.

May your holiday also be filled with sweet surprises.

And a childlike view of the wonders of the holiday.

With all the joy and anticipation that fills a kid's heart.

While dreaming about the magic that awaits on Christmas morning.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

From my family, to yours.

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!