jewelry – Page 10 – Karla's Cottage

Party prep

antiques/junking, Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, I do tend to run on, don't I?, jewelry, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / March 25, 2010

We are counting down the days till puppy time, poor Twinks looks about ready to pop! She still has some time to go, and it looks like she is going to spend those days resting.

The whole time I am in the studio, she curls up in this dog carrier/purse. She barely fits anymore, and I'd hate to have to sling it over my shoulder with her (and that tummy full of pups) in it at this point.

It was given to her when she was a puppy herself by a friend, and I used to carry her around in it. It has become her dog bed under my work table. Now that her birthing time is getting closer, she rarely leaves the bag.

Or maybe she just hides in it to escape the chaotic mess that my studio has become?? I feel like hiding when I look at it too. I have two craft days and an Easter Egg party coming up, one tomorrow, so I might need to rent a back hoe to clean this quickly.

Here is something I have learned about having a nice, big studio to work in.

THE MORE TABLES I SET UP, THE MORE STUFF I LEAVE OUT.

Its really sad, because I enjoy having a pretty place to work in, and I'd never let my house get to this point. My home always looks lived in, but not scary like the studio. I like things pretty and peaceful. But out here, things just pile, and pile, and pile. Till I force myself to do something about it.

I knew I'd let it go too far when Sugarwings lectured me about covering up her Play Doh table with packing materials. We talk a lot about her not messing with my stuff, and I was in the wrong to over flow into her area. And I sure heard about it too.

It may look like utter chaos, but there really is a working order to it… at least that is what I tell myself. I'm sure that is what all the people on "Hoarders" say to themselves too.

So, today, I've spent the morning clearing away the last of the Alice themed goods. I've listed the remaining 4 tag covers (I think I'd made about 100!) in the Boutique and all of the materials I used while working on the tags and books are stowed away.

Then, I finished up making Peat Pot Pretties with Charlotte fairies from all of those materials that were still out. I've listed these two and have a few more to photograph. Soon, I hope to gather up what I need to make up the kits that you have asked for to make your own. Maybe after I face the taxes….

There was a big pile of flea market finds that I was trying to get photographed and listed, and that is done now too.

The trouble with cleaning up, is that I can't just put things away. I have to finish up whatever I had them out for in the first place. And use up the scraps. So, of course, when I come across something like an old candy box that was torn, I had to make tags out of it. If I'd packed it away, then it would have just become clutter and would have looked like I was saving torn up trash. Then, I really would have felt like a Hoarder!

So, I made tags from the box. And took photos, and listed them. (I'm patting myself on the back big time over that) I used tidbits laying around on my desk. That is such a much more fun way to clean than to just pack it all away. Plus, its a challenge to limit myself to using what is on the desk, not getting anything new out.

And then, when I get to the place when there is not much left to use on the desk, I can get back to the rest of the clean up.

I'm kind of looking forward to it. I have all day and all night by myself, till as late as I'd like to stay out here and putter and clean. I'll watch the Idol results and Runway while I work and eat granola bars for dinner.

Although, so far, this season of each has been kind of blah to me… Still a fan, but just not as excited about either this time around. I'm still hanging on to LOST too, but I kind of feel like every time they give us one of the so called, promised "answers" its still a question. So, is Richard right, is the island Hell, or was that just his way of seeing it, because of his background??

And please remember, if you want a chance to win this month's giveaway- the shard and rose quartz pendant, you can leave a comment on any post, you don't have to go back to the one where I ann
ounced the MARCH GIVEAWAY.

Okay, back to work for me. But first a quick trip to the PO and the gym.

March giveaway does really exist and some Tag Book Tendinitis

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, give away, jewelry, Sugarwings, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / March 17, 2010

Happy St Pats! There is a great parade downtown Lawrence, but I had to skip it today. Sugarwings went with the rest of the family and I stayed home to rest.

Remember the Frozen Charlotte flu that knocked me out of commission a couple of weeks ago? It turned into pleurisy. But on top of that, I seem to have some tendinitis in my left arm, from making over 70 tag books and typing out the labels. Funny, when you are over 50 and call the Dr. to say that your chest and left arm hurts, everyone starts to panic.

But, I knew it wasn't a heart attack, I could just tell. But my Dr. wouldn't see me to say what it was, I had to go to the ER. And since my stubborn, doctor's office hating, husband has high cholesterol issues and a family history of heart problems, I knew that if I refused to go in to get checked, he would use this as an excuse to not get checked himself if a future chest pain ever came up for him.

Since I KNEW it wasn't my heart, I finished all the tag books (from the tags that were already here, I am expecting a few more yet) and got them to the PO before I went to the ER. The pain had been around for more than 24 hours, I figured that if it was an emergency, I'd already have been dead.

So, the tags are in the mail, I am feeling better, but am supposed to rest up. I might take a couple of days off from typing, this hurts!

Sometimes it sucks to get old. Things hurt more. And linger longer.

Just ask poor old Bookie and Sparkle, they know how I feel. Those two hardly ever leave their pillow by the space heater. But I did coax them out to pose in their St Pats finery.

I'm going to take today and tomorrow off to get cozy and rest up while I recover from Frozen Charlotte Flu induced pleurisy and Tag Book Tendinitis. I've got some reading to do for book club and need to go see Alice in Wonderland.

Before I go, I wanted to show you the giveaway for March. Yep, its once again past mid-month by the time I remembered to announce my month long contest….

This is a china shard pendant that I've made from a vintage plate, a rose quartz cab, two rose quartz beads, and vintage crystals. This giveaway is retroactive, all comments all month, all posts go into the hat.

Now, back to my ibuprofen. I hope you all find a lucky four leaf clover and a pot of gold today!

A Farmhouse McMansion

collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / October 5, 2009

My house was empty over the weekend, just me and my dogs. When not parked in front of the DVR with a bowl full of popcorn, I spent time making some jewelry.  But mostly, I watched way, way too much TV.  
My TV addiction has become a serious problem.  I might need an intervention.  Or follow Beth's advice and get a job as a TV critic.
 
  
I was in a girly mood when I did this one.  Hmm, I think I'll switch the blue oval rhinestone with the rhinestone flower, this isn't balanced… I also think some pink crystal beads would be nice to add.
That is why I make my jewelry far in advance of an art show. I look it over, wear it, see if it hangs well and is comfy, or catches on anything. Changes sometimes need to be made.
 
Sugarwing's Daddy brought home a free dollhouse for her.  While I think it is magnificent, and actually kind of looks like our house (if I added some black shutters to it), its a bit overwhelming. Wow, it is huge!
"That's what she said."– see, I watch too many "Office" episodes, I am quoting Steve Carrell.
 
This mansion has hinges on each end so that a third of the house swings open, as well as part of the roof lifting up. I'd say it was hand made, with a lot of care. 
And big HEAVY ply wood.
 
My fairy grand baby already has a nice doll house in her room. This one is sturdy, wooden and hand made too, I found it at a garage sale for $20 a few years ago and painted it to match her room when she was big enough to play with it.  Its large, but not overwhelming like the white one her Daddy brought home to her.
 
Plus, it is furnished in just her style, with the blue flying monkey and rainbow haired troll dolls feeling right at home there.
 
There is a vintage log cabin with no roof that we use as a book case in her room too.  Its also from a garage sale, it was $10.  I lost the roof somewhere, and painted it white.  
It was probably worth something before I "fixed it up".
 
There is also a doll house in my studio.  This one does double duty, I dump her toys out and take it with me to shows, its a great display shelf. Its tall and lightweight and adds a visual impact to my booth. 
I certainly couldn't do that with the 2 ton, 20 room version that my son brought home this week.  Heck, maybe I'll use the new one for a dog house, its big enough for all three Dorkies to move into.
Notice how Twinkle automatically poses when I get out my camera? She thinks the photos are all about her. When I pick up the camera, she sits and waits to be admired.  The dog is turning into a bigger ham every day.
 
See what I mean? She can't imagine I'd take a photo without her in it. If you've wondered why I call the Yorkies "Dorkies" its because of their silly, and adorable behavior, like this.
 
Yes, Twinkle is pretty good company, she is right at my feet all day while I work, and is endlessly fascinated by all that I do.  I find myself showing her what I am working on, and her little head tilts to the side like she really cares and is intrigued by what I came up with. 
And of course, she thinks some things just look like dog toys. She really wants one of these chicks.
 
Not that she is getting one.  I kept a few for myself to make some things, and the rest are listed in the Boutique.  I've sold a LOT of them, but there are still some left.  But I can't recommend them as dog toys, no matter what Twinkle says.

Dollar Day

Books, Food and Drink, jewelry, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 3, 2009

Yesterday, I had a mini craft day. Beth, Mary, and I all had things to do for Silver Bella, so we decided to hang out and do them together.  I had a few little gifties for them, some ephemera and a chocolate from See's Candys. 
Beth brought a giant tub of jewels, a big box of buttons, and a stack of laces to tag and sort, one of those boring jobs that goes better with company.  Although, the jewels weren't boring to me, I loved looking through and playing with them.  
She even paid me a dollar to sort them out.  She also offered Sugarwings a dollar to sort buttons. Maybe Beth comes to visit for the cheap labor?  
 
It was a day full of finished projects for me, I am thrilled to be getting long neglected things completed!
For a while, I have been buying sewing boxes, jewelry boxes, and other vintage containers to foofify.  And hadn't touched them, they've been piling up and overflowing from the tub I had them in.  I felt like they were going to bury me in an avalanche if I didn't get around to them soon.  So, it was a relief to take an afternoon to whittle down the pile and get a few foofed.
 
There are a couple million dolls waiting for my attention too.  Some things, I just can't pass up while shopping, even though I should… Old dollies can be pretty cheap, and all they need is a bit of love, care, glue, cleaning, millinery and ironing.  Well, that does sound like a bit of work, no wonder I avoid them after I buy a pile of them.
But yesterday, I grabbed a couple of dirty dollies and got to work. And learned a trick from Beth.  She said that ribbons can be ironed on a lightbulb!!!!!!!
I had no idea, but it sure makes sense and really does work.
So, I pulled off a lamp shade and rolled a ribbon across the bulb, and that took all the wrinkles out immediately. I didn't even have to get out the iron and the board.  
So, I figured I'd try it on a doll skirt.  That worked great too, just open the skirt, drape it over the bulb and rub it around.  It looks very, very wrong while doing it (because the doll was stil in the dress), and elicited a few off color remarks, (I'll leave those to your imagination) but hey, it was easy and the wrinkles are gone!
I just hope these poor dolls don't feel too violated.
 
I got a good start on earring making too.  During the summer months, I collect vintage bits and pieces to remake into pierced earrings, necklaces, and bracelets for the fall art shows I do.
 
So, I'm planning on devoting most of this week to getting my jewels made up, tagged and ready to sell.
 
Isn't this a PERFECT display for them!?  I hope to have it all filled up by the end of the week. Then, I'll just close the lid, set it aside and it will be all ready to go when I leave for Silver Bella.
 
Sorting out Beth's jewels not only earned me a dollar, I found this little girl pin that was perfect to put on the cover of the Alice in Wonderland book I'd been working on.  Beth also brought me the rings to put the book together with.  So I got that finished too. 
Not a bad day of production!
 
When I was done, my son had this meal waiting for me! Roasted red peppers from the garden, rice with cilantro, and grilled tilapia.
Not a bad day at all.  Plus I made a whole DOLLAR. There are lots and lots of days that an artist can't say that!

Happy Birthday Beth!

jewelry, Moving to DC, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / June 12, 2009

This is another post written before I left for Virginia.

One of the things we have planned while hanging out in the DC area is a big birthday celebration for Beth. She is flying out for a couple of days to visit and we are meeting up with blog friends in the area for a shopping day in Leesburg, but before that, she and I are going to go out for a ritzy dinner with Robin.

I wanted to make something special for as a gift for her, so when I came across this vintage bracelet, that says "Virginia" on it, that gave me an idea for something sentimental.

Its an old ID bracelet, and I'm sure the owner's name was Virginia, but I thought it was the perfect base for a charm bracelet to commemorate the trip.

Well, that's a tiny photo, huh? Sometimes I have no idea what I am doing.

Her birthstone is pearl, so I added lots of genuine pearls to the chain. Another stone for June is a moonstone. I had some sweet little moonstone settings that my Sissy had given me and told me to only use for special pieces. I think this is special. Beth is like my Kansas sister, my real sisses are all the way across the Midwest in Indiana.

This little silver treasure chest is meant to signify all the fun days we have had out treasure hunting together. Plus, I bought it at our favorite flea market in Sparks while on one of those treasure hunting trips.

The Eiffel Tower symbolizes our Miss Frenchie's sale.

Of course, more pearls. And a vintage heart charm, because I know how much she loves old things with a lot of history, that aren't in perfect shape. And also because I just love her to pieces!!

Now, I need to make a card and get it wrapped. Plus pack my suitcase, gather all the goodies I am packing for the other girls we are meeting up with, and get ready to hit the road. Hmm, seems weird writing this before the trip and planning for it to post next week. Well, next week for me, Today for you as you read it.

Do you remember seeing these? When I first showed them, I mentioned they were for a special event coming up. They are the little gifts that I am packing to take to the other blog pals who are meeting in Leesburg.

Some are old friends, some are people I have been wanting to meet. This is going to be a very special day, all organized by Heather, who planned it all and sent out the invitations. I owe her a big thank you for making all the arrangements from meeting places in the morning to dinner reservations that night. Also a thank you for inviting me, as well as timing it so I could be in the area to attend.

I just can't wait! And yes, there will be LOTS of photos. This will be my last "pre-made" post, the next will be in real time and I'll have pix of the trip.

Here is a list of who Heather has gathered up for this party:

Lori www.myfaeriewindow.blogspot.com myfaeriewindow.blogspot.com/>

Beth http://bethleintz.typepad..com/

Andrea http://www.velvetstrawberries.typepad.com/

Robin http://thriftymissprissy.typepad.com/

Jessica http://www.suchprettythings.typepad.com/

Stephenie justalittlebitpink.blogspot.com/>

Heather   prettypetals.typepad.com/>

Amy http://www.inspireco.blogspot.com/

Pamela http://pamelajanes.blogspot.com/

Hope http://besottment.typepad.com/

If you'd like one of these journal/tag books, I am offering one as a gift in my JUNE GIVEAWAY. You enter by leaving any comment on any post.

There are also some for sale in the Boutique.

In the eye of the storm

housework, jewelry, show and tell

By Karla Nathan / April 25, 2009

Its getting dark here, we've had a nasty storm. I knew I had been working too hard on cleaning up my studio when the tornado sirens went off and I was thinking how angry I'd be if my studio had a branch come through the window and everything got all wet or blown after slaving over the redo for days!

This redo has been very detailed. I started by getting a new tall, storage cabinet and that turned into shuffling everything around. I took my time and went through all my supplies, made them easier to get to, got reacquainted with things I forgot I had, and even pulled the jewelry I had from one end of the room to the other, all into one area.

These are the kind of jobs that eat up the hours. It took me the length of three "America's Next Top Model" reruns to find, and separate all my sparklies.

The case I have them in is from TJMaxx, I'd bought it years ago to use for display at art shows for my hand made jewelry. 99% of its life was spent in the back of the closet, taking up space. Then, it dawned on me, that this table with its display case and glass top would be ideal to have at my desk. Kind of like a kid's school room desk, with the top that opens up, but there certainly aren't any math books in here!

School would have been a lot more fun if this was what was inside the desks there.

All these gems and pretties on display, but under glass and not getting dusty, will certainly be handy and inspirational!

And maybe it will remind me to stop buying more. And more. And more.

But, I get such good deals! I have to buy glitzy pieces when they are a couple dollars or less, I'd be crazy not to!

But, I do seem to have a lifetime supply!

But, my favorite flea market is this week, and they always have rhinestones!

Sugarwing's part of the studio got some redoing too. I found this antique, toy vanity for her at a garage sale today. I think I'll paint it white, if the rain ever stops. I thought about painting her table to match, but I really enjoy the blue. Maybe I'll paint the old milk box that she uses as a chair and stores her coloring books in.

I sorted more than jewelry. I went through wallpaper scraps, ephemera, and ribbons and got those all tidy and put in useful places.

To celebrate having the place all spiffed up, I put the table cloth onto my work table. Not practical at all, but since I am not sitting there and working right now, and won't have time to for a few days, I thought I'd enjoy seeing it there like that.

And I do.

In the back is the culprit that started all this fuss. Who would have thought that one new piece of furniture would turn into 4 days (and counting) of sorting and cleaning?

There are still things I want to do, like cover the drawers of those two old cardboard/wallpaper chests in prettier paper. I'll leave the outside of the chest, but the drawer fronts would look better in lighter colors.

Of course, it has taken me 4 days so far, because I play with stuff too much. If I was just dusting, mopping and tidying up, one day would have been plenty.

The storm outside is still pretty bad, but at least the sirens have stopped going off. That must mean that the possible tornado blew elsewhere.

Storms don't bother me, I kind of liked my day of sorting and playing with my goodies as the sky grew darker and darker. Both of my sons called to make sure I was ok, since I was home alone. That made my day even better. There is no one more loving than a grown up son. I'm lucky to have two of them. Plus it was good to hear that Sugarwing's Daddy had her safely tucked into a basement (with shoes on, we always put on shoes if there is a storm, you never know when there might be broken glass) and away from the Kansas wind.

Feeling less than sparkly

Etsy Goodies, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / March 22, 2009

Doesn't this little lady look happy? I could use some of her exuberance! I've been in bed ill, with yet another bug of some kind.

Now that I am up and about, I am taking it easy with some simple projects, like sugaring babies. I've also been cleaning old hardware to get it ready to take to Miss Frenchie's sale. Some of the things I found in the boxes of knobs and handles were these glass discs. They probably went to part of a knob at one time, but now they are perfect little "stages" for my Sugar Babies.

I should keep a bigger stash of mini crowns ready to go. They do come in handy. I had one for the sweet baby on the left, but not enough to go around for everyone.

Another crown went on this sugared bird nesting in millinery flowers and vintage beads.

The nest is perched in this old German mug.

This week, I have been in a sorting mood. Not just hardware, I also cleaned out my jewelry supplies. After making up a big batch of jewels for the sale on April 17th (and to get me through the rest of the year too, I usually make all my jewelry once or twice a year, in big marathons) I cleaned up the odds and ends and bits I had too much of and am listing them on Etsy.

Aren't old beads so much more interesting to work with than new ones from Hobby Lobby or Michaels? I never use those. I'd much rather find necklaces at estate sales to take apart.

Luckily, the other day when I cleaned up from the Jewelry Making Marathon of 2009, I went ahead and made up bads of beads to sell. Because today is a perfect day to sit in front of the computer and add bead packs. It doesn't take much brain power or energy to do. And I have laid in bed TOO LONG. I need to be up and doing something, so this is just the right task for today.

While adding bead packs and charm packs to Etsy, I thought I should put a little something in the Boutique too. I didn't want it to feel neglected!

But I just felt like the de-stashing packs were a better "fit" for Etsy, so that is where they can be found if you are needing any!

Hopefully, I'll be back to feeling sparkly tomorrow.

Watch out, its Pretty Time!

jewelry, Miss Frenchie's

By Karla Nathan / March 15, 2009

Did you think that I was going to show you nothing but sewing projects? I was able to get some jewelry made this week between stints at the machine and chasing Sugarwings.

Here are a few of the necklaces I put together. I've always had a fascination with old watches, the older the better. About 15 years ago, I made a bracelet for myself from old watch faces, and as much as I liked it, most people thought it was odd. The question I got asked quite a few times when I wore it, was "do they all work?".

Now honestly, is that the point? I would just say that they run on Pretty Time.

So, it does my soul good to see that this type of jewelry is popular now and that my blog friends "get it".

Some earrings got whipped up this week too. And all the jewelry that I had made previously got cleaned and and re-carded and ready for Miss Frenchie's sale April 17th.

Display matters!!! I was NOT happy with my previous cards, and the last two sales I went to, my jewelry looked neglected and dowdy just because of a crappy, unplanned display.

What I am using now is pretty simple, I took some old photos, aged and lightened them, then printed them onto parchment colored cardstock. All of the cards look nice together, are a uniform size, and have a vintage feel. I am much happier about my display now!!

(Sugarwings calls the little girls in this old photo her friends, and had me print some for her to color while I made tags)

My name is stamped on the back along with discription of the earrings, and the price is on the front in pencil. The sale is a couple of weeks before Mother's Day, so I am hoping some moms get a pair of my earrings as gifts, so it is nice to be able to erase the price on the tag before they get wrapped up. Those are the kinds of things you have to think of before going to a sale.

Things are getting checked off my list for Miss Frenchie's.

1- Hand made jewelry- DONE

2- tags and prices on hand made jewelry- DONE (I should have put these two lines together, but I like having extra things to check off the list)

3- table clothes made and pressed- DONE

4- boxes and shelves covered with vintage wallpaper- DONE

5- piles of antiques and vintage goodies piled up and ready for tags- DONE

6- cash box and tickets loaded and ready- DONE

Still to do:

1- one 15' x 5' and one 5' x 10' canvas sign for the side of the building

2- two 5' x 8' murals to paint for the backdrop of my booth

3- gather up supplies, a tool kit, lights, bags, etc

4- make some journals

5- tag my vintage jewelry and figure out a display for it now. Should I use the same cards as the homemade stuff? I should probably use that idea, but different photos. Yep, thats what I'll do.

6- gather up small planters and pots for a garden display

7- paint some garden signs to sell

See, not too bad! I'll make it. Sure I will. Some how, I'll fit doing taxes and spending a week in DC there somehow…

PS- I've added some more scrap packs to the Boutique.

The last ones went FAST. So now that I know you like these things, I added a bit more and beefed the bags up a little. There is ephemera, and wallpaper, and ledger paper, all tied up with vintage ribbon and topped with a color coordinating millinery blossom. Still a bargain, and perfect for having a variety of papers to use on small projects. If you are like me, you hate to cut into a nice big sheet of old paper to trim a 2" tag!

That Sewing Blog

give away, how to's, jewelry, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / March 13, 2009

Yep, I sewed some more. Hmm. Something weird is going on here.

While going through my stash of old aprons for a swap I joined (details later, I only have a short time before the baby gets up and we start our day) I came across this gingham check one. Sugarwings is Dorothy's biggest fan, sings all the songs from the Wizard of Oz, and sleeps with a Dorothy doll. So, when she saw this, she wanted to wear it and "be Dorothy".

Whats a Grammy to do? I had no choice, it was sewing time again! That apron was way too big for her as is. So, I cut off the waist band and tie first, with pinking shears Beth left over here. I need a pair of those, they really are wonderful to work with.

But no, I don't!!! What am I saying??? NO MORE SEWING, I do not need more sewing supplies. What does it man when I start wanting my very own pair of pinking shears???

After cutting off the waist band, I cut the skirt part almost in half and sewed the waist band and tie back on. Then cut around the pocket, and used that square as the bib of the pinafore, sewed to the top of the replaced waist band. To that, I sewed scraps that I had cut into straps to go around her neck. That was the most simple way to do it, to attach straps that just tied behind her neck like a halter.

Sugarwings was pretty happy with the outcome. Of course, she isn't a big critic, anything she sees that is gingham sparks her imagination and transforms her into Dorothy. The other day she found a pair of pink gingham shorts that were about 5 sizes too large for her (in the hand-me-down box of things she will grow into someday) and was wearing them on her head, dancing around and singing Over the Rainbow. Apparently any scrap of gingham will do to "be Dorothy" as she calls it.

The short cut pinafore didn't take long to make, and I spent the rest of the day piddling around getting a few (not many) things listed in the Boutique.

Here is something you might like. As I work on a collage project, I can't bear to toss the scraps of vintage papers. I keep a box near my desk, trim the bits up and save them. Its handy to flip through the box for small projects, so I don't have to cut into a large sheet of old wallpaper if I am making something like a tag or greeting card.

I thought some of you might like having a scrap back of ephemera too, so wrapped up a couple of mixed bags with bits from what I made my journals from last week. They are $6 each, and I have two listed.

There are also some wallpaper journal kits, and folders listed. The journals will be in the next Somerset Life and the folders were in an issue last year.

Thanks for all of your kind comments about the necklace that I have offered as the March Giveaway prize. Its one that I made. This week, I have made a ton of jewelry and will show some photos later. I also came up with the PERFECT display idea for selling the jewels and was cackling out loud with glee last night after the fairy grand baby went to sleep and I was able to tag all the earrings that I made.

But for now, I have to run, I hear some one stirring over the baby monitor.

Still Under the Weather

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, jewelry, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 24, 2009

I'm sorry if you have tried to buy from my boutique and haven't been able to complete your purchase. I am working on the glitch and hope that it is fixed. If you do have any problems, please email me and I can sell the item to you directly instead of through the website. Sorry about that!

I'm still not feeling well. Today I made it out to the studio to visit and feed Twinks and her little last pup, but didn't have the energy to play with them. Luckily, my husband is in town and took the girls for a romp and a run in the field. It is a beautiful day and they deserve a break.

Looks like she got plenty of exercise, she seems worn out!

Even though I was feeling pretty bad yesterday, I worked on some more of the ledger books that I bought from Beth.

After doing a few pages, I gave up and went back to bed.

Probably, if I would just STAY in bed, I'd be getting better sooner. But, on the other hand, I'm not exactly doing anything strenuous, and doing this little bit of creativity cheered me up.

But not today. I can't quite seem to muster the energy. So, I have been listing more items in the boutique, I just HAD to do something. There is only so much laying around I can take. Although, now that I am done, I think I will spend the rest of the day with a cup of hot tea, a good book and a pile of Dorkies.

Yesterday I listed a few wallpaper packs. Both of them include some of my "Rachel Paper". The lady I bought it from said she also sold a roll of the same one to Miss Shabby Chic herself. Can you guess which it is?

The blue one with the white rose. I wonder if we'll be seeing this design on bedding?

Today I mostly listed old jewelry. I had previously cleaned and photographed it, or I wouldn't have gotten that far today!

This one will be hard to part with!

Hey, did you hear that Somerset has another magazine coming out??? This one is to be called the "Gift Club" and will feature pretty gifts and packaging ideas. The editor asked me if I was interested in submitting something, and of course I am! This is right up my alley. If you have bought anything from my shop lately, you can probably tell I enjoy wrapping things up uniquely. I might send her one of the ledgers I am making, those sound like something that could make a lovely gift.

Okay, that pile of Dorkies and cup of tea are calling out to me pretty strongly about now. And a shot of Day Quil sounds pretty good too. I'll leave you with some more photos of the new additions to the Boutique, then head to bed.