paintings – Page 18 – Karla's Cottage

Am I losing it?

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, Food and Drink, holiday decor, paintings, parties, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / January 29, 2009

Even puppies agree- there is nothing more cuddly than a puppy! These guys are hugging each other.

And they aren't the only ones who feel this way. We had a "Puppy Party" yesterday, and my friends brought their kids over for cookies and milk after school, to hug puppies. I'd say these pups will grow up to be well socialized and kid friendly. A lot of small dogs don't like small people and can be afraid of kids. But these little ones have been handled by kids since the day they were born and should grow up to be outgoing, friendly dogs.

Typically, I don't post recipes, because I make stuff up as I go along when cooking. But I was soooo happy with these cookies that I paid attention to how I made them, so I could tell you- here it goes:

Kansas Style Oatmeal Scotchies

MELT one cup (organic) butter

mix with a beater, the butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar, one cup natural sugar

add 2 (organic) eggs, a teaspoon of real vanilla, and continue mixing with the beater

In a separate bowl, fluff together:

1 cup whole wheat (organic) flour

1/2 cup flax seed

3 cups instant oats

dash of sea salt

1 teaspoon of baking soda

Stir the dry ingredients with the liquid mixture and then add 1 cup butterscotch chips and a cup of sunflower seeds (the Kansas State Flower, of course!)

Roll in balls and bake for 11 minutes on a non stick cookie sheet at 350

I made half on one of those air-bake pans and half on just a plain cookie sheet and honestly, the air bake pan was much better. I don't use it often because it is too big to fit into my dishwasher, but I will re-think that one, it does make a difference. The cookies on it were more evenly cooked and crisper.

What I liked about these cookies, was that I could lie to myself and pretend they were good for me. Sunflower seeds, flax seed, and organic ingredients made me totally overlook the butter, sugar and chips! I only used about half the amount of chips usually called for too, so that made me think I could eat twice as many.

While the kids were here, we started the Puppy naming contest. I took down their ideas and began a list. Are you ready to play? Here is Puppy #1, the first born and the tiniest. I'll get some photos of the other 5 girls and in my next post, you can start sending in the names. Details upcoming.

I've added my hand painted fairy box to my Etsy Shop.

The inside was in amazing shape for an old box. The exterior showed the wear you'd expect, but I wonder if anything was ever stored in it? The interior was about perfect. Of course, I had to foof anyway, I used flocked wallpaper, millinery flowers, crystals, all my faves on this little "royal emblem".

This box is listed in my Boutique. I plan on using both stores and going back and forth. Here is my criteria to decide which store to list what in (besides wanting a variety in each)- if the item looks better in a non-square shape, the photo will go in the boutique. If it needs more than the 3 photos allowed on the website, it will go in Etsy.

Okay, now if this post isn't already random enough, here is more. Am I going crazy? Lately my computer screen has been speaking to me through comment word verifications. Does this mean I am schizo? I don't actually hear it talk, if that makes a difference. Sometimes the words are very clear, like this one, "BLESS". Other times, they take some deciphering.

Like this one. To me, it says "mothering".

I might just be losing it. First, an actual, written recipe, not guesses and abouts, actual measurements. And now my computer trying to get messages to me?

How long till Spring?????????

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), give away, paintings, swaps

By Karla Nathan / January 14, 2009

January seems like the longest month of all. Ugh, not only is it cold, we have severe wind warnings, which means that all of my lawn chairs (yes, maybe I should have put them away before winter??) are blowing around and it is too cold to go outside and pick them up. Well, they can't go too far, I'll pick them up on a nicer day.

This is a good time of year for indoor projects. I'm enjoying working on the tags, and am so glad we had such a big turn out for the tag book swap. I started a Flickr group for the swap, so if you would like to add photos of your tags, please do.

It is an open group, anyone can join or look at pictures. So, please, add your Puppy Love tags and spread the word!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/998886@N21/

This cold weather has me thinking about Spring time. I have this little painting hanging in an area where it doesn't show much, so I rearranged and brought it out where I can see it and day dream of springtime.

I've always loved vintage greeting cards, and did this acrylic painting about 30 years ago, inspired by an old card. Probably not the best painting I ever did, technically, but emotionally, I think I hit the mark with it! Every time I see it, I think Spring. Also, I had given it to my Mom, and it had hung in her house for a very long time. That makes it extra precious to me, now that she is gone.

Pockets of Springtime are all around my cottage. I am definitely NOT a winter person. I'd love to live somewhere with sunshine year round.

Of course, January does serve a good purpose for me. Its a great month for mini redos. Being cooped up indoors and staring at the same walls over and over, prods me to rearrange a few things here and there. Simple changes like hanging this old oval picture on my Gothic window frame give me a bit of a cheer up.

And who can have gloomy thoughts when there are little cuties like this around to cuddle up with on a cozy chair by the fire???

Thank you to everyone who inquired about buying some of the tags I am making for the swap. I still have about 28 to make yet just to fulfill my obligation to the swap! But I think I'll make a few extra to give away for some prizes too….. There are a lot of prizes, the January and February giveaways, as well as my 2 year blog anniversary on Valentine's Day and seems like there was another…. Oh, yes, we will have a name the puppy contest! As soon as they open their eyes and start to get some personality, I'll post photos of each and ask for names. Puppy Love altered tags will be prizes in that.

Guess I'd better get back to the craft table!

Tagging along

antiques/junking, Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), paintings, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 13, 2009

How is that for some puppy love? At this point the little princesses are mostly sleeping and eating. They curl up and they cry for mama and that is about it.

Beth came by to help with my website today, and we spent some time cuddling the puppies, although at first she thought they were too tiny to hold. But these little guys enjoy being held and Twinks doesn't seem to mind.

Although, she certainly doesn't take her eyes off of them once we pick them up! I could tell she was a devoted mother, when she went out to potty yesterday and a rabbit ran right in front of her. Instead of taking off like a shot into the woods to get tangled in cockle burrs, thinking that she might just catch the wascal this time, she simply turned around and came to the door to be let back in to her babies. Not even a glance over her shoulder to see where it might have gone to.

Worrying about your kids can sure take precedence over other things, that is for sure.

Luckily, at this point, my kids are doing well, so I can worry about tags! 60 some tags. Now that is a lot of worrying.

As I was blog hopping (instead of making tags) the other day, I saw a pretty hand painted tag by Suzanne Duda and used her idea as inspiration. I added hand painted designs to the vintage papers of the one on the right, and then added a bit of old papers to the painted roses on the tag on the left.

I think this one is my fave, though. I painted a floral heart wreath directly onto an old photo and added the words to the top.

And this one is about half and half, with some flocked wallpaper as a heart. I'm copying them all and then embellishing the copies with millinery blooms, lace, ribbons, glittery ink, etc. That sure helps me toward my goal of 60 plus.

This one is a copy I made of one of the painted tags. I think they copy well. I added lace and glittery ink in accents, then covered the back in wallpaper. By the time they get uber-foofed with charms and ribbons when tied onto the books, I think they will look fine.

Today's mail brought some sweetness from Sugar Sugar.

What a nice surprise from Analise!

Beth spent the day here in the studio with me, we worked on swap pages and website stuff, with a LOT of help emailed to us from Heather. Now, I am getting ready to head out the door and go see a movie with some friends. Looks like "Slumdog Millionaire" did great at the Golden Globes the other night, I am looking forward to seeing it. Last night, I went to see "Benjamin Button" and can't stop thinking about it. Maybe it is too soon to go see another flick, since the one last night was so good, my thought are still lingering on it.

Nah- its never too soon to go to another movie!! My idea of a great afternoon, is to see a double (or Triple!) feature.

So, before I head out, I'll leave you with a few pictures of this beautiful little book I bought in St. Joe the other day. It is signed and dedicated in 1922. I really appreciate those little written introductions in old books that were given as gifts years ago.

Oops, puppies everywhere in this house!!

A new Look for a new Year, and a new (but empty) webshop too. Because it is the same OLD me trying to set it up!

fairies, magazine pictures or articles, paintings, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / December 29, 2008

Nope, no Twinkle puppies yet, but my Sissy has a new baby at her house- this is Elfie. She's half poodle and half cocker. I was surprised to hear that she is expected to only be about 7 lbs or so, once she is full grown. I thought cock-a-poos were much bigger. Isn't she adorable?

Did you notice anything new about my blog? Sara Duckett (Sadie Olive) has helped me spiff it up, with a change in the blog banner from tiny baby Sugarwings to-

a bigger girl picture of Sugarwings.

And this watercolor of roses that I did a few years ago had previously been tinted pink and turned on its side to use as my borders, or side bars. Now, I have had her tint the painting sepia, since I tend to have so much going on here. I think that this more neutral color makes for less chaos.

Sara also used this new design on my new website store! The shop isn't stocked up yet, but you can take a peek if you'd like. It looks pretty much like this blog, and is titled "the Boutique at Karla's Cottage". Sara added a link to the website from my right hand side bar.

The link is next to my oil painting of white roses.

For the life of me, I simply cannot get any further with the whole set up! My brain has said, NO MORE, for today and will not cooperate with trying to load anything on the site. So, for now, I'll take my time and work on it as I can. I'll let you know when it is set up and stocked.

While Sara was adjusting and fixing up my blog, she added a few more magazine covers for me, including this latest issue of Romantic Country. My article in here is a Valentine's Day quiz, to discover what your decorating style is. I had such a blast writing that. I grew up on Cosmo quizzes and could never resist filling those out! I can't believe that I actually wrote one myself and can see it in print. It has to be my favorite thing I have ever written. I'd love to do more quizzes. I will be thinking up possibilities for every occasion now!

Jayhawks on Parade is a book that was out a few years ago, done locally, here in Lawrence, KS. Two of the birds I worked on are in it, so I thought the book belonged on my list of publications.

This one was a bit iffy. I debated whether or not I should include this. I am kind of in it, I have a picture of Sugarwings printed with a photo credit. Hmmm, do you think that is stretching the limits too much? Maybe this one shouldn't be listed, what do you guys think? I didn't actually write anything for this, or have an article, it is simply one photo. Would you include that on your blog if it was your photo?

Its a GREAT magazine and I love to think that I am in it, even just a little bit!

It has been a while since I showed you a hint about the December Surprise Giveaway, so here is another little peek of that. So far, you can tell that the gift includes:

vintage wallpaper
old jewelry
millinery blooms
some hand drawn elements

All of my favorite things and I hope some of yours too! I'll draw a name on Jan. 1st, all comments, all month are entered.

And do any of you do Facebook? I was told I should, so I signed up, but now have no idea why, or what to do with it. I am feeling a bit like a Geezer at this point, with my inability to set up my website and now, my lack of Facebook knowledge!

More sludgy than juicy

family, paintings, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 28, 2008

Are any of you having a hard time getting back on track with normal every day life, now that Christmas has passed? I seem to be in limbo, and unmotivated to get anything accomplished. I guess now that all the hustle and bustle and rush to make the holiday happen is over, I don't quite know what to do with myself.

My creative juices are more like a sludge right now. So, here are a few paintings I did for Christmas cards in years past. My husband works for a golf company and he likes me to make up golf themed cards for him.

Thats not such a good photo of this drawing, but in my state of lethargy, I'm thinking "so what". Hmm, you might wonder why I even bothered you all with a half assed post? I'm trying to get myself motivated to make something or DO something and my blog has always been good incentive to keep me moving.

After all the excitement, it isn't easy to rush back to work. We just had way too much fun over Christmas!

Yes, the holiday was pretty exciting around here. Sugarwing's Mom, the Hippie Chick showed us her fire dancing.

After opening gifts and stuffing our selves with goodies on Christmas Day, we all went outside to watch the Hippie Chick light her hula hoop on fire and put on a show for us.

She's quite talented, and even though it is a bit scary for me to watch, the flames were really dramatic in the dark, icy night.

Tuesday I have a play date scheduled with Beth, to go junking, tomorrow I start work on my new web shop, then, there is New Years's parties, and puppies due to be born, so I guess a couple of days to meander around the computer, read books, and resettle into post-holiday life isn't so bad. Is this what it feels like to relax!!??? Maybe that is what I am doing. A couple of days of doing NOTHING, really isn't so bad, is it?

OK little girl, let’s give someone else a turn!

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, paintings, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 23, 2008

We took Sugarwings to see Santa today and she wouldn't leave him alone. She sat there on his lap and waited for the Mermaid doll she asked for. Finally, she got down for the bribe of a candy cane, but then went back and got another candy cane to give to Santa. Then went back for another sit on his lap. Then for another hug. It looked like St. Nick was enjoying her visit, I think it might be nice for him to have someone with no fear come to hang out a while.

I think this little one loves Christmas as much as her Grammy does.

She stopped to speak to every single Santa she saw at the mall.

And she didn't think it would hurt to put in a word with the giant cow for that doll she wanted.

When I got back from my trip, there was a stack of packages waiting for me! One was from a sweet reader pal, Jean, who lives in Virginia.

Not only were there surprises for Sugarwings, she sent me some treats too, including a box of these white doves.

I've added the glass doves to the dining room chandelier along with other birdies and some snowflakes I have received this year. They might just all stay there a while after the holidays as more "winter decor" than Christmas decorations.

One of the snowflakes was from Tiffany, a Silver Bella pal. I'd ordered this cute little bottle of Christmas wishes from her shop, and she sent along lots of pretties, including this card. It brings back memories of a class we took together in Omaha, where she was helping me with using hot wax over parts of my project. I really like the way she has applied wax over the scene in the center of the card.

Previously, I had shown you some of my little paintings that I was making into cards. Here are a few (of the dozens) that I made while in the hotel room.

And in case you were feeling sorry for the poor dorkies, at home alone while I was out on a fabulous vacation, they had some fun while I was gone. Twinks was invited over to stay at the farm where her true love, Teddy lives. And the other two dogs were so happy to have Twinkle away and not bothering them, they felt like a queen and king with the whole house to themselves. (Twinks can be a little bossy)

I'm off to go work on my Christmas shopping. Typically, I am not a last minute shopper. When my kids were little, we used to love to go to the mall on Christmas Eve and eat lunch at the food court while we watched all the crazed last minute buying, and I'd bask in a warm glow from the knoweldge that my packages were wrapped and under the tree. Not this year!

I hope all of you are having a lovely holiday week. Merry Christmas to all of you from Sugarwings and I.

Itsy Bitsty Christmas Card paintings and a giveaway reminder

give away, holiday decor, Moving to DC, paintings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 18, 2008

This may be a vacation, but it doesn't mean I can't get some work done!

My husband and I are in Virginia at our cozy little apartment, and while he is at work today, I've been doing some tiny paintings to make Christmas cards from. I guess our vacation hasn't officially started yet, it just kind of feels like it to me, since I am away from home and have been able to sit around in my jammies all day and do what ever I wanted to.

And what is it that I always want to do, when I have my choice of doing any thing at all? Create things, of course!

So, I have been painting away. I packed up enough supplies to make up holiday cards, as well as envelopes and even remembered the printed labels, to get them all into the mail. Today was spent making a couple dozen itsy bitsy pictures (the largest is about 4" tall), and tomorrow, from our hotel room in Richmond, I will make the cards. Hopefully, I will get them all finished by Saturday morning. That is when we leave for our romantic getaway.

And I have a feeling my husband wouldn't appreciate me ruining his surprise get away by cutting and gluing and glittering all weekend. (well, it sounds like fun to me, but I know it wouldn't to him!)

Don't forget that I have a surprise for you guys too. The December Giveaway Secret Gift!! I will be out of town for a few days,and maybe not near a computer after this- but you can still leave a comment to enter the drawing and have a chance to win.

Here is a hint of what the surprise is. Surprises are such a fun part of the season,aren't they?

If I don't "see" you again while I am out of town, I hope that you are all having a good time with your holiday preparations and are getting all glittery too!

Revealing the November Giveaway and Silver Bella part 3, with MORE TO COME

give away, paintings, Silver Bella

By Karla Nathan / November 19, 2008

This is pretty much how I felt the whole weekend at Silver Bella, I laughed my ass off. Well not really, I actually ate so many wonderful treats, I came home with a much bigger butt than when I started.

Meleen Dupree, (what a glorious name, I am jealous) took this photo of my fingernails. I had just come from Teresa's class where I tried to wash the color out of a bottle brush tree and the dye stained my fingernail polish. The polish started out silver, and turned aqua from the green tree!

For this project, Teresa gave us stuff to use, and it was supposed to be a Christmas pageant story, but I changed it a bit to be a snow scene. (If I find my camera battery charger, I'll get some better pics of it, I still have some tweaking to do to the piece yet, too.)

I was trying to lighten the bottle brush tree in the bathroom sink with hot water and soap, but it didn't work as well as the bleach soaking does. While I was in the rest room, a bunch-o-bellas were in there using the hand dryer or sinks on various projects. I wonder what hotel guests thought about all of us in there leaving trails of glitter and getting paint all over the sink basins?

Kara Ward gave me a tree tip, she doesn't bleach hers, she rubs them with white paint, and that really saved my tree. The hot water lightened it a little, but the white paint gave me the look I wanted.

I found out that you learn every bit as much from the other attendees as you do from the teachers! (the lovely centerpiece is by Kari,and she forgot to offer them for sale after the luncheon, durn it! I'd have bought one!!)

And of course, we got to hear Mary speak at the luncheon and I was surprised to hear how down to earth she was. During the question and answer period, her answers sounded like what I would have said to the same questions. She sounds like a person who just likes to create things and is always working on something she enjoys doing.

Here is the poster that we had an option to buy for Mary to autograph. I didn't get one, but I did get to meet her for a few minutes the night before. Of course, I didn't recognize her, and just blathered on with my typical rambling conversation. It might have been a bit more interesting if I'd let HER talk or had taken her photo, huh?

There were so many interesting people that I met there! And everyone seems like an instant friend, we all have so much in common to talk about.

Here is Cheryl, (who looks like a mini ballerina perched in a vintage jewelry box), Tiffany (who was such a delight, I could have spent the entire weekend talking to her), and Sheila (who was such a huge help to me in setting up my vendor booth, I still owe her big time! She lives near by me and I hope we can hang out together).

Cute Pam is almost as tiny as itty bitty, cute Cheryl. Pam seems to be as much of a wallpaper addict as I am, its always fun to discuss vintage papers with a fellow collector.

Although Pam provided lots of good tidbits to use in her class, I preferred to bring my own goodies, and made this holiday home hanger into a ballerina theme confection.

But to keep with the "house" theme, I added a key to the arrangement.

Pam showed me how to use beeswax over the papers for a different look, and my pal Tiffany (whose business cards accidentally read "Shabby Craps" instead of "Shabby Scraps", I LOVED that!!) gave me some further pointers on how to use wax.

Like I said, you learn a lot from the other crafters attending. I plan on making use of these tricks and adding wax to my supplies in the studio.

Heather came up with a blue color pallet with her house, it was so "Pretty Petals"!

Sally Jean's Soldiering for Virgins was very helpful too. I've soldiered before and the people at my table were calling me a Soldering Trollop instead of a virgin.

But I got a lot out of the class, picking up some easier and more professional ways of finishing the charms.

Sally Jean is a beautiful woman, I'm afraid this photo doesn't do her justice. It also doesn't show all the scars she has from all the burns she has received over the years… Poor thing!

As the scaredy cat that I am, I was afraid of getting burnt in class too. Lots of novice solderers all sitting close to each other could have been a disaster! But these pals all seemed to know what they were doing and really created some great stuff.

This is Julie and Shelly, who were responsible for extreme bouts of laughter on many occasions, including "High School Confessional" at dinner one night.

For those of you who were asking me, no, you DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A BLOG to have fun at Silver Bella! It was easy to gravitate toward bloggers to hang with because I felt like I already "knew" them from reading so much about them. But I made friends and spent time with plenty of blogg-less bellas too.

This is probably my favorite creation of the weekend. Suzanne looked gorgeous in her vintage wallpaper rose charms! Another thing I'd like to make. But of course, I'd need the great shirt with the roses and crown to wear with them. And her name tag….

And this, is the present I made for you in Sally Jean's class!

One side is a print of my painting of roses, the other is of little Sugarwings. This is the one that got my table mates calling me a Soldering Trollop, because I added some extra bling to the bottom.

All comments, all month go into the giveaway drawing. And I do read and enjoy each and everyone. But I will have the little Fairy Grand baby all weekend, plus haven't unpacked yet, so I might not return all the emails and comments I get. I hope you don't think I am rude.

Jessi has some good photos posted of the Glitter Lounge on her blog. Here we are with Heidi (who I didn't get to spend enough time with! I really wanted to hang out with her)

PS- I reopened my Etsy shop, and as soon as I find my camera battery charger, I'll add some new things to it!

Homework

fairies, paintings, Silver Bella, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / November 9, 2008

Isn’t this mat wonderful? I bought a book full of them this summer – and full of old photos too!

I finished the little sketch that I had started 20 years ago and just stumbled across the other day. My sissy reminded me that it is of our Grandma Smith. Although, after I added to it, it doesn’t seem to look as much like her, I might have slimmed her face down a bit too much with the shadows.

Oh well, I still think it will be a good picture to use for the "Portrait Rustique" class that Kim Kwan is teaching at Silver Bella. We were told to bring a photo, a mat and a frame. I’ll bring some others in case this isn’t quite right, or I am not in the mood to use it. Gotta have choices when its time to sit down and make something!

While at it, I got some more "home work" done.

For Sally Jean’s soldering class we need to bring prepared artwork in three sizes: 1×1", 1×1 1/2", and 3/4×2".

I printed a bunch of my original paintings and a few old pictures on the printer’s ‘contact sheet’ setting. Then, I glimmer misted some old book pages and started gluing little pictures to it.

All of the little pictures got enhanced with sparkly inks.

Some got painted backgrounds.

And a couple got millinery blooms.

All are left on the page, since it will be easier to transport and harder to lose that way.

Good idea, because today I am such a loser. I am turning in circles looking everywhere for stuff I have misplaced. One thing I can’t find is a big travel bag to pack all my supplies in. Now there are only so many places that could be, and so far it is in none of them.

Hopefully I won’t lose all these little pictures now that they are ready to pack. I’m bringing a big assortment, plus extra small prints just in case, I never know what I’ll need, or what I will lose on the way there….

Over the Rainbow

paintings, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / November 6, 2008

Today is a Sugarwings Day, she and I have been painting rainbows (for her Dorothy doll) and having fairy tea parties. This kid knows all the words to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and will burst into song at any rainbow she sees. Trouble is, you can’t understand much of what she is saying, you just hear the word "rainbow" here and there in the song. I think she sings in Fairy Language.

Wow, thanks for the kind hearted responses to my mean comment! I really appreciate them all. I know that there is a big problem in the world with pet over population, but I think the problem leans more towards puppy mills than people like me who have a few little babies that are adored and coddled!

And by the way, there is already a waiting list for Twinkettes, these puppies will have wonderful homes.

I cleaned my studio last night after Sugarwings went to bed and came across this half done drawing, that must have been started 20 years ago and forgotten. Looks like I had a good start, I wonder why I stopped? Maybe I’ll do something with it now.

After looking through the "Where Women Create" magazine, I felt the need to spiff up a bit! I don’t know when my studio will be photographed, but I wanted to be ready. I think that anyone who reads this first issue of the magazine will feel the same way and want to dig in and redo something in their work areas. The pictures are very inspirational!

The changes I made to my room are the tables. I brought this white table downstairs from the library, where it really wasn’t being used at all, and put away a folding table that I can pull out and set back up when friends come to craft days.

Since this wooden table was shorter than the folding table, I finally had space for this little $3 green table from a garage sale and the chippey pink cabinet from the Sparks and White Cloud flea market.

At first, I was going to paint the table white, but I kind of like it green, since the chair has a green patterned slipcover. What do you think?

Well, I’m off to Curious Sofa’s pre-open house party! Don’t worry, there will be tons of photos!!! I feel pretty lucky to get an invitation to go to this party. Well, actually, I am tagging along with Carol, she is the one invited.