parties – Page 2 – Karla's Cottage

True Eye Candy

dogs, parties, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / October 17, 2013

Yep, believe it or not, this is REAL. A real life home, filled with kids, dogs, and love. As well as some of the prettiest collections you'll ever find.

Jenn's house is pretty as pretty can be.

A sweet confection of frothiness and pastel beauties.

With a fair share of whimsy too.

And attention to detail throughout.

And a home with a Yorkshire Terrier in it, is a very special home to me.

Throw in a second one and I'm a happy house guest.

Jenn graciously invited us to stay with her in her Georgia mansion and it was our home base for a couple of nights on our trip.

There was something breathtaking to see, everywhere I looked. But the loveliest item off all, was this photo that Jenn took of her daughter, Vivian.

She is beginning a new photography business called Pink Ellie

From the examples she has posted, I can see that she will do well. Oh my! She has captured some beautiful moments.

Jenn opened up her equally frothilly sweet studio to us too. I brought charms and glaze, Lori and Hope provided old papers, so we could all have some creating time.

The room is Jenn from floor to ceiling.

Pictured: Jennifer Hayslip

Hope Wallace Kearny

We had decided not to do a whole craft day, or any big projects. This little one was just right, to satisfy the creative urge but still leave plenty of time for just relaxing.

Pictured:

Suzanne Duda and Lori Oles

And of course, was a great excuse to soak up Jenn's stellar studio. And pose. We did a lot of posing.

d And smiling. Tons of smiling.

A Book of Enchantments

Books, Hand painted, jewelry, parties, Snow White, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / May 8, 2013

The weekend in CA at An Enchanted Affaire was filled with fun and friendship-from so many nice people…

People like Charlotte, who I've known a long time through blogs…

And my husband's sister, Terry, who came along to her first big art weekend…

And goofy gals who I am lucky to meet up with again at various getaways like this…

And tables full of new people to get to know.

Teaching at one of these is the best way to meet people, I was flitting from one end of the room to the other, pausing to talk to everyone at the tables.

Here is part of my table. I took classes as well as teaching this time, and asked to have "newbies" sit with me if they wanted. It was fun to get to know some different people. At most events, I sit with my same friends every time (and really LOVE that) but I realized that I'd met them all at these kind of places and I should open myself up to meeting some more new friends.

Good idea!!

This is another one from the class I taught. Being up and moving around during class made for a good time to get photos of everyone at work. Normally, during class, I'm so involved with the project, I don't get to see what everyone else is doing.

Hopefully, the ladies enjoyed the class. The first half of it was pretty much busy work, tons of gluing paper to card stock to create the background of the book.

After making the pages, we crafted the cover and assembled the book.

It looked like most people at least got that much done, not many were able to start decorating, though.

But I provided an overflowing kit full of goodies, so they had plenty to play with later when they were ready to start embellishing.

If I teach this again, I think it would be better in an all day class, so we can do the decorating of the interior of the book too.

There were lots of examples for interiors, and many ladies took photos inside of my own books for later on when they finish theirs.

Here are some completed covers by the students.

Here is another.

When they started working, I'd told them that it was absolutely impossible for any two of them to have the same book when they finished, even if they tried their durndest.

With vintage supplies, and a big page of collage images to chose from, the completed books were bound to be filled with variety!

Since my book was titled, " A Book of Enchantments" I decided that I needed a few enchantment spells to add to it. So, I wrote 4 little poems about finding joy, happy dreams, a true prince, and hope. They are printed on vellum and are part of the embellishment package.

(by the way, I made extra kits, if you want to buy one for $65, there are a few left. Many ladies bought a second while there, so I think that means they liked them)

EDIT: my email is down, if you could leave a comment or contact me on FB, I'll check those to see if anyone is ordering kits. They are selling, but there is still a few left.

Kim had asked all the teachers to provide a prize for the drawings, so I brought this assemblage.

It was won by my pal, Natalie, another teacher.

I LOVED HER CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used a smokey quartz and ruby on my own creation.

I'll leave you with a few more photos from my class, and still have some more pictures of the event to show you later.

My Snow White Weekend

paintings, parties, Snow White, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / May 6, 2013

Kim's big bash was so much fun! And everywhere I turned, there was some form of my artwork.

First of all, the giant mural filled a whole wall at the back of the room-

but also Kim had blown up images from the background of the smaller painting I'd done that she was using for the event button. (this is one that I kept for myself, Kim sold the rest. She also gave me the large poster from the lobby)

This one was my favorite one.

She hung banners from the ceiling, for a very royal feel. Here is the room set up for vendor night before everyone arrived.

For my vendor table, I made tags from the images on my mural. I like them so much that I'll use them for Birdsong too.

My Snow White painting was plastered on everything from the chocolate lollipops, the itinerary, to a lot of swap projects or tags. I was a little overwhelmed by her. But it was a good kind of overwhelmed.

Kim never misses a detail, and our work tables were beyond beautiful. Everyone got a bevelled glass "casket" with a velvet heart, and a matching crowned frame. All were extra good quality items, and pieces I will treasure forever, not just little party favors.

And look at the centerpieces!!!! Gosh, they were something. What a pretty view we had while working.

My Snow was on the back of every chair, in a frame we were each to keep. Along with a goodie bag stuffed with treats. The bag itself was a heavy canvas, yet again, another Kim trademark. Her gifts are high quality items that will last and so nice that you'll be glad they did. No cheesy, cheapy things that are just for show for the day.

And look at how lush the fabrics are the she drapes the room in.

The weekend truly was enchanting. I'm so impressed with Kim's talent and eye for beauty, plus her gracious style of hostessing.

Thanks for another memorable weekend, Kim!

(and I'm soooo looking forward to next year, the theme of Downton Abby will be delightful- that is if all the characters are not killed off by then)

Our Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, parties, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2012

It's hard to say goodbye to Christmas this year, but on the other hand, on the 26th, I was itching to take down the tree. I wasn't able to, due to other goings on, but I was ready to see it go. I think its because the lights all went out on the tree the minute the last gift was opened! That was some sort of sign. Plus, I feel like a dark tree is a bit sad. So, into the closet it goes, and I'll deal with the kaput lights next year.

We had an extended Christmas celebration, with all the kids over on the 24th for brunch and gifts, with a hot cocoa and cookie party afterwards.

Dewdrop came over with her parents on Christmas morning to see what Santa left under Grammie's tree while all the rest of the family visited other relatives. I think it was special for the youngest of 7 to have a whole morning of being the center of it all and opening gifts just for her. She was pretty excited, and a joy to watch.

We spent a lazy day, watching our littlest fairy play. My son, Mr. Zen and his Gypsy cooked a great meal for us all. Broiled lobster with seafood pasta.

YUM! The only thing better than having someone cook a meal for you, is if the meal is lobster.

Sugarwings had a sleepover on Christmas night, so Santa could bring some gifts to Grammie's tree for her too. She loves the whole spectacle of Santa, Christmas, and the arrival of gifts, but I think the stories and ambiance are what she appreciates even more than the presents. We decided that if we didn't buy a thing for her, and told her that the Grinch had come and taken everything out from under the tree, she would have been so excited, she would have popped.

That kid lives for fantasies and her imaginary world. She'd love to be plopped into the middle of the Grinch story and wouldn't think twice about not getting a present.

On the other hand, she was in heaven with the magic of everyone's gifts.

Many of the photos I tried to take look like this. She is darting about from one person to the next, excited to see what is under the wrappings. When I'd snap the picture, I'd get a blurry image of Sugarwings racing in to check out the latest, greatest gift her siblings got to open.

Yet, in the middle of all the gifting frenzy, she did the sweetest thing ever. We had 14 people squeezed into this little living room, along with three Christmas trees. So, Aunt Sandy made herself comfortable on the stairs.

When Sandy got a gift, Sugarwings would take it to her and sit to watch while she opened it. And finally, took her by the hand and led her to the center of the room and told her that she was "part of the group" and shouldn't be sitting by herself.

I was so proud of our little angel, who was caring about her great aunt during all of the hullabaloo, and not wanting her to feel left out of all the joy.

And joy there was. Plenty of it!

I think the dogs had a good time too. With so many kids around, there were plenty of crumbs. Twinkle tends to park herself under the highchair at most gatherings.

We kept the meal simple, honey baked ham, French toast and hashbrown casseroles made the night before, sweet corn frozen from last summer's farmer's market with some peas added for color, and scrambled eggs straight from the hen house, with chopped spinach and red peppers to be festive.

Paper plates, plastic forks, and foil pans made it all even easier. There was minimal clean up time, so we could get right to the fun stuff and gather around the tree! For some of us, it was hard to wait for that part.

I'll leave you with some photos of our day and I hope that yours was joyful as well.

Painting puppeesh

celebrations, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, paintings, parties, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / November 26, 2012

Isn't Ashley a beautiful bride? The wedding was lovely and our teddy bear of a nephew, Travis looked very happy.

The wedding was held in a shabby chic lover's dream house. I could have wandered around drooling over the furniture and decor all night. I wish I could have got more photos, but my camera broke and I forgot my phone.

Toward the end of the evening, it dawned on me that my husband had an Iphone that I could borrow it and email a few pics to myself. But by then, the light wasn't as good and I'd missed all the best shots. This close up of my handsome husband and I needed severe editing to make it usable. The rest, weren't salvageable.

Luckily, my camera didn't shoot craps till right as the ceremony started, and I had it for the bridal shower which was such a fun time!

It was held at Wine and Design where we all got to do a complete painting to take away with us, drink wine and eat yummy chocolate cheddar cheese ( from Trader Joe's).

This art studio is a GREAT idea that I would love to snag. You get a prepared canvas with a sketch on it, and the instructor paints along with everyone and they do a painting step by step.

Our class was a chandelier, but I was feeling a little homesick for my dorkie pups and for the kids. It was Dewdrop's second birthday, so I thought about her and painted a puppeesh (as she calls them) as a gift for her.

Its not the best painting I've done, but its aimed for a 2 year old. She likes it, and talks to the picture, telling it stories.

My idea of a fun party, is having a project to do, so this was right up my alley. They rent out to groups, and have a schedule of regular classes too. I think it could be fun to do in my studio, not as a regular thing like this was, but maybe a little class here and there, or teaching a painting of birds in a nest for Birdsong next spring?

Years ago, I used to be a painter, I rarely pick up a brush any more. I don't miss it until I do one, then I wonder why I don't paint more often.

The bride and groom are crazy about their pup, Barkslie, and I offered to do a painting of her for their gift.

This is done in watercolor, but I cheat, and use white acrylic too. I know that in the purest world of watercolor painters, this is frowned upon. But, I figure, its my picture and I can do as I like. So I do. I think the watercolor wash of shadows and spots on the snout is nicely accented with the white hairs over it. Now, the proper way to do this is to save the white of the paper, by using a masking fluid before painting the colors. But I prefer the layers, so I don't bother doing it the right way.

(the whites of the eyes are pure paper and so is most of the white fur, just not the accents over it)

If I do painting classes here at the cottage, I'd tell people not to listen to snobs who tell you that your technique is wrong and go for a finished look that YOU like instead.

Anyone interested? If so, please let me know and we can try to set up a class.

Family Reunion Fun Times Two

celebrations, fairies, family, parties

By Karla Nathan / August 26, 2012

This photo is from my Sissy, of her page for our swap book. Its just gorgeous, done with beautiful things. She says she used "the Good Stuff" like I always harp about! The fabric under the sheet music and on the fairy herself is cut from a beaded 1920s flapper dress. I saw the gown last time I was at her house, its truly wonderful. I can't wait to see this page in person.

Here is the back. Pretty, huh?

I probably wouldn't be an artist if I hadn't had my two big sisters. As a kid, I always loved Bobbie Sue's paintings. And as an adult, Sissy showed me many tricks and had beautiful examples on how to make life prettier by adding lovely details to your surroundings.

This photo is from my trip to see them last year. I've pre-posted this, and will be visiting my sisses in Indiana for a family reunion as you read it.

On our last visit, we went on a junking jaunt East from Pendleton on Highway 40.

We usually have a good junkin day every time I go to Indy. Sometimes just hitting Goodwills, other times antique malls, doesn't matter where we go or what we do, its always fun to be together.

Bobbie Sue and Sissy are both coming to Romantic Gothic Ghosts! So is Cousin Paula, Guncle Randy and two of my husband's sisters, Terry and Sandy. It will mean a lot to me for my family to meet some of my blog friends and see what I actually do for a job. If you can call it a job…

We often do crafty days too. This time, we'll be making centerpieces for our Downey Dinner, family reunion. My Daddy had 8 brothers and sisters, and every summer the remaining sibs and all the families gather for a big pitch in. Hosting responsibilities rotate down the line from the oldest orginal member to the youngest. This year is our Dad's turn, so it falls to my sisses and I to host in his place.

Normally, everyone shows up, sets out the food in the rented hall as is, that's it. But, since we get to plan it this year, we are making centerpieces and using table cloths. Nothing elaborate, just something to brighten the room up.

I have red and white, throw away table cloths, to keep things simple for clean up. And we are making family trees as centerpieces. They will involve a branch in a canning jar, with photos from last year's reunion and some old pictures from decades ago tied to the branches.

The photos will be cut with decorative punches, glued to colorful scrapbook paper, and tied up with twine. I'll toss a doiley or two under each canning jar to make it even homier.

This will be our crafty day project with the family a couple days before the reunion. I'm filling a box with supplies and we'll all make a few hanging pictures for the trees. I think it would be nice if relatives could pluck pictures they like from the centerpieces to keep as momentos. Some might even be cute Xmas tree ornaments for the holidays in the right homes.

When I get back, I'll be finishing up some other projects then its time to go into full Faerie Book Swap mode. (this page is my sister-in-law Sandy's.)

People are still joining! And since I made plenty of extra covers, there is room. If you think you can have the pages to me by Sept. 1, feel free to enter. Isn't it nice to be a part of an easy going, do what you want, type swap?

I hope the swappers all enjoy it as much as I do! oooh, I can't wait to get home and see the piles of pages that come while I am away!

Romantic Gothic Ghosts Workshop at Karla’s Studio

bird song art event, holiday decor, parties, Romantic Gothic Ghosts, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / July 25, 2012

Beth and I are planning some classes at my studio, a one day event, a bit more casual than Birdsong was. She'll teach in the morning while I get lunch ready, then its my turn to have an afternoon class. Both will be very much in tune with the online Romantic Gothic Ghost online projects we did a couple of years ago.

That online class is still available for $25 or you can get it free when you come to our classes at my home.

Projects for the day are still to be announced, we are in the midst of prototypes. I can promise that they are going to be moody and romantic, a lovely piece to decorate your home with for Halloween, with no garish purple or orange to be seen.

Lunch, complete kits full of vintage goodness, dessert, and drinks will be included, as well as the bonus online class. And we'll schedule some time for coffee and muffins before the work day begins so everyone can get acquainted.

Saturday Oct. 6, 2012 from 9am-6pm

Cost is $100

Email me if you'd like to pay by check, or click here, and scroll to the bottom of the post to get to the pay pal button.

Classes at my home are very casual, tee shirt and jeans type things, not dressy at all. But feel free to be a little witchy for Halloween if you'd like. My Sissy is coming and she will be all witchied-up. I might be too.

Also, I've got to warn you, that we will be surrounded by werewolves. 1-2 lb ones, though, so not as dangerous as most. Twinkle's puppies will be at the age where they will be scampering about underfoot all day. Feel free to snuggle one on your lap while you work if it looks like its getting tired. Sometimes little werewolf cubs need more rest than they think, and should be encouraged to nap.

But only if you are strong willed enough to ignore the tempting price tags tied around their necks. Yep, puppies will be for sale…..

It did my heart good to have some Birdsong friends sign up as soon as I announced this on Facebook Tuesday!! It matters a lot to me that people who have been here before are looking forward to coming back.

This class will have limited seating, and will one day only. If you are coming in town for it, its a great weekend to be in the KC area. The Old West Bottoms area of Kansas City is opened up with tons of once a month junk and antique stores, and the Renfest is going on too. I LOVE both. (Our class is on a Saturday, and I plan on being at Bottoms Up on Friday, and the Renfest on Sunday myself.) more info about both can be found here
All food served will be homemade, with fresh ingredients. I usually cook pretty healthy and low fat, but I make up for the calorie savings with some decadent desserts.

Beth and I would love to see you there. Hope we do!

Special friends and a special day

Books, celebrations, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), parties, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper, We're having a party, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / June 12, 2012

Before I left for my North Carolina adventure, I had a little party for some special friends. Kecia, who I met at Tiffanys in CA is on quite an adventure herself. A two month plus trek across the country, hop scotching from one friend, family member, junk shop, to another. She stopped to see me here at the cottage on her way across I70.

And my beautiful friend, Angie, was having a birthday. Two reasons to celebrate!

You know me, it doesn't take much to convince me its time for a party. I love any excuse to set the table and invite friends over.

And with two special occasions, I was raring to go.

I stole my buddy, Carol's tip about using vintage wallpaper as a table runner. And I just happened to have a few rolls to choose from…

Angie had another very important celebration, she is a first time grammie as of a few days ago! So, I broke out the extra special, hoarded, fairytale wall paper from the 20s and made a frame for her to put a baby picture in.

Instead of just having a dinner party, I invited everyone to come for the afternoon and have craft day too, and friends dropped by here and there for whatever time they could make it. Some just for craft day, some just for dinner.

My favorite way to spend a day. Good friends, good conversation and stuff to make!!

I'm still hooked on slopping modelling paste on my collages. So, I made some books with covers all textured up. (this one is in the Boutique)

On this one, I collaged the back too, but instead of texture, I dry brushed paint over the collage, then inked it a bit.

This book needs a slight re-do. I've filled it with pages and pages of old papers, and they are too delicate to turn with ribbon ties. I have to add some rings instead.

Here is the back of this one.

IIt will be a while before I burn out on this technique, I'm super into smooshing the modelling paste around over pretty papers!

Dew Drop's mommy, our Gypsy, made a journal this way too, Beth worked on some stiitching, the other Karla was doing needlepoint, Shanna had some painting to do in an enamelling project, and Angie was foofing up vintage bottles with messages and trinkets.

The great thing about craft day, is that everyone works at their own pace on whatever they feel like, and the conversation flows here, there, and everywhere.

Kecia arrived later in the day, and said she had not had a chance to create while on her trip, so I set her up with supplies to make a book too. I love the layers she put on her cover.

After dinner, when the other guests had gone, she and I went back out to the studio and worked till after midnight finishing our books.

Twinkle bonded with her, and we will both miss her, the visit was much too short!

When the dish ran away with the spoon, where did they go?

cottage, parties

By Karla Nathan / April 21, 2012

Last week, we planned a dinner party and had some of my husband's work friends over. It was a good excuse to get the house all spiffed up, and also to buy some new silverware since we didn't have quite enough forks. Who knows where they go? Forks are one of the things that seem to slip away into the atmosphere, like lids to sippy cups, and single socks. Every once in a while, coffee cups up and vanish too.

One day, we'll have so many that I am trying to force the cabinet door shut without an avalanche of mugs. Then, a couple of weeks later, I realize that the the shelves are half empty.

I guess its some sort of Hickory Dickory Dock variation where the forks run away with the cups.

So, I hit the stores in search of some new, and affordable silverware. I didn't want to spend much, but wanted something that felt good to hold and eat off of. In the past, I've picked up handfuls of Walmart forks, that are sold individually. Or bought partial sets at estate sales.

But dang it, I'm almost 54 and I wanted a whole, brand new, grown up set of silverware!

On the other hand, I'm cheap and didn't want to pay grown up silverware prices.

I checked out Target, World Market, Pier One, and TJ Maxx without much luck. Next, I tried Tuesday Morning, and found just what a needed, a full setting for 12 people, only 50 bucks, and they were a little old fashioned looking, plus felt good to bite down on.

Part of my search required biting down on the silverware while I was shopping. My husband thought that was awful, that I'd spent the morning out at stores biting forks, but I found some that felt good, looked good and were not too expensive.

The party was nice, the company was good, and we had matching silverware to eat off off. That is the only time that has ever happened in my home. I've always been a mismatched silver setter. This was nice!

And my house is clean. Now, if only I can keep it that way till Birdsong, but I have a feeling that I'll have to give it another going over. We tend to mess things up quickly around here.

Prairie fairyland classes and pretty scenery

celebrations, Chandeliers, Once upon a dream, parties, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 2, 2011

I wish I could teach more often. Its a blast. Of course, I am a bit of a ham, and I talk too much, so its wonderful to have a trapped crowd listening to me…Actually, its just plain old FUN to do. When I make something, my brain works in How-To Steps as I go. Its natural for me to break down the process of creating something.

I find myself telling people steps of something when they give me a compliment, which is silly, most people don't care, they are just saying something nice about it. I can see their eyes glaze over when I go into too much detail, so its nice to have people who really do want to know how something is made.

The class I taught for Jenn was a mini "workshopette" for opening night, so I only had an hour. I needed to package it up so that it was easy to assemble. It seemed to be just the right timing, the ladies had time to finish and come up to the supply table to embellish with glitters and mica flakes too.

I had felt like it was so simple I didn't need written instructions, but then started to freak out and worry that maybe I was wrong. And yes I was. So, I'm glad I scribbled out some in the bar the night before. The front desk printed them out for me and I was glad to have them for the class.

One of my favorite things about the class was seeing all the variations people made on the prize ribbon. Individuality is important to me and I made sure no two kits were exactly alike, but the fairy ladies took them even a step further to make each unique.

Amy mentioned that she would love to make hers into a magic wand and wished she had a stick. I suggested gluing two glue sticks together and wrapping them with paper. It turned out really cute!

If you'd like to make your own, I had some materials left over to make a limited amount of extra kits. They can be found for $11 each in the Boutique

The projects at the event were all such fun! This is Dee's and she provided cool images to use.

Mine ended up a bit different. I wanted to use one of my mushrooms that I made for the centerpieces. It still needs a little sumthin sumthin… maybe small prize ribbon rosettes on each side, in neutral colors?

This is my chandy from Natasha's class. There were a few changes on mine too, I had strands of rhinestones with me and wanted to use those instead of the beading she gave us in the kit. I also wrapped the wire in tulle and lace.

Then, I added a few dangles.

Well, durn, I don't have a photo of Andrea's lovely necklace kit. She packed up the best stuff to make the bracelet/necklace. Lots of semi precious beads, that really made it special. If you know Andrea, you know she has exquisite taste. (Plus she is sensitive, sweet, kind hearted, and beautiful)

My pal, Tiffany, taught about taking better photos, and I learned a LOT from her. She fixed the settings on my camera and I didn't even know they were wrong.

My roomie, Lori, had a fun class too. I didn't get to sit down and make it yet, because I was walking around and helping with it. Her kits were packaged really special, and I do have mine to make later.

On our welcome night classes, the acoustics were a bit off, so all the teachers pitched in and walked around to help, since we couldn't be heard as easily as we'd hoped. Their help made the classes a success. I was sure glad to see them all come to my aid!

Suzanne was another roomie, and is always a delight to spend time with. We also got to share a table on work day.

Our buddie, Kana was at our table too. She was our 4th roommate. I've never shared a room 4 ways for an event like this, but it does make it even more fun. Twice the giggles late at night than you get with just one roomie.

And three people to tell me to stop snoring. They said I was a polite snore-er and would stop when told. Suzanne taught everyone that if they snap their fingers I roll over and shut up. Its a good trick. I felt like I should have gotten treats for it, though.

I've heard that if you pin a tennis ball to the back of your jammies, you won't roll onto your back, and I snore only on my back. But I didn't have a tennis ball, we had raquet balls, and golf balls. One was too soft, one was too small, but I tried putting both into a sock and pinning it to the back of my sleep shirt.

The trouble was, the sock was too long and it swung around and whacked me in the face, and did no good at keeping me off my back. I was actually more comfortable on my back, with the sock-o-balls on my shoulder, and I would dream it was little Agnes Rosebud nestled up on my shoulder as I slept.

The details at each place setting were as wonderful as everything else Jenn does.

She didn't miss any opportunity to make even the smallest detail into something special. This is the seating chart!

Our table was the "Water Sprites" which of course reminded me of my little Sugarwings who thinks she is a mermaid.

Jenn had wonderful photo ops set up for us, this wall of frames was sooooo pretty. And so is Valerie (wearing one of the crowns I made)

This vintage angel was a great spot to pose too. Doesn't Natasha look like an angel herself too? Well, while she is nice as can be, she is also far from angelic, that girl is full of fire, is stunningly funny, and always ready with a great story. But she sure pulls off the angel look!

It was great to see old friends, make new ones, and play dress up while surrounded by such stunning scenery. I'm honored that Jenn asked me to teach, it meant a great deal to me to be part of this one of a kind event.

Thanks, Jenn for everything you did to make us all feel like pampered princesses right out of a fairy tale for this enchanted weekend