puppies! – Page 4 – Karla's Cottage

Over the river and through the woods

cottage, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / December 11, 2012

Its been much more fallish than wintery around here lately and we've been taking advantage of that weather. Last week, we crossed the creek and went out in the woods to cut down a tree for the Hippy Chick and her roomies. They wanted to set up a nature tree outdoors for the birds and animals and are going to garland it with popcorn and berries, and make birdseed ornies to hang on it.

We've got tons of scrub cedars, that it never hurts to clear out a bit, so we all trouped off into the woods to pick a pretty one for them.

Dorothy Rosebud was a big chicken, and had to be carried across the creek, and through most of the underbrush. Twinkle and Albie Brave and Strong ran off ahead were so busy that all the pictures I tried to get of them were just blurs. They ran non-stop and explored every fallen leaf.

Cedars aren't the best trees for indoors, but I think it will be a good one for the birdies to have their snacks arranged on outside. I hear that it was a bit sappy, the girls had a Griswald-ish time getting the sticky off of themselves!

While it was nice outside, I took some time to clean up the yard and move furniture into the shed.

These chairs are brand new from an estate sale, I'm looking forward to figuring out where to use them next spring. I got 4 chairs and a table for $20. They are meant for indoors, but have metal frames, so I'm thinking that if I cover the seats in something waterproof, they will be good in the yard.

Some day, I'll do something fun with this shed. It used to be my antique store, now the other half of it is the chicken coop. It might be nice to turn this half into a play house for the fairy grand babies. The new estate sale table is not going to be good for outdoors, even though the chairs can work outside. So, leaving it in the shed can be a start for making the play area next year.

Well, at least its something to day dream about once the long, cold winter hits!

I've added some neutral toned mini wreaths with millinery to my Etsy shop.

As well as a few more trees.

Some not so neutral pretties too!

The last couple of weeks, I've been trying to accommodate as many special orders as I could, but I'm now officially out of stock, after what is listed is gone. So, what is pictured is all that there is.

Sorry I can't do any special packages for you now, but I can't even find any dark trees to fix up, the stores all sold out early this year, so I am too! I made quite a few tree runs this season, and now its time to move on.

At the time I am writing this, there is still a good selection in the shop, especially the ones that I have decorated.

Thanks to everyone who shopped with me this year, I appreciate all the tree sales!

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.

Away

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), puppies!, Travel, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / November 17, 2012

Its hard for me to travel this time of year. I know, I know, its barely November, not even Thanksgiving yet! But I am such a home body and for the last few years we have been on the go so much, that this holiday season, I want to plant myself firmly by the hearth and just soak up all the festiveness that I can.

With the pups around, its even harder to leave.

But I know they are happy with Beth and Jeff.

Those two met the pups before I even got to see them, they came by to help bottle feed when Twinkle gave birth and I was at my family reunion.

As this is posted, I'm in NC at a nephew's wedding. I'm happy to be seeing family and will have a great time with them, but its nice to know that we have not made any more travel plans for November or December. I might put my tree up and just park myself under it to stare at the lights for a while when we get home.

While snuggling these fuzzballs of course.

Geez, I'm homesick and I haven't even left yet. I need to get a grip on myself and go have some fun. If I'm not careful, I'll turn myself into a boring, old, shut in with a houseful of hoarded animals and too many vintage pieces of junk that I tell myself are "supplies" that I will need in the future, not trash!

Oh, but I just love being at home.

Buddies, ouchies, and curses- beware of Wednesdays!

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), puppies!

By Karla Nathan / November 3, 2012

These guys have grown since I took this photo! My Dorothy Rosebud and Albie Brave and Strong (yes, we use their full names, dorky as that is) weighed in at the vet's office at 2.2 and 3 lbs.

Doctor Bayouth seconded my son's diagnosis about the swelling on tiny Dorothy's belly. I was afraid it was a hernia, since the vet had warned that could be a problem after she was injured after being attacked by Dixie.

But my son had been reassuring me that the damage was only muscular. The vet agreed, but added that she may never walk straight again. We call her Sidewinder, because she has a wiggly, little, crookedy walk.

(this beautiful border collie, is cousin Duke, and the little dogs all have a case of hero worship for him)

I feel like I may never walk straight again myself. In the last few weeks, I have been injured almost every Wednesday.

We have decided that I must be cursed.

Getting ready for Romantic Gothic Ghosts workshop, I stood on a small chair to reach the chandelier to take down a fly strip. (yes, a yucky, disgusting fly strip was hanging from my crystal chandy, I'd rather have flies on that than on my kitchen stuff!)

The chair was a bit more wobbly than I realized and as it started to topple, I did my best to not get wrapped up in a be-speckled fly strip. In my horror of the possibility of having that stick to me, I twisted away from it, desperate to not get caught in the icky, carcass covered goo, fell badly, sprained a finger and beat myself up a bit.

The next Wednesday, I was mopping up the pup pen in the garage and Twinkle entwined herself in my feet, along with nine babies. While doing my best to not step on one, I slipped, and did the splits on the wet concrete, and ended up with a pulled groin muscle.

It might have been a while since I'd done the splits. 30 years?

The next Wednesday came along and I was a bit worried, but ended up with a mere migraine. I dismissed it and figured the streak was broken.

But no, it was still on when Wednesday struck again.

We were putting our boat away for the season, parking it in a generous friend's large barn. When we arrived, another boat was right inside the door. Instead of waiting for the owner to move his speedboat, we decided to just move it ourselves.

It was on cement. It had wheels. Why not?

Because it is heavy and unpredictable when it starts to roll, that is why! It came rolling at me, I was at the opening of the garage, guiding the front of the boat when it went wild, and I whacked my wrist on the tongue of the trailer.

As if that wasn't enough, I backed into the propeller of my own boat parked behind me and gashed my head, knocked myself silly for a bit and laid on the ground and cried like a little girl. Then, got up and helped heave the boat out of the gravel, back up over the lip onto the concrete. Eventually, my husband and I managed to get it maneuvered to the other side of the building and our own boat backed in next to it.

But I was grumpy and my wrist had a knot the size of a golf ball on it.

At this point, I'm starting to think that I should swaddle myself up in bubble wrap and stay in bed on Wednesdays.

Maybe not, the curse might be waning. I was walking to my car from the grocery store and slipped in a wet, oily spot in the parking lot on this week's unlucky day.

But I didn't fall down! A bit of windmilling with grocery bags flying around me, some unladylike flopping around, and I caught my balance. The rest of the day went by with no incident.

Maybe the curse has been broken? I hope so because we are flying to NC to a wedding soon. On a WEDNESDAY!

Well, maybe I'm just clumsy and due to take a spill once a week or so… Maybe its not a curse, because over all, I tend to be very lucky. I give thanks for all the things in my life that I never thought I'd have.

And I'm quite sure that I haven't raided any tombs lately or angered any evil old gypsies.

ps- if you are not afraid to sit next to me in case I am cursed, and are a newbie at one of Kim's events, please contact me. I was hoping to pull together a group of first timers to be my table mates in April.

And don't worry, the party is on a Friday and Saturday, no Wednesdays involved.

and ps again-

I've started to reopen my poor, little, long neglected Etsy shop. So far, I've added some bottle brush trees that I have been working on.

Yep, I know, its a gamble this year. I have a feeling that everyone either owns or makes their own now. But, just in case someone out there doesn't have one yet, or time to make some, I have listed a few, with more to come.

Sugarwings and I enjoy dying them together so much every year, I just couldn't miss doing it.

Poor Dorothy Rosebud! and bye bye little puppies

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / October 25, 2012

Poor Dorothy Rosebud had a horrible Tuesday! She and the rest of the pups still here played out in the front yard in the fence with Aunt Sandy's two Yorkies while Twinkle and I were in the studio.

I've heard in the past, that female dogs in a household would try to kill another female's pups, but Daisy and Dixie are such tiny little, mild mannered dogs, it never occurred to me that they could hurt our babies. I figured that the pups were old enough now that all would have fun wrassling and playing together. Stupid me.

See the huge bruise on her tummy? It goes all the way across her back too.

This wasn't their first time together, but it was the first time unsupervised. And 3 pound Dixie decided she didn't like 1-1/2 lb Dorothy Rosebud.

I found the baby under the porch, covered in mud and vomit, and not moving. I rushed her to the vet, she was crying softly, nonstop and was very listless.

He said she didn't seem to have any internal bleeding and the only thing we could do is keep her comfortable, quiet, and medicated and watch her. Xrays wouldn't show intestinal damage and that is what worried him. If she came down with a fever or her gums turned pale, he said he would recommend surgery.

So, Aunt Sandy the RN, listened to her bowel sounds throughout the evening, and the baby slept on my lap, she was still very still, and crying.

I took her to my son, the massage therapist and energy healer, and he said her bowels were fine, the problem was some tendon damage in her thigh and her hip was out of alignment. After working on her for a bit, she started to feel better, was looking around and stopped crying! She could even walk again.

That guy has some major skills. His fix was a lot better than the surgery the vet suggested for this morning.

Last week, I had tendinitis in my right arm and couldn't do a thing. It even hurt to use my finger to turn pages on my Ipad books. So, Mr. Zen worked on my arm, and I felt a little relief. Then, a couple hours later, I realized that there was no more pain. The repairs kind of sneak up on you, they aren't immediate.

That is what happened with the puppy. She felt a little better right away, after he helped her hip. Soon after, she was looking around and interested in the world again. She is still hurt, but not listless and crying. I'm certain she is recovering.

That boy has amazing intuition in knowing how to find where the pain is and he is pretty good about helping the pain leave. Sugarwings says her daddy is magic.

I no longer have problems with arthritis in my thumb and he can make a migraine disappear too. I was glad to find that he was able to help animals as well. It was heartbreaking to see such a tiny dog in such pain.

I feel awful about letting it happen. From now on, no pups around Dixie and Daisy. And Dorothy can't play with anyone else for a few days, so she is isolated. And Twinkle hates Sandy's dogs, so they are kept separated.

We almost need a chart to figure out who can go to where and when.

Since we have to spend so much time taking care of Dorothy Rosebud, we decided to send the other pups to their new homes. One went to St. Joe, MO to my antiquing friend, Pat. Another went to our next door neighbors! And the night before, 1 left for Indiana and 2 to Virginia.

It will be nice to have one of the puppies right in our own backyard, in the house behind our shed. You know they must be nice people if they can put up with this view and not complain.

So, now we are down to two. Dorothy Rosebud, my poor, hurt baby, and sweet faced Albie, otherwise known as Big Head. He is the one who stopped up the whole works and sent Twinkle to the hospital in the first place, due to his huge size. (named for my husband's grandparents, Dorothy and Albert)

The trouble now, that we made choices and fell in love, is that we found out that my husband will have to be living part time in the DC area again. Since I will be travelling back and forth with him, I worry about taking care of two pups. I'm sure Beth will help with one baby sometimes, but I hate to ask anyone to take on two.

It would be hard to give him up now, but we might have to. I probably wouldn't have even let Twinkle have pups at all if I'd known we'd have such a rough year ahead of us. I'll think on it a few more days. But there might be one more darling pup available soon if we decide we can't keep two. ugh, this is sooo hard– I want them ALL.

Isn't this blankey cute? My SIL, Terry, who was here for Romantic Gothic Ghosts, made a blanket for each puppy to take with them when they left. I made sure the throws were covered in Twinkle's scent before they left with it, hopefully that comforted them after they were in their new homes.

We are now out of blankets from Terry, so that means I might just have to keep this last little boy….

This photo is of Frodo, who went to live at Sissy's house. As hard as it is to see the babies leave, its wonderful to know how loved they are with their new families.

ps- there are new things in the Boutique!!

A puppy dilema and some holiday Shine

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), holiday decor, puppies!, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / October 23, 2012

Before the babies started to leave us, Aunt Sandy and I took them all outside on a pretty day to get some last pictures of them all together.

She bought them each a colorful, embellished tee shirt from the Dollar Store to pose in.

The trouble was, they wiggled out of the shirts as fast as we wiggled them in.

And corralling them in one spot wasn't easy either. The swing was a good place to hold them captive for a bit.

But we still couldn't get all 9 to look at us at the same time. Even with Aunt Sandy holding their mom above my head as I kneeled in front of them.

At first, they were just too excited. But of course, that means, that soon, they all tuckered themselves out with the excitement.

So, we took advantage of their exhaustion and got some close ups.

Not everyone was worn out, these guys are little bundles of curiousity.

And snuggles.

This is our forever baby. The New Agnes Rosebud, as Sugarwings insists on calling her. I keep reminding her that the name is Dorothy Rosebud, but she likes T.N.A.R.

I have a major decision to make on pup #2

First of all, I don't know if I am up to the task of taking on two.

Second, if I do, how can I chose? These little boys are as sweet as can be.

One baby might be all I can properly tend. Of course, after weeks of bottle feeding and care-taking 9, 2 or 3 should seem like a piece of cake!

Twinkle still is tending to them too, so she'd be a help. But Aunt Sandy is back to work as an RN and has some long days, so I can't count on her for puppy wrangling with me as much as she did when they were tiny. She was a huge help. I don't think one person could have raised all nine and gotten any sleep at all.

While Sandy lives with us, we have her two Yorkies too. We can not convince them to use the doggy door, so I'll be taking them out for potty breaks while Sandy is gone on her long 12-14 hour nursing shifts. Maybe I should take advantage of that and haul pups out at the same time. (yes, we'd be a FIVE dorkie household if I kept two!)

But its not the housebreaking that worries me. Even though that is a concern.

Its the attention. I want to be able to nurture the babies and spend lots of time with them. I'm not sure that I want to divide up my time between two pups at once. Will I be able to raise two at a time to be wonderful companions?

On the other hand, these might be the last puppies we ever have! And I have to admit, without bragging, that I raise good pups! I've only kept two dogs from previous litters and they were the best dogs ever. Attention from the minute they are born, lots of cuddling and exposure to various experiences makes for a confident and good natured adult dog.

So, I hate to miss out on keeping another one like that!

Well, I still have some time to think.

Not everyone is gone yet. And not all are spoken for. Maybe once the herd is thinned down a bit, and I'm left with a couple of babies, I'll find it impossible to part with the last little boy.

I've bonded with this little snippet, and am just afraid that I won't be able to give enough of myself to one of her brothers too. And these guys are all sooooo special, that I want them to have the very best home.

And this might not be the best home for him, if I give my time to his sister first.

But, if my husband bonds with one, then it could be his dog, that could work…

Thanks for listening to me muse out loud about my dilema. Its a small problem to have, and I shouldn't even call it a problem, how many people would be complaining about whether or not they should adopt one or two of the worlds cutest puppies? I'm pretty lucky if this is all I have to ponder and worry about!

I know how lucky I am, and I am so thankful that good things have come my way.

I've already gushed about how excited I am to be one of Kim's Fairytale instructors at the Enchanted Affaire in April, and you'll probably for sure hear more gushing about how much I am looking forward to that as the months go by.

Now, I've got something equally wonderful to tide me over a bit- Carol Spinski

and I had lunch last week and she was brainstorming some ideas about a get together at her home for the holidays.

I'm so glad the details worked out for her and its a go, and I get to be a part of it along with Amy Barrickman and Debbie Dousenberry.

These three are in the latest issue of Matthew Mead's Holiday magazine together in a Christmas spread shot at Carol's farmhouse. If you'd like to see her magnificent home in person, and get tips from these three pros, as well as make a sparkly tree ornament with me, here is the info:

Contact Carol Spinski for reservations.

This will be a one day, interactive workshop for entrepreneurs, business
and creative types filled with ideas and inspiration provided by our
featured guests, all with amazing backgrounds and talents.

Hurry! Only 15 openings available. $125 for the day

Schedule:

9 – 9:30 am   Morning coffee, muffins and introductions.
9:30 – 11:00   Carol Spinski: Tips and resources to help your creative business sparkle.
11 – 12:00   Karla Nathan: Make and take ornament. Topic: Blogging and how to do online classes/tutorials.
12 – 1:00   Lunch
1 – 2:30   Amy Barickman- Expanding your creative business.
2:30 – 4:00   Deb Dusenberry- Making your brand shine; display, graphics, store front, web presence.
4:00-
5:00   Carol Spinski- Photography tips for marketing and web. Stylized
photo shoot using the make and take ornament from Karla and other props.

Kitty Boy and the Pups

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), kitties, puppies!, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / October 12, 2012

There are more photos of our Romantic Gothic Ghost weekend, as well as the Zombie parade, but first I wanted to show you some of the cuteness that is always under foot around here.

We took the pups out to run and enjoy the great weather (where was this sunshine while company was here??? We had to cancel our trip to the Renfest, everyone was too cold).

The babies were so excited that most pictures I took were just a blur of joy.

They followed Twinkle like baby ducklings. Or I guess, like baby puppies. But when the tough, old barn cat came by, they veered off after him.

Which he didn't care for.

Luckily, no one was hurt. A hiss was enough to give the pups pause.

Well, most of them. This guy was too curious to let it go. They have seen nothing but snuggles and love all of their little lives and have no idea that not everyone thinks they are adorable.

ps- I'd pretend that our grass looks so awful just because of the draught this year, but honestly, we don't have much of a yard. So, please, avert your eyes from the pufts of grass sticking out of the dirt and enjoy the pups. You would never know from looking at our yard that my husband works for a golf course company, huh?

Sleepy babies

Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), puppies!

By Karla Nathan / October 6, 2012

Little Dewdrop fell asleep in the car on the way to visit. So, when they arrived, her parents made a bed for her in the shady bushes while we did some yard work. Her little friend joined her for a nap.

Napping is still his number one favorite pastime. My newest hobby is lining sleepy pups up together on their backs. It's not as easy as it looks, these guys are wiggly and if one decides to play, the game is up and all of them are up and running.

I’m crowded! Roll over!

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), puppies!, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / October 1, 2012

These guys are growing FAST.

Their meals have been supplemented from the beginning and now they are eating dog food, but they still waddle to mama whenever they can. She does her best to accommodate them. At this point, I think its more of a comfort than dinner, they chew on whatever part of her they can, whether it produces milk or not. Her poor belly is all marked up.

But she adores the babies and doesn't want to be kept from them.

No matter how much space they have, they still all sleep in a big pile together. Even when the pile gets so high that one rolls off, like this guy!

It reminds me of that Little Bear song that I sing to the grand fairies:

Five bears in the bed and the little one said
"I'm crowded, roll over"
So they all rolled over, and one fell out

Four bears in the bed, and the little one said
"I'm crowded, roll over"
So they all rolled over and one fell out

Three bears in the bed, and the little one said
"I'm crowded, roll over"
So they all rolled over and one fell out

Two bears in the bed, and the little one said
"I'm crowded, roll over"
So they all rolled over and one fell out

One bear in the bed, and the little one said
"I'm lonely"

They are learning to come when called now. I call "Puppies!" and they start to stumble to me. As each one makes its way, I pick it up, give it some love, then call the next, working my way all the way through the nine.

Funny, the same one is always last to come. The littlest girl sits and waits her turn patiently.

They are all getting personalities. This guy is the vocal one. Since he was born, he was always the one to speak up and let us know what he had to say.

I'm still not sure who will live with me forever. . It will probably be once they are running around free in the studio before I know who I need to keep. That will be the one who is always at my feet when I look down.

I'm waiting for someone to pick me, I guess.

I have deleted the sign up page for Romantic Gothic Ghosts so I don't
oversell accidently. We are keeping it limited to a small group. But if
you are interested, please email me for info.
karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Dewdrop’s first craft day

Books, Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, puppies!, Romantic Gothic Ghosts

By Karla Nathan / September 27, 2012

Dewdrop came over with her mom to do a practice class for Romantic Gothic Ghosts. The babies came outside to play since it was such a beautiful afternoon. I left the studio door open and made a pen for them right outside.

The little guys played so hard, they tuckered themselves out and just fell asleep where they stood. It looked like the aftermath of a fraternity party.

One even fell asleep with his head in the food bowl.

Dewdrop was perfect at her first big girl craft day. She decided she needed an apron to wear while she worked. Her favorite part was the pockets, she filled them with so much she could barely sit down.

Her Gypsy mama created one of Beth's books for the upcoming class. Beth is providing lots of great materials, and I got out some of the images from the online class too.

(All attendees get the online class included for free. I'll be printing off some of the images for them to use too. And if you are coming, mabye these pictures will give you some ideas on what you might like to bring to add to your own book)

I made a book while Beth made my Raven tea cup project.

It was fun to try the faux tintype technique.

No two books from the class will turn out the same, Beth is providing lots of goodies and tidbits, and some kits will differ.

My book and Dewdrop's Gypsy mama's book looked very different from Beth's.

I can't wait to see all the variations that the rest of the students come up with!

Of course, there were lots of breaks to play with puppies.

I'll leave you with some more of the pages our Gypsy created, she really had some nice ones. She made it her own by adding some gypsy colored ribbons here and there.