Sugarwings – Page 9 – Karla's Cottage

Under the Sea and still under the spell

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 5, 2016

I know it is the New Year (already???!!) Well, at least I am trying to convince myself that, yes, Christmas is over, 2016 has arrived, and it is time to get back to normal.

Hmmm, if I could just figure out what normal is.

Anyway, our holidays were so full that I still haven't run out of photos from them. And I am still basking in that holiday glow. Soooo, I'm indulging myself with yet another blog post of girls being excited by the Christmas extravaganza.

Last year, we started a tradition of seeing a play at the local theater as part of our month long party in honor of the holiday. The play in 2014 was Mary Poppins, and was cute as a bug.

This year, we got to see The Little Mermaid. It was spectacular! Yet one more reason that we are lucky to live in such a cool town with so many interesting things going on.

I'll leave you with some pics from the day, and I just might sneak in a few more of happy girls enjoying Christmas too. Because those are my favorite pictures of all.

Unless we are at a beach… I do love beaches. That sounds especially good right now when the temps are dropping in the midwest and things get icy.

But for now, Under the Sea is close enough to the beach for me.

Our Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 26, 2015

I hope your holiday was full of joy. We had some fun experiences, and plenty of laughs. With lots of hugs.

We started out our two day, holiday extravaganza with a nice, long walk in the woods on Christmas Eve.

It has been mild weather, ideal for a light jacket and some time in the trees.

Albie took that literally, and showed off his climbing abilities. That boy loves to climb trees.

Dewdrop likes to be a damsel in distress waiting to be saved from her perch in the branches.

And her Pop Pop is always happy to step in and help her down.

Katie's girls are as adventurous as Albie and showed off their circus skills by straying off the path and up the branches at every turn of the trail.

Of course, when you hang out with trapeze artists and circus performers on a regular basis, things usually get interesting.

We also had a big, family yoga session before our dinner Christmas Day.

Which soon led to a human pyramid.

Or two.

Or three. (Although this one is only 2/3 human)

Notice that I am not in any of the piles? I was in charge of Santa Hats and photos. Somehow, I wasn't added to the stacks of people, I think my reputation for clumsiness is pretty well known.

Our Thursday was full of exciting deliveries, there were presents being left on the porch all day! One was a package of steaks which came with DRY ICE packed in it.

I was intrigued by the dry ice and used it to create a mini fog machine in this old, silver coffee pot, with the mist flowing from the spout and around the evergreen branches. (Adding rubbing alcohol to the block makes clouds of swirling fog rise from it)

We also tried making sushi on Christmas Eve.

Tried pretty hard.

Then my husband got us some take out.

It was a little like the Bumpas' hounds ruining Christmas dinner in A Christmas Story.

On Christmas morning, we had evidence of the Jolly Old Elf's visit, by the tracks of glitter left on the floor. And I have a feeling, I'll be seeing remnants of that holiday magic for the rest of the year.

The evening ended with Elf and Nightmare Before Christmas, after a big poker tournament where Ryan won 40 bucks from his cousins and was beaming with pride.

I'll leave you with a few more pictures of our celebration, and wishes for a happy holiday season to you too.

A Santa Do-Over and some fancy time for the big girls too

celebrations, Dew Drop, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 20, 2015

We took the grand fairies to see Santa again, this time at Lions Gate Country Club. Of course, the little ones were excited to see Mr.Claus, but I was really excited to see the fab brunch that was set out…

Beth came along with us, and we decided it was a good time to practice being hoity toity since we will be attending Deb Hodge's fancy event in Feb. We will be living the high life then, that event looks amazing!

So, a luxury style holiday buffet was just what we needed to get into practice of being pampered.

And we wanted to do some elfing around.

We arrived early so that Sugarwings could have a heart to heart with Santa, since her last visit with him was so intimidating.

All went well, and smiles prevailed.

Of course, when you are spending time with this little goof ball, there are usually plenty of smiles (and funny faces) to share.

Lion's Gate is part of the company my husband works for, but it is a 45 minute drive, so we only go there for special occasions. The food is always THE BEST and they have cute events for kids.

That is where Dewdrop first met her favorite princess, Snow White. It was at "Ghost and Giggles". One of the co-workers dressed as Snow, and Dewdrop fell head over heels for her. She is always happy to see her when we visit the club. She even took her an apple this summer when we went there to use the swimming pool on a day out.

Hmm, if you think about it, that might seem traumatic for Snow White, to be handed an apple. Isn't that a scary memory for her?

On this visit, she gave her a shy hug, then watched her from afar. Then, she told her Pop Pop that she was so happy to see her friend again, and asked him if he knew that Snow White had a job there.

I could save a fortune on vacations, if I just went to visit this Snow White over and over, to Dewdrop, it is as exciting to see her there as it is at Disney.

It doesn't matter where you go, as long as you bring your imaginations. Fun is waiting for you anywhere if you just look for it.

I hope all of your holiday celebrations are tasty and fun too!

A Santa Dilema

Dew Drop, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 16, 2015

We love to go see Santa. When Sugarwing's Mommy sent me a message saying that the hospital she works at was hosting a party with Mr. Claus attending, I answered back, "We are on our way!"

Surprisingly, Sugarwings was feeling a bit shy with the Jolly Old Elf this year. There was some indecision about what she should "order" (as Dewdrop calls giving Santa her wish list). It reminded me of the scene in a Christmas Story where Ralphie freezes up:

A Christmas Story (1983)

[Ralphie is visiting Santa at the department store, only he can't remember what he wanted]
Santa Claus: How about a nice football?
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Football? Football? What's a football? With unconscious will my voice squeaked out 'football'.
Santa Claus: Okay, get him out of here.
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] A football? Oh no, what was I doing? Wake up, Stupid! Wake up!
Ralphie: [Ralphie is shoved down the slide, but he stops himself and climbs back up] No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!
Santa Claus: You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Santa suggested Barbies and both girls agreed, even though neither really plays much with those dolls.

That big red suit can really throw a kid for a loop sometimes, huh? For them, it is a Big Deal, and I wonder just how many other kiddos freak out and get their tongues tied over this major event of the year.

After a tour of the cardiac unit where her Mommy was busy saving people, she found her courage and we went back to see Santa again,(he was MUCH nicer than the guy Ralphie visited) so she could tell him how much she really wanted some Shopkins. He was glad to see her back again, and very gracious to change her "order" for her.

Here are some pictures of what is new in the Etsy shop– in case you are still making your list!

Happy Halloween! And some zombies

family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / October 31, 2015

My Darling lil Sugarwings has caught the zombie bug. She is still enamoured with princesses, but for this Halloween, she wants to be a Zombie Elsa. And her mom was pretty good with the makeup for the annual Lawrence Zombie Walk.

The kiddo was kind of creepy, she had the act down. She stayed in character and is a good little actress.

As usual, the town turned out for the show, with what seemed like half the population as walkers, the other half watching downtown as the undead paraded by.

It was very much like the herds on the Walking Dead.

ugh

Double ugh

Maybe some day, I'll join in, now that I don't have my trusty side kick to watch it with, she is one of the herd now.

Although, I'm pretty happy with my routine of getting a table at cafe that offers sidewalk dining and watching the event from the comfort of my seat. This time, I sat at the Roost and ate coconut cake with a decaf latte as the goriness tromped by. My husband was out of town, and the rest of the family was occupied (the girl's dad stayed home with Dewdrop, she is a bit sensitive for the scary parts) so I was on my own.

I almost didn't go, but when I found out that Sugarwings and her mommy were shuffling through town, drenched in blood, how could I stay home and miss that?

And it was a nice, fall evening, crisp but not cool. Those days are going to be getting fewer and fewer as winter approaches.

Plus, ZOMBIES!!!!!!!!!!! Why was I even thinking about missing that???

I'm glad I went. And I am already looking forward to next year!

Haunted House fun

Dew Drop, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 30, 2015

This season, we discovered fondant. And for big time, PlayDough lovers, this is a wonderful thing to know about when you are making a gingerbread house. Some orange fondant came in the haunted gingerbread house that I bought at Michaels, and we enjoyed it sooooo much that we bought another package of orange and one of white.

It isn't cheap like Playdough, but it is worth the cost, because the grand fairies worked with it for hours and hours.

The house came assembled!!!!!! That was a huge plus for me, as the contractor for building the home, I'm gingerbread impaired and often struggle to raise the roof. (I've been known to resort to hot glue in the past)

This was also our first Halloween house, and while it was very fun to do, I discovered that the black and purple icing "glues" are a horrid mess to work with and the first batch of orange fondant ended up sorta grey from messy icing fingers.

Also, there wasn't nearly enough candy in the box to finish decorating the creation. At least not to our standards… we are big believers in GAUDINESS!

So, after a couple hours working on the house at the table, and smearing black icing everywhere, I smartened up and the next day when we finished the house, I had the kiddos spend time making their fondant creations and letting them dry before gluing them to the house with the goopy icing.

Sugarwings threw another Arabella Cinderella party to welcome her sister back from her trip out East to be with her mommy, and the gingerbread house made an ideal centerpiece for the table.

I rented Cinderella ( It is a beautiful movie, Rose and Rob Stark make a lovely couple,and I was glad to see that Rob's wedding went a lot better on this show than on Game of Thrones) and the grand fairies had a tea party breakfast watching the show. They spent most of the rest of the day making fondant pumpkins and ghosts in front of the TV, since the room was set up so festive, and we wanted to take advantage of the decor.

Sugarwings had made princess posters on Disney's online game page, printed them, and taped them all around the room to surprise her sis. Then, she set the table for breakfast and called her sister into the room for a surprise party.

I'd say the girl has a flair for hosting a stylish bash.

We will miss our tiny Dewdrop when she heads back to her Mommy. But like we tell her, we are so happy that she gets to be with both us and with her Mommy who she loves so much.

And we never cry about her leaving ( at least not in front of her). She is such a trooper and stays cheerful about it all. I have a feeling that having parties thrown for her doesn't hurt at all.

We have a photo album of her mother and siblings who are not with her, and keep it near her bed, to look through whenever she is feeling lonely for them.

And when she is away from us? I have blog posts full of pictures of her to look at and remember our fun while she was here. I hope that her other family enjoys the posts too.

Fare thee well to the renfest for the season

Dew Drop, fairies, family, parties, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / October 28, 2015

When I got off the airplane from my trip to Georgia to see my buddies, I went directly to the Renfest to see my grandfairies. They were there with some family members to see their daddy at work. And Dewdrop had just returned from her time with her Mommy out East, so I was really missing that lil cutey.

I know I've said it before, but I think that the addition of the Mermaid Lagoon to the festival is a giant improvement. We sure love that area.

And this time, there was a merperson plopped into the water fountain near the entrance too.

And of course, there are fairies galore. My girls always recognize Fay Royalty and are quick with a curtsy.

We have our favorite places to visit, we can't go without spending time in the Children's Realm and seeing the wizard.

As a matter of fact, it would be easy to spend the whole time just in this area for the shows, playground, and crafts. (all free)

We like the dancing too. Whether with the sprites around the maypole or with the royal family.

Where else can you sing at the top of your lungs to "What do you do with a drunken sailor" and dance a jig with Cinderella and her prince?

And be surrounded by pretty gypsies?

Or go for a camel ride?

We also met Rapunzel.

It was a bit surreal to be in Georgia with best friends, enjoying coffee on the wraparound porch of Suzanne's farm house that morning, then a few short hours later being surrounded by mermaids and princesses.

But, what a magical time!

Another Halloween Banner

holiday decor, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 16, 2015

Thanks for all of the banner and witchy love! I've enjoyed making these and have kept on making more as all of them sell.

Sometimes I sell so many kits for others to create with that I don't think about selling my own pieces. It is a good feeling to be encouraged to keep making these, I've loved doing each one.

The haunted houses too.

No two of any of my witches, banners, or haunted houses have been the same, but all are made from the luscious pile of goodies on my table that never quite gets put away.

Maybe when I run out of wonderful, old, black flowers, I'll be done?

It's time to switch focus to (yes seriously, it really is time for this) CHRISTMAS. Wow, already? Well, yep. If I want to sell hand dyed trees and little angel kits, and vintagey tree decorations, it is getting late for me to get them all made and ready to go.

But can you blame me for still being in a spooky mode? Heck, it is only mid October!

We are still knee deep in zombies and gore around here. Last night was the annual Zombie Walk, and my darling, little princess got infected with zombie fever. I'll have more pics from the parade later on. For now, I guess I'd better be starting in on some angels.

I hope I don't accidentally add a pumpkin or some cobwebs to them…

Dancing Princesses at the Castle

Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / October 6, 2015

Sugarwings and I had a fun afternoon last week. We went to see Dance Princess Dance at the Castle Tea Room, downtown.

It's a building I've always wanted to peek into, an old Victorian home built to look like a castle, and now used for private events.

I wish it was actually a tea room, open to the public, I'd be a regular!

We went a little early to poke around and check out the garden. The grounds are small, but nicely kept up. And anytime there is a fountain, we are ready to throw in a few wishes.

I've lived in this town for more than 20 years, and have always been curious about this place. Finally, an opportunity to see it up close!

Our little Leo was enchanted by the door knocker.

Every door handle was ornate and wonderful. The restoration on the place was very well done.

While I was intrigued by the design of the home, Sugarwings was much more interested in meeting the princesses.

After the show, there was a meet and greet, with photo ops, and autographs. With cookies!

The show was a cute concept. There was a backstory about a princess needing advice on how to be royal, and we followed her from one room of the castle to the next, to find a dancing princess in each room, ready to help her out.

Little girls attending were properly mesmerized.

And the princesses were gracious to the children.

The whole thing was done in under an hour and was only $8 to attend. Much easier than a trip to Disneyworld….

Kansas City Renfest 2015

fairies, family, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / September 24, 2015

Last week, we headed to the Renfest to visit our fairy and princess friends.

Sugarwings was sporting her latest gown from TJMax's great selection of royal fashions. Every fall, they have the BEST, highest quality, dresses at the most reasonable prices (about $30). I started to dress up, but since my husband was going along, I tamed my look down for him. A garland for my hair and a semi-witchy ensemble was plenty for him.

As much as I have fun watching the kids explore the festival, I personally love the overall style of the place, all of the attention to detail in the architecture, and the shady, hilly park it is all built in. The best building though?

This castle!

Wow!

My son's friend, Jessie is the stone mason. It is a labor of love for him, each year a few more rocks are added to this hand built palace.

It is a beautiful spot for photos, the artistry of the structure makes all pictures interesting. (not like my cute little models needed that)

Jessie does custom stone work for clients the rest of the year, and uses the in process castle as a storefront to sell his geodes.

There is a big selection of round rocks to chose from and take to the geo-tine (like guillotine but for rocks). Jessie spins a tale while the rock gets cracked in two. That guy can draw a big crowd to gather around just to wait while a rock gets broken. He is a born entertainer.

When the CRACK happens, the crowd cheers and everyone is excited to see what the geode holds as the owner walks through the throng to show off her treasure. No two look just the same and he has a wide variety of different crystals. Mine was smoky quartz with marcasite. Really pretty. This one is Sugarwings' stone and I'm not sure what it is.

She enjoyed working the crank to break hers apart.

She's also always happy to visit the mermaid lagoon.

While waiting in line to visit the merpeople, we found this heart seed pod.

Sugarwings gave the heart to Aurilliea Gyldenscale, one of our local, Kansas City area mermaids. (Being in the midwest, we don't have as many merpeople as you might find on the coast, so ours are very special and rare).

The lagoon area is a welcome addition to the renfest, it was added not that long ago and while simple, is very cute. One year there was a large tank/aquarium that a poor, chilly mermaid floated around in, this seems like a much more humane way to display the fishy girls. And it is more user friendly for the kiddos too, the little girls are thrilled to get hugs from their heroines.

We never fail to make a magic wand at the Children's Realm. Afterwards, you can test drive the wand with a real wizard. This was the point when I realized that Sugarwings is lacking in her magical knowledge. When I told her to call her patronus, she had no idea what I was talking about.

Time to start reading Harry Potter to her, right?

She definitely is well phrased in fairy lore and was able to chat with the faye like a pro.

And of course, is a champ at the maypole after years of dancing with the fairies.

Hmm, maybe this is my favorite part of the day there. Look at the smiles on all of those faces!

My not-so-fave part?

Visiting the animal rescue center. Which sounds very nice til you find out that it is a dragon, a hawk, and a billion snakes.

Yep, that is a snake wrapped around our little friend.

And around Sugarwings who got teary eyed about having to give the snake back. She wanted to stay and hold it longer.

ugh-shiver-bleck

Luckily, there was a fairy godmother handy to zap her out of her mood with a sprinkling of magic and fairy dust.

It is hard to stay sad at the festival, with all of that magic and revelry around you.