swaps – Page 5 – Karla's Cottage

Arietty is so Pretty

antiques/junking, Books, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 26, 2012

My friend, Lisa, told me that she was so excited about a movie coming out about the Borrowers, her favorite book from childhood. I vaguely remembered the book, and took another look at it, she was right, its such a fantastic story. I think it spoke to me more as an adult than it did as a kid. I'm trying to read it to Sugarwings, but the fact that it is based in England years ago, makes the language a little too difficult for her.

She held up all of her fingers and told me to read it to her again when she was that many.

But I took her to the movie as soon as it opened and now she rates Arietty right up there with Ariel and Dorothy as her favorite heroines. And I agree. The movie was so beautifully done, I couldn't get enough of the artwork. Even Sugarwings, as lost in the story as she was, kept pointing out how pretty everything was and was asking me the names of the painted flowers.

The next morning after seeing the show, I surprised my fairy grand baby by leaving a pearl topped pin on the breakfast table (after snipping the sharp end off with wire cutters). Arietty sports a pin she found and tucked into her dress, as a sword, and even uses it to save her Mother's life at one point.

We are now writing a series of notes with little gifts to leave for the Borrowers who live in our own walls and have been making up stories about Sugarwings and Arietty playing with the kitties in our garden.

As a thank you to Lisa for sparking my interest in this story that my little one and I both love so much, I made this page for the Round Robin Swap that we are both in, to add to her book.

I took the ideas from the novel, about the teeny people "borrowing" ordinary things from the human beans in the house and re-purposing them for use in the walls to make a cozy place to live. The book describes letters hung sideways on the wall to make vertical striped wallpaper, and pictures of the queen (stamps) hung on the wall along with a ladies watch as a clock.

Arietty's mom adored a picture of the ocean taken from a card, and I came as close as I could by cutting out a picture from an old postcard that featured water.

The dining table is made from a playing card box, the vase is a thimble, and the table cloth is a lace scrap. On the table is a letter written with a quill pen and Arietty's sword/pin.

Popsicle sticks, rubbed with ink make up the floor. When it came to seating at the table, i was stumped because I wanted to use spools like in the book, but was also trying to keep the page flat enough to fit in the book, so I drew some spools on card stock, cut them out and wrapped thread around them.

I had some trouble finding just the right stamps, so I asked Beth if she had any I could use. Here is a sample of her pile of stamps I had to chose from! I was able to pick out not only the perfect pictures, but I love the colors they were too, I think they compliment the other colors I already had in the page.

The other thing I was lacking was a thimble. Not a single one, anywhere in my studio. So, of course, i asked Beth, who has everything.

Not only did she have a selection of regular sized thimbles, she brought out a Monopoly game piece one that is what I ended up using.

While I was in KC visiting Beth, we hit a few estate sales. I bought this old jewelry box for its faded pink interior. At the same sale, I found a pile of keys for a good price and bought a bagful. Beth bought was what left, I hadn't realized she was interested, or I'd have offered to split them.

But while I was looking for stamps at her house, I saw all of these, so didn't feel so bad about not sharing. I envy her piles of goodies!

It was an okay estate sale day, I've seen better. But we had such a good time, I told her she could take me to the Dollar Store instead and I'd enjoy it just as much. It was the company that counted.

Besides the keys and box, and a few other little tidbits, I bought at set of vintage cut glass drinking glasses for $12 and this other new stuff for my kitchen. Sugarwings and Dewdrop will enjoy the little white pitchers at our next tea party. Its time to start showing that littlest fairy how to pour her own cream!

Beth and I worked on bagging up her kits for Paper Cowgirls. I still have mine to do yet. I probably should not have taken the day off to go and play in KC, that was one more thing that was NOT on my list of what I need to be getting done.

But it will all get done somehow. I'm sure of it. Or at least that is what I tell myself…

I'll have some more round robin pages to show you this week. I made quite a few of them this week. The books are being sent to Somerset, so this week, I'll need to label all the pages and pack them up. I'll snap a few more photos as I do.

Generous and talented friends

swaps, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / January 2, 2012

The sale in the Boutique and on Etsy has gone so well that I am amping it up for the new year!

Use this link

and type in the code:

2012

then hit recalculate, and save 40% in the boutique!

for Etsy, type in the code:

happy2012

to receive 50% off!

When I was out in California at Kim's house for her holiday gathering, I had a lovely surprise. All of the attendees treated me to swap gifts even though I hadn't joined in on the swaps myself!

One of the ideas for a swap was really unique, I think it was called the Smelly Swap. It really is better than it sounds. Everyone creatively packaged up either a home made or a favorite store bought cream/lotion/bath salt type item.

What a beautiful variety of sweet smelling potions!

II was also given one of each of the ornies from the silver/pink/tourquiose ornament swap. After seeing Kim's own tree decked out in swap pretties from years past, I was extra thrilled to get my own!

Everytime I go to an art event, I tell myself that I don't have time to be in swaps, then I kick myself during the exchange when I see what I missed out on. So, lately, I've tried to do one swap per event no matter how busy I am. But for this one, I just couldn't swing them and was already sorry before I even saw what everyone was bringing.

It was so touching to be included after all!! I'll treasure these beauties forever.

And the gifts just kept on coming! There were three swaps, and I was given presents for all of them! This will be my holiday necklace for 2012, I can't wait to jingle as I strut around in my pink and blue, jingle bell, snowman, chrystal, charm necklace.

Thanks ladies, I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!

**********************************************************************************************

And if you'd like to make a Valentines Day's Love bird version of the wreath class I taught in California, you are invited to an afternoon workshop in the studio on Saturday Jan. 14th to make a wire wrapped wreath with two ephemera covered, nesting love birds for Valentine's Day. Email me for details, it will be $75 for all materials, and lunch included.

EDIT: The date and price for the class has changed to Saturday January 28th for $65

Round Robin

swaps

By Karla Nathan / November 16, 2011

Last spring at craft day, Beth asked Mary and I if we wanted to join a round robin book project with her and Lisa. She kind of knew that Mary would say no, she is all glue book, all the time. Why not stick with what you are an expert at? She is smart to do that.

Which reminds me, she has one of her expert lessons available again now if you want to learn from the master!

Okay, back to the subject. Beth probably didn't expect me to say yes, either. I tend to over extend and do too much, then do nothing but complain about it, so she probably hoped I'd say no since she is the one who has to listen to the complaints.

But I love her work, and Lisa's work and thought it could be fun. (it is!)

I kind of cheated and worked ahead, we were supposed to make one page a month for a year. I made up four pages right away, one for each of us, so that when my turn came, I just had to slip the premade page in the box and send it on. For my first four pages, each are similar, they are all paper doll dresses with vintage lace skirts or real doll dresses.

Right now, I have Sandra's book, she joined us as our 4th. All of us have admired her work over the years.

This is the page that Lisa made for it.

Won't these be amazing when they are done next year??? I'm so glad I joined, even if Beth has to explain the schedule to me every month and I complain about the postage. Its worth it. These books are going to be treasures when they are done!

There are some new things in the works, ready for the shop, but this is a busy week with the little fairy grand kids, with Dew Drop's birthday and Sugarwings spending time here at the cottage with me an extra day this week. This snow bird is listed.

And these guys will be on their way soon.

And over at the Etsy shop, its sure begining to look a lot like Christmas. Frosty little pastel trees are being added to the shop daily.

Thanks to all of you who are shopping with me!

A Fairy Queen laurel

Once upon a dream, swaps

By Karla Nathan / October 15, 2011

For Once Upon A Dream, I offered to host a swap. I love doing swaps, but normally do collaborative ones. This is my first one on one swap to host and I hope it goes well. And that I do it right.

My swap mate was very open to ideas and gave me lots of free reign on what to make for her. I came up with this crown/laurel covered in neutral and white millinery.

There was an open loop at the top that I thought would be great for dangling a crystal. But I wanted it to be a special one, so I cut out a lovely fairy girl, and glued a tiny blossom to her hand, and added the words "fairy queen" and glued those to the backside of the crystal, and then hung it from the top of the loop.

So that it looks as pretty from the back as it does from the front, I glued a soft, flowey, flower to the backside of the crystal.

The basis of the whole wreath is raffia covered wire in a deep, natural brown. I sprayed it with bronze glitter and wrapped it up in long, trailing, pure white silk ribbons.

When I get back from my trip, I'll have photos of all the swap crowns. I am so excited to see what everyone makes!

EDIT- This post was written ahead of time, before I left on my trip. I'll have new posts all week while I am away, but might not get to answer all comments or emails, but I will be reading and enjoying them on my Ipad. Thanks for coming by! I hope to add some "Live" posts from the road too.

Round Robin Book Swap

Round Robin Book Swap, swaps

By Karla Nathan / September 23, 2011

My pal Lisa, sent her first page and cover for our Round Robin book swap, and included some gifts.

Very generous gifts that I just love.

Including some artwork! Anyone who gets a piece of art by Lisa is a lucky person. She's the best.

Here is what she has done for her own book. Now I am supposed to add a page for her, and send it on to the next person to add a page too. This is getting fun already and we barely started!

And speaking of fun, are you LOVING the new fall TV season as much as I am???? As much as I looooove summer time, I sure do love autumn for the television. Survivor is off to a good start, Simon is back, and Zoey is adorable. I'm so happy right now. My DVR is filling up nicely and I'm telling myself that I won't squander it all by watching it at once. After the dearth of programming the last month or so, I've decided to be more careful with my viewing and save some for slow times. (yes, I am a TV addict and I schedule my nights around what I want to watch next. Sad but true)

Craft Day Giveaway

flowers, give away, swaps

By Karla Nathan / September 6, 2011

A while back, at Craft Day, Beth mentioned a round robin swap she planned with Lisa and asked if I'd be interested in joining. I said I didn't have time, but couldn't stop myself from joining anyway. Its a year long adventure, and only involves making one page a month and sending it on. That isn't too big of a commitment unless you consider the postage. By the time the books are near the end, they could get pretty heavy, and we are sending it around a lot. Only four people are in it, Beth, Lisa, and Sandra, so it goes back and forth a lot.

But worth it. Even though I am cheap, and know that the postage will end up being at least 50 bucks for me by the time I am done. It won't seem that bad, because it will be a little bit at a time! Not $50 at once.

The first month, we do our own cover and one page to get our book started. It goes to the next person who adds a page and then… it confuses me, but Beth is good at keeping me on track and made up an intricate schedule for us to all follow.

The theme is "Her Life In Stitches" Well, I don't sew much, all the rest of the group are good with textiles. I thought, maybe I could make a joke book, and have everyone in stitches, laughing…

But then, I thought, no, I'll dedicate it to my mom and honor all that she taught me. She was an excellent seamstress and while I did not inherit those skills, she taught me a way of looking at things and knowing how to figure out how something is made, step by step. And to have a creative mind while doing it.

I cut the title "Home Arts" out of an 1890s magazine and glued it onto my cover, since I think that suits the topic. My book is beyond sewing, and stitches, but is about the love of home, making stuff, and the art of making a house a creative home.

Beth, Mary, the other Karla and I have been trying to get together more regularly for craft days. We each have our own projects to do, and it just seems like the work goes so smoothly when you can chat and be with friends. Its always ultra casual, some days, I barely kick stuff out of the way so they can get to the table. I know they don't expect a red carpet from me, they are coming to share ideas, gossip and our latest projects, not judge my housekeeping,(or lack of).

Sometimes we share more. Mary brought a stack of old images the other day and let us chose a few. While going through them, I thought about how much fun the whole craft day experience is, and how much it meant to me to have such low maintenance friends, with so much in common. We all drool over the old supplies and half the fun of the day is looking at each others stuff. Everyone likes to share tidbits here and there also. Tips, tools, and actual bits of scrap get passed around.

I thought you might enjoy being a part of it too, and would like involved with the sharing. So, I asked Mary if I could have a stack of her images to pass along. She was generous with them and gave me a good pile. I wrapped up a selection of them with velvet ribbon and added a few millinery blossoms from myself. Beth says she'll throw in a treat from her supply stash too. I'll let you know what it is when I get it from her. But you know she has good stuff!

(oh, and in case you didn't know it, Mary Queen of Glue Books, is hosting a glue book swap)

Here is one of the images from Mary's ephemera stash, and you don't have to do anything at all to get it. Just click on it, open in a larger window and save it to your computer. It will be all pixely if you try to print it as is, so please do open the larger version.

If you'd like to win our Craft Day Giveaway, please leave a comment on this post. Deadline is Tuesday Sept. 20.

I'll leave you with some pictures of the newest listings in the Boutique. Lots of autumn toned millinery!

Thanks soooooo much, swap buds!!!!

swaps

By Karla Nathan / July 31, 2011

It feels good to be done with the swap, but I've got that after the holiday let down now. There is still the pile of goodies that came as gifts to play with tho, that sure helps.

And I can take my own book down to enjoy and flip through whenever I want. That is if I can lift it… its HUGE! Over 40 artists gifted me with an extra tag for my swap book.

Its a book that is so big, it can practically bury a Dorkie.

Poor dog. She sure is patient with me. Yes, she is wearing the book around her neck.

Here it is in its full magnificence.

That is a whole heap-o-tags.

And I have the BEST display for it! Debra G. sent me this birdie-shaped iron hook, and I sprayed it white, then beat it around in the gravel a bit to distress it. I added a bird nest charm that was a gift also.

Of course, between my bad hand writing and the fact that I got a couple of different kinds of nests, I'm not sure who this one is from.

And its such a sweet little nest, I just love it and the way it looks on this hook.

Here is a peek at my pitiful list. Its all color coded, and I am rigorous about marking items off as I go. The typed names are just fine, its my hand written notes that screw me up. I have hand writing that is almost as bad as my singing voice. And you DO NOT want to hear that. It compares with my dance moves. Only Sugarwings can appreciate my dancing and singing skills. She even thinks my notes are fine, but then she can't read. She likes me to make notes for her to tape to things around the house.

I need to keep better lists when I do a swap. Another problem I have is that I scratch things off the list after I've contacted the person, then I can't go back and read what I'd contacted them about.

How embarrassing.

The grand, globs of gifts are extreme! Its always a surprise to see that someone has packed up such nice, thoughtful things for me (and my fairy baby too)

These metal birdies were from Chloe Rose.

I did the same thing with these as I did the bird hook from Debra, painted it white and beat it up in the gravel. Then, I hung the whole flock from the chandy above my desk.

The pink twine they are suspended with was from Jennifer Phillips.

One other problem that I have with some names in swaps, is that people go by lots and lots of names, between their full, given name, a nick name, a blog name, email address, or the return address label that might even be their husband's name, or just an initial along with a last name I've never heard.

I try to keep it all straight, but sometimes people contact me with one name, sign the note with another, or have a different one on their return address. I can't always figure out who is who or match up names with email addresses or blog names.

All I know for sure is, that EACH SET OF TAGS GETS A BOOK MAILED TO THE ADDRESS THAT CAME WITH IT!!

And that is what is the most important thing to keep track of.

I am deeply appreciative of all the thought and care that goes into the gifts. Thanks, everyone!

Kathy made the Dorothy charm for me, and the rosette is from JoAnne.

Becky made this for my budding little artist.

And I got one too!

The sparkly locket, I'm afraid, is on the list of bad handwriting mistakes. I don't know who its from at this point, but I'm wearing it and enjoying it right now. Thanks so much for thinking of me, kind swapper!!

I hope I don't get my crown taken away because I'm not linking with everyone who was so generous and thoughtful to send things…

But hopefully, everyone will enjoy their books and this public THANK YOU will suffice!

And I will share some of it with you. I've scanned some of the great ephemera I was given, and all you need to do is click on it to open in a larger window, save, and print from your saved file.

I'll leave you with some eye candy, a few of the yummy treats that I was lucky enough to get from my swappin buds.

Feeling rag-tagged but lucky

swaps

By Karla Nathan / July 28, 2011

All of the people who sent in their tags now have a book sent back to them! There are a few stragglers that I am waiting on, and those books will be made this weekend. But for now, FREEDOM!! I'm feeling a bit worn out and crossed eyed from doing so many tag books and labels, its good to be away from it.

My desk is calling to me, I've missed my arty time there. I bought some new Copic markers and am dying to play with them.

I want to show you some of the pretties that came in the mail to me along with the tags. Thanks to all of you who joined the swap, and thanks to those of you who sent treats for Sugarwings and I. We are having fun with our packages!

This queenly bird was a gift from Mercedes.

How wonderful are these bird house tags??? Cheryl always comes up with something extraordinary. She had them packed in the darling box, which is now living on my desk.

I'll miss checking the mail every day to see what shows up. I was always blown away by the lovely wrappings, like Sheila had on her vintagey tags.

And this simple burlap bag was a cute idea. Even cuter, it was filled with fab metal tags from ________.

Oops, I lost where I wrote down her name and they are not on the tags!! Sorry.

And I love old wallpaper boxes, this came from Debbie Mc Renoylds and was filled with great, old trims.

Jingle sent Sugarwings this pretty pink clothes pin doll.

Robin sent a mini purse full of jewels. I've already shared some with my son who makes jewelry too, and the rest are in a glass bottle on my desktop.

Of course, Sugarwings had to scoop up the pink purse and sashay awasy to go and play dress up!

My pal, Cami, is as big of a bargain hunter as I am. She knew I'd appreciate hearing that she found this Fitz and Floyd dish for only 75 cents!

I'll have some more photos of the goodies later. And wait til you see my own tag book, made up of over 40 tags given to me as hostess gifts. I think I could enter it into the world record book for its size.

All of you will immediately be hosting swaps to snag a book like that of your own!

Thanks again, swappers!

I honestly enjoy doing these swap books, even if this time, the size of it got a bit overwhelming and I wasn't able to get much done besides tagging. Its a joy to open each package and see the creations inside. I show you all the crap I make on a regular basis. Its fun to see what is on the other end of the blog, the things YOU make.

I'll announce the latest winner of an online dress form class soon.

I'm giving one away every couple of weeks. Leave a comment if you'd like to have a chance to win.

Ps- I'm going out of town on Wednesday. If you are still sending tags and haven't got them to me, TUESDAY morning, I'm making the LAST books!! So, over night them if you are serious about being in the swap and just didn't have time to get them here. And please contact me so I'll expect them.

Name That Tag

bird song art event, swaps

By Karla Nathan / July 23, 2011

Yesterday, 50 tag books went out in the mail! That means I'm over 1/3 done. I'll work on as many as I can this weekend, then take a break for a few days while the stragglers come in. Your tags should all be mailed to me by now. If they have not been, please let me know.

photo #1

I thought you might want to see some of the combos I'm sending out.

photo #2
There have been some lovely books being compiled, because there is so much beauty for me to chose from.

Photo #3

Great work was sent in for this swap, I'm loving the theme and what everyone has done with it!

Photo #4

Sorry I can't link to each and every artist I'm showing, but these have already been mailed, I can't look at the backs to see whose is whose. Some I remember and some I don't. I don't want to list a couple people and not all.

Plus there are about 3 billion of them and I just don't have the limitless time to do the links PLUS make the books. Sorry.

You can look at our Flickr group to see more tags and see who has done which if you'd like.

Photo #5

Ya know, it might be nice if the artists left comments if they see their work and let us know where they are, such as:

"photo 3, row 1, tag 2" and their name.

Photo #6

With so many tags to pick thru as I put the books together, playing match up and assembling ones that look nice together has been a piece of cake.

Photo #7

But I do have to warn late comers, that their books might not blend as well, if I don't have as many to chose from. When it gets down to the last few books, whatever is left goes into them.

Photo #8

But honestly, I don't think anyone will mind! The artwork will be just as fun in a variety as it is in a matched up book.

I'm continuing this giveaway. The prize is a dress form tutorial. If you have already purchased one of the $15 classes, (thank you!!), then I'll send you a kit of vintage goodies instead if I draw your name.

Hosting a tag swap

bird song art event, Books, how to's, swaps

By Karla Nathan / July 20, 2011

The tag books are starting to come together. Well, sorta. I have about a dozen or so made up. Thats a start! Its been such fun to open them all and see the talent inside the avalanche of mail. And here and there, I come across a sweet treat like this extreme goodie pile from Sharon, and that makes it even more fun. Like a treasure hunt. Its all I can do to be polite and gently unwrap everything and be organized with the tags, and stop myself from being like a kid at Christmas ripping into pressies!

And look at these beauties from Rebecca! There is the perfect spot for that spoon in my kitchen cabinet.

I thought you might enjoy a rundown on the process of the whole swap. I am NOT an organized person by nature and I have to be very strict with myself to make sure it all runs well. I have lots of steps each package goes through and I have to concentrate while doing them, so I don't screw up.

It starts with the sign ups, as people email their info to me, I add it to a word doc on my computer, when it is full, I alphabetize it and print it out.

No packages get opened till the swap begins. They trickle in a few at a time for weeks, then as the deadline approaches, they arrive in a daily mountain on my porch. The mail lady doesn't even knock any more, she just stacks them on the chairs in front of my studio.

Here is a snippet of the list, as I open a box I mark it delivered, and paid.

Everyone was asked to send their mailing address on a separate piece of paper. If they forget, I cut it from the return address on the box.

I arrange each person's pile of tags with their info underneath. I don't use these as the mailing label, they are just to keep me straight on whose tags I am dealing with and whose books have been made.

When the books are done, I make pay pal labels. It costs more and takes a lot more time than just taping down the label they sent in and having the mail man add the postage, but this way I can track each package, just in case we need to trace it.

It would also be quicker to just make books willy nilly, without knowing who each one goes to. This might sound silly and time consuming. but I like to know who is getting the book I made, and I enjoy looking at the artist's tag and trying to make a book of other tags that I think she'll like.

It probably doesn't even show, but it matters to me. I make the books with love.

I try not to send the artist her own tags back, but sometimes it happens, especially with later tags when there aren't as many to chose from. In the beginning, with billions on the tables, its easier. As I compile the books, I mark each off the list.

Cash and checks go in this box, with the tags that were sent to me as gifts. I think that my personal swap book is going to be extra fat and gorgeous this time!!!!!!!! There must be 30 tags in there. How lucky am I to get so much cool art for myself?

Tags that look pretty together get stacked near each other as I open the boxes, so as I make the books, I gather the tags from the area surrounding the artist's own tag. A more left brain person would probably put the tags out in the order they come in and work from first to last. I go by color and style instead.

Hey, I have to make it fun and interesting to me, or I'd go crazy! This is hours and hours of work. I know I could do it more simply, but I want to do it right. Each book of tags has to look good together. I'm not going to put a wild colored one in a book with all muted colors. The wild colored one will go with a selection of other colorful and fun tags.

While I am unpacking, I sort and recycle. Pretty ribbons, tissue, and wrappings get saved in one tub, and another fills up with bubble mailers. Boxes get stacked and saved, too. I can always tell when it is time for another swap, when my packing materials get low! I'd like to say that I am saving the earth, but honestly, I'm just cheap.

As I go through the packages, I have to force myself to stay on task, and put all the gifties aside for later. But all I want to do is PLAY with them! Its hard to not open and peek inside the gifts for Sugarwings too. I get as excited as she does about them. And when I get art supplies, it takes a lot of self control to not go sit down and make something right then and there. You know how tempting new supplies are.

There are too many to make to wait till all are here before I start the assembly. It will take me a couple of weeks to get them all made and shipped.

My workspace has a stack of fresh, new padded envelopes, lots of lace and ribbon, a crop-o-dile to punch holes for the people who forgot or made them too small (about 1 in 6), pretty bird paper of some kind to wrap the books in, and tape to add their label to the envelope.

I'll make up a dozen or so loose books, then sit and tie them all, and stuff then slip the envelopes into a basket by my side. When its full, I go and make labels. After the label is made, I mark that person off the list as shipped.

It helps to break the job up this way, bringing a dozen or so to completion before making more. Selecting the tags for each book is the fun part, if I did it all at once, then the tying and labelling would feel like punishment. I like to know that I can get up and go make more choices as soon as I finish my stack of envelopes.

I will be working on these for quite a while, so if you haven't sent yours yet, don't waste money by overnighting them! Please email me and I'll let you know whether you have time to get them in.

Thanks so much to all of you who sent your artwork in to me to enjoy and play with. I'll do my best not to drool on it. And I'll try to keep plugging away at these books and not get too sidetracked by how pretty the tags are. Just don't make them too sparkly or shiny, because I get mesmerized pretty easy by shiny things.

And thanks to those of you who sent my little fairy grand child some tidbits. I've given her a couple of them, and might throw a tea party and let her open the rest then.

The winner of my mini dress form online workshop is Debbie Jullieret.

I think I'll do another giveaway. The prize is a dress form tutorial. If you have already purchased one of the $15 classes, (thank you!!), then I'll send you a kit of vintage goodies instead if I draw your name.