Travel – Page 10 – Karla's Cottage

Bunnies in the Land of Guncles

Food and Drink, guncles, holiday decor, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 15, 2019

In the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to see Guncleland at Christmas and Halloween.

This is my first trip there for the burst of Springtime that blooms in their home.

It is adorable!

I think the key word to describe it all is Whimsical.

Or should I go with Colorful?

Abundance works too.

But wait, I think what I’m looking for is Delightful.

No, the perfect word has to be, Delicious!

(Have you ever had fresh from the ocean, trigger fish? It is my new favorite meal in the whole world. Especially when prepared Guncle Kevin style.)

No matter the season or decor, Hospitality always describes this home.

Hospitality heavily seasoned with Love and Warmth.

Thank you, bros!

I miss you and your Adorable, Whimsical, Colorful, Abundant, Delightful, Delicious, Hospitable home, filled with Love and Warmth!

Disney bound!

celebrations, Travel

By Karla Nathan / April 11, 2019

If you have ever seen my blog, you know that I kinda like Disneyworld….. And that if I am anywhere near it, I try to weasel my way into a visit.

So yep, while I am in Florida visiting Guncles after my Georgia workshop, I am heading to see my pal Mickey. How could I not go??? My trip luckily coincided with my mouse loving sis, Terry, being there too. So she and I are spending a day together at our favorite place.

When Sugarwings and I were there in February (yes, I know, I WAS JUST THERE), we were impressed by this happy couple's new party clothes. So, I added some confetti nail polish to my previously Valentine themed magic band for this trip.

Filling my Suitcase with Eastery Foof

holiday decor, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper

By Karla Nathan / March 27, 2019

The art event I will be going to next week is Easter themed.

So, along with the tiny baskets and fluffy critters decked in pastel posies, I have made some seasonal banners too.

This one is for springtime.

But most are made special just for the holiday.

I don’t know what it is about banners that draws me in like it does.

I could get lost in making one after another, after another!

Kind of like crafting art journals, I am every bit as wrapped up in those.

Did I mention that I made so many books to sell that I couldn’t possibly take them all with me?

Yes, I get a bit obsessive when I am left alone in the studio with some time to create… I tend to prolifically keep going until I run out of those specific supplies or the world interferes and I need to move on.

Which means that when I return, I should have plenty of books to add to my Boutique. I’ll show you some pictures soon.

I am slightly in love with them.

More from Florida, our big night out, and some crappy seashell fairies that made me happy

family, sea shell fairies, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / March 14, 2019

Our trip to Ft Lauderdale was excellent. The hotel was at the beach and within walking distance to shops and great food.

Sugarwings liked to stop to browse on our way to dinner each night, and couldn't bypass anything this color. Her new favorite color (and you know with little girls, "FAVORITE COLORS" are quite a big deal) is blue. But she was drawn repeatedly to mint-ish green blue-ish aqua tones. Maybe it was the influence of the beach?

Our nightly walk down the beach to dine was a highlight of a trip filled with perfect moments.

We were lucky with our hotel, and had a room in an ideal spot. That happened in Orlando too. Have you ever noticed that even if you are at a great hotel, if the room is remote, you aren't as happy with it? Long waits for elevators, struggles getting luggage to it, etc. In Ft Lauderdale, our room was near the stairs that led down one flight to the pool/lounge/breakfast/gym area that had an express elevator right to the beach access. How convenient!

Plus we had a balcony with an ocean view, a major item for the criteria that makes a perfect room.

In Orlando, our room at the Carribean beach Resort, was distant from the main building, but right by the pool, bus, and the snack bar. Since at that part of the trip it was just the grand fairy and myself, I was glad to have a room near the snack bar. After she was asleep, I could step out of my door and refill my never ending Disney mug and not worry about her. Or get coffee in the morning while she dozed.

The location of a hotel room isn't always a choice when you travel, but I always try to get it targeted to the best spot I can. It makes the trip even better for me if I can.

Our days ran together in Ft Lauderdale, going from the pool to the ocean to the pool to our stroll down the beach to find seafood at night. It was so relaxing and wonderful that we didn't want to even leave the resort area.

We had reservations one night at a City Club owned by the company my husband works for, and we practically had to drag ourselves out of our casual fog of beachiness to make ourselves go there for the evening.

And we were so glad that we did!

The Tower Club was on the top floor of a downtown building and we had great views.

And they gave us each a white rose. We carried the blooms with us as we walked around after dinner. Since we were checking out and moving on the next morning, Sugarwings found a couple of little girls to hand our flowers to. I think she enjoyed sharing them as much as she enjoyed carrying them for a while.

The food was even better than the view from the windows.

But the dessert???

Oh my!

The chef sent us these cupcake topped sampler parfaits.

I'm glad we had the chance to show our little wild child another side of life. To put on a pretty dress, take an Uber, and go to a top notch restaurant in the city.

We all loved our special night.

Every bit as much as our time on the beach.

Even though the shells I came across weren't the best I'd seen at other beaches, I was still able to cobble together a thank you fairy.

Sugarwings scrounged up a few more shells for me and we made another one too.

While the fairies themselves were kind of crappy in comparison to other sprites we have crafted before, the joy behind them was no less. And as we walked away, my husband spotted a circle of kids around the fairies in the sand and talking about them.

Which makes them right up there on my list of the best fairies ever! I leave them in hopes of a child finding them, and as a thank you blessing to the beach. I rarely see anyone notice them, so it was extra special this time to know that someone had.

Living like a Queen at the Cozy Castle, plus Kit and Class info

antiques/junking, bird song art event, celebrations, Food and Drink, friends, Travel, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / March 11, 2019

This is my buddy from my weekend at the Cozy Castle.

Queen Satine, is as gentle and sweet as she is glamorous.

I felt as queenly as Satine looks the whole time I was with Karen.

From the very first night, walking up to her welcoming home, I was wrapped up in comfort, caring, and luxury.

It was heavenly!!!!!

These wings are painted on an alley wall in Deland, FL. Karen took me out for a night of exploration of the cute downtown and we stopped to check out the artwork.

The workshops that I taught were hosted at her event space nearby, and she has it every bit as pretty as her home.

We had a group of fun ladies there to make angel wings and a memory book with me, and they came bearing gifts.

After this leg of my journey, I was meeting Sugarwings and my husband, and they were very happy to see me the chocolate when I picked them up at the airport.

The wings were the same kits from the class that I had at the cottage for Valentine's Day, A Lovebird's Song.

But we put a Karen style spin on it, and had frozen Charlottes and bisque babies available for purchase to add to the wings. (Karen will be teaching a class using the sweet bisque babes here at the cottage if you'd like to join us on April 20th)

The kits I provided were neutral with soft pink, but I always enjoy seeing what goodies people bring to add some extra touches to their own projects. My friend, Becky gave her wings some Florida Flair.

We had two rooms set up for the students, and I was busy flittering about between the two. It almost made the teaching go a little easier than the same amount of people in just one room, because when they are at separate tables in the same space, I still have to repeat the instructions to each table, but this way, I didn't feel like I was bothering one table to say my spiel to another table.

After the morning's class, we were lucky enough to be guided to the Cozy Castle for a lunch break, to dine at a beautifully appointed table Karen had prepared for us.

And to be treated to the world's best cake!

Last year, Karen baked one for my birthday, and gave it to me on a surprise visit. I was quite happy to get another taste of one of her specialties.

After our schmancy luncheon of deliciousness and beauty, we went back to the workspace for round two, and made these memory, or autograph books.

There are some extra kits, (I always make plenty) I just haven't had a chance to get them listed in the Boutique because I am in the middle of BLECK! taxes BLECK! and in getting kits made for the Once Upon and Easter event that Jenn Hayslip is hosting on Jekyll Island. (I am making extra for those too)

I will have more time when I return in April, after the OTHER CLASS that I am also prepping for here at the cottage with Karen.

Whew! That is a lot of classes in a row!

You can inquire about the wings and autograph book kits now, ($40 each) or wait until all are listed in mid April. Sorry I'm not on the ball for the kits yet. But soon, there will be a slew of them. You can be crafting away up to your knees is kits if you feel like it. (ha)

Or maybe I will be seeing you at A Song of Spring and you can be treated like a queen by Karen too? She brings light and love and happiness and glamour and style and sincerity and beauty everywhere she goes, and I think you'll enjoy the classes.

Her only free time, while in Kansas visiting, is Easter weekend. Soooo…… it is not an easy time for people to get away for a workshop. Looks like it will be a smaller class, which means we have plenty of space available if you'd like to join us?

Lunch, treats, 3 classes, and lots of laughing, foofiness, and fun.

Sorry, I wish I could offer poodle hugs, but Queen Satine will not be attending. She must have an appointment with the Easter Bunny too.

email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

if you are interested in one of the kits from my past workshops or attending a future one.

I will leave you with a couple more photos from my royal weekend with Satine and Karen. It was the BEST! She even took me to Mt Dora's famous flea market.

Yep, it was the BEST.

Uhm, is your hair purple?

celebrations, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / March 8, 2019

Last fall, when I visited Disney World with my sisters, I was surprised to bump into my husband’s uncle and his family.

This year, we had a similar co-inky-dink, by finding out through FB posts that a nephew was there at the same time for his Princess’ 4th birthday!

Does this mean that our family magically comes together in strange ways? Or simply that we are bad at communicating and the only way we will see each other is to accidentally bump into relatives in large, public places?

Whatever the reason we met up, I was thrilled.

We were at the end of our trip, and only had a few hours of overlap time where we could visit before our afternoon flight.

Then fate stepped in again.

Our flight was CANCELLED.

Which caused Sugarwings to miss a day of school, and my husband to miss prep for a big call he needed to be on, but me?

Did I use the word thrilled already?

Yep, that is how I felt! These guys live far away and we rarely see them. My husband has been able to watch the baby grow up, because he had to make business trips to their city

I’ve only had a few visits with her, so she barely knows me.

I crafted this scrapbook for her, in hopes that a birthday at Disney was a memorable event for her, and we’d be associated with those memories.

Their family was staying at….

The FOUR SEASONS.

A bit of an upgrade from the Carribean Beach Resort where we were.

Not that I ever would complain about Carribean Beach, we have had some wonderful trips staying there, Sugarwings and I were in heaven with our girls weekend,and consider it a favorite hotel.

But there aren’t many places that compare with the Four Seasons.

We joined them for the afternoon by the pool (many pools), and ended up being gifted with a gorgeous suite. The only problem with it, was that we had to get up at 4am to fly home, and that wasn’t nearly enough time to revel in the luxury.

From the balcony, you can see fireworks from three Disney parks.

The pool area was ideal for kids, there was also a lazy river and some big slides.

I made the mistake of wearing my tie dye, hippy hat into the lazy river, and proved that riff raff like myself doesn’t belong at fancy places.

Pink and purple dye ran down my face and shoulders, ruining multiple towels before I realized that I was leaking color everywhere.

If anyone asked where I got purple highlights, I’ll just say they are from the Four Seasons Spa.

Thank you, Damon, for the special day, and to Sully for spending her birthday with us!

Disney Magic

celebrations, family, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / March 5, 2019

During my many segmented trip to Florida, Sugarwings and I spent some time at Disney while my husband took off with buddies for a Guys’ Golfing Getaway.

And we made the most of every moment.

We were up extra early to spend time at the park while it was quiet. I love the atmosphere before the herds of mouse eared tourists arrive.

Speaking of mouse ears, these are what Sugarwings bought with our little bonus for turning down Mousekeeping.

If you decline having your room cleaned, and set your own trash outside the door, calling for extra towels as needed, you get a gift card.

She bought the Purple Potion ears with the card, so she was responsible for helping with the room. They were cute and sparkly, but I don’t know how many times those sequins scratched my face when I was getting a hug.

And I got lots of hugs! That was one happy kid.

We splurged one night for the fireworks dessert buffet, and we were both pretty dang happy when we were led to the never ending treat buffet!

I don’t know if I’d pay extra to do it again, but I was glad we treated ourselves on this trip. The park was crowded due to a Princess 5K, and we probably wouldn’t have had such a good viewing point without the special seating.

While the parks were pretty crowded, I felt like we were blessed with some sort of magical pixie dust that luckily led us through our days with no hiccups

Somehow, we stumbled into being at the front of dance parties,

And with up front, personal seating for the parade.

We just happened to be at the beginning of lines to see characters, not even realizing that they were setting up for a line to form.

We also seemed to end up in places where crowds were not. Maybe because we like to linger over decor and details.

We took time to enjoy the little things, like shining a flashlight over your hand on the sidewalks in Pandora to leave a glowing pattern behind.

We took our time as we liked, but then hurried onto the next activity, used the ap to schedule fast passes on the go, and do mobile food ordering.

Some of our timing was planning, some was luck. Often, we came around a corner just as something fun was happening and joined right in.

We didn’t realize we’d be able to see Epcot fireworks from our hotel, that was a pleasant surprise!

A fun photo op was never passed up, either.

Maybe because it was just two of us, it was easier to maneuver the park?

And the fact that we preferred playing with statues to standing in lines made the day easier. We didn’t care about the big name rides. We enjoyed our fast passes, then only went to attractions with no or little waits.

Instead of waiting two hours to be frightened by a Yetti, we joined the Wilderness Explorers and earned badges while walking along shady trails. We always took time to talk to the Cast Members (employees), and got lots of tips about where to go and when.

And when we got back to the hotel too late to suit up and swim, I let her jump in, as is for a few minutes the pool was still open.

I’ve been to Disney World many times, and it doesn’t always go this smoothly. It was one of the higher crowd days, and should’ve been harder than it was.

But our theory of zigging when others zag, taking our time, enjoying what was right in front of us, and planning out what we could, sure made this a perfect visit!

Or was it pixie dust, after all? Possibly, Tinkerbell recognized a fellow fairy and shared her magic to make our days go smoothly?

Making the most of a getaway

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / February 17, 2019

I’m using my mini work trip to teach a couple of pretty projects at the Cozy Castle as the perfect excuse for a Florida vacation. Sugarwings and her Pop Pop are joining me tonight for a trip down the coast to stay on the beach a few days.

After sunning and swimming, we are headed back to Orlando to drop off my Handsome Husband for a golfing weekend with his buddies.

Then, the grandfairy and I are free to run amuck at the Magic Kingdom til it is time to meet up and fly back to Kansas.

Well why not? I was already going to be in Florida anyway… with airline points and companion passes, all flights were free. Hotel points went a long way too, not quite covering the beach stay but helpful. I have a Disney Credit card that racks up points for discounts.

I love wringing as much as I can out of a getaway, and putting the week together like puzzle pieces to see just how much I can squeeze into one flight. And of course, how could I not try to wrangle a trip to Disney in while I’m sooo close to the Happiest Place on Earth?

A year of seashell fairies, beaches, and sea glass- BLESSINGS and THANKS

celebrations, fairies, family, sea shell fairies, Travel

By Karla Nathan / December 31, 2018

2018 was a year of oceans and celebrations for me, I took advantage of turning 60 by getting in as many celebratory trips as I could. This heart wrapped flock of fairies, that says "Thanks" and "Blessed" sums it up for me.

The first part of the year was a flurry of making plans, daydreaming over possibilities and destinations. Looking at Disney resort and cruise options, perusing AIRBnB for getaways, talking to sisters and grand fairies about all of the what ifs and where tos, taking our time to get things just right.

All of the details of planning itineraries, booking rooms, and thinking about the fun, was every bit as exciting as taking the trips. I had charts, I had lists, I had logged hours of looking at houses online and scrutinizing photos to see exactly how good the views were from the rooms in the pictures to make sure we had the perfect place to enjoy ourselves on our getaways.

The beach house where I met my lifelong friends at in St Augustine during April to celebrate our 60th birthdays together was so nice, that my sisters and I changed our plans for fall to stay in the same place for a few days then. I found sea glass both times!

Not just sea glass, but a shell that looked like a set of teeth.

Perfect for our Halloween/Hocus Pocus themed vacation!

That ideal view from the beach house we rented also inspired some artwork, and I spent an entire summer learning a paint pour technique.

It was a year of Disney Sister Trips too, while in Florida, I was able to sneak in magical trips to see the mouse. First with sis, Terry, then with the four grand fairy sisters, then with Sissy and Bobbie!

One of the very best memories of the year was waking up to see the sunrise at Cocoa Beach with Sugarwings and making a fairy on the sand together.

How can you beat a day like that?

Believe it or not, you can! We headed to a Disney cruise ship that morning and sailed off to the Bahamas for my birthday and more beach time there. I found un-ending sea glass at Atlantis, and strolled the beaches of Disney's private island with four grand fairies and my handsome husband.

Where I made a Grammie fairy.

We had a quick trip to Florida later on, and I had very little time for wave watching, but did get to go for a walk along the marina in Ft Lauderdale, where I made a riverbank fairy. I found one tiny shell for her to hold.

In October, I found plenty of black shells to make a witch.

Guncle Randy joined my sissies and I in St Augustine, and I made a sprite for each of us.

I'm thankful for my blessings. My beloved husband, sons, grand fairies,sisses, bro, great friends, and wonderful trips together. I think that the message I wrote in the sand will be my words for the upcoming year- "Blessings" and "Thanks"

And I wish a blessed New Year to you too.

PS- I am thrilled to announce that I will be teaching a class in Florida at Karen Hillman's Cozy Castle!!!!!!!!!

Details here

I'll be posting photos and more info soon. I hope to see you in sunny Florida (as you can see, I adore Florida!!) for a day of friendship, creativity, and fun with my ruffly wings and romantically inspired autograph book projects

A North Carolina Birthday Girl

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Travel, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / November 28, 2018

My husband had a business trip to North Carolina, and while he was there, he offered to snap up Dewdrop from her Asheville home and bring her to KS for Thanksgiving. Since he'd be getting her on her birthday, I couldn't miss the event and had to come along to celebrate with them.

Before we scooped her up, we spent a night in Raleigh and ate a fancy meal at the City Club there.

(That last photo might look as tasty as the others, but is a light fixture, not candy. And the first one? That is candy! Cotton candy pork belly appetizers, wowzers!)

And we had a scenic drive to Boone where we passed through some misty, Christmas tree farms.

We stayed at Banner Elk, with Rich's Mom and brother, at their mountain house with this pretty view.

It changed to this overnight! Even prettier.

After our zig zag trip from Raleigh to Boone to Asheville, we drove to Charlotte and visited a nephew and his sweet baby. They made our Dewdrop feel very special with some birthday surprises.

They even treated us to a night at the trampoline play place. I didn't think I'd be doing any jumping, but once I saw how much fun the rest of the group was having, I had to start hopping around myself, and bounced around for almost an hour and a half, hating to end when it was time to go.

This is my new favorite thing to do!

The next morning, our thoughtful nephew made some Mickey shaped pancakes to keep the party going for the birthday girl before we flew home to deliver her to her family who had been missing her for way too long.

We will be seeing her again at Christmas, and while I'm heartbroken not to have her daily, I'm very happy to be able to visit with our North Carolina relatives when we do the kid-switcheroo. It was a lovely trip.