Travel – Page 26 – Karla's Cottage

New in the Shop and a super sweet Sunday

Etsy Goodies, flowers, holiday decor, Moving to DC, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 24, 2009

In case you hadn't heard, Mary is extending Artist Class by selling the classes individually. If you'd like to order one or more classes, check here.

Our trip to Virginia was a nice break, that included a lazy Sunday where we just took off for a long drive to see what there was to see.

We ended up in Annapolis, and in this adorable neighborhood. It was late in the day by the time we got there, so I didn't do much shopping, but that wasn't the purpose anyway. We were just out looking around, enjoying the sunshine and each other.

And of course, lunch! We found buttery crab that we could eat while enjoying this view. As delicious as the seafood was, any meal is improved with a view of the water!

Since we got home, I've tried to get caught up with the Boutique and Etsy.

I know, I know, you are waiting for floral wallpapers! I promise, they will be ironed, cut and packed up soon, but that is such a big job, I need an afternoon to devote to it, and today, I was only able to snag a bit of time here and there, so I listed a few little things in both shops.

Thank you so much for your interest in the gorgeous old papers! I love hearing that you understand and share my fascination with beautiful wallpaper!

In the Boutique, I've added some tussie mussies filled with a prettily packaged bottle brush tree.

And I came across a big stack of vintage Christmas cards, so will be including one with each purchase from either shop.

Some of you asked about the crystal crown rings that I had for sale at Silver Bella. There are some of those in the Boutique now, in assorted sizes.

And I have a few bottle brush trees listed too.

There is more to add, so please keep checking back!

Traveling, again??? How can she afford that???

collections, Moving to DC, Travel, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / November 22, 2009

If you were interested in doing my Paper Doll tutorial from Artist Class but didn't have time to sign up for all 12 classes, Mary is now offering individual classes for sale. You can purchase one, two, or more tutorials HERE.

Years ago, I used to have a sign by my front door that read,

"Creative Minds are Seldom Tidy"

Maybe I should dig that out and hang it back up… Lately, I've been going from one complete mess to another.

One end of my studio is still torn up from moving furniture around, and redoing the Treat Cabinet for Thanksgiving. The Silver Bella goodies have not all be unpacked and I am still trying to get ready for Miss Frenchie's.

I have wallpaper to iron, cut, and sell, (people are waiting for me and asking about my pretty new (old) papers!!), I seem to be knee deep in bottle brush trees, and I am leaving to go out of town again!

I do seem to travel a LOT. Almost as much as my friend, Jessi, she amazes me with all of her trips. Thing is, even though each trip I took this year was wonderful and I wouldn't give any of them up, I am such a homebody,that I hate to leave.

Once I get where I am going, I'm fine. Its the leaving that hurts.

(this is my journal project from Rebecca Sower's class at Silver Bella)

Here is where I've been this year:

4 trips to DC (including one for Beth's birthday to meet up with blogfriends)

1 trip to Florida with my sisses and to go to Aunt Caroline's funeral the day after her 101st birthday

1 trip to Florida to play with Sugarwings on the beach and go to Aunt Caroline's home one last time

Macon to Jenn Hayslip's home for En Le Jardin ( She is the ultitmate in Southern hospitality!!! There are spots still available for her next event, too.)

Indiana for my sister's 60th birthday party

Chicago to see Lucinda Williams and eat at Art Smith's restaurant

2 trips to Omaha to take Sugarwings to the fantastic zoo there and to hang out at the Holiday Inn's indoor water park

Sioux City to see Grandma Joan

Outer Banks for a mini getaway on the beach

Charlotte for a nephew's wedding

Omaha for Silver Bella

Geesh, I'm tired just writing these!!

(this is my project from Anna Corba's class)

And now, another trip out to Virginia, just for the weekend. No, I am NOT independently wealthy! My husband travels all the time, and racks up lots of points. He flew on Southwest so much this year that I received a Buddy Pass and could fly free any place that he was going.

When I travel with him, its usually business and he already has a room booked, so I just have to pay for own meals. And often breakfast is free at many hotels, if not, I keep granola bars in my suitcase.

Other times, we use Holiday Inn Priority Club points for buy a night get a night free, or other deals, and I have shared rooms with my sisses or friends to save on costs.

(here is my project from Denise Sharp's class)

Another trick for cheap travel is my Southwest Airlines Visa card. I get free flights from using it for everything I buy. I mean everything. Any where that takes a credit card, I pay with Visa. We get about 6 free flights a year that way, on top of all the other free flights.

If you do that, just make sure that you pay your bill in total at the end of every month, or your interest rates will beat out the savings you'd get in free tickets.

This bird is one of the hardest things I 've ever had to make at Silver Bella. I'm not much of a pattern follower, and this came with a gazillion steps to follow, and dozens of little tiny pieces to cut out.

Even though it was HARD to do, I'm glad I made myself do it, and got it done. I'm thrilled with the outcome. (and got a very nice compliment from Anna Corba on it!!)

I've named her Rosamund and she lives in my china cabinet now. Safe behind glass from tiny little Sugarwing fingers.

As I've looked around my house, I see a lot of neglect, since I've traveled so much this last year. Normally, I spend time on lots of little redos, or big redos, too. This year, its all been ignored, including touch ups that need attending.

My plan, after this last trip of the year, is to dedicate some time to pulling my home back together. I miss puttering and fixing and repainting. So hope to get some decor repairs done, and deck the halls big time for the Holidays.

I'm ready to settle into my nest for the winter and be cozy!

You still have plenty of time to enter the November Giveaway by leaving a comment. I'm sorry if I'm not responding to all comments that have been left, life has been a bit hectic lately, but I do read and enjoy each and every single one.

When I am not on the go, and Sugarwings is not here, I'm often alone for days on end, since my husband travels. Your comments are great company for me, and I treasure getting them. Thanks for being my buddies!

(this was pre-posted before I left)

Its just too hard to stop myself

antiques/junking, Books, Silver Bella, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 11, 2009

While wrapping up some gifts to take to Silver Bella, I thought I'd gather up the gift for the November Giveaway. So many of you were hoping to win the bundles of vintage trim that I gave away earlier this month, that I thought I'd tie up a few more bits of it and offer that as the giveaway.

I'll be away for the weekend, and will be swamped when I return, so might not have time to answer your comments, but will enjoy reading them. And each one goes into the drawing for the prize.

The blog redo that Hope did for me, is so pretty and is exactly what I wanted. I'm loving the new look! So I wanted to thank her and bring a little gift to show her how much I appreciate her work. I look forward to seeing her again, its so good to reconnect with buddies at the event! The flocked wallpaper I glued onto the book is the same that she used for the side bars of my blog.

She keeps an art journal, and is a champion doodler. I thought maybe she'd enjoy an ephemera filled book with her name on it to fill up with her artistic ramblings.

Making a book for Hope got me fired up to make a few more…

Mary had given me a stack of old book covers, and I am finding them very compelling. Little books filled with old papers has been something I've been making for a couple years now, and it is even more fun with these book covers.

Each is filled with with a mismatched assortment of papers, plus some tags that I like to trail ribbons and doodads from.

The last few days have been a hodge podge of little projects, as well as running errands, packing up and over all getting ready to go.

There is still a LOT left to do. So why do I get so side tracked? I didn't need to make books. I should have been packing up my supplies instead. Or why did I make myself a brooch to wear on my coat? That's just how it goes around here. I can't help myself.

My Sissy gave me this cubic zirconia pendant, that looks like a crown, and I thought it would be great on one of my vintage medal ribbons with the "K" pendant that was a gift from Carol, last year at Silver Bella. With a tiny millinery rose added, of course!

My table is filled with an assortment of things that I decided I need to add to my booth, so I still have some price tags to make and packing to do. The truck is loaded and ready, but there are always odds and ends that get added at last minute.

I almost envy the people who ship their vendor goods… they at least have to limit themselves and not go crazy with inventory. I went crazy with mine.

Baby Bella

fairies, how to's, Silver Bella, Travel

By Karla Nathan / November 9, 2009

At Silver Bella vendor night, the theme will be Night Of 100 Aprons, or something along those lines. I know that I need an apron! So, I pulled this one from my Boutique and doctored a shirt to wear with it.

To make the shirt, I scanned a post card, and used the Picassa editing retouch tool to remove the "Happy Birthday" from the picture.

Then, I wrote in my blog title, and printed it onto printable fabric from the craft store.

When I cut it out, I left raw edges that will fray when I wash the shirt. I sewed it onto a long sleeve, J. Jill, tee shirt that used to be my favorite, until I dribbled coffee all over myself while wearing it.

To get the picture on the shirt just right, I wore it while doing the pinning. The tee shirt was stretchy and the cotton piece was not, so pinning it on while the shirt was stretched over my chest was the way to go.

After sewing it on, it looked a little puckery, but that is fine, because it leaves room to expand for boobs.

I'm looking forward to a comfy night in a tee shirt and jeans, last year was a much more dressed up theme, Prom Dresses.

Of course, I'll still be wearing a tiara! It wouldn't be Silver Bella without a chance to wear my crown.

This one is similar to my own tiara, but is one that I just finished, to take along to sell in my booth.

And what else do I have packed for the trip? A new outfit for Sugarwings. Yep, I'm bringing the fairy grand baby! Actually, her Daddy and my Handsome Husband are bringing her, they are coming up to help me set up my booth, and using the trip as an excuse to go and stay at our favorite Omaha hotel with the water park that Sugarwings loves to play at.

We have plans for breakfast on Saturday with Beth, since she is coming up to Omaha just for vendor night to sell her great stuff. I was afraid we'd be so busy I wouldn't even see her, so we made plans to meet up and enjoy the Embassy Suite's free breakfast together.

I splurged and got a new outfit for the fairy baby, since we have a breakfast date. Even though the frothy skirt and flocked butterfly shirt are from Old Navy, and not real costly, it was still sticker shock to me!! I buy all of her clothes at garage sales and Goodwill or get hand me downs from cute little Bethany.

But when I saw this pink concoction of froth, I had to have this skirt! She'll be an adorable Baby Bella. I think she'll need a crown too…

My goods are finished and all packed up. I've borrowed my brother-in-law's big ole truck again for the road to Omaha. We own three farm trucks ourselves, but not a single one with a topper. And a 3 hour drive in the Midwest in November can't be counted on to be rain or snow free. Luckily, my sweetie of an in-law is generous with his vehicle so I don't have to rent something.

Speaking of sweethearts,look what Stephanie

sent to me! Roses, roses, roses! Just out of the kindness of her heart. So, I will share with you. For my November Giveaway, I'll add a pretty millinery rose to the bundle of vintage trims. Thanks, Stephanie!!

I will be away from my computer till I return, but will do some pre-posting, so please check back. I'm sorry I won't be able to return comments, but will read them all when I get back, and each will count toward the millinery rose topped bundle of old trims!

Treasures from Great Aunt Caroline and a gift for you too

family, Travel, tributes

By Karla Nathan / November 3, 2009

The reason for our trip to Florida was for me to meet my sisters at Great Aunt Caroline's home to help our cousin organize for a sale. Our generous aunt had remembered each of us in her will, and over the years had sent packages of sentimental goods and gifts to us from her possessions. The home and contents were left to our cousin, who was every bit as generous as Aunt C. and told us to chose anything at all that we wanted from the home.

Funny, we didn't grow up knowing this charming lady who passed away right before her 101st birthday in June, but you could sure tell we were related by her taste in furnishing and collections! Looking through her things, I felt so "right at home". She and I had such similar favorites, everywhere I turned, I was squealing with excitement over some little tid bit or goody.

I felt the same way a few years ago, when I first saw a painting done by my great grandmother, who I never knew. I looked at it and thought, 'that could be my work'. Same style, same feel.

When I first got to know my greatest of Great Aunts (in my thirties), the connection was immediate. We loved many of the same books, colors (her house was full of PINK!), artwork, etc.

So, it was an emotional day, when we were visiting her home without her there. Sad that she was gone, but warm and happy, seeing things that she had loved and knowing how thrilled she'd be that I loved them too.

Of course, I was worried about being greedy. I didn't want to take stuff that others might want or that my cousin could sell for a profit. But she was every bit as generous as Caroline and kept assuring me that my selections were just fine and Caroline would have wanted to share.

I was in HOG HEAVEN with the 100 years of craft supplies!!

So, I loaded up on laces and trim, beads, and baubles. And didn't put a dent in it. She had boxes and boxes of trims and ribbons and laces and jewelry making supplies. Our cousin had already donated most sewing supplies to a local quilting guild, but the amount that was left was still overwhelming.

I filled a vintage suitcase with trims and supplies, but then was
worried about checking such a delicate piece of luggage, so I packed
that suitcase inside my other suitcase and boxed up things to check. (gotta love Southwest Airlines and their free baggage policy!!)

The trims and supplies that I got will be used and enjoyed, and I know that Aunt C. would have been happy with that. Over the years, she has given me many remembrances, so I won't feel guilty about using the things I got from her home.

But I did get a couple of sentimental keepers too. A couple of her hand made pot holders, some little glass birdies from her sunporch, and this table cloth. I've spread it on the bed to show it off, but it is actually for the dining table.

My great grandmother made it, with silk from WW1 parachutes and hand crocheted squares. It is in beautiful condition, and I'll do my best to keep it that way and pass it on to Sugarwing's grand kids someday.

Caroline liked to make jewelry, using old pieces, just like my sister and I do. We discovered that her grandfather used to make jewelry too. The crystal beads are some that my aunt strung, and the necklace on the left is one that Sissy made by taking apart a necklace our great, great grandfather made.

Every time I wear it, I'll be feeling the love and the history wrapped up in it.

Remember the 100 cards that kind hearted readers made and sent in for Caroline's 100th birthday? She treasured those cards and loved to look through them all over and over.

Family members went through the cards to take some as keepsakes. I got a few for myself too. Thanks again to all of you who helped make her birthday special!

I'd like to offer a bundle of old trims as a remembrance of Caroline. If you'd like to win some, leave a comment on this post.

24

antiques/junking, family, flowers, Travel

By Karla Nathan / August 19, 2009

We took the trip to the East for a combination of reasons.  My husband's nephew was getting married, it was our 24th wedding anniversary, and my husband had some work to do.  A lot to squeeze into less than a week, and a lot of traveling from one place to another.
  
 But it was wonderful to spend time with family and see this little guy all grown up and happily married, so we were glad we went.  
 This antique mall was in Nag's Head, or Kitty Hawk, or one of those pretty little towns that run into each other.  We stayed at a hotel on the beach in Nag's Head for 2 nights, but got in late the first night and left early, so really had only one whole day there.   
On the trip in, I kept seeing one antique shop after another and of course, we were on a mission to get to the hotel and go out for dinner, so didn't have time to stop.  Well, that is what one person in the car thought, anyway. 
   But that worked out fine, the non-antiquer in the family had to work the next day so, I spent the morning exploring and was able to trace my way back to most of the shops I had seen on the drive in.
Those shops were as cute as I had expected them to be, and I was able to find some millinery, but not a lot.  Some hats were over 40 bucks.  ??!!??  But I turned on my hat whisperer skills and searched out the under $10 variety and did okay.   I especially like the velvet petals on the sagey green flowers, they are such a perfect color to use.  That color is nicely faded and just plain old looking!  Like the pink on the skirt of the dolly, I'm sure it was a pretty shade to start with, but the years have made it even better.

Some flowers have been added to the Boutique but I am once again- on my way out of town, so if you want to purchase some, I can't mail them until I return, thanks for your patience. 
Our balcony was on the side of the hotel, but we still had an ocean view, and I sat out there for my morning coffee and a glass of wine in the evening. I was able to twist around with the camera and get a semi-ocean background for the picture of my flowers.
 
My husband took me to see one of the golf courses his company runs, on Nag's Head.  I have never played a round of golf in my life, and know for a fact that I never will, but I can still appreciate the beauty of the places and am always happy to go and see some of them with him.  
As long as he doesn't expect me to learn to play!  Just like I don't expect him to take up the never ending millinery hunt with me.
 
  We've got it all worked out pretty well, after all of these years together.  If I am lucky enough to have the longevity of my Great Aunt Caroline and live to be over 100, I plan on keeping him around for it.

Fluttery friends

fairies, family, flowers, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 31, 2009

The Omaha Zoo is fantastic! Our little Topeka zoo is cute and easy to take little ones to for a couple of hours, but the one in Omaha is in a whole other category. Its not just a simple walk around a park with animals to look at, here, each building is an adventure. We especially liked the aquarium where you could walk under the glass tunnel of sharks.

My husband and I had just taken Sugarwings there a few weeks ago, but saw less than half the zoo, because we let her go at her own pace, and if she wanted to sit and play with dirt and rocks instead of squeezing in another sight, we let her. This time, we took her Daddy along with us and his attitude was, that she can amble along and be entertained by dirt anytime. Today was the day to see what the park had to offer.

And still we didn't see all of it!

It might have been a bit much, this is what we ended up with. Our fairy baby wore herself out. We rented a wagon to pull her in and it was worth every penny of the $12.95 it cost. She was able to rest up and get her happy face back on so she could enjoy the butterfly house and the jungle experience.

She started out a little sleepy and cranky in the butterfly house, but once she got to put on her own butterfly wings, she felt better.

And when she got to make friends with some of the other winged creatures, then the fun started.

Her Daddy took this picture. He seemed to know more about my camera than I did

and taught me some tricks with it.

The butterflies were our favorite part of the day!

But this dainty little "Fairy Bluebird" had to be my favorite zoo inhabitant. Isn't she pretty?

Its been hard to get back to work today after such a fast, but fun filled trip. I wasn't feeling like sitting right down and painting more illustrations for the Grumpy Fairy book, so I spent a while sorting some old millinery flowers. These sets are listed in the Boutique. I also "cleaned house" there and deleted some sold goods and added some more easy to follow categories.

But now, I need to get cracking on the fairy paintings. I was so caught up in the painting process, I hated to stop and leave for the trip on Wednesday, and now that I am back, I have to restart the creative flow and get into that groove all over again. I don't transition well….

All items
Sale priced goods
Flea Market Finds
Hand made by Karla
Vintage Craft Supplies or Kits
Aprons
Vintage jewelry
Millinery blossoms
Vintage wallpaper

Here are the new categories, what do you think?

A garden Journal for Randy

Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 28, 2009

Here is another post that I did up ahead before going out of town—

While I am in Florida for my Great Aunt Caroline's funeral, I'll be driving up to Jacksonville to see my sweet and silly brother-in-law, Randy. He is having a birthday party, and I have to tell you, his parties are the BEST. Always great food, great company and soooo entertaining. Randy and his husband, Kevin know how to entertain better than anyone I've ever met!

Randy and Kevin have a delightful backyard, spiffed and spruced up and planted and planned down to each and every inch of it. A large segment is devoted to butterflies, so these guys don't use any pesticides at all.

I thought I'd make up a little garden journal/ art book for Randy as a gift. Using a simple notebook on sale at Michael's for 50 cents as a base, I added vintage papers, some cute images I got in the En Le Jardin swap, and a few hand drawn details.

Oh, and envelopes! I love to add envelopes to journals, they are so handy for tucking away notes, receipts, etc.

And I use vintage envelopes when I can. I buy so many old greeting cards, and some come with envelopes that are just perfect for this.

This list of important holiday dates is from a Hallmark book published in 1949, so might not be quite accurate… Still, interesting. And Randy is a guy who never misses an occasion to send a card, so it seemed appropriate.Although if he uses this guide, he might be sending cards on the wrong dates.

I also used these antique French cards with his initials. Although, I wonder why I bought French cards, when all they show are single letters? Its not like it is a French word. No one will ever know that they are French, huh?

And of course, a butterfly for the butterfly garden. I also drew some here and there in the book.

Now, I am off to pack for my trip. I found a solution for keeping track of all the pages I printed for various hotels and addresses and other info, I made myself a folder to hold them all. I usually have pages scattered around in my purse and am always digging through trying to find the info I need.

This folder is two sided card stock, folded into pockets, and then sewed. I stitched on some heavy duty, old velour ribbon to keep the edges from getting bent up, and glued another soft ribbon on to use as a tie.

It only took a few minutes to make and the stitching is horrid, but it really will be useful. I printed all my Travelocity, rental car, and other confirmations, then highlighted the addresses. Then folded them up, and wrote at the top of each, what day it was for and what place! I've really impressed myself, I've always had a hard time finding what I need on trips. Hopefully, this will solve that problem!!

Farewell

family, Travel, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / June 24, 2009

There's no place like home, there's no place like home….

I'm getting ready for my trip to Florida and have been busy chasing down the details and making reservations. I snuck in some time to make a few little pretties too.

Here are a couple sneak peeks at what I've been doing. There are a few odds and ends left to finish on them yet, and since I leave for the airport at 4am tomorrow and haven't packed yet, well, I guess I won't be finishing up the batch of pretties and listing them in the shop till I get back.

I've pre-written some posts that will pop up while I am away, so please do check back. And when I return, I'll let you know who the winner is for the June Giveaway- which you can still enter, of course.

Thanks for all of your kind words about Great Aunt Caroline. She will be missed.

I’m shallow and I admit it

antiques/junking, Moving to DC, Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 15, 2009

Wow, how much fun can you jam into a week away? Enough that when all the running around stopped, I slept for about 12 hours straight last night! And today is a day of goofing off and that is about all. Since I don't fly home until tomorrow, and I have literally shopped till I dropped, and seen all the sights to see, today I am not doing much of anything but staying at the computer in the apartment.

I've been exploring Picassa as an editing tool and learned how to make a collage!!!

On the way to taking Beth to the airport in Baltimore so she could fly back to Kansas City, we started early and made a few side trips. I'd heard a lot about "Accessories of Old" in Bethesda, but had never been out there yet.

Now, I had a great time exploring DC with my friends earlier in the week, and seeing all the monuments and museums. BUT- to me, this stuff was every bit as full of history as that was! Am I shallow? Or ignorant? Well, possibly, but I sure loved being surrounded by all these old, beautiful things in this shop a lot more than looking at the Washington Monument.

Yes, I'll have to admit, I am not very deep. All I need is something pretty to look at and I am happy. Add a touch of sparkle and I am thrilled.

Everything in the store is OLD stock, that was stored and never, ever used. Some of it looks brand new, it is in such good shape. Not just some of it, most of it. I'm used to seeing worn out, dog eared button cards at flea markets and antique stores. Not brand spanking new, straight from the factory cards that have never been messed with, but are still about 100 years old.

That is how I love to see history!

Its lucky that Beth had to get to the airport, or I'd probably still be sitting on the floor in that shop going through bins of trinkets.

They had everything, from buttons and trims to jewels and supplies. I was enthralled by it all.

As a painter, I really did appreciate spending time in the National Portrait Gallery in DC, and going to museums. So, I am not completely uncultured. Although, my very favorite part of the city was some extremely old flocked wallpaper on the walls of a store we stopped into. But in my defense, that was paper like I'd never seen anywhere, a real heavy velvet, not a typical flocking!!!!

Next time I go back to Embellishments of Old, I'll be picking up a few of these to dress up a sweater for Sugarwings. There was even one with a Big Bad Wolf, one of her favorite characters. That girl loves the spooky parts of stories, and always prefers the wolf to Red Riding Hood. She is also crazy about the Wicked Witch of the West, but not more so than Dorothy.In Sugarwing's world, Dorothy is the biggest star on the planet, and Ariel is right after her.

On our way to Bethesda, we stopped at Sue's yard sale. She gave us some spectacular deals and I found a pile of cute stuff.

I wished this $20 chair would have fit in my suitcase.

Driving between Arlington and Bethesda, we saw some beautiful scenery. The GPS took us on a round about way, through some old neighbor hoods we would have missed if we'd stayed on the interstates. That kind of sight seeing is one of my favorite things to do. Its much more likely for me to drive around an old neighbor hood and explore there than poke around a museum when I travel. I like to think of it as "living history". But on the other hand, maybe I am just not very deep….

PS- I learned how to make a mosaic just in time to join "Mosaic Monday" at Mary's. She has a list of links to other mosaics that you can check out too.