Valentine’s Day – Page 2

How to make hot glue roses by Sugarwings

flowers, how to's, Sugarwings, Valentine's Day

By Karla Nathan / January 22, 2019

Recently, Sugarwings has been creating with a glue gun, for hours, every time she comes over. She makes a lot of things with it, some odd, some cool, but these? I was impressed.

The translucent glue makes a delicate looking petal, doesn't it? She is using them for pencil toppers, and painting the tips of the petals with nail polish.

The pencils are wrapped in ribbons, and have gift tags on them, since we have plans to give them away, but I've also asked her to make some for me on dowels that we will wrap in green ribbons and use to fill a vase.

She asked me to do help her put a tutorial together, and I took photos of each step. I'd found this vintage gown at an estate sale (for $1!!!) and we thought it would be fun to do a dress up photo shoot for the the crafting session. (And I am always happy to have an excuse to take photos of this sprite).

She has put the pictures into an iMovie and was planning to narrate it, but hasn't had a chance to get back to that since she started, so I'll add the video later. For now, I'll give you the directions, as told to me, with the photos, in case you'd like to make some roses of your own.

Just in time for Valentine's Day!

She says is it very important to let your glue gun warm up, and wanted a photo of her waiting for the glue to get hot. She uses a low temp gun and likes the longer sticks.

The glue is squirted onto parchment paper.

Fold the paper over the blob of glue, and burnish it flat. She is using a toy spatula from a Play Doh kit here, but I've also seen her use a pencil as a rolling pen.

Cut a strip of the flattened glue.

Roll up the strip of glue and attach to the end of the pencil (or dowel) with a dot of more glue.

Make more flattened glue ovals, and cut them in half.

The straight line is the bottom of the petal that will be glued down, the curved sides are the tops of the petals.

Roll another piece of flattened hot glue around the center spiral.

She trims it as needed at this point.

And adds rows of petals.

It is a messy job, and you need to use pressure to hold the flower on and form it, which is why low temp glue guns are the way to go!

When done, touch the tips of the petals with nail polish.

Lovely!

Here are a couple of tips from me, not from her. I haven't made any myself, but I did help with painting. I think that the roses could benefit from a trimming with sharp scissors to get some of the chunks and strings out. But I didn't interfere with the ones she made, some have more places that could use a trimming than others.

When I painted the flowers with her, I had a Q-Tip dipped in nail polish remover to smooth out the color a little. I thought it made the bud more natural.

The blooms are also beautiful as is, with no color. The strings and glue chunks aren't quite as noticeable that way too.

To wrap the pencil, I used tacky glue around the base of the flower and about an inch or so down the side of the pencil, and tightly wound the ribbon around the pencil into the glue. I tied a bow of ribbon over the top and added a tag.

Now, I need to give these away…. hard to do, but I have been promised that she will make more for me to fill a vase with! Thank you, little Grandfairy.

Fluttery wings and a book full of sweet nothings, two classes two ways- in Florida and Kansas

cottage, holiday decor, Valentine's Day, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / January 4, 2019

Are you up for some romantic crafting projects? I have two opportunities for you to join me in creating ruffled, lacey, crepe paper wings, adorned with vintage millinery along with a charming autograph book, inspired by a very old and uniquely shaped signature book. The book will be made from the ground up, you will learn how to construct the covers from chip board and paper.

One set of classes is being hosted by the lovely, Karen Hillman, in Deland, Florida. She will serve a luncheon to us in her impressive and gracious style and we will create both the angelic wings and distinctive booklet.

Info on how to sign up is here: Cozy Castle Events

Did I mention it was Reninger’s Antique Extravaganza weekend?!?!

While the flea market adventure isn’t exactly part of the workshop, I highly encourage you to attend it and shop to your heart’s content at one of the South’s top fleas. The classes are on Saturday, and the market is in full swing Friday thru Sunday, just down the road in the delightful town of Mount Dora.

I used to spend some time in the area back when I’d visit my Great Aunt Caroline (who lived til the day before her 102nd birthday!), so I became familiar with the joys of antiquing there, way back then. I fell head over hills for the hidden gem in the heart of Florida, and have filled my suitcase many times with precious goodies from shopping sprees while visiting.

The signature book and angel wings have a romantic feel to them, but are not necessarily Valentine decor. I hung some wings in the cottage for Christmas one year, and decided to leave them up for Valentines', then liked them so much, they stayed up year round. Who doesn’t need a sweet reminder of heavenly blessings nearby?

The book also, can be filled with sweet nothings and love notes, or used as a mini scrapbook, art journal, diary, or simply enjoy as a display piece and reminder of a day of creativity with other talented friends. Here is a page from my inspiration book (a gift from the Guncles that Karen and I both freaked out over and wanted to copy). I will be including a vintage calling card and other pretties for each kit.

Karen’s gathering will take place on February 16th, which makes it even more special to me. It is my mom’s birthday and she adored her Aunt Caroline. I’m excited to be spending her day in an area she loved.

I've been busy hand dying crepe paper and sewing it into yards and yards of ruffles for you.

No two kits will be exactly the same, since vintage materials will be used. I'm supplying roses for each set of wings, in your choice of color. Tiny vintage flowers will top the album also. Crepe paper is available in cream and white or pink.

The classes at my home will be on Saturday, January 26. You can choose to make the wings in the morning, the book in the afternoon, or stay the day and do both. Lunch is included.

Both cottage workshops are $55,

but if you sign up for the set,

you’ll save $5 on each

for a total of $100 for the day.

(I hope you will stay all day, I’m looking forward to spending it with you!)

We will have a Valentine themed luncheon and the Treat Cabinet will be stocked with chocolatey, yummy, sweetness. If you’d like to be part of this party, you can email me at karlanathan@sbcglobal.net for an invoice. And please let me know if you’d like white, pink, or red for your wings.

I could possibly do blue or lavender if you wish also. Ask for your fave and I'll see what I can find for you. My cottage does hold a couple of hats to choose from….

And if you like to go to the Florida and Kansas versions? First of all, I’d be thrilled! Second, I can make you two different colored kits.

The King and Queen of Hearts

celebrations, family, paintings, Valentine's Day, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 8, 2018

My sister, Bobbie Sue just celebrated her 50th anniversary with her husband and their darling daughters threw them a party, that truly surprised them.

Their last name is Valentine, and my silly sis LOVES goofy photo ops. So, I painted these cut outs for them to pose in as the King and Queen of Hearts.

Other party-ers had some fun with them too.

After measuring my largest suitcase, I cut plastic, corrugated poster board to fit the bag and primed them before painting the royalty with holes cut out for faces. Then, I flipped them over and painted the other side for double the fun.

The fairy and gypsy were done with lots of glitter and metallic paints for a sparkly effect.

The entire evening was a sparkling night of fun! My nieces rented a limo to pick their folks up at their farmhouse, and we all piled in for the ride "out to dinner". But instead of dinner, we went to greet the room full of family and friends ready to jump up and yell, "SURPRISE!!!"

It was all pretty cute, and the kids pulled it off with an amazing skill of twisting the truth around so no one guessed what was coming.

Personally, I was quite impressed with my own ability to spin tales. I possess a super power that until now, has lain dormant. Wow, I am a very, very good liar!!!!! I even had them pull up the online menu of the restaurant we were pretending to go to. And faked plans to visit old friends so I could sneak out and deliver the painted photo op boards.

The twisted untruth about meeting up with old friends, ended up turning around and becoming the real truth, and I got to visit some high school buddies I hadn't seen in years. That was the icing on the cake for this wonderful, but too quick trip to Indiana.

Well, not all of the icing. There was some delectable cake too.

And cousin time, that included seeing a long lost stepsister.

And of course, I never get enough sister time.

Yes, it was a beautiful weekend, and I was thrilled to be a part of the celebration of this love. These two are truly the King and Queen of Hearts.

Valentine workshop at the studio

Valentine's Day

By Karla Nathan / January 18, 2018

Thanks to those who have already signed up for our Valentine craft day on Saturday, Feb. 3rd! I've made some examples of the three colors to choose from for the candy box class.

And I hope to have kits available online for those who can't make it to Lawrence for the party.

Here are the options for the two classes, plus card making and lunch, if you would like to join our group at the cottage:

Love Bird:

9:30am til 11:30am,

11:30am- break

11:45- Valentine Card Making (Free time, with guidance if needed, make as many as you'd like. Examples will be on display to help get your creative juices flowing as you make your own holiday cards.)

1pm- lunch (home made, fresh, and organic)

Candy Box:

Please join the earlier class for card making at 11:45 and lunch at 1pm.

2:30- 4:30- class

Please come 10-15 minutes early to get settled.

Costs:

Bird/Cards/Lunch- $50

Cards/Lunch/Candy Box- $50

Combined day with both classes- $90

So far, all participants are attending both classes, which I was happy to see!

As with all kits and classes at my cottage, we will be using The Good Stuff.

Lovely millinery blooms…

Delicious, flocked, old wallpaper…

And soft, velvet ribbon…

This pink color was created by soaking nylon/silk velvet in boiled avocado peels. It makes the prettiest shades of pink! The lighter pink was on white ribbon, the warmer tone is over ivory.

Our morning class will be this sweet birdie in an old, tart tin. And in between, we will have time to make some cards for our loved ones.

To sign up, please email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

I'd love to see you here!

PS- if you are looking for an excuse to visit the Kansas City area, the Old West Bottoms Antique District is open for their First Friday sale dates. It features some of the best junking you will find.

Romantic Valentine Craft Day- 2 classes, 3 ways at Karla’s Cottage Coming Up!

bird song art event, Valentine's Day, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 12, 2018

On Saturday, February 3rd, I'll be hosting two mini workshops in the studio. You have the option of attending the morning class, afternoon class, or both with a luncheon and card making session in between.

This sugared dove nests in a bundle of vintage netting set into a heart shaped tart tin. She features vintage laces and trims, ruffled crepe paper, and millinery blossoms picked from my garden of flowering hats.

(Due to the number of heart shaped tins that I gathered from estate sales, this class will be limited in size)

The afternoon class is a candy box, made from a small Russell Stover candy box transformed into a keepsake.

(And yes, the candy inside is for you!) This photo will be included (along with everything you need to complete your piece) but other old photos will be available to choose from if you'd care for another picture.

I will offer this one in:

Warm Whites

Rosey Pinks

Romantic Reds

We will paint the boxes, cover them in vintage papers, lace, and velvet ribbons before adding a lovely lady to the lid and adorning her with millinery blooms and rhinestones.

As with all of my projects, I believe in using THE GOOD STUFF.

Vintage supplies, hand glittered birds, old photos scanned and printed onto high quality papers, sparkling rhinestones, and soft velvets, of course!!!

You will get a printed sheet of phrases in different fonts and sizes to pick the words that mean the most to you, so that you can personalize your artwork. Also feel free to bring anything from home to add to the piece and change it as you'd like. Since many of my supplies are vintage, the kits will vary a bit in looks, but will be equal in value.

The kits will be complete with all you need to create your heart shaped treasure. All you need to bring are scissors and glue. I'd suggest a regular pair of scissors and a small, detail pair too.

Sweets, and beverages will be served throughout the day, lunch and card making is included with both classes.

Love Bird:

9:30am til 11:30am,

11:30am- break

11:45- Valentine Card Making (Free time, with guidance if needed, make as many as you'd like. Examples will be on display to help get your creative juices flowing as you make your own holiday cards.)

1pm- lunch (home made, fresh, and organic)

Candy Box:

Please join the earlier class for card making at 11:45 and lunch at 1pm.

2:30- 4:30- class

Please come 10-15 minutes early to get settled.

Costs:

Bird/Cards/Lunch- $50

Cards/Lunch/Candy Box- $50

Combined day with both classes- $90

To sign up, please email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

I'd love to see you here!

Lace hearts

holiday decor, Valentine's Day

By Karla Nathan / February 11, 2017

At my friend's craft day, we made some lace Valentines. I'd been wanting to make some, and was glad that I did.

I liked it so much, that I made a few extra at home and have a couple in my Etsy shop now.

The ones I made for myself at craft day are hung in windows in the kitchen, but I really like having the ones that are for sale on this birdcage stand and I had fun moving them around the room and trying various spots to photograph them.

I might need to leave this stand in my house to use there, with another heart or maybe some wings done in the same way, hanging off of it, huh?

Although, for photography purposes, I think that the lace shows better with a solid backing behind it.

The lace is taken from a bridal veil circa 1940 or so.

I've decked both out with millinery and trimmed it with edging taken from my old Victorian French net curtains.

At first, I almost didn't list them since Valentine's Day is so close.

Then, I realized that I was planning on leaving my own up year round, just just for a holiday decoration.

And they'd also be great decor for a wedding, bridal shower, or even a little girl's room.

They look pretty against a wall, don't they?

In person, they look great in a window, but my camera can't capture that with the sun shining in.

If you are interested, you can find them here.

A Sweet Valentine Gathering

celebrations, cottage, Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings, Valentine's Day, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / February 14, 2015

One of my favorite things is to have a studio full of friends, whether it is at Birdsong, a craft day, or a kid's holiday party.

I don't always get to host a bash for every holiday, but love it when the timing works out to have everyone over.

Sugarwings and Dewdrop went to Michaels with me to fill a cart with pink and red heart supplies, I nabbed a few Dollar Store tablecloths and balloons, and we were set to go.

We made faux cupcakes by gluing a styrofoam ball into a cupcake paper, smearing it with modelling compound icing, and glitter.

Lots of glitter.

Besides that, the projects weren't organized, it was every artist on their own.

Valentine cards for loved ones were a popular choice.

Dewdrop completed this one for her mommy.

Lizele made lots of colorful hearts. She is a prolific crafter.

Besides the cart full of stickers from Michaels, I had vintagey goods out too. And had saved empty valentine candy boxes to be redone.

Sugarwings and her mommy made a mail box for her upcoming class party.

The littlest workers got a bit burned out and turned to coloring books full of ponies, then decided to work with playdough. That is always a hit with Dewdrop.

The older kids had already headed out to the creek and woods behind the house when I got my camera out. They usually make a few nice things, then head outside, not caring that it was horridly cold out there. Of course, someone always slips into the creek and needs dry clothes, but it never stops them.

I really should plan more summer time craft days, where they can get out there and enjoy the woods when the weather is better.

Before the party, Sugarwings and I made chocolate dipped strawberries to serve, and I saved the plastic containers that the berries came in. Those were ideal for sending wet modelling compound cupcakes home in. Cars might have been muddy from the creek on the way home, but at least they didn't have any pink, fake icing all over them.

I can't say there wasn't any glitter drizzled into the seats, though…

My new water jug from Victorian Trading was ideal! I filled it with ice, poured cold water over it, and it was still chilly the next day.

The pottery really keeps the water cold.

For punch in the cut glass dispenser, I mixed white cranberry/strawberry juice with a couple cans of Sierra Mist. The night before, I froze cranberries in juice to make a giant, floating ice cube to slip into the punch. Very pretty, and tasty, but so easy to make.

I'm already looking forward to the next party.

Sweethearts and some card making tips

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, how to's, Sugarwings, Valentine's Day, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 21, 2014

I hope you had a good Valentines Day? We sure did. Actually, a week of it! My Handsome Husband took me out to dinner one night, then the next, we all got dressed up and went out for a fancy meal with Sugarwings, her mommy and her mommy's sweetheart. And this was all before Valentines ever arrived. On the day of, I had the grand fairies and we decided to play with food coloring out in the snow.

Of course, not all of the artwork can be hearts and love notes when you are creating with a 3 year old, and most of it all got trampled. When Ryan came down his stairs later as it was starting to get dark out, he thought there had been some sort of massacre in the snow from all the red squirted everywhere.

Sugarwings took off for a weekend with her mommy while Dewdrop spent some time with us. We got all dressed up with her and went out on the town again, to do a little dining and dancing while a friend's band played.

Then, and yes there is MORE. My husband and I went out to dinner AGAIN with some friends. I think I might just forget how to cook. I could get used to this life of restaurants and celebrations.

Except it all came to a crashing end when I had more gum surgery on Monday morning. No more dining for me for a while, it's jello time now.

Between galas and bashes and dinners and celebrating, I made up some cards to send out. These are a little different for me, not all elements are pure vintage. I had this rose print paper, and thought it was perfect for the holiday.

To start, I folded a chocolate brown sheet of card stock to make the card, and inked all the edges inside and out. Next, I cut out the rose paper to fit on the card, and with an exacto blade, cut slits in the faux picture frame on the paper, to slide in a Victorian die cut cherub.

To make the frame a bit more 3d, I used a soft brown marker to outline the inside of the frame and create shadows.

Around the card, I doodled with a metallic gold ink pen. The message inside the card is with the same ink.

To finish, I glued two sets of millinery petals, and added a red rhinestone to the center.

This card was made in much the same way, then I added velvet ribbon, a crepe paper ruffle, a painted brass piece and a millinery leaf to the edge.

For the brass, I used Martha Stewart craft paint that is made for metal, painted it on and wiped it off.

This time, the card also features a painted metal piece, that I've tied ribbons to. On top of it, I glued some vintage butterfly wings and on those, a pink cake topper lady, who is now a fairy.

I had another pink lady, and used her over some die cut butterfly wings that my friend, Hope, had given me. I layered her over another painted brass piece and some lace.

This one was made after I ran out of the pretty rose paper but was still in a card making mood. I cut sheet music into a heart, inked the edges and added a crepe paper ruffle to the back.

Onto the card, I added a Victorian die cut lady. Her dress had been baby blue, but I changed that with markers for a more Valentiney look. Her wings are two different butterflies printed onto vellum paper, and slid under her shoulders.

I added some millinery and a touch of sparkle with Stickles glitter.

I just love the way vellum paper looks with images printed on it. This photo is on vellum, and I cut a heart out of sparkly, white scrap book paper to layer underneath, then put both over a tan mat for contrast. It went into a frame, not onto a card.

If you'd like to try the snow painting, it is simple as can be. A small amount of food coloring in a jug of water is all it takes to make the paint. Then, put it into squirt bottles. It is surprising how fast it goes, though, so be prepared for a lot of refilling.

PS- if you'd like to sign up for a chance to win a copy of Where Women Create, please leave a comment on my previous post, or on FB.

Hearts,flowers, and rosemary

cottage, flowers, Valentine's Day, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 31, 2014

Beth came over last week for a craft day. It had been WAY too long, because we were just now exchanging Christmas gifts!

She gifted me with this great, Victorian coffee pot, to use as a vase. I can't wait to fill it with roses, but since I'm going on a trip, I settled for a handful of dried rosemary. Because I don't think my husband would even notice or appreciate it, if I bought fresh flowers for the dining room before I went out of town. I'll wait and treat myself when I get back, because I know I will be very appreciative of them.

And I love it that my hands smelled like rosemary all day after cutting it, even though the plant has been out in the garden, dried and dead through all kinds of weather. It still smells wonderful. The only problem is that I can't stop thinking about making a pizza with rosemary and provolone…

This pot is perfect! Just the right amount of tarnished, beaten-up-ed-ness.

Beth and Karla hadn't been to a craft day in much too long. I need to make time to do this sort of thing, it's good for the soul to laugh with friends while creating.

Beth was working on stitched hearts for Laurie's swap.

Hers were so pretty that I wanted to make one too. But mine is glued, not sewn. I used some of the fabric she had given to me along with the perfectly tarnished coffee pot.

Dang, I wish I'd had time to join the swap! This is going to be a nice one. I'm looking forward to seeing the results on friends' blogs.

The Love keeps going after Valentines Day!

Books, Valentine's Day, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / February 19, 2013

My Valentine Journal is still under construction. What is fun about these books, is that you can just keep adding and layering as much as you'd like.

When the postman delivered some beyond beautiful mail to me, I saw that all the cards that came were perfect additions to my book.

This heart shaped collage was from my pal, Lori. It's meant to hang, and I had it hanging up till the holiday was over, then I decided to glue it into my journal as a pocket. The slight over hang to the side is nice, because she has used pretty papers on the back of the heart too and I'm glad that they peek out.

I've always admired Lori's work and am excited to have a special example of it in my Book of Love.

What's in the pocket? Love notes from Sugarwings. She wanted her artwork included in the book too, so she made some hearts and notes for me to slip into pockets and envelopes.

Guncle Randy made this card for me. He is a thoughtful guy who whips up cards for every occasion to send to everyone he loves. That, plus working 60-70 hours a week as an award winning, top salesman for his employer. And taking care of his family of 4 pooches, cultivating a floral fairy garden, and making gourmet dinners with his husband, Guncle Kevin.

He is a guy who seems to be able to do it all. And who always thinks“ of surprising others with special treats in the little spare time he has. Which makes the cards he sends even more special.

Hope sent me a card from her company, Paper Relics, and after gluing it onto a page, I added the words:

Hope

Love

Faith

All three of these sweet cards came from friends who I don't see nearly often enough, and that I enjoy so much when I do. My Valentine Journal started out as a love note to my husband, but as I worked on it, the pages became filled with family and friends. And puppies. Even a chicken. There is just toooo much love out there to limit the pages.

Its good to know that there is room for the book to grow too. When I think its done and full, there is still space for more heartfelt sentiments, the more I layer and add, the better it looks and the more meaningful it becomes.

ps- if you are into journalling and are sometimes stumped for the ideal quote to add to your pages, Hope has an app for that now!! I purchased it and it's a fun one.