vintage paper/collage art – Page 13

Domed glass frame ornaments

antiques/junking, Dew Drop, family, guncles, holiday decor, how to's, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 15, 2013

While out junking, I found three of these domed glass ornaments for $1 each. (I wish there had been more!!) They were pretty as is, but I had other ideas for them. First step was to find just the right picture of my little fairy princesses, then back it with heavy paper, and cut out the images.

After that, I pried off the the back of the frame. That was harder than I thought it would be, but it ended up coming off okay.

Next, I covered the existing cardboard circle with very old, gold wallpaper on the front/sheet music on the back, and added the girls to it. Dewdrop is layered over Sugarwings, with a wadded up piece of paper under her to make her image a little higher than her sister's image.

Since the glass was domed, I wanted to take advantage of the space inside and have the pictures at different levels.

Next, I added millinery flowers to their hair, and glitter pen sparkles to their dresses.

On Sugarwing's hair posy, I added a rhinestone. And then slid the word, "joy" under Dewdrop's head.

Bunched up lace and ribbon were glued over Sugarwing's skirt, and a silver pipe cleaner tree was put into Dewdrop's hand.

I took a snip from the pipe cleaner, and bent it into a V shape, and trimmed the fringe, so that it was all shaped up neatly. Then, I cut another snip off of a pipe cleaner, and trimmed almost all the fringe off of it right down to the wire, and glued that into a hole poked into the picture of Dewdrop's fist. Over that, I glued the V shape, faux tree, so that the piece glued into her hand looked like the trunk of the tree.

Next, I ran a bead of glue around the circle, dumped a bunch of sparkly glitter on the center of the circle, and rammed the piece back into the metal frame, under the glass. It wasn't much easier to put back in that it was to take out. But it went in, and the glue will hold it.

The glitter is loose, and makes me think this looks like a snow globe.

The other two that I bought were turned into gifts for Guncle Randy and Guncle Kevin. I made up a couple of pretty boy angels on black velvet for them.

Our trip to visit them in Florida involved a fancy dress up dinner party that was themed, "A Black Velvet Christmas."

I had some gorgeous, old black velvet to cut up, and used it for the background plus cut some up as ribbons.

The old watch face is ringed by tinsel, to make it Christmassy.

Foil leaves and sparkly snowflakes were tied to the ribbons.

The angels in both are vintage, and the feathers are from my hen, Sophia. She had such pretty, silver colored feathers, that were just perfect for the angel wings. This handsome guy got his suit foofed up with silver stripes, and a boutonniere with a rhinestone center on his lapel.

When I get back, I'll have some pictures to show of the guncle's FAB holiday home. They always do it up right. I'll probably come home about 10lbs heavier too, they cook every bit as good as they decorate, and these guys love to spoil their guests!

Christmas creations

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

By Karla Nathan / December 11, 2013

Last week, I was still immersed in making ornaments.

Beth and I had gone to a flea market where I found a bag of little doll shoes, and have been busy turning them into pretties to hang on the tree.

At the flea, we were drawn to a box of buttons, and after we'd each found a handful, we thought it was funny to see how different our picks were. Bright, bakelite for Beth, and sparkling blinginess for me. Beth said we should take a photo, and the jostling of bundled purchases, coats, and scarves while digging of the cameras out of pockets while not messing up our selections was pretty entertaining.

Afterward, I thought, now, why didn't I just set the buttons down, get out the phone, and then re-arrange the buttons? Well, that would have made it just too easy, I guess.

It wasn't the best flea market I've ever been to, but it was a lot of laughs. And I was glad to get a bag filled with a dozen little shoes.

They have been addictive, I made up quite a few of them. Some to keep, some to sell, some to give as gifts.

I'll save one for Sugarwings to make with me too. She is always looking for a new crafting adventure, and I think she'll enjoy redesigning a little shoe.

I've listed a few of these in the Boutique.

And there are a few new creations in the etsy shop too. (and kits to make your own)

As well as these funny, little angel earrings, which I didn't make. They are vintage clip ons.

I will be away from my computer till Monday, we are off to see the Guncles in Florida. All packages will be mailed when I get back. Thanks for your patience.

I'll leave you with some photos of what is new in the Boutique.

Romantic Cottage Christmas in the Studio

celebrations, holiday decor, studio tour, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 30, 2013

Seems like I've been full tilt into Christmas for weeks now. With all the fun of getting ready for my holiday workshop, I had my decor up and running way early this year.

I don't always deck the studio, but I sure am enjoying having all the holiday pretties up in here.

The party itself was such a good day. I hope the ladies enjoyed it as much as I did.

On Monday, I've got another group of friends coming over for an ornament making party, and on the 20th, I'm having a family ornie party. So, I'm hoping to keep the room tidy till then.

There is something about a tidy studio, that just fills me with anticipation. Because I know that it wouldn't be all cleaned up, if something fun wasn't about to happen in it!

It's exciting knowing that the room is looking it's best and ready for company!

And having holiday decorations in the room makes it even more fun. I kept the decor simple, but still festive. I exchanged the hanging birds, still up from Birdsong, with some ornaments.

And traded out bird pictures in the old frames for some glittery holiday messages and stars.

And of course, the Treat Cabinet always looks better when filled up with goodies.

But my favorite part?

A room filled with creative souls, laughing and making pretty things together.

I'll leave you with some pictures from the day.

PS, there are still some kits available for the cherub and the tree on a spool in my Etsy shop.

Sidetracks

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 13, 2013

Yep, I know, I know, I need to make kits for the Romantic Cottage Christmas workshop November 23rd.

But I've been having too much fun playing with all the supplies I have out to create the kits How on Earth could I resist taking an extra set of wings and turning them into a little ornament on their own?

So nice, I did it twice.

I've been experimenting with different ribbons and lace to see which makes the best wing texture.

I've decided this lace makes the prettiest wings. And was the easiest to work with.

Of course, we'll have lots of different lace and trims to try that day if the participants prefer something other than what comes in the kits.

And yes, there will be kits, eventually. I have all the Tart Tin Trees wrapped up and ready to go, in neutral and pink so my guests will have a choice. (I love having extra choices, the fun part of a workshop is seeing how varied one project looks done in different ways)

But, gosh, where there are little remnants lying on my table, I can't resist turning it into something.

I have been way too distracted by shiny things this week!

While cutting up this beyond wonderful, pink flock wallpaper, I couldn't let the scraps go to waste. Some I cut into die cut shapes to use later, but if there were any snippets too small for that, I used them to wrap around the spools for my little trees.

I treasure each little, left over, bit too much. To me, the old paper is too precious to let anything usable go to waste.

And I love a good excuse to get out of the task at hand…

But now, back to work. I really do enjoy putting kits together, and an excuse to stop and play just extends the fun. I refuse to look at it as procrastinating. It's too much fun to be labelled in a negative way!!

Romantic Cottage Christmas projects

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 10, 2013

This week, I've been getting all my projects completed and gathering up supplies for Romantic Cottage Christmas.

The palette is silver, gold, and white with an option for pink if preferred.

I've got some tiny trees in aqua too, so I guess that is also a choice.

And I drew up some collage sheets with holiday graphics to use.

One of my favorites, is this Holiday Treat Jar, topped with a praying angel. Her wings are flocked wallpaper on one side and layers of ruffled lace on the other.

She has such a sweet face, I fell in love with this old photo at a glance.

This angel doesn't have any problems in the sweet department herself. What a darling! Lots of flocked paper and lace for her too.

And of course, as The Cherub sways on the tree, her backside will show, that has to be prettied up too.

The kneeling angel also will have a nicely finished back view.

I figure that the Mini Tart Tin Trees and the Bottle Brush Spools will each be shorter classes, probably less than an hour. So, we will have time to personalize and embellish both angel projects.

There will also be beads and crystals to add to the little trees. I do like to see the finished products show the creator's own personality, so I like to have lots of extras out for everyone to play with.

The Good Stuff, of course!

I will be making up plenty of kits. They will be for sale after the class on 11/23. Or if you'd rather come and visit here in the studio, I still have room for a few more guests.

We would love to have you join us!

All supplies for 4 projects are included, along with lunch, goodies, and beverages for $100 per person.

Please email me if you'd like to attend.

True Eye Candy

dogs, parties, Travel, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / October 17, 2013

Yep, believe it or not, this is REAL. A real life home, filled with kids, dogs, and love. As well as some of the prettiest collections you'll ever find.

Jenn's house is pretty as pretty can be.

A sweet confection of frothiness and pastel beauties.

With a fair share of whimsy too.

And attention to detail throughout.

And a home with a Yorkshire Terrier in it, is a very special home to me.

Throw in a second one and I'm a happy house guest.

Jenn graciously invited us to stay with her in her Georgia mansion and it was our home base for a couple of nights on our trip.

There was something breathtaking to see, everywhere I looked. But the loveliest item off all, was this photo that Jenn took of her daughter, Vivian.

She is beginning a new photography business called Pink Ellie

From the examples she has posted, I can see that she will do well. Oh my! She has captured some beautiful moments.

Jenn opened up her equally frothilly sweet studio to us too. I brought charms and glaze, Lori and Hope provided old papers, so we could all have some creating time.

The room is Jenn from floor to ceiling.

Pictured: Jennifer Hayslip

Hope Wallace Kearny

We had decided not to do a whole craft day, or any big projects. This little one was just right, to satisfy the creative urge but still leave plenty of time for just relaxing.

Pictured:

Suzanne Duda and Lori Oles

And of course, was a great excuse to soak up Jenn's stellar studio. And pose. We did a lot of posing.

d And smiling. Tons of smiling.

An altered book, Fairy Tale style, or Fun with Trophies

Books, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 15, 2013

This year, I've made a lot of class kits that needed book covers. Therefore, I had a LOT of naked books. Most of them, I recycled, but a few I saved to play with.

I'd always wanted to try making one of these folded page thingies with a story book theme. For this one, I chose Cinderella because Beth gave me a ballroom dancing trophy that reminded me of a prince charming and his true love.

I primed and painted the trophy, then took it apart, it was easier to paint the topper while it was attached. Her dress got a sugary coat of glitter, I added some crowns, and set it aside.

The fun part was adding the storybook elements. This broken, old cameo looked like Cinderella to me, so was perfect for the front of the piece.

In my kitchen, I had a pile of white, paper clay, pumpkins in a dish to set out for fall decorating, and stole one of those to use as a pre-carriage.

There was a big pile of old, old, Cinderella books all piled up on my booksheft to sift through for ideas. But I decided to keep this diorama cohesive by using illustrations from the same book. This one was published in the 1800s.

All the figures that I cut out, got backed with cardstock from Bingo cards. Tabs were made on the feet so I'd have something to glob glue on and slide between the pages to make the people stand up.

When I cut out pages to make the opening for the scene, I didn't do a very good job, it was pretty uneven and ragged. I'd say a dremel tool would be the way to go. To cover up my choppy mess, I covered it in flocked wallpaper, which I thought looked appropriately royal.

At the top of the cut out opening, I covered up the badly cut pages with a ruffle of crepe paper. I'm all about making it work, somehow or another. After all that work of ripping that dang book apart, I wasn't going to dump it because I'd done it so poorly. I just hid the mistakes behind layers.

I would do dozens and dozens of these if there wasn't that pesky part about folding the hundreds of pages and cutting out the opening.

Tedious times ten.

But worth it. Maybe I'll fold pages some evening in front of the TV. I really did enjoy the creative part of the project.

This trophy got a more simple makeover. The topper was glittered, added to a big spool, then sat on a box lid covered in sheet music.

Layers of crepe paper, and some German foil, a magic wand, a couple bits-o-bling, and ta dah.

And doesn't everything look better under glass?

A steampunk punkin and more from the patch

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / October 3, 2013

Well, I guess the pumpkin itself is not steam punk, but the tag tied to it is.

It is made from a watercolor paper that I washed with paint, and I added an image cut from an old deck of cards (he is a cool Joker, isn't he?). He's got a feather glued to his hat and is topped with a salesman sample, old watch crystal.

A clock hand and some lace was added to the bottom of the tag and there is a ruffle of text under him.

I'm not exactly sure what makes something steampunk or not, but everyonce in a while I make my attempt at it for someone who is into the style. I always think the style looks cool when I see it elsewhere, but I'm not sure if I've grasped the concept for making it myself.

Here is what I found on Wikipedia says, hmmm:

Steampunk design emphasizes a balance between the form and function.^[44] Like the Arts and Crafts Movement,
this blurs the line between tool and decoration. Various modern
utilitarian objects have been modified by enthusiasts into a
pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style.^[9]^[45] Example objects include computer keyboards and electric guitars.^[46]
The goal of such redesigns is to employ appropriate materials (such as
polished brass, iron, wood, and leather) with design elements and
craftsmanship consistent with the Victorian era,^[13]^[47] rejecting the aesthetic of industrial design.^[44]

My pumpkin adventures have been going on much longer than I ever would have guessed. Those little guys are addictive. I harvested some vines from the garden and left them in the sun to dry. Kitty Boy seems to think they make a nice bed on this table top.

This might be my new fave. It's made from a doll dress.

Like this one was.

The blue one is in the Boutique, but the bronze satin one is planned as a gift.

This one is a gift too.

It's tag is from a French postcard with purple writing. I've added an orangish velvet bloom for some traditional autumn colors that still fall into shades that I like to work with.

This one is just itty bitty, and you can find it in the shop.

Journalling

Books, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 21, 2013

Beth gave me a hand made journal to doodle or glue in and I've enjoyed playing with it. I've glued in pictures like this that I really liked and wanted to save, as well as just messed around with layering stuff simply for the sheer joy of doing it.

This page is a vintage photo printed on a transparency, over old paper, with a phrase tucked underneath.

Not having a goal or deadline or even a reason to work in the book, besides just wanting to, has been good for me. It's been a long, odd, summer for me, without a lot of creating. I've tended the fairy grands, and did some long needed chores and fix ups around the house. I've had trips, a fried computer, broken appliances, illnesses, family issues, and done a LOT of weed pulling and gardening. I've been a chaufer, and a cook, and a babysitter, but not much of an artist.

A few little things got made here and there, but not my typical, nonstop creating. There have been long stretches of days when I don't go to the studio at all.

And when I did, I had the little ones with me. Sugarwings made this page in my journal. We used the bubble paper that we made with food coloring, here.

Piddling around with theses pages and making some charms has been good for me. Hopefully, I'll get back into gear soon. At least it's a start. I need to re-find myself as an artist. Taking a summer off to help with the girls was something I'll cherish, and I know how lucky I was to be able to do it, but by not spending much time in my studio, I've gotten away from some very important parts of myself.

Or I could just be depressed because of all the strife we have faced the last few months.

I think I'll go make another page now, that would be good for me.

How to make a 3-D collaged charm

fairies, how to's, how-to projects, jewelry, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / September 16, 2013

After Birdsong, I had a few of the pendant charms left and had a good time playing with them. So much so, that I bought a few more.

Quite a few more! Actually, a couple hundred… I tend to over do when I get interested in something. But, I figure that if I find it so much fun, then others might too. So, I get plenty to stock my Boutique with.

Yep, I did it! I added some stuff to my shop. Finally. Did you even remember I had one? Except for my whining here and there about ignoring it, you probably forgot it even exists.

But now, it is filled up with plenty of primed and antiqued tray pendants in a couple sizes and in multiple colors.

I have a few more to put in there too.

While I was at it, I primed, painted and glazed some fairy charms too to put in the shop.

And added lengths of rhinestone chain in lots of colors.

And lots of rhinestone clusters.

And in case you were wondering how to use all these components, I thought I'd do a little tutorial with some ideas.

I've used the Mod Podge glaze on all of mine, though in the past have liked the Paper Glaze too. It tends to dry slower and can be milky if you use it too thickly. Mod Podge is shiny and clear, and dries fast.

To create a pattern to fit the interior oval of the pendants, I simply place a thin piece of paper over it, and trace with my fingernail.

For me, this is better than the charm coming with a pattern. Because you can create your own pattern for any size charm quickly and easily if you learn this trick.

I cut out the pattern and use it to trace onto my pretty paper, and then cut out that. For mine, I prefer using a tan marker, because it makes the edges look aged.

Next, glue it into the pendant.

Over this, you can create your collage, anyway you'd like. If you are going to add a 3D piece, use a drop of Ultimate Glue under it.

Rhinestones, charms, many things make a pretty addition over your paper collage.

To transform this teensy, weensy Charlotte doll into a fairy, I laid her onto sheet music, drew wings to cut out and color with markers.

Then, glued down the wings to the pretty paper in the pendant, and glued the doll onto them.

I found a word I liked, Joyful, and slipped it underneath.

Have you ever watched Martha Stewart ice cookies? You do the glaze the same way she does her icing. You outline the area (make a "dam"), and "flood" the interior after. (The rim of the oval tray holds the flow of glaze in place. The Mod Podge brand is pretty fluid and almost requires a contained area, but the Paper Glaze is thicker and can be used on a flat surface with no rim)

If you end up with bubbles, pop them with a pin. If those bubbles roll away and won't pop, your pin isn't sharp enough. I like those tiny, thin, quilter's pins if I have trouble with a regular one. And wipe off the tip every single time. The glaze builds up on the end of the pin and it won't penetrate the bubble.

Then, set it aside to dry. Between the glue under your chosen 3D element and the hardened glaze around it, the piece is secure.

I've worn many necklaces with rhinestones, charms, etc. added to a pendant this way and all have held up well.

These fairies come with a ring at the top to hang them, and look nice this way too. If you decide to use them in a pendant instead of hanging off of one, you should snip that ring off. I use the Tim Holtz red handled magic scissors that cut through anything, but you could also use wire cutters.

Of course, the pendants look cute with simple paper collages in them also. (oops, missed some bubbles under the word there)

And they don't have to be used as jewelry. I glued one into my journal too. I'm picturing some Christmas tree ornies too. Hung from ribbons? Maybe with dangly crystals?

Please note that when adding metal pieces, like the rhinestones, a patina forms from the chemical reaction between the glaze and the metal. I like it it, myself.

ps- After looking at my photos and seeing how messy my nails look, I think my next project will probably involve this.