vintage paper/collage art – Page 20

Are you up for the challenge?

fairies, give away, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / March 5, 2011

What a wonderful day I have had. Its about 8pm, and I am still jammied up. I've spent the entire day in the studio elbow deep in my favorite things, and was too busy to even get dressed. (which also explains why these photos might be a little fuzzy, I just finished, and took the pictures in bad lighting. But I wanted this post to be up and ready for you to link to on Sunday)

My goal for the day was to delve into some of those supplies that I'd bought to use, but that were so wonderful as is, I'd just left sitting in my studio and never touched. Like these little figurines.

For years, and years, I've had this red velvet, vintage album cover, just waiting to be turned into something, and today I finally did.

And I didn't hold back. Every tiny bit that I used on it is something wonderful, French text, rose wallpaper, handfuls of millinery flowers, a rhinestone butterfly, and a GREAT, old, English cottage print.

It was the best time! I cut and glued and played all day, my husband is out of town and I am on my own. No meals to cook, no one to tend to, America's Next Top Model and some other deliciously awful trash TV recorded to watch. And the determination to use The Good Stuff. Yep, a great day!

Beth had given me a bagful of these butterflies last week, and one of those was just perfect to use for the fairy princess's wings. Its tempting to fill an apothecary jar with these and just admire them, but I made myself pop the head off of one and glue it to the figurine's back, (I do think that the antenneas and heads should be removed from a butterfly before adding it as fairy wings. You don't want it to just look like a complete butterfly on her back, you want it to look like the wings are actually hers.)

Earlier this week, I'd sewn up some ruffled strips of salvaged fabric, and while they were not "worth" a lot, I still include them in my besties. And they are something that normally I would have used sparingly, but today, I went whole hog and used THREE rows of ruffles on this can-can girl dress form that I made.

And not only did I use a nice old rhinestone button for the top of the mannequin, I also ringed it in rhinestones. I double foofed it, even though the button alone looked good, the extra sparkle really made the piece.

We all know its not the cost of the item that makes us want to hoard the best things, its much more than that. It can be the sheer beauty, the rarity, or a memory tied to it. We tend to get emotional about our best finds, don't we?

This piece of round, domed glass came out of a ratty frame, and was a dollar at a flea market. But I've left it on a shelf in my studio for what seems like forever, just because it looked nice with a collection of other clear glass items I had in the pile.

But I sure think it looks better over this bird picture than it did on a plate on my shelf!

It felt good to use it.

And I'll bet you can guess what the hoarded item in this piece was- yep, the ROSES. Oh my! Some of the prettiest I have ever had.

I also used TWO rows of old velvet ribbon, and a beautiful jet bead earring.

The back ground for these collages is something I just got, and I treated myself to a stack of them before listing some in the Boutique. Sometimes, I tend to sell the best things I find instead of keeping them for myself.

This one features a frame that I'd been holding back on using.

The frame is something that I've had for at least 10 years. Now what the heck was I thinking???? Why would I buy something like that and leave it in a cabinet? Sometimes things get set aside, just waiting for the right project that never comes along. And it will just sit neglected in a drawer or closet, out of sight, out of mind. Just because I thought it was too good to use when I first bought it.

Is it too late to make a New Year's resolution? If not, then, mine is to dig through my cabinets and rediscover hidden treasures. And USE THEM.

Like this key hole that I found in a drawer today.

Uhm, did I mention that I was productive today? And inspired!

If you've embraced the challenge and have been brave enough to dig into your Good Stuff too, I hope that you will add your link to this post so you can flaunt your efforts.

We all know that it isn't easy to use "the best" and if you've read any of the comments I've been getting on the subject, you'll know that many of us suffer from this. We buy amazing things to create with and then are loathe to do it. Our hands shake, and our forehead breaks out in sweat beads when we reach for that perfect, faded rose, or we try to cut into that length of hand made lace.

But sometimes, you gotta just go for it. A good piece of art deserves are best supplies in it. That note book I covered wouldn't be nearly the same in scrapbook paper, as it is in that beautiful, old, rosey wallpaper.

And I find there is a lot of joy in using the besties. I hope you've found that joy too!

So, here is what you do to join in our link party.

Show your challenge project on your blog (or flickr or facebook, or whatever you use)
Click on the title of your post, and copy that URL into Mr Linky, not the URL of your blog.
Add your link to the bottom of my post where it says, "Click here to enter"
Please add my blog address to your post so people can come and visit all the participant's blogs.
If you want a chance to win a "Good Stuff Prize Pack" from me or from Mrs. Staggs, please leave a comment on my blog for mine and visit her for her rules.
You can use this button if you'd like to

Are you gathering up the good stuff?

parties, show and tell, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 5, 2011

Are you ready to show off your creations? I'll have the link party ready Sunday morning and you can add your blog to it anytime through Monday evening.

Your project can be ANYTHING at all, where you have broken free of the instinct to hang on to your best supplies and actually used them.

Sewing, collage, a decorative item for your home. Anything at all that includes bits of your favorite things.

Please make sure you link to the POST that features the item, not just to your blog.

And please do mention the challenge and my blog address so that others can find the list of participants and visit us all.

Your post can be from the past, or a new one. If its an older post, please edit it to add the link back to the party.

As hard as it is to part with the besties, they sure elevate anything you make. I turned these little vintage postal bags into something I really love by adding my favorite things to them.

I'm hoping to make something special tonight just for the party too. There are some supplies I have been eyeing…. its time to delve in and enjoy them!

The postal bags, and some ephemera books (all dripping with the good stuff!) have been added to my Boutique.

And don't forget, you can win a bundle of my besties by leaving a comment.

Mrs. Staggs will be having a giveaway on her blog too. The challenge was her idea. Thanks, Lena!!

A new look for the Boutique!

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

By Karla Nathan / March 2, 2011

My Boutique is back in business!

My pal, Hope, has finished redesigning it and now it is arranged in a much easier way to navigate.

Here is a snippet of how she has redecorated my store for me. It goes along with my blog look better and has a lot of my favorite things on it. I scanned an old rhinestone necklace for her to use, along with the velvet flowers and old flocked wallpaper.

The roses are taken from a watercolor I painted (that is in my blog header), and then she digitally edited the painting to be sepia. Hope pulled all of my elements together in a functional way, and created a design I really like. Then she set up new buttons and categories for me.

So far, I've only got a few things listed, fairies, tag kits, and a couple of other goodies.

But my studio is overflowing with inventory to photograph and list, so the shop will fill up soon!

(vintage jars of buttons $12)

My plans to add more today got interrupted, but in a fun way. Well, fun for me, I get Sugarwings for the night! Not so fun for my son, he shattered a tooth and is in terrible pain, so he needs help with the kids. He has a dentist appointment Friday, which is a long time to wait when you feel that bad. Not fun one bit.

So I'll be picking up Sugarwings at preschool and we will have a sleepover. I bought ingredients to make strawberry jam and home made yogurt. So, we'll spend the evening in the kitchen. I've never made jam, but wanted a low sugar, organic fruit spread for her, and thought I'd give it a try.

I figure if you don't know how to make something, and its going to be a big, and messy affair anyway, you might as well involve a four year old and make it into an adventure.

(Shredded ephemera $5)

Another item coming to the shop soon, is a selection of wallpaper packs. I've been chopping and slicing and ironing up a storm getting them ready. As I cut it up, I have little edges and salvage left over and simply could NOT let it go to waste. So, I made up some bags of shredded paper, and have so much, I added it to the Boutique.

I had planned on just using it as packing material, but I think that there are arty possibilities too. Like nests? Filling decorated cones? Easter baskets?

(fairies $12 each)

If you get a chance, I'd love to hear what you think about the new look in the Boutique. I'm thrilled with Hope's vision of it, and think its much easier to use with this new lay out. Lots of new categories, and sub categories should make it easier to find what you are looking for.

The categories are now listed under the banner instead of down the side of the site. Its much more balanced and a cleaner look, I think.

And I hope that you are getting geared up to show what you've made with your good stuff? Links can begin Sunday morning and the post will be open to link up with through Monday.

Leave a comment on any post till then (as often as you'd like) to be entered to win my prize pack of good stuff!

Registration is open for Paper Cowgirls!

antiques/junking, bird song art event, how-to projects, magazine pictures or articles, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / February 23, 2011

Paper Cowgirls is open for registration!

I've already signed up to take a couple classes and am really looking forward to the event. Over the last couple years, I have heard so many good things about it and have wanted to get down to Texas to give it a try.

And I am thrilled to be one of the teachers this year. Well, that is IF ten people sign up for my class…. If ten don't sign up, it gets cancelled.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Personally, its a class that I would sign up for, if it wasn't my class, I mean. I really like the piece we'll be creating. I spend lots of time working on the prototypes and figuring out the steps on how to make these mini dress forms.

An idea can be the easy part. Making it work isn't always as easy! It took me a while to fine tune the process and get it down good enough to show others how to do it. I had a practice class with some friends before I submitted the project to Paper Cowgirls. And I'll do a couple more practice classes with two other groups of friends before I head to Texas to actually get paid for showing people how to make them.

As I've visited my favorite antique stores, I've been keeping my eye out for great pieces to add to my kits. Last week, I came across a few bags full of these insulators. Won't they make cool toppers for these dress forms?

Here's another pile of toppers I've assembled. My plan is to have a wide variety for the students to chose from, so that all the end products are unique.

When I go to a class, I always take my extras. And usually from the Bestie pile I've been talking about lately. Because I like my own piece of art to look like MY OWN piece of art, not just like the teacher's.

Oh, I get a lot from the classes and enjoy and use the kits. And I seem to learn a lot from everyone sitting at the table with me. But- I do like my creation to look like I was the one creating it, so I bring supplemental goodies to add to the kit the teacher provided.

So, for Paper Cowgirls, just like I am with Bird Song, I am giving the students the opportunity to make their own choices. There will be kits of course, and they will be filled with lots of vintagey goodness. And since most of the stuff is vintage, not all will be just the same in each kit.

For some of the supplies, I want to have piles on the tables for everyone to pick through.

I'd rather they didn't have to bring their own unique things unless they really want to. I'd like to provide enough to make sure that while we all follow the same steps and instructions, everyone has the chance to veer off the beaten path a bit and art the piece up in the way that calls out to them.

And with all my classes, the students will be Using the Good Stuff! Look at these great laces I bought yesterday from Beth. She gave me a deal so wonderful that I can afford to treat all the students to nice, old lace.

We spent the day together, she let me help her redo her antique mall booth, and I'll have some photos of that for the next post. And she bought me lunch, then hauled me to Costco so I could mooch off of her membership and buy plates/cups/etc for Bird Song and for another gathering I have coming up.

Over all, this has been a great week. Well besides the awful cold that settled into a sinus infection. But now, I have myself heavily medicated for that and the pounding in my sinuses is just about gone. I had Sugarwings a few nights, which makes any week wonderful. Even though, at my age with a sinus infection, chasing a 4 year old and getting up with her in the middle of the night isn't as easy to do as it used to be. Its worth it.

Besides lots of Fairy Grand Baby time, and getting to spend a day with Beth to play decorator in her booth, and signing up for classes at Paper Cowgirls, I also got this copy of Somerset Apprentice in the mail.

I've never been in it before, and honestly had never seen it, I wonder if it is new? But it is GOOD. I read the whole thing cover to cover while I was in the Dr.'s office waiting room and was impressed with the photos and the layout, not to mention the directions.

The whole magazine is step-by-step directions from many artists. It was well done, easy to read and follow. I got some good tips from it! And it made an unpleasant visit to the Dr. go much better.

Hey, thanks for all the comments and emails about Using the Good Stuff. I think the subject was close to the hoader's heart in all of us!

A few thoughts on Good Stuff

Books, give away, show and tell, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / February 21, 2011

In honor of our challenge coming up, I delved deeply into the Good Stuff yesterday. I had a stack of chipboard rectangles covered in fantastic old wallpaper, that had been on the shelf above my desk for about a year, and I'd never used them.

Now, I have tons of wallpaper, and plenty to chose from. In my mind its all great stuff. But weirdly, there was something just a little special about these covered boards, all set and ready to go that held me up. I kept thinking that they were too "nice" to just use for nothing special.

So, I decided that if they were all that nice, it just meant that they deserved to have other great supplies added to them! Each little book that I made was done with only the best stuff in my stash.

There are different ways to attack the Good Stuff pile of accumulated supplies you are afraid to touch.

You can ease into it, just using one nice thing to elevate your creation. Or you could sprinkle them throughout, for a nice mix. (my typical plan) Or you can just go for it and use all Good Stuff. I chose the latter when I made these and went whole hog.

Every bit that went into these journals was from my Besties pile.

Including inside the books. Why have a boxful of French post cards if I am just saving them? I never see them inside the box on the shelf (although it does feel really good to know that they are there, near by and sooooo pretty).

But you know what? It feels just as good to know that there is a beautiful French postcard inside this ephemera book!

Once you get going, its a very liberating feeling.

Of course, there are limits, and you don't want to waste your best things on projects that aren't good enough. Well, maybe that isn't how I meant to say it. I believe that everything I make needs to be good enough, everything should be done to my best abilities. When I make something I picture someone picking it up, looking at the details, turning it over.

I want it to be well constructed and properly finished as well as pretty.

But- I also figure price. Would I make a tag with a $5 piece of jewelry on it? No, but I'd make a tag with the best supplies I could afford to put into it and still make it at a reasonable cost.

Also, knowing what the piece is going to be used for plays into the supply decision. A special gift deserves an upgrade, right? But the label or tag on the gift itself should be looked at as possibly thrown away later on by the recipient.

Another thought, for artists who sell their work, is "Can anyone afford to buy this piece???"

Its tempting to layer on the Besties, but there comes a point when the cost factor comes into play. Luckily, I find good bargains on my pretties, and also the things that I often consider my best stuff aren't exactly high priced items.

Its not always the price that makes something wonderful, of course. Like the ruffle on this tag. I trimmed the fabric off a very old pair of curtains that were falling apart. The curtains weren't worth a fortune, that isn't what makes it special to me. Its the perfectly faded old pink color, and the softness of the old fabric. And the fact that I can't just run to Hobby Lobby to buy more if I run out.

Sometimes it seems like we artists tend to work for the cost of materials. Our time isn't always covered in the price of what we sell. But when the creations are from the heart, it just feels so good to have someone care enough to buy them, that we just keep on cranking the stuff out.

Beth and I like to quote Jenny Doh's speech from Kim's mermaid event last summer, when she spoke of why we make art.

"It's the process"

She meant that as artists, it's often not what we get out of selling the piece we've created, it's just the process itself of making it that counts. So, why not treat ourselves to making our art with the best possible stuff we can?

I take a lot of joy in using beautiful and special materials. It elevates not only my artwork, but the process itself. It makes me happy to play with pretties. What a great job I have!

I may never be rich, but I sure do like what I do for a living!!!

If you'd like a chance to win a packet of my Good Stuff supplies, please leave a comment on any post (or all of them for more chances) between now and our challenge link party on March 6-7.

And if you'd like to do a little show and tell of creations you've made using your Besties, please come to our link party on Sunday March 6 and Monday March 7.

That gives you two weeks to get up the nerve to dig in to the Good Stuff. Believe me, you'll be glad you did!

A giveaway, a challenge, and “the good stuff”

sewing?, show and tell, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / February 19, 2011

There were a few plain bags left over after Beth and I made up all of the goodie bags for Bird Song. So, I foofed them up with trims and flowers and pretties that I had stashed in the studio, to use for another event I have coming up soon. This rose image is printed on canvas and it is one of those things that has been waiting for the right project.

Now, I'm a BIG believer in "using the good stuff" as I've mentioned before. But also, I believe in not wasting it and using it willy nilly either!

I hang on to things till the right project comes along. Its not hoarding, no way. Its establishing a catelog of supplies so I'll have what I need when I need it.

There is a fine line between accumulating too much and having plenty to chose from when you are ready to work on something, though. I don't think I can define that line…

But when my pal, Kim, asked me to be a sponsor for her Moulin Rouge event in March (which I can't wait to go to!)- I was at a loss for a moment when she said she needed SEVENTY items for the goodie bags.

That sounded like a lot. But once I glanced around the studio, I quickly came up with plenty of pretties that I had plenty of. What I settled on, was a few tidbits in a glam color palette tucked into little pouches that I made with metallic flocked wallpaper.

While I was at it, I made an extra one up too, and over stuffed it with some fun "good stuff". I realized that I had missed out on my 4 year blog-o-versary and needed a gift to draw a name for.

Then, my blog friend, Mrs. Staggs, commented on my previous statement about always using the "good stuff". She said that like many artists, she struggles to actually use her best supplies.

We decided that what we need is a challenge! Want to join us? Everyone should delve into their best supplies and cut, chop, glue, and enjoy them, then show us what you've created.

I'll host a Linky party so you can share your post about your best supplies.

How about in two weeks? That should give us time to make something good. Of course, a week of that might be spent staring at that great paper and getting up the courage to cut into it….

I'll draw a name for my package of good stuff that day.(Leave a comment on any post between now and then, as often as you'd like, to enter)

You can use this button on your blog so that everyone knows you'll be participating.

Make anything you'd like. Just use some of your treasures to make it!

ADHD time in the studio

bird song art event, show and tell, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / February 11, 2011

While I had the sewing machine set up to work on goodie bags for Bird Song, I decided to work on a few other little sewing projects. I wanted to make some crepe paper ruffles to have setting out as extra supplies for anyone who wants to use it on their project for my class that weekend.

And guess what? I need some of the ruffles to add to the kits that I am making up for these classes too! I get to teach at Paper Cowgirls!!!!!! Yee Haw! I'm a cowgal!

The classes are June 9th- 11th someplace in Texas. I guess I should be figuring out where.

I'll be teaching these miniature dress forms. I'm busily finding cool stuff to put in the kits for those too. Lots of old papers, millinery, and lace. Each kit will be just a bit different, when you are providing vintage materials, its different than going to the store or ordering a bunch of something online.

There are still a few spots open for Bird Song, if I don't see you there, maybe I will at Paper Cowgirls? Or at Jenn's event in Ashville?Sign ups haven't started yet for Paper Cowgirls or Once Upon a Dream, I'll let you know when they open for registration.

We still have a few spots left for Bird Song. Debbie and Carol have about a billion readers each, so when they mention it on their blogs, those spots will be gone fast. If you want to come, you should sneak in now before the big guns announce it!

PS- Carol has a new site too, have you seen it yet?

Ever notice how one project leads to another? After sewing up the crepe paper ruffles, I decided that the edges of the paper needed to be coffee dyed. So, I dipped it and then thought, why waste the rest of the coffee? Next thing I know, I'm scrounging for ribbons and trims to add to the coffee.

Then, I printed off some old French images that I'd scanned. I had a few extra bags un-embellished from my craft day with Beth and New Karla on Tuesday, so I thought that I would foof them up while the sewing machine was still out.

After printing the images onto the fabric, I dipped it in the coffee too.

I ended up making 10 more bags for another little party that I am having at my house, not the Bird Song event.

Some of the images I used on these bags were from Romantic Gothic Ghosts and Romantic White Christmas workshops that I did with Beth. So much of the ephemera that we scanned for those classes is good for more than just holiday decor.

For these bags, I used the fabric printed images as pockets, then glued on some embellishments and doo dads.

Its been a bit schizophrenic around the studio the last couple of days. Like I said, one thing leads to another and then all of a sudden, I've got a half dozen different things in the works. Like, when I was trimming up wallpaper to scan to print onto the fabric, I thought- why waste the salvage from it???

So, I got out the paper shredder and next thing I know, I"m shredding up all sorts of pieces too little to be good for much else. (they were still laying around from when I made up the kits for Bird Song). So, now, I have packing materials for shipping when I reopen the Boutique.

( I should be working on getting some inventory built up for my grand reopening, huh? Seems more important to have something to sell than shreds of paper to wrap stuff up in, at least it would be if I wasn't a schizo crafter this week! )

Did I mention that I am also writing 3 articles by the 18th, making 70 gifts for Moulin Rouge, and baby sitting my fairy grandbaby all weekend? No wonder you are NOT seeing any pretty Valentines on my posts.

Thanks to these kind friends who offered to be sponsors for Bird Song and help fill the goodie bags! Later on, I'll do a post with photos of what they send in, along with the rest of the goodies from the other sponsors. Its going to be one tasty, stuffed goodie bag, that is for sure!!

Queen for a Day

bird song art event, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / February 9, 2011

Yesterday, I had a studio full of helpers! Beth brought Button with her to work on the gift bags she designed for Bird Song.

But not only did she print out all the bird images on vintage fabric, she brought her friend, Karla, (who I call New Karla, although she and Beth have been buddies since they were just little kids) and the two of them helped me with my taxes.

Both are accountants and claimed that it was fun to sort through my Pay Pal info.

Fun?

It didn't sound like fun to me. It was wonderful to have someone get all the stuff ready for me to pack it up to take to my own accountant. I'd have worked on it for a week, but Karla did it in an hour or so.

But not only that, they brought lunch too.

And Beth brought me new velvet slippers. With an N brooch on them for "nest" or "Nathan", as well as a book of alphabet fonts for me to scan and print for the NEST banners we are making in Bird Song.

But wait- there's more! Not only did they do my accounting, feed me, bring me gifts and sew bags, they helped me push my son's car when it got stuck in the ice. And did I mention that it was a below zero day?

For once I didn't care how cold it was, it was a GREAT day! Aren't friends the best?? I felt pampered all day long. Especially since I was wearing new velvet slippers in a royal plum color- my feet even felt pampered.

Here is the bag that Beth made as a prototype. She hand stitched hers, but we used the sewing machine to make the 20 some gift bags.

The images she printed on to old fabric were from Dawn, the Graphics Fairy, Mary, and collages that Beth had done herself.

She used old linen from an estate sale, that she stuck to full sized Avery Labels, to run through the printer.

The bags are some that my friend, Andrea has used in the past and recommended on her blog. I Lightly dyed them in a small amount tan Rit dye, then soaked them all day in coffee. When they were dry, I threw them in the dryer to heat set. I like the crumply, aged look it made. And they are so nice and soft, too.

Beth had offered to make ribbon rosettes for each bag, like the one she did on her sample, but I just couldn't let her do it. She'd already done so much work on these.

I started to embellish bags myself with some different things. Old lace, brown velvet ribbon, millinery, jewelry.

Goodies are already starting to pile up to go into the bags for the students! I've got a few sponsors and am making some things myself.

So far, the sponsors are:

Beth

Dawn

Kay Ellen and her mom

Hope

Lonnie

Lisa

And if you'd like to be a sponsor, I'd love to have you! We would need either 25 items to fill gift bags, or a single gift as a raffle prize. Please contact me if you'd like to sponsor. I'll be doing a post showing all the gifts and linking back to the giver's blogs closer to the event.

Or if you'd like to come to the event itself, there are still spaces. Its the last day of April, first day of May and will be here in my studio. Two days of classes with Lisa, Carol, Debbie, and myself for $250 (includes meals)

I filled a bag with old millinery in colors Beth liked as a thank you, but I think I need to take those two helpers out to lunch, don't you? Not only did they do a ton of things for me, they just plain old made my day by being so nice.

There is no better way to beat the winter blahs than to be treated so royally by friends!

Speaking of treats, I need to announce the winners of the rhinestone bracelets that I'm giving away.

Natalie

Charlene

Cindy (who gave Sugarwings the cute dress she was wearing in the snow fort photos)

Rita Zink

Joanne

Almost ready for sign up!

bird song art event, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2011

This picture does NOT express how I am feeling right now. Between the cabin fever from this major snow and ice storm, and coming down with a bug that kept me in bed for two days straight, I'm not exactly feeling a pirouette coming on. (well maybe in my tummy)

But I can tell that I am feeling better, I was itching to get up out of bed and visit the studio, even if I didn't feel like doing much but poking around out here. It was still good to get out of the house.

Before the snow and the crud both hit, I snuck out for a mini junking day, and headed to Four Corners and Scranton, KS. Little towns in the middle of nowhere, that have a couple of antique shops that usually have good finds for me. Hat boxes always attract my eyes, I'm constantly hunting them down to pick up and shake to see if loot is waiting inside.

And if I see a particularly pretty one, I buy it for studio storage. This cool Marie Antoinette style one wasn't full of goodies, but I did find a small grass cloth one that was. Plus a few other tid bits. I can't turn down old books with attractive fonts for a dollar a piece, even though I have more ephemera than I'll ever use.

You just never know just how much is enough, though… I seriously try to use what I buy, not hoard it.

I made use of one of the books already. The whole entire thing got torn up and put into the kits I made up for Bird Song, my art event coming up this spring.

Two hats full of white flowers went into the kits too. I'm still so impressed with myself and a tad bit shocked to realize that all my kits are done and ready for April! Its probably because I am soooooo excited about hosting the classes here at the cottage. I'm just too filled with anticipation to wait till later to get things ready.

I'm actually hosting classes here!! Yipppeee! An art event of my own??? With teachers I admire and look up to?

pinch me

You've heard me run on and on and on about the classes I have gone to that were hosted by Jenn and Kim, plus I Silverbella's biggest cheerleader, I LOVE going there. Now, I am in a completely different category than what those ladies are doing, my mini event will be much different. A smaller scale, more laid back, and casual.

What I love about these art weekends, is the atmosphere of having so many creative people together at once. I love seeing what everyone makes, getting ideas from their take on a project, learning and sharing. Its always artfully invigorating.

And I just love to throw parties, if you've read my blog a coupel times, you might have noticed.

So, to combine guests, with a studio play date with blog friends??? Too cool.

Of course, once the site is open for sales (on Monday) I'll be freaking out that no one will come to Kansas to see me…. Be prepared for a case of the nerves to hit me. I'll thank you ahead of time for listening to me nerves. Its always good to have friends to share worries with.

I'm hoping 20 of you will sign up to come and play with me and Debbie, Carol, and Lisa the last Saturday of April, and May Day Sunday. Of course, its Februrary now, and I didn't leave you much time to sign up. Between the holidays, vacations, flu, family tragedy, and teacher changes, it has not been a quick process to set this up to sell.

Accomplishments

paintings, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / January 30, 2011

This was a nesting weekend for me. My husband is out of town, Sugarwings is with parents, nothing was on TV that I wanted to see, and I had nothing but studio time! (but I have to confess I couldn't go the whole weekend without snuggles, I had to sneek over to my son's house to hold the baby Sis-star for a while)

So, I made up two more banners for my Bird Song event this spring.

My plan for the class is to provide a packet of supplies, and patterns and ideas. Plus instructions for the different ideas, of course.

I want everyone to have choices for their project. I'll have lots of examples made up and plenty of pretty papers to work with.

It will be such fun to see what everyone comes up with. One of my favorite things to do when I attend a class is to walk around the room and see all the ways one single project can turn out.

With this one, the variations will be countless! I can't wait to see what our 20 students make.

Thanks for your patience in waiting for me to get the ball rolling on this class. Sign ups are SOON.

Thanks also for your kind words about my worries for Sugarwings. I appreciate all the private emails and messages about your own kids. We always hurt more for our little ones than for ourselves, don't we?

After making up all the banner bits, I got busy typing up instructions and drawing the patterns. I hope I don't get a stiff neck from patting myself on the back too much, but I just have to brag about how early I am getting this done.

I've got all the stacks of vintage paper, wallpaper, tags, chip board, millinery flowers, turquoise bird egg beads, moss, and tons of other goodies laid out on my table ready to make up the kits.

MONTHS ahead of time!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, there is lots of back patting going on around here.

Not only that, but I did a quickie, little painting for the Moulin Rouge event I am attending in March too. Here is a corner of it.

I'm so proud of myself that I am taking the night off now, to go sit in front of the TV with a good movie and a plate of rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. There is nothing like vegging out in front of the TV with food I didn't have to cook, after a couple of days of hard work.