vintage paper/collage art

In case you are running low on fairies, I know where you can find some. And here is some info on upcoming classes

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

By Karla Nathan / January 12, 2020

There are plans in the works to do more tutorials, foof up and add to existing ones, and get my Boutique filled to the brim once again.

But I can't quite get to it yet.

For now, there are more fairies and books in the Boutique.

Because I simply could not help myself, I love making them too much.

But before I go restocking even more, I have a list a mile long of things to do, plus we are filling up our camper with three of the dogs, the two of us and heading to Florida for a 3 week trip.

The Boutique will be closed while I am away, but when I get back? I will be restocking and let you know when it is filled up.

A couple of things on my to do list before heading south, are: making kits for Karen Hillan's get together in Deland, "Listen to Your Heart". Spaces are still available for that party.

I also need to get samples ready for a class at the Guncles in April.

He has a few spots left. And there are also a couple of seats available for Karen's other gathering in Texas, "Beauty in Blue."

I am excited to have three upcoming teaching gigs coming up, and with some of my favorite people!

And I would love to see you at them too.

Here is how to find out more about all three:

Randy's "I Lourve Jacksonville"- https://www.facebook.com/randyspups Contact Randy for info, you can reach him here.

"Listen to Your Heart" in Deland, FL just in time for Valentine's Day– https://www.facebook.com/events/509270499709448/

"Beauty in Blue" celebrating the Texas bluebells– https://www.facebook.com/groups/2445165192414985/

And here is where you can find some fairies- http://www.karlascottage.com/category_15/All-items.htm

Valentine Fairies and more

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

By Karla Nathan / January 6, 2020

Thank you so much to everyone who purchased fairies from me for their Christmas tree!

I loved making each and every one.

But just because Christmas season has passed, that doesn't have to mean that fairy season is over.

These sprites are lovely for Valentines Day too.

Especially this gal.

She wants to be your Galentine.

I have given many of them hand drawn roses or hearts on their clothes.

While they look extra cute in pink for the holiday, they aren't necessarily just for Valentines.

Although they would make nice gifts for someone you love.

And the fairies, with or without a book are sweet as candy year round.

I love any excuse to make one.

There are more to come too. I have more to get pics of.

It is much more fun to make them than it is to photograph them, edit the pictures and list them in the Boutique.

I adore making books, and making fairies, so I figured I would combine my loves and put them together. Maybe I will make some sweet banners also since I love those too…

The books are 100% handmade, cover to cover. I used acrylic pour paint canvases, cut up to cover chipboard to hand craft them. Cut and tied the pages in, lined the covers with vintage wallpaper, created ties to hold the books closed, then decorated them.

If you would like one, you can find them here in my Boutique.

Actual grand fairies

Dew Drop, fairies, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 22, 2019

Making Sugarplum fairies has kept me so busy that I am just now wrapping gifts, today.

My husband is in Chicago at a Chiefs game, Ryan is at work, Sugarwings with her mom, and Dewdrop won’t be arriving with her daddy til tomorrow.

That means I have an empty dining room to spread out gifts and get them packaged up. I just finished my shopping yesterday, on a fun day out with some of the family, letting them choose their own pressies instead of trying to surprise them.

As much as I love surprises, sometimes you just gotta let them do the picking. And even though I’d heard that yesterday was the busiest shopping day of the year, I still preferred strolling through stores with people I love and going out to lunch over ordering from Amazon at home.

It felt more like Christmas that way. Oh, I used Amazon for quite a bit, but a shopping date was like the icing on the Christmas cookie to top off my holiday festivities.

I also made some gifts, like this Sully Sugarplum Fairy for a great niece. It is as pink, glittery, and gaudy as possible for a very sweet lil princess.

I used another photo of her on a card.

This banner is for The Guncles’ nature tree. They can take them apart to use as ornies or hang as is.

I used the painted brown paper table covers from a Snowbird’s Song as a background. I also made use of it as wrapping paper this year.

Speaking of wrapping paper, I’d better get to work. I am sitting at the table having my morning coffee, surrounded by stacks of gifties and rolls of paper.

The last Sugarplum fairies of the decade, a look back at the year, and a giveaway

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

By Karla Nathan / December 18, 2019

Oh my, that is true, we are not just near the end of the year, it is the end of a decade!

My year is ending with a blast, I have loved hunkering down in the studio and making Sugarplum Fairy after fairy after fairy.

And I am thankful for all of the people who bought them for me so that I could indulge in my love of crafting these gals.

It has been a mixed year for me. Lots of wonderful moments and people, lots of injury and heartache and worry.

It is odd that a year can be soooo good, but yet so bad at the same time.

Teaching at Karen's Cozy Castle, and at Jenn Hayslip's retreat, seeing family members from far away, and having a studio full of Peeps come to see me a couple of times this year made up for a lot of the problems I have had.

It is hard to be too down about a minor skull fracture, multiple concussions, and other aches and pains when I have so many positives in my life too.

The break up of my son's family and the draining work of getting their house on the market was heart wrenching. But having little Dewdrop come back for Christmas eases that pain. And while my son and his littlest girl now live across the country, I am adjusting. And still have the other 3 grand fairies with me. We are trying to get back to family dinners with the group, and while it is a change to not have two of our people, there is still a lot of love on those nights.

And seriously, how lucky and blessed were we to have an uptick in the local real estate market just as we finished the remodelling of the house we had bought for my son's family and to get out from under that mortgage in less than a week? We worked our asses off to make it happen for weeks, but yes, it did work out.

We could have been stuck with an empty house to take care of and keep up all winter.

My husband's early retirement also threw me for a loop. But we are adjusting and he is the happiest he has ever been in his life.

Life is all about changes and how you deal with them. Honestly, I did NOT deal well with having to do so much to that house to get it sold, and with the family splitting up.

Did I mention that my husband unexpectedly retired that week and that I also had my hormones cut in half at the same time? But I got through it, and did what was needed to make things work.

(I have since found out that my rotator cuff was torn and my bicep tendon was ruptured at the time, so that makes me feel better now about being so whiny while painting ceilings then! I am now in PT for those injuries.)

I have had beautiful trips with people I love (even though I came home with a concussion twice).

I have had dozens of fun and caring Peeps here at the cottage.

I have had a nest full of puppies to cheer me up with snuggles at the end of a long day of repainting a house we were afraid we were stuck with, but were not.

I had the joy of running through the waves with Sugarwings, splashing through Disney in the rain and laughing with all four girls, making seashell fairies on 4 beaches to leave as thank yous for the beauty of the trip.

I have had people let me down, but others show so much caring that I could get past the hurt of the let downs.

And I have had the joy of making all of these Sugarplum fairies. What a happy way to end the year. I was so thrilled to see that they sold so quickly, and while this is kind of late to be adding more to the Boutique, I had a lot of happiness go into making each and every one whether they sell or not.

2019 has been eventful.

These fairies might seem like a silly little thing to be so emotional about, but a lot of healing went into the creation of them.

I would like to share the cheer. Please leave a comment if you want to be entered to win a fairy of your own.

(You can also enter on FB and IG)

A tree filled with Sugarplum fairies

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

By Karla Nathan / December 4, 2019

I have been having waaayyyy too much fun!

These are addictive, I order making them.

There are so many ways to create them, and I find it hard to stop.

If you would like one, they are available in the Boutique.

Aren't they sweet?

They range in price from $9- $16 depending on size, materials. and time put into them.

They are all done from prints of vintage photos, hand tinted and embellished with as many foofy, vintagey goodies I could put on them.

They have been a delight to work on, even though the heat has been out in the studio. I've had a space heater blasting on my toes, but these sweeties have taken my mind off of the cold room.

I find them "heart warming".

New in the Boutique, Christmas pretties!!

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

By Karla Nathan / November 29, 2019

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving? Mine was quiet, but that was nice, I had time to create, photograph a variety of Christmassy goodies, and get things listed in the Boutique!

(I do have kits from the birdcage angel available. Please contact me if interested, they are not in the Boutique yet)

I am pretty proud of myself, even though I am bordering on being too late for holiday sales.

Most of the creations are examples for A Snowbird Song.

Class samples, as well as ideas for using the supply table to make things during free time.

I also made some collages and ornies using the images from the collage sheets for the classes.

Those images were so lovely, I was happy to have a few pages of them to work with.

Not everything is adorned with a hand made Sugarplum Fairy or an angel, tho.

There are a few other ornies too.

And yet to come? Sugarplum Fairy Banners, always a favorite of mine.

There is more to list, and I hope to get to it soon. I've had a ton of fun making things. You can find these festive, holiday creations here:

CHRISTMAS IN THE BOUTIQUE

Beauty in Blue

antiques/junking, bird song art event, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 1, 2019

It is exciting to announce that I will be teaching at Karen Hillman’s Beauty in Blue event at Stacy Seely’s ranch in Texas!

Crafting these birdcage angels for the holiday themed Snowbird’s Song has been so much fun, that I thought I’d use the idea to make a springtime, fairy version in shades of blue for Karen’s gathering.

She is now “Blue Bonnet Belle”.

A few years ago, my Sissy, Randy, and I were lucky enough to be invited to an event at Stacy’s with Karen. Oh my, what a lovely spot! And amazing food! It is a big slumber party, with gourmet food and lots of special attention, plus shopping at the Canton Flea AND crafting?

Yee haw, what a shindig! (Hopefully that sounded Texan?)

If you would like to join us in April, here is Karen’s info about the party. See you there?

ABOUT THIS all inclusive Art Retreat gathering FOR creative women

Karen Hillman of Cozy Castle Events invites you to join her, deep in the heart of Texas for this all-inclusive, creative, and inspiring weekend. This will be the third “Beauty in Blue” retreat presented by Karen at Whitworth Ranch Retreat. It is a celebration of Spring themed in shades of blue, inspired by the Texas state flower, the Bluebonnet. Karen strives to make each class or event a beautiful, detailed, and unforgettable experience.

Our home for the weekend is The Whitworth Ranch Retreat, a full service shabby chic art retreat located about 45 minutes outside of Dallas. (book your air travel into Dallas Fort Worth Airport). Stacy Seely is our chef and hostess at this wonderful retreat, which is a working Texas cattle ranch! Visit Whitworth Ranch Retreat to learn more about this exclusive retreat.

This event includes your accommodations, ten meals, three gorgeous art projects, Champagne party and personal portrait in the bluebonnets, Canton Flea market and Mineola shopping adventures, and more.

This is a weekend escape for creative-minded women who enjoy and thrive being in a group setting. The only rules are to leave the real world behind you and relax, escape, and create in this positive and upbeat atmosphere. The meals have been chosen according to the theme of this weekend, and we will have salad options available, but food selections have been pre planned therefore we can not accommodate dietary restrictions.

Registration Information

This is an all-inclusive event, and the cost covers your accommodations, meals, and instructed art projects.

The total cost is $775; at least half must be paid to reserve your spot with the remaining balance due by March 1st, 2020. PLEASE NOTE: A deposit secures your spot for this event and is NON-REFUNDABLE. Should you need to cancel, an effort will be made to find a replacement to fill your spot, but we cannot guarantee this. Once you are registered, you will receive paperwork to complete and return to Karen by email.

Click here to register on-line!

If you wish to pay by check, make checks payable to Karen Hillman Designs and mail to:
233 West Rich Avenue
DeLand, FL 32720

Beauty In Blue Art Retreat
Scurry, Texas (near Dallas)
April 1-5th 2020
$775—all Inclusive!

Look what we’ve got planned! Attendees will
receive a detailed itinerary and supply list
once registered.

Wednesday, April 1st Arrival 4 PM
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Hand Coloring Portrait Demonstration
with Karen Hillman

Thursday, April 2nd
Continental Breakfast
Canton Flea Market Shopping Adventure
Dinner
Chambray Shirt Design Class with Karen Hillman

Friday, April 3rd
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the retreat
Happy Hour Champagne Party in the
bluebonnet field and portraits
with Jennifer Hayslip
Completion of Chambray Shirt
“All that Glitters” embellished picture frame
with Karen Hillman

Saturday, April 4th
Breakfast
Town of Minneola shopping day
Lunch at Southern Fried Restaurant
Dinner
“Blue Bonnet Belle “Class with Karla Nathan

Sunday, April 5th
Farewell Breakfast

Three published artists will lead you in creating special keepsake projects

Karen Paige Hillman will give a demonstration of the timeless art of hand-colored black and white portraits. Also, bring along a blue chambray shirt, and Karen will help you design and embellish it into a whole new creation using lace, trims, and unique textiles. Each attendee will also create an “All That Glitters” 5×7 picture frame using rhinestone findings, vintage bling, and Swarovski crystals. Learn more about Karen’s art, classes, and events on her website, thecozycastle.com

Published photographer and artist Jennifer Hayslip will work her portrait magic among the Texas Bluebonnets! Bring along a special outfit for your personal photo. Check out Jennifer’s fanciful website, jenniferhayslip.com

And the amazing Karla Nathan of Karla’s Cottage will help you bring to life your own beautiful Bluebonnet Belle in shades of blue and white! View Karla’s incredible studio and art on her website, karlascottage.typepad.com

Squeezing in a bit more Christmas in July

bird song art event, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / July 31, 2019

My dear Peep, Tamil, often hosts a girlfriends' craft day, and provides an interesting project for us all to do. I recently attended one of her fun days, but didn't have a chance to make the theme for the day, a Mermaid Bottle.

Which was pretty cool. All of her ideas are.

Instead, I needed to concentrate on A Snowbird's Song, and I finished the cards for the swap I joined.

These ladies are all a part of the collage sheet I will be giving to the ladies as one of my kits. They will only need one photo for the project, but will have a pageful to use as they wish on other pieces.

And this one is made from trees cut from old gift wrap and layered over snowy hills of vintage paper on top of glittered card stock.

This girl (also on the collage sheet) was the last one I made. I didn't pack well for the craft day at Tami's house, and ran out of lace and dyed coffee filters, so had to chop up and fit bits and pieces together to make her skirt.

Which I think was a happy thing, this is my favorite one! Sometimes, making do, means being extra creative, huh?

Thanks for the (as always) GREAT day, Tami!

Christmas in July?

bird song art event, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper

By Karla Nathan / July 28, 2019

Things are moving along with preparations for A Snowbird’s Song in November. I am working on kits (two are complete!), swap hostesses have come up with delectable ideas for exchanging lovelies, and menus are swirling about in my head.

Mostly of cookies and treats.

Probably because my head is often filled up with daydreams about cookies and treats.

I am so pumped for the party that I just had to get in on a swap. Terry, my dear sis, is hosting a card one, and I was happy to hear it because that is right up my alley. I propped myself down at my work table and whipped up a few while I was feeling the Christmas spirit.

(in this pic, one of the stars had slipped off because the glue was still wet, it has since been returned to her waist band)

This one featured the front of a vintage card with a circle opening, so I glued it to another card and cut a coordinating circle from that.

I lined that with printed vellum and put a colorful bird image behind the transparent vellum.

Backing the vellum, is a Christmas card envelope from the 50’s that I glued to the inside of the card. I saved the stamp from it and added that, along with a little girl, velvet ribbon, and a flower to the front.

Another sparkly, gold card was used for this as a backdrop, then was layered with neutral wallpaper (old), and a Victorian post card. I trimmed the postcard around the roses and glued it down to form a pocket.

The girl was glued down behind the roses with her arm outside the roses and she is holding a bouquet.

A note from a vintage card was cut out and slipped into the pocket.

Often I work with whatever was last left on my desk. All of the stars and sequins on some of these cards were from kit building. So are the pink ruffles on the first card, making the sugarplum fairy’s skirt, and on the edges of this vintage wallpaper.

The girl’s Santa hat is the same (it might need more fluff), all are trimmings from the hand dyed coffee filters I was using for some other kits.

We don’t have the number of cards needed until the swap is full, but I wanted to get a head start and figured that if I made too many, they wouldn’t go to waste.

Transforming an egg carton

holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / April 8, 2019

If you hadn't seen the title, would you know this was an egg carton? It is a six pack size, and I packed on the foof, layer after layer after layer to camouflage it and try change its look for a swap at Once Upon an Easter.

(I'm am away in GA right now, and by this date, the swap should be passed, and I will be the delighted, new owner of my very owned decked out egg carton made by my partner- photos to come when I return)

It looked more like an egg carton once it was wrapped up to pack. (I sure hope it makes the trip safely!)

And from the inside, you can definitely tell what it is. I added a hand painted egg, just in case…

I also filled it with Georgia peaches (pulled off one my vintage hats), some flowers, pictures cut from old Easter postcards, and a few other tidbits.

Our swappers are secret, all I knew was that my partner likes pink and neutral. I hope I didn't go over the top pink for her, it is much more colorful than neutral.

It is always a challenge to do a swap, and hope that your piece is what the other person will like. And to redo an egg carton into a treasure box? That was a stretch for me. I look forward to seeing the other creations, because I had to struggle with mine and I'd like to see how others have pulled off the transformation.

Thank you for hosting, Betti! This one had me thinking, and I enjoyed doing it.

ABOUT THIS all inclusive Art Retreat gathering FOR creative women

Registration Information

Beauty In Blue Art RetreatScurry, Texas (near Dallas)April 1-5th 2020$775—all Inclusive!

Three published artists will lead you in creating special keepsake projects

Beauty In Blue Art Retreat
Scurry, Texas (near Dallas)
April 1-5th 2020
$775—all Inclusive!