Workshops

My watercolor bluebird class for our workshop

bird song art event, cottage, paintings, Workshops

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Having never taught watercolors before and being extremely overworked, overwrought, and tired, recently- I was worried about this bluebird class.

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But I shouldn't have been! The attendees did a wonderful job. I was so proud of them and very impressed.  They each got a hand drawn page to paint after we used a big, blank page to get some practice done on.

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Everyone's turned out just lovely.  And after painting them, they popped the pictures into mini frames to embellish with a rhinestone cluster.

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Nora even "branched out" and painted this sweet bluebird.

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Honestly, it was one of my favorite classes.  I had a wonderful time showing some painting tricks to friends.  And it made me wish I had more time to paint.  It was a lot of fun.

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I'll leave you with some photos of the studio, all spiffed up and ready for company.

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By the way, if you would like to see puppy pictures, please check them out here:  https://karlascottage.typepad.com/cottage_doodles/

 

Treats from Karen- Carmel Apple Cake Pops

Food and Drink, friends, Workshops

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My pal, Karen, has a way with entertaining. And she is so good about sharing tips and tricks.  For our workshop, she gave us all a lesson in making caramel apple cake pops.  

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It was hands on, with everyone helping.

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Including on a lesson in making leaves from green candy melts and a toothpick.

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The cake mix was baked with apple cider.  The rest of the cider was used to make a special "Welcome Autumn" beverage for lunch, Caramel Apple Sangria. Oh my!

Chopped up honeycrisp apples floated in cider with white wine, spiked with caramel vodka.  I was wishing that I wasn't such a wimpy drinker, it was so tasty, I wanted a mugful instead of a sip. But I can't focus on doing anything but giggle if I have a mid day drink. And there was a watercolor class to teach, sooooo, I woefully had to stop myself from having more than a taste.

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Karen wrote up the recipe for everyone to take home.

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If you ever get a chance to attend one of her workshops at the Cozy Castle, you really should.  Plus, it is in Florida, and that is a great place to visit.  (Did I mention it wasn't too far from the world's best place to visit, or should I say the happiest? DISNEYWORLD!)

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I sat our luncheon table with a fall theme, and cooked a wild turkey breast that Karen shot herself.

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It was good to have an excuse to get out a smidgeon of autumn decor.  I had told  myself that I wasn't going to do much fall decorating, since I am working on fixing up another house to get on the market, then going straight into Christmas decorating on November 1st for A Snowbirds' Song. 

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No time for Halloween, no matter how much I enjoy it.  So, a few mini, white pumpkins on the table will have to surfice.

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Our little workshop sure got me in the mood for fall and cheered me up.  What a beautiful day! Huge thank yous to everyone who came and for Karen's delightfulness. She and I hope to work together in the future too, I have been invited to teach at her "Beauty in Blue" during Blue Bonnet season in Texas.  Maybe we will see you there?

ps- pups for sale!!  https://karlascottage.typepad.com/cottage_doodles/

Karen’s Classes at the Cottage

bird song art event, dogs, Goldendoodle Puppies, We're having a party, Workshops

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After our trip up north to the fleas and the deer hunters' camp, we had a workshop at the cottage. Karen taught a class to craft this darling flower fairy, in warm, fall tones. (mine has a moonstone on the end of her magic wand)

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Here is her example in pink.

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All of the ladies made really cute ones.  If you get wonderful supplies, and are shown a wonderful idea, it is easy to come up with something wonderful, right?

Karen really came through with this one.

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We had a smaller group, a couple of people couldn't come due to illnesses.  So we cozied up on one side of the room with an intimate sized group, relaxed and casual.

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Having puppies to hold is a plus for any gathering too.

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I hope the guests had as much fun as I did.  For me, it was the best!

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Now, I just can't wait till A Snowbirds' Song, I love having friends in my studio. This little get together whetted my appetite for more.

 

By the way, if you would like to see more puppy pictures, please check them out here:  https://karlascottage.typepad.com/cottage_doodles/

And if you need a small to medium goldendoodle to snuggle yourself? They are for sale, just contact me.

 

Registration for A Snowbird’s Song, Birdsong 7

bird song art event, Workshops

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Our previous, holiday themed Birdsong was so much fun, I just have to do it again!  What could be more fun  than mingling and jingling with creative friends at the prettiest, most magical time of the year? We will be getting an early start on holiday decor by kicking off the season during Veteran's Day weekend, and you will go home bubbling over with cheer and ready to display your festive creations and get the holidays rolling in your own home.

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This year, we are doing something a little different.  "Birdsong Eve" has always been a bonus to the event, not technically included. But since so many of our "Peeps" enjoy participating, we will add the evening as part of the party.

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Here is what our line up will include:

Friday, November 8 (6:30-9:30pm) Birdsong Eve Welcome Night, with Swaps, Sangria, and Pizza

We will meet at my cottage to greet old and new friends, sip some sangria and trade our festive swaps.  Jennifer Hayslip will lead us in a make and take and you know that with her charming style, she will be starting off our weekend with whimsical, lighthearted flare!

Saturday, November 9 (All day and into the evening) Classes/Vendor Night

We will begin the day by crafting with Lesa Dailey

Beverages, treats, and lunch are included. After dining, we will take a bit more time to work with Lesa, to give everyone a chance to finish up their sweet tweet of a project.  The afternoon will also feature a project from me. (Photos and details of the class to come).

Saturday evening, join us for vendor night shopping, along with wine, dinner, and dessert.

Sunday, November 10 (all day) Ornament Day

Sunday brings us a full day  filled with ornaments to hang on your tree, add to a banner, or use as a wall hanging once you place them in your own home.  The morning will begin with mini classes by Lori Oles and Beth Leintz

Beverages, treats, and lunch are included. After our luncheon, I will lead more mini classes in ornament making, and will provide a plethora of ephemera and sparkling Christmas goodies for you to embellish and create with.  We will have a relaxed, informal afternoon of creating together.

At 6, we will wrap up and give hugs good-bye til next time.  For many people, Monday is a day off work (Veteran's Day), so if you are free Sunday night, please make sure you join in on our group dinner, where quite a few of the Peeps get together for one last meal (Dutch Treat) at a tasty, Lawrence restaurant after our gathering ends.

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The Classes

Kits with full instructions, and all of the supplies you require will be included for each project.  You will be asked to bring tools, glues, etc.  Personal items can also be brought to change your piece up a bit, but are not necessary if you'd like to finish the kit as the instructor has finished hers.

Full photos of the classes will be available soon.  Sorry they are not ready yet. I have been redoing my studio with fresh paint and a new look, and while working on that, I was overcome with the idea that I just had to invite Peeps to the new studio to play in it with me! So, while I have ideas on what the classes will be, I do not have finished examples. And the teachers also have had no notice to make their examples.  But I wanted to let all of you know that the classes are coming and open registration now instead of waiting a month to give the teachers time to make their plans.

Thank you for understanding.

I can assure you that I will be using "The Good Stuff" as I build my kits, and take pride in pulling together pretty items for you to work with.

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Registration

You can email me at:

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karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

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for a PayPal invoice, or set up payments by check

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Cost

$475 

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Refund Policy:

If there is someone on the waiting list to take your place when you need to drop out, I will refund all but 10% of your payment up till four weeks before the party. If a replacement cannot be found, you will be charged $65 per large class kit and $25 for the mini kits (which will be mailed to you) plus postage and refunded the rest of your payment. After October 11th (the four week point), no refunds can be offered. At that point, you will receive your kits, but no partial refunds if you can’t attend. But please, don’t cancel!! We love our peeps!!

 

Payment schedule:

To hold your spot for Birdsong, a $150 down payment is due at signups.

A second payment of $162.50 is due Wednesday July 31st.

Wednesday October 11, the remainder of $162.50 is due.

Please help me out by alerting me if a check has been mailed, so I will be expecting it.    And by following this timeline.   Thanks! I appreciate it.

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Upcoming Class Announcements, Autumn Glory and A Snowbird’s Song

bird song art event, paintings, Workshops

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She is a darling sprite, isn’t she?   Here is what Karen has to say about her:

 
Welcome Fall with Felicity the Flower Fairy! 
 
Mounted on a vintage shaker and posed in a shimmering rose bloom with her flower wand, Felicity will now work her Autumnal magic- making all of the flowers in the world bloom one last time before winter steals away all of their petals! 
All pieces including vintage bisque baby are supplied for you. Just bring anything special of your own that you wish to use; such as any small rhinestone bling.
 
 
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This class and a watercolor lesson will be offered in my studio at the Cottage on Saturday, August 31st.
You will have a choice of Autumn Ecru or Soft Pink for Karen Hillman's project.
 
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My class will be a watercolor lesson on how to paint a bluebird.  You will receive a hand drawn bird, instructions, and watercolor markers to complete your own painting. Once painted, we will cut out the image and pop it into this sweet, little frame and embellish it with lace, ribbons, and vintage rhinestones.
 
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Included will be a watercolor journal covered in a painted cover (by me). 
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Inside the back pocket is a print out of watercolor tips and tricks to help you fill the book with future paintings
 
The day will include lunch, beverages, and treats. Also a sweet treat presentation on making Apple Cider Cake Pops from Karen, Hospitality Queen of the Cozy Castle.
 
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Class size is very limited, please contact me for more info:
 
karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Date:

Saturday, August 31st

Place:

Karla’s Cottage- Lawrence, KS

Cost:

$115

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Includes:

Lunch, beverages, goodies

Karen’s kit for making Felicia the Flower Fairy

A set of watercolor markers, a hand done drawing for you to paint, a watercolor notebook, painted frame with embellishments, and an instructional chart  for my project.

I hope we will see you there! The class size is limited to the amount of antique dolls Karen has on hand.   This is a makeup class for the one we had to postpone in April, so priority will go to previously signed up guests.

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To register, please  email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

 

ps- If you are coming in from out of town, this is also Sparks Flea Market weekend, one hour and 20 minutes from my house, up north a ways. It is a fun, and funky place to shop, and is open Thursday- Sunday. I plan on being there on Thursday, myself, but I promise not to buy it all, there will still be some vintage goodies left to shop for!

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And guess what???

Birdsong is BACK!

Registration will be open soon, I am working on details now.  

I hope to be welcoming you to the Cottage for both workshops, I love filling the room with my Peeps!

Once Upon an Easter

celebrations, Food and Drink, friends, guncles, holiday decor, parties, Travel, Workshops

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Jenn Hayslip’s bunny bash was every bit as special as I knew it would be.

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It was great to catch up with old friends…

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Meet some new friends…

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  Learn some entertaining tricks..

E93E1B21-D5FE-44E0-AD8B-391D0D4EF6E4Attend a tea party with my baby bro…

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Make Eastery foofiness in fun classes…

73DFFC0C-9C74-4A39-8111-E1831F9AB41BEat wonderful food in fancy settings with fun people…

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Teach a class…

5C97D33E-736E-44D4-BAB1-9FFFCD38D4C3Go to an Easter egg hunt…

9F18803F-87FE-440E-8AC1-B12704CA75FBPlay dress up…

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Eat more great food…

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And more…

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And more…

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I even got to decorate an Easter tree and do some other sprucing up before things started.

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Thank you, Jenn, it was lovely!

 

 

 

Hand painted birdie greeting cards

paintings, Workshops

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When I was planning the workshop with my buddy Karen, I made up lots of sample paintings to figure out which I wanted to use for the class.

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Sadly, we had to cancel our class! 

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I used the paintings to make some springtime cards to send to the ladies who had signed up to come to our workshop, with my apologies and a discount for them to use if they sign up to take the make up class.

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Karen will be back in August for a workshop, and I hope to offer this watercolor doodley class later this spring.  It will be a one day playdate, along with another project and lunch.   Let me know if you are interested, seating will be limited. 

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Details to come, when I get all settled from my trip down south to teach in Georgia. 

Honey Bunny Shadow Boxes

vintage paper/collage art, Workshops

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Today is the day that I am teaching my shadow box project in Jekyll Island, GA. 

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I had so much fun getting examples ready for the class!

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And you know me… it was hard to stop.

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This is how they will used.  Every kit comes with a collage sheet so the artists can choose which girl to use in her creation. 

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I can't wait to see what they come up with- and I'll take plenty of pictures to show you what they make when I get home again.

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Hand painted book covers for the watercolor class

bird song art event, paintings, Tutorials, Workshops

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Between getting ready for Once Upon An Easter and prepping the kits to send to Georgia, I’ve taken some breaks to work on the watercolor journals for the class at the cottage on Saturday, April 20th

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Each is a small, watercolor notebook with 140lb paper.  I have enveloped them in a deconstructed pour paint canvas, then embellished them and added a ribbon tie. 

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On the inside of the back cover, I’ve added a pocket.

313D4CFA-E317-4D7E-82B1-727D57064D29The pockets are designed to hold the watercolor tips and tricks page that I made.

It gives steps on how to paint the little bluebird that I will hand draw on the front page of each notebook.

You also will receive a pack of watercolor pens to keep so you can practice in your new book.

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Once painted, the bird will be ready to pop into a little frame that can be foofed up with a selection of vintage jewels, ribbons, and lace.

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I have had a lot of interest in the classes (Karen Hillman will be doing two pretty lessons that day too). 

But- it is Easter weekend.  

Not the best date to plan an event, huh?  Well, my buddy happens to be visiting at that time and we are happy to have the day to play together, hoping a few people could join us. 

 

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And luckily, a handful of Peeps are able to attend.  

But many have said it is an action packed family time or Easter dinner prep day. 

At first I was only offering the classes and luncheon as a package deal. But since people are so busy, I thought I’d modify that to say that if you would like to come in the morning and stay for lunch to do Karen’s two projects, or come for lunch and stay for my afternoon project that would be an option.  

You could play with pretties for just half a day, then still have time to get that cake baked and those eggs dyed.

If you are interested:

Morning session with lunch is $60

Afternoon session with lunch is $60

No time to relax over a meal?  A session alone is $50

 (But don’t think you will leave hungry, I’ll pack up some treats to go for you!)

Email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

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