Karla's Cottage – Page 184

A clutter solution

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Kitchen remodel, magazine pictures or articles, paper cowgirl

By Karla Nathan / March 25, 2012

It has been wonderful having the two grand fairies staying here with us at the cottage part time. The best part is the morning, when they both come down the stairs with big smiles on their faces and hair sticking up every which way, with that sweet scent of sleepy babies. They both wake up happy and laughing and ready to face the delights of a new day.

The bad part? Clutter.

With extra people in the house and no space to put away all the kicked off shoes and scattered toys, the entry way was always a mess.

My solution was to drag this bench in from the garden (I found it at a garage sale about 10 years ago, and have had it outside since) and put baskets under it to toss shoes and toys in. I have space to add another basket for mittens, and probably should pick one up while Michaels has them on sale for 40% off, but was too cheap to buy all three at once.

The bench had a painted plywood seat, that was nicely chippy and I thought that would be fine, till I drug it all the way up to the house, and realized I was covered in ants. The wood had gotten all spongey and wet, and was nothing more than a nest for the critters, so I carried it out to the burn pile and cut another piece of plywood, wrapped it in fabric, and lined it with pillows I had in the closet.

Agnes Rosebud is pretty happy about the whole thing and I'm glad to have the shoes tucked away.

Now, we'll have to see if anyone actually USES the baskets!

Here is a picture of an earlier incarnation of the bench, I'd used it for an article in Romantic Homes a while back.

This pretty photo of Beth's class is from Kristi Knox Day

Speaking of clutter, our hotel rooms at Paper Cowgirls were really knee deep in it all. Between finishing up class projects we took, and working on our own teaching projects, plus helping Lisa with her kits, our rooms were like obstacle courses. Which is why Beth's little slide show is soooo funny. She is one witty gal. Here it is if you want to see it (its very short, only 5 pictures will silly comments)

Karla at the Crafting Obstacle Course

Paper Cowgirls like to Shop!

antiques/junking, paper cowgirl

By Karla Nathan / March 24, 2012

Did I mention the SHOPPING part of Paper Cowgirls?

Not only was downtown Waxahatchie jam packed with good stores, there was a special event going on with Petticoats on the Prairie and we all got in at a discount for the sneak preview shopping night.

I'm still kicking myself for not buying this pillow!

The chaise lounge wasn't bad either, nicely stuffed with down and so cosy and soft!

And where else could you see a steam punk duck decoy?

The displays were well done and I did get more photos. But- I had my crappy, little pocket camera with me and very few turned out. I hear that the newer small cameras do better in low light. I've had mine about 4 years, so I know that updates have made them better since I got it.

My favorite booth there was Angela's. I know her from her blog, but had never met her in person. I found lots of goodies in her space, including this small, Victorian loving cup, and this toothpick holder with the same trophy shape to it.

I'm using both on my dining table as part of my Easter decor, with some of my eggs and nests from the 3 Wire Workshops tutorial.

She had this lusterware mermaid too. I couldn't resist it, since Sugarwings is a major mermaid fan. I knew she'd enjoy seeing it in the china cabinet.

It was fun to see some of my pal, Lesa's work there too. I spied these on a table, recognized her style, and wondered how she ended up there from Kansas City, then realized they are from her Bethany Lowe line.

The show was a good mix of hand made creations, market items, and vintage goodies.

One of my fave purchases is this pillow/pin cushion that was a prop used in Alice in Wonderland. We all fondled it, hoping that Johnny himself had used it as the Mad Hatter. I was making people sniff it too.

The table cloth its on is something I bought at a place Beth and I stopped at on the drive home. It was only 10 bucks because of some bad stains. They washed out easily, and the lace itself is in great shape.

There was a bit of hat whispering going on too. I found quite a few for pretty good prices while in Texas.

The flea market we stopped at had lots of jewels too. I snapped up a bagful of cameo lockets from one dealer, they are in the boutique now, if you need one. I kept a few for my own use, but had quite a few, so there are both blue and brown ones in the Boutique now.

There were tables of $1 jewelry too, I scooped up a few special pieces to work with there after doing some treasure hunting to find the good pieces hidden in the piles of 80s plastic beads.

Beth knows that she can park me at a $1 jewelry table and go on shopping, because I'll be there a while. I take it as a challenge, and just have to delve in to see what is under all the junk. Usually its worth my time, and I find a few decent pieces of older stuff mixed in with the not so interesting pieces. Either way, it sure keeps me entertained!

We debated stopping, since it was an 8 hour plus drive. But were glad we did. The flea market was so good we stayed for over 2 hours, and filled a few bags. It was the icing on the cake to top off a wonderful trip!

Easter Eggs

flowers, holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 22, 2012

Ahhhh, Spring!

The Bridal Wreath Spirea is blooming like crazy in front of my house. Sugarwings and I took advantage of it and picked armfuls to bring in the house.

For most of the year, they are not the prettiest of shrubs, but for a few weeks, these bushes are heart stopping.

We are also getting all Eastery around here.

I've been covering paper mache eggs in vintage papers and old flowers. This paper is over 100 years old and is gold leaf.

This little egg is wrapped in a pearl finish gift wrap, then sugared.

This one really is prettier in person, its wonderfully gaudy with lots of gold trim and tons of flowers over one of my favorite rose pattern wall papers.

I wanted to list it for sale in the Boutique, but I think I need to get better photos first.

Beth found a big bag full of paper mache eggs at an estate sale and gave them to me, knowing that I'd love covering them. Some are egg shaped boxes like this one others are just plain eggs. I've been making some for Birdsong, where I 'll use them for decor and drawing prizes, but a few just shout Easter, so those I'll go ahead and sell now, or as soon as I get better pictures that is.

Some are listed now, if you are interested.

Paper Cowgirl Round Up

paper cowgirl

By Karla Nathan / March 20, 2012

Paper Cowgirls was every bit as much fun as I knew it was going to be. Last year was a blast, but this year, seemed even more special.

Maybe because it was so small and intimate? I love big, arty gatherings, but the small ones really are good bonding experiences. Being in Texas with this group of friends, old and new makes me even more impatient for Birdsong to happen in April! I'll get to see my talented buddy, Lisa again, she and Beth will be teaching here at the cottage along with me.

The best part of the trip was just leisurely hanging out with friends. It was a laid back, low key event, lots of time to just sit and talk, or walk around and shop while chatting. I wish had more photos of my buddies, there were so many nice people there! I packed my cheapo, pocket camera instead of my good one, and very few of the pictures turned out worth posting.

Over the weekend, I also got to hang with my long time blog friend, Dawn, who I was happy to finally meet along with Karen , whose blog and design work on other's blogs I have enjoyed for years. Cindy and I have met up at other events and its always good to reconnect.

Dawn's class was a fun one to take. I've made lots of peat pot babies in the past, as well as little nesting fairies, but its good to pick up some new tips and different ways of looking at a project from someone you admire.

I also took Donna's class, it was a goody too. I'll have photos later.

My own class went well. It was an itsy bitsy teeny weeny class, only 3 students! I told everyone that I should have been humiliated by the size of it, but it takes a lot more than that to embarrass me.

Plus, I sold all of the kits I made up, thinking I'd have a full class, and didn't come close. So, I did okay financially, and ended up with a small, easy going, peaceful little group in my classroom that was really kind of refreshing.

Thank you to everyone who bought my kits. I'm sorry to say I don't have any left for those of you were inquiring about extra kits to buy online when I got back. I have plenty of supplies to make more…. but not plenty of time.

Maybe after Birdsong, I can whip a few more boxes up. I'll save your info and let you know if I get more kits together in May.

Our hotel rooms (which were really NICE and dirt cheap, a suite with space to spread out and work was only $69) often looked like this.

Beth and I helped Lisa make her kits the day before her class. Beth and I worked on samples for her own class. I was able to make two complete collages from the kits that she had for her class, I'm going to save them to use as door prizes for Birdsong. She has some kits left over if you want to make one of her adorable designs.

In Donna's class, she provided felted wool to make a crown. I saved all my little scraps cut out from the crown's points and made these lil guys.

Even though I am not a good sewer, I was hooked on stitching up the felt and whipping out little felty guys with the 3" snippets I had left over.

So, when our room wasn't filled with paper scraps, there were bits of felt all over, or big groups of friends staying up late and talking. I guess what I mean, is that our rooms were always filled with fun!

Birdsong Two Necklace

bird song art event, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / March 18, 2012

My necklace for Birdsong Two is finally ready to post! I know its taken me forever to do, but I had a couple of hold ups on the supplies and didn't want to create an example that wasn't equal to the components that the students were given.

When you want to work with vintage pieces, its not as simple as ordering 25 sets of the same thing online. I had to scrounge to find the right beads, pearls, crystals, and watches to use.

The watches that I found are exactly what I wanted, all on the smaller side, dainty, and old.

There are different colors of watches, so I matched the chains and findings to the metal tone of each watch. Some are shiny golden, some dark bronze, some silvery.

To be sure that it was a good design, and easy to make, I whipped up a second one following my own instructions. This time I used a bigger watch, that wasn't as sweet and dainty as the ones I'll be giving to my guests. I also made it with different beads, so I wouldn't use up all the ones for the class, but I put it together with the same amount of beads and followed the basic plan as the original one.

I've been wearing it all week, and have got a lot of compliments on it, and it has been comfortable to wear, which is important to me. I don't like pieces that turn this way or that and always have to be adjusted, or are too heavy and in the way.

If you want to make one, Its not too late to join us at Birdsong in April!

We will make 4 projects, in two days. There will be a swapping party on Friday night, and lunch is provided both days.

Or if you'd like to sponsor the event and make gift bag goodies, please let me know.

PS- These photos were edited on picmonkey. I don't think I'll miss picnik at all! Picmonkey is every bit as fast and easy. As a matter of fact, I think its more simplifed and quicker.

Yay!

Binding the book

swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 16, 2012

The round robin books are all packed up and sent to Somerset. It will be interesting to see what they will chose to print from these four books full of art.

My own has a front and back hard cover, taken from a large vintage book and embellished. I wanted a sturdy cover for my own, and also wanted to bind it with rings, so it would be easy to flip through. I tied a bundle of soft ribbons to the top ring to soften the look.

When I bind a book, I first punch the holes in the top cover. Next, I line each page up, one by one, with the top cover, and draw a dot of ink onto the page through the punched holes of the cover.

Usually that works pretty well for making all the holes even.

The other artists' books are not bound. For now, they are simply stacked, bundled in lace and tied with a ribbon. I just wanted mine finished as an example.

They would be pretty as wall art too, so leaving them unbound is a good idea. But I think I'll love flipping through my book when the round robin flies back home to me again!

Packing my saddlebags and I’m off to be a Paper Cowgirl.

paper cowgirl, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 14, 2012

I've packed my boxes and my cow gal hat and am on my way to Texas! I'll have new posts scheduled to pop up while I am away, but all purchases from the Boutique will be mailed on Monday after I get home and settled.

There are some digital images added to the Wire Workshops tutorial. They can be used to print and use if you want to make tags or image backed crystals to dangle from the ribbons on the wreath. I think I like the wreath better with some cute dangly things on it, so I was making collage sheets for the class in Texas, and thought the online students would like them too.

Kind of like these.

When I return, I plan on having a fresh, green salad made with a mix of baby lettuce. My son has built a cold frame to grow early greens and they are starting to sprout!

Hatching some ideas

Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 12, 2012

As I promised when I put the Twining andTwirling Wire Workshop up for sale, I've added a bit more to it for Easter.

What's new is a how to on covering and decorating these eggs.

And some simple painting tips for some other ones.

Right now, I'm kind of stuck on the nests, they are so much fun to make! But I whipped up a dozen eggs or so too.

While playing with nest ideas, I made up a flock of fairies too, and will add directions and downloadable pictures to use to the site later on, after Paper Cowgirl. All included in the $20 price for the entire class along with the wire wreath class I am teaching in Texas this week, and the fairy crowns too.

Collage business cards

vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 10, 2012

Recently, we dropped our home phone and switched to only cell service. So far, its worked out great. And since its been cold, and I live in hoodies, I've had a pocket to carry a phone around in.

But with spring coming, and jackets going back to the closet, I hope I don't lose track of the phone.

Since my phone number changed, I needed to make new business cards. I reused the collage sheet I'd made before, some are simply updated, some are tweaked, and others are all redone.

If you are interested in one of my wire wreath kits, in an ephemera covered box, please contact me.

I might have some left after Paper Cowgirls The ones I listed in the Boutique are sold out.

All come with the online tutoral to make the wreaths, the nests, decorate the eggs, and create the crowns.

And a fresh new business card too, of course.

Wire Wreath Kits

paper cowgirl, Tutorials, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / March 8, 2012

All of my kits are done and packed up, ready to hit the road next week and take them to Paper Cowgirls.

Before I put all of the supplies away, I made up a couple custom kits, this one is for my Sissy. I used the very old, pure silk, French ribbon that Carol Spinski gave to me.

And topped some of my favorite wallpapers with an old advertising card and lots of millinery.

The inside lid is covered with text from a 1940s book about roses and a Victorian calling card. Then, the box is filled with all the pretties she needs to make a wreath.

While Sissy's kit is special, I think all of the other kits are too, and I hope the students enjoy them. Each includes:

written directions plus an online how to, that includes this wreath as well as a fairy crown, and bird nests, also made of wire
patterns
millinery flowers
3 gauges of wire
vintage beads and crystals
feathers
bird
ephemera to cover the bird and make the leaves
lace for leaves
ribbons and vintage lace
shredded paper, moss, and a turquoise egg to make the nest

The wreath in the class I'm teaching is in aqua tones, but I made up some pink kits too, just because I love pink.

No two are just alike, if they had to be, I'd never have made soooo many of them, I get bored. So, I had some fun with the decor. When I get to my (small) class, there will be plenty for the students to chose from.

I have a couple listed in the Boutique right now. Please email me if you would rather have pink, instead of the aqua kit, when you order.

Edit- well, those 5 went fast! If I have any more left after Paper Cowgirls, I'll let you know. Please email me if you are interested

Next, it will be time to work on the kits for Birdsong. I hope to get them done WAY ahead of time. Trouble is, I am still waiting for some elements I ordered for the necklace we'll be doing! I hate to make up the example necklace till I have all the materials in front of me. Don't you hate taking a class and finding out that the best items in the project have been subsituted for something different?

The event is fast approaching, and if my order doesn't come in, I'll have to try elsewhere for the pieces. But I do promise to come up with something pretty!

There are a couple of openings left, if you would like to come.

And I promise, there really are FOUR classes, my necklace will be done and ready by the time all of my peeps arrive!