Karla's Cottage – Page 186

Twisting some skills

By Karla Nathan / February 15, 2012

Birdsong Two, AKA- "So nice, we're doing it twice," still has a couple of openings if you are thinking about coming to the cottage to see us. Sadly, one friend from last year, had to drop out due to a back injury. And there are two other spots still to fill, so grab a couple of gal pals and head to KS to see us!

Its very meaningful to me that most of the attendees were here last year too. So, I wanted to do something special for them. I've started working on some ideas for the gathering. This nest is made of wire, very much like the wreaths I'll be teaching at Paper Cowgirls down in Texas, coming up very soon.

Here is a detail of the wreath, see the similarities? Once I figured out how to do this natural look/grapevinish wire trick, I've used it a lot. I've made crowns and fairy laurels with this style of wire twisting too.

One thing I've learned, is that working with wire is sure a lot easier with the right tools. I bought a heavy duty wire cutter since I've been cutting so much of it. I had 18 people in the holiday wreath class at Kim's gathering, and I'm making 28 of these nests. Hopefully, I'll have a few people at the Paper Cowgirls class. So far, sales for my class are tanking. Its a good thing I don't have a big ego, or I'd be embarrassed. Its hard to find something that embarrasses me, or that I won't talk about freely.

I wonder if it is the photos that I sent to use on the Paper Cowgirls site? Everyone seems to think its just grapevine. I'm sure the class doesn't look like much, but there really is a lot to it, with creating the wreath itself,twisting the wires and adding beads, covering the dove in old papers, curling and adding feathers, making a nest of ephemera, cutting lace leaves, dying and inking the leaves, etc.

Hopefully, a lot of useful techniques will be learned. Or does this project just suck? I like it, and have taught it a few times and everyone seems to enjoy it and get a pretty piece from the class.

Oh well, you win some, you lose some. I'll still have a great trip to Texas with my BFF, Beth and get to hang out with Lisa and Cindy and Karen and Dawn, and all the other fun, fun, people I am looking forward to seeing!

A Heartful of Blathering and Babbling

family, kitties

By Karla Nathan / February 14, 2012

We finally got a snow this year. Not that I missed the cold, bad roads, and frozen toes that come along with it. But I do know my garden needs the moisture for a healthy spring, and we need the hard freeze for a bug free season ahead.

But the white stuff came as a surprise to Panda Bear and Rainbow Bright Joy Nathan. Sister wasn't quite sure if she should head out the door to see what it was about or not.

But Brother took a running leap right into it and soon she joined him, and my snowy, pristine, backyard wonderland was turned into a scene of mangled carnage. There wasn't a drift or smooth spot left. You'd think they'd been huffing cat nip, not snow flakes, they went crazy playing out there.

Too bad they only get one day of winter. For Valentines Day, we warm up again. Not quite to the level of the false spring we've had most of this winter, but not bad.

I can live with a One Snow Winter. It wouldn't be terrible if this is all we get for this season!

Valentines Day is special to me. Well, I do tend to LOVE most holidays and get sentimental about them all. But this date is even more important because its the anniversary of my sons' adoption.

And the anniversary of the beginning of my blog. I had friends over for brunch the morning of my first blog post,and I took a tiny, little, dark photo of the table and wrote about it. Wondering if anyone would ever see it or find me in my little corner of the internet.

(these pictures are all new stuff in my shop, and in the Etsy store,)

And no, I don't think anyone did. But I'd taken the first step and put myself out there. Months later, I'd made lots of blogging friends, and I can't imagine not having this blog to blabber and blather on in.

Sadly, we weren't able to have our big, family adoption celebration on Sunday night, our littlest fairy was so ill that she had to go to the ER for re-hydration. Dewdrop is better now, but it sure was sad to see someone soooo tiny, feel so bad. She was pale and fragile, not her normal bouncy, in charge self.

Dewdrop is doing fine today, and we'll do some sort of celebration when we can. In the meantime, I'm hosting another little Valentine's Day brunch just like I did 5 years ago. Then, in the afternoon, is a craft day with Beth and Mary. I think that I'll take a trick from one of my favorite characters, Leslie Knope, and call it, "Galentines Day".

A festive day of treats and fun with the gals!

I'm counting my blessings this year and am enjoying all the loves in my life.

My handsome, hardworking husband who sweeps me off my feet and leaves me breathless, and who surprised me with flowers on Sunday

My cute little fairy grand babies who I can giggle and be silly with.

My sweet boys, who I love so much and who were lucky to have such a great dad come into their lives.

My girls who are loving mothers to those sweet fairies I adore.

My gal friends who keep me sane, friends I can share both woes and laughter with.

My blog buddies who have given me a place to blather and babble, for 5 years now and who have visited me over a million and a half times. I tell ya, when I wrote that first little, dark post without much to say, I had no idea I'd be talking online years later to bunches and gobs of people, and to actually get to make great friends online and in person with so many of them.

Yep. My heart is full.

Thanks everyone, for five fun filled years of blathering!

Oh, and the winner of my chalk board topped heart shaped box is:

Judi Storm

A little late update

celebrations, holiday decor, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / February 11, 2012

Three days before Valentines Day, I finally updated my shop with a few heart, pink, and red themed items. I took the photos a while back and had them all ready to add, and then… well, I guess I just got too busy with other things.

Poor little Sugarwings had a rough week and needed some Grammy time. Not to mention, we threw a Valentine Bash this week too.

The poor kid had a UTI with high fever, got on antibiotics just in time to feel better for getting her cast off. All is well with the arm, but its delicate and she needed some babying afterwards. And I'm always looking for an excuse for a Movie and Cuddling Day.

Then, as she was ready to go back to school, another high fever came on. She'd gotten an ear infection while still on antibiotics for the UTI.

Back home at Daddy's house, Little Dew Drop came down with a double ear infection along with buckets of snot that could be flung much further in one tiny little sneeze than you could ever imagine.

Its been a rough week for those girls, so Sugarwings has spent some time over here with me and of course that means my heart wasn't into working on the Boutique and adding inventory.

Today I finally had some time to work but almost ditched adding these things because they are not very timely for a holiday that is coming in a couple of days.

Still, not all of the things were purely Valentine. Yes, there are lots of hearts, and most of the items are pink or red, but they are still lovely for use anytime. Even the 1961 Valentine Ideals book is full of images that would be pretty to use year round.

Any way, its not like they will be dated after February 2012. I don't exactly order things from a wholesale company just for the upcoming holidays.

Its all vintage, and just gets older for each holiday that passes it by!

Plus, I have categories in the shop for different holidays and my plan has always been to keep them stocked year round, and just haven't quite got around to keeping them all full yet. This is a start!

So, I'm choosing to not look at this as a failure to get my work completed on time. I'm looking at it as one thing crossed off the list, no matter when it got done, hey, its DONE.

And the way things have been going around here lately, that is impressive. I'm still lagging in everything.

Now, both little girls are on antibiotics for their little ears and I hope are feeling better by now. We are having our family Valentine celebration on Sunday, and it would be nice to see them back to their old, bouncy, happy selves by then.

Valentine's Day is the anniversary of my husband adopting our boys, so we always have a family party for it. This year its also my 5 year blog anniversary, so I am having a giveaway to celebrate that too.

This box is covered in ephemera and topped with chalk board paint. If you'd like a chance to win it, please leave a comment on my previous post.

Valentine celebrations and a giveaway

celebrations, free images, give away, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / February 10, 2012

This week Sugarwings and I threw a little Valentine making party for our friends. I set out lots of supplies for card making and for decorating gift boxes, plus had a few examples for ideas. The treat cabinet was filled up, and we made sure to have some healthy after school snacks out too, to make the parents happy as well as the kids.

One of my examples was a pop up card, with instructions next to a couple of finished ones. Its a very simple version, that even the kids could do. Here are the instructions, if you want to whip one up. The part you can't read, behind the pop up just says to make sure not to glue the paper you cover the outside of the card with to the part that folds up.

The kids all seemed to get into the projects and worked away on them for a couple of hours. Its good to see little ones be creative and stick to something like that, to not have to get up and run around or go play with toys. It was refreshing to see them all involved with making their boxes and exploring all the different supplies there was to dig into.

They all kept me pretty busy, I didn't really get to sit down to make something myself. But before the group arrived, I had made up these. Isn't the chalk board top perfect for writing a sweet note to your Valentine to read before opening it up to see the treats inside?

Its been a while since I've done a giveaway. And I was reminded while reading Beth's blog that our 5 year anniversary is here! Hers was the 9th, mine is actually on Valentine's Day itself.

Thanks again, Beth, for getting me started!!!

So it seems appropriate for me to offer a Valentine to you as a giveaway prize to celebrate!

Just leave a comment on this post, and I'll draw a name Monday, for this sweet little giveaway.

And if you are still cutting, pasting, and creating your own valentines, here is the back cover of that candy box I have on my dining table. A friend asked to see a close up of it, to see if the music was acutally playable. So, I'm posting it here for her. Its a cool graphic, and if you wanted to use it in your art, you can click on this to open in a larger window, save it to your computer, print it and cut out the heart.

That music note, heart shaped border is a pretty one to use. I might try to make something out if it myself.

Only 4 more days till Valentine's Day! I hope you have some sweetness planned for your holiday too.

It was hard to get out of bed today

cottage

By Karla Nathan / February 8, 2012

Friday night, Sugarwings had a high fever and climbed into bed with us. Well, we've always had a full sized mattress and been happy with it, but she has had a recent growth spurt and we were really pinched for space with her between us.

Especially with that boulder of a cast on her arm.

Recently we had ordered a new mattress, since we'd been waking up with stiff necks and sore backs because of what felt like a ditch in the middle of our old mattress,.

We were supposed to pick up our new, back saving mattress on Saturday. Instead, we called to see if there were any queen sized available, and luckily, not only was one in stock, it was on sale and we got a refund, so it cost less than the smaller order that we cancelled!

The trouble is, when you change mattress sizes, everything in the room changes. I didn't have bedding, or a frame to fit it. I figured I'd have a mattress on the floor for a while till I could search and hunt for the perfect thrifted or junked bed to fix up, but I just happened to see a frame marked 75% off that looked like "me" as I walked down the aisles of Nebraska Furniture Mart.

We got home, took down the cobbled together mantel and mirror and small rolling bed frame that we'd been using, and saw that I'd painted the room a couple of times since hanging that giant mirror. So, wall repair and painting had to happen before the bed was assembled.

And of course, it was not just a bigger mattress, the frame was bigger, stuck out past the dimensions of a bigger mattress. Silly of me to measure mattresses and think, "another 5 inches?? That won't make a difference at all" Because the frame itself adds even more than that. We didn't have a head board or foot board before, our little metal frame rolled right up to the wall.

Seriously, a little planning might have been smart.

This was all a spur of the moment idea. We went from happy with our full sized mattress set up with thrift store finds, to a dream come true, luxury B&B style, brand new from a real store, foofed up, twice the size of our old one, shabby chic, nest of a bed, all in a couple of hours without really thinking it through.

Here is the before. I really thought I was happy with that. But my oh my! Our new bed is wonderful.

Its huge. Almost waist height for me. I need a step stool.

I also have to hope that this bed means no more back problems, because if I am having a Back Attack, I won't be able to haul myself up there.

And since its so high up, I figured the dogs couldn't get up without invitation and help, so I splurged on all white, wonderful, fluffy bedding, thinking I'd be in charge of when they came up and could just say no if they were particularly stinky or muddy.

But no, they must sprout wings when I'm not looking, because they seem to get up on the bed easier than I can.

Never, ever, have I slept in a bed that is so luxurious and cozy. The new sheets and blankets are deep and thick, the bed itself is the perfect mix of firm, supportive and soft. Its a memory foam blend, with spring support, and the best thing I've ever laid down upon.

I don't think I could come up with enough gushy cliches to say how much I adore my new bed. Its like sleeping on a cloud. Its heavenly! I feel like a princess, in this lush nest.

And my still white, not yet dog messed, covers are as pretty unmade as they are pulled up.

Since the frame is so much larger than the size we've had sitting in that exact same spot for over 20 years, we've whacked our knees on the foot board a couple times. I'm going to have to rearrange the furniture a bit to make sure that doesn't happen again.

I started by moving this chair from the bedroom to the bathroom.

And this chair from the bathroom to the studio.

That won't be the end of it. Now the furniture roulette begins. Its a good thing I have a perfect new, comfy mattress, because my back will need the rest. I'll be scooting furniture around the house from one room to another till I get this all figured out.

I wasn't the only one to get a new "big girl bed", Sugarwings has one too. Its not like me to be buying new stuff willy nilly like this. I own very few items from real stores. My stuff comes from junk stores, antique shops, and garage sales. But I tell ya, I can get used to living this way.

The girl's room is getting a bit of a redo also. Pictures to come as I get it done, and get my own room all done so that my new bed feels at home here.

The craftless craft day

celebrations, flowers, Food and Drink

By Karla Nathan / February 6, 2012

Some friends came over for lunch Tuesday, and we almost had a craft day along with it. I'd planned an all day crafting day with lunch in the middle, but plans changed, so we enjoyed what time we had.

And I'll take any excuse to buy some fresh flowers for my kitchen. My local grocery store offers mark down floral bundles on Mondays, but I don't always treat myself to them. Or if I do, I'll buy one or two bundles. But for this special occasion, I splurged and got 7!

Did I mention they were only $1.99 each? And some of the ones available were pink roses, which are favorites of mine. I rarely buy the roses though, because I am a cheapskate, even at two bucks, I figure that the carnations will last 4 times as long, so I go for those.

Plus I feel kind of sorry for carnations, they are often unappreciated.

Sometimes I wonder about myself. Really? Too cheap to buy $2 worth of roses because they will only look good for a few days??

I was thrilled to have a reason to buy enough flowers to put all around the cottage.

Including the treat cabinet in the studio.

And the coffee cart next to it.

We didn't even end up making anything that day, but we did "retire to the studio" after lunch to have treats and spend an hour or so being creative.

We were so busy talking and laughing we never got around to crafting on craft day. I see Carol so rarely, and this was the first time Lesa has been out to visit, so we had a lot of catching up to do. My buddy, Angie was able to come by just for lunch, she had a client to meet with afterward.

I know that everyone is busy, so it means a lot to me when friends can make time to come and hang out for all day or for a short visit, whatever they can squeeze in.

One of the things we talked about was how nice it is to have other women to discuss business or family issues with. Its a topic that Carol has insight with, she has even started a blog that addresses that subject, called Good Stella where she offers encouragement and advice to help women on the road to achieving their dreams.

Carol is always generous with her time and experience. And has good advice to offer.

This bird topped tree is one that I made in another friend's class a few years back. Sheila makes the coolest stuff, and is such a nice person. I always set it out for Valentine's decorating.

This year, I've added an ephemera heart from Ginger Shrader, and liked her sweet idea so much, that I hung a few more similar hearts on the tree too. Its sitting on a vintage candy box, that I picked up cheap because the top wasn't very pretty and I thought I'd foof it up. But when I flipped it over, I saw that the back was much more attractive and I display it as is- upside down.

Hmmm, what was I talking about? Oh yes, friends. And how lucky I am to have time with them.

Working as an artist can be a lonely job. Which is why I love craft days, and classes, and other gatherings of creative pals. Now, I am not knocking being an artist. I can't imagine having to put on real clothes and leave the house to go to a real job every day. Well, sometimes I do day dream about those real pay checks… but heck, anyone who'd hire an uneducated, no skills person like me probably wouldn't pay much anyhow.

Working from home is great. And I have the Dorkies to keep me company, as well as visits online from blog friends.

But there is something extra nice about actually having people come to the house, sit down, and chat.

New skills

Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, paper cowgirl, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / February 4, 2012

Congratulations to Agnes Rosebud for catching her first mouse! She might end up being as talented as her mom, who has a voracious appetite for chasing varmits.

Agnes Rosebud isn't the only one learning new skills. Dewdrop got a painting lesson from her big sis this week.

Sugarwings is a bit of an unconventional artist. She is always ready to set the paper aside and try something new. She likes to paint all of her small toys, and anything else that she can get a hold of. I figure, as long as its just watercolors and she is painting her own belongings, that is fine. I'll wash them down and she can paint them again later. She;d rather paint her toys than play with them.

She knows to ask before she starts painting any of my stuff that is within her reach.

Well, most of the time. Every once in a while she needs a reminder. I've not had anything too important turned pink yet, just a few tidbits and supplies.

We bought some markers for window panes, and she has this big window by my garden door that she likes to work on. I can see why she enjoys this canvas, I like to draw on the window with her.

Their father is a bit worried that Dewdrop will take this idea and redecorate the world with it. My thoughts are to teach them when they are little where they can paint and where they can't, but give them some interesting options. He's afraid that she is way too little to know the difference and might just color all of the walls she sees now.

But as a person who used to paint murals for a living, and who painted that faux brick floor that the girls are pictured on, its hard for me to limit them to just paper. Its good to see them coloring outside of the lines and being individuals.

When I teach a class, its hard for me to limit the kits to just exactly what is needed. I like to have a pile of extras for the students to pick through, so they can create a one of a kind piece, and do their own version of "coloring outside of the lines".

So, I'm gathering up a nice selection of goodies for the Paper Cowgirl class I'll be teaching in March, down in Texas. The class isn't full yet, if you'd like to dig through the pile of pretties and make a wreath with me.

Free vintage Valentine images

free images

By Karla Nathan / February 2, 2012

Sugarwings and I decided to have a party. We are making cupcakes and inviting Pixie Pie, Clover, and a bunch of her other besties to make Valentine cards.

So, I have been busy scanning some old Valentines from my stash. I'm printing up stacks of them for the kids to cut up and glue.

These are straight from my scanner, no editing. Not the prettiest way to present them, but I thought I'd share them with you as is.

All you need to do, is click on the image, it will pop up in a larger pixel window for you to save it to your computer to print and use.

My recommendation is to print them onto matt photo paper. It has a much nicer look than just copy paper.

PS- Bottom's Up is this weekend if you are in the KC area!!!

The Short cut way to repaint kitchen cabinets with no sanding,stripping, or even removing the doors!

how-to projects, Kitchen remodel, Tutorials

By Karla Nathan / January 31, 2012

The other Karla and I have been promising Beth we'd help her with her kitchen for about 6 months and finally did it. It only took about 6 hours for the three of us. 6 months, and 6 hours, that is.

Beth had the doors washed, areas taped off and covered where needed.

So, we got right to it. The bonding primer was tinted to the paint color, which makes it easier, since primer can be such a blinding white.

ALWAYS USE A BONDING PRIMER.

Not primer for wallpaper.

Not primer for fresh drywall.

Not paint and primer combined.

Somewhere on the instructions or label, the can should say something like this " will adhere to glossy surfaces"

You will not need to sand or strip the wood, this primer will be ideal for gripping the wood and giving the surface some "teeth" for the paint to hold on to.

Please note, that primer needs a few days to reach its full strength, and it can be scraped up while fresh.Once it has cured, though, its tough as can be! If you want to distress your finish with sandpaper, please do it very soon after painting.

We left the doors on, and painted over the hinges. The door pulls were removed first.

We were in a hurry, so really didn't let the doors dry as much as we should have, so I knew that the opening and closing was going to create some cracks in the drying primer on the dark bronze hinges and that might peek out of the paint a bit, but wasn't worried, because I knew we were antiquing the finish when the paint dried and it would all blend in.

Sometimes, its smarter and faster to just go with the imperfections and make them work in your design!

After priming, we put on about 2 coats of creamy, satin finish paint. Then went out to lunch while it dried.

When we got back, we mixed 2 oz of acrylic craft paint into a bowl of about 2 cups of clear glaze.

While the glaze is wet, it looks milky, but it dries clear. Always remember that the mixed paint and glaze will dry on your furniture to the same color of the paint you mixed in.

Paint it on, and wipe it off with a clean, damp cotton cloth (an old tee shirt torn up is good), heavier in the corners and indentations.

After putting it on and wiping it off so the corners, indentations and edges were darker, we wanted a bit more of it showing, so, we pulled a glaze dipped brush down with the wood grain, to create striation marks.

I use a cheapo, 99cent brush, instead of the specialty faux finish brushes sold to do this with.

If the lines seem too dark, or heavy, go over them again or blot them with your cotton rag.

After that, we wanted even more design the to project, and decided to fleck glaze dots all over the surface.

Its easily done with a toothbrush, and the same glaze used for the faux treatment. The speckles should be random, and not too dark or big, and never drippy. Blot if needed. And don't get too carried away.

Ta dah!

The cabinets should get a top coat of poly (which is oil based, smelly and sometimes yellows, but holds up great and is extremely washable) or water based poly, Minwax Polycrylic (which doesn't smell, or yellow and is easier to use, but isn't quite as durable, but still really good).

Beth's sweet husband, Jeff, was volunteered to do the top coat later.

We thought our paint job looked pretty good when done! But there was still something bugging us.

Ta dah, again! Doesn't the room look better without the busy magnets on the fridge? This might be controversial (Beth told me not to pick on magnets, some people LOVE them) but I HATE magnet covered fridges. I know I am in the minority, and a lot of people really enjoy using their fridges as art and photo display. But I always find the clutter distracting for myself. (although I do have to admit, I enjoy looking at all the pictures on fridges when I am visiting someone and thiers is covered)

And another thing that bugs me is dark wood that doesn't really go with the room. Her door was too dark for the nice, light space.

I only had 9 minutes till I had to leave, because it was my son's birthday and I had a party to get to. So, I quickly whipped the primer back out and got the door ready for a coat of paint.

Beth said that Jeff would do the paint coat.

Here is what we discussed for the door:

1- paint the door to match the cabinets

2- paint it the base color of the cabinets

3- paint it the wall color

4- paint it the wall color and then do the same faux treatment and glaze that we did on the cabinets over that.

Either choice she makes, its primed and ready to go. And I think the room already looks bigger with the door nice and light, don't you? Which option would you chose? I'm leaning toward #4.

Surfaces

family

By Karla Nathan / January 29, 2012

My oldest son had a birthday this week. I realized that I rarely get photos of him, so when the family took him out to celebrate at his favorite restaurant, I made sure to bring my camera.

He always chooses this Japanese steak house on his birthday for Sugarwings because he knows she has so much fun there.

He's a loving uncle, a handsome guy, a hard worker, a sweet man, and I'm proud to have his as a son.

He has a strong work ethic and has been working 2 part time jobs for years, but just recently went full time at one of them.

He goes to the gym almost everyday, takes care of himself, saved up for and bought his own car, does his own laundry, and is a good cook.

He lost about 100 pounds and has kept it off for years and years.

Ryan has never had it easy. He has to try a lot harder than other people, but he never gives up. He has excelled in his life and when I tell people that my son works full time at a convenience store, I say it with a big glob of pride, every bit as much pride as the mother of a gifted student who becomes a rocket scientist would have.

Probably more pride because I know how he has struggled to get so far.

When customers are rude to him and tell him to hurry, I wonder if they realize how hurtful that is? That they are being cruel to someone who always tries his hardest and has accomplished more than anyone ever thought he would?

They don't see past the surface.

I think people see his blue eyes, handsome face, and 6 pack abs, and don't even realize that he has learning difficulties. They might see how shy and quiet he is and not realize that he has a speech problem, they will just think he isn't friendly, or has little to say. He has also been called stoned or drunk when people hear his speech or see that he is slow at times when trying to do something.

Ryan has been taken advantage of by some bad people in the past. Low lifes who used his sweet nature against him, so now he lives with us, in an apartment we built over my studio. Its important for him to have his independence, but also to be near family.

But we are lucky to have him here. He helps around the kitchen, mows our acreage, carries in groceries, and never, ever leaves a room without saying "I love you". And that is usually accompanied by me getting a kiss on the top of my head.

Is my family as perfect as it looks on the surface? Oh heavens no.

When you look past the surface you see something better than perfection.

You can see what caring, love, and strength built by adversity and a determination to make it all work better than it should, can do for a circle of people who need each other in their lives.