Karla's Cottage – Page 238

A couple more mini redos in progress

By Karla Nathan / July 10, 2009

Sugarwings and I are hard at work on making some improvements to the Fairy Berry Trail. We decided that the fairies needed a home to build nests in.

Since I had some painting to do, I turned Sugarwings loose with paint and a brush to work on her project too. I am making a nest for my own little fairy. This is an antique bed that I found at an auction and paid WAY too much for (70 bucks) but when it is done, it will will be the perfect place for my fairy grand baby to wrap her little wings around herself like a blanket and curl up at night.

Sugarwings has been climbing out of her baby bed, and I am worried about her falling, so this bed will be lower to the ground, plus I am hoping it will be something she wants to stay in. She calls it her princess bed and is pretty excited about it.

I'll have more pictures when her room is done. And when the fairy houses are complete. They are going to need a lot more sparkle and glitz on them if she wants to attract some fairies to them. But for now, we are off to the Topeka Zoo for the afternoon. And tomorrow, I'll be hitting garage sales. I need to find item #2 to add to my July Garage Sale Giveaway Prize Pack.

A mini Makeover

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / July 8, 2009

July 08, 2009

A mini makeover

Thanks for all your kind comments about the Fairy Berry Trail! I have to admit, it was not my idea, my husband mowed and created it last spring. He and Sugarwings have been enjoying the walks down the trail for a few months now. I just gaudy-ed it up with a bunch of junk from Hobby Lobby this week.

We are both smitten with our little Sugarwings and can't get enough of seeing the world through her eyes. Life is magical when you have a fairy grand baby around, whether the fairy trails are filled with real surprises around every corner, or just imaginary ones.

Yesterday, I was invited to an early sneek peek of an over the top, wonderful garage sale. While there, I decided to get started on my JULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY , and bought a pretty postcard to kick off the package. So, here you go, item # 1 in the giveaway. More to come…

At the sale, I found a huge stash of not just post cards, but these pretty, Victorian books. And believe it or not, I actually got them all photographed and listed into the Boutique (lately, I have not been so productive with my shops…)

While I was feeling so proud of myself for getting some work done, I added these ephemera packs too. They are filled with a variety of great old papers, no copies, all originals.

Not only did I get a bunch of new goodies listed, I went through the site and did some housekeeping. Things that had already sold, should now be deleted, so it is easier to shop.

Plus ( I'm patting myself on the back), I even added another ephemera pack to Etsy! This one is all floral, also all OLD. It includes one of the gorgeous vintage postcards I got at the sale yesterday.

What else did I get at the sale? Well, something I did NOT need, but couldn't resist.

See why? Man, these chairs were meant to live here with me. The person I bought them from has a house jam packed with this kind of thing, and I'd love to have any of it! I felt lucky to get these, they are antique, and newly recovered. Her things are always top notch.

The new chairs inspired a mini makeover. Just a bit of brightening and sprucing up for summertime. I bought these old curtains years ago at another garage sale, but never had the right place for them. They are different sizes and have pleats at the top.

Well, the pleats are at what used to be the top. I turned them upside down and hung them from the hem. The fact that they are different lengths and pleated is hidden by the sofa. And where the hem was too tight for the rod, I ripped the stitching out a bit..

Then, I looked through the closet stash of pillows to find a few bright ones to add a little more color, and picked some fresh flowers from the garden.

I added a little fruit themed plate (how summery is that?) for color on the side table and that was it.

Having a neutral colored sofa and walls (and now chairs too!) means that I can redo for each season by just adding a few colorful things here and there. And by shopping at estate and garage sales and stocking up on things like curtains and plates for cheap, means I can afford to change things out when I want to.

Lets see, what did I spend?

Chairs $100 (BIG SPLURGE)

Plate – free fromBeth, she brings me stuff she gets in auction lots!

Curtains- $8 about 6 years ago

Pillows- Clearance at Hobby Lobby and Home Goods a few years back- $26

Flower vases- 25 cents at a garage sale

I think I'll need to buy a can of Scotch-guard to protect the new chairs before Sugarwings gets a hold of them, though.

The Fairy Berry Trail

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / July 8, 2009

This post was accidently deleted, but I was able to recover it. I'm sorry that I lost all of the 70 some comments that it received, I was sorry to see them get wiped out, but was glad to save the post. I copied it from Google Reader! Yet another reason to LOVE Google Reader!!

Jul 7, 2009 (yesterday)

Along the Fairy Berry Trail

from Karla's Cottage by Karla Nathan

My day started with a taste of Florida for breakfast. While down there last week, Sissy treated me to a jar of Key Lime jelly. I've been eating it on whole grain toast with light cream cheese, sprinkled with ground pecans (also from Florida) and it makes me think I am indulging with key lime pie to start my day!

After the tasty breakfast, we went for a walk on the Fairy Berry Trail. Our cottage used to be out in the country, but now our 10 acres are surrounded by a housing development and we are a little island of county land in the center of city property. Hopefully, we won't be annexed into the city…. But we still have our own little slice of country here, and we've used part of it to make a fairy land trail through the woods for Sugarwings.

A while ago, my husband mowed a path through the field, and down the hill into the trees. Sugarwings loves going back there, either walking, or riding the "tractor" ( our riding lawn mower). She calls it the Fairy Berry Trail because it is lined with mulberry trees, so she can snack on berries while she hunts for fairies.

But today the trail was different, and she was surprised to find some new sights along the way.

Hobby Lobby had their garden aisle of goods on clearance, and I helped them clean it all out. I loaded up on all sorts of cheesy, bright plastic flowers and butterflies on stakes to stick in the ground, as well as wind chimes, statuettes, and signs.

Some are tucked away, so the fairy grand baby has to carefully look for them, the others are right in plain sight.

At first, she was pretty quiet, and didn't know what to think. But after finding a few of the surprises, she really enjoyed the hunt.

We set out about 15 little surprises, and its funny how few and far between they seem once I got them out in the woods. It seemed like a lot, when it was $40 worth of stuff filling my shopping cart!

Over time, I can hunt for things at garage sales and add to the collection.

It will be fun for Sugarwings to find new things as I buy them and hide them in the woods.

The area is down in a valley and kind of secluded, so I don't know if the wind chimes will make much music. We are starting a tradition of shaking the branches as we pass underneath the trees that have the chimes in the branches.

At the end of the trail, where the path loops around a tree to turn back, she found her very favorite creature, a frog prince.

I had a feeling she'd like this one. Every time she plays with her magic wands, the rest of the family gets turned into toads.

But being a toad isn't so bad, if it means you get lots of Sugarwing kisses!

I think we'll be spending even more time along the trail now than before. I might move the pieces around every week so she'll keep on having fun finding them all.

And I will also find something for you, that I can have as a giveaway this month. My plan is to share my garage sailing goodness, and add something to the prize pack each week, like I am adding to the fairy trail. All comments, all month are entered, and I'll have some photos of the goodies, as soon as I buy them!

Won’t you be my neighbor?

Etsy Goodies, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, videos, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / July 5, 2009

Before my trip, I started building this little housing development. Then, when I got home, Beth came over for a craft day, and brought a similar project to work on!

Funny, how we both had the same idea at the same time without knowing what each other was doing! Yet, we both took a different route with our cottages. We took the same idea and each "made it our own", as they'd say on American Idol.

My houses started as cheapo, chip board books from the Michael's dollar bins. But all the building materials that went into the renovations of these cottages were top notch! I like to think of them as those run down neighborhoods where an artist moves in, fixes up a place and then makes the block trendy. So that everyone wants to live there after that.

Adding all the little details was the best part of redoing these plain houses into artist's cottages. Lots of vintagey goodness went into the renovations. The chip board was covered in old wallpaper, back and front, then I hand drew some welcome banners, butterflies and vines.

The curtains are old lace, the door knobs are vintage buttons, and the window boxes are blooming with teensy flowers I transplanted from my hats.

You might have noticed, I have become infatuated with mosaics….. I'm really enjoying the Picassa editing tools.

If you like Mosaics too, check out http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/ for Mosaic Monday!

While making up houses (some are books, some are just wall hangings) I made another butterfly book too. Its not pictured with the houses because it is the same size, and would look like Mothra devouring the houses in the Godzilla movies if it was next to my dainty cottages.

I'll be adding this butterfly to the website this morning, the homes are already there. And please wander through Beth's open houses too, she has some beauties inherEtsy shop right now.

All of the books, hers and mine, are ready for your own embellishments over the base of old papers we have used.

When Beth comes over, she always has some tid bit of cool stuff to bring to me. If you read her blog, you know that her life is one great find after another. Recently she found this box and when she saw that it said "Nathan" (my last name) on it, she brought it as a gift. Along with some new (old) wallpaper too. She and I have a Wallpaper Pact. Whenever one of us finds more paper, the other gets a hunk of it.

Its a good way to keep jealousy from coming between friends while shopping! Plus, isn't it more fun to share the joy when you find something great?

While she was here last week, we were joined by Mary, Queen of the Logomachy cards. She just got a new flip camera and wanted to play with it. We made up a couple "how to" videos and I thought I'd show you one.

Now remember, its off the cuff, not planned. Not professional at all, on my part! And while Mary does a good job with editing, and has learned a lot about the camera, there are still moments when the angles are a bit odd and we decided that the title of the movie should be "Karla's Cleavage" instead of "Karla's Cottage".

Also, I might not be very good at loading the video onto the blog. If you can't see it here, you can click on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZYx1iIyid8

Happy 4th!

holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / July 3, 2009

We're having a "sweet" weekend with our Sugarwings. Cupcakes, cook outs, boating and swimming. I hope yours is a fun one too.

Damsels in Distress

antiques/junking, fairies, family, flowers

By Karla Nathan / July 1, 2009

The trip to Florida wasn't all sad stuff. My Aunt's funeral was uplifting, so many people had such good things to say about her. She was gracious and kind and a wonderful role model to live up to.

While down in the Sunshine State (where we were just about guaranteed a big blast of heavy rain every afternoon), my Sissy and I road tripped it from coast to coast and saw family (and antique shops) all the way.

We stayed with baby bro, Randy, and his family in Jacksonville. This mosaic is of my furry little niece and nephews. (Yep, that represents more Picassa fun time there, I learned a few more editing tricks!)

Randy and Kevin's garden is set up as an open invitation for fairies to come and play in the flowers.

Butterflies too! The yard is pesticide free, so the soon to be butterflies will be safe.

The place was so inviting, all I wanted to do was explore all the nooks and crannies, because there were such delightful surprises tucked in under the blooms!

And what did I buy on the trip? Well, I have to say that my hat whispering skills were top notch!

It was heart breaking to see that Mt. Dora is no longer chocked full of antique shops. Even so, we did manage to keep busy and I over filled my suitcase. To the point that it was over the weight limits, and I thought I'd have to stuff my carry on bag full of the heaviest stuff (5 rolls of gorgeous old wallpaper for $2.99!!!) But the Southwest Airlines agent let me leave it as is and didn't charge me for the overweight bag. SW is always the BEST.

These girls were so wrong, they were right. They caught my eye right away, well, with those garishly bright colors how could I miss them? But I saw potential in them, even if they are so unattractive they are too embarrassed to look at the camera as is.

First thing I did was cut those extra long, monkey styled arms in half! Then, on this one, I pulled off the brightest of the trims, and added some pretty pastels. Old crocheted lace, millinery flowers, a new hat (made from velvet flower petals), and of course, some fairy wings!

Now she is feeling self confident in her appearance and is saucily looking right into the eye of the camera.

Her formally red, white, and blue sister (who looked a bit too much like Wonder Woman to start with) really had a beautiful design of sequins, I just couldn't live with the colors. So, a little bit of spray paint with glitter sprinkled on while the paint was still wet gave her a makeover.

She also got a flower petal hat, more flowers on her gown, jewelry and a magic wand made from a hat pin. And of course, no more monkey arms. She has dainty little fairy wings, that don't show in this photo.

Sometimes I wonder about what I spend my time on. I am so far behind from being gone on one trip after another and I know I need to get caught up, get things listed on line and clean up my Etsy and Boutique, but I couldn't help myself. I saw these poor ugly ducklings and had to be their fairy godmother and turn them into swans!

I'm also finishing up the books I promised to list and will add all the new items to the shop at once and have a much needed makeover there too.

For now, it is back to my job as a fairy godmother, there are a few of those girls still waiting for my help!

Oh, and the winner of the June giveaway is:

Becca of Bluebirds and Roses. She was one of my very first blog friends, how nice!

Don't forget, a new contest starts today! All comments, all month are in the drawing for whatever the heck that prize will be.

Ghosts of the past?

family

By Karla Nathan / June 29, 2009

We're back! Great Aunt Caroline's funeral was simple and touching. She chose everything in advance herself. Lots of pinks, whites, and roses, all just as lovely as she was herself.

It wasn't easy, but I got up to speak at the funeral. Because my mother adored her aunt so much, I felt like I needed to say something from my Mom, since she has passed away and wasn't able to tell everyone how much Caroline meant to her. And since I was talking about Mom, and thinking about times with her, it was doubly hard to speak without sobbing. I was facing lots of overwhelming emotions, but it was something I had to do.

Whether anyone in the funeral home could understand what I was saying through the tears or not, at least I said it.

Sissy and I stayed on the beach in Sarasota, taking a memory tour of places I used to go with my grandma years ago. One of my favorite places in the world when I was a kid was Siesta Key Beach and I was glad to see that the sand is every bit as soft and powdery as I remembered!

We walked on the beach at night as the sun was setting, then drank wine on the balcony and ate a feast of breads, cheeses and fruits for a picnic. When we left the hotel room in the morning, this outline of my fat little Fred Flintstone shaped foot was on the carpet outside the door.

We also hunted for and found the old trailer that Grandma used to live in! At least we think this is it….

Before the trip, I had my hair colored, trying to get it back to natural. I thought the highlights had gone so far, that they looked more sun damaged than sun kissed. Sugarwings noticed right away and said, "Grammy did you get more hair?"

I'm not sure about the color yet. It might need to be brigther, or darker or redder or something less boring.

One thing I remember about my Grandma's trailer from when I was a kid, is all the lizards in the yard. And this abandoned trailer had plenty of lizards. I thought about trying to break in to see inside, but couldn't get the doors open. And when I saw this guy trapped between the window and the glass, I had 2nd thoughts about going in anyway.

Maybe it was all the talk of the past and people who were long gone that influenced my Sissy when we checked into this gorgeous old hotel in Mt Dora. She was feeling "not right" about it. We checked right back out again and moved to another place.

The place seemed quaint and inviting to me, but I could tell she just was not happy there at all. Maybe it was haunted? That is my theory! I might have enjoyed staying with ghosts.

It all worked out for the best, the hotel we moved to was where my other sister and her hubby were staying. There was a free breakfast, and a little gazebo on the lake right outside our back door, where we could sit and sip wine and watch the sunset again. Of course, that is a big part of vacationing for us, sipping wine and watching the water.

And the hotel was not far from the funeral home where we said goodbye to our Great Aunt. Family had laid out photos of her, including this one taken in her 90s. I hope I take after her at least a little bit! I'd love to look this great in my 90s!!!!!!!!!!!!

We don't know what year this photo is from, only that it captures some of the tranquility and beauty that was such a part of her.

Thanks again for all of your condolences. And once again for all your help last year in making the hundred plus cards that helped mark her 110th birthday!

A garden Journal for Randy

Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 28, 2009

Here is another post that I did up ahead before going out of town—

While I am in Florida for my Great Aunt Caroline's funeral, I'll be driving up to Jacksonville to see my sweet and silly brother-in-law, Randy. He is having a birthday party, and I have to tell you, his parties are the BEST. Always great food, great company and soooo entertaining. Randy and his husband, Kevin know how to entertain better than anyone I've ever met!

Randy and Kevin have a delightful backyard, spiffed and spruced up and planted and planned down to each and every inch of it. A large segment is devoted to butterflies, so these guys don't use any pesticides at all.

I thought I'd make up a little garden journal/ art book for Randy as a gift. Using a simple notebook on sale at Michael's for 50 cents as a base, I added vintage papers, some cute images I got in the En Le Jardin swap, and a few hand drawn details.

Oh, and envelopes! I love to add envelopes to journals, they are so handy for tucking away notes, receipts, etc.

And I use vintage envelopes when I can. I buy so many old greeting cards, and some come with envelopes that are just perfect for this.

This list of important holiday dates is from a Hallmark book published in 1949, so might not be quite accurate… Still, interesting. And Randy is a guy who never misses an occasion to send a card, so it seemed appropriate.Although if he uses this guide, he might be sending cards on the wrong dates.

I also used these antique French cards with his initials. Although, I wonder why I bought French cards, when all they show are single letters? Its not like it is a French word. No one will ever know that they are French, huh?

And of course, a butterfly for the butterfly garden. I also drew some here and there in the book.

Now, I am off to pack for my trip. I found a solution for keeping track of all the pages I printed for various hotels and addresses and other info, I made myself a folder to hold them all. I usually have pages scattered around in my purse and am always digging through trying to find the info I need.

This folder is two sided card stock, folded into pockets, and then sewed. I stitched on some heavy duty, old velour ribbon to keep the edges from getting bent up, and glued another soft ribbon on to use as a tie.

It only took a few minutes to make and the stitching is horrid, but it really will be useful. I printed all my Travelocity, rental car, and other confirmations, then highlighted the addresses. Then folded them up, and wrote at the top of each, what day it was for and what place! I've really impressed myself, I've always had a hard time finding what I need on trips. Hopefully, this will solve that problem!!

Dorkiepalooza (this one has gone to the dogs)

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), yorkies

By Karla Nathan / June 27, 2009

I thought I'd write a few posts in advance to pop up while I am in Florida. And since I'll be missing my home and family, and the dorkies, I thought I'd have something on here that would pick me up when I look at it on the hotel lobby computer. Thursday's post is all about the garden (and hoping the brand new baby plants survive on their own with out me)

For today's, I went back into my photo files and found some of my favorite dorkie pictures.

These are all taken from various cameras over the years. But I have re-edited them in Picassa. That editing system has really improved some pictures taken with my older cameras too!

Picassa is free, its a quick and easy download from Google. Its simple to use and did I mention it was free???

Photoshop is much better, of course. I've never tried it, but I have seen others use it and have been very impressed with all its tricks. But did I mention that Picassa was free and simple and anyone can use it? No lessons, simply download and start editing?

Everyone of these older photos has really been improved with this editing. Previously, I used the basic editing that came with the computer, so I guess anything would have been an improvement.

Photoshop is something I'd love to learn how to use. Just like I'd really love to learn more about the Canon Rebel camera that I got for my birthday this year. But I have to face facts, and know that there is only so much time in a day and my days are pretty packed.

I adore the photos taken by my friends, Tiffany and Carol. Those two taught me a lot about my new camera when we were together in Macon at En Le Jardin. But they spend at LOT of time on editing (it shows, wow, they have knockout photos!!).

This new editing system has helped me a lot. And I do LOVE my new camera!! But I doubt that I'll never have the time or dedication to become a pro like Tiffany and Carol. I just want some pretty pictures, they don't have to be perfect. So, I'm pretty happy with this new tool, even on some of the older photos taken with a not so great camera.

You might have noticed that I tend to have a ton of photos…. So, I have to be quick with them. I'd say I spend only a couple of minutes at the most on each one.

Maybe because I have this little one in my life? Yep, my time at the computer is quite limited since she has come around, but we're pretty happy with our time together. I'm going to be missing her while I am away!

Better late than never

Chandeliers, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, show and tell

By Karla Nathan / June 25, 2009

Before leaving to go on my trip to Florida, I pre-posted some pictures of my garden to show while I was away. Now, I am wondering if these are worth showing… I got such a late start in planting that these are not very lush plants yet.

But they were all half price! By being a month (or more) behind, I was able to buy clearance priced plants. I just hope they are going to live till I get back, since they are not well established, I hated going out of town and leaving all the "babies."

The perennials that were planted years ago, will be fine, of course. Especially things like yarrow. The weather could be 100 degrees and no rain the whole time I am away and this plant will thrive.

Just like all the ground cover here. I like to use perennial plants that do well in Kansas with little care, or water. Then, I scatter annuals around in pots to brighten the garden.

Begonias are always a favorite here, because I can depend on them. They aren't fancy, but they grow well in my soil and need very little attention, but provide lots of pink prettiness all summer long.

Well, they don't look like much yet.

I set out about 3 flats of pink begonias, 1 of pink rose moss, 1 of mixed rose moss, and 2 flats of bright pink vinca. Along with that, are some lavender dahlias, two colors of sweet potato vine, and lots of herbs.

This planter used to be the water heater of this old farm cottage. I set out the herbs earlier than the flowers, so most of them are filing out now and looking good. These are right by the back door, so I can snip what I need for meals.

This Rosemary topiary tree was a treat for myself. Since it was a late season purchase, it was half price and I thought $20 was a good price for it. I also got a planter box filled with herbs half price (we can't have too many around here!) and divided them up to plant around the base of this topiary, and added some to a few other pots too.

This basket full of herbs was a birthday gift, and I set it down into a larger pot and planted some begonias around it.

But some pots stayed empty. I kind of like the look of stacked terra cotta pots.

Especially in groupings.

And I love to fill my yard with junk I buy at garage sales. This chandelier was $5, because it's wiring was all cut out. I'll add a candle to it for evening garden parties.

This 1960's wall plaque was multi colored, so I primed and painted it white, then hung it on a garden wall to age, about 5 years ago. I had no idea it would last this long. But I only paid $1 for two of them at a yard sale, so it was worth the gamble. Sometimes, I just use things outdoors knowing that it might only last a season or two, and enjoy them while they last.

This is a cabinet door that I painted on, and hung by the back door to my studio. I know that the weather will rot the wood eventually.

The hot pink watering can came with a pink gerber daisy in it, and was half price too. But Sugarwings immediately claimed it as her own, so I removed the plant and let her have the can. It seemed more important to her than to me.

Plus she lets me use her tools. Last year, we got pick plastic garden tools meant for kids, at Target. But her little shovel is my favorite one to use, so we take turns.

My favorite flower this year, is this Knock Out Rose topiary (also half price). First of all, Knock Outs are miraculous roses, they are the only ones I have ever been able to grow. But I didn't know I could have a topiary one! I was thrilled to find that.

But my over all favorite of the yard? The veggie garden! I'm hoping to have some tomatos soon, the plants are looking great so far. It shouldn't be too much longer. Can't wait!