Karla's Cottage – Page 272

Sweet Treats and Roses- a Valentine’s Swap coming up

Books, Food and Drink, holiday decor, swaps, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 14, 2007

Thank you all so much, for participating in our "What do you LOVE about your holiday home?" party!!

Wow, it was quite the tour of homes. I loved getting a peek into the creative and colorful as well as the traditional and charming decor that you all shared.

I am blown away by the beauty and the response for the get together!

I’ll continue to link as many people who want to join until Christmas. So keep checking back, and take your time looking through a few particpant’s homes here and there for a taste of holiday cheer throughout the season!

I’ll announce my drawing winners tomorrow- for today I have a special announcement.

As Beth and I were hanging out and making things yesterday ( I made this banner), we decided to host a swap!

I LOVE blog swaps!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!!

So, what would be more fitting than hosting one that is full of Valentine LOVE?

Yes, I know it is really early, to be thinking about, it isn’t even Christmas yet! Am I as bad as Wal-Mart, having the next holiday out on display before this one is even over??

There’s no hurry, sign up is until Jan. 2, 200EIGHT.

We were just too excited about our idea to wait till later to tell you about it.

These photos are a hint of what is to come.

The swap involves you making photo copies of a decorated dessert recipe and Beth and I making covers for them and assembling the cook books.

So, yesterday, we made up a few sample covers to show you.

These first two are mine. All will have a rose theme, but no two will be alike.

All will be made with lots of vintagey goodness to go along with your yummy recipes.

Here is one that Beth made.

How pretty is that???

We will ask that along with your copies (color on card stock) of your treats, you send in a rose themed decorated tag, (one original) that we will tie onto another swapper’s cook book after we add the cover and assemble it.

And look at this one from Beth! I am looking forward to getting one of her covers, that is for sure.

I will be in DC setting up my part time apartment there after the holidays, so please RSVP to Beth at her blog, Gathering Dust.

She and I will be sharing hostessing duties, and you are lucky about that, because she is very organized and I am not. She’ll make sure that the books all get the right amount of pages and get mailed to the right addresses. And are on time.

So, please contact the detail oriented one of our group to sign up.

And speaking of details, here is what she wrote up for us- the Swap Rules are:

Karla & Beth’s Roses and Sweet Treat

Cook Book Recipe Swap

Put your favorite sweet treat recipe on a 5 ½” x 8 ½” piece of paper turned vertically, and decorate the page. (5 ½” x 8 ½” is half a regular sheet of paper.)

Make as many copies as there are swap participants- we’ll let you know the number when the sign ups are complete.

Also make a tag (approx 2” x 4”) decorated in some way with roses.

Send to Karla and Beth. They will assemble the recipes into a “Sweet Treats” Cookbook. Each cookbook will have a unique cover, handmade by Karla or Beth, and a tag decorated by another swap player.

The Details

Recipe Card– 5 ¼” x 8” with the recipe vertical. The books will be bound on the top, so leave at least a 1” margin for binding. The copies should be well made, in color and on card stock.

Sign Up Date- Sign up by emailing Beth, using the email link on the upper left side of her blog. The deadline is Jan 2. We’ll limit the number of players to 40.

On Jan 3, we’ll send a confirmation email to all participants letting them know how many copies to make. (To save on copy costs, you can print 2 per page, and cut the paper in half before sending to us.)

Receive by Date – We’ll need to RECEIVE your copies by January 20^th so we have time to make the covers and assemble them.

Cost- The cost for a padded envelope, mailing and materials is $5. Please include the $5 with your copies and tag.

What You’ll Get

A Sweet Treat Recipe Book with a one of a kind handmade rose themed cover created by Karla or Beth, decorated with a tag from another player. We’ll mail the books by Feb 7, so you’ll have them in time to make sweet treats for Valentine’s Day.

Can you imagine how cool the individual pages will be from all those great artistic crafters out there in blog land?????? I can’t wait to see what you all send in for this!

Here is the button for the swap:

PS- thanks for your interest, we are full now! And we have GREAT players!! thanks to all of them, can’t wait to see what they make!

Its Party time! What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home?

We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 11, 2007

Its time for our "What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home?" party!!!!

And I am glad it is a virtual party, or no one would be able to make it to see me- look at this ice!

This kind of weather does put me in the mood for the holidays. I’m glad I can stay snug and warm in the house. I have a pot of soup simmering on the stove, made with ingredients I grew in our garden and froze to save just for a day like this.

Everyone has been curious about my fudge recipe. I think I made it up, but I am sure I am not the only person who makes this fudge. Its too easy not to!!

I have been making it this way for at least 25 years, with an average of 15 batches a year (one year I made about 35 pounds!).

Here are some tips:

milk or semi sweet chocolate chips in a 12 ounce bag are perfect.

Peanut butter chips are tasty, but make a thicker fudge.

White chocolate chips don’t set up thick enough if you use a full can of the milk.

What I do, is use a full can of sweetened condensed milk per bag for the regular chocolate chips–1 1/3 can for the peanut butter chips—- 2/3 can for white chocolate chips

Then, you warm the milk over a medium heat, add the chips and stir till they melt- NOT COOK, JUST MELT.

Beat it with a mixer till it is fluffy (a long time, but I make 4 bags in a pot at a time, so it goes faster)

At this point you can add mini chips, nuts, crushed candy canes, etc.

Pour into a lightly greased pan.

I layer the flavors, it makes them pretty to look at as was as tasty to eat.

My favorite will always be white chocolate with pecans. But the boys in the family are crazy about chocolate and peanut butter. But the best thing is??? It is always perfect and never fails.

What else do I love about my holiday home, besides the tons of fudge I keep around all season??

Simple and easy decor ideas, as easy as the fudge recipe.

By the front door, I use my summer garden things and add a bit to them for some holiday flair. Gazing balls and flower pots grouped together, can look Christmassy with a few added ornaments in the pots and a couple branches from the Christmas tree.

Yes, I stretch the budget by dividing up my artificial tree. This is a white Martha Stewart tree from K-Mart that I only set up the top half of.

I don’t use the branches in the proper order either, I like the tree a little more natural looking If you can call a white plastic tree natural) and will use branches out of the sequence the directions say to. The tree is less of a sharp triangle that way.

Then, I take the lower branches from the part of the tree not set up and use them all around the house, like in the pot on the floor next to the tree.

I put one in a glittered terra cotta pot and shaped it like a miniature tree and filled it with lots of red and green ornaments, then set it up in the library upstairs. To hold the tree in the pot, I have scrunched up newspapers around it and covered them with a holiday hanky.

In my master bathroom, I added a branch to a pot of ivy. I stuck the wire of the branch directly into the soil and that holds it steady. Then, I draped the white "tree" in strands of old pearls.

(My master bath should be in the next issue of Romantic Country and on the stands in the next few days)

I have laid a couple of the white branches on the top shelf of my bathroom cabinet too.

A white basket in the breezeway holds a branch and is topped with a pink velvet bow.

There are even a few branches in the chippy old blue painted drawer under my stereo cabinet, that hides the view of the speakers.

Yep, one tree, a dozen uses!

I love being able to make my decorating dollars stretch and also to have a little bit of Christmas in every room of my house.

Using what I already have (like the garden urns from garage sales, or the salvage piece from a flea market), using decorations from my child hood and my boy’s childhoods, as well fun souvenirs of good times, like the sparkling glitter "K" that I bought when out shopping with my friend, Beth are all things that I love about my holiday home.

(Twinkle thinks she is the main subject of every photo I take)

I love sentimental things at the holidays. This butterfly was a sun catcher that always hung on my mom’s patio door.

Unexpected and non-traditional ornaments make a tree unique and whimsical. And very entertaining to babies, Sugarwings loves to hear stories about the things on our tree!

Mom and I went shopping at Montgomery Wards together the year I was 11, and I remember her letting me pick out these doves for our Christmas tree that year. I have had them on mine every year since then.

My good friend, Connie made this ornament by gluing each individual white bead into place.

Sometimes you might not be able to afford a "real" piece of art by an artist you admire, but when they have Christmas pieces for sale, it is a great time to purchase some of their work.

This carousel horse was given to me by my mother-in-law my first Christmas after my wedding to her son. It isn’t meant to be an ornament, but I love having it as one.

Another sentimental piece from Mom, is this little bag she made for me. She had made quite a few that I decorated to sell at art and craft shows, but I ended up keeping a few for myself and am glad I did, now that she is gone.

Behind it, is a hand blown glass ball by another artist in town. His work is normally very expensive, but at the holidays, it is a good time to pick up a couple of ornaments for a fraction of what his lamps or bird baths go for.

Another friend, Shanna Wagner, made this stained glass star for me.

Next to it is a clear glass ball from a 90% off after Christmas sale that I added part of a necklace to by just draping it over the neck of the ball.

Underneath is a gold vintage ball that I glued a piece of jewelry to for a magazine article I wrote for Victorian Decorating a few years ago.

Well, I’ve rambled long enough about what I love about my holiday home:

Hot, home made soup

White Chocolate fudge, and knowing that we will be having big family get togethers where I need lots of home made fudge to serve, and also having great friends and people I care about to make lots of fudge for too.

Sentimental ornaments filled with memories

Entertaining little Sugarwings by showing her the birdies and sparklies and horsies on the Christmas tree

Decking every hall in the home with a little bit of Christmas and using budget stretching ways to do it so that I can still afford to buy presents!

Now it is your turn to tell us what you LOVE about your own Holiday Home.

If you don’t have a blog, leave a comment and tell us a story about your decor

If you do have a blog, leave a comment (with your URL) so that I can link your blog and everyone can visit you and "party hop" on over.

My Sissy, in Indiana, sent me a photo of a tree she decorated through her office, for a Woman’s shelter.

She made and donated beautiful things for the tree, then the company filled it with toys and presents for the women and children staying in a shelter at the Holiday. How is that for some LOVE?

Make sure you leave your comments on THIS posting, so I don’t miss you to add to the party. Also, I will be drawing names for Christmas presents I will send out.

I will do my best to list everyone. Please, please please, check back to make sure your link is active and let me know if I have messed it up and I will fix it. I don’t want to leave anyone out. I’ll be adding sites starting Tuesday night, and continue throughout the day on Wednesday, then adding some stragglers on Thursday.

Happy Holidays! and thanks for coming to the party!!!

My buddy, Beth has a new holiday banner and will be starting her party at 9:30 Tuesday night. The cute kids in her banner (which she made herself) are tiny little Bethy and her brother from a Christmas long, long ago. Bag_cu Here is a little sneak peek of what Beth has been making.

In Chile, Maria Elena has Santa greeting us at her front door, then later cooling off in the swimming pool, since it is summer in her part of the world.

My Candian friend, Joy (who also won my November giveaway drawing) has vintage toys on display and the cutest Ho-Ho-Ho banner made of snowballs. Good thing she already has plenty of toys, because it looks like ole Santy Claus is in some danger on her rooftop……….

The other Karla, Sugar Bear, is welcoming us with a fresh wreath. She was also lucky enough to get one of those adorable Sugar Shack kits from Hollydoodle, and it turned out beautiful. Keep reading down to the next post, and you’ll see her trip to the talented and sweet Jennifer’s Sis Boom sale. Wow, what pretties!

If you love pink as much as I do, you have to go see Shannon .

Jennifer Hayslip was the bella of the ball at Silver Bella’s junk gypsy night, she is one pretty lady. And she has an eye for pretty things. If you can catch your breath after seeing her "Sugar Plum" dining room, scroll on down to her previous post too. She’s taking us on a tour of NY as well as giving us a peak at her own creative creations at home!

Oh goody, more pink and white! This time at Robin’s. She also has some cute sugar cottages that she made herself, with NO pattern!

And if you are looking for pure creativity and wonderful handmade items (some she made at Silver Bella too)- you know you are going to find it at Kari’s. Kari was the inspiration for me to throw a party, when she had her teaparty last spring, I was HOOKED on blogworld and have not been able to get enough since. Thanks, Artsymama!

Pink! and roses! and more! Its heavenly at Ele‘s home and she isn’t even ready for us yet. She says her holiday post is to come 10am Wed. morning. That means you get a bonus dipping of holiday heaven, because the one up now is pretty spectacular.

I spy a pretty pink fairy over a pink village at Pink Faded Roses. And check out her wreath on the pink rose wallpaper. I am a wallpaper junky, and that stuff is delightful.

Lori has some visitors, pretty red birds have come to call. I have always loved cardinals, they just say ‘winter’ to me. Lori seems to be having the same Christmas tree issues that my neice, Shelli has. There is a kitty hiding in her tree.

Bottle brush wreaths, glittery letters and a little bit of Pooh and Tigger are some of what you’ll see at Vintage Bliss. Scroll down to the previous post and you’ll think you’ve entered Wonka’s world.

I found a plump little fairy to visit over at Sue’s. She had quite a few fairy friends on the tree.

Carolyn, the tiniest Santa is waiting to meet you at Rhonda’s.

Its a summer garden Christmas in Argentina with a TV STAR! Marina Capano is a pretty lady with a pretty home to show us.

A luscious tulle and ruffled gown filled with vintage flair and ready to be a Christmas gift to a lucky little girl is at where else but- Vintage Flair!

A sparkling lit tree is reflected on a shiny wooden floor in this pretty living room. Come by Alexia’s to see the warm glow at her home.

Back up to Canada again to visit Linda for a tour of her lovely home. You’ll swear you are flipping through a magazine when you see her first photo.

I love the banner with the tussie mussie spilling over with goodness above the white curtains over at Sarah’s.

Don’t stop at the chocked-full-of-creativity holiday post, keep scrolling down or you’ll miss the wreaths!! Suzy always has great stuff to see, and today it is especially true!

When you see the cheerful blue door with a wreath welcoming you to her home, you have to hope you’ll see some blue and white dishes at Janet’s. And yes, she does have a great collection, and has even used some to hold paper whites and a tree. Don’t you just LOVE to make use of your favorite belongings as part of your holiday decor?

Katrina has been baking sugar cookies and put some elves to work decorating them.

You’ll want to pull up a chair by the golden glowing fire at Amy’s to enjoy the cocoa she prepared.

My buddy, Betty, has really decked the halls! Fun and friendly just like she is.

The carols are playing at Shelly’s and her vintage Santas are out to enjoy.

I seem to be drawn to wreaths during this party, and am crazy about the giant one over the dreamy, white piano– and the hydrangea one tied to the footboard is a BRILLIANT idea! I might have to steal that inspiring look at the Inspired Room.

Way down under, at Alison’s, the kangaroos are a hoppin!

Jen has a cute idea, she’s doing a virtual Advent calendar with a photo a day till Christmas. She is also having a give away, post a comment on her 8th photo to enter. Good luck!

A new blogger, Nancy has hand crafted elegance to share.

At Mary’s you’ll be greeted by a smile from a couple of carrot nosed snowpeople in a cheerful holiday collage.

If you have never been to see Carol at Raised in Cotten, silly, silly, you! Get there NOW. I just love Carol, we became buds at Silverbella and she is as much fun to hang out with in person as she is at her blog. That is one inventive and talented woman, and she has more than one post filled with holiday decorating ideas that you need to look through.

Carol made this little watch box lovely for me as a swap at Silver Bella. She was a vendor there and, her booth was jammed packed with great vintage finds as well as her own cool creations.

I was looking forward to seeing this one, I always love the dreamy look of Becca’s pictures. And you can tell she puts a lot of love into her Christmas decor.

Jeanne has a snowman themed tree and the sweetest snowman ornament made by her daughter. That is a true keepsake.

It looks like Beachy loves the vintage sitting elves as much as I do. She has one from her childhood out on display.

Here are a few I saved from when I was a kid too. Of course, since then, I’ve added a dozen more or so to the collection, it is a weakness of mine.

Beachy has a tree full of holiday memories to share.

At Alicia’s home make sure you don’t miss that mirror over her mantel! And the fantastic chair the doll is sitting pretty in.

3 generations of Christmas crafts are lovingly displayed at Raechal’s on the other side of the world from me here in Kansas.

I met Jessi at Silver Bella too- and she has an out going, fun personality and her home matches it. Her home is as pretty and fun as she is.

I LOVE the jars of star dust at Becky’s.

Kari and Kijsa have worked their artistic magic again. I want to pull up a seat at that whimsical table they have set up and take them up on their offer of a Diet Coke. And don’t miss their previous post with directions on making one of the coolest wreath ideas around.

When I see a home like Rhondi’s at the holidays, I start itching to paint a room red. Her red dining room is the perfect backdrop for a traditional Christmas.

Crystal knows the importance of scent at the holidays and has filled her home with the aromas of a real tree, potpourri, and candles. Scroll down for a mini home tour and unique cloche idea!

I am linking as fast as I can! I’m glad I got an early start and linked a few last night. I’d like to take a little break and say thanks to everyone who is joining the party and also to show you a present that just came in the mail from Debbie.

How cute is this? Such attention to detail, the package is almost too pretty to ruin by eating the peppermint bark. Ha! Like that would stop me!! Thanks Debbie!! I’ll be snacking on your treats throughout the day as I link all these parties.

Now back to work, I am about 60 some behind!!!

Cathy, in Idaho, says she has to love snow up there, and celebrates it with a shelf filled with snowmen.

Carrie has a collection of Natvity scenes, and some nicely set tables ready for a holiday gathering.

And hey! what do I see?? On the silver tree, she has two of my collaged ornaments that she purchased from my Etsy shop! Thanks, Carrie!

Darling! That is the baby’s nursery at Sandy’s. What a lucky baby.

And did you think we could ever have a party and not go see Heather???? It is always pretty at Pretty Petals, but at the holidays—-wowoowowow!!!

My friend, Natasha never disapoints, either. Another big wow for her place. I’m ready to buy a ticket and head to Australia to see it all in person!

And don’t miss the sweet tussie mussie’s on Cathy’s tree.

Stephanie gives us a glimpse of Christmas past with some old photos, then shows us all the perfectly pretty pinks and roses she’s decorated with.

Fresh cookies right out of the oven and some sweet sentiments to go along with them are served up at June’s

Adeline has exciting news to share about her publishing debut- check out the magazine! And make sure you scroll down to see her charming cottage and the ginger bread homes she has created.

This home has all my favorite combos, some silver and aqua, pinks and whites, and jadite greens with red shiny brites- don’t missPriscilla’s place

At Elizabeth’s she has stayed with a simple palette of red, white, and silver. With charming results.

Every room is done up at Brittany’s, even what she calls the "dog’s room" has a cheerful red and white tree!

Meet "Swiss Santa" and "Schmootly" and see some European Christmas pictures at Mary Lou’s

Santa’s little helper is counting down the days at Kerry Anne’s

In Alabama, Adrianne is asking what the holidays mean to you.

Its an elegant Country Christmas at Mary’s dear little red house.

The cookies look yummy in Germany at Regina’s

More vintage cuties are on display at Valerie’s, she even has some angel figurines her husband picked up at a yard sale for her! That is something to love about the holidays, a husband who can pick out garage sale treasures!!!

Paul-ene has her little doggy decked out and ready for coming to the party.

Debbie has a lavendar tree!! And you have to see her collection of "weird" snowman. I’d collect those too, if I ever came across any!

All of my snowmen are the traditional kind, like this one. I could go for some vintage cool ones like she has.

Rich, warm colors and Southern Hospitality await you at Rhoda’s

Tamy has a tree decorated by her boys, and it is as cute as a button.

Ok, as soon as I get back from visiting Natasha in Austrailia, I have to go to England to see Ginny! This is beautiful!!! You are going to love her English Christmas!

Warmth, coziness, and a kind thought are waiting for you at Julie’s

Have a cup of tea and enjoy Luame’s tree. It is just my kind of tree, a little bit of everything and LOT of it! pretty!!

I always enjoy visiting Phyllis, she’s like the next door neighbor I wish I had in real life. She always has a great new banner, that changes reguarly, but I think that the one she has now is my all time fave.

Gail is showing her favorite things at her place.

More vintage to love at Lakewood Manor. And who doesn’t love those ceramic Santas from the 60’s? I know I had one growing up too.

BJ is getting a start on her holiday candy making and I just wish we were there in person to taste those goodies.

Cindy is another friend who never disapoints in the decor department. Day after day her blog is a beautiful place to visit and for the holidays, it is even more special.

Liz has made the cutest cookie cutter wreath. And you can learn how to say Merry Christmas in Swedish.

Besides a festive slide show, Debra is giving away a gift. I’ve been on the receiving end of some of Debra’s gifts before, and believe me, if you are a collage crafter, you want to win the give away she is having!

Lidy has a special call out for helping the less fortunate, as well as sharing her holiday gorgeousness with us.

There is a lot to see at Blanca’s, but I of course, am always drawn to the white displays and love her shelves with the pottery and white deer.

Speaking of deer, look who visited my yard during our last big snow.

This is the view from my studio back door.

My yard is always full of "antler rats" as I call them when they eat my rose bushes in the spring.

This home is one I could move right into. That display in front of the mirror, is a knockout. Suzanne has lots of pretties to show us.

I almost got teary when I read the story of the sign on the gate at Sandy’s. It is very touching and a wonderful family treasure at the holidays.

Now, you have to go junking in Georgia with Karen and take a peek at her fabulous Santa collection!

When you go to see Gina, don’t miss the adorble, flirty little faces of the cute girls on the ornaments.

My Silverbella friend, Valita has some dramatic, red curtains that are a wonderful compliment to her decor, and her newly painted walls I’m glad to hear I am not the only one who repaints for a holiday.

Santa ROCKS! at Karen’s. How funny ! Also, look at how pretty the simple arrangement in the window is. Scroll down to see the kit she ordered from my BFF Beth.

Beth still has some of these kits for sale and you still have time to make some for your own tree. Although….. with the houses I have been seeing, I dont’ know how any of us would squeeze in one more ornament! But- we manage, don’t we??

There is snow up in Canada at Cheryl’s. She had a bit of a tree dilema, but solved it. Haven’t we all come across something that just didn’t want to fit into our cars??

Another Silver Bella friend has come by to invite us over to her snowy part of the world- Natalea is getting a start on wrapping gifts to put under that big, gorgeous tress of hers.

I just love the slide shows, and here is another one to enjoy at Leanna’s. Gotta figure out how to get my own slide show…

Here is another whole house tour, that you wish would keep going on- lots to see here at Becky’s

Ispirational messages and photos are at Cielo’s spot

Penny has been posting about her holiday decor for a while, you’ll have a lot to look at and scroll down through here.

Shiny Brite wreaths, ribbon candy, pink bottle brush trees, and is that a pink feather tree I spy in the bachground? Great collections abound at Sue’s

Oh, how sweet, a nutcracker tree at Andrea’s. Plus the mystery of what really happened to Elvis is solved, scroll down and you’ll find him.

Back to Canada to visit Kim and Liam for some cute displays. I love the watch face and jewelry by the bottle brush tree.

A studio tour at Maria’s features some vintage balls.

There is a soft, comforting glow over everything at Swaddle Cottage

Now I am homsick for our old barn after seeing Julie hang wreaths on hers. How festive!

Renee is going through a move right now and can’t decorate, but I am sure she’d appreciate a visit from some holiday friends. Its hard to be trying to sell a house at the holidays.

Santa himself is delivering the mail at Pamela Jane’s

Amy is dealing with toddlers, dogs, and little space, but still rallys and makes her home festive for them all up in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Here is another one where you will want to continue scrolling down for even more to see. I am crazy about the simple trees covered in vines and sheet music, as well as the candy cane heart and the simply wonderful can covered in old paper at Jill’s

The Advent Calender at Jennifer’s is a one of a kind item I wish I had thought of. Crafters and decorators, you are going to love the ideas she presents in every photo here. Bottle brush trees in egg cups, a Christmas tree in a red toy dump truck, PLUS a giveaway!!

Monica, who was the hostess for the Deck the Halls swap has made a perfectly beautiful white and aqua wreath. Love those colors!

Kathy has me drooling over the vey thought of cream cheese sugar cookies……

You know, with a name like the Rose Cottage, the place HAS to be pretty, and it is.

We have a party to attend in Holland too! Corina takes joy in decorating with her little angel.

I just decided what to give as my present in the drawing. A choice of the Tiara and Crown book, or a pair of earrings.

I’ve seen so many people going all out to decorate their homes for the holidays during this party.

So, I thought it would be nice to let them decorate themselves!

So, the winner will get to pick out a pair of earrings that I have made from vintage pieces, something with some holiday flair and glam.

OK, back to linking- I am almost, but not quite, caught up, and have been at it for hours. It is taking so long, because there is so much to see and I am looking over each site. I’ll go back when I can linger, but hey, you can’t fault me for not being able to pull myself away too quickly!!

Its a candy lover’s dream come true at Cindy’s.

The painted door with roses is a one of a kind decor item that is just to die for at Kimberly‘s.

Pearl Maple is on the road visiting family and has holiday travel pictures to share.

A dollar store, blue Santa is as cute as can be over at Mary Alison’s. I’ll be getting out a dollar and heading to that store myself, he is a steal!

Sandy, a fellow painter, has a cute hand painted Santa on a window, as well as trying her hand at a glittered pair. It looks adorable in the blue and white chintz teacup she has placed her sparkling fruit into.

No matter how far away we travel on this party, it is amazing to see how much stays the same. All the way over in the Netherlands, Santas, Snowmen and candles are still the highlight of a holiday home. This Netherland’s home would be as comfortable here in the midwestern state of Kansas as it is all the way across the world from here.

A very special hand drawn Santa portrait graces the beautiful white mantel at Deb’s

I am going to go and STEAL Vickie’s couch!!!!!!!! Love it!! and scroll down a few posts to see a truly unique aquarium. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a mermaid swimming around in there.

Yay, another Bella friend has come to the party- Heather has a whole herd of glittering deer to show us, and some beautiful hand made pieces she has bought from friends. If you don’t already shop with her, you have to check out Heather’s store. She carries some of the best supplies around.

Angelina‘s Beautiful Cards, needs to be called "Angelina’s Beautful Trees" from now on!

So far, I don’t think I have put my foot in my mouth yet- only a couple of mistakes. One misspelling that I corrected, and just now, I added the link to Paint Mine Pink, since before I forgot to include it. She was at the top of the list of links, so if you missed her when you were WAY up there, try again now!

At Laura has beautiful things on display and best of all, you can shop while there and pick up some for your self! I love the angel.

The "Pink Pearl Girl" has a genius of an idea for a tree stand!! Check it out atVicki’s.

Britt at Sparkled Vintage Charm is celebrating her 2nd Christmas in a row "preggers" so wasn’t going to be a part of this party. But she has the cutest baby Santa on her Flickr site that you have to see!

I always enjoying chatting with Michelle. I just came back from visiting her blog and saw that she has the same tradition that we do! My husband’s mother has also made a cross stitch stocking for everyone in the family. Looks like the same pattern sock too, nice and big to fill up with lots of goodies!

The lights are twinkling and the tree is glowing at Dolly’s. I’m fond of that fairy with the snowflake, too.

A lit tree tour of the Big Apple is up on Susie Q’s blog.

Its a red hat holiday at Pat’s

Dara has one of the prettiest, most dreamy blogs I have seen yet! There is a dear little deer that you can’t miss out on, she is delightlful!

Oh no, my Silver Bella friend, Heather, is ill- and so is her camera!! She is all decorated and ready and will have photos up soon. Please check back with her!!!

Lisa has some unique banner ornaments. Hmm, something else I’d like to try to make. Wow, I am getting sooooo many good ideas today!!

I can’t even say what I love best about Meg’s because every single picture looks like it came from a decorating book. I just have to love it all.

Cindy has a beautiful home and "cute pink stuff" just like the name of her blog!

Barbara has a traditional home with a splash of whimsy. Its a "beary" merry Christmas there!

Terri is someone who must believe like I do- that anything looks more important under glass. Her domes make the pretty white cottage and snowpeople take center stage. And speaking of snowpeople- look at that fun fridge!!!

There is a holiday baking party and some of the prettiest white furniture you have ever seen over at Miss Gracie’s

Well, it is after midnight and I have a big day tomorrow, having fun with Beth, we are going out to lunch, swapping wallpaper, maybe doing some estate sales, then playing with paper. See, fun!!!

I’ve linked and linked and linked my little heart out today. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. I didn’t leave comments on all of your blogs or answer your comments because I was in a hurry to get everyone up and connected. I did read them all though, and really enjoyed this day of holiday cheer!

I will add on stragglers over the next few days. That is a nice thing about virtual parties, they don’t have to end when the evening does. Thanks everyone!!

THURSDAY MORNING:

I will add a new guest before I go hang out with Beth for the day and would be happpy to add more tonight-

Cherished Vintage is a new place for me to visit. This party has been great for meeting a few new people, but I do think that 90% were already blog friends. That made me feel good to know that I had that many out there!!!

Any way, at Karoline’s brand new blog, you will wonder why it took her so long to start one! She has some beauties to share. Drop by and welcome her to blogworld and enjoy that adorable pink Santa sitting there so jaunty with his legs crossed.

And at this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She may be late, but who cares? Lets just say we are thrilled she made it and go straight over to Alice. (by the way she did her blog design, and it is one pretty place, done up perfectly)

And at Alda’s, there may not be a partridge, but check out the hand made pears. Also, you have to scroll down to see her fairy angel.

Victoria has been writing her Christmas cards, and if you scroll down a bit, you’ll see her tour of Shabby Chic in NY! Lucky girl, I want to go Christmas shopping there! (But I am pretty cheap, when I went, my souvenier was a box of matches- still, I loved every minute of being there)

THURSDAY EVENING- Ok time to add more!

My friend, Sandra is doing surgery on Santa (!?!) You’ll just have to see for yourself….. but don’t miss her beautiful artwork, what a beautiful blue bird she has painted.

There is a family story behind the Shiny Brites on Brenda’s tree.

8 crazy nights are listed at Saucy’s, as well as a silver Christmas to drool over. Yum, I just love the simple silver decor.

I know I keep saying this, but– wow! Here is another- too pretty to believe! I love Dawn’s home, and check out that white light fixture!

I’m not sure where to start with Denise’s home, it is all just so perfectly perfect. All of it. Photos to just be thouroughly jealous about. And that song that is playing is one that I haven’t heard before, I love the line about Shiny Bright in it. Of course, it reminds me of my favorite ornaments. How have I never heard this song???

Please welcome Stephanie to blogworld, she is just getting started and has a few trees set up for us to enjoy when we come by to tell her how much she will enjoy being part of the community!

Here is a holiday craft idea for gift giving if you have a baker in the family, complete with how-to’s over at Kimmie’s

You know, Susan has it right when she says that pulling out all the ornaments brings back so many memories of the past.

I don’t know if Mary lives up at the actual North Pole or not, but it sure looks like it from her pictures of the Northern Lights!

At Kathy‘s you can meet Isabelle in her glowing cloak of roses.

I have just been so impressed that so many of our blog friends have photos of their homes that look like they came straight from the pages of a book or magazine. Here is another one that looks like a professional decorator did the home, it is so well done and beautiful. But it all came from the heart and Maureen has sentimental stories to tell about the decor.

One of my very first blog friends, Vicki, has a sugar plum cottage on display. She says she’ll have her own home pictures up this weekend, so you’ll want to go back and look again then. But, once you’ve been to see Vicki and her creative masterpieces, you’ll want to go back again and again anyway.

I will continue to add links to this post for the next week. We don’t want to leave ANYONE out.

FRIDAY MORNING– And the list goes on…………..

Its a PINK Christmas at Jennifer’s.

The Queen of Christmas is reigning over the "wonderful life" of my creative, fun, and kooky pal, Carlene at Unruly. She has a unique way of seeing things and her decor is always one of a kind, funky, but oh, so elegant and enviable!

Friday night’s additions:

A St Lucia Celebration is in full swing, Swedish style at Mica’s, where the home is decorated vintage decor and shimmering white lights. You’ll love this pretty blog.

A poll on favorite Christmas songs, a give away, and a Holiday camera. What more could you ask for? Stephanie has her home ready for a visit from all of us.

Saturday night’s additions:

Its a little boy’s dream Christmas at Dayami’s home, complete with a candland truck with peppermint wheels.

Its a trip to Beford Falls over at Debbie’s. And don’t miss the wreath she made with the collage in the center, its so pretty.

Sunday morning and we are still having people drop into the party-

At the Pink Gate, Louisa is showing us photos of a nearby attraction, that had been featured in Victoria magazine. Its so lovely, but everything they had in their pages was…..

And back down under again to the Bowerbird’s Nest where Jenn has had a Christmas tree catastrophe, but has made the best of it, and has so many beautiful pictures to see of her home. I’ve had a tree come crashing down TWICE myself, it is heartwrenching to lose the precious ornaments and the memories they represent.

She has a long post, and it is worth lingering over, have fun visiting!

When I visited Cathy, I saw that she and I are in the same issue of Romantic Country that is out right now!! How nice! Then, I spent some time turning green with envy over the photos of her garden before scrolling down to see all the pretty pink holiday decor. I am so green right now.

The link takes you to her home page, it isn’t easy to get to her blog, you have to go through a couple of pages, and see the blog listed and click on it. I promise, you will be glad you took the time to find it, she has some beautiful eye candy to share.

Heralding angels and red Santas will greet you at Jen’s

Monday’s additions:

I’m glad that Janet has joined us, because she has a great idea for holiday decor. I am crazy about all the little sliver birds in thier ironstone and shredded sheet music nest!

Here is another lovely nest, this time over at Lynn’s. Everything is beautiful with touches of red and white amoung the cedar. But I just love the sweetly simple, bare branch , table top tree sitting in a nest.

Monique shows us the deals that only 6 Euros can buy!

Its Tuesday and we have a new hostess inviting us over- Maureen has decorated goodies and will be adding her holiday cross stitch projects.

Wednesday:

Take a tour of the "castle" and let puss and boots introduce you to the knight in shining armour wearing a santa cap over at Jeanenne’s

Ginna has had to downsize and rethink her holiday decor after downsizing homes, as well as keeping pretties out of the reach of a 3 year old.

Oh, this one is fun! Not only are Alvin and the Chipmunks singing in the background, and the cat is eying the tree with a plotting gleam in her eye, but Lallee has made a pretty tree with words, and seems to know how to load her photos in an interesting way. All I can do is do single pictures, and I find myself feeling very lucky when TYPEPAD lets me put the words close to where I want them to be.

Her blog is laid out well and there are nice photos too.

Another pretty, pretty place to go!! and here I thought I was crazy about pink and white, but this aqua, white and silver at Jennifer’s is darling!

There is a sweet story of the what it means to be a grown up at Christmas at Keetha’s as well as a funny, what can go wrong next? baking story in the previous post.

Thursday’s additions:

Jilly has some lucky estate sale finds, one is a darling hand made ceramic church, maybe from the 60s?

We are going out with a BANG- take a lookie at this cottage!!!!!! funky, elegant, fun, I love this house. I am always so happily surprised to come across a great blog I have never seen before. I know you’ll enjoy this one! go visit Diva Deb and see for your self.

Well, it has been a fun week of looking at the holiday homes and seeing all the things we love about our Christmas decor. All this cheer has really been a boost in my Christmas spirits! Thanks so much to all of you who participated and made this party the fun and successful festive gathering that it was.

We are winding down now and everyone must be busy bustling around with their last minute Christmas to do lists. I think I can stop listing and linking now. Thanks again!! I am finally ending this LOOOOOOOOOOOONG post.

Oh, Fudge!

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, Food and Drink, give away, holiday decor, Moving to DC, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 10, 2007

It’s almost time for our "What do you LOVE about your holiday home?" party!

I’ll do my post later Tuesday evening and start linking up as comments come in.

Please remember that you have to leave a comment on THAT post, the Holiday Home party, or I will miss you and won’t link.

And what have I decided to send as a prize? Well here is one of them, this great book, Crowns & Tiaras. I’ll have more party door prizes for guests that day too.

I will have separate drawings for bloggers who participate and for readers who leave comments about what they love about their holiday homes too. I just want to make sure some one from each group gets a prize.

Here is one little tidbit I love about my own holiday home. This welcoming pink glow in the breezeway, where I have wrapped pink lights around an iron garden topiary frame and set it into a wicker plant stand. People get an idea of what to expect from the rest of my house when they are greeted by this!

And there is more to love around here, my dorkies of course. All cozied up by the wood stove on a fluffy pillow staying warm while an ice storm rages outside.

The weather makes it a perfect night to stay in and make holiday candy. I am a fudge creator. I make tons of fudge each year to give away. Beth claims that my fudge is the reason she had to join the gym

I make the short cut, simple to do, nothing to it variety, always perfect, and quick. All it consists of is melting a bag of chips into a can of sweetened condensed milk and then beating it till it is fluffy and pouring it into a pan. Best, creamiest fudge ever. And everyone thinks you slaved over it. Oops, my friends won’t think that anymore, will they? My secret is out. I’m bad with secrets, you can tell by the way I run on and on, I tend to blabber about everything.

I bought these ceramic pans at a garage sale this summer for 25 cents each, never used, still in packages from the store! They are oven and freezer safe, and I will fill them with fudge and wrap them up pretty and give them to friends this year.

So, tonight, I make 14 batches of fudge. I have to have plenty to give away and to feed the family when I host lots of holiday get togethers! I have a 6’4" nephew who is a size 28 waist and can really pack away the peanut butter chocolate fudge. He’ll get a batch all of his own.

Yesterday I showed the 3 slate tables I bought for our Eastern apartment, but didn’t show why I got them.

The tables are to remind my husband of our home here, they match this floor in our entry way.

I laid this tile myself. I don’t know how to use a wet saw (and am afraid of those anyway, I nicked a knuckle on a power saw once and still get the heebie jeebies thinking that I could have lost my right hand!)

Since I couldn’t cut the pieces, I made a mosaic with small stones and 4" tiles throughout the 12" tiles. It really was pretty easy to do, except for the kink in my back from crouching on the floor so long.

I also did some of the trim in this area- it is barn wood we tore out of our 100 year old barn that couldn’t be saved. (That is how I caught my knuckle on the power saw. ) I sure prefer less dangerous projects like painting, or gluing wallpaper!

Twinkle just can’t understand why she shouldn’t be in every photo, so I just humor her.

This snowman tree is from Paula Kay’s home. She was a door prize winner at our last party and sent me a photo of the tree she created this year.

I am really looking forward to our party tomorrow. If you’d like to take a peek at the last one we had, it is here: http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2007/09/what-do-you-lov.html

Here is a photo of something my neice loves about her holiday home- Baby, her cat peeking out of the tree. Twinkle just wishes she could do that with ours.

Hope to see you all Wednesday!

Macho Decor and close quarters

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, family, give away, Hand Painted Furniture, hand painted signs, holiday decor, Moving to DC, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 9, 2007

We are home from our relocation trip. I didn’t see much of DC at all, we were in the burbs the whole time apartment and furniture shopping.

At first, I thought it looked like Anytown, USA with all the chain restaurants, apartment buildings and strip malls, but then realized, that the East is very different.

Burbs in Kansas City or St Louis SPRAWL. Outside of DC, they build UP not OUT. The buildings are high and all the people stack up and squeeze in.

I got a bit homesick for the spaciousness of Kansas, but will learn to live with the high paced, jammed in life style there.

We got a bit homesick for the fairy grand baby too, and went immediately to pick her up when we got back from the airport to take her out to lunch. Of course, we’d been out to eat for every meal since Thursday, but there was no food in the house and it is always a good excuse to go pick up Sugarwings and her family and take them out to eat.

We find ourselves coming up with so many of those little bribes, I mean excuses, to see her.

OK, this doesn’t look like my style, but I took my husband into consideration while furnishing the new place. At first we were going to go with rental stuff. then used, but decided to buy some decent pieces for his place because it is going to have to be his home away from home for a long time.

I got a slate top dining table and matching living room tables for the apartment. All the colors are earthy and the look is slightly rustic. No girly roses at the East Coast Bachelor pad.

I shopped like a woman possessed trying to find the cheapest, yet still stylish things I could find in just a day. It will all be delivered on Jan. 2nd when we go back to get settled in.

Do you have any idea what kind of pain it caused me to buy brand new things from a furniture store and have it delivered???? I just don’t do that. I buy the things no one wants and fix them up.

I know that I could have gotten a sofa table for $3- $20 at a garage sale in Kansas instead of $159 there. Really painful.

But here were my concerns:

no time
no truck
no tools

Of course, also my husband wants it all simple and easy to care for and doesn’t give a durn about Pretty.

He doesn’t notice stuff like in this photo of our Kansas living room, a cabinet from a junk shop ($35) repainted and set on top of a small table from a garage sale ($15) that was painted to match.

Or the mirror from the dumpster above it. Or the free lamp given to me by Beth. I foofed its lampshade and painted it, then set it next to some old chippy paint finials that are serving as candle holders ($5).

So- I know how cheaply I can find things and what can be done.

I am still in pain from going to a furniture store and decking out most of the apartment in one swoop.

Oh well, it will work out. It is stuff he likes and will make him comfy there.

Now on to something more interesting. Joy and Roses!!

I’ve decided what to send the winner of my November drawing, Joy. I know I am a bit late, but with the trip and the open house, she was very understanding about it.

I am also behind on Etsy shipping, but will get all of it caught up and in the mail tomorrow. Thanks so much to everyone who shopped there and thanks also for your patience.

I am sending Joy a JOY sign. It is made from the end of a magazine rack that came from the same dumpster that mirror in the earlier photo did.

She seems to be a person who enjoys salvage and sees the possibilities in a discarded piece herself and I thought she might like this hand painted wreath on something rescued. If you’ve read her blog, you know she has a great eye for redoing things herself.

Don’t forget that we will have more gifts during the What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home? party on Wed. the 12th and that all comments are entered into the giveaway for December too. I love to try to match the gift to the winner instead of just naming something that will be given away at the end of the month. Joy will also receive a little pack of ephemera and doodads for projects.

I had sent Natasha some vintage and hand painted ornaments as well as a Noel banner made up of vintage papers for our trade in the Deck the Halls Swap hosted by Monica. I love the way Natasha has displayed the ornaments on a springlike vine to complement the Australian weather at Christmas.

But wait till you see what she sent to me!!

And to Sugarwings too. Of course, Twinkle thinks everything that the baby gets is half hers.

There is a possibility that Twinks will be wearing this cute little crown that is meant to hang on the tree as a gift to the fairy baby. Either one of them would be adorable wearing it!

And look what else she got- a Santa on a Kangaroo! She thought it was hilarious. That kid has a sense of humor that makes her have deep belly laughs when she sees something funny, and this little santa really struck her funny bone.

She was also given a book about Santa’s summer Christmas, so much fun to read to her and tell her about Christmas in other parts of the world.

Natasha had everything wrapped up so sweetly. And yes, I saved every pink rosebud!

She made a wonderful wooden banner with a matching snowman in glitter, the pink rose bud "cookie", and the 3 little glitter framed wallpaper pictures to go on to the tree.

And she sent Tim Tams. Which we discovered are the world’s best cookie. And I cant find any more around here, I was hoping World Market wold carry them.

And thats not all. A blown glass angel ornament that I immediately hung on my white and gold tree.

Thanks, Natasha! and Thanks to Monica for hosting. What a fun swap. I made out like a bandit on this one. But I do say that bloggers are the most generous people around and if you get a chance to swap with one- DO IT!!

Little Miss Maddy Cat came by to have her Christmas photos taken at my house to use the painted bench as a back drop. I had some trouble with the red eye on this one, but as cute as she is, it didn’t matter.

She and Sugarwings are starting to interact now that Miss Maddy Cat is getting bigger. Sugarwings leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek and it looks like they are about ready to plan a cousins play date together.

Wow, I’ve ran on long enough. I’d better go and mail those packages. Thanks again to all of the shoppers who went to my Etsy Shop and to Natasha!

Big changes

celebrations, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, jewelry, paintings

By Karla Nathan / December 5, 2007

I think I am done. I might not be, but I think I have all my hand made Christmas items listed on Etsy. I don’t even know how many I listed!

All I know, is that I took a LOT of photos and did a ton of editing and wrote and wrote and wrote descriptions.

I’m afraid most of my backgrounds are all the same, not as interesting as I usually try to make them, but this was a 3 day marathon event!!

I wanted to get all these up on the Etsy site before we went to DC tomorrow, so people could have time to shop for holiday items. Anything sold this week will go into the mail on Monday after I get back.

In between the listing today, I took time to look at apartments online.

Yep, we aren’t just going to DC to visit, we are apartment hunting! Rich has taken a new job that will have him based there, for at least a year.

I was so afraid we’d have to move!!! We are really lucky that it worked out so that we can live there part time and Kansas part time. Actually, my husband will go back and forth a lot more than I will.

How on Earth could we have sold our cottage and left Sugarwings to go live in some big city???? I would have just died to have to leave our wonderful, happy life here behind.

So it is my sweet husband who is making the sacrifice and living way out there, far from Sugarwings. And you can tell how he dotes on her from this photo, it won’t be easy for him to be away for a week or so at a time.

The new company will let him have an office at home for part of the month, and he will spend a lot of time racking up frequent flyer miles.

I think I have mentioned over and over in this blog, how lucky I am. I should spend time in casinos, I really do have a good luck streak going these last few years.

It won’t be easy to have two homes and to be apart that much, but it is a great job that he deserves and we will make it all work.

I’ll still get to have my studio so I can make all of these fun things to list on Etsy. And we’ll still be around for our kids, friends, nieces, nephews, and fairy grand baby. Oh and the garden and Dorkies!!

I’ve been promised a laptop so I can write my blog from way out East and I also plan to take along water colors so I can paint there, at the dining table.

Knowing me, I’ll probably get ten times as much work done in my Kansas studio than I do now, since he will be away so much!

People ask me how I can manage to get so much done- well, I am just really, really fast. And I don’t have a day job, this is it. I get to make pretties all the time!

Didn’t I say I was lucky???

I’ve never liked the name I chose for my blog, I should change it to "lucky me" or something like that. Of course, that could be cursing myself and about then, I’d break a leg or something.

I haven’t always been lucky. There have been major tragedies in my life, lots of ups and downs. That just makes these good times even better.

I’ve been really poor, I’ve broken my back and had years of chronic pain, I almost lost my sweet son to meth addiction and had to fight to get him back.

So, I don’t mean to sound like a Pollyanna, I honestly have many reasons to be thrilled with my life right now and to enjoy every moment to the fullest.

Sometimes you have to wrangle all the happiness you can get out of the world and hold onto it tightly.

I’ll be away until Sunday, and will come back with photos from the trip. See you then!

In the meantime, don’t forget about the party coming up on Wednesday next week. Invite all your readers and any other bloggers you think would enjoy it.

I will have drawings and prizes and will be sure to set some goodies aside for non-bloggers who leave us comments about their own holiday decor as well as other bloggers who link up for the party.

A List a mile long

Etsy Goodies, holiday decor, I do tend to run on, don't I?, paintings, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 4, 2007

I spent as much of yesterday as I could listing on Etsy!

I got quite a few things up (at lower prices so they will disappear) until about mid-day. Then, I had a break and when I went to go back to listing more, the light was gone and I couldn’t get any more good photos.

Natural light makes such a difference in a photo. Like this one of a hand dyed vintage linen bag. Isn’t it pretty how the sun comes in the window from the left side?

I try to never use flash in my pictures of my art work or shop listings.

This bag was done with fiber reactive dyes, I have a huge set of dye colors. Before Sugarwings was born, we had a baby shower that was a tie dye party in the garden. Everyone brought something white and we dipped and dyed all after noon. She has a whole wardrobe full of tie dye clothing, which is perfect for her since her mom is a hippie chick.

Our fairy grandbaby came home from the hospital in a tie dyed ensemble.

I get the dyes out and make something every once in a while. I like to dye my t-shirts that get a coffee stain on the front so I can still wear them.

Today, I am taking all my photos first, then listing throughout the evening. Its a Sugarwings sleepover night, so I can’t say how much I’ll get done…….

My afternoon break was from some shoppers who called and asked if they could come over to look around. They verified my guess that the reason my sales were down on Sunday was because it was too crowded.

All of them said that they just couldn’t see to shop and wanted to come back and look without the crowds.

I have more people coming in the next couple of days, but I did warn them it wasn’t set up as pretty as before. Actually, the studio kind of looks like a bar the day after New Year’s Eve.

At least my house is still clean! But the baby isn’t here yet. Give it a couple of hours and it will be looking quite lived in.

Which reminds me, I walked into my house from the studio during the home tour to find someone going through my kitchen drawers!!! She was telling her husband that real people did live in the house. Well, what did she think it was?? So, I said, yep, this is MY house and she turned red and walked away. Really funny, I was laughing and thinking maybe I should have cleaned out drawers too??

After the whole thing was over, I saw that the shower curtain had been pulled back too. I guess that means, I should have cleaned the shower. Geez, who would have though that people would be peeking in places like that???? There were hosts around to keep an eye on that kind of thing.

Oh well, they got an eyeful of mess is what they got. I only cleaned what I thought was going to show!! I hope they enjoyed the view of the pile of wash rags and an empty shampoo bottle on the floor of the shower. Did I mention that there were tiny little, muddy dog foot prints on the shower floor? Twinkle loves to play in there.

These photos I am showing are of what I did get listed yesterday. Some have sold already! thanks!

All are listed at lower prices than I have had on similar items before.

This is another photo of some of Beth’s contributions to the shop.

I’m not sure how much of these she sold. I do remember ringing up the little pink angels. The weekend really was pretty non-stop crazy.

Beth and I figured out what was weird about Sunday- with all those crowds, we didn’t get our giggle and gossip time.

Usually if you aren’t selling much, you are all alone at a sale, no crowds. So we hang out and talk and usually have so much fun, we don’t care about sales. But with hordes of people walking through we never got to relax and kick back. It was just weird. But I would do it again, I enjoyed my weekend and sales weren’t bad. And I am donating $500 of the sales to the charity that sponsored the open house tour. They are a free clinic that helps people with no health insurance, and that is a great cause to me. When my son broke his elbow, they were great. He has no insurance, much like many young people his age.

Now, I need to go Christmas shop from my pile of leftovers to find presents for my blog giveaways and for my family.

The rest I need to photograph before we go out of town, we have a trip to DC coming up this week.

So, I’m off to shop in my own studio, then list more things before the baby comes to play. Nothing gets done while she is here, except some tickling, hide and seek, and made up stories about fairies in the woods.

When she is older, I will write some down and illustrate them for her, so she will have books of her adventures in the forest as a fairy with sugar pink wings.

What do you do with the leftovers?????????

Etsy Goodies, fairies, holiday decor, parties

By Karla Nathan / December 2, 2007

Beth and I survived the sale! It was up and down and surprisingly we didn’t do very well during the day of the open house. Hundreds of people came through and all had nice things to say, but I think it was just too crowded and congested for shopping.(Here is a table full that Beth brought)

We had a lot of inventory, hand made or vintage.

And although, sales weren’t THAT bad, there sure seems to be a lot left over!!

See how cute this stuff that Beth made is? Why is it still here?

And I still have a treeful of ballerina fairies.

We had our theories on why the sales were so up and down. Friday was great. All of our regulars from the mailing list came. They always show up when we open and want to be first in line!

Saturday, the weather was terrible, plus there were so many activities going on around town.

On Sunday, the home tour was for 4 hours, with 7 homes to see and people were rushed. The ones who did stay and linger, bought some things. I ended up selling furniture on Sunday and my husband was sweet enough to load it up in one of the trucks from his collection (we have 3 for some reason) and follow the lady home to deliver a dresser.

I should have taken a photo of the packed room, and you’d see what I mean about it being too crowded to shop. We sold a lot during lulls when the room was bearable, but when hordes came through, we simply passed out treats and chatted as they filed through. who would have ever thought that having too many people at your sale was a bad thing?? A lot of women were asking what my hours were so they could come back again when they could shop more comfortably. But I doubt I I’ll be doing this again for a few months.

I’ll be listing a BUNCH of stuff on my Etsy shop tomorrow and at bargain prices too!

I can’t say the day wasn’t a success. People were so kind about my home and had so many nice things to say. And I got my house cleaned up! Every room all at the same time. Of course, it won’t be that way tomorrow……

I had people asking if they could hire me as a decorator. That was flattering.

Of course, all my stuff is from a garage sale or a dumpster or a flea market, I called it the recycled house. I take things no one else cares about and make them into something pretty.

My husband’s office was open for show today too. I didn’t decorate much up there, just some berry vines on the lights and above the windows.

And to me, this is one of the prettiest things I saw today, my little boy, Ryan.

I took tons of photos and will show more later if you are interested.

Plenty of blog-fodder for the "what do you love about your Holiday Home" party on the 12th!

And don’t forget about our monthly drawing!

I’m a couple days late, but things have been crazy around here. I picked a name from the comments left this month and it is:

Joy

What a fitting name to draw for a holiday prize!!

Joy, please send me your address and I’ll send a giftie to you up there in Canada.

All comments left are eligible for the drawing each month. Thanks to everyone who comes by to visit, I enjoy hearing from you all.

Oh, here are a few more wonderful things Beth brought, and she did sell out with these, I think. And what a cool display she brought for me to hang them on.

I think she’ll be listing some leftovers on Etsy too.

You know, the sale really was fine, and the home tour was fun, I didn’t mean to complain. I am simply so PROLIFIC in what I produce, that sometimes I feel like I am drowning in stuff. I still have a studio full after the sale. But there was just so durn much to start with!!

I was giving stuff to friends who came by after the event to drink a glass of wine and tell me about the other homes they saw on the tour. My last few shoppers were getting extras thrown into their bags for free too. I just wanted it GONE at that point. I am ready to move on and make more stuff, not just keep staring at the stuff I made last week.

I have an idea! Another giveaway. For my Party on the 12th, I will have special prizes. All comments that day will go into a drawing and I’ll use you guys to dump my excess inventory on- ( I mean, I will give gifts to readers and participants that day)

Ready * Set * GO!

antiques/junking, Etsy Goodies, fairies, Hand Painted Furniture, hand painted signs, holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / November 29, 2007

I’m DONE! I’m ready for my sale!!!

I even had time today to cover this cash box in old wallpaper and foof up the keys to it.

I had bought it at a garage sale this summer for $2, and it was a plain, industrial grey color. A little bit of vintage papers, some glue, ribbon, a charm and some old pearl buttons, and I am ready to make change in style tomorrow!

I also made a few more teacup posie arrangements.

Pretty teacups that were slightly chippy got a makeover with oasis glued to the inside, then covering them with moss or shredded papers and gluing in some pretties. I used a variety of goodies inside of them, tiny Christmas balls in silver, millinery flowers, and glittered birds. After putting them in place, I drenched them in white glue and did another light fairy dusting of glitter over the top.

Price tags are done, stuff is arranged. This cabinet is all whites.

I have more than one area done in reds and greens. There are plenty of traditionalists who want the old fashioned Christmas colors. I love them myself, and have fun setting up the displays, but have gone with more pastels and neutrals in my house this year for holiday decor.

The pink poinsettias are my favorite, I love the rich deep pink ones, that are almost the color of an azalea. (by the way- if you think your house isn’t ready to photograph for our "What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home" party on Dec. 12th, here is a good example. There are dirty dishes in this sink, but the angle I took the photo hides them. And the mess on the counter top, just got pushed aside for the picture. Your house doesn’t have to be perfect to show us some pretties in it for the party!!) But I should replace that light bulb before the open house.

Or you can just zoooooom in.

The grocery store had $1.99 roses again this week and I bought 3 dozen (all they had) for my open house.

I also buy pink and white poinsettias ($3 a pot at Wal-Mart) and use them as cut flowers instead of potted.

Yes, these are sitting on the back of my toilet. Is that tacky? Should toilets just be left alone??

I was able to take the 3 dozen roses and 2 poinsettia plants and spread flowers all throughout my home.

Most of the roses were still buds, so I am gambling they’ll still look good by Sunday. I had to arrange all the flowers on Wed. since I’ll be tied up with my sale the next few days.

Actually, I don’t arrange them much. I just plop them into vases. More cottagey than a true arrangement.

Oh-oh, I see some price tags coming lose. I hope I don’t run into many of those situations in the studio for the sale.

Its too bad the price tags have to be so visible, they don’t make a pretty photo. But I like them to be right in your face for shoppers, easy for them to see. Don’t you HATE having to wait for someone to get a key to open a case and flip something over so you can see the price???? Why do people hide their prices so often????

Remember the clearance stockings I bought earlier? I got them all foofed up with glitter, buttons and old jewelry and will be hoping to sell them for $15 each. Seems like a good price for them, I hope the shoppers agree.

I put $18 on my little ballerina fairy under glass.

Can you see why it has taken me so long to pull this together? I hope the care that went into it shows.

Right now I am off to bed. Well, that is after I watch Survivor. Wish Beth and I luck tomorrow!!

Favorite Things

hand painted signs, holiday decor, paintings, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / November 28, 2007

I am making headway! Things are coming together for my sale. I even had time to embellish another photo album. This is covered in a great, old wallpaper, ruffles of sheet music and an handpainted oval of anaglyta wallpaper that I did for it.

None of these items are newly done, but I have them hung and priced! That feels like an accomplishment right there.

I had painted the wreath onto my closet door and decorate it for the seasons. Right now, it just is sporting clearance junk I want to get rid of, nothing too special.

I had painted these two bright little pictures and the flower polka frames for an article I wrote, and they really aren’t my style. But the story was about using a round sponge brush to paint the flowers on the frame and I was told to use BRIGHT colors.

These are more my style. I painted all of these last night.

And all of these- too. The ones on the floor still need hooks and wire on the backs. That is the time consuming part. I can paint like a fiend, it is the grunt work that gets me.

Ready for a parade of signs?

Sugarwings stayed all night, so I had to do get these done after she went to bed.

I snuck out to the studio to paint while her Pop Pop was playing with her for a bit, then went in to take my shift of chasing her energetic little body around the house.

Can you see what happened to her clothes when I gave her a hug?? She’d better get used to it. Everyone around me ends up getting smeared with paint sooner or later!

Back to work. Sorry about the photo quality. did I mention I am in a rush to get ready? You can tell by the reflection in that mirror that my studio is a bit of a mess and not finished yet.

Plus there are a few more things that could use a sparkling of Fairy Dust glitter on them yet. I’m sure little Sugarwings will go home with a few sparkles on her to match the paint.

Tiny Dancers and Globs of Glitter

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / November 26, 2007

Do you ever have days when you are trying to meet a deadline, have tons to do, but get easily sidetracked anyway?

I have an open house as part the local Holiday Home Tour and a 3 day sale in my studio this weekend. There are so many things I need to be doing for it.

But what do I do instead? Give the dogs haircuts and baths.

And go to Goodwill. Where I found this vintage jewelry box!! For 49 cents!! It plays "When you Wish Upon a Star" and the ballerina twirls. I need to cover the exterior in vintage wallpaper. Of course.

There has been some work getting done- I’m still painting ornaments and charms. Although, yesterday I took a movie break and went to see "The Mist". I have always been a huge Stephen King fan, but more of his earlier work than later.

Last night after the movie, I painted about a dozen charms.

Including some especially for Kansans- Jayhawks and Sunflowers.

I have no idea how many hours I have spent making price tags. They seem to have taken over my life. I know that on Thanksgiving Day, I put in 9 hours of tagging!

I looked around and think I am about 95% done with pricing. So, I have today and tomorrow to make more things (and more price tags for them too, I guess).

I made this up real quick this morning, it was a glittered bucket with ugly stuff on it, that I pulled off and exchanged for flocked wallpaper (that I bought from Dede during vendor night at Silver Bella) and a German die cut cherub, some old trim, and a bit of vintage velvet ribbon.

I painted this little fairy ornament last night too. She still needs a dollop of glitter on her.

These ornaments from yesterday could use a shake or two from the glitter jar too. I think that the poly top coat and sparkly glitter just makes them look finished.

Of course, I think everything looks better with glitter.

I won an giveaway this summer from Michelle and she had made this darling little blue bird for me. She told me it was OK to glitter it up, I think she knew in advance that the poor little bird couldn’t escape my glitter shaker!

This little ballerina fairy has been sparkled too. She is standing in a shallow dish, that I have no idea what it could have been meant for, it is an odd shape. The dome was 49 cents at the Goodwill.

She is wearing butterfly wings and crystals, and is perched on an old bulb from a string of Xmas lights. That wasn’t easy to do.

I glued a nest of shredded paper to the bottom of the dish, then added tiny, vintage glass Christmas balls onto the nest, making sure to attach them to the glass below so they would be secure.

Then, I turned the light bulb so that it pointed upwards, and glued the base to the glass and the tiny dancer to the tip.

I think she has a little bit of acrobat in her too. She did a great job of hanging in there while I held her in place while waiting for the glue to dry.

I stuffed a lot of ribbon and velvet millinery posies around the base of it all and globbed a lot more glue on it. It seems to have dried solid as a rock and very stable, but you should have seen my gluey fingers and all the shredded paper and glitter stuck to them while doing this. She kept slipping and sliding down and I didn’t think I’d ever get it all to stay in place.

Did I mention I had a million things to do for my sale? So, add blogging about glitter and price tags to giving the dogs a hair cut and shopping at Goodwill to avoid working.

I’d better get on with it.

Don’t forget, you can still do some shopping from the previous two posts (as well as the ornaments in this post). Just email if you are interested.

And every comment you leave is an entry into my drawing for the November giveaway. the prize will probably be something glittered.

A FEW MINUTES LATER:

I added glitter to these balls, better, huh?