The lovely and talented Karen Valentine is once again hosting the Where Bloggers Create studio tour.
And even though I've shown my studio a zillion mcbillion times, here I go again.
There are always a few little changes here and there. I've moved a couple pieces of furniture around since last year and added a couple crafty projects. And now my doors are pink. Yay! something different.
This tour is always so much fun to browse through, that I just HAD to join in, I really enjoy this bloggy party. Thanks for hosting again, Karen.
And I did mention that there were some new things.
Like "Fairyville" on top of my buffet. These are a few of the practice fairies I made for the Birdsong class I taught here in June. I was quite addicted to making these little sprites and couldn't stop! Plus, I love having choices and variety for my kits, and needed completed examples of all the colors I'd provided, kit-wise.
And I have a few extra kits left if you want to make one of your own- Email me:
karlanathan@sbcglobal.net
if you are interested in one for $25 plus postage. They include everything you need to make, and decorate a little sprite, illustrated instructions, plus create a peat pot swing for her to relax in.
I have a few colors, as mentioned.
This was my other project for Birdsong, a lace and ephemera mobile.
I've found that projects from classes I teach or take are items that I keep around and treasure. This book was made in Karen's (our blog hop hostess) class during the Downton Affaire in LA.
This sweet dolly dress was from Pamela's class at the same weekend.
I've got all of the dresses on a lace ribbon, hanging under the stitched sampler we worked on there too.
Some items are a constant. One thing that stays on display in my studio, are the swap books that I have hosted.
Sadly, last year I missed out on doing a swap, but I'm in the middle of putting one together right now. I'm painting a portrait of a cement garden angel, which will be copied and collaged with vintage paper onto the cover of the books we make. I'll create all the covers, each swapper will send in the proper amount of pages, and I'll assemble the books and send them back.
Details to come, but if you think you might want to make one, please email me and I'll send you a link to the details when they are ready.
karlanathan@sbcglobal.net
Examples for tutorials are also keepers for me. This is a mini dress form that I've fairied up. I kinda like fairies…
You'll find the magical little creatures in every nook and cranny of the room. These are some that escaped from my wire birdcage tutorial.
Yet one more instance of something I made a gazillion of. Those birdcages took some brain power to get just right, and once I figured out the short cut to making them, I whipped up dozens to make sure I had the technique correct before teaching the class and writing up a tutorial.
Now, I have these cages hanging from the ceiling, (the room is still decorated with the Birdsong theme from our classes in June. I'll leave them there with the paper birds until fall and I do something witchy instead.)
At Christmas last year, I filled a small tree in the studio with birdcages, and hung shiny brites from the branches.
There are a LOT of birdcages!
Millinery flowers are a steady fixture in the studio too.
I do sell them in my shop, but I always get more! It wouldn't feel like home if I didn't have a roomful of smooshy, old flowers.
And pupeesh! Those guys are a very necessary element in the studio.
Being an artist can get a little bit lonely. I'm lucky to have a bunch of co-workers out there with me. Between the dogs and the grand fairies, I rarely get lonely.
The kiddos have their own corner. But this isn't really what it looks like. This is the cleaned up version. I had all of their things packed up for Birdsong to make room for guests. Then, before I could get it all set back up again, a blog friend, Kerryanne Woodberry, asked me to do some photos of the room for her magazine.
You can look at past issues online for free, here. It's a gorgeous publication and I'm honored to be invited to be in it.
Here is a more, uhm, honest, view of that corner, without the screen to hide stuff behind. There is always a messy pile of works in progress and a TV on Disney Jr.
Here is another switcheroo. Same old stuff, sitting in a new place. That cabinet is HEAVY as the dickons, and even heavier since I didn't bother to unload the fabrics jam packed into it. Have you ever used those carpet covered mini frisbee things that you can scoot furniture around on? I have a cement floor, and they are wonderful for moving any of my big heavy pieces with.
The treat cabinet was treated to a tidbit of a makeover in 2014.
I painted this plywood backdrop to cheer up this corner of the room.
And LuWanda has sprouted Bluebird of Happiness wings.
This spring, I took every single thing out of my hutch, dusted and rearranged it. Somethings went to a "use" pile, others to "sell" or "toss".
Most just got returned right back to where they started. But without the years of built up dust.
During spring cleaning, all the cabinets got slightly rearranged, but I have a feeling, that if you compared it to the pictures from years past, it wouldn't be all that noticeable. But I feel much better about getting my myriad of supplies organized, and cleaned out.
The view out of my back door has improved quite a bit!
We have added a patio. No more mole hills and weeds. Or chair legs that sink down a foot into the dirt when a guest sits down.
This isn't exactly part of the studio, but kind of an extension of it. When I have crafty events, we spill out onto the patio. So, this counts as something new to show for the blog tour, right?
The contractor added the cobblestone stamp,and the flowers are something that I did free hand with a nail as the concrete was drying.
Thank you for coming by to visit.
And I'll bet you will have a great time checking out all the other creative spaces on the tour. I know I will.
ps- I'm having a Summer Clearance sale in the Boutique until July 15th. I've neglected that poor little shoppette too long, I need to clean up, clear out, and refresh it all. You are welcome to soak up some summertime savings and help me get a fresh start, by using this link and getting 50% off everything in the store:
http://www.karlascottage.com/?code=Summersale
(You must use that address to get the special price. Going to the regular address does NOT take you to the 50% discount)
I never tire of the pictures from your studio…can’t imagine anyone else would either. So many vintage pretties tucked into every nook and cranny with your most gorgeous & charming creations.
Thanks for sharing again.
~~the pupeesh are always a bonus! 🙂
Lovely tour Karla. I can’t get enough either. I just got a punch bowl like yours and you have inspired me to fill it with my vintage flowers.
Ok now I’m commenting here too:) I love to stroll through your studio – it’s Gorgeous! and I adore all the nooks and crannies and treasures!
I sent you 2 emails – 1 for a faerie kit and one for the swap.
Enjoy your weekend!
Leann
Anything filled with vintage flowers is a wonderful thing, huh, Patty!?
Thanks, Lisa, I feel like I show the same pictures over and over, so Im glad to hear that.
I Always enjoy seeing your studio, it is so pretty! There is so much to look at I don’t think anyone could get bored! I love many of your furniture pieces and the wallpaper boxes and the birds flying above ! Hugs! karen….
WOW!!!! Amazing space… your plywood painting is brilliant, too!
A fun, fun place to create and to hang out!
Karla, I never tire of the endless inspiration in your studio. Love Love the flowers on the concrete step!
As lovely as always, Karla ~ I especially love the scrollwork design in the concrete.
I always enjoy looking around your studio, however many times you show it. The dresses you made at Downton are adorable and your bowls full of flowers are enviable♡
SO fanciful! I could really get carried away in here!
I always love seeing your studio!
Gail, it looks even better filled with friends. I look forward to seeing you here again
I have never been here so I have never seen your studio! Oh how enchanting it all is. So much beauty everywhere and your daughter is soooo beautiful. Your puppies too! I have a maltese bella bleu as my assistant in my studio. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Karla! I can never get enough of seeing photos of your studio! The only thing better is being there! 🙂
I have really enjoyed looking around your beautiful studio. I really love everything. Thank you for sharing Lisa
Pretty, pretty, pretty!!!! Thanks for sharing…..and you silly thing for thinking anyone would get tired of gazing upon your space!
Karla, I just love reading your blog. Your paintings and fairy creations are just wonderful! It’s funny to see so many pictures without the “little ones.” You have such a happy space. 🙂
I would never tire of visiting such an Enchanting and Beautiful Space as this! Fairyville and so many other Delightfully Creative Ideas would mezmerize me and I could look around and be continuously Inspired! I can clearly see why this is your slice of Heaven on Earth and I Thank You for Inviting me in to Experience it all!
Blessings from the Arizona Desert… Dawn… The Bohemian
What a beautiful space to craft in Karla! All those gorgeous cabinets and all the lovely treasures everywhere too. Love it. Thanks so much for the tour. This is my first time at the party and I am having a ball. Karen.x
I never ever get tired of looking at your DREAMY studio… All I can say is I’m GREEN with envy.. and it is STUNNING.. EVERYTHING about it…I love ALL your beautiful furniture filled to the brim of YUMMIES….If I ever need inspiration I always hop over here to see your AMAZING space…
Michelle
As always I love looking at your craft space and home. I can’t get tiered of it. I would like to sign up for your swap. I know I’m not as good as some of your other wonderful participants but I like being a part, and I’m trying not to let that hold me back. I could not get to the page you mentioned so I hope this will do. Thank you for sharing your talent with us, and inspiring me to put myself out there.
Ive had a couple hours of no kiddo today, and have got my design almost complete for the swap. I hope to be posting details soon. Ill add you to the list for a reminder, thanks Judi!
Im so glad you came by, Kerrie, I loved following your link to your tranquil space!
I my word and then the view out your door! Your space is beautiful. I enjoyed my visit. I was trying to figure out how to hang rice latterns I think you gave me the idea! I love the doggies too. My dog is always in my door way. My space is too small for her to join me but she inches her way in! Thanks for sharing your beautiful space!
I love seeing pictures of your studio, Karla! I just soak them up and try to use a little bit for inspiration in my own little nook of a space. I love your fairies all over and how you have them tucked in everywhere. Even your mannequin. You make me want to dress mine up a bit better now! I’d love to hear more about your swap. I try to do at least one a year and haven’t done one yet this year. I’ll come back and check in though for your updates.
Please keep coming back each year because I for one, never tire of seeing your beautiful space or the lovely creations you make! Thank you for sharing with us, and I can I just say that those roses you drew freehand with a nail in the concrete are fantastic!
Can you send me some info on the swap you are planning? Thanks!
I would never tire of browsing your gorgeous space! Each picture is just beautiful and inspiring! And wow, what a wonderful bunch of coworkers you have ♥ Love your outdoor space as well and love the roses you designed in to the concrete. I truly enjoyed your tour.
Tammy
Karla, you could show your studio a thousand times and I would never tire of looking at it! It is one of my top 5 favorites and is what my studio wants to be when it grows up!! Thank you so much for your lovely post and for joining the party once again. 🙂
Karen, thanks so much for the kind words and for hosting this fun blog hop yet again!
Oh I have missed visiting you. This is just so absolutely beautiful. You must just love getting up in the morning with your surroundings which are so wonderful!!!!!
Wow! I absolutely love your space. I really like the branches with the birds and the birdcage and the wings on your mannequins. And the stitched sampler pennants too. Your puppies are adorable. Thanks for sharing your beautiful space!
Absolutely gorgeous cramming of delectable junk! Love your rose step, too.
I am late to the party but I am always in awe of your studio and all that fills it. I never tire of seeing it again and again. How wonderful that you have an new patio right off your studio. I love the personal touch of the flowers on the concrete. I suggested something like that around our pool and it was shot down very quickly but I always get to decorate everything else the way I like…just saying.
My husband wasnt informed before I did the drawings, Catie! And I threw in the word family in one area, so when he saw it, he really liked it.