Won't you be my neighbor?

 

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

Comments

[GAIL]

Loved the video's! And while I liked the learning part of it, I enjoyed watching you have fun and laughing, the most!

Also, loved your little butterfly book!

[Nancy Stone]

I enjoyed the videos, and it was nice to put a voice to the face. Love the houses

[Amy Thayer]

<3 the videos! What a great addition to your blog. I would keep it up!

[Beverly]

Karla, the title cracked me up. And, I loved the video. You girls seem to be having such fun!!!

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Karla!!!! I LOVE this!!! You are such a hoot....I wish I would have been there making stuff with you! This was really neat, you girls did a great job ~ xxoo, Dawn

[Mary]

LOVE the houses - they are great!

[Debra Abel]

This was one of the best (and most honest) videos I have seen in a while. LOVE the laughs and the info. Great Job!

[robin]

Precious!

[LiLi M.]

I love the houses and the best part is that you and Beth were doing the same thing and then each of you made their own project out of it. We say: 'the same souls have the same thoughts'. I didn't have the chance to watch the video properly as my computer is in the tv room...but I'll do that tomorrow. I have watched without sound and I think that Karla's cleavage is an appropriate title lol! Compliments to Mary (and this is no joke!).

[Bunny]

Holy Moly they are just beautiful. Hugs

[Marianne@songbirdisnesting]

I want to move to your version of tinseltown. Those houses are so cute! I am of now, going to see your video.

[Lori]

Karla's cleavage...LOL...Karla, your video is adorable...i love how you were all laughing and having fun with it...SO cute...and your paper ruffles are gorgeous...your little cottages are beautiful!!! i love them:)

[Sandy]

Loved the video! Cracked up over the cleavage joke. It is so nice to have a voice to the face and you taught the technique so well. I love your laugh and that you were having fun! Might we be seeing more, videos I mean, not the cleavage ;c)

[Jean Eakin]

I would definitely love to be your neighbor. You just have too much fun. The cottages are just adorable. You and Beth do "good Work".
Jean in Virginia

[Cindy]

These are just adorable! *sigh* you and Beth always want to make me do the "i'm not worthy" bow! :O

-c
yapping cat

[Janis]

Karla, the houses are adorable and I LOVE
the video! I hope you will be doing more
videos! It was a lot of fun watching you
create and a wonderful tutorial too! : )

Hugs,
Janis

[Diane]

Karl, That was so fun to sit here in front of my Mac and watch you
over there in Kansas. Great Video, lot's of fun!
Hugs, Diane

[Martha]

Karla: It is always great to learn from the best. I love it when you teach. Your houses are stunning. Hope you had a great weekend with Sugarwings and family! Take care, Martha

[Lorna]

Great videos! I watched the one about the travel folder too, plus her "how I deconstruct a book" great stuff!!

Love the houses too, been wanting to make some house-shaped stuff lately.

:)

[Sally]

I love your houses! So darling.Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy visiting your blog to see what your granddaughter is doing. She is a doll. Hugs Sally

[Tiffany]

I watched your video and I am still not sure exactly how to make ruffles, I couldn't stop staring at your cleavage!! LOL!!JK, it was really informative and cute!
xoxo, Tiffany

[Clever Karen]

oooh, your little house are just beautiful! Love all the vintage wallpaper - drooling!

[shawn]

Your houses are adorable and I love the video! I love typing on pics too with picasa did you see that you can do that?

[amy faldet]

Those butterfly book posts with the sweet velvet flowers are sooo great! Blessings.

[mary]

Hi Karla! Those houses are so wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing your fun at Mosaic Monday. :)

PS -- the video was cute, too!

[Jill]

Your little cottages are charming! I'd move into one in a minute!

[Debra Ganas]

Love the video. I was laughing along with ya'll. The houses and butterfly book were adorable.

[Natasha Burns]

LOVE that video tutorial! It was great to see you again! LMAO about Karla's Cleavage! Your new hair colour looks wonderful! xo

[mry]

Your mosaic is just gorgeous! What a lovely and inspiring mosaics! :O) Mary @Boogieboard Cottage

[Suzy]

What a beautiful little project. You did a wonderful job with your little town.

[jeanie]

I'm very into the house thing lately -- and these are inspirational to the max! I love your pact with Beth -- and the box is a treasure!

[DeniseLynn]

Oh yes indeed!!! Your houses are beautiful!