Karla's Cottage

Just heavenly

My email is fixed!!  Weird thing, it was the clock on my computer some how set incorrectly that was messing up my messages.  Apparently, some computers thought I was some robot from the future trying to contact them and wouldn't allow my messages to go through.  I finally just picked up the phone and called AT&T, and the nice guy there fixed it in a flash. 

What a relief.  I was having a heck of a time contacting anyone.  Some of you had asked me to let you know when I listed more Heavenly Wallpaper.  Hopefully, those emails made it through.

I've only listed a very few packets, but HOPE to gather up some more this week. 

Before heading out the door to do some Christmas shopping (I'm getting a very late start this year!) I took some photos of wallpaper to list tomorrow when I have more time.  This certainly is a hectic time of year, just too much fun going on.  Last night, we went to a birthday party and Sugarwings got to play with her cousin, Pixie Pie.  This blurry photo pretty much represents the whole evening, those girls were in constant motion, and no photos of them turned out! 

Here they are jumping on the bed in Pixie Pie's cute room at her grandparent's home.

She has the best vintage pictures on the wall of her pastel room. Feel free to download and print them for your own projects, they are adorable!

See what I mean?  How sweet!

This is my favorite.  I'm going to go to the Art Center today and sign Sugarwings up for Ballet class.  So, I'll print this one to make the tag for her present that will go under the tree, her very first ballet slippers!!!  I'm so excited.  Little girls are such fun to have around!!

Bookie

Poor Bookie.  He just had his 14th birthday and isn't doing so well.  See how he lists to the side? That is permanent. I wonder if he's had a stroke? We've bought him a space heater and the guy rarely leaves his pillow by the warm air now.  He is only sitting on the couch to please me, and desperately wants to get back to his pillow.

Its so sad to see our pets age.  To me, he'll always be a baby, but actually, he's a little old man.  And smells pretty bad too.  Sometimes I have to poke him two or three times to see if he is still alive, and I am dreading the day when the pokes don't get him to move. On the other hand, I will be relieved to think of him falling asleep on his favorite pillow by the space heater and drifting off to comfort. I can tell he is just not been himself for yeas, but lately, it seems much worse.

I've gotten used to Bookie hiding away, apart from the family and have let him go his own way. But opening up the boxes of hand painted ornaments from years past and seeing his happy little face, in a younger, happier time made me realize just how much he had changed.

You know, this isn't the post I started to write, it was going to be photos of my holidayed up living room. But I think I'll save that one for another day, and go hold my little stinky guy for a bit and tell him I'll always love him while I still can.

A warm pink glow to ward off the freezing weather

Just a note to let you know that my email is being a bit screwy.  Its not a Typepad issue, Typepad has been very sweet and cooperative lately. I don't know what the deal is, just that I respond to emails (not just on comments, regular emails too) and they are not getting through. 

Its frustrating to answer emails, then get a message from the Postmaster or the Mailer-Daemen saying they are undeliverable.  Sorry if you were one of the dozens of people I couldn't respond to!  There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason, some (quite a few, actually!)  messages just are hitting a dead end.

We've had our first snow and it was a doozy.  More cold than deep, but enough to keep me indoors by the roaring fire. Trouble is, my husband is out of town and the stack of wood is getting low.  I'm feeling like a wimp, but just DO NOT want to go out there in the single digit weather and fill a wheelbarrow with wood.

On the other hand, a fire in the wood stove sure feels better than just turning up the thermostat. (and is much cheaper too!) I'd better man-up and go load the wheel barrow.

We've been staying indoors decorating and redecorating the tree.  I think that Sugarwings will make her pink tree an ongoing project for the season. 

Each ornament has been on every single branch of her tree at least once so far.  Sometimes all the decorations seem to be on the same branch at the same time.

I filled a basket will all of the unbreakable ones and let her do as she pleased with them.  Of course, she had a little bit of help from Twinkle.

Although, after a couple of hours of hard work, even Twinkle was getting tired.  And Sugarwings was just getting started.

I don't think this will get old for my fairy grand baby, she's in pink heaven with that glowing tree.

(and I am loving those heavenly curtains!)

As for me, I think I'm done with my share of hall decking. Its a mini explosion of holiday glam this year for me, and I'm kind of liking it kind of laid back.

Well, laid back for ME, that is!

These peacock feather fans go a long way in adding some flair when I tied one to a lamp shade and another to a plain white feather wreath. 

Years ago, I used to raise peafowl and these feathers were gathered from Percy.  He dropped them all every summer and it was a treasure hunt for me to crawl around the barn and walk out in the woods every day searching for feathers. Some days, I 'd find one or two, other days maybe a couple dozen. 

Now, I've taken bundles of the plumes and wrapped them with vintage ribbons, added a millinery flower and a jewel.  Plus a touch of glitter. 

There are a couple left from Miss Frenchie's and I have them listed in the Boutique, as well as the celluloid box I've posed the fan next to.

Don't forget that you can win this book by Amy Barickman (isn't she a peach to offer it?) Along with the book, you'll get a couple of hankies from me to use in the projects and a gift certificate from Amy to use for downloads from Vintage Workshop.

My December giveaway is open to everyone. No tricks where you have to post about it on your blog, or add yourself as a follower.  All comments, all posts in the month count.  I just like to say thanks for taking the time to come by to visit!  

I just wish you were here in person and could help me heft that wheelbarrow of wood.

Also, if you'd like to see more holiday decor, go visit
Thoughts from Over the Rainbow

for a hall decking party!

Shameless hawking of wares, Artist Class Ala Carte, a mini Tutorial, and prizes!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, with lots to be thankful for yesterday!

We had a smaller than usual group this year, and WAY too much food. I've already made turkey soup from leftovers for supper tonight.  While cleaning up the kitchen and putting away the food, I have a pot simmering on the stove that veggies, turkey, and broth go into.  I throw in a few handfuls of rice, and some seasonings and by the time I'm done with the kitchen clean up, the soup is ready to be cooled and put away for the next day.

Family brought side dishes, and we had the meal all under control on auto pilot, so while the guys watched football and played pool, some of us made paper doll dresses for our Christmas trees.  We kind of have a family tradition of doing projects together while the turkey roasts. I keep the day low keyed and simple, so we can all enjoy it and not feel pressured or rushed. The meal is all served buffet style right from the stove top, so when its time to eat, all we do is line up.  I can play with glitter and glue right up until its chow time!

This year, I had actual patterns ready for the guests to use, thanks to the tutorial I did for Mary's Artist Class.  I enjoyed seeing how the "class" went in person, and they seemed to like it. 

Artist Class is still available to purchase as a group of 12 projects, with lots of extras (use my Karlascottage code to save $10) and now, Mary is also offering an ala carte menu to pick and chose a few classes here and there too.

Click HERE to order the paper doll tutorial that I did. 

You will receive the dress patterns, the hand drawn doll that the dresses fit, directions, and ephemera to down load and print out to make your creations.  This class, on its own is $15. 

I will be listing some more ephemera kits with extra patterns in my Boutique soon too.  Along with that gorgeous wallpaper that I am slowly, but surely getting cut!!

Here are some of the creations that family made yesterday with the patterns. Its great to see the range of styles that some simple patterns can become!

This is one of mine, made from that wallpaper that I'm so far behind on getting packaged to sell!   I've got a few rolls of it cut, but have about 10 more to get through. Thanks for your patience.  I'd planned on doing it today, but when Sugarwings asked me to take her to a movie, how could I say no?  Wallpaper will just have to wait, fairy grand babies take precedence!

If you'd like to make your paper doll dresses into ornaments to hang from the tree, here are some simple steps to do that.

First, punch holes in the shoulders.

Next, select your ribbon.

For holiday sparkle, I chose this vintage tinsel that was a gift from Beth.

Cut about 7-8"

Thread the ribbon through the holes from the front (although, you can tell from the floral dress I made, that I put the knots in the front, that is OK too)

Tie knots on both ends, then trim off any danglies.

To Christmassy-up a couple of these dresses, I added some glitter.  Simply brush your finished dress lightly, with white glue, and sprinkle on glitter, then tap off.  I used the vintage crystal "Diamond Dust" because it has such a pretty shine. Make sure you don't use something metallic or heavy that covers up your work completely! You want to use a transparent glitter and apply in a fine sheen, not thick or gloppy.

The dresses I've shown are available in my Etsy shop for $6 each, if you are interested.

 

And now, after what sounds like a lot of hawking of my wares-( but hey, I have to make a living here, don't I??), I have some gifts to announce!

The winner of the original, hand drawn and painted paper doll goes to:

Laurie Jackson

And an ephemera kit for making the dolls goes to:

Sandra Thompson

And of course, everyone who leaves a comment anytime this month is entered into the

November Giveaway.

While up at Silver Bella, there was a discussion among some friends about giveaways. A lot of people don't care for them and think there are too many.  I know I have a lot, and yes, some of it is just to bribe you guys to leave comments, but that isn't the only reason I do it.

For one thing, I have so MUCH. And I like to share.  I find good deals and I'm able to giveaway pretty things without hurting my pocketbook.

And also, to quote Kurt to Finn on Glee, "I honestly love you". My blog, and blogfriends that I've met through it mean a lot to me.  There are billions and billions of blogs out there for you to visit and I just want to say thanks for you to take the time out to come and see me, and bother to leave a comment. 

So, yes, there will be more giveaways here.  And lots of them.  Its appropriate to say at Thanksgiving time that I have a lot to be thankful for.  So, I just wanted to let you know that!

Being Thankful

Today, Sugarwings and I spent a few hours in the kitchen, working on getting goodies made up to fill the treat cabinet for our guests.

We made 2 pumpkin pies, a pumpkin cheesecake, brownies, pecan cheesecake, fudge, and pralines.

This recipe, torn from a 1933 magazine has been on my desk taunting me for weeks.  I don't typically make food from recipes, I make up my own, but this, well, this one looked special. Plus, I loved the idea of recreating something from 70 some years ago. 

Also, my favorite candy store in the world, Savannah Sweets in St. Augustine, FL has pralines that look just like these and I adore those yummy, rich, pecan treats!

Not owning a candy thermometer didn't stop me.  I like doing the "soft ball" test.  I kept a glass of ice water by the stove to check for the right temp. But honestly, if you've ever made fudge from scratch, this is similar and you can about tell by looking at the bubbling goo to see if it is ready to remove from the stove or not.

One thing I changed from the original recipe was to add Belguin chocolate chips.

Another change was to use this silicon pan instead of buttered aluminum foil or wax paper.  I got this one at Target for $9 and use it like crazy. Nothing sticks, and all the desserts or muffins look so pretty when they come out.

See?  Nice little squares.  I dropped the brown sugar mixture over the chocolate chips and pecans that were waiting in the sprayed pan, and pushed it all down into the squares.  The recipe said it only made 9 servings, but using mine ended up filling two of these pans. I used more nuts, broken up instead of 3 big ones per piece of candy. 

And I'm glad I added the chocolate.  Wow, these are good!!!

I hope you all have a sweet holiday, with plenty to be thankful for. 

I know what I am thankful for.  I'm extremely lucky that my life has turned out the way it is, with healthy, happy sons, a husband who makes me laugh, and Sugarwings to snuggle with.

Life wasn't always this good, we've seen some major bad times. 

I've broken my back and didn't know if I'd ever over come chronic pain. I've lost both parents in recent years, and  I thought I'd lost my son to addiction. My husband and I have lost jobs, beloved dogs, and savings accounts, but have never lost each other. 

Yep, I'm VERY grateful.

Plus, I got my studio clean and am ready for guests!!! 

I'm really thankful that is behind me.  I'll leave you with a few pictures of the cleanup and of the dinner table.  I used white bottle brush trees down the center of the table along with all the other things I am taking to sell at Miss Frenchie's next week.  After the holiday, I'll just stick price tags on it all, pack it up and I'm ready to go.

Meet Mr. Wonderful

We have a new little friend here at the cottage. 

Twinks is fascinated by him.

Mr. Wonderful isn't quite as infatuated with her.

He has decided that as long as Twinkle is near by, the best place to be is out of reach.

But they are working on the relationship.

Today was a great day for getting acquainted, its sunny, bright, and beautiful. 

While the two new "frenemies" explored each other's boundaries, I harvested tomatoes for the last time, again.  This is the 4th time I cleared out late tomatoes, thinking it was the end of the line for the plants.  Vine fresh tomatoes aren't a typical side dish for Thanksgiving in Kansas. But it sure will be this year!

I might even be picking flowers from the garden for the table!

(I am out of town a few days, this was pre-posted on Friday)

Sweet bundles to share

Your comments on my last post were very moving, I can see that so many of you care about mementos of the past and understand my joy in receiving some of  Aunt Caroline's  things.  My heart feels for those of you who were not allowed a remembrance from a loved one's estate. 

I've been on both sides, when my mom passed, my sisters and the rest of the family were giving and caring.   We were all careful to make sure that anything with a sense of family history stayed with a family member and wasn't accidentally sent to auction.  But when I lost my father, it was a different, and not so pretty story, due to completely different circumstances (nothing to do with my sweet sisses, of course!)

Losing a person you care about is hard enough.  Dealing with ugliness at that time is devastating.  As crushed as I was to lose my mom, I will always remember the days after she died with joy and deep love for my family.  They made those days beautiful, even with the heart ache. 

Knowing that you all understand and feel the bitter-sweetness of my trip to Aunt Caroline's home makes me doubly happy to share some of her treasures. So I am keeping the giveaway open, and offering a second bundle of trims to give. 

All comments on the previous post, as well as THIS post are entered. 

 
Thanks for caring!

Treasures from Great Aunt Caroline and a gift for you too

The reason for our trip to Florida was for me to meet my sisters at Great Aunt Caroline's home to help our cousin organize for a sale.   Our generous aunt had remembered each of us in her will, and over the years had sent packages of sentimental goods and gifts to us from her possessions.  The home and contents were left to our cousin, who was every bit as generous as Aunt C. and told us to chose anything at all that we wanted from the home.

Funny, we didn't grow up knowing this charming lady who passed away right before her 101st birthday in June, but you could sure tell we were related by her taste in furnishing and collections!  Looking through her things, I felt so "right at home".  She and I had such similar favorites, everywhere I turned, I was squealing with excitement over some little tid bit or goody.

I felt the same way a few years ago, when I first saw a painting done by my great grandmother, who I never knew.  I looked at it and thought, 'that could be my work'. Same style, same feel.  

When I first got to know my greatest of Great Aunts (in my thirties),  the connection was immediate.  We loved many of the same books, colors (her house was full of PINK!), artwork, etc.

So, it was an emotional day, when we were visiting her home without her there.  Sad that she was gone, but warm and happy, seeing things that she had loved and knowing how thrilled she'd be that I loved them too.

Of course, I was worried about being greedy. I didn't want to take stuff that others might want or that my cousin could sell for a profit.  But she was every bit as generous as Caroline and kept assuring me that my selections were just fine and Caroline would have wanted to share.

I was in HOG HEAVEN with the 100 years of craft supplies!!

So, I loaded up on laces and trim, beads, and baubles.  And didn't put a dent in it.  She had boxes and boxes of trims and ribbons and laces and jewelry making supplies.  Our cousin had already donated most sewing supplies to a local quilting guild, but the amount that was left was still overwhelming.

I filled a vintage suitcase with trims and supplies,  but then was worried about checking such a delicate piece of luggage, so I packed that suitcase inside my other suitcase and boxed up things to check. (gotta love Southwest Airlines and their free baggage policy!!)

The trims and supplies that I got will be used and enjoyed, and I know that Aunt C. would have been happy with that.  Over the years, she has given me many remembrances, so I won't feel guilty about using the things I got from her home.

But I did get a couple of sentimental keepers too. A couple of her hand made pot holders, some little glass birdies from her sunporch, and  this table cloth. I've spread it on the bed to show it off, but it is actually for the dining table.  

My great grandmother made it, with silk from WW1 parachutes and hand crocheted squares.  It is in beautiful condition, and I'll do my best to keep it that way and pass it on to Sugarwing's grand kids someday.

Caroline liked to make jewelry, using old pieces, just like my sister and I do.  We discovered that her grandfather used to make jewelry too.  The crystal beads are some that my aunt strung, and the necklace on the left is one that Sissy made by taking apart a necklace our great, great grandfather made.

Every time I wear it, I'll be feeling the love and the history wrapped up in it.

Remember the 100 cards that kind hearted readers made and sent in for Caroline's 100th birthday?  She treasured those cards and loved to look through them all over and over. 

Family members went through the cards to take some as keepsakes.  I got a few for myself too. Thanks again to all of you who helped make her birthday special!

I'd like to offer a bundle of old trims as a remembrance of Caroline.  If you'd like to win some, leave a comment on this post.

Ghostly gowns, grumpy fairies and a dog two ways

Its done! I have the Grumpy Fairy book hand glittered and ready to sell. I've actually listed it in my Boutique and it is available now, if you would like one.

The story is illustrated with my watercolor and ink paintings, then each picture is layered over vintage flocked wallpaper in coordinating colors.

The pages are printed onto high quality, gloss card stock and it is bound in white. I really like the colorful, but soothing palette of colors and took a lot of joy in pulling it all together.

The fairy on the front cover is hand glittered, and I've added a touch or two inside the books too.

You had to guess when you saw this wreath on the bed in the first photo, that this picture would be coming, didn't you??

Beth came along to keep me company today while I glittered books. She worked on some Christmas ornaments in sepia while we chatted.  But first, I helped her with photos of these glorious gown she is listing on Ebay.  We have had some cold weather, but no hard frost yet, so the flower bed in the center of my drive way is still blooming a bit.  We thought it made a pretty setting for the prom dresses.

YUM!

Isn't the skirt on this one about as frothy as a concoction can be?

After taking the pics, we had some fun with Picnik, and made this one ghostly. It was done in "ghostify". 

This photo was retouched with "vampire scope", but I don't think it is actually spooky, just a cool look. I hope that these applications are available after Halloween, too, I really like this one. I used it on the ruffles above too. 

I'd better get back to glittering. Too bad I can't just photo edit that in....

And remember, if you want to win one of my Grumpy Fairy books, I'll be giving one away next weekend as the gift  for my October Giveaway.

All comments, all month count.  And I also want to thank so many of you for the kind, kind words you sent my way. I needed that.

In the pastel forest

Thanks for all your well wishes for poor little Bookie.  His fever is gone, and he is doing better. But I can tell that he is still feeling bad, he follows me around and stares at me, like he is begging me to help him. It just breaks my heart to see him in pain and confused about what is going on with him.

My trees are coming along well.  I have some of the actual vintage ones that I have dyed and glittered listed in my Boutique.

There weren't very many to list, because I was using them all up in my own projects! I've been decorating the trees themselves, and also using them on the Putz houses that I've been remodeling.  But I've got lots more soaking in the bleach right now and will be dying them tomorrow. 

Sugarwings has offered to help, so I'll be dying them in Kool Aid.  I've never tried that but hear its wonderful to use.

There are a few more finished pastel trees in my Etsy shop, too.  Not many until the fairy grand baby and I get that soaking sinkful finished.  Hopefully, we'll do that tomorrow, because I need to RE-DO  the glitter on my Grumpy Fairy books over the weekend!!

The printer made a mistake and the covers that I spent hours glittering were cut wrong.  But I didn't cry.  My lip might have trembled a bit, but I took a deep breath, and took the box of pages back and asked for a redo.  I'll just need to set aside a few more hours to glitter these new covers.  Oh well.  That kind of mistake happens, I just have to deal with it and get glittering.

While waiting for the new book covers and for the dark trees to bleach out, I started planning my Silver Bella booth.

Next week, we are going to Florida to help clear out my Great Aunt Caroline's home, so I want to have everything done and ready before then. When I get back, I'll do price tags and pack it all up.  I'm  happier if any show I do is packed and ready at least a week before the event. It makes life so much more calm and enjoyable!

So, in the front half of my studio, I'm setting up a 10' x 10' booth to play dress up with my goods. We have a very small window of time to set up the booth on Vendor Night at Silver Bella, so I want to be as prepped as possible. No surprises, no problems, all planned ahead.

Plus, it would be hard to relax on my trip to Florida, if I was fretting about all the work I've left behind.  And this is a special trip, Sugarwing's first time on an airplane!

We have a day to go to the beach in Jacksonville, then down to Orlando for a day at Sea World, and another day that we don't have plans for yet.  We can't take her to Disney World... a long story that I'm sure you don't want to hear...  If you've spent time in the Orlando area with a 3 year old, I'd love some tips on where to take her for that last free day.

Any ideas?

 

And please remember, that all comments go into the drawing for a copy of the Grumpy Fairy bedtime story book as the gift for the OCTOBER GIVEAWAY.  

If it ever gets done and glittered, that is.