Karla's Cottage

Dewdrop came to see us

Dewdrop came to visit and stay for the big reunion.  Our time with her went too fast.

I wanted to do all of our typical summer time traditions- a craft project each day, and outings to zoos, lots of movies, and more, plus boating and pool time.

With 30 some visitors coming, we had to do an abbreviated version of our summers. I asked what things she wanted to squeeze in and was happy to hear that she wasn’t too old for the activities we used to do.  She chose the Children’s Discovery Zone in Topeka, eating at Culver’s, and seeing Minions at the theater.

And even wanted to ride the merry go round. 

It made my heart swell up when I saw that these two grand fairies still enjoyed the carousel, and even held hands while on it.

With an acknowledgment that these sibs weren’t quite my itty bitty fairies any more, we also threw in some shopping for new clothes and make up.  Even a few fireworks for the 4th.

The time zoomed by for me, and my moments were her were few and far between.  One of the reasons she was here was for the reunion, so she got to spend time with cousins, and other local family members too.  And since I was so busy with all the work that goes along with hosting that many people staying in my home, I was glad that she had so many other people around to keep her entertained.  

And I count myself lucky that she still wanted to be my little buddy and hang with her Grammy for some nostalgic fun.  

 

Painted pumpkins up close

In my previous post, I mentioned that I’d been painting pumpkins for the Good Juju sale  

As things tend to do with me, yep, this became another obsession.

I spent quite a few days painting one canvas after another.  I’d probably still be doing that if I hadn’t had to get ready for the big family reunion that we hosted.

I was on a roll, and loving every minute of it.  I was painting fat punkins, tall punkins, some on paint pour canvases, some on collage backgrounds.

Then I started stacking them.

And adding flowers.

Lots of flowers.

Sitting at my desk and doing one after another was pure joy for me.  Luckily, we had to harvest our honey and peaches, then be ready for guests, because I needed to get away from these, I think I had plenty.  They are all at Juju now, today is the last day of the August sale.  It would be nice if I sold a few, if not, I’ll be displaying them for fall shows too.

(All are under $50, if you happen to need a pumpkin and are visiting the Old West Bottoms)

 

My second wall at Good Juju is ready for it’s first run

This Friday and Saturday are the Good Juju sales date for August, and I am enjoying having a bit more space this go around.

Rich added the shelf up above for me.  It is higher than the one on my other wall. I’d say it’s more decorative than shoppable, although the things on it are priced.  Still, it’s more for atmosphere than selling.  

But isn’t atmosphere part of selling?  It is for me.   


Here is the upper shelf on my opposite wall.

I have painted some pumpkins to add this month.  It’s 100 degrees and humid here, a typical KS day in August, but not too soon to start daydreaming about cooler, autumn days, right?

Some of the pumpkins are done on pour painted canvasses. 

And some have flowers.

I’ve also packed in my mushroom colony and have lots of jewelry too.

 I hope it goes well, I love having a reason to make things!

 

Velvet Mushrooms

When Guncle Randy visited, we didn’t get much studio time.  But when we did, it was consumed by making these.

After he left to go back to Florida, I kept up with the shroomy construction.

Then, my pal, Beth, gave me some vintage velvet quilt squares and I doubled my obsession construction.

Oh my, look at those fabrics!

Most have felted stems, but some are glass.  This one has a tiny little mushroom world inside the glass.

And this big one’s stalk is part of an old lamp.

I could just keep at it, on and on.  But I’m afraid that it’s time to move on to the next thing, I’ve amassed quite a few of these little darlings.   

Well, maybe I can make a few more….

 

 

Scenes from the reunion and one from the past

Before our big reunion began, I decided to go through old albums and pull out Nathan, Neibaur, and Nichols photos that I could slip quickly into another album to pass around.  Not my typical style, usually I love making pretty albums.  But I was in a hurry because it was a last minute plan.  And a single, edited book was much better than stacks and stacks of books filled miscellaneous photos the guests wouldn’t be familiar with, like the kids’ old friends or our neighbors of the past.

I came across this oldie from our home in Arkansas.  I don’t know the occasion, or who took it, but I felt it like a jab in the heart.  It’s not a good photo, but it is a great picture. Adam is a blur because like his daughter, he is in constant motion.  Ryan is wearing his tee shirt from his army man Halloween costume and has the “Footloose” haircut that he always insisted on.  I have on a matching tee and shorts that my mom sewed for me, the wallpaper behind us was some my sister helped hang in this very first house we ever bought.  

So many memories in one snapshot.

And so much love, too.

I love this photo and will never tuck it away in the dark again, this one goes on display.  But it also started the reunion on a shaky note for me.  The people coming to visit were all favorites of Ryan, he enjoyed hanging out with this group, and I sure felt his absence when I was with them.  

Also, Ry died at 42, and was my good buddy, we had such fun together.  But this picture reminded me- he was my baby.  My little guy. The majority of my grief is about daily things I miss about my grown up son and best friend.  When it hits me that I lost my baby, it’s a death blow to my heart, so I don’t dwell on that aspect of it.

When people started arriving to the party, my sister-in-law wanted to sit with me in Ryan’s apartment and reminisce about him.  I have to admit, that was the highlight of the week for me.  It means so much when people honor my Ry that way.

He is not forgotten.

 

 

Rainbows and Fire Dancing for Pride Night

On Randy and Kevin’s night to cook for the family reunion, they wanted a Pride Night theme.

They had rainbow everything to go with the grilled chicken and salads.  I don’t know why I didn’t get more pictures, it was quite the festival and the decorations were bright and fun.

Our Hippie Chick brought rainbow, glitter face paint and many partiers got all sparkled up. 

There was even a fire dancing show.

Featuring our professionals.

And crowd members could take a quick lesson too.

There was a great view from the balcony.  These two were on the lighting committee and did a spectacular job with it.

The night ended with a few 1am stragglers sticking their forks directly into the rainbow cake.  

We had different events throughout the weekend, but I think pride night was the best.

I am going to leave all of those lights strung across the courtyard, and possibly add more as I find them at garage sales for a very pretty reminder.  Thanks, Guncles!