The ABCs of my day- Airplanes, baby, and contraversy

 

Our newest fairy baby came to spend the day  while her momma and I worked on projects.

It was her very first craft day!

She rested on her pillow under the sewing table with the fabric scraps and dog toys and seemed pretty happy just to hang out with us.

Ace Hardware has 6 foot banquet tables on sale for $29 each, so I bought three for my May Day celebration and art event here in the studio next Spring.  Since I still had my studio dining tables set up for Thanksgiving and was loving the table scape and not ready to disassemble it, I just set up two of the new tables for us to stitch at, and that worked out great.

During our Thanksgiving dinner, we had started talking about Magnolia Pearl and a few of us decided we wanted to make some bags like hers.

So, this craft day became sewing day. Here is my new purse, a colorful confection of left over bits and pieces.  I was going to go all neutrals, but fell in love with a swath of dyed velvet and a magenta silk ruffle, and had to use those, whether this purse will match anything I own or not!

Adam's Beloved brought a grab bag of old clothes and scraps to cut up and she had the best stuff to play with.  The velvet was from a long skirt that had been torn along the side.

She scours thrifts for old clothes to reuse and had a great assortment.

She is making a Gypsy diaper bag for the baby.  Here is the flap all pinned and ready to sew on. The bag itself is made of patch worked velvets.  Both of us were inspired by Magnolia Pearl for our own bags, but I made a few others that were not as elaborate too.

Well, this one is still pretty elaborate, its got some MP influence going on too.

You notice I said that Miss Robin inspired us? Who has NOT been inspired by an admirable artist? We studied her look and used the ideas to make our own creations.  I'm a big believer is sharing ideas and tricks, techniques, and styles.  And I think that anything you create using something you've learned or seen should be your OWN creation. 

Take what you've learned or seen and make it in your style.  We all do it, its not stealing.  None of us has a monopoly on an idea.  Just because I make wallpaper covered journals, or decorated bottles, or fairy Charlottes doesn't mean that I think I own the idea! I started making jewelry with vintage pieces in the 80s and I certainly don't think I have a monopoly on it. I'm thrilled to see it everywhere now that it is so popular, and I am smart enough to know that I am not the one who popuarlized it to start with too.

A friend was flipping through a magazine the other day and stopped at a page to ask if I'd done the art. I thought maybe I had, then took a look and saw it was someone else with an idea much like the one I had published a year earlier. Was it stolen? NO! It was their take on it. Or maybe they had never even seen my article, but if they had, then GOOD, I hope they learned a little something from what I did.

And if you ever take one of my classes or are inspired by one of my pictures, I'd be sooooo flattered if you got your project published. But I do hope that you put your own spin on the piece.  Its one thing to follow step by step instructions and then claim them as your own, its another to learn a technique and then make something with it.There is not one thing wrong with learning by doing step by steps, of course. I taught myself to paint by copying painings I liked.  Plus I teach online classes and I know that its perfectly okay to do the patterns and steps to create and learn. 

. Its one way of learning. But once you learn a technique, try challenging yourself by adding to it and doing something that says YOU with it.

No students should try to market the exact same class and patterns that anyone sold to them, BUT- if you learn a trick or get an idea from my class, and make your own project to market from that idea, then GOOD FOR YOU!! That means I am a good teacher, so YAY ME!!

 I certainly will never say that no one who takes Romantic White Christmas classes can never, ever teach a class about an altered shoe or a garland. Geez.

Which brings me to the lovely, gracious, classy Dawn, who tackled this in her blog this week.  She stated her opinion with no name calling or bad blood, like I said, Classy.  My pal, Lisa, is a passionate artist who puts a lot of herself into her creations. She used tips learned from another artist and did well with what she learned. Isn't that what every teacher wants? I'd say that is the mark of a successful class! She did NOT reproduce the items in the exact way, she made her own creations.

As far as classes go, why take one if you are not going to use what you learn in your own work?

I don't want to get too serious or contraversial, but I care about Lisa and know her work. And I loved Dawn's post, its worth you popping in to read.

Also, I am honored to have Lisa and Dawn teaching at my event this spring, along with Carol. I dearly love their styles and look forward to how much fun I'll have with them here at the cottage with me!

 

Since I just mentioned that I have been making necklaces from old pieces forever, I had to show you this!

Our Gypsy Beloved found it at a thrift store and brought it to me because it reminded her of me. I took one look and remembered making it in 96, as a holiday special order for someone 14 years ago!

How serendipitous.

(by the way, my style has changed a bit over the years, but I still like this one)

Okay- back to bags, thanks for listening to me and my mini rant- I made this hobo sack for the oldest of the grandgirls.  The fabric is from a pair of Goodwill jammie bottoms, already in a patchwork pattern of India print cottons.

 

 
Here is the back of the bag. I cut the pockets out of the pants and added them to the bag, along with a few extra trims. A grreat short cut way to make a funky, fun bag for a young girl.

The second sis gets a smaller version from the same fabric, with one of my angora roses (learned in Betz White's class)  pinned to it, and a ruffle made of embroidered doilies.

I took what I learned from the Silver Bella class, and added my own twist. My roses are more opened up and have extra petals.  I changed her pattern to make it look more the way I wanted the roses to turn out and now, I feel like I can feel good about making these myself.  I'm using her idea, but my own pattern, and have added to it, plus put it together differently. 

 

This is from Betz' class.

And this is MY take on her class.

Yes, I learned how to make them in Betz White's class. But I've taken the techique and used what I learned to create something that looks like I made it myself.

 

EDIT:

Well guess what??? The rosettes are from a free tutorial that Betz posted HERE,

and she says she got it here.

And that person got it from Martha!!

Well, doesn't that just fit PERFECTLY with what I was saying earlier?????

Share the love, share the tips, lets all learn from each other and pass it on!

The pocket on it is made from some scraps and the ruffle at the top came from a package sent to me by Robin -I had to save the wrappings, since it was so pretty. Sugarwings got a bag too, with lots of pink rosebuds.  We are going to fill all the gift bags with little presents and give them to the kids for Christmas.

My husband was horrified that I was making one for the 5 year old grandboy too.  He thought it was a purse. We said no way, its a toy bag.  I tried to make it macho by using corduroy (the leg of a pair of pants) and a man's tie as the handle and the pocket.

The pocket is pretty cool, it was Gypsy Beloved's idea to turn the tie over, and use the backside of it as a pocket. You know how ties are open on the back at the point?  The tip of the tie is now a flap that folds over and closes by sliding into the little tab that is on the back with the name of the store on it. This one said "Dillards" but I covered that up with a pinking shear trimmed bit of the India cotton, and added a little plastic airplane given to me by my dear friend, Lisa.

She sent a giant box of goodies to me out of the clear blue! (pictures later)

In all I made 7 bags in the 9 hours we spent hanging out with our sewing machines, chatting, creating and baby snuggling.  And I don't even enjoy sewing.  But this was fun to do.

 

 I am linking to Tea Rose Home's show and tell today.

Please check back Saturday for a giveaway announcement!

Comments

[Mitzi Curi]

Wow, Karla, that's quite a post you created! There's so much to comment on.....but first, I have to say I've been following the controversy on Dawn's blog, and haven't commented on it there, but have to just say here that I agree with how both you and Dawn feel about reproducing work, hopefully with a new spin on things to make it your own. For example, I was so inspired by your cuff bracelets you blogged about awhile back that I ordered some metal cuff blanks and proceeded to create a dozen of my own, which turned out much different (I used vintage wallpaper, no fabric) but still would never exist if it weren't for your idea. Whew. Anyway, I also want to compliment you ladies on your lovely creations, especially that new fairy grandbaby. She's a keeper!

[Karla Nathan]



[Laraine Atherton]

Thank God for the internet......without it we would not be surrounded by lovely things and artists we admire. Who has not seen something and said "I could make or do that"
We try and in the trying we make it our own. It's pretty hard to truly make something without putting a little of your self into it.
I am with you Karla....If someone Likes my art and would like to copy it...I say go for it. In the end, it just makes the world more beautiful.
Laraine

[sadie]

fabulous post!
I bought a Magnolia Pearl book on Amazon earlier this year. I'd never heard of MP befor (so not heard of in the UK), and while many of her looks were a bit too much for me, I loved the basic ethos and the mixing of textures and fabrics. Gorgeous. So I LOVE your bags!

Must just say, please forgive me. I don't check my yahoo emails as often as I should,and I found your reply RE the bottle brush trees. Thank you SO much. I shall try your technique as soon as I am able :o)

Have a lovely end to the week, from a very thick with snow England!
xx

[K. Winch]

hi I bought Betz White's book based on your rave review .. warm fuzzies and no where in it does she write about making the roses I've seen on your blog very disappointed !!!! I wish I could return the book.. since I do not sew and only wanted to make a few flowers.........:(

[Sandy O'Donovan]

BABY SWEET BABY! Cuddle, hug, kiss and smell...there is nothing like a new precious baby. I love what you said..you kept it short, sweet and too the point. Go Karla. xoso Sandy

[Myrna]

Thanks for backing Dawn and Lisa up..I agree with what you've all said. And you have helped me feel a little bit better as an 'artist' trying to create a little beauty in my way~being inspired by you, Dawn and Lisa!!
Thanks, too, for sharing your lovely day with your darling grandbaby and son's beloved!!
Blessings!
Myrna

[Lulus Lovlies]

This is a great post Karla and I agree with everything you said! The way I see it ten people could make the same thing and they would all look different once they put their own spin on it! This post of yours should be put on a main blog somewhere so more could read it! By the way, how many children fairies do you have in your family and could you send me your address so I could mail something for your holiday, I'm just an old Grandma that would like to share if you don't mind. Holiday Hugs, Marilou

[Samantha]

Awww...baby M. is a doll!
Love the bags you girls created! Especially oldest grandgirl's bag...it looks like something I would carry. :) It's so much more fun to carry a unique bag/purse.
As for the rest...I'm so sorry Lisa had someone grouch at her for something like that. Her style is beautifully her own...you can't borrow style.

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Great, great post, Karla. The sweetest little grandbaby, gorgeous creations (especially love the old tie pouch on the bag), and many words of wisdom on creativity and creations - you are bang on!

[Karen]

Karla what a great post!you already know my feelings on this subject.Your new fairy grand baby is so beautiful!! and the bags are really cute. You couldn't possibly have left out the little boy,anyway why shouldn't a boy have a bag to carry around his prized possessions? 7 bags in nine hours is fast...it seems like you had a really beautiful and fun day.

[bettyann]

such a sweetie..I have read Dawn's post,reader comments and your post...not sure about the background of this issue but it seems that if we make something in the style of and acknowledge such that's good enough..we all put our own creativity on things learned..it is good to discuss conterversy..thanks friends for doing just that...love the bags !!!!

[Leann]

Hi Karla

I've read both your post and Dawn's post earlier too. It's a shame that this has to be addressed. Me? I love seeing what you gals and other artists come up with. After creating projects from the White Christmas Classes I'm ready to add my own spin on things too. I tend to play follow the leader first to learn techniques before venturing out on my own.

You new fairy gandbaby is simply beautiful. Enjoy that new baby smell and crafting with your Gypsy DIL!

Leann

[Karla Nathan]



[Sandy]

What fun bags and such a great idea to fill them with small gifts, the kids will love them! Up until now I have remained quite about the recent negative events here in the land of blog. I have been dismayed over this whole situation. I agree with you, it is a joy to teach someone a technique and then see them light up with joy making their own creations. The point of teaching to me is to inspire others to create. We first learn a technique by copying and then we spread our wings and fly with it all on our own. I am glad there are still many sweet, sharing, caring souls out there.

[karen]

I love all your bags...agree with you over the whole owners-rights, but....that baby is just GORGEOUS!! and those cheeks and lips...perfect!!!!!! hugs! karen....

[Karen]

The bags you fashioned are fabulous! Isn't it fun to create with someone you love! You always do such beautiful work and I know you have encouraged many of us readers to try our hands at our own renditions. Thanks for your beautiful blog!!!

[Cindy Is Crafty]

Carla, the bags are lovely! The only time I was ever ripped off was by another crafter. I made some crocheted flowers and she asked me to sell them in her shop. My good friend's shop was literally around the corner from her shop so I told her that would not be a fair thing to do. She ended up buying one of mine and taking it to her shop so she could copy it. She put a tag on it to make it seem like another lady made them. When she was out of the shop and another lady was there I asked "oh does the lady that makes them for (the other shop) make them for this one, too. The lady replied, no the owner makes them. I was totally ticked! She knew how well they sold at my friend's shop and wanted to make some $$ off my work. I am still ticked as they were an exact copy and I knew her motive!

[GerryART]

You can never start them out too soon at a craft day ! !

Love your bags - looks like a pretty productive day.

Enjoyed your take on the subject of Dawn's blog post.

Holiday Hugs,
Gerry

[lisa]

Karla,
What a great post. First of all the picture of Mayara & Gypsie Girl....I can't believe that baby just laid there sleeping under the table while you guys sewed away. Yes I can. LOL And the creations, beautiful as always.
About the rosette tutorial & Betz, I just have to laugh. I can't believe that happened on this post. It really does show you that EVERYONE gets their inspiration somewhere. This incident was pretty horrible for sure, I never thought my name would be involved in something so bad. I always try to look for a lesson or silver lining in things & in this all I can say is blogging is AMAZING & the people are the BEST! The friends I have made & the inspiration I get everyday from everyone is worth anything that happened. I mean that. I will never stop creating, it's who I am. I will continue to learn from all of the wonderful & talented people who share with us all. I can't wait to teach with you in May! Lisa

[Karla Nathan]



[Elaine L.]

Karla,

I love all the bags, especially Gypsy Girl's diaper bag and the boy toy bag.

Mayara is precious! I want more pictures.

~elaine~

[LORRAINE BELL]

Hello Karla...love this post...I can actually smell that gorgeous baby girl..the bags are sooo sweet ...those girls have a great teacher...you disclaimer is totally unnecessary...we all are here to learn & some one copying you is the best compliment in the world...everyones work is always a little different..dont you agree...enjoy your work...Lorraine

[Marilyn]

Karla ~ Mayara is sooo beautiful!
I love your bags, they are very MP (with a twist of course).

I need to say - over the past year that I have been lurking around blogland, I've seen so many neat things I've wanted to try. Until now I've not been sure about using the ideas I've seen. Now, thanks to you, Dawn, Lisa and lots of comments I've read in the past few days, I can't wait to get started. Just wait till May...I'm going to bring all my "stuff" to show you guys.

Marilyn in Missouri

[Dawn Edmonson]

What a precious new grandbaby Karla!!! So fresh from Heaven! I always loved the newborn stage...it's so fleeting isn't it? They grow like little weeds.

I've always felt so strongly about this art issue sweet Karla, this negative situation was the perfect time to step up and stand up for a precious friend and for what I believe in. I understand perfectly about copyright and exact copying of artwork. The sharing we do here in blogland of techniques and ideas, then others putting their own spin or style on the same type of art, is the beautiful thing about blogging. If you prefer not to do this, privately show your work in galleries, do not sell tutorials or publish it on the internet.

I had no idea how many friends in blogland were paralyzed from creating for fear they may step on someone's toes! I hope and pray that bringing this subject to light will cause a wave of creativity!!!

Thank you for your sweet words and support dear friend,
hugs and love,
Dawn

[LiLi M.]

Hi Karla, I totally agree with you. With access to the world wide webb only a few bad ideas stay with the artists. The others will inspire, sometimes you are more conscious of that than other times. Sometimes you have an idea and before you can make it somebody else has done a similar thing, so when you create your own idea is that stealing? I just love your appeal: let's share!
Your newest grand baby really is too cute. I love those photos! And I love all your bags too. I bought one similar to the Magnolia Pearl bag in 2001 and we don't even have Magnolia Pearl over here, now who's idea was that bag? ;-) There is always something unique especially with these kind of purses. Have a great weekend!

[Amy]

I agree we learn from what we see,touch and feel and many people have shared ideas.Just because one person is luckier to broadcast or be picked to be featured or teach does not mean another has not been doing similiar as gifts for friends years before.Looks like you had a delightful day with your DIL I'm always impressed with the beauty you share.Warm Blessings!~Amy

[Kathy]

Wow, girl! You stirred something up here. I hadn't read any of this when I posted yesterday how to dye tiny Christmas trees. I mentioned that I'd originally seen it on your blog, with the appropriate nod to you with a link - as well as stating that "I haven't had an original idea since 1969!" And that's the truth. To be honest, I am not sure even Martha (or her staff) has had truly, TRULY original ideas. You know? Stuff you see goes into our little computer chip brains and comes out later, different, but ours. Ever TRY to exactly reproduce the Mona Lisa? Well, good luck on that one. Yup - this is a soapbox for me and I'll step down now. Here, here to Karla and I applaud you my dear. Now, I want to take a good, long look at those purses...hmmm.....I think I can do that.....

Cheers! - Kathy

[Sheila R]

I so agree with you Karla... Well said! I can't wait to find out more of your studio workshops with Dawn, Lisa, Carol and yourself!!! Saving my pretty pennies!!!

[Karla Nathan]

Show me your purses if you make any! And those trees are not my idea by a long shot. I saw it first on storybookwoods and she saw them on mamaandjack and who knows where she saw it. Those are all over blogworld

Sent from my iPhone

[silvia]

Karla, I have missed your entry about the birth of the newest fairy baby, so gratulations and best wishes!!!

[Sue]

Well said, Karla! I'm still pretty new to the blogging/art community (although I've been sewing and such forever), and am always a bit anxious about the whole copying/inspired by idea. One of my early posts featured a lace jacket I made after being inspired by Magnolia Pearl (I had it on at Silver Bella). Seeing Robin's and others creations finally gave me the courage to use some of the treasures I have been collecting. LOVE the purses you made - sounds like you had a wonderful day.

Hugs,
Sue

[Laura @ 52 FLEA]

First of all....sweet, sweet baby!
Love that tie pocket you made for your grandson's toy bag! That was super clever!
Happy creating, Merry Christmas!
:)

[Debby]

Hi Karla, I have to agree with you and everything in this post is so well said. I love Lisa and her work, she is a very talented girl with lots of inspiration and would never copy from anyone's work. I also believe we are playing in blogland to find inspiration and anyone of us should be happy and proud if someone took one of our projects and incorporated their own ideas into it.

Your new darling fairy baby is so sweet, loved seeing her in the sewing room. And the purses are awesome.

Your sweet package arrived in my mail today and I adore the beautiful flower pin you sent me. It is so soft and beautiful in all those gorgeous pastel shades. Thank you so much.
Hugs,
Debby

[Janis]

Oh Karla, Mayara is so sweet and beautiful!!!
I love your hand-made bags, they are lovely and I can't
get over the serendipity necklace. So meant to be yours
after all. : )
Hugs,
Janis

[Rachael]

Great post, love the bags, love the new baby on the floor... Rachaelxo

[Cheryl]

The baby looks as healthy as can be-- God bless her :-)

Everything looks so fabulous! I've been making a steady stream of "stuff" just to keep busy as the holidays are approaching faster than expected.....

Those are super classy ladies not to point fingers. I would point fingers-- nicely, but I'd be pointing none the less :-P

[Lori]

Amen to that Karla!
You said it perfectly :)

xoxo
Lori

[Diane Knott]

Karla, beautiful creations and a beautiful, thoughtful post!
I just went over to Dawn's and read hers too.
Copyright issues are sensitive ones! Basically, no one can copyright an IDEA. So once someone comes up with an idea, anyone can take that idea and make it their own. And that is actually the BEAUTY of crafting because it helps make the world go round and round! Sharing, inspiring...that's why I blog and why I love other bloggers with my mindset. If I come up with an idea, I love doing tutorials on my blog and then seeing what others do with it. I know I've made someone happy. Hidden deep inside this topic is something we should all think about...the lonely, possibly depressed person who is inspired to make something based on an idea she has seen on one of our blogs...it could be a life altering experience for her - all to the good! Who wouldn't want to do that for another person! It's more than crafts, isn't it. You never know! :-)
Hugs and thanks for the post!
Diane

[jeanie]

Here, Here! Bravo commentary and so true. We all get inspired, we all learn from copying and then suddenly, copying isn't any fun anymore -- we put our own spin on it and it is ours -- and our teacher's. You (and many others) have always been extremely generous with sharing your ideas and tricks. I've learned from that. Your generosity is without compare but it's lovely to hear your take on it.

[Becca]

Karla, you put into words so well, what I feel on this subject!! Thank you!
And your new fairybaby is soooooo beautiful!!
:)
~Becca~