Karla's Cottage

Black dogs sure are hard to photograph!

My grand puppy, Alfie, came to visit.

Besides being black, he is also busy.  Which meant he was quite the fuzzy blur in most photos!

Honestly, in all of the photos.

But you know how grandmas are.  To me, all of the photos of him are beautiful because I love my baby.

he looks a lot like his mom, doesn’t he?  She is more mature, so holds still for posing better.  Therefore, isn’t always a blur.  But still, black dogs are simply hard to get good pictures of.

If you know any tricks, I’d love to hear them.

A Parisian Travel Journal

I am very happy to be teaching at Randy Nathan’s first event!

The theme is A Midnight in Paris, so I have crafted a travel journal that is all frenchied up for us to make there.

And of course, it comes with a collage sheet of French images so you can personalize your book by choosing which pictures you want to use.

I have used Toile de Joie wallpaper, Fleur de lis charms, silk ribbon, and a metal spine inspired by the Eiffel Tower.

I would love to have you join us!

January Decorating

After all of the glorious, gaudiness of the Christmas decor at my house, I kind of like my Januaries to be low key. It is a good time to dust, and shuffle things around, and to leave some things simply put away, not even used.

And to add some natural elements to remind me that spring and growing things will have to return someday, and that winter won't last forever.

Even if the icy cold feels like it is a life sentence...

Last fall, I bought some succulents at a garden center clearance for 99 cents a pot. After stashing them in my husband's office for the holidays, I was happy to see the cheerful greenery and bring it back into the house to brighten up a cold winter day.

This is where we spend way too much time since my husband retired and it has gotten so cold out.  He builds a fire, we pile dogs on our laps and drink coffee every morning in front of the fire before we get on with our days.  

Part of my move for simplicity, is leaving this table bare and functional for books and newspapers.

The mantle is kinda halfway simple, well for me at least.  It seems full, but usually is has a lot more going on.  I leave the angel wings up through Valentine's Day and keep the colors mostly muted. But I did add one little, oval painting that reminds me that springtime is real, and that I will get through this freezing season.

Winter is just not my deal. I make up all sorts of excuses to not leave the house and keep errands to a minimum.  Now that I have a house husband, it is even more tempting to sit by a fire and ignore the rest of the world.  I might even be growing to like winter.

Well, maybe just this cozy aspect of winter. Not the howling Kansas winds and ice.  I will never, ever be able to enjoy that.

Hope you are staying warm and coping too!

Listen to Your Heart Kits and Project Available- The Ultimate in Good Stuff!!

Thank you for all of the inquiries about the Listen to Your Heart class.  Since I had so many people ask about it, I decided to make up a few extra kits.  

The amount of kits is very limited, since I am using the trim from a vintage bridal gown.  I wanted each set to have an equally lovely selection of lace, including the neckline and hems.  Too bad the dress didn't have a big full skirt so I could get more out of it!! The skirt was slightly narrow, so... limited kits.

There are step by step, hand illustrated instructions that suggest you can use glue, light sewing, or go all out and be a rock star seamstress if you have the skills.

(Personally, I used a mix of glue with thread and needle for my own.)

My finished piece is also available.

I especially enjoyed making this little accent heart and once I got started on it, I made a bunch of them as Valentine gifts. 

The kits contain everything you need to complete the project as pictured. Or to change it up and select a different image from the collage sheet printed on fabric to add to your own creation.

You can find the kits and the finished project in my Boutique now.

Taking a break to paint

Do you ever just make something for the pure joy of making it? In the past, I’ve operated that way, made what I wanted, then found a purpose for it, or not.    
But it seems like my life as an artist had mostly dissolved into taking care of the house, the family, the dogs, upcoming classes, or gathering things to sell.  

Then, the other day, I decided to paint some flowers.

For no reason, and I had other things to do, too.

It was a nice reminder to stay in contact with my inner artist.  So I framed and hung it where it would keep reminding me to take breaks from too much to do, and just create for the plain, old love of creating.

Progress?

This was a rare moment of harmony between our dogs.  They no longer argue with each other, and are more accepting of sharing a home.  

But mostly, the littles and Honey have a pact to ignore each other.

And Sugar is desperate to make the littles be her friend.  She never gives up, and can't understand why they refuse to be buddies. 

Though, one morning, I woke up to find poor, blind and confused Twinkle curled up with Honey.  I think Honey feels sorry for her and let the transgression pass. 

We are about to take a 3 week camping trip with Twinkle, Honey, and Sugar.  Maybe they will learn to be sisters while they are forced to be so close?

In case you are running low on fairies, I know where you can find some. And here is some info on upcoming classes

There are plans in the works to do more tutorials, foof up and add to existing ones, and get my Boutique filled to the brim once again.

But I can't quite get to it yet.

For now, there are more fairies and books in the Boutique.

Because I simply could not help myself, I love making them too much.

But before I go restocking even more, I have a list a mile long of things to do, plus we are filling up our camper with three of the dogs, the two of us and heading to Florida for a 3 week trip.

The Boutique will be closed while I am away, but when I get back? I will be restocking and let you know when it is filled up.

A couple of things on my to do list before heading south, are: making kits for Karen Hillan's get together in Deland, "Listen to Your Heart".  Spaces are still available for that party.

I also need to get samples ready for a class at the Guncles in April. 

  He has a few spots left. And there are also a couple of seats available for Karen's other gathering in Texas, "Beauty in Blue."

I am excited to have three upcoming teaching gigs coming up, and with some of my favorite people!

And I would love to see you at them too. 

Here is how to find out more about all three:

Randy's "I Lourve Jacksonville"- https://www.facebook.com/randyspups  Contact Randy for info, you can reach him here.

"Listen to Your Heart" in Deland, FL just in time for Valentine's Day- https://www.facebook.com/events/509270499709448/

"Beauty in Blue" celebrating the Texas bluebells- https://www.facebook.com/groups/2445165192414985/

And here is where you can find some fairies- http://www.karlascottage.com/category_15/All-items.htm

Listen to Your Heart, a class in Deland, FL

My dear, Special K, the divine hostess, Karen Hillman has invited me to teach a Valentine class on Saturday, Feb.8th at her Cozy Castle.  

Whenever she comes to my home, she comments on some hearts I have hanging in my dining room.  They were made during a girlfriends’ craft day at my good friend,Tami’s house. 

So we will be making a version of those.  Which makes it even more special to me. Craft projects made together with people you care about, already are infused with love, right?  

Perfect for Valentine’s Day!

My kits will include a collage sheet printed onto linen, so everyone can choose their favorite photo to add.  And faded, old, millinery blooms will in in the kit along with soft, pure silk ribbon to hang the lace covered hearts from. 

Oooh, and the lace! YUMMY!

Yes, this is the Good Stuff, all the way.  Class size and extra kits to sell will be limited due to the amount of this decadent lace that I have.  There are two vintage gowns that I am taking apart to use, and I think the previous owners were pretty petite. 

We will also be learning a quick and easy beading trick. 

I’ve salvaged some vintage curtains that used to hang in my kitchen to make tiny, little tokens to hang from the knot of silk ribbon.

Your sewing skill level can be any level for this class.  You can blow us away with your needlework, or get out a bottle of Fabric-Tac to assemble it.

I am not much of a sewer myself...

My Mom, who was a highly skilled seamstress, would be shocked to know that I am attempting to teach a class that involves needle and thread. But the main focus on this isn't the actual stitching of it, it is the foofing and decorating that is the best part.

Well, for me, the best part will be a day at the Cozy Castle with friends.  Karen is an extraordinary hostess and has a beautiful home.  I was lucky enough to teach with her there last year, and am thrilled to have a chance to say farewell.

She has sold her historic home, and will be moving this spring.  It is a such a beautiful place, I will miss it and am honored to get one last visit.

Please contact me if you’d like more info, I would love to see you there.

Valentine Fairies and more

Thank you so much to everyone who purchased fairies from me for their Christmas tree!

I loved making each and every one.

But just  because Christmas season has passed, that doesn't have to mean that fairy season is over.

These sprites are lovely for Valentines Day too.

Especially this gal.

She wants to be your Galentine.

I have given many of them  hand drawn roses or hearts on their clothes.

While they look extra cute in pink for the holiday, they aren't necessarily just for Valentines.

Although they would make nice gifts for someone you love.

And the fairies, with or without a book are sweet as candy year round.

I love any excuse to make one.

There are more to come too.  I have more to get pics of.

It is much more fun to make them than it is to photograph them, edit the pictures and list them in the Boutique. 

I adore making books, and making fairies, so I figured I would combine my loves and put them together.  Maybe I will make some sweet banners also since I love those too...

The books are 100% handmade, cover to cover.  I used acrylic pour paint canvases, cut up to cover chipboard to hand craft them.  Cut and tied the pages in, lined the covers with vintage wallpaper, created ties to hold the books closed, then decorated them.

If you would like one, you can find them here in my Boutique.

 

 

The halls are still decked

Typically, I have all of my holiday decor put away by now.

This year, we had Dewdrop visiting from North Carolina, so I left it up while she was still here.

Then, Sugarwings was staying with us for a couple of days after her sis left.

I can't dismantle a mountain of Christmas crap with a little girl around.  The grand fairies are too sad to see it go.

And my house is in total disarray during the process.  It takes magical skills to make it all fit where it needs to go. The huge task requires mega amounts of concentration and plotting.

So, I'll enjoy it, as long as I need to. Then go full force in finagling all of this into one small closet.   I'm not sure if I will miss it or not.  I think I will miss the twinkling lights, but I am possibly ready for the clutter to be gone. I did get  the studio cleared of all signs of the holiday, and have enjoyed getting it back to normal and getting some work done out there.  

Which reminds me, there will be some new, non Christmas, fairies flying their way to the Boutique soon. Photos to come.