Karla's Cottage

Hand painted book covers for the watercolor class

Between getting ready for Once Upon An Easter and prepping the kits to send to Georgia, I’ve taken some breaks to work on the watercolor journals for the class at the cottage on Saturday, April 20th. 

Each is a small, watercolor notebook with 140lb paper.  I have enveloped them in a deconstructed pour paint canvas, then embellished them and added a ribbon tie. 

On the inside of the back cover, I’ve added a pocket.

The pockets are designed to hold the watercolor tips and tricks page that I made.

It gives steps on how to paint the little bluebird that I will hand draw on the front page of each notebook.

You also will receive a pack of watercolor pens to keep so you can practice in your new book.

Once painted, the bird will be ready to pop into a little frame that can be foofed up with a selection of vintage jewels, ribbons, and lace.

I have had a lot of interest in the classes (Karen Hillman will be doing two pretty lessons that day too). 

But- it is Easter weekend.  

Not the best date to plan an event, huh?  Well, my buddy happens to be visiting at that time and we are happy to have the day to play together, hoping a few people could join us. 

 

And luckily, a handful of Peeps are able to attend.  

But many have said it is an action packed family time or Easter dinner prep day. 

At first I was only offering the classes and luncheon as a package deal. But since people are so busy, I thought I’d modify that to say that if you would like to come in the morning and stay for lunch to do Karen’s two projects, or come for lunch and stay for my afternoon project that would be an option.  

You could play with pretties for just half a day, then still have time to get that cake baked and those eggs dyed.

If you are interested:

Morning session with lunch is $60

Afternoon session with lunch is $60

No time to relax over a meal?  A session alone is $50

 (But don’t think you will leave hungry, I’ll pack up some treats to go for you!)

Email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Living like a Queen at the Cozy Castle, plus Kit and Class info

This is my buddy from my weekend at the Cozy Castle.

Queen Satine, is as gentle and sweet as she is glamorous.

I felt as queenly as Satine looks the whole time I was with Karen.

From the very first night, walking up to her welcoming home, I was wrapped up in comfort, caring, and luxury.

It was heavenly!!!!!

These wings are painted on an alley wall in Deland, FL.  Karen took me out for a night of exploration of the cute downtown and we stopped to check out the artwork.

The workshops that I taught were hosted at her event space nearby, and she has it every bit as pretty as her home.

We had a group of fun ladies there to make angel wings and a memory book with me, and they came bearing gifts. 

After this leg of my journey, I was meeting Sugarwings and my husband, and they were very happy to see me the chocolate when I picked them up at the airport.

The wings were the same kits from the class that I had at the cottage for Valentine's Day, A Lovebird's Song.

But we put a Karen style spin on it, and had frozen Charlottes and bisque babies available for purchase to add to the  wings. (Karen will be teaching a class using the sweet bisque babes here at the cottage if you'd like to join us on April 20th)

You can read more about the class here.

The kits I provided were neutral with soft pink, but I always enjoy seeing what goodies people bring to add some extra touches to their own projects. My friend, Becky gave her wings some Florida Flair.

We had two rooms set up for the students, and I was busy flittering about between the two.  It almost made the teaching go a little easier than the same amount of people in just one room, because when they are at separate tables in the same space, I still have to repeat the instructions to each table, but this way, I didn't feel like I was bothering one table to say my spiel to another table.  

After the morning's class, we were lucky enough to be guided to the Cozy Castle for a lunch break, to dine at a beautifully appointed table Karen had prepared for us.

And to be treated to the world's best cake!

Last year, Karen baked one for my birthday, and gave it to me on a surprise visit.  I was quite happy to get another taste of one of her specialties.

After our schmancy luncheon of deliciousness and beauty, we went back to the workspace for round two, and made these memory, or autograph books.

There are some extra kits, (I always make plenty) I just haven't had a chance to get them listed in the Boutique because I am in the middle of BLECK! taxes BLECK! and in getting kits made for the Once Upon and Easter event that Jenn Hayslip is hosting on Jekyll Island. (I am making extra for those too)

I will have more time when I return in April, after the OTHER CLASS that I am also prepping for here at the cottage with Karen.

Whew! That is a lot of classes in a row!

You can inquire about the wings and autograph book kits now, ($40 each) or wait until all are listed in mid April. Sorry I'm not on the ball for the kits yet.  But soon, there will be a slew of them. You can be crafting away up to your knees is kits if you feel like it.  (ha)

Or maybe I will be seeing you at A Song of Spring and you can be treated like a queen by Karen too?  She brings light and love and happiness and glamour and style and sincerity and beauty everywhere she goes, and I think you'll enjoy the classes.

Her only free time, while in Kansas visiting, is Easter weekend. Soooo......  it is not an easy time for people to get away for a workshop. Looks like it will be a smaller class, which means we have plenty of space available if you'd like to join us?

Lunch, treats, 3 classes, and lots of laughing, foofiness, and fun.

Sorry, I wish I could offer poodle hugs, but Queen Satine will not be attending. She must have an appointment with the Easter Bunny too.  

email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

if you are interested in one of the kits from my past workshops or attending a future one.  

 

I will leave you with a couple more photos from  my royal weekend with Satine and Karen.  It was the BEST! She even took me to Mt Dora's famous flea market.

Yep, it was the BEST.

 

A Song of Spring, sign ups are open

Registration is open for our Springtime class at the cottage, with Karen Hillman and myself. 

I will be showing you how to use watercolor markers to create sweet, little images in your art journals or to frame. And speaking of framing, everyone gets a small frame to embellish and pop your finished painting into.

Also included is a set of watercolor paint markers, a watercolor notebook to practice your techniques, and I will draw a little bluebird for each guest to use as a guideline.  (Or you can ‘wing it’ and draw your own.)

My talented friend, Karen, will be making “Felicity the Flower Fairy” with us.  Everything pictured is provided, (including the darling, bisque dolly) you will need only your glue, tools, and any personal bits you would like to add.

Karen will also walk us through sugaring violets and mint leaves to enhance your holiday baking.  You will need to bring a food safe paint brush and will go home with a prettily wrapped, vintage plate to hold your scrumptious flowers.

 

Date:

Saturday, April 20

Place:

Karla’s Cottage- Lawrence, KS

Cost:

$115

Includes:

Lunch, beverages, goodies

Karen’s kit for making Felicia the Flower Fairy

Fresh cut violets and mint leaves, and the ingredients to transform them

A set of watercolor markers, a hand done drawing, a watercolor notebook, frame and embellishments, and an instructional chart 

 

I hope we will see you there! The class size is limited to the amount of antique dolls Karen has on hand. Anyone who has contacted me already will be given first priority, in the order that I heard from them.

 Please  email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

to join in on the fun we will be having Easter weekend in the studio!

as before, return guests, (Peeps) get a ten percent discount)

 

I had so much fun teaching at Karen’s that I invited her to teach here!

I just adored my time at the Cozy Castle with Karen Hillman and her guests!  So much so, that I needed more time with this fabulous, stylish lady and I invited here to come to see me and teach a class here.  

If you’ve spent any time with her, you will understand why I wanted more of her company.  

Good idea, huh?  She will be creating Felicia theFlower Fairy here on Saturday, April 20th, along with a tutorial on these delectable, sugared violets.

You will be going home with sweet, edible flowers and mint leaves just in time to enhance your holiday goodies on Easter Day.

She is a darling sprite, isn’t she?   Here is what Karen has to say about her:

 

Welcome Spring with Felicity the Flower Fairy! 

 

Mounted on a vintage shaker and posed in a shimmering rose bloom with her flower wand, Felicity will now work her Spring magic making all of the flowers in the world bloom! 

All pieces including vintage bisque baby are supplied for you! Just bring anything special of your own if you wish to use such as any small rhinestone bling.

 

 

 

 

The day will include lunch lunch and treats, as well as a class from me also- details to come.  I’m working on prototypes today, but wanted to get the news out as soon as I can since this date is quickly approaching and the classes occur on a holiday weekend.

 

Class size is very limited, please contact me for more info:

 

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Thank you, dear Peeps!

The ladies who came to A Lovebird’s Song were generous in gifting each other and me, too. 

My pal, Carol made this holiday banner and it is ideal above my work table. 

There were so many caring and kind, gifts, flowers, and treats!

Thank you all, for coming to spend a day with me and for being such nice people to hang out with. 

Sprucing up in the Studio for my Galentines

While getting ready for A Lovebird's Song, I did a full on, happy new year, delve into the corners, serious cleaning.

I even washed and changed the curtains.

And rearranged some of the storage cabinets.

I went so far as to take everything off the tops of the furniture pieces, wipe it all down, and rearrange them too.

Originally, I was going to box up things to get them out of the way, and just set out some Valentine decorations.

But I got started on cleaning and just couldn't stop.  I didn't even fill a single box of stuff to get things out of the way, I took care of each item  by putting them away properly or getting rid of things I didn't want.

I even dusted branches on the ceiling.  That is a rare occurrence. 

(or should I say, a singular one?)

Afterwards, it felt so fresh and bright, I was pretty happy with myself.

The studio is basically just a workroom most of the year, and gets neglected when I am busy crafting.

I should invite people over more often, maybe I'd keep it tidier.

Because I sure am enjoying having it detailed!

Although, I have to admit, I was beyond exhausted when the party ended.  I threw myself into prepping and cleaning for days ahead, then had an emergency with an icy driveway that had me spreading numerous, 40lb bags of salt on it, out there in the dark, cold, night before everyone arrived the next day. 

And of course, I didn't have my trusty sidekicks, Terry and Guncle Randy to ease the labor load while I was teaching the projects.  

And each year, I do get a teensy bit older.... That is a very hard one to admit.  But I was feeling it!

Still, I adore doing these classes, even if I am a worn out, old lady when they end.

 

 

Food full of love, with a room full of hearts and roses

 As always, I got a bit carried away with the theme for the party....

Hearts, EVERYWHERE!

The freshly baked rolls  were baked in heart shaped muffin tins.

As were the cupcakes. But it wasn't all that clear unless you looked at the bottom of them.

Rainbow carrots were even cut into hearts. 

(That might have been the moment when I realized it had gone over the top, it took longer than I thought it would, even with Kia helping.  But it was kind of fun, even if it probably was not a good use of my time)

Of course, there were cookies cut out as hearts.

The Dove chocolates and Cadbury eggs aren't hearts, but they are "lovebird" themed.

The treat cabinet was strewn with hearts and roses from top to bottom.

Red isn't typically my color, but I do enjoy pops of it at Christmas and Valentines.

Especially when the red is rosey.

And while this calendar page on the Treat Cabinet door isn't purely Valentine's themed, it is from Jan.-Feb. and seemed to fit in perfectly.

Hearts made by Beth are hanging on the other door.

And LuWanda is dolled up in rhinestone birds on lace with a flocked wallpaper heart.

We had fruity iced tea in the Treat Cabinet, and in the kitchen, I set up a hot cocoa and hot tea station.

But to be honest, this is always here.  We like to have the ingredients we need for tea or cocoa ready to roll. And the lace hearts? Those are year round too.  I  hung them up for Valentines Day a couple years ago and couldn't bring myself to take them down.

The chair covers were a very lucky find. I was at an estate sale for a closed catering business, and these brand new, never used, pink, pretties were only $1.50 each!

I almost didn't buy them, then came to my senses.

They were exactly what I needed, right?

Beth had just given me the pink napkins that match them, and the Guncles gifted me with the plates.  Lots of sharing and love went into the table top.

Including flowers from our newest Peep, Amy.

Now that our day full  of Peeps has passed, I think I need to throw a Valentine dinner party to enjoy all the decor some more. 

I do love Holidays and all the pretty things that come with them. 

 

 

 

 

A Lovebird's Song day at the Cottage

I had the BEST day! 

My studio is always more fun when I fill it with my Peeps.

And all of the creativity that flows from them.

I provide kits that contain everything needed to finish the projects as I have made the prototype, and then I set out a few extras, and encourage the guests to bring their own items to personalize.

And it makes me happy to see what everyone comes up with.

And while there is lots of laughter during the day, it is interesting to see how serious everyone gets at times while working hard to make their pieces.

Even Albie was taking it seriously.

The little dogs love it when the room is full of people ready to hold and pet them.  They all got dressed up in their vintage kerchiefs for the occasion.

It is great to see everyone generously sharing with each other too.  Many made valentines, purchased treats or cards to fill our gift bags.

(These were from Beth and she used THE GOOD STUFF!)

I set out old fashioned, paper bags with traditional, doily hearts for everyone to add treats too.  The hearts feature quotes from Conversation Heart candy, and I made mini versions of the wing project to pin to the bags with cleft note brooches.

My contributions to the sacks  included champagne gummy bears, candy, and Peeps.  

Sugarwings gave each of the ladies one of handmade, hot glue, rose topped pencils.

Thank you to all of the attendees for spending their time with me at the cottage, for the kindness of the gifts, for the shared laughter.

What nice people!

 

 

A Garden of Memories for a Fairy

My friend, Beth, gives me cool stuff she finds at estate sales.  A while back, I got this domed piece from her, and tucked it away, not sure what I’d be using it for.  When my studio got a deep cleaning in preparation for A Lovebird’s Song, I came across it and promptly sat down to make something from it. 

 

Because what is more inspiring than a chance to avoid cleaning?

 

Sorry, no before pics. (I was excited to get busy avoiding my chores and couldn’t wait to start)

I’m sure you can picture it, plain, blonde wood base, with scraggly bits of floral foam glued to it.  I painted the base and glued an old, metal lid to the center. The lid is covered in wallpaper. Around that, I drizzled a ton of glue and pressed moss into it.  I cut small millinery blooms to add to the foreground, and larger ones for the back.  They are all standing on their wire stems, not glued flat against the moss.

“Garden of Memories” was clipped from sheet music.  I make a habit of cutting out interesting phrases from old text to have on hand when I need just the perfect words. These words were ideal for this garden, because the photo I used was from a fun play date with a friend, Karen- a lovely memory!

A couple of vintage butterflies were added the same way as the flowers. I glued their wires into the moss, instead of sticking them right onto it. Then, I bent the wires to make it look like they were flitting about. 

The faye child sits on a wooden spool, covered in blooms, with a teensy bluebird of happiness by her side.  Her dress is netting cut from a vintage gown, her antennae are flower stamens, her wings are old text. 

She has added a little bitty, bright spot of spring to this gloomy, winter day. 

But now, I need to go clean after this refreshing break from work!  

A Lovebird's Song book for Beth

I've been busy as can be, putting kits together for not one but two classes, here at the cottage on Jan. 26 and in Florida at Karen's on Feb. 16th.

Actually, it ends up being 4 classes, two on each day.  And I wanted to switch up this "Pages Through Time" autograph book a little bit for the workshop at my home.  So, I've made an example of it with the slight changes.  The pictured one is just a little thicker than the actual pattern will be, since this book goes to my BFF, Beth. She is going to help out that day and is going to work on the premade book, creating examples of interior pages for the other attendees.  

I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with. I always learn good tricks from her!