Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Snow

I miss the snow. I've lived in Atlanta now for nearly 7 years and it's snowed a few times here, but nothing like it did when I was back home in Michigan 3 years ago. This photo was taken the day after my kids and I arrived and as you can see, they had an absolute blast playing in it. Marcus, Isabella, and my sis-Bianca♥♥♥...

Happy Halloween!

TriCk or TreAt

We chose the TreatS-I had so much fun making these cupcakes with the kids, I think I may have enjoyed it more than them... Next up will be another Halloween goodie---Caramel apples. After the kids get in from school, we'll start on'em. The caramel is made from scratch and after the apples are dipped, they're covered in pecans and drizzled with chocolate. Sounds yummy, eh? BOO!!!

Daybreak

Magical!!!

Dining

Hey! Just wanted to share a photo of my dining room. I have a lot more to do yet, but I think it looks quite nice considering all I did was paint the walls, the chandelier, and reupholster the chairs. Not bad for around $135.00 and less than 5 hours of work (walls were painted with two coats-2 1/4 hours, metallic circles-1 hour, chairs-1 hour, chandelier 30 minutes)... Wait until I show you the painting I'm working on for this space. It's wild and whimsical-I Love it! I'm using Derwent INKTENSE Pencils as well as pastels and acrylics, can't wait to finish. Soooo busy right now-MUST make time:) Enjoy! xox

SIMPLE Before and Afters

This photo shows what I started out with-the tile on the left is a 2"x 2" ceramic tile. All I did was apply a simple faux-finish followed by a layer of resin to create the tile you see on the right. Love the depth and dimension! I'm currently working on my dining room and snapped a before photo of one of the chairs. I purchased 4 yards of a contemporary fabric and reupholstered all six for under $65.00-Bargain!

These dated can lights were in my sunroom over my cooking top. I didn't want to replace them because the size and scale is perfect, what I didn't like was the antique brass finish. Sooooo-I gave them a weathered look by applying sand and a few other mediums and ended up with some pretty awesome rusted lights---which look great next to the exposed brick. Too fab!

Talk about design on a dime-it doesn't get any more cost effective than this. Client wanted a granite countertop, but the granite was on back order for 3 months. Temporary solution-paint the existing counters and seal with resin. My client got so many compliments on the treatment, he decided to forgo the granite for awhile.

The pics are of the fireplace in the master bedroom of the Design Is show house. I wanted to keep the integrity of the Victorian fireplace, but wanted to give it a more "today" look. I did so by applying silver metallic paint and glass gems to the facade. Totally inexpensive and totally beautiful. Enjoy!

Mermaid ATC Swap

Made these mini paintings (2.5" x 3.5") for an ATC swap on Doll Dreams. Great fun!

AFIC

Jody

Benda

Connie

Janet

Anne Taking a moment to share some photos of the beautiful creations made by some of my students. There is nothing more rewarding than sharing and teaching others what I know---I am so grateful and blessed to be able to do what I do. Thanks everyone, for being a part of my life. Enjoy the photos!

Autumn

Small painting on wood. Watercolor and ink~listed on etsy.

MerMie

Just listed on etsy. Acrylic on stretched canvas.

Coming Soon!

It's been so long since I've posted, no, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, just very busy with the kids back at school, interior designing jobs, commissions, and home renos. I did manage to squeeze in a few paintings and this is the first I'll be offering in my etsy. It is titled: Twisted Virtures. Mixed-media on stretched canvas: arcylic, pencils, pastels, inks, plaster, you name it's in it~16" x 20". Available on Saturday Sept. 3.

Enjoy!!! xoxo

Sketch

I came across this sketch while organizing my studio today. The inspiration came from 3 different photos of models from Vogue. I liked the hair on one, the eyes on another, and the nose & lips of the last one. All of the ladies were gorgeous and I could have sketched each as they appeared, but something about mixing them up appealed more to me and I love the way she turned out. Hey, variety is the spice of life, right? :) I'm going to be doing more realistic work such as this, but with a different spin on it. I'll share more later... xox

Tea anyone?

Isabella and I enjoyed an afternoon tea with her fairy friends and teddy. I think I had more fun than she did... xox

Mini collage painting

OK, so I've been playing with watercolors and loving it. Soft pale colours---YUM! I just listed this mini painting on etsy-stop by and take a look.

Hope everyone is having a Terrific Summer!!!
xoxox~Nat

Sketch

I have not had much time, as of late, to work on anything new---kids just finished with school and I've been sick with allergies-Yuck! I joined an online class and am having fun doing some simple sketches. Hopefully, I'll feel well enough to bust out the paints soon. For now, I'll just enjoy drawing. ♥

Sea Siren on etsy

7" hanging Mermaid I just listed on etsy...

My Favorite Doll from AFIC

OK, so several people asked me what was my absolute favorite doll at AFIC last weekend and for me it was hands down Lillian Alberti's "Solange". So whimsical and fun and reminiscent of Van Craig's work. I told people I wanted to Lick this doll that's how much I loved her:) Alright, I know it sounds like I got carried away, but I swear this photo does not do her justice. And as for Lillian, well she's a doll herself. Too sweet for words really---must visit her while in New York.

Cheers!!! ♥

How is it done?

So how does one get from this to that? It's a long process-just ask any of my students who joined me last weekend at AFIC. This is the piece I started there and the first photo is exactly how it looked when I got home. Too busy working with my students to work on my demo doll. But, wait until I share pics of their creations. Fantastic!!! More posts to come-SOON... Still catching my breath from all the excitement. ♥

Blush it is!!!

THanks for all the comments. I decided on making my little moth fairy, with blush hair. So what was the deciding factor? My brother's comment---he said the black hair made her look like Edward Scissorhands. Thanks Brian:)

Hope you all like her.

I'll be out of pocket until next week. Headed for AFIC tomorrow morning.

I can't wait-should be a Blast!!!

♥~Nat

xoxox

BookmarkS

More goodies for AFIC. These pieces were created from my original sketch which was reproduced on 100% organic sateen cotton. Each were handpainted with dyes, watercolors, inks, acrylics, pastels and sealant. I added some steampunk inspired gadgets for a bit of whimsy. I love how they turned out. Almost too hard to part with. xoxox

AdoraBelle

Design for aprons

Amongst several items for sale at AFIC, I'll have this design on aprons. Fun and whimsical and PINK!

♥

Med-HEad pins

Pins for AFIC

OK, You decide-Black or Blush?

I am BUSY-Very Busy preparing for AFIC. I have all but one doll to finish for my display at the conference, and I'm having a hard time deciding on a hair color for her. She is a fairy/moth type doll which will be suspended in a cocoon, (based on my Aldora doll design). If you would leave a quick message as to which color looks best to you, I would appreciate it:) Since I am pressed for time, I need your response by the end of the day (today). Many thanks! xoxox

Drawer PullS

I've been busy preparing for AFIC and making all sorts of goodies. I finished painting these drawer pulls over the weekend, just waiting for it to warm up here in Atlanta so I can give them a few coats of high-gloss polyurethane. So, I'm curious---do you have a favorite? I do:)

xoxox~Nat

and the WinnerS ARE:

Hey All!
Well, I had planned on coming to you live, but I could not find my memory card for my camera---sooooooo, I ended up using an online random number generator (http://www.random.org/) for the 2 lucky winners. Their names are: LANIE (91) and KATTY G. (26)
Congratulations Ladies!!!
I will be contacting you shortly. If you read this first, send me an email: NWredsnapper@yahoo.com

For the rest of you, I'm sorry your name wasn't selected this time. I will host another drawing when I reach 150 followers, so you're still in the running. Best of Luck next time.

♥~Nat

100 FOLLOWERS!!!

Hey Everyone!
I have reached 100 followers-Yay!!! Well, it actually reads 101, but I'm considered a follower too, (though I don't know how or why)...
I will be announcing 2 names this time round, will do it live (recorded video) and will post it by next Monday.
Many thanks to those who signed in to follow and best of luck to each of you.
Be watching:)
♥~Nat
xoxox

Fabric Bookmark for AFIC

Hope you all like her. Warm color palette: Plum, pumpkin, copper, gold, and a pinch of hot pink. Enjoy! xoxox

WIP

This is the early stages of a bookmark I designed for AFIC, she is finally completed. This pattern will be included in a complimentary booklet for each student attending the conference. I have more photos to take of this piece, just waiting for a nice sunny day so I can go outside and capture all the details. I'll be putting her up in my etsy very soon. Stay tuned... xoxox

Wait a Minute Mr. Postman!

Another postcard swap on Doll Street Dreamers. A collage of various fabrics, fine silks, handpainted batiks, and Angelina film---all FME and full of color... Hope my swapping partners like them. xoxox

The END of a long-running class

My Spring Marotte class on Doll Street Dreamers, is coming to a close after having a running time of 4 years. Whew, who would of thought this little head on a stick would have been so popular??? When I designed her, I wanted to try something totally new and different than anything I had done before. I love needle-sculpted faces, but hate the center seamline. Now I read a couple of how-to articles explaining the process of a "cloth overlay", but I like working with different fabrics than those tried before and knew the only way to go about it was through some trial and error. Luckily, there was no error involved as I soon learned the fabrics I favored were easier to manipulate than those I read about. I work with a stretch cotton for sculpting and a stretch sateen for the overlay---the results, well---obviously pretty good considering the great many number of students I had sign up. I am very thankful to each and every one who joined me on Doll Street. The marottes created by the students, far exceeded my expectations and some really blew me away. There's nothing more rewarding than to teach and share new things with people. If you're interested in joining me for my Spring Marotte class, you can do so from now until the 15th of March. Thanks everyone! ♥♥♥