The Write Stuff

Early this year I added a new product to my line - writing lap desks. I thought they would be perfect for laptop computers, looking at magazines or writing a letter.

Leaping Stag

Pheasant

Woman with Dog

French Floral

The desks have been very well received, and many people have told me that they have been hung on their walls, put on top of dressers or placed on a fireplace mantel. So I was very excited to get this email yesterday and to know that the lap desks are both pretty and functional.

"Robin, I wanted to share with you, my husband and I love the laptop trays I bought from you. We are using them right now! He thinks they are just beautiful. Of course, I love all your pieces. Even my son's girlfriend remembered a box of yours I purchased for a friend last year. Thank you Robin for sharing your talent with all of us!!! Happy New Year."

It is so rewarding and inspiring to hear how people are using the items I create. It's definitely the right stuff.

Grape Hod

I wanted to share with you a project I just completed for a very special client Mindy. She contacted me and wanted to know if I would add one of my deer designs to a grape hod that she had purchased. The grape hod is a Christmas gift for her mother in Wisconsin. I told her I had admired the grape hods that I have seen in Gorsuch stores and catalogs. So of course, I said yes.

The finished project- Grape Hod with Stag Design

The before pictures of the front and back.

When I first saw the piece, I was a little taken back because it's very large (26" by 23") and had a distressed finish that was not conducive to a flat decoupage surface. Nonetheless, I could hardly wait to get started.

After trying out many different designs, I finally decided an oval collage image of a stag surrounded by leaves. My first thought was to remove the distressed finish, but after discussing it with Mindy, we decided to keep the finish. I am so glad we did. Thanks so much Mindy, this was a great project. I sure hope your mother likes it!

Pot Rack Panache

For the past month I have had a show or event every weekend. Now I will begin working on all the special Christmas orders that will be sent around the country. In the midst of making a list and checking it twice, I did find time for a quick kitchen project.

My mother recently purchased a beautiful white distressed round pot rack from Sandi Vandel of Vandel Antiques in Littleton, CO. Once she got it home, she decided it did not work in her kitchen. So being a thoughtful daughter, I volunteered to take it off her hands. Although I do not have an extensive collection of copper pots to hang from the rack, I was confident I would come up with something. It did not take long and I decided to hang tea cups from my red transferware collection. I then added a vintage-looking ceramic hen in the middle of the rack.

I know someday it will be filled with a collection of copper pots, but for now I love how it looks. Well, that's enough procrastinating for me, it's time to get back to the studio.

Rue de Noel 2009 December 4th & 5th

The Rue de Noel Paris Street Holiday Market is underway at Aspen Grove in Littleton, CO located at 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive. The indoor Paris Market runs through Saturday from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm. There are more than 50 booths filled with original artwork, vintage finds and Christmas decorations. If you get a chance, please do stop by.


A few of my decoupage canvases


Amy Smith has an absolutely beautiful booth
filled with the most amazing treasures. She also
has her artwork and vintage finds at The Barn
in Castle Rock, CO.


One of my vintage finds, an Italian holy
water font, simply beautiful

A wooden angel I found in Amy's booth. Perfect

for Christmas.

This is my last show of 2009, but I will be busy creating many beautiful custom orders the next few weeks. A few of the projects will be featured here, so please do check back. Hope to see you at the Rue de Noel.