Robin's Table

Recently a client asked if I could make her four place mats with one of my Robin designs. I said, "of course" even though I had not had the chance to make place mats before. Well after locating four of them I got to work. The Robin place mats turned out great, but before I shipped them off, I just had to set my table to see how they would look.

Robin Place Mats all around the table.

A closer view.

As I set the table for the picture, I realized how special many of the items were to me that I chose to set out.

This ivory coffee cup with an elegant raised rose pattern is part of a very old and beautiful set from my father's side of the family. When the dishes were handed down to me there were 12 plates and 15 cups and saucers. I used the plates daily when I was first married. I hate to admit it, but I did not treat any of the pieces with much care, but somehow I still have 12 plates and 15 cups and saucers. Now I treat them so well that they are rarely set out.



The antique tablecloth is a recent find from a local antique shop and I just love it.

A few years back I spotted a beautiful antique glass petite cake stand at an antique store I was visiting with my mother. The stand was very expensive and I said to my mother that I wished I was rich enough to buy it. I left the store pouting because it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. It was not in my budget, so I did not think about the cake stand again. However, the very next Christmas I opened a gift from my parents and sure enough, inside was the cake stand. I couldn't believe it. Every time I look at the cake stand I am reminded of just how much it means to me that my mother remembered just how much I loved it and made sure I had it.
Well, I could go on and on about beautiful things...

Until next time,
-Robin

Shades of Early Summer

I have been working on many new designs for Fall but I just had to step out of my studio today and take a few pictures.

My mother did not want this gorgeous planter anymore, so being a good daughter, I took it off her hands.

I love the color of June flowers.

What a great shade of pink!

My lamb statue almost looks like he is walking through a field of flowers.

A sea of white flowers.

This bee was enjoying the flowers too.

That was fun...

Back to the studio.

The making of a print ad

I have been working on some great new flower design items for the summer.

The first creation was a wastepaper basket with a King Charles Spaniel inside a gold medallion surrounded by my new floral pattern.


I liked the wastepaper basket so much...

that I created a very large tray to match...



and then I liked that so much that I created five new tissue box cover designs...



With all these new designs in my studio, I knew exactly what my next print ad would feature. When it came time to set up the products for my photo shoot (on my back porch this morning) I could not decide which items to feature so I took pictures of everything. Once it started to rain, I moved it all inside and sat down at my computer to go through all the pictures.

My first choice was a shot with the King Charles Spaniel Wastepaper Basket, the matching King Charles Spaniel Tissue Box Cover and the Swan Tissue Box Cover.

Here is the first ad I designed around 12 noon.



Well, I just could not leave well enough alone, so here is the second ad I finished around 6:00 p.m.



Well, I still could not leave well enough alone, so here is the third ad I finished around 12 midnight.



I emailed the ad to the magazine, so I guess that is my final ad.

When in doubt... simplify.

At Home Alone

Today I was at home alone. So I spent the overcast, rainy day moving from room to room with my camera, tripod and a variety of my decoupage home accents. The low lighting is the perfect light for me to take pictures of my high-gloss creations. I moved lamps, chairs, pictures and shelves all around to capture each shot. What a great day at home alone. I hope you enjoy looking at the new photos.

Staffordshire Dog Tray

Golden on Red Tissue Box Holder

Tapestry Lamb Tray

Robin on Branch Tissue Box Cover

French Floral on Black Tissue Box Cover

Terrier Pink Coat and Roses

Girl with Baskets of Flowers Lap Desk

Snow Days

Well, I cannot change the snowy days, but I can show you pictures

that may make you think of Spring and warmer times ahead.

You may have already seen my Bee Tissue Box Cover, but

this design has a background color that can almost make you

feel warm breezes in the air. A client of mine had recently moved

to Colorado from Florida. Although she was filled with happiness

and excitement for her new life in Colorado, she missed the colors

she had in her Florida home. When she saw my

blue/green/sea foam color, she asked if I would make her a

Bee Tissue Box and a few other items for her new powder room.

Well, I just love the color combination. I hope it's warming you up a little bit.

This Sea Shell Tray is one of the first shell designs I have created.

Sea shells make me think of summer, sand and walks on the beach.

I hope you are feeling a little warmer now, I think I am.

Dreaming about Spring

I think the cold temperatures across the country have many people dreaming of Spring. Why you may ask? Well, since the first of the year, I have had many orders for rabbits, robins and nests. Take a peek...

Pictured above is my Hare on Floral 11 by 14 canvas. Also, two small plates with one featuring a Standing Hare and the other a Rabbit nibbling on lettuce.

The Standing Hare Tissue Box Cover is a year-round favorite.

When I first decided to create lap writing desk, I thought they would be perfect to use with laptops computers, and they are. However, I have been told by many clients that they are just too pretty for that and must go on the wall as art. So when it was suggested that I add my Rabbit Family design, I did and love how it looks. Perfect for your laptop or your wall.

One client wanted me to create one of my writing lap desks with a really big robin. It does have the look of Spring. Robin on Ivory Writing Lap Desk.

This Bird Nest Plate is a perfect little accent to make you think of Spring.

Romantic Country Spring 2011

The 2011 Spring issue of Romantic Country will be available next week. Here's a peek at my ad. I can't wait to see the magazine.

And just in case you were wondering, yes, there is still time to order gifts for the upcoming Holidays at robinkingdesigns.com.