Artistic Creations by Natasha Burns

Enumclaw/Seattle part one…

2011-12-10T09:01:00.001+11:00

When I ask my husband and son what their favourite parts of our trip were, the little dude answers “playing with the dogs” and hubby says spending time with rays of sunshine!

That’s about the best way I could put it too. Our friend Tiffany and her family are rays of sunshine!

Hope the photos did the talking ~ we are off to my son’s party ~ I tend to do blog posts when we are supposed to be getting ready, every year! ha!

Until next time,

Natasha xo

Once Upon A Dream

2011-11-28T13:46:00.001+11:00

Ok so I have over 3,000 photos from our trip and it has been so daunting to know where to start sharing and what to narrow it down to! So I’ll start with Jenn’s Once Upon A Dream Art Event in Asheville, that I was honoured to be an instructor at.

The classes all went beautifully, the ladies made some amazing things. I especially loved when the ladies put their own take on the project I taught, there were some really cool versions!

You will find beautiful photos and stories on the official event blog HERE, please take a look there too. The pics below are mine and I’m trying not to double up on the official ones taken by Tiffany of The Fancy Farmgirl Photography. Apologies if I do double up! It’s hard to narrow down the selection!

It was my 2nd trip to the States and I was so excited to be able to meet up again with friends I had met last time, and been in contact with for several years now.

The whole event was magical, dreamy, and perfect. There were tears of joy, laughter, squealing, dancing and great food. (Oh, and cocktails!)

I’ve skipped pics on Biltmore Estate – mine weren’t fantastic – you’ll find great ones on Jenn’s blog.

Tiffany Kirchner Dixon, Me, Jennifer Hayslip

Lori Oles, Andrea Singarella, Tiffany, Karla Nathan, Jenn, Me

Tiffany with her camera, busy the whole time!

Tiffany and I

Sonia Cardona Crouse (of Creating Vintage Charm Magazine) and I

My table at welcome/vendor night

Claxton Farms

Divine workshop day at Claxton Farms. The dream fairies got up early and got very busy setting up this wonderland. Isn’t it divine!!!??

Details details…. everywhere you looked, it was dreamy!

This is the huge banner I painted for the event – it was so big I had to move both cars out of the carport to paint it on the ground!

Karla Nathan’s papier mache mushroom centrepieces

more details

Gorgeous Jenn – this is my favourite photo of her, isn’t she beautiful? She’s wearing a fabulous headband/belt made by Lori Oles

Did I mention details? the back of Jenn’s dress….gorgeous!

Me with Lori Oles – oh she’s such a scream – loved her!!

This was a table of Midsummer Mobiles that I taught to make – the ladies hung them from the branches, how cool!

Swap day at Bake It Pretty – how cute are those cupcakes!

Sweet Trisha with her swap shoe

Priscilla with her divine hand-toled, hand-dyed, hand-cut crown made by Valerie Jones

The fun Kim Caldwell with her fab personalised apron

Jenn with Jessi Nagy

Me with Maija Lepore

Molly Jacobs and I

Me with Danielle Muller

Hope Wallace and I

It was so bittersweet – amazing seeing old friends again, but knowing it was coming to an end, and not knowing when or if I’ll see many of them again

But I had the Dr Seuss quote going through my head

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

Thank you to my fairy friends, from the bottom of my heart.

Next time ~ Seattle.

Bye!

Natasha xo

it was a blast….

2011-11-14T18:51:00.001+11:00

We are back home….. America was a blast. Gone for 4 weeks, and it already feels like it was a dream….

I miss my girls terribly

I’ll update with TONS of photos really soon (just gotta resize them. there are over 3,000 to decide from!)

but here’s a couple from Jenn’s event, that was just magnificent in every way

(photos courtesy of The Fancy Farmgirl Photography)

Natasha xo

sign, sign, everywhere a sign

2011-09-20T13:14:00.001+10:00

I’ve been working through my to-do book {notice I didn’t call it a ‘list’?!}, busily preparing for our upcoming trip to the States. We are SO excited!

My husband hasn’t had more than a week off work at a time since late 2007, and this will be the little dude’s first overseas trip. Actually, hubby hasn’t been on a plane ride longer than four hours, so this will be very interesting….15 hours plus check-in time and lining up at customs without a cigarette will really test him….maybe it will be a good time for him to quit smoking!

It might be him doing the “Are we there yet?” routine…. thank goodness for HEADPHONES! hehehe.

Anyway, back to the topic ~ one of the FUN things I’m going to do while we are away is visit a gorgeous store I’ve supplied for a few years now, in Las Vegas! And I’m hand delivering an order, all the way from Oz. I never would have thought I’d be able to do that!

So here is a post full of sweet and delicious signs, packed in our suitcase, ready for Vegas…..

And the next signs are ones I created as gifts for two of our four hosts in Seattle ~ the other two gifts you won’t see until the recipients do, because they have access to my blog, and I want to surprise them

This is a new type of lettering I tried out ~ I really like the look of it

And one for the MAN CAVE!

I’ll be updating my blog and Facebook Page as often as I can while we’re away, & I’ll try to get online as much as possible to check in on Skype with our house-sitters to say hi to our fur baby, and to our bubble blowing swimmer babies.

Until next time, hope you have a BEAUTIFUL day!

Natasha xo

Spring has sprung!

2011-09-07T23:29:00.001+10:00

Bloggy absence lately ~ busy busy busy preparing for our trip to the US very soon, organising people to live in our house while we’re away, what to ship for vendor night, sponsor gifts, tim tam buying for my US friends, working on orders, birthday lunches, coffees, dinners…. and enjoying SPRING!

See you from the other side of the world, or sooner, if I can!

Natasha xo

where to find me

2011-08-12T22:53:00.001+10:00

Just a quick one to let you know where you can find me online, other than here on my blog!

You can click on any of the links to be taken to them where you can “like”, “follow”, “add to circle”, or lurk

Thanks! Hope to see you in cyberspace!

Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/NatashaBurnsArtisticCreations

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/NatashaBurnsArt

Website:

(which I will update, after plans to shake things up and only sell on Etsy, I’ve changed my mind!)

www.natashaburns.com

Etsy:

www.NatashaBurns.etsy.com

MadeIt:

www.madeit.com.au/NatashaBurns

to market, to market

2011-08-11T22:15:00.003+10:00

Just popping in to let you know about the upcoming markets I’ll be at.

First is this Sunday, 14th August. A brand new market, The Southside Handmade and Vintage Market

Held at the Urban Hotel

35-37 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

11am – 5pm

I’m in the Suga Bar with a double table

Come say hi, make a day of it – visit the beach, eat on Fitzroy St, visit Luna Park, and dessert on Acland a short stroll away!

Their Facebook page to go like is here – tell them I sent you

**************************************************

Then next Sunday 21st August I’ll be returning again to the lovely light-filled upstairs room at the

North Melbourne Market

Lithuanian Club

44 Errol St, North Melbourne

10am – 3pm

Come lunch at one of the great cafes nearby (DiBella on Leveson St makes awesome breakfast and have excellent service!)

Then I’ll be busy preparing for our trip to the US, where I’m one of the instructors at this AMAZING EVENT, so the next markets you’ll find me at are not until November and December (again at North Melbourne)

Hope to see you there!

Natasha xo

burlesque life drawing class

2011-08-10T12:25:00.001+10:00

{a little warning, though it’s not offensive to most people, if you don’t want to see drawings of a semi nude lady, don’t scroll further!}

When I was about 17, I used to attend life drawing classes at school after hours. At first I wondered how on earth could I draw a girl with no clothes on, would it be awkward, wouldn’t she be cold? {yes, I worried that she would be cold!}

But after one class, it was a non-issue. No awkward, and there was a heater.

My time in life drawing class taught me more than any other time I can remember. I started off very heavy handed, but eventually worked on different techniques.

It helped me to understand human form and how to draw it. It was enormously important as it helped me in my university studies {fashion} to know how garments drape on a body – knowing what the body was doing underneath.

After secondary school we did some life drawing during our course, but it was never as great as my time drawing in year 11 & 12 at school. The teacher was amazing and we all came such a long way under her guidance.

So, a while ago, an old friend asked me if I’d be interested in attending a life drawing class at the Burlesque Bar in Fitzroy. I was SO nervous, I hadn’t drawn from life in such a long time. When I create now, it’s mostly in my head, or gowns from people’s photographs.

So Friendy, Kirstie and I went along, and I thought I’d share with you what I drew. The first two drawings were 10 minutes each, and the last two rough ones were 5 minute sketches.

The girl is a former ballerina, now a burlesque dancer.

And this last drawing was a guy who we had to draw with our opposite hand! I’m a leftie, and it was very weird trying to draw right handed….

We haven’t gone back as it’s just not been a good day or time, but I would love to go again.

It keeps the creativity fresh and helps you just to do it, without thinking.

Have you ever taken a life drawing class?

Until next time,

Natasha xo

painting Henry & more

2011-08-04T14:06:00.001+10:00

It has been a while since I’ve shared some pics of what I’ve been painting. I’ve kept busy with markets, faux cupcake orders, and working on my mile-long list to be completed before our trip to the States.

I have to say, for the first one, I was nervous about how it would turn out. I haven’t painted or drawn a dog since my own baby furry girl Fluffy was alive {she went over the Rainbow Bridge in 1996}….and haven’t attempted painting my Ernie yet.

I was nervous because Henry is an adorable, much-loved, fur baby. When you’re painting pink and fluffy things – inanimate objects – your client won’t have the same attachment as they do to their little family members. Painting Henry the Pug was such a change from pink, and it gave me such pleasure to be able to paint something close to someone’s heart.

I’m glad to say Henry’s human Mum loves it.

Meet Henry…..

And just to be sure I could still do the “pink thing”, a custom order tutu painting for a little girl. Mum is picking it up today and looking forward to hanging it up in her daughter’s room.

Well, my to-do list isn’t disappearing…. better get to it!

Thanks for visiting,

Natasha xo

Forever New display of my faux sweets!

2011-07-18T23:51:00.001+10:00

Recently I was contacted by Forever New, a most GORGEOUS women’s clothing and accessories chain store, and asked to create some faux sweets for them! They made it into the window of their Bourke Street Mall store on Friday, their new season launch day!

I went to the city this morning and got some pictures of their lovely display set up like a beautiful tea party. It was surreal seeing what I had created in one of the busiest streets in the city! {pics taken in the morning, I got in before Bourke Street got crowded!}.

It also made me excited and proud as punch!

Oh, and I tried on some clothes too, of course!

Here’s a closer look at the faux sweets ~ pics I took before they left my home.

I’ve got more faux cupcake orders on the go currently, and should have some with me at the North Melbourne Market this Sunday. {I’m hoping they dry in time!}

If you want some of your own, email me via the Contact/News/Offers tab above, here on my blog. Or leave me a comment on my Facebook page.

Thanks to the VM girls at Forever New who were fab to deal with!

Natasha xo

scrumptious!

2011-07-16T20:30:00.001+10:00

While visiting the city yesterday on a few errands, on our list was a visit to La Belle Miette in Hardware Lane.

I had heard that their macarons were incredible.

So, of course, I worked out the Weight Watchers points in them {2, if you’re interested}, and decided they’re on the doable list.

I was also excited to purchase the hard gift box because it’s gorgeous and will be useful for my craft supplies when I’m done with it holding macarons.

We tried six flavours {we had already eaten one before I took pics!}

Cherry Blossom & Sake, Pistachio, Violet & Blueberry, Lemon, Raspberry and Strawberry & Vanilla.

Mum and I shared half each and our eyes nearly popped out as we tasted each one.

TO DIE FOR!

Favourite so far is Cherry Blossom & Sake. Pistachio comes close….

If you’re in the city in Melbourne, you cannot miss visiting La Belle Miette.

Enough rambling from me. Here’s the eye candy for you to taste through your screen. Links at the end.

La Belle Miette website

La Belle Miette Facebook Page

Next time I can’t wait to show you where my faux cupcakes ended up on display in the city…..!

Natasha xo

taking a leap

2011-07-04T22:22:00.001+10:00

Recently I took part in an online course that was quite amazing. Soul Restoration run by Melody Ross and the girls at The Brave Girls Club taught me a lot. I haven’t yet finished each weekly class, and I will eventually…but what it did teach me was to just take a leap and do what I’m here to do!

I might come across as confident, but I guess I’m like many other artists who have that feeling of self doubt, and like many people, lack of self worth. So I am working towards getting over that and putting my work really out there. Really trying.

In the past couple of weeks, things are starting to look up! I submitted several designs to an international card /stationery company that I have been wanting to submit to for about two years. I got over the thought that they might say no. So what if they do? Just submit more! As it turns out, please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me. A few of my designs are going through to a vote…..!

And keep an eye on my Facebook Page, because probably some time next week I’ll let you know a really cool place that you can go see some things I make – it’s an amazing place and I’m pinching myself that I got this opportunity!

I’ve also got some new products in development, down a track that I wanted to go about 3 years ago. Yeah, crazy huh? 3 years of not just getting it done?! What was I thinking!?

Anyway ~ here’s a couple of articles in current magazines that I have written that I’m really proud of ~ think I’ll put a kit together of the Utterly Dreamy lace cuff.

Jewelry Affaire Spring 2011 available here

And my trusty apron that I made for a market I was doing last year has made it into Volume 3 of Apronology!

I’ve been wearing it to the North Melbourne Market this year. It’s so practical!

Until next time,

Natasha xo

Interview: Katrina from “The Block”!!

2011-07-03T11:17:00.001+10:00

Many of you probably already know Katrina through years of blogging, and her site Media Mad. If you’ve been following her blog, and if you’re living in Australia and watch Channel 9 every weeknight, chances are you have seen her and her sister Amie, grace your TV on this year’s The Block.

If you don’t live in Australia, The Block is a show with four couples who, this season, each have a run-down {and I don’t use that word lightly} old house and completely renovate it. Each week they have one room, and some crazy challenges in between, to complete. They have a budget to keep to, and at the end of 8 weeks {yes, only 8 weeks!} these houses must be complete! They then will be auctioned off, and from what I understand, the amount above what Channel 9 recoup, each couple keeps, and the couple who gets the highest price for their house then wins the $100,000 prize.

Crazy stuff huh?!

So I have known Katrina from way back in our eBay days where we both sold on there. I bought things from her little shop and she ordered signs from me. She is a real firecracker in real life, as she is on her blog, and on The Block. I was lucky enough to meet up with her and her lovely sister Amie when they were down in Melbourne trying out for the show. We had a fun morning having breakfast and checking out shops in town.

So I’ve got a real treat for you today – Katrina has been kind enough to answer some questions I put to her about her time on The Block. Her answers are inspiring and amusing, just like she is!

What did you miss most, apart from your family, for the 8 weeks you were away, renovating House #3?

I really missed eating! There were obviously no kitchens and no time to be able to eat properly. I would probably only eat once a day! Probably not a bad thing seeing as though I lost 10kg, but I am eating like a crazy lady now I am home…ha

What has been the best thing that happened to you as a result of being on The Block?

I feel pretty fierce. I guess I know now that no one can tell me I can’t do something. This feeling is a good thing as I can teach my boys that anything is possible. It’s my new motto and I say it to them every day.

How much of what we see is affected by editing?

A lot of it is edited. In total the show produced roughly 1200 hours of footage over 8 weeks. We have 4-5 camera crews shooting on 10 hour shifts every day. Only 1% of this collected footage will be seen. This means all the good and funny stuff (and all our hard work) won’t get seen!

Have any stories been dramatised for TV, that didn't actually happen?

Oh, there will be lots of those! But it’s all good.

Are you now friends with the other three couples?

Definitely. I speak to them every couple of days. We didn’t all go to work this year as in past seasons, so we spent a lot of time together and we have formed some great friendships.

Have you been stopped in the streets yet, recognised for being on our TVs 5 nights a week?

Yes, lots! It’s only been a week, so I am sure I will get lots more of it. People are being so nice though.

We are all entertained by your singing abilities, on The Block and on your blog. Have you been approached by any recording industry executives about making an album?

Hahahaha… Don’t think so! I think I should can that career.

Thank you so much for your time, Katrina! My money’s on your first room being the winner this week. I paused the recording to be able to see each room closely, and it’s awesome!

When you get a chance to visit Katrina’s blog, you’ll get a real insight into what went on each day, behind the scenes, and also get to enjoy her humour.

Go girls!

Until next time,

Natasha xo

hair today…. gone tomorrow!

2011-06-19T22:38:00.001+10:00

Isn’t it amazing how much different a new hairdo makes you feel? Hair stylists have so much power in their little hands to make someone feel good {hopefully!}.

On a whim, I decided I’d get a new do, after growing my hair long for several years.

So here’s the new “do”! I’m surprised by how comfortable I am with it, and how much I don’t miss my old hair!

Next time, more chunks of vibrant red!

Have you ever been game and told a hairdresser to just “go for it”?

Natasha xo

on this cloudy chilly day….

2011-06-09T20:08:00.001+10:00

The view through the lens today…. pretty little corners of my home.

Welcome, come around the house with me…

Mixed in amongst the pretty things, is my son’s display table. I know it doesn’t “go”, but I love it more than any other little corner of our cosy little home.

Until next time,

Natasha xo

Italian eye candy….

2011-05-25T22:45:00.001+10:00

We’re really lucky in Melbourne. It’s a real melting pot of cultures here. As a result, we are spoiled for choice, especially when it comes to cuisine. And if you know the areas to shop in, there are some amazing grocery stores with incredible imported products that are so unique.

You might not know this from my name, but my family’s background is Italian and Slovenian {mostly, but that’s a whole other post!}.

So the piece of me that’s Italian, got all giddy with excitement today, visiting Mediterranean Wholesalers in Brunswick. Unbelievably, it was only my second time there. I’ve been meaning to go, like, forever!

The products are great. The cheeses are great. The alcohol section is great. The coffee is DIRT CHEAP but good. The breads are fresh. The bottled porcini are awesome.

I found some great things today, new fun things to try. Many of which, I bought purely based on their packaging design, and the way the product looked. From my taste tests so far, the products are as good as they look!

Like this box of Amaretti biscuits. O. M. G. If the retro box design wasn’t enough, if the individual pastel beautiful old design wrapping wasn’t enough…. the taste sure was!

Got this lovely tin of biscotti to keep in the gift shelf for last minute emergency gifts…..

I love Limoncello. I love it even more when it comes in a BOOT bottle!

I make good risotto – actual proper risotto. But thought I’d test out this cheat option. I figure it has to be half decent, right?

My new favourite beauty product line. And today I discovered a 3 litre bottle of laundry detergent. The smell is so clean and fresh. Also bought extras for the gift shelf. If you receive this from me, you will know I love ya, because I want to keep it for me!!

Adorable little cafetiera that makes a short black for one! Got one for me, one for the gift shelf, lol!

The highlight of my finds was the HUGE pasta selection. I mean HUGE. Spent a small fortune on so many different kinds, but just LOOK at them! They are adorable! And make me smile. Wait until the last photo….

Yep, that’s REAL pasta. Coloured naturally with things like spinach, tomato, beetroot…. I bought it mostly to photograph it. Even if it tastes horrible, it looks nice

Leroy can’t wait to try this one out. I think he just wants to play with the coloured farfalle {butterflies} !!

Bye for now,

Natasha xo

earrings…market…how make a jewellery display board…

2011-05-19T13:47:00.001+10:00

This Sunday 22nd May, I’m going to be taking part in my first North Melbourne Market!

I’ll be taking my regular items like paintings, prints, bookmarks, cards etc. But I’ve also been working on lots of earrings, because I was in an earring mood!

The hoop ones at the top are really fun. And the vintage lace ones are hand painted, sealed and hold their shape. I worked out some new techniques to make these, and they turned out nicely.

The sparkly daisies are sweeties – with genuine Swarovski crystal centres.

I made the display board for them to hang from yesterday ~ it was surprisingly much easier than I thought it would be to make, and I think it looks really neat and effective.

To make one yourself, here’s some instructions. {Sorry I didn’t take photos at the time!}

Choose a picture frame ~ empty frames are great, you won’t need the backing
Cut foam core board to fit the frame
Cut and stick anagyptic paper to the foam core board {or use fabric, printed wallpaper, scrap book paper}
Place it into the frame. If you have a staple gun, staple it in at the back. If you don’t, as long as you aren’t hanging jewellery that is heavy, you’ll be able to stick the foam core board into the frame with strong wide tape. Cloth tape would work well, or duct tape
Use cute pins to hold your jewellery in place
You can hang it on a wall if you have a back hanging string, or if you’re using it on a table, as I will be at the market, place it inside an easel/book holder/plate stand

Hope to see you this Sunday!

North Melbourne Market @ The Lithuanian Club – 44 Errol Street, North Melbourne. 10am-3pm. $2 entry

Natasha xo

Autumn

2011-05-08T17:53:00.001+10:00

This year, we didn’t get to the Lavender Farm outside of Daylesford for Mother’s Day as we usually do. We visited Daylesford and Kyneton the day before, with my hubby and dad too.

The plan was, after visiting a meat wholesaler, we would search for chestnuts on the side of the road in Daylesford, fill our empty bottles with natural mineral water from the springs, find some more red poisonous fairytale mushrooms…. and I also had the romantic notion of finding wild mushrooms that we could cook and eat!

Well, we got the meat, found about 7 chestnuts between the 5 of us, a few poisonous red mushrooms, left the empty water bottles back at home, and didn’t remember what kind of mushrooms were the safe ones to eat!

But it was a beautiful cold pre-Mother’s Day checking out the Autumn leaves and enjoying the beautiful homes in the area.

Here are some pictures from our fun family day out :-)

I hope all the mothers out there are having a beautiful Mother’s Day.

Enjoy a piece of cake for me :)

Natasha xo

painting painting….

2011-05-01T23:01:00.001+10:00

Over the Easters school holidays I got busy creating again!

I painted and painted, then I tried something a little different too, which you’ll see when you scroll down a little…

I figured I’d try out using my old beautiful wallpapers in collage/scrap form as backgrounds for my paintings. I layered them, and painted swirly designs over them, before painting on them.

It was a fun twist to my usual paintings ~ sticking with my gowns but changing them up a little by this extra step, while using some gorgeous papers too.

My favourite gown painting so far ~ the inspiration for this one was “Design the wedding dress I’d want to wear if my wedding was now”

I’m going to add these to my Etsy shop tomorrow. I’m going to aim for a shop update time of 1pm Australian Eastern Standard time….which is 11pm US Eastern time, 7pm Pacific time…and so on.

Hope you like them!

Natasha xo

Finally… {craft room makeover}

2011-04-28T14:42:00.001+10:00

Finally… on a few counts. Finally I’m writing. Finally, things are getting achieved around here!

Back in July last year, I blogged about the dining room being cleared out. But I had so much more to do than just that room. Much of the stuff ended up in this room below….

Ok, so this is not how the room looked at all times – this was taken in the middle of the sorting and moving. I was actually able to move around in there….

The next photo shows more accurately how my room was 90% of the time. It was still a crazy mess.

So I bought some flat packed shelving units and got busy assembling!

…and voila! Here it is!

Jars and boxes and tins of goodies!

All organised and sorted and cupboards shifted

And supplies sorted through, many sold at our garage sale and many donated because I was just too tired to list them on Etsy!

I actually enjoy walking in this room now. The home is coming together nicely. We’ve got lots more work to do, but have done so much these past couple of months!

Until next time, and I promise that won’t be in a month this time!

Natasha xo

Once Upon A Dream ~ Registration is now OPEN!

2011-03-10T08:07:00.001+11:00

Jennifer Hayslip has opened registration to this magnificent event!

If you’re anything like me, you’ll just about have heart palpitations checking out all she has organised ~ jam packed with magical workshops, sight seeing and tons more…. and the part I, as an Aussie, am very curious and excited about…. “Gourmet S'mores over a fire pit underneath the twinkling stars”.

Our wonderful hostess really has thought of every possible detail.

Please take a moment to visit Jenn’s official Once Upon A Dream site, check out our class projects, enjoy the view, and I hope you sign up! I’d love to meet you in October.

Click on the picture or any of the highlighted links to be whisked away to a magical land….

loving what i have…rather than wishing it was more

2011-03-07T17:10:00.001+11:00

Sometimes, we can get so caught up with “stuff”. Wanting stuff, needing to have that stuff, this stuff, do this, do that… it gets tiring.

It’s so easy to go into someone’s newly built or renovated home, and wish your kitchen or bathroom had all those bells and whistles. You know what I mean…

But I’m loving what I have.

My home needs a lot of TLC, I do know that. It has needed TLC for a long time. We have cracked ceilings and walls that will be tended to this year. A possum living in our roof that goes out hunting for food every night at 9pm. Sections of wood flooring that were never sealed when the carpet was ripped out. Linoleum flooring in the kitchen that is broken away at the edges. An oven from the 1970s, all mission brown in its glory. Curtains hung from ribbons because I’m so short I can’t reach even on a ladder to screw the rods in! Doors that need repainting. Walls last painted in 1998 when I was into bold yellow, aqua and orange (ick!). Blinds that roll up all crooked so the edges of them are wrecked. A garden that has never been given the attention it needs. You get the idea, I think.

But at the same time, it’s a warm home. It’s cosy and comfortable. It’s lived in. It’s not precious or pretentious and it’s not worthy of gracing the pages of a magazine. So what?

We live the way we do because we do what we can afford. We could have all the bells and whistles, but then we wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. So we wait until we can do the things that need doing.

Content in the knowledge that we have a roof over our heads. Warm comfortable beds. An ugly oven that cooks roast chicken. An ugly kitchen floor that doesn’t mind chair scuff marks. Cracks in the walls that go in our blind spots. A healthy loving family to sleep in those beds, to eat those meals, to sit in those chairs and to look at those cracks.

We repurpose and recycle things. We have an old TV we’ll eventually replace, but it still works well, so why would we get rid of it yet? Just because it’s not a flat screen? It’s only in the bedroom. What does it matter?

We prioritise…. wait another year or two to work on the house, or go on a family holiday? Holiday wins! The house waited this long, it can wait a bit more!!! Family comes first.

It’s living within our means. It’s not settling for second best….

it’s who i know

2011-02-07T02:00:00.001+11:00

Doesn’t the saying go, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”?

Seriously, I know the most amazing and talented vintage jewellery designers. I’m so lucky! I was lucky to receive gorgeousness from this beautiful friend a few posts back, and now I’m going to share gorgeousness from another sweet friend.

Heather and I have been friends for several years now. We have a lot in common and I’m lucky enough to have met her even though we’re half a world apart. She is one of my dearest friends, and I’m so happy that I know her.

She is thoughtful and kind.

She lives across the world, but she knows me well.

To top it of, she’s UBER talented.

And she’s modest and humble, almost to a fault, actually! I wish she could see herself the way I do, the way everyone who knows her, does.

We did a little swap late last year, just the two of us. I created a pair of seaside paintings and as you can see, between my little story-telling here, Heather made me some stunning jewellery.

Each bead is divine. I love looking at the way the aqua one glows in the photo below

And my favourite colour in sweet earrings {green!}

Thank you sweet friend, for everything.

If you want some of your own, you can find Heather’s shop here.

And keep her in your thoughts today, she’s probably a nervous wreck. Her Pittsburgh Steelers are playing to win the 2011 Super Bowl against some team that wear cheesehead hats {?????} What is that? lol! Go Steelers with their strange whipping towels!

Natasha xo

magical sunset

2011-02-02T00:25:00.001+11:00

Summer holidays are ending… my son goes back to school in the morning. The holidays were full of exciting activities, and went faster than they ever have.

While we were away down at the beach, we did LOTS of activities run by the nature parks at Phillip Island. They’re great for kids because they’re education and fun at the same time.

One activity, in particular, was pretty amazing. I think I appreciated it more than the little guy did.

It was the Shearwater Sunset Walk on Woolamai beach. The Short-Tailed Shearwater colony is a protected species, and Phillip Island holds tens of thousands of them. They come in EVERY evening at dusk, after travelling down to Tasmania!

It was very surreal, sitting within their colony, watching thousands and thousands of these magnificent birds circling above us, coming in to land.

The sky was perfect. The birds were incredible. It felt like we were INSIDE a 3D movie. I just don’t know how else to explain it. I guess Oprah would call it a spiritual moment? It was pretty magical.

One thing we did learn, though thankfully NOT the hard way, was to keep your mouth closed when looking up…. just in case! Get it?!

Natasha xo

Thank you! {and the winners are…..}

2011-01-26T15:15:00.001+11:00

Thank you SO much for the wonderful donations that were made! Together, we raised $325 for the flood appeal!

We drew a winner the old fashioned way, out of a hat!

So here are the people who won Leroy’s drawings. I’ll contact you – or, if you’re reading this, please email me your postal address!

And the winner of my seahorse painting is

Fifi

Thanks again!!!

Natasha xo

Amended end time

2011-01-25T11:05:00.001+11:00

Change of end time for the raffle/giveaway with conditions {post below this one}

Just got word last night that raffles are to finish WEDNESDAY at MIDDAY {AEDST}.

That is 25 hours from now.

Thank you to all who have made a $5 or more donation, you’ve raised over $220 so far!

Please visit the Master Raffle List and get more tickets {don’t use the receipt number you’ve already got, that defeats the purpose of the whole thing!} for your chance to win some amazing prizes.

I’ll be back here tomorrow to announce the winners!

Ciao for now,

Natasha xo

Queensland Flood Relief ~ “Giveaway with conditions” AKA Raffle

2011-01-13T19:54:00.004+11:00

We have all heard about the dreadful flooding happening up north in Queensland. So many lives have been affected, people have lost their lives, their homes, everything they own, their livestock, businesses….

I can’t imagine what it is like for our northern friends… my heart goes out to them.

Toni at Make It Perfect is organising a master list of bloggers who are having auctions, raffles, giveaways and sales on her blog, and this list will go live on the weekend.

I’m taking the idea of a “Giveaway with Conditions” from Jodie over at Vintage Ric Rac, (and hope she doesn’t mind I’m following her format of rules, and copying some of her instructions, because I think they’re clear and easy to understand and an awesome idea!)

Please read through CAREFULLY!!! Instructions are below the photos.

First up for grabs is a mixed media painting that I have been working on the past few days. Layers and layers and layers of acrylic paint and texture are in this painting of a seahorse in seaweed.

Comes to you framed & ready to hang on your wall… measures 41cm x 16cm (approx. 16” x 10”)

And to say I’m a proud mum is an understatement. I’m not the only one who has been busy creating. My 7 year old son, who created artwork for the Victorian Bushfires in 2009, and the Haiti Earthquake in 2010, was the one who said it was time we made something to raise money again this year.

I love that he has compassion and heart. I hate that every year (seems to be this time of year too), that there are terrible disasters happening…but I love that he thinks of others at these times.

He watched his favourite Faber Castell drawing DVD and drew the 3 Headed Norwegian Troll you see in the collage above on the TV (picture on the right), as well as other ideas from the DVD.

So in random order, these are the other prizes that will go out to lucky winners. All are unframed.

Above – “Jungle”. Lady bugs circling a strawberry, colourful rainbow snake and three owls on a branch. On canvas board, 5 x 7”

Above – “Junk City” 8 x 10” canvas board

Above – “Rainbow Pencil” Canvas board 5 x 7”

Above – “3 Headed Norwegian Troll” on watercolour paper 5 x 7”

Above – “Traffic Hill” Canvas board 8 x 10”

Lastly – “Vintage Car” Canvas board 5 x 7”

Ok so here’s the nitty gritty, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

*Anyone can enter, from anywhere in the world. I’ll pay postage cost to get the item to each winner

*Winners will be drawn at random on ~~Midnight Monday 24th~~ {MIDDAY ON WEDNESDAY 26th} January Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time

*To enter this giveaway, you must donate $5 to the Premiers Flood Relief Appeal

*You can enter as many times as you like, but each entry / donation must have a separate receipt number. (eg: donate $5 ten times if you want to donate $50- then comment ten times with your receipt number. That might sound hard/painful but that makes it fair!!)

*After you have done this , return here and leave your comment with your receipt number.

*If you don’t have a blog you can still enter, select ANONYMOUS when leaving a comment, but please leave your email address!!

**NOTE! I have comment moderation turned on, I get crazy amounts of spam daily. ONLY COMMENTS WITH RECEIPT NUMBERS WILL BE PUBLISHED AND ENTERED!!

So, let’s raise as much as we can! $5 wouldn’t even get two coffees now….

please give generously…

Thanks,

Natasha xo

gorgeous

2011-01-12T00:22:00.001+11:00

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous…

what can I say?

A sweet friend sent me these gorgeous creations as a Christmas gift.

I love them because they’re beautiful, and they’re just so much to my taste in jewellery and colours.

But mostly, I love them because she made them, just for me. Handmade gifts are always close to my heart.

Thank you, gorgeous and talented friend!

And this little guy thanks you and your boys for sending him the Ninja Lego set!

Oh, and unrelated, but two things I wanted to mention….

Firstly ~ thanks for visiting and for taking time to read my blog or leave comments. I’m really sorry I can’t currently return those comments or visit you back as I have a very limited amount of internet while away. I can’t go blog surfing like I could at home. I hope my house-sitters are using my 120 gigabytes of downloads this month back home or they’ll go to waste! hehehe!! While I’m away I’m using Facebook frequently, because it’s FREE on my iPhone plan. {My facebook page is Natasha Burns Artistic Creations}

Secondly, and more importantly… if you’re in Australia then you would know about the devastating floods in Queensland. If you’re not in Australia, I think you still would have heard about them. They are getting worse by the day. Could I ask you to please keep the people affected in your thoughts and prayers? And if you can, please dig deep and donate.

I’m currently working on something I would like to auction to raise some money for the Flood Relief Fund. I’ll keep you posted about what it is, and how and where to bid.

Thanks,

Natasha xo

splash!

2011-01-07T19:13:00.001+11:00

Someone had their first go on a waterslide today!

At first he wasn’t sure he’d like it… so we got a one-slide pass for him.

But as soon as he splashed down, we knew to get the half hour pass!

He gained confidence each time, getting creative with his splashes. Upside down, backwards, forwards….

I remember going down this very waterslide as a kid, trying to make the most of the half hour ticket…. getting as many rides in that time as possible… no matter how tiring it was going up and up and up and up those many flights of stairs!

Next hot day, we’ll be back for more!

Natasha xo

…hi

2011-01-06T00:46:00.001+11:00

…. hello?

A whole month went by? wow!

Reading articles about how to keep blogs interesting, and finding that the common theme in all of them is, UPDATE FREQUENTLY…. well – I guess my blog falls in the uninteresting category, oops!

So I know it’s belated, but I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. And a fab fun start to the New Year.

We are on Summer holidays here, enjoying doing a lot of not-a-lot.

I guess you could call this post my “Hello I’m still here” post.

Next time I’ll actually write about something!

But until then, thanks for giving me a few minutes of your day!

Natasha xo

PS. To Deb who commented on my last post {I tried to email reply but it went to a blogger no-reply address} – Thank you for your concerns. I personally am not anywhere near the flood areas, those are further up north.

Could everyone please keep our Queensland friends in their thoughts and prayers as they go through horrendous flooding as we speak. The damage and loss is just disastrous

Mario & Luigi

2010-12-03T15:37:00.001+11:00

Every year I try to make my son an awesome cake for his birthday.

This post shows you birthdays 1, 2 and 3. This post shows you birthday 4. I can’t find the pictures of his jungle cake for #5…. but here’s the last birthday, 6.

This birthday, for months and months, the little man and I have been researching and working out exactly what this next cake will be. This year, I’ve been watching Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes. So this year, I wanted to raise the bar a little….

Here’s the during…. I hand sculpted every piece on top of this cake. Toothpicks and wooden skewers are awesome for little cake bits like the mushrooms…. Can you tell, it’s a Super Mario themed cake?

Just to prove I made the characters… there was Luigi during the making…

Goombas and mushrooms and stars and piranha plants

I started preparing this cake 4 days ago. It all went well… until yesterday when I was drying out some things in the sun, and we had a sudden storm, that ruined a tray of goodies….

Not to worry, I made some more.

And… voila. I’ll stop chatting and just show you photos now. I’m pretty happy with it!

Oh and before any of my friends think I’m happy to do this for their kids…. think again! Ha! 12-14 hours later…. $80 for ingredients and tools…. not a chance I’d do this for anyone other than my little man…

who… incidentally, loves it to bits!

Well, he’d BETTER!

Party in an hour. Gotta love McDonald’s. No stress!

meet the new additions

2010-11-27T21:07:00.001+11:00

I mentioned last time in my random post that we now have new additions to the family…

It would be rude of me not to introduce you!

{Names above each photo}

Yellow top right with the long poo trail {oops, excuse him!}: Chuck

White with reddish orange spots: Edward {named after my favourite vampire}

Orange on the left: Mango

Grey one: Silver

Bottom: Lemon

Closer shot of pretty Mango and his long tail

L –>R: Silver, Edward at top, Chuck, Stripe and Jarry in the background

Stripe zooming past… or is it Spike? Or Zip? Or Pip? one or the other….

Jarry and Chuck

A few of the white clouds – can you see them? These are Click, Tick, Nick, Mick or Rick

Jarry again. I think he’s my favourite! Love his bug eyes!

Lemon

Silver

Edward

… and their home – right above my sink where I can talk to them and they can nibble on my finger, and they play the “starving fish” game with me!

So now, consider yourself introduced!

random things

2010-11-17T01:13:00.001+11:00

{can be found here in my Etsy shop}

I’ve neglected my blog a little lately. So here’s the random catch up bits ‘n pieces, as they come to mind:

* Christmas ornaments are half made and glue is drying all over my lounge room. There’s a dusting of silver glitter everywhere

* I leave things to the last minute, and go on a crazy mad rush trying to get my list completed

* I always ADD things to the list as I am creating from it. Why on earth I decide I need MORE to do as I am doing other things is beyond me

* We have fish in the house

* Ask me about setting up a fish tank. I’ll be able to tell you all sorts of things that, 6 weeks ago, I didn’t know existed.

* Like PH, chlorine, ammonia makes water cloudy, aquarium cycles, ammonia kills fish

* We have bully goldfish that pick on the sick ones when they’re on their way to fish heaven. I put one in solitary confinement when he was particularly naughty. {Mango}

* Our goldfish have weird names.

* We’ve lost 6 goldfish, may they rest in peace… Eric, Barry, Larry, Gilbert, Fin and Jasper.

* The ones that toughed it out through toxic levels of ammonia, nitrite and low PH levels are Mango, Lemon, Silver, Jarry, Edward, Chuck, Zip, Pip, Spike, Stripe, Click, Tick, Nick, Mick and Rick

* Our son has a sense of humour when it comes to fish names

* When things are wrong with your fish tank, you spend hours and hours and hours at the shop getting advice, looking up information, and get even more confused than ever

* The whole population of Melbourne’s mosquitoes were in my kitchen tonight when I accidentally left the outside door open and the lights on inside, for half an hour

* Odourless bug spray smells awful

* My router stopped working for a few days. It sucked. Now it works. That doesn’t suck!

* You need an appointment to get your iPhone looked at. I learned the hard way, after driving to the nearest Apple shop, almost an hour in traffic….. to have to turn around and go home. And go back the next day with an appointment.

* If you lose your ticket in the parking lot of a shopping centre, and it’s a windy day, just go around and look under all the cars nearby. You might find it 12 cars away and not believe your luck. You might then think it’s your lucky day and you should buy a lotto ticket. You probably won’t win the jackpot.

* Watering plants makes them thrive and grow. Who knew?

* I love going out for breakfast, probably even more than lunch

* Seasol smells pretty bad

* Pigeon manure made into liquid is even more revolting than pigeon poo. But it helps grow tomatoes

* Life drawing is hard after not having done it for 17 years

* My husband rocks

* My son is gorgeous, crazy, frustrating, and very very funny. Guess he really is a combo of hubby and I

* Sore joints and muscles enjoy a product called Rapigel, “for horses and dogs”. Yes, seriously, it says that. neigh neigh woof

***That’s all for now***

Natasha xo

{* I’m flying under the radar this week, preparing for the Modish Market this Saturday, and I’ve made the two pretty and cool wreaths pictured to take along with me. They were FUN to make!}

we remember

2010-11-11T00:01:00.000+11:00

Today is Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War 1.

At 11am, on the 11th day of the 11th month, we observe a minute’s silence to remember those who gave their lives or suffered in war.

The red poppy is used as the symbol to remember this day, after a poem by John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields”.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.”

Today, my red poppy, whose seed was planted 10 years ago, and has not flowered for at least 5 years… opened up. Just in time for Poppy Day….

Simply Christmas Giveaway

2010-11-10T20:42:00.000+11:00

**UPDATE**ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN TWO DAYS ON THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE BLOG!

Yes…. you’re seeing right, Christmas ornaments…!

Kerryanne is hosting “Simply Christmas” at The Shabby Art Boutique, putting homemade and home baked back into the Holidays! It’s weeks and weeks of tutorials, giveaways, tips, hints, guest bloggers and wonderful ideas to help you prepare for Christmas this year.

I was really excited and honoured when Kerryanne asked me to participate!

So here’s my giveaway…. you’ll get this stash of ornaments, all handmade by me.

Green leather ice skate ornament with Swarovski crystals…

Christmas sheet music angel…

Set of three gold snowflake flower ornaments….

and a set of 9 silver mini framed vintage wallpaper ornaments.

To enter, just leave a comment below and be sure there’s a way for me to contact you if you win.

If you don’t have a blog, you can enter by selecting to comment “anonymously”, but please leave your email address!

Winner will be drawn one week from today at random.

And please be sure to visit Kerryanne’s blog and check on Simply Christmas daily {add it to your google reader!}

Today is my guest post over there. I’d love if you come say hi!

Natasha xo

coming up roses

2010-11-07T00:58:00.001+11:00

Photo heavy today ~ because whatever I say isn’t going to be much compared to the natural beauty of these Pierre de Ronsard climbing roses we have growing on our back verandah. I often catch myself standing under them, staring up, smiling!

When I first started blogging, {I think it was my second post}, I had recently planted this area. You can visit that post HERE to compare the photos.

Then last year I was gathering them by the basket full, you can see HERE.

I adore the fullness and lusciousness of them!

This next photo, I called my husband to come over and stand there… and just look up. He knew what I meant.

We get to enjoy these beauties from now through to May next year. And in a few years, we’ll have two more fully grown versions of these in the front yard, that we planted last week. I can’t wait!

Before I go, I wanted to let you know about a giveaway of two of my canvas prints, over at the Modish Creators Market blog right now! Click HERE to go to the Modish blog and enter the giveaway.

{comments on this post here will not enter you into the Modish giveaway of the two prints!}

And lastly, if you are looking for the Simply Christmas giveaway ~ it’s the post below this one!

Bye for now,

Natasha xo

Here comes the bride

2010-10-30T11:20:00.001+11:00

I’m still here! Life has just been busy lately, and I think I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel…. I hope!

Popping in to share with you a wedding gown painting I was commissioned to do ~ it’s a gift for the bride-to-be.

Isn’t the dress style gorgeous? Love, love, love that green sash and bow at the waist!

…and that cute little lace bolero {some brides are smart thinkers!}

The customer loves it, and hopefully her bride friend will love it, too!

*Update*

I’ve just added a custom listing to my Etsy shop if anyone is after a gown painting of their own! You can find it by clicking HERE.

See you again soon,

Natasha xo

Once Upon A Dream

2010-10-19T21:55:00.001+11:00

I’ve had a little secret that I’ve been keeping from you…..

You see, I’ve had some inside information on something so wonderful, for a while now….

and I haven’t told you, because it’s so awesome, that every fine detail is being imagined & worked on…..and nothing has been said until word from above has come, that it’s time to let you in on some details…

and you know, creative wonderful things take time….

So what is it, I hear you ask?

The amazing, talented, Queen of Frou Frou Beauty, {yes, you guessed it: the gorgeous Jennifer Hayslip} has announced her “Save The Date” for a most magical, wonderful, beautiful event that she will host in October 2011, in stunning Asheville, North Carolina!

And do you know what’s even more exciting about it for me?

I’m flying half way across the world from “Down Under” to be one of the very lucky people chosen as an instructor at the event!

There is a fantastic line up of amazing talented artists and bloggers whose teaching company I will be in….see for yourself…

Andrea Singarella

Dee Foust

Karla Nathan

Lori Oles

I can’t wait until next year! Be sure to check out Jenn’s blog {www.sweeteyecandycreations.typepad.com} for updates, and for registration in February 2011.

I hope you can join us, I can tell you, from the plans and ideas swirling around at the moment, this is going to be one seriously wonderful experience!

{Here’s a button if you’d like to snag it, and link it to http://www.sweeteyecandycreations.typepad.com }

I really hope I get to see you there!!!

Natasha xo

oops!

2010-10-18T13:59:00.001+11:00

…well it’s been a while! Didn’t realise I’d be gone from my blog for so long.

I’ve been busy clearing things from home on eBay here,

and sorting through tens of thousands of beads,

and still organising the craft room…

and welcoming 7 new members to our family {I’ll introduce you soon}

so I’ll be a while yet.

In the meantime, thought I’d share with you the flowers we’ve had in our window the past few weeks, all flowers that have grown in our garden, and all of which I grew from cuttings! No fancy stuff, just simple pretty flowers that bloom and bloom and bloom.

Gotta love that!

Oh and before you go… if you haven’t got your hands on a copy of this beautiful new magazine, go get one here!

I’m fortunate enough to have a how-to in there, among a whole lot of gorgeous how-to’s, articles, and beautiful images.

Ciao for now,

Natasha xo

field of flowers

2010-10-04T20:53:00.001+11:00

We got away for a couple of days over the holidays, down to the beach for the first time since Easter.

I love this time of year down there. Flowers pop up everywhere, almost assaulting your senses!

There’s one particular little paddock near my parents’ house, that I haven’t seen in bloom for years and years. The last time I saw it like this, was the first time I had ever seen it this way. That was probably 20 years ago, when I was a teenager, and my grandma was alive.

She was so full of energy – like crazy energy – climbing trees like a monkey to prune branches in her late 60s!

She had such a green thumb…. and she, Mum and I picked armfuls and armfuls of flowers in this little field. Nanny also pulled some out with roots/bulbs & dirt, and brought them home to plant. Today, at home {we bought her house}, I noticed they were growing in my garden, and remembered her fondly.

So here is a tour of what we call “Nanny’s Garden”…

the little paddock full of flowers that are too beautiful to call weeds…

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, I’m loving taking pics with my new camera lens that my friend Heather recommended to me. Loving playing with the depth of field…. and loving putting vintage actions over the pictures in Photoshop {which I am learning, very slowly, to use}

{For those who are interested, the lens is Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, and I love it!}

the goat whisperer

2010-10-03T13:35:00.001+11:00

One day recently over the Spring school holidays, we visited a place called Cooper’s Settlement, at Bundoora Park.

Lots of wonderful animals everywhere, along with pony and tractor rides.

The little guy’s favourite part was the animal feeding and holding!

Of course, one of the highlights for me was getting up close to the roaming parading male peacocks. Just LOVE their colours and feathers.

G-Force all the way here – guinnea pigs galore!

In the “Rabbit Barn”, I was fortunate enough to have been bitten by a bunny! MAN they HURT!!!

All around the farm there were large signs that were HAND PAINTED – absolutely fantastic!

We even spotted a white kangaroo, which I’ve never seen before.

And our coat of arms, Kangaroos and Emus

The tin man below was made of recycled materials – the yellow brick road of plastic lids, and the greenery beside it (that has faded to blue) was green beer cans.

The animal nursery was wonderful. When we arrived the bottles had all been handed out to kids and we missed out on that part.

But we decided to hang around and pat the babies anyway. And as it turns out, that is the best time to be there. The animals are content, and the crowds of people disappear.

The next pictures chronicle the little guy’s baby goat experiences. Absolute highlight of the day! They are SUCH characters, even as babies.

Love the expression on his face here – he’s freaked out by the rooster you don’t see in the photo – it was moulting and hovering around him…

And while he was cuddling with one baby goat, another got behind him and wanted in on the action – climbing all over his head!

We started calling him “The GOAT Whisperer”. LOL!

The baby goat just curled up in his lap and fell asleep, like a little puppy dog. He was there at least half an hour like this!

But the face turned….. “why the weird face?”

“He PEED ON ME!!!!”

So the little peeing goat came to me for cuddles :)

And snuggles….which I loved!

{excuse the washed out face – I was pretty ill that day, ugh!}

Tomorrow… before the Grand Final… or during it if you hate football!

2010-10-01T23:18:00.002+10:00

Creating Vintage Charm Launch Party

2010-09-26T12:37:00.001+10:00

A huge congratulations to Sonia over at Creating Vintage Charm on the launch of her new magazine, Creating Vintage Charm. I’m fortunate enough to have contributed to the magazine, and I can’t wait to see it!

Today we’re celebrating the launch of the magazine, with the party,

Show Your Vintage Charm

I’m going to share with you today a little collection I’ve started of beautiful antique Victorian cups {with one moustache cup in there}

I don’t know a lot about them, except that they are German/Bavarian

And that I love the beautiful textures on each one

and the lovely sentiments.

The one above has rubbed off over time. I wonder what it said?

I also hear they’re souvenir mugs too – they’re getting harder to find as they become more popular.

I’m so glad I have my three!

They add prettiness and vintage charm to the area they’re placed in.

Gorgeous on their own, or with simple cut flowers from the garden!

Thanks for hosting the party today Sonia!

Natasha xo

Revamp It 2010!

2010-09-24T02:17:00.001+10:00

Welcome to Revamp It 2010!

If you are participating, please be sure to add your link at the end of this post using the “Add your link” button.

IMPORTANT – please add the link to your ACTUAL Revamp It POST, not just a link to your blog!

This year I have revamped a couple of things for the party.

First up is a vintage magazine rack I have had for a while. It started out very simply…

Then I had my father cut a wood piece to size for the top…

I painted the metal cream, and the wood top pale blue…

And I added some stripes and neutral roses in acrylics

Sealed with varnish…

Voila!

The second thing I revamped was this vintage nightie I mentioned in my previous post

I cut away the lining, and had planned on chopping it in half, making a skirt, and a little shrug/cardigan from the top….

but I had a few issues, namely, leaving this additional project to the last minute…. and found that I had no knit fabric suitable for lining a skirt!

Then I had a light bulb moment!

I needed to make myself an apron for the market next week, one with pockets….

So I started cutting and folding and pinning and embellishing and sewing…

And I hand stitched together a sweet little apron!

I used the sleeves as ties at the back!

I hope you’ll join in – if you have recently revamped something, be sure to add your link, and please link to this actual post {not just to my blog!}

If you’re visiting, please stop by and check out the participants’ revamps and say hello!

Thanks for stopping by!

Natasha xo

green

2010-09-22T22:27:00.001+10:00

I’ve had a love for green for as long as I can remember. It’s a colour that I can wear against my olive skin… it’s a colour I love having in my home…it’s gender neutral…. and comes in so many varied shades.

Here are just a sprinkling of the green around me that I snapped in 10 minutes this afternoon

These stunning green blossoms are on my neighbour’s tree, just starting to bloom

a couple of vintage green jewellery pieces, both gifts from lovely friends in the US

green sparkle frame awaiting the perfect photo

gifted green vintage boxes in our bedroom

another gifted goody, my favourite vintage tin ever

today I found these awesome green dishes

Don’t you think they look like vintage green glass? Or Depression Glass?

Well, they’re actually “candle dishes” from Target!

Last week was my birthday, and I came home to this fabulous gift at my front door, from my sweet friend Kirstie

She knows I love green… and she is so thoughtful and kind, and put together a wonderful green vintage wallpaper box {she made it herself, and a little birdie told me she is going to start selling some soon…..} filled with green fabulousness! Green trims, sparkles and a ruffled green vintage nightie!

The nightie is going to get the revamp treatment….

I’ve already done my Revamp It project for the party in 2 days, but I want to try to get this one revamped in time, too.

What’s your favourite colour?

Natasha xo

Revamp It reminder

2010-09-21T10:00:00.000+10:00

Wow, is it really September 21 already?

Revamp It 2010 is happening in 3 days {or 4 days, if you’re above the equator}!

Here’s the sidebar button all nice and little at 220 pixels wide, if you want to snag it

I do hope you will join in! Last year it was so much fun. There was also a Q&A interview with me about Revamp It in Artful Blogging,

Here’s a link to show you some of the things we made.

You don’t have to revamp clothing! Revamp ANYTHING! Just take pics before and after, and during, if you like. You can share tips or tricks that you found useful too.

You don’t have to sign up here ~ just join in on the day ~

On the day there will be instructions on leaving a link to your direct Revamp It post, working out how to use one of those Mr Linky things, and I hope to have that up and running.

Feel free to spread the word, I’ll be all happy and appreciative if you do! {thanks!}

Natasha xo

snow!

2010-09-16T12:30:00.001+10:00

I must have been hiding under a rock. Last week was the first time I had heard about a small ski resort up at Lake Mountain. I had only ever been to the snowfields once in my life, about 25 years ago….

I’ve been nagging at my husband every year to go up to the big resorts, like Mt Buller. But each time we look into it, going for a few days costs an absolute fortune! Getting there, accommodation, ski hire, lift passes, clothes, food…. so we just haven’t been.

{Maroondah Reservoir, Healesville}

But when I found out about Lake Mountain being only a few hours drive away…. and knowing we can hire gear, supporting businesses in the fire-ravaged town of Marysville – well that just seemed a better option all round.

It was very eerie driving up to the mountain, seeing blackened trees, contrasting with the overcast white sky and rain.

The mountains were basically covered in dead sticks of trees. This was all surrounding the town of Marysville, down in the valley. Those poor souls didn’t stand a chance….

The lady at the ski hire shop said she lost her home and her business, but she reminds herself that she is still here, and 43 local people, many she knew, are not.

We did see lots of new growth. Lots of green leaves growing back on the eucalyptus trunks, and lots of fern cover.

And several businesses in town are operating again, albeit, many out of portable buildings. They’re moving on, and building construction is happening all around.

Hopefully, one day soon, the town of Marysville {and all the other towns ruined by the fires} will become what they once were. The local businesses need our support & custom.

This was the little guy’s first ever snow experience.

Hubby drove the winding roads up the mountain, and we were greeted by cold and wind,

it was exciting!

Seeing that it is nearly the end of snow season, and that it hadn’t snowed for 5 days up there, the snow coverage wasn’t fantastic. But we didn’t care.

We hung around one of the toboggan areas and just rode down the hill, and trudged up the hill, over and over and over!

It was quite exhausting! But we were warm in all our padded snow gear.

Leroy had a blast! He tried to beat Daddy in toboggan races…

And they both fell off a few times!

He made his first snow angel…

…pretended to surf the snow…

…was constantly smiling…

…and threw lots of snowballs at hubby and I!

He found a snowman {we can’t take the credit for this one} and posed with him as though Frosty was real!

We are really looking forward to going back again next year, and spending a few days there, at somewhere like this place, when it is more snowy in August.

An action filled day with many different feelings… eeriness, sadness, hope, happiness, and excitement.

We’ll definitely be back!

Natasha xo

by the sea…

2010-09-14T14:37:00.001+10:00

With Summer ending in the Northern Hemisphere, and Summer on the horizon for us down below the equator, I got in a bit of a beachy mood…. I am yearning for it!

I love Summer…. I love the beach…. I love the sea…. the fresh air…. the waves crashing…. and sometimes I even love sand between my toes

I created some beachy paintings with these happy, sunny, bright, warm thoughts in mind…

…inspired by my one of my favourite places on the Victorian coast, Phillip Island.

This pair of paintings will be are on their way across the world.

They’ll soon be reminding a friend of the warmth of Summer when she is up to her knees in colourful Autumn leaves, followed by snow.

…while the seasons reverse, and we experience the warmth and heat again, and come out of hibernation.

I can’t wait to see the shades of aqua and blue, and bright light reflecting off light sand again!

…and the foam and bubbles the waves make when they crash…

Summer! Come quickly!

*Update* – the first painting is available in my Etsy shop, by clicking HERE

connected

2010-09-12T13:32:00.001+10:00

It may come as a bit of a surprise to some who know me, but I have a tendency to resist technology, for as long as I can.

I think it’s because I know that when I eventually will come around to the latest thing, it will take over my life and become the thing I can’t live without.

So I resist, for as long as I can. I wait, while everyone jumps on the new fad, and I watch, to see if it’s just a silly fad and people are wasting their time and money, or if it really is a thing that is worth having in my life.

Case in point – I always had a PC… for years and years and years. and years. I never understood the laptop thing. I always thought PCs were more reliable…. but in the back of my head, I knew that if I ever had a laptop, it could spell disaster – I would be on the computer in the lounge room, while watching TV, or taking up family time. So I resisted.

Until earlier this year, when the PC was dying, flailing its legs and arms and spitting and spluttering and giving me a hard time.

Then came the router. And then came a new home for the laptop, the coffee table.

…. and I wonder, how on earth did I ever sit at a PC down the other end of the house, away from the action of the lounge room? I wonder, why and how did I resist for so long?

It took some time to get used to the laptop keyboard, but now, I barely can get back on a regular keyboard. Funny how that happens!

Case in point number two…. I have always just been so behind when it comes to mobile phones. All I cared about was if it could A) make phone calls, and B) send text messages. I didn’t care about a camera. I had a point and shoot camera for that job.

But we have business plans with hubby’s business and time comes for us to update our phones. Then I need C) a camera. But I never wanted internet or email. I resisted the original iPhone as a gimmick two years ago.

And when time came for new contracts a few months ago, I still resisted the iPhone. Why do I need to be so connected? I don’t want to be so available. And I am a “Nokia girl”.

Should we not have had problems with our stupid new Nokia Navigator phones, I would not have known the joys of an iPhone…..

But the only way I was to have one, was if I got a heavy duty case around it, like the one below.

Because I am Queen Phone Dropper.

And while I think the iPhone is sometimes frustrating that some simple things can’t be done, the free facebook usage in my plan means I do what I was scared I would do! I know myself too well.

So, I am not sure if being so connected is such a great thing or not…!

Do you resist technology?

Do you like or dislike being so connected, or available?

sweet pleat

2010-09-06T10:38:00.001+10:00

I was just about to mail this little package off to someone, when I thought I’d share with you a cute and simple way to wrap a gift. I think it’s quite unique!

I’ve used vintage pleated paper. You can, hopefully, find this if you call a local fabric pleater…. I found it at a flea market on a roll of fabric.

I put the fabric aside, and took out the paper to use.

The edges are all cute and ruffled up because they were the edges that poked out of the roll, beyond the fabric.

Just wrap your goodies as you would normally, folding one side up and sticking it as you normally would.

With the other side, instead of folding it back and hiding it, just flip it forward and stick it down over itself at the front. I stuck it down with tape, then added a ribbon to hold it down better.

I trimmed the middle of the bow with a few flower stamens.

Sweet, unique, and easy! I think it looks like a cute little bag with ruffles. Wouldn’t this be sweet made of actual fabric?!

Natasha xo

PS. thanks for the encouragement in my last post!!! you guys rock!

the market

2010-09-04T19:17:00.001+10:00

{bear with me, it’s a long, rambling one!}

I had my table at the market this past weekend. My US friends would call this a “show”, it is held indoors, and it is juried, and a great quality market all-round.

After the last time, I was going to be better prepared. I stayed up really late the night before, packing things into suitcases in the order they’d be taken out, already in their boxes, and took photos on my phone of how and where I wanted to put things. It helped enormously, and I was ready half an hour before opening time.

I also simplified my table. I purchased a huge (2.6x3.6m or 9’ x 12’) painter’s drop sheet that looked like natural linen. Instead of three floral tablecloths with ruffles, I had one lace edged white tablecloth.

While I loved the other ruffled pretty look, I wanted something that made my creations the feature, rather than what was under them.

A new simplified ink drawn sign on a paper doily hung by ribbon was all the signage I wanted, or felt, I needed.

Gone were the many stands or chairs and things cluttering up the table, and in their place were baskets or boxes. Gone were the floral china stands. I only used white ones. Again, make the goodies the focus!

My large spice rack card holder above was a PLAN B that worked out better than the PLAN A!

I had a huge card holding stand, but hadn’t used it in years. Being stored under the house, under bikes and what not, it became warped…. and this last minute makeover on the spice rack worked really well.

Just had to add a few strings so the cards didn’t fall out. It kept them neat and easy to see.

I had a better day this time than last time. It wasn’t an awesome day, however, but it is a new market, and word is only just getting out about it. The organisers are wonderful, friendly, and super helpful. I don’t envy them, it would be such a stressful thing to undertake!!

I am committed to going there until the end of the year. I wanted to try out a new way of selling this year, and this popped up at just the right time for me. I think it would be best to gauge after having tried it out for a few different seasons – Winter and cold and rain isn’t ideal, even though the market is indoors.

You have to be pretty motivated to want to get out of the house on weekends when it’s cold and raining!

But I can’t help but think it would all be so much easier if what I made was a need and not a want! If I was selling soap or candles, I wouldn’t have the stress of hoping I make back the cost, plus at least a little bit of profit {or otherwise, what’s the point!?}

It’s so hard to know what works and what doesn’t – one month I can sell a few of one kind of thing, the next month, a few of something different…. it’s all so even, it’s hard to guess what is a “best seller”.

So much time, effort and expense goes into preparation for these markets, I often wonder if people wandering around realise how much power they have if they just walk on by, or don’t even look at your things…

My friend Alice spoke about this, too. I couldn’t understand for the life of me how Alice has not had huge success at shows she has done…. so that just tells me, it’s not necessarily you, or your creations…. but maybe just a bad day, or maybe, your work isn’t understood, or it’s just not reaching your target market…

{above is the apron I created to wear that day, with deep pockets to hold my change, keys and phone. Much prettier than a bum bag, don’t you think?}

Don’t you think we are possibly our own worst critics?!

Natasha xo

to market, to market…

2010-08-25T19:38:00.002+10:00

If you’re in Melbourne this Saturday, 28th August, please take some time to visit…

It’s a great new market that is INDOORS {so our horrible weather can’t stop you from coming!}

There’s loads of quality loveliness!

I’ll have a table in the corner near the stage, in the main hall.

If you read my blog, please come by and say hello!

Now, I’m off to finish off a few new goodies I’m making for Saturday…

Ciao!

Natasha xo

sleeping tight

2010-08-18T14:00:00.001+10:00

It was long overdue, but finally, our ~~little~~ big guy is in a proper big boy bed. We’ve had him in a toddler bed for quite some time now. It was big enough for me to lay on it… but then, I’m pretty short.

The hold-up was the time it took for Dad to get the new one finished.

You see, it started its life as the bottom bunk of a 1970s wooden bunk bed. Without a bed head or foot. But it had these massive drawers underneath. So I asked Dad if he could build a tall head and short foot, and could the head have white vinyl that was studded with vintage upholstery tacks?

Wasn’t asking much, was I?!

See, we went from this below, to the bed you just saw above.

You might have noticed weird chenille and padding on the wall in the pictures above, beside the bed?

Funny story with that. When the little man was a baby in his cot {crib}, he used to rock himself to sleep. It made such a racket! Then when he got in the toddler bed, he would, while 80% asleep, sit up, and rock back and forth to get himself back to sleep…. banging his head into the wall. I can’t tell you how many times through the night I used to go to him, straightening him up and telling him to stop.

One morning I went in to check on him, and in the darkness, I saw something black on the wall!

Horrified, I thought there was an enormous spider!!! But really…. 10” round? I think I must have been sleepy…

Anyway, I realised it wasn’t a spider. But with the light on, I looked at his head, and wondered why he had white powdery stuff on it?

And realised, I was looking straight at a HOLE IN THE WALL!

His persistent banging eventually weakened a hole in the plaster!

Hence the quick fix, “temporary” padding on the wall.

Temporary.

It’s only been there for 4 years.

At least now, with the new bed, he hasn’t been doing any head-banging.

And next year, when we’re ready to do some major reno work around here, we’ll be replastering.

Until then, we’ll just call him our little head-banger!

And he can enjoy his new comfy pillow top bed. With his oldest favourite teddy bear.

…while he pretends to sleep tight

Natasha xo

the mutant {confused} camellia bush

2010-08-16T00:27:00.001+10:00

We have one camellia out of three that has survived this drought and these water restrictions {and survived the fact that even without restrictions, I just don’t really remember to water the garden}.

Of the three we had, this has always been my favourite, purely for the reason that it is a confused, mutant camellia bush! Each year I never know what I’m going to see. I have no idea what colour flowers this started its life having… because on this one bush we have…

…almost pure white flowers…

…white with pink stripes…

… pink and white mottled petals…

…soft even subtle pink graduating down to white edges…

…and solid pink…

The confused mutant camellia ~ unique and special, with beautiful flowers that really don’t belong on one bush, but thrive harmoniously nonetheless.

I better not kill this one!

Natasha xo

ch ch ch changes

2010-08-14T12:35:00.001+10:00

I’ve made some changes here on my blog in the past 24 hours. If you’re reading this via a reader like Google Reader, open this post to see what I’m talking about.

We now have no more mess on the sidebar – banners and buttons and links and things are all neatly filed away now!

There is now a horizontal navigation bar with tabs across the top just under my banner. I’ve moved all the banners and links and things up there, as well as adding a few new tabs, like Gallery – where you can be taken through to photo sets on my flickr.

I’m loving how clean it all is now!

I’ve also decided to close off my mailing list – in the interest of keeping me sane, saving me time, and expense for something I hardly used – and have directed anyone who wants special offers or product news, to my Facebook Fan Page. Feel free to “like” it if you wish! It made sense to me to streamline where I am and what I’m doing.

That’s not all for the changes…. more to come, involving the website, and products I create. But they’ll need some time while I work out the kinks and things.

I’ll keep you posted.

So, do you like the new layout? Is it easy for you to find things here now?

Natasha xo

Regal & Royal

2010-08-13T14:30:00.001+10:00

Just thought I’d pop in and share with you some custom work I did recently. I realised that I haven’t shown you my work for a little while… shame on me!

They’re all little 4” square canvases that are so fun to do.

And they’re all on their way to a lovely lady on the other side of the world

Using bolder colours was a really great way to bring some fun into these paintings. I would never have thought to combine gold and silver, but I think it works well!

Have a great day!

Natasha xo

PS. Here’s the info on Revamp It 2010 – and just in case you didn’t see, as I have had a few emails asking me, it DOESN’T have to be revamping clothes! Anything works – just something that goes from one thing to another, and has a revamp!

Announcing Revamp It {part 2} and Published!

2010-08-11T23:17:00.001+10:00

I hope you’ve been keeping well in the cold {my local Aussie friends!} or in the heat {my Northern Hemisphere friends!}

I’m really excited an honoured to show you an article that I wrote in the new issue of Somerset Home magazine.

It’s about my hand painted blackboards {chalkboards} and some tips on how you can make your own…

{or if you aren’t particularly paint-inclined, I have a couple left here in my shop!}

The girls at Somerset are awesome to deal with ~ thank you Beth for including my work!

{note ~ I’ve had several people ask me how to get work published ~ did you know Stampington have a Calls and Challenges page “Wanna Get Published?” Go for it! Submit your ideas!}

And this week, I found out one of my prints {bottom right, pink kombi van} made it into an Etsy Treasury {Cotton Candy}!

I was never sure how you find out if you are in a treasury, but the curator was so nice to contact me and let me know. Did you know that you can also do a search of your username to see if your work is in any current treasuries? I didn’t know this until yesterday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And lastly, I worked on a banner and a blog button, and worked out a date that gives us plenty of time to create, for the 2010 Revamp It!

Here’s a banner you can copy and save and use on your blog if you like….

{small sidebar button follows this one}

And here’s the sidebar button all nice and little at 220 pixels wide

I do hope you will join in! Last year it was so much fun. There was also a Q&A interview with me about Revamp It in Artful Blogging,

Here’s a link to show you some of the things we made.

You don’t have to revamp clothing! Revamp ANYTHING! Just take pics before and after, and during, if you like. You can share tips or tricks that you found useful too.

You don’t have to sign up here ~ just join in on the day ~

On the day there will be instructions on leaving a link to your direct Revamp It post, working out how to use one of those Mr Linky things, and I hope to have that up and running.

Feel free to spread the word, I’ll be all happy and appreciative if you do! {thanks!}

Natasha xo

Revamp It…. Part Deux?

2010-08-01T16:35:00.001+10:00

Remember this party we had last year?

{and here’s the info leading up to it}

Well, I was thinking, it’s been almost a year, and it’s about time I hosted another Revamp It Party, since I don’t think I’ve hosted one at all this year!

I haven’t thought of a date as yet, or made a new badge yet…

just thought I’d put it out there and see if you’re interested in joining in?

Approximate time frame maybe in 4-6 weeks time? I think that would be enough time, don’t you? Or is that too far away?

Your thoughts…??

Thanks,

N xo

get the crap out of my house party

2010-07-30T23:24:00.001+10:00

I’ve been doing lots of reorganising around our home – pantry, linen closet, bathroom, playroom, bedroom…. it’s all been happening, albeit slowly. I had two rooms to go. And got slack and scared of the work involved.

I didn’t know where to start.

So when I came across a blog post on V & Co’s blog a few days ago…

…it was just the kick up the behind that I needed!

A deadline! YES!

So yesterday and today, I worked on ONE of those rooms – the dining room – to get as much done as I could in time for Vanessa’s

Get The Crap Out Of My House Party!

Keep in mind… it’s not finished…. but it’s a whole lot better than it was on Tuesday!

Before….

After (sorry it’s blurry!)…

Before….

After….

Before….

After…

Before….

After….

Before…

After….

{That bit circled in red below is a bunch of stuff I have put together to take to my market table in a few weeks, so it can’t go anywhere for the time being}

So there’s still some work to do….

Many of the laces and boxes of supplies that were on the floor near the bookshelf are now in the lounge room ready for me to sort through what to keep and what to sell.

I know that sounds like I’ve just moved the mess, but that’s not the case. If it is in my lounge room, it means I will actually go through it all because I hate it being in there!

I also got through four random bags of toys, and have a suitcase full of stuff to sell already.

I was pretty ruthless in my bookshelf – I got rid of anything that didn’t fit in that bookcase. If I couldn’t find a spot for it, it was OUT. Lots of books going to be donated now!

And I still have that huge job ahead of me… the craft room… but it doesn’t seem as daunting when the dining room was able to get to a much better state within a few days!

Well I’m off to visit the parties that Vanessa will have links to.

Take care!

Natasha xo

Violet?

2010-07-25T17:32:00.001+10:00

One thing I have no trouble growing year in, year out, is violets.

They were originally planted here in the late 1980s by my grandmother. I love that every year, I can pick them and put them in my little “violet vase” and smell them every time I walk in the room.

I’ve always said if I ever had a girl {and no, it is not happening!}, I’d love to call her Violet. It’s such a pretty name, but not so common. Which is what I like about it.

But every time I say the word ‘violet’, I think of Willy Wonka {the original movie"} and the line,

“Violet! You’re turning violet, Violet!”

I wanted to share something with you. Did you know violets and their leaves are edible?!

I didn’t until yesterday. I’m hoping Dr Google and Mr Wiki Answers are correct, or I’m going to be ill shortly….

I made this salad from {thoroughly washed} violet leaves & flowers, Black Russian tomatoes, and a few varieties of lettuce I have growing in pots.

I just dressed it in a little extra virgin olive oil, salt, and white balsamic vinegar.

So how does it taste?

Well, it’s “interesting”. The taste is fine, like different salad greens. It’s the texture that’s a bit off…. furry…. I used as many young leaves as I could, but still, they were furry.

The flowers tasted like…

ummmm… well they tasted like… violets

But I ate it all!

Natasha xo