Natalie's Desk and Chair

Every time I get a new project from a client I get nervous. Furniture can have a mind of its own and being sure I can create what the client imagines is nerve-racking. When my sweet friend over at Topsy Turvy Print Shop asked me to create a desk/command center for her business I got the excited butterflies in my stomach and immediately started to bite my fingernails. She told me she wanted a writing desk. Something small for the space and she loves a little quirk. Okay. I started my search. Sent her some options and she picked this one.

I found it at an... interesting.... place in another town while on a trip. I have decided the most 'interesting' places are where the best deals are. Just need to be brave enough to go there!  And then of course she needed a chair. The rookie mistake I made here was not realizing that since it was a petite desk, not every chair would fit under it. This chair I found at Goodwill for $8 and it was half an inch too big. She loved my idea for it and decided it would be okay if it stuck out a bit. I told her that this could be her temporary chair until we find another one. Pretty sure she thinks I was kidding. I wasn't!

I painted her desk drawers with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Provence and the body of the desk is Old White. I distressed it a bit at her request, but once I was done, we decided it needed more. So we added some dark wax. I started the process on the right side of the picture below. 

Finished with the dark wax. 

I painted the chair with Provence as well and we picked two different fabrics for the chair. Since this is going to be her command center, I decided she needed a comfortable spot to sit so I added a back pad too. The chair had her quirk she requested. 

And then she added some fun hardware. Owl knobs and iron pulls. The set is incomplete. Just waiting on another shipment :) She was happy with the set and I was too. But I think I will always have the butterflies when starting a new project just in case!! 

Amy's Table

This project was a long time in the talking... meaning my client and I have been discussing it for months. Colors, feels, ideas and then of course we had to convince her husband that I knew what I was doing. After passing his test one night (random questions and topics regarding the techniques) we shook on the deal.
My client wanted a table with an antique white pedestal and all different colored chairs. Husband wanted something else, so this is the compromise we came up with and I love it. I think compromises are always the best!!

We started with  this. Not the best picture I know. But we are moving and listing our house and I have projects going on with every day life. I like to do everything at once. Or at least I have to like it that way because that is how it always happens!

Then on Mother's Day I was able to work uninterrupted, so I sprayed the chairs red.

I haven't ever dry brushed anything before. And I thought that was the plan. She wanted red underneath and ASCP Florence on top. Then, when I sanded the red would show through. I tried dry brushing, realized I was going to sand anyway, so then I just painted like normal. It turned out better that way.

One down, six to go.

I stripped and stained the table top. Husband wanted it to match the floor and after mixing my own color, I was able to make this happen. Below is the table sanded and stained once (not the right color at all!) and the pedestal has the undercoat of red on it.

After staining, sealing, sanding and more painting, I delivered the table. Of course, once I got in the process I forgot to take more progress pictures. But here it is in all it glory in its place. I still have to two of the chairs at home and they need to be finished. I also have some accompanying detail pieces to do, but those will come later. My client didn't care, she was too busy jumping up and down when I delivered it. And she smiled all night long. That makes my heart happy.

Miss McKenna

I have been lucky to photograph some beautiful people. This session was no different. McKenna is such a beautiful person on the inside and out. She has a little edge to her and I think it shows perfectly in these photos she begrudgingly let me take at her momma's request. I am so glad she let me!!

A New Perspective

I just realized that I haven't posted in almost a month. That is embarrassing and not my intent at all. I look around at all the projects I am working on and have completed and can't believe I haven't shared any of them. I will get the projects up, but today is about a new perspective. Something that I have changed and I am proud of.
I arrive early everywhere I go. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but I wish it was the truth. So the other day I arrived early to a photo shoot. While waiting on my client, I was listening to the radio. This song used to be my anthem not too long ago. There is a line in the song that say " I am not sure what I stand for anymore ". This line spoke to me. It was if the songwriter could hear see the words written on my heart. Listening to it today, I don't have the same pull at my heart strings. I do know what I stand for. I am no longer fighting to be me. I have found the place for myself where I can be who I am, flaws and all. I have a huge heart, I have respect for human rights and I live in gray areas. I have friends and family that love me for this. I have found peace with who I am instead of being forced to change or be someone else. There is a part of me that is upset about all of this... knowing that others are in this same situation. If you are constantly fighting to be you, you need to decide what is more important to change yourself or your surroundings. Change is scary, but it was the best thing I have ever done. And the best part about all of the fear, is that while I was in it, I found myself.

The Girl Who Hates Bows

Of course sweet Hadlee Paige is not the only baby who does like bows... or hats... or anything extra on their body (like shoes or socks) but she is the one in my life! She is not mine, she actually belongs to a sweet friend, but I get to love on her almost daily and I am claim her as my own! Her little rolls are so adorable and I love how her emotions are expressed through her hands. I was able to capture a few personality shots during our shoot... because really, who can pose a 9 month old and make them do what they want? Truly, I wanted Hadlee to be herself and I wanted to capture those moments and expressions for her sweet Momma and Daddy. To me, those are things worth remembering.

Miss Erika

The quiet girl in the front of the room who had all the answers (if I called on her). That is what I thought about Erika the first day she walked into my English classroom. Little did I know what a determined and talented girl she was! She became a cheerleader in high school and was asked to be a cheerleader at South Plains College. She is now graduating from there and moving on to a four year school. The little girl from small town Amherst has big plans. I am so proud of her.

Surfer Girl in West Texas

McKaylee is a star swimmer at her school, devout Christian, misplaced surfer girl (no waves in West Texas!) and she just had a lump removed from her side. No news yet on what/if the lump is something to worry about. She pushed through a season of swimming and made it all the way to the State championships just to have it removed the next week. We decided to photograph her in all her glory. She is strong, tender-hearted and a survivor. And very loved by her momma!

Here are a few from our session.