Have you ever tried to take your own photograph?
I did last week. It was fun as the self timer went off and I quickly ran to the seat and sat smiling at some invisible person in my studio, it reminded me of all the Family photos my Dad took when we were kids - our expressions were the best because Dad would always pretend to trip over something or we would sit there smiling at the un-manned camera until he realised he had forgotten to press the button. Anyway - I would highly recommend it, if only for the laugh.
So here I am in the studio beside my sewing machine, it's the neat part of the room - the bit filled with the most eye candy. Opposite me is the super sized cutting table and window which looks into our side yard. It sure is a nice place to work and dream.
I don't normally take photo's of myself but I needed a profile picture, you see - this week I have been given the green light to share some exciting news with you.
Eighteen months ago with a one year old on my hip and a passion for dreaming up 'big ideas' I decided I would write a book. During that time one word was embedded in my mind - the word?
en-chant-ed: to utterly delight, charm, enrapture and fascinate.
I began sketching ideas on paper in the evenings and any spare moment with this one word as my inspiration - elfin girls, toadstool houses and whimsical owls (known as Stella & Henry) appeared from my pencil and have been surrounding my studio and mind every moment of the design process.
The journey has been enjoyable and at times difficult, many times I wondered wether the designing mountain I had created was just too big for me to climb. It wasn't.
Right now I am in the final stages, proof reading and choosing the best cover - design wise, possibly one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, or so many great options.
'Cotton Floss'
It's coming soon, I promise.
I guess that means in a short while you can call me an author.
Till then,
Natalie xo
Witam--kochani prosze o listy moja pasj sa gobeliny giganty
--napiszcie o swoich pracach Anna
Posted by: radziej anna | May 22, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Great photo - looks professional to me! I think red and white are your colours :)
Posted by: kel | April 11, 2011 at 02:56 PM
WOW that's FAB news Natalie..CONGRATULATIONS!!! and what a pretty photo too..you're very photogenic :))
Posted by: marian | April 08, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Beautiful pic of beautiful you in your beautiful studio, well done. Congratulations on the book, can't wait to see a copy. I just love your designs. Tracee xx
Posted by: Tracee | April 08, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Big new!!!! Can't wait to see it!!!
Posted by: Raquel | April 08, 2011 at 04:09 AM
Natalie, Your picture it terrific, you have the most delightful smile I have ever seen. Come to think of it, I have never seen a picture of you when you weren't smiling! How great is that? I wish the same could be said of me, LOL. Wow, a book...what wonderful news. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy | April 08, 2011 at 02:41 AM
Hi Natalie,
If the pictures above your blog are any indication of what's to come in your book, than I hope your book is in print by May 25 (my birthday)! Congratulations and very well done!
Marja
Posted by: Marja | April 08, 2011 at 02:19 AM
hooray i have been waiting and keeping an eye out on your blog since u told me about it
Posted by: Beth | April 07, 2011 at 11:44 PM
way to go nat! and your picture is GORGEOUS too :)
xx
Posted by: Toni Coward | April 07, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Hi.
Great self portrait. :-)
Congrats with the book. I know it must be a book I MUST have.
Have a great day.
Hugs :-)
Posted by: Laila Karlsmoen | April 07, 2011 at 01:30 PM
I've been trying to think of another way to say congratulations, but there isn't a better word for what I mean, so ... Congratulations! I'm so looking forward to having your book in my craft library. And my two little girls I'm sure will love to watch/help me stitch a few fantasy fairies for them :)
Posted by: Kristyne | April 07, 2011 at 12:12 PM
felicidades, espero poder tenerlo, y ojala sea en castellano un beso gigante desde Argentina
Posted by: sonia Gonzalez | April 07, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Congratulations, wonderful news.I know it will be wonderful. Shirley
Posted by: Shirley Flavell | April 07, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Thats so AWESOME... can't wait to see it!
Posted by: Sherryl | April 07, 2011 at 09:49 AM
Hi Nat!, So soooo exciting! can't wait to see what you have been working so hard on. I know it will be absolutely gorgeous, a must have for the collection :) Thinking of you xxx mel.
Posted by: melinda gibson | April 07, 2011 at 08:07 AM
I love you, I adore you, I'm so freaking happy for you. And just as happy for us who'll have a new and wonderful book to be crazy mad in love with! I'm weepy I'm so happy for you! !!!! XXOO!!
Posted by: happy zombie | April 07, 2011 at 07:42 AM
How exciting Natalie! YAY for you!
Posted by: Cyndi | April 07, 2011 at 07:28 AM
woohoo!! i met you at Quilt Market in Houston last year. i thought you were so adorable and your energy was contagious. we were introduced to one another by Bari J. i remember she was talking about her book publisher and she told you that you needed to write a book. low a behold...you already were!!! congrats to you! best of luck!
Posted by: Jamie | April 07, 2011 at 05:29 AM
Oh so very exciting!! Congratulations!! I can't wait to see your super creative results ... I think your self portrait is adorable and can see where Isabelle gets her cuteness :) I'm glad you were finally able to share and I'll keep checking back for the reveal! Yay You!!
Posted by: WendyMT | April 07, 2011 at 04:53 AM
I wondered when this might happen! I love your designs and can't wait to enjoy a more indepth look at them through what I'm sure will be very inspiring photographs and projects!!! Congratulations!! And well done on the self portrait. It's a lovely photo.
Posted by: krista - Poppyprint | April 07, 2011 at 03:50 AM
You are just adorable! I love that picture {great work with the self-timer} and can't wait for your book also!
Congrats!
Posted by: Sarah | April 07, 2011 at 01:40 AM
Oh I can't wait!!! Enchanting is the perfect word!! I always feel that when I browse thru your creations ♥ Congratulations on your new book!!
Posted by: Annetta | April 07, 2011 at 01:31 AM
Wow that is very exciting and I am looking forward to your new book :) I am sure it will be the best and I love the name too :)
Posted by: Vicki | April 06, 2011 at 11:44 PM
Wow! What a big secret to have kept! And what a lot of work! I will be anxious to see it. Enchanted seems a perfect word, both for inspiration and for you. It springs from every post. I always feel like I'm in a different world when I visit here. Congratulations, author!!
Posted by: rita | April 06, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Congratulations, that's such great news! Can't wait to see it...
P.S. Love your new banner!
Posted by: Helen | April 06, 2011 at 10:26 PM
EEEEKKKKKK!!!! I'm SOOOO excited for you Natalie!!!! CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait to see your new book! WOOHOO!!!! Will you be coming back to one of the markets this year?
Posted by: Thimbleanna | April 06, 2011 at 10:05 PM
OmG Natalie, I am so excited I can't wait!!
Love your new photo. Your necklace is gorgeous, you always look so smart, love your top as well! Great colour scheme!
Posted by: Debbie | April 06, 2011 at 09:51 PM
wow soooooooooo exciting,good on you Natalie-glad you decided to climb the designing mountain....can't wait to get a copy of your book....Good luck with picking a cover & with the proof reading...
Beautiful Piccy,& love the new banner too..
Your an "Author"!!!!woo hoo
hugs Catherine xx :)
Posted by: catherine | April 06, 2011 at 09:42 PM
Congratulations, Natalie!! Can't wait to see it!!!
Posted by: Mama Spark | April 06, 2011 at 09:29 PM
congratulations natalie!! what exciting news! so happy for you :) xo
Posted by: kate spain | April 06, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Congratulations! Well done. It's so exciting. I can't wait for the first 'peek' :-)).
Posted by: Dya | April 06, 2011 at 09:00 PM
How exciting for you and Congratulations. Its exciting for us too!
Posted by: Teresa | April 06, 2011 at 08:54 PM
That's so exciting, Natalie; I'm looking forward to seeing you in print!
Posted by: Jan | April 06, 2011 at 08:51 PM
What exciting news! Congrtulations! I can't wait to see your book. I know it will be perfectly enchanting!
Posted by: Anne | April 06, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Fabulous Self Portrait Photo and Congratulations on the exciting news that you are an Author in progress. That is awsome.
Posted by: Jodi R | April 06, 2011 at 07:55 PM
Congratulations.... have fun with all the finalisation of things.... I'm sure it will be absolutely lovely.
Posted by: Heather Brown | April 06, 2011 at 07:13 PM
WOW!!! and Congratulations!! That is awesome news - now the hard part will be to wait...and wait...and wait until that beautiful book hits the shops!!
So exciting and well done for persuing your dream and making it happen!!
Am stitching my way through those gorgeous birds and can't wait to show you a finished quilt...
Posted by: Sharon | April 06, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Congratulations Natalie. That's very exciting news. Can't wait to see the book!
Posted by: Di | April 06, 2011 at 06:34 PM
All around the world - my daughter Candi, who lives in eEngland has been sending me your wonderful project, via e-mail, which are most inspiring. Can't wait to get your book - even if she has to send it to me in South Africa
Posted by: Raymonde Love | April 06, 2011 at 05:49 PM
Congratulations Natalie. That is very exciting news. Happy Stitching/writing,
Posted by: Jeanette | April 06, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Congratulations! "Cotton Floss" ....a cute name for a such a pretty author!
Posted by: Susan | April 06, 2011 at 05:26 PM
Congratulations - this is very exciting - I hope it is well received and inspires more quilting projects too
Posted by: Ethne | April 06, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Yippie for you!! Good for you, go for it.
Posted by: leeanne | April 06, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Can't wait to get a copy and another to send to South Africa for my mom. And I love the photo of you. You look great.
Posted by: Candice | April 06, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Hi Natalie,
Congratulations on your book it must be very exciting for you. Love your new banner. Good luck with the proof reading.
Posted by: Kim | April 06, 2011 at 05:03 PM
Can't wait to see the book. It sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Kim | April 06, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Love your talents, thank you for sharing them!
Posted by: Karee | April 06, 2011 at 04:52 PM
So very pleased for you Natalie. Your designs are so fresh, whimsical and fun - I can't wait to see your book. I'll buy it for sure :o).
Congratulations!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)
Posted by: Joy :o) | April 06, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Wow! I'm sure it will be wonderful. Congratulations. I love your designs, can't wait to see the book!
Posted by: Kylie Lindstrom | April 06, 2011 at 04:42 PM
O M G Natalie this is so exciting. You must have been beside yourself with the secret. CONGRATS!!!!
Posted by: Rachael | April 06, 2011 at 04:38 PM
That's very exciting news! Well done! Can't wait to see it.
Posted by: Jody Herbert | April 06, 2011 at 04:32 PM
You look wonderful!! So bright and happy....must be that new book. Can't wait to see it, Natalie! *grin*
Posted by: Sandy | April 06, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Congratulations! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
Posted by: Jo | April 06, 2011 at 04:13 PM
Wow Wow Wow... I can't wait. Congratulations
Sandyn
Posted by: SandyN | April 06, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Congratulations! How exciting! I hope I can get it, too ? I have a thing fpr owls :-)
Posted by: Anne lise | April 06, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Now that's exciting! Love your photo!!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Pyke | April 06, 2011 at 03:53 PM
*jumps for joy*
I can't wait!!
And I should set up a corner of my sewing room which has eye candy. My room is all rather functional. All my fabric is stashed away in organised boxes and I don't have many finished projects laying around because they've all been sent off to a greater purpose.
Posted by: Karen | April 06, 2011 at 03:47 PM
It's wonderful ! I can't wait to know more about your book !
Florence
Posted by: Florence | April 06, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Oh1 Such exciting news!! Congratulations... look forward to hearing more soon ...
Happy stitching, P
Posted by: Perri | April 06, 2011 at 03:43 PM
You did a great photo of yourself and your studio. Congratulations on your book - can't wait!
Posted by: Wendy | April 06, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Ohhhh Exciting!! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Tammy | April 06, 2011 at 03:13 PM