Hot Off the Press!

Hello All,

I know it's been awhile, but I've taken a break (a lonnng one) from being crafty in order to be more artsy! I just started a new blogger page for all of my art related posts (new pieces, prints, exhibitions, etc), so I do hope you might decide to follow me on there, as well. :) Click here for Art by Rachelle. 

So - Due to the upcoming holidays, I've been working hard and am excited to announce a brand new line of postcards! 

They are 4" x 6" each and printed on 14 PT CS2 High Gloss coated card stock. Available in sets of 10. I think they would make great stocking stuffers, don't you? ;) One less item to check off of the list and it's unique! Perfect for any fashionista in your life. <3

Find them on Etsy to make them yours! This is a trial run though, so quantities are very limited. 

Shop Postcards Here

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Film-tastic.

Blogworrrrrrld!!! Oh I have missed you... yes I have, indeed.

Life changes a lot over here for me, so forgive my absence. I hope everyone had an absolute smashing holiday season!! To tell you the truth, December came and went and OH! hello, twenty-twelve.

1:50 a.m.
So, here I am- back to my old bad, bad habit of floating into the night completely unaware of the fact that the hours are just sneaking out the door behind me. Ah well... all in the sake of riding the creative wave when it comes. To use the words of my husband: "Nectar brah." (He's the coolest!) Eh-hem.

My in-laws are too good to me and gave me a shiny new Canon T3i Camera for Christmas...

Still seems peculiar without snow.

k-nine.

Zeus reminds Athena of the old adage: 

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." 

Zeus lives by example.

Just do it.

Dogs know it's not bacon. They don't care.

fin.

DIY Golden Cork Coasters

How was everyone's weekend? I wish I could have seen all the fun costumes this weekend, but alas, I stayed in and was lazy. SO needed sometimes!!

The hubs and I watched creepy movies and TV shows instead. (Dracula!!!! swoon...)

Anyway, I have to admit that while Halloween is a lot of fun, I am very much looking forward to Christmas! Already went and bought a bunch of colorful Christmas fabric for  some place mats and can't wait to start making them. :D Anyone else itching to get started on Christmas crafts?

But until then, I wanted to share something else I made with you. I bought some pretty scrap book paper the other day and decided to make some coasters with it!

  Supplies:

• Cork sheets
• Scrap book paper
• Clear gloss paint/brush
• Scissors
• Felt

Instructions:

1. Measure your cork and paper to 4" x 4" and cut (4) of these.
2. Measure your felt to 3.5" x 3.5" and cut (4).
3. Apply a layer of gloss to your cork pieces and lay the paper on top. Flip over and do the same with your felt. Place these under a heavy book to dry.
4. Once dry, apply another coat of gloss over the top and sides and allow to dry.

Now you're done! 

~Rachelle

DIY Burlap Photo Board

Let me preface the tutorial by saying that this week has been exhausting! The hubs has been battling pneumonia and I have felt strangely fatigued...

Anyway, the crafts and tutorials should start flowing a bit more again now, so stayed tuned!

Onto the project!

I am happy to share with you yet another World Market knock-off! I saw one of these guys and knew I could tackle it on my own (with a few tweaks). Here is the final result.

 

So very easy to do!

 

Love burlap and twine!!!

Here's the newest project next to my previous Primitive Wall Decor!

Here's how you can make your own photo board-

Supplies:

• Cork Bulletin Board (Any size you like.)
• Patterned Burlap
• Twine
• Scissors
• Hot Glue/Glue Gun
• Any little trinkets you want to add to the cross points of the twine
• Tacks (optional)

Instructions:

1. Measure out your burlap by laying it over the top of the cork board and allow and extra 2" on each side before cutting. (Be sure of whether or not you want your board vertical or horizontal before you cut your fabric!)
2. Using your hot glue gun, glue the edges down around the back of the board, making sure to keep your burlap stretched as you go for a smooth surface.
3. Now lay your twine diagonally across the board, starting with the corner. Cut each piece to size with an extra few inches so you can glue the end to the back of the board. Think about how much spacing you want to allow between strands and stay consistent. I spaced mine about 4" apart. Glue as you go and remember to keep your twine pulled tight.
4. Repeat step 4 moving the opposite direction, creating a criss-cross pattern.
5. Once you are finished with the above, you can now add any final buttons, tacks or embellishments to the center of the crosses. I found the cute little star buttons at JoAnne's and placed them randomly on the photo board.

You're done! 

Add photos, postcards or whatever strikes your fancy to your awesome new photo board and display!

~Rachelle

AUTUMN PAINTING

I have been so tired after this weekends festivities (and recovering from an awful headache) that I didn't think I would feel up to making anything new yesterday. However, the hubs has been recovering from a mild fever and went to bed early last night.

What to do... What to do...

I sat there on the couch thinking I may as well just call it a night myself-- but that feeling was there.

I needed to daze and let my mind melt into my art!

About

Multimedia.

Painted with acrylics on wood.

Measures 2' x 2'.  

Wood-burned signature.

~Rachelle

A Weekend of Wine

Hi Everyone!

Sheesh, I've only been away for a few days and I already miss my friends in the blog world! I hope everyone had a fun weekend. It was perfect weather out this way. Very "un-fall", but I cannot complain! :)

So because I haven't had any time to make some new fun projects for you yet, I thought I would share some photos from the weekend. Here's a little snippet!

Luscious grapes still on the vine.

We were lucky enough to be able to taste the wine right out of the bin. The flavors were sweeter than any wine I have ever tasted.

This kitty made himself right at home in a basket conveniently located on the tasting counter. Puurrr-fect for some lovin!

The countryside was breathtaking. This is my dream location.

Gorgeous day. Couldn't have asked for better.

A grand selection!

One of the bigger wineries had a bit more going on.

Whites, reds and blends made for a beautiful melody on the palette.

A beautiful end to a beautiful day in the country.

I will have some projects coming up for you-- I promise!

Have a blessed week!

~Rachelle

DIY Scrap Necklace

It's almost Friday!!! Can I get an "Amen!"

So I was at World Market the other day and spotted a cute necklace and cowl. However, I could only have one or the other according to the Hubs, so I bought the cowl. (I cannot crochet!)

I went home and decided I would make my own version of the necklace. You can do it too!

This is so so easy to do! I used scrap fabric I already had and added the beads.

Supplies:

• Silky fabric of your choosing that measures around 32" in length and a few inches wide
•  Silver beads ( I found mine at JoAnne's)
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Fray stop

Instructions:

1. Lay out your fabric. Cut (3) strips about 1" wide lengthwise.
2. Apply fray stop and wait for it to dry.
3. Using the loop end of your needle, feed the corners of your fabric through the beads. (My package came with 8 beads, so I applied 3/3/2 per strip.) Move them around to your liking.
4. Pulling the strips together at one end, tie a knot about 9" to 10"down on one end only.
5. Secure that end (I clamped it in my sewing box) and create a very loose braid.
6. Tie another knot at the opposite end the same way as before.
7. Collecting all of the ends together and overlapping them a bit, sew them together. (It's okay if it looks a bit "unkempt" since that is the overall look of the necklace.)

Ready to wear!

~

**Just a side note to my readers: I will be out of town starting tomorrow and returning Sunday. Sadly, I will not have an opportunity to create and post. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

~Rachelle