Rachael's Handmade Designs

Welcome! Here in Seattle its been sunshiney and beautiful, but on the chilly side.  This weekend there's the possibility of SNOW. So I'm gearing up for a cozy weekend (Oscar party?!) It looks like that cozy theme may spill over into next week! I've been busy creating some new things in my studio and I want to share with you a new design I've created. Its modern, sleek, and unique - I haven't ever created anything quite like this, and I love these cards because I had the chance to create "outside the box".  I used an exciting color combination to evoke a current and modern feel, and clean straight lines. I created three different designs (with arrows - because if you're like me, you love the trend of arrows!) to include in this Thank You set - you get one of each; each are accented with a little sparkle. Super cute, huh? The best part is that these cards are perfect to keep on hand for any time you need a thank you. I even provid...

Lately I've been playing with some new stencils I got while on a trip to Portland. I absolutely love The Crafters Workshop stencils because they are always coming out with the latest designs and are so contemporary and current. I also live for that feeling when you lift the stencil after sponging or pouncing your chosen colors and the paper reveals pretty, colorful and attractive designs - it's like magic! I had a lot of fun making this new card! The stencil I used was the chevron 6x6 one by Balzer Designs, from The Crafter's Workshop. I designed this card in an analogous color scheme and if you're like me, you'll just love how it turned out! I added some sparkly bling after stamping the dancing girls, just for fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. This greeting is available for purchase in  my Etsy shop ! Thanks for tuning in!

POW! Colour, in your face! I loved creating this card. If you read my blog on a regular basis then you probably know that I'm getting into mixed media art. (Layers, layers, layers!! Gimmie more layers!) I applied mixed media art techniques to this card and I just love how it turned out! I also got to play with and color my new Stamper's Anonymous/Tim Holtz funky hand rubber stamp, which I adore. Seriously fun to color with Copics! I also lined an envelope to match with this card. What do you think? Do you like bright and colorful or do you like a more subdued, clean cut look in a handmade card? Everybody is different and I do have to say that my style definitely fluctuates. What is your favorite style? Leave a comment and let me know!

New in the shop this evening is a fun card I created that I call A Murder of Crows, which is also the name of a documentary I saw a few years ago about crow research. COOL! They're funny little creatures and are amazing. I love them. Below is a card I created for my mother, who also is quite fond of crows. I hope these cards give you some idea of what you can do - they can be given any time and saved for decor for the next year.  What fun! Cheers!

Good Morning!  Its a bright, clear and crisp fall morning here in Seattle, so I thought it was rather appropriate to list this Autumn Greetings handmade card I stamped out the other night. I love this card because of the colours used. After all, that's one of the best things about fall, right? I stamped out the leaves in creamy red and orange and added some small brown leaves around a farm cart full of seasonal foods.  This card was a lot of fun to make and not my typical type of creation.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Welcome Back! Today's post is a handmade tag created using Kenny K's Happy Hour image, a vintage polka dot background stamp and some custom hand-dyed crinkle ribbon. I used my copics to color the image and slightly around the outside of the image.   I layered and blended the color.   I then used my copics to dye the crinkle ribbon, crumpled it, sprayed it with blender solution to create a waterbled look and hit it with the heat gun, crinkling it as I heated it.  I then used my Tim Holtz Distress stains to cover my tag with red, hit it with the heat gun and stamped in white with my vintage polka dots rubber stamp.   After, I cut out my martini girl and glued her down.   Simple and fun, a great little accent to a page, card or gift!   Cheers! This project was entered in: Think Pink @ Ladybug Crafts http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/2013/02/think-pink-lci.html

Welcome Back! I created this bright fall card using a number of different techniques.  First, I printed out the image, colored it with Copic Markers and blended. I used Copics because I wanted a nice bright color pop. Next I embossed a scrap piece of teal paper and used an orange ink pad to rub over the embossed surface of the paper. I think it adds a nice highlight to the embossing. Following that, I cut a paper doily in half and layered it on top of a piece of designer paper that I had pre-cut and distressed with walnut ink distress ink. I then popped the teal embossed paper off of the page as well as added rick rack ribbon in brown and orange. I popped the Sassy Studio Designs  image off from the embossed paper to give the card focus to her. The image I used was Pink Ribbon Sassy. What do you think? What's your favorite awareness holiday to craft for?

Hello All, Here's a tutorial for you so that you can incorporate your images into you projects in a new way! You Will Need: A plastic element of some sort (I'm using TH fragments with the tag hanging bit) A permanent black ink (I'm using Memories) Your favorite Bombshell Stamps image (I'm using one of the swallows from  Love & Luck ) Glossy Accents by Ranger Alcohol-based markers (I'm using Copics.) A heat tool Your favorite accent paper Scissors Emery board Thread or cord or a jump ring, if you wish Start out with a clean plastic surface of your element. Stamp your image. Heat dry with your heat tool. (Be wary of melting the plastic!) Whip out your copics! I'm using B34; R08; and YR04 to color my swallow. Have fun coloring! Layer colors if you like for more opacity. I have chosen to add B24 to my bird to add more depth. I found that with Copics on these fragment bits, particularly with the lighter colors, ...

Hi! A really quick and easy project that packs a lot of punch! The finished project can be used as a gift tag on a present, an accent on a page or an addition on a greeting card. This project features the  Koi Tattoo  set and is not exactly a tutorial, but just a little project for inspiration. ;-) I hope you like it. After stamping out and coloring my Koi, I started out using a plain craft tag, some no-name blue ink (to set off the orange Koi) and my brayer. I rolled the brayer in the ink on all sides to make sure I had an even application and layed down the color. I did this twice until my tag was completely covered. I cut out my Koi and placed it on the tag and stamped 'harmony". Next I used the small wave stamps from the set to create a textrued background. After gluing my koi fish down I slightly distressed the edges of the tag and added some green ribbon. You could add a little glitter to this, or perhaps some glossy accents for a wet look. Voila...

Welcome Back! I kept this month's sketch at Bombshell Stamps pretty simple. I'm still settling in and I don't have all of my craft items in one place yet, but I got to use my new Koi Tattoo set and Banner Sayings set! Hope you enjoy it.

Hi All! Welcome Back!! I'm so happy to be blogging again! Do you know why?! I'm FINALLY - YES, FINALLY moved into my new place!! I'm unpacked and have my new craft room set up! Actually it's not so much a room as my apartment dining room/part of my living room, but...sure beats scrapping in my room on a card table! I can actually SPREAD OUT! *So* nice!! I sat down to make a simple Halloween card two days ago. I think it turned out quite nicely! I just love purple and orange and teal together!! What do you think? Leave a comment and let me know! ;-) Cheers, Xo, Rachael

Hi Everyone! Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great mother's day! The last couple of weeks I have been sick and then I had to focus on school and work, so I haven't really been able to make very many cards lately. :( I was, however, able to sneak one in! I hope you like it! It's bright and sunny and a happy little card. I'm very happy with how it turned out - simple, but cute! What do you think?  Cheers! Xo, Rachael