Rachael's Handmade Designs

Hi All! My ATG gun arrived FINALLY! It's big, its pink, and it's loaded - watch out! I feel like I should be wearing a gun holster on my hip with I wield that thing! I made a trip up north to one of my favorite stores, the Joann's Super Store! I could spend HOURS in there, and a literally did. 2 hours, to be exact. I bought acrylic paints and crack paint to make my Crackle Tin Tutorial . So, this week I've been playing with acrylic and crackle paints. I've also been scrapbooking, as you can tell from the photos. I also tried a new technique on photo paper with alcohol inks and canned air. I cut this ink splatter down, stamped and embossed it and mounted it on a card. I've also been working on a small summer-themed mini album that I am not quite finished with yet, but here are a few photos of what I have so far. Thanks for tuning in today! I invited you to leave a comment on this blog and let me know w...

Whew! Is it Wednesday already?! (A day of the week which I can never spell, thank you very much!) It seems like this week has flown by so fast! Last night I cleaned off the craft table and made a few simple cards. I love the way this cute little 'Welcome Home' housewarming card turned out!! I adore this wonderful and simple sewing card. Maybe I will add a sewing machine to it? And here's a simple lamp card. A little too simple for my personal taste, but maybe I will work on it some more before I add it to the shop. Sometimes I do that to cards that I think are finished, which really aren't. I had some trouble with this card. Does it show? That's all for today. Don't forget! More blog candy will be coming out soon. Be sure to fan my Facebook page (top of this page, upper right hand corner) to have a chance to win. Cheers, Xo, Rachael

Hi Again! Well, I've been stuck with Jury Duty this week so my schedule has been interrupted. I haven't been able to find time to stamp as a result, so I thought, 'well, the least I can do is pick up a bit' and get to the projects that I have been putting off...like mounting some new stamps. So here's my craft table, relatively clean! (Well, as clean as it ever gets.) And my newly mounted stamps! Yay! That's it for today. Follow my blog for a chance to win my blog candy, AND please don't forget to leave me some feed back on a poll I created at the top of the page on the right. :) Cheers, Xo, Rachael

Hello Out There in Bloggerland! Welcome back! Thanks for joining me! I've got a lot to show you today, so let's just jump right into it! I've been working on a number of different cards this week. Working with layers and unique shapes. Above: I've been trying to work with this image for several weeks and it just has not been coming together. I finally tried to pair it with pink after trying this laced edge, and I got it! The card will debut in my shop later on this week, so keep your eyes peeled! Above: This is my second time working with Kenny K images, and I gotta say, they're pretty cute!! Gate fold cards are a fun way to add interest and interactivity. I've been totally inspired by my friend Katie to start to work on on! We'll see what happens! ;-) See Katie's blog here . And I've been meaning to use this image as well. I decided that before I purchase new stamps, I need to use what I have. I like this image because it's completely...

Caio! I hope you had a GREAT weekend and are reading this and excited for the week to come. I also hope that you remember to follow this blog! ;=) In the upcoming weeks I've got some great things to inspire you. For example, I like to use recycled items in my cards, things that would otherwise be trash or not really have a use or purpose and would just go to waste. What kinds of things are your favorite to use in cards? What about art in general? I'm Ms. April over at Bombshell Stamps, which means I'm a Guest Designer. My work is featured and highlighted, and I get to present a challenge! I haven't been a part of a design team before, so it's pretty exciting!! ...I've got my bombshells out and revved up for some stampin'! And I should say, also, that I recently came upon a new Seattle band that I think you should listen to when you have a chance. They're called 'The Cave Singers' and they're really relaxed and chill music. The album I...

Hola Everyone! I am proud to announce that I have been chosen to be Ms. April at Bombshell Stamps! WOOT!  Looking forward to this and I'm SO excited!! In other news, the name of the game this week was coloring! I'm always on the search for cute designs. I'm not sure how I saw this, but I came across it on flickr. I loved what craftydee did with Anya so I checked out The Greeting Farm to see what they have to offer. (I had seen their designs before but never really payed attention.) What cute designs! Not all of them are my personal crafting style, but they're stinkin' cute designs all the same! So I purchased this little girl and she'll be on my next upcoming card. Perfect for winter going into spring! :) Also working with this image to see what I can come up with: I was also working with this flapper image from Crafts & Me , which is a new company I found. I'm having a bit of trouble with the hair in this image. And the eyebrows bother me b...

Hello my Lovelies! Welcome back this Monday morning. I had a lot of fun this weekend making sweet paper treats. It was my boyfriend's Mom's birthday on the 17th, so I made her this: Also, made and listed this little lovely! What do you think? And started on a new "congrats/happy engagement" card. Not quite finished. Follow this blog! Also, follow me of facebook , twitter  and now you can even get 10% off by following my blogger too! Use codes facebook, twitter and blogger, respectively. ***Also, giveaway is still going on!!! Please be sure to spread the news! Only 2 more facebook fans needed! Tell all your friends!*** And thru the end of March all profits still going to PETA. Cheers, Xo, Rachael

E Komo Mai Nou ka hale. =) A traditional Hawaiian greeting meaning "Come inside, the house is yours." I just photographed the prizes for the 150 subscriber contest. Still just need a few more subscribers until this giveaway occurs! I used my iphone camera, so cut me a break! Ha ha. ;) If you'll please excuse the horrid lighting in my kitchen, below are the photos of the prize! The prize includes everything you need to make loads of cards!! Loads of printed papers (holiday included) Wood mounted "couples" rubber stamp Krafty Stamper unmounted rubber stamp two packs of hawaiian slippa embelishmentsts three fruit-themed clear acrylic mounting stamps 1 Fourth of July clear acrylic mounting stamp an acrylic blog for stamping a pair of pink beaded earrings a pale blue rose ring on an adjustable base Sassafrass Lass fruit felties Auntie's Hawaiian Stickers Hawaiian slippas round stickers Auntie's Hawaiian Stickers Hawiian theme round sticker...

Hola! Today I want to share with you a lovely little monotone card I made using a new stamp and flowers. I'm also designing a garden card and have started putting together some papers and stamp combos for that. Here is another project, which is looking good so far, but still needs a lot more work.  The dragon is from the same set as the knight card . I've also made a custom envelope for my sorry so grumpy card.  Just add a sticker to close the envelope. *Mailing a square envelope is an additional cost. If mailing this envelope, you will have to add glue along the flap. Otherwise, you may just tuck it inside the envelope.  This envelope fits the mailing standards, but you may consider mailing in a larger envelope as the envelope itself is part of the keepsake. Due to the layered nature of this piece, when sending to your recipient, protect the layers by mailing layered side facing in - inside the envelope.  This way the layers won't catch.  :-) ...

Welcome Back! Here’s a shot from/of my studio last night! I’ve been working on a new card. I loved this stamp set   and had bought this little knight from Kraftin’ Kimmie. Here’s a shot of how he started out with doing color swatches.   Turned out pretty cute, huh? I also stamped the castle tower and colored it, so the card is coming together quite nicely. Totally looking forward to how this card will turn out! That’s it for today guys! Follow this blog and find me on twitter and  facebook  for steals and deals and all the latest new info. Cheers! Xo Rachael