Rachael's Handmade Designs

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

Do you love comics? I'm reading this graphic novel right now called Going to Amerikay and its beautifully done. When I saw this image at Kenny K I couldn't resist. I used the Total Drama image, which I love, obviously, because she's versatile.  I loved coloring all of this image. The hair an the makeup and even the shirt and jewelry were fun too! I added a simple harlequin background to offset the image just a tad. I think it turned out nicely. What do YOU think?

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?

Welcome Back Everyone! I wanted to share with you a card that I created recently using a sketch designed by Kathi at Bombshell Stamps. You can see all of her great sketches compiled thus far right  here ! Kathi is always creating fresh new sketches that you can play along with in the  Bombshell Forum  as well! As part of the challenge you have a chance to win something! (And really, who doesn't love free stuff?!) This card features the Bombshell Stamps  Ahoy There  set, Kathi's December 2011 Sketch and Spare Parts' teal brads. (I found mine at Hobby Lobby.) I love the detailed sparkly brad bits!! Anyways, I hope you love this sketch as much as I do. (Check out the sketch challenge in the forum! Its always fun to see what everyone comes up with!) Cheers!

Hello Bloggerland! I hope today is treating you well. Here's a little update on what's happening in my studio! I'm designing with Bombshell Stamps for a client and slowly piecing together some lovely cards for her Day Spa in Seattle. This greeting is far from done, but it's coming together nicely. I still have quite a few design elements to add onto it. What do you think of this so far? Cheers,

Playing along with CPS Sketch Challenge again. This week I decided to use mica flakes paired with teal. I love the paneling idea in this sketch! Also got to use a butterfly stamp which had never touched ink before! ;) Cheers, Xo, Rachael

Tools Tin with clear top (I am using the  Grundtal Container  from Ikea.) paper acrylic paint of your choice in color crackle medium (I'm using Deco Art 1 Step Crackle Medium) applicator or brush to spread the paints distress color in either a matching or contrasting color to your acrylic paint scissors rubber stamps (I'm using the Bombshell Stamps Vintage Mermaid Rubber Stamp set  Mermaid Treasure ) pen permanent ink *Note - my tin has a magnet on the back so I can stick it to the fridge. If you want to use a scrap tin that you have, such as an Altoids tin and you would like to add a magnet sheet to the back, magnet sheets can be purchased at your local hardware store. Usually they are adhesive backed or you can hot glue them to the back of the tin. There are also variations on this project such as laying down paint and letting it dry, sanding the peaks of the tin, then laying down a second coat of paint and wiping the second layer of paint away so that ...

Hi All and Welcome! If you're here for the Bombshell Blog Hop, you should be coming from Laura's blog.  The challenge for this hop was to make a card featuring the following colors. This was a real challenge for me! I decided to use my new set, Growing Hearts . Here's my take on the hop's card! Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below. :-)  Now, onto Kelli's blog at ! NOTE:  If you have come to this page just out of the blue and would like to join in from the beginning of the hop, go here to join in the fun from the beginning! Blog roll: Alison Laura + Rachael's blog - you are here - + Kelli Mary G. Alaine Glittery Katie and finally, last but not least, Kathi    Have fun hopping!! Cheers, Xo, Rachael

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

Hello Again my Friends!!! So glad you came back for a gander! :0) I had a great, relaxing weekend. Take a look at some new items in the shop! I made this cute little "thanks" card with flower and two butterflies. It's out of my norm, but that's my handwriting in the sentiment. Also, LOVING the butterfly feature on my cricut!! They're coated in pink to pop them and I added a little bling to add some sparkle. Cute, huh? I thought it was perfect for summer! I also added this sweet butterfly 5x5 card to the shop as well! Isn't this absolutely adorable? I used designer papers from the hopskotch line, as well as some other fancy printed papers I've been stashing away for far too long! ;-) Check back tomorrow for my Stuff I Love entry! And then on Wed you can see everything I've been working on in the studio lately! Cheers, Xo, Rachael

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...