3/3/09

Pretty, Pretty


Thank you for the well wishes, prayers, and congratulations over our happy news. It's been a teeter totter of excitement and anxiety as we still have the loss of our last pregnancy fresh in our hearts and are quite aware how delicate and miraculous these first few months are. I decided to go ahead and share our news early on again as an exercise of hope and wanting to continue to document my life in all it's joys and pains through this blog. The support we received after our miscarriage through comments, e-mails and phone calls was so important to our healing and made us feel quite loved in such a hard, strange time. If we had not shared our joy, you wouldn't have known our pain and our special appreciation for these new days of nauseau, exhaustion, and changing hormones. I'm thankful for every strong reminder that something special is happening.

In the meantime, Sebastian is feeling much better and has taken to jumping off the side of the couch again. We are finally getting some warm weather today that might stick around through the weekend. There is lots of catching up to do in the studio as we're on the verge of another shop update!

One of the items I've been working on for Red Velvet Art is this sweet half apron. The vintage trim and colors remind me of summer time. Image from Elsie.

Also coming soon are these sweet green bows to wear with your sundresses this spring. I'll be wearing mine on St. Patrick's Day to ward off those pinches! Image from Elsie.

The new RVA website will be back up and running later this week and full of new product for March. Elsie's also throwing a bubble tea and cupcake themed party in the shop this Friday for Art Walk and unveiling a new series of paintings she's done for the occasion! I'll be keeping an eye on the cupcakes to make sure Sebastian saves some for the rest of the crowd this time.


I finished my own painting last weekend and will have it for sale in the Springfield shop this Friday. It had been staring at me for a few weeks in it's primed state, taunting me with it's hugeness, but I showed it. I was nervous about sharing it on Flickr, as all are when posting something new and strange in a public space, but the responses I got quickly put that out of my mind. Thank you for your sweet comments and excitement. You know how to make a girl feel pretty fantastic.

46 comments:

Our Green Nest said...

That painting is beautiful! Love it! Wish I could visit the store so I could buy it!

JenCoen said...

Thank you for sharing your life with us, Rachel. :-)
I *love your painting!!

margot said...

sending super positive thoughts your way re: the pregnancy!
i didn't read your blog back then, so just linked to the post and read it and well, wow. i think you're amazing for sharing things so personal & now a story of hope- i know someone who miscarried, well, a LOT and now is the mother to a beautiful little boy (16 months) and TWIN identical girlies (6 weeks) so, well, there is always always hope! :-)

tovetyll said...

oh such pretty photo, I wish we had spring here, but Norway is covered with snow still...and it's not even pretty snow anymore, just dull and grey, together with black trees...sigh...
It seems everything is better where you are! I wish you all the best with the new baby, congratulations!!! best vibes from here!! and the painting is beautiful!!

TaMs* said...

fantasic painting. so fresh!

Jodi said...

Congrats again on the pregnancy!! Praying for you. :)

Remembering the Day Photography said...

Hi Rachel, I enjoy reading your crafty little blog. How lovely you are ! And I LOVE that apron...so cute. I Just wanted to say hello..Best wishes.

michelou said...

Hi Rachel,

Congrats on your pregnancy! I wish I had been reading your blog back in October. I lost a baby as well, on virtually the same day, and I was only about a week further along than you. I never knew how common it was either. I still haven't talked to many people (in person) who have gone through it. It was probably the hardest thing I had ever gone through, but you already know that..

I wish you nothing but happiness and I'm sending you good thoughts on this pregnancy (and well - everything!) it gives me hope that my husband and I will be able to conceive again. Fingers crossed that it is soon!

Michelle
michelou[at]gmail[dot]com

Charin Adams said...

Aww Rachel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO happy for you guys. Lots of love :) :) :)

Anonymous said...

Oh.
My.
GORGEOUS!!
This is maybe a total NO-NO in the world of selling paintings, but...do you have a price yet for your creation? I live near spfd and am conviencing myself it would make me a GREAT mother's day gift ;) early, of course! And I LOVE the title!!! Fab job!!

Amber Filkins said...

Yes, thank you for sharing your lives with us. I feel the same way---I want to share my life, as it is. Thank you for being vulnerable in order to encourage others & be encouraged.

Beautiful painting, beautiful apron!

Alisha Gordon said...

I adore that painting and want one for myself! You mentioned it would be available in your store, but what about online?? Is it possible to purchase one - I would love to be able to.

Anonymous said...

In regards to your painting -- I enjoy how you've blended a graphic style with a more painterly style. I think you would have a lot of fun with mixed media painting, such as cutting out paper and applying it to the canvas, or using a toothbrush to splatter with and give a different effect. You should also try thinning your acrylic out with water to get a more translucent color, or even thinning it with a gel/gloss medium. Lots of nice effects with that! I love your choice of color and composition!

Jenn said...

you are pretty fantastic! xo

andrea said...

That painting is beautiful!
Congrats on your pregnancy. I'm early on in my 1st pregnancy and I dont' know anyone else who is pregnant so I'm so happy that you are too!

Anonymous said...

I can't tell you how ecstatic I was to hear of your pregnancy. I read that line over and over again in your post to let it sink in. Though you don't know me, I too went through a miscarriage a year or so ago and found my blogging community to be so powerful in my healing. I also am currently holding on my lap our 4 month old, who is such a blessing. I am so thankful for his little life that came after the loss of another life. I'll be praying for the health of your baby.

Also, you are an incredible inspiration. I love to see your creations and am very excited you've ventured into painting. I imagine everything you touch turns to gold...creatively speaking. Keep creating! Babies and art!

Unknown said...
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Sarah said...

Love that painting! It really is beautiful! Glad you shared your news (secrets aren't as fun!) We got the little vintage toaster in the mail yesterday. Still haven't given it to my kids cause I want to enjoy it with them. I love it so much! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Your family is so cute! I'm so happy for you guys and will be praying for y'all through your pregnancy.

Anonymous said...
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jarispry said...

thanks for being so open and loving towards us... praying for a healthy pregnancy throughout! yay!

i honestly think you should sell prints of your painting! i NEED one! :D

and the apron...i'm so in love!

RachelDenbow said...

Prints you want? Prints you'll get.

Available soon at Red Velvet Art.

Thanks for the enthusiasm!

Sara said...

Congrats on your pregnancy! And that painting is fantastic. I would totally buy a print, and I'm not one to jump at doing that.

Melody said...

I love the painting.

I'll be praying for you during the beginning months of this pregnancy. I know that fear you speak of well. I've lost 10 babies. Each time I'm pregnant, the fear of loosing that baby is almost overwhelming at times. Just cherish everyday of your pregnancy and take it one day at a time. Also remember that many women have a miscarriage and go on to have a beautiful healthy baby the next time around. I'm praying you have that experience.

Unknown said...

Yipee! You are always in my prayers my love! Lovely lovely stuff! Makes me want to create.

skirts and wellies said...

Hang in there and be sure to take it easy and look after yourself. I know it's hard with little ones, but you really must! I've also had a miscarriage between my two boys. We buried our lost baby under a rose bush in the garden. I also had a very prem baby born at 25 weeks. We are so lucky that our prem survivor is an amazing 6 year old in mainstream school now who tortures and loves his little brother with abandon. Nature works in mysterious ways. I hope this pregnancy goes well for you.

Pretty Arty said...

this painting is fabulous! love the color mix!

Anonymous said...

Very cheerful painting! Love it!!

Anne Esquibel said...

That painting is one of my favs!!

Anonymous said...

Cute project that looked right up your alley.

http://www.filminthefridge.com/2009/02/28/getting-ready-for-summer-a-beach-bag-tutorial/

RachelDenbow said...

Lacey,

YES! I love seeing how crafty ladies are turning the Orla Kiely textiles into things she didn't design them for.

I just bought a set of the napkins with the grid on them to turn into pillows for our bed!

Rubyellen said...

oh my! i am so behind!!! congratulations!!! what a blessing! i am so encouraged on your reason to share it. i am so extremely excited for your family! two is such bliss!!!

Angela Christenson said...

Thats why I feel it is very important for comment feedbacks. It really can help a person out when there not feeling to good about something. When actually its a masterpiece. I'm glad to hear your going to sell it in the shop. It's beautiful!

twinkle teaches said...

Very pretty! I wish I could buy the painting,too. I am in love with the apron!!!!
tina

Anonymous said...

I just received my super cute little vinyls from you guys at RVA!! I've already placed them!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laceylarae/3331829220/

OpaqueSkies said...

WOW. The painting is gorgeous. Really & Truly.

As is the apron. I am ever impressed with what you make. Very original. I hope you expand into more items.

Congrats on this big step, also. The second child.

Anonymous said...

Ual. I like! (:

Anonymous said...

Oh, that's wonderful news! I'm sending good vibes your way! It happened to me as well, it can be difficult.
I'm enjoying the Pretty class and am excited to make my apron!
Have a great weekend and fun at the party! What's Bubble tea?

robyn said...

Hey Rachel
It was great talking with you last night! The store looks so great and I really thought your painting was amazing! It is much bigger than I thought from the picture! Best of luck with everything :)
Robyn

Silvitanova said...

Huge congrats and thank you for sharing. Here we don't bring the news usualy before week 12...as if you can't tell anyone when you loose a pregnancy. Strange tabu.
I wish you all the best!
xSilvia (20 weeks pregnant) from Holland

smauge said...

I hope my comment doesn't get lost in an avalanche but I just wanted to let you know how much your story mirrors mine. I too suffered a miscarriage in my second pregnancy. I too had told everyone early (despite people saying "What if you lose it?" huh?) and I was glad also for having all that support which I needed in my grief. I too got pregnant again within months and, despite previous experience (or because of?) I told everyone early again. I too felt the delicacy of my condition, to the point that I refused to wear jeans in the forst trimester lest I squash my baby (my midwife sister scoffed at that - easy for her, with four babies from four pregnancies.)
The good news is, without me realising, the fear dissapated as the pregnancy moved on and was overtaken by excitment at every kick and move and lull in energy that told me there was a life growing inside me.
That was nearly four years ago. The result is a precious little doll who has such joy in life I sometimes wonder if she subconciously knows how lucky she is to be here. I sure do.
As sad as I was that the second pregnancy was not to be, I sometimes think if it had of survived, my little doll would never have been conceived. And sometimes I think it was her, but she just wasn't ready to be with us yet.
I wish you all the luck and hope that your story continues as happily as ours has.
PS. I lurve that painting!!

Michelle Clement said...

Oooh...congrats! :) Yay for babies! And yay for your little man being back to his healthy normal self, too! And the painting + apron are fab....such lovely colors!! Happy day, girl!

RAK ROKS said...

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SEE THAT YOUR PAINTING, AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL, AND IT IS SUCH A BEGINNING TO YOUR (PREGNANCY) NEW BEGINNING!!! YOU ARE THE LOVELY!!!

Bianca Alonso said...

Congratulations for the new baby!!! :)
God bless your family!!!

Jessica O'Brien said...

I think the painting is beautiful. Great colors and whimsical without being juvenile!

Kristen said...

very very very pretty! I loooove it!

also, i am glad to know that more people paint their canvases on the ground and with craft paint :) me too!!!!!