RVKC sneak peek

Find out about purchasing HERE.
We made brownies from Trader Joe's last night and watched '3:10 to Yuma'. It was more like 35 minutes to Yumma! Those brownies aren't my absolute favorite but they are a little bit easier on the conscience than the Betty Crocker variety. The yogurt makes them chewy!

When I was in grade school, I used to threaten the bullies that would tease my 'very short for his age' younger brother. Last night I made a phone call that brought on that same 'fight or flight' feeling. I'm not a confrontational adult but when someone hurts my family there is no hesitation to step in and do something. My mom was the one needing someone else to step in this time. Its not fair to share the details but it felt really good to hear my Mom say how much it meant to her that I would confront this person. She told me it made her feel really loved and that she'd never forget it. Something lovely transpired in my heart.
So, I'm adding that to the pile of stories we've collected on a previous post about something you're proud of doing even though it was scary. Thanks for sharing yours.

In other news, I promised a giveaway when the 'Art Journal' books came in but I was a bit ahead of myself. Since I only got one complimentary copy and I'm keeping it for myself, I won't be able to offer one to you all. But who says we can't have a different giveaway.

Leave your name and describe what you're wearing today to win a lovely KI Memories prize.

Winner will be picked sometime this week once kit chaos has subsided. (Its my favorite kind of chaos.)
Happy Wednesday to you all. Go listen to Feist.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Young Love

New Love

Tough Love

True Love

Toasty Love

How 'Bout It?

I was sitting in my rocking chair holding S this afternoon and remembered the time I had to pick out clothes for my two interviewees in a mock 'client session' at Anthropologie.
Um, yeah, I used to dream of working there. Constant inspiration, beautiful people, excellent discounts, etc. Except I was more of the awkward, creative, people watcher than the bold, customer service provider and I had a small pregnant bump that narrowed my wardrobe to two cute outfits. The first one I was able to wear to the interview. I felt good in my black, sleeveless, jersey, wrap dress, fitted denim jacket and blonde cowboy boots. I sold myself to those two polished, poised and petite sales reps but knew I wasn't meant to be there. I needed a job but Anthropologie wasn't the one for me. I waited to hear from them and finally called to see what the verdict was. They were polite but told me I wasn't what they were looking for at that time but to try back in a few months. Bluh.
I look back now and see how wrong I was for the job. It was one of those dreams that wasn't meant to be but I'm so proud of myself for making it through that interview and trying something so uncomfortable. I ended up working two PT jobs that gave me experience in my minor and also prepared me for motherhood. I doubt Anthropologie could've lived up to that. Nevertheless, I still request their catalogs and drool over the loveliness inside.
So, this post is your space to tell me about something you have done/are doing that you are proud of. Tell us a story.

And remember... awkward, creative, people watchers are fabulous.

Heartbreak Pillow

Listening to HER all day. Getting a few things finished up in the sewing room. I made another art journal and almost started crying when I was done. They are getting to be really special to put together for people. I think I've decided its important to make them.

FREE TUTORIAL HERE.

The Coolest Book in a Box You'll Ever Own

This news made me all jumpy and bright in my heart.
The book writing process is such a drawn out experience from start to finish and it really teaches delayed gratification and patience. I know Elsie put SO much hard work and love into the very large amount of content that went into this book and I'm so proud to have had some insight into the process. Its also a lovely honor to have been able to contribute to it. And I really can't wait to see the both of them in a few weeks in Anaheim. My friend, Katy, also pointed out Sebastian's cameo appearance! He's already a star.

Thanks for looking.

Pink, Yellow and Greenish Things

What I have to do today:
* Tutoring @ 4:30.
* Run 3 miles with Baby Jogger.
* Buy ticket to CHA!
* Take a shower.
* Feed, play, watch S.
* Pick up the house.
* Return e-mails.
* Print out pictures for scrapping.


What I'll try to squeeze in:
* Come up with ideas for new self-portrait pics.
* Check Flickr at least twice.
* Start another art journal page.
* Make four more squares for Em's quilt.
* Check my blog comments at least four times. (at least)
* One cup of tea.
* Grey's Anatomy

What's on your list?

Monday Pics

My son is a super hero. I call him 'The Blur'. His super power is the ability to move at the speed of light and catch my camera off guard.
This is a work in progress for the lovely and talented Emma Chapman. It is a belated Christmas gift. It missed her birthday, too. However, she will be delighted when it arrives to keep her warm in her heater-less apartment in Hollywood.
Yesterday's pretty sky.
The Blur trying again.
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I'm really sad about the death of Heath Ledger this evening. Shocked and sad.
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We're offering kit club subscriptions at RVKC. Check out the blog post for details. Silje is back to GD for us this month and I'm really excited about all the little bits that showed up in the mail today. Heavy on the Etsy purchases this month!

I've been thinking about this post all day.

I'm really tempted to try this out.

Feelin' Like This...

Quilt Kits!

I've just updated the new Red Velvet Kit Club Etsy shop with some lovely Quilt Kits and Tutorials. I started off with the green/blue quilt kit but had to add a pink one to make sure I'd have a good amount for excitable customers. They are really lovely lap-sized quilts that would also make a great toddler blanket and have been designed with the first time quilter in mind. Its a really simple pattern and easy-to-follow instructions. The finished quilt shown above was put together by our Guest Designer, Jocelynne Broderick. She added some lovely details of her own and provided the binding with a bias section in our tutorial.

I'm hoping to have a few more journals made up by the end of the weekend as kits get shipped out and orders taken care of but I'll post in time for everyone to have a chance that has asked about them. Thanks again for the encouragement and sweet comments on this blog. It really makes my day.

I've just let S cry himself to sleep after putting him down twice tonight. We're both pretty worn out with the process but I know that if I don't follow through and stay consistent it'll all have been a waste. It gets easier, right? He's really been a doll for as irregular his nights have been this week.

Oh, and I have to share the sweet thing Brett surprised me with today.
In case some don't know, Brett is a longtime Barista at Starbucks. He often brings home stories of customers and a free drink but today he brought me a box of green tea and this lovely little thing. I had seen a mug with this design on Tina's blog earlier this week and asked him why he hadn't told me about the cutest mug to hit stores this year. He said he knew I'd want one and he didn't want to make it any harder on me with the 'Not Buying It' thing and all. Ha! So, I kissed the thought goodbye and forgot all about it. Well, he walked in with this today and got a big kiss for thoughtfulness. He used some of his leftover Christmas money that we put away for such 'splurges'. It was a lovely gesture.

Big news in the book world. THIS book arrived in bookstores at the beginning of the month and I've got a few pieces in it! I was so happy when Sharon e-mailed me near the end of 2006 to see if I was interested in submitting but I sort of lost the awareness of having it in the works as time went on. Finally, we got an e-mail saying our complimentary books were being shipped soon and I made Brett take me to two stores before I found a copy. It was a sweet little thrill to see my art in a book...in a real bookstore. Once the books arrive, I'll be doing a contest/give away to share the love. Emily Falconbridge, as well as a lot of other talented ladies are in there.
Stop by ScrapMojosoon if you haven't been in awhile. They've got some incredible stuff coming from their DT and I was fortunate enough to have landed a spot as a GD this month along with Christina Clouse who is now a permanent GD. LUCKY!
I hope this weekend is full of memories so that you can scrap them later!

I think I may just take one long nap.

No Worse For Wear

Sitting at the kitchen table with fresh squeezed orange juice, a small boy, a tray full of cheerios and happy thoughts.

We made it through the night. He did a lot of his waking up early on before I was zombied out. I woke up around 2:30 a.m. to hear him crying again and let him cry for as long as I had promised myself I would wait and then went in to give him his pacifier and sing him to sleep. I think he would've stayed asleep until his normal wake up time but a new room means new sounds to muffle and so when everyone else started their day @ 6:00 a.m., Sebastian joined in. I was able to persuade him back to bed until a lovely 8:20 a.m.! I think he was just as tired as I was. It just reminded me that it doesn't compare to newborn nights and made me thankful that my schedule allows me to make adjustments.

Thanks for your encouragement this morning. I think Jenna nailed it when she said its usually the parents that have the harder time with change. Hmmm.

I'm already thinking pink and red. I used to hate the tackiness of V-Day in high school but I've come around. Not on the tackiness but on the opportunity for more pink and red. I'm seeing handmade apron and dishtowel sets in my future. This month's Teen Vogue had a photo shoot for Valentine's Day that was so inspiring.





Time to go play in a tent with Sebastian.
~R

Journals #3 and #4

Check out MY SHOP to see these journals. They are my new favorite thing to make. So, in case you don't think you'll be getting around to the previous tutorial anytime this month, feel free to buy one readymade!

Today we moved S into my brother's vacant room while he's away at flight school to start night training. I'm dreading it. Its a little bit like that fear of bedtime I had the night we brought him home from the hospital. I just knew that rest wasn't going to be a part of it. So, if you're a Mama who is on the other side of a good nights sleep, feel free to leave me a comment about how its worth it.

I'll be back tomorrow with a good story either way.

Sweet dreams!

R

EDITED: Both journals have sold. THANKS, LOVELY PEOPLE!

Make Your Own Journal Tutorial

The Blog will continue to be a work in progress over the next week as I figure out how to make widgets and add a little zing here and there. In the meantime, here's a little journal tutorial for you to do with what you may. I've been going back to this one like an old friend. Its a great way to reuse what you have and see supplies in a new light. I'll be offering a few of these in my Etsy shop later this week for those of you who may have your hands full at the moment.
Valentine's Day is just sneaking up on us! I'm really excited for this pink and red, heart-filled holiday and can't wait to share some fun projects. Any excuse to make something, really.
TUTORIAL
I had an odd shaped piece of sturdy cardboard on hand so I used it as the cover of my travel journal. (It is a similar structure to the mailing envelopes you send when you'd like your photos to not be bent.)


I gathered up any old or useful non-scrapbooky papers that had also been rescued from recycling and cut them to measure 8 1/2" x 11" and then folded them in half.
I used pages from an atlas, a blank calendar page, old letters with interesting designs and plastic windows, a manilla envelope, a page from an Anthropologie catalog, an 8" x 10" picture, etc. and machine-stitched them together in the middle.

I then used double sided tape to adhere them to the back of the journal cover and sewed around three sides and in the center of the last page to secure it firmly.

I like to prepare my travel journals with a few pictures and ephemera as starting points or fillers. I also collected a few items that would be easy to add and general enough that I'd probably use them in the next two weeks. I packed double sided tape, a pen, vinyl alpha stickers, fabric scraps and more scrap paper to keep it interesting.




Its a nice switch from the usual structures of scrapbooking and a lovely way to catch up with yourself.
If you still need another crafty diversion from work, bookmark our new Red Velvet Kit Club Etsy Shop and check in on Jan 18th for our first ever Quilt Kits and Quilt Kit Tutorials.
Bissou, Bissou!

Rachel

Don't Mind Me...

UNDER CONSTRUCTION THIS WEEKEND.

The Latest

Our poor little laptop is without its power cord and dead as a doorknob. It was left behind in Oklahoma but it should be here any day now...any day...hopefully soon...like tomorrow. I've been using my brother's computer to keep up with mail and the kit club blog, etc. but I have very limited ability to upload pics so I shall be back soon with lots of eye candy!

In the meantime I've been thinking about all the ways I'd like to streamline my life, my work and my hobbies. I am setting goals that I'd like to reach this year but more than anything I've been thinking about how different I'd like my attitude to be. Something about the communal, universal reflection and preparation for a new year has allowed my spirit to fall into line without flailing widly in desperation for something sincere to occur. I'm hopeful that good changes are coming.

A well-settled, college friend of ours told Brett he was a little jealous of the struggles we've had since we left Shawnee in 2006. He said rough times refined a person in ways stable times don't because they leave you with something to deal with. It forces change. I had NEVER, NEVER once had that perspective. It was surprising to hear him say that because I was just leaving their perfectly fabulous, Craftsman style home with a large porch and sweet dog thinking how they seem to be right on track. I have these thoughts and later realize they are silly. We each have a story and as similar as some may be, I know its harmful to compare and grow envious.

Keeping a journal over the break was a fresh way for me to validate our story. I think its my favorite kind of therapy. I made one for Elsie with things I found along the way but didn't think fast enough to take any pics before I wrapped it up and gave it to her. I've also had a few e-mails enquiring about the pattern so I'm hoping to have something posted here in the next week or so.

In other news we're offering a Lap Quilt Kit and Tutorial for our January Project Kit at Red Velvet Kit Club so check back around Jan. 17th for more details. Its a simple pattern that will be the gateway drug to quilting for all of you. Don't say that I didn't warn you. Once you've finished one, its hard to stop.

Well, here's to a bright, sparkly January ready to be lived in. Do a little dance or something.

Blog changes coming as soon as our sweet cord makes its way back to us. The little guy is probably sitting at the bottom of some mail bin in Arizona swearing at us under its breath.

Thanks for reading sweet people. Until then...
R