Artist Love: Beci Orpin

I am a big fan of Beci Orpin's work. I love the bright color palette she uses paired with geometric shapes and crafty mediums like paper cut-outs and yarn pom poms. Last week I treated myself to her new craft book, Find & Keep and have been turning it's pages over and over. Beci's book is colorful eye candy meets fun craft projects! My favorite!

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I was SUPER excited to find out she has also done a collaboration with Urban Outfitters! I am swooning over it all. 

She is having a giveaway this weekend on her blog too! Fingers crossed I win!

Shop Update!

I've spent this week finishing up my Valentine's Day card designs, taking new photographs, and freshening my Etsy shop. Be sure to take a look at my new designs and choose the perfect greeting for you sweetheart!

My Valentine Note Cards are back in the shop too! Both designs are available in 6-packs and single cards.

I also finished a new painting. This one is one of my favorites. It's available in both 8x10 and 11x14 sizes.

Lastly, Society6 is offering free shipping now through Sunday! Check out my newest iPhone Cases, Tote Bags, T-Shirts and Throw Pillows.

CLICK HERE to receive free shipping from Society6.

January Mood

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This month I feel drawn inward.

Reflection. Dreams. Comfort. Peace.

I'm especially loving the colors pink and green at the moment. I think because they remind me of the warmth of spring and the beginning of new things. January is always a tired month for me. I'm worn out from the holiday season and aching for sunshine and warmer weather. Living in Portland, warm weather is still months away, so I'm lighting candles and bundling up with my art journal and new watercolors and colored pencils. Giving myself a some time to breathe, clear my head and get started on new projects.

A New Year

Happy New Year! 2012 was a good year and I look forward to new and fun things in 2013. I've spent this week cleaning, reorganizing, drawing, working on new Valentine's Day cards (I can't wait to share them when they're done!), and filling in my new 2013 planner.

While my sister was in town for the holidays she got me off my bum and outside jogging. It made me realize how much I've missed exercising with her, so we've decided to make a fitness plan together for 2013. Using the Nike+ App and Instagram, we plan to jog 'together' (she lives on the east coast). We'll be snapping photos of our progress with the tag #SissyFit. Our goal for the month of January is to run a combined 75 miles. Each month we will set a new goal and choose a new reward for our progress!

Now for my favorite part of about our SissyFit challenge, the reward! I thought it would be fun to get matching tie-dye sports bras for our first reward, and this one from Free People is my favorite.

I think making a new goal (and choosing a new reward :) for every month will help motivate me to keep at it. And I know our SissyFit challenge will make exercising more fun and encouraging for the both of us! What are your new goals for 2013 and how do you plan to make them happen?

Christmas Fairies

I wish I had a chance to post about this sooner, but thought it being Christmas day and all, it still wasn't too late to share these little Christmas Fairy ornaments I made for gifts this year. They were originally inspired by this post I found via Pinterest. Their bodies are made from hand-painted old-fashioned clothespins, their dresses are yarn pom poms and I added wings made of felt and glitter. They turned out so darling and made a sweet addition to Christmas trees everywhere.

I didn't do hardly any Christmas shopping this year and opted to make things for friends and family instead. In addition to the fairy ornaments I made some tiki-themed homemade goodies for people to enjoy. I even ordered some pretty labels from my work to package them up in.

Hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing Christmas! Peace, Rachel

Vintage Christmas Trees

I've loved collecting vintage photos of Christmas trees this year. They seem so much more elaborate than our modern day Christmas trees (so much tinsel and trains!)

Something about seeing these vintage black and white photos really just draws me in. I can only imagine what these were like in real life!

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Christmas Cheer: Day 7

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