It Was A Business Meeting, I Promise.

I went into the new Red Velvet shop yesterday afternoon strictly on business. I needed to take some helpful photos of my Felt Doll Fashion Board for an upcoming tutorial (um, hello Christmas present idea!), and needed to discuss the details of some cupcakes for Ruby's birthday celebration. I fully intended to take home at least one cupcake for Sebastian, the supreme lover of cupcakes at our household, but once I got to the counter I had to have one for each of us and a caramel apple just because I hadn't had a reputable one all season.

I was powerless to the Salted Caramel Cupcake that should've appeared in this photo but never made it home. Emma makes the most moist (and I really don't enjoy that word 'moist') cupcakes I've ever indulged in and each one feels like a little party of it's own! The bubble tea is pretty exciting, too. Just ask my kids. In fact, here is a photo from my iPhone of Sebastian devouring the Snickerdoodle cupcake I picked out for him. He's always just been a frosting man so to eat the whole thing was kind of of telling. They're that good!

I may need to limit myself to one business meeting at the shop per month.

xoxo,
Rachel

The Chalkboard Says...

My chalkboard thought bubbles have been restocked over at Red Velvet Art!

As seen in TheKnot and Bust magazines, they are perfect for your next photo shoot, a fall wedding, or the photo booth at your company party!

You can get yours right here.

Happy Autumn!
xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. photos by Emma

Small Craft Starts Monday, September 13th!

This weekend is your last chance to sign up for our latest online handmade class, Small Craft! We've got the schedule and supply list posted on our private blog for those who have already joined us so that you can have all of your materials ready for our first week of fantastic projects! I'm excited about having so many creative mamas, aunties, etc. all in one place and I can imagine we'll all be adding a few new blogs and twitter feeds to our lists.

One of my favorite parts about our online classes is the new friendships that come out of the gathering of people who all 'get it'. It's always refreshing to find other people who understand exactly why you need to stay in and work on your granny square afghan or that you save old t-shirts so you can turn them into t-shirt yarn because...don't you know there are like SO many things you can make out of t-shirt yarn!

I hope you and the little ones in your life can join the rest of us for six weeks of fun and bonding! It is the total cure for that itch to make stuff once the weather turns colder.

See you there!

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. photo by Elsie.

I Get To Wear A Pretty Dress To Elsie's Wedding

Elsie and Emma hosted a cupcake party under the guise of testing out Emma's recipes and getting photos for her portfolio but really they just needed a bunch of their friends and family to show up at the same time to invite us to be bridesmaids in Elsie and Jeremy's wedding. I can usually see these things coming a mile away but those two have twice pulled off grand surprises that I've been lucky enough to be a part of.

These were some random shots from my camera using the Hipstamatic while carrying Ruby in a sling on my other side. She was squirmy. Janae was there taking photos and Elsie has shared some beautiful ones on her blog here and here. I'm so thrilled to be a part of the unfolding story of their lives together and love that I get to share this piece with these lovely girls that I admire.

Be back soon with some projects I probably shouldn't be starting!
xoxo,
Rachel

Small Craft Video Sneak Peek

Hi! Elsie and I spent a good part of today filming videos for Small Craft, our upcoming online class. We are each doing 3 projects in video sessions! While we were at it, we filmed a quick little sneak peek video for you...

Small Craft from elsie flannigan on Vimeo.

This is one of Elsie's favorite projects. It's called the 'Gramma Chic Diaper Bag'! I'm pretty sure this is what I was wanting to do with my mustard yellow train case when Ruby was born. I still have it and I think it's going to get a makeover for fall!

Don't you love those adorable handmade dresses on our 'studio' backdrop?!

P.S. Earlybird registration includes a download of all 6 of Elsie's paper doll designs as a fun bonus! There are 5 girls plus a cute dress set that you can print out at home! Register here. (all photos Elsie's.)

xoxo,
Rachel

Small Craft Online Class [Details & Registration Information]

I'm thrilled to introduce you to our brand new online class called Small Craft! Small Craft is a six week class full of fun projects for kiddos (newborn to age 10). Projects are primarily designed to make as fun gifts for kids with some interactive projects that children can participate in as well! This class is designed for anyone who has a cute kiddo in their lives that they'd love to craft for!

What is Small Craft?

This 6 week class is open to students worldwide. Tutorials are posted throughout the week and students are encouraged to work at their own pace, there are no deadlines! The class includes 30 Project Tutorials with 6 video sessions included in those projects! The class starts September 13th and runs for 6 weeks. There are two video Q&A sessions with Elsie & Rachel included (Students get to ask questions in advance and we answer them in one big private video... it's so much fun!). Note: There are a few sewing projects included in this class that require access to a sewing machine.

SMALL CRAFT
$60

*These are just a few peeks at projects we've created for this class! Rachel and I both agree that this is one of the most inspired classes we've created. We've had SO much fun developing it together.

Meet Your Teachers...

I'm a work-at-home mom of two! I love coming up with D.I.Y. projects for my son, Sebastian, and daughter, Ruby. I love interior design and have created some amazing kiddo bedroom projects for this class!

Elsie is a full time independent boutique owner and proof that you don't have to be a mom to be in love with creating pretty things for little people. She's an aunt and loves making things for the kids in her life as well as for her shop! ♥ We're both excited to share our projects and know they'll be so fun to work on into the fall season and through the holidays!

Projects include: Pretty, Pretty: Customizable dress pattern for all sizes, The Well-Styled Child: DIY scarves for fall, A Mid-Century Modern Fort, Abra Cadabra: Bedroom makeover tips and tricks, Here's The Skinny: Two necktie patterns and embroidery samples, Use Your Words: An art journal just for them, Traveling Puppet Theater, Modern Geometry: A block set you can both live with, What's For Lunch: DIY lunchbox, Monster Bibs, Snack Attack: Fun snacks for little fingers, Storybook Plushies, The Starving Artist's Smock/Apron, All Dressed Up And No Place To Go: Fun photo shoot ideas through imaginative play and handmade props, Upcycled Dress Up Chest: Includes three felt mask patterns and tips on creating costumes....and more!

Class cost $60 (only $10 per week or $2 per project!) Payable via paypal (button above) or through credit card in our online store.

*Private blog info will be sent within 36 hours of payment.

Questions? Please e-mail racheldenbow(at)gmail(dot)com

Hope you can join us!! We've put a lot of extra love into this class and can't wait to share it with you!

xoxo,

Rachel

Small Craft Online Class Sneak Peek!

Elsie Flannigan and I are excited to share a little taste of our Fall Online Class with you! Aptly named, Small Craft is full of projects for little people. We've created 30 projects that let your favorite kiddo explore their imagination through dress up and creative play and included plenty of style with ways to customize their wardrobe, tips on room makeovers, and hands on projects to encourage your budding artist.

My projects have already been kid tested and approved but now I'm wondering why I didn't save some of them for Christmas presents! I might still be making multiples of a few of them because every kid needs a traveling puppet theater and dress up chest in their arsenal of creative toys! We've included a little something for all ages and can't wait to share full details with you soon. Check back on Wednesday, August 25th for the project list and more photos. Registration will begin that evening at 7 p.m. CST. We hope you can join us in making their world a little more magical!

xoxo,
Rachel

Retro Beauty School by Miss Elsie Flannigan

The lovely Elsie Flannigan is offering a new E-Course all about personal fashion style! Her latest class includes 10 sessions that utilize video lessons, step-by-step photos, and articles covering topics like '3 Thrifty Makovers', '10 Pretty Ideas for Under $10', 'Step by Step Hairstyle Guide: 1960's Bump and 1970's Curls' and 'Vintage Shopping Tips for Pros'! Find out all the details in this post and then head over here to join in. This new class is perfect for anyone interested in developing their own vintage style!

We're in Southern Missouri this weekend letting my 16 year old SIL drive us around in the van with hip hop and pop music blaring. With a trip down to the Springs and Sonic drinks for all, it's been a pretty fun weekend. Be back soon.

xoxo,
Rachel

Red Velvet Summer Update

Elsie has just updated Red Velvet Art with a ton of handmade and vintage accessories for your summer wardrobe. Some of my favorite pieces below!

Check them out while they're still available!

I've also restocked the shop with thought bubble chalkboards. They'd make the perfect 'going off to college and living in a dorm room' gift. Who wants a boring message board when you can tell your new hall friends to meet you in the student center for a late night ( fill in the blank ) on something with some personality!

Be back soon!
xoxo,
Rachel

Chalkboard Thought Bubble Photo Call

If you've purchased one of my originally designed chalkboard thought bubbles from Red Velvet Art and have photos of yourself or others using it, send it my way! I'd love to share happy customer photos with Smile And Wave readers.

(READ: good excuse to do a little photo shoot this week!)

xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. photo by Wess

Summer Camp Is Coming!

Our most nostalgic online craft class is starting this coming week! Registration ends Sunday. For more details, look here. Or sign up at the RVA site. We can't wait to share six weeks full of inspiration, fun craft projects, chats and more. Here's a little face time!

Untitled from elsie flannigan on Vimeo.

xoxo,

Rachel

Oh, Hello!

source

Well we've been a little preoccupied these last few days with getting ready for and leaving for a little (big) trip! (Thank you for the concerned e-mails!) Let's just say my kids already have sand in places where the sun don't shine and I'm currently on my fifth piece of salt water taffy. We watched my brother graduate from flight school on Tuesday morning and are now enjoying a fantastic view of the Gulf of Mexico, sans tar balls. I'll be in and out but it may be a little quieter on the blog front for a few days. Can you blame me?

If you need me, send me an e-mail. I may or may not respond until the 14th unless it is related to our upcoming RVA Summer Camp class which is still on sale here. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out a few of my new sponsors if you haven't already!

xoxo,
Rachel

Summer Camp Registration

In case you were away this holiday weekend we're now accepting registration for our RVA Summer Camp! Details here. Because you can still go to camp from the comfort of your own computer.

xoxo,
Rachel

RVA Summer Camp Registration

Red Velvet Summer Camp spots are now available for purchase! Elsie Flannigan and I are excited to share six weeks of handmade crafty goodness with special guest projects from Leigh-Ann, Holly and Emma. We'll keep your hands busy all summer long with 30 DIY projects for your home and outdoor enjoyment. Class starts June 14th! Full details here.

RVA SUMMER CAMP
$60.00

We'll be hosting three live chats for our students to ask questions, get to know classmates, and share resources. Anyone can take this class! Due to it's online format we are able to accommodate internationals or anyone interested in joining in that has a busy schedule. Our private blog will host all projects and document chats for a full year so you can come back and work on your projects at your own pace.

Our step-by-step instructions along with photos are designed for beginners in mind and most projects can be made with generic craft supplies found at your local craft store. NOTE: This class is appropriate for all ages & family friendly, but projects are primarily set up for an adult skill level. :)

Project List Sampling: 10 Button Based Embroidery Patterns, 'Hello' Woven Floor Mat, Summer Log Art Journal, 3 Upcycled Tank Tops, Pup Tent, Loom DIY, Swiss Cross Pillow, Beaded Chandelier, Pretty Wind Chime, Beach Blanket, Hanging Lanterns, Fresh Fruit Apron Makeover, Tea Party Decor D.I.Y., Plush Scout Animal, Mini Party Garland, and a Scout's Honor Merit Badge Project. Full list here.

Registration

*Payments accepted via PayPal and the Red Velvet site via credit card.

* You'll receive your private blog information within 24 hours of payment via e-mail. NOTE: If your PayPal address is not the same as your regular e-mail account you'll need to notify us so we can add your regular e-mail to our list.

*If you have questions, please e-mail racheldenbow(at)gmail(dot)com.

RVA SUMMER CAMP
$60.00

We're so excited to share these new projects. See you at camp!

xoxo,
Rachel