Welcome Bruno the Monkey to the World!

I had so much fun creating this pattern, it kind of just developed itself. I made the dog and cat patterns because of a request I saw but once I started with making up animals, I'm on a kick. My plan is to keep creating until I have a blanket full for me. Yay! I let my sister know which other animals I had in mind and she loves monkeys, so Bruno was born!
In the beginning, I planned for the same look but as I was working, the open mouth and banana slices came to mind and now I find him beyond adorable :o)
I got the look of puffy and lacy stitches that I wanted so happy it all worked out.

Tomorrow, I'm leaving for L.A. for a vacation so looking forward to some nice relaxing time. I'll update when I can but will have limited access. Hope to have more fun things to put up when I get back.

Stay tuned for information about my upcoming class for beginning crocheters. It'll be 2 session and the plan so far is for late June/July.
~Rachel

Shelter - A linocut original print

An Explanation of Original Prints and Ranking:

I put everything I had into this printmaking class. We printed hundreds in hopes of perfection. The original edition was no more than 25 of closest to perfection pieces. I am offering a choice of quality (A, B or C) on Etsy because that made the most sense. There are maybe 15-25 APs that will be offered at most.

An Explanation of the Image:

I wanted everything I had and put into the class to be mine. I chose to create images to illustrate poems and prose I had jotted down previously, those phrases that just jumped out at me with an image.The linoleum board is carved into with the mirror image of the print (the reverse of the words too) with carving tools. A brayer is used to smoothly roll out the ink and then apply it to the cut. Paper is laid over and then it is rolled through a printing press. A barren or wooden spoon may be used as well. Then the paper is removed and placed on a rack to dry. This print features a young girl sitting against the brick wall of an alley holding a cup with a dollar bill and reads "Shelter herself from the truth of the LIGHT"

I just love the boldness and stroke marks you get when working in this medium. It's been a while since I've last done a linocut. Hopefully I will have time for another within the next couple months. I have to work on a smaller scale at home though :o)

Here is the New Pattern :o)

Well, adding this in the last post was giving me issues so I'm attempting it again.
Over the weekend, after some trial and error that drove me crazy, I finally finished my Cat and Heart new granny square patterns. I'm just offering the patterns on Etsy. I only have the patience to make one of each. I plan to continue adding animals to my granny square offers and eventually end up with a blanket for myself.


The patterns will be offered on Etsy. So, you can choose your fave 1 or 2 animals or end up with the whole set too. The process will take months but I love animals and look forward to creating them.

**Stay tuned: I will be offering a Crocheting 101 for beginners class toward the end of May online.

Flower Painting

While working on my MA, I assisted in some after school kids classes at the Y in Manhattan. The best deal was that for every class I assisted in, I got to take one for free. I ended up taking workshops in encaustic, collage and resin. As for classes, I took mostly painting and jewelry making but some drawing as well. Having the allotted time and schedule allowed me to be very productive.
This is an oil of a still life on a 10" x 10" canvas. I set up the fresh flowers and just wanted a pretty and light painting. It is definitely not one of my usual themes but I focused on still lives for that class the entire semester.

Now available on Etsy.