Doodled Rocks with Washi Tape Tutorial DIY

Thought I'd show you what I've been making lately ... with rocks, washi tape, and a white gel pen. Washi is really the leader, as I just stick rocks with pieces of washi that I like and then react to the washi on the rocks with a white gel pen by adding little doodles and marks.

For the one below, I cut the thicker washi with the fun chevron patterin in half lengthwise and let the pattern in the tape guide the entire design.
Gift toppers. Paper weights. Favors. Hostess gifts.

Rock on. :)

OMG! Wooden Fish + Nautical Pillow

OMG!
The Best of Etsy

L :: Wooden Fish Decor

R :: Nautical Pillow

Announcing My New Book :: Stamp It!

I am thrilled to announce my new book: Stamp It! It's a book that has 45 fabulous projects and 200 motifs that you can use to carve your own stamps for DIY printing.

The comprehensive Basics section will teach you how to transfer designs onto rubber, carve that rubber, and then use that carved rubber to make the funnest, hippest projects around.

Many thanks to the amazing designers who contributed the projects and motifs for this book. They are (in order of appearance):

Riyo Kihara
Memi the Rainbow
Josephine Ho
Kerri Winterstein
Ishtar Olivera Belart
Gertie Jaquet
Noelle Griskey
Sarah K. Patro
Cynthia Shaffer

Stamp It! is available everywhere books are sold, including on Amazon right here. Many thanks to my entire book team for their outstanding work in making this one come to life.

Here's a tiny little video that gives you a peek inside the book. Hope you'll check it out. Enjoy!

OMG! Pillowcase Set + Tea Towels

OMG!
The Best of Etsy

L :: His and Hers Pillowcase Set

R :: Large Tea Towels

PalatePalette :: Butternut Squash and Coconut Milk Rice Recipe

Inspired by Butternut Squash and Coconut Milk Rice Recipe by Tartelette

Left to Right
RGB :: 242+116+5 • 2237+237+242 • 129+140+138 • 48+114+140 • 242+215+182
CMYK :: 0+52+98+5 • 8+2+0+5 • 8+0+1+45 • 66+19+0+45 • 0+11+25+5

OMG! Floral Dishtowel + Shirley Poppy Print

OMG!
The Best of Etsy

L :: Floral Dishtowel
R :: Shirley Poppy Print

We Welcome :: Stephanie Ackerman

This week, we welcome Guest Curator, Stephanie Ackerman.
Read her ART SAVES story here.
Keep up with her curated links all week long here.
Register for her Online Class here.

Announcing :: Paint, Color & Figure-Doodling with Jennifer Mercede

I'm super excited to announce that Jennifer Mercede will return to Studio CRESCENDOh this summer on July 20-21 to teach a 2-day workshop titled:

Paint, Color & Figure-Doodling

This workshop is a continuation of Jennifer's debut workshop from last year where she taught students in our studio her signature methods of doodling and painting.

This time around, there will be a new component added to the workshop where students will spend 3 hours working with a nude model, including an exploration of blind contour model doodling, followed with painting.


Space is limited.
For those who missed out on Jennifer's workshop last summer, I'm happy that this new opportunity may be here for you at just the right time.

Enrollment is OPEN NOW and you can enroll here.

See you in the studio. :)

Peppermint Water Recipe

Wanted to pass along a great tip that I learned from a friend, on how to make Peppermint Water—great when you need a boost while working out or a boost late in the afternoon when you're fading out.

WHAT YOU NEED
- 16-22 ounces of water in a bottle*
- Small bottle of peppermint essential oil (I got mine from Mother's Market)

WHAT YOU DO
- Put one drop of peppermint oil into your water bottle filled with water. (One drop is really all you need. It goes a LONG way.)
- Close the water bottle and give it a nice shake so the oil gets nicely mixed.
- Enjoy!


*My water bottle is by Life Factory. It's made of pure glass, which makes water taste the best. The bottle comes with a  cradled by  a silicone sleeve, so that even if the bottle gets knocked around a bit, it will prevent breakage. I have a 22-ounce flip cap version with a little flip top that can open and close ... great for the gym. But the top also unscrews completely ... great for when I'm crazy thirsty. I try to drink 3 of these a day ... not always with the peppermint oil. That's just when I need a pick-me-up.
To water.
To life.

EDIT IN: Research regarding peppermint oil shows that it is a safe to consume at recommended dosages (adults .2 to .4 mL three times a day and children .1 to .2 mL three times a day) but that it can have negative effects due to potential toxicity that can occur at higher/excessive doses. Here's an article that explains.

Join Me and Pam for Painted Parasols at French General on May 11th!

It's a Painteded Paper Parasol by Pam Garrison.
So adorably perfect, right?

It's what I'll be making in her Painted Parasols class at French General on May 11th from 1-4PM.

Lettering ...
Painting ...
Embellishing ...

A day filled with lots of fun for sure. Why don't you join us? Here's the link to sign up for the class. See you at The French General!