Rachael Herbert - Sweet Nothings

Flourish

2011-11-13T20:04:00.001-05:00

Flourish, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Here is the piece I created for the Square Affair fundraising art exhibition. I'm pleased with how it turned out. It's just a shame that my only photos of it turned out so crumby because of overcast weather - oh well.

Pretty painted keys

2011-09-06T19:57:00.001-04:00

Vintage keys have been popular for some time now, and the variety of interesting shapes really appeal to me. So during a visit to Finnigans market over the long weekend, I was delighted that one of the vendors had a huge assortment of keys to pick from. I selected a dozen, gave them a coat of fresh paint and now have a pretty collection of my own!

reminder

2011-09-04T21:05:00.001-04:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

lollipop-dots

2011-08-28T21:54:00.001-04:00

lollipop-dots, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Plum Love

2011-08-21T21:14:00.001-04:00

PlumLove, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Our little fruit tree that we planted last summer is doing great - I'm so happy to see it with so many plums!

...

2011-08-15T23:08:00.001-04:00

note to self, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Mushroom bookmarks

2011-08-14T22:55:00.001-04:00

Mushroom Pair, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I made these cute little mushroom bookmarks today. They are magnetic so not only do you not lose your page, you don't lose your bookmark either!

Etsy again

2011-08-13T21:59:00.001-04:00

MiniCards, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

After a super long hiatus, I have finally re-opened my Etsy shop. It feels good to be back!

poppy in the garden

2011-06-12T15:55:00.001-04:00

poppy in the garden, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Best wishes

2011-05-29T16:06:00.001-04:00

to Alice, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T07:36:00.001-04:00

You're so Sweet, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Tea for Two

2011-04-07T06:50:00.001-04:00

Tea for Two, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

TGIF

2011-03-25T20:05:00.001-04:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I worked extra hard this week and I am very happy the weekend is here!

A sunny hello

2011-03-20T21:48:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Spring is in the air - and i'm loving the sunshine and warmer temperatures!

Happy Heart

2011-02-13T15:09:00.002-05:00

Happy Heart, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I managed to cut an ice cream cone in half to share with the mr... afterall it is Valentine's Day tomorrow ;)

Happy Locks

2011-01-04T15:38:00.002-05:00

Happy Locks, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I am so pleased with my new products from 100% Pure - yummy natural goodness for skin & hair.

Happy New Year

2011-01-03T17:10:00.001-05:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Let's make it the best one yet!

2010-10-30T08:37:00.002-04:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

a dose of happy

2010-08-04T07:04:00.002-04:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

with no ill side effects :P

one of these things is not like the other..

2010-08-02T21:19:00.002-04:00

one of these things is not like the other.., originally uploaded by Rachael H.

You say tomato

2010-07-27T23:00:00.003-04:00

Cheery Tomatoes :P, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

A handful of cheery tomatoes makes a happy Monday!

fumbling & blundering

2010-07-21T22:40:00.002-04:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

..the first in a series of descriptive word pairings - more to come!

2010-07-13T07:49:00.001-04:00

FastFood, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

How sweet it is!

2010-07-05T17:19:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Papercut Flowers

2010-07-03T11:04:00.001-04:00

papercut flowers, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

this morning i made a handful of sweet kirigami flowers - reminding me of the papercut snowflakes i would make as a kid!

Smile

2010-06-18T07:12:00.001-04:00

Daisy Cake, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

... it's Friday!

It's true

2010-06-13T21:13:00.004-04:00

Love Bug, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

this little car runs on caffeinated beverages and sugar, and only emits a trail of hearts as it travels on its merry way!

Rockin' Lollipops

2010-06-10T07:06:00.002-04:00

CandyGuitars, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Just playing with some new image ideas with these candy lollipop guitars.. It's pretty weird when you think about all the shapes, colors and varieties of sugar we can consume! :P

Today in the garden..

2010-05-30T21:16:00.001-04:00

Prettiness, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

this tiger swallowtail hung around just long enough for me to capture it's prettiness.

Miss you already!

2010-05-19T11:37:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Just got back from England - I kept seeing funky Union Jack designs everywhere... inspired I made this cushion while I was there. Now it's back to business as usual!

Happy Fungi

2010-04-14T07:03:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Paper Cutting

2010-04-04T10:05:00.007-04:00

Friday was a day off, so I made some time for my first paper cutting project... Endearing words from the movie Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner). I am already planning my next one, so I would say it was a success.

More eggs...

2010-03-30T23:03:00.003-04:00

for Easter!

patiently waiting...

2010-03-27T12:48:00.010-04:00

I'm off to dear old blighty in the near future - yipee!

Adieu Winter

2010-03-20T15:21:00.001-04:00

tcGrass, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

"Goodbye Winter / Parting is sorrow /
But your exit is such / That my heart laughs."

-- Hoffman von Fallersleben

Cute fruit

2010-03-13T15:40:00.003-05:00

strawberries, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I've been playing with my food again!

Good Eggs

2010-03-07T10:45:00.003-05:00

BlueBirds originally uploaded by Rachael H.

The sun is out, I can feel Spring just around the corner. :)

In progress

2010-02-04T06:53:00.003-05:00

In progress, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

a paper tree forrest!

2010-01-31T17:39:00.001-05:00

, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

House Shelf

2010-01-24T16:12:00.003-05:00

House Shelf, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I bought this adorable shelf last weekend when I went thrifting for $3. It's perfect for my office and it only took a couple coats of paint to make it super cute - yay!

If you go into the woods today..

2010-01-14T07:36:00.001-05:00

If you go into the woods today.., originally uploaded by Rachael H.

A New Year

2010-01-03T19:08:00.002-05:00

CertainPeopleIKnow, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Hope it's a good one.

Thrifted Chair

2009-10-18T22:34:00.001-04:00

Thrifted Chair, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

One of the 2 chairs I bought at a furniture thrift shop this weekend. I see potential, do you?

I started removing the old paint layers today with a chemical stripping product. Silly me thought it would be a relatively simple and quick process... but it's turning out to be a bigger task than I expected. Hopefully I'll have it ready for a fresh coat of paint next weekend.

Cheerful Patterns

2009-10-16T07:04:00.001-04:00

Cheerful Patterns, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

yup more photos of patterns I see around me :P

Sean & Annie's Wedding

2009-10-12T09:32:00.001-04:00

Sean & Annie's Wedding, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

My brother and his girlfriend were married on September 26th, and what a beautiful day it was. I offered to help out by making the invitations, table menus & placecards.

70's design

2009-08-30T19:33:00.003-04:00

Thrifted Mug, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Not really something I needed, but I couldn't resist buying these ironstone aqua mugs at my local thrift shop.

Mushroom Party

2009-07-19T13:17:00.001-04:00

Mushroom Party, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Monday Morning

2009-05-25T21:40:00.001-04:00

Morning, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

So Happy Together

2009-04-18T11:24:00.001-04:00

So Happy Together, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Making cute with my cutlery this morning.. it's been a while since I've made time for such silliness!

hedgies

2009-03-15T22:42:00.001-04:00

hedgies, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Little paper hedgehogs on their way to England - it's Mother's Day in the UK next Sunday - and thankfully I remebered on time this year - yay!

Blue bird, blue skies

2009-01-24T15:42:00.001-05:00

Blue, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Terribly cold, but there is a lovely blue sky and the sun shines brightly today. It's a perfect day to stay home and play catch-up with the online world with a hot cup of tea and yummy biscuits. :)

Grin and bare it

2009-01-18T21:45:00.001-05:00

grin and bare it, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

It's all I can do when it's so insanely cold outside! I'm trying not to let thoughts of growth, green and warmth enter my mind since it'll be a while before there will be an end to this chilly winter weather but... Mr. Sunshine please come out and hang around for a little while why don't ya? ;)

All the best

2008-12-27T15:44:00.001-05:00

happy, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Hope your having a good time this holiday season and Happy New year too!

What a way to make a livin'

2008-10-13T21:58:00.002-04:00

working girl, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Packed lunches, ironed clothes, getting a decent night's sleep, waking up early, travelling to work... yup, i'm part of the 'regular' work force once more. And that's why I've been neglecting my little blog - hopefully I'll be around more soon.

Gocco-love

2008-08-25T17:59:00.001-04:00

gocco love, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Wheee!! I made my first prints with my Gocco machine. I wanted a Gocco for so long and I was so happy when my husband gifted me one last Christmas - yes it's been around for 8 months already. :o

Then for silly reasons I stalled in actually using it... wanting my first print to be something spectacular, intimidating mysef in thinking that the whole printing process would be very complicated, telling myself that the house temperature was never ideal (too cool in the winter / too hot this summer), yada yada...

So today, on a whim I decided it was time to print some cards. I used my simple 'love' doodle that I did a couple weeks ago. I only wanted to use black ink and I thought this simple illustration would reproduce well and i'm super pleased with the results. I may add some hints of colour by hand - still trying to decide. I guess my only regret is that it took me this long to finally get my act together and give it a go. It was so much fun!

Cute Cookies

2008-08-15T14:30:00.002-04:00

cute cookies, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Lots to think about these days - Nothing that a couple tiny smiles & cookies won't solve... yum for Peek Freans Blueberry Brown Sugar w/flax biscuits :P

Single socks

2008-08-14T01:26:00.001-04:00

single socks, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Once again the mysterious disappearing act of a sock has occured while doing laundry. I have to wonder.. where do all these stray socks go? And how long does one keep the sad single sock that remains in hopes of a happy reunion?

Love Grows Here

2008-08-10T14:13:00.001-04:00

Love Grows Here, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

...

2008-08-07T09:32:00.005-04:00

I had some serious computer problems last week that left me with no option but to have a few days down time. At first I was extremely frustrated without my computer - we hang out EVERY day together! I wasn't able to work, edit photos, or draw (digitally)... but once I accepted that was my deal I secretly liked it.

the secret lives of mushrooms

2008-07-23T12:46:00.005-04:00

the secret lives of mushrooms, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

To my delight I found a bunch of toadstools this morning in the far end of our yard. I only went back there to look for the cat that's been hanging around our yard lately.

This morning I saw the kitty (after hearing tiny squeels) with what looked like a small bird in it's mouth. It ran off with it when I went out to investigate. Maybe my backyard with it's busy bird feeder makes for easy hunting? I hope not... Oh well, these happy little mushrooms were the good that came out of it all. :)

clean up

2008-07-22T14:08:00.002-04:00

clean up, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Last night we did some cleaning up some the basement - stuff we haven't dealt with since we moved in and I found this old paint can. Love the graphic, too bad there was so much paint spilled on it.

It's true

2008-07-17T17:09:00.003-04:00

wish, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

How can I not when I see a vast starry sky above me ??

a crumby start to the week

2008-07-15T13:06:00.003-04:00

a crumby start to the week, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Some weeks just begin on a sour note don't they? Expensive car repairs, injuries, valuable time used up running silly errands... I must keep reminding myself that things could be far worse - Here's to a brighter second half!

Twine Nest

2008-07-11T11:11:00.003-04:00

twine nest, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

So sweet (& practical) decole goodness I just couldn't resist. :)
Happy Friday!!

Lemon Poppyseed Loaf

2008-07-06T14:39:00.002-04:00

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons lemon zest
1/2 cup poppy seeds

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter or margarine, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
4. Mix lemon juice and yogurt together and add alternately with the sifted flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until just blended. Stir in lemon rind and poppy seeds. Pour mixture into prepared pans and smooth tops.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes or until browned and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on rack for 15 minutes before turning out of pans.

Enjoy!

yeild: 2 - 9x5 inch loaves

cherry belle

2008-06-25T14:26:00.002-04:00

cherry belle radishes, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

radishes - fresh from the garden

Six unimportant things about me

2008-06-24T13:12:00.010-04:00

Six unimportant things about me, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Christy has tagged me to share 6 unimportant things about myself, so I decided to answer in doodles.

1. I prefer giftwrap over gift bags
2. I love good old fashioned snail mail
3. I broke my thumb when i was 16 trying to punch my brother
4. I have lived in 12 different houses or apartments in my lifetime
5. My first job was working at a flower auction
6. I love Haribo 'Micro Mix' which I have only found on my trips to the UK

Okay so now I tag anyone of my bloggy friends who would like to participate in the fun (Julie K, Kris, Hazel, Chelsea Ann?)

Ideas

2008-06-19T11:15:00.002-04:00

ideas, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

They never seem to come one at a time... not a bad thing, but there aren't enough hours in the day!

ps - it's also raining today

flying cars

2008-06-18T14:46:00.002-04:00

flying cars, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

A funny thing someone said to me last weekend. I'm not sure if it was a genuine sentiment or if she was just being funny... Perhaps a bit of both.

Cute Clover

2008-06-11T21:18:00.002-04:00

cute clover, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

More tiny smiles from the garden :)

Wee carrot

2008-06-07T13:39:00.002-04:00

Wee carrot, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Adding a teeny face made it even cuter :P

Sprouting

2008-06-06T12:14:00.007-04:00

I'm happy to see some activity going on in our little garden. We were late planting seeds, but you can see how the radishes and onions have sprouted. We also have carrots & sunflowers on the way... Now my task is to make sure the neighbourhood groundhog stays out of our veggie patch. Yup - I've caught sight of him hanging out under the bird feeder, and I imagine fresh veg will be even more to his liking! :o

Happy Weekend!

milk glass vases

2008-06-03T16:28:00.002-04:00

milk glass vases, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Yay - someone unloaded their collection at the Salvation Army... I bought 10 pieces for under $20. Perfect for the built-in shelves in my dining room!

On top of the world (today)

2008-05-30T13:23:00.002-04:00

stacked, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Which one are you?

lily-of-the-valley

2008-05-29T11:33:00.002-04:00

lily-of-the-valley, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

A jar of them make a room smell so good!

s+p

2008-05-22T09:27:00.002-04:00

s+p, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Continuing on the birdie theme... I just love my new salt & pepper shakers that Lee gave me for my birthday.

Backyard Birds

2008-05-21T12:10:00.002-04:00

cardinal, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I bought a bird feeder over the weekend and the pair of Cardinals that I have been spotting in my garden every so often have now become regulars. The blackbirds have already decided it's much easier to just land and shake the seed out of the feeder and then proceed to feast from the ground, and the squirrels are joining in too! Uh-oh i'm turning into a nerdy birdie girl!! :P

cherry chilli chocolate

2008-05-16T18:15:00.003-04:00

cherry chilli choco, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I want to like it... it's an interesting combo. At first the dark chocolate is mostly just sweet and then the heat of the chili kicks in... it's just not my thing I guess!

Floral Line

2008-05-15T11:34:00.005-04:00

floral line, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I love these gorgeous new plates my brother & his girlfriend gave me for my birthday. With their colourful and delicate line drawings they are perfect for summer and for me! :)

Birthday Wisdom

2008-05-14T15:34:00.001-04:00

cake day, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Brit Trip

2008-05-12T10:22:00.004-04:00

Brit Trip, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Back from my holiday in England and I had a fantastic visit! I had to hold myself back on the shopping this time round because I could easily spend a small fortune in some of my favorite shops - although I did pick up a few tiny treasures and some favorite sweets. My only disapointment was that I never made it to the Orla Kiely shop while in Covent Garden - Oh well next time definitely!!

Book Tagged

2008-04-11T20:26:00.015-04:00

Christy has tagged me and I have decided to play along since I am actually reading a book... The book tag rules are as follows: Pick up a book of at least 123 pages, Open the book to page 123, Find the fifth sentence, Post the next three sentences, & then tag five people to do the same.

Currently i'm reading Radical Simplicity by Dan Price - Here are the 3 lines from it:

"We were wondering why all these dingy little shacks that were built in the 20's and 30's are so expensive. When you think about it, all those boards and shingles and glass and doors and wiring and plumbing pipes are very old and were paid for years and years ago. Certainly they all had a worth when they were brand new."

That's it. Out of context it isn't a very thought provoking passage - but the book is really great and has got me thinking about "home", how I choose to live, and how I could be living more simply. Ok, now i'm tagging anyone who might be reading and would like to participate! :)

Cheerful

2008-04-09T19:57:00.004-04:00

Happy Mail, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Today there was a colourful package peeping out from my mailbox from my dear design buddy Kris. There's something so special about receiving a posted parcel that can't be beat... and when it contains carefully wrapped handmade goodness and brownie mix (how appropriate is that after my last post? - i swear this girl and I were separated at birth) well I'm in heaven! Thanks again Kris!

yup

2008-04-07T01:06:00.002-04:00

:P, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

...

2008-03-27T19:33:00.001-04:00

for Lee, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

warning

2008-03-06T13:11:00.004-05:00

..and so can I!

That Lady

2008-02-22T16:22:00.001-05:00

That Lady, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

blah blah blah

2008-02-21T11:15:00.001-05:00

Ladies, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Better Times

2008-02-20T11:05:00.002-05:00

waiting, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

We have had a varied winter so far with plenty of snow and rain, deep freeze and thaw... Now that we are past mid-February I am looking forward to Spring, so last night I picked up this little hyacinth to remind me that it won't be long now. :)

Happy Hearts

2008-02-13T21:27:00.001-05:00

it grows, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Hope you have a lovely day!

Goodbye

2008-02-08T13:41:00.001-05:00

RIP, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

all those years... you served us well!

Cute Bread Pair

2008-02-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

New larger size card now available in my shop :)

Nuts!!

2008-02-07T16:44:00.000-05:00

Love this little matchbook-style notebook by Artemis (it's my husbands actually)!

IF - Tales & Legends

2008-01-29T10:32:00.001-05:00

Flossie, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Have you heard the tale of Flossie and her enchanting pink string?

A few clouds

2008-01-28T15:26:00.001-05:00

Mr.Sunshine, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

Feeling happy about the sunshine today that's all!

A New Lamp

2008-01-21T14:01:00.001-05:00

my new lamp, originally uploaded by Rachael H.

I'm still not sure where it will go in my house but I could not resist this stylish Todd Oldham lamp. I picked it up from Winners on sale for $19.99. :)

Baby it's cold outside!

2008-01-20T17:45:00.001-05:00

We have this crazy ancient indicator light (i've nicknamed it rudolph) in our house that turns on when it's -12 or colder outside. Even though it's cute, it's not a good thing when it comes on... basically it's to let us know we're being charged more for our electricity consumption. Today I made him paper antlers. :)

Gocco at last!!

2008-01-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

Look what I got... the much-loved Japanese print gocco! I have been wanting one for such a long time and my husband bought me one for Christmas (it arrived late due to some crazy postal stuff) but it is here at last! Yay!!

Now I need to plan my 1st print... I know the design ideas are endless but since the bulbs are a one time use I want to think this out. I'll keep you posted on the results - wish me luck! :)

Too Many Tuh-May-tohs

2008-01-06T15:33:00.000-05:00

My office space

2008-01-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

I have been terrible at remembering to take photos of the updates we make on our new home. Mainly I forgot (or keep forgetting) to take "before" pictures. For some of the rooms that we have already tackled I only have the listing photos from the real estate agent (very tiny & poor image quality) but they'll do... Can you see the difference? It's almost complete, I just need to add some artwork on the walls. For Christmas I got 2 gorgeous AnneJulie prints from my brother, as soon as they're framed they'll go up! :)