Complicated Simplicity

a glimpse (jan 08 2011)...

sometimes the desire to create is so strong i have to almost impulsively get working. p is amazing-supporting all of my ideas and praising every single thing i make. (inspired by habit)

Get your own watercolor word in my Etsy shop: barrentree.

winner(s)!!!

Yup, since I had two commenters, I decided you both win! Erin and Suzanne-e-mail me (racheldallaire@gmail.com) your word, the color you want and your mailing addresses and I'll get these made and sent to you! :-) Thanks for reading and for commenting!!!

giveaway

New posts will appear under this one until the giveaway has ended. :-)

I'm giving away a custom watercolor word from my Etsy shop to one lucky winner! Winner picks the word (or name) and the color they want (like yellow based or green based or purple based, etc). :-)

To enter: Just leave a comment below. I'll choose a winner (using random.org) on Tuesday (giveway ends Monday 1/3 at midnight EST). Good luck!

one little word 2011 + barrentree reopening

I picked strong for my one little word this year. Normally, I think about what my word is going to be for a couple of months. This year, nothing was really coming to me. I was really starting to get kind of exasperated because I am a girl that is all about the words. I love words. I was worried one wasn't going to come and I'd just have to settle for one (which totally defeats the point of the one little word).

One night, as I lay in bed, the word strong just came to me. Out of the blue. I immediately knew that this was my word for 2011.

Strong to me means so many things about so many aspects of my life. 2011 is my year to be strong. Physically. In my relationship with Paul. In my relationship with Jesus. In my creative life. In my home-keeping life. I will be strong in everything that I do and who I am. It's so powerful to me because I almost always feel weak. I feel less-than.

In 2011, I will be strong.

In other news, barrentree reopened today! I have a completely new product in my shop, and I'm super excited about it. For Christmas last year, I made everyone a "love" painting. They loved them and my sister requested two more for her wall. As I was thinking about what words to put on her new ones, I realized that I couldn't come up with the words. She needed to choose her own words. Ones that were meaningful.

Thus, the watercolor words were born. :-) I make each 5x7 painting on beautiful professional grade 140lb cold press watercolor paper. It's got such a beautiful texture and thickness to it. Each word is written in my handwriting with a Sharpie. They look really amazing and turned out better than I could even hope. :-)

I listed a bunch of "love" ones because that is my life word and is such an important thing in every single person's life. However (and this is what I'm super excited about), I'm also taking custom orders...any word you want. Maybe your one little word for the year. Maybe the name of a special loved one. Maybe your life word. Choose whatever you want for your custom watercolor painting. I've done some for family and they've chosen: mercy, renewal, persevere, hope, promise, and contentment. A couple examples (followed by a coupon for you):

And because I love you so much and want to thank you for reading my little blog...a coupon code for 10% off this week (until Jan 8, 2011)!!!

Check out my shop here: barrentree on Etsy

>Buy One, Get One FREE<

Since this week is my birthday week (yay!) I thought I'd have a special sale in my Etsy shop. All of my Prompt Decks, Scavenger Hunt Decks and Paintings are buy one, get one FREE this week!!! Check it out: barrentree creative

>Currently in 9th Place<

Please vote for my family history prompt deck in the handmade Olympics: http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/vote-event-4.html

I don't have a vast network of people reading my blog or even a vast network of friends, so if you do and are willing to help me get votes I would be so grateful!!!

I would really *love* for barrentree creative to really take off! :-)

>Etsy Treasury<

One of my items made it into FromMyBookShelf's Etsy Treasury!!

They added my Scavenger Hunt: At the Library deck!

Check it out here:In a Book Etsy Treasury

>barrentree creative SPECIAL DEAL<

***When you buy any two decks from the shop (prompt or scavenger hunt), get another deck of your choice for free!! Details in my shop!!***

BOGO 50% off paintings is still going on as is free shipping to anywhere in the US. :-)

>DISCOUNT ON PAINTINGS AT barrentree creative<

All of my paintings are buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value). Check them out!

>SURPRISE barrentree creative Update<

I even surprised myself with this one. :-) I just decided to do a sewing project and it turned out amazing and so I decided to list it (and I hope to have an identical one up later on today) in my shop.

It's a flag banner/bunting/pennants-whatever you want to call it. It has fourteen (14) flags on it each measuring approximately 6.5 inches long and 5 inches wide. I used a beautiful combination of bright pink and brown (with dots) fabric and a lime green binding to finish it off. The entire length is approximately 8 feet long from end to end (the lenth with the flags is approximately six feet long with 12 inches of binding on either end for tying).

It would look great decorating a nursery, bedroom, playroom, craftroom or any other room! It would also look amazing as a party decoration for any occasion and for all ages!