Rachelle Anne Miller

New Year, New Focus

2012-01-18T01:46:41Z

It’s 2012 and a lot is changing around here! I’m not going to get into it all now but I will say that the time has come to step back a bit from my work and focus on my family. I’m writing this blog post to let you all know that I’m taking a break from the blogosphere to focus on being a mom and wife.

There are so many amazing artist out there who seemingly can do it all! Some of my favorite artists are juggling successful art careers and a young families while still appearing sane! Maybe it’s just my children, or the fact that I really need my sleep, but at this point I just can’t do it all. I am not completely shutting down my studio but I won’t be posting on my blog for a while. I am happy to entertain job proposals and will definitely keep my Etsy Shop up and running, but I won’t be producing too much new work for the next little while.

There are some exciting changes on the horizon (personally and professionally) that I will post about when it’s appropriate. When I come back, I hope to have a new website, logo, and a slightly revised illustration style. I have big dreams for my work but need to prioritize my family first!

Please feel free to stop by and say hi if you want! I am still here… just laying low :) I really appreciate all the support you have all given me over the years with this blog and I truly look forward to coming back when time permits!

Take care!

Rachelle

Illustration Friday: Messenger

2011-12-23T18:37:36Z

The greatest ‘messenger‘ of all - Merry Christmas everyone!

The Wonder of Christmas

2011-12-16T01:23:22Z

I have an excited little three year old that doesn’t fail to ask me everyday if it’s Christmas yet… I’m looking forward to the morning when I can say yes and set him loose on his Christmas gifts! With the bit of free time I’ve had over the past few days, I’ve tried to capture the wonder of my two little boys as they gaze upon our Christmas tree :)

This is just a little note to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year! I don’t have many New Year’s resolutions but one thing I want to work on next year is to write and illustrate my own children’s book. I have the idea in my head… I just need to get it down on paper :) I know time is limited with two kiddos at home, so I want to keep my goal simple, but I think this one is achievable!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Congrats to the Apple n Amos Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-13T00:58:57Z

Finished your Christmas shopping yet? Well if you haven’t, you must check out Apple n Amos’ Etsy store. They sell beautifully designed and wonderfully made wooden toys for kids! And for those of you who entered the giveaway this week, Apple n Amos is generously giving away the Cherries & Berries Breakfast Set to a lucky winner tonight! This would make the perfect gift for a little one in your life.

And the winner is….. Suzanne! Congrats to you! I will be in touch with details on how to claim your prize :) Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway!

EtsyLove: Apple n Amos Giveaway

2011-12-05T19:27:05Z

My hubby and I have always valued quality toys and tried to buy as little plastic as possible and invest our money in quality wooden toys that are well made and well designed. Apple n Amos is this month’s EtsyLove feature store and they create beautiful wooden toys for kids. A little quote from Amos “I love the idea of using a toy to teach little ones about their colors, letters, numbers and early math. Not to mention that the quality of these can withstand any toddler play and then grow into preschool early development play. Being that these toys are wooden, makes them the perfect toy to pass along to a new set of eager hands.”

Be sure to check out his blog and Etsy store …and perhaps do a little Christmas shopping! In the meantime, Amos is generously giving away a Cherries & Berries Breakfast Set to one of my lucky readers. Read below to find out more!

APPLE N AMOS GIVEAWAY!

How to Enter:

Entry #1 – Visit Apple n Amos store and choose your favorite item. Add a comment on this blog post and link to your favorite item.

Entry #2 {Bonus} – Visit Rachelle Anne Miller Creative Studios and Apple n Amos on Facebook and “LIKE” both fan pages, leave some love sharing that “Rachelle Anne Miller” sent you for the giveaway and then come back and tell me you did by leaving your 2nd entry in the comment section below.

Entry #3 {Bonus} – Tweet about this giveaway and let me know you’ve done so by posting a 3rd entry in the comments section.

I will be making the draw on December 12th at 7pm EST. Good luck!

The Animal Alphabet Collection

2011-12-05T01:16:18Z

The Christmas tree is up and the stockings are hung! I will try to post some photos soon :) In the meantime, here is one of my favorite pieces – the Animal Alphabet. I’ve added some coordinating pieces to compliment this design in order to make it more appealing for licensing. I can see this set working well as gift wrap! Hope you all enjoy your week :)

Illustration Friday: Round

2011-11-27T17:55:39Z

Here is a quickie for this week’s Illustration Friday theme, ’round’. We had our first snowfall last week and Isaac had tons of fun rolling up balls in the snow to make snowmen. We made a very cute snowman and I was all ready to take a photo of him but didn’t get a chance, as apparently making the snowman is just as fun as crashing him down :P Silly boy! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Big Sale at Graphic Spaces!

2011-11-24T19:58:37Z

For those of you that follow my blog, you’ve heard me mention Graphic Spaces before. They are a wonderful family-run company that creates amazing cuteness out of wood! I bought a couple of their bookends to decorate Elijah’s nursery - so sweet! They have just recently released a whole range of brand new products in their store just in time for Christmas – and are having a sale to celebrate. Everything is 15% starting tomorrow until Monday. I know a lot of you that read my blog love their stuff so I didn’t want you to miss out on their sale :) Happy shopping!

Christmas is Coming (…and photos of the boys!)

2011-11-22T19:45:27Z

There are 32 days until Christmas and my boys (well my older one at least) are very excited for all the fun to come! It boggles my mind a bit that next week is December. This is the first year where it’s really crept up on me! I usually relish this time of year and often break out the Christmas music in October! This year, everything has been so busy that it’s only sinking in now.

I have to say that I’m busier than ever so it’s hard to enjoy all the finer points of this time of year, but the Christmas fun-factor is amplified by a 100 when you have a 3-year-old in your house! We haven’t told him much about Santa but he seems to have it all figured out anyway. He is excited to get our Christmas tree, and the top item on his Christmas list, you ask? Candy. Besides a little bit of candy, we are getting him a Leapster Leappad (an ipad for kids) so he can be just like his dada, a downhill sled, some comfy PJs, and a helicopter station to add to his Thomas Train set. Elijah will be getting a fancy teether that smells like vanilla and some sweet little baby toys that are just for him (so his big bro can swipe them away). The kid’s Christmas shopping is taken care of so now I need to focus on the hubby :)

Hope you enjoy these beautiful photos of the boys taken by the very talented Melissa Kew! You might also spot the sweet little snowman created by Mie Art and Craft :)

‘Safari Fun’ Girl’s Collection

2011-11-15T19:42:56Z

If you know my work, you might remember this collection of images I created last year. It’s been on my to-do list for a while now, so I’m happy that I’ve finally managed to create a girl version of this print set. Now that’s not to say the original is only for boys :)

With two young boys, I’m trying to figure out a way to continue on with my illustration business in the little free time that I have. The idea of licensing my work seems to be the best way to generate income without taking as much time as illustrating a children’s book (for example). This is why, along with making a girl’s version of these prints, I’ve also included some patterns and borders that can give buyers an idea of how I can make these images work for products. I think this line would make a great fabric/bedding collection. What do you think? I’ve also added this print collection to my Etsy store. If you buy all three, you save $5 :)

I have to admit that I am really starting to miss drawing. From the very early 5am starts to our day, to the juggling of two young and very active boys throughout the day, and the little time I have to catch up on emails and spend time with my hubby in the evening, it’s been really hard to find the time or energy to draw. I am reminding myself to enjoy and appreciate this precious time with my young family though. Sometimes I have to put some loves aside in life for those more important ones. Please do keep checking back on my blog though as I do plan on popping in here and there and hopefully posting new work or expanded work from time to time :) Have a great week!