Last Minute Holiday Sale!

Love and Peace, ©2013

Wow, the holidays are almost here! And... to celebrate, I'm offering 15% off any orders placed this week (up until 12 midnight on Dec 20).

Use code Xmas15 in the shop at  www.robinphillipsstudio.com/store   :)

I'm also about to add a few ornament patterns, will post an update here as soon as I do...

Happy Holidays!

A Touch of Fall

What a magical time of year it is as the first leaves turn. Now the days have a slight wind and we bring out the quilts on the sofa. Soups and stews simmer in the kitchen, and I just want to nest inside. I love adding seasonal decor touches to cozy up my home. Around the studio, I'm getting into many fall-inspired projects!

 I use my Fall Country Apples pillow case as a table centerpiece too. Find the country apple sewing pattern here. To match it, I found this cute wicker mat and the orange vintage crochet at a thrift store a few years ago. My husband, Columbia River Tile and Stone, makes these beautiful granite candleholders. This one is Baltic Brown granite- so perfect for fall!

Love this designer- Country Cottage Needleworks,... Apple Orchard pattern

And....I'm excited to announce a new cross stitch pattern of my own- Variegated Fall Leaf! This one is really fun and simple with just eight thread colors. It goes pretty fast with a stitch count of only 38 x 35. If you're new to cross stitching this is an easy pattern to start with. I used 11 count Aida cloth and framed it in a 6x6 (4x4 opening) bronze wood frame. Then I added on a black ribbon to hang it with. It's perfect for a small corner or shelf. Or it could be sewn as a motif on a bag or table linen...
Find the fall leaf pattern here!

 Vintage fall fabrics, aren't they sweet? I used these them to make simple potholders and a decor pillow. I find them everywhere from thrift stores to estate sales. Some are handed down from family and friends. Aren't those the most special?  For the hot pads, I make them large and strong with four layers of natural cotton batting for extra support. Make sure to use 100% natural materials for your potholders since synthetic fibers (polyester and poly/cotton blends) melt in the oven. I learned this by accident once ;/ Stay posted for a free downloadable potholder pattern, coming soon!

 Here's a fun country-style design idea: Apple Picnic pillow. I alternated 2.5 inch plaid fabric squares with a vintage apple print. Try any fall fabric matched with a plaid print for a similar look. I use a 1/4-inch piecing foot for perfect piecing. For the center, I hand stitched a lace motif on denim. It has an old-time look to it that I just love! I cut the flower out of an old piece of lace and then stitched around the edges with white thread. You could also iron it on with fusible web too. This simple pillow measures 9x9 finished.

My cat is as obsessed with fabric as I am :)

For a firm, non-lumpy pillow, make your own pillow insert. This makes such as difference, and you can remove the pillow for washing later. Sew a casing out of two pieces of muslin or lightweight cotton that is one inch smaller than the pillow. Stuff it and then insert it in the pillow case.

Make the pillow case removable by adding snaps to the end closure. For larger pillows, I like to make a slipcover opening on the back or a zipper, but since this one is so small I used snaps.

Happy Fall!

Art, Craft, Design, Photo and Decor Inspiration!

Lately I absolutely love Pinterest. It's the perfect place to collect all my inspirations which find their way into my art, patterns and designs. I also share new art and designs here all the time. If you haven't found me there yet,  check out http://pinterest.com/rphillipsstudio/.

Here you'll find ......

inspirational messages
animal art
quilt and cross stitch patterns
cottage and country home decor
pillows
romantic scenes
vintage housewares
gorgeous cottages
romantic/whimsical/fantasy painters
folk artists
flowers and gardens
fabric and lace
nature photos from my travels
fairies and angels

and more!

Do you have an inspirational board? Feel free to share it here too :)

Inside the Studio

Finally, I have more pictures to share... Welcome to my new sunroom art studio and office, I love it so so much. Here is the full tour. :)

The painting in the background is Nene Dreams.  This piece is a commission inspired by the endangered Hawaiian Nene goose, state bird of Hawaii.  Next I will add a border of beautiful Hawaiian flowers like plumeria, hibiscus, ginger and heliconia around the edges.

I set up display racks by the window...

Here's where my paintings dry... I used bookshelf cabinets and bins for storage. Love all the space it creates and they don't need much wall space. (As you can see the room is mostly windows!)

Iko cat sleeps on the loveseat all day.  And he claims the other chair too.. ;)

Peeking through the kitchen window...

 

Jorellis cat especially likes my fabric and sewing table. (Update- our sweet baby passed after 18-1/2 years. Now we have adopted Gina cat, the newest addition to the studio)

Looking out to the garden...

And.. here is my office. I'm lucky to have space for it in another room down the hall.

I'm usually surrounded by my four-legged family when I work. Meet the pets of the studio here! ♥

Love is All Around

I love this time of year! Darker days are over, early flowers peak up and spring will be upon us soon. A fresh new year awaits with many possibilities. So many of my pieces are about spreading the love and harmony, celebrating beauty and unity... Thinking about this I decided it's a perfect time to bring them all together for a love theme art sale!  ♥

Through Feb 14, 20% off in my shop, use coupon code RPSLOVEART :)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RobinPhillipsStudio

Love Lives Here ©2012

 Love is a beautiful harmony...

Harmony ©2006

Love ©2011

Angel Wall Panel ©2012

Radiance ©2012

 And there are more on sale in the shop! Visit to see the whole range of love art prints and gifts. ♥

Sweetheart Lace Pillow

Also, I put together this sweet pillow project, Sweetheart Lace pillow. The pattern is available now on Craftsy, check it out! https://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/heart-lace-pillow/44061 It's relatively easy if you have basic sewing/quilting experience, my pattern includes lots of diagrams and tips about piecing on point (where motif is on a diagonal).

And... I will be posting some freebies soon for designs/patterns... check RPS Facebook for details.

My art studio table lately... If you're looking for Valentine's crafts, there are a lot of nice projects from designers all over the world on Craftsy.

♥ Happy season of love and brightest wishes to you! ♥
 

Spreading Joy! Art with Meaning and Purpose

Love Lives Here ©2012

Time for a glimpse of painting from my art studio- here are a few of my recent pieces. A lot of love goes into the pieces I create, whether it's a simple piece like Love Lives Here (above) or a larger painting. I believe it's important to follow your passion and encourage other people to follow their passions. I believe in honoring nature, animals and connecting with all living beings. I believe in appreciating and loving each other more. I believe in dreams, hope, faith and cooperation, not competition. I believe in joy and abundance for everyone. I hope that my art will inspire you, too.

These pieces are all available in the RPS gift shop as 5x7 or 8x10 matted prints. And as a bonus, 20% on all orders today for 12/12/12 Love!  Orders can still arrive by Christmas if placed this week. Browse the shop: http://www.robinphillipsstudio.com/store

I'm also excited to offer a selection of my artwork as greeting cards, framed prints, canvas wraps and acrylic mounted prints in many different sizes on Fine Art America: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/robin-phillips.html. I love how you can see the color palette in each painting to match it to your room's decor on FAA. Super cool! FAA will guarantee delivery by Christmas for orders placed by Dec 18.

Awakening ©2012  8"x6"

 ~At the moment of spiritual awakening, love and light forever surrounds us.~
Awakening is about opening to Spirit. The eye symbolizes the opening of the Third Eye Chakra, and the lotus blossom represents purity, regeneration and wisdom. I painted this piece on a small 6x8 canvas in acrylic.

Joyful Spirit ©2012   8"x6"

~At the ocean, birds soar high and fly free. Resting happily on the sand, they perch on a log or scurry in the sand with such delight ~
This piece was inspired by the spirit of birds at the shore. Originally, I painted this as an inspirational gift for my Dad, who is an avid bird watcher. And, of course my name represents a cheerful bird as well :) Birds symbolize how we can be free spirits too. Every year I donate a bird painting to the Audubon Society for their local fundraiser.

Coyotes Under the Moon ©2011 9"x12"

~Coyotes dance in the mist, a magical night awaits. Dance, play and be happy! ~
 This piece was inspired by the coyote, a playful spirit. In Oregon, where I live, we see coyotes even in the city around forested areas. One day, after an unusual snow fall, I was out with my dog in a forested park. In the clearing, a coyote pranced out of the woods and came within several feet of us. This painting captures that playful moment.

For a little tour inside my (old) studio see :http://robinphillipsstudio.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-studio.html

(Update 2013- I have now moved into a wonderful new home with a sunroom studio- Tour my new studio and garden here! )

 ~Love, peace and blessings to you in the new year coming~