RED LETTER ROOKIE

Welcome to our corner of the world! :) We are two creative rookies looking to share our projects+inspiration with you.

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Our First Rookie Year!

There was a RLR milestone there somewhere but we haven’t properly celebrated it. We figure with a new year, we can officially take note of how far Red Letter Rookie has come thus far! 

What started out as an idea has become a reality: We have put out a few DIYs and projects, gone on a few adventures to share with you, and shared our creative processes with this blog. We only hope to share even MORE with you this year! <3

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Raichel's DECEMBER Favorites

01. She & Him Classics: My favorite album release in a while. Then again, I've always been a fan of standards. <3 You can't go wrong with this duo.

02. Dave Seah Productivity Tools: This is more of a rediscovery. As I was cleaning out some old files I ran into a print out copy of his compact calendar from 2008. I had to look him up again to get an updated copy and lo and behold he made even more productivity tools for me to drool over!

03. ReStyleshop by handz: I particularly love this Viewmaster print from handz. But all of the prints from this Etsy shop are so colorful and adorable. It makes it particularly difficult to choose just one as a favorite.

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Christmas Tree Banner DIY

I've been trying to amp up Christmas lately. More Christmas music, more decorations, more tinsel! You can't ever really over-do Christmas in my eyes. (Well, actually Mark Jensen may beg to differ.) I wanted something more for my Christmas tree so I decided to try out a banner. Turns out, I really like this idea. I might have to do it for my other trees around the house!

1. mini cork circles   2. paint   3. rub-on transfers/alphabet stickers   4. ribbon   5. hot glue gun

Once the cork circles are dry, use rub-on transfers (or use permanent markers, or alphabet stickers) to spell out whatever festive message you want. I stuck with a classic but feel free to get creative! Spell out your family members names or write 'Merry Christmas' in different languages.

Glue your cork circles onto your choice of ribbon and let it dry. Then its ready to be adorned on your tree! Go on, take photos and brag. After all, you did it yourself! Just share with us, yes? ;))

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So for heaven's sake, try to entice them with some beauty and fun.

Bill Watterson

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Berry Branch Ornament DIY

Anyone else (im)patiently waiting for Christmas? It may not be snowing in Southern California but those who are snowed in or stuck in their homes because of the cold, I encourage you to do some nifty crafts! While drinking some hot chocolate, of course.

My favorite ornaments are those that are elegant yet simple. If you are in agreement then you're in luck because this is the easiest and prettiest DIY ornament you can ever do. Here's what you'll need:

1. clear glass ornaments   2. berry branch   3. epsom salt   4. glitter (optional)  5. funnel  6. ribbon

Cut off a little branch from your berry branch and place it inside of the glass. If you wanted the branch to be slightly curved, be sure to do that prior to placing it inside. Close up the glass and cut a ribbon for the ornament so you can hang it on your tree! Seriously, isn't this so pretty? With very little effort too, ah yes, that's the best.

[redletterrookie]

"I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!" — Ralphie, A Christmas Story

RLR Playlist Vol. 10 | December 2014 : Feel like listening to holiday pop music? This playlist has you covered. It's my favorite time of the year! I could listen to Christmas music all year round. And I really do. (Michael Buble and Dave Barnes Christmas albums being my favorite.)

When the holidays roll around it always seems like the time goes triple times its normal speed. I try to do anything holiday related every day in December to feel like I've gotten the most out of the season. I only hope you enjoy your holidays also!

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Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

Thomas Merton

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All the pretty colors of fall

Acrylic

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RLR Update: Friendsgiving!

It came down to the wire in terms of preparations, but we did it! A Friendsgiving miracle; lots of food, good company, and a group photo. Based on that I would say it was a success. :))

You may have seen a little sneak peek into one of the projects I did on our Instagram. They were little goodie boxes with name tags. Even though it was a small gathering, I wanted my guests to feel special. Note: Personalized things are a crowd pleaser! 

It was important for me to make the night feel cozy and homey, so I stuck with simple decorations (i.e. pumpkins, mason jars, candles.) A "hipster" autumnal trifecta, I begrudgingly suppose. Another note: Little details help. Mixing materials and textures is a good way to make decorations feel whole. It makes the eye move one place to the next.

Turns out I'm not all that reliable on taking photos during the night. Instead I was making sure my guests were well fed, played games, and had some pleasant conversations. A decent trade off, right? ;) We're so thankful for all you other Rookies out there. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and/or Friendsgiving! xo

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Raichel's NOVEMBER Favorites

01. Hobonichi Techo "Cousin": This may be the one journal/planner that makes me want to cheat on my trusty Composition notebook. The planner has a day per page, with a subtle daily timeline on the edges. Graph lined format. Clean design. An entire year in one book. Swoon. I'm definitely considering it with a new year coming up.

02. Peanuts Movie: They've only just released the trailer, but I want to see this movie so badly. I've been a Peanuts fan for as long as I can remember. I even watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' throughout the year. I can't wait to join my friends Charlie, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang when it releases. :))

03. Lomo Instant Camera: I've seen the Kickstarter for this but I didn't go through with it. I was thinking that the format/results may be too finicky to be used on the not-so-cheap film. But just recently a friend of mine showed it to me in person and oh boy, does it look so slick and beautiful. It's definitely aesthetically pleasing but I want proof of pretty decent shots without wasting film. If photos turn out well, then I may be regretting not getting this. Noo...!

[redletterrookie]

"It won't matter what happens to us as long as we stay honest and accepting of each others' flaws and virtues." — Abed, Community

RLR Playlist Vol. 9 | November 2014 : Like some of you, RLR will be having a Friendsgiving! It's been in the works for a few weeks now to be honest. I've figured out the place, guest list, and deciding between a traditional dinner or a pot luck. (Decided to go with a pot luck since Friendsgiving is part "gamenight" after all.)

With all the basic stuff down, I was finally able to move onto the fun stuff like decorations and a playlist! It's something fun, laid-back, and not too distracting from all the lovely conversations taking place. Even listen to it while you're making the last touches to your dinner preps and decorations!

Have fun this holiday and don't forget that not everything has to be perfect. Just be sure to enjoy the company of your loved ones :))

[redletterrookie]

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.

Pablo Picasso

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN from all your friends at RLR!

Anyone else waiting up for The Great Pumpkin? <3

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Raichel's OCTOBER Favorites

01. Us The Duo's "No Matter Where You Are": We loved the wedding performance of this song that went viral. Then to find out they used this song for The Book of Life and made a music video... How cool! Can I just mention, this video was so clever within the first 20 seconds.

02. Drop Connected Kitchen Scale: I don't have a scale in my kitchen yet. Maybe its because I'm holding out for this: a kitchen scale that links up to your ipad. I would love more excuses to bake. Maybe I can finally try out those blasted recipes that are based on weight instead of measurements.

03. Swirled Geode Knob: Geodes, hardware, and gold. More, please! Geode rocks are awfully pretty. Oh, I'm sorry, "Minerals".

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Autumn Sights Around Here!

Have you had your fill of PSLs yet? For us, just about. ;) Growing up, my family was never big on decorating for Halloween or Fall. Not until I willed for it to begin! I finally got my family into it. Which means I can buy pumpkins and place them freely around the house, no questions asked.

Instead of doing individual DIY posts, I thought to group them together all in one. Because frankly, there's not much to teach in terms of my latest autumn DIYs. Garlands and wreaths are simple enough as it is! So take in these sights as you will.

For the garland, I took some thick twine, sewed loose fake leaves onto it, and tied bundles of some hemp twine for a little bit of frill. Simple, cheap, and I like how it adorns the top of our gate.

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Will it make me something? Will I be something? Am I something? And the answer comes, already am, always was, and I still have time to be.

Anis Mojgani

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"Sisters, All Hallow's Eve has become a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amok!" — Winifred Sanderson, Hocus Pocus

RLR Playlist Vol. 8 | October 2014 : Creepy, crawly, and things that go bump in the night. Only now is it starting to feel like autumn around here. Summer is a bit stubborn to leave.

Jump start your celebrations with this playlist made up of songs with a Halloween-like theme. And consume all things pumpkin! "#AutumnalSteez"