Chez Rex Designs

It’s no secret that I love Chat Noir! There’s just something intriguing about him, maybe it’s his mysterious air or those deep yellow eyes. Who knows? In any case he works well in a lot of different art projects.  When I saw this chalkboard sign my first inclination was to pass on it because I don’t find chalkboard sign projects very inspiring.  The carving on the sign was beautiful and the subtle grey color gave the piece depth and character so I put it in my cart although I had no idea how I would use it.  Since the carvings on the sign reminded me of 18th century French architectural carvings the piece should have a French theme.  All of the embellishments used to create this sign reminded me of France-Chat Noir, lavender flowers and of course the Eiffel Tower.                            Finished sign.                          ...

  When I have a creative block or just need to take a break while my oil painting dries I like to make cards. They are so much fun to make. I usually start with a theme and then ad lib as I go along.  This card started with a speedy recovery theme. Next I cut a car, bunny, trees, sign and clouds using Tim Holtz dies. I drew a horizon line with pencil on white card stock and applied blue distress ink to create the sky. The grass is cut from green patterned paper. For the road I cut a strip of black card stock and applied gold washi tape for the center line. The bunny, clouds and sign were cut from white card stock. The trees were cut from light and dark green card stock and the tree trunks and sign post were cut from scraps of brown card stock. Then I used my Silhouette Cameo 4 to cut the heart shaped balloons from pieces of purple, pink and dark turquoise card stock. I used coordinating distress ink to shade the balloons. 

 What happened to my yard? I’m feeling just a little boxed in. I have the best Dad in the world. He plowed paths in the yard for me. I really appreciate this because the snow is up to my neck and that makes it a little hard for me to find a spot. My Mom bought me this cool red snowsuit to keep me warm. She complains that the snowsuit keeps me so warm that I don’t want to come back inside.  She’s so funny.                                          Helping Dad clear the driveway.  Love my Yorkie tracks                 

     As an artist I love painting portraits. Up until recently all of my portraits have been of animals, mostly dogs. I decided to move out of my comfort zone to people. I chose the three people that I found interesting: Alice Cooper, James Garner and Edgar Allan Poe. The portraits started out as sketches for a painting but quickly progressed into detailed drawings. Except to occasionally go out on exhibit these portraits never leave my studio. They occupy a permanent place on the back wall of my art studio to serve as a source of inspiration.            All three portraits are available as matted prints.                                     No More Mr. Nice                                                       ...

 Welcome to Chez Rex Designs. The name for this blog came from my adorable little Yorkie and muse, Rex.  Chez Rex is mainly devoted to painting and craft projects, including knitting, quilting, cross stitch, punch needle, rug hooking, furniture refinishing, die cutting and stamping.                                             Rex Now that Christmas is over Rex and I have been working on a Valentine’s Day project for our mail carrier.  Rex absolutely loves her and she spoils him with special treatment. She will hand him a “cookie” (biscuit) but she will occasionally leave a cookie in the mailbox along with our mail if he’s not out when she stops by. Every year, in addition to a gift from us, Rex gives her a box of chocolate truffles at Christmas. This year we decided that a Valentine’s gift would be fun. Our mail carrier works so hard and we want her to know how mu...