Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic: Gifts, Sentiments & Romance

Rachel Ashwell had a show called "Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic" on Style Network a few years back. Her company has released three DVDs from that series: (1) Treasures (2) Gifts, Sentiments & Romance and (3) Flowers, Petals & Gardens.Each DVD contain 3 episodes so if you buy all three DVDs you will own 9 episodes from the original series. There are many more episodes yet to be released, depending on how well these three initial DVDs sell they'll consider putting out more DVDs.Here is what you get on this DVD:1- Gifts2- Sentiments3- RomanceIn the GIFTS episode Rachel shows a dance troop where to find quality vintage clothing and how to adapt them to today's styles. Working within her Shabby Chic palette of pastels and creams she transforms vintage clothing and accessories into costumes and everyday wear.In the SENTIMENTS episode Rachel creates one-of-a-kind cards to express sentiment. She shares her family ritual of placing little notes and secret messages in her children's lunch bags. Rachel shops the flea market looking for forget-me-not cups and time-worn plaques with meaningful sayings to place around her home. And finally, she visits a public meditation garden, recommending it as a place to reflect and enjoy nature's beauty.In the ROMANCE episode Rachel and Mark visit the Rose Bowl flea market searching for those romantic elements that make a room beautiful. She buys metal sap buckets and turns them into colorful vases for hydrangeas. In a craft segment Rachel demonstrates how to make a wreath out of vintage pastel Christmas ornaments and a styrofoam heart covered with pink carnations. She also explains how to dye vintage lace and bedding.

I wonder whether it's not my favorite one among the three DVD's.It shows how to buy beautiful clothes in Thrift stores, what allowed me to find three incredible cashmere cardigans for almost nothing at "Hidden Treasures". I'm not going to say everything or there wouldn't be any surprise, but, I can tell you, it's very surprising every single minute, except maybe for the Yogi's Garden short sequence that we already saw in the Flowers DVD, and even if its' interesting, I would have loved to see something new. But anyway, I can't stop watching it, as there are a lot of small details to discover every time.It is lovely and very touching. A lot of parents should learn from this video. And it's, as usually, a dream come true, for the Design.Yael from Los Angeles

I loved the episodes on this dvd. If you're crafty or enjoy making your own Christmas cards, gift wrap, etc., you'll love this. Rachel Ashwell shows ways to upcycle vintage ribbons, bows, and even newspapers to create beautiful and thoughtful gifting. If you're into scrapbooking, crafting or even travel journaling, you'll find some great ideas here. Very happy with this purchase.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love Rachel. I wish you could release the entire series of your DVD's as I just love them! I recommend all of your products to friends. The journey of a brave woman who has inspired not just me but many women to trust in their creativity and you give us strength. Thank you Rachel.

Shabby Chic is a great way to combined the old with the new keeping the romance alive in all areas of gift giving to furnishings, lighting, bedrooms, flowers on gift boxes plus with her DVD's Rachel Ashwell shows you how to make it all possible.

The title of this video was "Gifts, Sentiments and Romance". For me, I was mostly looking forward to the gifts portion, which I had always remembered from when these programs were on the Style Network. Of course, the only section NOT on this video was Gifts, despite the title. Instead there was a piece about Vintage Clothing. Not as promised. How hard is it to get 3 out of 3 things right on a video? Apparently, very.

Rachel Ashwell is a great motivator I always look forward to see just what she is up to. Her books really inspire me and my mom and we love to see her come back on TV. Thanks

The DVD itself is talking about vintage clothing, not romance or gifts or sentiments. I had to return it twice, thus no review really.