The light at the end of the tunnel

I have been so preoccupied lately with a big work event that's coming up this Thursday and Friday in Ft. Worth. I've been working on this program since April and I can't believe it will all be over on Friday -- I couldn't be more thrilled! All of the details are falling into place and I feel good heading into the last 24 hours of madness.

...So I've been a little distracted and slow to post. But I am happy to share with you a lovely new blog from "a creative girl in love with fashion & interiors." My friend Kim sent me a link to CreateGirl, which is written by the very talented Julieann of Jace Interiors. Julieann was kind enough to blog about my wiener dog onesie when she was a guest blogger on Decor8 back in August. And now I am pleased to share with you her wonderful design blog.


I look forward to Saturday when this whole event/program is behind me. Just in time for the holiday madness! (note to self: get Christmas cards listed in the shop!)

I finally got the rest of my holiday gift tags up in the shop and it's now time to start on holiday cards. I can't believe November is just around the corner. I completely missed Halloween this year and I'm sorry to report I didn't list any 'Happy Halloweener' dachshund cards like I did last year (but didn't miss hand cutting all of those dachshunds).

Work continues on our bathroom remodel and we're just about to the paint/trim stage. The tile is in and the plastering has been done to repair the walls. We're hoping they're back tomorrow to install the closet doors... can't wait to get this wrapped up!

I'm off to bed after a brutally busy day at work and a long evening of sewing and printing.

Fall is in the Air

I am pleased to report that I am finally caught up on orders and even had some time to spare this afternoon. I've spent the better part of the evening cleaning up my workspace and stockpiling stationery bags, clothing tags, and other various provisions. This is an old picture of my work bench from earlier this year when it was still neat and easy to control (I'm afraid to post a picture of my workspace now for fear of being called a hoarder):

It's finally cooling down here in Texas and we've been enjoying a lovely fall weekend. We got the lawn mowed, the pool filter cleaned, and lots of odds & ends done around the house today - it feels good!

I also started peeking around Etsy for some preliminary Christmas shopping and stumbled across these shoes - how cute are these?


They're called Petit Lamb and they're from Aurelia and Annalise on Etsy. At only $23.50 they're a chic (and inexpensive!) way to cover your little one's pigs.

These Chicklets with a red t-strap are awfully cute, too:


Well it's late and I'm off to bed. We've got more workers coming in the morning to re-drywall the bathroom and move us one step closer to finishing this darn project!

*Office with a View*

I was delighted to stumble upon the adorable and totally hip blog *Office with a View* today -- and to find a posting about a few of my products. Thanks, Britt & Mon! These two sisters dish about beautiful things for the office and I am honored to be included. What a fun blog and another daily reader to add to my list!

I've been off by a day or two all week so I was surprised to realize tomorrow is actually Friday and not Thursday. It's going to be a busy weekend if we hope to wrap our bathroom remodel and check other assorted home improvement projects off the list. Not to mention that I HAVE to get going on my Christmas cards. I can't believe November will be here in 2 weeks!

Tuesday, Rainy Tuesday

I am pleased to report that the Ryan Adams (er, Cardinals) show last night was fabulous. I've never been to a show by myself but I thoroughly enjoyed it even if I didn't have anyone to talk to. They played for well over 2.5 hours so I was pooped by the time I got home. I think I can officially say I am too old to be out past 9 on a Monday night! At any rate, their new album Cardinology is due out on Ocotber 28th and based on what I heard last night, it should be a good one.

It's a rainy, yucky Tuesday here in Austin and I've been working from home all day. It's pretty depressing. The tile guys were back to grout our bathroom and I am pleased to report we're getting closer to completion. The tub and tile are in and the plumbing is halfway there. We just need to install the sinks, closet doors, trim and paint (not necessarily in that order). Will be very glad to be able to check this off the never-ending home improvement list!

When I was in Dublin at my new favorite store Avoca, I saw this chalkboard:


I remember at the time feeling very lucky to be in Ireland but it's a good reminder to be grateful everyday.... even on the blech, yucky, rainy days. So don't forget to thank your lucky stars.

Score!

I am a huge fan of Ryan Adams and his band the Cardinals so I am not sure how I somehow missed the original announcement that they are playing a show in Austin tonight. I managed to score one single upper balcony ticket on Craig's List and I cannot wait for the show! Andy is out of town and I don't think I know anyone who would be willing to pay *last minute pricing* with me. So I'm going alone but sure it will be worth it.

I also want to come clean with it....I completely, hopelessly and shamelessly addicted to Facebook. I know I am at least 10 years too old and entirely too busy but I can't stop. I am obsessed with knowing what my friends are doing at all times. If you've considered making your foray into the world of online social networking, be forewarned that you may also become addicted!

Super models

I love to seemy designs on such cute models. Here are a few recent pictures:

LOVE

Today I discovered the amazing Helen Acraman and her Etsy shop Zukzuk. I am in love with her work! The image above is of her limited edition print 'Jelly Bean Birds' and I think it would look fabulous anywhere in my house.

Although this one is so beautiful, too. It's called 'Sugardrop Baby' and it's another limited edition print.


It's not too early to start Christmas shopping (for myself?), right?


This image above is called 'I Run to You' and once again, it's a limited edition print. This would look so cute in my nephew Austin's room.

Helen is a New Zealand artist living in Canada and you can read more about her work and sign up for a giveaway on her blog.

UPDATE: I purchased two prints from Helen last night and she is as lovely a person as her designs!

Avoca - Ireland

The first shop I popped into when I arrived in Dublin was by far my favorite of the whole trip. It was this darling store called Avoca and I believe it's an Irish company. It's similar to Anthropologie here in the States and they had the most fabulous items - including womens fashions, houswares, kitchen items, gifts, etc. According to their website they have one location in the U.S. in Annapolis. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area. Or if you're in Ireland, there are at least 4-5 locations.

I really, really, really wanted this candelabra but it was 80 Euro or about $120 and I wasn't sure how I'd get it home. I'm afraid I'll regret not picking it up:

I also really like this card designer, Caroline Gardner. She has some lovely cards and I enjoyed spinning the rack and browsing all of her designs:


Avoca also had some adorable pet items, all of which I wanted to take home. I did pick something up off of this table for a Christmas gift:

I've mentioned before that I love these fabric pennant banners and looks like they've caught on in Ireland, too:

I'm back!

I am back from my trip to Ireland and I had an absolute BLAST! My sister and I flew into Dublin where we spent a few days before picking up a very small rental car and heading to the west coast of Ireland. If you've never been, it is absolutely one of the most beautiful places on earth.

We blogged about our adventure along the way so if you'd like to see more pictures and read about our adventures, head over to the Pink Shamrock blog.

Lots more to post but for now, I need to unpack and figure out where I am and what time it is (not to mention I am still confused as to what side of the road I am supposed to be driving on!).