Happy Monday: Smallergies

My friend Tina started a new company called Smallergies. Her little one suffers from extreme allergies and she wanted to have a way to educate parents in a similar situation. She also offers cute clothing for babes and toddlers that alert caregivers to their condition. Parents can visit her facebook page to find information or just to have a support system. Head over there and give her a great big LIKE!

Painting, painting...

I am almost finished painting my sunshine yellow walls to white. It's so much brighter now. Once finished with the wall I'll concentrate on the area behind the cupboards and drawers. I found pulls and knobs that I like and a butcher block counter top at Ikea for a reasonable price. I also moved my wooden armoire into the kitchen. It will now serve as my pantry. Its a large piece, I thought about selling it but I just love the solid rustic wood with wrought iron finish. So it stays and will be useful.
I am still investigating the back splash. I am not sure about that yet but will keep you fully apprised with my progress. If you have any suggestions feel free to send them my way.

Summer Project

I can't believe we are in the midst of summer already. With that comes working on projects that I have been putting off. Hence we turn to my kitchen. It's in need of major TLC. My friends know my kitchen is an enter at your own risk space. The cabinet doors may fall off when you open them. The cabinets are extremely outdated. I am painting them white and will put on handles on them. The walls are going white as well. The sink is old, old old! I would love a farmhouse sink. The counter top is the challenge. I am thinking butcher block but I'll have to price it out to see where that would put the budget. If you have any suggestions about the counter top let me know. I am thinking about ripping out cabinets and puttin in open shelving in some places. I am in the "if you can't renovate - PAINT mode. Also the fan in the kitchen needs to be updated. Cinnamon's kennel is in the back of the kitchen and unfortunately it has become a holding spot for paint, boxes etc. All that will be moved to allow for this gorgeous wood and iron armoir that is going to become our pantry. Yes I know - ambitious, but I am an ambitious kind of gal.  So now you know where I will be spending most of my summer. I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Fathers Day Gifts!

If you are looking for unique Fathers Day gifts take a look at my sports water bottles.  Oh I also have these on mugs too! You can find them in my shop on CafePress. What do you think?

As Featured On The Today Show!!!

I had no idea my little i TEACH tote was featured on the today show on Monday May 7th. Here I was getting mega sales in my CafePress shop. I thought it was because my bag was featured in a photo that CafePress used for its flash sale ad which I am sure gave my sales a big boost as well. But while I was tinkering around with my account I just happened to see a headline in CP's blog that said "Teacher Totes featured on the Today Show" so I took a look at the video and lo and behold there was my tote up there on the table during their Teacher Appreciation segment. I couldn't believe it! I called my husband and pretty much the rest of my family and friends screaming. I am not sure how much they really understood, but they got the gist. Hence, it was a really good week for Diggs Design Studio and I am so appreciative that CafePress liked my tote design and sent it to the Today Show!

Sales, sales, sales!!!

My I TEACH bag was featured by CafePress for their flash sale. Check it out in their ad. I am so excited. I don't think I have sold this many items ever! Yay! http://www.cafepress.com/diggsstudio.

Something New: Sketch

Here is a sneak peek at what my little guy is up to next. You have to keep checking in to see how I get to the final illustration. www.diggsstudio.etsy.comhttp://www.diggsstudio.etsy.com

Blank Slate - Scratch The Surface!

My Spring Break turned out to be a little longer than normal because I got pretty busy volunteering time at my son's school. It's time consuming but totally worth it! But now I am back to ME. I am participating in a show put on by Bluelucy Gallery in St. Pete called Scratch The Surface. They had a great idea - put together wood paneling squares. Charge artists $20 for them and then create to your heart's desire. There is no particular theme to the show. My deadline is the end of this week so I have lots of creating to do! The opening is Saturday, May 5th.  Keep checking in to see what type of progress I have made on the board. Oh, and artists get to keep 100% of the proceeds. How cool is that?

Check this out, I think my dog Cinnamon is trying to tell me what she wants on the board:-)

Happy Spring Break!

The kids are off for the entire week. Hmmm...what to do, what to do...? We'll find something. My nephew, however, was able to spend his spring break at Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. I'm just a bit jealous!!!

10 Camelia Way Products in Jane Austen Centre Online

I am so excited I got my Jane Austen products in the Jane Austen Centre's online shop. They are based in Bath in the UK and is where everything Jane Austen is celebrated. They have an annual Jane Austen Festival where people come dressed in period clothing. If you are a Jane Austen lover this is the place for you. Many thanks to Becca who put all my work online. Hope you guys will stop in and take a look.

Movie Mondays: Grimm

I love Grimm Fridays! Yes I have bought into our fairytale creatures brought back to life as we know it.

David Giuntoli leads the cast as Detective Nick Burkhardt. He is living his life as usual but notices that things aren't quite what they seem. He begins to see that there is more to certain humans than meet the eyes especially when they morph into outlandish creatures right in front of him. His slightly scary Aunt turns his life upside down when she reveals to him that the stories are true and he can see different creatures like The Three Bears because he comes from a long line of Grimms. Nick's partner Hank played by Russel Hornsby is oblivious to his partners powers but is always along to support him in his cases. A bit of irony is thrown in when Nick befriends Eddie Monroe played by Silas Weir Mitchell. Eddie is the "Big Bad Wolf" but reformed. He is now a vegetarian. Eddie helps Nick to understand the creatures he is dealing with and how to fight them.

The show is mysterious, a bit gross, with lots of humor and adventure thrown into the mix. Finally a tv show that has rendered Friday nights a lot less boring! Check it out and tell me what you think.

Something New: Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Ah, the snobbish, condescending, intolerable Aunt of Mr. Darcy's has made her entrance. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has no problem letting her opinion be known, but little did she know that Elizabeth Bennet would prove to be a formidable match to her.

The role of Lady Catherine has been played by Barbara Leigh Hunt (middle) in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and Judi Dench in the movie. Both women are fantastic and quite severe in there roles. Who is your favorite?

The 8x10 print can be found in my 10 Camelia Way shop!

Movie Mondays: Downton Abbey

My friend Mo put me on to this series Downton Abbey. I spent the weekend catching up on Season one. Of course I am absolutely hooked! The Downton Abbey estate houses the The Crawley Family and their servants. The sinking of the Titanic brings news that the heir apparent has died and a far removed cousin should inherit the estate. The dynamic between the family upstairs and the staff downstairs is wonderfully contrasted and interwoven by the creator Julian Fellowes. He explores class, politics (womens rights), romance, mischief and mayhem. It's a wonderfully done series. If you haven't already, you can find the first season on Netflix and the second season you can watch on PBS right now. Enjoy!

Something New: Baby Shower Cards

So my shops have crossed lines. My new baby shower cards are inspired by my "i" line found in my 10 Camelia Way Shop. i DROOL, i GIGGLE and i WIGGLE are just some of the things we expect from a new baby. These are a modern, whimsical take on baby shower cards. You can find them in my Diggs Design Studio shop.

Love You To The Moon And Back!

I have finally curated my first collection on Etsy. I don't know why it took me so long. I found some fantastic pieces and really talented artists. My theme is Love You To The Moon And Back. Take a look and visit shops here.

Something New: Preview My New Baby Card

Whimsical and cute, just the way I like them and with a dash of advice. "Never wake a sleeping baby!" This is one of my new cards that can accompany a baby shower gift. You can find this in my shop.

Movie Mondays: Once Upon A Time

I look forward to Sunday Nights because I am transported into the land of fairy tales and a great night time soap! That would be Once Upon A Time on ABC. Yes, I know every Tom, Dick and Harry are making movies about fairy tales these days but I have to say this one is so well done! Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parrilla lead the cast in this fairy tale gone awry when they are transported into the real world by the Wicked Queen played deliciously by Lana Parrilla, and of course "happily ever after" comes with its complications in our world. Forget every thing you thought you knew about fairy tales. It's a another interpretation of our fairy tale heroes that will tickle your senses. You can catch up with this tale online at www.abc.com

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day! Take a look at my ode to LOVE you can find it in my shop!

Movie Mondays: The Wedding Dress

I was drawn into this movie one Saturday afternoon while watching the Hallmark channel. It's about a woman in the fifties who makes a wedding dress when her fiancée tells her he wants to marry her as soon as he is home from the war. Unfortunately he doesn't make it home and she stores the dress away until a few decades later when her grandnephew is engaged to be married. Once the dress reaches him (played by Neil Patrick Harris), it goes on a journey that touches the lives of six women. You could say it's short stories within a story and the serendipitous circumstances that bring all the characters together. It's beautifully done and will make for a nice relaxing evening on the couch. Let me know what you think!

Something New: Jane Austen Pemberley Note Cards

This is my ode to Jane Austen's Pemberley with notecards! This is a simply wonderful gift for Pride and Prejudice lovers. They know what it meant when Elizabeth Bennet sees Mr. Darcy's estate (and that's putting it mildly) for the first time. Her breath is taken away and tinged with a slight regret she thinks to herself, "And of this place, I might have been mistress!" Not to worry Elizabeth, things might just work out in your favor.

Movie Mondays

I can't believe it's taken me so long to tell you about this one. It's on the CW on Thursdays at 8 p.m. and I don't miss it. I'll tape it if I'm not home. Who am I kidding? I'll tape it even if I am home. It's Vampire Diaries. Yes I confess, I do have a soft spot for the supernatural! I mean, what's not to love? Vampires, witches, werewolves, doppelgangers, a few casualties along the way, you name it they have it or will have it in the upcoming season. Two vampire brothers are in love with the same girl. They face numerous odds and we are left wondering who she'll ultimately choose. Yes it is a guilty pleasure and I will stick with it to the sweet gory end!

Pemberley On My Mind

I have had this image in my head for quite some time now. Finally I have brought it into the light. Pemberley is Mr. Darcy's estate in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet is a bit out of breath when she sees this majestic estate, knowing that she once could have been mistress of this property if there had not been a bitter refusal of Mr. Darcy's proposal to her. Of course she had her reasons, very good ones at that. A girl has to have some pride after all!

Movie Mondays

Ok so I am a bit of a sap. I do like romantic comedies. This one I watch whenever it plays on the Hallmark channel. It's called Personally Yours or at least that's what they call it when they play it. The only photo I found is titled Wilderness Love. I have a feeling that was the first name they came up with until it was thankfully voted out. It stars Valerie Bertinelli and Jeffrey Nordling. It's about a divorced couple who have three children living in Alaska. This is an amicable divorce although the two are so clearly smitten with each other, one wonders why they divorced in the first place. Anyway the wife moves on and starts dating so the kids decide they should help dad to move on as well by putting his story in an Alaskan dating magazine - without his knowledge of course. The scenes following are so funny it is worth the watch! The dad finds someone to start dating but that ultimately makes his ex worried. Ok, so it's a bit of a formula but it really is pretty funny. For what it's worth, my husband actually started watching this with me and got a kick out of it. Hope you will too.

New Jane Austen Notecards

I have been busy working on new pieces and of course my infatuation with Jane (Austen that is) continues. Here are my Jane Austen note cards that chronicle the banter between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. They are a set of six 4.25 x5.5 cards printed on thick smooth paper stock.
Each quote is set in the silhouette of each character. What do you guys think?

Movie Mondays

This is a new category for me. All my friends know that I am a movie/television junkie. Heck I just love a good story whether its a novel or a movie or a television series, I am there. So I figured why not share in this passion since I delve in it quite a bit. And yes I am a bit late as this post should have been up yesterday but nevertheless here it is. First up, my guilty pleasure on Monday nights is Hart of Dixie on the CW. I absolutely love this show! It stars Rachel Bilson and a few other beautiful and talented people. She plays a doctor from New York who after a number of circumstances ends up in small southern town. There is no shock value just good 'ole storytelling. The town has it's quirky characters and little mysteries and lots of flirting! Did I say the guys are, well, a bit easy on the eyes? Also the clothes are divine. You can see more on Hart of Dixie's wardrobe here on this posting on StyleWithBenefits.com by Becs. Hope you check it out!

Busy, busy, busy...

Working on items for the store and I have a new venue that I am very excited about but I will share that with you once everything is concrete.