Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale is off and running!

This will be a busy weekend. All items are 20% off in my shops Diggs Design Studio and
10 Camelia Way, all weekend until midnight on Cyber Monday! Take a look at one of my
new items.

Something New in my shops

I have been so busy getting my shops ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here is a preview of some new items. Visit my shops for great deals. www.diggsdesignstudio.etsy.com
and 10cameliaway.etsy.com

At The Art Show

Well I have been pretty scarce lately because I have been preparing for The Holiday Affair Art Show. Mo, Jessie and I put this little occasion together and it was a smash! We got a few artists together. The owner of a boutique called Thank You Mama's had us use her space for this shindig, then it was promote, promote, promote. It was a great success. We had a huge turnout and plenty of sales. This is me cheezin' by my table.

New Website Design For Diggs Design Studio

Hallelujah! I never thought this day would come. Diggs Design Studio
is sporting a brand new design. I have to thank my friends over at
MityMo Designs for making this a reality. They rock!

Visit my new website at www.diggsdesignstudio.com. Let me know what you think.

Also if you are ever in need of a beautiful, functional website like my own please
visit www.mitymodesign.com. You'll be in great hands!

Something Inspiring

I was recently contacted by a teacher with as she put it "somewhat of an odd request." She really liked what I call my i line and wanted to use the concept in an exercise with a group of her kids. They would be able to define themselves visually and she would get to know a little more about them and use this as a lead in to describe graphic design. This is the best odd request I have ever had, so much so that I asked her if she would take some photos so I could share it here on my blog.
And here is the, I have to say, really COOL outcome of this exercise. These kids inspired me. I love that they brought such energy to the pieces. They started out with the stem of the i being blank and filled in the word that best described them. Take a look at the outcome. Enjoy!

Can I Date?

This little tyke told me that he is old enough to date. Wha? Whaaat??? Ok, so he is the ripe old age of eleven. However, that's not old enough for Mama! Yep that's right good ole' me. What ever happened to crushes for goodness sake? They are gone and out the door. In their place are little girls already asking him if he wants to date? My answer is date who?

I know, I know, eventually I'll have to let him go but excuse me if I take my time. Can any of you relate?

Something New In The Studio

Lots of creating happening in the studio, getting ready for the holidays. Here is a new addition to my Words To Live By series. It's about not being paralyzed by fear. Things that we thought would be scary turn out to be quite the opposite if we just take a chance. I grew up in Volkswagon bugs, hence the red bug. What do you think? www.10cameliaway.etsy.com

Something New In the Studio

I was feeling a bit overwhelmed one day and I had to get a grip. This is what I told myself.

You can find it in my shop at 10 Camelia Way.

Back to School

This photo marked the beginning of their summer. I can't believe it's already over. I thought I would be relieved because I was running out of ideas to keep them occupied! All the school
supplies have been bought and I dropped them off this morning and instead of relief I am anxious for them. My little first grader just got right back in the groove. My new sixth grader is a bit nervous and rightly so. The school is bigger. He has classes in different buildings. I know he'll find his way but of course I'm a mommy and my heart aches! Soon enough this will be in the past and he will be a pro. For all you Mommies and Dads (of course,) just know you are not alone. We'll get through this one day at a time!

Dearest Jane...

One of my prints was included in this lovely treasury on Etsy. Take a look!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQwNTAxMDd8NTUyODEwNDQ0/dearest-jane

Something New: Barney's Version

I always stumble upon these little gems by chance. I saw a preview for the movie "Barney's Version" a few times and thought it was going to be a comedy of sorts. I went to visit my sister and talked her into watching it. What followed was a
story of a man's life that was hilarious, complicated, dramatic and sad at times. Things aren't always what they seem with this character played by Paul Giametti who was phenomenal and who I hope will get an Oscar award for this role. You can see the preview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsfjXNMQt8I

i DO

Here is a simple little creation to celebrate your nuptials or give as a gift to a friend.

You can personalize it by putting names and date below the "i".

www.10cameliaway.etsy.com

Christmas in July SALE!

Get them while they are hot! All prints are marked down in my store until Friday July 22nd.
www.10cameliaway.etsy.com

Fell off the grid - took a detour to paradise!

Sorry I've been gone for a couple weeks.

First there were the graduations from Kindergarten and Fifth grade that left me wondering where all the time went???

Then our vacation to Jamaica crept up and before I knew it we were off and away!

We had the most amazing time with family and friends and of course exploring Paradise.

Our last two days were spent at a resort called Frenchman's Cove. www.frenchmanscove.com.

You just can't ask for more than this. I'll let the photos do the talking.

This Week's Something New

I think this is an ongoing theme for me. Whether its a bookstore, restaurant or book (the sky's the limit), there is always a little discovery I come across that I want to share with you. I've decided to call it This Week's Something New. And that just happens to be a cool little movie I watched this weekend called "From Prada to Nada." Now it may sound a bit cheesy, but I was determined to watch a movie and when I saw the shorts I thought "Ok, I'll bite."

This turned out to be a funny, delightful, touching movie. It crosses cultural barriers and it will take you by surprise. It also happens to be a modern Mexican take on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, which I discovered when I was watching it. I quickly went to IMBD and realized that I was right. Take a look at the trailer here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvY6WPO5DMc. If you watch it I would love to hear what you think.

Thank You Mama

Here is another neat discovery. A friend of mine told me about this store called "Thank You MaMa." They cater to the natural Mom. They sell organic baby products. There is a doula on staff and they offer massage, acupuncture services and yoga classes.
What a neat concept. Take a look! www.thankyou-mama.com

More calories filled with love (literally)

My sister also went on to make this elegant heart covered rum cake. In Jamaica we call it pudding.
We bake it during the holidays and for weddings – its a huge deal really.

The cake batter is mixed with a blend of fruits and rum and wine. The end result is a consistency that is smooth and moist and the flavors are so well balanced it really is like biting into a piece of heaven. I really wish you could taste it. But I will do the next best thing and show you the photos.

I was a bit culture-shocked when we moved to the the states and found out pudding here was more like a custard. I was really missing my cake!

Enjoy

Sweet Treats

I went to Miami to spend the weekend with my sister. We are both creative. My talent is painting, hers is baking. We had fun this weekend combining our talents.

We had a couple of my illustrations printed on fondant. Then my sister worked her magic and baked almond-flavored cake and cupcakes (can you say YUM).

Working with putting the fondant prints in buttercream icing took a little getting used to, but once she got it she was off and running (with the icing that is).

We are working on her starting up her own ETSY shop. When that happens I'll let you know.

Photographs of Calling Cards

I finally got the business cards printed and photographed.
You can see the others in my store 10 Camelia Way. Now on
to the next batch?

What do you think?

Wings

Have you ever driven pass a place a thousand times and finally one day you decide to stop in only to discover you have been missing out? Yep, that's what happened me last week. The name of the bookstore is Wings. It's a neat little bookstore with a cafe. They had Wayne Dyer books in stock so I was a goner at that point! I also met some really nice people. I even built up the nerve to ask if I could show them my notecards. Soooo...they will be carrying my notecards by the end of this week. I'm so excited! If you're ever in St. Pete, Florida you should stop in for a visit.
www.wingsbookstore.com

Calling/Business Cards have arrived

I have a new addition to my shop. My new calling/business cards have made their debut. I still have more designs to com. You can personalize these for yourself or as a gift to a friend. Check them out! www.10cameliaway.etsy.com

A Cool Site For Artists

So, I was looking for a business plan outline for artists when I came across this little gem of a site.
It's called www.theabundantartists.com. He has lots of tips for artists in business especially how they can market their work. If you are an artist or has a friend who is an artist it would be worth it to go to this site.

Anne Gets Her Man

I took a journey to England and visted Kellynch Hall, Uppercross, Lyme and Bath. It was a very entertaining trip. I came across a delightful love story filled with such interesting characters. One could say I was persuaded to recreate them my shop! www.10cameliaway.etsy.com

Painting in progress

Back to the fun stuff! I'm working on a painting for a friend of mine. Here it is in progress. I'll keep you posted.

Something New!!

The fairies have taken flight! As well as other snippets of my art. I am now making necklaces with art pendants featuring my work. They are paired with an 18 inch ball necklace. The necklaces have a vintage copper finish. These are great pieces to pair with your summer wardrobe! You can find it in my shop www.diggsstudio.etsy.com

A proposal gone wrong

Oops! Mr. Darcy had better brush up on his proposal skills. See the prints in my store at 10 Camelia Way.

Oops! I'm getting ahead of my self!

I should have titled my previous post - Farewell to my Island Ebony.

Pssst!!! Sneak Preview

Gosh I've been busy over the last couple of weeks. I did my second art festival. Yes I'm a newbie. I'm starting small, until I'm comfortable and working my way up to the bigger ones. However I did have a major accomplishment when I was there. I sold an original painting on canvas! I was so tickled it didn't matter if I hadn't sold anything else. So I have to say so long to my "Island Ebony." She will be missed!

Goodies up for grabs!

I am partnering with another blog to give away my Fairy Leaf Boat Stationery pack. Check it out and tell your friends.
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2011/03/diggs-studio-giveaway.html

What's New

I've been busy making new creations. Here is one that I am just giddy about. You can find it at
www.cafepress.com/diggsstudio

Who inspires me

Here's a little something about someone who inspires me. For years I have been working towards this point. I wanted to leave my corporate job and devote my time to my art, but like many people there was this fear of not being able to provide for my family. Then one day I was channel surfing and there on PBS was this guy talking to an audience. I had seen him before and dismissed him as just someone else selling something, but this time I stayed on the channel long enough to hear him say "Follow your bliss." And I stopped. The man was
Dr. Wayne Dyer and he was speaking about The Power of Intention. His message was positive and mesmerizing. So simple and yet so powerful. I kicked myself a few times because I wish I had listened to his presentation sooner, but I guess this was just the right time for me to hear it. It took me a little while but I was able to quit corporate and dedicate myself to my art fulltime. Hold on to the vision of what and where you intend to be and know that it will happen. www.drwaynedyer.com

Also Met Andrew Allen

Andrew Allen is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He opened for Joshua Radin. I got to meet him
and buy one of his CDs. He was a really sweet guy. Check him out on youtube.

Girls Night Out With Josh Radin

Tuesday night was one of the most enjoyable I've had in while. My friend Mo invited me to go and see Josh Radin at State Theatre. I hadn't heard his music before and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. He had funny stories to share in between songs and said he was greatly influenced by Bob Dylan. He reminded me of Cat Stevens. After the concert Mo, Pam and I got to meet Josh. It was a treat and not to be shallow or anything but what a cutie!