New Print in the Shop!

Finally...
a new print is in the shop!

Other colours are available, but this has to be one of my faves. A nice soothing robin's egg/eggshell blue.

I'm planning on making a silkscreen for this too. So look for tees and totes with this design in the coming weeks. Yay!


Etsy has also changed our shop view to a wider format. Not sure if I like it as much or any better.

But here's to new things at any rate.

Working on more new stuff for the shop - prints, freebies, etc. - so will share with you as I finish them.

Seeing Past the Poop

Today has been one of those days. You know, the poopy kind. The kind of day that I want to tell the "Keep Calm and Carry On" mantra to shove it. The kind of day that you don't want others to know that you're having (but I'm sure a lot of us experience)... so why the heck am I writing about it?

Well, the point of this post is for me to see past the poop (which at this time of year, I literally have to do when I'm out walking). Focus on the positive. Keep Calm and Carry On!

See, I even made a cute poo illustration.

That's a positive.

It's also the first time I've used my watercolour palette in months!

Wow!

Basically, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Or Dex woke me up at 5 am... and it made me grumpy.

The short version of the story: I believe Dex is the devil incarnate in the wee hours of the morning and was prepared to take him back to the Humane Society, which conveniently is down the street from us. I could never take Dex back to the Humane Society, but he certainly likes to test me.

The long version of the story is quite a bit longer and after rereading what I wrote, makes me seem a bit petty and heartless, so I'm going to omit it. I've gotta focus on seeing past the poop, after all.

The week had been going well.

Several sweet repeat customers - you know who you are - brightened the end of my week on etsy. These days it seems tough to make a sale, so I truly appreciate your business!

And despite the dismal economy, I've been fortunate enough to work part-time at a design firm down the street from us.

I was also rather productive with my own projects and have a bunch of new designs in the works. Here's a sneak peek of one of them:


I'm doing my best to stay focused for the rest of weekend, so I can finish all that I want to and hopefully get to printing some new tees and listing new items in the the shop next week.

How fitting though, that the toilet literally overflowed today. I'm not kidding :)

At least there was no poop... at least, I don't think there was. Matt had to deal with it.

Keep Calm and Carry On!

That's my new motto for this year. At least, a little mantra that I hope I can remember in more stressful moments. I've seen many versions of that great phrase online and while I would love to own one of those, I'm on a limited budget after the holidays. So instead I made my own thrifty and quick version this morning. The chalkboard hangs on the wall across from my work desk, so all I have to do is look up if needed.

It's been freezing lately and sales in my shop are not so hot either, but I was warmed by some of the sweetest feedback left by one of my recent buyers the other day:

Cathy is amazing. She keeps up with her clients at all times, being very professional, and always letting them know if a package may be a day or two late. I received my package in a timely manner, seven days from the original ship-date, which came to California all the way from Canada! She is also an honest seller, who offered to refund the extra shipping cost that was unnecessary, as it cost less than expected to ship, or to send a few trinkets in place of it. I chose the latter, and on top of my original two purchases, received some adorable stickers of a kitty and of the love doves, as well as a matching pin for this shirt! I've added a picture of myself in the shirt, which was just as wonderful as I would have expected. Thank you, Cathy! (read more @ feedback for bookmark)...

This bookmark was just as cute as I would have hoped it to be. It was shipped fully laminated, and even had a piece of cardboard behind it so it wouldn't bend! Very clever. Every piece of the shipment was in wonderful detail, and Cathy even sent me a personalized thank-you note, which I have attached for your viewing pleasure. She is a total sweetheart, and her items are one-of-a-kind. You've nothing to lose, kitty lovers, now shop, shop, shop!

Here she is wearing her new tee from my shop.


Thanks for making me smile, Danielle! Now in her wise words:
"You've nothing to lose, kitty lovers, now shop, shop, shop!"