New Art Prints coming soon! February 13 2013

I've been working on some new art prints! Some include illustrations of your favorite greeting cards, now available in a larger size to frame in your home or office! I am really excited about the new designs debuting soon!  

Over the Weekend January 22 2013

Winter in Florida aren't really winter at all...but a cooler spring time. I got to work a lot on my home studio renovation. It's come a long way to it used to be...green walls and dirty carpet and old vertical blinds. Here are some shots of my weekend, around the studio and a bit in the beautiful outdoors... We recently installed 2 white billy bookcases from Ikea and attached them side-by-side. I knew I wanted them to be unique, so I painted the back walls a coral pink, L&P's main color. Next to the bookshelves is my favorite part...shipping station, which is complete with a tissue paper/wrapping paper holder (I'll have more on the studio redo later). It was Hera's birthday last week and this is her with her birthday toy...it was hard to get a good picture of her! Le French Macaroons with my favorite bone china tiffany's mug and looking through old books at a used bookstore, they surely don't make them like that anymore. Not to mention bike cruising down one of the many beautiful trails in Florida.

New! Pug Mail Stamp January 14 2013

I have always loved stamps and have been a collector since I was a child. Stamps and stationery are just 2 peas in a pod. So it's no wonder I've designed another stamp to add to the collection. Introducing the pug mail stamp! This is stamp is perfect for that dog lover who loves to send snail mail, now it's called 'pug mail.' This stamp is wood mounted rubber stamp. The stamped image size is 1 1/2"x1" and the size of the stamp including the wood block is 1 3/4″ x 3/4″ x 1″. The stamp comes packaged in a keepsake muslin bag.  

2013 Calendars January 04 2013

Our 2013 Dog Calendar and 2013 Pug Calendar have been a wonderful success this past year! This is the first time I have designed a wall calendar for the collection, and I am so glad I did. I feel that the whimsical illustrations bring something unique to each month. I am hoping to continue this trend with my new 2013 greeting cards and social stationery. Also, many thanks to the Matchbook girls for featuring my dog calendars in the Matchbook Magazine's blog, seen here. Also, thanks to Oh So Beautiful Paper! for featuring my calendars in her blog as well for the '2013 most unique calendars', seen here. I am so thrilled!

Christmas - Holiday Sale! November 08 2012

Now through November 15, Lydia & Pugs Holiday Collection is 15% off! We have new holiday address labels, gift tags, and greeting cards! Also, if you are interested in getting your Custom Christmas Cards from Lydia & Pugs this year, I also suggest ordering early to ensure enough delivery time to mail to your family and friends. So the 15% off is good on all Custom Christmas too! Email me at dawn@lydiaandpugs.com to get started! Use Promo Code: SEASON15 in when checking out to receive the discount! Click here to view all the Christmas and holiday cards. Our 2013 Pug Calendar and 2013 Dog Calendar have been a popular item. These would make a great gift for the new year! P.S. If you are in the central Florida area, Lydia & Pugs will have a booth at the 10th Annual Central Florida Pug Rescue Pugsgiving this year! Pugsgiving is Saturday, November 10 in Kissimmee, Florida. We will be selling many pug items including a limited edition pugsgiving greeting card, limited edition pug ornaments, pug rubber stamps and much more!

Halloween & Fall Paper Goods October 16 2012

Halloween paper goods are here! I've added a few new designs this year, including the black pug with pumpkin costume called Halloween Pug Pumpkin Card. Introducing my new Thanksgiving Pug Card! I am so excited to debut this card, because not only is it adorable, but finding dog Thanksgiving cards is always hard and I think this really encompasses a fun card for the season. Lydia & Pugs will have a display at Pug Rescue of Florida's Pugsgiving this year! I have got to Pugsgiving for the past 2 years, and I am always excited to sell my pug related handmade goods and especially see all the pugs! Pugsgiving is November 10 in Kissimmee, FL, for more info click here.  

2013 Calendars on Sale! August 15 2012

New 2013 Calendars are here! The 2 new calendars include the Pug Calendar featuring 12 different pug silhouette illustrations, each dressed in a hat and glasses. And the Dog Calendar featuring 12 different illustrated dog breeds dressed by the season in a fashionable outfit with a word balloon for the month. Save 10% off our "Calendars" section. Use code "CALENDAR13" at checkout through August 31, 2012. Click here to shop.

2013 Calendars Coming Soon! August 13 2012

It's been a long while since I posted...I guess you can say I've been busy. But above is a mini preview of the 2 new 2013 wall calendars that will be on sale this week. A pug calendar, strictly with fun pug silhouette illustrations and a dog calendar with various dog breeds for the seasons/holidays. I also added a new doggy sympathy card to the shop. Yippee! I can't wait to share the calendars. I think you will love them!

Custom Stationery Design is Born May 22 2012

I've been working on some really fun custom designs lately. And for those of you that are new to the blog, or just wanted to know what happens behinds the scenes. I've listed a couple of steps in the custom design process. 1. Inspiration photos: After the custom design details are established. The client sends over inspiration photos of anything they would like incorporated in their design. From favorite dog photos to a pair of shoes to a colorful Lilly bag as shown. 2. Rough sketch: I gather the inspiration photos and get to drawing a rough sketch of their requests. I then send it to the client for approval before moving on to watercolor. 3. Watercolor rendering: After getting the client's approval, changing anything that needs to be modified or adding any details, I start watercoloring the illustration. This is where the drawing comes to life, adding the details of the illustration, such as the texture of dog's fur or patterned shirt, etc. 4. Final Stationery Design: In this step I send a final proof to the client for approve. The client is excited and happy with the final design, there might be a few tweaks, but it's then it's ready for the press! The best part about getting in a custom design, other than the fact that it's one-of-a-kind, is you can re-order stationery anytime you want and have your illustration added to a number of other items such as a mug, tote, or Christmas cards. You custom design is kept on file for future orders. If you are interested in a custom design or have more questions, please email me: dawn@lydiaandpugs.com. I'd love to work with you!

Hello Dog Cards May 18 2012

I recently added a new Assorted set to my Greeting Cards collection! Meet the Hello Dogs Assorted Set! I rendered 4 different favorite dog breeds (pug, dachshund, labrador retriever and scottie) with a different clothing accessory. These cards are sold either assorted or individually. My two favorites of the collection...however, I am partial to pugs and dachshunds... Hello Dog Cards - Assorted Set

Save 15% off New Greeting Cards May 07 2012

Lovely Packaging April 25 2012

Lately I've been giving the Lydia & Pugs packaging a good facelift. Let's face it I'm guilty of purchasing something just because of the pretty packaging. I've gotten some great inspiration for my own packaging and have a few favorites below. I can't wait to share with you L&P's new packaging soon! 1. Piperlime shoes and accessories. The shipping boxes are pretty just on their own with a lime green pattern. 2. Sprinkles Cupcakes: Kraft box with maroon interior and sticker seal. 3. Lucia Soaps: Perfect just as they for a gift. The pattern wrapping is the gift wrap. 4. SD Coffee Brand: Clever and artful kraft shipping box. 5. Justin's Peanut Butter. Out of all the peanut butters on the shelf to choose at Target last week, this one was the most appealing to eye. Simple is key.

New Rubber Stamps + Kraft Envelopes April 23 2012

I recently ordered some stamps for my new kraft envelope packaging for cards and art prints. I ordered my Lydia & Pugs stamp here with my website and logo. And I also decided to get a wooden rubber stamp with a pug silhouette saying "thank you," to put on my hand-written notes in each order. The bright pink and coral colored flowers are fabric peonies, a DIY project I did this weekend, thanks to Creature Comforts blog, the tutorial is here. They were fun to make and were perfect addition to my photos.  

New Greeting Cards April 18 2012

Lydia & Pugs Greeting Cards are here! I've been adding new designs to the general greeting card line, such as thank you, assorted and miscellaneous cards. The new cards are all illustrated using watercolor and are paired with kraft envelopes. I'll be adding birthday cards to the shop soon too! Traveling Pugs Assorted Set Hot Air Balloon Assorted Set  

Graduation Paper Goods 2012 April 10 2012

Introducing new 2012 Graduation paper goods! Save 10% all Graduation paper goods now through May 1, 2012. Use promo code: "CONGRATS10" at checkout.    

Happy Easter! April 08 2012

Happy Easter! I hope you celebrate this day with your family, friends and pets too! Pugs & Kisses, Dawn & Hera the rescue pug

Etsy Window Shopping March 30 2012

A few things I've been eyeballing lately on Etsy. Happy rubber stamps and floral tote bags for Spring and of course writing more hand-written letters are always great too. 1. Flowers - Screen printed canvas tote from Depeada 2. Red Poppies Hand Embroidered Wall Art from Sidereal 3. Write More Hand Written Letters poster from MaryKateMcDewitt 4. Nice Weather & Bicycle Wooden Rubber Stamps from Eat Pray Create P.S. Don't forget tomorrow is the last day to save 10% off Easter paper goods! Use Promo Code: "HAPPYSPRING" at checkout. Ends March 31, 2012 at midnight EST.

Blog Header into Business Cards March 28 2012

I recently designed some business cards for Ashley at Pink Julep Abroad. I worked with Ashley in the past on her custom blog header. And she requested some personalized business cards with her original blog illustration and contact information. Since Ashley had already ordered from Lydia & Pugs in the past, I was able to pull up her illustration from her blog header and use it on her business cards. Whenever someone orders custom stationery or blog header design, the illustration is saved in my files so it can be used again for reprints of stationery, business cards or even tote bags, a wonderful perk in deciding to order custom stationery.  

Easter Cards are here! March 19 2012

Easter goods are up on the website! Yippee! I love spring! Order you Easter stationery now through March 31 and save 10% off your entire order, use promo code: 'HAPPYSPRING' at checkout. P.S. Also take note I've added new sizes to the personalized doggie art prints! Print now come in 5"x7", 8"x10" and 11'x14". Enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! March 17 2012

Wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Enjoy your weekend. Our Easter paper goods will be out starting next week! I can't wait to share them with you! If you are on Instagram, you can follow my feeds here: @lydiaandpugs. And remember I'm on Twitter: @lydiaandpugs and Facebook: www.facebook.com/lydiaandpugs    

Parent's 30th Wedding Anniversary March 12 2012

Welcome to the new *updated* blog! I am gradually getting used to Wordpress after using Blogger for the past 3 years...it's been an adjustment. But I am happy to say Lydia & Pugs blog is now on the same URL, you can find us here: www.lydiaandpugs.com/blog. I am still working out all the new graphics and small kinks too...so bare with me. My parent's 30th Wedding Anniversary was this past week! It's hard to believe they have been married that long. Oh, how the time flies! Before they took off to the Florida Keys, I gave them a special anniversary card with their favorite wedding photos.  Baked them healthy applesauce bread to take on their trip and added a special 30th anniversary paper banner and embroidered monogram hand towels.   Applesauce Bread Recipe  1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 3/4 cup rapadura or 1/2 cup honey (I used raw honey) 1/2 t. baking powder 1/2 t. baking soda 1/4 t. sea salt 1 t. cinnamon 1/2 t. nutmeg 3/4 cup applesauce 2 eggs 1/4 cup butter, melted (I used coconut oil) Mix dry ingredients.  Make a well in the center and add applesauce, eggs and butter (or coconut oil).  Stir well.  Pour into a buttered bread pan or stone.  Bake for 45-55 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Recipe from Heavenly Homemakers.  

Valentine's Paper Goods are here! January 10 2012