[ woohoo! and a new style ]

WHAT A LOVELY morning to find out that my Leigh clutch made it on the front page of Etsy! It's only happened to me a couple of times and what a thrill when it does!

I don't really mention my shop often but since we're talking about Etsy today, I'd like to introduce my latest style of shoulder bag hot off the sewing machine: Christina! Designed to be a great everyday bag, I've paired up some fun upholstery fabrics and added pleats on the front and back that expand so you can hold more stuff. Watch for more Christinas coming soon to my Etsy shop and website!

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

lisa

[ vibrant colour and a winner! ]

AS MUCH AS I love all white spaces, bright hits of colour in a space feel so happy and give off such positive energy. The walls in my home are all pretty neutral but wouldn't one bright room be so unexpected?

[holly dyment; marieclairemaison; lonny; better homes and gardens; 

houzz; better homes and gardens]

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for..... the winner of my handbag giveaway!

According to random.org, the winner is Shari @ little blue deer!! Congratulations Shari! Thanks to everyone who entered and for being such lovely followers of my blog :)

lisa

[ last chance to enter my handbag giveaway! ]

I HOPE YOU all had a lovely final long weekend of summer and were able to soak in some summer sunshine! Even though fall brings pretty changing leaves and thoughts of new sweaters and wellies, I have a hard time letting go of summer. I think I'll pick up some fall fashion mags this week and see what's on trend - maybe that will help ease me into thoughts of cooler weather. Are you ready to embrace fall?

Don't forget to enter my handbag giveaway! All entries must be in by 11pm EST tonight and I'll announce the winner tomorrow. Good luck!

lisa

[pic: better homes and gardens]

[ handbag giveaway! ]

IT'S THE LAST long weekend of the summer and to celebrate, I think it's time for a handbag giveaway!

I'm giving away this lovely Grace handbag made from a heavy tapestry fabric in shades of camel and aqua. It features two camel ultrasuede handles and is lined in camel printed cotton. A removable brooch gives it a pretty finishing touch or could be worn on your coat. A perfect bag for fall!

Here's how you can enter to win!

1) be a follower of my blog and leave a comment

if you'd like more chances to win, you can...

2) visit my website and come back and leave a comment telling me which bag style is your favourite for an additional entry

3) blog, facebook or twitter this giveaway and leave a comment telling me you did so for an additional entry

Giveaway closes at 11pm EST on Tuesday, September 7. Winner will be announced on Wednesday. And the best part? This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide!

Good luck! :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

lisa

[ art in parks ]

ONE OF the highlights of our trip back was being able to visit a couple of outdoor art shows. Some of you might remember this back in 2010...

Yup, that was my booth at the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show {read about it here}. So much fun and I really hope I can do it again someday! 

So you can imagine how excited I was to learn that we would be in Muskoka on the weekend of this year's show...

It was fun to see some familiar faces and some new artists this time too. I find these events so inspiring and they make me want to get busy creating!

So what did I buy? Well, it was difficult not to go crazy but I decided to limit myself to a new painting {I've been trying to build up a bit of an art collection of original works and these art shows are an excellent place to do so. This cheerful original is by Marlene Bulas...

But as luck would have it, this wasn't the only outdoor art show we visited! We happened to be in Oakville, Ontario for their annual Art in the Park show as well. Much smaller in scale but so many beautiful works of art...

And you guessed it ~ I bought a painting! This one is by Robin Mitchell...

I'm so thrilled with my 2 new acquisitions {doesn't that sound fancy?} 

Have you been to any fun summer events this year?

lisa

[ OMG! I'm freaking out! ]

SO I JUST found out that the little local shop (The Finds) that sells my handbags just sold one to Shania Twain!!!! She was enjoying a coffee with her boyfriend in the cafe at the back and bought one of my Shellee totes on her way out! Have I mentioned that we're both from the same hometown (Timmins)? I'm all smiley and giggley right now! I just can't believe it! And my man and I were just commenting the other day on how cool it is that someone in France is walking around with one of my iPhone cases! That's nothing! :)

lisa

[ featured! ]

THE NATIONAL newspaper in Abu Dhabi ran a lovely section on Saturday on local designers and artisans and included my Etsy shop and iPad/Kindle cases. It was so nice to be amongst such amazing talent!

The article can also be found online here.

lisa

[ in the pink ]

WOULDN'T THIS be a great spot to curl up with a book (or nowadays, an iPad?) Speaking of iPads (and Kindles), did Santa bring you one of these amazing gadgets? It was on my guy's wish list and I guess Santa thought he had been good all year (although last I heard, sharing is caring and I have yet to lay a finger on it!)

ps: If you were lucky enough to land one, I've got a new line of iPad and Kindle cases in my shop and am adding new ones daily (including new Amy Butler Soul Blossoms!)

lisa

[style at home]

[ a party + a giveaway! ]

THERE'S A PARTY going on around here - my one year blogiversary!

It's hard to believe it's already been a year since I wrote my first post. It's been an absolute blast and I never would have thought I'd meet so many lovely friends from all over the world and blogging would become such a highlight of my day. I can't thank you enough for loyally following along, offering support and encouragement, sending along your virtual hugs and just popping in to say hello and making me smile with your sweet comments. Without you I would have given up long ago!

And so to show you how much you truly mean to me, I'm having a giveaway! No party is complete without a gift!

Up for grabs is this Christina handbag done in a lovely mustard ikat and taupe tapestry from my shop.

To enter:
[1] simply be a follower and leave me a comment! Easy peasy!

[2] if you would like an additional chance to enter, simply tweet, blog or facebook about the giveaway and leave a comment telling me you've done so. [please be sure to include your email address in your comment if your blogger profile doesn't include an email address].

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends on Sunday, Feb 6th. Winner will be announced on Monday, Feb 7th.

Good luck to everyone and big hugs to all of you sweet friends! I luv you!!
And now, time for cake....mmm

lisa