Is spring in the air? Sure feels like it today.

It is 60 degrees and sunny here in Santa Rosa, California. So why not create a modern poppy birth announcement inspired by this beautiful flower?

To view this announcement in my etsy store, click here.

I just wanted to say I miss you!

I started a new job in May, while the hours went to normal 9-5 from the crazy hours I was doing at my previous position. It is also almost 100% on the computer and using my passion for creativity and design, which I love. I have noticed that this move pretty much correlates to the time my posts and new designs stopped. I LOVE my new job but I really miss Designs by Kat, both my blog and my shop. I have decided that Saturday mornings are my new time to focus on Designs by Kat. Whether that means blogging, searching etsy or creating I will spend it focused on DBK. It is an outlet that I am deeply missing and I am excited to get back into it.

Figured I would start with an etsy product feature of "I Miss You" items.

First Row {1} Dog Themed I Miss You Greeting Card  {2}MISSING YOU CARD {3}

Second Row {1} 1970s Big Eyed I Mith You Doll {2} Letterpress Greeting Card - Miss You {3}1906 ANTIQUE Postcard - Hurry Back

Third Row {1}miss you baltimore {2} Sun Tee in Heather Grey

Quotes to live by.

We all have our favorite quotes which make us stop and think about the big picture, a funny story or just remember we are loved.

I absolutely LOVE the new vinyl wall quotes which are starting to pop up everywhere. I actually just had some awesome birch trees installed at my office and everyone seems to love them. We also have the "Always kiss me goodnight" quote in our bedroom which is a great reminder to never let arguments last and end the night with an affirmation of your love for each other.

Check out the awesome below etsians who feature these and MANY more quote vinyls in their shops.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... its about learning to dance in the rain"
by Old Barn Rescue Company

"Always kiss me goodnight" by WhirliBird

"A dream is a wish your heart makes" by Decor Expressions

"For beautiful eyes looks for the good in others; for beautiful lips speak only words of kindness; and for poise walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."
~Audrey Hepburn by the Sticker Hut

"Dreams come in a size too big so that we can grow into them"
by Design Divas Gallery

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ~Christopher Robin by Tweet Heart

Enjoy!

A penny for your thought, no actually a coat rack

Post Road Vintage is giving away one of their new products and to enter all you have to do is share your two cents! Head over now, and leave your comment.

They want to know what your favorite three are, and what color you will choose if you win!! Giveaway is live now until Sunday Aug 1st- not open to international. Click here to go.

Good luck,

Craft Fair For A Cause

The site is live and has already has received $200 in donations! In case you haven't heard about it, I am hosting an online Craft Fair For A Cause with all donations going to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. You can get lots of informaiton about our cause and my personal story of surviving childhood cancer on the website by clicking here.

You can see all the great items shown below and more online right now! You better do it soon because there is only one of each item so once it is gone its all gone, CLICK HERE to shop.

I can't say enough thank yous to the 20 crafters who have already donated handmade items. Got something you'd like to donate? Shoot me and email or leave me a comment, I would love to include you.

Thank you Sono-ma for the first promotion of Craft Fair For A Cause

I was so excited to return home from Tahoe this evening to read Holly's post about yours truly and the Craft Fair For A Cause I am putting together. I got goose bumps from the lovely things Holly had to say.

Click here to visit sono-ma.com
 

You will hear lots more from me over the next couple months about the fair which I am hosting to raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life but for now, here is some great information from an un-biased :) party.

Hope you had a fantastic weekend, I sure did!

Fun twists to the classic mason jar, courtesy of etsians.

There is something about a mason jar that just screams summer! What better for a 4th of July decoration?

First Row: {1} The Mason Firefly mason jar light by the Masonry {2} Lovely Vintage Set of Four Quart Size Ball Mason Jar Lanterns or Flower Vases by Whippoorwheel {3} Tall Quilted Soap Dispenser by Midwest Finds

Second Row: {1} Garden Party Upcycled Glass Jars With Chalkboard Fronts Tea Light Candle Holder Rustic Summer Chic by Bragging Bags {2} Rustic Mason Jar Wall Vase Organizer by Post Road Vintage

London, Paris or Rome?

Ryan and I have a friend traveling Europe right now and he has asked us to come and meet up with him. Of course my eyes lite up at the chance! He said "you choose; London, Paris or Rome and I'll meet you there". Which should we aim for?

Check out the sweet etsy finds below- can you guess which I am leaning towards?

First Row: {1} Parisian Princess Gown by CLF by Claire La Faye {2} Paris Ferris Wheel Pillow Cover by Word Garden {3} Les amants, Two lovers at the park by Velo Noir

Second Row: {1} Eiffel Tower 8 Feet Tall Highly Detailed Vinyl Decal Art by Chuck E Bryd Wall Art {2} Vive la.... by SimplyChacha {3} Paris France Vintage Map Belt Buckle by the Map

Third Row: {1} French Connection .. UNused Vintage Postage Stamps by Verde Studio {2} Vintage FRENCH BISTRO Sign by My Painted Porch

Life is so short, so fast, so fragile

Today I was reminded of just how precious life is, how short it really is, how fragile it is. With these reminders I am determinded to remember to "live the life I have imagined" as the below quote says!

Even as I feel numb at the moment I find comfort in being able to scroll pages of beautiful creations which can make me smile, laugh and even remember. Every wonderful etsy item started from a thought and became something bigger than the creator had originally imagined- that is pretty cool. Below are some items that made this moment easier and special for me.

Do you have a favorite quote or even room of your home that gets you through hard times?

First Row: {1} Sunset Tree of Life by Distinctive Creations in Glass {2} 1601 - Vinyl Lettering - Life, it's not the amount of breaths you take by Design Divas {3} Magic Blueberry Bears by Zuk Zuk

Second Row: {1} Live the Life You Have Imagined by Single Stone Studios {2} 13 x 19 Wild Air by the Wheat Field {3} FAMILY IS EVERYTHING home decor vinyl by wALL EXPRESSION DECALS

Third Row: {1} Golden- Large Gold Plated Circle with Birthstone Beads by Alison Avenue {2} Double Cloud Pin by Lost at Sea

 

This year I am gunna win it! If not at least it gave me some inspiration.

Are you all entering daily? A few clicks will mean a free home, car and $100,000 for one very lucky winner.

I haven't been watching much TV lately, well other than baseball, so I hadn't seen much about the new HGTV Green Home giveaway so when I saw an email with some snapshots I had to head over and take a closer look.

The design is so amazing. Lots of color palettes I am saving to inspire my own graphic design.

 

If you haven't heard of this sweepstakes head over to HGTV check out the amazing photos and sign up. You can sign up once daily until June 4th. Visit the HGTV Green Home webpage to enter. Or you can even enter in the box below or click to enter the tour.

Please attend a virtual craft fair supporting a great cause

Many of you know, I am a cancer survivor, leukemia a.l.l., to be precise. Since I can remember, the Leukemia and Lymphoma society has been working hard to make a difference in the fight against cancer. I have a friend riding in my honor, gearing up to ride in a BIG Team in Training event (100 miles).  

She is hosting a virtual craft fair which offers you the best of two worlds, support handmade AND a great cause. You can view her site online here. Once you choose what you want you can paypal her the money and she will make arrangements to get you the goods.

I just ordered two of the wood candle holders. Throwing this out there--- if anyone wants to buy a gift certificate from me anytime in the month of May I will donate the money to Kristin’s ride. You can buy them on my blog, http://www.customdesignsbykat.blogspot.com/.

does your couch need a little update? a couple amazing pillows can update the whole look of your room

New job is going great, people there are great, starting some fun projects and I LOVE getting home around 5:30 each night! It is going to give me a lot more time to spend here and on my etsy site! 

I have been saving cute throw pillows to my favorites for weeks now and I started to see a trend. I am totally digging yellow and blue together. Also had to throw in the super cute chandelier vinyl that would be so awesome above the pillows.

Tell me what you think. What color throw pillows do you have? Which is your favorite?

First Row: {1} Yellow Fern Pillow by Appetite Home {2} Seahorse Decorative Pillow by Freshline {3} Set of Two 18x18 inch Pillow Covers - Damask Print Mustard Yellow and Natural by this Little Home

Second Row: {1} Felt Foliage Pillow by V Squared {2} Crystal Chandelier - Vinyl Wall Decals Stickers Art Graphics by Single Stone Studios'  {3} Navy Blue Linen and Nautical White Star Fish Embroidery Pillow Cover by Kain-Kain

Third Row: {1} Yellow and White OLIVE BRANCH Decorative Eco Throw Pillow 20x20 by Zen Threads  {2} Owl Pillow 15 x 15 by Norajane {3} 18 X 18 in. Throw Pillow in a Navy floral print - eco friendly bamboo fiber stuffing by Rosie Pillows

aaaahh, excited, sad, happy, smiling, crying. Isn't it fun to be a woman?!?

I am starting a new job on Monday... what?!?  2 1/2 weeks went fast which I am excited, sad, stoked, happy, smiling, crying, laughing about.

As many of you have read I have been working as a Relay For Life Event Manager for the past two years (you know, my day job, ha, and nights and weekends). I have just recently accepted a new position as a Marketing Coordinator for First California Mortgage in Petaluma, Ca. I am so excited to take on a full time role which will utilize my graphic design and marketing passion.

However, I have loved so much about my experience working for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life over these two years and the amazing people I have worked with - so I am sad to leave. I have expressed many times - my heart has been with this job. I will never stop volunteering because this organization is amazing and does BIG things in the lives of cancer patients and their families. To be able to say after two years and moving into a new job that you are now going to continue working for that company FOR FREE means something... BIG!

I LOVE RELAY FOR LIFE!!! If you don't know what this post is about you need to go to www.relayforlife.org. 1 in 3 women will get cancer in their lifetime, what are you doing about that?

Open House FUN!

I had a great time at my open house launch today. Thank you friends and family for your support. I do plan to have another one in a few months, open house / party not so much launch, since I didn't know when I set the date that is was both the butter and eggs and apple blossom fairs plus beerfest in SF!

Everyone thanks so much for all your well wishes and support it means so much to me and make all these hours feel well worth it.

Also big thank you to Natalie who spent her Saturday with us introducing me to Tastefully Simple. The food was amazing and believe it or not, lol, so simple to make! I can't wait for my order to arrive. I ordered the sangria and margarita drink mix buckets which you just put alcohol and water into and freeze for an anytime tasty slushy drink. Ryan and I also couldn't live with out the spinach and herb mix, artichoke dip mix and sun dried tomato mix! YUM. Gunna be a yummy summer of BBQ dips for us!

Below are some pics from the day. I was so glad my Mom and Dad could come down and showcase her jewelry here - I loved seeing some of the new pieces.

Thank you!

Mickey Birthday... plus download the font

I set out to make a Mickey Mouse themed birthday invite, googled free mickey font. Yay! Urban fonts had it. Look below for the link. View my new birthday cards in my etsy store. 

 Free Font from Urban Fonts

Open House Launch

Hope to see you here! I am so excited to try out some Tastefully Simple yummies! Plus I am very excited for mimosas.

Sew Cute! Don't you think?

I couldn't wait a minute to spread the word about the cutest etsy shop I just found on Everything Esty. It is called Sew Cute Shop and it is really true, the name says is ALL! I have listed three items from their shop that I just had to favorite right away. The first one gave me a huge grin and when a pillow does that you know there is something special about it.

Lynne Owl YOU PICK FABRIC Amy Butler Heather Bailey

Camera Strap Cover, Heather Bailey as Shown, Custom Fabric Choice Available, FREE SHIP to US

Ruffle Apron, Amy Butler LOVE, Tangerine Mint Sunspots and Tangerine Sandlewood, SewCute and READY TO SHIP

Everything Etsy is offering a $25 gift certificate giveaway for the Sew Cute Shop, so once you tell me what you love most, head over to their site and let them know what your favorite item is.

Candles, Fire and Wine OH MY!

I was so excited to see the weather this morning because it meant I got to light my new candles from Auntie B's Wax! I did some work with Auntie B a few weeks back for trade and was so excited when my candles arrived. I went with lemongrass out of her many flavors and I am so enjoying it. We also have a fire going and are enjoying a bottle of wine. I love that in California you can experience different weather everyday- hard to imagine that on Friday I was driving with the top down on my car and got a little tan.

   

If you are in need of some design work and are interested in a trade shoot me an email. I love to trade!