Off to Austin I go!

So, it's been a crazy couple of months...between baby showers, birthday parties, school functions, camp, etc. I sometimes wonder how I keep my sanity. But...as my mom always said, "You can't lose what you never had!" So, I guess it's all good! LOL

Anyhow- I have spent the last few days helping my two oldest sons pack for camp this week, work on the mountain range of dirty laundry that has piled up and also work on stuff for my upcoming trip to Austin.

Tomorrow, I am leaving for Austin to attend the 2009 HOW Design Conference! I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to attend this year. There are so many who aren't able to go this year due to economic issues, mostly, and so I am feeling very lucky to be able to go this year! I worked on a project several months ago with a friend that I met at the HOW Design Conference last year. She had a great idea and asked me to do illustrations for her on the project. And it is because of that project that I was able to fund this trip. Well, 3/4 of it, anyhow! There is a Designer's Market Place this year, which allows designers such as myself, to set up a booth and sell our goods. I didn't get done as much as I had hoped, but I am planning on taking greeting cards and calling cards, at least. Hopefully they'll get some buzz and I'll be able to make so extra fun spending cash while I am there! And it will give me the experience to know what to expect for next time I decide to set up a booth anywhere. I can be better prepared...I hope! I was also asked this year to be a reviewer at the portfolio review at the conference. This is a huge honor and I am so glad that I get to be a part of it and see some amazing work that I know is out there! And it's a great time to network, as well! You just never know where a connection might lead you....could land you an illustration job to pay for the next year's HOW conference!

Oh and of course the crazy fun that goes with it all....Smitcat will not disappoint and has plans for some awesome pubcrawls starting tomorrow night! Granted, I'll be getting in rather late to Austin, but perhaps I'll be up to having some crazy fun once I get to the hotel. Who knows! I am planning on going and getting a henna tattoo while I am there. A designer friend of mine gave me a referral to a henna artist and so that is what I am planning on doing after the Designer's Market Place and right before heading off to Lanai Lounge for Smitcat's Thursday night pubcrawl. I am really excited about this- the gal is so nice and I am thinking that she's probably the kind of gal that I could spend hours upon hours talking to like long-lost friends. And she makes and sells hoolas and so I am actually considering buying one to bring home. Could be interesting! Friday night is the closing party at the conference. The theme of the party is "Keep Austin Weird", which oddly enough IS Austin's slogan, it seems. So I am thinking that hitting up funky vintage shops on SoCo on Wednesday will help me decide on costume ideas. I think it will be a lot of fun! There are like three other things that I really want to do while in Austin: Barton Springs, Alamo Drafthouse and also watch the bats! Gotta see the bats, right?!

So anyhow...I hope to be inspired and come back revived and pumped, ready to go! I am in such big need for a creative retreat! I can't wait!

As promised...

Even though this is late to post, I wanted to share pics from my sister's baby shower last month. I can't believe that it's already been that long ago, but sure enough...time flies! Her baby shower turned out great- the only downer was that the weather wasn't so cooperative. I had wanted to do it outside but because of rain, we opted to stay inside.

Yes....PINK deviled eggs! (dyed with beet juice)

Grandma Lynne needs to smile, don't you think?! LOL

My sister and our grandparents chatting it up...

Big Sister, Sara...

Busy Days!

So, it's been far too long since I last updated my blog. How shameful. But it's been absolutely crazy for me in the last month! My sister had another baby girl last month, Christine Carolyn, born on April 25th. So, I went to Denver so I could help welcome baby Christine into the world and also entertain her big sister, Sara Mae. But the arrival of Christine also meant birth announcements and baby shower invites to make. (I decided to throw her a baby shower so that my grandparents who can't make it to Denver would be able to see and love on her.) On top of that fun, I have also made birthday party invites for another person, got calling cards printed, packaged up and taken down to the local coffee shop that my work is featured in...I also made some invites for a going away party for one of my son's friends. (And talk about last minute! He brought me the information on a Tuesday and the party was that following Friday! But despite the short notice, the party turned out to be a huge hit.) We have had concerts and awards nights and track meets in the last month. It's been crazy!

This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend...I am throwing the baby shower for my new niece tomorrow afternoon at my home. I decided to go for a very whimsical theme. Rather than telling you of all the details about it, I'll be taking pictures and posting on here so you can actually see. (Plus, as much as a time crunch I am under now at this point, I'd hate to mention something I planned on doing and then not be able to do it or it not turn out as I had hoped!) I know it is going to be absolutely beautiful, though! I am actually very excited about pulling it all together. This week has been nuts, though! We have been going through a bunch of stuff that we have accumulated over the last 16 years in boxes and totes and such and so we have all been scrambling to get it finished and the house clean for a good share of this week. Talk about rush job! Sheesh! But this weekend really did sneak up on me faster than I expected! I am sitting here right now in shock that it's almost June! Holy Moly!!!! But in any case, I know that we'll get stuff done and everything will turn out beautifully, so I really shouldn't stress myself out over it. Things will turn out the way they're supposed to.