Cyber Monday Sale!

Lydia & Pugs having a Cyber Monday Sale!

FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL ORDERS OVER $30.00
*11/30 ONLY* Refunded via Paypal*
Shipping price does not count towards order.

So hop on over to Lydia & Pugs and shop early for the Holidays!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Lydia & Pugs Holiday Page

Lydia & Pugs is ready for the Holidays!

Check out the new Christmas homepage and all the holidays items for sale!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Weekly Re-Cap

Weekly Re-Cap: A re-cap of all the fun finds, pictures, and items throughout the week! Enjoy!

Headboards are what make a bed, and this one is gorgeous!

I love love these light pink roses!

If it has lots of colors, I'll take it!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends, family and pets! The Holidays are now upon us! Whew...this year went by fast! I am so thankful to have my blog friends and new friends visit my blog each day. Cheers to you!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Holiday Table Setting Etiquette

For many people being confronted by an array of cutlery at the Thanksgiving table can be daunting for some, especially if you not used to the fancy table setting at Grandma's house. Here's some good advice from Emily Post about table settings.

-Whilst eating, you may if you wish rest the knife and fork on either side of the plate between mouthfuls. When you have finished eating, place them side by side in the center of the plate.

-If the food presented to you is not to your liking, it is polite to at least make some attempt to eat a small amount of it. Or at the very least, cut it up a little, and move it around the plate!

-It is good dinner table etiquette to serve the lady sitting to the right of the host first, then the other ladies in a clockwise direction, and lastly the gentlemen.

-If bread rolls are served, break the bread between your fingers rather than cut it.

-When finished eating, position the knife and fork (or other cutlery used) side by side pointing into the centre of the plate.

Here's a good tip:
Put your hands out in front of you and use your thumb and your pointer finger on both hands to make a lowercase "b" with your left hand ("B" for bread - bread goes on your left) and a lowercase "d" with your right hand ("D" for drink- drink goes on your right).

A final word to remember is entertaining and food gatherings are suppose to be enjoyed! Don't become so concerned with table setting that you don't have a good time. As long as you have good manners and are polite it should all come natural.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love this pic of all the pumpkins in the blue vintage pick-up, so peaceful.

A good holiday photo. This is what every family gathering should look like.I love that the U.S. Postal Service created Thanksgiving Parade Stamps. I love these and I used them on my Thanksgiving cards this year.

I make this Pumpkin Cake every year for Thanksgiving. It's been a tradition for about 6 years now. It's quite possibly my favorite dessert for Fall.

These little chocolate covered turkeys look delightful and festive, via Amy Atlas.

Take some quiet time to think about all things that you are thankful for this year.

Lydia & Pugs would like to wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!

Pugs & kisses,

Dawn

Holiday Etiquette

Here's a few helpful tid-bits that might get you through the holidays, or at least the Thanksgiving holiday. I found this helpful advice from an old friend, Emily Post.

What if you don't want to give up your ingredients?

Q: I have a collection of great special-occasion recipes, and people are always asking me to share them. Is there a nice way to say no?

A: It might help your frame of mind to think of each request as a compliment. If there’s a recipe you truly don’t want to reveal, just say warmly, “I”m very flattered you like it. However, it’s been kept in the family so long that I’ve promised myself not to divulge it. I’m sure you understand.” You could then offer to give her a recipe that you like but don’t feel protective about.

Table Conversation

The art of dining includes several things: the table setting which brings order and beauty, the menu which delights the taste buds, and the conversation that brightens the day! The following tips will help your children learn the art of table conversation.

• Talk to people on both sides of you and across the table.
• Volume: Not too loud; not too soft.
• Don’t talk with your mouth full! (If it’s a problem, try putting a mirror in front of your child during a meal, so she can see how it looks.)
• The art of small talk: Suggest topics like the weather, sports, local events, school and then practice. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead use who, what, where, when, and how. Here are some practice questions. Help your kids make up their own:
  1. “What did you think of the ball game last night?”
  2. “What was the sledding like after that snow storm?”
  3. “I heard you won the state spelling bee last week! That is so cool…What comes next?”
  4. “Mom says you went to Spain last summer. Can you tell me about it?”
• Avoid talking about personal family issues.

Practice at each meal this week. Who knows? Maybe you’ll learn something about your children you didn’t know. And, better yet, maybe they’ll learn something about you!

via Emily Post

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

A Puggy Wedding

A few months ago I was asked by a customer if I could design her Table Number Cards for her wedding. She then explained that she and her fiance are both obsessed with pugs. And the best part is a 4-month- old black rescue pug named Presley is going to be walking down the aisle at her wedding. How adorable?!

Of course I was thrilled to take on the task. Her cards use the "Preppy" script font, a black pug silhouette with each table number in the middle with a salmon double lined border. The cards came out just perfect!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

New Christmas Apron Designs

I've designed a few more Christmas Pug Silhouette Designs! Each apron is completely different and one-0f-a-kind!

Inspired by vintage apron design, each apron features a festive Christmas pooch! The dog applique is zig-zag stitched with red thread, adding extra durability.

Makes a perfect Christmas gift for a pug lover friend or yourself! If you would like a different dog breed silhouette, just ask!

This full apron will fit a lady that is a small to large size. The apron ties with pink straps 120 inches in length.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Weekly Re-Cap

Weekly Re-Cap: A re-cap of all the fun finds, pictures, and items throughout the week! Enjoy!

I wish all my tea parties would look like this.

SJP just falls right into this ruffled dress.

Breathtaking Fall day, I love how the colors melt into each other.

Be-jeweled dog! I guess pooches can wear jewelry too.

Lydia & Pugs 2010 Wall Calendars.

Less than a week til Thanksgiving! Thank you to everyone who enjoyed my blog this week and left sweet comments! On to the weekend, I hope yours is just lovely!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Holiday Envelopes

Lydia & Pugs Holiday Envelopes are here!

Choose from Wreath Green, Holly Red, Apple Green, Kraft Brown or Snow White.

Holiday envelopes are available for any of my Christmas cards on my shop.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

2010 Doggy Wall Calendars

Introducing Lydia & Pugs 2010 Wall Calendars! Perfect for your desk at work, or your fridge at home, these wall calendars make a great addition for the new year 2010.

You get to personalized the calendar by adding your own dog breed, dog outfit, and personalized message.

Each calendar is printed on white card stock and measure approx 8.5 x 11 inches.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Wednesday Dog Treats: Christmas Card Collection

Happy Holidays Doggy Greetings Card.

Christmas Wreath Card.

Three Puggy's in a Sleigh Card.

Happy HOWLidays Card.

Season's Greetings Card.

Example of inside card

I am happy to debut the Lydia & Pugs Christmas Card Collection! Each card has the option to put your favorite dog breed on the card, by choosing from any of my hand-drawn illustrated dog breeds. You even have the choice of "Dressing your Pooch" in one of the many Christmas outfits I've created!

All Christmas cards are all folded, printed on smooth 80 lb card stock, measure 4.25" by 5.5", and are paired with coordinating envelopes. I have paired the inside of the card with a special saying for each design, however you are free to change it to your own Christmas saying.

Check out my Christmas Card Collection today!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Design Allie & Tootie

I have to share with you one of my recent Custom Stationery Designs. Allie from Jellie & Co. came to me explaining she loved my work and she wanted an illustration with her pug Tootie. She said wanted a hippie chic look, bell bottom jeans, and a peace sign t-shirt, while incorporating the colors purple and green. I made sure I illustrated Tootie with more of an orange shade, as shown in the picture. And of course I had to add a flower collar around Tootie's neck for some flower power!

I think the final illustration looks perfect! It's one of my favorite custom designs yet!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Stationery Winner

I am happy to announce Lydia & Pugs has, as of today, 102 fans on it's Facebook Fan page!
I would like to thank everyone who participated in my current giveaway, I got such a warm response from so many people with dogs who just love my work and that makes me so happy!

Congratulations to Andrea!
(via random.org)

She said she wanted, "a design made up with my spoiled little dachshund/yorkie mix."

You are entitled to a Custom Stationery Design to be printed on
a set of 12 Note Cards with coordinating envelopes!

Happy Monday!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Weekly Re-Cap

Weekly Re-Cap: A re-cap of all the fun finds, pictures, and items throughout the week! Enjoy!

I love the ruffles on this dress.

This driveway is perfect, loving the twinkle lights.

The embellishments on this dress are just delightful and beautiful!

Don't forget to sign-up for Lydia & Pugs Giveaway! It ends this Sunday, November 15!

The week has gone by once again! I hope everyone has a happy weekend! Only 2 weeks until Thanksgiving...whew, I can't believe it. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my blog this week and left such sweet comments.

Pugs & kisses,

Dawn

Lilly Inspired

I recently had a customer who wanted a Custom Silhouette of herself with her pooch, a Westie dog. She wanted a Lilly Pulitzer inspired look. Since Lilly is launching their new Lilly Originals line, I decided to sketch a mod A-line dress in a classic bright and colorful print.

I couldn't be more happy with the way it turned out, so vintage yet so trendy!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Wednesday Dog Treats: Lydia & Pugs Howliday Collection

{1} Dog Silhouette Aprons. You have to wear your favorite Christmas apron when baking all those yummy desserts! Aprons are available in all dog silhouettes, don't see yours just ask!

{2} Round Gift Tags. Make the howlidays special with these preppy and fun Round Gift Tags! Each tag features a dog silhouette dressed in a festive Holiday outfit. Right now, we have Italian Greyhounds, Pugs, and Scotties. If you don't see your dog breed just let me know!

{3} Dog Silhouette Gift Bags are perfect for all your holiday presents! Each bag is made out of Kraft paper and each dog is accessorized with a plaid scarf and sequins. Comes with tissue paper.

{4} A Lydia & Pugs favorite! Make sure your Christmas cards are dressed in style with the "Dress Your Pooch" round address labels. Dress you dog in an aray of holiday outfits, from a Santa hat to a candy cane coat.

I am still working on new Christmas and Holiday designs each day. So stay tuned for more doggy lovin' HOWLiday items!

Also, if you have any suggestions on a fun holiday item, I'd love to hear them!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Custom Aprons

Lydia & Pugs offers custom aprons! Wear you favorite dog breed proudly with a one-of-a-kind vintage inspired apron! Each apron is tailored and personalized completely to fit want you want! Perfect for baking this holiday season!

Visit Lydia & Pugs website for more info or visit my shop!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

New Dog Breeds

I've added a few new dog breeds. I've had many people ask me if these particular breeds were available, so now they are at Lydia & Pugs!

Do have a dog breed you would like featured in the Lydia & Pugs dog breed library?

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Lydia & Pugs Facebook Giveaway!

Lydia & Pugs now has a Facebook page! Hop on over to your Facebook account and become a fan of Lydia & Pugs! We are officially launching our fan page and want YOU to join!

Become a fan so we can connect with you about new items and designs, dog tips, exclusive
giveaways, and sneak peeks of new illustrations!

The best part is if you become a fan you will be entered in the Lydia & Pugs Custom Design Giveaway! The Giveaway includes any Custom Design illustration of your choice and printed on a set of 12 Note Cards.

To enter, become a fan of Lydia & Pugs on Facebook, AND a follower of my blog here!
Leave a comment with your email address and what you would want for a custom design.

So hurry and spread the word because the Giveaway ends November 15!
Winner will be announced Monday, November 16.

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn

Weekly Re-Cap

Weekly Re-Cap: A re-cap of all the fun finds, pictures, and items throughout the week! Enjoy!

This office looks perfect, the flooring and desk chair are divine, not to mention the sewing machine is set-up.

Looks like a perfect day with a beautiful spread, I love those pale pastel colors.

Love this dress! Simply gorgeous!

Lydia & Pugs Christmas Gift Tags! For any dog breed!

Some good words to think about...

I hope everyone has a good weekend with beautiful fall weather! Thanks for everyone who came to check out the launching of my new Lydia & Pugs website! I feel blessed to be surrounded by people who give me encouragement each day to follow my dreams by doing something I love to do!

Pugs & Kisses,

Dawn