< Quit Your Day Job >

It is truly my dream to someday have The Paper Nut grow into a "real" business. Right now I'm like Pinocchio in his wooden puppet phase. I don't have a day job to quit, but I want my little Indie line to pull a real income and become something that has a solid presence in the design world. For now, I'm raising preschoolers and trying to get half of our unfinished house finished. Anyway, these "Quit Your Day Job" articles on Etsy are fantastic. I found this one from Kin Ship Press really inspiring because she talks about how she didn't have to qualify for a loan or credit card to get started or have a ton of income saved (she was living from paycheck to paycheck). That was very soothing to hear, because I've often whined that the only reason some people make it is because they are married to Andy Spade, have a lucrative background and/or are founded on an amazing previous career. Check out all the "Quit Your Day Job" articles in the Etsy Seller's Handbook.

< for your ballerina princess >

I had to buy this tee (like 3 copies) for my Jewell. Abstract Disney Princess ballerinas (with glitter accents, of course). It's brand new on the Disney Store site, but only $8 on sale and free shipping today with FREESHIP code. And no tax...if you happen to mail it to Oregon.

{ Latina Ballerina }

Upon special request, I created this new Latina Prima Ballerina giclee print. Just one available in my shop right now.

( Great Deal )

My daughter won't wear any shoes except her pink Keeley Crocs. So how stoked was I to spy a little add saying they are having a great sale at the Crocs website: Buy one, get one 50% off. Yay! No code necessary AND freee shipping. YAY!! I was amazed at all the color and size options they have in stock, seeing as how the pickin's have been slim at other retailers. Remember if you order that they run a full size larger than most shoes.

- get them while they're here -

So I have already ordered 4 of the dolls from the Disney Animators' Collection (Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, and Cinderella), and let me tell you, they are the cutest dolls ever. Disneystore.com has free shipping on all toys (ends today) with code TOYSHIP. The dolls are only $20 each. Sadly, Rapunzel* has been sold out for a while, but the rest are still there. Get them while you can ;)
[Note: Since I posted this, Rapunzel is back in stock]

~~ Octopus's Garden ~~

My Octopus's Garden giclee print is up in my shop now. I only have one in stock but more are coming.

< Holiday Sale >

Check out all the sale prices in my shop. Ballerina prints are only $19 with just $1 flat rate to ship!

Toilet Paper Tube Owls

arbol navidad buhos, a photo by con M de mujer on Flickr.

I think it's pretty self explanatory how to make these. Cute idea!

June Craft Mini Print Calendar

I just saw this adorable calendar on June Craft (via PaperCrave). Great gift idea, for sure! This is my favorite so far for next year. Some year I will do a calendar, but I want to have time to do it right. 18-month-olds are so occupying.

= Twins =

A client requested a custom print with two baby mermaids instead of one. So I'm adding it to my shop, next week.

< Thanksgiving Place Cards >

They're back! The Paper Nut Thanksgiving place cards. Only $1 to download strait to your computer and print as many as you want for your Thanksgiving banquet!

LOTS of SALE items

I'm putting a lot of items in my shop on sale. Like this Yellow and Gray large alphabet print for only $55 (reduced from $80)! Visit The Paper Nut and watch for more mark-downs, and new products.

< Nativity >

I just ordered some things from Deseret Book (sells Mormon stuff, for those of you who aren't familiar). I couldn't resist this adorable little nativity and a Family Home Evening Board (organizes weekly family night assignments for those who are like, "what's Family Home Evening?"). The FHE board was half off for only $12.50, and if you spend $50 you can get $10 with code GGUIDE11 (until December 31).

* little owl *

Here's a little something I was just playing around with this morning, taking a break from a more complex owl print that I've been frustrated with.

(( Comments? ))

I'm about to put this print up in my shop, but it hasn't been printed yet. First I wanted to throw it out there for comments. All are welcome!

20 Percent Off!

From now until December 31 I'm offering 20% off any purchase of $20 or more from my shop! Just enter the code TWENTY at checkout. (On my Etsy site). As a courtesy, please only use if your order totals $20 or more :)

New Halloween Freebie

Here is a free owl pumpkin design, which I created last night for our own family carving night. I wanted to make this a downloadable PDF as I have in freebies past, but I don't know how to do it without my hubbie's help, so we'll just do this instead. Click on the art above and it should bring up the large 8X10 version to drag to your desktop (you may need to click "show original" and zoom in). You can rescale the art in your own computer programs. Feel free to repost this art or distribute it...just don't sell it or use the art for anything you're selling. Enjoy!

(( Livie & Luca ))

These shoes by Livie & Luca are just to die for! Just in case you're in the market for some lil' kids shoes, these would be great to consider.

oOo Updated Mermaid oOo

Here is my updated Mermaid Mommy & Baby print, available next month. I decided to revamp the old print because it just wasn't quite what I wanted (I hate to say this, but the more I look at it the more the mommy mermaid's face looked like an alien). I likely we still tweak this some, but I'm much more happy with it.

< love this skirt >

...and the color. Sash Skirt in Bronzed Olive from J.Crew.

< Happy Birthday Mary Blair! >

One of my GREATEST inspirations ever, Mary Blair, would have celebrated her 100th Birthday today. Thanks, Google, for letting us know with your clever logo-type. I love you Mary!

{ Disney Designer Doll Collection }

I post a lot of things that I use the word "adorable" to describe, but aren't these? I just got an email from The Disney Store (I do a lot of online shopping) apologizing for technical difficulties caused last Tuesday because a record number (thousands) of people tried to purchase dolls from the Disney Doll Collection at the same time (kinda like Target's Missoni Madness bogging down the site all day). So as recompense they are giving a 25% off your purchase from their site, today only (October 21). In case you're interested, here's the code: THANKYOU25

- Pink & Blue -

It's true: color is important. A Korean artist name JeongMee Yoon did this Pink and Blue study of kids' rooms. Check out his site to see them all (found via Home-Designing.com)

PB Halloween

These monster costumes are so cute! From Pottery Barn Kids. They are on sale plus free shipping right now. Sized for baby, toddler, or kid. And I really love the skeleton treat bag.

boy toys

Alright, I just did a post for Land of Nod, but I've got to share the adorable additions to their Bla Bla line. These are relatively pricey compared to your average stuffed animal, but they are so worth it. They are completely fair trade, handmade, and amazing quality. Here's some that would be perfect in a boy's room. I have a doll for each of my girls, and despite the taunts that your kids won't care a lick about "designer" toys, my girls LOVE theirs. Jewell sleeps with hers (we named Lollie) every night.

.. nod chairs ..

These chairs are just in and don't they just make you WANT them? Land of Nod has some new cutie cushy chairs with matching "Noddomans," and they're all 15% off until this Monday.
Note: inspired by the recent request of my mom-of-twin-boys friend, I am going to do an all-boys week of posts starting Monday! Let's see what I can find....(I don't have any boys myself).