Laid up for the holidays from surgery or a bad cold? I've got you covered. But first off, Happy Holidays!  A week from today is Christmas and two weeks from today is New Year's Day. Many families are working hard to prepare. Either for relatives to visit (maybe fixing up the guest room) or for children to be surprised by what's under the tree from Santa (finishing that shopping list) or a bountiful meal, travel, or all of the above. Being Empty Nesters now, our holidays are getting

I didnt think I'd be writing this, but since I'm receiving such a wealth of love and support and I've run out of time to send out a fall/winter newsletter, or even do a proper blog post (the "DXV Big Reveal" post is 90% finished. Watch for it in about 4 weeks.) I'm going to share with you that I have colon cancer. There I said it. NEWS ALERT! DEBORAH MAIN IS CANCER FREE! YOUR PRAYERS AND MY GOLDEN BOOTS KICKED CANCER OUT THE DOOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!  This will be the only really personal blog post you'll

[caption id="attachment_13797" align="alignnone" width="584"] EuroChef USA's Verona Classic range in new Light Blue color.[/caption] The Verona Classic series has a lot to offer pro-range lovers with trending colors, a sleek look and exclusive all-electric double and single ovens. Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Well then, it’s time to turn up the heat this fall with the Verona Classic.  Made in Italy, and exclusively imported to the United States by EuroChefUSA, this popular series has a classic look and comes in an exclusive all electric option – in addition to gas and dual fuel. The series also comes in trending colors such as their new, calming, Light Blue and offers the only 36” double oven on the market today.

Below is a little blog post I wrote in 2014 about the meaning of Christmas in my home. It was inspired by someone who commented on my bare Christmas tree. (Thankfully the quality of my photos have improved over the years.) Thank you for following my blog these past 2 years and thank you to all my supporters who came to one of my five Holiday Open Studio & Sample Sales. It was so much fun that I'll surely be doing it again next December.  Please enjoy the Facebook photo album HERE. I'll be taking another week or two off, as it's been really nice to relax and be with my family. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas! See you in 2017, XO PG

[caption id="attachment_12621" align="alignnone" width="584"]"Fit for a Queen" by Simmang Design. "Fit for a Queen" by Simmang Design.[/caption]

No, it's not the third day of Christmas yet. And no, sadly my true love did not send me this beautiful necklace above. But I just couldn't wait to share with you this fabulous piece by Simmang Design that I just happened upon this weekend when I popped into a fun little holiday show in North Austin at Just Jill Beauty & Wellness.  I had no idea that, on what was supposed to be a lazy Sunday, I was going to have so much fun and a little impromptu pampering at a local event.

For this week's Texture Tuesday, instead of three French hens, I bring you three Italian blue Goldstones. Originally designed in 2013 for Austin Fashion Week by Jillian Simmang of Simmang Design, this regal necklace features three glass stones and a host of other textural details.

[caption id="attachment_12539" align="alignnone" width="584"]Friends, Vintage French trim, textile pillow art, vintage designer scarf pillows, Kumi Jewelry (by my daughter Qin) & more! Friends, Vintage French trim, textile pillow art, vintage designer scarf pillows, Kumi Jewelry (by my daughter Qin) & more![/caption]

Cozy fire and hot toddies await you this Saturday at my EXTENDED Holiday Open Studio & Sample Sale, 12 - 7 p.m. I know....I know...you Northerners are looking at us as woosies, but anything below 60 and I've got a scarf on...seriously!!  Here I am going out last night to a couple local events with my new black Lambsy knitted by fashion designer Kristine Rodriguez of RESPONSIVE TEXTILES. And my neck surely stayed warm!

[caption id="attachment_12540" align="alignnone" width="584"]Me snuggled into my Lambsy Muff knitted by RESPONSIVE TEXTILES. Me snuggled into my Lambsy Muff knitted by RESPONSIVE TEXTILES.[/caption]

THANK YOU to

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Look at all those shopping bags my friend Leslie Hyland Rogers is dashing out the door with!  Leslie, founder of Symphony of Soul, and countless other new and old friends, made my first Holiday Open Studio & Sample Sale such a success that I've extended it to four more times in December.  I haven't had an Open Studio since 2011, and I think it will now be an annual or semi-annual affair.

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[caption id="attachment_12451" align="alignnone" width="584"]This photo was taken by JD Walker, owner of Flowers & Found Objects, our newest store in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He has a beautiful display of our Ornamental Charm Series. This photo was taken by JD Walker, owner of Flowers & Found Objects, our newest store in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He has a beautiful display of our one-of-a-kind Ornamental Charm Series.[/caption]

This week's Texture Tuesday (no new post this Friday) is about my studio as I'm busy preparing for my Holiday Open Studio & Sample Sale and YOU are invited!  I'd love to see you, celebrate the holidays together, and show you where I create my artwork.

Texture and color are everywhere in my tiny South Austin studio. So much that I need to do a bit of culling. It seems you CAN have too much of a good thing. Especially when you're a collector, or in more primal terms, as some south Austin stitchers like to say, a "fabric junkie".

I confess. I have A LOT of stuff!!! (But I am not a hoarder, so don't judge) :-)