Twelve years ago I went shopping at the Austin Junior League Christmas Bazaar, and I discovered this incredible jewelry line. Full of texture and color, I was instantly drawn to it and started chatting with the owner. The designer, Cynthia Bloom, and I hit it off immediately. As we became friends, it was funny to realize that we were also neighbors, both living in Austin's coveted 78704 neighborhoods for 30 + years,

[caption id="attachment_15504" align="alignnone" width="584"] "Leaf Trinity" by Judith Simonds.[/caption] It's already May and the WEST Austin Studio Tour is upon us. Boy, are we excited!! It was so fantastic last year (our first time participating) that we decided to have our studio Deborah Main Designs participate again this year with SIX artists!   Not familiar with WEST? It's the west side of Austin's EAST Austin Studio Tour, and it has been growing rapidly. Hundreds of artists participate in both tours. EAST is always in the fall, and WEST is always in May. It's so fun to grab some friends or family and take

[caption id="attachment_13105" align="alignnone" width="950"] Photo by Round Rock Arts of IMAGINE, their annual Art Exhibition.[/caption] IMAGINE walking into Texas State University Round Rock campus this weekend and seeing hundreds of pieces of art from artists all over central Texas - paintings, sculptures, mosaics, fiber and more. You'll see just that at the Opening Reception of the IMAGINE Art Exhibition this Saturday, March 4th, from 7 - 9:30 p.m.  And you're invited!! The exhibition runs through May 6th. This week's Texture Tuesday gives you the full scoop on the IMAGINE 2017 Art Exhibition, and a sneak peek into some of the color and texture you'll find there.  (Full disclosure: one of my textile art pillows below will be in this exhibition.)

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What a whirlwind of an amazing Austin City Limits Festival!! How awesome was it to hear all that live music and come back to a cozy South Austin bungalow, high on a bluff above the crowds, nestled in the quiet, relaxing Zilker neighborhood. With tranquility awaiting you on a patio under a massive Shumard Red Oak tree and in a bright, contemporary guest room, what more could you ask for?

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