Hey Everyone!
Hope your summer is going well and creativity is flowing.
I have some photos to share of earrings I made. I know, I'm veering from the sewing machine a little but it's not a permanent thing. Just mixing it up a bit.
Over the past year I've had quite the Ebay "problem". I'm finding the best deals ever on stuff I totally do not need. I've got a great stock of jewelry and other trinkets. This does come in handy when a birthday comes along.
I was checking out how simple some pieces are and thought I'd try to make some myself. Ebay also has an endless supply of supplies.... Lucky me! 
Here's a sampling of a few pairs I've made this past week...

Collage of Earrings

I love how easy these were to make. I have a 3-in-1 tool {needle nose pliers plus it cuts wire, etc} it is very handy. I've built up my stash to include lots of beads and charms, flat head and round end pins for stringing, jump rings for connecting, earring hooks as well as closures for bracelets and necklaces. I find it's very therapeutic!
I've had some weird changes in my health so this keeps my mind off things.

Other news: we have a new foster dog named Lexi. She is a doll! She came from a home that must've let her free feed because she was terribly over weight.  She isn't the type to have much discipline in the area of food. {Hummmm, like a few humans I know!}
For Italian Greyhounds, it's a really bad thing because they are small dogs with low body fat. Poor Lexi looked like a Dachshund when we got her! She had too much weight for her skinny legs. Plus she had a thyroid problem and now needs daily meds.
She is doing so well with her new "life style".  She's down to about 14.8 lbs - she was about 28 lbs.  
When she came into rescue, her teeth were terrible and most had to be removed. As a result, there is nothing to hold back her beefy tongue! She always looks like she's had a really good night :-)  Here's a pic I took of her tonight while she was laying next to me on the couch...

Of course I had to put that directly on Instagram. She's so darn cute! Yes, she also lets me paint her nails. She tries to be like the other two. This one is going to be hard to let go.

Stay crafty!
Until Next Time,
 

Hey Everyone!
So funny how time flies, right? It's been almost 7 months since last post. A lot has happened, too much to post and I'll try to stick to crafting/sewing stuff. {that probably won't go well} I've gone back to work and while off, I didn't do much sewing. I did a lot of handwork though. It was easier than trying to get two new knees behind the machine and remembering to get up and move often enough so I wouldn't get stuck.
Below, embroidery on a hankie....

 Below are scissor charms. I saw this idea in a book and when I remember which one, I will give credit. I'm always loosing my small scissors. This little "charm" totally keeps it in sight! Just love this idea.  It can also be a temporary pin cushion.

Crochet Bows... for hair or whatever!!

 Working on the Target Brand Cardigan.  See how plain it was? Now it has sweet pearls on it. All hand sewn by me! I think it's a great improvement, Don't you?

Make Up Roll... Inside...  Love this fabric!
And below is it all rolled up.

Mini Bunting

More Embroidery. Haven't found a home for it yet.

I made this little pouch for a friend...

We also have been involved in fostering Italian Greyhounds. Our first boy, Dante was a love! Even though he tried to "mark" everything as his own {I quickly made a belly band to save the inside of the house} our girls loved him! He was adopted by a wonderful "Mom" and has come back to visit us!

Dante!

Dante, Abby, Mia

Our next foster, Piper was a sweet little girl. She looked like our Abby. It was funny having an almost "twin" in the house.

The Twins. Piper {L} Abby {R}

Piper

Unfortunately, this sweet baby girl left us too soon. I can just now talk about her without choking up.  Long story short, she passed 5 weeks ago from Inflammatory meningitis and seizures. Totally unexpected, I think that's why it has affected us so deeply. {And we are incredibly in love with these dogs}. She was by my side for most of my healing. She'll be missed forever.

On a happy note, my sweet baby nephew has turned nine months already! He is a doll, of course.  I'm still waiting on grandbabies. I'm pretty sure once my son receives his Masters degree in a couple weeks {YaY} things will calm down a bit and maybe, just maybe they'll make me a grandma!!!!  Until then, I'm the crazy dog lady and crazy auntie!

Sweet Baby B. at nine months

Here is my younger niece.  I had a day with her and taught her how to sew. I was in heaven and I think she was too.  She wanted to make a skirt.  She picked the fabric from my ever expanding stash, we measured and cut. I showed her how to use the serger - which she thought was very cool.  She made a simple elastic waist, to the knee type of skirt.  It turned out so well.  I am proud!!


Here she is showing it off.....

A job well done!

Looks like I'm on a roll now and trying to catch up with the last seven months.  Maybe I should be more consistent instead! I will try.  I guess I've done more than I give myself credit for and I'll save that for another post. 
Hope your crafting is going well.


Until Next Time,

Saying Goodbye to Man's Best Friend

Hey Everyone, I hope you're all doing well. Our past few weeks hasn't been the best, we had to let our old lab {Tobie} go last Friday. It was such a horrible decision to make... I kept asking him to go in his sleep so we didn't have to wonder if we were making the right decision. Of course being the stubborn old guy he is, he didn't listen to me. Tobie was getting up there in age - 14 years, he had many tumors all over, he had arthritis, he was overweight {should've been around 60 lbs but topped at 93.7 last Friday}. When we remodeled the house, we went to ceramic tile in the main areas. That was good for him on hot days- he loved to lay on the cool tile but while walking around, he lost his footing a lot and combined with arthritis, he'd go flat more often than not. He was a good sport but we worried he might break a leg or get stuck when we weren't home. We also have two Italian Greyhounds {I'm sure I've spoke about them one or fifty times in the past}. Mia, our most recent rescue, LOVED Tobie. She would hug his neck and clean his teeth. I know, it's gross, I get dry heaves just typing it. She is having a hard time adjusting. More than once she'll just sit in the middle of the room and cry. Our first Italian Greyhound Abby, doesn't seem to be phased by his passing.
This is a picture I took on Friday. I loved it when he would lay like this.

And here's one from his younger years...

Watching Spork ..... wishing....

That's all for now. Happy Memorial Weekend!!
Until Next Time,


  

Something For The Girls

Hey Everyone!
I thought I'd share a few photos of the doggie cover I made.  Only Abby was able to model it because the size I made is a tad bit too small for the "biggie iggie" Mia.  The outside is a red fleece and the inside is a white cotton with red hearts.  It attaches in two places, around the neck and belly with hook & loop {velcro}.

Abby, my model

The outside

The inside

The neck - about 13"

Really, Do I have to do this?

Have a great weekend!
Until next time,

21 Shopping Days To Go

Hey Everyone!
How is your Christmas shopping coming along?  I've got a lot of ideas for gifts but nothing actually in hand yet...  Which brings up something else I was thinking about.  Our fur-babies!  They should have something to open along with everyone else! Besides, if you don't keep them occupied, you know they'll just get into things they're not supposed to!  
I purchased this cute little "bone" for my girls last month from Laurie at CREATED BY LAURIE.  She personalized it for me, one side says Mia & the other side Abby.  I can only show you Mia playing with it because she won't let Abby have it!  The second I opened the package and squeaked it, Mia grabbed it and ran.  You'll notice the fabrics are my request too.  Sparkly pink for Abby's side and solid pink for Mia.  Her prices are so reasonable!  You should check out her shop.

I noticed that there aren't any negative comments on the music!  I guess you all use your mute button as well?

"MIA" side of bone

MIA with the bone

"ABBY"  side of the bone

Until Next Time,

* Lazy * Dog * Daze*

Hey Everyone!
I thought Orange text would be appropriate to use for this Thanksgiving weekend! And I've made the font a little larger as the Orange may be difficult to read.
For us, like many other homes, this is the official weekend to begin CHRISTMAS decorating. I'm so excited. Time to break out the CD's and get the music playing :-)
Before I get lost in that topic, I wanted to post a couple videos of my girls doing what they do when they lay around all day.





A dogs life... so easy,right?
Until Next Time,

Mid-Week Misc

Hey Everyone!  I'll try to concentrate as I write but I have to admit, I'm also watching the CMA's.  EEeeek, I'm so excited.  I've been waiting all week for this night. I've turned into a total Country Music lover. Not so much the twangy older music but it's the current music I can't stop listening to. I have a dream to make it to Stagecoach in the spring. {we'll see if that happens!}
On to sewing news. I bought a cute coin purse pattern from KEYKALOU shop on Etsy. I think they are so adorable and something everyone could use.  I've made a couple so far but still need to add to my shop.  Take a peak:

Owl Coin Purses

I know, my phone should remain my phone and not be my camera.  Sometimes it's so much easier to snap & send off to my computer since it's always in my pocket. Here's a shot of a few currently in progress.  Should be up this weekend.

Coin purses in progress

  In other news, you may have heard me mention once or twice {or a million times} about my darling Italian Greyhounds. They are the most awesome little creatures ever! This past weekend we went to the Fall I.G. Play-date.  {Yep you read that right. We do play-dates for our fur babies}. One of the gals in the rescue group opens her home & back yard to us. Sometimes up to 40 or 50 adults and just as many I.G.'s. It's hard to resist rescuing just one of these precious pups! The dogs are real social and really enjoy hanging out with their own type. The adults get to hang out and enjoy great food and conversation.  Usually there is a raffle and money raised goes to help a specific pup in need.  It's really a wonderful organization and not limited to just California.  Take a look at this basket of donated items... a doggie bed, a doggie themed lined basket filled with scented tennis balls, pull toy, natural biscuits, shampoo, two red ceramic bowls, Paul Frank leash & matching martingale collar, to name a few.

Raffle Basket for Italian Greyhound Rescue

Isn't this a wonderful basket?  Guess who won?  Our little Abby and Mia won! They were so thrilled and couldn't wait to play with their new toys and use the pretty new bowls.  
We did have a little incident that day while at the gathering.  Mia {our "biggy-iggy} decided to walk right into the pool.  I happen to see the whole thing from the other side of the yard. I think she thought she could walk on water or something.  It happened so fast!  And with a big "Plop", Mia was in the water. Sinking fast. Everyone heard the noise and luckily, one of the Dad's went flat on the deck and reached for her. He missed the first time but was able to catch her collar the second time. I don't get it, the doggie paddle instinct never kicked in. You could see all four legs just hanging straight down and she was following! We laugh about it now but at the time, it was so scary. Mia didn't seem bothered by the mishap, she carried on the rest of the day like nothing happened. No spitting or sputtering either, so I presume she's a good breath-holder. 
That's all for now!  I hope to show off Christmas goodies in the very near future. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Until Next Time,
T

* W e D D i N G * STuFF *

Hey Everyone!  Yes, I've been absent lately - but that doesn't mean not much is going on. Quite the opposite... mostly work and after that, not many hours are left.  What I did do last weekend was go shopping for Wedding Dresses with one of my future DIL {Daughter-In-Law}. It was such a great day!  We started out at 9am, I loaded into the truck with the Bride's Mom, two Sisters and we headed north to our first stop and to meet up with the maid-of-honor.   

So Many Choices !!

The first shop was nice. So many choices, I don't know how the Bride's do it these days! DIL definitely had a style in mind and we all pulled out dresses that we thought met her criteria but after almost an hour and a half and many try on's, she did not say Yes to the dress.  Back into the truck to travel further north to Fullerton.  We arrived early to our appointment with the Dress Consultant so what do six women do with extra time on their hands?  Eat and Shop!  We had a great lunch, quenched our thirst and checked out a couple nearby antique shops.  Then it was time to explore more dresses!

The choices were amazing once again.  This shop actually had  "THE" Dress !  The beautiful Bride had seen a particular dress {which I cannot describe at all, not even  a teeny detail} online and in a magazine.  She was on a mission when we first arrived ! About 10 dresses were pulled and the fun fashion show began. She made each dress look so beautiful but when she walked out in THE dress, the room lit up with such a glow.  We all knew that she was going to say YES to THE dress!!  

Just a few of the many choices of beautiful dresses.

Close up of bead work.

While none of the above pictures are of THE dress, I couldn't resist posting the beautiful lace and beads of other dresses.  It was such a fun day!

This weekend I will be in my very first Boutique! I will be home all day today preparing for this exciting event.  My next blog post will be all about it!
One last picture or two - since Halloween is right around the corner...

I didn't make these little hats that the girls are wearing {sometimes I do purchase items for them}  I thought they were so cute.  I'm not sure what they will wear but hopefully I'll decide on the perfect outfit soon.
Until Next Time,