in the nick of time!

This is my second year dropping toys for the Toy Society. We had so much fun doing it as a family last year.
I'd let the month slip away and almost didn't get this done in time!

Curly Girl was sick and had an appointment with her pediatrician on Saturday.
I threw this little zebra together in about 10 minutes. No time for eyes or anything but I think he was cute anyway!


We planned on leaving it in this chair but as soon as we put it down a ton of people walked in so I stuffed it in my tote.
We ended up tying it on the scale in the hallway as we left after the appointment!

We had to be quick so I didn't get a photo of it there.


Knowing another sick child would find it made her feel better.

I felt better knowing she did NOT have the flu....we are still waiting on the results from her strep test but since she is feeling better today, I don't think she has it.

just a scrap....

Remember THIS post about Christmas with our dogs? Just so you can see how MUCH they loved their toys....let me show you how the toys have faired. The 'flat' gingerbread men I made them all met a fate worse than death within a week.
I'm not complaining, that is MUCH longer than the 2-5 minutes the store bought stuffed ones last.

I highly recommend making them this way if your dogs destroy toys (and swallow/barf up squeakers.)
Just cut out your shapes using 2 pieces of polar fleece and sew both pieces together without stuffing them. The braided tugs lasted a long time....about a month.

I originally made three of them....here is a picture of them playing with one of them.


here is what was left of the last one...
Yep....it was about 4 inches long...well, it was in this photo.
2 minutes later Ginger ripped a piece off and ate it.....yuck.


But look how happy Mojo is....still wanting to play with it.



After he gets it good and GOOEY, he will bring it to you to THROW....first he puts it NEAR your foot and looks up at you.

if THAT doesn't work, he puts the nasty, gooey scrap ON your foot....and waits... he KNOWS you can't stand that gross thing on your foot and that in time, you'll fling it somewhere....if you put it in the trash, he digs it out. So we have to throw them away in the outside trash! LOL!
but oh my gosh, how cute is that?

One time I was in bed ASLEEP and felt something gooey hit my face.

Mo stood up on his back legs and put that gross thing on the bed next to me. I was so grossed out....but when I looked at him, he was just standing there, all happy, wagging his butt (corgis don't have tails)....totally CUTE!

Needless to say, I made a few more braided tugs on Saturday for them to play with and threw that nasty scrap away...in the OUTSIDE trash!

makes ya go hmmm....

I did NOT see this man with this possum....but the picture FITS what I DID SEE today......

Okay, so today on my way to work I saw a man cradling something in his arms, as I got closer I saw that it was a possum.

The man was holding it like you would a baby, but was holding its head by the scruff of the neck. I mean, have you ever seen those teeth?

My first thought was DANG, he's gonna eat road kill! (yes, I really thought that....)

As I got closer I realized the possum wasn't dead....it was alive.

So I decided he WASN'T going to eat road kill and promptly put it out of my mind.

When I got to work they asked if I could switch and work the afternoon so I said yes and left.

On my way back home, I saw the same man with the same possum.

He was standing right by the road....on the shoulder....with his feet just touching the asphalt.

He was shaking his fist and then pointing his finger at the possum while fussing at it.

I've decided that one of these three things was going on:

1. He was deciding whether or not to eat the possum. I mean, he would have to kill it himself, right?

2. He was mad at the possum and was going to fling it into oncoming traffic (maybe that's how all those possums end up being road kill in the first place....)

I actually slowed down because I was SURE this is what he planned to do. But as I passed by he was still yelling at the possum.

3. He had a special relationship with the possum and they were having an argument due to some difference of opinion.

Thimbleprim's Mouse Swap

I decided that if I joined any swaps this year, they had to stretch me a bit creatively.

That being said, I joined Thimble prim Studio's Mouse Swap!

The rules were fairly simple...but the thought of creating clothing for something so little was a bit intimidating to me!

In the end, I am really happy with how my little mouse turned out.
She stands a bit over 6 inches tall and is made from polar fleece. I started to make her out of muslin and tea stain her but then decided I wanted her to look ready for spring!

We had to include an article of clothing so I made a little skirt and a pretty pearl necklace, along with a crocheted strawberry for her to hold.



and here the goodies I sent along...


Here is what Carla sent me in return!



Thank you Carla!

Year of Enchantment

Here are my first ornaments for the YOE challenge I'm hosting this year.

Our theme was either acorn or pine cone...so I had to make a few!

I love the way they all turned out.

I really had fun with the teeny acorns but my hand got so CRAMPED! The bigger acorn was much easier on my old hands!


Our challenge was to perform a RAK . So far, I've done 3....but they are secret!

Our activity was to make bird seed ornaments to feed our feathered friends. I already posted about that here.

I got my package from Sherry on Saturday and it is SO CUTE!

I thought it funny that we both sent each other pine cone AND acorn items.

I adore them all....and LOVE handmade bookmarks. Those are extra special.

Thank you Sherry!

One Cheap Hot Mama!

I'm hosting my first apron swap of 2010....this time we had to use fabric from our stash!

My partner wanted something wintery and loves snowmen. Lucky for her, I had some cute fabric in my stash!

Here is what the apron looks like from the front:


it's a clothespin apron....here is the side view so you can see the pocket...




and here is the reverse side. I just appliqued some cutouts on it....but I love how it turned out.


I put together some goodies for her...hope she likes it all!

I included some peppernuts I'd recently made...they are AWESOME...I just had to share some with her...I sent her the recipe too.


on another note...Look at this cutie that Sandy sent me as a little surprise! It is signature graphic to use on my blog posts. Uh,once I figure out HOW!

She got it through Katie HERE...so go check her website out!

Thanks Sandy, how did you know I love surprises?!

Scarf it up!

This time of year I wear (and make) a lot of scarves! I adore them and would wear one everyday if it were cold enough!

I made this one for Dean.
I used "Touch Me" yarn by Muench. It was part of his Christmas from me.


here is a close up of his stubble...scarf!



I made these scarves for the latest Craft Hope project.




And I made this cowl for myself! I love ORANGE!



I used this pattern by Lion's Brand and just shortened the beginning chains so it would fit me.

I bought the yarn sometime last year from my LYS. It was expensive but I got it HALF PRICE!
I wish they had more but it was the last one in stock.

Winter home for a lady....

Last week when the weather got so cold, a little ladybug decided to come indoors and live with us. She was right by my head when I woke up! She must've come in through a crack in the window seal.

I know enough about ladybugs (I had an OBSESSION as a child) to know what to do.
So, we got her a little temporary home in a jar with something yummy. One of our rosebushes still had a few aphids on some leaves so she happily munched on them.

Then I scrounged around in the garage for our old ladybug home. Since moving here, we just haven't found the 'right' place for it so I never put it out.

Well, I pulled it out and Curly Girl painted it to be a bit more inviting.....



After the worst of the weather passed through, I placed it in the yard in a protected area near a rosebush.



Even with the roses and nasturtiums barely hanging on, it looks pretty.


Just imagine what it will look like this summer! Of course, it won't be inhabited then, but it will still LOOK good! (and that's all that matters, right girls?)

The rose completely overtakes this corner and will pretty much cover the box. Hopefully, we'll have more ladybugs move in next winter.

too funny

Cooking for the birds!

On Friday, school was closed due to the weather.

Curly Girl and I took advantage of our time together by fixing up some yummy treats for the birds!



We made some with birdseed and popped them into the oven...


and we did some simple orange slices too....

Here they are... along our fence.

Curly Girl LOVES the angel because it looks like she has shoes on!



the orange slices add a nice punch of color on an otherwise dead fence....


We didn't clear the dead vines off yet because the birds search through and find bugs to snack on.....plus we see them hiding in it and yanking pieces off of it.

Destashing through the year....

I've joined Destash-Along 2010 hosted by Crafting with Cat Hair!

I am really looking forward to this.

I've been buying 'things for projects' these last few years and haven't made them.
I thought it would be fun to go through and see how much of my stash is used.
I've made myself a little list on my sidebar to add projects I make using my stash.




If you want to play along too, run over to CWCH and sign up.

Just like on TV!

While in Florida, we spent some quality time with my family. I thought I'd share just a few of the more memorable photos....

Here is Linds modeling a snuggie for us all to admire, just like on TV:


look ma, HANDS!

and notice how warm and snuggly she looks, so happy with her book and beer.


Don't worry folks, the beer is just a prop (and Lindsay IS of legal age anyway...)

And now I give you Phil.

Phil is Lindsay's dad and my sister's beloved husband.

Phil is just like all other men in your life.

He never falls asleep in front of the tv. No, not Phil.

He never tires of watching football all day and night. No, not Phil.

Phil simply likes to rest his eyes from time to time....

oh wait, where's the prop?


ah, THERE it is!

Rest assured, Phil has NOT BEEN SHOT! He's simply 'resting his eyes.'

And now my lovely, funny, sister Sheri.

She's REALLY having a good time.

Funny thing though, she has so many props in front of her, its actually hard to SEE her....



Oh wait, THERE she is!

Now, I know what you are all thinking!

But let me assure you, we are not a bunch of heavy drinkers!
All these drinks you see in the above photos were simply PROPS.

Just like on TV.
We all KNOW those actor's don't actually DRINK all the beer, margaritas and martinis, right?

Well, we don't either!

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Okay, so I stole someone's title.

I don't normally do vintage thingie posts but since I got a special vintage thingie in the mail last week, I decided I HAD to post it.

After all, it made me squeal. Even my husband loved it....and he isn't necessarily fond of elves....

But just LOOK......and I think you'll agree, these are the cutest elves ever!

Here they are climbing up their little ladder....



Hey little blue guy!

further down the ladder are a few more....

Now I'm sure you all want to know where I got such a wonderful vintage thingie, right?

My sweet bloggy friend Very Mary mailed it to me as a surprise! Oh my gosh, I can't tell you how much I love it! Thank you so much, you truly made my day!

What a life.....

Another dog post? Really?

YES!

Okay, so Saturday our heat broke. (Always on a weekend, right?)

Lucky for us we don't live up north but even so, the house was a chilly 50 something degrees and everyone was cold...even the dogs and cats!

Dean lit up a fire in the fireplace and I put the dog's beds in front of it.

Within SECONDS both dogs were happily toasting themselves in front of the fire! They even brought a few toys to share the warmth with.




Don't they look cute!

We are so blessed to have these happy creatures in our lives.
To be honest, we don't really spoil our dogs.
We play with them, we feed them and we love them. We take care of their boo-boos and make sure they go to the vet for their checkups.
They play chase with a ball and love to play with bubbles (saving that for another post)

No fancy clothes, no fancy foods (Ginger barfs), no fancy dog houses, no fancy collars or leashes. Just dog stuff.

EXCEPT.

EXCEPT once a year when I make special dog bones for them.
Usually only at Christmas...because Santa can't make'em like I can!

That being said, for any of you out there that want a good dog bone recipe, read on.
And yes, I tasted them and they really ARE good!


I got the recipe out of a 1985 Woman's Day magazine and use it EVERY YEAR!

It is entitled Jason's Doggie Biscuits. According to the article, Jason was an 8 year old in 1985.....hmmmm....I wonder if he still makes these?

I usually make 2 batches of these bones and give some away as gifts for my friends who have pooches!

Jason's Doggie Biscuits

I use a giant dog bone shaped cookie cutter but any shape will do.
Also, I make these at night because they need to harden in the oven.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Ingredients:

31/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup rye flour
2 cups bulgar (cracked wheat)
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
4 teaspoons salt
1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup very warm water
3 cups chicken broth (I make turkey broth from our Thanksgiving turkey and freeze it to use)
1 egg, slightly beathen with 1 teaspoon milk added (don't skip this step, it makes the bones pretty.)

Mix first 7 ingredients in mixing bowl
Dissolve yeast in the water and add to bowl of dry ingredients
Add your broth and mix until a dough forms. I use a dough hook because it is thick.
Roll out until 1/4 or 1/2 thick. Use 1/4 for little dogs and 1/2 for big dogs.
Cut out your bones and lay on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 45 minutes and leave in oven overnight*

If making thick bones, you'll need to bake for an hour.

In the morning, if the bones aren't hard, re-bake for about 15 minutes and let sit in oven until it cools!

Christmas with the dogs.....

Sometimes our dogs are so darn cute!
I thought I'd share some pictures of them enjoying their Christmas goodies!

Here is Mojo loving on a new toy.
Mojo will keep a toy forever and play with it, carry it around and even sleep with it. (Until Ginger discovers it and destroys it FOR him.)


Here is Ginger with one of her new toys.

Unlike Mojo, Ginger doesn't love on her toys......*sigh*

See?

This toy was advertised as great for those dogs who can chew through ANYTHING.
Yeah...right.

It took her about 2 minutes to rip its guts out...including the 3 squeakers.....
We knew it had 2 squeakers in it so we stood by and quickly took them away from her.

But there was a THIRD squeaker we didn't know about.....until we found it yakked up on the carpet the next day.... Yuck.

And here they are with the braided toys I made...these have lasted the longest so far.


They have had so much fun playing tug of war together!

But guess what their all time FAVORITE gift is?

PAPER!


They LOVE it!
They even tear up birthday card envelopes, paper wrapping tubes and empty boxes.

Once Ginger snatched up a check Ripstick Boy got for his birthday...he had put it on the coffee table.
Luckily, she knows what 'drop' means and we were able to retrieve it still intact! (but a bit on the gooey side...)