Scrappy Dog Sunday

Having an older dog is a mix of emotions. You are happy because the dog is trained (well, mostly in our case), well behaved and laid back. You are sad because you know that the time you have with them is limited. I guess you know that about all pets and people but it seems to resonate more when you can see the change come over your best friend in such a short amount of time.

Lola seemed to be doing a lot better for the past week and then over the weekend slowed down again. Little things seem to take a lot out of her. Just giving her a bath will put her down for the rest of the day. We also noticed that her eye pressure is back up, hopefully not as bad as before but it is slowing her down.

On the upside, a friend sent us a doggy stroller so we can take her out on longer walks with Jujube and Pete and she likes to sit in it next to me while I lay out in the sun. Jujube loves it so she can get away from her stinky brother.

We take her back to the vet tomorrow for a checkup. I know it will take so much out of her and she will be down for a day or two but we will get more information about her eye.

Another great thing is that the urinary tract infection looks as if it has cleared up and we are having no more night accidents.

Don't get me wrong, Lola is still a spitfire. She is still barking at the crows, runs around with her brother and gives Jujube baths. She is eating, although extremely picky. She loves trying to play with Pete at 6 in the morning and runs around the house. The recovery time is a lot longer but I don't think she is willing to give up yet and we aren't either. We adjust our lives to fit her needs right now and really, the adjustments are that extreme at all. We might wake up a little earlier, have to make her food for her and be a little be more gentle but it is worth it.

Her quality of life is still good and she plans on harassing us every chance she gets cause that's what Lolas do.

Winner and Other Stitchy Goodness

Big huge honking thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. The winner is....(drum roll, please)

Poppy (xperimentl)!!!!!!

Yahoo! Way to go! Never fret, my favorite peeps, there will be other giveaways, just around the corner! 

Now, are you ready for some stitchy goodness? I have been crazy busy stitching up tea towels for a swap with my friend Helen. 

And sticking with the cake theme...

I also stitched this glamour puss up for the Hoopla Along on Craftster but she got ruined! I used quilter's wax to tame the metallic thread, forgot about it and ironed. The wax melted and bled the ink everywhere! WAHHHHH! 

I can't wait to show you what else I have been working on-so many fun summer projects! Stay tune! 

Your Name in Lights

Are you looking for something a little different to give your pop for Father's Day? Well, look no further...Put his name up in lights with this super easy Craftster Quickie.

These faux marquee lights were so easy and turned out awesome! I want to light my whole house up with them.

Scrappy Dog Sunday

What do you do when your dog begins getting older? You begin to notice little things about them, they aren't as quick on the draw, it takes them a little time to get up and down and their eye sight begins to fade. This week it became unbelievably clear that Lola Mae is old. 

We had noticed a few weeks ago that Lola was drinking a tremendous amount of water and  began to use the bathroom in her sleep. Our first thought was that she had diabetes and then we thought that it was her age. We took her to the vet and they did a series of test. We were so happy to find out that she wasn't diabetic. We did find out that she had two urinary tract infections and her kidneys were slightly elevated. Our awesome vet put her on some antibiotics and Lola was on her way...until last week. 

Lola's eye began weeping and she was shutting it. She has cataracts in that eye and the doctor said she was blind, just in the one eye. At the same time, her ear got an infection. We took her in again and found out that she has glaucoma. Glaucoma is very painful for dogs and can lead to the eye being removed. Besides having glaucoma, she had an eye infection. She was now fighting off four infections. We again were given meds. This time, the vet gave us the serious talk about Lola not being around much longer. We asked what we could do more for her and the vet's response was, "just love her." The vet said that she will continue, along with us, to make sure Lola is comfortable and given great care but once her quality of life is less, than we will discuss options. 

For the past week, I have done nothing but go between being numb and crying. Finally, yesterday, I decided I have to "just love her." I have to enjoy my time that I have with her now. To play gently with her, alter our walks, give her little special treats and snuggle more. 

Loving and caring for older dogs is a challenge but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It makes me cherish every day, every second with them a little more. 

Quilting on the Go

I am so excited about the new quilting book, Quilting on the Go by Jessica Alexandrakis. Who knew you could quilt on the go? I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time! 

Quilting on the Go offers several projects you can literally do on the go. It is a wonderful resource for portable patchwork. The book offers step-by-step instructions and patterns for 20 projects. 

I am not a quilter but this book makes it so easy that even I can do it! No kidding! Easy to follow steps, great pictures, awesome tips. 

The book will not be available for purchase until June 11th but guess what...thanks to the awesome people at Potter Craft and Crown Publishing,  I have an advance copy and I want to give it to you! Yep, you, cute face! 

Here's what you need to do, leave a comment and tell me your summer plans. That's it. Just one comment per person, please. The winner will be announced next Thursday, June 6th. 

We Did It!

A very big huge honking thanks to everyone who donated to the heart walk. OMP and I hit our goal and even got a bit more!

There were so many people there! Everyone in the crowd was super upbeat and supportive.

I am so glad that we did the walk and I plan on doing it next year. The best part of the walk was that I had OMP with me! He is my inspiration.

Scrappy Mother's Day

Lola is such a good mama to Jujube. They have never been apart.

From the time Jujube was a baby...



To adulthood...



I take great comfort in my Golden Girls...


And Pete.


Scrappy Mother's Day to all the scrappy moms out there.

Queen of Everything

Mother's Day is this weekend but you still have time to show your mom that she is the queen of everything by making these AWESOME crowns. I think I need to make one for myself and for the pups, cause really, they are the queens of everything, and then some...

SCORE!

I was lucky enough to participate in Creative Breathing's decorative box swap. My partner was Shara from MonkeyBox. Oh man! Did she ever spoil me! Check out all the goodies!

Here's the box I made her. I forgot to take a picture of all the goodies inside.

Thanks to Creative Breathing and to Monkeybox for making this such an awesome swap.

Winner Winner! Chicken Dinner

Okay, so not a chicken dinner but an awesome book! Big huge honking congrats to I SEW CUTE for winning Aimee Ray's new book!

Thanks to everyone who started following me on Twitter and guess what-there will be exclusive twitter contests to come, cause it's fun and because I need to clean out my stash of floss and patterns.

Stitchy, Stitchy, Stitchy...

I have been stitching like crazy lately and I couldn't be happier. 

 I decided to treat myself a few months ago and bought Little Stitches by Aneela Hoey. Best book EVAH!

Do you recognize these little girls? They are the same ones that she uses in her fabric designs. Gah, I can't stand the cuteness.






And this little cutie is from the Aimee Ray book I am giving away if you follow me on twitter. This was the first time I had made a little doll. I am definitely hooked!



What are you working on right now? Stitching anything great? Working in the garden?


Don't forget to follow me on twitter for your chance to win Aimee's newest book.

Tweet! Tweet!

Know what we need? A giveaway. 

Have you checked out Aimee Ray's newest book, Doodle Stitching, Embroidery & Beyond? Want to win it? Well....follow me over on twitter and get a chance to win that awesome book! 

 Click THIS SPOT to enter/follow me.

The winner will be announced Wednesday April 24th.

Humanity

Our thoughts and Prayers are with you. Don't ever lose faith in humanity.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." 

-Ecclesiastes 4:12

Only 35 More Days!

Only 35 more days until the heart walk. Have you donated yet? Donate with a friend or a group!

Big huge honking thanks to those who have donated. You guys rock my socks!

Click on THIS link and donate!

Spring is Blooming!

I love when I get the chance to make a video for Craftster. This month's craft was way cool and so easy! It is hard to believe that plastic spoons could be so decorative!



A still closeup of the mirrors

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Try it out for yourself!

Have a Heart

Hey! See this amazing couple! Guess what we are up to.  Nope, not hunting the elusive Bigfoot. We are participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk. That's right! We are moving our hot buns to raise money for the Heart Association.

Guess what you can do...Help me raise money! Yep! Just head on over to my page and donate some of your mad cash! Help us meet our goal of only a 1,000.00. Why don't you help us raise more than a grand! Do it now! Tell your family and friends to donate! Any amount would be much appreciated from the bottom of OMP's repaired heart!


Check out my page!


Thanks you awesome wonderful peeps! XOXOX

Crafting it Up!

Even though life has been demanding, I have been able to get a little crafting done. A girl has to get her craft on! I haven't finished my Easter mantle yet, but I have started decorating for the holiday. I have been dying to make faux chocolate Easter bunnies, so I finally broke down and painted these bad boys up!

Wanna know what else I've been working on? These awesome confetti bowls. They are MESSY but make an awesome Easter basket or bowl for your coffee table.





Let's see...oh yeah! I also made this jar for my memories of 2013. Every time something good happens in 2013, we write it down and put it in the jar. On New Year's Eve, at dinner, we will take all of the good memories out and read them.

Of course I couldn't forget about stitching something up, so here ya go!

Whew! No wonder I haven't been around in a month! Mama needs a cocktail and a massage!

It has been WAY too long!

Dang! You guys! I promise I have not fallen off the face of the Earth! My real life has been a bit more demanding than I like! Nothing bad at all, but just demanding. 

Work is still filled with criminal element, crafting is still awesome, OMP still has a cute butt and the pups are still pupping it up. I hate that I haven't been able to spend more time here but I'm glad that you guys are still following along. 

So, to show you my appreciation, here's a puppy. You're welcome!

via pinterest, but if this is your pup or you know the owner, please let me know for proper credit.

Just wait until tomorrow! I have lots of fun crafts to share with you and lots of catching up to do.

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Just Do It!

Alright people! Listen up! Wanna do something for good and not evil? Wanna earn some angel wings? Well then...head on over to my friend Casey Bee's page and donate some mad cash for the St. Baldrick's foundation. St. Baldrick is a organization that advocates and offers funding for finding a cure for childhood cancer. Instead of walking or running, you shave your head, not only in solidarity but to raise money.

Did you know that more children are lost to cancer than any other disease or that worldwide a child is diagnosed with cancer every 3 minutes? This is unacceptable! They need your help!


Head on over to the Casey Bee's page and help her raise $2000.00 to fight childhood cancer. It will do your heart good and will make a difference in a child's life. It's a win-win situation!


PS-See this picture? It's Casey Bee's "Before" pic. Look at how super duper cute she is!