D.I.Y Mailman Costume for Pets

Last weekend Charlotte and I attended a costume party, a Super Villian Convention if you will.  Charlotte was dressed as a mailman (a dog's own super villian).  This was a very easy costume.  The only thing I had to buy was a little boy's button down blue shirt from goodwill.



Here is the boy's shirt after I cute the waist and arms to fit Charlotte's body.  I rolled the sleeves to hide the unfinished hem.

 Using tan fabric I had on hand I fashioned a very simple sling bad and added a cuff from the little boy's shirt to add a decorative label to the bag.

 Then I added three envelopes and hot glued them to the bag.  They were addressed to Miss Cat Woman, Mr. Big Bad Wolf and Mr. Sharekhan from the Jungle book (all Super villians).  Then I used some puff paint to add a U.S. Mail logo to her bag.

Theres my sweet girl!  Her outfit was very simple.  It only took me an hour from start to finish.  (plus a few hours for the puff paint to dry.)

Coming up:  photos from the rest of the super villian party.  Stay tuned!

Dogs in the City

I have a new favorite show on Wednesday evenings on CBS.  Its called Dogs in the City and its about people in New York City that have issues with their four legged friends.  The host, Justin Silver, helps the owners fix behavior issues with the dogs as well as with the owners.

Now I myself think I have a very well behaved dog but even I learned some great techniques on how to get Charlotte to heel more effictively and to release when I want her to drop the ball so we can continue to play fetch.

There are a lot of very adorable dogs on this show.  Definitely tune in if you have a dog or just enjoy an easy, upbeat show to watch in the evenings.

Sunshine, Please Return and Bring Back my Motivation!

As you may have noticed I haven't been posting many blogs lately.  I have been busy with work getting the store ready for the hustle and bustle of the spring months that are just around the corner.  In my spare time I have been just as busy with all sorts of activities.  My mom, brother and Nana came from Nevada and stayed St. Patty's weekend.   While they were visiting we went to the coast for a day, we did some gift shopping at Schmidt's, we introduced them to Block 15 and Market of Choice, and we played pool and drank margaritas in celebration of St. Patty's Day!

My mom, brother and their dog, Buster at Nye Beach

The day they left, Corvallis woke up to a snow storm that lasted all day long.   And since then the weather has been too terrible to work outside I have been focusing on indoor projects.  I did try and do some yard work this last Monday when it was sunny.  I tried mowing the lawn but it was still too wet and Charlotte was not making it easy on me because she likes to bark at the push mower because it "chases" her across the backyard.

 Playing some frizz bee tug of war out in the snow covered park

And then I have been recovering from being under the weather the last few weeks.  It wasn't serious but I took a few days off from work so that I wouldn't over do it and get worse later on in the busy spring gardening season.  I'm finally feeling close to 100% and feel like I've regained my energy as well as motivation for work and craft projects as well as blogging!

 Charlotte basking in the sun when it came out for a few hours

When I've been feeling up to it I've been working on items for my etsy shop.  I recently put most of my decorations I made for my Harry Potter party a while back.  I have also been in the middle of making some really adorable dog beds made from discarded dresser drawers and vintage suitcases.  My shop has been doing fairly well this year which is exciting.  It gives me encouragement that I should keep coming up with new ideas and products to list online.

Well fellow blog readers, that is a recap of what I have been up to this past month and a half.  I am hoping April will bring lots of sunshine and fun outing with good people to make the most of this 2012 spring.

Charlotte vs. the Dog Park

When Charlotte was 12 weeks old and had all of her shots I took her to the dog park downtown for the first time.  Unfortunately we had a terrible experience involving a pit bull and had not been back until last weekend.  Since the first incident we've actually had a great time at the dog park.  She's already made lots of friends (that's Brutus the pug and Barney the pug/Boston terrier above).  She gets her workout from both the small and large dogs.   Here are some videos/photos from her experiences.

This is her and Barney their first time playing together last weekend.

This is her yesterday with Barney and Brutus.  Brutus was playing referee for them, breaking it up when it got too "rough".

 Just sniff'n some dogs

 This little firecracker is a mini Aussie.  She was the spunkiest little dog I've seen.  She reminded me of a corgi and Yorkie mix if they had babies.  She had very pretty blue eyes.  Just watching her gave me puppy fever for a dog like her.

There she goes, off to chase the big dogs.

Looks like the dog park won this round.  She fell asleep in the sun as soon as we made it home.

Beading Lesson

I hope everyone enjoyed a nice holiday over the past weekend.  We enjoyed a lot of overdue family time with Oz's mom, siblings, nephews and nieces and our friend Jesse.  Most of Christmas day we spent in Silverton hanging out with the family.  Christmas night Oz's niece, Imani, came down to Corvallis and spent the night with us.  The following morning we spent our time in the local bead shops and craft stores getting supplies to make bracelets and other jewelry.  Imani did a great job at beading.  She knew exactly what she wanted and she finished two projects faster than I usually do with just one.  Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of her finished necklace and bracelet (she's a little shy and doesn't like her photo taken).

Even Uncle Osvaldo helped Imani with her beading!

Letter to Santa (An Explanation of Charlotte's Christmas Distruction)

Dear Sandy Paws:

My name is Charlotte and I like your name.  You must go to the beach like I do because I bet your paws are covered in sand by the sound of your name. I like the beach, I also like the sand volleyball courts my mom takes me to in the neighborhood.  

 Here is a photo of me so you will recognize me on Christmas eve.

I've been a good Boston Terrier all year.  Mom said you bring presents to good puppies that don't get into trouble. I just wanted to explain a few things about some of the photos mom took of me. She thinks I've been a "Christmas terror" whatever that is.  Actually, I've been helping her around the house however I can.  I don't know why she gets mad sometimes.

Here, I have helpfully unwrapped this box someone left inside our door.  I have also taste tested some of the cookies to make sure they are good enough to eat.  (They were in case you were wondering).
 

This is a photo of mom on the phone with her mom, letting her know the Christmas cookies arrived on time and that I made sure they were edible.  (That's me in the background saying hi and looking for more food to taste test).
 

 

I've also been saving mom the trouble of gift wrapping my presents.  I took this beaver toy out of the bag and was showing her and dad that I am happy without the wrapping.  Too bad Kenny the beaver wasn't made very sturdy, he fell apart after 10 minutes of play.  (I think mom got me another one to replace it.  I saw him peeking out from another bag mom put high on a shelf this time).

 

I am also handy in the kitchen.  I always let mom know when its time for her to take out the trash.  

As you can see Sandy Paws, I've been a very good help this year.  Please bring me fun toys to play with and maybe you could tell my friends to come visit me at my house I would love to play with them.

Love,

Charlotte 

Jail Break

Last night after we came home from the Zombie Party I walked into the living room and just stood there thinking that something didn't look right.  After a split second I realized I was looking at Buddy the black bunny in the middle of the living room while Charlotte was in the bunny pen looking up at mom and Bunny girl was no where to be scene.  I realized that they bunnies figured out the weak spot of their pen and escaped while Charlotte took the opportunity to raid their pen for any treats or goodies they might have.  I decided to leave them out of their pen for the weekend since they worked really hard to get out.  They look so happy lounging in the living room in front of the fireplace. 

 Cocoa and Oreo early this morning outside their pen.

Charlotte and her bunny siblings.  She loves them so much.  If only they played with her, then she would be content.

As a side note, the bunnies are eating cranberry treats, not other treats, I promise.

An Autumn Homecoming

Wow, its been quite a while since my last posting.  As you know I have been traveling the Northwest and visiting family and friends in Idaho, Utah and Nevada.  What a fun and needed vacation I had.  I've been back for a full week now but haven't had a chance to blog because I have been busy deep cleaning and organizing the house this past week on top of working a full week's worth.  But I found some extra time this morning that I could blog a little so I thought I would share with you a few photos from my travels.

The first day I drove 61/2 hours from Portland and ended the day in Emmett, Idaho and stayed the night with one of my close friends from high school.  While my friend, Tessa and I were busy catching up and playing with her little girl, Charlotte was busy making friends with the two cow dogs and the horses in the field.  Charlotte kept sticking her head through the fence to go say hi to the horses.  I kept a close eye on her because I was afraid she would squeeze through the fence.

 Charlotte, Me, Tessa and Alyanna sitting on a bench in Tessa's backyard

 Aly on her swing set

 Charlotte and Storm

After staying with Tessa the night I drove 2 hours more through Idaho and stopped in Hagerman to visit my grandparents.  Idaho has never been a favorite state of mine but the little town of Hagerman is beautiful.  It sits right along the Snake River and is full of natural greenery and small ponds and creeks. My grandparents house was built entirely by my grandpa and my uncle about 15 years ago.  My grandpa did such a good job designing a house that fits his property beautifully.  It complements its surroundings and doesn't feel out of  place.  I saw a lot of multi-million dollar homes along the Snake River but my grandparent's house is by far my favorite.  There is even a large pond in back stocked with carp, koi, sturgeon and other types of fish that my grandpa filled himself.  

This is the back side of the house my grandpa built.  The grass is a perfect spot for my grandma to practice her golf swing.

This is part of the pond.  To build it my grandpa redirected the water from the creek that naturally fills the pond.  He also added a fountain in the middle of the pond to aereate the water every once and a while.

Here is me with my grandparents boating along the Snake River.  We took the dogs with us.  Charlotte loved it.  I was afraid she would jump off the side of the boat because she wanted to investigate everything on it.

While I was there my grandpa made a ton of cute projects for me.  Which I will blog about in the future when I have time to finish them. Above is a photo of a dog dining station my grandpa helped me attach legs and cut out holes for the dishes.  Its made out of a skate board.  I am still working on painting it and customizing it for Charlotte but when I'm done I will blog about it.  I might even decide to try and sell them because it turned out really cute.


The next stop was my grandma Colleen's house in Utah.  It was really nice to see my grandma and as an added bonus my dad was there too.  He just moved back to the states from Mexico and I hadn't seen him since Christmas.  While I helped my grandma plant up some planters out front and then we worked on sewing a Christmas yo-yo quilt (another topic for a blogging post in the future).

Charlotte had her own bed to sleep on.  Not really...I put down the sleeping bag and blanket so she wouldn't shed every where and she made herself at home.

My dad, grandma and I at Payson Lake Utah.  We drove up to watch the leaves turning color and have a picnic at the lake shore.  It was a really nice day and we all enjoyed our lunch.

Beautiful leaves turning color on our way to the lake.

After Utah I drove 9 1/2 hours to get to Dayton, Nevada to visit my mom, nana and the majority of my relatives.  We did a lot while I was there.  We went to Virginia City and watched the Port-a-potty races, drove to Lake Tahoe and had a picnic and I helped my nana make some scarecrows for her yard.

My nana and her new scarecrow

The historic mining town of Virginia City

 

A contestant in the annual Port-a-potty races

 At Lake Tahoe with my brother, mom and nana

Charlotte and Buster in the water, neither one wanted to be in there.

Well, that is the condensed version of my trip.  Charlotte and I had lots of fun.  Now that we are back I haven't wasted any time getting back into the crafting ideas.  On Sunday a steam cleaned the living room and redecorated.  I should be done very soon and will post photos of what I have been working on.  I have a lot of blogging ideas, hopefully I will find the time to get them all done!

Road Trip

This coming Saturday Charlotte and I are hitting the open road and taking a break from Corvallis to visit family in Idaho, Utah and Nevada.  I am taking two weeks off from work to stay with family and friends I haven't seen for a few years.  Charlotte will be along for the ride as my co-pilot guiding me down to road, making sure we don't get lost.  I have my camera with me and hopefully can find some time to download photos of the trip online.  Its been a busy spring and summer and it will be nice to take some time and relax and catch up with everyone.  When we get back it will be nice and cool (hopefully) and be the perfect time to plant bulbs and get the lawn ready for winter.  (I haven't even left and I'm already thinking of projects when I return.  Ha!)  Enjoy September everyone and I'll keep in touch out on the road.

Happy Travels!

Charlotte and Jessica

August Wrap Up

Charlotte and Marcel the hedgehog

I know its been quite a while since my last post.  Its been a very busy 4 weeks.  I have been working hard at the store getting it clean and ready for fall.  I just finished putting together the fall and Halloween display and helping the other staff coordinating painting the interior of the store.  Tomorrow we should be putting up the first coat of red on the back wall.

I haven't just been working hard at the store.  At home we've had a lot of adventures and a lot of visitors lately.  Its been a fun month.  Since I've been absent from my computer here is what has been going on: some of the girls and I went to the Oregon Zoo, I had a couple friends stay two nights from my home town, I went up to Portland again and visited another friend from Reno, had my boyfriend's niece and nephews sleep over, babysat a hedgehog, baked tons of zucchini cupcakes and went to the beach for Labor Day. 

Now that I have a few weeks to relax and take it easy for a while I am getting ready to go on a two week road trip to visit my grandparents and family in Idaho, Utah and Nevada.  I am very excited.  I haven't seen most of my family for a few years and this will be a nice break from Corvallis for a time.  I am taking my sidekick Charlotte with me and leaving the bunnies at home.  I think they will enjoy having some peace and quiet from Charlotte for a while.  I am making plenty of stops along the way and visiting a few friends from high school that I hardly ever see.  It will be a fun trip and I will be sure to keep everyone updated from life on the road.

Sitting in the eagle's nest at the Oregon Zoo

Charlotte playing beach volleyball with Oz's little nephew Dominic

 

Alsea Falls with my best friend Emma.  We've know each other since the 5th grade.

 The new Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland

Kiersten and I Enjoying our Treats

 This is my favorite photo of these two.  She's sniffing his butt and he has his tongue out

 For Brandy's birthday I knitted her a hat

And then I made a hedgehog pin out of felt to add to the hat.  (Brandy is Marcel's mommy)

Labor Day on Nye beach with Charlotte and Oz

Running in the sand with Oz