Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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Amy, Miura (green coat) & Zonda (red coat) at the Reindog Parade 

For my “Love This” posts in August, my friend, Amy, has been sharing some of her favorite things.  Thank you, Amy, for sharing a few of your best finds.  I certainly want to try several of them.  Without further ado, here is the final installment of “Amy’s Faves”…four of her favorite Greyhound/pet faves.

Nite Ize S-Biners

Amy loves these Nite Ize S-Biners to attach tags to dog collars. They are inexpensive (six for less than $5 on Amazon), sturdy, and you can color coordinate to seasonally changing collars. 

LuckyPet Classic Jewelry Tags

These beautiful tags come in different sizes and fun colors! red, pink, purple, blue, black, yellow, white and sky blue.  Amy’s hounds wear the small size (the flower measures 1-1/8″ H x 1-1/8″ W).  She loves them because they’re pretty, and each dog has their own special symbol.  Miura has the red heart, Zonda has the blue flower, and Eva has the green clover.  An extra bonus, you can add Owner Alert for a $9.95 one-time-fee per household.  Along with your phone number, the tag also has a 1-800 number where several additional phone numbers are kept on file.  If your pet is reported to the 1-800 number and you don’t answer when they call, the service calls all your numbers, in rotation, until they reach someone, 24-hours a day.  You can call and change your listed numbers at any time, which is great if you’re traveling or change vets.  Before Amy ordered the tags, she called the 1-800 number at 2 am to make sure someone answered.  They did.  As I mentioned, Amy checks things out.

Eva modeling both the Nite Ize clip and her LuckyPet tag

Camco Drinking Water Hose

I did not know this…If you fill a kiddie pool or ever let your dogs drink out of a hose, you could expose them to things they’d be better off not to drink. The water that comes out of a regular garden hose often has lead and other chemicals that seep into the water from the materials the hose is made of, especially if the hose sets in the sun.  You can help keep your dogs (and kids) safe by using a BPA and lead-free garden hose.  The Camco Drinking Water Hose (50′) is a great pick and available for under $35 on Amazon.

Zonda & Miura…Santa’s Helpers

Gini’s  Greyhound Fashions Santa’s Helper Coats

For the last two years, our houndies have walked in the Reindog Holiday Parade with Amy’s houndies who always wear their Santa’s Helper coats.  For the last two years, I’ve been jealous because Miura and Zonda look ADORABLE.  Amy loves these coats.  In her words, “Great rear coverage and a snuggly turtleneck make them winners.” AND the girls always get stopped for compliments when they’re wearing them on walks.  I have witnessed this first-hand.   

Last year, Amy and her husband met their sweet Eva at the Reindog Parade when she was brought by Allies for Greyhounds of West Michigan (our Greyhound group) as a possible foster.  Well, they took Eva as a foster and promptly failed fostering…Eva had her forever home!  Eva needed a Santa coat and Gini of Gini’s Greyhound Fashions, came through with a beautiful blue one. 

Amy was a little concerned over featuring a winter item when it’s still warm, but as she pointed out “people who make dog coats to your specific measurements get really busy as soon as it gets cold, so if you need something, order now!”  I agree, and I’m working with Gini to get our Santa’s Helper coats ordered.  The Lohmeyer hounds will be turning up in style for this year’s Reindog Parade!

Daily Inspiration

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

Grace Pulpit

About the photo (taken on August 26)…I took this photo on the grounds of the Oliver Mansion where I volunteer as a docent.  There’s such a calming beauty to huge old trees.  I like to ponder all the years they have seen.

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Here’s what’s going on in my studio…

My “Try This” posts for August feature ideas from thrift store finds.  This week, I made a candy dish from a candlestick and a wooden bowl.

This was the last week of Artful Gathering classes, so I am finishing up my Make Every Minute Count Art Doll.  I just need to finish the wings and assemble her.  You can check out the finished result on Friday (I hope).

I also finished up my August project for the Blogsville Ladies Crochet Society…an Amigurumi Beach Pebble.  I’ll post a picture on Friday.

This is the last week for The August Break 2012, sponsored by Susannah Conway.  Here’s what The August Break 2012 is all about:

How it works: you simply share one photo (or more!) each day on your blog – Monday to Friday, or every day. Or whenever you feel moved to share. Using any camera – DSLR, compact, Polaroid, Holga, iPhone (my choice), Instax, film or digital – with or without words – anything goes! – for the whole of August. No pressure – just looking at August through your camera lens as a way to be more present this summer. And to have a little break from the pressures and expectations of regular blogging.

There are NO RULES, people! Just sunshine (hopefully) + a bit of fun. And lots of lovely photos to look at and new blogs to discover.

I use photos I’ve taken every day for my “Daily Inspiration” segment, but they are not always taken that day or that week.  To challenge myself for The August Break 2012, all my “Daily Inspiration” photos for August will be taken within a day or two of when they appear.  I’ll also include a line or two about the photograph.

Daily Inspiration

 

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.

Sam Keen 

About the photo (taken on August 26)…I took this photo in the garden of the Oliver Mansion where I volunteer as a docent.  Still beautiful and full of blooms, you can see that things are starting to fade.  Autumn will be upon us before we know it.

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Yesterday, the hubby and I went to the Michiana Renaissance Festival.  This was my first Renaissance Festival.

The fesitval was held on Kamm Island in Mishawaka, Indiana.  It was a small festival, only in its second year.  While I am completely at home cavorting with pirates, fairies, trolls, knights, wenches and Vikings, my husband, not so much.  So, I knew I didn’t have much time.

We walked around and looked at the vendors, listened to a few performances and enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day.

My favorite part of the day was listening to a story by Patrice Blackbottle. 

She told the tale of the Fae and a quest for a star.

At the end of the tale, we each received a special star and blessing.

I would definitely attend another Renaissance Festival, but next time I need to go with one of my magical, fairy friends and not a man who the entire time looked like he was going to (1) bolt and run or (2) grab a sword from a passing pirate and run me through.  Live and learn.

Daily Inspiration

 

Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.

G. K. Chesterton

About the photo (taken on August 25)…This was taken at the Michiana Renaissance Festival on Kamm Island in Mishawaka, Indiana.  It was a lovely, sunny day and this bench was available to sit and look out at the St. Joseph River.

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Ann, at Harvest Moon by Hand, recently posted about favorite villains.  That got me thinking…who are my favorite villains?  Here are my top five:

 

1.  Animated Villain – Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

She’s just so angry and vengeful.  Plus, she can turn into a dragon!  I’m really looking forward to the upcoming movie Maleficent with Angelina Jolie.

 

2.  Fantasy Villain – Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)

The Wicked Witch of the West, as played by Margaret Hamilton, is so iconic.

3.  Psycho Villain – John Doe (Seven)

Calm, calculating, intelligent and completely mad, Kevin Spacey played John Doe to terrifying perfection.

4.  Mob Villain – Tommy DeVito (Goodfellas)

No one plays unhinged and unpredictable like Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas.

5.  Horror Villain – Pennywise the Clown (It)

Watching and reading horror doesn’t usually “stick” with me, but Pennywise did and totally creeped me out.

Who are your favorite villains?

Daily Inspiration

  

Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have.

Emile Chartier

About the photo (taken on August 25)…I had a fun adventure on Saturday along the banks of the St. Joseph River in Mishawaka, Indiana.  I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.  This is a view from Kamm Island.

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Today is the last day of Artful Gathering classes.  I’m furiously working to finish the Make Every Minute Count Art Doll with Cat Kerr.  I’ve enjoyed these classes because each one had techniques and used products that were new to me.  The classes were very do-able but you came away from them feeling like you learned something.  Here’s what I have done:

The body with the centerpiece.

The wings.  I cut them out of metal and hammered them.  Next, I need to add a patina to the metal and add the resin paper accents.  All of this is new to me.

The skirt.  I need to add more embellishments to the bottom and put it on the base.

Next week, I’ll have a finished Make Every Minute Count Art Doll and then, back to my Mixed Devotions Bottles.

Daily Inspiration

 

  anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
is too small for you

David Whyte

About the photo (taken on August 24)…I realized I hadn’t taken a hound picture in quite awhile.  Casper said if he didn’t have to get up, I could take his picture.

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Back in May, I ran a series of five questions that were meant to get you (and me) thinking about memorabilia and hopefully identifying some of the special treasures.  When I originally posted these questions, I didn’t answer them, but now I am.  Here’s the fourth question:

Think of 5 favorite events or periods in your life; what 5 special things represent those times?

 

1.  Charlotte’s Web

(Becoming a Lifelong Reader) Charlotte’s Web is the book I credit with making me a lifelong reader.  My 3rd grade teacher read aloud a chapter every day, and I was captivated by the story.  I loved it so much, my mom bought me a copy of the book that I still own.

2.  Ardmore Award

(School Years)  I went to a small elementary school and it was a good experience with many happy memories.  The Ardmore Award was given to one girl and one boy of the graduating 6th grade class.  I won and was honored to receive it.  Since I’m allergic to competition, it’s one of my only awards.

3.  Frog Trinket Box

(Motherhood)  My daughter’s dad bought this for me in the hospital gift shop when she was born.  I collect frogs, so it was a perfect little gift.

4.  Kuwait Medal

(Hardest Thing I Ever Did) – Five months after my daughter was born, I was sent to Saudi Arabia for the Persian Gulf War.  Leaving her was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but as is so often true, many good things came from it.  The thing I’m most thankful for, the relationship that was forged between my daughter and her dad.

5.  Mission Bell

(Marriage) – My husband and I met and married in California.  Much of our courtship and honeymoon centered around a portion of the California Mission Trail (El Camino Real – The Royal Road).  The idea of placing the Mission Bell Guideposts as markers along the highway and in front of each Mission came about in 1906.  This is a souvenir and a sweet reminder of a romantic time.

Daily Inspiration

 

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

Alfred Wainwright

About the photo (taken August 23)…Last night, I went to the movie theatre to see Singin’ In The Rain.  I’d never seen this movie, let alone on the big screen.  It was a delight.

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In August, my “Try This” posts are going to feature some things you can do with thrift store finds.

Combining thrift store finds can be a fun way to create something entirely new.  For instance, I’m combining a candlestick and a wooden bowl to make a candy dish.

I love Martha Stewart’s paints.  For this project, I’m using a metallic paint in Sterling.

I started by lightly sanding the bowl to give the paint something to grab on to.

This is one coat of the paint.  I could have easily stopped here as one coat gave it a tarnished silver look, but I wanted to see what the paint looked like with several coats, so I added two more coats.

If you want the base and bowl joined together permanently, use a strong multi-surface glue.  If you want the bond to be temporary, use an adhesive putty.  Super simple and very inexpensive.

Daily Inspiration

 

You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea.

Pablo Picasso

About the photo (taken August 19)…I took this photo outside the Sunrise Cafe in Lafayette, Indiana, a diner we often go to when I visit my daughter.  The flowers were so lovely, I couldn’t resist taking a photo.

visit my mother’s family in Tennessee.  I can’t imagine how many times I’ve driven past the

Amy when she first got Miura (or the other way around) 

This month, my friend, Amy, is sharing her favorite things on Tuesday’s “Love This” posts.  Amy will tell you that she is a cosmetics junkie, but she’s also a savvy shopper, so she unearths some real goodies.  Here are a few of her beauty faves:

Notice how it goes on shimmery and develops color

It Cosmetics Lip Flush

This is really intriguing to me.  It takes the place of four products–lipstick, anti-aging conditioning lip balm, ultra-hydrating lip gloss and lip stain.  Amy loves it because it brings back the flush baby lips have.  It’s a lasting stain, yet doesn’t leave a mark on a cup, and it’s super moisturizing.  I’ve got to try this.

 

philosophy Just Release Me Eye Makeup Remover

Amy swears this removes anything, probably even Sharpie.  It doesn’t leave an oily residue, so you don’t need to to rinse it off, and it leaves the undereye moisturized.  You gotta love an effective eye makeup remover…an absolute essential.

 More pressure = Darker & thicker lines

It Cosmetics Brow Power Eyebrow Pencil

Here’s something to ponder…the top 3 signs of aging are thin sparse brows, thin pale lips and dull hair, so if  you have time for anything, do brow pencil, lip stain and hair shine solution.  I want to know why all the “thin” is happening on my face.  I digress.

Before & After

This is Amy’s favorite eyebrow pencil.  One shade works for everyone!  More pressure makes darker lines, and there is a brush on the other end so you can groom your brows as a final touch.  Kudos to Amy for providing “real” before and after photos.

DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+

According to Amy, being the color of skim milk makes her an expert on sunblock.  She told me that she buys this over and over again.  One of the top safest sunblocks according to Environmental Working Group, it is light feeling and leaves no white residue or sunblock smell.  It’s organic, vegan, gluten-safe and made in the USA.  In Amy’s words, “Best. Sunblock. Ever!”

Daily Inspiration

History is who we are and why we are the way we are.

David McCullough

About the photo (taken on August 18)…This little antique store is in Fulton, Indiana.  I pass it when I visit my daughter at Purdue.  I love when I drive by and it’s open.

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Here’s what I did this past week…

I made a new flower for my “Try This” post.  Very easy and fun to make.  Instructions are here.

I stopped work on my Mixed Devotions bottles and started work on my Make Every Minute Count Art Doll.  I only have until August 25 to take advantage of the online tutorials.  After that, the only way to see the lessons is to purchase the class DVD.  I want order the DVD for the Mixed Devotions class, so I need to speed up on the Make Every Minute Count Art Doll class.

I did a little travelin’ last week for work and for pleasure, so there wasn’t too much going on my studio.  I did have a chance to do more photography though.

I’ll repeat this information about The August Break 2012, every Monday in August. 

During August, I’m participating in The August Break 2012 that is sponsored by Susannah Conway.  Here’s what The August Break 2012 is all about:

How it works: you simply share one photo (or more!) each day on your blog – Monday to Friday, or every day. Or whenever you feel moved to share. Using any camera – DSLR, compact, Polaroid, Holga, iPhone (my choice), Instax, film or digital – with or without words – anything goes! – for the whole of August. No pressure – just looking at August through your camera lens as a way to be more present this summer. And to have a little break from the pressures and expectations of regular blogging.

There are NO RULES, people! Just sunshine (hopefully) + a bit of fun. And lots of lovely photos to look at and new blogs to discover.

I use photos I’ve taken every day for my “Daily Inspiration” segment, but they are not always taken that day or that week.  To challenge myself for The August Break 2012, all my “Daily Inspiration” photos for August will be taken within a day or two of when they appear.  I’ll also include a line or two about the photograph. 

Daily Inspiration

  

I am my best work— a series of road maps, reports, recipes, doodles, and prayers from the front lines.

Audre Lorde

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This weekend, I visited my daughter at Purdue University.  Close to Purdue is Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Indiana.  We first visited Wolf Park in October 2011.  I thought we’d visit once, it would be great and that would be it, but we have become Wolf Park fans.

 

We went back on Saturday because Dharma, the pack’s alpha female had 6 puppies on April 6, 2012 and this weekend, they joined the main pack.

 

Puppies at Wolf Park are taken out of the den when they are around 10 days old to undergo the socialization process. In order to fully socialize the puppies to humans, the pups have contact with humans 24 hours a day for the first 5 months or so of their lives, for a total of over 2,000 contact hours. 

 

“Puppy Mothers” live onsite to help raise the puppies. They work in shifts to provide 24-hour a day human contact. The puppies also get to spend time socializing with wolves once they about 6 weeks old, so they learn how to be part of a pack as well.

 

You can learn more about Wolf Park by visiting their website or Facebook page.

It was a beautiful day…temperature in the 70s, blue sky, fluffy white clouds, people I love, good food and wolf pups.

Daily Inspiration