Mobile Adoption Fun

I've volunteered for a local shelter a few times.  Saturday there was a mobile adoption at one of the local pet stores.  Eight dogs were taken to the adoption and five were adopted!!  I'd call that a successful day.  Ace Ventura even made an appearance!!

Ace Ventura and Raven.  She was lucky enough to get adopted!

She already loves her little dog

Another happy adoption!

Please, if you are interested in adding a pet to your family, look at the local shelters.  There are so many animals out there that are just waiting to be found by their forever families.  

There is nothing like a day with a little dog slobber!

Peace,
Kay

Knitted Cowls

I've been getting ready for an Arts and Crafts Fair.  My booth will have a bit of this and a bit of that.  One thing that I enjoy making are cowls.  You wear them around your neck and it's amazing how nice and warm they are.

I've knitted this one using Lion Brand Tweed Stripes in the colorway Caribbean.  This yarn is 100% acrylic.   I usually use fibers like alpaca, bamboo, wool and cotton.  But I must say - I love this yarn.  It's nice and soft and was so easy to work with.  I had enough yarn to make a little something else so I decided to make a cowl for a child.  I've not done that before so don't know if they'll be popular or not.  No dragging of the scarf behind and no leaving it somewhere - it makes sense to me.

Child cowl (or adult headband)

I knitted these in the round using circular needles.  I LOVE circular needles.  Here's what I did.  I wanted the cowl to be around 23 inches round.   You might want to check your gauge  before you start.  

Using a size 10 16" long circular needle, cast on 115 stitches.  Place a marker if you want.  Knit four rows.  Purl one row.  Knit rows until the cowl measures around 9 inches.  Purl one row.  Knit four rows.  Bind off.  You can make the cowl any length and width you want.  I've knitted some using a finer yarn and knitted them long enough to pull up over the head.

The child one measures 15 inches round.  I put it on my head and it was almost big enough for a headband (and it's wide enough to cover the ears).

They were fun to knit up.  What about you?  Are you a knitter?  Do you have a favorite project?

Peace,
Kay

Dog Day Afternoon

A few weeks ago was the Fiestas in Santa Fe.  That's the Saturday that I met Di from Pixie's Crafty Workshop and Len on the Plaza.  There was lots of activities:  food booths, native americans selling their wares, arts and crafts venders, and yes, dogs.  Earlier that morning there was a Pet Parade.  I didn't get down early enough to watch but I did see several very interesting pups.

Yes, this is the front end.  Hello Rasta dog

No, mom, the hot dogs are THIS way

Then we had the poor working class

This vendor is VERY creative.  He was selling hats for dogs.  He had four of his own rescue dogs working the booth.  I saw a woman lean over to pet one of the dogs and he (the dog) wasn't happy about it - as the sign says, please don't pet us while we're working!

This guy was my favorite.  I got this great photo because his owner came around the table and stood next to me.  He followed that guy like a hawk!  Oh, but he had treats in his pocket.

It was a fun day.  I thought I had more photos of dogs but I guess I was too busy petting!

I hope your weekend was wonderful.  I've been doing a bit of organizing -- and looking for my glue gun sticks.  I wonder where they could be........  back to organizing!

Peace,
Kay

WOYWW 172 - Zentangle

It's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday!  Woo hoo.  It all starts at Julia's at Stamping Ground.   I must thank Julia for getting us all together.  I was fortunate to meet my first fellow WOYWW -- Di from Pixies Crafty Workshop.  I'm hoping to meet more of you as time goes on. 

I took a Zentangle class from Suzanne McNeill.  The only experience I've had with zentangles is admiring the work of fellow WOYWW Neesie over at Neesie Natters.  I was lucky enough to win a set of her beautiful cards.  She does amazing work and is such a sweetheart.

We were given a pencil outline of a girl with a head wrap.  We then loosely followed the outline with a Micron .01 pen.  After that Suzanne showed us a zentangle and then let us choose where we wanted to put it.  We colored in the zentangle using a 1 Micron pen.  She also showed us how to add watercolor to our image.  I decided not to do that since I had lots of zentangling left to do.   I've been working on this the last two nights.

I've always wanted to be a hippy girl

Unfortunately there were some things that I didn't learn in class - scale being one of them.  Also, I think it would probably have been easier to work in "squares" when learning rather than all these crazy shapes we were given.   Having said that, I did enjoy the class and am excited to keep going.  I am really looking forward to combining the zentangle method with my doodling.  

The example supplied by Suzanne

I will try to visit those that leave a comment (please leave your number) and those that end in the same number as me.   I hope you are enjoying the week.  I know Wednesdays are one of my favorite days!

Peace,
Kay

Sympathy Cards

Unfortunately I needed to make two sympathy cards - in one week.  Two friends of mine both lost a parent.  Bless them.  I know all too well the sorrow this brings.  I dedicated a post to my mother on the anniversary of her passing.  To read that post check it out here.

I found the perfect sympathy stamp on a recent trip to Hobby Lobby (with Di from Pixie's Crafty Workshop).   I also bought the embossing folder during the same trip.

Here are the cards I made.  

Di came up with the idea of using the embossing folder as an outline for the text paper.   Isn't she one smart cookie!  The butterflies are a Tim Holtz die.  It cut my plate again - and I even used a Starbucks coffee wrap on the opposite side (so I got two additional butterflies).  

On this one I cut around the embossed edge of the white paper.  As you can tell, my cards are on the simple side.  As I slowly get back in the groove of making cards my mixed media madness may take over and you may see some with busy backgrounds.  Stay tuned!

I'm getting ready for a craft fair that I'll be in the first week of November.  Since our local card shop closed I've decided to make some cards to sell.  I'll also make some cards out of some of my photos.  I can't wait to get started!

Peace,
Kay

Hello Owl

A while back I got a surprise in the mail from Lynn over at One I Made Earlier Today.  She is the queen of doodly birds!  As a fellow doodler, we hit it off straight away.  

I started noticing owls, a lot.  I did a doodle and fell in love.  I even named him Ollie Owl! Unfortunately I can't "find" him in my photo library --note to self -- organize photos!

Anyways, I received a surprise package all the way from the U.K. from Lynn. 

Isn't this fabric just too dang cute!

What an adorable button!!!

While in JoAnn's I found this great owl pattern for potholders!  Aren't they adorable.  O.k. so my sewing machine is at the back of the deep closet and I honestly haven't sewn anything in years.  It's something for me to look forward to.  Although I won't be digging out my machine until after a craft fair that I'm in - in November.  

Lynn's cute doodly bird signing away to the owls.
The potholder pattern is in the background - aren't they cute!

Again, thank you Lynn for the lovely surprise!  I honestly thought I'd make a potholder before showing off your gift but that hasn't happened yet.

Peace,
Kay

WOYWW 171

I've had such an exciting time since last Wednesday.  I've met a blog buddy - in person!  Can you believe that Di from Pixie's Crafty Workshop is here in New Mexico!!  In Santa Fe, which is about 35 miles from where I live.  We met on Friday for the first time.   We are like two peas in a pod.  Although it's been brought to my attention that I say "Hmm" alot - with different tones for different meanings!

It's another week gone, Wednesday here again.  It all starts at Julia's at Stamping Ground.  Here's my desk this week.  I've put away the paints and bird houses.  On my desk are the goodies from the shopping spree with Di.

white picket fence, Christmas papers, brushes,
embossing folder, sympathy stamp, TH die
bag of ribbon, findings,  beading magazine 

Lily of the Valley Christmas stamp set
Thank you Di!!!

I must apologize as I didn't get around to as many desks and I'd like last week.  I will try to do better this week.   Please leave your number with your comment so I can pop in on you.

Peace,

Kay

Meeting a Blog Buddy!

I've had a busy but very fun couple of days.  A blog buddy is here all the way from the United Kingdom.  No, she didn't come specifically to see me -- but I'd like to think so!  Di from Pixie's Crafty Workshop is here with her other half, Len, for a holiday.  I was so excited, looking forward to this visit for quite a while!  And lo and behold, on Friday, we meet!  We are like two peas in a pod.  

For all WOYWWers - do you see our buttons?
Me on the left, Di on the right (in pink)

The first day I spent with them we ate at Rancho de Chimayo and then went to Ortega's Weaving Gallery then on to the El Santuario de Chimayo.  We all had a lovely time getting to know eachother and seeing some local attractions.

Di and Len in front of a mosaic at El Santuario de Chimayo

I received some wonderful gifts from Di -- not all of which I'm going to reveal today.  A wonderful hand made card by Di, a travel guide of Great Britain, a little I love London teddy and some bunting.

I'm in love with all things hedgehog!

Bunting made by Lunch Lady Jan

Does this mean I can plan a trip!?!

Honestly, when I started this blog a year ago I never dreamed of where it would lead or what to expect.  I just knew that I wanted to use it as a creative outlet.  Here I am a year later having lunch with someone I've met from the UK!  It just blows me away.

Peace,
Kay

WOYWW 170 - Oh where oh where.....

is my desk?  Hmm, I know it's there somewhere otherwise everything would be on the floor!  Oh my, I knew it was going to be bad, but really?  THIS bad?  Here's the rundown:

My acrylic paints, which are now stored upside down.  Birdhouses that I've been painting but I don't like them -- stay tuned for a transformation.  My cuttlebug from last week, pens and brushes, a few specialty papers and a scarf I started knitting (don't you love mohair?).

So, you may be wondering why I would show off such a messy place.  It's WOYWW where desks around the world are fully exposed, for all to see.  This happy blog hop starts at Julia's blog Stamping Ground.

As always, I'll visit those that end in the same number as me and those that leave a comment (please leave your number).  I will try my best to do it but it may be tricky this week.

Peace,
Kay

Project Pinterest --- What Do You Get When.....

you go to the thrift store and find a perfect pair of little white candlesticks?  I knew from the moment I saw them what I was going to do.  At the same thrift store I found an old plate - isn't it cool!

Look at the detail on the plate -- too cute!

Do you have an idea to what I'm going to do?

I glued the plate to the bottom of the candlestick because I thought the little scalloped edge would look nice on the bottom - does that make sense?  I followed the directions on the 9001 glue.  I added glue to the candlestick and placed it on the plate for a few seconds then you remove it.  Let the glue set for a few minutes and then I returned the candlestick to it's location.  The glue says it takes a full 24 hours to fully set.

Isn't this the sweetest thing you've seen!  I was going to rush out and buy some baked goods but I decided you can use your imagination and put whatever gooey goodness you want right there in the center!  The plate has a very slight blue tint to it.

This is what inspired me.  I loved using the finds from the thrift store.  The vintage look is what I was striving for.  For a more modern feel you could buy plates and something with a more modern style for the base. 

Original source HERE

Every time I look at pinterest I find something that just blows me away.   The world is full of talented people.  Linking this post with Project Pinterest.

Here are the guidelines for Project Pinterest:

1. Decide which pin on Pinterest you’d like to recreate.

2. Create it!

3. Flop or success, create a blog post about your re-do and include the original pin’s url.

4. Add the Project Pinterest button to your post so others can join in too!
* From now on to be considered a "Featured Pinner" you need to add the Project Pinterest button to your blog please.

5. Link up and check out other bloggers’ posts!

 


Peace,
Kay