SOOOOOO BUSY

I'm happy to say that I've haven't posted lately because I've been sooooo busy (not because I've been a slug).  Where to begin?

I've been working at the shop (St Christopher Thrift Shop, League City, TX) more lately.  My BFF and co-manager Ruth had a bad fall, so I've been filling in a bit more. That's no biggy though. No 1, because I'd do just about anything for my BFF; and No 2, I enjoy working at the shop anyway.  Donations are starting to slow a bit, but are by no means too low. Sales are picking up :), which really makes me smile :).

I've decided to rent a booth/space at our church's annual Art Fair the Saturday of our Annual BarBQ weekend - Saturday, October 9.  I admit I'm both excited and nervous. This will be my first YAYAMADE outing and my second lifetime booth experience for my wares. The first was back in the early 90s, and it didn't go well at all, which was very discouraging.  But I'm determined to try and hope for the best. At the very least, I'll be supporting the mission fund raising efforts of my church through my booth space rental fee.

So, I've been sewing, sewing, sewing like a crazy woman.  I've made several doggie treat bags and named them "Tote-A-Treat"s.  I must confess that I find making several of the same thing a bit boring -- okay, okay -- very boring, but a girl's gotta do that a girl's gotta do.  I've also been making my specialty Tote-A-Tee purses.  These are sooooooo cute. I hope they go over well.  They're pretty easy to make, and very clever, I must say. I looked on Etsy and Artfire, searching for" tshirt" or "tee shirt" and "purse" and nobody's look like mine.  I have two styles, hobo and messenger.  I've shared a couple of them here before, showing gifts I made for MBGD.

Then last night Mollie and I went to our first basic obedience class.  It was really fun and very helpful.  We of course must practice at home faithfully, but it does make a big difference (over reading and watching DVD) to have the techniques shown in real time.  There were about six or seven teams (owner/handler and dog). The instructors are really good and very kind.  Shea Top Dog in Dickinson. I highly recommend them, and that's after just one class. 

So, as you can see, I've been soooooo busy.  I'll be posting my new creations on YAYAMADE soon. So stay tuned.

Tote-A-Treat

Mollie has brought a lot of sunshine into my life. And inspiration. She is a sweet, wonderful, well-behaved dog, but -- had to be a "but.

But we have some "issues", like pulling on the leash when she sees squirrels and other dogs. Okay, okay, the squirrel thing is partly on me. I encouraged the chasing because it was so funny. But a little goes a long way. Besides there's the whole safety issue. Hers and mine.

Then there's the refusal to stop barking after I say "it's okay" or "quiet." She's a great watchdog, but wants to have the last word.

We're working on these and other issues and will soon be attending doggie school. Mainly handler school, so I can learn the proper way to train her. Now that training treats are playing a big part in our lives, I decided that I needed a bag to hold treats. Getting them out of my pocket isn't quick enough.

Introducing the Tote-A-Treat, which is of course a "green" project. It was once a scrub top. I kept the design simple. Just a bag to hold treats. The first one I made is not lined. The strap serves to stabilize the top of one side of the bag and I simply tied the snap hooks onto the strap. That makes it easily adjustable. I snap the hooks onto my belt loops. I tied the ends of the strap together so I can hang the bag with Mollie's collars and leashes.

Now I'm making Tote-A-Treat bags for YAYAMADE. These bags are lined. Here's preview pics. They're awaiting straps and/or snap hooks.

The Big 90

Almost a month since my last post. Shame on me. NOT. I've been sooooooooo busy, and then not so much. Anyway...

My Mom celebrated her 90th birthday August 26th, but we celebrated for over a week. My sister and I took her out to eat at Cheddars the evening of her birthday.

Then on the following Saturday, we threw her a surprise shindig. Notice the decor, purses and handbags. So cute. Thanks to my BFF Ruth for saving the decorating day. We had fajitas with all the fixings and of course cake and ice cream. Yum. Yum. The whole family attended except MBGD who's back at school and MHGS who had to work. There were lots of leftovers for everyone. More Yum.

This last Friday, my sister and I took Mom to the Rainforest Cafe in Galveston. Oh, Yum again. Mom finally said we could stop celebrating, a week was long enough.

Thank you, God, that I still have my Mom.