Just Tuck

I need to go for the 'cute' factor today. 

This job of mine is getting in the way of my creativity!!

 

 

Our little buddy hasn't been feeling quite himself lately. 

 

He has allergies. 

 

I know!  Who would have thought a cute little doggie like him would have allergies.  But he does.  He's been miserable.  Yes he has a cute sneeze, but when he does.... it starts from the tip of his nose and shakes all the way to the end of his fluffy tail.  Something is annoying his back leg, and then his nose and his little paw paw can barely reach to scratch it.  He goes around in circles trying to catch the itch and he even cries out in frustration.

 

We've taken him to the vet and he's gotten an allergy shot and some tablets.  It seems like clockwork now.... every September and early May ... something in our air causes our tiny fuzz ball to be not quite himself.

 

So, have you seen Boo?  He's a famous Pomeranian.  His face is plastered all over calendars and notebook covers.   He's even done commercials.  Click here for the link of the 'worlds cutest dog'. Whenever new people see our little Tuck they think he looks like that teddy bear dog in the commercials!!

 

I was at Michael's a few weeks ago and saw an entire end cap of 'stuffed' Boos.  Cute doggies never go out of style.  There is another Pom named Jiff who has been making the YouTube circuit.  He is a trained Pomeranian who does amazing balence tricks! Check out this article about Boo vs. Jiff here.

 

Then there is our Tucker!

 

This dog is so adorable!!

 

Maybe we need to shorten his name and just call him Tuck.  Look at that smile on his face and that weird way he sits!  Our little Pomeranian is the ORIGINAL cutest dog in blog land!

 

Go team Tucker!!!

Rover is in da House!

I think my blog posts have become  a little heavy and deep lately. 

Although not a chore to post something cute and whimsical .... LIFE as I know it has changed and I don't have the 30+ hours a week to play like I used to!

Without further adieu, I would like to introduce our new addition to the house .... his name is Rover!

Isn't he cute???

 

On Pinterest and other places I've seen a lot of metal art for the garden. 

 

I saw this 'rivoting' doggie at Hobby Lobby last week, and thought we'd make a perfect fit!!! He was the last one on the shelf, even the sales associate commented that I got the last one!!!

 

There were dogs and cats and frogs and chickens and owls..... but having another doggie for the yard was something I knew I really wanted.

 

He's tiny.  Only about 12" tall.  Almost eye to eye with Tucker, the wonder dog!!!!

I was hoping to post him basking in the sunlight, but alas.....Spring has not completely sprung here in the Midwest .... so you get what you get!!!!  He still SHINES!

What kind of trouble can our new doggie get in to?????  Two things I know for sure.... he wont be bringing me any baby bunnies to 'play' with.... and he wont be wondering into the neighbors yard!!!

Tiny Paws

I remember naming him ... I'm not sure how we landed on his name exactly... I just recently looked up his name's meaning ... it fit's him to a T (sometimes!)

 

Sissy found him on-line at a shelter for Pomeranians.  It was a mugshot with his name below ... Elfie.

 

One origin of his name states that Tucker is ... to torment.  Yes, he does that sometimes!!

 

Another name origin is what a towel maker is in German.

 

I was in the back of the SUV keeping him company and calm on the drive when we brought him home.  We were going through a list of different names for him.  I must admit ... I have to go back and look on a calendar, I can't remember how old he is going to be this year ... I'll confirm.... but my tiny fluffball is going to be at least '6' years old!  I remember saying Forrest Tucker.... we had recently got back from a volleyball tournament in Kentucky.... Tucky.... Tucker!  Too, too, too ....cute!

 

 

He is very photogenic.  I'm not always the best photographer.  He moves quickly and blurs the picture. I think he's got quite a personality.  He sure has brought a lot of pep and vigor to our somewhat quiet house.

 

Fuzzy, Fluffball, Fozzy Bear, Tiny, Tuckman, Fluffy, Pee Pee Boy .... it's amazing what a little dog can bring to your life!

It's a Good Sign

It's a sign.

They are everywhere!

Week #49 LIFE'S simple pleasures - signs

This simple pleasure might get me into trouble!! 

You know sometimes when people are in a certain place and something odd happens to them?  And if they are spiritual, symbolical or superstitious... they might say that the event that is occurring "is a sign" .... that they should... or should not do something? 

It's a sign, is another play on words for me... yes, there are ACTUAL signs that say something like: FOR SALE .... or look at me because I'm cute,  but there other signs just out there hanging in space... that our mind catches on to.

The study of signs and sign processes is called Semiotics.  I have never heard this word before, but I am curious, and that is why this weeks simple pleasure may get me into trouble!!!

First the concept.... and then the design.... it's all a process in LIFE.

Stay tuned!!

Bad, Bad Weed

Cute, cute little video!

Did this work?  Did it capture your attention?  That is all part of marketing, get their attention ... and draw them in.

But there is a story of a bad, bad weed.  We have an area in the back 40 of our yard and things grow...wild!!! Those thorny weeds that grow up into trees and squeeze the life out of them... we have a few of those... and every year we chop and cut and cut and chop them.  Then we mow back there and some weed is creeping out into the lawn and it nabs you... and you get tangled in it's web. Or we trim tree limbs and the dang thing grabs your arm!!!! Then we chop it again.... I didn't think a thing of it today when I went to spread the remains of my cute porch hay bundle that I got for fall decorating.

I'm tossing hay into the wind and all of sudden my finger is aching and bleeding!!!  Dag Nab it.... I caught my left pointer finger on one of the THORN stubs... man it still hurts!!!! That weed is still trying to get me... it's dead, chopped and dormant.... it got me!!!!

But, I have to post a cute picture of Fuzzy bear.  I guess I actually took a short video of him being super cute. Click the little triangle to play... it only takes a few seconds. 

After the post gets published... I'll see if this new techie video worked.  Oh, and by the way... my Instagram pictures there in the right column ----> they up date!  Way cool... check out my messy desk and my morning chai tea... and yesterday's slipper pics!!!

Hello Friend!

Although I have plenty to keep me busy, I like to find a good challenge. 

Lately I have been participating in the Mojo Monday challenge.  (I haven't submitted my card, but I take on the challenge of creating with the design sketch given on the Monday)  They give you a sketch of a card, and you see what you can come up with.

This was actually last weeks challenge.  But you wouldn't know that unless I told you now, would you???

Things I like best about this card?  The color combination with the argyle patterned paper.  And that, is a doodle of my trusty furry friend Cooper.  He's always curious!!!

There is a certain happiness in being silly and ridiculous!

pinterest

Dog Days of Summer

 Good dogs are with us for a little while to teach us how to love

like it's our job,

because it is!

Lessons in loving from our most constant friends.

Fox and Friends

Eclectic mix of pictures today. 

My head is bouncing with all kinds of ideas!! While trying my hand at a little photo shoot the other day, my little fozzy bear, Tucker, just plopped down on my white cardboard 'studio'.  Who could resist that face??? He turned 4 last month and is still a ball of fuzzy fire!!!!

Gname the gnome who has been with us since the beginning of my blog, got a make-over the other day.  He was a little worn from all the mid-west weather elements, 100 degree heat, snow, freezing temperatures and rain... so I pulled out the acrylic paints and brushes and freshened him up a bit.  He's a little shy and promptly turned away as I was snapping his pictures!

Among the crunchy leaves and crispy twigs that have fallen out back, there is beauty!  I have been watering my lilies diligently and on three stems I got about 8 gorgeous blooms.  They smell wonderful! I wanted to capture them in full bloom.  A photo like this could be a true inspiration for a creative greeting!!

Sent any FuN MaiL lately???

Brighten Someone's Day!

Our mini Cooper

 Just a cool reminder how the weather used to be here about 6 months ago.  One day I made a snowman, just because I could and a snapped a cute shot with my loyal friend Cooper.  Isn't he handsome?  He has been an inspiration for many photo shoots and lots of cards.  I love my dogs!

Cooper turned 7 last month.  His muzzle is starting to show a little grey, here and there.  But he is still spry and spunky when he wants to be.  While walking the neighborhood we happen upon a new walker, and they often want to know how old our 'puppy' is... when we say 7 they are shocked.  He holds his age well, I guess!

I've morphed a doodle from Marisse Carrier and turned it a bit Cooper-esc.  I am trying very hard to clean my creative space (use up the old) and am going through my extra paper stash and my doodle bin to try and come up with unique and whimsical cards that are just lying in wait to be created!  I was inspired by a few blogs that had layouts and figured these left overs with my doodle shapes would make two perfect cards!

A few weeks ago I posted that I had fallen into one of our window wells trying to retrieve a small friend we named Chip.  Cooper is nothing but a vigilant and dedicated varmint dog.  He sits and waits for hours amongst the hostas and bushes around our house.  Waiting for a glimpse or a chance to play with small furry friends.  Well, I'm happy, or maybe sad to report that he finally caught "A" Chip.

Stop reading here if you have a queasy stomach: I helped in the demise of Chip.  Seems Cooper heard Chip and gave chase around to the back of the house.  Chip ran up a plastic down spout.  Cooper knocked the downspot off and started rolling it around the yard.  Mom (me) came out to find what the commotion was about and noticed a scratching noise coming from the plastic tube. I tipped it up and nothing, then I tipped it down and heard a scurry of scratching noises. 

Something was inside the tube.  Cooper started pawing at the tube, his eyes were intense, almost pleading with me... "Mom, I've got this one".  Not to be cruel, but I let Cooper have a go at the 'caged' animal.  He rolled the tube around the yard, stuck his snout into each open end, he pawed at the baffles in the middle.  Not that there are any gory details... but Chip did not make it.  Cooper was triumphant!  We showed everyone in the house Cooper's prize and awarded him with words of great praise for his catch!

With a nature wonderland like our backyard, there is MORE where that came from.  Every day, our loyal Cooper waits for hours hidden amongst the hostas, shadowed from the hot summer sun.  He is now waiting, and waiting, and waiting.... maybe for Dale to cross his path!

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our life whole. ~ pinterest

Happy Hellos!

Just like the weather outside, my picture seems a little warm and fuzzy!  It's been hot, hot, hot and very humid the past week.  We need rain!  If it isn't something... it's another!

What would life be without my fur-babies?  The UPS guy stopped by on Friday.  Didn't even need to ring the door bell.  Cooper made such a fuss, then that started Tucker with crazy barking up and down the stairs.

We always know when it's dinner time as they gather around their bowls, patiently, pleading with us and those beautiful brown eyes, blink FEED ME.... now!

And for walks, it's beastly hot out there, but both dogs lay with their chin in their paws and look at me.  Last night we wanted to walk 'outside' the neighborhood and even Tucker knows that when I walk over to get my car keys in the kitchen, it's not only a walk but a fun ride in the car with the windows open. Wheeeeee!!!!

I loved the bright basic colors of this card.  They were all scraps left on my cutting board from a previous project.  Doggie doodle is based on Marisse Carrier designs. Simple but fun card today.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our life whole.~ Roger Caras

Dog Trails

Last week my mojo (self confidence) was working and I cranked out a ton of new cards.  Although I like the word mojo... I think maybe my muse (goddess of inspiration) was present.

I know, I say this ALL the time..... some day maybe, it will happen... it's my final destination.... but I jut love to copy other peoples' work (never claim it my own) and just see how close I can come to the original.  These dogs all have personality and charm, and just by a simple line doodle you can tell what type of dog is 'yapping' for joy it's someone's birthday! Markers and water color pencils finish the job. Simple!

Copy sounds too harsh a word and too illegal!!!!  I did a CASe study and ended up with this fun loving card for any pet lover!  All of the dogs have Stickle sparkles on their dog collars.

I'm a walking controversy (in my own mind).... I want my cards to be original and unique, yet I CASe other people's work.  No two of my cards are alike... I think I have to work on this concept a bit more.

Meanwhile: Happiness is a direction, not a place~Sydney J. Harris

Snow Buddies

I made a snowman this morning before work edit: before my last day of work*, just because!!

Look at my handsome boy who posed so well. I ♥ Cooper

* found out after my shift at 4:30, @ 4:50 the temp agency called me to say they got a fax that the company was re-organizing the position...I no longer had the job.

Define Your Art

Despite the fact that I'm thrilled about it, I have to blog about the big elephant in the room (look at those trunks in the above picture, ha ha) ... there is NO snow in my backyard on Jan. 9, 2012.... there has only been a trace, a light dusting.... it is very weird.  I can't help but feel this is so unusual.  The college boy, who is still home for another 6 days... asked me recently if I remember not having a Christmas or a winter without snow....I can't recall and give you a day and a year.... however, this is very strange here in the mid-west.  The "snow" insurance DH bought back in October has really paid off.... hee hee.... he bought a brand new snowblower! Since we were losing one shoveler!

Officially ... winter is until March 21.  February 2nd is ground hog day.... what will I be posting about in the next few weeks.... I'm almost scared to think about it!

So excited to show off my card today..... no CASe-ing.... all me!  My image.... but when you have two buddies this cute, it's easy right? 

I'm trying to work with mixed mediums, getting my creative muscles working in the Jump Start summit... art journals... paint, water color, ink.... I'm outside my comfort zone as an ARTIST. (not shown) In defining a graphic artist for an email recently, I really think I am one....A professional discipline that focuses on visual communication and presentation through typography, visual arts and page layout! I like crisp outlines and defined shape and a clear cut message.

It's a good Monday morning to think of all the possibilities the up coming week will bring.  What new things will I LEARN?  Can I FIND new ways to express my SELF* in Art, cooking, communication, friendship.... please come back and find out!

Indian Summer

Here's a fun maroon card with a watering can filled with happy sunflowers.  Any sentiment can be put inside, or it can be left blank for a note card.

It has been an amazingly  be-YOU-tiful week here in the mid-west.  Warm temperatures in the 70's and bright blue sunny skies.  I'm trying to absorb it into my mind, body and soul..... because I can't help but know what lies ahead in the weather department.

I often see yellow wild flowers on my geocaching adventures through the prairie lands of Illinois.  This time I saw a bunch of purple flowers, they look like daises.  Kind of weird though, plopped in some cattails in the middle of a marshland field.  I thought it was very pretty.

Bright light!!!  Here is my front door.  Those wet cornstalks have for sure dried out by now with the hot sun beating down on them.  You can see Fuzzy bear there, sitting all happy, however, he needs a cool pair of shades, he is squinting with so much sun just pouring all over him in his furry coat!

Wag more, bark less ~ pinterest

Doggie Cuteness

Isn't it just amazing what a fluff ball of fur can exude (ooze or spread out in all directions) just by being his cute self??? Sometimes I wish I could do this... just be cute and exude happiness and kindness... that it would just reek from my pores. I tell you though, he is a excellent faker.... all this sweet cuteness... don't take the big yellow ball away... or grrrrrrrrrr.... snap!
The yarn is stuck between his front fangs.... I mean canine teeth!

Walkin' on Sunshine

- Coopy wishes

My fun doodled pup is shouting out 'happy birthday'.... party hat with pom pom and all... a gift with polka dots... bright yellow and blue.... yellow bowed knot.... FuN MaiL to send out... just for you!

Beautiful day to play outside and in. Our first true day of spring, sunshine and in the 60s. Love my puppy!

Try to Get You

- Pure awwwww Today's post is to try and get you to say, awwwww.... how adorable and cute!!! I have posted Tuckers' pictures on Facebook already, but thought I'd share here too! It was time to get a little hair trim for our fuzzy guy.

We didn't think we were going to go this short. But the groomer called and said he had lots of matting going on with his undercoat. I know he was getting bad.... but you know... it costs a few bucks to look this handsome!!!

See for yourself, how simply adorable our almost 3 year old fur baby is. You can't help but go, awwwwwww!!!

Early post today. Going into work late. Sissy has an orthopedist appointment to check out her lower leg... stress from track????