Fabric and Leather Journal Classes...

Melanie and I are taking an online Fabric Journal class with Sue Bleiweiss. It has 5 weeks of lessons and we went to the quilt fair on friday to find even more fabric to create with.

I have not had a chance to make my journal this week yet, but you will be the first to see it when I do.

But, I can show you the pile of fabrics i got at the quilt show on friday...





and on Saturday, we took a book binding class at Particulars to learn how to make leather journals. Look what we made!




We had a great time and we will be taking another book binding class there in late October to make Tunnel Books. I have never done that before and I am excited to see what we create.

I am still getting my pictures of the pug show together so I am excited you those tomorrow. :)

Have a great day!

Crafty Monday and Award Day!

We had the best weekend at the quilt show, leather journal class and the Pug Show!
I have lots of pictures to show you this week. I just have to get them organized for you. :)

In the meantime, I'll show you a project I made last week...


I had the best time making this flower pincushion from a FREE pattern I found online. It was so fast and easy to do that I will be making alot more!

Emmitt says he wants his very own flower. Of course Emmitt, I will make you one with some dog cookie fabric I just got at the quilt fair! Just don't eat it! Silly Pug!

I also wanted to share 2 wonderful awards I received last week. My friend, Diana, made this One Sweet Blog award and shared it with me. Thank you so much Diana!

and my friends Sandra & Coco, Harry Pugalicious and Rachel, Winston and Clemmy shared this kick ass blogger award with me. I am honored. Thank you so much!

I am excited to show you the leather journals Melanie and I made, the fabric we got at the quilt show and the 100's of puggies we saw in wonderful costumes at Pugs in the Park.

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Happy Monday everyone!

9 New Items for Fall 2008...

It has been so fun to create and show you all of these new items. They are all available in all of my pug and dog designs.

Here is a review of all 9...

• Canisters


• Baby Bibs


• Lap Blankets


• Key Holders


• Coat Racks


• Cookie Jars


• Step Stools


• Aprons


• Soap Dispensers

Thank you so much for all of your support, ideas and comments.

Emmitt and I always love to hear what you are thinking!

In other fun news, I have a 5 week online fiber journal class starting today that I am taking with Melanie. Tomorrow, we are taking a class to learn how to make leather journals at a new art gallery called Particulars. And then on Sunday...

The Colorado Pug Rescue annual fundraiser, Pugs in the Park, is this Sunday at Denver's City Park! I will be a vendor again this year, and I will show you lot of pictures of us and 100's of pugs having fun!

I will have lots of fun things to show you next week. Have a great weekend everyone!

Aprons!

Aprons

Today's new items are these wonderful aprons. The are fully adjustable with the top strap and have 3 deep pockets to keep you organized while you cook, garden or even make art!

They are available with my 100+ pugs and dog paintings.

These aprons are whimsical and functional!

What fun activities do you do that you would use an apron?

Baby Bibs!

Baby Bibs

Today's new item is for the little ones in our lives. I thought pugs were perfect of these bibs since pugs love food and to drool. :)

Now everyone in the family, no matter what age, can show their love for pugs and dogs.

They are available with either pink or blue trim.

Let me know what you think of the item and my website description. I would love to hear your ideas!

Canisters!

I am so excited about the new ceramic canisters now available on Pug Notes and Dog Art Studio. They combine my two favorite things... dogs & containers!

Now you can store and organize anything from baking ingredients to cotton balls in these air tight containers.

I love how they look with the cookie jars. I think they make a nice set. What do you think? I would love to hear!

Coat Racks!

Coat Racks

I am so excited to show you the rest of the new product line for 2008 all this week. I will feature a new one each day. :)

Today's new item is the coat racks. They feature 4 tiles for you to choose any pugs or dogs you would like!

The rack can be used to hang coats, hats, leashes and even towels!

As always, I would love to hear your comments about the new item and how I show it on my website. Please let me hear your ideas and suggestions. :)

Emmitt's Sunday Serenade...

Emmitt wrote and performed this love song for Dixie the Bugg today.

Wish my Emmitt luck in this contest to wooooo her!

Friday Fun!

I am so excited! Fred and I found a really cool new desk chair at IKEA when were were in San Diego. It just arrived by UPS.

Ta Da!

It has a cool gray wool cover and lowers all the way down so even my feet touch the floor!

Here is the little creature who must not get pug hair all over it!

... and this fun thingy is a Grub I just crocheted for my nephews' little friend Gray. It seems he went to visit and had to take home the ones I made for Isaac and Ben because he loved them so much.

Isn't that cute! I had so much fun making it for him. :)

and finally, in other fun news, I just found out that my other favorite store, The Container Store, is coming to the mall just down the street. Can you see me doing the happy dance?

Next week I will show you the final 4 new products I have been working on. They are so great! I cannot wait to hear what you think. :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Lap Blankets!

Lap Blankets!

Here is the latest of the new products I am happily adding to my websites Pug Notes and Dog Art Studio.

They are small blankets that are the perfect size for babies, pets and people to curl up in.

Emmitt loves his and says he promises to only shed on the blanket and not the rest of the house or car. Ha!

That is sweet, but I do not think he will be able to keep that promise. :)

My Emmitt is like "Pig Pen" with a cloud of hair following him instead of dust, 24/7. Funny Pug!

Pug Posters in their New Home!

Molly and Oliver with their new posters!

I was so thrilled to receive this wonderful photo from Jennifer B. of VA who just received her two 24 x 36 posters today.

It is the connections I make to people and their puggies that makes what I do truly meaningful to me.

She just received them this morning and by 5:00 tonight she had them framed, hung and sent me pictures with this sweet note...

Hey Melissa... I went and framed the pictures ASAP. I absolutely love love love them. It worked out so perfect because the black pug picture really represents Molly's personality and then we have the poster of the two tan pugs which remind me of Oliver and my mom's pug Annie...too cute!

Wow! Thank you Jennifer for the wonderful photos and email. You really made my day!

How Fun!

Dog Art Today

I am so honored to be mentioned on the fabulous blog, Dog Art Today.

Moira McLaughlin is a very talented artist and blogger. I learn something new everyday about art, dogs, and history by seeing the world through her eyes.

Besides having an amazing blog, Moira also has an Etsy Store where you can purchase her art or commission your very own original collage. Stop by and say hello. You will be happy you did!

Step Stools!

I just flipped when I saw these step stools!

They are made of wood with 2 ceramic 6 x 6 tiles inset into the top!

You can choose any of my pugs or dogs in any combination.

Two fawn pugs are shown here, but you can create whatever family you want...

Pug + Westie, Black Lab + Rottweiler, Yorkie + Shitzu

They are the perfect sturdy tool to help you get to those hard to reach places.

Emmitt has been using ours to get to all those places he has always wanted to reach by himself in the food pantry, sofa, bed and even...

Fred's Desk!

Silly Pug! Happy Monday everyone!

My First Interview...

Rebecca Collins of ArtPaw.com was generous enough to interview me on her blog.

Rebecca is an extremely talented artist, and I am truly honored to be a part of her video series.

Rebecca has an amazing blog, website and Etsy Store where you can purchase and commission her original art using your very own photographs of your dogs.

Stop by and say hello. You will be glad you did!

Friday Fun!

Here is a fun pictures from my archives. I think this is 1997 or 1998. Melanie, Emmitt and I took a day hike up to Lake Isabelle.

I remember it was a beautiful day and Emmitt had fun playing in the snow that never melts in the mountains at 10,800 feet. :)

Have a wonderful weekend filled with fun!

Soap Dispensers!

I am so excited about my new soap dispensers.

They are the perfect thing to add a little sunshine to any sink in your house. You can fill them with liquid hand soap, hand lotion or even dish soap or laundry detergent.

Emmitt asked for it to be connected to his dog bowl as a hot fudge dispenser. Ha! I have a very creative puggy! He is always thinking!

Dreams really do come true!

Breaking News!

IKEA is coming to Denver!

Oh my gosh, Fred, we can really move in now!

Ha! Dreams really do come true!

A New Batch of Pug Charms...

I had so much fun today creating a whole new batch of Pug Charms. They are now available in my etsy shop.

Emmitt tried to snuffle down some of the paper hearts, but I saved them. He says he was just trying to help. I say he was hungry. :) Silly Pug!

New Dog Doll - Ornaments

Boston Terrier

Shitzu
Puggle


Airedale
French Bulldog
Scottie
Dutch Shepherd

I have had so much fun creating more dog doll ornaments the last few weeks. I finally have some completed and listed in my etsy store.

My friends in the blogosphere inspire me everyday. Thank you for all of your comments, ideas, support and encouragement. It means the world to me. :)