Dog Massage for Emmitt

Hi everyone! Emmitt here to tell you about the benefits I have felt from my newest "home spa treatment" that my mom does for me to keep me feeling young and bouncy.

It is dog massage.

You would never know I will be 12 1/2 on Feb 1st.

Over the last year or so, my pawrents have noticed that I seemed a bit stiff and sore when I got up from my naps. In an effort to ease any pain I may be feeling they have consulted my wonderful vet, and have added things to my daily routine to keep me young and flexible.

One of the things they have done is to hire a canine massage therapist that comes to our house once a week to work on any tension in my neck, shoulders and hips. Ingrid is the sweetest lady and I love our visits. I get so excited when she comes that mom has to have a special chew bone ready to keep me occupied during our session or I talk to Ingrid the whole time and we do not get as much work done as we should.

One of the things I really like about this new activity is that Ingrid has shown mom some doggy massage techniques that really help to keep me pain free in between the professional visits.

My mom has always told me that I am an excellent communicator and now every evening I come to her and give her the end I want rubbed. Sometimes it is my neck and shoulders, sometimes it is my back and hips. I just walk right up to her and talk to her until she closes her laptop and begins my massage. She thinks it is fun how I eventually flop over into "bliss land" just like a person and relax for the massage.

Since mom has been doing it, Ingrid has noticed a big difference in the tension I carry between sessions and says mom may be able to take over in between for longer times between her visits.

Besides feeling really good, I think it is a fun way for mom and me to spend quality time together. I usually wake up from "bliss land" about 20 - 30 minutes after she starts, and I let her know I am done by sitting up.

Here I am in "Bliss land" Mom says I was snoring away. HMMM I do not remember that part. :)

OOOOooo! Look mom is here! I think I will have her start with my ears today. :)

The great thing about dog massage is that it is for doggies of any age to help them relax and it also slows their pawrents down a little bit too to enjoy the present moment with us. This is one of the many life lessons my mom says I have taught her. I am a smart puggy!

Until next time...

xoxoxoxox

Emmitt

New Rack Cards for the 2009 Shows...

I am so excited about the booths I will have this year at Pug Parties in San Diego, Seattle and Denver!

One of the biggest logistical challenges I have is taking EVERYTHING I have and displaying it without people (and myself) getting overwhelmed from the choices.

I find that most of the people want to shop a little more quietly and leisurely than ordering everything at once at the show with their puggies pulling them in 3 different directions.

It is also hard for me to pack and or ship all of the big or heavier items these days so I decided to make these cool rack cards on VistaPrint. They are larger than a postcard at 4" x 8" and even have information on the back for no extra charge. I make all of my postcards, business cards, notepads and raffle cards on VistaPrint. Their quality, service and prices are just amazing!

Here is what I created... (click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

(Front)
(Back)

I think it will be an effective way to show people what else they will find and where to find me when they get home.

Plus I have a little picture of Emmitt on there so he can come to the show with me! How Fun! :)

Terrariums - Little Green Rolling Landscapes

Moss Terrarium by GnomeHomes

Moss Terrarium by MadebyMavis

I am so excited!

I just purchased two moss terrariums from two wonderful sellers on Etsy, MadebyMavis and GnomeHomes. One of the terrariums came with little mushroom decorations. I have my eye on a tiny owl from Mudpuppy for the second one. :)

Now I have two little green ecosystems in my house. I put one on my desk and one in my favorite room to hang out in when I am not working. They are very easy to take care of. All you do is mist them once every 2-3 weeks and keep them in indirect light with their lids on.

I love moss and I hope my thumbs will turn some shade of green just this once to keep them happy and healthy.

I really enjoy shopping on Etsy and all the art you can find there! I will have more purchases to show you soon. They are gifts and I do not want to spill the beans too early. :)

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Shows and Events 2009

I am so excited to announce the Pug Notes Shows & Events Calendar for 2009.

This year we are going to have booths at the Pug Parties in ...

• San Diego - May 2, 2009


• Seattle - May 9, 2009


• Denver - TBD Fall 2009
  

We are so excited to pack our bags and meet lots of fun people and pugs!

If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello! We would love to meet you!

Speaking of fun things...

I just added some new Tabs to Pug Notes and Dog Art Studio to make getting to the 4 Pug and Dog Art Galleries even easier.

1. Pug Art
2. Dog Art
3. Holiday Art
4. Pencil Pugs
   

I know tabs might sound like a funny thing to be smiling about, but I'm kind of weird that way. :)

What small things make you smile during your day? I would love to know!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Doodles Design Class - Week 1

Melanie and I are having a great time in our online 6 week Doodles Design class with Susan Sorrell.

The assignment this week was to doodle on paper and transfer the design(s) to tissue paper. Then we pinned the tissue paper to fabric and embroidered the design. When you all done stitching, you rip away the paper and Volia!

I started with two different doodles. The first one I did with marker and the second with india ink.

I took elements from both and traced them onto the tissue paper.

The designs had a dog and bunny look to them and I smiled when I saw this piece of fabric I had that has dogs and bunnies all over it. ~ I had to use it as the canvas.

The design kind of looked like a mat to me so I sewed in one of my recent doodle paintings. I finished the edges with the quilt binding I used in my journal class and backed it with prequilted fabric.

I love how it turned out and here it is hanging in my office.

Here is Melanie's wonderful design! She stitched hers on a block of wool and used a blanket stitch around to finish it.

I cannot wait to see what we do in week 2!

A Call for Recipes...

A Call for Your Pug's Favorite Recipes...

Do you have a favorite treat or meal that you make for your dog(s)?

Please help Emmitt do his homework. His job is to find, cook and taste test recipes for his column in the Spring 2009 Newsletter - Emmitt's Kitchen.

If you have any suggestions for him, please post it here or email me.

Emmitt will be so grateful and will send you a thank you gift in the mail. :)

Thank you! Thank you! The pug was starting to spin in circles wondering what to do! :)

Customer Photo Gallery - Pug Tiles

I just received a wonderful email and photo from Brooke T. from Alabama showing her recent Pug Notes purchase. I just love seeing how people enjoy their new art.


She purchased two 8 x 8 ceramic tiles to hang over her stove to compliment a tile she had of her pug mix, Murphy.

"Here are the tiles in my kitchen over my stove that I got to go with the one in the middle that is of my late pug mix Murphy. I just love them!" Brooke T., AL

Thank you so much Brooke! We have added your photo to the Customer Photo Gallery and Emmitt and I have sent you a thank you gift for your submission to the gallery.

Brooke was also sweet enough to share her new pug, Libby with me. She will be featured in the Spring Meet the Pugs section of the Newsletter to be released in March.

I always love receiving your emails, photos and stories. Please keep sending them in. We will send you thank you gifts and post them on the blog and website for everyone to enjoy.

xoxoxoxo

Melissa and Emmitt

Did you say Blueberry Coffee?

I have found the most wonderful thing! Blueberry Coffee!

When I first heard of it, I said ewwwww... that sounds weird. But then I smelled it, and then I tasted it and let me tell you, it is better than good. It is wonderful!

It is made by Green Mountain Coffee. It is even organic and Fair Trade, my two requirements for buying coffee.

My brother-in-law, Mark, introduced Fred and I to it at our Christmas present exchange and now I am hooked. I even signed up for the frequent buyer program which saves me a $1 a bag!

I knew it had to be good if Mark likes it because he does not like anything but black coffee. It is not sweet or overpowering. It is hard to describe except you keep thinking... How did they do that? :)

Now every morning at 5:30 am as the pug is talking and running downstairs for breakfast sounding like he is saying "Yuummmmmmy....breaaaaaakfaaaaast!" , I am right behind him saying "bluuuuuueberrrrrry cooooofffffeeee!"

It is real easy getting Fred out of bed as the aroma floats upstairs. :)

Let me know if you try it! It is my new favorite thing! :)

Meet Tweedles!

Emmitt and I are so excited to welcome Tweedles and her mom Georgie to the blogosphere!

They have wonderful stories to share and have started a new blog!

I have been telling them all about my wonderful blogging friends and they were so excited to meet you that they jumped right in!

I am so excited for them! Please help me welcome them to the blogosphere by saying hello.

They would love to hear from you!

xoxoxox

Melissa and Emmitt

More Blind Drawings of Pugs ...

I love this exercise in doodling. It is so fun and uplifting to close your eyes and draw without lifting your pencil and then to open your eyes and to see what appears.

I used my inktense pencils and a little bit of water on a brush to color them in and got this cute little group of active pugs!

Try it and see what happens. It is so fun!

I have gotten such a nice response from these drawings that I wanted to share them with you.

I have created them as a set of 10 note cards in my Etsy Shop. Each pack has 5 of my swimming and dancing doodle designs & envelopes with Free Shipping in the USA. :)

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful feedback. You all make this journey so fun! :)

Two Words that Start with V...

Valentine's Day and Vacation!

I am so excited! Melanie and I are going on free vacation to Mexico February 7th -14th. She earned another trip and I get to go! Last year she took me to Jamaica and this year we get to go on a cruise to fabulous ports in Mexico.

I cannot believe it is almost February. Valentine's day is fast approaching. If you are thinking about getting anything from Pug Notes or Dog Art Studio, please order soon as I will be gone the week before the holiday and will not be able to send out any orders that week.

Do you have any vacations planned for 2009? Please leave a comment and let me know. I would love to hear all about it!

Facebook is Fun!

Have you joined Facebook yet? It is so fun to connect with old and new friends from around the world. I love how blogs, Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook all connect us but in different and fun packages.

If you are on Facebook and would like to be friends, please invite me!

I also just created a Pug Notes Fan Page on Facebook which is a forum for people to share photos, stories, ideas and get the latest and greatest news from the World of Pug Notes.

The Crafted Webmaster has written two excellent articles this week explaining :

the differences between Facebook Profiles and Fan Pages and also the differences between Fan Pages and Groups.

If you do not know about the Crafted Webmaster blog and newsletter written by artist, Nicolette Tallmadge, I highly recommend it. She is an expert in Internet Marketing for Artists.

I really enjoy reading her newsletter, blog posts and tweets on Twitter.


Pug Notes Fan Page:

Please join in on the fun!

Emmitt even has a Dogbook and Dogster page you can join if you would like. :)

Jump right in if you have never joined one of these groups. I find them to be fun, engaging and you can do as much or a little with them as you would like.

What are some of your favortie social networking groups? I would love to know!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Super Talented Friends!

I am so lucky to be surrounded by so many talented and inspiring friends.

I am in awe of the work they create. Many of them do commission work and I want to introduce them to you in case you want to do a special project from photographs of your pets.

Everyone has a different style. Art is such a personal thing that I never feel that there is competition, just abundance of joy to connect to and share.

Meet Rebecca Collins

Meet Manon Doyle

Meet Nancy Medina

Meet Judy Mackey

Meet Sandy Mastroni

Meet Linda O'Neil

Meet Leslie Moore

Meet Leigh Jackson

Leigh is currently having a call for entries for special projects she is creating this year.

If you are interested in having a portrait possibly being involved, please contact her.

I am so lucky to be able to tap into such a wonderful pool of creative and supportive energy. I appreciate all of you!