Life is art ... Art is Life: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween 2011!

Happy Happy Halloween!

It is me.... Archie Boo Barchie

Can you believe this is the moon? :)

My dad shot these photos of the Hunter's Moon a couple of weeks ago, and it inspired me!

I asked my mom if she could transform me into the Pug in the Moon!

What do you think?

Do I look like the Orange glowing Pug Moon my dad saw?

I think my mom did pretty good! :)

Thanks mom!

I have eyes in the back of my giant pug moon head, and I can see you back there smiling momma!

Tee Hee!

Well, I am smiling too because I have a surprise for all of you!

Please tune in tomorrow for your chance to win one of TWO special fiber-filled Giveaways I am having this month just because I am so thankful and happy to have friends like you!

Be Scary and Be Safe tonight!

xoxoxo

Archie Boooooo Barchie

Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday Funnies ~ Archie's Pumpkin Custard Bites Recipe

Happy Friday everyone!

It is me...

Archie ~ Chef Boy-O-Boy Barchie!

Look what I just made for all of us!

Pumpkin Custard Bites!

They are sooo YUmmy, YummY, yuMMy!

I just cannot stop eating them!

Just in case I slurp all of these down before you get here, I am sharing my super special recipe with you!

Pumpkin Custard Bites

I N G R E D I E N T S:

1 can pumpkin - 15 oz

2 egg yolks

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. cinnamon

I N S T R U C T I O N S:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients.

Spoon into mini muffin tins

Bake custards at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly brown.

Let custards cool completely before serving.

Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Makes 18 Pumpkin Custard Bites

I just love them!

Nom! Nom! Nom!

Please let me know if you make any!

I cannot wait to eat all ... I mean one of yours too!

xoxoxo

Archie Pumpkin Face Barchie :)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Sweater Vest Gallery ~ New Cutie Patooties

Happy Thursday everyone!

I am so excited to show you new photos of beautiful puggies enjoying their Sweater Vests today!

This gorgeous puggy is Scarlet in her Sangria Sunset Sweater Vest from The Variegated Collection!

Photo courtesy of Meredith L., RI

and these cutie patooties are Gen and The Foo enjoying their Pastel Variegated Sweater Vests!

Look how cute!

They are ready for their afternoon tummy rubs and snacks!

I love making my dog sweater vests and sharing them with all of you!

I am so excited to be working on custom orders and creating a brand new collection to show you next week!

I also have a wonderful inventory of sweater vests in my Etsy Shop right now!

They are ready to ship and flying out the doors daily so shop early this year for the best selection or choose a custom listing in the correct size for your doggie and I will be happy to make you whatever you would like!

xoxoxo

Melissa & Archie

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Pug Notes Newsletter ~ Fall 2011

The Pug Notes Newsletter ~ Fall 2011 is now online for your reading pleasure!

It is jam packed with fun news, photos, events, recipes, customer photos and more!

Meet Riley and dozens of other pugs from around the world!

Photo courtesy of Lisa S., MA

... and don't forget to get the Fall Recipe ~ Pumpkin Custard Bites!

After your tummies are full of yummy custard, we have a library of fun Pug Books for you to enjoy!

... and Archie cannot wait to show you his new line of Dog Hats!

Introducing Handmade Barkclava Dog Hats to warm your doggie's noggin'! :)

They are custom made to order for you and available in our Etsy Shop!

If you would like a copy of the Newsletter to be emailed to you every quarter, please just email me anytime or sign up in the green outlined box at the top left corner of the blog. :)

I would also love to feature your pugs and recipes in the upcoming newsletters so please send them anytime you want to!

xoxoxox

Melissa & Archie

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Ollie is Surfing & Shopping for the Holidays!

Hi everyone!

It is me... Cousin Ollie!

I am having so much fun surfin' the internet today!

I decided to google myself!

I typed in blue Pacific Parrotlet and look what I found!

I did not know that my auntie Melissa was inspired to paint Parrotlets too!

It seems she painted me, years before I even got here!

How fun is that? :)

Well, that was interesting, but I am a very busy birdie!

Even though our house is jammed packed with toys for me, I have decided that I need lots more things.

I am not sure what things since my momma has more toys, treats and fun things for me to do than I can possible play with even in one whole day!

But... I neeeeed more things!

Hmmm... What should I shop for?

I'm stumped!

Will you please write me and tell me your wishlist?

I will get 2 of everything on the list and send you one too. :)

I found a plastic card right here on the desk and I neeeed stuff!

I am not sure what stuff...

Being a busy birdie is very hard work! ;)

xoxoxo
Ollie

Monday, October 24, 2011

Fall FUN ~ My New Crochet Bobble Hat

Happy Monday everyone!

Fall is my favorite time of year!

The air gets crisp and cool.

The leaves change colors and blow in the air.

... and I get to wear all of the yarn that I love to crochet!

I thought a new hat would be a fun way to wear my favorite Lion Brand Amazing yarn that I have been making all of my moss and sea creatures from.

I even threw a few bobbles on the top so that I would match Archie on our walks!

Ta Da!

It feels like a warm hug for my head everytime I wear it!

It is so comfy, I even find myself wearing it indoors while watching tv and crocheting in the evenings.

Maybe I will get lots of new ideas with all of this warm yarn on my head! :)

Tee Hee!

I will keep you posted on all of my bright ideas!

xoxoxox

Melissa & Archie

Friday, October 21, 2011

Friday Funnies ~ The Yarn Ball Caper

Archie...

Did you see that little ball of wool yarn I set aside to crochet you a flower today?

No momma...

Ummm.... I did not see that little yellow ball of yarn today.

Archie, Sweetie.... who told you the little ball of yarn was yellow? :)

Ummmmmm...

Sorry momma!

I ate it!

I must have needed extra fiber in my diet today! :)

Tee Hee, Archie ~

No worries...

I have a feeling we will be seeing little wool "felted" flowers sprouting in the backyard for the next couple of days.

What a Silly Puggy you are!

I guess you have had your very first craft day ~ Felting 101!

Have a wonderful fiber-free weekend everyone!

xoxoxo

a & m

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Parrotlet Circus ~ Ollie's Big Top

Hi everyone!

It is me... Cousin Ollie!

I am so excited because I have set up my Big Top Circus today!

It is the perfect place for me to play since my momma and auntie Melissa tell me I am a gymnast and little clown.

I am always making them giggle with the things I do. :)

My circus is packed with FUN for all of us!

It has unlimited...

funnel cakes

cotton candy

prizes

and rides!

Would you like to play with me on my ferris wheel and then have a go cart race?

I already beat the pants off Archie in the first heat! :)

But no one loses at my circus ~

He is off getting a candy apple for his runner up prize. :)

Whose up for the challenge?

Please just leave me a note to sign up.

I cannot wait for the checkered flag to wave!

Vroom Vroom!

xoxoxo

Ollie

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Pug Love from Archie

Happy Wednesday everyone!

It is me Archie!

I am here to wish you a wonderful day filled with pug love!

I am sending you snuggles

and...

snuffles

and I am holding your paw

wherever you are today!

Have a super duper day today!

xoxoxo

Archie & Melissa

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Crochet Moss Terrariums ~ 2 New Additions

Hi everyone!

Archie and I have been having so much fun making more crochet moss terrariums!

They are so quick and easy to do that you can finish one in about an hour to decorate any room in your home or give as gifts.

I made 6 little moss clumps and put them in two different jars to create one for my family room and one for a gift for Melanie! :)

Here is the one I made for my family room.

I used this cool jar with a wooden lid that I found at GoodWill for $2!

The jar was a little bit bigger so it allowed for me to add a sea shell I found on a vacation from a few years back.

I also added some freeform crochet flowers to one of the clumps for a little extra color and texture.

I love making up shapes as I go.

I find it really exciting that I do not know what it will look like until I am done and the whole thing reveals itself like a surpise. :)

This is the one I made for Melanie. :)

I even put a little glass doggie in it for her that reminded me of Moe!

She just loves it!

She put it on her desk at her office so she can enjoy looking at it all day.

The best part is that they smell like a yummy coffee shop since the "dirt" is ground coffee.

FUN!

They keep us alert at work and we cannot kill them!

What more could we ask for?

Tee Hee!

If you would like to make one too, here is my tutorial and free pattern to make your own Crochet Moss Terrariums.

Please Let us know if you make one!

We would love to see!

Have a super day everyone!

xoxoxo

Melissa & Archie

Monday, October 17, 2011

Love From Me Calendars ~ 2012

Happy Monday everyone!

Archie & I are so excited and honored to be a part of The Love From Me ~ 2012 Calendar.

All proceeds from both the Art Book Project and the 2012 Calendar raise funds for The Rose Fund which supports people with cancer.