Life is art ... Art is Life

Friday, July 16, 2010

Alaska - Ketchikan

Happy Friday everyone!

I cannot believe it, but this is the last day of pictures from the trip.

Our last city was Ketchikan and Melanie found us the best tour!

We learned about commercial crab fishing on a fishing vessel that was on the program, The Deadliest Catch.

It was hit by a 60ft rogue wave and nearly sunk a few years ago.

The dangers that the fisherman face everyday in the open seas are life threatening on the worst days and just harsh and raw on the best.

I had no idea how the fish were actually caught that hit our markets.

Melanie on the fishing boat :)

The fisherman told stories and also caught Alaskan King Crabs and other fish to show us.

They promptly released them, so no creature was actually captured on our tour. :)

Here is a wolf eel!

and a prawn

and an Alaskan King Crab!

an eagle

assorted weird fishies! :)

an octopus

We also saw 2 humpback whales feeding on this tour too!

They formed a bubble ring to herd in the small fishies and scoop them up in their mouths about 50 ft away from us!

Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of the whales on this tour, but it was amazing to see!

Melanie and I loved our sister's retreat trip!

I know we will go back to Alaska one day. It is an amazing place indeed!

I promise to show you some of the art we bought at all of the stops next week.

Have a great weekend everyone and thank you for tuning in to see our photos this week.

xoxoxox

Melissa

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Alaska - Sitka

Hi everyone!

Our next stop was the beautiful city of Sitka where we went on a whale, otter, eagle and bear tour!

Here we are ready to start the day!

The wildlife was abundant and amazing!

We got to see both a Gray Whale and a Humpback Whale. :)

We were cruising in shallow waters where they feed.

We got to see their backs but not their tails because they did not dive down very deep.

That gray bump is a whale!

and that is a bald eagle on that island.

We also got to see lots of otters.

They were so playful :)

After the boat tour was complete the group went ashore to visit the Fortress of the Bear to visit 2 orphaned brown bears that were rescued from certain death.

The habitat area was home to bald eagles as well as the bears as they all liked to eat the fish abundant in the habitat.

After the tour, Melanie and I had a great time exploring the shops.

Sitka is home to several quilt shops and art galleries filled with crafts made by local artists.

We were like kids in a candy shop!

I will dedicate a post next week just to the art we bought on the trip. :)

It was truly an amazing day.

Tomorrow, I will show you our final day in Ketchican where we boarded a commercial fishing vessel that was filmed on the show The Deadliest Catch!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Alaska ~ Glacier Bay Nat. Park & Juneau

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited to show you photos from our cruise to Alaska last week!

Today I am going to show you Glacier Bay National Park and Juneau!

We were so lucky to have great weather every day.

We boarded the ship in Seattle and within a few short hours, we were on our way!

Here is Glacier Bay National Park!

We were amazed at how close the huge cruise ship could get to the glaciers!

It was so magical and peaceful there.

We spent several hours touring the whole bay!

The next stop was the wonderful city of Juneau!

We went on an amazing tour that was a hike through the rain forests and we walked within a 1/4 mile of the Mendenhall Glacier!

After our 4 our hike, we trekked through the town, shopped and went up the tramway to the top of the Mount Roberts to look down at the views and our ship!

It was a perfect day!

Tomorrow, I will show you our next stop ~ Sitka, AK!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

New ~ Bathroom Sets ~ Lotion & Toothbrush Holders

Hi Everyone!

While I was away, my new products arrived and Emmitt was sweet enough to photograph them and get them on the website for you to see!

Bathroom Sets

Lotion & Toothbrush Holders

Lotion / Soap Dispenser

and

Toothbrush Holder

They come as a set! You get two for the price of one!

You choose your designs for each piece separately so you can either make them match with the same design or pick ANY Pugs or Dogs that you would like!

Just think of the possiblilities...

2 different Pugs
Pug + Frenchie
Corgi + Cocker Spaniel

You choose and we will make it for you!

Emmitt is tuckered out from all of this work while I was away!

Thanks to his new bathroom set, his face and teethies are squeaky clean and he is ready for bed.

I missed him and all of you while I was away!

I just tucked Emmitt in, so please tell me all about what you are up to!

I cannot wait to hear!

xoxoxoxo

melissa

Monday, July 12, 2010

New Pug Art ~ 2 Fabulous Finds!

Pug Smile

by Judy Mackey

10 x 10

Oil

Happy Monday Everyone!

I am home from my trip and cannot wait to show you pictures!

I just have to get them organized so I thought today I would show you two new additions to my pug art collection!

The first one is an oil painting by Judy Mackey . It is called Pug Smile, and it was painted with a pallet knife if you can believe it!

The richness and texture is just amazing!

The second pug item I just got is the new for 2010 in the Pugnaciuos Pugs Collection called Pug in a Mug. I just love that he has a frosted donut on his head.
I expected the whole piece to be resin but I am thrilled that the mug is actually a shiny ceramic.

What a fun addition!

Emmitt likes our new art so much that he broke into song when I opened the packages!

Silly puggy!

Have a super day everyone!

xoxoxo

m & e

Sunday, July 11, 2010

The Perfect Gift!

ooo! Is that the garage door going up?

ooo! Is that the clunk of a suitcase?

ooo! Is that my momma?

Hooooray! It is! it is!

My momma and auntie Melanie are home from Alaska!

Hopefully they brought me some salmon! Yippeeeee!

Momma says she missed me, Gilbert and Dad, but felt so much closer to us while she was away because of this gorgeous bracelet that Jess and Lilo sent her right before she left!

She could not believe her eyes that this wonderful bracelet was hers!

She took it on her trip so she could have a family photo album with her at all times to feel close to us while she was away!