Toasty Tuesday ~ Meet Chess & Checkers!

 

Happy Toasty Tuesday everyone!

Archie and I are so excited to share new photos with you that were generously shared with us by 2 happy & toasty doggy brothers, Chess & Checkers, in their new Sweater Vests!

 

Chess

 

Chess is the new rescued brother to Checkers the Peke-A-Poo!

 

He is wearing Checker's Chicken Soup Sweater Vest from The Mmm Mmm Good! Collection. :)

 

His mom Kate just loves him to pieces and is helping him recover from a bumpy past by showing him with love, a new home and lots of food to get him to his proper size and weight.

 

She said although it is a bit big now, Checker's sweater vest wardrobe is keeping Chess warm and happy while he enjoys his feast!

Checkers

 

Chess & Checkers enjoying their sweaters!

 

Archie & I had so much FUN making the Sweater Vests!

Thank you Kate for sharing your wonderful photos with us!

Please let me know if you would like me to make you a Woofie Warmer, Barkclava Dog Hat or Sweater Vest too.

You can see all the possibilities anytime in :

 

The Sweater Vest Gallery at http://www.dogsweatervests.com/

 

The Woofie Warmer Gallery at http://www.woofiewarmer.com/

and

 

The Barkclava Gallery at

 http://www.barkclava.com/

I am happy to make any color combos you would like and set up a special listing for you in my Etsy Shop.

xoxoxox
Melissa & R-Chee

22 Year Rewind ~ My Very First Crochet Project is Now Vinatge!

 

Happy Monday everyone!

 

I have a super FUN thing to share with you today!

 

This Granny Square afghan is the VERY FIRST thing I ever crocheted!

 

My wonderful journey into crochet all started one Fall day in 1990 when I walked to LeeWards Craft Store in Ann Arbor, MI (now Michael's) and found a crochet kit on the shelf.

 

Before that day, I had not really thought much about crochet or even knew what it was. :)

 

I thought everything woven was either knitted on needles or made on a loom of some sort. :)

 

Finding this kit on the shelf, complete with the colorful yarn inside is the project that inspired me to buy a crochet hook and a book & to patiently teach myself how to crochet!

 

I remember making each square and enjoying every stitch as I learned how to hold the hook and master the granny square formation.

 

When it was all done, I was so proud of my accomplishment and could not wait to share it with the closest person in my heart... my twin sister, Melanie.

 

She has loved it all of these years and moved it across the country and kept in in perfect condition.

 

As a wonderful gift, she decided to surprise me with it and offered to have it live at my house so I could enjoy it too!

 

I had not really held it in most of those 22 years as she had it perfectly folded and on display at her house. :)

 

When I opened it up and held it, my arms got all tingly and happy!

 

Just think... this project was the first step in a long journey of learning, creating, dreaming, sharing and FUN for me.

 

Thank you Melly for sharing it again with me as I now have it in my craft room to enjoy everyday and remind me of the love with which it was made and shared.

 

Once again I am reminded with a hug and a smile that...

 

Life is Art... Art is Life!

 

xoxoxo

Melissa & R-Chee

 

 

Friday Funnies ~ Where is my Happy Meal?

 

Hi Everyone!

 

It is me...

Grumpy R-Chee!

 

You may ask why I look so GRUMPY!

 

Well... I will tell ya!

 

My dad made himself a "happy meal cheesy burger" with all the fixin's today on the BBQ and did not share any with me!

 

 

 

I even gave him my Bestest Pleeeeeaze Feed Me face...

 

...but all I got were these "happy meal prizes" from my momma!

She got them at a little art fair for me, but they have too much fiber in them to eat!

 

 

Phooey!

 

What is a grumpy puggy to do?

 

I am new at this grumpy stuff so please tell me what you would do to get yourself a cheesy burger instead of fluffy toys!

 

I need all the help I can get! :)

 

xoxoxo

R-Chee

My Cereal Box Book ~ The Book Pages!

 

Hi everyone!

 

Happy Thursday!

 

I am so excited to show you the inside of my completed Cereal Box Book!

 

As I mentioned last week, I was excited to see how my book pages would evolve.

 

I was not sure if my pop up dolls would be on the tops of the pages or stay stand alone and slipped inside the front pockets.

 

I decided to glue them to the tops of the pages and on the binding of the book so I could admire them all of the time. :)

 

 

I filled some of the pages with the doodle pugs I created in our warm up activiites that we did each day at the beginning of class.

 

Some of the doodles I left as drawings and others I decided to color in with colored tissue paper layers and yarn!

 

I also left many of the pages blank to fill in with art I will create from lessons in Carla's new book that will be released any day!

 

I cannot wait for it to arrive!

 

What a great project this is!

 

It feels really good to have a wonderful space to add little bits of art that I can create at anytime!

 

I have displayed my new book in my studio right next to my desk to inspired me to create a little bit of whimsy everyday!

 

How FUN! :)

 

What are you up to today?

 

Please leave me a note and let me know!

 

I cannot wait to hear all about it!

 

xoxoxo

Melissa & Archie

 

Filling the Pug Cave ~ Art from the Heart!

 

Hi everyone!

 

Today is and extra wonderful Wednesday here!

 

I have new things to show you!

 

I just purchased new art I got to fill Archie's Pug Cave! :)

 

It is art from the heart in two ways since they were created from the hearts and hands of 2 dear friends of mine and they make my heart sing when I look at them!

 

I am so excited that they are mine!

 

I feel very lucky!

 

The first one is this breathtaking Iris painted in oil on canvas by my amazing friend, Nancy Medina.

 

Isn't it magical?

 

I hung it in the pug cave right on the wall across from where I always sit and work on fiber art with Archie by my side.

 

It is my favorite spot in the whole house!

 

 

The second piece I have to show you came all the way from the United Kingdom!

 

My dear friend Lynne has an extremely talented son Lee who has an etsy shop filled with his dog portraits.

 

I fell in love with this pug as soon as I saw it.

 

It really captures Archie's sweet expressions!

 

 

Archie love the drawing so much that he pulled our BOTH of his monkey toys!

 

One to snuggle with and one to share with his new pug drawing!

 

Tee Hee!

 

Art is Life... Life is Art!

 

xoxoxo

Melissa

 

Fall in the Foothills ~ Art for my Feet!

 

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 

I am so excited that Fall is right around the corner!

 

It is my favorite season!

 

I just love the crisp air and falling leaves!

 

It always inspires new ideas and projects!

 

I had so much fun on our road trip to Breckenridge.

 

Archie and Fred navigated the roads while I got to crochet!

 

I made this cute little succulant plant to fill the new owl vase Fred got me for our anniversary!

 

 

 

I also made another pair of slippers and had them all done by the time we got back to Boulder. :)

 

 

Archie was a little miffed that I did not make him four little green slippers like he asked for.

 

Don't worry Archie!

 

I will make you something to keep your pug toes toasty!

 

I promise!

 

What FUN things are you working on right now?

 

Please leave me a note and let me know!

 

I cannot wait to hear all about them!

 

xoxoxo

Melissa

R-Chee the Road Warrior ~ Breckenridge, CO

 

Happy Monday everyone!

 

It is me...

R-Chee!

(The Road Warrior)

 

I am so excited!

 

Since I was such a good puggy last Labor Day when my pawrents took me to Manitou Springs, they decided to take me this year to Breckenridge, CO!

 

Yippeee!

 

I now am now an official...

Pug Travel Expert!

 

I was an excellent backseat driver if I do not say so myself!

 

Our adventure began on Saturday when we drove about 2 hours west into the mountains and arrived at The Lodge in Breckenridge where my pawrents set up my bed in this comfy room!

 

My parents got married in Breckenridge Labor Day weekend 17 years ago!

 

It is a beautiful mountain town!

 

There are lots of place to explore!

 

*Deep Inhale*

 

...and the air is extra fresh up here at high altitude!

 

It makes for extra crisp and cozy nights for good night sleeps!

 

ZZZZZzzzzz

 

I am dreaming of our FUN Day we have planned in town tomorrow!

 

 

* 5:00 am *

 

Momma, I'm hungry!

 

It is time for brekkies!

 

I will have a mountain of eggs, sausage and a glass of milk please...

 

What?!

 

No continental brekkies for me?

 

You mean you really brought my lunch box filled with my regular food and fresh veggies?

 

Ok... thank you momma!

 

Maybe I can get an extra treat or two at the art fair we are going to today!

 

They have funnel cakes and sausages there!

 

 

Wow!  Look at all of the art!

 

Ooooo! I can smell the food court wafting out yummy kettle popped popcorn, roasted almonds, funnel cakes and sausages!

 

Yummy!

 

Dad is taking me over there now for lunch while momma shops!

 

She found lots of neat things that she promised to show us in a special post next week!

 

I love Breckenridge!

 

What a fabulous weekend we had!

 

What did you do Labor Day weekend?

 

Please leave me a note and tell me all about it!

 

I cannot wait to hear all about it!

 

xoxoxo

R-Chee

 

The Road Warrior

Over & Out