Wool Scrap Pet Portrait ~ Pug Wall Hanging

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Archie and I had so much FUN this weekend!

We made a wool pug collage wall hanging from left over scraps of felted sweaters that we have in our stash.

It was so easy and fast to make!

All I did was cut out pug shaped pieces from the sweater scraps and glue them onto a retro placemat like a puzzle to make this in just one afternoon!

I love finding wool sweaters at thrift stores to throw in the washer on hot and then in the hot dryer to felt them into beautiful cutting fabric that does not fray or unravel when you cut it. :)

Some of the other projects I have made from these sweaters are the wool felt houses that Melanie and I love to make together & the pug doll I just made last month.

Thrift stores have a treasure trove of wonderful materials that you can use for all of your creations without breaking the bank!

I buy yarn, fabric, wool sweaters, sheets, pillowcases, and even the retro placemat that I glued my pug collage onto as the background!

I found a set of 4 of them for only $3 and the wool sweaters range in price from $3 to $6 each.

I also love to buy clothes there for me to wear! :)

Most of them are brand new and cost a fraction of what I would pay at the store.

My favorite Gap long sleeve waffle shirt that has kept me warm all winter would have cost $50 at full retail price and only cost $5 at my local ARC!

...but I digress with my excitement for finding treasures. :)

OK... back to my project explanation...

All I did to make the background was to fold down the top end of the placemat to make a flat edge.

I thought it created some interest by showing the mustard side to allow the pug face to pop a bit instead of competing with the busy plaid print. :)

After it was set and dry I glued a few pieces of acrylic black yarn along the outside edge to finish it off and Voila...

It was done and ready to hang in the kitchen to smile at me, Fred and Archie everyday just like the real Archie!

He inspires me everyday!

What FUN things are you up to this week?

Please leave us a note and let us know!

We cannot wait to hear all about them!

xoxoxo

Melissa & R-Chee

Monday is Fun Day ~ Sweater Vests for Spring!

Hi Everyone!

It is me...

Cousin Teddy!

Happy Friday!

I am enjoying the Colorado Spring Time here where we can have a day in the 70's and then the next day have 8" of snow to play in! 

Winter weather and cold mornings are definitely not over for the whole USA!

Meet our friends, Walter and Beluha from Ohio!

They sent us these fabulous photos of them in their St. Patty's Day shamrock inspired sweater vests that their wonderful mom, Meloni, custom designed for us to make for them!

They said they would have frozen their cute little pug butts off at the parade that day if they did not have their new vests to keep them warm and toasty!

Aren't they cute?

WE just LOVE when you share your photos with us!

It makes us smile from ear to ear!

Speaking of ears...

My corgi ears are starting to stand up!

I am growing up fast and cannot wait to share more photos with all of you of me and archie playing together soon!

Until then R-Chee and Auntie Melissa are busy crocheting lots of sweater vests for you to enjoy!

They have lots of sweater vests available as Ready to Ship Sweater Vests in their Etsy Shop today!

If they are sold out or you do not find the colors and sizes you would like, No Problem!

I am thrilled to make you any color combination that you choose!

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

You can make up your own color combos or...

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/

They are happy to make any color combos you would like and now also make Smile, Monogram, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Love & Teddy Bear Badges in my Etsy Shop that you can add to any Sweater Vest, Hat or Neck Warmer!

How Fun!

xoxoxox

Teddy, Melissa & R-Chee

Friday Funnies ~ Jimmie's Gymnastics

Happy Friday everyone!

It is me...

Jimmie!

Archie asked if I would write the blog post today as he is busy in the backyard looking for the Easter Bunny!

He loves to eat the "little pile of chocolates" they leave when he sneaks up behind them.

Hmmmm!  I think he calls them "peeps"! 

I hate to have to be the one to tell him they are really little "poops"!

Ewwww!

Silly PUG!

Today I am here to show you my gymnastic training I am working to perfect!

So far I can do the splits and I am working on lifting weights to build my strength for chin ups!

I am even recording my workouts like the Broncos do so I can fine tune my form & technique!

Here are two short clips for you to enjoy!

All I can say after this one is "Ta Da!"

and...

"Good catch mom!" :)

Speaking of talking...

I am told I am a bit of a chatty Cathy!

I am always practicing and singing and I make everyone laugh, so I must be a funny comedian too!

Mom is still trying to get a good video to share with you of me talking!

So far I can say...

Jimmie is a pretty, pretty, pretty bird

Jimmie is a good boy!

Peak - a - boo

and

I love you!

How FUN!

I love making people smile!

What FUN things are you doing this weekend?

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

I cannot wait to hear!

xoxoxo

Jimmie

New FUN Fiber Art ~ Parakeet & Pug Dolls

Happy Wednesday everyone!

R-Chee, Jimme & I have been having so much FUN sewing this week! 

My inspiration for these dolls started with a wonderful Woodland animals pattern group that my wonderful twin sister, Melanie found for us to all play with!

Melly found us each a set on etsy for less than the stores so definitely shop around before buying.

You can also find them at any sewing shop that sells Simplicity patterns like Joann's  Fabrics too!

She made the fox while I made the raccoon, but instead of mine looking like a raccoon, I made mine into Jimmie and R-Chee parakeet and pug dolls for my personal collection! :)

Isn't he fabulous?

After Melly finished hers, I was sooo inspired that I just could not wait to get started on mine!

it was FUN picking out fabrics for my parakeet and pug dolls from my stash!

I got all of these fat quarters of different fabrics over the years just because I liked them with no specific project in mind and they have been piling up in my craft drawer!

I think they worked perfectly for the dolls without even having to spend another penny! :)

To make the pug, I used the raccoon pattern but did not use their applique face or ears.

I just cut out shapes from craft felt and felted wool to make mine.

I chose to sew on the ears and then glue down the face with Unique Stitch fabric glue.

I did the same thing for my Jimmie doll but instead of using the raccoon arms, I used the owl wings for arms and left off the ears. :)

All of the pieces are separate so you can make the back a bit different than the front if you like which is what I did for the back of Jimmie's head since his face is yellow but the back of his head is lighter in real life.

The doll pattern does not have a tail but I decided to add a pug tail to my Archie doll!

Ta Da!

That was so much FUN!

What FUN things are you up to this week?

Please drop a note and tell us all about it!

Are you out playing in the sunshine now that the weather is getting warmer or in the kitchen baking something yummy?

We cannot wait to hear all of the details about your favorite things to do that make you happy.

xoxoxo

Melissa, R-Chee & Jimmie

New Product Release ~ Business Card Cases

Happy Monday everyone!

Last week, R-Chee & I showed you our 2 of our 3 new products for Spring 2014 in the Pug Notes Product Line.

Today we have the 3rd one to show you!

Let your pug or dog carry your business cards for you to pass out to all of your friends without getting them soggy with doggy kisses! :)

Introducing...

Business Card Cases

They are beautiful as well as functional and make the perfect gifts for you to enjoy or to give to friends!

You can get any of my 80+ pug paintings or different dog breed paintings on them! :)

Please click here to learn all about them and how to order.

R-Chee & I are so excited to be able to now offer them to you to enjoy!

Please click here to get all the details about the NEW Business Card Cases and to order yours with any of my pug or dog images that you want.

We have them custom made just for you!

Please contact us anytime if you have any questions at all!

Now you know what we have been up to...

What FUN things do you have planned for the week?

Please leave us a note and let us know!

We cannot wait to hear all about them!

xoxoxo

Melissa & R-Chee

New Product Release ~ Clock

Happy Friday everyone!

This week, R-Chee & I are so excited to show you our newest products for Spring 2014 in the Pug Notes Product Line.

Today we have another way for your pug or doggy to keep track of when it is meal time! :)

Introducing...

Wall Clocks

The modern no number design is beautiful as well as functional!

No matter which painting you choose every clock looks like a framed picture on your wall as well as a wonderful time keeper!

You can get any of my 80+ pug paintings or different dog breed paintings on your stylish wall clocks!

Please click here to learn all about them and how to order.

R-Chee & I are so excited to be able to now offer them to you to enjoy!

He has been practicing telling time hoping for an extra meal time! :)

Please click here to get all the details about the NEW clocks and to order yours with any of my pug or dog images that you want.

We have them custom made just for you!

Please contact us anytime if you have any questions at all!

We cannot wait to show you the third new product we just created for you to enjoy!

Please tune in on Monday to see the next one!

xoxoxo

Melissa & R-Chee

New Product Release ~ Acrylic Trays!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

This week, R-Chee & I are so excited to show you our 3 newest products for Spring 2014 in the Pug Notes Product Line.

Today we have a new way for your pug or doggy to become your perfect little server without gobbling down your whole meal! :)

Introducing...

Acrylic Trays

They come in two sizes and are beautiful as well as functional!

You can get any of my 80+ pug paintings or different dog breed paintings on your stylish acrylic trays!

Each heavy duty tray one is constructed from 1/4 thick clear acrylic with cut out handles on the sides.

The Acrylic Trays come in two different sizes.

You can choose one or get them both and make your own custom set!

Please click here to learn all about them and how to order.

R-Chee & I are so excited to be able to now offer them to you to enjoy!

He has been practicing being a perfect server hoping for a huge tip! :)

Please click here to get all the details about the NEW Acrylic Trays and to order yours with any of my pug or dog images that you want.

We have them custom made just for you!

Please contact us anytime if you have any questions at all!

We cannot wait to show you the other new products we just created for you to enjoy!

Please tune in all week to see them all!

xoxoxo

Melissa & R-Chee