Dog Toy Tutorial

Since I've already spent too much money on my puppy a puppy can never have too many toys, I decided to make a few for my baby, Mr. Tinkles.  I saw some fleece dog toys at PetsMart made by Martha Stewart (well, not personally, I'm sure), but decided I could make them myself.  

You'll need  fleece, embroidery thread, an embroidery needle, and a pair of scissors.  First, cut two pieces of fleece in a 5" by 12" rectangle.  Use several strands of thread and put a knot in the end of the thread,.  With both pieces of fleece together, make a running stitch from one end of the fleece to the other end.  Don't tie off at this point.

Cut slits about 1/2" apart and about half way from the edge of the fleece to the running stitch, all the way down both sides of the fleece.

Now pull the thread and gather up the material.

Bring both ends together and pull tightly.  Take a few stitches to secure the ends together.

Pull up one piece of fleece to meet the other side and make a stitch.  Continue stitching all the way around until a ball is formed.

 Take a few more stitches and then tie off the tread.  Taah-done - a new doggie toy!

This is Mr. Tinkles trying to shake the living daylights out of his new toy.  On my lap, of course.

I also made him a little bow from a fleece rectangle.  He loves to play tug-of-war with it.

Isn't he the cutest thing?!  Gaw!

Got lucky!

I had a few minutes to kill one day last week so I decided to hit the local Tuesday Morning store.  Lucky me.  I found a book that I've been wanting for a while (and, at about half the retail cost) and some charm packs of the sweetest fabric.  Not sure what I'm going to do with them, but for $8, I now have 128 cute little 5" x 5" squares.  Yay me!

 

 

Oh!  Don't forget to check out the giveaway on my blog from Shabby Apple!  So far, only three comments have been left and their chances are pretty good right about now!  Don't you want a beautiful, FREE necklace? 

Here's wishing you all a great week!

Not too Shabby!

 Update!  Update!  Update!

Please see the updated rules below regarding the Shabby Apple Giveaway.  Changes in ways to enter the contest have been changed.  The contest ends this week so be sure to enter!

Yay!  I have something fun to share with you today.... its a Shabby Apple Giveaway! 

Aside from beautiful women's and children's dresses,  skirts, and arts and crafts at www.shabbyapple.com, you'll find jewelry and accessories!  Check out some of my favorites.

 Song Bird Vintage Style Earrings

Bridget Belt

and

Egyptian Blossom

Head on over to Shabby Apple, have a look-see, and you can use "lalabymona10off" to receive 10% off!  The coupon will expire in 30 days.

And guess what else?  Shabby Apple contacted me to offer one lucky lalabymona reader their own "Mad Hatter's Time Keeper" necklace!  Isn't it wonderful?  Its just dripping with vintage style.  I mean, who doesn't love Alice in Wonderland?!

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment below saying why you'd like to win this giveaway.  

More entries you ask?  Why yes, you can receive more entries!  You can do one or more of the following and then leave a separate comment for each action:

• Become a fan of Shabby Apple on Facebook (1 entry) [You'll also get access to special promotions and discounts!] According to the Facebook Giveaway and Promotion Rules, we are not permitted to use the "like" function as a means of entry.  For more information, please go here to view the video which explains the new rules.
• Follow lalabymona (1 entry)
• Post this giveaway on your own blog (3 entries)
• If you've previously done any of those, leave a comment saying you've done so.

And now for the "rules" (dunt, dunt, dunnnnn - insert ominous, theatrical music)

This contest is open to US residents 18 and over and with a US shipping address (no PO Boxes). One winner will be chosen from all the eligible entries via Random.org.  If you're the winner, your name only will be posted in a future post announcing the winner of the giveaway. If you're posting a comment and don't have a Google account or OpenID, please leave an email address in your comment so that I can reach you if you've won!   Also, there will be no exchanges available for this item.

* This promotion is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with Facebook *

* Participants are not providing information to Facebook *

* lalabymona is in no way benefiting from this contest.  This is a promotional giveaway from Shabby Apple *

This giveaway will end on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 11:59 pm Eastern time.

Good Luck!!!

Prettied Up - Old Spool Style

What happens when you reorganize?  Well, sometimes you end up with things that are still useful, but maybe not in their present state.  Maybe they aren't as pretty or don't fit your current style.  This happened to me when I decided to organize my stash of ribbon.  I used old, wooden spools for many of my ribbons and ended up with the empty cardboard/paper spools.  Throw them away?  Nah, just pretty them up!

To pretty up your spool stash, grab these lovelies and get started...

• cardstock or colored paper
• pencil
• scissors or Martha Stewart paper cutter (that I also used here)
• Mod Podge or similar glue
• foam brush (or flat bristle brush)
• exacto knife
• ink pad (optional)
• sponge dauber (optional)

Measure the width of your spool.  Cut out two circles from the paper for each spool.  You can also trace the spool onto the paper with a pencil and cut the circles out with scissors.

Using a sponge or flat bristle brush, apply the glue liberally and evenly to the back of one circle.  Place this on the side of the spool and gently use your fingers and palm to smooth the circle onto the spool.  Take care not to move the circle as the glue sets up quickly and makes it hard to reposition.  Repeat with the remaining circle and the other side of the spool.

Let the circles dry.  If you prefer, you can use an exacto knife to cut out the hole in the side of the spool.  This is great for hanging the spools of ribbon on a dowel rod.  I found the middle of the spool, poked a hole in it with the knife, and while holding it up to the light, cut out the circle.  It was easy to see and cut this way.  I also used a dowel rod to push in the cut area of the spool center.  I then used my finger to gently soften the edges a little more.

If you like the vintage or aged look, you can use a sponge dauber to apply ink to the edges of the circles.  It doesn't take much to add a little color.  I used a sepia brown ink on mine.  If you don't have a sponge dauber, you can wrap a piece of paper towel around your finger, pat the stamp a little to receive the ink, and then lightly apply the ink to the edges.

And there you go!  I like these much better now.  Stickers with SKU numbers and ribbon widths and lengths just weren't my style!

I think I'm going to purchase a long dowel rod that I can insert between the brackets of the shelf that sits above my chalkboard.  It will free up some counter space and, you guessed it... pretty it up!

 

Seriously?

No, I'm not here to complain!  I wanted to share my special birthday presents with you that came from BFF Harriet.  She immediately thought of me when she saw this...

I can be very sarcastic and apparently say that a lot.  (I confess.)  It is perfect for my studio!  And, she made this awesome box for me using her Photoshop and painting skills!  Didn't she do a great job?  It will also go in my studio - I can think of many uses for this handy goody!

Thanks Harry!  You know me so well!

Happy Birthday... to me!

Yes, today is my birthday!  I love to celebrate it each year and decided to treat myself to the sweetest birthday gift ever...

....meet Mr. Tinkles!

 

He is my three month old Yorkie and is just as loveable as can be! He's tiny, just two pounds.  Hopefully he'll stay fairly small, about five pounds.  Mr. Tinkles is timid, but a friendly little guy.  And no, he doesn't tinkle everywhere.  That name just popped in my head before I even picked him out.  And, it just makes me giggle every time I say it!

We put a little bow in his hair, even though it isn't very long and we got so tickled.  He put his little head down as if he was embarrassed!  So, my daughter made this funny little montage:

 

Our cat, Kitty Moo Moo is not thrilled with him AT ALL!  She has already let him know she controls this block.  Fortunately, our older dog, Bear is fine with him.  Actually a little indifferent, but Mr. Tinkles is okay with that because he isn't starving for any affection around here!  We've made three trips to Petsmart for goodies and treats and he's all signed up for puppy classes later this month.  Tee hee, we're having so much fun!

Another addition to our home was from Santa to my son - a precious mini Holland Lop bunny!  He is the softest little thing, loves to be held, and plays great with Mr. Tinkles!  They are about the same age and size, too. He hops around and does this little popcorn twist in the air that is so fun to watch!  My son is still trying to decide on a name for him, poor little nameless fella.

I would like to throw out a special 'thanks bunches' to Mrs. Lavender at Lavendar Dreams for her birthday wishes today.  So sweet!

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season and celebrated the new year safely and joyfully!  It was relaxing around here with the kids all home, presents to wrap, people to visit, cookies to make, lights to 'ooh and aah' over, and of course, new babies in the house.  We are now back in the regular swing of things and I hope to get some sewing in very soon.  (Santa brought me a Bendable Bright LED light for my new sewing machine and a cool book, too!) I plan to start on my daughter's quilt using my new Go! Baby - wish me luck!  In the meantime, I'll be snuggling with this little guy - 

Love. Him.  (singing, fading away... "happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Mona....")