Stuart's Day Job

I took a photo of Stuart on the job the other day.  Most days he works hard protecting the house and giving me hugs, but at times he needs to check his puppy mail on the computer.  :)

 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Monday!  I'm working for a couple of hours tomorrow (headed down to Oceanside, but sadly there won't be any time to visit the beach), and then I desperately need to come home and sew.  I'm hoping that I find some sewing motivation between now and tomorrow afternoon!  :)

Updates...Finally!

I've been a HORRIBLE blogger!  :(  Let's just pretend that I was away at Summer Camp- okay?  :)  In all honesty, life has been moving quickly, and thankfully in a positive direction.  A couple of highlights from the past two weeks or so:

•  Took a quick road trip, with Stuart in tow.  He doesn't exactly get along with his dog cousins, so its hard to find him a place to stay when I leave town.  This time around our sweet family friends agreed to let Stuart visit.  It was his first road trip and he did VERY well!   :)

• While out of town, I had an appointment scheduled with Strawberry Patches.  Let me preface that Strawberry Patches is the premiere quilt shop in the San Joaquin Valley.  In fact, Strawberry Patches was where I learned how to sew- so cool!  I went into the meeting a tad bit nervous, as that's the norm (I'm a huge ball of nerves!).  The meeting was SO successful!  Patterns were ordered, samples were ordered, and a wonderful creative relationship was developed!  My sweet friend Suzanne, the owner of Strawberry Patches, sums up the meeting much better than I ever could.  Make sure to head on over to Notes From the Patch!
• Some of my patterns and finished samples traveled with my friend to Gina, owner of Fresh Picked Fabrics, to the Project Linus chapter coordinator's meeting in Chicago!

I also have a couple of exciting announcements to share:

• I'm working on some new tutorials, so make sure you stick around, as they will be great gift ideas!  :)
• I'll be having Made With Love's first GIVEAWAY WEEK, August 8th-14th!  I have some sweet blog friends that will be participating (thank you!).  If you have a shop and would be interested in participating in Giveaway Week, please email me at squirmywormstudio@gmail.com for details!  :)
• I'm also working on a Q&A post, so if you have any questions that you've just been dying to ask, leave me a comment and I'll answer them in a future blog post.

I hope that everyone is having a great weekend!  I'm headed to the Happiest Place on Earth tomorrow!  :)

Sunday Snapshots!

We had a couple of canine visitors (my sister's pups) over the weekend, and let me tell you, out of all of the rooms in the house, the sewing studio was THE place to be.  My Momma and I started the trend by spending the afternoon sewing.  She worked on a cute clutch (photos and pattern review to follow later this week), and I was busy sewing up a couple of Diaper Pods.

Rocky, Stuart, and Maggie...it looks like we were conducting a doggie lineup (in the smallest room in the house!!!)!  

Oh, and just in case you noticed the Raggedy Ann and Andy towel in the background...that's what I use for my wet towel when adhering fusible interfacing.  :)

While the lineup was in progress, sweet Miss Sophie decided that she'd rather snuggle with my sewing chair.

 

The gang watching my Momma work.  :)

Easter Egg Hunt!

I have to say that when my sister mentioned that she was filling plastic eggs for her two dogs to find on Easter morning, I was a bit skeptical.  I am totally guilty of treating Stuart like a human kid (at times!), but I had never thought of filling Easter eggs for him.  I am stoked to report that my sister's Easter egg hunt for her pups was such a success, that she kindly filled eggs for Maggie (the lab) and Stuart!  :)

A couple of photos from Easter Sunday...

There were two sizes of eggs, both of which were filled with an assortment of dog treats!  The pups would find the eggs and either open them on their own, or bring them to one of the bystanders for assistance!  :)

One happy camper!!!

My sister Megan, and brother-in-law Joe!

Best Friends Forever

If you're looking for the Market Tote Bag and Advertising Space giveaway...click here (winner will be chosen TONIGHT, and announced Tuesday AM)!

So, Maggie (my momma's yellow lab) was gifted a handmade dog bed from my grandma over the weekend.  Let me just say, she has been GLUED to this bed since Saturday night!  :)  I snapped this photo with my camera phone last night (sorry the quality isn't great, but I thought it was too cute not to share!).  



Maggie was minding her own business on her bed, when Stuart quietly and oh so gingerly climbed up next to her (which has never happened!).  For the most part they 'get along', however Stuart has been known to be extra feisty, and Maggie is always so patient with him.  Perhaps the new bed will help transform Stuart's social skills and make them BFFs- a girl can hope, right???  :)  Happy Monday, all!

My Bed / His Bed

I found this cute four-poster dog bed in one of free Lowe's magazines that the mailman delivered.  I would LOVE to make one for Stuart, but I know that he wouldn't utilize the cute four-poster bed, as this is where he prefers to sleep...

I get the right side of the bed, and he's claimed the left side.  He typically naps on top of the covers, but sleeps under the covers during the night.  He sure has it made!  :)

Per Stuart's request, in the next coming weeks I would love to display a photo/story of your dog (with a link back to your blog)!

To submit a photo, all you have to do is send an email to me at:

squirmywormstudio@gmail.com

Please include the following...

One photo

Your name

Your Blog Title + URL

Your dog's name

A little something about your dog (special talents/tricks, fun fact, etc.).

P.S.- I'm assuming you probably thought that I forgot my promise of a photo of my new Target bedding- didn't you???  Well, I didn't...it just took a while to make my bed!  Not bad for $22- eh?  :)

P.P.S- We'll be celebrating starting Monday.  Work got a little bit crazier than I had anticipated at the end, so I haven't had the chance to sew anything for the pending giveaway.  That and I'm still debating on making a couple changes to my blog...I need to sleep on it a bit more.  Please come to visit on Monday!  :)

Crazy Eyebrows!

So, while I was enjoying my lunch break on the couch yesterday (one of the cool things about working from home!) this little bunny caught my eye, which is one of my mom's new Easter decoration purchases from Pier One...

I'm not a fan of holiday decorations, and no sense in trying to convert me, because it won't work!  :)  However, this little bunny is quite cute, AND the similarity to this little guy is uncanny...

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Check out those crazy eyebrows!!! 

Crazy eyebrows and all, I love him dearly!  :)

Gymnastics 101

Stuart cracks me up, plain and simple!  Last night he decided to take up gymnastics, and try his hand out at walking the balance beam (aka the frame of the couch).  He started out doing well (if I was a judge I would have totally given him a 10!), but towards the end he got weary and fell off the balance beam...and landed between the frame of the couch and the back cushion.  LOL

I think that he was a bit embarrassed, but thankfully Grammy was there to console him, so he stayed for some petting, a few photos, and then went about his normal everyday business!  :)
 

Morning Routine...

If you're looking for the Thread Catcher Pattern giveaway...click here!

Stuart seems to have picked up a new morning routine, as he has been taking a tennis ball to bed with him, and uses it in the morning to wake me up- ugh!  He seems to enjoy picking up the tennis ball and dropping it on me in the morning to get my attention, sweet eh!?!  

I get up to let him out and feed him, then I jump in the shower for work, and always find him back in bed...

I guess he needs more beauty rest than I do!  :)  I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Trying To Keep Warm!

It's Monday morning and after being groomed this weekend, the only thing on Stuart's mind is to keep warm!


He's comfortably snuggled up in the red blanket, as I sit next to him blogging. Life sure is rough when you're a dog! :)

Eager To Help!

Last night my Momma and I were laying out her Easter table runner (using a Moda's Freebird Jelly Roll) in the living room. I don't remember exactly how long it took us to reach a composition we were happy with, but the minute we declared that we were done Mr. Stuart (of course patiently waiting off to the side!) decided to come and lay on the table runner. I guess he sort of sealed the deal! ;)

Hot Days = Lazy Days!

It's been an uneventful week in my neck of the woods, thus I don't have too much to report! The first couple of weeks in July were nice and cool as the lack of 'June gloom' translated into 'July gloom' and that was fine by me! All of that changed this week as it has been so stinkin' hot! I'm going to sound like an old lady, but I grew up in extreme summer temperatures and handled it well, but as I get older I get crankier and crankier when its hot outside! :( Here's to hoping that 'July gloom' returns!

I hope to get some good quality sewing time in today, as I'm working on something special for my Squirmy Worm Studio customers...you won't want to miss it!

My super-duper talented Craft Swap group is coming together for round #3 in the Fall, which means I need to get started on my craft! The group has changed as we have a new addition, which makes the group double as a mother/daughter group, which I think is so awesome! I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such crafty and inspirational ladies! :) I've been meaning to ask, has anyone started a Craft Swap of their own? If so, I would love to hear how its going!

That's all of the announcements/updates I have for today; in the meantime I leave you with this cute photo of Stuart, as he was practicing for the Major Leagues! :)

Silhouette of Stuart...

I'm so excited to announce that I'm working with my new blog friend Lindsay (you might remember her from my Etsy Artist Feature Week!) on a silhouette painting of...you guessed it, Stuart! :) Lindsay has an Etsy shop full of original paintings for childern, nurseries, and she also does custom orders. I have to say that I've been a secret admirer of her work since I laid eyes on her owls. I'm not sure if I prefer the girl owls or the boys, but this one is pretty darn cute!

Baby Stu...approximately 2.5 years ago!

A semi-recent (and probably my favorite) photo of Stu!

I sure do love that mini schnauzer, and with a face like his, how could you not? :) Are you a dog lover, if so what kind do you have?

A Blackberry Crisp Kind of Monday!

I just got home from a Tupperware party, which makes for a long Monday! I'm not ashamed to say that the big draw of tonight's Tupperware party was the dessert...Blackberry Crisp (a la microwave- oh yeah!). I don't have the recipe right in front of me, but the crisp (bag of frozen blackberries, half a bag of yellow or white cake mix, half a stick of butter, and Tupperware's cinnamon vanilla spice mix) was microwaved in the lid of the mighty purple stack cooker! A portion of the Blackberry Crisp served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream will win over anyone! Yummy!

Right now I'm feeling just like Stuart looks in the photo below...its off to bed I go!

PS- I made my first Etsy sale today! I've been doing my happy dance since I received the email early this morning! :) A big thank you to my very first buyer (you know who you are...)!!!

Snuggie for Dogs Review

After dinner last night Stuart was kind enough to model the Snuggie for dogs! It pains me to admit this, but Stuart was not a fan of the Snuggie (see for yourself below!). I do believe that the Snuggie provided extra warmth (on a much needed night!) and the adjustable velcro tabs made for a perfect fit; I'm sure the Snuggie is perfect for some dogs...just not our lil' Stu!

(I apologize for the photos, as they were taken with my camera phone!)

My Favorite 'Go To' Dinner!

I can't believe that I've been cooking so much (I think Mr. D is happy that my inner housewife is finally surfacing!). :o)

I wanted to share with all my favorite 'go to' dinner. Mr. D called me last night to let me know he was on the way home (which is always much appreciated!). At that instance the little light bulb in my brain went off, as I had bought a package of grape tomatoes at the store last week, and I would have hated to have them go unused! Within minutes I whipped up the following:

Pasta with Sauteed Tomatoes, Olives, and Artichokes

Ingredients:
3 teaspoons Garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
1 package cherry/grape Tomatoes (halved)
3/4 can medium pitted Black Olives (chopped)
1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts (drained and quartered)
Angel Hair Pasta
Parmesan Cheese, Salt, and Black Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, tomatoes, olives, and artichokes; cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
2. Place pasta in a large bowl. Add tomato mixture, cheese, salt, and ground pepper to taste; toss well.
   

The recipe above is based on this one, however modified to my liking! :)

P.S.- Stuart wanted to say hi to all...too bad he forgot to smile for the photo! :(

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! Saturday morning started by participating in a local Quilt Shop Hop in which my mom and I went to two shops and received free Halloween fabric at each (anything to build my fabric stash!). :o) There is a larger Quilt Shop Hop in which we will be participating in on November 21st- it should be a good one (I'll post more details for the locals as the date approaches). November 21st is my Grandma M.'s 84th birthday! She is a quilter and crafter as well, and will be joining my mom and I for the Quilt Shop Hop- I'm looking forward to it!

Back to Saturday's festivities- Halloween 2009 proved to be the year of the cutest jack-o-lantern and Hillbilly (I may be a bit biased, but take a look for yourselves!).





I'll be back tomorrow (daylight savings is really kicking my hiney today!).

A Dog's Life!

Ahhh photos from home! This morning I received a photo text message (see below) of Stuart relaxing on his bean bag bed, as Mr. D was getting ready for work...what a life! :)

Smile and enjoy your day!

Hello World!

I'd like to introduce everyone to the third member of our family, Stuart, our 2 year old Salt and Pepper Miniature Schnauzer!


When he's not laying under my feet while I'm cutting fabric and/or sewing, or collecting my fabric remnants from the floor, he enjoys freedom in the back yard (not to mention that he is quite the camera lover!).



Now I'm off to work on my Snail Mail Craft Swap project with my friend Alia! I'd love to post progress photos, however everyone is going to have to wait as I don't want to ruin the surprise for Alia (hopefully everyone is understanding)!