Monday's Featured Boy, Luigi!

Welcome to Day 1 of 5 for raising money for 5 AMAZING dogs Today I am raising some money for a wonderful group, Boston Terrier Recue Canada, to help pay for Luigi's vet bills. Here is his story: You can only imagine what Luigi went through before Boston Terrier Rescue Canada (BTRC) took him in. He was ailing and completely shut down, nothing like the sweet little Boston Terriers living in your hearts and homes. There was vet visit after vet visit - he is doing better but his prognosis is poor. But Luigi doesn’t need your tears anymore because after all this, he has blossomed… Can you now imagine his little butt wriggling as he nuzzles his mom’s cheek and gives her little kisses? He didn’t play with his foster siblings in the beginning, but now he excitedly bumps them with his nose when he wants to play. He stretches out in front of the fireplace next to his new best friends. And after a hard day of BT activities, he jumps onto his foster mom’s bed and uses one of the other dog’s bums as a cushion. Luigi is truly “Set for Life” – BTRC’s special program for little sweethearts who can’t find a home because of their advanced age or expensive medical conditions. Your compassion and kindness allows BTRC to care for these dogs as they live out their sunset years in their permanent foster home. You can be part of this important program when you place a bid on this beautiful bracelet or purchase the necklace, designed especially for BTRC. The proceeds of this fundraiser will support Luigi’s medication for Cushings. If you would like to make a DIRECT donation to Luigi's care or the care of any of the dogs in BTRC's care please follow this link and look for the "DONATE NOW" button on the right: http://www.bostonterrierrescuecanada.com/our-dogs/set-for-life-program/

The Jewelry "Ringer"

Have you ever been around someone who is just naturally talented at so MANY things? You try something and you struggle like crazy with it and in order to do it well it takes a ton of practice yet the "RINGER" just ACES it each and every time. Meet Eric AKA my amazing husband, I love this man to pieces but he is a "Jewelry Ringer" for sure. Yes, he is a superintendent for a construction company and has a wicked math and architecture brain but don't be fooled he is wildly creative and has an artistic eye. I bounce new ideas off of him all of the time and he suggests ways to do it better and easier. He nailed wrap bracelets when we first considered offering them. Today was copper, we worked with copper and let me tell you all what. Of my two pieces I created today, one had to be tossed out and the other is OK, Eric's two.....yes, THOSE will be headed onto auction items. I do think about banging my head on the table now and again when he just kicks my butt on projects but instead I avoid the "would be headache" and smile for the CREATIVE husband I am so lucky to have landed. I will be sure to tell you all when you are bidding on an "Eric Original", LOL! The picture is to prove that being AWESOME takes a lot out of you, just ask Annie and Eric!

Just Charming!

I am getting there, slowly but surely! I think that folks that work with silver metal clay would see these and not be impressed but I for one love how these look. Yes, they are not even, yes the color is different on each and YES....they are unique! I hope to add these beautiful silver charms to upcoming auction pieces. So tell me folks, what do you think of my silver creations?

Wine and Tater Tots!

Tell you all what, I ADMIRE folks that can successfully work with metal clay. MAN.....I consider myself a good artist when it comes to creating pieces but creating it from metal clay....not so much. First off the clay I am working with is a small fortune, being that it is pure silver even more so than sterling silver. Secondly, it dries out VERY quickly and it hard to "revive" once it starts to do so. I worked on several pieces last night and was tempted to down a bottle of wine by the time I was at a stopping point at 11:00 at night. The pieces were halfway finished and I had to call it a night. I think I like the satisfaction of getting something FINISHED and when I don't do that I get anxious, I never could do scrapbooking for this very reason, LOL! Please know that I realize there is a learning curve and I need to be patient (not something that I am good at) but I HOPE to stick this out and create some really fun, custom pieces for you all soon. Again, hats off to those of you that work your magic with this clay and create masterpieces, I just hope to make some pieces that resemble more than tater tots!

Anticipation Annie

Today's Midweek Auction was fantastic and kept us all on the edge of our seat towards the end. I tend to get excited when things get down to the wire. I dance in my chair and tend to tap dance with my feet a bit under the desk. Annie on the other hand, well when she is over the top excited for something...be it dinner or a walk she looks for her Peep. The Peep is just that a Peep that you see at Easter time (though ours is a big stuffed toy) and it was a gift to the girls from Kim Stahl. The Peep is FLITHY and needs a round or two with the washing machine but Annie won't give it up long enough for that. See Annie SUCKS on that Peep when she is super excited, kneads it with her paws and all. So cute to see and it cracks me up as that is her method of calming down. Hey Annie, whatever works girlie!

Blessings....they are all around us~

I saw something today that said: "Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your problems" and I have to say I LOVED it. I truly believe that when you concentrate on your blessings you realize just how lucky you are and you do start to really consider yourself blessed. I look around and see my blessings everywhere: my amazing husband, my dogs, my horse, my home, my friends, my family, a beautiful new niece, etc... See how easy that is? It took my maybe a minute and I have a HUGE smile on my face and my heart just got a squeeze. Don't forget, for your daily dose of extreme happiness be sure to count your blessings.

Close to my Heart

It would appear that many of our beloved dogs are being called home lately. I have had several friends within the last month have to help their pets cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. I feel the loss along with each of my friends when they have to say good-bye. I know that there are many moments in our lifetimes when our heart hurts but none like the hurt it feels when we lose someone we love, it is a hurt like no other. I can only send my love, healing energy and prayers to my dear friends that are experiencing this hurt right now. We know that our pets are in a good place and young, whole and free once more but we still miss their presence here on earth. I created my Rainbow Bridge bracelet to help the hearts of those who have lost a pet to heal. I hope that the bracelet brings a smile to their face when they look down at the bracelet on their wrist and see the name of their angel. It works for me with my "Levi" bracelet and in turn I hope that it helps others. In addition to the Rainbow Bridge bracelet I am proud to announce the arrival of the Heart Pendant Memorial Necklace. The necklace seen here can be unscrewed from the top and have ashes or pet hair added to the inside of the pendant. I personally chose to wear mine empty but that is just my choice. The necklace will be offered for sale this Friday, the 11th. Please give me your thoughts on this piece by commenting below.

Recipe of the Week! Thanks Justine!!!!!

INGREDIENTS 1 cup coconut flour 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup mashed blueberries 1/2 cup mashed bananas 4 eggs 1/3 cup warm water DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients in a large bowl, mix thoroughly and add a bit more water if it's too dry. Roll out to 1/4" thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place cookies on baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake for 22 minutes.

We are Baaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!!

I happened to stumble upon my blog while internet surfing today and realized I had not posted since 2010!!!! Wow, to think that Three Scoops of Vanilla had only been in business ONE year at that point! WOWZA!!!!!! Lots to catch you all up on!!!!! Stay tuned friends !