No I Wasn't Sucked Into A Black-hole

          Don't anyone worry I didn't fall off a cliff, get lost in the Bermuda triangle, nor was I sucked into a black-hole. Nope nothing like that, just life offline is all that happened. On the up side I'll be posting some new crate tags and more soon. Just be patient and I will get them on here when I can, also same goes for my website. It has been a very long time since that was updated but trust me I will get to it. 

My Dog Actually Enjoys Her New Wheelchair

          Over the last year Fussy's arthritis has progressively gotten worse. Her back legs were getting unsteady and harder for her to keep them firmly underneath her. Eventually smooth surfaces like a kitchen floor have become to "slippery", poor Fussy's butt end would be slipping and falling like a baby deer on ice. Throwing down run runners have helped tremendously. Then in November Sunka and Cahokia, who I co-own with my sister, needed to move back in. Sunka and Cahokia are Fussy's seven year old adult pups who still have the energy of dogs much younger. Do to their rambunctiousness they are prone to knocking Fussy off her feet. I had a feeling early on that if her hips and arthritis continued to get worse she may need a wheelchair to safely get about. By December I couldn't take her for her much needed and beloved walks, she could no longer walk even a half a block without falling over. The search for a wheelchair was on.

          I wont bore you with the details for the search and eventual finding of one that fit Fussy's needs. But I will say this if you ever need a wheelchair for your dog (or other pet) don't go anywhere else but to Eddie's Wheels. Their wheelchairs are a lot of money but worth every penny. The quality, safety, and customer service is outstanding. If you find you can't afford a brand new one inquire about their used wheelchairs that they have on occasion.

          Anyone who has been following my blog or Google+ posts know that Fussy like her name suggest can have a mind of her own. This fact made me worry, would she like her new wheels or hate them. The moment of truth came over this last weekend. I read all the instructions that came with the chair and made sure everything was adjusted, then it was time to take it outside for a road test. She didn't like being loaded into the wheelchair but she compiled without objection. Got her all locked in now the rest was up to her. The first few steps were tentative and awkward, I half thought I didn't have her seated correctly. A quick double check proved all was well there. Fussy walked a little farther and you could tell the whole concept seemed odd to her, but by the time we were on our way walking her demeanor changed. It is hard to say if she realized she no longer had a hard time walking but the longer we walked the more happy and excited Fussy became. The following day I took her back out again and this time I could hardly keep up with her! I think I can officially say she loves her new wheelchair.

Enter ESRA's Raffle To Win A Knitted Springer Spaniel

          The English Springer Rescue America or ESRA for short is having a fundraising raffle that you wont want to miss! As everyone knows I love dogs but Springers hold a special place in my heart so any time I can help my beloved breed I'm excited to do so. I'm really excited that not only will the money raised from the raffle help Springers but some very lucky person is also going to win a hand knitted English Springer Spaniel doll!

          I'm going to be getting myself some tickets for sure. The raffle tickets are available for purchase both online or through the mail. Tickets are sold 1 for $5 or 6 for $25 (best value). Buy your tickets before March 12 or you will kick yourself for missing out. If you are outside of the USA you are also welcome to buy tickets, the only thing is if you win you will be responsible for the shipping charges.
 
          When you go there to purchase your raffle tickets you need to read about Clayton one of the special needs dog who is currently in ESRA's care. ESRA has many Springers around the US in need of help, funds, and homes.

          Please help spread the word about this incredible raffle that helps dogs in need.

New Colors Added & an Updated Design!

          It sure has been a long time since my last blog post. During my absence I had be super duper busy filling holiday orders, wow it was a marathon of nearly non-stop stitching! Worked real hard but managed to get all orders filled and mailed without a problem. Orders are continuing to come in but at a much more relaxed rate. I greatly appreciate all my customers who made 2013 a wonderful year and I look forward to seeing what 2014 has in store.

          I had hoped to introduce these new colors earlier but I just couldn't get the time to do it. However now that the Christmas gift giving season has past I've got some time to catch my breath. Introducing 3 new colors that are now available for the Shetland Sheepdog!

Revamped Bluetick Coonhound crate tag.

          Just before my busiest stitching season hit I had been working on revamping a couple of my old hound tags. So far I only was able to get one completed and as time permits I hope to get the other ones done later. Hound lovers rejoice over the new and improved Bluetick Coonhound design! The old design is still available but only for a limited time, afterward it will be retired for good.

          Now for a bit of not so good news....I've once again run into the problem of yarn colors (that I use) have retired. The light brown and mid grey colored yarns that I had been recently using is no longer around so the hunt for suitable replacements is once again back on. I hate when this happens. So my game plan to fill the void left by the absence of the light brown color will for me to go back to Red Heart's Warm Brown. I had initially used that color back at the beginning but some where down the line Red Heart had altered the shade of the color. I'll keep my eyes peeled for better replacement but in the meantime Warm Brown should work fine. The mid grey color is going to be super hard to replace, I had a dickens of a time last time. The good news is I still have a decent stock of yarn for that color. I'm hoping that before I run out a good replacement color will be located. I do have a back up yarn but the color doesn't satisfy my standards, it is do able but I would be much happier with a better choice. Everyone please keep your fingers crossed for me, this is the toughest thing to do is to find just the right shade of color in yarn.

Place Your Orders Now in Time for Christmas

          Oops! Looks like once again that naughty dog ate my homework. Wow, I didn't realize how long ago was my last post was. Mid October I took ill, nothing major just your run of the mill illness with a fever and what-not. Then towards the end of October and beginning of November the Christmas gift orders started coming in. It has been a busy time.

          If is the gift giving season so shop early, especially if you plan to place orders with handmade artisans. It takes time to hand make lovingly crafted items unlike the mass produced stuff at big box stores. Please get your Christmas orders to me as soon as possible, that way I will have time to get them stitched and mailed to you in a timely manner. As more orders come into me the longer the turnaround time will become.

          Nearly all my listings are now up in my Etsy and Bonanza shops and I also currently have listings running on eBay. If there is an item you are looking for that isn't listed please contact, I can get it listed or if I don't have it I might be able to make it for you. I have also listed a limited amount of items in my Zibbet shop.