Dog-gonnit

Psycho Blog love, Vol. 5 (albeit, a little tardy)

I love the nature of blogging. Not just the writing of my own, but the finding, sorting through and reading of the gazillion others that are out there on the web. It's like being able to meet people who share similar interests with you and hang out with them without having to shower or change out of your pj's. I have found kindred bloggers who have inspired me to create, made me laugh or cry (sometimes both....simultaneously), and that remind me that every day with ones you love is precious.

Since my long-time furry friend passed away 2 weeks ago, Mr. Peanutbutter and I have been discussing getting a puppy. The old man Scoutah is still with us, and I'm not really sure how he will adapt to a puppy. This all goes without discussing Feldman, the Queen Mother. She is my tabby, and when Queen Mother isn't happy no one is happy. But, despite the visions of old-man-dog-terror and playing find-the-cat-pee-smell, I'm still looking at puppies.

I've always loved Airedale terriers. In fact, I was combing local shelters looking for one to rescue when I fell head over heels for Flannery 10 years ago. A big lump formed in my chest when Mr. Peanutbutter said that he would like to have 'one of those big terriers'. (I'm not replacing you Flin-flan, just looking for another fuzzy friend to hug, love and fill the void you left behind. I really miss you.)

So, in the spirit of Psycho blog-love I want to tell you about my new favorite blog. (You knew it would be about an Airedale, didn't you?)

I'm happy to introduce you to Mr. Bogart Handsome Devil. He and his mom live in Portland, Oregon and their stories are touching (at times heartwrenching) and more often hilarious. So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine (my personal favorite) and read their story.

Photo Courtesy of To Aire is Divine, aka Bogart

Fruits of our Labor

There is nothing like picking an apple right off of the tree and eating it in your own back yard. The weather today was unusually crisp and fall-like for the end of August, which made my apple experience even richer.

We usually like to make loads of apple butter or hard cider, but sadly our little trees didn't bear too much fruit this year. Hopefully next year will be better.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy some of last years jams and the few apples our trees have given us.

Stamp Give-a-way

Craftiness is loving freebies.

Dear Blogoshere,

I know you like a good deal as much as I do. Be sure to check out this give-a-way for 5 sets of stamps at Priscilla Styles.

Jelly

click here for details.

More Free Botanical Clip Art

I must admit that I'm having a lot of fun with this.

Here is another cover from one of many Botanical Garden bulletins that I have.As I continue to post more and more fun paper goodies, I thought it might be smart to offer some instruction and guidelines. I borrowed these from the good lady at Graphics Fairy.

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1. The graphics are free however you may not use more than 4 of the clip art images in any single product.


2. In order to use these lovely visuals you will need to save them to your computer. In order to do this first- click on the item that you would like (this will open a window with a much larger image) second - right click the larger image and select "save as" in the pop up box, and then click the save button in the lower right hand corner of the box.


3. Do not link directly to the images.


4. If you use these on your blog, website etc. Please include a link back to this site.

Fleur sure.

Ooh, I'm so excited! The bow ties for the wedding are done and are superb.

Big round of applause to my gal at xoelle of Etsy for making these lovelies. She did tell me that she had left over fabric if anyone would like one of their own.

Fun Download

I'm doing a little bit of experimenting here today.

I have tons of cool old booklets, postcards, etc., that I'm going to upload to share with you. However, getting it to you is what I'm working on. I'm going to try using Google Docs, but if any of you have a better way for me to do this, please let me know.

Ok...so onto to our download.

This is a print from the cover of a 1970's Missouri Botanical Garden booklet. Please try to limit your use to personal work, because I'm not sure of copywrite with this image (although, I'm pretty sure they didn't create it).
Download here

See a little light

Monogram wedding votive candle DIY

Ah, Blogosphere. I have missed you. I fell off the wagon.

It's been a very busy week here with a sad doggy funeral and a wedding shower. However, I'm back on my blogging diet.

In celebration, I thought I would share with you my latest DIY for the upcoming nuptials. I've been busy making cute little monogram votive candles for all of the tables. They are super easy to make, and super inexpensive.For the candles, I just went down to my handy craft supply store (Hobby Lobby) and bought 12 votive candles for 3.99, and a roll of gross-grain black ribbon 3/8 inch wide. I then designed the monogram on my computer, and printed it off onto little 1.5 inch round labels. I found this great place online where you can buy just about any size label you can think of in packs of 2400!!! I bought my pack for 16 bucks. Plus, if you buy from them you can use their template maker for free. Very handy indeed.

I cut the ribbon so that there would be a gap - meaning the ends of the ribbon don't touch. I secured them to the votive with some double-sided tape, and then attached the label. et, voila!

C'est chic, n'est pas?

Ooh la la!

Do not go gently into that dark night

Today I said goodbye to my most devoted friend. With Flannery, I've had my longest relationship to date: 10 years. She was the sweetest, most gentle soul and I will miss her with every breath.

Retro made functional...

Yet another groovy find.

This would make a pretty cool letter holder!See it here.

I luvs my dumpster-divin' man

...The best thrift is a free thrift.

So, one of my favorite things to do is dumpster dive. True, it isn't for everyone, but you wouldn't believe the treasures you can find.

Take today for example. The owners of the building next door to Mr. Peanutbutter's office recently passed away, and their family was literally throwing everything away. Being my kindred soul, he quickly pulled out tokens for yours truly.

Below is a sampling of his South City Booty.A beautiful hat pin

Check out these shoe clips!

Pretty. Shiny.

More shameless self-promotion

I'm still in love with ebay. Better still is that my mother-in-law is a bit of a collector. From time to time we get some pretty hip pieces from her. This is one of them.How super-mod-1960s-pink-frosty-lipstick-and-Eames-plastic-chairs is this!

Want it? Click here.

Fabric Yo Yos

As if I don't already have enough to do at the moment, but I really like these fabric yo yos. Plus, they look really easy to make.

Photo and How to Make Yo-yos courtesty of zakka life

Not to mention all of the super cute things you can make with them.

Tutorial for Yo-yo hand bag courtesy of Craftstylish
Fabric board courtesy of Keyka Lou

And if you're feeling really adventurous you can make a quilt....


Maybe, like me, you're thinking you don't have time to make all of these yo-yos. Well, once again Ebay has come to our rescue. You can buy tons of them for minimal cost. I envision little old ladies making them while chatting over carrot cake and hot tea.Buy these and more on Ebay

A girl needs her thrift fix

I have seriously been feeling the need to hit the thrift stores lately. This is something I do fairly regularly, but with the wedding coming up I have a few things that I really need to find.

Since I work such long hours, the best way for me to do this has been via Ebay. I could, and sometimes do, spend hours looking (ok, drooling).

This is what I want, er....found:These are the cutest little buttons. I'm not sure what I would use them for, but I really want to hold them in my hand and see what they feel like. I'm a texture girl.I need some little dishes to hold candies and stuff at the wedding. I think these sherbet glasses would work well.I also need a stand for the cupcakes. I like this one.Ok, so I don't need a chandelier, but check this out! Mr. Peanutbutter would kill me if I bought this, but it's only 59.00 with free shipping. Please buy this so that I can't!

Summer nights in Bellevegas

Ah.....last night was perfect for a bike ride.

I wheeled out my old trusty town bicyclette, affixed my basket to the handle bars and pedaled my little self up the street to our neighborood wine bar. The place was packed. But, I had 2 growlers in tow which I planned to fill and take back to the house. What a surprise, when on my way out the owner graciously pitched in a pizza!

However, getting the pizza box into my bicycle basket was a little tricky. Not to mention squeezing in the 2 bottles of ale. Luckily, my ride was short so I just put the box on its side and hoped for the best.

More excitement when I got home and discovered we had received an Alsatian pizza - which is a yummy flatbread fired in a brick oven, and covered with creme fraiche, carmelized red onion and apple wood bacon. Pair that with a really nice pale ale while sitting on the front porch swing with your main squeeze.....priceless.

Vintage French Boy Toy

Well, maybe not a boy toy, but Mr. Peanutbutter will definitely look very dapper in his new custom made bow tie.

Check out this fabric! How frenchy-fied is that?

et Voila!

The invitations are finished...

Yes, it's true.
They are finally done, and just a week behind schedule.
Not too bad, I guess.I'm pretty happy with how they all turned out.

Each invitation is different since I used a variety pack of scrapbook paper for the embellishment on the pocketfold and the tri-fold insert.

Let me know what you think!

My lover wears a bow tie

Yes, yes, my dear blogosphere I've been a naughty girl and haven't kept up with my posts. But I feel like having a stomach virus is a good excuse.

I can now say that I'm on the mend, and solid foods are....uh....staying solid.

Other than my recent illness, life is life and we're still in the midst of planning our wedding. And yet, Mr. PeanutButter never fails to surprise me.

I've kind of been working towards this 'french vintage' theme for our wedding, and today Mr. PeanutButter told me that he wants to go old school and tie his own bow tie. He said that he'd like something vintage, with fleur-de-lis if we can find it. I just love him! He so gets me.

Of course, I immediately ran to my computer to start looking for bow ties. Wouldn't you know that I would find vintage bow ties straight away on none other than Etsy. I found this gal who makes bow ties from vintage fabrics. Score one for me and one for mother earth!

Check out these and more ties at XOelle on Etsy. Tell her Jelly sent ya.