Missing Duster...

At 20 years old I was finally beginning to feel settled enough to take on the responsibility of another living being. My father shows, breeds and trains dogs so I put the call in to him for a puppy. "Daddy...?" (said in my best princess gets what she wants tone) "I want a puppy!".

Dad,"Well, I'm gonna need more to go on than that."

Me,"I want a Pomeranian. A small, female, blond, red or tan- show quality puppy. Someday I want her to have puppies."

At the time he was engaged to a Pomeranian breeder so I figured this would be an easy task. I was told that he'd see what he could do. Shortly after that my brother called to say he found a pom in need of rescue. I'm not sure if it was the truth or guilt trip but he told me that his original owner passed away and he went to a not so nice home. He was Male, all black but greying in the muzzle, large for his breed, 7 years old, not even close to show standards and he was fixed. I told my brother no. I wanted to hold out for my perfect dog.
Being the Daddy's girl that I am... when he described the same dog and the situation he was in I caved. He sent me his picture and hesitant but he needed a good home. Heck, at least he got the breed right!

Weeks later I flew home to surprise my family for Christmas and pick up my fur baby. I crept into the kennel entrance waiting for the right moment to surprise my brother when these 2 little hairballs came running and spinning around me. One was my brother's new dog, Contessa. Contessa was only 4 months old, blond, picture of show quality and my brother had the breeding rights. But I didn't care...

Duster knew immediately who I was to him. He just started jumping up and down in front of me and circling my feet. He didn't even care that Contessa has just stolen his favorite toy. Took some effort to catch him because he's not a fan of being picked up, but as soon as I had him in my arms he was all kisses and just very happy to be there. That was 9 years ago this week.

Duster turned 16 in November. His vision and hearing started to evade him last year. now he was running into things and falling down. The recent moved proved too much for my little guy. Hardest thing I've EVER had to do. I didn't want to see him suffer or get hurt worse. His quality of life just wasn't the same. Shane and I took him and and on December 9Th he went quietly in my hands.

If you have never put an animal down let me tell you it wasn't what I thought. The vet was amazing and explained everything. Honestly, I just wasn't' ready for it. It was so quick. She said it wouldn't take long but it was instant. Looking back now I am relieved it wasn't a drawn out process. It truly was peaceful...until the embarrassing display of hysterics that followed on my part.

I am still tearing up as I write this but I am in a much better place. I still forget that I have to pick up the dropped food now because he's not at my feet waiting for it. Occasionally I go looking for him when he doesn't meet me at the door after work. I dream of him frequently and he's young and happy again.

Help Me be a Better Blogger.

Once again I have been missing in action for quite some time. I have been making a lot of big changes in my life. I am now a single gal living on my own. It's exciting because it's really the first time I'm living for just me. Things are finally settling down for me a bit more and I'm slowly finding my way back into the craft room and out on the social scene. I am still teaching classes on a regular basis at A Scrap In Time in Hastings, MN.
Here is where I need your help... I'm looking to be challenged and inspired in the new year. If you have any requests for blog topics, tutorials, pictures or what ever you can think of please let me know. I am holding off on design team participation for now and challenges are time sensitive. Suggestions are not limited to crafting. I love photography, cooking, decorating and dabble in drawing. I am hoping that my newly unfettered status will bring me some fun stories. Hoping to find a little innocent mischief to share with you all.

Teaching Classes at my local store...

Just a quick pop in to update with my latest venture. I'm teaching Copic and other Card classes at my local Scrapbooking store, A Scrap In Time.

I {heart} Copics Fabulous Friday Challenge

This image is just begging to be paper pieced but my printer is psychotic and it's unpredictable when it will work. I was so happy to get it to print out and still had fun coloring. Used my Copic Air Brush System for the sky. Glad I had the refill for BG72! I'm all out of ribbon though. Time for another trip to I {heart} Papers! I have a full cart I just need to hit send...Can't wait to get to do more shopping once I get teaching more. Eek! I'm excited. Back to work for me. :)

New find! Kenny K digi's!

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This is totally my style! I personally think this sassy lady looks like my friend Jen but she didn't agree, either way she's fun. I did this one for their first Challenge, Pastels.

I love this Piggy Tales paper and just thought the colors were fun. These girls are so much fun to color.

Notice how her jeans actually have a denim texture? Thats my little secret ;)

Finally Some Progress in my "Studio"

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I sat down to make some cards and prep for some classes but I couldn't even find my desk let alone my paper cutter. I made some coffee and got right to work.

I had the pegboard prepped but I haven't been using it because I wanted to paint it. Heck with that, I'm now choosing function over form for the time being. I hauled it out of the closet and now it's just laying on the ledge. I can't believe the difference!
Just about everything else has been IKEA, Thrift store/garage sale or coupon purchases.


The white surface is a table thing from IKEA that is meant to go over a bed. I got it from the scratch/dent for cheap. It works to give me an L shaped area. Basic papers, box of cards I've made and my Carosel...Oh and my Laptop.


Copics (I need MORE!) are stored in a Close To My Heart organizer so that I can take them with me where ever I go. They like to travel.


This stand is from the Goodwill. $5 or so. Holds my Cuttlebug, Decrative Papers, scanner, and boxes for flowers, rhinestones and so on.

This metal bin is meant to hold legal size files. Works perfect with the paper holders. I group my papers by brand/theme. If I'm stuck I just grab a random holder and get to work on what ever I grabbed.
Still sooooo much work to be done but it feels great to have gotten this much done. I have several cards I would like to get done tonight yet so I'm off. I hope to share more on Friday! Thanks for checking in to see what I'm up to.

Tinkering All Day...

Made a quick trip my my LSS and was asked to start teaching there in a couple weeks. Came home to put some things together and was just inspired/motivated so I got right to work...