My head is spinning!

It's almost official. As of May 1 I will be president of Blue Forest Water of Brevard, Inc. Bill is going to be delivering 5 gal bottles of spring water. We are purchasing an existing business with over 200 accounts. I get to do all the paperwork and that's why my head is spinning. I have been filling out forms for the IRS, the state of Florida, the bank, printers and other suppliers. I have done the bookkeeping for businesses we have had before but this is the first time we have been incorporated. I'm told it will be better in the long run but it seems complicated now.
We are getting a vehicle with the business but will probably have to get another. Another thing to take care of - insurance. I need to get back to sewing just to calm my nerves!

Greta the Schnauzer

Just a quick post. Yesterday I added Greta the Schnauzer to my Etsy shop. She is a sweet little puppy and comes with her own bed.
I finally purchased a pair of spring action Fiskars today. Now I can cut out the critters I have drawn out on fabric without sending that nerve zing through my thumb. I have also contacted another Teddy Bear artist about purchasing one of her ultimate stuffing tools. I have been using hemostats for years and I'm pretty handy with them but they bother my thumb too. It's going to take me a little while to learn to stuff with the new tool. I guess I will still use the hemostats for turning unless I find something better.

Beach Day :)

There is nothing like a day at the beach. It's relaxing, rejuvenating, and good for the soul. Nothing beats the sounds and the smells of the ocean. The drive to the beach is great too. We drive through a wildlife refuge on our way. Today, besides the many cranes, pelican, and gulls, we saw a wild pig and an alligator. The beach we go to is a National Park - Canaveral Shores - miles of natural beach. I forgot my sunscreen so I am the teensiest bit pink. I also forgot my camera so the pic is from a previous trip to the beach. Now I am ready to get back to work.

Been Busy...

Despite my head feeling like it is going to split open I've gotten a lot accomplished this week. I think the pollen count is very high and my sinuses are throbbing. I have spent part of the week on paperwork for our new business but I have had some time for sewing. I finished another little dog and cut out 2 more. I have also partially finished a little dog that isn't turning out like I wanted so he might get set aside for awhile. I have an idea churning in my head for another bear but it's not ready to leave my head yet.
Rowdy did not sell on Bid 4 Bears so he is going in my Etsy shop. I did list Natalie Nitey Nite and Mimi a Kitty Kibbles kitten on Bid 4 Bears. Visit Natalie here and Mimi here.
I hope to get some sewing done tomorrow(hopefully my head won't hurt) and then Monday is beach day. We are trying to get in some beach time before we really get into this business I have been hinting about.

Gray Matter?

Last night I had one of those head slapping "I can't believe I did that!" moments. Last week I drew out the pieces for another Schnauzer, cut them out, then proceeded to dye them two different shades of gray. I cut the body, ears and part of the head out of a short mohair, then the legs in a longer mohair. So last night I sat down in front of the tv and pulled out the pieces to start sewing. The picture above shows what I discovered. Can you tell what is wrong? I have been sewing since I was a little girl. I have been making critters for more than 25 years! It is such a silly mistake. Notice that all the legs(these were to be the back legs) go in the same direction. I should have 2 facing right and 2 facing left. Argggggh! Luckily I have more of the fur and the pieces are small. The challenge is to get the shade of gray right, so it matches the other pieces. I timed how long the pieces were in the dye bath so hopefully the new pieces will come out right.

Gone to the dogs

I actually finished 3 little dogs this week. The first one is a black and white terrier mutt named Oreo. This little guy has kinda short legs because I made him from scraps and I couldn't fit longer legs in. The second dog is a tricolor Jack Russell named Rowdy. His auction started tonight on Bid 4 Bears. Rowdy is 5" tall and comes with his bed and soccer ball. My bears have been selling well on Bid 4 Bears so I thought this week I would try a little dog. You can see him here. The third dog is for a swap so his/her identity will remain secret. I have 2 more dogs cut out and hopefully will finish them this week. Bill & I are in the process of buying a business(more on that later) so I'm not sure how much time I will have to sew.

I also finished 2 cats this week - but that's another post.

And the winner is...

Beautiful wolf(Emily) from DreamEyce Studio!!! I had to wait til Bill came home today to pick the winner. Lexi & Lucy were too busy eating between naps to help out. Thanks to everyone that posted a comment! It's nice to know there are some people out there reading my blog.

This was so much fun I might do it again when I reach 200 posts. It might not take as long this time. Now back to work. I finished 3 more little dogs last night and now I am needle felting a kitty face.

100th Post Giveaway!!!

Well, it has taken quite a while for me to reach my 100th post as I am not a daily blogger. To mark this occasion I am going to giveaway "Tou Tou" the little pink poodle. She is only 4 1/2" tall and made of pale pink mohair. According to my pet name book Tou Tou is French slang for "doggie". She has amethyst colored glass eyes, a needle felted nose, and some "bling" for a collar.
I consider myself a Teddy Bear Artist but a lot of my focus is on dogs. So I decided it was fitting that a little dog go to a new home in celebration of my 100th post.
Just leave a comment and in a few days I will put the names in a bowl and have my DH pull one out. I would have Lexi or Lucy do it but it might interfere with snack or nap time.

What's up?

I haven't posted in a few days for a couple of reasons. The first being out of town company. My husband's cousin and his wife were actually in town for a month. Florida is a great place to visit to get away from cold winters. They had other family in the area so we all got together several times over the month. This week was their last week and we took them to the beach one beautiful day then had pizza and Bill's homegrown strawberries for dessert. The next day we babysat their wonderful dog Fenway the Golden Doodle(Golden Retriever + Standard Poodle) while they took their grandson to Kennedy Space Center. Fenway was a joy, being only a year old and very sweet. Lexi & Lucy, being old ladies, weren't too sure about her.

Another reason for not posting is, what I believe, an inflamed nerve in my right thumb. When I use scissors or hemostats(for stuffing critters) it goes numb. Sometimes it's just a shooting tingling. So I have been trying to rest it and it is driving me crazy because there are several critters screaming to be made!

The last reason is this is my 99th post and I wanted to do something special for my 100th post. I have been wracking my brain trying to think of something. So tomorrow be sure to check in -- I will be giving a little critter away.

Finished Grey Kitty

This is the other fur I dyed grey a little over a week ago. I have named her Pearl because the Rit dye I used is called Pearl Grey. She is 6 1/2" tall and has needle felted cheeks and nose. I dyed some core wool a shade of grey so I would have 2 differant shades. I hope to get her in my etsy shop before the end of the week.

Last night I cut out another cat in a wild shade of pink and 3 little dogs. One of the little dogs will be for a mini swap. I might try a couple on Bid 4 Bears when they are done.

I am approaching my 100th post and I am trying to think of something special. It has taken me a long time to get here since I don't post everyday but it is still reason to celebrate.