Moved my office

When we moved to this house 5 months ago I set up my office in a back tiny bedroom because it had a cable connection. We have an interesting floor plan. When entering from the front door there are 2 open rooms on each side. One is the dining room and the other seems to have no purpose. Behind these rooms is an open kitchen and large open family room. A couple of weeks ago I decided to move my office to one of the front rooms. The problem was figuring out which room would be the easiest to run cable to. Then, about a week and a half ago, I remembered when we had the cable hooked up the cable guy told me we have wireless access. We purchased a nice used computer desk through Craig's list. Then an adapter for my desktop computer so I could connect wirelessly. This proved to be a challenge as I spent all day on the phone with the cable company trying to figure out why it said I was connected but I couldn't get on the internet. Finally, partly with help from my nephew, it was a pretty simple fix. The connection needed to be configured with windows and not the adapter software. So, now I'm in my new, much bigger, and cooler(we also installed a ceiling fan). I just need to keep it uncluttered and clean since it is right inside the front door.

One last note: Voting for the Australian Creative Design Awards is open until Saturday, June 4th. Make sure you go here. Dilly Dalrumple would love your vote!

A day in the life...

Since my header is labeled the 'Dog Days of Summer", I thought I would do a photographic review of a day for Lexi. She is my 14 year old wirehaired Dachshund. I don't know if Lexi considers herself the alpha dog but she definitely considers herself higher in the pecking order than Lucy, who is 2 years older. I have had Lexi since she was born, as I was a Dachshund breeder at the time and her mom was one of my kennel dogs. The wirehairs are my favorite of the three coats of doxies. Lexi has had many ups and downs and moves in her 14 years. She takes heart meds for an enlarged heart. But her main motivation in life, since she was a puppy, has been food. This last year she seems to sleep a lot more, but if she hears a noise in the kitchen she is there in a flash. Sometimes I don't know if she loves food more than she loves me.

Campaigning

After checking, I discovered it is ok to campaign for votes for the ACD awards. So to vote for Dilly Dalrumple, my creation, click here to vote.
Actually you can vote for any creation but I'm hoping you will think Dilly is a good representation of the Beatrix Potter theme. My original idea was a cat in her style. But I wasn't happy with her when she was almost finished. I looked at her for several days and couldn't figure out why I didn't like her. But I was running out of time to send in the photo of my entry and so Dilly came to be.
Now, I am busy working on critters for the Bears on Parade online show in July. It will be here before you know it. I have lots of parade themed ideas on the drawing board. One is even complete and he turned out just as I imagined.
Although, here in the US, May 30 is the unofficial beginning of summer, it is already pretty hot here in Florida. If you noticed the header has been changed to the Dog Days of Summer. Iggy on the left and Rufus on the right are available in my shop on Bear Pile.

Time to Vote!

The voting for the People's Photographic Choice in the Australian Creative Design Awards 2011, is now open. Go here to vote. Click on the bunnie. Beatrix Potter was the theme this year and there are some great interpretations. My entry is there but ...well I don't want to influence anyone's vote. I have voted ...make sure you do. Starting June 1 all entries will be available for adoption. The winners if the Australian Creative Design Awards 2011 will be announced. After you vote mark your calendars.

I am getting ready for a "live" show this Saturday the 7th. It is a doll and bear show in Maitland Florida. It is from 10 to 4 at the Maitland Civic Center, 641 S Maitland Ave. If you are within driving distance...Come On Down!

Calling all dog lovers

We always watch "Sunday Morning" on CBS and a couple of weeks ago it was about dogs. One of the features was about a Border Collie that has a vocabulary of over 1000 words. Most of them are names of his stuffed toys. But if you tell him to get a certain toy he can pick it out of a huge pile of toys.
Here is a video about him http://youtu.be/_6479QAJuz8
There was also a feature with the author, Dean Koontz. He wrote a book about his Golden Retriever, Trixie, called "a big little life, A memoir of a Joyful Dog. It also explains his connection to Canine Companions for Independence. I don't get to read as often as I would like but I reserved this book at the local library. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to anyone that has or had a dog. Be prepared with tissues though!
Apparently, Trixie the dog has also written some books and they are next on my list.

Wanna Play?

That's what Bethany is saying. She was actually anxious for her photo session but I was waiting to find the right ribbon for her head. Turns out I had it all the time! While on a visit to Hobby Lobby and Michael's last week I checked out all of their ribbon. Nothing quite right. Then, yesterday, I remembered a roll of ribbon purchased months ago. It had never been used but was purchased just because it was cute.
We had a sandbox in our backyard when I was growing up. Fond memories are wonderful inspiration.
If not sold before, Bethany will be going to the Doll and Bear show in Maitland, Florida on May 7th. Then the ACD awards at Bear Artists Online comes up in early June. I am already working on bears for the Teddies on Parade online show in July.

Haven't been slacking off...

I really have been busy sewing. Most of the bears have just been waiting for a photo shoot. First there is Bebe. She made her debut in the recent issue of Teddy Bear Review in an article about inspiration. The cute yellow baby teddy fabric inspired me.

Second is Louise, aka "Weezie", the gardener. She is the "face" in my previous post. She is named after my mom, who loved to garden. Our front yard would be full of beautiful blooms this time of year.

Third is Berry Cream, another in the sweet little bears series. She is just 6 inches tall. Her body and head were dyed a pretty strawberry cream color.

Lastly is Rufus. I wasn't sure about him as I put together some scraps of mohair for his head. But he turned out as an appealing little mutt.
Also completed 2 other critters that hope to make an appearance in the next issue of Teddy Bear Review and another bear who is just awaiting some accessories.