Puppy Haircuts today!

With the temps reaching the high 60s not a cloud in the sky, today became puppy haircut day! hee hee Cody and Prissy were starting to resemble wooly sheep more than bichons, so haircut day came none too soon. Here is their before picture:


and here is Cody's before:




As soon as we picked them up to carry them out to the make shift outdoor puppy salon, they knew something was up.  Since Prissy (who just turned 15) was the 'fluffiest' she got to go first, and then my 11 year old Codybug.  After a lot of scissoring and a quick run through with the clippers to finish them up I have my two little bichons back.
 



I'll be honest....giving them a haircut is not my favorite thing to do, but once we get started, they LOVE all the praise and attention and that makes it all worth while.  Hope you are having a wonderful day....Susan

Happy 2012!!

I've been soooo busy this week getting my studio (I always giggle inside when I say that since my 'studio' is really just half of our bonus room in the basement :-)) cleaned and organized. It's been ages since I've been able to play in my studio. I'm so excited to be able to get back to my art.

Some of you may know that I injured my back and left hip while painting our house. I simply took a misstep on the ladder and, well, the rest is history...as they say. I could hardly sit or stand or lay down for more than a few minutes for most of last year. I'm happy to report, though, that through physical therapy and lots of determination, I am back on my feet and feeling great. I started super slow with just some stretching and worked my way up to going for short walks. Little by little I added to my walks and now I walk about three miles per day, five times per week. Lately, my hubby and I have started challenging each other with pushups and dips (or arm killers as I like to call them!!). We are putting in about 60 pushups and 60 dips on our way around the park where we walk. At first, let me tell you...my 'wings' were soooorrrre. Now though, I can crank those babies out. It's great to be feeling healthier. I would love to lose more, and hope to do so this year. Side note...I've also lost about 50 lbs with all this exercise and healthy eating. Yay!!!THAT is a wonderful thing in my book! It's been a long journey and I don't think I will ever take my good health for granted again.

Here's to a wonderful year of creativity. Wishing you and yours a joyous and blessed New Year in 2012! Let's keep each other in our prayers for good health and prosperity this year, ok?

Wishing you many blessings....Susan

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in 2012!

Hugs...susan

How about a yummy cookie recipe?

I just made these delicious cookies and had to share the recipe with you. These are Cran-Pistachio cookies and the recipe is courtesy of Betty Crocker.



Look at these delicious cookies and, honestly, they could NOT be easier to make.

Cran-Pistachio Cookies
Source: Betty Crocker

1 pouch Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
1 box (4 serving size) pistachio instant pudding and pie filling mix
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 cup dry roasted salted pistachio nuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
optional - green food coloring (I didn't add any but if you wanted them extra green you could)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl stir cookie mix, pudding, and flour. Add melted butter and eggs and stir until incorporated.

Add pistachios and cranberries and mix well.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. The only way you can ruin these cookies is to overbake them! If you bake them too long you will lose the soft texture and they won't be as green. They will not look done but take them out and let them sit on the pan for about 2 minutes. Trust me.

Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Enjoy....Susan

Glitter and Tinsel Ornament

Hello everyone! I'm a little late with this next tutorial, but for good reason. My son graduated from college Saturday! We are so proud of you Patrick! Our family started arriving Tuesday and we've been celebrating all week!



Now for today's Christmas fun..I found this beautiful ornament tutorial that Karen over at My Desert Cottage has created and generously shared. Isn't it a beauty? Her instructions are very well written and so easy to follow. Thank you Karen! I hope you will enjoy creating this beautiful ornament.



Cathy over at Hazleruthe's has generously shared some Santa paper doll puppets on her blog. If you get a chance, pop on over. These little Santa's are adorable and I LOVE Cathy's idea to include them in her Christmas cards this year.

Well, I'm signing off...we're watching The Polar Express tonight....

Blessings to you...Susan

All that Glitters Christmas Ornaments

A big Thank You to for the tutorial to make these wonderful Glitter Christmas ornaments. So creative and none of the mess you get from the ornaments. I can hardly wait to get started on mine...

Hugs...Susan

Candy Christmas Tree

Aren't these the cutest little trees? Just click on the photo to go to the tutorial on Hershey's site. I'm going to make three of these and use them as part of my centerpiece in the dining room....hope they last until Christmas day! hee hee

Hope you have fun with this quick and yummy project....Susan

Bleaching and Dyeing Bottle Brush Trees Tutorial

Hi everyone!!! Here is a really easy and fun project for the holidays generously created and shared with us by Terry Heinz of Artful Affirmations. I cannot wait to get started on my own little 'forest' of bottle brush trees!



Blessings to you...Susan

Christmas Stocking pattern

Aren't these cute Christmas stockings? Ms. Martha offers a free pattern to create your very own that you will find when you click on the photo. I love the traditional red and white, but can't you just see these in some other color combinations?

I hope you have fun with this one...hugs...Susan

How about some holiday tutorials?

Hi everyone! I love holiday crafts, don't you? Especially sharing them with friends and family, so I'm going to be posting a few of my favorites with you over the next couple of weeks.

First up? These sweet snowflakes. I love the simple and sweet arrangement of these handmade snowflakes. Here's an easy to follow tutorial from The Vintage Junkie . Wouldn't these be sweet with a little clear or antiqued silver glitter? Definitely something fun to do with the kiddos and grandkids!

Wishing you holiday blessings...Susan