The Dog-gone Days of Summer

I find myself doing much and yet blogging little.

This yeller feller is partially to blame.
How could I have internalized how much having a puppy would throw my life into utter chaos?
All major projects are slowed to a crawl. My life is divided into the short segments between naps, walks, training sessions, and clean up. I really want to be a good dog person with a really good dog, but I find the lack of sleep and concentration are really wearing me down, more than I am comfortable with, and my family has left the care and training so largely up to me that I am resentful. ( Of them, and their ability to blow it off... not the cute poocher.) It is so much like having a sharp toothed toddler, that it takes my breath away.

And yes there are great things about this new addition. He is silly, very eager to please (when the mood strikes) , he snuggles like a champ, the deer in the garden are not the problem they were, I have an anytime I want walk partner, who only need a few more months of leash training... and puppy breath is pretty sweet.

In truth, it feels like my life is no longer my own.

But, I have still been able to get my kid to animation classes far from home for 3 weeks,
put up 26 jars of Olallieberry Jam, pick and freeze 3 quarts of wild blackberries, make and freeze pies.

And I was able to make and un-make 14 potholders. (Yes.. I had to disassemble my potholders because Poly Batting is Not Good For Potholders. In fact, it almost conducts the heat. And I had hand quilted 7 of them.... ARRRGH!
But at least I found out now and saved my loved ones from scalded digits.)

And I found time to break my fancy camera's lens.

And yesterday I finally prioritized some selfish sewing and tried to make a shirt from this Adorable Japanese Craft Book... and it is AWFUL. which is perfect since I made no muslin and used instead my expensive linen. What a doofus. I think the pattern is fine.. I'm just not doing great with the lack of English instructions, limited brain power and my not tiny petite Japanese body.

I also totally yelled at my kid, multiple times. And am making him learn too cook, because I said to find himself something to make for dinner and he chose 3 pieces of toast... then asked for ice cream.

I need to regroup.

Time to breathe deep... and look at the pretty flowers:



Oh.. look! It's time to walk the dog again!

Dude, good thing you're so cute!

Made It Myself Monday: Market Umbrella Bean Tent

I have done a fair amount of gardening this year.. which is very evident in the scant amount of clothing I have made. (Another shining example of You can have it All... but not all at once.)

I had a bit of an epiphany when I was putting in the garden and cleaning out the storage area at the same time. We had a canvas market umbrella that had a fine frame but the cover was shot. I kept thinking I would sew a new cover but that is not the kind of item that makes it to the top of my sewing priority list too easily...
So, my husband said, "Should we toss this? We have too much junk!"

"I'm Going to Use That!"

"When?"
"I will use it today."

And I did~!



Bamboo poles are the uprights tied with twine. I planted climbing peas in march and two kinds of beans shortly there after. Those blossoms are from the Scarlett Runners.When the peas were done, the beans swiftly took over and I couldn't be more pleased.

And especially for Susan:

Gratuitous puppy cheesecake photo.

Made It Myself Monday: The Commitments

What 2 weeks since I posted? Oy. The Summer. It's crazed.

And I have Been Very Busy.
The only question remains, "who's training who?"

I also took a photography workshop.. and loved it.
Need to finish the last few assignments.
But maybe next week.

I decided to keep an older commitment to myself as well:

Last holiday season ( Yes, I am talking about it now...still, again, already.) I was Stressed Out. Not awful stress, but really busy. I committed myself to Handmade Holidays and I made something like 43 presents. I was cramming crafting into each spare second. The house was a wreck. We didn't get to baking until it was Way Late, leaving gobs of unfinished cookies lingering well into my New Years Resolutions (and the retreat of all the people who were supposed to help me eat them!)...
and I said to myself,
"Self, next year let's be done before Thanksgiving."
Now my self has heard this all before, and my self thinks that often I am full of crap, under the guise of good intentions. But I surprised myself.
I have a plan... And I am making headway.


My plan is to give consumables. Stuff that is practical and doesn't last forever. Like jam, home canned tomatoes, and chutney ( this is must be done in summer stuff) also, potholders, dishtowels, candles, and calendars. Usable. Practical. Non Clutter. I'm making "Kitchen Baskets". Last month I made jam, this month, potholders: Betty Does Batch Crafting.

I am going to post my progress here. Probably ruining any major surprises for my blog reading loved ones... But if I can help even a couple more people have a Holiday Season that is full of more joy and less stress... I am sure I will be forgiven by those who love and know me well. (Especially once they try that jam!)

And speaking of PotHolders.... You could get some ideas from Pretty Little Potholders.

It's just the latest book that I am proud to be associated with...
I even made the back cover.

so? anyone else wanna be done really early?