Lombard Mutt Strut

Well its spring which means a couple things.  Lilacs are blooming here in the village of Lombard, IL and that brings the Lilac festival.  It also brings THE MUTT STRUT!  Yes this will be my third year running in the strut.  It was the first 5K I ever completed and with all the purple (my fave color) and dogs everywhere it holds a special place in my heart.  While Sadie's days of competitive running are behind her there is also a 1 mile walk that she did with Dan.  Mr. Biscuit and I, however, were signed up to run.

In typical Anita fashion we arrived at the last minute to pic up our packets and get geared up for our respective events.  There was an especially large turnout this year and I over heard one of the organizers say there were 500 people signed up.  And there were dogs aplenty as well.  We made lots of doggie friends just waiting for the race to begin.

Biscuit and I took our spot toward the back of the pack and waited for the start.  I was planning on taking a few walking breaks since he and I haven't worked all the way up to our previous year's pace but Mr. B was a slave driver.  With the exception of one poop stop 5 minutes in we jogged the whole rest of the race.  I'm pretty sure he was the smallest guy to run the whole thing.

We came across the finish line just over 36 minutes which isn't too bad since I tried to get him to stop at each of the doggie water stations and I took my time drinking my own H2O.  Dan and Sadie were there cheering us on, even though I didn't see him until we had just passed them on the road.  Dan said Sadie did great and was in perfect form for their walk.  She was a leader in that pack, I'm sure.  

But what's the best part about running with your dog, you say?  This!

They'll be knocked out the whole rest of the day.

Race on!
Anita

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This is the kind of find I want to get when I frequent the garage sales, but never seem to get.  Susie @ Puddle Jumper Creations got a wonderful deal on some classic pieces for her home.  Very classy!

This sweet craft seems like a great starter project to help little hands learn to crochet.  How nice to give a gift of a beautiful bunch of wildflowers in a homemade vase.  Head on over to E Stree Chikitu and check them out!

Sarah from A Little of This, A Little of That posted a tutorial of these adorable party favors she made for a baby shower.  How great are these for a spring party?  Plus they look crazy easy to make.

Deborah from Three Dawg Lady Designs posted some cute DIY watermelon shoes she painted from plain canvas ones.  These would be great for a small party of little girls to make, don't you think?  Maybe even a girl scout meeting project.

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Chocolate for Elephants?

While there was some chocolate consumed at last week's craft club meeting, the focus was much more on the elephants.  This month's craft was an adorable pin cushion pattern from Heather Bailey called Effie & Ollie Elephant.  When the girls and I were shopping at the sewing expo a few weeks ago they discovered these little guys in jumbo form in one of the vendor's booths.  He didn't have any more of the pattern so I ended up ordering it on Amazon.  Everyone was super excited about making these seemingly easy little guys.  WARNING This was not a good pattern for a bunch of mostly beginner/novice sewers.

The problems started early and a fair amount of cussing and stabbing with pins transpired as we assembled these little guys.  I was a little behind at the start since almost everyone else had cut out their pieces before coming over but I caught up pretty quick when there were more than a few stumped faces on a couple of the steps.  Now, if you've done stuffed animals before you won't have much of a problem, however if this is your first go around I would choose a more simple pattern.  Unless of course you want to experience what we did with all the cussing and pin stabbing.

Crafters were dropping like flies.  Katy had been awake since 3:30 that morning, Laura's frustration had manifested in multiple uses of the seem ripper and I'm not sure when we lost Sarah but she joined the other two in temporary defeat.  Kelly and I had chosen to do the original size of the pattern as a pin cushion and we were determined to not be beaten by this pint sized pachyderm.  

I'm not sure what time it was when we finished but there was some forceful polyfill stuffing towards the end.

Maybe it was the comfort food themed potluck or the warm temp that night that was making us sluggish but I'm glad I finished.  I have to say, even though it was a task to get her done, I love my little elephant girl.  I especially love the glittery gold flowers on her ears.  She has been used heavily in the five days I've had her and even took a trip to a craft fair this weekend.

Lesson?  Just because something is hard doesn't mean it won't be worth the process in the end.  

The dogs were both in agreement and volunteered for a little photo op of the finished products.  

Craft on!

Anita

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Sue @ SweetPea Family is just so excited about her new little friend!  Her excitement was so fun and I adore the little shawl with the flowers in the background.

This sweet treat was made with love and LOTS of peanut butter.  Check out Macy's recipe over @ Crafty Confessions and put some yummy in your tummy!

Stephanie from The TipToe Fairy posted a yummy looking recipe for grape soda cupcakes.  I live in the lilac village and everything is purple right now so this recipe came just at the right time.

Christine @ Let's Get Crafty linked up her post on how she made this super craft desk.  I actually have the same kind of idea for my craft room upstairs.  Here's hoping it turns out just as cute.

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• Link up any project you want as long as its made by you.  That means sewing, painting, recipes, photography, DIYs, and anything else creative you can think of. 
• Please NO ETSY SHOP links.  I already spend way too much time shopping there. 
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Snuggles find a new home

I delivered my box of Snuggles to the Dekalb County Animal Shelter on Saturday, May 4.  Saturday was May the fourth be with you and I thought that was the perfect time to do some good works.  As I flock to the good side of the force I want to make the time these animals spend at the shelter as comfortable as I could.

In the box we have 16 small Snuggles, 6 medium snuggles, and 3 large Snuggles.  I even have the paperwork all done for them!

I hope every kitty and puppy that gets a Snuggle feels the love I put into each one.  And for every pet who is waiting for their forever home may it come as soon as possible. Is it time you saved a life?

 

Keep giving,

Kelly, the origami ninja

 

 

 



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Want a great refreshing and healthy drink for this spring and summer?  Head over to Sweet Pea Pod for an easy way to make this tasty looking Watermelon Slush.  

Small Fine Print posted an easy set of instructions on how to make your own moroccan votive candle lanterns.  Aren't they super pretty?  I want a whole shelf full.

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• Link up any project you want as long as its made by you.  That means sewing, painting, recipes, photography, DIYs, and anything else creative you can think of. 
• Please NO ETSY SHOP links.  I already spend way too much time shopping there. 
• We would giggle with delight if you would grab our button!  No pressure though; it's not mandatory to participate. 
• Show some love and visit a couple of the other crafty projects and leave some comments.  It's nice to know someone other than your family and friends is actually looking at your posts out there in cyberspace. 

OK here we go!

Doggone Dirty Craftin Linky Party

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Head on over to Small Fine Print to see a great post on a sewn quiet book.  I remember having one of these as a little girl.  The thought of making one of these for a loved little one makes me so happy!

Ok I'm a sucker for someone posting a dog related craft and this one from Macy at Crafty Confessions is no exception.  How adorable is this little side table dog bed.  Way to UPCYCLE!

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• Link up any project you want as long as its made by you.  That means sewing, painting, recipes, photography, DIYs, and anything else creative you can think of. 
• Please NO ETSY SHOP links.  I already spend way too much time shopping there. 
• We would giggle with delight if you would grab our button!  No pressure though; it's not mandatory to participate. 
• Show some love and visit a couple of the other crafty projects and leave some comments.  It's nice to know someone other than your family and friends is actually looking at your posts out there in cyberspace. 

OK here we go!