Alanna's rescue pup in Kuwait....

Hi friends:

Here are some pictures of the sweet little pup I rescued off the street yesterday morning. I know she is a cross between Jack Russell and something else. She has the sweetest temperament.. is about 3 months old --- and appears to be house trained... no accidents yet!! She is very quiet, good natured and I've got her working on the collar and least pretty good in the 24 hours that I have had her. If it weren't for UBe and the sensitivity to having pets in our building, I would foster her... I've fallen in love with her. She isn't going to be a very big dog. If anyone knows of a prospective forever family --- I could bring her home at the end of March when I fly to Phoenix!!

She probably chewed something and made the owners mad - after which she was likely thrown out on the street ... that's how it is here ....

Thanks for reading!!

Alanna

Thank you, Rebecca....

This lovely little creation is by Rebecca Sower.

(http://www.rebeccasower.typepad.com/)

She is a published author and a wonderful artist. Her blog is delightful.

I wrote to her and asked if I could use her quote, her generosity shows below. Thank you Rebecca, we can all make a small difference to each other every day.
Of course you may borrow...thank you for asking first. It's a really good one, isn't it?
We all need a reminder that our talents are unique and beautiful and should be shared with the world!
hope it's a lovely day for you.

sending love...

rebecca

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We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

~Thornton Wilder

In the garden today...

Close up of the Pot from our trip to Tubac.

Salvia.

The hummingbirds just love these flowers.

Wildflowers that I got out of a ditch last year, planted and this year they are going to put on quite a show.

Pots with Prickly Pear Cactus and Lilac Vine on back wall.

My New Bling!

This is a necklace I just made yesterday. You buy the tray pendant and fill it with small things. For the background I used the blue from a Tiffany's catalog, found and cut out the word "bliss." I also cut out a red fabric heart, the #13 from a book, and a small metal charm that says "made from the heart." You add all of these elements together and then flood the tray with diamond glaze. Let it harden overnight and it looks like glass. I plan to make quite a few more once I find a source for the blank pendant trays..

These necklaces were purchased but they have the same concept except these are soldered. There is a different image on the other side.

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When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

~Peter Marshall

My Family

Heinz, myself and Evelyne at Casa Grande.

I love this photo, it is great to be one of 7 kids that all get along as adults, even if some never want their picture taken...thanks Ev.

(used with Ev's permission)

Heinz and Marlene are almost back in BC, but Ev and Richard have another month to enjoy the warm weather. 86 here for the rest of the week.

(Apron.ology)

The premiere issue of Apron•logy shows off accessorizing with a twist — or rather a tie.

This new publication flirts with the many uses and looks of the apron. While you may notice your grandmother’s vintage linens, handkerchiefs or embroidery in these pages, your breath will also be taken away by looks with leather, bright colors, rhinestones and tulle.

The contemporary apron is hot and can do more than keep you clean. These beautiful creations are fit to be worn in the kitchen or on the runway.

I checked out the above magazine and think I will pick it up.

Yesterday I made this little apron for myself. The fabric is recycled from Sally Ann. It started out as 2 little girls dresses and some lace that Christa sent me.

It was so easy to make and I finished the top off with some vintage (1970) ribbon that I got a couple of years ago..

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Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.

Swami Sivananda

Last Country Home Magazine

I am sad to say that this is the last issue of one of my and Cindy's favourite magazines...Country Home. They will no longer be publishing this magazine.

It always had the best decorating ideas and easy crafts to make. I have spent many happy hours crafting from this lovely magazine.

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Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.

Denis Waitely

Time...

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

Carl Sandburg

Fun with Shannon in Cave Creek, AZ

@ Shannon's before watching a funny movie.

Trying to look like a cowgirl in Cave Creek.

They had some lovely garden plantings that were all labelled that you could walk around.

Loved this saying!!!

Some pottery in this kitchen store.

I drove up to see Shannon for an overnight stay and as usual, we had a great time.

We enjoyed lunch together, toured her garden which is lovely, had a nap by the pool, then decided what to have for supper. Before dinner we sat up on the upper deck with a glass of wine and an appy where we watched the sun set. Eat our wonderful pasta dinner, and watched "Ghost town."

The next morning we drove up to and explored Cave Creek just north of Scottsdale and checked out some nice garden planting in the town plaza.

Thank you Shannon for everything, it was great fun!!!

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After driving home, we celebrated Annmarie's birthday @ Cantina Laredo. After coming back home she christened their new outdoor fireplace here at their house in Queen Creek.

It was a lovely way to finish off the great dinner and evening.

Song bird cards

Some new cards winging their way to friends!!

Off to stay overnight with my friend Shannon, always fun!!

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Quote sent to me from my pal Suzi in Westbank...thanks

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

George Bernard Shaw

What I have been making....

I have been making my own journals now for several days. The top two are made from a recycled post cereal box that was decoupaged with images from magazines and Catalogs.

The bottom journal is just a pad of watercolor paper that I took apart. I added a piece of pattered scrapbook paper on the cover and then did some sewing before I bound it all together. This is filled with additional papers as well.

Of course words and a bit of bling are always needed.

I filled the inside with heavy watercolor paper cut to fit each journal, added both patterned & plain scrapbook paper, quotes and allot of space to write your thoughts. Then I bound it all together with the "Bind it all" machine made by Zutter..

You can use any kind of cardboard for the front and back covers and what ever you have around to fill the insides. I found that the heavier the paper or glue a couple of pieces together makes a book that can hold up to the wear and tear that I put mine thru.

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.

Henry David Thoreau

Pottery from England.

This lovely pottery collection is from Emma Bridgewater in England.

I am sure that Caroline, Cindy, Christa, Shirley, Frosso, Patricia. Andrea and Suzi in B.C. would like the look of these as I think they represent Spring!!!!

As found in Country Living, British Edition.
http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/

Betz White's art...

These are the felted cupcakes that I made, and I noticed that one of my favorite artist, Betz White had used a similiar sweater, so I sent her off a quick note...

Her beautiful work is shown below.

My pal Suzi loves her work as well.

Hi Dagmar,

Thanks for the comment. Sure, you can use the photo and link back to me.

Thanks for asking! Betz

P.S. Nice hummingbird save! :)

http://blog.betzwhite.com/

Happy Valentine's Day...

I finally finished off the "Heart Book" that I took @ my scrapbook class last week. It had so many small pieces that I needed time to sort it all out. I added more of my own embellishments as well as glitter (what a surprise!!) and outlined each page with a silver pen to glitz it up.

The whole idea for me taking more classes are the new techniques that I can learn.

With this class I was able to experiment with lots of things that I had never tried before. We did quite a few clear plastic shapes, added words and bling. It was all punched together using binder rings.

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So where ever you are reading this, I hope you have a happy day, some one to kiss and give you a hug...dogs and cat kisses count!!!

*************

Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold.

Zelda Fitzgerald

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

These are my sister Caroline's newest paintings that are heading for the

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

(The Elk Foundation’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. )

These paintings that Caroline has donated will help generate money for this fund when they are auctioned off.

Am I a proud of my youngest sister or what?

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Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.
from the film "Star Trek: Generations, spoken by Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

Wire bound Journal

Front Cover

"Do what you love, Love what you do."

You can add all sorts of elements to the inside that you like.

Sewn back Cover.
I had taken a class several years ago where we used a wire binding machine to make a journal.
I have always thought I would like to make some more journals in several different sizes and fill them with different papers.

For Christmas this year, Jim bought me a Zutter machine that does this very thing.

I bought & downloaded this video from Donna Downey website and with her good instructions was able to learn my machine in no time flat. Her teaching style is great and if you haven't seen her work, please check out her website.

http://www.donnadowney.com/
I finished sewing the covers, put water color paper into the insides and just for fun, some covered cereal box additions. I love how it looks, and now no piece of paper will be safe in this house.
It gives re-cycling a whole new meaning.
I have the confidence to try something new!!!

PS: This just into my e=mail from Donna Downey:
YEAH dagmar!!
that is exactly the kinds of email i love to get!!
thanks so much for taking the time to send it and enjoy your bind it all!!
d

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You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
Dr. Seuss

Hummingbird Rescue

This little guy/gal flew into our window yesterday morning. I found her lying on the mat, so I picked her up and held her in my hand so that she wouldn't freeze...it was really cold out.

Her head lay at an angle, but in about 5 minutes she seemed to perk up. I wanted to put her in the sun, so I took the seat cushion, got some lint from the dryer and made her a nest so she would stay warm. It took about 20 minutes and when I went out to make sure she was find, I stroked her, she fluffed out her feather, gave me a wink, and flew off...

It was a very rewarding rescue.

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We need to restore the full meaning of that old word, duty. It is the other side of rights.

Pearl Buck

Cindy on her deck..

Good to see that Cindy's wrist is finally strong enough to hold a bottle of the beer that they make and enjoying the sun shine... to bad it isn't bathing suit weather yet in Nelson.

Emmy Lou enjoying her view from the cabin's deck overlooking the lake...brr, it still looks cold to me.

Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait for the answer. ~Author Unknown

Cold there Today!!

More crafts seen @ Tubac.

Love this coyote jumping in this water color painting.

We watched some of these rugs being woven, just like they did years ago.
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Boy, is it cold here today and the wind is just howling!!!
Definitely time to stay indoors.