Some of My Favorite Apps

Since I've been blogging (lots of years), every now and then I make a post about my favorite apps. Of course these tend to change as more apps become available and more apps are updated. As of this writing, the following are my favorite apps:

1. Google Calendar - I suppose this will always remain on my list of favorites because it keeps my time so organized. I love the fact that along with the "events," it allows you to create tasks. I use the task feature as my daily to do list. The way I like to look at it is to go into the schedule and you have a nice list. I love that you can even add details to your tasks. You can even make recurring appointments for your events such as birthdays, bill payments, etc...

2. Readly - For around $12 a month, I can read unlimited magazines and even back issues. Every magazine I like, they have it. Each family member can have their own sign-in as well. I sure do get my moneys worth out of that one. And they have all the popular magazines and more!

3. Samsung Notes - This is my second brain! I used to pay for another note-taking app but since I discovered Samsung Notes, I like it even better. This app can only be used on Samsung devices and computers with Windows operating system. It syncs seamlessly among my devices. I love that I can annotate and create PDF documents on it. Between this and my calendar app, my life is so orgainzed! I might be obsessed over this one. And it's free!

4. Canva - I just discovered this one. I love it for creating ads. It's so quick to make them and I can do them from my computer or my tablet. I still use my drawing program but this is so handy.

5. Sketchbook - This is a nice drawing app. I no longer sell my artwork or clipart but I love to relax by doing some drawings.

That's my list for today. If you'd like to check any of these out, you can get them from the place where you get your apps.

Photo above: A picture of my sweet cat, Punkie. She lived to be almost nineteen and I still miss her every day.

My New Grand-dog

While many of my friends out there in blogland have two legged grandchildren, I have four legged ones. Above is a photo of the most recent addition to our family. Her name is Miley and she lives with my son and his girlfriend not far from us. They picked her up earlier today.

She will have her first vet checkup on Monday and get her first shots and a worming. We are not going to tell her that she's going to get shots. 

Look at that face!

No Snowman Toy For Bubba!

I made the little snowman decoration somewhere around twelve years ago. The kids were still in middle school. So I've had him for many years. I woke up to Brian asking me this morning if I made a snowman toy for Bubba. Since this snowman was made about five years before Bubba was born, I have to say no.

Will he ever be able to tell the difference between his toys and mine?

Potty Pads - Any Advice?

Many of my readers are probably familiar with our little Bubba and his previous problems. For those who don't know, he's been blocked (bladder) twice, and had two emergency surgeries. He almost died when stones got stuck in the urethra, but he survived what many dogs don't. He gets bladder stones and even though he's on prescription food for that, they still come back. They aren't nearly as big as they once were, but they are still causing the little guy problems.

When I said in my previous post that life gets in the way, this is one of those obstacles. For the past week, he's been having off and on difficulty urinating. It breaks my heart to watch him struggle during those times. The vet had to catheterize him twice last week. I took him to work with me everyday because if he wasn't urinating, we could help him before I took him home. This is one advantage of working for his vet. Unfortunately, and of all times, Doc is out of town! We do have a substitute doctor, but he doesn't handle emergencies or surgeries. If Bubba has more problems, we might do another surgery when Doc comes back that will reroute his "plumbing." It's good answer for this type of problem and is very successful.

I bought some training pads and some special spray and I'm trying to get Bubba to pee on them but he shows no interest. Not only is this a way to keep watch on his medical problem, but I hate taking him outside, especially after dark. We have coyotes and other animals that would not make nice with my Bubba! Our winters are also pretty rough and it would be quite nice to keep him inside since I follow him in the yard in case of furry intruders.

So, I'm looking for advice. Has anyone had success using the training pads on an older dog? I'd really like for this to work for so many reasons.

Thinking About Christmas?

OK, I can hear all the sounds of discomfort now, all the oh no's, and all the gasps. After all, it's only late August. But I would also imagine there are a lot of you out there that think there isn't enough time between now and then. Many of my friends are preparing for Holiday craft shows, and some are making Christmas presents and tucking them away.

I personally fall into both categories. I don't do Holiday craft shows but I've been working on some new Christmas pattern designs to introduce in my shops. I'm also working on a new free blog tutorial that would be cute for decorating, or gift giving. I've also got a little start on some gift making.

It seems as though my Internet life has taken a backseat for a while. My blog posts are further apart, and I rarely make to the Etsy teams. As for facebook, my business fan page is pretty much non-existent, and my personal one I just hop on occasionally to see if there are any new pictures from family and friends. 

So, how do you all feel about Christmas? Are you like me and think we need more time between now and then, or are you just waiting for the season?

Photo, bottom left: That quilt was just waiting to be hung on the wall. Yes, I waited until Bubba's nap was over.

Bird Watching

As I walk past the living room a few days ago I see this black tail sticking out from behind the loveseat, swaying back and forth so gently. Upon closer observation I was able to see what exactly it was that caught her attention. There must have been a "birdie" convention being held on our back deck. I know that Punkie was wishing she could go outside and play with them.

Cat in image is from my "Luv My Cat" clipart and graphic set which can be found at my Etsy Shop or my Teacher's Notebook Clipart Shop.

An Important Message

Hello Humans! As many of you know, our Mom works with animals for a living. She sees many bad, bad things that can be prevented. Last week one of her patients died from heat stroke. Unfortunately it won't be the last death from the heat she will see during this hot, hot summer.

We would like to take a moment to remind everyone that we don't perspire like you do. We can't cool ourselves off as easily as you do, and once our body temperature reaches a certain point, we will either die, or have permanent brain and organ damage. So keep us safe by limiting our time outdoors when it's hot, and give us lots of water. For our animal friends that must stay outside, make sure they have a well shaded area as well as lots of water. Maybe you can even bring them into the house or the garage when it's super hot.

You know how much we love car rides. We do, but if you have to leave us even just for a few minutes, leave us at home. Even with the windows partially rolled down, a car will become and oven in just a few minutes.

Mom said that her blogging friends are all animal lovers who would never put their animals in danger. So maybe you can share this information with everyone you know who might not know otherwise. 

Have a safe and happy summer!

Arf & meow from Bubba & Punkie.

PS...Extra treats are a nice summer idea too!

Top Sellers & Top Secret

 Since I haven't been blogging so much that must mean I'm locked away in my new craft room creating. That's exactly what I've been doing! As you can see in the photo above, Punkie is supervising the situation just as she always does.

 I'm excited to announce two new patterns. My most recent is this sewing machine cover. It's a cute way hide the sewing machine when not in use. It's available on Etsy, but it's also available on my website and at Craftsy they have instant downloads. No waiting for the files to be emailed.

 Another exciting thing is that my Hanging File Folder Organizer has been on Craftsy's 20 Top Seller List for sewing patterns the past two weeks. The past few days it's been fluctuating between number 9 and number 11. I think people really like the instant downloads there.

Now on to the "Top Secret" part of my post. It was so fun to spend today in my craft room doing personal things. I made a few little surprises for some special people in my life. They all read my blog daily so I can't share right now. I'll post some pics later.

Next "Top Secret" item are two new patterns I've recently completed. I can't show them because the photos and manuscripts have been submitted to magazines. Until (and if) they are published, I must keep them under tight wraps. 

So that's what I've been up to. What about you?

Friday the 13th

Punkie would like to wish all our friends in blogland a very happy Friday the 13th. She would like you to remember this important fact:

When a black cat crosses your path, it signifies that the animal is going someplace.

Have a happy day!

Fresh Air!

Wow! It sure has been too long since I've posted here at my blog. All is well, I've just been really busy. I've been concentrating on my health and fitness plan because I'm not getting any younger. Less time on the computer means less time on my butt. I even cleaned out (and scrubbed) two kitchen cabinets today! My plan is to do one or two a week.

I've also been organizing my sewing and craft supplies, and making some new things for my room. We are hoping to get the shelves hung next week. I know it seems like it's taking forever but when hubby works 40+ hours a week, he can only do so much. He is doing a wonderful job because he wants me to have the best craft/sewing room a person could have.

So far:
Shelves are completely built. Just need to add the finish and hang.
Murphy bed is finished. Just need to buy new linens.
Sewing machine is set up in the room along with a temporary work table.
Craft supplies are getting organized into boxes, jars, drawers, etc.
All fabric is wrapped! You can see that process here.
Made the curtains. You can see them here.
Made a new ironing board. A tutorial soon to follow.
Bought LOTS of stylish storage containers.

Left to do:
More organizing.
Make a wall organizer to match room.
Make a roman blind for my fabric & supply shelves.
Make the shelves on each side of the Murphy bed (Hubby).
Make a great and functional work table (Hubby).
Make a sewing machine table (Hubby).

There is still a lot to do but it's so much fun organizing!

On another note, the weather has been unseasonably warm. We're breaking all kinds of records! Punkie is really enjoying the open window. I know it's hard to see a black at against the night view in the window, but she's there.

Protecting My Bubba!

We got through November, December, and the first half of January without more than a dusting of snow. Well, Thursday that all changed and we got more than a dusting. That means that the snowmobiles are out in full swing! Living out in the country means there is lots of space where the fields are now bare, and that means lots of space for the snowmobiles.

Last year some very RUDE snowmobiles cut through our yard to get to the road. There were two entry ways between trees that they were able to access our yard from the farm field behind. If you look at the picture above you can see where they crossed our yard. Look closer and you will see a shoveled path in the yard. That is the path that we shovel for Bubba (our tiny little yorkie) so he can go potty. See how the snowmobile cut across Bubba's path? That happened about 5 minutes after I brought him in from outside! I know this because I saw the lights in my backyard, then the path appeared. I was furious! I always go out with him because we do have wildlife that would probably eat him if they got the chance. But how would I stop a snowmobile? They would never see him out there.

So anyway, Brian and I went out there Saturday and pulled huge logs and branches across the entry ways (between the trees), posted NO TRESPASSING signs at each one, and stuck 10 (total) reflectors in front of it all. I hope that keeps them out. It's bad enough I have to worry about the coyotes!

10 Super Silly Laws

Here are a list of 10 laws that are for real. While doing research for this post I found a whole bunch of funnier ones but since this is a family friendly blog, I'm only posting laws of an appropriate nature. And yes, these are for real!

Pennsylvania: It's illegal to sleep on a refrigerator outdoors

Indiana: It's illegal to throw your couch at your neighbor

Illinois: It's illegal to fish while riding on a giraffe's neck

Minnesota: It is illegal to cross state lines with a duck on your head

California: It's illegal to drink cement

Florida: It's illegal to set off a nuclear bomb in the city park

Tennessee: It is illegal to gather or consume roadkill

Texas: It's illigal to dust a building with a feather duster

North Dakota: It's illeagal to serve beer and pretzels together.

New York: Man boobs are against the law (I'm still laughing at this one!)

Photo Above: An old photo from years ago. I think they were watching a bird.

Pet Day - Sabrina

It's pet day again and today I introduce Sabrina. Sabrina has a special story. It's a story about sweetness, love, and excellent timing.

She appeared one day at the printing business that my sister owned and I helped her run. We'd show up at work and there she'd be, sitting on the back steps waiting for us. She was so loving and affectionate we knew she had to have been dumped. This was not a feral cat. The weather started getting cold so we decided to bring her in. We kept her in the shop and managed quite nicely to hide her from the owners of the building. All our customers fell in love with her. She would hang out at the front and greet everyone as they walked in. She had toys, a comfy bed, and lots of love, and she never once tried to go back outside.

We decided one day that it was time she went from a shop cat to a house cat so I decided that I'd take her home with me. At the time I lived in an apartment and was already at my 2 cat limit but I figured, two cats were black, would they just think it was the same cat?

I brought my carrier to work and decided to take her to the vet to get her vaccines and get her tested before bringing her home to my cats. She tested positive for feline leukemia. I was devastated! This precious little cat! She didn't seem sick. She was so active and healthy looking. But feline leukemia is highly contagious so I couldn't bring her home. So we decided to make the best of it and keep her at the shop. She loved it there anyway.

Around Christmas that year she got sick. We took her to the vet and she was treated with antibiotics. Well, she never got better. After about 6 weeks of vet visits and medication she had about as much as she could take. She was too weak to fight the infection. We had to put her down. It was such a sad day.

But the timing of this was almost magical. She got so sick during the coldest months and we were able to keep her warm, fed, and loved. Thank God she didn't have to suffer out in the Indiana winter! Somehow I can't help but get this feeling that perhaps by some powers beyond our control she was sent to us. Sounds odd but....

Can You Find Pumpkin?

I've been so busy between the day job and pattern designing that I thought it would be nice to make a fun post today. Something fun, colorful, and not work or business related! I came across this picture the other day. It's Pumpkin when she was much younger. Her favorite place to snuggle is still up between the pillows. For those who don't know her, Punkie is a black cat. Do you see her now?

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from our house to yours! My little greeting card has images of my 3 black cats, past and present. Today is the final day of my 3 day weekend so I am going to make the best of it. I got so much accomplished this weekend with my crafting. Got some Christmas gifts made and created a new craft pattern.
Short and sweet post today. Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween and I hope you all have a fabulous week!
Ghosts & witch grouping are a part of my Halloween & Fall Kit at Etsy.

Pet Day - Punkie

Since this is Halloween weekend, Punkie decided that she should be the pet of the week. We have two other black cats in the family but she insists that she is the Queen of black cats for a number of reasons. First, she lives with me, second, she's the oldest and has been around for 11 years, and third, because she's such a good girl. You'll meet the other two at a later time. One lives with my son and the other lives in Heaven now :(

On to Pumpkin! As you can tell by the photo, she goes by many names. For years I called her Kinnie Roonie but Brian (her Dad) likes to call her Chunkie Punkie and the kids call her Plumpkin. But to her defense, she has lost a few pounds and isn't so chunky or as plump anymore.

Punkie, as I like to call her, is the Purrrfect cat (sorry, couldn't help myself). She really is. She doesn't get into anything, she doesn't knock things off tables, she doesn't jump onto anything or go where she doesn't belong.

She has never gone potty outside the litter box. Not once in 11 years! When I take Bubba outside, she will stand by the door but doesn't attempt to go outside. She's also a love-bug. She has a few select people that she will snuggle with. She's so soft too!

She really is the best cat anyone could ever have.

Teapot graphic above can be found in my Tea Time Scrap Set at Etsy.

Pet Day - Meet Patches

Today I'm going to introduce you to Patches. This is my son's cat who lives with him in his apartment. He came to us in the middle of the deep freeze. About 7 years ago we noticed that something was living under our deck. We didn't know what it was at the time. Elyse finally discovered that it was a kitten. It took us a couple of weeks of feeding him before he would trust us. As soon as we got close enough we grabbed him and took him to the vet. Poor little thing had an upper respiratory infection, eye injury, and was  underweight. The doctor was surprised that he even survived the sub zero temperatures considering how sick he was. We got him some medicine and he turned out to be a great pet and family member for us all. Isn't he handsome?

Pet Day - Miss Buttercup

It's Pet Day again! Today, I introduce Miss Buttercup. She's the alpha everything in this family. You all met Bubba last week and what I didn't tell you about him is that he likes to torment Pumpkin (you'll meet her later) but not even the Master can't intimidate Miss Buttercup, all 5 1/2 pounds of her. She can take on the world!

She was the first cat I ever had. One of my co-workers at JoAnn Fabrics knew I had been talking about getting Elyse a cat so she brought in a box one day with this tiny little Siamese mix. All I could think about on my way home from work were those ice blue eyes. Needless to say, I called her the minute I got home and told her I'd be at her house in the morning to pick her up.

Buttercup is 12 years old now and still acts like a kitten. She's quite the character. She always has to be at the highest point in the room and she can get there. She's got rubber legs. She also has to be in the middle of everything! Whatever you are doing, she has to get that little nose into it.

She has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. She's a beauty. She lives with Elyse in Delaware now so I don't see her much. But when I do get the opportunity, I pick her up, look down at her, and she hisses at me! I love that cat!

Safety First For Our Pets

I know that some may think I'm paranoid but when it comes to our fur babies, I see a lot of things in a day's time that most people will never see. So when I see things come in that could have possibly been avoided I like to bring it to every one's attention. Unfortunately, many things happen not because we are stupid, or neglectful, or mean, but because they are simply ACCIDENTS. And they can happen to anyone.

I know a lot of my readers are crafters, quilters, knitters, and use thread or yarn for their projects. Please, please, please double check behind yourselves to make sure you don't drop yarn, thread, or string. Even without a needle attached, these things can be deadly to your pet.

As I was leaving work yesterday one of our regular clients dropped off her cat because she saw a string hanging from her bottom. The cat had not been feeling well that day either and was straining in the litter box. We noticed that the string was attached so it required surgery. Unfortunately like in most of these situations, the kitty died. What happens is that the string attaches itself to the organs inside and instead of moving through the digestive track it gets tangled up and cuts through them. This was a thread, those are the worst of all. I know that I will be checking the floor and counter tops during and after every project.

This client was a perfect pet owner. She loved her pets and took excellent care of them. She even donates her time to help at an animal shelter. She's very educated when it comes to animals. So if it can happen to her, it can happen to any one of us.

So please my creative friends, please make sure while you are sewing, weaving or knitting, make extra sure there are no strings laying around. This also goes for tinsel that you use on your Christmas tree. Another danger to your pets. And if you see a string hanging from your animal's bottom, DON'T PULL OR CUT IT. Take your pet to the vet immediately. Sometimes time can make a difference. I know how much you all love your pets.

Photo Above: Family pets

My Black Cat Collection

I'm not big on collections or knick knacks. I like the style where less is more. When it comes to my kitchen counters, I like them clutter free. Just ask my husband. I do have a few things out that I really love. There are pictures, candles, and a few accessories here and there.

Back when the kids were little I think I collected everything. You name it, I collected it. I had an awesome teapot collection that I do wish I still had because I think it would look pretty on a high shelf in the dining room. Now, I don't keep a lot of things out except at Christmas. I have a lot of decorations!

Those who know me know that I love my black cats! If I see one, I usually have to have it. Above is just a few pieces of my collection.

From upper left to right:

Tote bag mom bought me several years ago

Painted rock that I painted back in my painted rock phase

Tiny stuffed cat that I bought right after I lost our precious Sabrina (black cat) after she died. She was feline leukemia positive :(

Sewing machine cover I made to cover my sewing machine, duh!

Candle holder my mom bought me one Halloween, but you know I still have it out

Black cat that I appliqued on a purse I made

What started my idea for this collection? My Pumpkin! I love her!!!!

Do you have any collections?