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?

Pumpkin Butter

This is one of my favorite recipes. You would not believe how good it tastes, and how easy it is to make:

Pumpkin Butter

1 can of pumpkin (15 oz.)

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/8 tsp. cloves

3 Tbsp. lemon juice

**In place of the spices, you may substitute about 1 1/2 tsp. of pumpkin pie seasonings.

Microwave Method:

Combine and stir all ingredients together in a microwave safe glass bowl. Cook on high for 7 to 8 minutes stirring every 2 minutes. Let cool.

Stovetop Method:

Combine all ingredients together in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes stirring constantly.

Makes about 2 cups.

This is great served warm!

You Want My Job?

I can't tell you how many times a day we hear the words, "I wish I had your job." When people say that to us they are usually watching us hold puppies & kittens as they are watching Howard (the owl) roaming the reception area. They are probably also looking out the big windows and watching all the wildlife roaming around our property.

Yes, my job can be fun. I do get to hold puppies and kittens. I get extremely close to the wildlife that most people can only see from a distance or in a photograph. And what I've learned! You wouldn't believe how much I've learned in the past three years since I started there. We work one on one with the humane societies and it's so rewarding to help every animal that we can. I can't complain about the hours either. Seven to three and off on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. And as for Doc, he's quite generous. Our pet's care costs us next to nothing and that includes our surgeries. He also keeps us stocked up on all the chocolate you could ever want. Ok, maybe that goes with the "cons."

But what they don't see is how we go into rooms with clients, and cry with them and hug them while they are putting down their beloved pet, their family member. They don't see some of the many animals we get in that have been so neglected or abused, that the images keep me up at night. That is the hardest part of all because those cases don't have to happen!!! The only way I can get past that is to remember how many animals we have saved from those situations and how many animals we are able to save from illness or injury (like my Bubba).

Then there's the fun of working in one of the busiest clinic in Northwest Indiana where the phones don't stop ringing. Sometimes we are lucky to sneak bites of our lunches here and there. That place is crazy! There are also the physical battle scars of being scratched and bitten. Thank God we have the greatest kennel staff who are so helpful when we are releasing or checking in aggressive animals.

So that's a little bit about my job and my typical day. I look forward to retiring someday and spending my days crafting and creating. I also look forward to the traveling my husband and I are planning in the future. For now, I'll be hanging out with my four legged and slithering (yes, we see reptiles) friends.

Photo above: one of the squirrels we raised.

I'm Drowning in Supplies!

For the past several days I've been on a MAJOR creative streak and I can't stop! I've designed four Christmas graphic collections (not quite ready for Etsy yet), two quilted projects, and some earrings just for the fun of it.

When I get on these things I become obsessed! Every cloud looks like white frosting or snowman ornaments, while brick buildings look like a texture for a photo. When I take hikes the mushrooms turn into a clipart image, and when I see flowers or even kitchen supplies, I see appliques on a quilt.

There is a positive side to this. While I'm busy creating, I don't think about snacking. And as far as meals, I'd prefer not to take the time out to make or eat them. But I do manage to squeeze them in.

Do you get in these moods too? What does your brain to do everyday objects, and how long do these moods last you? My last one lasted me about 15 years! I think I'm on another roll.

Pet Day - Bubba

I thought it would be fun to have Pet Day once a week. Each week I'll introduce you to one of our family pets.
We are going to start off with Bubba. This is our little seven pound Yorkie. He's such a little sweetie. He's also a funny little guy. He chases the gigantic exercise ball around and growls. He's so vicious! Yah Right! He also has a thing for the toaster. He always knows when something is in the toaster and when he discovers this, he runs to the heating vent in the dining room, looks into it and growls and barks. We don't know why he does this.

We almost lost our little guy in January when he became blocked and bladder stones were stuck. I ran him to work (I work for his vet) and I was hysterical! I couldn't bear to see him suffer like that. Doc rearranged his schedule and actually ended up saving his life. He said the stones had caused so much damage that his urethra was surrounded by necrotic tissue. That's dead tissue! When I asked him if the damaged area would heal, and recover, he said, "I don't know, I've never had a dog live with that much damage."

He's now on prescription food that should prevent future stones. He had a few stones removed six months earlier but those didn't cause any damage and they were too big to get stuck like the last ones did.

Our sweet Bubba! He's one tough little guy!

Mushroom Hunting

I had the day off and I decided to take a little break from crafting. I put on my hiking shoes and hit some local trails to do some mushroom hunting, while spending quality time with my husband. When I left, my hope was to find one or two interesting mushrooms to photograph. Imagine my surprise to find six different mushrooms! It was like hitting the mushroom jackpot.

Now don't ask me what they are because I have absolutely no idea. They just make for pretty photographs. But I am going to research them because I'm just curious if any are poisonous. Doesn't the puffy white one on the upper right look like a smurf? The white things in the top center picture are just weird! I have no idea what that is but it was growing all over the place.

Howard is Not Alone...

Some of you may already know the story of Howard. He's the Great Horned Owl that we are rehabbing at the animal clinic where I work. If not, you can read about him here. To make a long story short, he fell out of a tree, ended up at our clinic, we are raising him, and the plan is to release him soon. We normally don't name wildlife but we felt that Howard deserved a name. Anyway, he is not interested in flying or hunting at the present time so I was quite interested in reading about Charlie (below).

Recently Brian and I took a trip to Starved Rock where we did some hiking. They had an owl there that was stuffed and I found it interesting that this owl was born with a disability that didn't allow her to fly. She lived at the park for several years until she died of natural causes. She was also a surrogate mother to many owlets at the park.
I'm just so fascinated with wildlife! If you want to see Howard in action, there is a little video of him at the very bottom of my blog. He's so cute!

50 Year Young Woman Nearly Has Heart Attack

Last night I turned on the light over the back deck like I always do before letting Bubba out. We live out in the country and there is always some sort of animal in our yard, usually deer (or a herd of them), and recently a skunk. The skunk would be a bad encounter and since the deer have fawns, they can be quite protective and my little Yorkie thinks he's a rottweiler and would chase them.

You all remember my spider from a couple of nights ago? Well, if you don't, it's in the upper left corner of the image above. When I turned on the light I saw her there just like every night. She was so busy at work and moving quite quickly around her web. As I look closer I see a praying mantis walking along the upper edge of my patio door. Naturally I grabbed my camera (you all know I would do that) to get a picture. I opened the door to get a closer shot and something jumped in my  hair!
Now remember, my eye was on the praying mantis and not on the spider. I quickly flipped it out of my hair and it was a katydid, not the spider after all. Thank God! I have to tell you, it sure is a good thing I didn't have a full bladder! Imagine what was going through my mind when I thought the spider was in my hair!
It was so much fun trying to get that katydid out of the house. And how odd to have three such big and interesting insects in one spot at the same time!

Organizing Craft Supplies

As I've said before, I've been bit by the crafting bug. But now I can't stop! I got started on a project tonight but before I started I thought I should get my fabric into some sort of organized manner. So that is what I did. And the fabric above is just a small representation of my stash. it doesn't even show all my home dec fabric, fleece, corduroy, satins, silks, and broadcloths. Remember that I worked at JoAnn Fabrics off and on for 10 years, you can just imagine how much I've accumulated over the years with my discount. To think that when I went through a divorce 6 years ago I had about 5 times as much but I donated most of it because I had no room for it when I had to move into an apartment. Now 6 years later I'm happily married, down to working only 30 hours a week, have lots more room, and am ready to craft!
I have a pretty big walk-in closet in the guest room where I store many of my craft supplies. I also store all my beading and jewelry making supplies under the bed in that room in a super big, under the bed storage bin. I keep everything in Ziploc bags (various sizes) so I can see everything at a glance. It works for me. I like to make the most of my space. Unfortunately I don't have a room to call my own for crafting. Does anyone have any great storage ideas? I do find that plastic bags, big Rubbermaid storage bins, and the smaller, clear clothing and shoe bins are very helpful. I'm looking for all the advice I can get!

Below you will see a picture of the project I am starting now. Do you see a pet theme happening here?

Felt Hobby Horse Candy Cane Holder Ornament

This ornament goes back many, many moons. My grandmother made them for us when we were babies. I'm 50 now so that's over 18,000 moons if my calculations are correct! Anyway, this ornament has been on my tree for as long as I can remember and since my grandma made it, it's even more special to me. My mom has the originals somewhere I'm sure. I recreated it and thought you might enjoy making them for your little (or big) ones. They are super easy and it's basically cut and glue. How easy can you get? I did however update it a wee bit. I don't think grandma had access to wiggle eyes when she made these, and I know she didn't have a glue gun.

If you prefer a PDF version of this pattern, you can pick one up for FREE at my Craftsy Pattern Shop HERE.

Supplies needed to make 3 ornaments:
2 felt squares
3 - 6" pieces of med rick rack
6 - 10 mm size wiggle eyes
3 - 12" pieces of decorative flat braid
6 - 1/2" pom poms
3 candy canes
Glue gun or a thick tacky craft glue
Scissors & pins
Printable pattern (found below this list)

Click here for printable pattern

Instructions:
1. Click the horse image above. Save, download, and print out the pattern. Make sure that the line in the image measures 3" for your ornament to be the right size. The pattern is sized at 300 DPI.

2. Stack your two felt pieces together and pin the ornament onto the felt and cut out. You will easily get 3 ornaments.

3. On one of the horses, run a bead of glue down the back from the bottom of the ear to the bottom of the horse. Place the rick rack along this edge so that the "points" extend along the outer edge. Repeat with other two horses.

4. Run a bead of glue around the entire outer edges of horse leaving the bottom completely open. Lay other felt piece on top and press outer edges together. Repeat with other two horses.

5. Glue decorative flat braid to horse as shown in photo. I find that is easiest to leave a little extending at the beginning to trim off later. Flip and repeat on the other side. You will form a loop at the back of the horse. This will be a place to slip the hanger through. Trim of excess edges at nose. Repeat on other two horses.

6. Glue pom pom and wiggle eyes to horse as show in photo. Repeat on other side, and with other two horses.

7. If using a glue gun, make sure to remove any glue strings and slip your candy canes into the horse, hang on your tree, and enjoy!

Do you like free embroidery designs and tutorials?

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