It's Me Again...

 Hi, Everybody (Again)!

Mom wants to apologize to you for droppin' the ball yesterday. So, here's what happened. Mom uses an editin' program for her videos called iMovie, on her ancient, circa-2009 computer. Those two things make for a fatal duo.

Mom did all the work to create her usual high quality pet videos, only to find that the dang thing wouldn't upload into YouTube, even though she gave it overnight to try. It stalled in her computer. I'm not gonna say she was miffed, but was she ever miffed!!

So, when she got up yesterday mornin', she decided to drag her hinder into the current decade and find out how all those teenagers are postin' such cool videos on Instagram. She ended up downloadin' an app called Videoshop™, and she started over again. 

So, without further ado, here's a better version of what she would have given to me yesterday to share with you:

  direct link: https://youtu.be/Dbq8E7Q0lO8
  Hope you think it was worth the wait. Personally, I think I'm adorable, albeit a little snarky.Now, I can sign off for this week.SMOOCHES!!!

I'll see you again next Tuesday. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Making Popcorn Again...

My Crocheted Popcorn

 

Remember when I started this last winter? Of course, I didn't make more over the summer (lol), but I'm enjoying making more in the evenings now.

If you're interested in creating your own crocheted popcorn garlands, you can go back and read my previous posts HERE, and HERE. The first post includes a link to a YouTube video (in case you're a visual learner).

Don't Add Butter!

 

Doesn't it look like real popcorn? I could imagine sitting in the evening with a popcorn scented candle burning while you crochet. (No. I don't have one. lol) Oh! If you're loving my crochet hook, it's from Furls Crochet HERE. They have gorgeous hooks, and they feel great in your hand.

Crocheted Popcorn Garland Pattern

If you like to have your own typed pattern, here's the file. Just click on it to make it larger, and you can save it from this post, too. Once saved, you can print it out on your computer for a hard copy. Have fun!

Hen Party...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chicken Pincushions

I watched one of Jenny Doan's videos last week, and decided that I should make a few of these cute and simple chicken pincushions. If you sew, HERE'S the link to the information and video for you to watch.

Brynwood Needleworks - Doily Combs

You can see that I used red wool fabric for one of the chickens' combs, but the rest of them were made from this little, crocheted doily. The sections were perfect for the size of my chickens, and the cut edges were all captured within the seams. I love how they turned out!

I began each chicken with two half square triangle blocks. I used some of my farm-themed fabric (the gray with lettering) for half of the blocks, and paired them with a sweet floral fabric. I used the farm fabric on four of the chickens, and then flowers and dots for the pink one. Their beaks are all a yellow wool triangle, and they each have a little Prairie Point tail.

Once they were sewn (except for a small opening for turning and filling), I stuffed each one with crushed walnut shells, and then stitched a French knot eye on each side of the head.

Brynwood Needleworks - Five Finished Chicks

 

They really were that simple. Now I have five little chickens roosting on my cutting table, waiting for more. I finally have chickens at the farm! (Even if they are made of fabric.)

 

Tuesdays With Tag - My Latest Video Is Live...

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

 Hi, Everybody!

I hope you're ready for this week's treat...a brand, spankin' new video!

Last week, Mom, Dad, Padfoot and I were hangin' out poolside. We were all tryin' to relax, except for herself, who was whinin' and carryin' on 'cuz she wanted to swim and fetch.

Mom tossed the retrievin' dummy for her a bunch of times, and then she put the thing up on top of her wood cabinet on the lanai. Well, The Black Dog kept jumpin' out of the pool (soakin' wet) and runnin' over to the cabinet, where she shook about three hundred gallons of water all over the wood...then she'd sit there, whinin' some more for that stoopid dummy.

Mom decided that she'd toss it a couple more times and then put it on the waterfall, where Bella sure wouldn't get it, and it would keep more water off her cabinet. (That was a laugh.) After about two whole minutes, Bella had that all figured out. Our video shows you how she solved this problem.

Grab your popcorn and soda (or at least coffee/tea and a crumpet) and enjoy the show. Be sure to turn on your sound. It's better if you click the icon for full screen, too...except for Corgis, bigger is better.

Direct Link: https://youtu.be/vVGLqZI38a4

Wasn't that fun? We're off to try somethin' new. You never know what's next.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

A Little Quilting Video Tutorial...

Direct Link: https://youtu.be/QELyDSBTN6o

I thought you might enjoy a little "quilt as you go" tutorial today. This one was produced by Gourmet Quilter.com. I know you'll smile as you listen to her accent...and learn a little something at the same time!

I got my chores accomplished and plan to spend most of today in the studio. I'll be back tomorrow with something "sewn" to share with you. 

Happy Friday!!

Jenny's Soft Pillow Quilt Tutorial...

 Direct Link: https://youtu.be/as_IUHXR3oA

Today, I'm letting the fabulous Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company entertain you. I watch every one of her videos when they come out, because I always learn so much from her. I like her projects, her style and (definitely) her fertile, creative mind. 

 

If you haven't watched her before, prepare yourself for a bit of a treat. I think you'll enjoy every second.

Wayne Cochran and C.C. Rider...

Even when you're not feeling well, there's room for smiling...and music!

Last night, Handsome came into my "sick room" and asked me if I'd ever heard

Wayne Cochran and C.C.Rider. "Why, no", was my reply, so we went to YouTube.

  This video lifted my spirits right up!   Wayne Cochran had some killer moves.  He was referred to as "The White Knight of Soul". Direct video link: http://youtu.be/w5_GstlPL64   Sit back and enjoy a real showman...and I hope it brings a smile to your face, too.

Note: Sadly, Wayne Cochran died of complications from stomach cancer in 1979.

Tuesday With Tag - Patrollin' Is Fun...

Hi, Everybody!

I've got another video for you today...

Remember how I help with garbage every week? Mom thought this time we should do a recordin' for you. I know. It's mostly me walkin'. Big deal. Try not to get too excited, okay?

Mom and Dad always let me carry somethin' out for recyclin'. I usually choose a water bottle. It's easy to hold, and looks real impressive. Don't you agree?

It's a long walk out to the curb, and I can do it really fast if I'm not bein' slowed down by "the humans". I don't mind too much, though. I kinda dawdle along while Mom and Dad try to catch up. I snuffle and sniff the air, makin' sure the coast is clear. A Corgi's job is never done.

My jobs:

1. Be a good boy
2. Eat breakfast and dinner
3. Do my business in the yard, which helps give Mom and Dad an excuse to stop what they're doin' to let me out
4. Be cute
5. Make 'em laugh
6. Get my beauty rest
7. Protect our yard from invaders (doesn't matter if it's animal, mineral or vegetable)
8. Be kind to children
9. Help Mom (and Dad) not miss the "old" dogs too much
10. Recycle plastic bottles and stuff
11. Roll around on dead stuff in the yard
12. Roll around on the carpet in the house
13. Be cute (I know I said that already, but I'm double cute!)
14. Write my blog post every week to visit with you

 Direct link: http://youtu.be/pOEzLddlCfg

Well, it's not much, but you get to see me in action. That's somethin', right? Mom wasn't sure about the song for this one, but I thought it was funny, so I said, "Hey, Run with it, Mom!" She likes to follow my lead once in a while. We hope it makes you smile. 

Time for me to go for this week. 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Keep Your Nose To The Wind 
and The Sunshine On Your Tail."

PS. Mom asked me to leave a message for Miss Patty C. of Yumm Yumz by Patticakes...

Mom tried three times to answer your email, but it kept kickin' back. If you have a different email address (or your spam is kicking back Mom's emails), could you change your settings or let Mom know how to reach you? Thanks!

Tuesdays With Tag - Some People's Kids...

Hi, everybody!

Is it Tuesday already? Whew!

I've got somethin' really funny to share with you today.

Mom was busy with studio stuff over the weekend and Dad was playin' music

up in Sarasota, so I decided to hop on the Information Super Highway and do

a little perusin' of my own. Do you know how many C.A.T. videos there are?

Anyway, I found this non-cat video that I just had to share with you:

Direct link: http://youtu.be/_T9qiGCq5sk

Can you even believe how brave inquisitive stoopid this kid is? 

I mean, not even a stoopid cat would do this!

I had to just think about this for a little while.

I mean, why would someone choose to do this to themself. He doesn't even have

 any extra heavy neck fur like I do, and he certainly can't expect that "practice"

beard of his to slow down any of that voltage. He's not even a good barker!

Some people's kids!

I'm gonna have to think on this further. I wonder if there are any cat videos 

like this. hmmmmm. Now, that could be pretty funny, too. I'll go check!

Have a great week and I'll see you in seven. 'til then...

"Keep Your Nose To The Wind 

and The Sunshine On Your Tail."

Jelly Roll Jam II Quilt...

Yesterday I chose the fabric I'll be using for our retreat group project. All I had to do was go shopping in the studio! (I have a boat-load few jelly rolls from which to choose.) I thought it might be fun to use this colorway from Minick & Simpson's Midwinter Reds. It's a Moda fabric, of course.   If you're interested in seeing what the whole collection looks like (before I make my Jelly Roll Jam II quilt, click this link to see every, luscious fabric!

I'm considering this polka dot fabric for the backing, but I won't make my final decision until the quilt top is done. I may end up not using the tans at all.

The pattern (free from The Fat Quarter Shop - with a link below) only calls for one jelly roll to create a 36 1/2" x 38 1/2" quilt. I'm planning to make a large  one, using two jelly rolls. I'll see how many blocks I can make without the tans.

If you'd like to make your own Jelly Roll Jam II quilt, let me know. I think it would be fun to share all the images in a future blog post. I'll make my quilt top at the retreat, but if you want to make one, too, I'll set up a Flickr page.    Click HERE to download your own (free) Jelly Roll Jam II Pattern. I'm also embedding the Fat Quarter shop video tutorial for this quilt into this post for you. Grab a cuppa and relax while you watch it! Direct link: http://youtu.be/sf98KddO1Uk   Enjoy! More to come on this project after the retreat...

Tuesdays With Tag - I Like This Much Better...

Hi, Everybody!

Did you all have a good weekend? We sure did!

We made another video for you this week.

Mom has always clipped my toenails before last week. I wasn't real

wild about that program, and sometimes she cut one just a little closer than

 she should and I'd yip. (Don't worry. It only happened about two times.)

Anyway, last week she decided to try a new tool. It was a little hard

for me to get used to the sound, but I'm gettin' real good about it now.

Here's the video:

Here's the direct link: http://youtu.be/eRUT7OexZRA

Mom said there are a couple of important things to remember about using the Dremel

tool to trim (file) my nails. See how she files a little and then lifts the tool away from

my nail? That's so that the heat doesn't build up and hurt me. That's the reason she

doesn't turn up the speed, too. Maybe she'll turn up the speed later, but not for now.

She said it's a good idea not to get my foot fur in the way of the file, too, so it doesn't

 pull and hurt me. She's very careful when she does this. In fact, she's so careful that

she's accidentally filed her own nails trying to protect mine! She ends up with a 

curve cut into hers. She's real careful with me, 'cuz I'm her favorite Corgi! 

Here's the deal. Every time she trims my nails, the quick (where the blood comes

into my toenails) recedes a little bit. The more she trims my nails, the shorter they

can eventually be. Trim a little, the quick backs up and she can trim a little more.

So if she files my nails every couple of days, they'll be well-groomed and a perfect

healthy length in a couple of weeks. Then I can really zoom around the place! 

You won't hear my toenails clickin' at all. I'll be "Stealth Corgi"!!

Here's a great article that explains dog toenail information in depth. Click here.

I hope you liked watchin' be get groomed this week. Don't worry. I don't show her

brushin' me or stuff like that. Too borin'! So, that's if for this week. 'til next time...

"Bark Like Ya Mean It!"

Brynwood Accepted "The ALS Ice Box Challenge"...

I'm sure you're heard all about the ALS "Ice Bucket Challenge" by now. I knew someone would nominate me, and it finally happened on Wednesday   night. (Sending a big, snarky "thank you" to my cousin, Nathaniel!)   Of course, you know I'm not one to just grab a bucket and stand in the yard. Handsome and I put our heads together and came up with this little video.   I thanked him for helping me by nominating HIM! It's cheesy, I know, but we had fun, and hope you do, too, when you watch it. Tag even got in the act!   Here's the video: This is the direct link: http://youtu.be/_hBw3L2nR9c   Man! That water was chilly! I thought being in the pool would help, but it didn't. My head was cold even after I went back under water and swam to the steps... and it was 100º in steamy south Florida by the time we filmed this.
Enough silliness, though. ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) is serious business. In addition to having ice water dumped on me by my dear husband, I also made a donation to the ALS Association. I admit that I have selfish reasons for finding a cure for ALS. ALS and DM (Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs) are closely related. As of today, both diseases are incurable, and DM has the same symptoms.   From the ALS Association website: "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease  that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from  the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the  body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads  to their death. When the motor neurons  die, the ability of the brain to initiate and  control muscle movement is lost." In dogs the degeneration also leads to death.

The ALS Association and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals share their research results. It is my deepest desire that a cure be found for ALS - and DM. Taggart carries both genes for DM. That means he could live a long, healthy life with no effects whatsoever. It also means that he could develop DM after he turns ten, but I pray every day that he never exhibits symptoms.
So, I made my donation in addition to being soaked with water and ice. When  I nominated Handsome to take up the challenge, and I knew he'd also donate.
Perhaps you think the Ice Bucket Challenge is silly. That's ok. You're not required to do it. What I would like to ask is that you consider making a small donation to the ALS Association. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a cure were found in our lifetime? If you're so motivated, this is the link to make a gift toward continued research. Thanks for watching the video and making it all the way to the end of today's post. Tag and I really appreciate it.

I Want Some Of This Energy...

 Direct link: http://youtu.be/eIdOhpmVBpk

Little Girl Dancing At Wedding Goes Viral MUST WATCH

As we head into another weekend, I hope all of you have the energy of

this little girl. I was exhausted just watching it, but I couldn't stop smiling!

I think I'm going to need extra coffee when I catch up with the girls today.

Happy Saturday, y'all!

Tuesdays With Tag - Taking A Break With Me...

We had so much fun last week when I saw The Boy. I shot a short video to share with you when he was taking a break. (I trimmed his toenails, brushed his teeth and then gave him a few treats in preparation for his video debut!) Isn't he a good looking eight-month-old Corgi?

I'll see him again next week and take more photos (and perhaps a video of him going through his workout!) to show you his progress. 'til then,

"More Wagging and Less Barking".

PS. I have one teeny, tiny Christmas wish. If you currently read my blog but are not a follower, would you mind adding your name to my list, please? It's really bothering me that my "number" is stuck on "666". (I know, kinda lame, but it's buggin' me something fierce!) I'd really appreciate it if you could see your way clear to get me off that number...and just think! When it's time for my next giveaway (soon in January), you'll already have a leg up! xoxo

Because, We Will Never Forget...

Because, we will never forget...

Thank you to the men and women in our Armed Services, who sacrifice daily that we may live in freedom and peace here at home.

The Eagles "Hole in the World" performed by United States Naval Academy Men's Glee Club specialty group, The Anchormen, during the Commissioning Week Concert: 21 May 2007.