Monty gets a package!

...and from a secret admirer!

Whose it from, Momma?

It's all mine!

Inside there was a note...

Monty was very excited!

I know who it is!

Inside was a fun coloring activity for Mr. Monty - with his name on it!  :)

Harlow in the meantime couldn't believe none of this was for her...

Wahhhh!

Monty is very happy with his surprise!

Momma, can you help me color dese?

Of course I will, Monty!

We need to send a big thank you to Foster Momma Candy Monty's Secret Admirer for his wonderful gift!

The Montyman Recovered

When we first adopted Monty from AZGRC his first action in our house was to claim the ottoman as his.  We didn't mind - it was the perfect size for our Monty to take his afternoon snooze on.  Somewhere along the way (and most likely while chasing sunbeams...) Monty decide the ottoman needed a little "altering" and he did a little digging...  Hence, the Montyman was born!

It's a good thing we love the boy!

Returning to the scene of the crime...

Since his digging caused the leather to become very thin, we decided that instead of repairing the leather we would try to cover the ottoman. 

We selected material we thought Monty would like.  (Harlow wanted pink...)

 ...and yes, Harlow helped her Momma out during the whole process...

So soft!

After some serious measuring, pinning and cutting, the new cover was ready to be sewed.

Someone was upset he couldn't take his nap.

There was also some minor clean-up of the scrap material...

I can has dis stuff?

All in all, we think the new cover came out looking okay.  It definitely helps to hide Monty's alterations.

Our next project is to recover the rest of the cushions - also victims of Monty's decorating whims.

The last step was to see if Monty liked his new ottoman cover...

Dis is nice.

We think he does!

Cross stitching...

Parsley from Seasons of My Mind has been posting pictures of the beautiful cross stitches she has been making.  When I commented on how it made me want to get back into them (I did them a long time ago), Parsley was so wonderful and sent me a pattern, thread and fabric.  I couldn't wait to get started, but I had one small problem...

I couldn't remember how to start!  Parsley has come to my rescue, offering tips and tricks and bucket loads of patience, but I am embarrassed to say I had to go to the hobby store and buy a starter kit with step by step instructions.

Seriously, Mom?

There is a perk to my apparent lack of memory - I now have two kits to do!

I do not know the lady holding the camera....

I've now gotten started on the pattern Parsley has sent me.  I'm enjoying watching the design emerge and am already looking forward to my next pattern.

The pattern is French Country Dog.  I'm a little farther along then it shows in this picture.

Parsley had one request - that I send this pattern on, to pay it forward.  Would anyone be interested in trying their hand at cross stitching?  I should be done with this one in a couple of days and can send it on.

Monty doings...

Sam is resting up for his advanced beginners agility class tonight....

So I thought I would give you an update on how our boy Monty is doing!  I realize it's been a while since he has been in a post.   Monty, as you can see in the photos below, has taken up the rather entertaining sport of "Dad Wrestling"....

It starts out innocently enough.  A few paw grabs, a few licks, and then before you know it....

...it's an all out wrestling match!  I'm not sure which paw is which in this picture!

After a few horrifying moments, our combatants are left exhausted!

Monty usually recovers enough after one of these fearsome wrestling matches to help me on my latest project.  I am trying to make a denim quilt (trying....) and Monty is fascinated by the scraps!

I has a hat!

Wait a minute!

No worries!  Monty doesn't mind as long as he gets something out if it too.  He's found out that the left over blue jean denim makes a nice toy!

Oh yeah!

...and Sam just hopes I can keep Monty busy enough that he can get the sleep he needs!



I need my rest!

I made a dog!

Yesterday, Sam and I spent part of our day reorganizing the craft room. While doing so, I came across supplies I had bought to try my hand at needle felting. I grabbed a couple of needles and some wool and made a dog.


At first, when Aaron saw it half way done, he assumed I was using the fluff I'd brushed off of the Golden's...


I'm rather proud of it, although I realize it needs a little tweaking. I'm looking forward to creating my next one!


I think Sam just likes to be in the craft room with me.

Where you going, Mom?