Monday, February 15, 2010

Even the cat is looking forward to spring

Being that spring planting is still several months away for Alaskans - our spring does not come until May. 

With snow covering my yard I get the urge to plan out my gardens around this time every year.

Since I have no real green thumb I rely on annuals that are brightly colored and grow without much care!

My favorite garden art are these two adorable pot holders!  They watch over the yard, plus entertain the folks taking walks down my street during the summer.


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Peanut Butter Crunchers







Testing out new recipe!  Peanut Butter Crunchers...

I don't know about your puppy but mine goes crazy when we open a jar of peanut butter.  When she was a baby I would allow her to have a spoonful.

Now she wants the whole jar LOL but we don't give in to her begging.

Healthy treats such as these filled with oats, honey, and peanut butter are much better those moments when she is just too cute to ignore.

These will be available at Critters Comfort at Etsy!  Such cute shapes like dog house, fire hydrant, 3 sizes of bones and a paw print.

Place your order for Valentines day not only for your Human Love but especially for your Major Love of your Life ~ That 4 Legged One!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Pets Part three - Blast from the Past


My next addition to my list of pets was Tiger.

A black and gray striped kitten which really did follow me home!  After several attempts to scare the kitty back to where ever she appeared from; telling the ball of fur to “Go Home my mom won’t let me keep you”- I was almost 9.  We had Mr. Wonder Dog ‘Fluffy’ and I knew Mom would be sure to have a fit when she saw this little face of all ears with the super long tail.

Somehow Tiger got to stay.  I think I finally wore my mother out with my requests for pets.  She knew in her heart I was a child who would drag home the stays begging to keep them, that my soul was just an animal lover looking for little critters to care over.

Tiger was a female.  Unfortunately my parents did not have extra money to spend on neutering.  Tiger would have a litter of kitten once a year.  Usually 3 or 4 darling little all black or Orange tabbies, it wasn’t hard to guess who the fathers were.  Our neighbor had the Orange Tabby Tomcat, and a few blocks away lived a very handsome fellow who was all black with a white spot on his chest.

The kittens where never hard to place in good homes.  We even had a waiting list for folks wanting one of Tigers kittens, Tiger was very mild mannered, an excellent mouser, and was very much at home outside in fact she preferred outdoor life than being in the house.  Her offspring where totally beautiful and bewitching! Plus my father owned a Gas Station and once the kittens where old enough they would travel down to his business where his customers where able to select their kitten.

Life in the fifties was very different life style than it is now days.  Responsible owners in today’s society have their pets neutered and expect neighbor’s pets to also be neutered.

In a couple of years once again my harem of pets grew: followed by Snowball an albino parakeet – a birthday present from my grandfather.  I knew I would be in trouble once again with my mother for wanting another pet – ah to be 12 again.

At age 18 I dated a young man who believed me when I said my parents would have no problem with the pet Alligator I was allowing him to purchase for me as a gift to show me his affection; knowing full well my father was terrified of reptiles and that my mother had already informed me I could not bring one of those critters home when I had spoken about buying one myself.  This is one of the most talked about Pets in my family's history!  Throughout my young adulthood, even to this fun stage of my life as an adult in their prime...'Pat and her alligator' is a conversation piece whenever one discusses pets in our life.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Postcards as promotional items

Over the weekend was busy designing business cards, promotional materials, and creating new products.

I thought I would share my promotional postcard with those who are blog readers!

Postcards are an inexpensive item to create and send out.  You can mail, hand out at local pet park, pin up at your local grocery store bullentin boards, the laundry mat the possiblities are truly endless for where these can go for folks to know about your products, shop and just everyday information!


Friday, January 15, 2010

Doggie Treats are Now Available!

Woof and even more Woof's for doggie cookies!

Three different lines are now available for our canines. 

Buck's Chessy Treats:  These are hard and crunchy

   Bones or round cookie shape



Patches' Herb Treats: These are hard and crunchy

   Bear, shark, and round cookie shape










Fruity Delights: Soft and a bit juicy from fresh fruits

   A fruit filled bar treat



As the online boutique expands products are slowly being added to Critters Comforts.

Next to be added to our wonderful furry friends line will be tasty products for Cats! MEOW!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Wonder Dog - Fluffy - Blast from the Past part two

Soon I brought home Fluffy who was 3 months old when he came to live with us - My Dad for once overruled my mother when I begged for him!

Fluffy was part golden retriever & something else that was never confirmed, although the Vet though maybe cocker spaniel. He was simply the greatest dog that ever graced my life.

Blonde silky coat not real long or not too short, big ole soul searching brown eyes, with the flume tail, a faint white crest on his chest and those curly haired floppy ears he was most handsome!

– his first visit to the vet my mother informed the Vet “Fluffy is female” which in turn made the Vet ask my mother how many children did she have – a quick reply was so many girls and so many boys – the Vet then informed Mom she should know that boys have a penis and Fluffy was not a girl but a boy. Mom just took the word of an 8 year old child that Fluffy was a girl. Her reply to the Vet is classic “I didn’t Look under the Tail” while turning red faced.

My father and I sorted fibbed when we stated Fluffy was a girl, since he was the one I had picked out from the litter even though we were told no Boy dogs cause they ‘mark’ their territory and do all sorts of bad stuff. He had taken my heart at two months old and the owner of the litter held him for me till he was old enough to leave his mother. When Dad and I went to bring Fluffy home, only he and his brother remained (who was also promised to another child). We really had no choice since I couldn’t now pick out a female.

So we brought Fluffy home, knotted our heads that Fluffy was female and life began with my first dog.

Fluffy although male turned out to have the patience of a saint, heart of female, and took over duties as nursemaid to many of the little critters that forever where running through my life. Many a time he would gather up my cat kittens and watch over them as if they were his very own.

With the aid of my brothers and sisters we taught Fluffy circus tricks. He could jump through hula hoops, jump from dog house to wagon, he could pull the wagon and he could dance on two legs and twirl.

Fluffy lived just short of his 15th year.

One day knowing his time was close, he simply walked out of the yard after one of the neighborhood kids has left the gate open never to return.

We looked high and low, called all the local shelters; anyplace in which we could think of in those days that a dog may be taken.

I never recovered him or his body.

I still like to think even after 30 years that he is just chasing after a wild and sexy dark haired poodle that caught his attention.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Bringing It Home - Pets - a blast from the past

As a child I was always the one bringing home the next household pet. My mother who never really was an animal lover and would try reasoning with me about why we could not keep the critter that I swore followed me home. Although many of them I dragged along with me to get them to the front door. Raising a house full of young children was her number one reason…she didn’t need another mouth to worry over. I was foiled several times by this response and the small critter in my arms was released and sent packing to find its true owner.

The first pet that got to stay and was truly mine: Speedy Gonzales; my adorable Teddy Bear hamster. My dad built a monster cage for Speedy and he settled into the household as another family member in a house overflowing with kids. 

Being a child looking through the wired cage was not my idea of having a pet. More often than not Speedy got the chance to escape with a bit of assistance. 




I still remember Speedy running around the house frightening my dear mother into screaming for me to get that “HAMSTER”.

When Speedy died it was most traumatic for not only me but my mother as well. Frantic calls to the Vet‘s office only confirmed hamsters die, and when hamsters are stiff as a wood board; they are defiantly dead and children would cry. 



As the saying goes -> I will write about my different friends from childhood and adulthood. Share moments in time with them.   Hopefully bringing smiles to your face or a tear when I speak of times that were sadden by death of a critter whose life made everything that much richer.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Critters Comes Alive

It's been a long time that I have written as Alaska Crafter.  I took a year's break from sewing; after all I've been sewing so long I was not enjoying the creative side of it.  I didn't want to loose that love of my sewing machines!



It was wonderful just to sit back, relax, and enjoy doing other creative ventures.  Such as going back to a long love affair with designing Hats and Photography!

I found I can do whichever suits my fancy for the day with out loving one more than the other

My shops are on different selling venues, each are maintaining their own little niche and providing me with fun and the ability to be creative in sewing, photography, and baking.

My newest shop is Critters Comforts Boutique.  A Designer shop for our four legged friends.  I'll be creating Food Mats, Pottery Dishes, Collars, Beds, Blankets, Leashes and of course Baked Treats especially for our big puppies, kitties and a few items for those smaller critters such as ferrets, rabbits, and hamsters.



I've started listing a few products at Etsy.  And in the coming weeks the shop will bloom into a fun place to find treasures for your special best buddy!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

My craft room

As it was a rainy day Monday and today, I cleaned and organized my craft room. Moved around fabric, got the little things in groups such as premade handbag handles, ribbons for making cards, went thru my patterns from quilting and pulled out all the applique ones to destash and sell over at Etsy. Over the last 6 - 8 years I get these beautiful applique patterns and then they sit and sit and sit.

I really do not like applique quilts. Sad but totally true. I counted the patterns and had over 20. I tried two of them. The rest the seal isn't even broke. Hopefully I'll be able to recoup some of the money I paid for them. Most have been retired by the designer or company. They ranged in prices from$6.50 to $12.00. Not cheap. Looks like over $200.00 just in patterns. ACK thats LOL an illness.

As I'm not in mood for sewing bags or aprons...I think I'll work on some Holiday Items. I have lots of Halloween and Christmas fabrics I think I'll make up pillow cases. They are always a big hit!

My feet and legs have been cramping today...not sure if the weather change or if I need to go eat a bunch of bananas. My electro's might be off. Soooo Off to eat a banana. Maybe I'll heat one up and then dip in chocolate

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Baking Muffins

Testing out some yummy muffins tonite. From a few recipes that look totally awesome. Until they are baked and tasted can't give away the kind I'm baking up! Then have a few cookie recipe, cupcakes and yes Tortes I want to try out also.

I'm going to test these on my family LOL. I'm evil I know. Tomorrow is Bake day soooo if my testing works I have new desserts for CoveredinChocolate.

Last nite went for a longer bike ride. My dear sweetie went along with me but HE added another several long blocks onto my ride. So I'm a tad tired tonite. Haven't really been sleeping very good last few nites...not sure why...but every since my OHS I go in cycles of not sleeping. Which means at least once a month or so NO sleep at all for a night. Not good for a person who is Not a late nite owl.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

The Sun is Out!

Okay all week its been cloudy, had rain twice; today: SUN! Was one of those days you say 'oh wow its so beautiful'.

Been busy making kids aprons, cooking up new recipes, and making cards. CoveredinChocolate had a busy week! 4 orders all in the same week! Can't believe it...the listings sat with folks looking but not purchasing and then all of a sudden its been a whirlwind! Thank you - Thank You -Thank you for making me so happy by purchaing fantastic gourmet desserts!

Please remember if your in the Portland area to visit the shop BELLE SIROTA in the Janzen Beach Center where my modern handmade cards are being sold! They range in price from $5 to $2.75. Great deal for ultra cool cards.

Tomorrow if remains Sunny will be taking pictures of my newly made items. They just show up better in natural light.

Today my neice was married. She lives in Kansas City Missouri. I was not able to attend the wedding, but most of my family went over from St. Louis and New Jersey for the happy day! Can't wait til my Mom sends me some pictures.

Thats one of the problems living in a state so far away from everyone. I miss a few things like weddings, and showers for babies and funerals for old neighbors. Maybe the money fairies will bring me my million dollars soon from the money trees that I know grows somewhere!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Wednesday - Rain, Doctor Appointment

Today it started with clouds and more clouds. As the day is ending its raining. Smells so good when it rains! But I'm getting ahead of myself ---

It was my final visit with the OB for my surgery. 6 weeks post-op!

Yay I got the release I can do anything I want now, everything looked good inside and out. I healed very nicely the doctor thought! My surgery scar looks very nice I do admit! Nothing like bikini cuts for those who have surgery in the tummy region.

Although Fathom pain is something I'm experiencing. My nerves at the surgery site seem to think that a problem is there so they sent my brain a message 'warning warning pain on the right side warning pain pain pain'. So was told to place Ice until area is chilled pretty good, then massage that spot. It will relax the nerves and help to decrease the fake pain messages. Otherwise he said that scar tissue could develop there and the fake pain messages become a lasting effect AND we don't want that. Since its also where the tumor was its just also very sensitive area.

For anyone in the Anchorage area needing a great OB-Gyn I highly recommend:
Dr. O. Bell is a super wonderful OB-Gyn doctor. And his staff are really friendly! I had mentioned to him before my surgery "What if I decide not to do this surgery?" Facing slicing and dicing was making me a tad nervous...His reply was "I would have to worry about you and I don't like worrying about folks that need to have surgery". His kindness and gentle words of course helped me get the surgery, remove the tumor (which was Not ovarian cancer another YAYAYAYAY), and is making me healthy once again.

To celebrate I got the cutest fabric at the quilt shop...either a new handbag or two aprons! Will decide tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Cooking



Okay I'm totally into making Aprons! I just made the sexiest little number. And the COLORS omg it shouts "BUY ME".





Now I'm not a trained model and I'm just a ole lady but here is the newest member of Aprons on Parade!

Gotta love it! I have several others over at my Etsy shop. Just click on AlaskaSews2 button (ya just to the right of this post and take a look!)

I just love bright colors and esp if its a blue/green combo! I am a die hard cooking show fan and this is inspired of course by Paula Dean - she big, bold, and beautiful just as this apron is!

Bike riding is going good! I do feel like its helping! Seems to have cut a pound or two off of my hips already! AYAYAYAYAYayyyyyyy

Tonite I made a pizza for dinner. Had everything on it...and it was yummy. Used the grape tomatoes and cut in half, put on the pizza with all my other stuff and they really added a whole new flavor to the pizza! LOL now tonite bike ride will be working off that those 3 slices I ate!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Friday and the lights are shining!

I decided I needed to get more exercise than walking. Been riding my bike all week again. I go thru the high school into a quiet neighborhood and ride down the streets. Some homes have flower gardens that make me weep they are so pretty!

Last night the mister tagged along to see where I go and how far I'm going. He is a die hard rider. He rides 14 to 20 miles every day. He is one of the first Winter bike riders here in Anchorage. LOL he started riding in the snow over 25 years ago and he was one of maybe three others. Now winter riders are seen all the time. Just like cars the bikers get snow tires with spikes on them to get traction in ice and snow.

I don't believe I will ever become a die hard...I like looking at things as a ride and stopping to smell flowers and watch dogs yawn.

But thanks to my sweetie's mile thingie its says my route is 4.25 miles and my average speed I ride at is 6.5 miles an hour. With top speed at this point in time 10.50 miles per hour. I feel thats pretty good for an old folk like me! Esp since I had major surgery just 5 1/2 weeks ago.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Alaska wild flowers and Messenger Bags







As I had mentioned I would post a few more pictures from my little adventure! I love taking pictures of nature. Flowers are one of my favorite to photograph. So a trip thru my eyes!














Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Alaska at it's best! Pic's from a rare sunny day!




I'm so bad! I haven't blogged for over 2 months. But that is what happens when you are facing surgery, have the major surgery and recover from surgery.

This has been one of those Alaskan summers. More like Seattle LOL. Cloudy, chilly. Boring. Old timers say this is what they remember Alaska summer being like, I've live here since 91 and up til 2005 the summers where Sunny, beautiful and fun! Now it is rare that a beautiful sunny day is around.

Also I have been busy sewing. I have been making more "Messenger Bags". Also I've done something I said I would not. I'm adding zippers to my bags. ACK I dislike zippers. They usually are the first thing to break or stop working. But customers want zippers so items don't fall out of their bags. And they want to be able to keep "pick pocketers" out of their bags. So to make folks happy I've added zippers. Check out my http://www.AlaskaSews2.etsy.com shop to see my new items! Even have some Halloween bags there! One of my favorite holidays.

Last week my dear sweetiepie took me for an adventure! We took his old RV and drove down to Gridwood and around Turnagain Arm to see the Glaciers at Portage.

And the day was SUNNY omg it was beautiful. It takes your breath away when you see Alaska in all its glory!

Its an 40 mile drive along the most awesome inlet! The tide was going out as we drove - looks like a vass wasteland that you can walk across; we would stop every few miles to take pictures.
I made up a wonderful picnic lunch: Real Crab salad sandwiches, cold fresh watermelon, and my homemade Triple Orange Truffles. We stopped about 1/2 thru our drive to have our lunch looking over the water which had the most awesome reflexions of the mountains!

The pictures are of that wonderful fun day!
More to follow in the coming days!






Thursday, April 24, 2008

Handcrafted

This past week I've been sewing like crazy. Two special orders done, one almost done!

Plus just my regular sewing. You gotta love my new 'recycled bag' Its sooooo cute! And omg its big...could carry a baby in there . I double dare you to go look and not go "awwww that's cute I want it."

http://www.AlaskaSews2.etsy.com

remember its a dare to go look!

I've been asked to write a small article about being a person who does bakes and what that is like...the permits, the insurance etc etc. here in Alaska.

On the card front my package arrive in Portland, Or. The shop is open. Things should be selling. So mid May I should have a check! Keep your fingers cross. The owner said they loved the cards I sent so hopefully her customers will also.

Alaska's Spring has sprung! My grass is brown, this is the first step in Alaska springs. I know it looks and sounds funny but that is how it is. The snow melts, the yard is puddles of water for days on end and boom its totally dried. Everything looks brown. No green. Then slowly in the next two weeks you will see little baby buds on the trees. Grass is looking a tiny bit green. Then Bam Everything is green and lush! Then you know summer is here LOL. Yep two weeks of spring and summer. Summer goes til mid August. Then fall for a month and then winter. Ah the seasons of Alaska.

I miss my midwest springs and falls. Nothing prettier than St. Louis in March or October!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I have no family in Alaska, so I've adopted a few folks I have meet or worked with as my family members.

Today I had the pleasure of being "grandma" to a friends two year son. I had him from 9am to 5pm.

IHOP shall remember the little monkey for a long time, I think his missed the paper with his crayons cause he like the table better, and Don't get the pancakes they have on the kids menu OMG gross. But he called it a birthday cake and then preceeded to eat the whipped cream off my blueberry pancakes.

Then we went to Lowes to look for flowers for my yard...had none yet too early in Alaska. Walked around there for an hour ...best part He loves the ceiling fans we spent 20 minutes there!just looking at the fans!

Then home for nap and quiet time. Then after 2 hours of napping up to High School to get some fresh air and sunshine...guess who did something awful in pants just before we got in to car to go up to school? Yep back into house, quick change of diapers.

At the school we did the track since that was the only Non snow or mud area for a two year old LOL. But you could tell spring is here, the Canada Geese where in the next field (soccer field) honking and playing in the mud puddles. Little kid got all excited about them and ran off across the field trying to get to them...course I had to run after him to haul him back to the runners track. Mud is not something I like playing in anymore. When I notice his nose running and no kleenex in my pockets we made a mad dash back to car...After a screaming fit about having to have nose wiped, I decided we shall move on the the park play ground.

Thank god other parents where there and surprising 5 little ones all two. He had a blast playing with the others and I got to have heart attacks as he climbed and jumped off things. At 4:30 I decided it was time to head home and esp after he decided that that foot deep puddle he could not resist any longer. Yep right to the middle of it he ran. Water up to the little guys knees. I'm sure his mother is saying bad things about me right now as those watery shoes are drying out.

All in all it was fun. I decided every week I'm borrowing this little one so I can be a Grandma for the day!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

The Alaska Women's Show was this weekend. I must admit it was one of the best that I've attended in the last 8 years.

There were more vendors selling items esp for women and more 'handcrafted' but as always; lots of stuff imported which some is fine and some is just junk.

But even the usual 'womens non-profits' booth where much more interesting this year, had better health information flyers and seemed very much geared to women who are looking for better health information, buying information, business information, just in general I found more appealing in quality of show.

Watched a fashion show. The woman made clothing from size 0 to 5x and most of the outfits that walked the fashion lane where for women size 10 and up. In fact I would say most outfits where size 14/16 with several in the 3x-5x size. And they were stunning! It was cool to see clothing with a lot of style for the big woman. Not everyone is small, medium or large. I grew up with several members of my mothers family in the XXXlarge and beyond group. They wore the classic mu-moo dresses. They looked like tents. As I said very refreshing to see a woman in the big sizes with outfits that made them look sexy and beautiful.

I thought maybe next year getting a booth for the 3 day affair and seeing just how my items would go.

I've been busy working on several Special Orders for Alaska Sews 2. All handbags but each is different that what I normally sew so its been learning experience and fun. Plus brought in a nice development of future sales.

Tomorrow off to watch a friend's child while they move from one apartment to a new one. This will be a learning experience for sure! Will post how I do. Plans are simple breakfast at IHOP, park to play, then library to get book to read and maybe a video to watch. Then lunch thinking McD's (ya I know they are bad for kids and esp for adults) Then should be nap time for them. Then maybe snack, park again to play, or read again. Then mom should call saying We all moved in bring him home. This is how I have it planned lol and we all know plans are just that plans.

Oh yes this child is two. Sooooooooo I'm sure I'll be pulling hair out by mid morning LOL!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Busy Working

I haven't posted all week. I've been busy sewing. Gotta check out the new items over at http://www.AlaskaSews2.etsy.com several Messenger Bags, some quilt tops and other fun things.

I also made a few cards. So take yourself over to http://www.TiffinsTidbits.etsy.com

Also at CoveredinChocolate there is some Gluten Free items that have been baked up and just waiting for someone to order. http://www.CoveredinChocolate.etsy.com

I'm thinking of going back to work Ya in the real world of weekly pay checks. I love doing crafts but life right now says "gotta pay the bills and gotta get a new place to live". You would think at my stage of life things would be different. But they aren't so I must take matters into my own hands. I've been playing too long. Tomorrow its off to several places to drop off applications, and get serious about being a person who isn't dependent upon anyone except myself.

I will still do my crafts in the evenings and when not working. One must do what they love also! And besides I have folks who look daily at the things I have crafted with my two little hands! Heck can't let my fans down LOL!