Thursday, September 18, 2014

Monday, September 15, 2014

Monday's Makers



Today we have an interview with the owner and designer of "Kayliez Kloset"!

 1) Tell us a little about your craft, if you have always been interested in this or did it start out as a hobby? 


Kaylie: It takes almost a life time of dreaming and wishing for an opportunity to make a difference in someones life and I found mine when I discovered my love of fashion and pets! So when you have a gorgeous dog that happens to think she is fabulous starting a dog fashion boutique was a no brainer! From the moment she came home a tiny tutu was put on her and she is pretty sure she was born with it on.
2) Do you have a shedule you follow for your designs?
Kaylie: I am a wife, and a grandmother of beautiful boy and girl twins. I also have a full time job and so I am not able to dedicate all of my time to my business. But, I am very fortunate to have my wonderful friend Delores that helps with the sewing. As my business grows it is a little overwhelming at times. She is wonderful and is enjoying every step of our adventure. 

3) Where do find your inspiration?


Kaylie: I have a passion for designing and creating beautiful things. My designs come to me in different ways but the best part of my work comes from my puppy Kaylie. I love spending every minute of my life with her. She is my joy and brightens my days. She is the inspiration for my work and designs. Kaylie loves to keep me company as I work and she cannot wait to try on the newest creation. So you can say she is a little fashionista!  

4) Do you have any advice for someone considering entering the craft marketplace? 

Kaylie: Opening a business is something that is definitely rewarding and a life-time dream. It requires a lot of research, knowledge, time, effort and money. Dedication is the key to success!

Kaylie invites everyone to visit her Facebook page and browse through her collections. Her motto is “Kayliez Kloset, Making Life Fashionable One Pooch At A Time”


   

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Thursday's Multiples with Brenda and her dogs Diamond, Brendle and Bambie



Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your experiences of having three dogs in your household!

1 ) Could you start by telling us your dog’s names and ages?

Brenda: Diamond- 6, Brendle- 5, Bambie-5

2) Can you tell us about their personalities?

Brenda: All of my dogs have very unique personalities. Diamond is Miss Social, she loves all people and animals. She will greet everyone with a bark and a wagging tail. She is also is a very quick learner. Even trainers have said she is very smart. She has helped socialize Brendle in many ways. Both Brendle and Bambie have socialization issues.

Brendle, when around Diamond, my daughter and myself is laid back and loving. He loves to cuddle with his humans and chew on hooves. He also tends to survey the house to make sure everyone is safe. When he gets up in the morning he checks every room before he joins me in the kitchen as I cook.

Bambie is a very special girl. She does not get along with the other dogs so she is separated. Her energy levels are very high and throws off the balance between Diamond and Brendle. Once she trusts a person she is very sweet and loyal. And she is a talker. She will have conversations with me all the time and is hysterical. She loves to go for walks and her Bambie bonding time. Most of all she loves toys and hooves to chew on.

3) Sometimes dogs will have a hierarchy. You are the leader, of course, but what is the order of who is in charge with your pups?

Brenda: Diamond and Brendle switch off leadership. When Brendle feels uncomfortable he will allow Diamond to take the lead. If Diamond gets a little excited, Brendle will calm her down. They work well together. Bambie is a lone wolf in her own world.

4) Tell us a little about their day... 

Brenda: When Diamond gets up in the morning she will lie in the bed until she has to get up. She loves to sleep in. Brendle gets up as soon as a human is up and he starts his patrol of the house. He then comes in the kitchen as I make breakfast and watches. He also gets his morning rubs. 
Bambie also sleeps in. When she is up she wants to eat then walk. She also enjoys the morning rubs and walks. 

They all like to walk and go on 2-3 walks a day depending on the humans schedule. (I work between 45-50 hrs a week and my daughter works 30-35 hrs a week)

Nighttime is their favorite. Bambie gets her bonding time while Brendle and Diamond lounge on the couch and round chair. They love the cuddles and love!

5) How do you manage dinner time at your house?

Brenda: The dogs are fed 2 times a day. Diamond and Brendle are fed together and Bambie is fed separately. All dogs have to wait in a proper sit for their food. No jumping, no dancing and they must not look at the food. 

6) Do you have any advice for someone thinking of adding another dog to their household?

Brenda: A dog is a lifetime commitment. When you bring a new dog in they must work within the pack. An older dog will often help with a new furbaby. When I had Anastasia and Nickey they would help train new dogs and socialize them. They would show the new dog where to potty and the proper behavior of the house. 

Under your guidance, allow your dogs to become a working family with each other. If the possible new addition does not fit into the pack then don’t adopt that dog unless you are willing to do the extra work and intense training to make it work.

I wanted to add that I have had the help of Kay Pierce for a lot of socializing of my two special dogs, Bambie and Brendle. If it wasn’t for her help I would not still have the two of them. Having dogs that are a challenge to train and socialize takes a lot of commitment, patients, and very hard work. Having someone in your corner to support and help you and your pack is very important.

Thank you, Brenda! 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Cheese and Carrot Doggie Muffins


Thursday's Multiples will return next week. Today we'd thought we experiment with a little baking for dogs. Our recipe is Cheese and Carrot Muffins. You will need:

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup shredded carrots
2 large eggs
1 cup  of milk
muffin tin for 12 muffins (or 2, 6 each)









Combine the two flours 



Work the carrots and cheese into the flour mixture with your fingers


Beat the eggs.


Add milk to beaten eggs.


Pour milk and egg mix over flour mix and gently stir together.


Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.


Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.


Astrid is the 'Taste Tester'! I think it's a YES!









Monday, September 1, 2014

Monday's Makers...today our guest is Billie Sue



1) Thank you for doing this interview, let’s start out with you telling us about your craft.

Billie Sue: I love animals and have five dogs, a cat and a parrot.  I like putting little clothes on my dogs and have seen homemade dresses and vests online.  I could not afford the prices of them and for five dogs, so I just thought I would give it a try.  I really never thought I could get good enough to sell my doggy clothing and accessories.  When I took my dogs to the vet wearing the clothes I had made for them, both vets and staff loved my stuff.  One of our vets told me to bring my stuff in his office and try to sell them.  So I did and began selling some of my creations.   

My husband was hurt at work and not able to go back, so he decided to learn to crochet.  My grandmother use to crochet when I was a little girl. She taught me to do the first chain but I could never learn to do a second row.  Once my husband learned I asked him to teach me.  My little sweaters look totally different from his.  He is fast, doing several sweaters a day.  It takes me a week to do one sweater.

My vet was so amazed that I could do this that he asked me to come over when the local newspaper was coming to take pictures of his clinic and staff.  He wanted me in the pictures to get my work out for others to see.  Now, you might be wondering why he was so amazed and I am so slow.  I was born with no left hand.  My left arm ends just below the elbow.   My parents brought me up as though nothing was wrong with me.  If I could not figure out how to do something on my own they would help me find a way to do it.  I type with my right hand only, and I do about 35 words per minute.  I have worked for two doctors, two attorneys, and in the school system.  I am very determined and if someone tells me I can’t do something, I will do my best to prove them wrong. 

When crocheting I hold my needle in a vice and then work the yarn around the needle.  I can’t explain how I sew, I just use my right hand.  I absolutely love doing things for the animals.  Many have asked me to do children’s clothing and I do have a pattern to try but for now, I just enjoy doing for the pets. 

2) Is crafting something you’ve always been interested in or maybe once was a hobby?
Billie Sue: I love to do crafting, I am not always very good at it but I like making things.  Years ago my sister was expecting my niece and I decided to make her a baby quilt.  I really enjoyed doing it.  Later I married and was going to have child, so I made my baby one also. I have also made a King size quilt for my son with a train engine on it.  When I finished it I knew I did not want to tackle that size ever again.  I have done various crafts with friends. 


3) Do you have a schedule you follow for your creativity or are you more relaxed, maybe waiting for inspiration? 


Billie Sue: A lot of times I will work on things in the evenings.  Sometimes I have to take a break for a few days and right now I am having problems with my right shoulder and seeing a chiropractor so this has slowed me down more.  I like sewing and crocheting. It relaxes me and gives me something to do. 

4) Where do you find your inspiration? 

Billie Sue: Sometimes my husband will come up with something and I will give it a try.  Lots of time I lay in bed before going to sleep and think about what I can do next.  Then there are times I will be looking at material and think of how pretty that would be as a little dress.  I go look at patterns so I can learn new things too. 

5) What are your favorite colors to use? 

Pink, I love pink and I could make lots of pink stuff.  I have to make myself buy other colors.

6) Do you have any advice for someone considering entering the craft market place?  

If you want to do it give it a try.  You never know if you can or if you would enjoy it if you do not try.  Hey, if I can do it anyone can if they really want to.

For more information, Billie Sue can be found on Facebook at Dutys Critter Outfitter where you will find more of her work.  She can also be reached by email at billysueduty@live.com .