Monster Puppies?

Okay, I am here in Oregon house-sitting for Paul & Karen while they're on the canine cruise.

Last night, I painstakingly cut out pattern pieces for a fitted / kimono-style collar-ed jacket from 3 yards of the most gorgeous Japanese sateen that I've had for years, waiting for the right project to come along. I bought it some years ago at $20 a yard, on sale. Pattern takes just over 2 yards, I have 3. Which is a good thing because my fabric is directional so I have to be careful how I cut everything out, and it used almost everything to cut it out.....it is (was) going to be stunning and something I was planning to take to Borzoi Nationals in 3 weeks to show in.

Tonight, I'm starting to sew pattern pieces together. All is going well! It's going to be beautiful! My heart sings!

Then, I can't find the center back section with two back side-panels sewn on. Did I leave it on the counter? Chair behind me? Kitchen island which is doubling as a cutting/prep area? Noooooo. (Where the hell is it??)

Then I spot a fluffy white Silken puppy curled up on the floor laying on something.....sleeping.....GASP!! it's my back pieces!! Wet from puppy slobber and riddled with puppy puncture wounds from the monsters playing with it!!! It CANNOT be salvaged!!!

Oh, the agony!!!

Now I am making some serious pattern modifications to Make It Work (Project Runway here I come)....don't know if it's going to turn out or not..all may be for naught.....and I don't have enough fabric to follow the same direction on the back as the front/sleeves/sides and will definitely have to shorten it by at least 2", I am in unknown territory here, it could be just awful.

Monster puppies, I tell you. Nevermind that I was lost in my project as the hellions must have played tug of war right under my feet.

The Monsters (scary, aren't they?)
The Damage....imagine more holes like these than you can count:

Off To Oregon -- Need New Show Clothes

When we received my show photo from the win with Catherine this week, I realize that I really need new show clothes. The jacket I was wearing that day (see post below) is actually a medium taupe-y color, not dark gray/brown. The lighting in some of these show venues is horrible! Also, I realize that Catie totally disappears in front of my black pants, must change that. I NEED new clothes badly Clothes -- I can make those.

The perfect Borzoi showing clothes are, clothes that look great on you when you are running as fast as you can. It's that simple. After some experience, I've decided that means....nothing that "flaps" when you run or your dog will try to play with it. Nothing that hangs below your waist that will gather up or bunch when you have to bend over. Something you can move your arms in (when running as fast as you can), and buttons or closes in front. And, in a color, print and pattern that complements your dog, one of the most important factors here!

So, I am off to Oregon later today to house-sit for some friends while they attend a Canine Cruise in the Carribean for 9 days. I am bringing my sewing machine, iron, notions, sewing tools, some patterns, a mountain of fabric and our two Silken Windhounds. I hope in between caring for 20 dogs, 2 horses, 2 llamas, a few cats and koi that I can get something made to bring to Borzoi Nationals (and wear) in April.

First AKC Win

Yesterday, my first AKC win!

We entered Catie in Open, in anticipation of Borzoi Nationals coming up in April, when she and Rowan will be in the same class and apparently next to each other in the class. In handling class, Catie is always waaaayyyy too interested in what Rowan is doing, especially if Rowan is ahead or behind her in the line up.

Since she'll be a few weeks over 18 months when Nationals happen in April, we thought this would be a good practice run to have both girls in the same class.

Much to my pleasant surprise, Catie took Best of Breed for at least 1 (possibly 2) AKC points! Our first AKC win, and Catie's first points toward her championship. She really is maturing nicely and we're both learning as we go, after may shows it feels great to know that we CAN do it: