Toby's Indian Name

Back in August, we gave Toby an Indian name. Let's just say, he has an "aim" problem.......

Kristina Terra bought Toby a special gift at the Enumclaw shows in August. Here's a photo of Toby wearing his special present: orange goretex gators.

Oh, and his Indian name (in case you haven't figured it out) is:

Toby Yellow Paw.

Redemption and Serendipity

Puppies really are so very cute, lovable and adorable, you can't be upset with them for more than a few seconds. Truth is, immediately after I discovered that they destroyed my gorgeous expensive fabric, I realized it was my own fault for not paying attention to them and what they were doing. Oblivious is the word that comes to mind.....Silken puppies just want silken fabric to play with!

Meanwhile, since Sunday, I have been able to salvage my jacket, and it's DONE. I actually like it better with the print going more horizontal on the back rather than vertical...let's call it serendipity that it turned out so well. One of those happy little design accidents (thanks to some energetic puppies). Of course -- the lighting is horrible and it's really not shiny like the flash from my camera makes it look like in the photos below.

What do you think, will it look good when running a black and white Borzoi around the ring?:

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.