Finished Projects

Super long scarf for my friend. Tunisian crochet 

Prayer shawl for a friends sister who has breast cancer

Ballet flats for a friends little girl

Tunisian Entrelac baby blanket.

Slowly but surely a Entrelac blanket for my Brother.

Shawl for my Granma's Birthday!

I've been busy. I'm currently working on the blanket for my brother, another baby blanket and a toddler sweater. THEN i have some fingerless gloves and hats on my list. I'm having fun doing all the baby stuff. I whipped up some minnie mouse outfits but neglected to get pics before i send them to their home.

Growing up

My little boy is not so little anymore! I took him into the vet to get weighed for his heart worm meds and he is now a whopping 43lbs! It seems just like yesterday he was only 27lbs of scruff. He is only about 7mo so it should be interesting to see how big he gets :)

He is doing wonderful in most areas of training. He loves going class and learning new things and he is a dream to walk on a flat collar. Only thing he doesn't like right now is his crate. I'm thinking of moving it into the living room. He has become very anti crate and even chewed on the wires. Maybe even use the plastic one instead. Luckily he does ok being left out in the house with the bathroom doors closed, but i really want him comfortable in the crate. I have a clicker and bought a few books and watched some crate training vids. So i'll see how it goes.

Ahhh Puppy Craft...

I would call it witch craft, but it's just typical puppy behavior...or so I tell my self. Dieks has a new nickname. He is called "Hell beast." Why? well let's count the ways...

1. Counter Surfing- I have never had a dog do this, but he is being a PIA with this. I watch him and watch him then he disappears when I'm not looking and he does shit like grabs the tomato off the counter.

2. Hand Biting- He doesn't bite hard, but when he gets super riled after playing he gets very mouthy. I  know it's typical behavior for a new pup, but it does make him look psycho!

3. Poop eating- Why....why is their own poop so tasty? i get cat shit but his own? oddness. Just means the yarn is cleaned after every poop vs 1x a day.

4. Deafness- To his name that is. He knows his name, but quiet often he doesn't care to come.

5. Naughty boy tricks to granma- Last night he goes hauling ass down the hall way to my mom. Jumps up to her plate and snags the meat from it while she was eating...I don't mean to laugh, but really this is why 1. we eat at the table and 2. dogs aren't allowed on the couch if we are eating there.Note he NEVER begs from me. He lays down and sulks vs with my mom he begs as bad as her dog *sigh*

6. Mountain Goatness- Jumping on the chair, which is covered, then up on to the sewing machine to peek through the windows. This was due to granma not crating him while she went to the store. Who doesn't crate a puppy?

7. Crazy zoomies that leaves his tongue hanging out the side and me almost peeing my self with laughter.He is FAST. like cutting/barrel racing horse fast and jumps like he is a gazelle. Maybe agility? LOL

And thus explains his hell beastness. I know it's puppy behavior and we are working on it :). We start obedience class on June 6th! I really can't wait. He is a super smart dog and i think will thrive in class.

He walks great on leash and does sit stays awesomely! We do have to work on his down. He wont lay down unless i put my hand to the ground. I've been trying to raise it, but he doesn't seem to get it.

~6mo old and 37-38lbs.  I don't think he will get much bigger. Maybe max out at 45lbs or less. I'd like to see him with a few more lbs on him, but he's a grazer when it comes to eating.

Ahhhh Puppyhood....always an adventure!

Fitting in

 Dieks is settling in nicely. He is picking up his routine and is getting more comfy with his crate every day.

He loves lunch time. It means I come home and take him to the baseball park for some ball time...

 He also loves my brother who baby sat him this past weekend

I missed my little dude so much and i think he missed me too! He is such a good boy and had the whole vets office swooning over him last night.

I mean who wouldn't fall for a big scruffy love bug dog who sits to get his pats and offers his paw up to you right?

Oh and he is now 34.7lbs and ~6mo old. I wonder how big he will be :)

New Friends

Dieks and I drove to Hayward to meet up with a friend of mine and her dogs. Oh did he have fun! He tried so hard to keep up with the Boston Terrier Emily, but his puppy legs just were not fast enough. That didn't stop him from trying though! They wrestled and ran and played in water over and over for almost 3 hours!  Emily even taught him to like water a little more and look for fishies in the pond they have Ha! He really did great even with the two other more barky dogs that are not pictured. We went home and he crashed...all after noon, night and again he's in his crate crashed this am LOL.

The Crew....

 Mr Dieks Chillin by the Pond. He is such a ham :)

Moving forward....

It's been rough getting past not having Athena around keeping me company. She was such a big presence in my life and I still dearly miss her.

But last month I started thinking it was time for me to get a new dog. I miss having someone to go on walks with me and keep me on my toes and I miss training.

So after some chats with friends i got a text one after noon showing me this shaggy pup who looked so sad. The minute I saw him all I heard in my brain was "MINE"

He had come into Carson NV animal shelter as a stray and ended up in their inmate training program for a few weeks.

So Saturday my mom, maks and I drove up to Carson City to pick up a new puppy. He is SUCH a love and catches on quickly. Even knows his name already :).

Although Athena is gone she will never be forgotten ever.

Introducing Dieks! They think hes a labradoodle? or goldendoodle? who knows till he gets older. He is about 4.5mo old and 26lbs. He doesn't shed (yet anyway) and really is a quick learner. Dieks is such a laid back boy and really loves to cuddle and play with toys :) He has such a different energy then Athena, but I love it.

Help a good guy!

This is a fundraiser for my friend Josh! He successfully battled stomach cancer and is now cancer free. He is a hard working, determined man. However, he spent all of his savings on treatments and has no insurance or income since he couldn't work during treatment. If you can help, even a dollar or two, please consider giving this young man a hand up. If not financial help then prayers he finds a job asap! 

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/Josh-Hewitt-s-Medical-Expenses/44488

Thank you!
Larissa

Teaching my self something new...

My new year resolution this year is to teach my self something new at least once a month.

First up  Tunisian Crochet. A few of my friends have requested sweaters from me. This is my first one I made based off measurements I asked for. My friends dog Buddy is my guinea pig. I can't wait to see if it fits him. It was fun to make with little cussing LOL.

Next up as I was browsing ideas for baby blankets I came across entrelac crochet and fell in love.

Above is my practice swatch to see if i liked the technique or not. I do like it even if the design is basically one sided.

And some other things i've made trying to use up my yarn stash....

My beading has taken a back seat and my crochet is my addiction. I've also made mickey and minnie mouse hats for friends :) I think i may have to get one of those Styrofoam heads for models LOL.