… getting ready

Hi there. Sorry for the lack of posting. . . I've been having issues with our internet connection for the last few weeks. . . & so trying to do anything more than getting some emails done & shipping printed has been most of the extent of my online experience lately. We have been replacing cables to see what the issue might be & now are hoping that we might (?) have solved the issue. We'll see. (crossing fingers!)

With all the July 4 preparations winding up here in the US

. . . for me it brings a bit of worry. . .

. . . worry that this little guy will have to suffer through hours & hours of fireworks going off in the neighborhood.

Now, I first want to say that I have always loved firework shows (& still do!). . . but for some reason, the people who live in my county voted to make it legal for anyone to shoot off fireworks. (sigh).

 So what ends up happening is that the booms & loud pops start around sunset & continue on & off until after midnight, causing Bailey to shake & fret for hours on end. Then, for the next several evenings, as the sun sets, he gets scared all over in anticipation of the booming starting again.

Poor baby.

Thankfully, last year - because we had not received any rains yet - the fire marshall put a ban on the public setting off fire-works. (they actually even called off the commercial displays last year - it was so dry.) I know I sound like a party-pooper, but to have my little guy suffer so breaks my heart. So-far this summer, we have had about 30 days of 100° (F) (or higher) & no rain & I'm actually hoping that we don't get any rain until after next Thursday, & they set the ban for no fireworks in the neighborhoods again. (. . . but I'm hoping they do have the professional displays. . . they are far enough away that the noise is manageable for us.)

But, just in case, I got Bailey a 'Thundershirt'. They are created for helping dogs that suffer anxiety from thunderstorms, fireworks, separation. . . etc. I went down to our local PetSmart & found his size & talked with the lady there & they say that they have a more than 80% success rate. They are made to literally envelop & hug the dog & hit specific pressure points that help calm them & most will even relax to the point that they fall asleep! (. . . here's hoping!) I also picked up a new little fox (unstuffed - how perfect!) & after I tried the 'Thundershirt' on Bailey - he got his new 'baby'. . . so that hopefully he will already equate that putting the 'Thundershirt' on brings good things. I actually thought he light not like having to have it on - but he actually didn't mind it at all. He chewed on his new little fox for a little bit & then settled in & napped. Gives me a bit of hope that he will get to have a calm holiday.

By the way. . . there are some new items that I've put on the 'Tag Sale' pages on the website. . . !

Hope you have a great week.

♥ Bren

... peony love

                                          

          

                                         

                                          

Where I live (southwest US), peonies are all but impossible to grow. After several years of drooling over seeing them on other folks' blogs. . . Brought in fresh in from the garden, when I went into our local Trader Joes market & saw them by the bunch, I just couldn't resist. (& for the record, I'm considering these the best $7 I've spent so far this summer!) 

When I brought them home, they were all in their not-yet bloomed ball form. Believe it or not, the first two photos were taken about 20 - 30 minutes after I trimmed their stems & placed them in the 'vase' (for me - that is usually a ball jar, I just love flowers in ball jars.)! I was afraid they would only last a couple of days, but they stayed pretty for almost the whole week. For every day they were here, they made me smile every time I looked at them. I'm hoping to get another bunch before they are out of season. What a sweet treat.

On the design front, I'm so excited to announce that just a few days ago, I got my confirmation & room assignment to be an exhibitor for the Fall Needlecraft Market! (I'm so excited!) Needlecraft markets are put on by TNNA (The National Needlecraft Association), & while they have four markets each year, two of them focus mostly on the counted thread, embroidery, stitchery side of the industry, & this market will be one of those. So, I've been a busy little bee working on new stitchery designs, as well as getting a couple of new quilt patterns ready for release.

We've also been getting our summer heat waves starting. . . so it's been a good time to keep indoors for most of the day, & it's been good for getting a lot done. I know you'd never know that from my lack of blogging, & so I'll try & do much better on that front.

I'm also hoping to get some new 'tag sale' items up onto the website early next week. . . (yep, I've been stash busting again). . . so keep a look out!

Wishing you many pretty posies to make you smile!

xo, Bren