In Progress

It's Spring! Which around these parts is short for "Spring into action!" Bones has been motivated and moving and shaking. He is everywhere lately, working up in the studio, out in the tool shop, in the sun room and down in the basement. He has two very important projects in the works. The first is somewhat of a meta project in that he is redoing his tool shop. I'll save that for another post, so you'll probably see that sometime next year at the rate I'm going.

I'm most excited about his second project...

Cabinet doors! Finally! Obviously they aren't finished, I just wanted to put them in context. I tried to model them next to Scruffy, but I accidentally bumped him with one and he ran. Anyway, I'm sure you can see where these are going. The next time you see them, they will be finished and hung and you will no longer be able to see the various cleansing agents that I use to keep the house one step above general disarray.

I, too, have a project in progress. However, mine is on hold until after the semester. That's right...


























More curtains! Here's a detail:

These were done using a process called batiking. I painted melted wax onto the cloth, then dyed it. What I have here is a very basic example. We're going for a Caribbean theme for our bedroom, and I thought a nice ocean blue would go nicely with the green of the walls. I just hope these aren't too silly.

So, those are some of the projects in the works. Next time I'll show a couple of projects that have been (or very nearly) finished.

And now for the cute:

We're still kickin'!

This blog is still working, people! In celebration of Bones's BIG birthday, I felt it was time to dust off the ol' blog and get her runnin' again. Of course, the editor was really on my case. He was totally looking over my shoulder the whole time to make sure I stayed focused. I'd say I hate working for him, but he's pretty cute (don't tell my husband!). Here he is now:


Anyway, I can't speak for Bones, but I think he had a pretty terrific birthday. We had some great friends over to help us celebrate on Friday, and to them we say, "Thanks for coming! We don't see you guys enough."

However, it was Bones's family, once again who really came through. Especially his mother, Barb. She not only gave him an early present of a kayak, which by itself is awesome, she also surprised us with a couch! A beautiful black couch that really pulls the room together. Here is Scruffy modeling it for us:

Bones was never sure about the carving because of the black background, but the couch makes it look like it needs to be there. I can't say enough about how well the couch pulls the room together. It balances out the colors, and the leather contrasts the texture of the curtains perfectly.


However, there is an added benefit that we were hoping for that has worked out perfectly. Scruffy spends more time with us AND sleeps in our bed with us again. Although he can't go under this couch, he does have his spots for "Scruffy time."

Thankfully, though, I can say that he goes to those spots less and less. So, Barb, you gave us not only a couch, but more time with our puppy. Best present ever!

But let us not forget about the good times we had on the old couch. Here is one of the last of those good times:


No, Mom, I didn't let him have the bone.

We're Crafty!

And we're back! It's been almost a month, people. Didja miss me? I've been super busy, in a good way. Everything's comin' up Ann! Finally. I've got a new, full-time job. The position was just created, so they really have no expectations at this point. I'm also going into grad school in the fall, so you may see or hear less of me than you already do. But don't worry, babies, we'll always have the Doghouse.

One of the other projects that has kept me oh-so busy is the design and creation of curtains for the living room. Finally, it is my chance to shine while also adding to our house. I'm also pretty sure the neighbors across the street will appreciate them. Generally, a grand unveiling means pulling back the curtains. In this case, we're keepin'em closed. Voila!

Grand! It felt really nice to use the sewing machine again. Except for the constant barrage of Project Runway phrases that kept running through my head. Make it work. It looks home-sewn. Fer-osh. And I really think that Tim Gunn would disapprove of my seams. But I don't care. I have curtains.

Believe me, curtains are harder to make than they look. I had an easier time making a formal dress back in high school compared to these unwieldy bolts of cloth.

You may be surprised that it was actually Bones who on his own wandered into a Joanne Fabrics and picked out the fabric. However, I am less than surprised because there is someone who can sew blindstitches around me while blindfolded .

My Father!

Here is a jacket he put together especially for Scruffy:

Here is Scruffy working the haute couture with his Blue Steel gaze.

He is definitely working it.


I also have to show you my practice curtains. And just like the cocktails with a friend you've long parted company with, they were how I was able to reconnect with my sewing machine.

Hee hee. I do believe Bones was the only male in Joanne's that day when we picked out this fabric.

Well ,it's great to be back sharing with y'all, and you guys are going to be stoked, STOKED when you see the latest project that Bones has been working on.

F.o.S.

So obviously many of you are pet owners yourselves, and this got me to thinking...What if instead of constantly barraging you with pictures of Scruffy like some grandmother with a wallet full of pictures and a linty lozenge in her pocket, that I post some of your pets? They would be known as FoSs. Friends of Scruffy.

Just email pictures of your little ones to me at dwyera@charter.net, and I'll post them at my discretion. Right now, it will just be an experiment. Depending on the response, or if someone gets mad at me for not posting darling Rover, or whatever, than I'll stop.
And try not to clog up my email with huge files! And get off my lawn!

Sorry, the inner curmudgeon got out for a second there.

Include some information when you send your pictures. Things like your pet's name (obvy) and their breed. Do their turn-ons include long walks on the beach and fire hydrants? Do their turn-offs include guys who are fake and vacuum cleaners? Whatever you'd like to include.
Ok, this should be fun! (fingers crossed)

Good news, everyone!

I know it's been awhile since I've last blogged, but it is only because I am actually working on a very important project for the house. But, my friends, you will have to wait for more information on that. Hopefully, if I keep my nose to the sewing machine (hint, hint), I will be finished this weekend!

Bones is working on a very cool project for the bathroom. But I'm not sure when that will be done, as a certain distraction by the name of Chris D has rolled into town on a rail. Well, rails. He came in on a train.

But one thing is for certain:

I got into Michigan State University's graduate journalism program!

Yeah me! Now buy me a cocktail.

Of course, I've also been discussing trying to get into law school. Certain parties have suggested I do both. Here I thought if people wanted to kill me, they would just lock me in a room full of cats. I wasn't expecting such a slow and laborious means of death.

So on with the show.

Many of you know the how the exterior of our house looks now.

A lovely shade of blue. Like the summer sky (not pictured).

But let us not forget how our sweet little starter home used to look.

A not so lovely shade of flesh. Like a... well, you know.
The one thing this picture has going for it is the sunshine and the leaves on the trees. The blahs going on outside right now really makes me want to stay curled up in bed. Like this:

Or, even better:

This is how he got his hippy/Native American name, Scruffy Sunbeam.

I promise, the next post will have some exciting new projects. Including one from a special guest. Oooh!

Scruffy's Birthday: A Photoessay

Man. Why did they drag me from under the couch? I was so cozy. I should be called French President Nicholas So-Kozy.

What? What do you want?

Harumph.

OH!

For moi?

No! Really?

*Nom, nom, nom*

*Nom, nom (deep breath) nom*

So full

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY, MEESTER!

Scruffy's Do

Recently, I gave Scruffy a new hairdo. While it is far from professional, it does make him look more puppy-ish. I figured now would be as good a time as any to give you all a glimpse of Scruffy through the ages. And, at the right you can vote for which 'do is your fave. Fun! Behold:

The Ewok.

The original look. This is why he got stuck with the name. But notice the crossed paws and overall casual look, he doesn't seem at all bothered that he can barely see from under those eyebrows. Or the fact that whatever he had gotten into is stuck in his beard.

The Gandolf
This was his first haircut. I guess the groomer thought the beard was really working for him. Maybe she was just trying to balance out the ears.

Haircut #2
Ummm...Not much to say here. He's just too friggin' cute for words.

The Keith Richards
Or, in this case, the "Scruff" Richards.

The Traditional Schnauzer
So shiny. He looks like he's made of metal. He could be the Tin Man's dog. What would he ask the Wizard for?

The Punky Beard
You can't really tell here, but his beard is significantly shorter (and uneven).

So, that's Scruffy through the ages. Be sure to vote for your favorite look and DON'T BE AFRAID TO POST COMMENTS, PEOPLE! Seriously, just click on where it says "comments" and post, post, post. We'd love to hear from you. Dosie has been the only brave and smart soul to do so. You rock, Dose.

Welcome to the Dog House

Hello everybody!
Doings are a transpiring over here at the House. And, rather than email photos, we figured it would just be easier to post them on the web. Bones is slightly creeped out that anyone can look into our house, but I figure if we keep it clean the only people who will want to see our photos are friends and family.

Our main intent is to show the amazing renovations that Bones has done on this old farmhouse. However, since renovations take some time, I figured that a liberal dose of cuteness may be in order now and then. So, watch for some Scruffy pics! You know you love him. We'll probably throw in whatever else we find exciting or interesting. But, this is mainly about the House. And the dog. But mainly the house. And the dog.

So, stay tuned for the amazing transformation of the Dog House.