I entered to win a free Twitter-style pet portrait from @dogarteest on twitter. Her real name is Aimee Hoover, and she is a fabulous dog portrait artist. Seriously. Go check out her work.

Do dogs really notice these things?

In an effort to “go green” this year and also to save some money, I am skipping out on the traditional Christmas card this year. Ok, I’m also being reasonable. There is no way I could make cards and get them mailed out to everyone in the next 11 days. So, I hope you enjoy this heartfelt HAPPY HOLIDAYS from me and the fur-kids, Gizmo and Bandit. May you and yours have the happiest of holidays – whatever holiday it is you celebrate. For me and my family, it’s CHRISTmas – the reason for the season.

Blessings,

Amy

(Credit: Digital Scrapbook elements by Holly McCaig)

Papers & embellishments: Weeds and Wildflowers, www.weedsandwildflowers.com
Mask: Holly McCaig, www.pinkinkstudios.net
Image: Amy Kant, www.fairydavis.com
Fonts: cursif, 2peas scrapbook, adler

Scalloped Frame: Amy Kant, www.fairydavis.com
Paper, beaded embellishment, ric rac, swirly: Holly McCaig, www.inspiration-lane.com
Alphas: Andie Smith, www.inspiration-lane.com
Actions: www.atomiccupcake.com

All papers & embellishments from www.inspiration-lane.com.
Font: 2peas scrapbook

Font: Papyrus
Frames: Rockstar by DigitalGinger at www.inspiration-lane.com
Beaded embellishments: Lemonade Kit by Holly McCaig at www.inspiration-lane.com
Papers: Down Inspiration Lane Kit by Design Team at www.inspiration-lane.com
Poem: by Gene Hill

Then, the following are a couple of the layouts I made last weekend while on vacation in Minnesota:

All elements: Kate Hadfield, www.the-lilypad.com
Font: Papyrus

Font: Papyrus
Paper, embellishments: Krystal Hartley, www.PolkaDotPotato.com (swirly embellishment altered using Atomic Cupcake acrylic action, papers altered with Atomic Cupcake actions)
Frames: Holly McCaig, www.inspiration-lane.com (swirly frame altered using sparkle action from Atomic Cupcake)

That’s little Gizmo. He’s so sweet. His nicknames are “little guy,” Gizzy, and Mr. Gizmo.

Bandit is my little buddy. I’m (proudly) his favorite person. When we went to get them from the foster home, he ran to me, I picked him up and he licked my cheek. We’ve been buddies ever since! I often call him Mr. B, big guy, baby boy or just B.

Take tonight for example. I got home from work about 20 minutes ago and they were freaking out. Somehow, they know the “beep” my car makes when I lock it. So I hear them barking before I even get to the door. I walk in the front door, walk thru the living room and dining room and they’re just going NUTS from the kitchen, where my parents must have put them for the night (some nights they sleep with me, sometimes in the kitchen in their plush bed, sometimes with my parents). I had made the decision that if they were in the kitchen, they’d stay there tonight so I can sleep in! Otherwise, they usually wake me up by 7 or so. Well, these dogs had other plans.

I open the gate and walk into the kitchen and they go absolutely nuts (as they always do). It’s always nice to come home to these creatures who love me unconditionally. That’s what is so awesome about dogs.

Anyways, Gizmo just wanted to be scratched, and Bandit kept trying to attack my face with kisses. I try to get him to sit before this happens, but, tonight like many others, he just kept jumping up and wanting some lovin’. I told him he had to sit nicely like Giz before I’d play with him and he got mad. He ran to his bed where he had some chew toys hidden (I swear that bed had bones I haven’t seen in years… they hide bones in their blankets all the time). and grabbed one, ran to me, growled and ran back to the bed. I was so confused. Normally, when he wants to play fetch, he’ll drop the toy next to me. He just kept doing that – bringing the toy near me, and then running back to the bed and howling at me.

I couldn’t help it. I just started laughing. I think that pissed him off cuz then his howls/barks got more intense. Meanwhile, Giz was laying on his back, trying to get my attention for more tummy-scratching.

I finally gave up on trying to figure out what Bandit wanted and went to wash my face/brush my teeth, etc. When I came back to the kitchen, they were sitting in their bed, just staring at me. I looked at them and said, “Goodnight boys. And don’t think you’re coming up tonight. I need to sleep.”

When I opened the gate to the upstairs, they BOLTED and before I knew it they were at the top of the stairs waiting for me. LOL they totally had other plans.

Now, they’re passed out on my bed, content as ever.

Dogs are so funny.

Anyways, today I have a ton of crap to take care of – filing police report for identity theft (I’ll write more about that eventually), dentist appt and of course, work.

I’ve already taken care of getting credit reports, speaking with my lawyer (about something unrelated to ID theft), made some changes to my etsy store and taken a nap. yes, the dogs woke me up at 7 to go outside.

I also need to mail my camera to Canon for repairs…  but that may just have to wait until tomorrow.

My photo book from Artscow.com came yesterday and overall, I’m very pleased with it! I will post a review today or tomorrow.

crap, the dogs are bugging me to go outside… and if I don’t take them, they will sit on my face. seriously.

Now Gizmo has a special frame, too!

Supplies
Paper: Pink Paislee Spring Fling. Die cut, alphabet stickers and fiber: Basic Grey. Brads: Making Memories. Flowers: Prima. Ink: Distress Ink in Walnut Stain. Adhesives: Therm-o-web tape runner, 3M Spray Mount, Zip Dry paper glue.

I have a couple more frames in the works… stay tuned!

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