Happy End

Jeder Hundefan sammelt im Laufe seines Lebens sicher das Ein oder Andere vierbeinige Accessoire.
Schön, wenn es dann nicht nur als Staubfänger fungiert, sondern auch einer echten Aufgabe nachkommt.
Diesmal habe ich ein paar gut aussehende Hundekumpels rekrutieren können, die Euch Zweibeinern bei der Ordnung ein wenig unter die Arme greifen. Und das, obwohl mir Ordnung - zum Leidwesen meines Frauchens - so gar nicht liegt.
Beim Sortieren von Zeitschriften und Büchern geben sie ihr Bestes, aber seht selbst.

Diese beiden französischen Bulldoggen machen es sich nach getaner Arbeit auf einem Kissen bequem. Es gibt sie wahlweise in Weiß oder Schwarz - gefunden bei ebay:

(English version:) Each dog fan accumulated during his life, certainly the one or the other four-legged accessory. 
Perfect, if it doesn't only act as a dust catcher then, but also fulfills a real task. 
This time I was able to recruit a few good looking dog buddies that help you humans to tidy up. 
Even though I hate tidiness - to the regret of my mistress....
When sorting magazines and books they do their best, but see for yourself.

These two French Bulldogs are relaxing on a pillow after doing their work. Available in either white or black - found on ebay:

Diese zwei kubistisch anmutenden Terrier stehen auf schwarzen Resinsockeln im Marmorlook. Sind am Besten in einem von Klassikern belegten Regal aufgehoben... - gefunden bei Houzz.

These two cubist looking Terrier are standing on a black base in marble look - found at Houzz.

Dieser Dackel ist schon fast legendär - stammt er doch vom Designpapst Jonathan Adler.
Erhältlich mit rosafarbenem oder blauen Sockel.

This dachshund is almost legendary - because he comes from the icon of design "Jonathan Adler" 
Available with pink or blue base.

Diese Windhunde verlieren nicht einmal durch ihre quietschpinke Farbe an Eleganz - gefunden bei KARE design.

These greyhounds don't even lose their elegance with this loud colours - found at KARE design.

Wohl weniger für die staubtrockene Lektüre ist dieses ironische Pärchen gedacht. Aus Metall - gefunden bei Knob Creek Metal Arts.

This ironic couple need some funny literature. Made of metal - found at Knob Creek Metal Arts.

Diese Farbe! Ich mag sie einfach! Und mein Frauchen auch. Somit sind wir auch mal einer Meinung (kommt selten genug vor...) - gefunden bei Pottery Barn. Die liefern übrigens auch endlich nach Deutschland!

Look at this color! I adore it! And my mum also. Thus we are de facto in complete agreement (really a rare event ...) - found at Pottery Barn.

Die Italiener können einfach alles, was mit Design zu tun hat. Das stellen sie sogar bei solch simplen Dingen, wie Buchstützen unter Beweis. Gefunden bei Spisani.

The Italians are perfect in everything that has to do with design. They even put in such simple things as bookends to the test. Found at Spisani.

Freunden der vornehmen Zurückhaltung sei dieses Exemplar ans Herz gelegt: Blasslila Keramik - gefunden bei Overstock.

Friends of elegant restraint will love this: Pale Purple Ceramics - found at Overstock.

Für die Handwerker unter meinen Lesern habe ich noch ein besonders Schmankerl aufgetan. Eine Anleitung, wie man diese (oder Ähnliche) Buchstützen selber macht. Farbe und Rasse kann somit jeder selber wählen. Anleitung gefunden bei Irresistible Pets.

For the craftsmen I found a special treat. An instructions on how to do this (or similar) Bookends by yourself. Any color and breed is possible. Instructions found in Irresistible Pets.

Also wenn's nach mir ginge, ich würde ja auf der einen Seite einen Terrier (mich) und auf der anderen Seite eine Katze basteln. - Aber mich fragt ja keiner....

For what it's worth, I'd build a terrier (me) on one side, and on the other a cat. - But no one asks me, as usual....

Dog-it-Yourself: Türstopper | D-I-Y: Doggie-Doorstop

Immer wieder bin ich auf der Suche nach "hündischen" Dekoartikeln, die mein Frauchen selber machen kann. Fündig geworden bin ich diesmal bei dem englischen Blog »Red Ted Art«. Der beschäftigt sich hauptsächlich mit Allem rund um Heim & Kind - aber eben auch mit ein paar netten Hundeartikeln.
Diesmal geht es um einen schicken Türstopper in Form eines Scottish Terriers, den man sogar selbst machen kann!
Mein Frauchen kann ja glücklicherweise einigermaßen gut nähen (immerhin macht sie mir und vielen anderen Hunden die schönen Hundekissen von paraperro®) - aber jetzt nur keine Panik: Das Schnittmuster ist wirklich so easy-peasy, dass es wirklich jeder Nähmaschinen-Legastheniker hinkriegt. Versprochen.

Hier ist der Blogpost mit dem kostenlosen Schnittmuster und der Anleitung.

Besonders schön sieht das natürlich aus, wenn man typisch englische Materialien nimmt, denn immerhin kommt der Scottish Terrier ja von dort, also Schottenkaros, Tweed und sowas.
Aber das bleibt ja zum Glück jedem selbst überlassen....

Wie sich das Ganze mit einem klassisch englischen Karo in Blau-Grün macht, seht Ihr weiter unten:

(English version:)
I am always on the look for "doggish" decorative items that can make my mistress by herself. 
I am struck it rich this time in the English Blog »Red Ted Art". It deals mainly with everything around Home & Children - but also with some nice dogs articles.

This time it's a fancy doorstop in the shape of a Scottish Terrier, which you can even do it by yourself!
Fortunately my owner can sew reasonably well (after all, she makes me and many other dogs beautiful dog cushions) - but now do not panic: The pattern is really so easy- peasy , that really everybody can do it. I promise.

Here you can find the blog post with the free pattern and instructions.

It will become especially nice, if you'll take typically English materials like tweed or tartans, because after all, the Scottish Terrier is indeed a British citizen.
But decide by your own....

How it looks like with a classic English material, you can see here:

Und so sieht die Anleitung für den neuen Mitbewohner aus:
And so does the manual for the new roommate look like:

"Ran an die Nadeln, Freunde!"

"Grab your needles, friends!"

Do(g) it yourself: treat-containers

Because it's getting more & more unpleasant outside and time's running up to christmas, I've decided to show you some nice ideas and handicrafts in the upcoming weeks.

Today I'm starting with a really nice DIY-idea by »Diane Henkler« - published at  the platform »momtastic«.
At this platform you'll find the full instructions to develop your very own dog-food container made out of an old can. Everybody will envy your talent, wanna bet? - But don't panic, it's really easy. It only appears stylish and pricy....

For an absolute professional finish you'll also find the following labels to download at »momastic«:

Buddies, enough is enough -  time to roll up your sleeves and get started!

P.S. You can send me pics of your finished containers and your own ideas of labels and creations.
I'll show them in one of my next posts.

Bead it!

Usually I'm not into that Bling-Bling-stuff, but I found something really magnificent in the net:
The Lone Beader  - or respectively Diana L. Grygo from Boston | USA - creates something with beads that is really incredible: Inspired by dogs, cars or typical city scenes she makes lovely brooches, pins, jewellery and even art in an absolut particular way.

This one I ♥ most, because it looks like me!

A lot more dog-breeds than these presented you can find at Dianas shop.
B.t.w.: If you are a dextrous person and want to try it out by yourself, she also has some nice tutorials on sale. Enjoy!

Birthday pickings

First I'd like to thank all my friends & congratulators that made my (birth)day.
Everything was perfect - even if my deepest wishes (see my post from below) didn't came true...
But I had a lot of attention this day, and got some really f-u-n-tastic gifts.

After getting dressed by my mistress - as usual she put me on this awful crown - I had to pose amidst my gifts for the daily press:

I got a new »paraperro® cushion«, made by my mistress. It's an outdoor cushion and I'm going to be the test-dog for this model. When I'm chuffed about it, it's going to be produced next year.

Then I received a brandnew porcelain water-bowl that was designed by »Rosenthal« with a jolly print by Andy Warhol.

And also my mistress made a tasty cupcake of apple, zucchini and eggs, ornated by a »7« of some liver sausage, mhhhh!
B.t.w.: I didn't know what the green thing on the top of the cake has been for, it tasted unbearable...

Later that day - as you can see I still had to wear this crown - another present arrived.
My absolute adored liver-cake made by the german dog-bakery »Lehmann«.

There's only one question left: Why do I only have birthday once a year?
I've heard that 1 dog year counts like 7 human years!
So wouldn't it be fair to celebrate 6 times more?

Yummy Beauty

When people are invited by dog-owners, they often don't know what to bring along.
I found a very pleasant thing at the internet that turns some simple treats and a preserving jar into a perfect "made-with-love-gift".
With the »Jam-Labelizer« you can easy design your own Dogtreat-Label. There are different colours and designs available - you only have to type some words, print it, glue it, and: Here you are!

Actually it's made for labeling homemade marmelade - but why not also for your best friend of your best friend? Or your own best friend?
Check it out - it's fun!

 

Here are two of the designs you can choose from:

 

And also try the »Beer-Labelizer« - perfect for the thirsty lordling...

Last-minute-valentine's-diy

For everybody who's still uninspired of a valentine's gift, I found something really special and self-made at the blog of Allison Cooling, member of »Quiet Lion Creation«.

Here she shows a pic-by-pic tutorial for making a cute dog-necklace that really looks similar to the high-priced-equivalent of Scottish designer »And Mary«.
Furthermore the original pendant only exists with a pug - and not everybody loves pugs, eh?

So let's get started to do some handicrafts!

The Original:


The "Fake":


Time to celebrate a happy Valentine's Day!

Knit good

Today we had some snow here in the north of Germany. It's not unusual, but it was the first snow since november.
I don't know what to think of wearing stuff (as you already know), but my mistress always put on a bobble cap (in Germany you say "Pudelmütze" = "poodle cap" - what a degradation...) and some gloves these days.
To show your individual side while taking your dog for a walk, I would like to present some really unique DIY-gloves by »Studio Morran«.
I'm sure you've heard this name before - a few weeks ago I posted their stunning bookproject with lovely illustrations of artists all around the world.
But now, back to frostiness: If you have some spare time and you're up to knitting, these gloves are perfect for you.
And: Look closely - the dog on the pattern looks like me, yeah!




You can find the detailed knitting-instructions here.

♫ ♪ Santa Paw is coming to town

I'm getting more & more excited, because my favourite month of the year is coming closer rapidly. It's starting directly at the beginning of December with Santa Claus.
I like the way how my mistress is cleaning her shoes and putting them outside the night before.
And I like the cookies and the milk that she placed in front of the chimney, because they taste really fantastic! (Please don't tell her, because she actually supposes, that it's Santa who eats and drinks the stuff...)
Last year she also hanged some stockings at the chimney - what a crazy idea - but the morning of the 6th December they were filled with different pretty things. Sadly she only hung up 2 stockings, so I decided to change the deficit for this year with a lovely and HUGE diy-stocking found at »Family Fun«, that holds nearly everything you wish:


You need

• Sheet of dark brown felt, 9 by 12 inches
• Long sewing pins

• Large-eye sewing needle
• Dark brown embroidery floss
• Clear tape
• 9 inches of tan twist cord

Instructions

1. The Basic Stocking: Click here for detailed instructions and to download the dog paw stocking pattern.
   

2. Cut 1 paw shape from each piece of the light tan fur and 1 from each piece of the dark tan fur

3. Cut paw pads from the brown felt.

4. Pin the paw pads to the furry side of a dark tan paw and use the floss to whipstitch (see diagram and Tips) the pads in place.

5. Pin together the 4 paws with the dark tan paws on the outside, furry sides out, and the light tan paws on the inside, furry sides in.

6. Using the floss, whipstitch around the edges, sewing the paws together. Leave the top edges unsewn.
   

7. At the top, sew together the front 2 edges, then the back 2.

8. Fold down the top to make a cuff.

9. Tape the ends of the cord to keep them from fraying, then sew the cord to the stocking for hanging.

Hopefully my mistress is putting the cookies out a little bit earlier this year, because it's really hard to stay awake and eat them before Santa does....

♫ ♪ Baby, it's cold outside ♫ ♪

As you can certainly imagine, I don't like any style of dog-clothing - I'm a red-blooded male!
Nevertheless some weird human beings think that they have to robe their dogs like infants and even think they like it.
I must confess that there are some buddies who need something to wear, because they don't have enough undercoat. But why the hell it has to look like Barbiedolls on their way to prom?

'cause it's getting colder day by day, I seek advice from the web and found a »Quick coat« that is really easy to sew and doesn't look like "Tinky Winky" of the Teletubbies.

Needed Materials

• waterproof fabric 60cm (24 inches)
• warm lining fabric (for example fleece or artifical fur) 60cm (20 inches)
• velcro (for example 2cm / ~1" wide)

Pattern


The pattern is made for a coat like in the picture at the end of this post; you might want to consider making a bigger coat in up-down direction. Then the coat would protect some more.

Bend the waterproof fabric in half, put the bend in place marked in the picture. Cut the pieces, collar B is not mandatory. You can also make it from artificial fur, both sides. This would make the coat look really cool:) Bend the lining fabric and cut one similar main piece also.

Open bent pieces. Sew lining and waterproof fabric together from wrong side, but leave the collar area open. Turn inside out, so the seams are hidden nicely.
Attach the collar, sew along the edge of main piece. If you made the collar from two pieces, do it the same way as main piece: together from wrong side and then turn inside out. If you do not make a collar, then just sew the main pieces together as nicely as you can.

Try the coat on the dog and choose suitable places for velcro on the front (about place C).
Choose a spot for stomach band also (about place A).
Sew in the front velcro, if you do not want to use there velcro at all, sew pieces together. Just be sure that dog's head can fit through. Sew stomach band in place from one side, sew also some velcro to it's free end.

Try the coat again, now it's easy to spot the place for velcro so that the stomach band works. Sew it in place and the coat is finished!

If you consider fleece as a lining fabric, note that it gathers static electricity easily. Therefore it collects lots of hair.
The coat should look something like this (the stomach band in picture is different):

All instructions by the mistress of Noppa (the beautiful Dalmatian shown above). Thanx for that!

Man - I just notice that we have a crazy date today: 11|11|11
Seems to be a freaky friday...
(Maybe I'll put on a coat when going out for a walk - my mistress will go crazy on me!!!!)

Magnetic fields

Christmas is moving closer & closer - right on the day there are only 2 months left.
My mistress is a person who hate being on the eleventh hour with buying christmas-presents. In addition she likes to donate things with a personal style and she likes all of the DIY-stuff.
She found a really simple tutorial of »Ambrosia creative« where you learn how to do handicrafted fridge-magnets that look like cute little polaroids. A perfect present for christmas!

After downloading the frame, she put some photos of me inside, printed them out, glued them onto a cardboard, glued them onto a magnet and a short while later she had some fancy magnets for one of her best friends that is respectively one of my biggest fan...
Look at this:


You can do this with every motif you like. My personal choice would be: sausages, bones, ham, treats aaaaaand the silly cat of our neighbours.

Do(g) it yourself

It's important to protect the world we're living in. And it's important to support organizations that protect our planet.
My mistress is helping since years - she aids the »WWF - world wide fund for nature«.
A few days ago she received a mailing to help protecting the wolves in Europe. And there was a really nice idea attached at this letter: A small origami-sheet to fold up your own wolf!
For me it doesn't look like an ordinary wolf, rather it seems to be a cute little dog and so I forced my mistress to fold a pride of "dogs" for me. You can even print the following pattern onto colored paper to build various breeds, isn't that fabulous? Here we go!



The original color of the mailing-wolf was green, but my mistress "bleached" it for printing dogs in several colors:


Here comes the instructions for folding (No fear, it's quite easy!):


So let's run with the pack, buddies!

Balloon Dogs

I really like the noise when somebody is tinkering a balloon dog. And I love the feeling when I bite into one. (But I hate that BANG afterwards!)
Nevertheless - here are some of my inflated brothers and sisters I found at the internet:

This couple is a pair of bookends, I saw at »ModCloth«. Even if you aren't into reading it's an adornment for every shelf.


Two really nice collars for mistresses - one in black made by »Roscata«...

...and this glossy one in gold by »The Nymph«:


But never ever forget the lordlings! For the lords of the lordlings, I found some cufflinks designed by »Ted Baker«:

Aaand never, really never ever forget your lovable pup. Here's a unique toy from »charming pet« for chewing, drooling, licking, nibbling & biting.

My suggestion would be: Balloon dog for president! - Here is an inspiring button by »Short attention span girl« for his eleccion. I will wear it at my collar while listening to his first speech.


For everyone who is into that "Do-it-yourself-stuff", try this instruction for knoting your own balloon dog. But be careful, don't mutate into an animal hoarder...