Proudly owned by another two cats....

And I believe I have the dirtiest soft top in America...

What was once a crisp black hood, is now saturated with white cat hairs! nice.

Jeffrey is a new stray cat... when he arrived he was skin and bone.  I found it frustrating because he would stay a week, start to put weight on, and then disappear for a week, and then return.  He did this for some months, but this last few weeks, he has stayed put.  I am happy about this.  I have been trying to get him in the cage because he needs to see the vet... I have yet to be successful.  He is a lovely cat, and I hope he stays.

One morning I heard this little fellow meowing very loudly up a tree.... I thought it was Texas, with a lost collar, and an unusual voice...I soon realised it wasn't him!  He is very feisty, so I have named him Tiger.  He has been cuddling up to the other cats for this last week, so I hope he will also stay. 

He has just started letting me touch him.... it's amazing what Friskies tinned food, toys and a back scratch will do :O)  

All the cats enjoy the dried food, but tinned food seems to attract them like chocolate attracts me. 

5 of our 13 cats are orange (or ginger as we would call them in England!)... oh, 13 cats... thats a worrying number isn't it?

Haiku My Heart....

Oh yes, it's Haiku my Heart Friday with the lovely Rebecca. 

She sits inspecting

emanating innocent

beauty I admire

Meet Fay, my eldest niece.  What I was attempting to say is that she is beautiful inside and out, and I don't think she realises :O) 

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Bernard is growing... alot.  I still don't know what he will turn in to.  He still loves Bear.  He also loves Roam..... alot

Roam has settled in very well, and tolerates Bernard.... alot.  They play all the time. 

They also play with Badger... alot. She was just about to pounce on them in this photo.

Stella, loves the new chair I just bought. I love it because it was an absolute bargain, it looks brand new - cost $95 from my all time favourite antique/junk shop. It's an Ethan Allen chair, a new one would set you back $1200. Don't you just love a bargain? (just for the record, this chair is neither antique nor junk... so it was somewhat misplaced!
Not sure my husband will love it quite so much, pink isn't really his colour. I guess it will be going in my new workroom (studio, if I were to be posh) when we move :O)

County French Antiques

New doggy, poorly doggy :o)

A little story.....

A photo of Mouse, two years ago, back in England.

........

First thing this morning I took Jesse to the airport... Airforce training of some sort in sunny California for two weeks.  I was going to go straight to work, but my 16 year old doggy Mouse was not well this morning, so I thought I would pop home and check on him before going to work....

About a mile from home, I saw a dog limping badly on the road... (ooooh dear I said to myself, actually, I think I swore)

To cut a long story short ~ I stopped, called, she came, she got in the truck, she licked me, she wagged her tail....she's doggy number 9.

She's under weight, has red raw paws, fleas, and a beautiful temperament.  I think she is a Red Heeler X Collie of some sorts... who knows!

I can't think of a name for her though.... any ideas would be very welcome?  One condition: It has to be a non-human name :O)

Mouses' back end keeps collapsing, and he is acting very odd.   Not good, so he is going to sleep on my bed tonight (this is an enormous treat) so I can give him a cuddle.  The vets will give him a once over tomorrow, following the doll giveaway draw.....

Oh my gosh, I am so thrilled with the generosity and support you guys have given me.... between us, we have exceeded my expectations! 

I am going to feel sooooooo guilty for all those who don't win... I wish I could make you all a doll!

Until tomorrow then....

**MEET BERNARD***

Our new puppy!  yep, another one.  He makes dog number 8, because some freakin idiot decided it would be much better for them to 'dump' on someone elses' property.  Well, in this case, they chose the right property, but come on!  my patience are wearing thin. 

If I ever get to meet the ***** that dump animals, god help them. At least he wasn't beaten.  (my temper is very rare, but when it's let out, duck)

Jesse named him Bernard!  I think it suits him very well.  Out of curiosity, I just googled the meaning of Bernard.. according to 'think baby names' (first site I opened)  ~Strong, Brave, Bear.  Well he was all these things, considering he was in the field of 2 horses and 1 donkey who is renowned for kicking the butt of any intruder.

In fact, our biggest dog Bear (no less) fathers him, and protects him from Lester and Llano, who aren't so keen on new team members for the first few days. If Lester starts growling at Bernard, Bear runs over and puts himself infront of Bernard and guards him, until he deems it safe.  I have never known Bear do this before...

'alright dad, you can protect me' :O)

So, my question is, what breed is he, and how old do you think he is?  I have no clue on this one!  He LOVES water....he sits in the water bowl and plays.

Bear watching the puppies play... just in case :O)

On another note... look what I received in the post this morning...

They were a gift from Christina  She was wondering what she could do with these in her art of doll making.. I was cheeky and said give them to me! so she sent me some, all the way from Sweden.... how lovely was that...

Thank you Christina... I love them!  Christina isn't selling anything right now, but her Etsy link is here.

Finally, I bought this gorgeous print from Paola

This is the first picture I have  matted and framed for myself.  It's great to work on other peoples art, but I had more fun making my own (thanks to Michaels... I did do it in my lunch break!)  to all those other certified framers, yes, I know the frame is oversized for the piece, and the matts are undersized for the frame, but that is what I wanted.  Rules are made to be broken :O)

visit Paola's Etsy shop here  I want to buy everything!!!

This really is an OH MY GOSH!

The Dubai show is cancelled until next year.... double drat.   I am gutted, but there is nothing we can do about it :O(  with cut budgets, they were forced to cancel the majority of their summer shows.

But, all is not lost, I have a new camera to play with... a Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm IS lens no less!  and a Berina Aurora 430 sewing and embroidery machine to play with... oh, and 2 new little kittens that my husband found huddled in the road.

I will eventually take photos of all the dolls I had made for the show, and of the growing Badger and the cute kittens, but for now, here is my camera experimentation... there is so much to learn... ugg.

Lester

Llano... these photos were taken when it was really dark!

She has no name :O(  any ideas?

Jewelry Box

Well, I definately need to practice using the camera..  It's so heavy, my wrist aches LOL!

Ooh... I've just thought, I can do the blog raffle/giveaway thing sooner than expected... The animal shelter is suffering, so this could be good timing....watch this space :O)

Hello! it's been a while :O)

ART DOLL

My latest Art Doll ~ Fern and her frog Fred, who refuses to turn into a Prince :O(

ART AUCTION

WHAT CAN YA DO?

When the time comes....bid on the amazing Cigar Box Shrines already in the auction..... the auction officially commences on 17th through to 24th April. With a preview on the 16th April. I will post details of the auction website nearer the time.

One hundred percent of the funds generated in the upcoming auction will go directly to the project.

FAMILY

Having just returned from England, I still feel a little homesick :O(  My Grandma's funeral service was lovely, and I have lots of treasures to remind me of her life :O)

Spending time with my Mum & Dad was great, as was time with my sister (on the left), and my rapidly growing gorgeous neices (oh, and my brother-in-law of course! well, he isn't rapidly growing except for the grey hairs tee hee)

PETS

My beloved black cat died the day I returned form England, eek, I so miss him.

Onray returned from the vets yesterday.... he got bitten by a Rattlesnake AGAIN!

Bobby vanished for three days, has returned thank god, but she's never gone wandering, so I was freaked out for a while...

Well folks, I think that's about it for one day :O)

Jakey and Jenkins

Good bye Jakey and welcome Jenkins

Our beloved one-eyed Jake suddenly died a couple of weeks ago, and we still can't quite get used to him not being around.  Two days ago Jenkins arrived on the doorstep.  He has no tail but, he is a very happy little soul and has made himself very much at home!  guessing he was another 'drop off'.