Animal Rescue League Pet Step 2009

Two NH Etsians met up at the Pet Step in New Boston, NH, on September 19. What a gorgeous but windy day that was! We learned firsthand (and we've done many shows over the past years) that you do not...I repeat...do not set up a display that can act as a wall to catch the wind! The crash was heard throughout the grounds!! (miraculously nothing broke!)

Here are a few photos of Kim Beers of WoofPurr Creations--she's the one with the fuzzy ears! (check out her earth-friendly dog and cat toys) and Carol Butler (that's me!) of Heart to Hand Creations ....as well as a few of the Pet Step walk-a-thon participants.

And....by the way....the papain I mentioned in my last post? It's still working!!! Only now I am using Pill Pockets which is a terrific way to get medicine into a cat!!

Papain and hairballs!

He is part Maine Coon, has gorgeous long fur, is soft as can be......and leaves hairballs everywhere! It has become such an issue that Jaz was developing other gastric problems as well so off to the vet we went. Before we run the gamut of expensive tests (ultrasound, endoscopy), the vet suggested we try something she has been using for her cat who has had the same problem a lot of house cats have.

First she told me that rabbits have hairball issues but they can't get them up. They've found that pineapple juice actually dissolves the hair and enables it to pass through their system. Cats, however, refuse pineapple (you think????) so that's not an option. However.......papain, an extract from papaya, does the same thing and you can sprinkle it on the cat's food (I actually mix it in with something gooey and put a dab on Jaz's paw so he licks it off.) It can be bought at a health food store (I actually got it at GNC for $2.99....tablets which I break up, crush and then use only a very little amount). Lo and behold.....we have not see hairballs or any sign of him being sick for about 10 days now. He's perkier, more like himself and we're not having to look in our shoes every time we put them on! Whether this will be a long term solution, we'll find out but for now it does the trick!!


Two of our latest custom pet treat jars.


















Visit us at www.hearttohandcreations.com or www.hrt2hand.etsy.com

Jake

Whew....all good intentions, you know. I cannot believe I have not written on this blog since March...winter!!!

What a summer here in NH.....we've actually had sun about a week now! The poor tomato and pepper plants have given up except for a couple of hardy ones. The rain just did them in. Oh....the green leaves are fine....the actual tomatoes and peppers are practically non-existent. We did a show a couple of weeks ago in Ipswich, MA, and the first day there was 4 inches of rain! Eight vendors lost tents to either the wind or the rain itself. I went down to check on our set up and thank goodness we were okay....but the people across from us were picking up pieces of their tent when I arrived.

While we were in Ipswich I delivered an order to a couple who had lost their 14 year old German Shepherd this past winter and wanted me to paint a portrait of him. I had done work for them before (a portrait of their beautiful pure black, blue-eyed kitten who was a victim of the tainted pet food problem several months ago) and they contacted me about painting their "Jake." In the background, they wanted a rainbow representing the hope of seeing him again.

I arranged for them to pick it up at a show I was doing. When they opened it, the two of them started crying and then I was crying......and I said to them that people walking by were going to think that I was upset because they were upset about my work. In reality, they were crying because they were so touched but it did throw me off for a minute!


A couple of more ACEO magnets that can be seen on our websites www.hearttohandcreations.com or www.hrt2hand.etsy.com

Dogs and chocolate

Just read an interesting tidbit about cocoa mulch and dogs. Many of us use mulch in our landscaping to choke out weeds and add a bit of "curb appeal" to our property. There are many types of mulch to choose from and most are safe for pets. HOWEVER....cocoa mulch is toxic. It is made from cocoa bean shells and looks and smells like dark chocolate. For those dogs who love to chew on everything, this is trouble! For more information go to Cocoa Mulch Toxicity .

Just wanted to share a photo of our youngest grandchild. What cheeks! She'll be a year in late May.

Take a look at our black and white pet notecards based on Carol's artwork. Right now they are available on Etsy http://hrt2hand.etsy.com but will soon be offered on our website as well Heart to Hand Creations

Teeny, Tiny Mice

"Hi There"

"Who Me?"

Have you heard about ACEO's? I hadn't until just recently and I love the concept. Original art can be very expensive and this is one way for people to collect and own actual pieces at wonderfully affordable prices. The only requirement for this type of work is that each piece measures 2-1/2" wide by 3-1/2" high. Small? Yes! Different? Yes! Something for everyone? You guessed it...yes! People buy them for many reasons....for display, for trading and for collecting. They may be framed and grouped together, displayed on a small (VERY small!) easel or as a collection in a basket or fancy box.

I have found ACEO's featuring photography, decoupage, quilting, prints, collages and, of course, original handpainted artwork done in oil, acrylic, watercolor and ink. Card stock, canvas, cloth, marble, porcelain, old playing cards and wood are just a few of the backgrounds used.

Where am I going with this? Of course...it's to tell you that we are now slowly adding ACEO's to our product line. I thought it would be fun to paint some little guys (mice and rats!) on pieces of MDF and I think they turned out rather cute if I do say so myself. Just a start.

"Bright Eyes"

Come visit these guys at http://hrt2hand.etsy.com or see our whole line of products at www.hearttohandcreations.com

Pooch Paws

I feel so badly for Sassy when she goes outside in the snow and ice. She doesn't know which paw to put down and which one to hold up in the air. We have tried "booties" but they are pulled off just as fast as bandages put on by the vet! Her poor paws become inflamed by the cold and road treatments. Her skin becomes very sensitive in the winter anyway and this does not help at all.

We finally found a product that really helps. I was at the natural pet food store and was talking with the clerk there about Sassy's paws and she suggested trying "Musher's Secret", a 100% natural wax product. It protects the toes against snowballing and salt burn and can also be used on open sores. All you do is rub a small amount in between the toes and it does work!!

Great story behind this custom-ordered plate (ordered by friends of the couple in the painting as a wedding gift). The couple was vacationing in Switzerland and while there, the guy made arrangements with a local man to walk down part of the mountain in the background with his Saint Bernard. The dog had a small keg around its neck and in the keg was a diamond ring....you're right...he proposed! This scene on the hand-turned plate was painted from the photograph the man took of the couple and the dog. See why we love custom work??

Great Quick Minestrone Recipe for Dog Lovers and Others!

You know...it's all about us and our products but I thought I'd put in a fantastic recipe for minestrone soup....perfect for these bitterly cold New England winter days. As a non-Italian (I'm as English/Scottish as they come), I thought I did quite well when I won a local paper recipe contest with this one! My Sicilian sister-in-law thought that was a "hoot." Of course, the recipe would really go well in our custom recipe boxes (but more about that later...here's the recipe).

Ministrone in Minutes!

1 lg. onion chopped
1 garlic clove minced
2 chicken bouillon cubes or envelopes
1 14-1/2 to 16 oz. can tomatoes
1 15-1/4 to 19 oz. can kidney beans, drained
2 medium carrots, sliced
1/2 c. elbow macaroni
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. oregano
1/2 10-oz. pkg. fresh spinach, cut into thin strips

1. In 3-qt. casserole, cook onion and garlic on high 3-4 minutes until tender
2. Add bouillon, next 6 ingredients and 2-1/2 cups of water. Cook, covered, on high 15-18 minutes until vegetables are tender. Stir once.
3. Add spinach. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes until macaroni is tender. Serve with grated parmesan if desired. Makes 4 main-dish servings. About 230 calories per serving.

Have you ever wanted a recipe box that could hold all your large 4 x6 cards without "squishing' them into the box? (or one specifically for 3 x 5 cards) Take a look at our custom designed, hand-painted solid wood boxes that can be made to accommodate either size and come in both single and double widths. I just love mine! The lid tilts to hold the recipe so it isn't laying on the counter where it can easily get ruined. This photo is of a double oak box that holds the 4x6 cards.

Til the next time.....enjoy the soup! And do check out our website www.hearttohandcreations.com.