Introduction

Welcome to my first post on our brand new blog.  I will be talking about anything related to my craft projects and my dogs' achievements in life.  This blog is where I can brag (or grumble) about what my dogs have done lately, as well as give on-going peeks as to what I am doing creatively...  and sometimes the two bisect!  I hope you enjoy my blathering...

I am owned by three dogs:  my deaf agility sheltie Alva; 

my fearful rescue sheltie Hutch; 

and my fearless 6 month old papillon puppy, Tesla.  

We are in various levels of training with all three of them.  And with Tesla, just plain growing up is enough... teaching her (and for her, learning) to be a well-behaved young lady is hard work!  They take up a grand majority of my free time, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

This past weekend, my dogs and I attended a NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council) agility trial.  I was the trial's chief course builder, so I was very, very busy (and am now very, very tired!).  It was a lovely, cool, overcast weekend in La Jolla, and we couldn't have asked for any better weather for the end of July!  It was a fun weekend with a great judge and competitors.  Alva and I didn't do well as far as Qs go (qualifiers), but we were very successful working on distance and other handling issues we need to develop in order to grow as a team.  Hutch wasn't entered in the regular trial, but was entered in the Beginner Agility trial portion of the weekend.  He earned 2 Qs, one in Level 1, and his first Level 2 Q!  The best part was that he actually looked like he was having some fun playing with me, which is a HUGE step for him.  I have some hope for him, but I am realistic knowing he probably will never be a "great" agility dog, but if he has some fun, that is all that is important.  Tesla was her cute, obnoxious self, making her presence known to everyone.  She is learning a little self-control, and figuring out how to relax at trials (which is very important for a good agility dog).

Lately in crafting, I have been working on stuff for my scrapbook store's Shop Hop.  The Shop Hop theme this year is recipes.  Our store is doing a Cucumber salad.  I have been cutting cucumber die cuts and banners for the Take n Make.  Check out new information about the store here:  http://coolscrapbookstuff.blogspot.com/

I am also in the middle of creating a new storage space for all of my ink pads and refills.  I will take pictures of the project as it evolves.  So far, I am in the design phase, involving loads of trial and error.  I think I have something that will work, but I need to make the first set of cubbies to see if it will work.  Let you know how that progresses...

All for now,
Dayle