Christmas through the Year!!!

Fa-la-la-la-la!  It's that time of the month, Allie's Christmas Through the Year is still stacking up Christmas presents for the winter holiday! 

I've actually completed a number of things which is surprising considering that my mom was back in the hospital, my husband has been going back and forth to South America and the dogs and just about everything else is on my shoulders.

Here at 3 P and N, the focus has been on the Holiday Craft Bazaar coming up in October.  I'm also on a mission to use up scraps.  So here we have matroyshkas and ladybug baby toys:

Bibs, we have a new wave of babies coming in the family and this is a great way to use up some of the leftover pieces of novelty fabric I have:

 More strawberry purses, I can't seem to keep these around, people are always interested in them:

And crafts for the kids to make gifts too!  Below are simple little wall hangings that the kids can make artwork on (with fabric markers).  I hope to have a whole table dedicated to just kid crafts and my son has already offered to help me at the bazaar.  I'm about half done with the amount I hoped to do and this is a GREAT way to use up scraps:

You might remember Katie and Natalie experimented with this idea back in June:

At their request, we made pillows but we are going to do wall hangings for the kids because it will be easier for them.  I hope to get some coasters done too!  It will be a good way to use up small pieces of batting.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas in July!

Hershey Quilt Show

I had never been to the Hershey Quilt show before.  There weren't a lot of quilts in comparison with other Pennsylvania shows but the ones they had were wonderful!  These were some of my favorites:

  

Chanticleer

Last night, my friend Pam took me to Chanticleer for a garden and house tour.  It was hot but so inspiring!  Not many of my photos came out well. Realized today that it is so hot and humid, condensation keeps forming on my lens!  Here are some images from this wonderful garden:

fun, fun, fun, in the sun, sun, sun...

We are in a two day respite from humidity and spending a lot of time outside.  I got a new ball for Greta but Teddy stole it and hid away so he could squeak it on his own:

Greta has a new boyfriend.  She stands looking at him with her tail wagging so much you would think it would fall off:

Yup!  She loves George the cat next door!  It's the first time she's seen a small animal that didn't immediately run away from her and it is SO EXCITING!!!  George even came to the wall so she and Seamus could smell him and go out of their minds with joy!  Silly Puppies!

update on greta.....

Thanks to all for suggestions and support regarding Greta!  Greta doesn't seem to mind the diapers (wonder if they make her feel safe somehow) and I do think she is afraid of the dark.  If I take her out with the boys at 9 p.m. when it is still light, she seems to do okay.

I thought this might be from all the chaos she has been through the past year but both my mother and brother told me you have to ignore her or she will just want to come in again.  In fact, she will stand outside the window to see if you are watching her (did this here too) and not do her business. 

When DH gets home, he is going to put more flood lights out back so that should help as well.  I'm just relieved she doesn't mind sleeping in diapers until things are resolved.

Oh and check out my new flower!  It is a double coneflower!  I love it!

Dog Advice Needed

Greta is different than any other dog we have had.  She is very sweet and cooperative except for one thing, going out to do her business after dark.  I don't know what to do at this point.  Greta was recently diagnosed with incontinence (she'd wake up and go out and I'd realize her bedding was soaked) and she is taking medicine for it.  Turns out it is a normal thing that happens to a certain percentage of female dogs who have been spayed.  The medicine is really helping but she needs to go out before bedtime...and how do I know that?  Because she submissive wets A LOT (she's a big girl)  ALL OVER MY HOUSE at night when I try to get her to go out with the boys at night.
The vet suggested treats.  That didn't work.   I'm getting diapers to put on her at night before I try to get her out but this is a real mess.  Dog people, have any suggestions?  I absolutely do NOT need another thing on my plate these days......

New Water Fountain...

The old water fountain cracked this past winter.  My husband didn't get around to repairing it (for the third or so time) and I didn't have the heart to nag him about it since he is home so little and needs rest.

I liked the fountain because it added something wonderful to the garden.  So yesterday, I dropped off my husband at the airport and stopped at the hardware store with one mission and ended up with a fountain.  Our neighbor boys helped to get it in and move the old one out.  Thanks Mike and Andy!  Seamus and Greta looked at it and said, nice thing, now pet me and throw the ball.  But not the Tedmeister: 

"This is a new thing for me!  Maybe I can get my head stuck here!  Wha?  Why is Ma bringing the hose here?"

 "This thing smells like water, what is up with that?" 

"OOOOH, I get it!  It's my personal water fountain, COOL!"

Better late than never

I missed Allie's Christmas through the year this month by a day.  I became too busy yesterday to really get back to the internet (a regular occurence these days).  Anyway the only thing I really accomplished in June were these placemats and a few hot pads which I sent to my son Peter and his gal for Christmas in July.

For all you bloggers there are two neat drawsting bags I want to refer.  I can't wait to try both of these when things calm down!  The first is from Sarah's blog  and features a panel on the front.  Clever gal, I was wondering how she got such depth and it was simple, she quilts the panel!  The other bag is offered at Linda's blog and features a more elongated bag.  For both bags you will have to scroll down so check them out!

Off to start all my work, will check in when I can!