Fluff Your Stuff

My search for an Imperial Shih Tzu puppy!!!

2010-07-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Meet baby Sushi! So Sweet!

For the last 6 years I have been wanting a dog since my husband and I moved to ohio from Pennsylvania. I have finally convinced the hubby that it is a good idea. He finally cracked! I think it had to do with the continuous bugging. The breed I decided to go with is an Imperial Shih Tzu. They can be as tiny as 3 lbs. But as big as 8 to 10. I am looking for one that is more on the 6 lb range. I have been searching the internet for local breeders in my area. I am finding several that breed regular size shih tzu but it has been a little more difficult finding tea cup puppies. I have to admit the search has been a little over whelming. I just wish someone could say here you go. Here is the perfect dog for you and it is going to be really cute, healthy and happy for many years to come. But unfortunately it doesn't work that way.
Sushi with his new girl friend Cassey

One thing I have noticed is how helpful everyone has been in helping me with my search. I truly appreciate all the tips. It will definitely help me to find that perfect match for me. One person in particular has truly gone out of her way. I am so impressed with how she has been so open and is has knowledge of information when it comes to the breed. A few tips she gave me on picking a puppy:

1) Eyes/Nose/paw pads should be black
2) When the puppy looks at you, the whites of the eyes should not show.
3) The nose should be tiny and almost between the eyes, the face squished.
4) No bulging eyes out, head should not be to big, compared to the body and should be proportioned.
5) Check out if it breaths well.
6) check for fleas and ticks.
7) They should give you a few days to bring the puppy to your vet to be checked to see if it is healthy.
8) Try not to get a white puppy because its eyes stain all the time.
9) Teach it to drink from a water bottle so that its beard doesn't stain.

One other breeder said:
1) Buy locally if you can. It works out better if something is wrong with your puppy.
2) Look at the parents first. Ugly parents sometimes can produce ugly babies.
3) Asked to see proof of vet visits.

Last Breeder said:
There is a formula for picking the right size.
*At 8 weeks of age take the puppies exact weight and multiply it by 3
*At 10 weeks X 2 and add a pound
*At 12 weeks X 2

I have seen a wide range of colors. The multi color one that I like the best is called a Brindle. Those are really pretty.

I went to a breeders house the other day and I was truly disappointed. But I will continue my search and I will keep you updated on how things are going.

2009-12-16T08:07:00.000-08:00

Kelly's Christmas Decorations

2009

This picture sets the tone for what you about to see past through these doors! It's a Christmas Whimsical Wonderland!

I love this Garland!!!

This is the first thing you see when you pass through the doors. This is her main entry. The touch of whimsy just makes me smile. My twin sister and are have very similar taste. But when it comes to decorating our homes for the holidays, it is very interesting to see how different we represent the holiday in our own flair. She has always had a touch for the dramatic. Which is what I love. The colors! Hot pink, lime green, red and any other bright color she can throw in there. She just has that magical touch in my opinion.

Her master bedroom!

The glistening silver, the vintage ornaments and the soft palettes just works in here so well.

She has been collecting vintage Christmas orni's for a few years now. I think they look beautiful on this tree!

This is a spot in her kitchen. I see a few things that I made. The papier mache house and the plate.

Here is a picture of the dining room. All decked out for the Holidays! She has very tall ceilings in this room. So decorating the chandelier is a must in my opinion.

Greenery and balls, what more do you need!

This is a piece of furniture she has in her dining room. Once again a touch of whimsical.

No place, no corner forgotten. Her kitchen is a great place for a few Santa collectibles and a cookies jar full of Christmas cookies!

The breakfast nook!

You don't have to have the normal center piece on your kitchen table. Do what Kelly did and add a hurricane vase of limes and cranberries. How simple but oh so perfect in this spot.

More vintage balls, a great place for those Christmas cards and a few favorite Holiday photo's of the kiddo's!

She even added that special touch of hers to the bar area!

The crowning glory!

I see sugar plums dancing in my head when I see this. Color, Color, Color! I love the two toned garland. The lime green just adds that extra touch! The glass trees add that even balance to the already decorated mantle.

The Family Tree!

Whether it's store bought ornament you have been collecting for years or the ornaments that your kids had made the past few years, there is nothing like the family tree. Everyone's is oh so different but yet so wonderfully adorned!

Great job Sis! I just wish I could see it in person!!

Merry Christmas and big hugs!

Changed the mantle this year!

2009-12-09T03:00:00.001-08:00

I decided to change my mantle for Christmas this year! I like it much better than last year. All those bulbs were from Hobby Lobby(no more the $2.50 each) and Walmart(no more than a $1.00 each). Walmart had such a great selection of glittered dollar orni's. Stop by and take a peek if you hadn't. Just buy a few and keep in your stash. They would be great to even add to the outside of a Christmas package.

HGTV Giveaway

2009-02-13T11:28:00.001-08:00

I thought I would share this!

2009-01-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

An aging builder was ready to retire. He told his boss of his plans to leave the home-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire, and they could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his favorite employee and friend go & asked if he could build just one more home as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, 'This is your house... my gift to you.' The carpenter was stunned!

What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, 'Life is a do-it-yourself project.' Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the 'house' you will live in tomorrow.

Therefore, Build wisely!.

This is so True!!!!!!

Handmade Little Girls Picture frame for sale on Etsy!

2009-01-06T11:27:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone! Well the holidays have ended and time to start working on the next holiday for my Etsy store. I have been working on all kinds of decorations for your home for Valentine's Day. One of the things I really enjoy making are these one of kind picture frames. This particular one is for that special little girl in your life. This frame can be hung from just about anywhere. Childs door knob, closet door or even a special place on the wall. I have even dated it with the year 2009! So if you would like to stop by and see this frame in detail, then just stop by my Etsy store and take a peek.

Link to Etsy Store

Better late than Never! Christmas Decorations for 2008

2008-12-16T08:15:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

2008-11-27T12:26:00.001-08:00

Fall is my favorite time of the year! What is yours?

2008-11-06T04:44:00.000-08:00

Pictures are all courtesy of Photobucket!

Want to try and win something for free!!!!!!!

2008-10-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone! Some of you might not know that my Ebay group has it's own blog. This is the first time that our Ehag Art blog has decided to do a giveaway.

All the Artist's would like to say a big thank you to all the collectors and to anyone that has supported the group in the past. This is what they came up with, "A Blog Giveaway". There are a total of 14 wonderful Halloween artist's that are participating in this event.

So stop buy and leave a comment. You never know you just might win! Good Luck everyone and I hope you all have a "Ghoulish Halloween"!!!!

Link to Blog

Remember When! Master Bath Remodel!

2008-10-13T19:31:00.001-07:00

Remember this!!!!

Can you believe it!! The time has finally come. I can't even remember when we started this remodel. It has been that long. It might of been in February some time. But the wait has been well worth it. I designed the bathroom and my hubby did all the work himself. When we moved into this house 5 years ago, I just knew it had potential. We finished the main floor last year. Now we are working on the upstairs. What better place to start than in my bathroom and bedroom. As you can see in the pictures of the old bathroom was just plain awful. The wallpaper was gross. I wanted to strip that down the day we moved in. The house needed so much work so unfortunately we had to do one room at a time, the upstairs was pushed aside. I think with all the remodeling that we have done so far this one would have to be my favorite. Maybe because you spend so much time in your bedroom and bathroom overall compared to the other rooms in the house.

I think I have given you an idea of what it looked like before and what it looks like now. We still have a few more things that we are working on. But I am finally using the bathroom and sleeping back in my bed.

Remember My husband did all the work himself. Down to the studs, wiring, plumbing and the works. I am so lucky!! I thank him everyday!!

I am working on making some big silk Euro's for my bed and hubby still has to make a night stand for his side. I found an ottoman at a store the other day. Just trying to decide if I want to do that or not. It has been fun but boy am I glad it is all over. Someone asked me the other day, "whats next". I think I am going to relax for a while. Maybe I mean, let the hubby relax. Poor Guy! But he sure loves me! Look what I got!! Yeah! Then I'll work on the guest bedroom next. But I don't want to think about that yet. I am iust enjoying doing not much of nothing when it comes to decorating right now. It feels good and the lack of dust is a blessing!!!

Handmade tissue box for sale!

2008-10-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

Some of you might know that I make items and sell them on Ebay and Etsy. Another place you can find homemade things from me is on SpookyTimeJingle. I have two Christmas items for sale on this site this month. One is a decorative tassel and the other is a tissue box. The tissue box is great around the holidays. I always like to set mine out so all can see. Also think of giving this as a hostess gift, maybe for that special teacher or even a long lasting friend. This is something that will be used often and cherished for years. The other item is a tassel. Some of you that are into decorating might know exactly what to do with this item. This is perfect for dressing up that boring cabinet, a loney door knob or even a not so exciting curtain rod.

Stop by SpookyTimeJingle and check out these items. Just click on the link below and it will take you there.

Kim Hardt Originals on SpookyTimeJingle

Decorating my home for Halloween!

2008-10-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

I love to decorate for Halloween. Do you have a favorite Halloween Decoration. If I had to pick it would be a toss up between my outdoor Haunted house. I love the way the shadows shine on the house or the pumpkins in my fire place.

So tell me! What's yours?