Maltese Dog Love: Easy Bows for The Pampered Pooch, Westminster or Petfinder

My furbaby Zuzu can jump up on my sofa from standing still. 

The pillows are turned over so her paw prints soil only one side.

Images: Kennel and Bench, Unknown, Denise Rodhe/Darlynns Maltese, Jackie/Jami Maltese,

Sharon Pearson/Foxstone Maltese, Tammy Simon/Ta-Jon Maltese.

Since it’s the season for the Westminster Dog Show here in America, I thought I’d do a post on my favorite breed, the Maltese.

The breed is thought to originate from the island nation of Malta in the Mediterranean at the time of the Romans.   From the start, the tiny dogs were spoiled by aristocrats delighted to hand feed them, carry them in their arms, and let them sleep in their beds.

One of the things they’re infamous for is a lot of grooming.

My Maltese Zuzu and Belle always have bows tied in their hair.

Belle, 11, is a gentle dowager and can keep a fancy $12 tiara in her hair for weeks.
For my visiting Maltese friends 'in dogs', Zuzu is from Heaven Sent Maltese in MA,
her sire's side has Marcris/RagTak/Pashes/Ta-Jon and can be traced back to
Joanne Chen's Mino Maya Dancer.  Belle is adopted from Jambet, her
grandson is Magic who was ranked #12 a few years ago. 

Zuzu, 6 on 10 February, is a little scalawag that follows our big dogs Ruffy and Mully

in the woods and fields.  Her bows last a few days.  I needed a solution for Zuzie.

 It’s very easy.

Gather some wired ribbon, a ruler, scissors, and clear 5/16” grooming bands.

Cut the ribbon into 2 lengths of 6” each.

Fold one side, then the other.

Cinch with a rubber grooming band.

Attach to your furbaby’s ponytail with another grooming band,

and enjoy how cute she looks!

They’re washable and last for months.

The wire ribbon is malleable, which is great because you don’t have to

coax them into place the way you must with regular starched show bows.

Photo: Donna Bass Photography

My friend Donna loves dogs and horses, for a special treat check her site out!

   

These French script rose petal bows were made from a petal on my Teacup Design 

silk roses I simply cut and stitched together and banded to Zuzu’s ponytails.

Do you pamper your pooch? 
Blogger Marie Arden sure does – I’m always checking in to see ‘Les Girls’ –
so if you need a Maltese fix check her out!  Her girls are from Linda at TaLin.

Interested in enriching your life with a Maltese?  Opt to adopt at Petfinder.

I’ve been a volunteer for Metropolitan Maltese Rescue since 2005. 

What a joy it is helping homeless dogs find loving homes in the NY metro area!

The American Maltese Association publishes a list of reputable Maltese breeders listed by state. 

If you’re in Texas, why not visit their National Specialty in April, a dog show with just Maltese?

Thanks for all your 'bon anniversaire' wishes to Zuzu -- I relayed them and she wagged.

Until next time, stay shabby!

I’ll be sharing this with:

Get Your Craft On Tuesdays at Today’s Creative Blog

Beverly’s Pink Saturday

Please visit these fine blogs and share the fun!

P.S. - Author Christina Strutt of Cabbages & Roses has three of her items in a DustyLu

Giveaway:

Vintage White Video: With Participants

The time is now!

I'm excited to unveil the inaugural episode of Vintage Video

here at My Shabby Streamside Studio -- a seasonal blog party featuring YOU,

and YOUR beautiful homes, art, gardens, and photos!

First, I'd like to introduce you to my friend Olivia Parazine of

Olivia's Romantic Home and her romantic bedroom:

Next, we get to see Stephanie of Angelic Accents and her rose-centric creations:

Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

And now for the final video featuring all the Linky participants in my

Vintage Video Party!

  

The My Shabby Streamside Studio YouTube link is here.

I've disabled the comments on these only because some people on YouTube leave

unfriendly anonymous remarks, and I don't want to expose us to that.

Don't forget:

1.  The next Vintage Video will be in July.   Theme: white flowers.

2.  You don't need a video to participate -- still pictures are very welcome.

3.  Place a watermark with your name or blog name and URL on your photo.

My humble thanks, again, to everyone who participated!

My sincere apologies to those I missed on the first tries.

It's uncomfortable for me to 'put myself out there' in this fashion,

but I've been directed to do all this to make myself marketable to publishers.

Until next time, stay shabby!

I'm sharing this with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage





My Heart Dog Zuzu on her 6th Birthday

     La Principessa Zuzu, pooped from partying, with her angel’s wings snoozes on

my ‘La Reine’ pillow from Tattered Notions.

Momo and Ruffy

Zuzu and Belle

Graphic: Tattered Vintage

From scratch, my King made hot lactose-free cream of potato and parsnip soup garnished with heart-shaped croutons and chives, yeast-raised breadsticks, and a white bundt cake dusted with confectioner’s sugar for La Principessa Zuzu’s 6^th birthday party!   Her siblings received little candy cone favors with a doggie biscuit inside.   Zuzu got a nice hunk of pan-seared tuna steak for her birthday, and gave us lots of kisses after she gobbled it up.

Zuzu (with her nose tucked under, she still does that!) at 3 weeks, and today.

You were born 10 February 2005, we’ve spoiled you for six years of bliss and don’t care.
We’re unashamedly besotted with you, Little Miss Zuzu.

Anybody else this crazy about their dogs?!

Until next time, stay shabby!

I’m sharing with Kathleen’s White Wednesday at Faded Charm – come to the pale party!

Belle Blanc: Aus Liebe zu Weiss available at Amazon UK

BELLE BLANC - Aus Liebe zu Weiß available on Amazon.co.uk

£ 23.87; ISBN 978-3-512-03354-4

Quick update:  Mira & Bianca's beautiful book now is available at the UK Amazon.com for a little over $50 USD with a 2-two week delivery estimation.   Written in German, Aus Liebe zu Weiss needs no translation to enrapture you in the sanctity and repose of all-white interiors.  Just ordered a copy destined to live by my bedside forever.

Until next time, stay shabby!

xo

Sandy

Shabby Chic: Green & White Palette

Isn't it delightful the way Rachel Ashwell designs new items in simpatico with the legacy of all her wares?  You could pair something you bought yesterday with something you bought twenty years ago and it’ll blend seamlessly.

Here’s a shot from last spring of my Simply Shabby Chic Cabana Stripe throw pillows, bought at Target six years prior for $15 each.   They’re wonderful for that crisp, fresh, summery look of a cottage on the sea.

And, freshly laundered Simply Shabby Chic (and a little Laura Ashley) bedding folded and stacked away.   After five years the colors are fading and fibers thinning, so it feels really vintage and comfy.   They’re the real life sheets, unlike the purest white new linen I keep for guests.   It’s a pity I didn’t think to dig up her sachets when I shot this, I’m certain you would’ve liked to see them.

My newest acquisition is a $1 packet of sticky notes and flags from her "Treasures" collection from Michael’s.   I keep some flags on my nightstand (where they are so much more restful on the eyes than those neon ones from the office), in my wallet, my blog binder, and on my computer.   Didn't hear she had new stuff?   Keep up with her on her Facebook page.

Thanks, Rachel!

Until next time, stay shabby!

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Favorite Things Friday at A Few of My Favorite Things

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage

Come join the parties!

Showcase your work in “Vintage Video”!

My gentle readers, I’m initiating a fun, unique blog party.   Called ‘Vintage Video’, I hope you’ll link up and join me and your favorite bloggers in a seasonal video feature!

No video is necessary -- just a picture of your latest work or blog post!

I made a video with my dorky little camcorder, but the software I have access to makes nice transitions.   My hope is you’ll send in still pictures or videos related to the season’s theme until I close the Linky in a week, and then I’ll insert them in the video and post it.   The video will be available for viewing forever.   I plan to do Valentine’s, summer flowers, fall stuff, and the holidays.

Videos should be emailed to me here.   Please limit to 30 seconds so everyone gets a chance.

Tips:

Want your name, blog, and blog URL to show on your photo or video?   You must write it on with Photoshop, Paint, or other software.

The software crops vertical pictures very heavily.   Horizontally oriented ones work better.

This season’s theme is ‘A Winter White Valentine’s Day’.   You could send in something you made, or bought, or restored, anything related to the theme.   I’d love to share what you do.

Don’t be shy!  Link up!  And, kindly leave a courtesy link to the post if you have a blog.

Until next time, stay shabby!

Have A Heart

Card: Irene Suchocki

Montreal photographer Irene Suchocki’s work is full of heart, as if she traveled the world and waited all day for the right light for each shot.   Her $3 note card of the Eiffel Tower’s lights rendered in heart bokeh so ensnared my heart I could not rest until I learned the technique.  Above, a heart bokeh shot of my loft bedroom’s chandelier at dusk.

The Apache Blessing, spoken in my wedding vows and lived daily thereafter.

Pen: Rachel Ashwell, Graphics: Victoria, January 2011

Journal: Chenoa O'Keefe

My new Shabby Chic “Treasures” smooth ballpoint pen is perfect for sketching in the handcrafted diary given to me by Australian artist Chenoa O’Keefe of the dreamy blog bouquet of dreams.  Her blog never fails to nourish my heart with her sentiments and evocative photography.  Chenoa works in paper, fabric, and bits of vintage jewelry.  The elements of her journals have a past and a future at the same time, waiting for your words to fill them.

February 14th is a happy anniversary in my family for two extra reasons, for almost to the day my daughter Zuzu was born and we found ‘The Love Shack” (the name we privately call ‘My Shabby Streamside Studio’).   I’m pictured here minutes after we decided to buy it, and as always, I’ve got my heart dog close to my heart.


My heart soars to read your comments and email, and breaks because I haven’t responded to every one of your comments, especially those asking for design advice.   If you’re wondering why I haven’t blogged about something I won or bought, your time is coming, I promise.   I won’t do quickie posts to get that sort of thing over with; I want to make it nice.   I’m limited to 90 minutes on the computer the library, and that gets eaten up very quickly just with posting!   Snow closings haven’t helped, neither have the huge projects I’m working on.
Know also I’m hoping your heart is full of warmth in this freezing season, and urge you to touch others and ‘love like you’ve never been hurt’.   Valentines aren’t just for lovers.

Hot cocoa with whipped cream and tiny edible glitter hearts from Michael’s, $6.

Until next time, stay shabby!

 

I’m sharing with Beverly’s Pink Saturday, come join the pink party!



A Visit to disegno Karina Gentinetta: Antiques Shop in New Orleans

The prettiest armoire ever, now owned by the very lucky Daria Pew

of a chaque oiseau son nid est beau,

I hope she blogs about it when it’s installed (hint hint Daria)!

The Fanciful Designs paper rose napkin rings on the edge of the mantle made it in

nearly every picture I took.   I won a Fanciful Designs paper rose in a giveaway

and will be blogging about owner Noel Solomon’s art in late February.

Architectural detail, layer upon layer, everywhere in this sensuous city.

Karina at home with her poochies Thelma & Louise.

Lucky for me, I came across Karina’s blog  for her gorgeous fine antiques store disegno Karina Gentinetta as a novice blogger.    Eventually, whenever I needed a picture of the prettiest antique I was trying to emulate with a yard sale find for a blog post I automatically emailed her instead of googling.

I found her via Claudia Strasser’s Paris Apartment blog, intrigued by a post about a designer that started an antique shop after life-altering tragedy.

What touched me the most about Karina was ‘the voice behind the blog’.   She’s down-to-earth, self-effacing, and asks about the mundane as well as the marvelous in my life when we correspond.   After a shoot at my studio for Romantic Country magazine where the stylist used bright red props I didn’t delight in, she put her lawyer hat on and counseled me over the phone when I stressed over a solution that would make all parties happy.

When I thought I had a December deadline for shooting photos to include in my book, I automatically emailed Karina asking if I could cite her shop’s dream furniture (it's the real deal and priced to reflect that) for leading broke folk like me to good ‘lines’ when yard ‘sale-ing’.

I flew to New Orleans (very French and rife with its own culture) in October 2010 and took pictures of her home and shop.   I couldn’t control my reaction (gasping, jaw-dropping) when I came through the door—it’s the drama of entering a palace.   Or a dream.   Everything was going so well for the 2-day shoot; her pretty city (well-healed) bewitched me, I saw Spanish moss hanging from live oaks for the first time, I didn’t accidentally call her “Katrina”.   Her great cook of a husband made an excellent shrimp dish and I learned the very hard way I’m suddenly allergic to shellfish.   He spent most of the night in the emergency room with me when he should’ve been sleeping for a job interview in the morning.

Tragedy struck again--her husband was laid off and now only her shop (and his temp work) supports them.   Like her city with its occasional bulldozed lots next to neighborhoods of the cutest twee Creole cottages nestled in subtropical landscaping, Karina dances on.   She’s put her wares on 1stdibs, the New York Design Center, and even as props for the next Twilight movie.

If you ever need a French furniture fix, dash over to disegno Karina Gentinetta and linger in her shop and its piquant New Orleans flavor.   And, if you hope to own a shop someday, believe in it.   Anything can happen.

Until next time, stay shabby!

I’m sharing Karina’s magic with the White Wednesday blog party at Faded Charm, come join us!

Mira & Bianca's book is finally released plus a Giveaway!

Finally!  

Mira & Bianca of the serene, restful, pure-as-snow beautiful blogs

Belle Blanc and White Living, respectively, finally have word

their valedictory work Aus Liebe zu Weiss (The Love of White) is released!

BELLE BLANC - Aus Liebe zu Weiß available on Amazon Feb. 2011 EUR 29,90 (D); ISBN 978-3-512-03354-4

I was lucky enough to interview Mira for Jo-Anne Colletti's gorgeous book

The Feminine Home last fall, and I think it's the best example of decor in that tome.

And, I should mention I'm in that tome.

These gals make me very nervous I can do a book...how can one follow such beauty?

I'd say hurry and click over to buy it at Amazon, (I sure would), but I don't think it's 

released in America until February.  They have a German Amazon link up.

Or just link up to their giveaway ending 5 February 2011! 

Until next time, stay shabby!