A Dog's Life

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:59:00 +0000

Heat, humidity, possible t-storms...yup.. it's definitely July 4th! Oh yeah...the neighborhood fireworks have been going on the past couple of nights as well and poor Sassy is beside herself. She doesn't know where to hide and we've finally taken to given her just a small piece of her acepromazine to calm her down somewhat. Feel so bad for her and the real test will be tonight when the city fireworks go on.

Enjoy the day everyone...be safe!

A year....really a year???

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:12:00 +0000

I cannot believe that it's been a year since I last posted. So much has gone on...additional foot surgery due to the accident in 2008, developing new products, a much-needed weekend in Florida and dealing with animals who are popping up with more problems as they age.

Snow has done so well over the past 2 years and now has a serious heart murmur and kidney failure. Of course, she does not like the prescription KD so I've found some food that has very low crude protein (not quite as low as KD) but lower than most of the foods out there. She's also on Renal K for her potassium.

Sassy has had MRSA (yeah...animals can get it!) and has been on all kinds of antibiotics. Finally found one that has pretty much cleared it up. She's also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism so is on medication for that as well as allergy meds.

Jaz, so far, is just on pepcid for his stomach issues.

Those meds, along with the ones my dad takes are lined up on the kitchen counter....no wonder I'm on anti-anxiety meds myself!

Still finding time to work on orders and we've done some really special ones this year including the memorial box shown here. I just love it because it looks as if "Pi" is staring right up to Heaven.

Don't know when I'll post next....great plans....no follow through!

Firemen DO save cats!

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:08:00 +0000

I got the biggest kick out of this story. Our youngest son is a full-time firefighter in a small town in NH and not much goes on during the week. A little while ago, they got a call from the police asking them if they were not busy if they could go and rescue a cat that was caught in a rock. The owner had called the Humane Society, Animal Rescue and the police to no avail but the police decided to find out if the fire department could help out. Nobody knew exactly what the woman meant by "caught in a rock" but they soon found out.

Not knowing what to expect, our son and the other fireman went over to the woman's house and she was begging them to put the cat down because it was suffering from what she had seen. It turns out that the cat had become wedged between a boulder that had been split in the middle and it just couldn't get out. Well these two heroes got out the jaws of life, broke open the boulder and out ran the cat, perfectly okay. So....firemen may not go up trees any more but they do save cats caught in rocks! At least in a small town in NH, they do!! Needless to say.....being such an animal lover that I am, I am very proud of these 2 guys! Four-legged members of families are extremely special and deserve to be saved!

So much for grand plans!

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:07:00 +0000

Really.....honestly....I DID plan on starting up with the home shows again this spring and to write on a regular basis but so many things got in the way (things that are called LIFE in general) so the idea is to start up in the fall. I have kept up with posting on Facebook under the Heart to Hand Creations page so I have done something! Will post when we do start up the shows and let you know if things went the way they did when we first started them in 1996. It will be all new artisans so the chemistry will be new.

Finished this plaque as an order for Mother's Day. Normally I don't paint on slate but did enjoy it for a change. We are so used to working with wood. Am now working on another pet memorial box and a house portrait.

Visit us at http://www.hearttohandcreations.com/ www.etsy.com/hrt2hand

Home Shows

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:19:00 +0000

You know.....I've decided it's time to get back to doing home shows again. Did them for nearly 10 years and gave them up a couple of years ago to concentrate on other venues. Have talked to some friends who are willing to do them with me so I guess I'll get out all the information, invitations, you name it and see about re-organizing it all. They really are a lot of fun and such low overhead when you consider all the other costs to marketing your work.

A little late for me to organize a Valentine brunch at my house (which is the way we used to kick off each season of shows) but I do have an excuse since I just had surgery on my foot (second one since a car accident....not our fault!....a year and a half ago). Aiming for late March for the first one this time around.

Will keep you all posted.....and if any of you are interested in how we did them in the past, I'd be glad to help out with info!!

For all you New Englanders.....think Spring!!

www.hearttohandcreations.com www.hrt2hand.etsy.com

Sad Story

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:14:00 +0000

We just got an order for a memorial portrait (on a jar) of a beautiful golden retriever. Ari's family took her to the vet for her annual check up and inoculations (she was 8), brought her home, and she immediately had trouble standing, breathing and just being. She was rushed back to the vet's where she was diagnosed as being in anaphylactic shock due to the injection (which she had many times before). She didn't make it which makes this story so sad. We think we are protecting our beloved 4-footed friends.....you just never know. There is so much written today about the pros and cons of the various shots and treatments for our pets and it makes you wonder. I will post a picture of Ari's jar when it is finished.

On a brighter note, our beautiful white cat, Snow (very original name, don't you think?!) was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago October, has had 2 surgeries and is supposed to be living on borrowed time. Well....let me tell you....she's borrowing that time from everyone! We certainly didn't expect to have her longer than 6 months so we are thrilled and enjoy each and every day we have with her.

Recent memorial portrait.

Come visit us at www.hearttohandcreations.com

Hungry dog!

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Well...I guess we have proof that our lids for the pet treat jars are non-toxic! We were at a show this past weekend and a customer approached me about ordering a lid for the jar she had purchased 2 years ago. It seems her dog got hold of the first lid and ate it! No side effects!! Only thing I can figure out is that the lid must have smelled like dog treats! I am now awaiting new photos of the dog so I can do the second lid for her. Love the custom orders with the custom stories!

A couple of our recent custom orders..."River", the Golden Retriever whose jar was a first birthday present to him; "Bob the Mouse" is an ACEO magnet; and "Sampson the Cat" was a memorial gift from a client to a friend.

Come see us at www.hearttohandcreations for gift ideas!!

Animal Rescue League Pet Step 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:32:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:38:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:59:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:47:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:41:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:43:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:41:00 +0000

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

In 3-qt. casserole, cook onion and garlic on high 3-4 minutes until tender
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.
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.

Special Calendar for a New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:23:00 +0000

We have been so busy promoting our pet treat jars and memorial boxes but we do offer many other products featuring portraits of your pets. Take a look at our wall calendars. What a great way to have art for your wall (with a painting of your "baby"...or "babies") and have a functional piece at the same time. These calendars may be framed in solid oak or cherry with the finish of your choice or the frame may be painted to match your decor. Of course, we can also do a favorite scene or your own home if you prefer. Our yearly calendar is supplied to you free of charge if you contact us each October to let us know you would like one (you are reminded on the October page).

Happy to report that the humidifier IS working for Sassy. She occasionally has a skin flare up but it is nothing like we've had to deal with over the past few years. Happy dog....happier "parents."

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year.

Pet Gifts and more

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:39:00 +0000

WE WISH YOU ALL HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

We have been so busy lately with our custom orders for our custom-painted pet treat jars! Even if we are unable to fill your order for Christmas, you can give your pet-owner friends and family gift announcements telling them that a special gift has been custom ordered for them and they will receive the actual gifts right after the first of the year. Just supply us with a photo of the pet, the color lid you would like and leave the rest to us.

Over the past couple of years, our poor dog, Sassy, has had an awful time from late October until around mid-April with her skin. She is fine during the summer when the windows are open and the heat is not on. Once the house is buttoned up for the winter, she starts to scratch and sores appear everywhere. We've had her tested for allergies and have tried all kinds of medications and nothing seemed to work. This year we decided to get a humidifier and already it is making a difference. After doing some research on the web to find a way to treat her irritated skin, we found an article suggesting using 100% aloe (which is not harmful should she lick the area that is treated). We haven't completely cleared up the problem yet but it is a far cry better than it has been. (Yes....we've had her tested for food allergies and that's not what's causing this.)

Maybe this will be of some help to those of you who go through the same thing. Actually, the humidifier is also helping our cat, Snow, who also suffers from itchy skin in the winter.

www.hearttohandcreations.com

October Colors

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:35:00 +0000

Whoops....almost been a month since I last "blogged." So much for my good intentions. It's been a busy month, though, with shows, painting and dealing with a sick cat! Our Snow underwent surgery for a mammary tumor...still waiting for the results.

Had a terrific show a week ago and sold a number of our new tiles and ornaments which are based on our artwork. We still love doing our custom orders but this is an easy way for people to be able to purchase something from us immediately. We have many breeds and many scenes available plus other items in addition to the tiles and ornaments. Just click on the link below.

Porcelain ornaments

Visit My Special Friend to see more of our work.

Porcelain Tile/Coasters

We have just recently opened a new website and are in the process of adding all our products. It IS up and running so we invite you to take a look at it. Several of the categories are now ready to go with more being added each day. Please visit us at our new www.hearttohandcreations.com . We love the new look.

September Musings

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:54:00 +0000

We've been back from vacation for about a month now and it is still so hard to get back into the swing of the "real world." Something about being at the ocean in Maine in late August-early September....no crowds, gorgeous blue skies, warm temperatures, warm sand and typical ice-cold Maine ocean! We came home to grass that needed to be mowed, gardens overgrown and somewhat cooler weather. Admittedly, that is SO much better than arriving to icy roads, leafless trees and a driveway needing to be shoveled! This picture is a preview of things to come in NH, I'm afraid!

Today is the one year anniversary of the death of our wonderful Cowboy Jackson. We had planned to give you a glimpse into his life with us each time we wrote in this blog but today is just a day for remembering our big goofy guy. Rest in peace, dear friend.

We recently did a show in Meredith, NH, and discovered something that sort of surprised us. We've always had our pet memorial box samples at the shows but have displayed them with some of our other pet items within the tent itself. Not everyone saw them even if they did come into the tent. For some reason at this particular show, we put them out front and we just can't believe how many people stopped and took our brochure on the custom boxes. It seemed like every other person walking by ended up stopping, looking and then coming in to speak with us. So many told us that they have had the ashes of their beloved companions but had done nothing special with the containers they had received. They just didn't know what to do to honor their friends. We heard wonderful stories about special pets and Carol even cried with those who had just recently said good by to their buddies. Pet lovers have a unique connection with other pet lovers...they are joined not only in their love of animals but also in their understanding of one another.

The memorial box with the cat and poem is one we just finished. (The box is really symmetrical...the photo was taken at an angle). The gal who ordered it supplied us with the poem which was given to her when she received her pet's ashes. We liked it so much that we wanted to share it with you...

'Tis just a little box
But oh have care
A very special friend
Is sheltered here.

His life was love
And he lived it with me
He will always live
In my memory.

Somehow this blog turned into something other than we had intended today but that's okay. Here's to all our special friends!

Til next time.....Lloyd and Carol www.hearttohandcreations.com

A Dog's Life

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:30:00 +0000

I need to get more in the swing of things with this blog. It's a bit intimidating for me but I will get used to it.

Wow....is the feel of fall in the air today. We haven't even had our summer vacation yet and already kids are heading back to school. Labor Day is too early on the calendar this year and that means everything will be starting back up with a bang and the lazy days will soon be behind us. Fall in New England is gorgeous and I love it but summer can definitely stay around a few more weeks!

We just finished orders for three memorial boxes for beloved pets....2 cats and 1 dog. It brings it closer to home that we haven't done one for Cowboy yet....I just haven't been able to paint his portrait to this point; but I think now that it's been a year since we lost him, I might be able to do it. This product we offer is such a bittersweet one....it's a wonderful way to remember your pet and keep him/her close.

Our special Cowboy Jackson continues to fill our memory. This big black lab impersonator settled into our household with no problems and we quickly got used to his eventual 100 lbs. of adoration! He never thought he was anything other than a lapdog...especially when we were sitting on the floor....and would muscle his way into every gathering we had. His big cow eyes were always so filled with love; and when our grandchildren started arriving, he was instantly their protector.

He and our other dog, Kelsey, became best buddies. Oh....and did he have to be in charge when we went for walks. It was his self-assigned job to walk Kelsey. He would not settle down unless he had her leash in his mouth and he could make sure that she turned into our yard as we neared home. What a guy! I just saw a girl walking a dog when we were in Maine this past weekend and the dog was carrying his own leash....another Cowboy trait when we walked him by himself. There are signs of him everywhere!

Cowboy and Kelsey (we lost Kelsey in 2002) Christmas 2001. They were such buddies just like Cowboy and Sassy became.

We so love animals and we hope that you will visit our website and see our functional art which features not only pets but homes, scenes and people as well. We work closely with our clients to custom-make special gifts for their friends and family or for themselves. Next time we'll treat you to one of the stories behind one of the items we made.

Visit us..... www.hearttohandcreations.com We'd love to have you drop by!

A new venue for us

noreply@blogger.com (Heart to Hand Creations) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:25:00 +0000

Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?!

We've been told over and over to write a blog; and the more we read (or rather, my husband who is also my business partner reads), it is obvious that blogging for businesses as well as for personal reasons is the way to go. I will admit that I'm the one who has been dragging my heels, thoroughly convinced that what we were doing to promote our business Heart to Hand Creations was just fine....and I will now also admit I am ready to head into the 21st century. It isn't that websites, word of mouth, shows and referrals still don't work. You just need to constantly find new venues which is hard for me...such a creature of habit.

We have been in business for several years now and have a staff of 3----our two cats, Jaz and Snow and our dog, Sassafras (a.k.a. Sassy). The "staff" oversees our business and so far the three of them have been pretty proud of their family's work! Our precious rottie-golden mix, Cowboy, was the senior member of our organization until he lost his battle with lymphoma last fall...gosh, do we miss him!

You know the story....a puppy arrives at your home via one of your children who has come home temporarily after moving out. In our case it was a son returning to New Hampshire from Colorado with a beautiful 4 month old Rottie/Golden mix named Cowboy Jackson. Sure enough, within 3 months our son found a place to live but could not take his pup. Of course, we had fallen in love with Cowboy and were not about to try and find another home for him so he was added to our menagerie.

Over a period of time, we'll be sharing bits and pieces of Cowboy's life with us as well as some of the interesting stories we have heard from people who have custom ordered pieces of our personalized functional art including pet memorial boxes and pet treat jars.

Take a look at a couple of our creations. These are samples of a solid cherry pet memorial box with a hand-painted portrait of "Dusty" and a pet treat jar featuring a portrait of "Hunter." Clicking on them will bring you to our site.