Welcome to my blog! I am Nan, the human component of this blog. B.A.G.S. (a.k.a. AINE) is my pug. This blog will notate musings, muses and British inspired goodies with an American twist. I own The Portobello Road Shoppe located at theportobellord.etsy.com. My specialties are: sewing, stitching, paper crafting and felting. Oh, and the occasional nummy brownies.
It is official. I have a store facebook page! I have a goal of getting to at least a 100 *likes* by the end of this week so please pass this link around to anyone you know! Thank you in advance!
One of my biggest goals is to get my website together and get my portfolio in gear. Just going through the pictures that I had I realized....
I seriously need a photo booth/thingy/that professonals use!
Speaking of pictures here are a few things I made this weekend.
This Puggy Ornament is going to Green Mountain Pug Rescue's auction! YEA! It is 2.5 inches high and 1.5 inches round. It was so fun to make and I hope it makes loads of money for the rescue! The last one I made for DFW rescue made $50.00 for the rescue! Yea! Btw - did I tell you? For every pug item that I sell from now until the holidays - I am donating $5.00 of that purchase to a pug rescue of your choice. I am sorry but the best way to see my pugs is to go to my facebook page or look on my flikr or this blog. I am happy to state that most of my pugs don't even make it to my etsy. So if you would like a specially made puggy - please feel free to contact me! Or contact AINE. She gets so lonely when I needle felt. It is hard being a model. Very hard. So she would appreciate your emails. :)
These little guys are going to a craft fair tomorrow.
I love puppets and I will be making more of them. Also cats have been requested so I am practicing as much as I can. Especially when you see pictures of this little guy - who is beggin to be felted!
I mean seriously. IS HE NOT THE CUTEST KITTY EVERRRRRRRRRR!?! Ugh Want to eat him up - and I am alergic to cats!
OH! Also I am quite interested in 1000pugs.com. If you have any puggies that want to be photographed, my friend Donna and I are trying to get 50 pugs to wrangle for the Milwaukee Pug fest next year. Please email me if you are interested.
So much fun new stuff coming! Hugs all! Nan and zzzing Aine
I read Craft all the time. What is your Craft 5,4,3,2,1? Mine is below!
One Project You Are Particularly Proud Of:
1. My needle felted royal wedding pin cushion ring.
Who knew two obessions -anglophile(lover of all things English or British -btw there is NO SUCH THING as a Britophile!) and needle felting - could collade into a wonderful mashup of goodness? This was probably the quickest needle felted project I have ever done. I needed a pin cushion, I needed it now and oh wait - Prince William just got engaged to Kate and she has Princess Diana's ring?! SWEET! ta daaaaa!
Yep, there is a reason why there is a little CNN in the left corner. It made it to CNN.*squee* And than the interviews came in for USA Today and BBC and BBC again. Who knew a fascination with craft and royalty could bring this much fun? I still have to pinch myself, I sincerely never thought I would get this much attention. Definately the highlight of my summer.
Two Mistakes You've Made In the Past
1. Stay true to what you like to do. Don't cave to the popularity of another craft. This is the hardest thing to figure out when you are Crafter - what the heck do you like to do? It is especially hard when you like a lot of different crafts. It took me a bit, but realizing that I could focus on one piece of the collective pie -could actually free your mind a bit. And it did... which shocked me. lol.
2. Remember *why* you went to this craft. Yes -I would love it if my wee little shoppe could be the next big thing - but you know? The organic growth of my shoppe is okay. I am a super Type A person, so to not be all Type A about my craft was like *whoa*. But than I remembered WHY I went to sewing, multi-media, card making, crocheting and finally needle felting - the process of creating kept me sane. It was the balance in my work and my life. Any success from this was a bonus and even more appreciated when it happened!
Three Things That Make Your Work Unique
1. Did I mention I am a Anglophile? LOL I create British Inspired goodies with an American Accent; as I say in my Shoppe. Even though I do adore and will claim that I am Anglophile to the day I die, I love my country too. And I love especially the differences between the UK and the US. It is the nuances not only in the language but between our two cultures that I find facinating. It is those little bitty details that inspire me to create pincushions in the shape of Tardis's or Georgie,the Tea Party Baby Elephant.
2.Geek. *points to the above tardis pin cushion reference* - Need I say more? Who else would want a Doctor Who inspired pincushion except a geek like me.
3.Humor. I made a cat with a fez once. This is before the 11th Doctor Who and his infamous Fez. Yep. My humor is kinda quirky. And if you know about the Doctor Who Fez reference? You my friend, are a geeky fun person like me! YEA! Go us!
Four Tools You Love To Use
1.Needle Felting Thimble. Never felt without it. I have worn it out and I need a new one. It has saved me from buying stock in band aides. For reals.
2. Franny my dressform. Franny is named after my Grandma, Fran -an amazing seamstress. My Grandma is no longer with us but Franny helps me out anytime I need sewing help ;)
3. My artbox/sewing box. It basically keeps my needle felting tools organized. If not - ugh.
4. My iPad. Besides being the BEST INVENTION EVER, you never know when inspiration strikes - hence having my iPad ready - always helps me sketch things out before I forget the idea.
Five Inspirations
1.PUGS. Especially my little Aine. I mean, will you look at her cuteness? How could one not be inspired?!
2. Illustrators Gemma Correll and Nikki Schulmann. You have seen me go on and on about Gemma's work. I mean - her tea towel was part of the 2am welcoming committee at my Royal Wedding Party.
Nikki - I dont think my blog readers have heard me mention her. My husband and I received her calendars and we fell in love with her illustrations. For my birthday one year, Joe(my late hubby) got me all of Nikki Schulmann illustrations he could find. Than all of a sudden it seemed like she disappeared off the net. I am so happy to hear that she is back on the net - this time doing quilts! Her mastery of detail and colors is amazing. Her prints hang in my studio and inspire me all.the.time.
3. Antiques and Antiques Roadshow. I would love to be one of the Keno's assistants. Just saying. But no - it is the crafting around a particular antique that I adore. Like my latest obsession with Automata. When you see something like this, anything is possiable.
4. History(ALL countries history I am interested in -from their clothing to why they became amazing at xyz) and architecture. Or in this case,
an architecture of a hat. LOL
5. My family and friends. Who else lets me needle felt their dogs decked out in Cub gear?
Btw everyone - this is S&P named after my sister and brother-in-law that just turned a big bday and oh btw part2 - they are both CPAs. Get it? S&P - S&P 500? Oh and did I mention they are die hard Cub fans?
So there you have it! Welcome to the world of Me. Please tell me what your Craft 5,4,3,2,1 is! xoxo Nan and Aine
For you ultimate trivia folks. This is what you call a "group of " insert name of animal here" collective nowns. A business of Ferrets. WHO KNEW? Now I want to know why the below is called what they are called! Welcome any and all thoughts! I believe there should be a specific "group" name for pugs. It is only befitting. xoxox Nan
Crazy busy but I have to tell you all of some exciting happenings!
1. I am raising a(making a felted)PUG ARMY as my bestie T calls it. So excited about this! One I am particularly excited about for pug rescue. I hope I can find the proper items to make it work. Who knew a little hobby of mine and love of pugs would mesh together so well?! *squee*
2. BBC Radio contacted me and they are sending me the recordings of my interviews! As soon as I get them - i will figure out how to post them!
3. OMG I got this AMAZING package from edwoodpugz that will get a proper video showing because pictures cant do the lovely package justice! *flails* IT ROCKS!
4. My Adobe Illustrator class is FANTASTIC! I can't wait to get the software!
In preperation for my first ever PUG FEST(Stolen from a FBpug)
Let's review in time for the Annual Meeting....
Let it be forever known that this BILL of RIGHTS states the wants, needs, demands and wishes of all PUGS and PUG FRIENDS.
1. IT'S A PUG'S WORLD. We allow you to live in it. It's all about the PUGS (and friends). Humans exist to serve us.
2. ATTENTION. Humans need to realize that we need attention, CONSTANTLY. Work, housecleaning, yard work, shoe shopping, nights out with friends are meaningless to us. It is your duty to stay home with the PUGS (and friends) to provide ceaseless devotion.
3. FOOD. This is a priority. We are hungry ALL THE TIME. Never underestimate a PUG'S (and friends) palate. It is the humans' responsibility to let us test everything and often. While we understand the theory to be healthy and weight conscious, never forget we would gladly inhale a cheese platter, pizza crusts, french fries and doughnut holes rather than worry about calories or digestive upset.
4. BATHING. NOT a priority. We LOVE the way we stink, we love the way our possessions stink. We love the pungent odors that emit from our orifices, our toys and our blankets. Bad breath and anal glands are like a spring day to us. Humans must learn to adapt. Keep the soap and water to a minimum, and LEAVE OUR TOENAILS ALONE.
5. ENTERTAINMENT. We don't drive. It's up to the human to get us where we want to go. The dog park, the PUG FEST, the expo, the beach, the lake, wherever. If we get tired, a stroller, a car, an RV or a human must transport us. Remember, we don't want to be hot, we don't like sore feet, we don't want to be thirsty. We must be catered to at all times.
6. RELATIONSHIPS. While we expect, and rightly so, undying love and devotion from our primary caretakers (Mammies and Pappies), we also expect it from other family members. This includes children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the UPS man, the landscaper, the vet, the groomer, the dogwalker, the neighbors, or any other two-legger within licking distance. If this group does not share this feeling of devotion, don't let them in our house.
7. NIGHT TIME COMFORT. PUGS (and friends) have every right to sleep in the bed. Humans can purchase any number of puffies, nests, beds, blankets, comforters, wraps, throws, and woobies; the bed is our primary resting place. Humans must make allowances for as many bed guests they may have, and arrange their limbs accordingly. We don't move for the humans; they move for US.
8. GENERAL. Never forget it's all about the PUGS (and friends). We don't appreciate perpetrators, giant skunks, excessively frilly clothing, embarassing photos, details about man pants or inopportune pooping incidents, time limits on Facebook, diet kibble, unauthorized visits by small family members or strange animals, being awakened by the vacuum, ignorant reality tv programs, or any other activity which will induce a look of disgust and loathing on our face. OUR HAPPINESS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD.
Yep that about sums up a Pug. :) Now off to work! Nan
Oh do I feel like a proud puggy momma in this picture. I have finished a lot of my pre-orders and now I am off to finish the silent auction puggy for pugfest!! Sorry for the lack of detail - my camera's battery just died! So Photobooth had to come to the rescue! xoxox Nan and Aine (This is the puggy that is going to silent auction! I have to dress him up, he is nakers at the mo. )
It was one of those days where I should have just trusted my gut and stayed home with Aine. Of course realizing that when you are on the train and have to hop off to catch a taxi to your little girl - no fun.
Aine had not eaten since Sunday. Because it was so early and I couldnt get a hold of her Doctor, I just couldnt wait. So I took Aine to Animal ER in Buffalo Grove. This place is amazing, I highly recommend it. Albiet it is expensive but I have such a piece of mind now.
After many tests, a shave of the belly for the ultrasound and a push of subcutanous fluid (see uni-boob below that started out at the top of her back! lol) She was determined to be a bit dehydrated. I dont know how it happened, but it did. I dont know why she wasn't eating for three days, nor did the vets know. But the good news is she is eating her bland diet like CRAZY. And that makes me a very happy pug mummy.:)
Now she just has to keep eatin g and than migrating to her normal diet so she can go to Pug Fest which is 9 days away! We are staying at a hotel for the night and meeting up with some pug friends so we are really execited - but if she is not betters. We can't go which is for the best - because if she has something I just dont want her to give it to another puggy! That would be bad! So please keep those paws and fingers crossed that we keep getting better!
