Tulips on Wednesday

Happy Wordless Wednesday! These are all long gone by now (thanks to cold, wind and rain), but I think I captured some really beautiful shots...

CONTEST WINNER! Stitchionary Volume Five: Lace Knitting

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my review and enter to win a copy of Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume 5: Lace Knitting! Drumroll please...

... and the lucky winners are Andrea and Grace! Andrea's comment matched the first number choosen by random number generator and since she was referred, both ladies win! Congratulations and happy lace knitting! Andrea, please email me with me with your mailing address!

Monday Odds & Ends

Is it Monday already? Where did my weekend run away to this time? Despite the cold and rain, I had fun at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival on Saturday... and promise lots of cute fuzzy animal photos to come!

In the meantime, I have some FO-in-use photos to share. Here is baby Ella modeling the Vine Lace Baby Hat and Magic Slippers.

Isn't she adorable? I'm not sure I'm loving how the Vine Lace hat fits her (nevermind that's the 3 - 6 month size and she's only 5 weeks old), but she is cute. Has anyone else knit this hat? Any issues? I have another one on the needles now, which should end up coming out a bit larger, as I'm using two different colors of Rowan Siena held together.

No baby robins yet... still 2 eggs in the original nest and 4 in the second one.

These are the two nests under our back porch (I'm sure there are many more in the yard somewhere, as our robin population is quite grand). I'm starting to wonder if the original two eggs have been abadoned as you can see the nest has sort of filled in over them. I guess only time will tell...

Reminder: If you have not yet entered to win a copy of Vogue Stitchionary Vol 5 - Lace Knitting, you have until midnight tonight! I have a lot of great items to review and share with you soon, so stay tuned. A couple of the 4-legged reviewers aren't feeling so well at the moment, so we've had to put off a couple of the treat reviews a little longer, but they're coming!

Enjoy the rest of your Monday.... and Go Bruins!

Mr. May

Happy Dogs on Thursday! Zeus wants to know if you got the Planet Dog e-newsletter earlier this week? Did you see him?

He just could not contain his excitement when I told him that he was named Mr. May their Canine Moment Winner for May! Meet Happy Dog......

We still have to choose his three prizes from their catalog.... it's been such a hectic week that we just haven't had time to sit down and look through all the goodies!

While their big brother was "lookin' like a fool, rolling all around with his pants on the ground," the rest of the kids were just wondering if he was going to share his winnings (mama's note: of course he is going to share!).

Tut enjoying some fresh spring air...

Sophie wondering what all the fuss is about out there...

Lola thinking she's quite beautiful and should've been Mrs. May...

"ahh, a model's life..."

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Still 2 eggs in the nest as of late last week...

A new nest, mid-construction, nearby...

Have a happy one!

REVIEW: Bamboo Dog Products

Bamboo Dog Products
Where to Find: Bamboo

We received some of Bamboo's most popular dog products for review: QuadBrush Ultimate, Silicone Travel Bowl, DogToids and the Disposable Waste Bags and Dispenser.

The QuadBrush Ultimate is a wonderful tool - Bamboo has created quite a unique doggy tooth brush. The Patented four bristle heads provide a thorough cleaning, which can help dogs live longer, healthier, happier lives. Three bristle heads surround teeth to clean all tooth surface areas in one motion, while a fourth head helps prop mouth open, softens the bite, and cleans the opposing tooth. QuadBrush Ultimate is available in two sizes - small and large - and three colors - pink, blue and green. It comes with a cover to keep the toothbrush clean between uses (a nice added detail). If you're in the market for a toothbrush for your pooch, be sure check this one out - it's easy to use and the comfort grip handle helps reduce slipping during brushing.

The Silicone Travel Bowl is not only portable, it's also collapsible, making it quite convenient to toss almost anywhere - in your purse (or knitting bag), glove compartment, even your back pocket! Made of durable, non-porous materials that are PVC and BPA free, you can feel safe giving your dog water from this bowl. The special collapsible design folds down to less than 1/2” – ideal for travel, parks and walks! It is even top rack dishwasher safe!

The Silicone Travel Bowl is available in two sizes - 1 and 3 cup - and three colors - pink, blue and green. Pictured above is the blue 1 cup version, which is recommended for small to medium size dogs. Although my Lapdogs are more suited to the larger size, this handy bowl will certainly get plenty of use on-the-go this summer!

DogToids, the "Ferociously Flavorful" breath mints for dogs, are made from a tasty flavor combination of beef, liver and fish that dogs simply can’t resist. With a little parsley added in, they are a great little dog breath freshener! DogToids come in a stylish round tin that you can keep on the counter, in your bag, in the car or almost anywhere. Just toss it in your doggy bag and off you go! The "treats" are even fashioned in a most adorable bone shape - ensuring you won't mix them up with your human mints!

The DogToids were well accepted by all of the Lapdog taste-testers - they crunched them right up and asked for more (perhaps they look at them as "candy")! The fact that they are made in the USA with high quality, human grade ingredients is that added bonus that I'm always searching for.

Bamboo's Disposable Waste Bags and Dispenser is a fresh and easy way to pick up after your dog on the go. The disposable waste bags have natural odor elimination from Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and the unique dispenser design easily attaches to any leash, bag or belt loop. Choose from pink, blue or green durable bags; 24 are included with the dispenser and refills are available for purchase. Don't be caught without a bag in hand again - keep the Bamboo dispenser clipped to your leash and you'll always be ready for whatever your 4-legged child surprises you with!

Inspector #2 nosing the Silicone Travel Bowl

REVIEW: Stitchionary Volume Five - Lace Knitting

Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume Five: Lace Knitting
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Sixth&Spring Books (June 1, 2010)

Vogue Knitting has released the latest volume in their popular Stitchionary series, Volume Five: Lace Knitting. This is the most comprehensive collection of lace patterns that I have seen - over 150 beautiful designs, many of which have been pulled from the Vogue Knitting archives.

Lace comes in all sorts of varities - from light and airy to chunky to intricate - making it a timelessly popular choice with knitters. With patterns ranging from the simplest of simple to quite baffling, gorgeous lace can be achieved by both novice and experienced knitters alike. Whether you are looking for a relaxing or challenging project, lace patterns provide many options.

Stitchionary Volume Five is organized into seven sections, arranged from the easiest to the most challenging: Easy/Mesh, Edgings, Chevrons, Allover, Panels, Combos and Motifs. Easy to follow written instructions, as well as charts are included for all of the patterns. Detailed swatch photos are also included for each pattern, allowing you to clearly see the designs.

An indispensable reference book for lace knitters, Stitchionary Volume Five is one to add to your bookshelf!

CONTEST! Win it before you can buy it! The publisher has given us two copies of Stitchionary Volume Five to giveaway to you, the readers! To enter, leave a comment here (be sure to leave a means of contact if your blog or email does not automatically link) telling me what your favorite lace pattern is. To get an extra entry, send your friends here to enter the contest and have them mention who sent them. Winners will be selected by random number generator. If the first winner selected was referred by someone, both of them will win. If not, I'll select a second winner from the entries. Deadline for entries is Monday, May 10 at midnight. So get those referrals coming in ... blog, Tweet, Facebook and text away!