As many of you know, Muffy Lin is at “Puppy Boot Camp”…at least that is what Michelle the Handler is calling it.  It means that our sweet little Diva Dog is staying two weeks with Michelle and is working on her ring manners…like standing STILL!  Imagine our surprise when the phone rang and it was none other than Muffy!

Mom:  Muffy, how did you dial the phone?  Does Michelle know you are calling?
Muffy:  She left her special purple phone on the table, Mom.  I think she wanted me to use it.  It’s really cool.  There are no buttons to push.  You just touch the screen.  I used my nose!
Mom:  Muffy…is that her NEW phone?  You better not ruin it.
Brody:  Is that Muffy?  I wanna speak with Muffy.  Muffy is that you?  Are you in the phone?  How did you get in the phone?
Muffy:  Hi, Brody. It’s me. I had to stay with Michelle after my last show.  She loves me sooo much she wanted to spend extra time with me. I’m special.
Brody:  That’s not what Mom told me.  She said you were so bad in the ring that you needed extra work.   I don’t have to do it because I am a good boy!  I stand really still for the judd and I don’t try to eat food that other handlers have left behind.
Muffy:  But I did really well at the last show I was at.  I was the Winners Female both days. 
Brody: But you were really bad at the BIG show.  It was ‘barrassing, Muffy.  I didn’t want anyone to know we were Twins.  Mom didn’t even claim you.
Muffy:  That’s not true.  Moms always love their kids.  Whatever.  You are embarrassing.  And no one would ever guess we are Twins.  You are BIG and UGLY with a Frankenstein scar!
Brody:  I’m not ugly.  I have a gorgeous head.  And I don’t have Frank Stein’s car! I don’t even know Frank Stein. Mom takes me everywhere with her now that you are gone.  We went to the Post Office to mail a card to Tall Jean in Ostraylia.  Then we went to Mick Donald’s and I got an egg.  Oh, then we went to the place that sells dog food, and I got  some new chew toyz.  Mom gave me rawhide chews because I don’t swallow them like you.  And then Mom and Dad went out for lunch and I got to …
Muffy:  We’ll see who Mom loves best when I get my champion title first!
Mom: TWINS!  Muffy Lin…I have you on speakerphone!
Muffy:  Oh, no! Here comes Michelle…gotta run!!!

It is quiet without Muffy here.  And Brody is right…I have been doing a lot with him so that he does not feel as lonely.  However,  he returns to the show ring this weekend for the first time since his surgery, and will be reunited with his sister Friday.   I am sure stubby little tails will wag and Boxer butts will wiggle.  Until next time…

All good things must come to an end…and so it is with my latest Blog Candy promotion.  Without all of you, I would not have reached the one million hit milestone.  I have enjoyed reading your comments, and I do appreciate your support and friendship.  Having said this, it is time to get right to the winner.  A big congratulations to  #280,  Tanya! Tanya said:

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Create Your Own Background Stamp

• Make it!  The Zoo Review stamp set was on my first order from the new catalog.  However, it has taken me this long to ink it up, simply because I was searching for the perfect background for it.  This past weekend, I finally viewed the Workshop Wow DVD that I purchased at Convention.  And lo and behold, Julie Moenck demonstrated how to make animal prints using left over rubber.  It was so easy. 

• All I did was take the extra rubber from three clear mount sets and cut it into geometric shapes.  I adhered them to my “F” Clear Block, and ta-da…instant animal print.  Of course, this can also be used to create a stained glass mosaic for the holiday season. 

• Color it!  Ahoy there…are those Black Pearls I spy?  A black permanent marker transforms ordinary Basic Pearls into colorful gems!

• Add the unexpected! French Foliage Leaves were heat embossed with Pewter Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  A sponging of Tempting Turquoise ink adds an unexpected “pop” of color.

Although this card could be used as a masculine card as it stands,  you could easily remove the leaves and the pearls for a more rustic look.  So what do you think? Won’t you please leave me a comment and let me know.  Of course, I LOVE answering your questions about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use.  Remember…I am only an email away! Until next time…

Stamp Sets:  Zoo Review (W 122197,  C 122199), French Foliage (W 120845,  C 121166);  Ink:  VersaMark (102283), Crumb Cake (121030), Soft Suede (115657), Early Espresso (119670), Tempting Turquoise (100814); Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory (101849), Soft Suede (115318);  Tools:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Paper Snips (103579), Cutter Kit (106958), Sponge Dauber (102892), Stamping Sponges (101610), Heat Tool (100005), Clear Block F (118483); Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247), White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132), Hemp Twine (100982), Antique Brads (117273)