Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

Pet Photography: Baily Schulting Photoshoot – First Haircut

Baily had a trip to the spa last week for his first haircut.  Today we documented his new look with a photoshoot.  Puppies are a challenge to work with especially when it comes to persuading them to sit still.  After several outtakes I chose these seven. Enjoy!
If this is your first time meeting Baily, he was introduced on the blog here.

My Life With Dogs: Super Bowl Commercials 2014

Planning to watch the big game tonight?  Super Bowl XLVlll is here!  No one in my house is a fan of football except Disco, he loves to play.  So we usually prepare snacks for the fur kids and homemade pizzas for the humans.  We tune in for the commercials and the half time show.  That’s it!
But this year has changed.  All of the morning talk shows and news stations have had endless discussions and polls on the best commercial out there.  And then there’s social media.  One BIG spoiler!  What ever happened to keeping things quite until game day?
I guess we live in a time where everything has to be released/shared early.  For instance, look at how Black Friday has changed.  Department stores and online venues were running specials days before the actual day.
Let’s reference concert tickets for a moment.  Pre-Sale tickets!  Seriously, who’s idea was this?
I truly believe that greed has taken over a serious portion of the nation.
So, in conclusion to today’s big game.  We’ll watch the half time show.  I’ve seen all the commercials, so why bother?
Rant over. 
Until the next word…

My Life With Dogs: The Birthday Boy(s)

Approximately four years (and seven weeks) ago we rescued this adorable little puppy on a cold Winter night.  He was named House.  A friend of ours told us about this guy that was giving away a liter of puppies.  He owned the Mother, but was unaware that she was pregnant.  We’re unaware as to what breed his Daddy is, but by his markings and behavior we got a few ideas.  Doesn’t matter, we love our little mix puppy.
I remember the night we brought him home to meet his brothers, Hardy and Disco.  To our surprise they did quite well.  No one got bit and we still had three dogs the next morning.
It amazes me on how fast they grow.  On our way home we stopped to get him a bag of food.  Not wanting to leave him in the car I placed him in a recycle bag and took him in the store with me.
Every year we do a photo shoot with the boys on their birthday.  House is a bit skeptical because he doesn’t appreciate anything on his head (notice his left ear sticks out).  He was a good sport though. When treats are involved he’s all for it!
House arriving a little late to the photo booth.
He requested a “Rock Star” theme.
I requested a photo with the Bob Marley hat.
Adam celebrated a birthday today along with House.  He turned “41”~ He also joined House in the photo booth for a few shots.
Have a great night!
Until the next word…

Message From The Dog: Thanksgiving Safety

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  
It’s House posting here.  I’m the alpha dog in the family (really I am).  My mom gave me control of the blog today.  I want to add that she is helping me with the copy/paste stuff.  Not so good at that part.
Anyway, while your eating all that yummy food today remember two very important things.
Don’t give us any ham or turkey bones!  As much as I would love to have some they aren’t good for our belly.  Here’s an article where you can read more about what kind of food to avoid.  Click here.
However, we won’t turn down any extra treats that you add to our kibble.  My brothers and I usually get to share a piece of french toast on holidays.  Yum!
Have a safe holiday and keep all of us four-legged ones safe as well.  Trust me, you don’t want to have to call the vet this weekend.  I racked up a pretty large bill a couple of years ago because I ate a bunny I found in my backyard, wasn’t pretty.  He made me really sick.  I was young and didn’t know any better.  Anyway, I hear my Mom telling me to wrap it up in the background.  
So, while you’ll be full of turkey and experiencing what they call a “food coma” here’s what I’ll look like.  I call it a “french toast coma”~
Until the next bark…
~House

My Life With Dogs: The Breakfast Club

This is how I start my day.  
The alarm goes off.  The boys inhale their morning kibble and then go outside to pee on a pole, bark at the air, and chase the squirrels.  
I then prepare my meal and sit in front of the tv to watch the news.
The three of them quietly gather around me.
It’s the breakfast club.
I love them dearly, but no I don’t share.
Until the next word…

Hot Summer Day

It is very hot today.  The last time I looked at the temp it read 95 degrees.  After work we decided to cool the dogs off by giving them a bath.  
House doesn’t like the rain, therefore he hates his bath.  Notice his left ear.  Remember the Twilight post?  Scroll down until you see his picture.  It’s one of his triggers for when he’s uncomfortable.  I know it’s not funny, but it’s cute.     
Hardy loves to roll around on the grass after his bath.  There is one drawback to this…
He always breaks the skin above his nose.  It’ll be nursing his wounds with TAO until it’s healed.
P.S.  I’m happy to report that all three of them are sleeping peacefully on the floor in front of the tv with the fan blowing on them.  
That was our day!
Until the next word…
~Jennifer 

A Childhood Memory

When my muse is awake she sings like a bird.  I’m grateful for that.
Remember the game Memory?  I came up with an idea to create my own version using my photography along with adding a little twist to the game. I did an earlier blog post introducing this concept of *memory*.  If you missed it, click here to read.
We’ve all sat on the floor and positioned the game pieces out something like this.
I had a large quantity of photos leftover from a previous project.  They were already attached to heavy card stock, so I was looking to recycle them.
One of my nephews received the first handmade memory game for a Christmas present.  I used a photo of him hugging his dog.  He loved it.
I’ve created another set (as shown) with items my other nephew can relate to.  He always asked about my dogs, so this image will be perfect. His recent phone conversation gave me the inspiration I was looking for.
Sam:  “Hi, Aunt Jennifer, the Giants are beating the 49ers (score) to (score)”.  I completely missed the score as I found myself laughing at his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game.  He loves to watch football, he’s learning the alphabet, etc.  Do you get where I’m going?
As I picked through my stamps I found images of what’s interesting to him. 
I used a variety of ink colors and distressed the sides to match. Perhaps I’ll utilize the overwhelming pile of felt I have to sew a bag for them.  Or maybe I’ll come up with some sort of handmade place mat for them to sit on while playing the game.  Oh my, see how one idea can lead to another! 
A great educational tool I’m sure they’ll both enjoy.  
And…..I’ve decided to add them to my paper goods shop on Etsy.    
When I gave my shop a new look, I also upgraded the shop title with new products that will be added.
Lesson learned:  Don’t mass produce your products when you first start out with your business.  Especially if you have a card shop.  I am GUILTY of that, but I’m glad that my creative side allows me to utilize those unused products in other ways. 
~Jennifer