Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Another busy week

Whew. Another busy week gone by. I can't believe it is August already. Though, to tell you the truth, I really wish it were October with cooler temps. I am finding that each summer the heat bothers me more and more. It is official! Rory is now Ch. Beaubriar's Master of Arts! Oh my but that sounds so good to me. I still find it hard to believe but I now have the certificate to prove it.

This past weekend I had a very lovely visit with my niece, her SO, and their 5 month old baby, Alex. Isn't he just too cute for words! I want to kiss those cutie pie cheeks to pieces. Since they came to my house it was Rory's very first up close and personal visit with a baby this small. OMG! He was soooooooo good. He kept reminding me of my setter Kara who has been gone for 18 years! He would not leave the baby's side. My niece and I went outside for a few minutes and took Rory with us and he jumped at the door to go back in. I have to tell you, his behavior just gave me the chills. It was like Kara was back with me. I have been saying this for a while now but it is truer every day. Every dog lover has at least one very special dog in their lives. We call it our heart dog. I am Blessed because I have two. Kara will always be my first heart dog and Rory is most definitely my second.


Then on Sunday Rory and I spent the day at something called and AKC Canine Experience. Different breed clubs had tents set up and answered questions about their dogs. Rory was Irish setter representative. A fun day out in the sunshine with lots of doggie friends.Other highlights of the past week. I like to read a number of doggie blogs as well as stitching blogs. I also love entering giveaways at both. Everyone loves to win things. Right? Well, Rory seems to be a kind of lucky charm.

We won a bath package from All Things Dog Blog. That arrived during the week. The prize was a bath towel, a tote bag, bath sponges and mitts with a paw print motif. Rory also got a neat bandana. Here he is modeling it.

Remember the silly Independence photos I took of Rory in costume? (click HERE to see that post.) Well, I entered a facebook contest on Pet Portraits by Manda with one of them and totally forgot about it! She runs monthly contest and paints water color portraits. And she picked Rory as July's winner!! So Rory is being painted again!



But the best thing for the week is that he/we won second place, with 222 votes/likes, in the facebook contest for the 14k-9 jewelery. A 200 dollar prize is not bad at all. Especially considering that I would never have been able to afford anything they carry nor would I take the money to buy it. Rory needs his treats and fancy food and vitamins and a new beaded leather show lead and toys. Well, you get the picture. To those who voted and asked their family and friends to vote I can never thank you enough. And to those who may have been annoyed (but graciously never said so) by my more than once a day pleas, I'm sure you are glad it's over. Rory may have been second but he is first in my heart. Thank you all who voted and liked his photo.

On to the stitching part of this post. I started another piece and really made some lovely progress on it. I love this pattern and, well, right now in my life it seems so appropriate.

And my July-August entry for TUSAL. Take Sunday, July 31. The jar is filling up fast now that I'm stitching again.

I also received my Summer Exchange from Lucie on the Seasonal exchange blog. She stitched the cutest summer pattern from Lizzie Kate and I love the pom pom finish she did. It is just darling. I finished and mailed my exchange out but no photos until it arrives at its new home.And now for the part of this post that everyone has been waiting for. The winners of my giveaways! I only wish I had won the lottery and could give everyone who entered a gift. Your comments (all 178!! of them) were so wonderful. Thank you each and everyone one of you.

Giveaway 1. my Birthday surprise stash giveaway is: Shar!
(I have no idea why this photo is sideways. It is right before I downloaded it.)Giveaway number 2. The Celebrate Rory's Championship Giveaway. A 30 dollar gift certificate to Down Sunshine Lane goes to: Julie!!









And finally. Giveaway number 3. The Thank you for voting in the facebook contest giveaway. And the winner is: Penny I.

I have emailed each of the ladies and as soon as I hear from them their giveaway prizes will be on their way. Congratulations. And again, to all who entered, Thank you.







Until next time...........

Love and stitches
Kathy
and licks from Champion Rory too

26 comments:

Jessica said...

It's always nice to have the certificate! Congrats again Rory!

That is so neat that he wanted to be with the baby. I do believe a lot of animals have a special sense with people. My son's cat knows when I am sick or not feeling well and she will lay on my hip (I always lay on my side.) and stay with me.

Congrats on your wins!

Blessings, Jessica

Meari said...

It's great Rory was sooo good with the baby :) Don'tcha just loves dogs who are like that?

The seasonal exchange is just too cute. Love the pillow!

Vicky L said...

Your pillow is lovely. I love the pom poms too. The pictures with Rory and the baby is adorable. Congrats on the wins.

blueladie said...

Kathy & Rory, ALWAYS love reading your blog and what you two are up to. Kathy the stitching is gorgeous and I am a stitcher too, but I must admit Rory just catches at my heartstrings. He's such a beautiful and loving, lovable dog. Please give him a congratulatory, loving hug from me. :D Cathryn

Emily in NC said...

Just love pictures of Rory and adding a baby is just even cuter, glad you had a good visit. Congrats again on him winning and getting a certificate.

Barb said...

Hi there Rory and Kathy,
Hey you may get to Crufts here in the Uk yet Kathy. Oh Rory you are such a handsome fella, but I do love the ditzy pics as well. A really special dog , who knows he is so loved.
Ollie sends his congrats too.
Love that pink pom pom on your cushion gorgeous.
I have the Dandy Dreams to do and yours looks lovely.

Rhonda Polk said...

Am so happy for both of you and Rory, and the certificate is just the bomb.
I always enjoy reading your blog,about Rory, and your adventures.....
such a treat that he has had two winss this month...first being the Champion- then getting all those goodies and a picture painted portrait....
and in his photo ---he does look every bit the champion!

Good luck in future happings with you and your second love-Rory!
Rhonda P.

Cindy's Stitching said...

You do keep busy Kathy. Rory is a special dog. I always enjoy all the photos. How cute is the baby. Dogs protect babies, a special gift dogs have. It has been hot, but I love summer way more then winter.

CalamityJr said...

I am so excited for you, Rory! You're definitely a friend to be proud of!
Fondly,
Woody

Margaret said...

Congratulations to you and to Rory! That is so great that he's official now! So wonderful that he was so good with the baby too. Such a sweet dog -- you're lucky to have 2 heart dogs in your life.

Lana said...

Way to go Rory!!! Even if he did only win 2nd in that one FB contest, we ALL KNOW he's #1!!! Love the stitching!! And the recieved exchange piece! Wow! You have been busy!!!

Catherine said...

Congrats to you and Rory on all of the accomplishments!! You are truly blesses to have found a second heart dog to share life with!

Great stitches and lovely exchange piece!

Congrats to your winners!

Nancy M said...

Rory truly fills your heart and it shows!!! Your exchange piece you got it adorable! Love the finish she did.

Judy said...

Your great nephew is such a cutie pie. So sweet the way Rory kept watch over the baby.

Pam in IL said...

I saw on facebook that Rory got 2nd place in the 14k-9 jewelry photo contest. I was so excited for you and Rory!

Love how Rory was so interested in the baby too. Can't wait to see the Silver Creek Samplers project finished.

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

Congrats to the winners. Congrats to Champion Rory! I know you are so proud!!!

Patty C. said...

Congratulations !!!

Helen from Rochester, NY said...

I know what you mean about a "heart dog". I refer to my beloved Duchess, who passed away 2 years ago, as my "Soul-mutt". Love her to pieces. Rory is just beautiful and congratulations on both of your wins!!!

Mouse said...

well done to the both of you for the championship :) and those photos are adorable wit Rory and the wee on :) love your progress on Dandy ... one of these days will get this one ..lol and well done on the prize money too :) Rory will look super dapper ..lol love mouse xxxx

Kay said...

What a great week for both Rory and you! Congrats all around! The Lizzie Kate finish you got is adorable, your Wip is looking beautiful, cannot wait to see what it looks like when done. I have to agree with you as well about the heat, over the years I have always been longing for fall to get here once we get into summer. Soon enough before we know it though it will be fall!

Sunshine said...

Congrats on 2nd place. Now you get to shop!!!! The exchange is darlin, and so is Rory! It tells a lot about a dog when they are around babies. He's one Special Guy!!!! I know you're proud!

Pam said...

Congratulations to Rory for his second place finish! I'm glad that you will be able to get something from that site!

Will you be at sit and stitch this week? I can't go. If you go, don't have too much fun without mE

Katrien said...

congrats on your wins, and congrats to Rory!!!

Nice exchanges.

Vikki Gable said...

Congrates! Rory is a beautiful dog and deserves it. Love all your stitching too!

Siobhán said...

Congratulations to Rory and to you!! What a sweet pup--it is so cute how good he was with the baby. :)

Your stitching is beautiful!

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

Meghan sends her very best congratulations to Rory. She is a little bit in love with him! It seems no time since he was a new puppy but - baby - look at him now!
Irene xxx