Tag: birthday

Mmm I smell cake

by Alfredsson Jane, posted in Alfie Stories

Today was dad’s birthday! Mom woke up really late this morning. I tried to wake her up a couple times but even licking her feet did nothing! I knew it would be a struggle day so I tried my very best to be patient for her. She told me to get her medicine but I got confused because it wasn’t in the normal place. I felt really bad but she told me it was okay. We went for our normal walk and I didn’t even pull the whole time. I’m such a good puppy. Usually when we get back on days that mom doesn’t feel good she just lays back down on the couch for a while. When she walked into the kitchen and started doing things I could barely believe my nose! She was baking! She never bakes on struggle days. Normally I would run right into the kitchen when my nose starts smelling. I don’t know how it happens but my nose kind of controls my body. Today I fought the urge to follow my nose. Mom was actually staying up and doing stuff. I didn’t want to be the reason she laid down. Plus if I’m extra good she might share.

I. Smelled. Peanut Butter.

That was it. I lost control of it and my nose brought me right under moms feet. Then my whole butt started wagging and I couldn’t make it stop! She was making the biggest mess ever! I was so excited I just had to get Zuc. We licked and licked and licked until all of the cake mix was off the floors and cupboard doors. Mom didn’t even stop us. She actually thanked us by giving us peanut butter frosting! BEST DAY EVER.

I could tell it wasn’t mom’s best day ever though. She started out strong but was slowing down. I knew she was in a lot of pain. It’s just one of those things Zuc and I can sense now. We sat down at her feet under the kitchen table. She was drawing with frosting on top of cake. It was chocolate cake. I know I shouldn’t eat chocolate but I just can’t help but try to. The smell is soooo delicious. But I wasn’t just talking about cake… I think I was telling you about her pain. As she continued to frost the cake she took breaks. Her fingers and wrists must have been throbbing because she kept shaking them out. She also couldn’t seem to decide if she wanted to sit or stand. This made Zuc and I confused about whether we should sit or lay or stand. Zuc left after a while but I couldn’t leave mom to suffer by herself.

Just before dad got home mom finished the cake. It smelled magnificent. Dad must have thought so too because when he came in he gave mom a huge hug and kiss. I expected mom to just lay down for the night after all that hard work. She did, for a little bit, but then she got up and made dinner. Don’t get me wrong, mom makes dinner most nights, but tonight she was like a zombie. She rarely makes dinner when she feels this bad. I guess she had to though because a bunch of dad’s friends came over. I was in heaven. They all played with me and gave me treats! After dinner mom laid down and dad and his friends took care of things- mostly just the cake things. When everyone finally left I decided mom could use my heat and body weight. I laid down on her legs and will probably stay here until we get up to go to sleep. I hope it comes soon, I’m tired!

Birthday Glass

by Alfredsson Jane, posted in Alfie Stories, DIY Decor

This past weekend was one of my best friends’ and my boyfriend’s little sister’s 21st birthday! (Same person, not two people.) I’ve made it tradition to paint the newly 21 year old a glass for their gift. I’ve done 3 so far, my boyfriend’s, my sister’s, and now my boyfriend’s sister’s.

I love making these. I love the looks on their faces when I’ve nailed the design.

Generally I try to keep Alfie away while I paint. She’s a white/golden dog. Colors are just attracted to her! She once ate some of my food coloring jars- the good kind- and had a green belly for almost a week.

I wanted to relax so I set up at the coffee table and sat on the couch. Alfie and Zuc are allowed to get up on the couch as they please as long as they don’t push their boundaries. Alfie got too excited over the paint. Boundaries were pushed. The carpet wore the paint. Although I really can’t blame it all on Alfie. Yes, she got excited which triggered Zuc to get excited but it was Zuc who jumped up and concurrently flipped the paint plate. It shot into the air and he freaked out and ran. If he hadn’t his head would’ve been covered in paint and not the carpet..

Even with the disaster the glass came out perfectly.

To make these I bought bulk glasses off of amazon.com: Stemless Red Wine Glass, Beer Glass, and White Wine Glass. There are also a number of other glasses you could choose and they don’t have to bought in bulk. Each of these had a maximum of 6 glasses per case. I really like each of them. They are good smooth glass to paint on and are somewhat durable. When the White Wine Glasses arrived Alfie was still a roley poley little puppy and her cardboard box obsession was only beginning. She crashed into the full box of glasses and only one of them broke. None of them shattered or anything and let me tell you what, she was a rough little ball of fur. That being said, to save money, dollar store glasses work okay too. I just don’t prefer them because they like to break and have deformities in the glass itself making it harder to paint on.

I’ve had the paint so long I don’t remember where I even got it but it’s just basic acrylic paint. Same idea for the paintbrushes and spot tools.

When I finish painting the glass I let it air dry and then bake it. Start with a cold oven place the glass on the rack and allow it to heat to full temp, I usually heat it to about 350 degrees, once at full temp I leave it about 10-15 minutes then turn the oven off and crack the door. Allow the glass to set in the oven while it cools. Once cooled I take it outside and spray it with some gloss or matte modge podge depending on the look I desire.

Also, if you’re anything like my non-crafty sister, you may not want to go through making a glass. In this case I’ve also got you covered! Just visit my Etsy site! Generally I can paint anything you could ask for, if I can’t I will always try to do the next best thing you can think of! The make wonderful gifts! Glasses Transformed