DIY Splatter Paint Dog Leash

Seriously....how hip does Sebastian look with his splatter paint leash?!  Here's how we did it

What you'll need:

5/8" width white ribbon

3/4" width sturdy black nylon webbing (at craft and hardware stores)

Tulip Fabric Spray Paint

White and black thread

One snap hook for 3/4" width strap

I like that Tulip literally has a "neon" Fabric Spray Paint pack you can buy.  However, black is sold separately.  

I set the ribbon down for random spraying on the grass and made sure I had enough ribbon to make a matching collar or other things.  I sprayed two colors, let them dry, changed up the ribbon a little bit and sprayed two more colors.

Trick: Only push the sprayer half way to get the "splatter" look as opposed to the "spray" look.  Mix it up and have some fun!!!  After all your colors are on, look at the ribbon and apply more paint in bare areas.

Next, it's time to hit up the sewing machine and attach the sprayed ribbon to some sturdy nylon webbing (this makes for a strong leash).  Put white thread in the top and black thread on the bobbin.  Sew close to both sides of outer edge of ribbon while centering it on the black webbing.

Determine how long you want the leash (I just measured the length of one of Sebastian's leashes I like).  Make sure you calculate your handle and snap hook strapping needs before you cut.  

Lightly burn the edges of both ends (seals raw edges) to make sure leash does not unravel. 

Create your handle and sew in place.  Make the loop as big or as small as you'd like.  

Sew the snap hook on the opposite side.

And voila!  You have a new hip leash.

XOXOXOXOXO,

Erika and Sebastian

More Neck Tie Recycling

So here is a dog neck tie tutorial using a recycled human neck tie (you may have seen it in EveryDog Spring Issue 2012!).  I like this one even better than my original upcycled neck tie, but it's a little more complex.

Before photo:

If your dog is small (like Sebastian), you'll want to use the end of the tie.  If your dog is big, you can use the front like the humans do.  Determine the length you want the tie and add a few inches (this is because you'll be wrapping it around their collar).

Fold the "new" top of the tie back (make sure the width is bigger than the collar) and sew it or glue it in place.

Cut a small piece from the remaining tie material (this one is about 2" long) and fold it so that it's about half inch wide.  Stitch or glue both ends of the strip together to keep it from unfolding.  Center the strip on your tie like this:

Bring both sides of the strip in, creating shape to the neck tie like this:

Stitch it in place.

And voila!

But wait, there's more!  No need to throw away the remaining neck tie material.  Check out these matchy girly pieces Sebastian and I made for the ladies in his life.

Bow

Flower

xoxoxoxoxoxo,

Erika and Sebastian

June Already???

May is always a blur over here.

It's that month for us where half the family seems to have birthdays.  And oddly, it seems like every family has that one month where there's an overwhelming amount of birthdays to celebrate.

Not that that's anything to complain about...

Mine, Sebastian's dad, my mom, my father-in-law, my nephew, my aunt, my cousin (just to name a few) all had birthdays this month.  

Well, the truth is...I don't really know when Sebastian's birthday is.  I'm sure this is the case for any dog owner who adopted their dog from the pound.  I hate not knowing his "real" age. 

We went to Cold Stone a few days ago to end the crazy month, oh and because it was MY birthday and I knew I could make my husband do whatever I wanted to do.  Go figure, the birthday girl wants to take more pictures of her dog.

Lots of people walked by and admired the photo shoot scene, but of course that worried Sebastian just a little.

What month is crazy for your family?

XOXOXOXOXOXO,

Erika and Sebastian

Roses are red

Roses are red,

But this one's unique.

Does it move?

Does it squeak?

I licked it once.

I sniffed it twice.

Definitely not beef

Nor lamb with rice.

Eh, I'm going back

To sleeping bliss.

Fetch me my pillow

After I pee on this.

xoxoxoxoxoxo,

Erika and Sebastian

Friday Finds: Patriotic Pets

These pets clearly love their Country, wouldn't you say?

photo by Unknown

The human hand looks freakier than the cat's outfit.  

photo by Unknown

Oooh oooh oooh, Sebastian wants one of these!

photo by randombairik

This kitty looks like he's taking his Country pride very seriously.  But if you take away the hat and bow tie, all you would have is an evil eye.

photo by ladieshomejournal

Nothing makes me smile more than gettin' matchy matchy with your loved ones!

photo by Sekc's Zoo

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!!

xoxoxoxoxo,

Erika and Sebastian

DIY Clothes Rack

You might remember the DIY hangers I made a few weeks ago?  Well, it lead me to this project next!

Sebastian and I headed to woodshop (mainly to supervise the husband) with our drawing and measurements.

We used Pine, since that's what we had laying around in the garage.  I drew the legs of the clothes rack on the wood and my husband cut them out.

After we cut out and sanded all of our pieces, we took them home to assemble.

We Drilled holes for the bars.

We used Wood Glue to keep the bars in place.

Then it was time for me to take over the job and paint!

If you've ever crackled anything before, it can be a lot of fun.  I love the crackled look.  You do a base coat first (the color that will show through the "cracks), then apply the crackle glaze (which is basically a clear glue), and then apply your top coat (different color from your base coat). 

The crackle glaze shrinks as it dries and pulls the top coat away to create the cracks.  Cool, right?!

We love it!

XOXOXOXOXOXO,

Erika and Sebastian

It's Getting Hot Up In Here!

Happy Friday Everypawdy!!!

We might be feeling a little more nutso than usual, but nobody is going to question our sexiness.

xoxoxoxoxoxo,

Erika and Sebastian

Launched Our New Store!

Time to PAW-TAY!

Sebastian and I have very exciting news - We have officially launched our new online store!!!

Everything is handmade in the US and personally approved by Sebastian himself.

http://www.shop.sewdoggystyle.com

In honor of our new store opening, we are GIVING AWAY an Upcycled Tee to one lucky supporter!

All you have to do is go to our facebook page and click on the "enter to win" app to be entered into the drawing.

ATTN!!!!: Regarding my Upcycled Tee Giveaway

I was not aware of the facebook rules on giveaways when I originally posted this.  I had to make some changes to avoid risking my page being deleted and I apologize for the confusion/inconvenience.

Entry changes: Instead of just "liking" my page as an entry (which I just found out is NOT allowed on facebook as an entrant to a prize) you need to go to my facebook page and click on the "Enter to Win" app at the top and enter that way.

For more information on facebook giveaway rules, click here.

Thank you for understanding.

Winner will be announced June 1st.

Oh and because we love you all so much, FREE SHIPPING to all US residents until June 15th!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo,

Erika and Sebastian

Friday Finds: Carriers

If you're a Crazy Dog Mom and you know it, clap your hands!

Pet Sling by CuddleBugg

Fanny Pack Carrier by Unknown

LOVE LOVE LOVE this!  

Front Pack by SKSBoutiqueCo

Sling Carrier by Puppoose

Of course there's always the handbag...works best for sneaking your dog into places!

Handbag by JuicyCouture

And here's one of Sebastian's personal favorites:  A long slender hiking backpack.

How do you travel?

xoxoxoxoxo,

Erika and Sebastian

Sebastian Goes to Hollywood

I've walked the Hollywood Walk of Fame many times in my life, but never was I one of those crazy tourist people trying to take pictures of every star...until I went with my dog.

Sebastian wore his "Ready to Rock" shirt and favorite studded accessories.  Gotta look your best in Hollywood.

Sometimes it was hard to take pictures with so many people around.

And I wasn't the only one taking pictures of Sebastian.

"O.M.G.  Look!  That dog has bracelets on," said a stranger.  Camera clicks.

"Hummmm, I could get used to this," said Sebastian.

"Hey you!  Put my paw print right here.  And hurry, I've got places to be."

Oh, do you???

(a few hours later)

So typical.

Has your pet been to Hollywood?  And what Star would you have to take a picture with?

XOXOXOXOXOXO,

Erika and Sebastian