All vaccinated and micro chipped!

Little mason had has last rounds of vaccines today, and got himself a fancy, schmancy micro chip between his shoulder blades. Here's my poor, lethargic little bionic puppy. Just a reminder, now until April 18th, 10% of all my etsy sales will go to the MD SPCA! Xoxo, danamarie
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new in the shop!

i've been knitting and sewing my little fingers to the quick and i am happy (though calloused) to say: "haroo hooray, the etsy shop was updated today!" (no imagine me yelling from a rooftop and flailing, because the drama makes it much more significant). so yes, there are some new knitimals in the shop (and a few more that haven't been posted yet, but are on reserve for some lucky pre-orderererererers), and in addition to Knitimals, i've plopped in some soap, some pins, some new magnets, more books and then some. and it is here that i will not so subtly remind you that from now until April 18th ANY thing you purchase will have a little extra love about it, because 10% of each purchase will count as a donation to the Maryland SPCA. On April 20th, Mason and I will be marching our little hearts out to raise money for animals in need (he will be extra grateful because he has a very cute new sweater to wear and he knows there are many many dogs out there who, while cute, do not have mommies to make them sweaters), and we will be dropping off a check in the amount of whatever we can scrounge up, so PLEASE! DONATE! remember, donations are 100% tax deductible, so why not get a jump start on some holiday shopping or stock up on birthday gifts and buy now, while there's charity involved, eh? i thank you, and the homeless animals of the state thank you! shop now, help some animals xoxo, danamarie

hummingbird is done!

hello friends! today's a big day... my beautiful hummingbird is done. it's a little sad. she's officially not mine anymore, but i know she's about to fly off to a beautiful new home, with beautiful new friends, way out west. and THAT makes me happy. i think once i get over the loss, i'm going to have to make myself a hummingbird of my very own. in the meantime, i am updating my etsy shop like a mad woman! remember, from now until April 18th, ANY purchase you make will mean a 10% donation to the MD SPCA, so donate now! (see the "angel" post below for more info) xoxo, danamarie.

arrrr, sweater!

this just in! happy boston terrier in new england is loving his new skull & crossbones sweater! pretty cute, eh? this is finnegan. his mom sent me these fabulous pictures of him wearing the sweater i made him a couple weeks ago. i think he looks just dashing in it! now, dog sweater knitting isn't my typical arena, but the recent acquisition of a tiny, shivery, sweater needing dog has tapped into that knit fashion part of my brain and well... the original pirate dog sweater was made to fit little mason (10" chest). THIS sweater was a whopping 23"! Nevertheless... i think Finnegan is a handsome boy in a handsome sweater. I also think that if you want a sweater of any kind for your pup, you should drop me a line! xoxo, danamarie

hummingbird, in parts

here's a hummingbird knitimal commission i am working on... it's taking a while to figure out all the steps and just what pieces i need to knit up, but i'm enjoying the subtle, audobon-y-ness of it all. it's nice to be able to take a step back and work quietly and slowly every now and again (plus, i am silently... ok, not so silently, coveting it). maybe i'm just taking my time so i don't have to part with her?

be an angel to an animal in need!

those of you who know me, know that i am a total softie when it comes to animals, especially dogs. there's this great even in Baltimore each year that i've always wanted to participate in, but with my dog, er, aggressive Shiloh, it wasn't really an option; SO, now that she's passed peacefully to a place where all dogs are friends, i am thrilled to announce that Mason and i will be marching on her behalf!

The lovely ladies of B.E.S.T have formed a "pack" in the hopes of rasing some much needed money for some deserving animals. Mason & I will be walking in the March for the Animals on April 20. Would you please consider making a gift to support the Maryland SPCA? As a local, private non-profit shelter, the Maryland SPCA receives no government funding or money from national animal welfare organizations. On behalf of the more than 3,000 lost and homeless animals that are placed into homes by the Maryland SPCA each year, (and on behalf of the often un-mentioned but just as important member of our little family, Finnegan the cat, who, once named "Magwire" CAME from the MDSPCA), i thank you!

I will be putting a "donation" listing up in my etsy shop next Wednesday, which will include a free gift... what will it be? a pin? a magnet? a print? we'll see, AND EVERY listing in my shop will be able to join in the fun because March 5th through April 18th, i will donate 10% of each purchase to the MD SPCA.

if you want to make a donation (and please do! even a dollar is great... i mean, that's like a whole rawhide chew, right?) please do one of the following:

*visit my etsy shop and make a purchase and enjoy knowing that 10% of that money will go to a sweet animal! shop etsy and make a difference!
*check back in next Wednesday to buy the "$10 donation" listing in my etsy shop.
*visit my personal donation page on the March for the Animals website and make a pledge make a donation online!

xoxo, danamarie

time for another installment of...

CUTE SLEEPING!!!!
(that's all i wanted to say... its just so cute).
xoxo, danamarie

walters mural

lift off! 14 hours of ladder up & downing, paint can lid on and offing, and water bottle refilling later, we have a mural! i'm very proud to be able to say i have a painting in the walters art museum; having spent the last year or so working in the education program there and seeing, every saturday, just what a special place it is. it's great to see waltee (the much loved lion cub mascot brain child of brian ralph) come to life with all his friends... the knight, the muse, the samurai and the mummy (who, luckily enough, also happen to be among the most loved pieces of art in the collection). the space looks brighter, bigger and more welcoming to the kids and families who drop in every weekend too, and i think, it's a much more "art friendly" space. i hope it's loved for years to come! xoxo, danamarie

walters mural progress

so... i started work on the mural in the walters' family art center today. here's how far i got. sorry this is a lame entry but my back hurts and my hands have paint brush abrasions on them. owie.

Is this heaven or what?!

Who me? Oh, I'm just knitting a custom hummingbird knitimal with a dachshund puppy on my lap, that's all.
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