Quentin Update

Regular readers will know that guide dog puppy Quentin has been a regular visitor to the vet for a whole lot of x-rays and CT scans and has spent much time both limping and resting.  After several months, we now have a firm diagnosis...

This week he visited an orthopaedic surgeon, who has diagnosed Quentin with a grade 2 luxating patella in both back legs.  Basically, his kneecaps are dislocating themselves, which is causing him to raise one of his legs until the kneecap slips back into position when he extends his leg again.  He ends up walking on three legs for anything from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, sometimes several times a day.

So, what this means is:

• Quentin will need two operations, about six weeks or so apart - one on each of his back legs.  The surgeon will create a deeper groove in the bone which will hold the kneecap in position for him.

• He will - sadly - be withdrawn from the Guide Dogs training programme, mainly because of the time it will take for the operations and recovery, but also because he will be more prone to arthritis in his later years and guide dogs are required to walk mostly on hard surfaces.

• His parents will be withdrawn as breeding stock, because luxating patella is a hereditary condition.

• Guide Dogs will be paying for the operations and helping support his recovery within their training centre.  I'm really impressed with and touched by their level of commitment to the welfare of a pup who won't ever be a guide dog.

• And - this part is the silver lining in the cloud - we have decided to keep him as a pet.  I'm very happy about that part!

I'm really quite sad that he won't be a guide dog, because he is showing signs of being a fabulous guide!  He knows exactly when the road is safe to cross - he often starts to make a move before I tell him to.  He has safely guided me around parked cars, too.  Having a mind of his own means he does sometimes try and make a decision based on where he wants to go (grassy areas are definitely desirable!) rather than where I want to go!

But my sadness at him not being a guide dog is balanced with the knowledge that I can continue to enjoy his company and watch him develop into a happy pet dog.

His first operation is on 5th March.  He'll go in the day before, and Guide Dogs will pick him up afterwards so he can benefit from recuperating where (among other things) they'll walk him on an underwater treadmill to help rebuild his muscles and joints!  I'm guessing he might have to wear one of these again for a while...

Fortunately, he didn't mind it at all last time, although he took chunks out of it from walking (and running) into walls with it on!

I'm linking up to Handmade Monday in its new home today.  I apologise to all the Handmade Mondayers for the distinct lack of handmade in this post!  I know there are some of you who have been waiting to hear about Quentin, so hopefully you will forgive me!

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Welcome to another Handmade Monday!

This month's Craftseller magazine (issue 38) landed on my doormat yesterday, and I seem to have quite a few projects in there this month!

There's the cards...all very vintage and masculine this month

and the quilled wedding makes...

with the cat cake toppers

the flowers in pots

and the quilled rose-inspired bunting too...

and as if that's not enough, there were my fox and owl bookmarks (and it was a lovely surprise to see these on the cover photo on Craftseller's Facebook page!)...

It probably all sounds more than it was - the quilling makes were all part of the same article, so they really only count as one!

Quentin news
One of the (many) things guide dogs have to learn is to "spend" (do their toileting) on command.  When Quentin first arrived I was a bit worried about this...but this weekend we had a breakthrough!

At home, it's no problem at all - he has a fenced-off area which he now strongly associates with all things toilet-related.  He even rushes off there by himself in the middle of a play session!  But when we're out it's a bit more difficult.  Guide dog puppies are taught the command "busy busy" which means they can relieve themselves - but Quentin has never really quite "got" that while we were out.  Until now...

Yesterday, after a trip around Asda, I took him to a corner of the car park and told him "busy busy" - and for the first time outside the home, he responded appropriately!  I was so disproportionately pleased!

Now, I do apologise for hi-jacking what really should be a craft blog with tales of puppy toilet training, but to make up for it, here's one of him demanding attention while I sew!  I can't resist those puppy dog eyes!

Before I turn into a puppy bore, it's over to you for Handmade Monday - you know what to do...

An InLinkz Link-up

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Welcome to Handmade Monday!

What fabulous weather we are having in the UK at the moment!  Yesterday, we took my elderly parents for a picnic in the grounds of their retirement apartment (probably the only public place that wouldn't be so crowded we could be sure of finding a bench!) and we actually needed sun cream!  Definitely a first for 2014!

The June issue of Sewing World arrived on my doorstep the other day, with my heart-shaped scissor keeper in (you can see a tiny picture of it on the front cover, if you look closely at the bottom left corner).

This project first appeared on my blog (it's actually my all-time most popular post) but I made an updated version for Sewing World...

I love the print fabric from Wholeport on the Sewing World version (follow the link if you'd like to buy it!).  I used a pair of old jeans for the black fabric which backs it.

For Craftseller I've been making more cards with their free papers.  These papers are very kind of fourth of July in their inspiration - they'll be given away with issue 39.

Also for Craftseller, there was a really quick make using vintage sheet music...

Quentin news...

One of the things I've been doing with Quentin for a few weeks now is whistle feeding, where he waits for his food until I blow a whistle - it's something all guide dog puppies do.  It sounds a bit crazy, until you know the reasoning behind it...

The whistle will be used to call him back when he's free running (off the lead) in a park or open ground.  Even working dogs need some playtime, but if you are blind you need to be really confident your guide dog will come back to you!  So the whistle is strongly linked to food quite early on - hopefully ensuring the dog will return!

We've tried the whistle when he's in the garden, and the first time was quite comical.  My son was playing tug and chase with him and when the whistle sounded Quentin immediately froze, looking quite startled.  He then ran as fast as his little legs would carry him for his food (which I had prepared in secret, while they were out walking - he can hear his food cupboard door from the bottom of the garden!).

The next stage will be recalling him with the whistle when he's off the lead in a park.  This has to be done under supervision the first time - which will be in a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, he stays on the lead for walks, but is allowed pretty much everywhere now, since his vaccinations.

The walks are as good for me as for him - exercise is one of those things I never get enough of!  I'm also discovering new areas in my neighbourhood - parks, woodland, streams and farm paths within easy reach of my front door.  Although sometimes it clearly gets exhausting and a random lie down is needed...

What's new in your world?  Feel free to share it with us for Handmade Monday...

An InLinkz Link-up

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Hello - welcome to another Handmade Monday!

This week I've had my sewing machine out, busily stitching for Sewing World magazine.

I can't show you too much yet - but it has something in common with the bag I made for my sister a little while back...

Quentin News...
Well, people keep telling me how much my (no, no, I should not think of him as mine!!) gorgeous little guide dog puppy Quentin has grown, and it's clear he's getting bigger (he tries to squeeze under the coffee table and seems to surprise even himself how big he  now is!).  I ordered his second batch of food this week, and got to compare pictures of him next to the food!  This was Quentin at eight weeks...

and here he is at sixteen weeks...

It was also interesting to compare his behaviour each time.  The first time it was just pure luck that I got him to sit still for a photo.  The second time I had complete confidence that he would sit and wait at least long enough for a photo!  I think he knew what was in the bag though - he was very interested in it and gave it a good sniff!

If you use Facebook, don't forget we now have a Facebook group for Handmade Harbour - you can share your own makes as well as get news and updates about the Handmade Harbour shop (digital stamps, party printables and sewing patterns).

It's time for Handmade Monday now and it's over to you...

An InLinkz Link-up

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Happy Handmade Monday and Happy Easter!  I hope you're managing to enjoy your Easter weekend, whatever you're doing.

The May issue of Sewing World magazine really made me smile!  One of the themes in a lot of my sewing projects is organisation - not because I'm really well-organised, but because I would like to be!  So this title on my latest project for Sewing World kind of spoke to me - it's entitled Oh to be Organised!

The project is a dinky little notepad wallet, with zipped pockets and an integrated pen holder.  The notepad is A6 size, but the pattern could quite easily be adapted to suit any size really.  The main fabrics are from Wholeport -  they're leftovers from other projects (you really don't need much fabric for this project).

Quentin News...

Guide dog puppy Quentin went to his very first puppy training class this week!  It's a special class just for guide dog puppies and Quentin was the smallest puppy there this week.  He was too excited to take much in, but I was able to take home some tips for his continued learning.  I didn't manage to take any photos though - far too hectic!

He's starting to learn how to sit on my left hand side (rather than just in front of me) because that's going to be quite important when he's a working guide dog.  He's not quite so brilliant on the down command, which I suspect will take some time.  He's learning the wait command too, and sits and waits at meal times for his food (which I think shows considerable restraint at only 3 months!) and just today he's started responding to wait in other situations, too.

This made me laugh - he doesn't usually sleep with his head on the floor!  Most of the time, his bed is still quite adequate, as he likes to curl up.  But there are moments it seems he needs the next size up!  He's growing very quickly!

It's your turn now - how has your week been?

An InLinkz Link-up

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Welcome to another Handmade Monday - and Happy Mother's Day to mums in the UK! Today is Mothering Sunday here in the UK (to give it its official title).  I think the rest of the world celebrates Mother's Day on a different date (but please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).

One of the great (but occasionally very weird) things about designing projects for magazines is the peek into the coming seasons via the craft medium.  This week I've made summer-themed cards for Craftseller

and although I know summer is on the way, this made it feel more real, somehow!  As soon as I saw the summer tag (it's on one of the free papers they'll be giving away with the magazine - they send me the papers to make the cards for them) I knew I had to include it!  It's a lovely spring day here in Cheshire today and it makes summer feel close by.

In Guide Dog Puppy Quentin news... well, he's had his first bus ride without any problems at all.  He's continuing to behave himself in shopping centres and supermarkets, although that might all change once he spends more time on the floor than in my arms (which isn't far off - he's definitely growing fast and my arms won't hold out much longer!).

He loves going for little walks on the lead - which up to now are just up and down the driveway.  I can't wait to see his reaction when he's allowed to go further (which won't be until he's been vaccinated).  It's hard to imagine when you see him wandering, pulling on the lead, sniffing everything and picking up stones that he could one day be guiding a blind or partially sighted person around busy streets.

It's over to you now for Handmade Monday...

An InLinkz Link-up

Handmade Monday 160

Hello and welcome to another Handmade Monday!

I can't show you what I made this week as it's for Craftseller magazine - but it's foxy! OK then,  I guess I can show you a teeny sneak peek...

I was quite pleased with how it turned out - it's very cute!

Guide Dog puppy Quentin is getting along really well.  He wows people everywhere he goes but he's starting to get a bit heavy for carrying now - my arms ache when we go shopping! He's been in most of the big supermarkets, a variety of post offices and even a railway station and a pre-school! (I don't know who was more excited to see him, the kids or the staff, but my granddaughter was very proud that Quentin "belonged" to her!)

He also behaved impeccably in a restaurant...

despite being much tinier than his own food, which looks like it might last him forever!  Although, seeing him eat, you know that it won't!

OK, it's over to you for Handmade Monday.  You know what to do...

An InLinkz Link-up

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Welcome to Handmade Monday!

I can now show you the finished bag I gave to my sister...

 It's an eider duck, which she loves.

She was thrilled with it, and I'm mostly pleased with it although the duck should have been a bit higher on the bag.  His feet get a little lost at the bottom.  I get annoyed at myself when I make silly mistakes like that.

Still, she loved the large zipped front pocket...

and the fabrics.  The grey dotty canvas is an excellent bag-making fabric as it's quite robust.  The gorgeous lining fabric, also from Wholeport, is one of those fabrics which seems to go with lots of things - it's so bright and happy.

Speaking of happy...

Quentin and I are getting along famously.  If you missed my earlier post, Quentin is a Guide Dog puppy and I'm looking after him for his first year.  He is adorable - such a nice natured little pup!  Here he is showing off his official Guide Dogs tag (he sometimes tries to chew it but can't quite manage it.  It's the same with his tail!)

We had our first shopping trip together yesterday - to the post office and Asda!  I can see that all future shopping trips are going to take twice as long as usual - everyone wants to say hello to Quentin.  At this stage, he gets carried around like a baby (and of course, he still is a baby yet).

He's already getting better at using the "outside toilet".  Guide Dog puppies are trained to go outside straight away, and always on concrete or paving.  He's already getting better at it (or maybe it's just that I'm getting better at knowing when he wants to go!).  He has a fenced-off area for his toilet, which looks huge compared to him!

I can see it's going to be so hard to give him up when he's ready for his next stage training!!  No wonder I was given a contract to sign!

OK, back to Handmade Monday!  What have you been making?

An InLinkz Link-up

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Welcome to Handmade Monday - click the link for more info.

This weekend, I was surprised to see a massive jump in "sales" of my free pattern on Craftsy (the one for the sewing kit that appeared first on here then in Sewing world magazine).   It took me a while to work out the reason for the huge increase - then I discovered I'd got a mention on the Craftsy blog!  What was even more surprising was that my little pattern was trending as number 1 on the free sewing patterns page!  Wow!!  That was just amazing  (although it's entirely possible it's dropped from the number 1 spot by the time you read this).

sewing kit tutorial

It's made me realise that I need to get some more patterns out there!  It's one of the things I've really neglected recently.  There seems to be so many things I want to do and I need to get better at making time for them all.  Any ideas to help me organise my time would be welcomed - although I am pretty well-read on the subject and aware of the theory... it's the practical I struggle with!!  Maybe I'm just trying to fit too much in.

I am about to add something else into the mix which might make time management even harder - something that has absolutely nothing to do with handmade but might be a welcome diversion at times...

I'm getting a puppy - but not just any puppy.  I've volunteered with the Guide Dogs Association to be a puppy walker, which means a puppy will come and live with me, distract me from my work, piddle on my floor, chew anything I leave lying around and in return I'll take him or her for walks and socialisation practice - a very cute companion, I think!

guide dog puppy looking guilty

(image courtesy of Guide Dogs)

I'll keep the puppy for about a year (when they'll want it back for its next stage training!) but I will have the option to take on another little fluffy bundle when the first one moves on.

I'm really quite excited but managed to rein in my excitement a little when they asked could I start mid-December - there is a litter of puppies ready to be homed then.  The busiest time of the year for me is the run-up to Christmas, when I'm furiously painting, lettering, packing and posting for my gifts website.  I am hoping it won't be much afterwards though when "my" puppy arrives!

I've now got patterns and tutorials for dog chew toys and dog beds going around in my mind!!  Inspiration is everywhere but time is as short as ever!

There's more good news, in that I got a mention in Homecrafts Top 50 craft bloggers awards.  I recognise quite a few of the bloggers on there, but some are new to me - so I'm going to be trying to make time to look at the blogs of some of my fellow awardees (is that even a word?).

If you'd like to share what's been going on in your handmade world this week, you know what to do...