The new confinement took a bit of adjusting to but he was soon back to his happy go luck self.  Acting like it wasn’t even thee, he went on with the rest of his evening, going so far as to beg along with KC to get into the bed with me while I was checking my emails and such. It didn’t take long for him figure out who to finagle his way out if the belly band. Like I wasn’t going to notice it laying the win the bed?

Beamer’s belly band is a tad too large for him – OBVIOUSLY – and he clearly wiggled out, leaving it laying in the pen. What was funny was the way they acted like nothing happened, as if hoping I wouldn’t notice it lying there. Those silly boys!

Here are my prototypes of what I will call “Booty Bands” and how to try them out on the girls to see what adjustments I need to make to the design. I will be sure to share my results, and hopefully have some available in the Figgy Gear store in the future!

On a personal front, I suppose it is time to share that my daughter has learning disabilities that have held her back from a lot of things her entire life. She is such a kind hearted but also determined girl that does all that she can to do her best and rise above her disabilities. After tagging along to a plethora of dogs shows and club meetings with me, the day she asked if she could give it a try, changed everything! She spoke up, asked to do something and wanted to learn as much as she could about it. It was a miracle! A request that I was going to passionately help her with, in anyway that I could.

Alexis has been attending classes and showing in Juniors for 11 months now and there is no stopping her. When she met Hope back in November, her confidence exploded and her opportunities quadrupled. Both girls have the wonder blend of personalities and abilities, forming the perfect team. Since they both wish to handle and take care of dogs when they get older, we moms see everything they are doing now as their college education! They are learning technical skills while also expanding those social skills, something a mom to a special needs child can only dream about.

With the mention of Boomer coming to live with us to be a part of our family, came the words every mother dreams of hearing, “Mom, he’s going to be my dog. I want to pay for half of him with my birthday money.” Sweet baby girl, she doesn’t have anywhere near half in b-day cash but her desire to earn the difference, melted my heart. Extra chores around the house, selling homemade dog biscuits, and a list of other tad bit crazy fundraising ideas. That’s when phase two of the life lessons we moms had planned moved up on the to-do list.

With the girls wishing to make a career out of their passion for dogs, we planned on using dog show fees, medical bills, feeding and other costs involved in owning and showing dogs as a way to teach the girls about budgets and scheduling. We kicked that up a notch and decided to build a separate website for the girls to maintain themselves. They both could sell their handmade items to held fund their future plans and also blog about their lessons and experiences while they take this journey. We moms of course will still be very hands on, even donating our own crafty creations for their cause, but all in all, this site is theres and boy do they have a lot of amazing ideas.

So I am proud to announce and unveil the girl’s website, www.figgygear.com. Please note that all of the Toy Dog Breed items that have been shared on my website have been moved over to their’s and I have many new designs on the sewing table, hoping to unveil them soon. All of our loyal Figgy Gear customers, please know that any future purchases will go to funding Alexis and Hope fulfill their dreams and any new or old Figgy Gear customers please be sure to check out their new online store regularly because these two girls have some amazing things planned!

My original belly bands are of quilted cotton fabric and are designed to be used with a panty liner or maxi pad. Used by countless breeders in the state of Florida, they have been a tried and true favor for many. Trying to make a more “green” alternative, I was fascinated by the washable human baby diapers that are all the craze now. (It has been a very long time since I have needed baby diapers in this house!) Noting what types of fabrics are used by these crafters, I made some belly bands of these same products. Layers of terrycloth and PUL fabric, sandwiched in flannel in all of the same Toy Breed sizes, made for 100% washable belly bands.

While doing my prototype demos, I received some feedback and suggestions. One of those suggestions was to create a non-allinclusive version but one that included the lining layer to keep the bands dry while using a disposable hygiene product. I thought a layer of flannel as the lining would add additional absorption for any urine that seeped from the panty liner/maxi pad. This version is a little less bulky as the all-inclusive one.

Sewing away, I hope to have all three version available for purchase very soon!

So far I have six new harnesses is all sizes complete and I have a few more to go. I went with fun and fashionable colors and patterns. I have also found some new ideas that I hope to have added to the store soon. A new harness dress design as well as a collared harness for the boys. In addition to the harnesses, the girls have been sharing their ideas as well as their creative talents to bring all new products to our Figgy Gear Collection.

Today’s project is what I will call “Collar Garnishes” Fun and funky bow ties and fabric flowers that can be attached to your dog’s collar. I found these rolls of quilting fabrics is such fun chevron patterns. I love the array of colors! I hope to have them done soon. In the mean time, here is something to help kick-up the anticipation.

A liver and cottage cheese bait biscuit recipe was discovered and a trip to Publix was planned for this morning. With no real bakers in the family, it was quite entertaining to see our instinctual chef try to follow a baking recipe. Alexis was actually quiet the natural and took to the process rather quickly.

The results? Some absolutely amazing biscuits that the dogs drooled over while they were baking. Once they were out of the over and cooled, she was like the pied piper with a handful of bait. The Chihuahuas have spoken – Liver Biscuits RULE!

She got to visit with her old playmates and spend time at the camp fire with us tonight – Just like old times!

I finished and packed them up today and I have to say, I am really liking her color and pattern selections. I have always been a fan of chartreuse and to mix that with black and white? Oh yeah! Very purty!