Charms to Accent the Stories of Our Lives

Today we have a story written especially for us from the story teller herself. Tania recently looked into getting some charms from us for some extra special custom gifts and, when we heard the story behind them, we were absolutely speechless for how wonderful it was. Kat's first words were literally "I'm speechless.... This was amazing to read, it makes you laugh ,teary and smile all at once." So without any more introduction, I give you Tania and her story

Growing Up United

"My parents punishment if we fought was to make us hug “Until we learned to love each other”, and their constant words were 'You need to be there for each other, what if one day we are not there for you?' Naturally we grew up very close. Yes, there were fights, (we are all girls), but there was more doll playing and fort building. It is not until now that I understand fully what they had meant, and in everything that has happened, that is the most valuable thing they did for us - raise us to be united."

A Diverse Family of Parents

"I am the trail blazer in the lot and the first one to have a baby. Of all my pregnancy worries, the biggest one that plagued me was that my child would grow up without loving grandparents. I was sad for days concerned that if something happened to my husband and I, then my baby would have no place. Then I realized that I was wrong, I have had my sisters! Those childhood memories and the words my parents had said plenty of times rushed in and I felt relieved."

We will continue Tania's Story Shortly in another installment! Stay tuned for Part 2: "Meeting the Family"

 

Quotes are Better when They aren't on Paper

The Quotes didn't work the first time so why didn't I clue in after that? I just over-thought it when I should have went crazy, creative, and let myself loose. The quotes still didn't work but we had just got into the OOAK Vancouver Show so I didn't think about them anymore. Now, I went to school at UBC and all my friends were there and came to see us at the show and Kait, one of my besties, was all like "well why don't you put something that I'll actually use on the cards?" She clearly wasn't a charm fan - although she did buy a bookmark card :) Anyway, to spite her, and knowing her love of random stuff on the fridge, I took that quote idea, made it into a magnet quote and wrote something like

"I Love You Even When You're Stupid"

and sent a picture to her. I liked that. So I started playing around with more. They were into Ryan Gosling (still are) at the time so "I Love You more than Ryan Gosling" - this was getting fun. I just kept going with it and her. "You're my favourite best friend"  - "Wine and You My Two Favourite Things"  - "A Graduate? In What? English?" (I graduated with a B.A. in English and she is a Chemical Engineer now going for her masters) I Think I was onto something and, so, when OOAK Toronto Spring Show rolled around I tried out a couple hundred of them. They all sold out. Immediately. So we took the train home, made more magnets and went back only to have them fly again and again. It was a good show but, really, it was the start of something so much more - 

My True Creativity :)

 

Great Dane Cards as Gifts

Today, interestingly, is about more dogs and the cards that come along with them - or in this case, small horses. One of Kat's greatest friends in the world, and my aunty, Lisa just visited us from her horse farm in Johnson City, Texas! We try and visit, in either place, at least once a year when we can get time but WOW has her year ever been a busy one. Yes, Lisa has a horse farm with 7 horses but more importantly she has 3 mini horses; Great Danes.

Professional Great Dane

Lisa has just recently started showing her Great Danes - first Ruby and now Ty - and has been doing kind of well. Ruby became a champion first and now, the puppy, Ty, is going for his Grand Champion honors. And when I say small horse, he is almost 4 1/2' tall and weighs 185lbs and is the biggest suck in the world :) So because she has been doing so well at the shows and attending more and more, she figured it might be a nice touch to send "Thank You" cards to the judges and show organizers. Just another interesting application of wild stories that our cards come into contact with. Also, he may be here in August for a show in Toronto - I will have to let you know how he does :)

Apparently it's the small dogs you've gotta watch for! The big ones are babies..

 

Cute Puppy Story

We just recently got a new puppy after our 13 year old Border Collie, Kelsey, passed away this past December. It was absolutely one of the hardest things in the world (as any dog owner will know) but we are dog people and we love to have a pup around to put some extra joy into our everyday activities. Despite that attitude,  accepting Ally into our world was a little weird. Kels was the smartest dog in the world and a new puppy just didn’t seem to live up to all that she was. 

Border Collies are NOT to be Under-Estimated 

Well, silly us. At 4 months old, Ally girl is shaping up to be every bit as smart as Kels. My dad, Big D, is completely against the puppy being up on the bed. Kat and I want to cuddle and think it is super cute but he usually ends up winning and down she goes. The bed she wants on is REALLY tall and she can’t get up herself so today, in two tries, I got her up this ladder onto the bed. She only does it when he isn’t around and doesn’t even need a treat to entice her now.

Welcome to the fold Ally :)