DIY Dog Treat Puppy Piñata

DIY Projects 19 Apr

It really doesn’t get much more fun than a DIY Puppy Piñata. And frankly, now that I’ve had one, I couldn’t imagine a dog birthday party without it!

Combining the fun of a treat ball, with the glitter of a disco ball, our DIY Puppy Piñata kept Soda entertained throughout the day.

Follow these easy step by step instructions to make your own in no time…

YOU’LL NEED:
Paper Mache Numbers or Letters – to spell out your dog’s name or age* (I got mine from Lincraft)
Non-toxic craft glue
Crepe or tissue paper (I used metallic gold tissue)
Scissors
Acto Knife
String/Twine
Small dog treats

* Good luck to you if your dog’s name is Sir Winston the Hound of of Essington

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Using your acto knife take each paper mache number/letter and cut 1-2 small holes in the base. This is the entry/exit point for the dog treats.
2. Using your acto knife, punch two small holes in the top of each letter and thread through your twine for hanging.
3. Grab your tissue paper. Leave it folded as it comes in a fresh package, and cut off a 3cm wide strip. On the strip snip the fringing about 1cm apart and halfway up the strip. Unfold, and you should have one full strand of fringed tissue. Repeat this step until you have enough fringing to cover your numbers/letters.
4. Take your fringing and start gluing it piece by piece to your number/letter starting from the bottom and working your way up. Glue the un-fringed part down then overlap the tissue paper so that the only portion that shows is the fringe. Repeat this step until your number/letter is fully covered. Leave to dry.
5. Once dry, take your completed piñatas and fill with dog treats, shaking them throughout the inside.
6. Hang your piñata and let your dog use their snout and paws to shake the treats free. Enjoy!

HANDY HINTS:
* Due to the smaller nature of the puppy piñata, you may need to cut smaller pieces of fringing to cover corners.
* If you can’t thread string through the top, just use a stapler to attached the hanging string to your completed piñata.
* Always supervise your dog with the puppy piñata. It is designed for your dog to use their snout and paws to shake the treats free as they would with a treat ball. Do not allow your dog to bite the piñata.
* Unlike regular piñatas, the puppy piñata is designed to stay intact and not break apart. Have fun!

Stylish Pet Food Storage Solutions + Free Printable!

DIY Projects 15 Feb

Hello hello Pretty Fluffies!

Today I’m talking all things storage. Pet food storage to be exact. You see it only takes 3 simple steps to get your pet food and treats stored safely and stylishly. So why not come on over to IHeart Organizing where I’m guest posting.

I’ll be sharing my pet food storage secrets and some free printables so you can play along at home.

Click here to read the full post and download your free goodies. It’s time to make your dog’s food ridiculously good looking!

Happy Friday xx

DIY: Valentine Welcome Rug

By Sarah Dickerson

Valentine’s Day is almost here, can you believe it? Since we had such a fun and popular 5 Minute Valentine last year we just had to partake in this love filled holiday once again with another quick and easy project. Say hello to the Valentine Welcome Rug! A fun way to spread the love AND it’s perfect for those dusty little paws. Even better, it wont take all afternoon to create. You’ll be done in minutes!

YOU’LL NEED:
Plain Door Mat
Sharpie
Heart Stencil/Paper Heart
Paint Brush or Paint Sponge – I found both helpful.
Indoor/Outdoor Paint – I used Martha Stewart’s non-toxic craft paint in ‘Habanero’ red.

THE TUTORIAL:
1. Use your stencil and Sharpie to trace a heart on your rug.
2. Once you have the heart drawn, begin filling in the heart with paint. Make sure to cover your sharpie marks.
3. Let dry before your pup walks on it. We don’t want red paw prints throughout the house! Mine took about a 20 minutes sitting in the sun.

I absolutely love how well this welcome rug turned out, I think I might just keep it out all year long. Enjoy your new rug and have a most excellent Valentine’s Day!
Sarah xo

AUTHOR: Sarah Dickerson is a visual designer and photographer from the Midwest who loves animals, all things English, rainy nights, cozy backyard gatherings, twinkling lights, and festive weddings. To see more of her work, visit her website and blog, Chic Sprinkles.

DIY: Easy Christmas Advent Calendar + FREE Printable!

DIY Projects Gift Guides 23 Nov

Nothing says the start of the holiday season like a Christmas Advent Calendar. There are so many truly beautiful DIY Advent Calendar’s floating around the internet, that I just had to do a DIY Doggie Advent Calendar for the furry members of our family.

With a simple and special activity designated for each day of the countdown, this calendar will have your pup happily enjoying every day of the holiday season. And to make your DIY Advent Calendar, it couldn’t be easier…

YOU’LL NEED:
Free Printable Pretty Fluffy Advent Calendar. DOWNLOAD HERE
4 x A4 Sheets of card stock
4 x A4 Sheets of Glitter Cardboard (or one big sheet)
3 x Sheets of Tissue Paper
Scissors
Hole Punch
Glue
Ribbon, twine or ornament hooks
** I used Silver & Gold for my DIY Advent Calendar, but choose your cardboard and tissue paper in whatever colours you like!

TO MAKE:
1. Print your Advent Calendar on card stock and cut each numbered circle out.
2. Glue each circle face side up onto your glitter cardboard. Cut out each circle.
3. Hole punch one hole in each circle near the top.
4. To make Fringing: Take one sheet of tissue paper, fold once lengthwise, then once widthwise and again fold widthwise. Cut your fringing about 1cm apart, leaving about 2 inches near the top uncut. Unfold completely and cut once widthwise. Roll each piece of fringing and twist in the middle then cut in half. Each sheet of tissue paper will make 8 individual pieces of fringing.
NB: This fringing technique was adapted from this tutorial over at Linen, Lace, & Love. For more details and photos visit the full post here.
5. Take your fringing and thread through the hole punched in your advent ‘ornament’. Affix the end with a little glue or double sided tape. Repeat this for all 24.
6. Attach ribbon, twine or an ornament hook to your completed ‘ornaments’ and hang on the Christmas tree!

TO USE:
Starting December 1st, search your tree for the corresponding number and discover the fun activity for the day from ‘Treat Time!’, to ‘A Trip to the Park’ to ’10 Minutes of Cuddles’. Each activity is quick, easy and a fun exercise for including your furry members of the family in the holiday spirit. Enjoy!