shurkus.com

Hero Arts Scramble: a card for me

jenn shurkus — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:21:39 +0000

I participated in the Hero Arts Scramble this weekend over on the Flickr group. My friend Cheiron was hosting, and my friend Glenda and I met up in a google+ hangout to stamp together. We were given the challenge to create a card for OURSELVES using all of our favorite items. A card just for lil ol me!? ok!!! Teal, teal, and a lil more teal… kraft…. a lil bling, letters and fonts are a love of mine. I love office supplies, hence the grid and punched border I used. AND the best of all “Saturday” my favorite day of the week!!! (see below for a full listing of the supplies I used)

Thank you for hosting Cheiron!

InLinkz

TGIHarley: Harness Adventures

jenn shurkus — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:21:10 +0000

When I adopted mister harley, I decided (and promised the MSPCA) that he would live a life of an indoor kitty. I had always grown up with out-door kitties and that’s what watcher was, but I knew it’s a better choice to keep them inside. I know by keeping him indoors mister harley will stay healthy, safe and most likely live longer. Starting late last summer, I was noticing mister harley was acting more restless, crying at the front door and attempting to escaping when I was coming inside. I was feeling very bad for him, he was clearly not happy. I had heard of cats being harness trained, and we actually used to bring watcher with us camping and kept him on a harness and let him be outside. I knew if I was going to let him go out side, this is something I would have to commit to. I knew it wouldn’t be fair to him to let him go out on a harness but then not be able to do it again for weeks. So I thought long and hard, and decided I wanted to do this for him, I wanted my sweet kitty to be happy.

A few people have been asking me how I went about doing it so I thought I would share my thoughts here.

I picked up a harness and retractable leash at a pet store. The harness is a bit confusing at first, and I initially had it on him too tight – but I eventually figured it out. Mister harley has never been a fan of of wearing a collar, he hates it actually. When I first put the harness on him he literally flopped over on the floor with his legs straight up in the air and played dead. I didn’t even attempt to put the leash and bring him out at this point. I just say on the floor with him and pet him and praised him. A couple days later I tried again, this time he was crouching on the floor, and I went to the front door with the leash in hand and asked if he wanted to go out- he kind of just looked at me. I eventually got the leash on him and let him outside. Now he has gotten so used to it, as soon as he sees the harness and leash in my hand, he heads to the front door, and puts his 2 front paws on the screen door, waiting to be “saddled up”. From that moment on mister harley and I have had many adventures with harnessing, a few key pros and cons I have learned.

Things I have learned not to do:

You want the harness tight, but finding that happy medium place is a bit tricky. If it is too loose he will obviously get out of it.
I no longer let him go into shrubs or bushes. Not only is it hard to keep him from getting tangled in there, I have learned that when he is in shrubs he is able to roll his shoulders upward and hook the harness on a branch and get out of it ( I learned this the hard way when all of a sudden I saw a streak of white fly out from the bush and then spent over an hour trying to “catch” him – all with a sprained ankle.
I don’t try to walk him, I let him lead and walk when he wants…. I even try to give him a little slack when we are in open spaces so he feels “free”

Mister Harley enjoys being outside, he is always alert and curious about when it going on in the yard. He loves munching the grass, keeping an eye on birds near by and just checking out his surroundings. I let him lead the way being sure to stay in our yard. When I am ready to go in, I scoop him up and bring him back to the island. I then take off his harness and we go in the kitchen where he gets treats - the whole time I am praising him. He still cries at the front door a bit, but I feel he is truly a happier cat.

Do you harness your kitty? Do you have any questions? Let me know I’ll be happy to help out!

TGIHarley: inspiring

jenn shurkus — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:50:35 +0000

“It’s not just a daydream if you decide to make it your life.”

Note: I’m working on a post all about training mister harley on a harness, pros and cons etc – stay tuned.

Happy to Announce Lawn Fawn Classes!!

jenn shurkus — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:25:26 +0000

Hey everyone! I’m super excited to let you know I will now be offering classes with Lawn Fawn stamps!!! These fun, whimsical sets are sure to inspire you- and I can’t wait to design a TON of wicked fun cards with them (and share with you of course!)

My first classes with these stamps will be on the Cape, May 16th 6:30-8:30p and at Ink About It Thursday June 21st 6:30-8:30p (more details here) Hope to see you at one of these offerings!

Everything’s Going To Be Alright

jenn shurkus — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:44:50 +0000

I love the patterned clouds in the Hero Arts/ Studio Calico Set – Hooray . I have made so many cards with that one set alone, and I’m not done yet! I also have been loving the Envelope pattern background stamp, that a few friends talked me into getting. I made the “rain drops” with my quickie glue pen and ultra fine crystal glitter – so fun! And for this design it only seemed fitting that I used gray for the sentiment so i grabbed my Versafine in Smokey Gray.

TGIHarley: VeraHarley

jenn shurkus — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:11:34 +0000

Happy Friday from Mister Harley! I finally finished this layout I started at Crop on the Cape… I love how it turned out- Josie sacrificed a Vera Bradley tag for it, and Melissa O helped me in stitching it on – and then i just had a ton of fun with some My Mind’s Eye pattern papers and colorful flowers. The journaling reads ” Not sure if you were sleeping in my bag so I would’t leave again or if you truly were a comfy kitty- either way watching you inch deeper and deeper in the bag was super cute xxxooo”

sending you warm thoughts

jenn shurkus — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:32:56 +0000

It certainly has been warm here in New England this week. Record breaking temps, and we all know how I feel about that! I say BRING ON SUMMER! While I was creating some cards for the Hero Arts Challenge, I was on a roll with the supplies I had out on my desk – so I created this quick card too.

I used this clear set for the sentiment, but i cut it apart to make it easier to use 2 different inks- a benefit of using clear stamps!

sketch challenge: hooray!

jenn shurkus — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:30:42 +0000

Another card inspired by the challenges over on the Hero Arts Blog. Super simple, but I LOVE how it turned out! Are you going to play a long? It’s wicked fun!
Supplies Used:

Hero Arts/ Studio Calico Set – Hooray
Assorted Memory Box pattern papers

Classes in CT at Wiggles and Giggles!!

jenn shurkus — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:27:04 +0000

Hey everyone! I’m excited to let you know I will be back in CT teach next Sunday April 22nd!!! I have 2 classes planned for you at Wiggles and Giggles and you can SIGN UP NOW, by calling the store. You can see the samples in the store or on my site here. Looking forward to seeing you soon!!

TGIHarley: happy 4th birthday!!

jenn shurkus — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 05:37:54 +0000

Yesterday was mister harley’s 4th birthday. Still very much a kitten at heart. You are fresh, way too smart for your own good, and you *totally* have me wrapped around your paw- but i wouldn’t have it any other way! I love how you enjoy being with me anywhere i am in the island. You watch me out the window leave for work, and greet (try to sneak out) me as i come home. Your morning snuggles are the best, and head butts are my favorite. Happy birthday handsome kitty! Mister Harley Kitten Shurkus

The pics are from this winter, my friend jill spoils mister harley often with toys. This was a toy she made herself out of some bakers twine… he loves it! I love seeing his paws clenching it so tight!