How to make a quick and easy doggy treat jar

Updated July 2018

Make this quick and easy doggy treat jar for your best friend.  If you are like me you have little bags of treats all over the place.  Sometimes those zippers just don't seal well and you end up with stale and hard treats.  You don't want your little prince or princess to turn up his or her nose at them.  

So, you can quickly make a personalized treat jar using a simple wide mouth jar some photos of your pet and decoupage glue. You can purchase a jar at the dollar store or even recycle a clear food container.  Easy, inexpensive and so much fun.

You will need:

·      Glass or recycled plastic wide mouth jar (I found one for under $3.00 at Target)

·      Decoupage glue (I use Modpodge available in craft stores)

·      Small paintbrush

·      Computer and printer with all-purpose paper

·      Photos of your dog

1.     Prepare your jar.  If there is a label on a recycled one simply soak it off in some warm water.  If the surface is sticky from the label, rub some peanut butter on it, wipe it off and wash it. Rub down the jar with alcohol.

2.     Load your desired photos onto your computer and put them all in a strip collage using your favorite photo editing program. (This way the photos are all one size).  Simply add the photos and print on all-purpose paper.  You may need a couple strips depending upon the size of your jar.

3.     Cut out each photo.  On a curved surface it is easiest to add the photos one at a time smoothing out any wrinkles with your fingers. (Don't smooth them all out though, wrinkles give it character) It may get a little messy but it washes off your hands easily. Using the small paintbrush apply some decoupage glue on the jar where you would like your photos to go. Press the photos on the wet glue area one at a time. Add a generous amount of decoupage glue on top of the photos.  Keep adding until you have added all the photos you want and let it dry.

4.       Brush a coat of decoupage glue over all the photos one last time and let dry.

5.     Fill with treats and let your pups enjoy their new jar!

Note:  Decoupage glue dries clear.  

Download, print and color unique free poodle gift tags

Adult coloring books are all the rage these days and I figured why not incorporate coloring into some cute, free poodle gift tags.  The gift tags are free to download,  print,  and use for any occasion from Christmas to birthdays.  Anyone who loves dogs will adore these gift tags.

And the fun part is you get to relax and color the designed borders and poodles before you attend the event.  It's not just for adults either! This is great fun for kids to do with fine line markers.  Especially when they are getting antsy about going to the party or event.

Printable poodle gift tags

Patriotic dog bow with feathers

Dress up your pups for patriotic holidays and parties with this cute Patriotic dog bow with feathers. The bow is attached with some elastic on to the collar so it easily goes on and off whenever you want. Alternate the ribbons and charms and you can make an entire wardrobe of seasonal bows for your pets.

It’s so easy with the Bowdabra bow maker with ruler attachment. I’ve made my elastic small because I have a tiny dog but you can make the same bow for any size dog just change the elastic to fit the collars.

My dog is a girly girl.  She doesn't like to get her feet wet when it rains.  She doesn't chase rabbits.  She basically doesn't like to get dirty and she loves her bows, so everyone knows she's a girl.   It's so easy to make bows and change them up with the season for my little girly girl.

Supplies:

•             Bowdabra Mini Bow Maker with hairbow tool and ruler attachment
•             Bowdabra bow wire
•             20 inches of 1 ½” wide patriotic ribbon
•             Two small red, white or blue feathers
•             Sparkle star charm
•             3 inches 1/8” wide elastic (for small dog collar but longer for larger dog) 
•             Needle and thread
•             Piece of matching felt ¼” wide x 1 ½” long
•             Lighter
•             Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Instructions:

1.    Gather your supplies.

2.    Cut a piece of elastic and sew together into a loop. Set aside.

3.    Cut an 18-inch piece of Bowdabra bow wire, fold in half and insert into the bow maker. You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.

4.    Cut a 20-inch piece of patriotic ribbon. Use a lighter to run quickly on the ends to seal to prevent fraying.

5.    Fold the ribbon in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra.

6.    Make a loop with one end bringing around and inserting the end into the Bowdabra.

7.    Bring the other end across the first loop and insert that end under the first loop and into the Bowdabra. It will look like an X.

8.    Insert the bottom ribbon loop into the Bowdabra. Repeat with the top loop. You have formed the bow.

9.    Add one of the feathers. Add another feather on the opposite side. Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand. Insert the two loose wire ends through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra. Remove from the Bowdabra, turn to the back and tie in a knot. Cut off any excess bow wire. Arrange the bow.

10.Use the hot glue to attach the elastic loop on the back of the bow. Add the felt piece over the elastic to secure. Turn the bow over and attach the star charm in the center. Use the elastic to attach to the collar.

Tuxedo dog collar with Mini Bowdabra bow maker

January 14 was National dress up your pet day.  While I don’t like to force my doggies to wear uncomfortable cutesy clothing, I think they enjoy wearing a fancier collar once in a while.  What could be fancier than a black tie event? Use the Mini Bowdabra bow maker to make a perfect bow tie in seconds! National dress up your pet day isn’t just for dogs though.  Dress up your horse, cat, mice, or whatever sort of pets you have and be sure to take some photos. For more information check out National dress your pet up day. http://www.national-awareness-days.com/national-dress-your-pet-up-day.html

To make the tuxedo collar for a small dog you will need:

·      Plain collar to fit your dog

·      White felt

·      Two white or two black buttons

·      7/8” wide black wired ribbon

·      1/8” wide black ribbon

·      Ruler

·      Scissors

·      Mini Bowdabra bow maker with ruler

·      Bowdabra bow wire

·      Needle and thread or Glue gun and glue sticks

1.     Fold the felt in half and cut into a curved shape leaving the top edge straight.  Open the fold and trim it necessary to make a U shape.  Mine is for an 11 lb. terrier and its 4 inches across the top edge.  Make it wide enough to fit on the chest area of your dog.  (For larger dogs you will need to make it a little bigger)

2.     Once you have your chest shirt piece ready either sew or glue on two buttons down the center.

3.     Attach the shirt piece onto the collar closer to the buckle side.  Stitch it or you can glue it on with a glue gun. Check the fit on your dog to make sure that the decorative part of the collar in on the center of the chest when you buckle it.

Make the bow:

4.     Cut an 18-inch piece of Bowdabra bow wire.  Fold in half and insert in the Mini Bowdabra bow maker.  You will have a loop on one side and two pieces of wire on the other.

5.     Cut a piece of 7/8” wide black ribbon 7 ½” long.  Insert in the bowmaker. Make a loop at the 1 ¼” line.  Make a matching loop on the other side.  Scrunch down with the wand.

6.     Insert the two wire pieces through the loop while the bow is still in the bow maker and pull tight.  Remove the bow and tie a knot in the back.  Fluff the loops and cut off the excess wire and ribbon.

7.     Cut a small piece of 1/8” wide black ribbon.  Glue around the center of the bow.  Attach the bow to the center of the shirt piece on the collar with hot glue or sew it on.

Note:

To make the girl dress collar simply substitute white 7/8” wide ribbon for the black.  Use faux pearl buttons for the front and glue on a strip of white lace trim to the upper part of the collar Attach a length of string pearls around the center of the bow gluing to secure.

When making collars for larger dogs use wider ribbon for the bow ties.