Huge Pops of Color through Photography

I took an everyday point-and-shoot photo of a peony in my garden and created this ...

{A 52" wide x 43" tall photo enlargement made with simple photo edits in Photoshop Elements}

Instead of the standard 4" x 6" photo print I did some simple {trust me} photo editing and created this super-sized enlargement on the cheap (in comparison to what it would cost to print as a single image).


The overall dimensions of this, shall we now call it artwork?, is 52" wide x 43" tall.

It consists of (9) 14" x 11" photo sections, printed at a photo shop.  And standard off-the-shelf frames that we DIY'ed into a single unit (link to the DIY instructions at the end of the post).

At one point I laid all the photos out on the dining room table and I could have taped them together on the backside and basically had a seamless single print ...

... I didn't do that because of framing issues.

If I had produced the image in say (4) 14"x11" sections I might have had more framing options.  Think about how you'll frame your art piece when printed; for planning your photo enlargement you can follow my instructions and:

• it doesn't matter what size photo prints you want to use, and 
• it doesn't matter how many "sections" you decide to create

I'm going to share the concept of how to make these {easy} digital photo edits and you can run with this idea and create all kinds of color for the walls in your home!

Simple and easy edits still require  a fair amount of explanation.  This post is long.  If you're interested in learning how I did this, you may want to bookmark this post and come back when you have 10 - 15 minutes to read through, reflect, and play around with one of your photos in your software to practice and apply this information.

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I use Photoshop Elements (PE) but the features I'll talk about are available in all the leading photo editing programs.  And I'm going to talk concepts not specific procedures, (but I will share a screen print of two) so regardless of the program you use, you are going to need to know a bit about the software ... or poke around explore and discover where these features are located :)  But they are in any program, really.

And let me just say it here, cause I won't at each step, save your file periodically as you work.  You know what happens if you don't.  And if you want to keep a copy of the image in an unedited form, "save as" to a different name before you even begin edits, like "peony sectioned" or something like that. I'm just sayin'.

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1) When I opened my photo in PE the default print size was 13.3" x 10".  Remember print size also implies proportion.  If I wanted to keep those proportions I could have doubled the size of the print or cut it in half or thirds or other, without making any changes.  13.3" x 10" is a different proportion than 14" x 11".  Not a huge difference, but any difference requires a little edit.

How do I know for sure the proportions are different?  Divide one number by the other ... doesn't matter which way you divide, just do it the same way for both measurements for comparable comparison.  For ex:

13.3" divided by 10" = factor of 1.33

14" divided by 11" - factor of 1.27

When the default proportion is different from your desired print proportion you will need to crop the image to the desired proportion first before you create, in my case, those (9) print sections.  Don't panic.  The math is behind us.  The hard part is done.  Now you let your software work for you.

2) In PE you can select a specific object (for example, the whole flower bloom) or an area of the image, typically in the form of a square or rectangle.  To crop you want to select an area of the image you want to keep (what isn't selected will be discarded).  In PE you use the Marquee Tool to select an area and this is a fairly standard tool between different software packages.  

Here's where your software will do the work for you: you can set fixed proportions for your selection tool (in PE the Marquee Tool).  I selected Mode: Fixed Ratio and told the system 14 wide and 11 height.  I don't have to say inches, or picas, or whatever ... these are proportions not measurements.  Once I set the Marquee Tool to select a 14 x 11 section, regardless of how much of the image, or how little of the image I click and drag and select, it will maintain the 14 x 11 proportions.  

Here's how it looks in PE ...

{How To instructions for making a "sectioned" photo enlargement using basic photo edits in Photoshop Elements}

3) With the new portions of the image selected, Crop (probably Image / Crop from your menu) your picture.

4) It doesn't matter from this point forward about the 14 x 11 proportions, that's now a given, as long as you equally divide the image into sections.  Once again, a tiny bit of math then let the software do the hard stuff.

5) Let's say you want to create four print sections from your image ... two sections wide and two sections tall.  You've already done that math in your head and know each section will be 50% of the width of the image and 50% of the height.

In my case I went with three sections wide and three sections tall.  OK, you've done that math too ... each of my prints are 33.3% of the height of the image, and 33% of the width.

You want to go all fancy on me?  Two sections wide and three sections tall?  Yes, you can do this ... each section is 50% of the width of the image and .... 33.3% of the height.

So what do you do with this info?

6)  This next step is to simply visually help reassure you.  Do you ever display the ruler when editing an image?  In PE the default measure on the ruler is picas or pixels or some number that means nothing to me.  Did you know you can change how your ruler measures?  This was life changing to me the first time I did this!

In PE to change the ruler unit of measure I go to Preferences on the menu and select Ruler & Units.  For this operation I want the ruler to measure my image in percentages ... I want to easily see where 33.3% of the width of the image is, then 66.6%, and finally 99.9%.

So instead of seeing the default ruler units (units are 0 ... 12) that don't make it easy to divide an image ...

Here's my screen in PE with the ruler set to percentages (units are 0 ... 100)

{Setting the Ruler to display units of measurements in Percentages in Photoshop Elements}

While you're changing the settings for your ruler you could also set the gridlines to percentages too.  That's up to you.  It might be a secondary visual reassurance for you.  Or if you've never used gridlines before it might be too much information on the screen.  Or it could be cool.  You know your style preferences and information needs, so play around with this as appropriate.

Whew.  OK.  You now know what percentage of the photo you want in each of your print sections, and how many sections you are going to create.

You should still have the area selection (Marquee) tool set to the Fixed Ratio of the image.

What you are going to do next is click and drag to select each section of your image that will print, with the area select, COPY, then do a Paste.  In PE the paste will automatically go to a new layer where I'll see just that section.  I ended up with my whole image (on a layer) plus nine more individual layers (one for each section).  Here's a look at my layers (yes, I know I worked out of order on my grid, I was tired, but the point here is different layer for each section to print) ...

7) Finally, each of the section layers become a separate file to send to your printer. In PE I "make visible" only a single layer, then proceed with the routine for Image / Save As.  I did that nine different times.  I named my files "section 1" ... "section 9".  I'm so analytically creative. Is that even a term?

Send your files to a printing service or print at home.  Frame or don't frame.  Hang and enjoy.  And if you do this I'd so love to see a picture of your art!

Bless you if you made it all the way to the end with me.  If you have questions leave them in the comment section so everyone can see them and I'll respond both in the comments so other's can benefit and if you're email is linked to your posting profile I'll email you directly as well.

So thanks so much for stopping by.  Once you actually apply what I've talked about it will seem simple ... if you just read through it I know there's a lot of information, but when you start to work with it and the software does the hard stuff for you, then I hope you'll agree this is pretty cool and do'able.

If you want to read the details for my DIY frame made from 9 individual frames connected into 1, read the original post here.

Enjoy your photo editing!

Robin

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Tips and Ideas for Sprucing Up Basic Bedding (How to get a Luxe Look for Less)

Sharing a few tips / ideas today for sprucing up basic bedding to get a luxe {I would say luxer but I don't think that's a word} look for less.

As a puppy dog lover I quickly learned that precious dry cleanable fabrics did not make sense (cents, hehe) for use in our home.  So everything I have is 100% washable.  Of course these ideas are also child-friendly, but why stop there ... maybe I should just say life-friendly tips, because honestly, its amazing how mishaps seek out dry-clean only bedding and gorgeous designer pillows.

So first up, here's Mr. Beaver, my primary (but not only) reason for 100% washable bedding ...

Mr Beaver is laying on a patterned flat sheet.  Although our bed is a queen size the striped sheet is only a "full".  Since I use this (and other patterned sheets, ya know, switch them up from time to time) simply to bring color and pattern to our bedding, the sheet doesn't actually have to fit our bed.  The bed is "made" with white sheets and the patterned sheet is a topper layer before the comforter is placed, and I leave the comforter folded at the end of the bed.  Great patterned sheets for king or queen size beds can cost $$ but full size sheets are less expensive and for some reason easier to find and sometimes even marked down.  (I think because master bedrooms are typically king or queen size, so the full size gets overlooked.)  BTW, picked up these great striped Kate Spade sheets at Home Goods last week and they didn't have them in king or queen.

Moving on to the striped pillows.  Those are "pretty" pillows, we don't actually sleep on them.  You have something like that too, right?  But Mr. Beaver will sometimes knock them over while making a pillow fort for napping, so in fact he does sleep on them, but no worries.  Let's take a closer look ...

The two sets of white pillows behind the purty striped ones ... that's our sleeping pillows.  A set of firm pillows in the back.  A set of very soft pillows in the middle.  Reminds me of a Billy Joel song ... bottle of red, bottle of white, whatever mood you're in tonight.  The pillow forms in the striped pillowcases are actually older and slightly worn and lumpy sleeping pillows that I've recycled promoted to purty-duty.

But they are so plump looking you say ... they have great form and fullness and don't
slouch?  Here's why:

They're wrapped with bath towels.  Plumps older or sparse pillows right up ... fills out the pillowcases.  Big bucks look by using what you've got.  Also provides a protective barrier for the pillows ... drool or other ... wash pillowcase + towel = pillow OK.

Another similar trick tip ...

The "duvet" on our bed is actually just a simple and inexpensive but nicely satin trimmed oversized poly blanket (from Costco last year but they still had them this week when I was in the store).  Because its poly it is very washable, I know from experience.  It is a lightweight blanket and lays very flat / thin.  Because one of us is a "cold" sleeper and the other a "hot" sleeper I purchased two blankets: with two blankets layered the cold sleeper is happy and the hot sleep just peels back the top layer.  Couldn't do that if this was a down-filled comforter.

Now having those two layers of blankets does create a luxe{r} looking plumped layer on the bed, but I've got one more tip and it doubles as a clever storage option ...

{Storing extra pillows not currently used on the bed tucked into a comforter folded along the bottom of the bed.    Gives the illusion of a plump luxe down-filled duvet,}

{a} from the headboard looking toward the ...
{b} end of the bed, you notice something inside the blankets ...
{c} when I lift the blanket I reveal more pillows ... today it is the Euro's.

And I'll even throw in another tip I picked up from Emily Henderson of HGTV and Design Star fame ... she revealed that when photographing bedrooms the pillow sham flanges are often made firm to stand upright by applying duct tape on the back of the flange.  So if you have droopy pillows maybe try some duct tape on the backside!?!?  But really, hearing that tip also helped me put those gorgeous bedroom pics into perspective ... it may not be everything it appears to be.  And that's when I started thinking these ideas may be share-worthing and interesting to you.

So, may I suggest:
1) consider purchasing full size sheet sets because they're less expensive and use the pillowcases and flat sheet as a quick-change way to spruce up your bed.  The fitted sheets can also be used to sew more pillows or cover cushions around the room.

2) wrap pillow forms in bath towels to create the rich look of an overstuffed pillow

3) tuck pillows into a folded blanket at the foot of the bed to create the plump look of a down-filled cover

So that's my look-for-less bedding tips.  Do you have lots of comfy pillows on your bed?  Are you duvet or comforter or bedspread folks?  Do you make your bed every day?  (I confess that I didn't used to but for the last 2 years made the bed daily, you can read about that here.)  What great bedding tips will you share with us?

Till next time folks ... thanks for stopping by,

Robin

Tweakin' and Fluffing: Master Bedroom

So I've been staring at the gallery wall in our master bedroom I shared with you last week and I decided a tweak was needed.  Notice anything different?

Here's the "before" ...

It's not a huge tweak, no worries if it doesn't stand out to you ...  believe it or not it took hubs a week to even notice the whole gallery wall, I mean, it's not small and it's the wall you see when you enter the room, I'm just sayin'.  Anyway.  Here's a hint about the gallery wall tweak ...

{"Painting" a white linen art matt with Antique Gold Rub-N-Buff to create the illusion of a much larger frame.}

The matt around that picture was too big / white and distracted from the gold leaf frame thing goin' on.  That matt is actually linen (real fabric, not a linen textured paper) so I wasn't sure how to change the color.  Certainly didn't want to take the chance of gold paint oozing onto the picture.  So I tested a little Rub-N-Buff on a scrap of fabric and it seemed to work fine.  Then 15 minutes later the art had the appearance of a much larger gold frame minus the distracting white linen matt.  Here's a detail shot of the Rub-N-Buff "painted" antique gold linen fabric matt ...

{Close-up of linen picture matt painted with Rub-N-Buff}

You can see there is a golden shimmer in some areas ... this is where I applied a second coat of the product and really buffed it with my paint brush.  I do plan to get a tube of bright gold leaf Rub-N-Buff and go back and lightly add highlights, but that's another day.

So while I had the tube of Rub-N-Buff out, the starburst hanging above our bed went from this ...

to this ...

The starburst now looks retro, is more "age appropriate" looking (the crystal baubles were beginning to feel somewhat pre-teen to me), and ties in nicely with the gold on the gallery wall.

Oh, then the best accessory of any room in our house joined the photo shoot ...

Can't believe how far this single tube of $4 Rub-N-Buff has gone ... that picture matt is huge and the fabric "ate" a lot of product, and the starburst required a second coat to cover the cut glass gems at the end of the bursts, and I also used this same tube on a large lamp base.  That's a lot of gold for a little price.  I'm not being compensated to talk about Rub-N-Buff, they don't even know I exist (wouldn't mind meeting a rep though) ... I'm just sharing this info cause I'm excited about how effective, easy, and cheap it was to do these projects.  

Did you notice the new black & white stripped pillows and bedding?  I love the addition of this classic and graphic pattern to our room and it doesn't hurt that I picked up those Kate Spade sheets at Home Goods.  Happy happy!

Later this week I'll post a few tips for fluffing your bedding to get a luxe look for a little cost.  And my tips are super puppy / kid / hubby friendly ... looks luxe but nothing so precious it can't be tossed in the washer.  Hope you'll join me then.  But before you go, have you used Rub-N-Buff on anything lately?  What's your fav color ... are you a bright and shiny fan or do you prefer the antiqued tone?

Thanks for dropping by,

Robin

Master Bedroom Gallery Wall + 1 Year Blog-a-versary

Holy cow its been a year since I started blogging!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun?!?!

So my first decorating post was about our master bedroom and how I solved the problem of an off-centered window that messed up my space / furniture plan.  Recently I started playing around with accessories for our master decor ... how about a progress look-see?  Its a bit colorful so you might want to have sunglasses on ;)

Entering our bedroom you're greeted by a colorful gallery wall of classic and modern art wrapping around a chest of drawers {that I still want to refinish} ...

{A gallery art wall wrapping around an undersized piece of furniture visually feels a void on a very long wall.  The wall color is BM Kasbah, AF-640.  The silk dupioni drapes are from Pottery Barn and the color is Lemongrass.}

The art literally hangs from floor to ceiling.  All the art was previously owned and used in different rooms throughout the house.  When we decided to decorate differently after the house fire {still working on it}, these art pieces become orphans.  I considered selling the art via a consignment store but of course I would only get pennies for even the better pieces, a lithograph and an original oil painting, and I'm pretty sure the cheap-o pieces would just have been thrown out.  And I would still have a fairly blank wall to fill.  So you see what happened.

Here's how the wall looked originally ... this is the only pic I could find from when we moved home and for some reason the lower left art piece is missing but it is the same piece in the same location as in the updated arrangement ... so imagine that two sides of the chest wrapped in art, and even then the chest still feels too small for the wall:

Here's another look at my boudoir gallery today ....

This space planning with this extremely long wall was tricky from the start; when we tried our long dresser on this wall it created a too tight spot at both the end of the bed and the entrance to the adjoining areas on the left.  So that's how the chest of drawers ended up on this wall.  A wee bit small undersized for the wall but providing great traffic flow.  Now the artwork visually fills the wall space without taking away from the traffic lane.  And that means no stubbed toes in the middle of the night ... a very good thing.

Have you read the original post about our bedroom ... Abracadabra: Now You See It, Now You Don't.  You can read it here.  Its been a great solution for us in dealing with an off-centered wonky window that threw off our space and furniture plan.  Can you find the off-centered window in this photo from that post?

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As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, as of today I've blogged for 1 year.  I remember writing that my first post and - not entirely sure how everything worked, clicked Publish instead of Preview.  Panic stricken by publishing something I wasn't ready to share I wanted to delete the post but honestly thought I'd get all kinds of complaints {from whom, I don't know, maybe the blog police} about deleting the post.  Yes, I really thought that ... OK, I've learned a few things this past year.

I want to take a moment and thank y'all for reading my blog and let you know your comments leave a big 'ole smile on my face and how much I enjoy continuing conversations with you via email.  Somehow this blogging thing is helping me restore not only my post-fire house, but my spirit.  I may sound sappy, or dopey, or even somewhat desperate by saying that, but I don't care, it's the truth.

And now I'm totally blushing when I share that my $25 Foyer Makeover ...

was featured at ....

so I'll add the "I've Been Featured" buttons to that post.  If you missed my foyer post you can read it here.

Thanks so much for hanging in there with me through this long post!  I'm looking for accessory and styling ideas for the TV area in our bedroom ... do you have anything posted on your blog?  If so, please leave me a URL or post title in the comments, I'd love to see what you've done.  And thanks again for your visit ... see you next time!

Robin

The $25 Foyer Makeover

I spent $25 total for 1 yard of fabric + a quart of paint, shopped my house instead of a store, painted some furniture, used fabric in a creative way, and got stripe happy with a wall.

{Before and After a $25 Foyer Makeover: all items are the same in the two photos, just updated with paint and fabric}

It's a fresh look for our home with lots of positive energy.  It has personality and I think that's difficult to achieve in a pass-through area.  Don't you think the "after" feels much friendlier?  I know whenever I open the front door I'll greet my visitor with a big smile on my face because this space just makes me grin.

Already. owned.  everything.  Just in need of updating and restyling.  Still need to do a bit of accessory styling, but let's call that Phase II.  How about a look at the details ...

{Detail elements from the $25 Foyer Makeover, left to right: horizontal wall stripes, silver leaf detail on round mirror painted Cayenne Pepper, fabric panels under glass surface on credenza top}

{A 1980's credenza restyled with paint and fabric insert panels}

Resources

Wall color is Seashore Dreams in Eggshell by Mythic Paint.
Stripes are Spring Mint in EcoSpec / Eggshell, by Benjamin Moore.
{The foyer is open to our Great Room ... Seashore Dreams is used in the adjacent front sitting area and Spring Mint is used in the TV / Activity zone.}
Architectural moulding is One Coat Super White in Semigloss, by Pratt and Lambert.

Credenza
Color is Dill Pickle 2147-40, EcoSpec Eggshell, by Benjamin Moore {left over paint}.
Top coated with Safecoat Acrylacq, Satin Finish (water-based, low odor lacquer replacement).  The combination of a flat paint (eggshell) and the soft sheen from the lacquer replacement produces a smooth factory-like finish.

Mirror
Color is Cayenne Pepper (8-14) in Satin Accolade Paint, by Pratt and Lambert.
Silver Leaf, Rub-N-Buff applied around mirror edge

Credenza Panel Fabric
Robert Allen Fabric, Crystal Lake pattern, Midnight color, 55% Linen / 45% Rayon

Tips from What I Learned
Hubby didn't want me to do anything "non-reversable" to the glass on the credenza, so etching or adhering something directly on the glass wasn't an option.  I decided to wrap the glass with heavy-duty contact paper - which is totally removable, and to glue fabric to that.  This worked perfectly for the door panels.

When it came to the glass inset panes on top of the credenza the same contact wrap + fabric worked fine for pane #1.  Not so for pane #2.  Seems that the cabinet wasn't manufactured with the highest level of precision, and although both openings fit the cut glass, once the extra thickness of the paper + fabric was added, pane #2 was too big.  Drats.

Didn't want to use the power sander to remove that much wood because I was concerned I wouldn't keep a straight-edge.  Same with using a router to resize the opening ... and I had concerns that I might make the opening too big.

Plan B was to use scrap wood and build a simple box frame (like stretcher strips for canvas) that would fit inside the two openings on top of the credenza.

With fabric wrapped and stapled to the frame it was inserted from inside the cabinet, is flush with the surrounding, and the glass panels lay across the opening as the cabinet was originally designed.  Score!

Looks great and is actually a far better approach for the top panels since they are totally protected from anything sitting on the surface.  I had planned to use a fabric sealer to protect the fabric but that's no longer necessary.  Yay for failed ideas!

Let's talk about the mirror for a moment.  I used a brush to paint the mirror.  I avoided needing to cut in around the mirror edge because the frame had a silver leaf edge adjacent to the mirror.  When I primed the mirror I primed slightly over the leading edge of the leafing but not all the way to the mirror.  After the color {3 coats} was applied, I used Rub-N-Buff to restore {and enlarge slightly} the silver leaf band.  I needed to keep a rather clean but not perfect edge to my silver leaf and I had to come up with a way to apply the paste other than my pudgy, non-precise, finger.

Yep, I found my precision tool of choice in my makeup bag ... dual ended cotton tip {disposable} applicators for eye makeup.  The end with a chiseled point was perfect for drawing lines.  The flat round end was perfect for applying large amounts of leafing then buffing to a shine.  Actually, this process mirrored applying eye makeup! {sorry, I couldn't stop that pun from jumping on the screen}.  And when I went a little heavy on the leafing, or outside my edge line, I found "nourishing" nail polish remover {the lite version not the full power remover} removed the leafing! and didn't damage my paint!!  Of course, that was a lucky off-the-top-of-my-head discovery as I was running around yelling words I won't write here because of my major mess up with the leafing.  Whew!

How about one more look at the finished foyer, 'kay?

{Display case / credenza restyled into foyer table using paint and fabric.  Horizontal stripes on wall added for additional pattern and to cover wall damage that was repaired.  Accessories already owned.  Total cost of foyer makeover is $25.}

Yep, I rummaged around and found the lamp a mate (also already owned, just in storage).  I like symmetry and this feels like a good starting point for accessories.  And I have to mention that in real life the mirror is neither neon or blaze orange as it appears in this photo ... my amateur photography skills probably gets the credit for that.

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If you have any questions about my projects I'd be happy to answer them but I think I've covered the how-to's for the unique aspects of my project.  So if you'll indulge me a bit, I have to mention a somewhat ironic coincidence I totally didn't plan ... 2 years ago today (7/9) I started painting this very foyer as the first step in a redo.  The walls were primed on the 9th but in the wee hours of the 10th, our house fire happened.  Yep, that was two years ago.  BTW, the fire had nothing to do with the fact I was painting, just sayin'.

I didn't plan this foyer project to coincide with this "anniversary" ... had it not been for the recent monster storms in the mid-Atlantic area and resulting power outages this project would have been finished about two weeks ago.  But two years later I finally have a good start on that foyer redo.

If you haven't already read our Fire Safety PSA, I hope you'll check it out before you leave ... click here or you can always find the PSA button to the left on the sidebar.  Thanks for that.  And thanks in advance if you choose to Pin or otherwise help spread our Fire Safety PSA message.

So, what do you think about my foyer?  $25 well spent?  Or both my money & time wasted?  I'd love to hear any suggestions you have for accessories or more.   I'm considering extending the stripes around the proper foyer area, but that can be an "upgrade" and might have to wait until the fall.

What about you ... any plans to paint furniture or do a makeover on the cheap at your house ... would love to hear all about it!

I have more furniture reveals coming soon ... oil-based paint dries very slowly in this humid weather ... this time from my dining room.  Hope you'll check back, or, if not already a Follower click that little button in the sidebar so you'll automatically know when my paint is dry!

Keep cool folks,

Robin

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DIY Puppy Cooling Vest (for Dogs of all sizes / ages)

Woof.  Its hot outside.

Forecast for today is it will feel like 109 in. the. shade.  Double woof.

Beaver Puppy (actually a 14 year old with heart and lung conditions) still has to venture outside to, well, you know ... take care of personal needs.   Even a short time exposed to these extreme temps is uncomfortable at best for him and, just like for humans, there's a risk of heat exhaustion or more.

So check out what I hacked made for him from a fabric dog harness, a scrap of indoor / outdoor fabric, and free non-toxic cooling gel from my pharmacist.  I call it a "cooling vest".

DIY "Cooling Coat" for Dogs to increase comfort in extreme hot temps

(BTW, the haze you see in the photo is the humidity already so thick you can see it at 10 a.m.)

How To DIY a "cooling coat" for dogs and help your furry friend beat the misery of extreme hot temperature

I grabbed a spare lightweight fabric harness (Issac Mizrahi for Target ... oh, Tar-Jay, why did you let that relationship cease?) and on the inside of the harness I sewed a pocket of indoor / outdoor fabric that is mold and moisture resistant as well as washable. The pocket is nothing fancy, just three sides sewn and one side open.  The pocket is there to hold bags of a cooling gel.

The cooling gel was given to me by my local pharmacist.  The pharmacist said meds shipped to them requiring refrigeration come with sealed plastic pouches of a gel that remains cold for a long time without refrigeration.  The gel can also be frozen if desired when not in use. And, this substance is non-toxic.  If you want to craft a cooling coat for your furry friend I encourage you to go make friends with a pharmacist.  If you purchase something on your own you definitely want to make sure it is non-toxic, it should be labeled as such.  Dogs have a habit of chewing things, so please, do I need to say it again ... non-toxic.

The sealed bag I received from my pharmacist was way too big for Mr. Beaver to wear.  I opened the bag and poured a small amount of the gel into 2 separate zip-top bags, then double sealed each bag inside two additional bags.  Once sealed to my satisfaction, I slipped the pouches into the pocket I sewed, then placed the entire cooling coat in the freezer.  For hot days that are merely in double-digits I keep the coat in the fridge.

When nature calls we grab the cooling coat and go outside.  People find it curious that he has a coat on when it is so hot but we're totally cool with any odd looks they give us.

If you have a furry friend I hope you find this idea helpful.  And if you craft a cooling coat I'd love to see pics.  Feel free to forward this post, PIN, or share a bookmark with others ... let's keep those puppy dogs comfy.

Keep cool,

Robin

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