Learn How To Paint a Portrait of Your Cat or Dog

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learn to paint pet portraits

I’m a big fan of web-based and self-paced learning, and it’s amazing what you can find online these days! I love watching YouTube How-To videos, but what’s even better are the FREE and low-cost classes that you can find over at Craftsy.com. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve taken their Online Knitting Class using my iPad in my spare time, and found it super fun and easy to follow. Their special software makes it really straightforward and organized to follow, and you can use a PC, laptop, tablet, or even your SmartPhone to take online lessons on your own schedule.

I was looking to see what’s new over in their course offerings and spotted a GREAT new class especially for Pet Lovers! It’s Pet Portraits taught by Pat Weaver, and it’s on sale for $19.99. That’s 33% OFF the regular price of $29.99 and you get:

  • 6 HD video lessons with anytime, anywhere access
  • Downloadable class materials, including supplies and a color wheel
  • Over 2.5 hours of close-up instruction
  • Answers from Weaver in Craftsy’s virtual classroom

learn to paint a pet portrait

One really cool thing about Craftsy classes is that once you buy one, it’s yours to keep and take over and over again anytime you want. You can skip around in the lessons, or do them in order from start to finish. When you have questions or need help, you can post messages for the instructor and other students. You can also see photos that other students post of their finished projects, which I find great inspiration. They also offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

Class Description

Capture your darling dog or cat in a lovable, lifelike work of art! Join renowned animal artist Pat Weaver and discover how easy it is to photograph, sketch and paint your pet. Find out how to select the best source photo for your piece, and discover Pat’s easy process for quickly and accurately sketching any dog or cat. Use a simple template and transfer method to translate your sketch to canvas, and then explore value and color. Work with acrylic paint to mix lovely grays and neutral hues that are ideal for animal features and fur, and practice painting expressive eyes with realistic warmth. Follow Pat through three demonstrations as you create your own pet portrait, using loose, fluid brushstrokes to develop fur and whiskers and layer colors for a dimensional effect.

Keep in mind that you will need to buy a few art supplies locally, but the instructor has a downloadable list of everything you’ll need. You can also read reviews posted by other students. One review I read says that this was “the best class I’ve ever taken” which is pretty high praise, indeed! Head on over to Craftsy and check out the Pet Portrait Class while it’s on sale!

Not ready to buy a class yet? Check out the FREE Mini-Courses available to everyone at NO cost. It’s a great way to see what Craftsy is all about and how it works.

Watch FREE Online DIY, Craft, Cooking & Photography Classes Anytime!

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Baby, it’s COLD outside! If you’re going a bit stir crazy being stuck indoors, or are just looking to learn some new skills or start on a fun new project, you don’t want to miss the FREE mini-classes available online over at Craftsy.com!

free bag-making class

With the FREE Bucket Bag Class, you could make a super CUTE bag for the dog park or handy storage bine to keep all your fur kid’s toys and gear together! In addition to needle crafts including knitting, quilting, sewing and crochet, you can also learn cake decorating, photography, perfect pizza making, fondant basics, and a bunch of other FUN stuff.

Woof Woof Papa is always on me about being more careful when I’m chopping things in the kitchen, so I’m interested in the FREE Knife Skills Class…check it out:

knife skills class

Craftsy also offers reasonably-priced full-length classes online and with all their free and paid classes, you do them on your own schedule, and on any laptop, computer, table or device you want. You can watch and restart them as much as you want and even ask questions and get tips from the instructor and other students. I’ve done the online Knitting course and love how easy it was to follow and how well-done the whole thing was!

Visit Craftsy HERE to check out all the FREE mini courses and get started on a fun new project of your own!

8 FREE DIY Kindle Books: Make Homemade Dog Treats, Amigurumi Animals + More!

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free diy ebooks

If you’ve been suffering from cabin fever due to the crazy winter we’re having, or are just looking for a fun new DIY project, gift ideas or treat recipes for your cat or dog, then read on! I had a few minutes today to roundup some fun new FREE Kindle books to help give you some creative inspiration.

Take a sec and snag these 8 FREE eBook downloads about DIY Projects, Crafts and Making Pet Treats while they are available at no cost. You can read them on a Kindle or any tablet, PC, laptop, Smartphone or other web-enabled device using one of the free Kindle Reading Apps.

Remember that once you own the book, it’s added to your library and is yours to keep and read whenever you have time, but they don’t stay free for long so hurry on over and download them now! Always verify price still shows $0.00 BEFORE completing each transaction, since prices change quickly and without notice.

Free Kindle eBooks about Crafts, DIY Gifts & Pet Treats:

Carve A Pumpkin To Look Like Your Dog — Free Printable Stencils + Carving Tips

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carve a dog pumpkin

Here’s a great Halloween freebie for dog lovers! BHG.com has a gallery of printable pumpkin stencils in 25 different dog breed designs. You can carve your jack-o-lantern to look like your own dog or choose a different type of dog just for fun. I think the Chihuahua is especially adorable and wish we had room for enough pumpkins so we could carve them all! Go here to download one or all of the dog pumpkin stencils via free PDF files.

UPDATED Recommendation for 2021:

Easy Pumpkin Carving Tool Kit

Check out this new Pumpkin Carving Kit with Tools,  LED Candles and Stencils to help making carving easier, safer and more fun!

pumpkin carving tips

Pumpkin Carving Tips from Woof Woof Papa

If you’ve been following us on Facebook or Instagram you know that Woof Woof Papa is a pumpkin-carving wizard! Here are a few tips he has for carving the perfect pumpkin:

  • When choosing your pumpkin, think about the type of design you’ll be carving and make sure you get one that is tall and big enough.
  • Clean and dry your pumpkin before carving.
  • Tape your stencil, or draw your design before cutting the opening.
  • Cut the bottom, not the top.  I was raised to cut the top off, but it looks cool and is easier to light the candle or hide the cord from a string of lights when the opening is at the bottom.
  • Make sure to scrape well to get out all the goop.  Be sure to save the pumpkin seeds to roast later!
  • Take your time and use tools if you’re doing an intricate design ($2-4 at Michael’s)
  • Don’t stress if you goof up a little…imperfections give your pumpkin extra character!

Last night we (he) carved a spooky cool witch and spider, and tonight we’re going to do a dog-themed pumpkin for Daisy. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see how our pumpkins turn out! Are you carving a pumpkin this year?

Dog Pumpkin Stencils for Halloween

Let us know what design you’re doing and feel free to share a photo of it with us on Facebook. We’d love to see!

 Top photo: BHG.com

11 Free Kindle Books: Leash Manners, Family Camping Handbook & More For Pets and People

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There are loads of new FREE Kindle Editions available today for download over at Amazon that I thought would be of interest to pet parents plus a few other fun titles I thought looked cool. Remember that prices change frequently over at Amazon, so act quickly and be sure you verify each book is still $0.00 before confirming your order. 

free kindle dog books & more

Once you add them to your reading library, they are yours to keep and read anytime, even after they return to regular price, and you can read Kindle Books on just about any SmartPhone, Tablet, PC or device!

Free Kindle Books About Dogs:

Circling the Waggins; How 5 Misfit Dogs Saved Me from Bewilderness $0.00 ($4.99 reg)
Leash Manners: Learn How to Leash Train Your Puppy $0.00 ($2.99 reg)
Dogs, dogs, Dogs $0.00 ($1.50 reg)
How To Walk A Dog – All You Need To Know To Avoid Catastrophes $0.00 ($0.99 reg)
Puppy Love on a Budget $0.00 ($0.99 reg)
Parade of Misfits $0.00 ($0.99 reg)

Free Kindle Books About Cooking, Canning & Crafting:

Canning & Preserving Food Like A Pro: The Simplest Guide To Preserve & Freeze $0.00 ($5.17 reg)
Organic Food: Eating Organic on a Budget $0.00 ($4.99 reg)
The Family Camping Handbook: Real Food in the Big Woods $0.00 ($4.95 reg)
Craft Business Power: 15 Days To A Profitable Online Craft Business $0.00 ($2.99 reg)
Home Canning Food For Beginners (Preparedness Guides) $0.00 ($2.99 reg)