12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs

So, it’s the night before Christmas and you forgot to get a gift for your dog! Not that that would ever really happen right? Well just incase I’ve whipped up this simple DIY for a Christmas Cracker for your Dog that you can make with items from around your house!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Supplies:

  • Tissue Paper or Newspaper
  • String or Ribbon
  • Toilet Paper Rolls
  • Small dog treats

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Stuff a few cookies into an empty toilet paper roll.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Roll up your toilet paper roll in tissue paper and twist off the ends.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Tie with festive string or ribbon.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Let your dog have a blast ripping open their Christmas Cracker!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Oh what fun it is to play with my new Christmas Cracker today! Ammo the Dachshund

 

*make sure to always supervise your pet and do not allow them to ingest anything they shouldn’t

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Yippee! It’s almost Christmas! And to get in the holiday spirit, I thought I’d share my fun an easy DIY for some holiday dog collar flair!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Here’s what you’ll need:

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Following the directions that came with your fabric covered button kit, use your holiday fabric to create a button. For mine I used a 1″ kit.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Choosing a smaller pattern works best and may depend on the size of your button.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Then simply tie a small piece of elastic to the back of the button loop that will securely hold your button to the collar (thin elastic works best).

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Then slip it onto your dog’s favorite collar, and you’ve got yourself some holiday flair!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Simple, fun, and oh-so-festive!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

They were so easy to make that now I can’t decide which ones to wear….perhaps I should just wear them all!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair // Ammo the Dachshund

Make sure to post your dog’s holiday flair on my Facebook page, so we can all join in on the festive fun! Happy Holidays! Ammo the Dachshund

Birthday Week: DIY Easy Paper Bowtie

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Since tomorrow I officially turn SIX, I thought I would pop in today to give you a quick an easy DIY so that you can celebrate along with me tomorrow in style! This DIY is so simple and easy you can probably make it with items you find around your house. Here’s how…..

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Supplies:

  • Kraft Paper (from my shop or you could even use scrap paper or newspaper)
  • Washi Tape (or any colorful tape)
  • Baker’s Twine (from my shop, or any fun ribbon/string you have laying around)

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Tear or cut a scrap of paper into a long rectangle shape and wad up into a ball. The longer and wider the paper the bigger the bowtie will be.

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Flatten out your paper and fold the two rectangle ends into the middle, overlapping at the center.

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Pinch the center where the paper overlaps and wrap some washi tape around the center to hold it into place.

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Wrap some Baker’s Twine around the center and tie leaving the ends long so that you can tie it onto your dog’s collar.

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

See wasn’t that easy!

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Now you have no excuse not to get your dog festive for my Birthday tomorrow! Make sure you post photos of your dog celebrating on my Facebook wall!

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

And hopefully you’ll join in with me tomorrow as I celebrate 6 years of life (there may be some singing involved!).Ammo the Dachshund

 

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number Review & Giveaway

Disclaimer: This review and giveaway is brought to you by Easy 123 Art.

Growing up in a family of artists (including myself) there never seems to be a shortness of creativity. But did you know that even if you aren’t of the artistic nature, that it’s still as easy as 123, with Easy 123 Art!

Makers of the Photo by Numbers Kit, I was super excited when they offered me up the chance to test out their mini 8×8 paint by number kit.

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

So first things first, I had to choose one of my photos that I wanted to turn into a paint by number. This was no easy task if you have seen the number of photographs my mom takes of me on a daily basis. So we finally settled on this shot of me on the Cape May Beaches this summer.

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

We sent my photo off to Easy 123 Art, and they sent me back this nifty little paint by number kit a few days later.

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Complete with brushes and acrylic paints numbered to match the blocks on your art, it was time for mom to get painting!

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Mom decided to use some of her own paintbrushes she had on hand for the detailed stuff, but it was noted in the directions that you could trim the ends of the brushes included with a pair of scissors to get a more detailed brush.

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Starting with the smallest numbers first, slowly mom began to make progress on my painting.

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Over a week, working on it here and there at the shop, my painting was starting to take shape.

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

After the painting was complete this is what it looked like. Mom decided to do a little editing herself though and painted over the id tag from my collar that she didn’t think was necessary, and when it was all said and done it looked like this….

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

I was quite impressed, and the only thing missing was a frame! So being that I work in a custom framing shop I just couldn’t leave this work of art unfinished.

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

So here’s the finished product, which is happily hanging on the wall at the shop!

Easy 123 Art’s Paint by Numbers kits come in several different sizes, and the coolest part is that you can turn ANY photo you have into a work of art. These would make great gifts for the holidays, so make sure you add them to your Christmas lists!

Easy 123 Art Paint by Number // Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

And now for the best part…

ONE Lucky WINNER will WIN an 8×8 Mini Paint by Number Kit

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

For this giveaway I will be using, Rafflecopter. We only use the information you provide to contact the winners and we never share it – so not to worry. Winners will be chosen at random and you will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends on 11/12/13 12AM EST. Open to US Residents Only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget, today is the last day to enter my Sleepypod Air Giveaway! 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Easy 123 Art, but all opinions are my own.Ammo the Dachshund

Dressed up Dachshund

Dog in Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Did you ever just feel like getting dressed up? You know, slicking back your hair and putting on your fanciest bowtie?

Dog in Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Makes a dog feel pretty good!

Check out my 5 minute no sew bowtieAmmo the Dachshund

DIY Dachshund Cork Board

When I came across this DIY project on pinterest, it inspired me to create something similar for all the dog (and dachshund) lovers out there! So I enlisted the help of my mom and whipped up this fun DIY project…

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Dachshund Cork Board

This project can be made using any dog shape (not just a dachshund), so have fun, be creative, and create something unique!

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

Materials:

*links contain affiliate links

Step 1: Adhere your cork onto a piece of cardboard using glue or a spray adhesive to make it a bit sturdier.

Step 2: If you would like to make a dachshund cork board download and print my dachshund shape, then cut it out. Otherwise you can print out a photo of your own dog (making sure to enlarge it) and cut out around the shape.

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Using a sharpie trace around your stencil on your cork board.

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Cut out your cork board shape using an exacto knife.

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Place your frog tape in a striped pattern along the cork.

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Paint onto the cork between your tape with acrylic paint, when it’s dry peel away the tape.

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

Step 7: Cut a strip of ribbon to be used as a collar and staple or glue it to the cork on the back.

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

Now you’re ready to hang your cork board up and enjoy!

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

I’ve now got the perfect place to pin photos of all my girlfriends! Ammo the Dachshund

DIY: Build Your own 2×2 Agility Weave Poles

You might remember that back in November I posted a tutorial on how to build your own agility weave poles with the help of my friends at the Dog Agility Shop.

Well when winter rolled around I had to pack up my poles since it was just too cold to practice outdoors. That was until my dad surprised me for Christmas with a set of homemade 2×2 Weave Poles.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

I’ve been using my set all winter, and I’m proud to say I can now weave, but I completely forgot to share how they were made with all of you! So better late than never – here’s my tutorial for building your own set of indoor 2×2 Weave Poles!

DIY Dog Agility 2×2 Weave Poles – Set of 6 poles

Supplies Needed:

Step 1: Cut your 3/4 inch PVC pipe into 6 pieces that are 38 inches in length. Then place the PVC caps on one end of all your poles. Then you can stripe your poles with colored duct tape to make them more visible.

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Cut your Steelworks Plated Slotted Flats into three 36″ length pieces and six 9″ length pieces.

Step 3: Drill a hole the same size as your carriage bolts into the bottom of the PVC Plugs.

Step 4: Place the 9″ Slotted Flat pieces on opposite sides and 6 inches from either end of your 36″ length slotted flat pieces. Place your carriage bolts through from underneath to hold them together, with the PVC plugs on top. Add your washers and hex nuts to the inside of the PVC plugs and tighten to hold them together.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Slip the PVC couplings onto the bottom of your poles and then slide them into the PVC plugs that are attached to the Slotted Flat pieces.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Lay out the Weave Pole Placer as a guide as to where to place your poles (you can opt to leave it under the poles or remove it after they are placed). Your poles will work best on a carpeted surface.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

For a quick tutorial on how to teach your dog the weave poles using the 2×2 method check out the video HERE. You may want to find a dog agility trainer or class in your area for more detailed instructions.

If you would like to make a set of outdoor weave poles, check out my tutorial HERE. Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl – Under $5

When I spotted this Chalkboard Dog Bowl over on Waggo I just knew I had to have it! Only when I asked mom if I could purchase it, she suggested why not DIY it? Oh but of course!

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY CHALKBOARD DOG BOWL

Materials:

  • A ceramic bowl (mine came from Homegoods) $4
  • Frog Tape (I had a roll on hand) $7
  • Chalkboard Spraypaint (I also had a can of this on hand) $5

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Using the frog tape, tape off the portion of your bowl that you do not want to have chalkboard paint on it. You may need some help from someone who doesn’t have paws!

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Using even coats, spray your bowl with chalkboard paint. You may also need some help to get the cap off your spray paint.

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

Once your bowl is completely dry it will be ready to write on with chalk! You may want to prep the surface first by applying a coat of chalk evenly across the entire bowl and erasing it before writing on it.

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

Of course any dog bowl is much much better with food in it!

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

Yum! Everything tastes better in my trendy Chalkboard Food Bowl! Ammo the Dachshund

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Pet

You all know I love a good DIY project, and when it takes less then 5 minutes and requires no sewing (for my mom who is not so handy with a needle and thread) it’s just an added bonus!

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

So for Easter this year my mom helped me whip up some quick DIY Bowties that I can wear when all my family comes to visit on Sunday. They’re so fun and easy to make that I can’t even decide which one to wear!

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Pet

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

What you need:

  • Scissors or Rotary cutter
  • Ruler
  • Fabric
  • Iron (optional)

Step 1: Cut a long rectangular piece of fabric (Mom cut mine 5″ x 19″ to make my small bow tie). The longer and wider you make your rectangle the bigger your bow tie will be. You will also want to cut a thinner strip of fabric, mine was 2″ x 19″, to be used later.

Step 2: Using your large rectangular piece of fabric fold in the edges. You can use an iron to crease the folds if need be.

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Next fold your ends towards the center so that they just overlap where the center mark would be.

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Fold the entire piece of fabric in half.

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: With the front of your bowtie facing you, crease it into 3 even pleats. Then place a clothespin on it to hold it in place while you move to the next step.

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Using the small strip of fabric you cut, fold in the edges.

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 7: Wrap the thin strip of fabric around your bowtie and tie in a double knot in the back.

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 8: Tie your Bowtie around one of your dogs collars, trimming any excess fabric if need be.

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

You’re now ready for an Easter Party!

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Now if I could only decide which one to wear!

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

P.S. I expect to see lots of dogs in dapper bowties this Easter! Post your dog in their best bowtie on my Facebook wall so we can enjoy them all! Ammo the Dachshund

Valentine’s Day DIY – Dog Collar Heart Accessory

Valentine’s Day is almost here, so with a little help from my mom I whipped up this happy heart DIY to help you spread some love any day of the year!

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY – Dog Collar Heart Accessory

This simple DIY can be made with a few items that you can likely find laying around your house.

What you need:

  • Scissors
  • A few small scraps of fabric
  • Needle and thread
  • Elastic
  • Sharpie
  • Dog Collar
  • Cotton stuffing (don’t have any on hand? you could always use some paper towels or tissues)
  • Embroidery thread (substitute needle and thread if you don’t have any)
  • Metallic paint (optional)
  • Pencil with eraser (optional)

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Using a sharpie draw two small heart shapes onto your fabric. You may want to draw one on a plain piece of printer paper first and cut it out to use as a stencil.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Cut both hearts out of your fabric.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: If you are using a plain piece of fabric then you may want to add a little Bling. By using the eraser end of your pencil you can stamp some dots of gold metallic paint onto your fabric hearts.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Next measure the width of your dog collar, add about an inch, and cut this length out of your elastic. Once your paint is dry on your hearts you will want to sew a piece of looped elastic to the painted side with a needle and thread.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Place your heart cutouts on top of each other (paint side up) and begin to stitch the two together using a piece of embroidery floss (or regular thread if that’s all you have). Stop stitching when you are about 3/4 of the way around.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Stuff your heart with cotton filler (or any other stuffing you would like to use) and then stitch your heart the rest of the way shut.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Your heart collar accessory is now complete, and you can slip it onto your dog’s collar.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I don’t know about you, but I think it totally says I LOVE YOU!

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

If you decide not to add paint to your happy little heart, you may want to use a fun fabric instead – just like the one my mom made below.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m totally wearing my heart on my sleeve neck!

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

If you’re looking for more ways to spread a little love this year, make sure you check out my online SHOP for Valentine’s Day Greetings and more! Ammo the Dachshund

The collars I am wearing in this feature are from the lovely Mattie & Margot, and they have lots of great colors that would look oh so sweet with a happy little heart on them. 

Also you can fetch the id tag I’m wearing above from Blanket ID.