Together

On March 23, 2026 By CarynIn Wildlife

We have a couple of raccoon buddies hanging out in the woods. Rather than the opossums, who arrive individually and leave separately, the raccoons show up and head out together.

Photo description: night vision view of two raccoons climbing the stairs on the back porch of the coop

Photo description: same two raccoons coming back down the stairs

Wreath crochet base

On March 22, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

It might be easier to secure the elements of my Spring crochet wreath if I had a solid foundation to sew to, so I crocheted a cover onto a wire wreath frame. I started with a single crochet all along the outer edge.

Photo description: wire wreath frame with single crochet around the edge with dark purple acrylic yarn, red holey-roller bag ball upper right waiting to be thrown

I added rows of double crochet around the frame, using decreases every fifth or sixth stitch to adjust the fit. To finish, I did another row of single crochet to the inside wire. Here is a video short demonstrating the technique.

Photo description: back of a wire wreath showing that the crochet is connected to the frame on the outside and inside wire only

Photo description: front of the wreath frame covered with crochet using dark purple acrylic yarn

Now I will have more options when securing my botanical elements to the frame.

Bath time

On March 21, 2026 By CarynIn Wildlife

A raccoon decided to have bath time in front of the trail cam.

Photo description: night vision view of raccoon cleaning its arm pit

Photo description: same raccoon now cleaning its back

Photo description: same raccoon with its back leg up

The culprit and the cause

On March 20, 2026March 17, 2026 By CarynIn Cats, Craft

Photo description: Izzy the calico on a Barcalounger chair back she has claimed as her own complete with claw marks

Izzy the cat was quite miffed when I got a new chair and got rid of the hollow she has been carefully cultivating for years. She started the process over with the new chair and decided to add in claw sharpening, much to my dismay. To hide the damage I made a chair back cover with materials from around the house. It worked OK, but kept sliding, so I bought some nice heavy custom-print fabric from Spoonflower to make a new cover.

Photo description: old free chair back cover, with the new fabric across the seat

The first decision I had to make was how to construct the back cover. I decided to do a long strip up the sides and top, and a panel for the front and back. I tore the fabric to get straight lines (yes, light denim will tear like cotton plain weave, just make sure to tear at least an inch away from the seam line because the threads distort at the tear.) I then used the treadle sewing machine to sew up a new cover. I did a fit once the side seams were done, adjusted the length, then sewed a hem.

Photo description: Singer model 66 red-eye treadle machine used to sew the chair back cover

Photo description: newly installed custom chair back cover on a Barcalounger swivel chair

I do like the Art Nouveau look with squirrels on the fabric. Izzy has already started to reclaim the new cover. It’s a good thing I like cats more than furniture.