Scrap cat toys

Having a kitten means coming up with ways to distract the kitten, usually from getting into trouble. He thought my Cricut cutter was quite fascinating, so to keep him out of the mechanisms, I made toys from the cutting scraps.

Thin cut strip of paper and a pencil
Tightly wrap the paper in a spiral around the pencil
Resulting paper coil
Thor in awe

We have the plastic springs, which he loves, commercially produced balls, some he likes some he doesn’t, and some small stuffed toys, but we have an army of little balls of paper and paper towels all over the floor. A distracted cat makes for a happy family.

Only so brave

Thor the kitten laying next to Izzy the cat

Our kitten has been trying to win over our older female cats. It is working, slowly, but mainly because he backs off when they tell him off. He jumped up on my chair, only to find it already cat occupied. He tried to settle, but decided it wasn’t worth the risk, and found another spot. Although there is a large size difference now (he is just over 3-months-old), I don’t think that will always be the case, so I’m glad of the photo op.

Arm bags

I made up a few arm bags to sell at our local craft store. I love these bags. I love having my yarn up close, and not having to draw it from a container on a table or the floor. They make it possible to stand or walk and craft as well. The wide handle lays comfortably on my forearm, there is enough room to reach into the bag while it is on my arm, and there are two pockets! Pockets are important. I make them with 100% cotton quilting quality fabric.

Arm bag on my arm
Some more fabric patterns
A few more fabric colors

I commissioned my eldest for the drawing on the tags, as I was busy sewing. I think it came out well. These are currently sold exclusively at NerdCraft in Weatherford, TX.

Show that you have a kitten in the house

Plastic grocery bag removed from the bag holder

Inspired by the “show me you have X without telling me you have X” here is my “show me you have a kitten without telling me you have a kitten”. It took me a few days to figure out why all my grocery bags were “falling” out of the bag holder.

Knitting bag cover

My knitting bag next to my chair was my grandmother’s. It has a fold out wooden frame and inside pockets (pockets are important). With a kitten in the house, I need to keep it covered and keep him out of my yarn. I’ve tried several things, then rediscovered a basket lining I made years ago. Inside out, it makes a great cover. I would like to put some elastic in, to give it a snug fit, but even without it does the job of protecting my yarn. The kitten likes it, so my older cat, Izzy, thought she would give it a go.

Izzy on my covered knitting bag