Recovering my hope chest

On September 2, 2020August 29, 2020 By CarynIn Cats, Craft

My cat loves to sharpen her claws on the cushioned top of my hope chest. Luckily, it is easy to recover! (Although I admit it stayed in the frayed state for a couple years.)

I removed the screws holding the cushion to the lid, then used a staple gun to attach the new fabric over the old. When screwing the lid back on, it helps to clamp it in place until you get a few screws set. The whole project took about 30 minutes. The fabric is indoor/outdoor fabric that I hope will hold up to the cat’s attentions, if not, I will recover it again later!

Underside of cushioned top, ready for new fabric

And of course, the first thing that happens is that my cat throws up on it. The easy clean fabric was a good choice. Oi.

No more mystery pup

On September 1, 2020August 31, 2020 By CarynIn dog

No more mystery! We received the results of Missy’s DNA test. Half cattle dog, quarter miniature poodle, eighth bishon frise, and a eighth yes maybe everything. Looks like her dad was cattle dog, and mom was a small mix. The rescue did say they saw the mom, but were unable to catch her. I am glad she has very little Chihuahua genes in her! It will be interesting to see how big she gets. And what her adult fur looks like.

Results from Missy’s Wisdom panel DNA test

Tea towel toy

On August 31, 2020 By CarynIn Craft, dog

So little miss mystery pup found a tea towel hanging up to dry and happily made off with it. After retrieving the towel and hanging it higher, I rummaged through the rag bin for an old tea towel. I cut it into four pieces lengthwise, rolled each strip into a tight tube, and did a four strand round braid with knots on each end. I will be keeping an eye on it to make sure she doesn’t get loose threads or pieces off, but I think it is safe to say she likes it.

Missy with a toy made from a braided and knotted tea towel.

Moth eaten

On August 30, 2020August 27, 2020 By CarynIn chickens

I thought my chickens looked quite hen pecked when they lost their beards and muffs to molting. Now that their body feathers are going through the same process, they look worse; little ragamuffins, in moth-eaten disarray, feathers ragged and tuffs hanging out. Maybe by the time winter rolls around they will be back to their feathered finest. The molting process can take up to five months, according to a quick internet search. I noticed this molt start back in May. They may yet look worse.

I thought I was so clever

On August 29, 2020 By CarynIn Life Hack

Having small toys roll under the couch has been driving me batty. So I thought I might stuff pool noodles under the edge of the couches to block errant balls from rolling underneath. Being the end of the pool season, I couldn’t find them in stores, but I found some lovely black pool noodles online. I industrially cut them to size and stuffed them under the edge, only to have the puppy take singular interest in pulling them out and tearing them apart. Sigh. I stuffed them deeper under the couch, which I’m not sure will actually help, but maybe it will a little. Puppies.

Critters and Craft

Author: Caryn