Category: Cats

Box modification

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft

We’ve had a small collapsible bench for several years. At one point I added cat flaps to give Sophie the cat a hiding place. Then it underwent a transition to a litter box hide, but the dogs dug at the door flaps trying to get to the sand treats (ew).

Photo description: Fabric box with cat flap that has had the trim torn off.

I have mentioned that Thor, our newest cat, is becoming a big boy, so I modified the bench yet again to allow him access, turning it back into a cat hide. Since the box was constructed to be collapsible, the side panels were split in two. It was an easy modification (much easier than the first flap I cut) to remove one side panel from each end.

Photo description: Same box, same side, but with half the side panel cut away. A gray tabby peers out of the hole.

I put a wool pad inside the box a d Thor’s rectangle bed on top. He is quite pleased with the offering.

Photo description: Gray tabby cat in a rectangular fuzzy bed with rolled sides on the lid of a fabric bench with side holes.

The holes are on opposite sides of the bench to retain some rigidity.

Pretty boy

On By CarynIn Cats

Today you get a picture of Thor the Gray Tabby, because he is such a pretty boy.

Photo description: Gray Tabby with white bib and chin and black collar reclining in a leather arm chair, looking at the camera with golden eyes.

Wood walk

On By CarynIn Cats, Flora, Fungi

I took some green time and walked through the woods. I can still see the results of the heavy rain we had, the path I cleared years ago had been swept clean by the water, making a path about two feet wide through the leaves.

Photo description: Dirt path through saplings and vines with a scattering of newly fallen leaves.

I saw some nice mushrooms too, another sign we’ve actually received significant moisture.

Photo description: bright white hairy puffball mushroom in brown and yellow fallen leaves.
Photo description: white and cream capped mushrooms in green meadow grass.

I have what I believe is a mulberry tree in the back woods. It is growing under the canopy, so is spindly but keeps making a go of it each year. I was sad to see that something, probably deer, have stripped the bark on one side of the tree.

Photo description: Bark stripped from half of a maybe two inch trunk, two green leaves visible from the same tree.

And of course there were cats. I was able to get a picture of Mr Tom in his glorious winter coat before he wandered off.

Photo description: Flame point long haired cat with full winter ruff sitting in meadow grass.

He came for the yarn

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft

Thor the tabby cat is fascinated with all things yarn. We are working on what is appropriate and what is not. The ribbon on the stick is fair game, the ball of yarn leading to my hands is not. He jumped up on my chair to watch some yarn unroll, was being very polite, and fell asleep.

Photo description: Gray tabby cat asleep along my leg, with his paws touching a bundle of tan colored yarn. Calico cat laying on my lap.

I’m experimenting with the overlay mosaic technique, but as a way to introduce texture. By using one color of yarn, and stitching in the round, I produced quite a nice basket weave type structure. I am also using a size G (4.0mm) hook with worsted weight acrylic yarn, which is smaller than recommended to make a stiffer fabric. This pattern uses two single crochets in the back loop then one double crochet in front loop of the previous row. The ruler is to assess the gauge.

Photo description: In the foreground a small swatch of crocheted fabric held against a ruler. In the background a gray tabby yawning next to a calico cat on my lap.

Thor slept through the whole swatching process, and Izzy the calico never noticed he was within an inch of her.

Cat in the bag

On By CarynIn Cats

Oh, wrapping presents for the holidays is going to be interesting. I got out my bag of bags to get started, and Thor the cat thought that was the neatest thing ever and crawled right in. He stayed there, rustling about, for an hour. Occasionally he would reach a paw out at an unsuspecting passerby, or attack through the fabric. Here is a video clip.

Photo description: Extra-large non-woven gift bag, with Gray Tabby peering out.