Friday, September 4, 2020

Foster Kitten Friday

Foster Friday is baacckk! 

After a month of no foster kitties in the house, we are finally back with some new babies from Simply Cats. And boy, what a wild ride this bunch is going to be taking me you and me on.

Let's get right to the introductions...

Tabby girl #1 will be heading into a different foster household next week. She hasn't been named yet because we'll let the new foster parents pick out the perfect one for her. In the meantime lucky me gets to love on her - name or no name.

Tabby Girl #2 AKA Cutie Patootie #2 is also heading out next week. Check out the sweet little white marking on her nose.

If you've been watching the Yellowstone TV series with Kevin Costner you'll recognize the names of the rest of the kittens who will be staying with me these next few weeks. 

Let me introduce you to the Yellowstone kitties...

First up, we have Beth. Beth is a quick little gal. When I brought her home and was moving her from the cat carrier to the pop up pen (it's like a playpen but for animals, like this one here on Amazon), she ran straight up the side, over the top, sped across the floor, and darted behind the couch. It required some creative furniture moving to finally retrieve her. She's now settling in nicely and hasn't even attempted any prison escapes in the last couple days. And just like Beth on the TV show, she's got some spunk.
If we have a Beth, we need to have a Rip. He's a tough guy on the show and a tough guy in this little kitty body. What a great pair the two would make, don't ya think? 
And finally we have one representing the Yellowstone family ranch. A fierce little gal named Dutton. Tough-as-nails, fiery and feisty, and one who defends all territory belonging to her. Or even any territory around her. Just look at that stare. It's about all you'll get from this little Dutton kitty right now. You'll also get big hisses and scratches and lunges. 
To get her more comfortable I've pulled out some of my Jackson Galaxy tricks. The long spoon of food is coming in handy and I can now get a bit closer before the hissing starts.
It's a strange little hiss. You know when you go to the eye doctor and they do the test where they blow a puff of air in your eye so they can test your eye's pressure? The one making the PFFFT sound that makes you jump, no matter how prepared you are for it? Dutton's hiss sounds just like it. A few more days of this hissing and I'll be acing that eye test.

Want to help contribute to the work I do with foster kittens? I have an Amazon wish list right here. These are the things I use again and again, year after year. With daily laundry and frequent cleaning, items have to be replaced often. I’d love anything you’d be willing to send my way!

Speaking of eyes, these little babies require eye medicine twice a day. I've perfected my eye-ointment application procedure with four of the five. No squirms or flinches or cries (from any of us!). I do have to wrap poor little Dutton like a burrito to get hers in. But look at those eyes - I just know there is a sweet soul in that fierce little body. And I know I'm going to be able to find it.
I'm excited to have new babies around, and excited for the new challenge.

Even more excitement? I found out Parsley and Rosemary, a couple of my last Simon & Garfunkel fosters, were in at Simply Cats this week to get their shots. And they were even kind enough to send me pictures. (Thanks, Tara!)

Remember when Parsley came to me at a mere nine ounces?
Not anymore. Look at the five pound girl now. It's amazing how their looks change over time.
Little camera-hog Rosemary? 
I think getting a shot made her a bit more camera shy.
Now that's what I call a full Foster Friday. Come on back next week to see what happens on the next episode of Yellowstone, the foster kitten edition!

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Mason Jar Apple - Tutorial Tuesday

Fall is almost upon us and school (is? isn't?) in session so it's time for an apple project. It might make a great gift for a teacher. If your kids are attending school this year, that is.
Apple Candy and Treat Jar Made from a Canning Jar

For this project you will need:


Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you sewing and crafting content.

You can find the directions for the canning jar apple craft project right here, but be sure to watch the video all the way through. I give you a HUGE tip about what not to do!

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Sew a Mask Keychain Pouch to Store a Face Mask- Tutorial Tuesday

For today's project I have one more mask-related tutorial. It's a handy dandy keychain pouch for those face masks. Note: this pouch works best when the mask is the non-wire kind.

fabric keychain pouch

For this project you will need:

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.


Looking for more travel accessories ideas? Check out these projects!


Otherwise you can watch the mask keychain how-to tutorial right here:
Looking for more sewing and crafting projects? 

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Sew a Mesh Laundry Bag - Tutorial Tuesday

If you need a laundry bag to wash those delicates today's Tutorial Tuesday is for you. The finished size is 14" x 17" so it's plenty big for the whole family.

mesh lingerie bag

For this project you will need:
Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.


Looking for more storage ideas? Check out these projects!

You can find the step-by-step how-to tutorial for the mesh laundry bag right here:

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Make a Flower Fabric Jar Wrap - Tutorial Tuesday

For today's Tutorial we are making a flower fabric wrap for a canning jar. These are pretty easy to put together and are a good way to use up some of those fabric scraps.
Homemade Spring Flower Fabric Canning Jar Wrap Sewing Project
For this project you will need:
Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you sewing and crafting content.

Looking for something else? 
Check out some of my other sewing and crafting projects!
You can find the step-by-step how to directions for the homemade flower fabric jar wrap sewing project right here:

Friday, August 7, 2020

Foster Kitten Friday


Kitty cat foster parents have mixed emotions during weeks like this one. On one hand you are so very happy. Happy that you did your job. That you raised your babies right. Helped them grow big and strong. Playful and loving. You've made sure they've become  good, productive citizens healthy and fun-loving cats. (I've documented these last couple months on my Foster Friday posts right here.)

Just look how much they've grown since May!

Parsley on May 18...
and here's Parsley now...
Rosemary in May...
and Rosemary now...
Such beauties. And all grown up.

As a foster kitty cat parent this is also the week you dread. You've spent the last two and a half months being their mama. The one they come to when they need something. The one they visit first thing in the morning. 

Sometimes Parsley would get to me first
and sometimes it was Rosemary.

Want to help contribute to the work I do with foster kittens? I have an Amazon wish list right here. These are the things I use again and again, year after year. With daily laundry and frequent cleaning, items have to be replaced often. I’d love anything you’d be willing to send my way!

Can you tell something is about to happen? 
This was the week they headed back to Simply Cats for adoption. They were spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and put onto the adoption floor. No matter how many dozens of kitties I've fostered, I still get sad when it's time for them to leave. They go away, out of your life forever. I can't be too sad for too long, though. I'm really excited for a family to pick them out and love them and give them their forever homes. 

Even though I will no longer will be part of their lives, I'm so glad I got to be part of starting them off right. 
Off they go!

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Make a DIY Ironing Board - Tutorial Tuesday

Looking for something to use for pressing without using a purchased ironing board? I often get questions on my large pressing board so today I'm showing how to make a smaller one with a scrap piece of wood, fabric, and a couple pieces of batting.
Homemade DIY Ironing and Pressing Board Project
For this project you will need:
  • A scrap piece of plywood or particle board. My board is 20" x 24".
  • 100% cotton fabric measuring 6" larger than your board. My board is 20" x 24" so the fabric is 26" x 30". For a 24" x 48" board, you will need fabric measuring 30" x 54".
  • Two pieces of 100% cotton batting the same size as the fabric.
  • Staple gun and staples

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

You can find the step-by-step how to directions for this easy to make homemade ironing and pressing board right here:

Friday, July 31, 2020

Foster Kitten Friday


This week was all about the looks.

The peaceful sleeper look.
The tongue sticking out look.
 The let me show you my belly look.
The basketball fan look.
 The shoe stealer look. Yep, two cats with two different pair of shoes.
 

Want to help contribute to the work I do with foster kittens? I have an Amazon wish list right here. These are the things I use again and again, year after year. With daily laundry and frequent cleaning, items have to be replaced often. I’d love anything you’d be willing to send my way!

 The it's my sewing space now look.
And then there was the look they gave me the most this week. The I'm not moving from this spot look.
Can't forget the let me clean you while you sleep look, caught on video.

I tell ya, these girls have some personality. It makes today another happy Foster Friday!

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Easy to Sew No Pleat Reversible Face Mask - Tutorial Tuesday

Today I have a bonus tutorial for you - a reversible no-pleat face mask. Easy peasy!
Easy No Pleat Cloth Fabric Face Mask Project

For this project you will need:
Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you sewing and crafting content..

You can find the step-by-step how-to tutorial for the reversible no-pleat cloth face mask right here:



Looking for more travel accessories ideas? Check out these projects?



And remember...
Wash your mask after wearing it.
Wash your hands frequently.
Keep up your social distancing.
Take care of yourself.
Be safe out there.
Stay healthy.

How to Sew a Reversible Face Mask with a Nose Wire - Tutorial Tuesday

It's Tutorial Tuesday and I have yet another reversible mask sewing project, complete with those easy peasy pleats and nose wire piece.
Reversible Cloth Fabric Face Mask with Nose Wire Sewing Project

For this project you will need:
Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

You can find the easy reversible cloth fabric face mask's step-by-step how-to tutorial right here:

Looking for more mask tutorials? Check out all my other face mask tutorials right here:
And remember...
Wash your mask after wearing it.
Wash your hands frequently.
Keep up your social distancing.
Take care of yourself.
Be safe out there.
Stay healthy.

Friday, July 24, 2020

Foster Kitten Friday


Welcome to another week of another Foster Friday!

I gotta say, my gals Parsley and Rosemary are just the sweetest things in the world. I've mentioned this before, but when you raise orphaned kittens from the bottle baby stage on up there is a special bond there. You were once their everything. The one who became their mama or papa. You were their food source, feeding them every few hours - including in the middle of the night. You burped them and gave them tummy rubs to get them to go potty. And even cleaned up all that little baby pee and poo that sometimes happened right in your hands.

Bottle babies are a lot of work, but they are definitely the best. For once they get older, they hardly ever leave your side and you get lots of love and snuggles. There is nothing better to center you, relax you, and wash away the cares of the world than hanging out with these soft and furry little ones all week.

Here's a taste of what I'm talking about:

Friday
Parsley wanted to be held like a baby while she slept.
They both figured my leg and my chair was the best place to snuggle for their evening nap.
Saturday
Rosemary decided I would be the best pillow.
Sunday
Another day of my legs being the best place to hunker down for a little rest.
Monday
Between the legs naps yet again.
Tuesday
Parsley decided to show off...
and show us how much she's grown. She's not a little 9 ounce little kitten anymore! And yep, she fell asleep in this position.

Wednesday
Might as well keep the we'll-sleep-between-your-legs streak alive.

Want to help contribute to the work I do with foster kittens? I have an Amazon wish list right here. These are the things I use again and again, year after year. With daily laundry and frequent cleaning, items have to be replaced often. I’d love anything you’d be willing to send my way!

Thursday
I think it's clear the girls love each other.

I'm getting some love as well. Guess Rosemary thought I needed a bath? Yep, I got it on video.
Friday
We start it all over again with recliner kitties.
And Parsley giving out the baths this time. (It's a video, too.)
I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but again I couldn't have asked for a better week with foster kitties!