Friday, December 3, 2021

Foster Kitten Friday - The Holiday Dilemma

It was exactly three years ago on this date when we were boarding the Grand Princess cruise ship to finish off our very long year of travel. Knowing we'd be arriving back home on Christmas Eve we decided to skip putting up a Christmas tree.

Two years ago there was no tree because we were finishing up yet another big trip in December. Then last Christmas? We had the Wild West Gang, and with Mama Kate and four little kitties who would have too much fun with a tree, we skipped it yet again.

So this was going to be the year of the Christmas tree.

Until my three teeny tiny sick foster kitties showed up. Unfortunately two didn't make it, but one did. And this week I almost got a number two! A potential mama cat to adopt an in-need-of-a-mama baby. She was beautiful and sweet and loving. To me, at least.

Such a beauty!
But to little Hans Solo? She hissed. And hissed. And swatted at him. And hissed again. Even with the gradual introduction techniques we found nothing but hissing and swatting. So our household went back to just the solo Hans Solo. And we had a holiday dilemma. 

Christmas tree or no Christmas tree?

Well, the space where a tree should be right now has a little baby kitten who is exploring his own two room tent. (It's really two pop up pens I've connected together.) 
Let a kitten go camping or put up a Christmas tree? 
It was an easy decision this year.
After struggling to get healthy, little Hans Solo is on his way to being a big strong boy. He's already trying to find a way to make a prison break.
So if I chew through these clips I can 
get out, right?
He runs from pen to pen, back and forth and back and forth. It's so exciting to see him get those little legs moving. When he can't run anymore, he picks a place to curl up - or spread out - and sleep.
Yes, I can sleep anywhere. No need to be jealous.
Not surprisingly he even seems to think a lap is a good place to plant himself for a little nap, too. 
Yawwnn...
It's not all sleeping and running for him, either. Playing with toys? He's working on it.
Learning to balance on my back legs is hard!
Even without a cat mama and just a human mama, he's learning to clean himself.
Remind me what I'm supposed to do with my tongue?
Clean the blanket? No?
I remember now. I'm supposed to clean myself!
From where he started to where he is now, this foster parent couldn't be more proud of him. 
I, Hans Solo, designate today as Show-Off-My-Belly Day.
I'm happy to say he's the only Christmas decoration I need.
I definitely deserve to be someone's present this year.
Tree or no tree.

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Make Your Own Snowman Mug Rug with Napkin Pocket - A Christmas Sewing Project Tutorial

In today's tutorial we're making another Christmas project to brighten up your holiday home or coffee, tea, and snack time. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted snowman mug rug / snack mat / mini placemat.  The snack mat measures approximately 8 ½” x 12” and you'll even get the directions on how to make the cute little 7" x 7" reversible cloth napkin! Keep it at home to decorate your table, take it to work to make your lunchtime feel even more festive, send it in your child's lunchbox, or use it for a handmade Christmas gift. And since it's a snowman you can use it all winter long!

applique and quilted snowman mug rug, snack mat with napkin pocket

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.

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable snowman template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin. 

And check out my other holiday mug rugs/snack mats:



Remember to watch how we make the quilted snowman snack mat...

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Make Your Own Christmas Countdown Chain - An Easy-to-Sew Advent Calendar Project

Looking for a simple DIY advent calendar for your Christmas holidays? Remember those Christmas countdown chains from when you were a kid? Those where you tore off a link each day until Christmas? Well, here's an idea for a fabric sewing project version of that chain. Fabric strips, Velcro, and your standard sewing supplies is all it takes for you to be able to use this countdown-to-Christmas fabric chain garland. A great sewing project for beginners, too!

Christmas countdown chain advent calendar 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.

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, and link to the video tutorial to make a Christmas countdown chain. 

Looking for more fun Christmas projects?

Check out some of my other patterns and tutorials!


Or just hang out with us as we make the countdown chain:

Monday, November 29, 2021

Make an Appliquéd Red Cardinal Potholder - A Holiday Quilted Kitchen Sewing Project

Today we're making another Christmas project to brighten up your holiday kitchen. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted red cardinal potholder. Make your holiday and winter baking feel more festive by making your very own cute cardinal potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's step-by-step tutorial.

appliqued red cardinal quilted potholder

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.


The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a potholder, trivet, or hot pad measuring approximately 9" x 9". Instructions for an optional hanging loop included.

Looking for more potholders, hot pads, and trivets? Check out some of my other project patterns available:

Otherwise, watch as we make the red cardinal potholder:


Sunday, November 28, 2021

Make Your Own Bright Red Cardinal Mug Rug - An Appliquéd and Quilted Sewing Project Tutorial

I'm back today with another mug rug, snack mat, or mini placemat project for the Christmas holiday. Brighten up your holiday or winter coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or snack time with this cute bright red cardinal sewing project. You'll use your own fabric scraps to appliqué the cardinal, make a pocket for a napkin, and even learn how to make the reversible cloth napkin. 

red cardinal appliqued snack mat, mug rug, mini placemat

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.

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin.  It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.


Looking for more snack mat, mug rug, or mini placemat patterns? Check out some other projects: 

Otherwise, check out our cardinal mug rug!