Category Archives: kittehs
Union Square Vet’s Summer Window
Hay Girl! New Fall Window at River Dog!
Dennis really has it made in the shade at River Dog and he’s the reason there’s some hay missing under the dog…that’s his perch in there and he needs to be able to see out. It’s important work he does over there.
Riverdog Doggy Daycare: Window Painting
And we also had to pay homage to Riverdog’s River-Cat, Dennis, the friendliest cat I’ve ever met and the shop’s unofficial mascot. Dennis alone is reason enough to stop by the shop for a visit.
Before & After: the Painting Process
Makeover shows, be them human or residential, are a major weakness of mine. Mostly because I love a good before-and-after picture. I love seeing a neglected little kitchen in Iowa that hasn’t been updated since Reagan was in office be turned into a gormet cookery fit for the White House. It’s so satisfying to see the design come to life and the before-and-after shot at the end is what makes it all come together.
From an idea in a notebook to a wall-sized triptych that is now the highlight of Lil’ Dillon’s room.
From a basic scribble to a full-blown stadium.
And feel free to email me if you have an idea for a painting…or if you just want to talk about muffins.
25 Cent Word!: Anthropomorphic
I learned a new word- anthropomorphic – suggesting human characteristics for animals or inanimate things, please be prepared for me to throw it around all the time now. I feel like I just found out about jeans or something. Like the entire world new there was a word for creepy smilinging vegetalbes, little girls with apple heads and hot dogs with faces happily grilling themselves except me. It wasn’t until I was using every single adjective in my vocabulary AND both hands trying to describe “those creepy teapots with faces…from the 50’s…shaped like apples…you know?” that my sister-in-law said, “you mean like an anthropomorphic teapot?”
Gah! There’s a word for that??? Amazing.
Now would be a great time to check out my brand new Anthropomorphic Label!
Fireplace From a Box: Instructables Box Challenge
Paint faux bricks on box using non-toxic acrylic craft paint.
Someday I’ll have a real life fireplace until then it’s cardboard and christmas lights for me.
Microwave Toe Warmer Upper Tutorial
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1/4 yard of muslin, canvas or flannel material
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1/4 yard of scrap fabric
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4C. white, long grain rice (NOT INSTANT)
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sewing machine
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thread
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scissors
My Outdoor Cat: the Heating Pad
I just got this small animal heating pad for my adopted outside cat Gritsy’s outdoor kitty house. Grits won’t sit still for a picture so here’s a picture of a bunny from the Cozy Winters website instead.
The heating pad is made specifically for small animals and never gets over 102 degrees. It has a chew resistant cord and is actually activated by the weight of your pet. So, when Grits is running around chasing squirrels and getting pet by neighbors, the heating pad remains just a couple of degrees hotter than the air outside.
Why Don’t You Make Me?: Insulated Outdoor Cat Shelter
Recently my upstairs neighbor’s cat, Grits, decided to move out of the house. Seems their new baby has left her completely un-impressed. They tried time and again to get her back inside and a couple of times succeeded…only to have her insist on being let out again. So, we made her a nice little tent on the front stoop where she’s been living and taking her meals. (Occupy Somerville) We assumed she’d come in when Winter got here. No dice. So now, with the weather getting dangerously cold outside here in New England, today’s project could actually be a life saver. (I’ll be adding that to my resume` now of course: Mandee Rae- crafter, painter, conversationalist, life saver.)
I saw this project on animal lover’s Paul & Dru Mudsow’s website. It’s a simple shelter made from 2 Rubbermaid containers, here is my experience with it.
To start you’ll need:
- 1- 18 gallon storage bin ($6.99)
- 1- 10 gallong storage bin ($5.99)
- roll of silver bubble style home insulation ($15)
- outdoor electric heating pad ($35) (optional)
- glue gun
- heat gun or hair dryer
- exacto knife
- duct tape
- a sharpie
- hay (mine was leftover from a gardening project)
Total: $28 (assuming you have items 5-10 at home) / with heating pad: $63
Then cut them out about an inch smaller than the lid and hot glue them on.