Tag: DIY

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Earth Day: 30-Day Green Cat Challenge

Earth Day is Thursday April 22nd—here’s a great way to kickstart the week.  Last year, Holly Tse at Little Green Cat issued a 30-Day Green Cat Challenge. For 30 days, she looked at ways to give her cat a “green makeover” and she has some really good ideas.

A few of my favorites are:

Holly also has a book, Make You Own Cat Toys: Saving The Planet One Cat Toy At A Time.

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DIY: Pet Bed Made From Table

I love this pet bed made from an old side table! It reminds me of the suitcase beds I wrote about previously.  More great repurposing of an old object.  Depending on the size of the table, you can make one for a cat or a dog.

Ki Nassauer over at Junk Camp shows how it’s done.  First you need an old side table—look for one with interesting leg details, flip that sucker over, add some touches (finials, a headboard made from trim, feet), paint, and add a cushion or an old pillow and you’ve got a clever new pet bed.  Awesome!

Instructables also has a tutorial inspired by this project. An important tip—use primer before you paint.  Your life will be happier!  Also, you can make feet for the bed from wood scraps or you can buy feet at a building supply store.

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DIY: Suede & Leather Mouse Cat Toy

Some kitties really like the smell of leather. Here’s a simple suede & leather mouse you can make for your freaky little cat. Download the instructions and template—it’s the grey behind the directions. I’d make the mice out of some fun colors instead of boring brown. (The instructions call for punching the suede with holes and hand stitching, but I think if you have a good sewing machine and the appropriate heavy duty needle, you could sew this on your machine.)

You’ll need:

  • about 8×8″ of suede
  • some leather lacing
  • a few jingle bells
  • cardboard
  • fiberfill or something to stuff the mouse
  • good scissors
  • 2 pairs of pliers
    • good sewing machine & appropriate needle

–OR–

    • sharp, heavy needle
    • awl or finishing nail
    • hammer
  • scrap wood or a few magazines you don’t care about
  • tape
  • marker
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