Cat Lady No.336...Handmade With Love

Cat Lady Roberta had to get a little creative this year when it came to ideas for gift-giving. She was laid off from her job a few months ago, and money is tight.

Luckily, being the avid knitter, she has a huge stockpile of yarn tucked away for just such an occasion. Tabby Tobias doesn't want to give away any secrets, but yarn leftovers make beautiful hat and scarf sets...

Here is an easy pattern to make a knitted hat courtesy of HJS Studio: Simple Knit Hat

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Cat Lady No. 335...Playing Favorites

Cat Lady Erika's three favorite things are knitting, crossword puzzles, and her snow white kitty Bitsy, but not necessarily in that order.

If you are like Erika and enjoy both knitting AND a good crossword puzzle, you will find the best of both worlds at these links:
Knitting Crossword Puzzle
Another Knitting Crossword Puzzle

Enjoy!





Give the gift of original art without breaking the bank! This ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop:
In Stitches Original Art

Cat Lady No.334...An Historical Perspective

In 1912 Agnes Reppelier collected, translated and arranged an anthology called The Cat - Being a Record of the Endearments and Invectives Lavished by Many Writers upon an Animal Much Loved and Much Abhorred .

Here is part of an essay included in the anthology. Does this describe anyone you know?

"He is a swifte and merye beaste in youthe, and leapeth, and riseth on all things that are tofore him, and is led by a straw, and playeth therewith; and he is a righte heavye beaste in age, and full sleepye, and lyeth slyly in waite for Mice, and is ware where they bene more by smell than by sighte, and hunteth, and riseth on them in privy places." --Translated from the Latin by Thomas Berthlet. Printed by Wynkyn de Worde. 1498.

To enjoy the whole quote, visit The Pet Museum blog...

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Cat Lady No. 333...Sisterly Love

Cat Lady Alison has had a trying year. She had to say goodbye to her beloved 20-year-old tuxedo Katarina in October 2008...followed by saying goodbye to her new kitten Mina only 5 months old --the victim of deadly FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis).

Alison began to doubt that she could ever give her heart to another feline. Then a friend, whose one unfixed cat had an unexpected litter of four (mama cat has since been spayed), asked Alison if she would take one of her kittens home. Alison chose a kitten, and her friend asked if she would take TWO kittens, so they wouldn't be lonely....How could she say no? That is how sisters Keely & Fiona found their new home on Earth Day, April 22...and joy has returned after much sadness!

Alison describes their emerging personalities: "Keely is truly our 'Supermodel' 'Hollywood' cat (her new nicknames besides 'Big Kitty' - she is BIG). Keely means 'beautiful' in Irish so she is well-named - a very affectionate kitty.

"Fiona is my lap cat girl with the tiniest face and meow to match - also affectionate. Fiona means 'fair' in Scottish. She is the explorer of the two and is something fierce for such a wee cat (forget about giving her meds - you'll end up worse for wear)."

In Mina's memory, Alison has become an ally in the race to find a cure for FIP . To find out more about FIP, visit these websites: Winn Feline Foundation's - Bria Fund - and the U.C. Davis Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH)- SOCK FIP

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Cat Lady No. 332...A Happy Ending

As Princess Pandora will tell you, it's glorious to be a beautiful white Persian cat, that is, unless you become unwanted and wind up in a shelter. It happens.

Lucky for Pandora, there are many rescue operations that specialize in finding new homes for Persian cats, who require daily grooming and sometimes have special needs. Pandora is enjoying her new home with Cat Lady Debbie, who doesn't mind giving Pandora the extra attention that she needs to stay so glorious and beautiful!

For more information on adopting a Persian cat, visit the Persian and Himalayan Cat Rescue website.

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Cat Lady No. 331...Christmas Coral

Mermaid Cat Lady Lorinda and her favorite catfish Jonah have a great gift suggestion: adopt a coral reef in honor of a loved one.

Coral reefs, home to incredible biodiversity, are in danger... According to the Nature Concervancy, "If the present rate of destruction continues, 70% of the world's coral reefs will be destroyed by the year 2050".

The Nature Conservancy's Adopt a Coral Reef program provides critical funds for the permanent protection and restoration of some of the last great places on Earth. Other Nature Lover gift ideas include planting trees and giving carbon offsets. Visit the Nature Conservancy website for more ideas.

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Another gift idea: This ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop:
Mermaid 14 Original ACEO Art

Cat Lady No. 330..Happy Birthday Sagittarians!!

Cat Lady Diane is celebrating her birthday today with the help of cat mom Charlene and kitten Charlie, just adopted from a local shelter. It turns out that like Diane, Charlene was also born under the sign of Sagittarius just a year ago, meaning that she is a very happy-go-lucky sort of feline...

Do you have a Sagittarius cat (born November 22-December 21)? Read more about your fabulous feline at Catster Astrology

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