Catnip Toys for Kitty

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Here is a cheap and easy gift for kitty that anyone could make! Supplies required: Small scrap fabrics, small amount of catnip, a few basic sewing supplies (thread, needle, scissors, sewing machine optional).

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Cut 2 pieces of fabric in a small shape of your choice. I made a 3in x 3in square to keep things simple. Place the fabric together with the good-side of the fabric facing in together.

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Sew them together leaving 1-1.5 in. open to turn the fabric right side out.

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Using pinking shears cut along the edge of the seams (or what I did with regular fabric scissors was cut a zig-zag pattern along the edge of my seams.)

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Using the opening you left, turn your toy right-side-out now.

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Often it helps to use a eraser-side of a pencil to poke to corners out.

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Now using a funnel or a small spoon, fill the toy with a little catnip.

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Just a little bit will do. In the image below you can see how I filled it only about a 1/2 inch.  (below my fingers)kittytoys-8

Now sew the opening closed. I usually sew it 2 or 3 times over just to make it nice & tight for when your kitty starts playing with it. kittytoys-7

Doesn’t even have to be too pretty, because I doubt your kitty will care how it looks once they smell it!

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Here are the few that I made. Takes hardly any time to finish one and is a great use for small scrap fabrics! Not to mention a cheap gift for the kitty’s in your life!

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Finally, give them to your kitty and watch them enjoy!

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Please comment, share & Enjoy!-Holly

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Clothespin Magnets

My Co-worker was looking through her desk drawer and found a clothespin. After a few minutes of us trying to figure out how it could have gotten there, she decided she wanted it to be a magnet. I happen to know that she loves the color purple so I told her I could paint it purple for her and find a magnet. Well, she also has a love of unicorns and therefore decided if I went to the trouble of painting it, I might as well draw a unicorn face on it. Thus, 5 new clothes pin magnets were created.

 

Supplies:

Clothespins, acrylic paints, paint brushes, puffy paint (usually used for fabric), newspaper (disposable table covering), magnetic tape, super glue, small clamps (I like to use small binder clips, cheaper and very effective)

Gather all your supplies and cover your workspace with newspaper or some other disposable cover that will protect it from any stray paint. To keep my paint brushes from drying out and easier to clean I also like to keep a jar of water on the table.

Paint your clothes pins with 2 coats of an acrylic paint of your choice. Allow at least 10-15 minutes of drying time between coats. After second coat, allow to dry again at least 10-15 minutes.

Now using the puffy paints, create some designs on 1 side of the clip. Leave one side completely flat for the magnet to attach to later. Allow the puffy paint to dry for 30-60 minutes, or until it is dry to the touch. They should be close to completely dry or your designs will get smudged!

Here are my 5 designs drying. While they finish drying, get you magnet, glue & clamps ready. Cut the magnet to fit each of your clips. In my case the magnet was about 1″ wide so I cut 2 1/2 ” strips and cut those in half the long way to make two 1/2″ strips.

This type of magnet is suppose to be peel and stick, but seeing as these clips will be used to hold things I find that it is usually best to add some glue to them, just to be sure.

I dab a few small drops of glue over the strips of magnet.

I press my clothes pins firmly down on the magnet and hold it there for a minute or two.

Use some small clamps (or binder clips in my case) to hold the magnet in place while it continues to dry. Leave it to dry for 15-30 minutes.

And there you have it! I use these magnets of my fridge to be ready to hold notes, photos, or even to close a bag of chips! Also, they are great at work if you have any space in your office that could use some nice decorative magnets that are mighty handy to hold notes or documents!

 

Please comment and share!

-Holly