PetSugar

Fabric Scraps Plus Catnip Equals One-of-a-Kind DIY Mice

PetSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:30:07 -0800

Did your lil kitty get everything her heart desired over the holidays? If you've got extra time to kill – or think your pal could use an extra toy to kill – check out these one-of-a-kind catnip mice. Wouldn't you rather see this laying around than a real mouse?!
Get started on the DIY project spotted by a pal of mine (Thanks, Casa!) by gathering the following supplies:

Patterned fabric for mouse body
Scrap fabric, preferably with a loose weave, for catnip pouch
Cotton cord, ribbon, or rick rack for the tail
Embroidery floss for face details
Catnip
Polyfil stuffing
Needle and thread

Get instructions when you read more.

Print out this pattern and cut out fabric as shown.
Tie a knot at one end of the cord for the tail and set aside.
For catnip core pouch, fold fabric and half, stitch two sides, add catnip, sew closed, and set aside.
Embroider a mouse face on the main fabric.

Lightly mark small circles on one side piece (two pins seen above towards the left side), the large circles on both side pieces (the blue dot), and begin by sewing the two sides together as shown (along the green dotted line) skipping the pinned parts.
Pin the tail at the large circle, match the slightly pointy end of the bottom piece to the large circle on the sides and pin together. Then sew back-and-forth, alternating sewing from tail to nose on one side and nose to tail on the other for reinforcement but don't sew between the two small circles.
Turn mouse right-side-out, gently poke out the nose with a pin. Add polyfill, catnip pouch and a bell or crinkly stuff if your pet's into that sort of the thing making sure to bury it well.
Sew the mouse closed and hand it off to kitty to enjoy!

(See the detailed instructions with step-by-step photos on Craftster.)

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8 Inexpensive DIY Projects That Make Perfect Presents

PetSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:00:13 -0800

Looking for a craft project or inexpensive gift idea? I never seem to find time to perfect recipes for humans or knit sweaters, but I am always game to test out doggie treats or home toy kits. I've put together a selection of eight simple, inexpensive and fun DIY projects that could make the perfect gift for any furry friend.

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Baking These Homemade Dog Cookies For Holiday Gifts Is One Yummy Idea!

PetSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:15:49 -0800

'Tis the season of giving and my pup's wagging tail tells me homemade snacks definitely get the message across! TeamSugar member kristyy is team captain for a Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services site, and wants to treat the 20 pups in her group with something she baked up herself.

I'm recommending North's fave four ingredient snack recipe – grab a pet-themed cookie cutter and festive holiday baggies or cellophane and get started when you read more.

Simple Simon's Birthday Bones
From the Three Dog Bakery Cookbook
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup skim milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk. Add wet mixture to dry, and mix well. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to 1/4-inch thick and cut out shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a rack then store in an airtight container.
Makes 30 large bones

Print recipe with images | without images

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On the Ball: DIY Cat Bed/Charging Station

PetSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:00:38 -0700

I'm always amazed by the creativity that comes out of pet lovers, and how they are able to incorporate their pets into all aspects of their lives! Take this insanely smart DIY Charging Station made by a ModernCat reader that was recently featured on the site. Not only is it a charging station for all of her gadgets (iPod, phone, camera, whatever), but it has a drawer for her owner's manuals (do people really keep those?), a laptop cozy, and most importantly, there's even a place for her cat!

By taking an inexpensive Ikea desk organizer, and customizing it to fit her needs, MC reader Breanne got herself a very organized desk. . . and a happy kitty! Isn't it always the case that your cat wants to sit on top of whatever you are working on anyway? Find out how she made it here, while I brainstorm about how to make a dog-friendly version!

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On the Ball: Freeze Pumpkin For Poo Probs

PetSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:00:37 -0700

Why the sad face, North? You're all out of pumpkin I see. Even though my pooch didn't get to sample the organic canned pumpkin that time around, I've got a special Summer treat that I'm gonna whip up this weekend.Frozen pumpkin cubes! Many pets are crazy about ice or frozen PB and banana shapes, and pumpkin cubes are no different.

To make, simply fill trays with a mixture of canned pumpkin (the pure stuff, not pie filling) and water, using just enough liquid to get a smooth consistency. Freeze it, then offer to a lucky pup as a special treat. In addition to working miracles on kitty's hairballs, yummy pumpkin can also help with your pets' constipation or diarrhea issues. Seriously. But even if your doggie's doo is fine, I bet he'd appreciate this special snack during the Dog Days of Summer.

Compost Your Pup's Poo Safely . . . and Stink Free!

PetSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:00:18 -0700

Remember when I was talking about composting your pet's poo with an easy DIY solution? Well, if you aren't the do-it-yourself type, you can get an auto composter that leaves the results safe to plant and your home stink-free.

The Nature Mill Pet Friendly Composter ($399) is made specifically with your pets in mind. It gobbles up your compostable kitchen scraps (along with your doggie's doodie), and, in two weeks time, you can be planting those tomatoes, carrots, or whatever your green thumb desires.

And what's cooler, it's ultra quiet and compact, so you can store it almost anywhere – even under your kitchen sink!

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Got the Day Off? Get Out With Your Pup!

PetSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:30:44 -0700

It's Memorial Day and I'm using today to take an extra long walk with my Boston. He's a fairly energetic dog who can walk quite quickly (as long as it's not too hot), and we're gonna go on a street roaming adventure! I know some of you have big dogs and others have little ones, so everyone's speed needs will be different. The latest issue of Self magazine provided a couple tempo tips that I wanted to pass along:

Stroll: 3 mph Breeds including French Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do well at a leisurely tempo like this.
Brisk Walk: 3.5 mph Higher energy small dogs can benefit from this speed, like Miniature Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, for example.
Jog: 5 mph Golden Retrievers and Jack Russells have lots of energy . . . best burned off at a quick pace!

Now see my advice when you read more.

When taking to the streets with your pups:

Make sure you walk at an appropriate tempo! If your pet is huffing, wheezing, or trying to stop, he may be trying to tell you something – you both can slow down and smell the roses.
If your dog is tugging and pulling the leash, he may not be acting naughty, he could just need more exercise. Walking quickly, or even jogging, with higher energy breeds can help them work off steam and (hopefully) be a bit calmer when it's rest time!
Some pooches, North included, enjoy mixing it up. Try walking quickly for part of the time, and more of a stroll for the rest. This allows doggies, and you, to burn off a tad more calories, but not come home totally pooped. I like to walk on a street busy with people, then duck onto side streets for this purpose. On the busy streets, we have to navigate the crowd and my dog wants to sniff "hi," but, on those quiet streets, he's ready to pick up the pace!

As always, if it's hot where you are, carry water and take breaks on any long walks. Getting fit should be fun for you both!

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On the Ball: Make a Terrarium

PetSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:30:09 -0700

I think this hanging aquarium would make a fab self-contained terrarium. While my suggested version of this enclosed habitat doesn't include any animals, it's a great way to bring growing life to your office . . . or to that household where your furry family is already at capacity! Click below to begin the slideshow and get started on this DIY project.

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On the Ball: Make Cat Toys From Your Extra Yarn

PetSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:00:51 -0700

It seems that cats can be entertained by the simplest of things! If you're a knitter and have cats, this DIY Cat Toy project is perfect for you, since you won't be wasting an inch of that expensive yarn from your last handmade scarf. These simple and easy-to-make kitty toys that a pal of mine caught on The Thrifty Knitter (Thanks, Yum!), are just bunches of yarn wrapped inside a stocking or a pair of nylons, then tossed in the washing machine. Pretty simple for an easy toy that this cat in particular seems to love. To find out how to make your own, read more.

Gather up your yarn and fiber bits. You can include the odd superwash or non-animal fiber scrap, as long as you’re working with about 70 percent feltable fiber. Curly locks look especially cool.
Wad them into balls. Little balls or big, it doesn't matter. Densely-felted balls have a lot of bounce, great for fetchers. You can make really big balls (or oblongs or snakes) simply by using more fiber. For the densest large balls, start small and build up with additional layers in additional wash loads.
Stuff them into a stocking, tights, or pantyhose and tie off sections with cotton yarn.
Toss in with a load of laundry using a hot wash with a cold rinse (I like towels or rags). Both the hot and cold are important. The hot encourages felting and the cold shocks the wool and further felts it.
Untie and peek inside. If necessary, run them through additional cycles. Toss in the dryer then unwrap, or unwrap and air dry.

That's it! Simple, right?

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Street Team: Sock-turned-Sweater for a Lil Pooch

PetSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:30:05 -0700

Yay, it's yet another great idea shared by a TeamSugar member! DeJaVuE found this clothing idea on the internet, and decided to test it out on her four-pound-pup, Belle. Even though she says she didn't spend that much time on it, I think it looks pretty sweet! To see how she made it (and another cute piccy), read more.
First up, take a nice warm, fluffy sock, cut off the toe section and any additional material to make it no longer than your pup's body in length. Next, cut arm holes at the right spot for your pet's front paws. Oh, and don't throw away the scrap from the toes, you can cut two holes in it and she's ready to model a lil hat as well! Now, North is a tad too chubs for a sock sweater but, for those of you with small pooches, I think it's a neat alternative to store-bought sweaters – just think what you could do with ribbons, buttons, or other embellishments!

Do you want to join PetSugar's street team? I'd love to hear firsthand about your favorite products because I can't possibly buy them all – simply write a blog like this one or send me a PM and let me know what gets four paws up in your household and why you love it.