DIY Cat Lady Tote Bag

I've got another super quick and easy DIY today!  I had so much fun with the ridiculously easy Illustrated tote, that I wanted to make another.  And considering I'm crazy cat lady, there was no question what the next design would be.

The supplies are the same as this post.  Instead of freehand drawing, however, this time I traced this pattern on the bag with pencil (you could also use carbon paper or disappearing ink to transfer the pattern).

Then, I just went over the pattern with my FabricMate marker and followed the directions on the pen for dry time.  Easy peasy...punkin pie!

Feel free to use the pattern here, or download it from this link.  Have fun!


*This pattern is for personal use only and may not be sold or changed in any way!

DIY Cat Stamp T-Shirt

Cat Ladies Unite!  I've been inspired by a lot of the cat clothing that's been popping up lately, but I'm picky about my cat silhouettes, so I decided to make something.  I draw cats all the time so I knew exactly the shape I wanted.  This is a pretty simple stamping technique that will have you wanting to stamp everything you own with cats!  Also, when I typed "Cat Stamp T-shirt" I sang to the tune of "Cat Scratch Fever"...so there's that.

Make it!

1. Gather your supplies!
• T-Shirt (Mine was from Target)
• Tulip Soft Velveteen Fabric Paint 
• Scissors (These are my absolute favorite craft scissors!)
• 2" wooden block (you just need one)
• Sticky foam sheet (cut to 2"x2"x squares)
• Sharpie
• Not pictured - a carboard insert to hold the shirt securely and to avoid any paint bleeding through to the other side.
2. Set aside your block, foam squares, scissors, and sharpie
3. Draw your design on the foam squares and cut them out.
4. Peel off the backing and adhere to the wooden block. 
5. Use a brush to apply to the fabric paint to the stamp.  Apply it liberally!
6. Stamp your shirt.  I started on the back to get a feel for it, but definitely have a scrap of fabric to try your first couple of stamps.  And I didn't worry about keeping the color even, I liked the texture it made.  But you can always go back over the stamped portion and fill in any gaps with a paint brush.

I really love how it came out.  I didn't stamp my sleeves because I knew this would be a shirt that I would wear under layers, but definitely stamp yours if you feel the urge.  The cool thing is, now I've got a stamp I can use for scarves, hoodies, journals, wood boxes...really anything that can have paint on it haha.  And, since the blocks have six sides, you can use the one block to hold a few different stamps.  I'll definitely be using the other shapes pictured, soon!  What would you stamp?

Turks and Sprinkles, Lately

It's been entirely too long since my last post of gratuitous cat photos.  While poking through my phone the other day for some
Throwback Thursday action on Instagram, I discovered all these photos of the kittens that I'd never shared.  Not being one to deprive the internet of more cats...here you go!

We got a new-to-us chair a few weeks back (it's been in my family since my Grandmother designed it and had it made in Italy...long story!) and the cats just love it.  Turks spends most of days with his butt firmly planted on it.  It's his now.  Meanwhile Sprinkles just sleeps under the bed when she's not demanding skritches and cheese.  She leads a hard life.

Other than that, all's quiet in kitten town.  Besides the fact that they're pounding food for the winter.  I'm right there with them, though ^_^

Cat Lady Embroidery Patterns

So fun!  I got the itch the other day to do some embroidery and decided to share the patterns I made!  I'm definitely a cat lady and I love drawing ridiculous kittens, so these are going to make a great addition to our home.

If you're new to embroidery, or just want a refresher course, Jenny Hart made the best videos (for KIN Community) that I've ever found on the subject.  Check this one out for three ways to transfer patterns onto fabric.  And her step-by-step French Knot tutorial has me making the most pro knots I've ever made!

I hope you like these little guys!  I'd love to see if anyone makes them ^_^

Click here for the pdf!

*These patterns are for personal use only

The Kittens, Lately

I snapped a few shots of the kittens when we were in our temporary housing, and I totally forgot about them until I was looking through my shots of Gatherings.  Turks is the most photogenic cat!  Sprinkles refuses to stand still...just ever.  We joke she's like a shark just circling all the time and always has to be moving forward haha!

So here's some gratuitous cat pictures!