Monday, 9 December 2024

**CATMAS SPECIAL** CRAFTING WITH CATS RERUN ~ HOW WE MADE THE EPICALLY EPIC SANTA PAWS CATMAS SLED

Festive Crafting with Cats Banner ©BionicBasil®

 Supurr Festive Greetings Pawesome Pals

Welcome to the first of our Crafting with Cats Catmas Specials. 

If mew missed any of our previous CWC posts, stop by the Crafting with Cats Page and see all our previous projects, and mew don't have to be an expert in anything to make any of them. Plus we offer workarounds and no-sew projects for those who don't like to sew.

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**A quick note before we begin**

All Crafting with Cats ideas and creations are of our own design, and we share them for purrsonal/home use only.

  So purrlease do not copy for commercial/resale purrposes.

Copyright ©BionicBasil®

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THE SANTA PAWS SLED 


Crafting with Cats Christmas Special ©BionicBasil® The Santa Paws Sled

What We Used:

2 x large cardboard boxes

hot glue gun

scissors

red spray paint

black acrylic paint + brush

For the decor

white felt

non-toxic pva glue

white pom pom trim

white feather trim

1 x small Christmas tree

small red baubles

red & white bells

small gold bows

2 x stick on lights - headlights

2 x mood lights - underneath

2 x fat quarters for cushions and Santa sack

wadding for cushion and catnip cushions

1 set battery operated fairy lights

1 x small wooden plaque

other wooden Christmas tree decorations

>^.^<

Optional Cat ~ Smooch was today's Craft Room Snoopervisor

Crafting with Cats Christmas Spercial ©BionicBasil® Smooch in the Sant Paws Sled

Normally, we share step-by-step instructions showing how to make things, but in this post we thought we’d show mew exactly in almost real-time how the sled was created from start to finish, letting mew see how a mid-size cardboard box was transformed into a supurr festive sled for cats.

There are 6 videos in total, approximately 10 + minutes each

Links to all episodes:

Part 1   Part 1 a    Part 2    Part 3   Part 4   Part 5

ISN'T IT EPICALLY EPIC? 

Melvyn did pull the tree off the back at the end of the final episode! MOL 

What a fluffing heathen, anyhoo, it's all back together now as the P.A. has used a lot more glue. She thought it was secure enough, but sadly, it wasn't quite fully Melvyn-Proof, which he pointed out when it landed in the sleigh bed - OH DEAR!

But that little incident aside, we still think it turned out epically epic.

FYI - We are not allowed to use the sled without pawrental guidance, purrlease be aware of safety issues and the safety of your cat at all times if making this or any other crafting projects.

And that furiends sadly brings us to the end of our first Catmas Crafting with Cats post. We do hope mew liked it, and if mew decide to make your furry own Santa Paws Catmas Sled, we'd love to see, so feel free to tag us on social media @BionicBasil - Instagram & Twitter or @BionicBasilCats on TikTok.

So we'll sign off on this bright and breezy Monday and look forward to your company on Wednesday's Midweek News.

In the meantime

Keep calm and have a niptini. Well, it is almost Catmas! MOL

Festive purrs

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team







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Disclaimer:
We at BionicBasil HQ are not responsible or liable fur any injuries to person/s and/or cat/s, crafting addictions, glue on cats, paper cuts, misplaced pins and needles, cats stealing your supplies, broken scissors, cat fur stuck on your projects, or your project not turning out as planned.  By using this information you hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless BionicBasil and staff from and against any and all claims for personal injuries or damages of any kind arising from use of any Crafting With Cats posts we may share.

Graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com  

Sunday, 8 December 2024

Smooch is Sleighing - Again! on The Sunday Selfies Blog Hop and Caturday Art Blog Hop

The Sunday Selfies Banner ©BionicBasil® Frost Garden Winter 24 (1)

Supurr Sunday greetings furiends

Welcome to another BBHQ selfie selection, and this week, we've got a little #throwback of Smooch in the Santa Paws Sleigh, which we made on the Catmas Crafting with Cats in 2021.

 Smooch is Sleighing - Again! 


Smooch is Sleighing - Again ©BionicBasil® Sunday Selfies at BBHQ

He loves it! 

And if mew want to see this epic crafting creation come to life, check out tomorrow's post to see how it happened! MOL

The Sunday Selfies Divider ©BionicBasil®

We're also joining in Athena's Fabulous Art Hop so do stop by and show off your pawesome arty-farty skills.

https://www.athenacatgoddess.com/

Smooch is Sleighing - Again ©BionicBasil® Caturday Art Blog Hop at BBHQ

The effect was created with Befunky - AI Enhancer, Realist GFX +  a vignette border & slight colour changes to hue and saturation.

We also turned this fab arty-farty picture into a puzzle, so do stop by the puzzle page and take the Puzzle Challenge, see if mew can beat our time of 9 mins 18 secs. 

The Sunday Selfies Divider ©BionicBasil®

Jumpin' juniper berries, it's been a bit gusty the last couple of days, so much so that outside time has been restricted due to this new warning: A Danger to Floof!

Smooch is very happy this morning as he's watching the roast chicken in the oven; he says it's very relaxing as it slowly turns a lovely golden shade. What a total heathen! MOL

This afternoon we're watching The Hunt for The Wilder People, it's such a funny movie, if mew haven't seen it, give it a go.

We hope mew have an epic day, and we'll be back in the morning with the first of our Catmas Crafting sessions, so mew don't want to miss all that fun!

In the meantime...

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team










The Sunday Selfies Divider ©BionicBasil®

Don't forget to join in the pawesome Sunday Selfies Blog Hop with

 Angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer ~ visit them at their pawesome blog:







The Sunday Selfies Divider ©BionicBasil®











Don't furget to subscribe to our blog and never miss another post. 

Graphics created with paid licence @www.canva.com or www.befunky.com

Friday, 6 December 2024

**FELINE FICTION FIX** Book Reviews with Amber at The Mewton-Clawson Library #300 featuring **Chumley and Hudson Investigate. The King Herod's Affair** by M.E. Watson **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

Amber's Book Reviews ©BionicBasil® December 2023

Hello Supurr Library furiends

and

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ

Many thanks for joining me in the stacks today and for my 300th Book Review!

OH MY COD! I can't believe I've reached such dizzying heights of reviewdom. When I started my little hobby library a few years ago, I never thought about the numbers or how many books with cats I would read, but at this moment, I must say I'm feeling rather accomplished about my furbulous feline fiction accomplishment! MOL 

And I think I'm the only Library Cat and Private Library Owner who has reviewed that many cat books in the world. Way to go me, at twenty-fluffing-two!

Oh, and I just have to share this with mew...

Amber's Book Reviews #300 ©BionicBasil® WHO STOLE MY SPOT

The other morning, I woke up and needed to visit the little cats room, but my fresh grey blanky was so snoozable and warm that I didn't want to get up, and then Melvyn appeared and had a really great idea. He said.

"Amber, I'll keep your blanky warm until mew get back!"

Awwwwww, what a little sweetie, purrhaps all my training is finally paying off.

Anyhoo, a short while later, because I stopped off in the kitty kitchen for some snacks, I returned to my favourite snooze spot to find Melvyn zonked out and unwakable.

He stayed there for a good few hours, and I was relegated to the emergency grey blanky on the other sofa, which the P.A. had put my heated warmer on, so it was supurr toasty for snoozing.

So this was me...

Amber's Book Reviews #300 ©BionicBasil® Amber Loves Her Grey Blanky

Yep, life is really this good! MOL

Anyhoo, let's see what's been happening at the Mewton-Clawson Library this week.


Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®
Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
Today the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.
1. ___________________, ______________________ and _____________________ are on my to-do list this month.
2. If I hear _______________________________ one more time I will scream.
3. All I want for Christmas is _________.
4. _________ is my favourite holiday scent.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. A new Catmas Crafting with Cats post, rerunning all the other Catmas with Cats posts, and I have a very special crystal wand to make; these are on the 'urgent side' of my to-do list this month.
 
2. If I hear Last Christmas by Wham one more time, I will scream. I never liked it back in the eighties, and that has never changed. Some songs are like that; you either love or loathe it!  I've never been a fan of schmaltzy songs; I'm more of a dance, trance, house music, deep house, etc, with a bit of Heavy Metal/Rock thrown in when I want a change, kinda girl. If it's schmaltzy, romantic or the like, I've headed for the hills at lightning speed. LOL

3. All I want for Christmas is a new box of coloured pencils. I've seen a rather lovely set on Amazon, which would be utterly delightful.

4. Spice, orange and cinnamon are my favourite holiday scents - for home fragrance, not purrrsonal purrfume! LOL 

Holly Divider ©BionicBasil® December 2023

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®
Amber's Book Reviews #300 ©BionicBasil® Chumley and Hudson Investigate. The King Herod's Affair by M E Watson
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy


Chumley and Hudson Investigate

 

The King Herod's Affair

by

M.E. Watson

 Here's the book blurb:   

Welcome to 1920's Britain, where cats and dogs have a voice and are treated as equals to humans. In the quaint village of Upper Much-Mousing, one lucky young cat named Erin Chumley inherits an old Manor house and Estate. But with it comes responsibility and bills, and Erin must navigate her new life with the help of her housekeeper and tutor, Mrs. Hudson, a retired Army veteran with a mysterious past.

Together, Erin and Mrs. Hudson start a detective agency to earn funds and teach Erin about the world. Their latest case takes them to the bustling city of London, to the famous King Herod's Department store. Three kittens have gone missing, and it's up to our dynamic duo to solve the case. But what starts as a simple investigation quickly turns into a dangerous race against time, as they must save the kittens from the clutches of the evil and lazy Anders, the store's nighttime security guard. As they dig deeper, they uncover a sinister black-market gang stealing from the store, and must also help their feline seamstress friend, Jenifer Darcy, get the recognition she deserves for her work.

Join Erin and Mrs. Hudson on their witty and whimsical adventure, filled with action, fun, and heartwarming moments. Perfect for younger and middle grade readers looking for a fun and exciting read.

Amber's Book Review Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®

I was going to review this purrticular title last week, but then I noticed that today was my 300th Book Review, and I wanted something rather special to share in today's post.

So for my milestone 300th Book Review, I have the greatest purrleasure of sharing Chumley and Hudson Investigate by non other than fellow Cat Blogger Erin the Cat Princess.

If mew're looking for a delightful romp through 1920s Britain with a cast of charming anipal characters, look no further than Chumley and Hudson Investigate: The King Herod's Affair! M.E. Watson has created a whimsical world where cats and dogs are not just anipal companions but equal members of society, and it's an absolute joy to dive into their adventures.

Meet Erin Chumley, a young cat who finds herself the proud owner of an old manor house in the picturesque village of Upper Much-Mousing. While inheriting an estate sounds glamorous, Erin quickly realizes that with great property comes great responsibility (and bills!). Luckily, she has the steadfast Mrs Hudson by her side—a no-nonsense retired Army veteran whose mysterious backstory adds further layers of intrigue and charm. And together, they embark on an entrepreneurial journey by starting their own detective agency! How pawesome is that? Their first assignment takes them to London’s bustling King Herod's Department Store to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three playful kittens. The stakes rise when they encounter the wickedly lazy security guard, Anders, who seems to be hiding more than just his nap schedule. The storytelling is filled with clever twists and vibrant characters to keep those pages turning, as the plot unfolds with humour, action, and heartwarming interactions, making it a page-turner that keeps mew on your paws! The dynamic duo of Erin and Mrs Hudson is refreshingly witty, reminding us that teamwork, furiendship, and a little bravery can help us overcome the most daunting challenges—even if it involves battling a black-market gang! Purrfectly tailored to cater for all reading ages from middle grade to whenever this tale balances adventure with life's lessons. Chumley and Hudson Investigate not only entertains but encourages curiosity about the world around us. So, grab a nice cup of catnip tea (or a bit-sized bag of kibble!), settle in, and prepare for a delightful adventure that will leave mew purring for more!

AN EPICALLY EPIC ADVENTURE

Just how adventures should be, and I know, as mew know that I know, with the amount The B Team go on! MOL 

I've got one last thing to say; this would make a furbulous Catmas present for anypawdy who loves a great read and cats. 

Erin my dear, mew are the epitome of FURBULOUS, and many CON'CAT'ULATIONS on your first published novel. I hope there will be many more!

**Available in paperback and hardback copies from Amazon**

Hardback: 118 pages

Amber's Book Review Library Mice Divider ©BionicBasil®
My Rating Scale

Amber's Book Reviews Paw Rating Scale ©BionicBasil® Red

Holly Divider ©BionicBasil® December 2023

Rating of:

Chumley and Hudson Investigate. The King Herod's Affair


Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Book Reviews 5 Paw Rating ©BionicBasil® Red

Amber's Book Review Divider ©BionicBasil®

      Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today


          Brian's Home   Catblogosphere    Feline Friday   Nature Friday    Flashback Friday   Friendship Friday        
Holly Divider ©BionicBasil® December 2023

I'm off to prepare for next week's review, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time!

Don't forget, if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix.

Until next week...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 









Holly Divider ©BionicBasil® December 2023

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Holly Divider ©BionicBasil® December 2023
 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com