**Spooky Crafting With Cats** **RERUN ~ PART FOUR** How We Made The Gordon the Ghost Spooktacular Meowoleen Snuggle Mat

Welcome to

Supurr Spooky Greetings Pawesome Pals

Thanks for joining us for Part Four of our Halloween Crafting with Cats Rerun. Mew know we have so much fun making all this stuff and we hope mew enjoy seeing it!

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.

Previous Halloween Crafting Posts

Part One ~ Bertie the Bat, Yummy Plumpkin Tartes and the Purple Peril Kicker

Part Two ~ Spooky Haunted House + Catnip Pumpkin Toys

Part Three ~ Pumpkin Pouffe and Some Other Really Fun Pumpkin-Inspired Stuff 

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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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In today's Crafting with Cats, we're making: 

Gordon the Ghost Spooktacular Meowoleen Snuggle Mat

What We Used:

White felt fabric

Black felt fabric

Stuffing/wadding

Paper for pattern

Scissors ~ Sewing Machine ~ Cotton Thread in white & black

Let's Get Started

First, we suggest measuring one of your kitties to see how big your fabric needs to be, as not all kitties are the same size.

1. Next, take your paper and cut out a ghostly pattern, we suggest folding your paper in half, as this way mew get more symmetry. 

2. Open out to check that it looks ghostly enough.

3. Cut out 2 x ghost shapes on the white felt.

4. & 5. Cut out 1 x ghost shape on the wadding. Sandwich wadding between the 2 pieces of felt and pin to keep in place, so now mew essentially have a ghostly sammich! MOL MOL

6. Sew all the way around the edge, we used an overlock style stitch. Trim off any excess wadding around the edges if any is sticking out. Just be careful not to snip the stitching.

7. Next cut out 2 x eyes and a mouth out of the black felt, these shapes are entirely up to mew. 

8. & 9.  Pin eyes and mouth to the ghost, and sew with the same overlocking stitch.

And now mew should have something that looks like this, minus Melvyn trying to squeeze the stuffing right out of poor Gordon! MOL #OOPS #Heathen

So we do hope mew enjoyed how to make Gordon the Ghost, and just to prove Melvyn isn't always a total heathen fur-child with the hashtag #thuglife proudly displayed on his fav badge, here he is being very cute in his Meowoleen outfit.

Doesn't he look epically adorable in his wizard's costume! 

And that furiends furry sadly brings us to the end of our fourth Halloween Crafting with Cats Rerun; we do hope mew liked it, and feel free to post your pawesome crafty pics or ideas on our Facebook page at:

Bionic Basil & The 'B' Team @Facebook 

We'll be back tomorrow with another spooky selfie, and if mew missed Parsley's selfie last week, click here.

Spooky purrs

MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA

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 the use of any Crafting With Cats posts we may share.

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Basil Remembrance Day ~ 5th Angelversary ~ Come Sit A Spell With Me And Let's Reminisce A Little

Hello fluffy furiends

Today is my 5th Angelversary, though in all honesty it only seems like mere minutes since my departure, as time works differently at The Rainbow Realm, and it seems like only yesterday I was bipping in my corporeal form around BBHQ being a complete heathen in charge of The B Team.

There have been tears at BBHQ the last few days as mew can imagine. It's really tough on the P.A. and Cat Dad as I know they miss me so much still, and that hasn't changed at all in the last five years.

Anyhoo, enough of the sad side, let's take a look at my best bits as mew know I was an epically epic dude! 

(This was the video from my 4th Angelversary, the P.A. was too upset to creat a new one)

I had the best time effur visiting with mew all today! 

Thanks for stopping by on Basil Remembrance Day, and we'll be back tomorrow with our usual selfies post plus Smooch's Historic Travel Blog, so do stop by if mew get a chance, as mew know we love your company.

Purring for eternity and being epically fluffy furever

Celestial Basil 

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Mewsic is used under licence from www.soundstripe.com  Artist: Aaron Sprinkle Track: Walking Back

The B Team's Quick Cat Guide ~ How To Tell if Your Cat Loves You

Happy Purrsday Fluffies

Welcome to

THE B TEAM'S QUICK CAT GUIDE 

As highly experienced cats in the field of training humans, facilitating the best human relationships and how to get the most out of life, we've decided to share a bite-sized series offering completely unsolicited advice to any potential cat pawrent/guardian/staff who needs it in our new Quick Cat Guide. 

We offer a highly condensed guide to all things cat, as we know mew're busy and probably have less time than mew'd like in today's hectic world. Plus we are very time sensitive as we have a lot of catnaps and meals to fit into our daily routine, and mew know if we don't get enough naps, we don't have the energy for our main snooze!

Today's Quick Cat Guide is All About:

How To Tell if Your Cat Loves You 

Do mew ever wonder if your feline pal loves mew as much as mew love them? It can be tough to tell with cats being so independent and all. But fear not, there are some signs that your cat may be showing mew love and affection. Check out these ways to tell if your cat loves mew:

 Purring: If your cat is purring when they're around mew or being petted, it's a great sign that they're happy and feel safe with mew. It's like having a little motor running next to mew, grumbling away with much content and happiness.

 

Head-butting: When your cat rubs their head against mew, it's called bunting, and it's a way for them to show affection and claim mew as their own. Parsley does this all the time, and Melvyn is catching up with him. Although Melvyn likes to bump his nose and give kisses too.

Kneading: If your cat is kneading on mew, making biscuits, or doing little paw press-ups, it means they feel comfortable and safe around mew. It's a throwback to when they were kittens nursing with their mother. Check out Parsley making biscuits below.

Licking: Cats groom each other as a bonding experience, so if your cat is licking mew, it means they trust and love mew. Smooch likes to do this a lot, and he grasps Cat Dad's arm between his paws and gives it a darn good licking.

Slow blinking/winking: When your cat gives you a slow blink, it's a sign of trust and affection. They feel relaxed and safe around mew. They can also wink at mew, either eye, and it means the same. The B Team do a lot of winking! MOL 

Bringing mew gifts: If your kitty brings mew a gift, like a mouse or bird, it means they see mew as part of their furmily and want to take care of mew. Ahhh, the P.A. says, if only in real life they brought a gift-wrapped box of chocolates, and not dead creatures! At BBHQ there have been many, many gifts including a mole on the sitting room rug, half a pigeon in the downstairs bathroom and a hare by the back door.

Following mew around, and watching mew: Cats are curious creatures, and if they're following mew from room to room, it means they enjoy your company and want to be near mew. Plus they may stalk mew, watching what mew're doing and then join mew.

Being with you while mew work, read, watch tv etc...: Whether they sit on your knee, next to mew, or on your desk, they feel safe and want to spend their time with mew, and are curious about what mew're doing. Some cats may just snooze, and others may want to participate in some way, yes we've all walked across the keyboard at a crucial point while the P.A. was typing, Fudge is really great at sitting on it! MOL The P.A. actually had an in-tray on her desk just for me, with my name on it.

Scenting mew: When your cat rubs his/her face on mew, they are essentially marking mew as theirs by rubbing their unique scent onto your clothing, skin or whatever, and mew now belong to them. 

Remember, each cat has their own unique personality and way of showing affection. So even if your cat doesn't display these behaviours exactly, they still might love mew in their own way. Keep an eye on their body language and behaviour to better understand your furry friend and build a strong bond with them.

Cats may not be as in-your-face as dogs when it comes to showing affection, but they definitely have their own special ways of expressing their love. By paying attention to the signs and cues, mew can better understand your cat and build a deeper connection with them. 

Happy cat pawrenting!

We hope mew enjoyed our bite-sized guide on How To Tell if Your Cat Loves You and if mew're looking for further information on all things feline, check out our Top Tips for Cat Pawrents page, at the top of the blog, or click here.

To catch up on the previous episodes, here are the links:

So Mew Are Thinking About Adopting A Cat

A Quick Guide To Cat Wellness

How To Crate Your Cat

How Do Cats Recognise and Remember Their Owners

Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon, and we'll be back tomorrow with another Friday Flufffers post and again on Sunday with another Travel Selfie as we visit Historical Sites around the U.K. and share them with mew.

Wing Commander Basil and The B Team

Disclaimer: We are not vets, animal medical professionals, animal doctors or have any formal qualifications in animal health. If mew are worried or concerned about anything at all, purrlease take your feline furiend to your purrsonal veterinarian or other health care provider and seek expert advice and assistance immediately.

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Graphics and photos created/used with paid licence www.canva.com 

**CAT HAZARDS** The BBHQ List of The Top Ten Dangers Around The Home For Cats

  Happy Purrsday supurr pals

Welcome to Cat Hazards ~ The Art of Keeping Your Cat Safer ~ Series at BBHQ 

Today we are sharing Part Six of our helpful series. 

If mew're new to being cat staff, then maybe there are a few things mew haven't thought about, and we're here to point mew in the right direction and share tips that we've garnered over 25+ years. And for those seasoned and veteran cat staff, do feel free to add more suggestions and tips in the comments, as all cat hacks are welcome.

 

The Top Ten Dangers Around The Home For Cats

As a cat pawrent, it is your responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for your feline companion in your home. Unfortunately, there are various hidden hazards lurking around the house that mew may not even be aware of. Therefore, in this blog post, we will delve into the top ten dangers around the home for cats, so mew can keep your furry furiend out of harm's way.

Links lead to more detailed information in previous posts.

1. Toxic Plants: It is worth noting that many common household plants, including lilies, poinsettias, and azaleas, can be highly toxic to cats if ingested. Therefore, it is necessary to keep these plants out of your cat's reach or opt for cat-friendly houseplants instead (See link at bottom of post for more details). Also, be very careful with cut flowers too.

2. Chemicals: Household cleaners, pesticides, and other chemicals can pose a considerable health risk to your cat if ingested or inhaled. For this reason, it is critical to store these items securely and keep your cat away from areas where they are being used. Also, the use of air fresheners and candles are not recommended.

3. Electrical Cords: Cats love to play with strings and cords, but electrical cords can be a severe risk of electrocution if chewed on. To avoid this, keep cords out of your cat's reach or cover them with cord protectors.

4. Open Windows: Although cats enjoy looking out of open windows, they can also be hazardous if your cat falls or jumps out. Therefore, it is advisable to install screens, or open only a small amount, make sure it's secure so little paws can't open it further, or even keep windows closed to prevent accidents, certainly on upper floors.

5. Small Objects: Small objects such as rubber bands, hair ties, small toys etc... can be easily swallowed by cats and cause blockages in their digestive system. To prevent this, it is vital to keep these items out of your cat's reach at all times.

6. Human Medications: Many human medications can be toxic to cats, and it is essential to keep all medications out of reach. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian before giving your cat any medication.

7. Human Food: It is important to note that many common human foods, including chocolate, onions, and garlic, can be toxic to cats. Therefore, it is imperative to keep these foods out of your cat's reach and avoid feeding them table scraps.

8. Plastic Bags: Cats enjoy playing with plastic bags, but they can be a suffocation hazard if your cat gets trapped inside. To prevent this, it is best to keep bags out of your cat's reach or dispose of them properly.

9. Toilet Bowls: It is worth noting that open toilet bowls can be a drowning hazard for cats, especially curious kittens. It is always advisable to keep the lid closed or install a toilet seat lock.

10. Hot Surfaces: Although cats love to curl up in warm areas, they can get burned if they lay on hot surfaces such as stovetops or heaters. To prevent this, it is advisable to keep these areas off-limits or supervise your cat when they are in these areas.

By being aware of these common dangers around the home, mew can help ensure that your cat stays safe and healthy. As always, if mew suspect your cat has ingested something toxic or is experiencing any symptoms of illness, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

It doesn't take long to make your home a safe place, and mew'd do it for a baby/toddler/child, so do it for your cat too, and our K9 buddies of course!

If mew're looking for plants which are ok to have in your home check out: 

Top 12 Common Cut Flowers 'Safe' To Have Near Cats 

And if mew're looking for more advice on being a cat pawrent, check out our Top Tips for Cat Pawrents page too.

Thanks for joining us today, and we hope mew like our Cat Hazards series. We'll be back on the morrow with some more Friday Fluffers, so do join us for a few laughs.

Until then...

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team

Disclaimer: We are not vets, animal medical professionals, animal doctors or have any formal qualifications in animal health. If mew are worried or concerned about anything at all, purrlease take your feline furiend to your purrsonal veterinarian or other health care provider and seek expert advice and assistance immediately.

See more content, including fun photos and videos Featuring The B Team 

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