**VALENTINE'S CRAFTING RE-RUN**PART I** Crafting With Cats Valentine's Special ~ How We Made A Valentine's Heart Crinkle Mat

Welcome to

Supurr Furbulous Greetings Pawesome Pals

Thanks for joining us for our supurr fun Crafting with Cats re-run. Today, we thought we'd get a head-start on the Valentine's Crafting, as the big day is only three weeks away, so if mew want to make anything we share over the next couple of weeks, mew should have plenty of time! 

Stay tuned for more epically epic crafty fun!

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.

*    *    *

**Purrlease Note**

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

  So purrlease do not copy for commercial/resale purposes.

Copyright ©BionicBasil 

*     *     *

This week we're making a pawesome 

What We Used:

Fabric of your choosing, ours is red

Wadding/padding

Lining fabric

Plastic shopping bags ~ yes we're doing our bit and recycling

Sewing machine

scissors - cotton - pins - needle - tailor's chalk or similar - ruler

Optional Cat ~ Smooch was today's Snoopervisor

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.

Take your fabric and give it a quick iron.

Fold it in half and draw half a heart shape directly on the fabric with your tailors chalk, so your heart is symmetrical when mew open the cut fabric out. It's so much easier than trying to draw a complete heart on the fabric.

Cut out your heart.

Cut out two pieces of lining fabric and one piece of your padding using your furst heart as a template.

Take your plastic bags and see how many mew need to fill the size of your heart.

We used 5.

Optional kitty for testing if there's enough rustle! MOL

Pin your padding between your main fabric and one piece of lining fabric, pin together and sew around the edge.  We used a zigzag stitch.

Your heart should now look like this.

Take your ruler and tailor's chalk, then mark your quilting lines.

Mew don't have to do this, but we think it looks really nice.

Sew along your quilting lines. We sewed larger squares as it looked better, and your heart should look something like this. Use a piece of fabric off-cut to rub any tailors chalk off the heart - it should come off furry easily.

Next, take your quilted heart and place it and your second piece of lining fabric 'right-sides together' pin and sew all the way around the edge with a straight stitch leaving about half an inch / 1cm seam width.  Leave about a 5" or 13cm gap so mew can turn it the right way out and stuff the bags inside.

Position the bags inside the heart so they aren't lumpy or bunched up together, then hand stitch the remaining seam closed.

And mew should have something that looks like this:

It took approximately 90 minutes to make from start to finish, as we always make it up as we go along. We have an idea of what we want to make, and then we just dive right in. So we think it shouldn't take more than an hour to make with our instructions!

And here's Smooch testing it, watch for Pandora's total eclipse! MOL

All in all, each of The B Team has had a try, and give it all paws up!

In fact, Fudge, much to Smooch's chagrin, got himself on it and then refused to move! MOL

*    *    *

And that furiends furry sadly brings us to the end of the first Valentine's Crafting With Cats post, we do hope mew liked it and feel free to post your pawesome crafty pics and ideas on our Facebook page at:

Bionic Basil & The B Team @Facebook

And if there's anything mew'd like us to make, leave a comment and we'll do our best.  

We'll be back on the morrow with Chapter Twleve in our epic adventure, Claws of Terror, and if mew missed Chapter Eleven, click here.

Epic crafty purrs

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team

Disclaimer:

We at BionicBasil HQ are not responsible or liable for 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 and www.pizap.com 

**THE NEXT BEST THING WE'VE EVER MADE** Spooky Crafting With Cats ~ Part 31 ~ Halloween Special ~ How We Made the **TWO IN ONE CAT SCRATCHER**

Supurr Spooky Greetings Pawesome Pals

Thanks for joining us for Part 31 of our Crafting with Cats segment. Mew know we have so much fun making all this fun stuff for feline enrichment, and we hope mew enjoy seeing it and/or making it too. 

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.

*    *    *

**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®

*     *     *

THE Two In One Cat Scratcher

Isn't it epic?

What We Used:

5 x pre-made cardboard cat scratchers (£17.99)

1 x  large cardboard box

Non Toxic glue + Glue gun

Black spray paint (+ face mask)

Black non-toxic paint

1 x cardboard tube

Mini Ghosts

White + black felt fabric

4 x pom poms

catnip 

stuffing

**see Gordon the Ghost link below, and just reduce the pattern size**

Let's Get Started

CHAOS IN THE CRAFT ROOM

1. & 2. We had bought these five cardboard scratchers from Amazon with the intent of making something totally different, however they were much smaller than we thought, so idea one, was literally tossed out of the window. And a few minutes later we had another idea, and that  needed one large Amazon box too.

(Note: mew could make your own scratchers - see our tutorial here)

3. Making it up as we went along, this is what we decided. First we cut all the flaps off. And cut the side of the box out. 

4. This is what it looked like.

5. 6.  We repeated on the other side and this is how it looked.

 7. & 8. Next it was spray painted - always use a mask - and #8 was after a couple of coats   

(we didn't have time to apply more paint). 

9. & 10. Next we glued four of the scratchers in place to the back.

11.  Then we glued the last one in the bottom.

12.  Using one of the flaps we measured to make an infill piece.

13. 14. & 15.  This is what the infill looked like, we scored the sides along the line and bent them into postion, before gluing in place..

16.   We repeated the previous steps to make infills for the other side and front.

17. 18. & 19.  Taking a long wrapping paper cardboard tube, we cut it in half and glued along the sides of the other scratchers. So it filled in the tiny gap, and this is what it looked like.

20. Next we scored and folded the top flap in half.

21. We glued it together.

22. Then we glued the flap down securing it to the edges of the box. Then we painted the rest of the cardboard black.

23. If mew look at the top corner, mew can see we added a corner piece, as when we initially cut the flaps off in step 2, we were a bit slap dash and didn't cut it level so were left with a small gap, and this piece just covered our butchery! MOL

24. And this is what your Two in One Cat Scratcher should look like now. 

And there mew have it, only 24 easy peasy, supurr simple steps to making your very own Two in One Cat Scratcher! MOL 

It took just over a couple of hours to make, so not that long, and that's us making something that we've never made before so, it should take mew much less time.

Plus we made the two small catnip ghosts and added the catnip pumpkins from the Haunted House project. See links below for instructions and other Halloween crafting projects.

And we know mew're wondering why it's a two in one cat scratcher, well it was intially desgned to go up a wall, thereby offering a nice tall scratching scenario, but then we realised that it could also be used flat, and it makes a wunderpurr bed and scratcher, so the choice is yours on what your purrsonal preference is, vertical or horizontal! MOL

Smooch and Fudge are demonstrating the horizontal position, and there's more than enough room for two cats, two ghosts and three pumpkins!

And Fudge demonstrating the vertical position.

Fudge has pretty much claimed ownership of it, and is currently reclining (Sunday Morning - we only finished it late on Caturday) in the horizontal position in the sitting room! MOL

And for those who'd just like to watch us make it, here is the video - it's only 28 seconds long for those short on time! 

We'll share The B Team using it on The Midweek News, as we just didn't get time to add all the footage in and get posted on time.

Direct link to watch on YouTube

LET'S GET SCRATCHING!

What do mew think to The Two in One Cat Scratcher?

We think it turned out pretty well, given that we had no clue what we were making, and that we were really short on time due to the flood.

See our previous Halloween Crafting Posts Below:

Check out the epically epic Spooky House and Catnip Pumpkins 

Click here

and

The Halloween Crafting Special from 2019

Featuring oodles of fun projects including this giant furry pumpkin bed with catnip leaves and a catnip kicker stalk.

Click Here

Gordon the Ghost Spooktacular Meowoleen Snuggle Mat 2020

Click Here

The Trick or Treat Monster Truck aka MOG 1

Isn't it epic?

Here's how we made it ~ Click here! 

Check out our YouTube Channel for all our fun DIY Cat Stuff videos.

And that furiends furry sadly brings us to the end of our 31st Crafting with Cats post, we do hope mew enjoyed it, and if mew decide to make your furry own Two in One Cat Scratcher tag us on social media @BionicBasil.

Don't furget to check our yearly Halloween tradition of Spooky Story Time tomorrow in a **Brand New** B Team adventure called **Claws of Terror**, as we know mew won't want to miss that! MOL 

Spooky purrs

MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team 

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another post!

Disclaimer:

We at BionicBasil HQ are not responsible or liable for 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.

Graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com 

Music used under license from SoundStripe. Track:Rave Kids Artist: PALA   

**NATIONAL CRAFTS FOR YOUR SHELTERS DAY** Crafting with Cats ~ How We Made Supurr Easy Catnip Cushions Using Fabric Scraps

Welcome to another 

NATIONAL CRAFTS FOR YOUR SHELTERS DAY

It's Day Three of our Annual Craft Fest for National Crafting for Your Shelters Day, and today we're finishing with a brand new project.

If mew're thinking of making things for your local shelter, we have projects to suit all crafting levels and no-sew ideas too, for those who aren't into sewing or just don't like it! MOL

If mew missed our two previous posts here are the links:

Craft Fest Day One ~ Funky Grass Pots (no sew)

Craft Fest Day Two ~ Mini Cardboard Scratcher (no sew)

SO LET'S CRAFT ON

Supurr Easy Catnip Cushions

Mew know how we like to upcycle, recycle and use stuff we already have to make new things, so everything we used today was already kicking about the craft room.

And if mew don't have any spare fabric or scraps, mew could always use an old item of cotton clothing that purrhaps mew were thinking of donating to a charity shop or clothing bank. Using old clothing to make new things is a great idea, especially if mew love the fabric.

What We Used:

Fabric Scraps

Wadding/Stuffing Scraps

Catnip (Homegrown organic)

Sewing machine

Thread
 

  Scissors 

Iron + Ironing Board

>^.^<

Optional Craft Room Snoopervisor

 

Today Pandora was in charge of the craft room!

*    *    *

Let's Begin

1. We used a couple of off-cuts from some fat quarters. (Approx 20" x 7" or 50 cm x 17.8 cm)

2. After pressing we laid them flat, to gauge how many cushions we could make.

3. Folding in half, we cut down the fold.

4. Fold again and we cut along the fold, so we had enough for 4 x cushions.

5. Pandora had to sign off on the sizes at this point! MOL 

6.  We decided to make our cushions with a different design on each side.

7. & 8. Pin the right sides together. And sew around the edge using a straight stitch. Remembering to leave a gap of approx 2" or 5 cm for the stuffing and catnip.

9. Mew can't really see, but these are all stitched.

10. & 11. Snip the corners off at an angle. And trim any excess fabric from the seam edge.

12. Turn right sides out and they should look like this after a quick press with the iron.

13. Next top stitch around the edge of the fabric, remember to leave the gap open.

14. & 15. & 16. Then take your wadding plus catnip and stuff your cushions. We used a wooden chopstick to push the wadding in the corners.

17. Once they are filled to your total catisfaction, they should look like this.

18. Next, top stitch the gap shut.

19. & 20. And now mew have 4 supurr epic catnip cushions which measure approx  5" x 6.5"  or 12.7 x 16.50 cm (depending on how big your seams are if mew used similar size fabrics scraps to us).

Let's See If The B Team Gave Them The Paw Print of Approval

And surprise, surprise, look who claimed them all! MOL

Watch the video:

Direct link to watch on YouTube - Click Here.

Fudge took ownership of all the catnip cushions for the video, but Melvyn, Smooch and Parsley did get to try them out later!

They all said, "The catnip cushions were epically epic!"

Now we'll make some more and send them to a local cat shelter, well we can't send those as they've been slobbered on! MOL

And that furiends furry sadly brings us to the end of our mini craft-fest, we do hope mew enjoyed it and we'll be back tomorrow with our usual selfies post and new UK Travel destination, so we do hope you can join us, until then...

Keep calm and craft on

Epically crafty purrs

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team

If mew missed any of our previous crafting posts, visit our dedicated crafting page: 

Crafting with Cats

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. Be super careful if you're using cutting tools, take your time and always cut away from yourself and we do recommend that you wear some special cut-resistant gloves like this: Cut Resistant Gloves for Safety. these are just an example we found on Amazon and this is not an affiliate link. This project is not suitable for younger readers without parental/adult help. 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.  

Graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com    Paid Music Licence Soundstripe   Artist: Revielle - Track: You Got This