**VALENTINE'S CRAFTING RE-RUN**PART 1** 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 a couple of weeks away, so if mew want to make anything we share 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.

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**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 

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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

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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 if there's anything mew'd like us to make, leave a comment.  

Epically crafty purrs and don't forget to...

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  

**BRAND NEW PROJECT** Spooky Crafting With Cats ~ Part 32 ~ Halloween Special ~ How We Made The Supurr Fun Magic* Pumpkin Catnip Wand

Supurr Spooky Greetings Pawesome Pals

Thanks for joining us for a brand new Halloween Crafting with Cats post. 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 

Part Four ~ Gordon the Ghost Spooktacular Meowoleen Snuggle Mat

Part Five ~ The Trick or Treat Halloween Monster Truck aka MOG1

Part Six  ~ The Epic Two-in-One Cat Scratcher

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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®

The Magic* Pumpkin Catnip Wand

 Isn't it epic?

*It's magic because it's got oodles of catnip inside! MOL MOL

What We Used:

Orange faux fur fabric

Non Toxic glue + Glue gun

String

Green feathers

Tinkly bell

Wooden dowel

Catnip 

Stuffing or wadding

Needle ~ Thread ~ Scissors ~ Sticky Tape ~ Optional Sewing Machine

Today's project was made with supplies we already had in the craft room.

Let's Get Started 

1. We used some leftover fabric and other supplies in the craft room.

2.  We cut a circle for our pumpkin in the orange faux fur about 7.5" or just under 17 cm in diameter. (We used a 5L paint can to draw around!!! MOL)

3. Next, we cut three lengths of string as 48" or 108 cm.

4. Tying a knot to join them together.

5. & 6. & 7.  Taping the string to the table, we plaited the three lengths together. We only did this because the sting was very thin and wouldn't have lasted two minutes with our claws. But if mew have a thicker string or twine, then mew can skip these steps.

8.  Place the string in the centre of the faux fur on the inside.

9.  Stitch the string to the faux fur. The reason we did this is because most wand toys detach too easily, so we're trying to mitigate that.

10.  And for extra security, we added a blob of hot glue.

11.  Then, we did a simple running stitch all the way around the edge of the faux fur. Leaving the needle attached to the thread as it's needed later on. So, don't snip anything yet!

12.  Gently pull the stitches so the pumpkin shape begins to form. **Make sure the end of the thread is secure before pulling the stitches. Otherwise, mew will just pull all the thread out.

13. & 14. The fun part!!! MOL   

Add as much catnip as mew want to the pumpkin, and then use some wadding to fill the rest to the top.

15.  Pull the stitches tighter so it's almost a fully formed pumpkin. Next, take the feathers and test them in situ for the right aesthetic.

16.  And then, using more hot glue, dab a little on the bottom of each feather and stick them into the top of the pumpkin. 

17. & 18. While the feathers are drying. Take the other end of the string and, using more hot glue, begin to secure the string to the end of the wand, wrapping it tightly and glueing it down as mew go until it reaches the bottom of the wooden dowel.

19.  Back to the top of the pumpkin. Pull the thread as tight as it will go and stitch the opening closed, making sure to secure the feathers as well. Then we used a small bell from another toy Melvyn recently destroyed in between the feathers. 

20.  Finally, using a little square of orange felt, we cut enough to make an end cap.

21. & 22. & 23.  Check that the felt is big enough to overlap the dowel and fold in half, then stitch either by hand or on a sewing machine across one end and down the side. Place a tiny blob of glue on the end of the wand, then push the wand into the end cap. 

24. And voila, mew should have a really nifty, supurr fun pumpkin wand toy.

And there mew have it, only 24 easy peasy, supurr simple steps to making your very own  Magic* Pumpkin Catnip Wand! MOL 

It took just under an hour to make, so not that long, and that's us making something that we had no clue about when we walked into the craft room and pondered over the supplies we had in stock, so it should take mew much less time.

Let's see what Melvyn and Fudge Thought.

Smooch and Parsley were snoozing while these two heathens had some fun!

Watch our video on YouTube.

Direct YouTube link

Yes, they are loving it. Smooch did appear to investigate and was horrified to learn that it had been slobbered all over and promptly harumphed and stalked off in a huff, shouting at the P.A., "Mew'd better make me one all for myself!"

And before mew say a word, we know the pumpkin is too big to flick around, but it was more of a 'chase me' toy, as the P.A. wanted something that Melvyn couldn't kill and decimate totally in under three seconds. So far, the pumpkin has survived being severely stalked, pounced on, repeatedly pursued and kicked to fluff over the last few days.

But, the good news is, mew can always make the pumpkin any size mew want; a gold ball size would be purrfect for flicking.

PURRLEASE NOTE

HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTICE

Just before we go, we must say,

 NEVER EVER EVER 

...leave your kitty unattended with: 

wand toys, teaser toys or any toys which could be a potential hazard

When we're finished playing, we always make certain that any ribbons or string are wrapped around the handle before being put away in the toy box until next time.

And that furiends furry sadly brings us to the end of our 32nd Crafting with Cats post. We do hope mew enjoyed it, and if mew decide to make your furry own Magic* Pumpkin Catnip Wand tag us on social media @BionicBasil.

Don't forget to check out our yearly Halloween tradition of Spooky Story Time on Purrsday in a **Brand New** B Team adventure called **The Purrminator**, as we know mew won't want to miss that! MOL  And we'll see mew bright and breezy on the morrow with a spooky Midweek News Round Up!

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: Jackolantern Jive   Artist: Lunareh 

**Spooky Crafting With Cats** **RERUN ~ PART ONE** How We Made Primo Nip Cat Toys featuring Bertie the Bat, Yummy Plumpkin Tartes and the Purple Peril Kicker

Welcome to

Supurr Spooky Greetings Pawesome Pals

Thanks for joining us for our supurr spooking Halloween Crafting with Cats rerun. Mew know we have so much fun making all this stuff, and we hope mew enjoy seeing it and/or making it too! 

*    *    *

**Purrlease Note**

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

Copyright ©BionicBasil 

This time we're making these pawesome 
Primo Nip Toys!

What We Used:

Felt squares
Ribbon
Floof 
Needle and Thread
Sewing machine - optional
Stuffing/wadding
Primo Catnip - lots of 
2 x small pom poms
White embroidery thread

FYI: As the there was a big jar of catnip in the craft room the P.A. actually banned us during the construction phase for her own sanity! MOL

Bertie the Bat

1.  Cut out a simple pattern
2. Place on felt
3. Trace shape
4. Cut out two pieces

5. Sew pieces together, either by hand or on machine, leaving a small gap.
6. Get stuffing ready
7. And the catnip
8. Stuff Bert and sew up the gap

9. Use remaining felt 
10.  Trace wing pattern
11. Cut out one piece
12. Fold top edge of wings in centre

13. Tack the folds together

14. Attach to Berts back.

15. Bert should now look something like this

16. Cut out eyes and fangs and hand sew 

17. Take white embroidery thread and hand stitch the mouth and then securely sew on black pom poms for his eyes

18. Bertie the Bat is ALIVE!!!! 

Purple Peril Kicker Toy

1. Cut out the size mew want

2. Fold and sew up two edges

3. Turn right way out and stuff with wadding and catnip

4. Add the floof and ribbons to top edge, tack in place

5. Stitch securely along the top edge to fully secure ribbons and floof

6. And your finished kicker toy should look something like this

Yummy Plumpkin Tartes    

1. Mark the size plumpkin mew want on the felt

2. Cut out four pieces

3. Cut wadding slightly smaller add catnip

4. It should now look like a biscuit  

5. Pin all pieces together and sew edges

6. It should now look like this

7. Cut out leaf shapes and hand stitch to plumpkin

8. Your finished yummy plumpkin tartes should look something like this

Mew should now have some cute toys that look like these and it shouldn't take more than an hour to make them all

Mew may be wondering why the P.A. didn't glue things on... well, she said, and I quote. 

"Even though the glue I use is non toxic, I prefer to sew the smaller items like eyes, fangs and pom poms on by hand as there is less chance of them becoming detached due to vigorous play - I also wouldn't recommend using those plastic stick-on boggle eyes or the like as they could come off and be a choking hazard. I also recommend that you do a toy check regularly and throw away anything that is coming apart, is fraying or has any loose components."    

Ohhh that was good advice from the P.A. - Thank mew! MOL 

Now the really fun part...

In the testing lab

Smooch did get all of the toys while I went and had a little snack... but then I came back and ruined everything! MOL

As mew can see we were best purrleased with the new toys, we have more videos but this post is long enough! MOL



And that furriends furry sadly brings us to the end of our first Halloween Rerun post, we do hope mew liked it and feel free to post your pawesome crafty pics on our Facebook page at:

Bionic Basil & The B Team @Facebook

We'll be back on the morrow with Amber's first book review of the new season, and her confession as to why she was falling off a dragon!!!! Yep, that really happened...

Spooky purrs

MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA

Wing Commander Basil and The B Team

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 and www.pizap.com