Fun Holiday Craft

As Christmas fast approaches, we all have our trees up, the decorations around the house and maybe some presents wrapped. Almost ready to breath a sigh of relief and relax.

But for those of you who love your cat (or your dog) and would love to have a forever keepsake of them, I've come across a wonderful product. Its "Sculpey Keepsake Pawprint Clay Ornament Kit". It includes the clay, a ring to shape the clay in, a roller, a tool for engraving, and a ribbon to hang it. The kit costs just under $5 at JoAnn's where I purchased mine. However, I was unable to locate the same product online. There are a few online stores that carry it if you aren't near a JoAnn's location, or they no longer have any, however, many of them are at a higher cost.

Sculpey Keepsake Clay Ornament Kits: Pawprint Ornament Kit

The whole project takes about... 45 minutes. You start with 2 minutes of kneading the clay, then it takes about 5 minutes to shape it into the circle. Once shaped you have to just make sure to wipe any dirt off your kitty's foot and then dry it. The next step, depending on your cat's temperament will vary. You just have to take their foot and press it down into the clay, making sure to press down on each toe. Don't worry, they clay shouldn't stick to their fur. Also because cats tend to have smaller feet (or even bigger feet like Smokey) you should be able to get both of their feet on your ornament. Now that you have it made, you just pop it in the oven at 275degrees for about 25-30 minutes. Once its cooled, add the ribbon and you've got a wonderful ornament to keep forever.

 Now, you could probably make these as well with any other light weight clay, such as a paper clay. Its easy to work with and air drys, so there is no baking involved. For the circular shape you could easily use a cookie cutter, or make a frame from cardboard.  To add the holes, just use a chopstick, which could also be used for adding a name.

Smokey's 6 Toed Paws

For Crocheters/Knitters:

This is a little project I did just being in a the holiday spirit and just because I enjoy putting Smokey in cute things sometimes. Its a crocheted jingle bell collar-scarf. Made thick to keep kitty's neck warm in the cooler nights of the winter season. Now this one is done in red and green, but any colors can be used to fit your particular holiday, or for any occasion.

Now as any good cat lover knows, no two cats are the same. So I can't give a precise number for anything on this patter, because all kitties have very different necks. However, as a base, this was my formula:

Measure your cat's neck- Smokey's is about 13in.

Add about 2in to this for a comfort fit.

Use size 7 hook

1st: Chain 51 (4st= 1in)

2nd: Row 1 begin with single crochet in every chain stitch

3rd: Row 2 turn and do 51 single crochets in every single crochet

4th: Row 3- continue with this pattern till you have 12 rows (or until desired thickness)

       If changing colors: I've done 3 red, 6 green and then 3 red. However, your color choices can be      whichever you choose.

Once you've reached the end, tie it off, and weave the remaining yarn into what will be the inside of the collar.

Now you will need an embroidery needle to stitch the two ends of your collar together. Or you can attach hook and eye closures, if you have a cat that doesn't like things slipped over their head. However for adding the bells, you will need a smaller needle, as the eye of the large ones will not fit through the loop on the bell.

Smokey enjoying his warm collar

Hope you all enjoy these little fun, quick holiday crafts. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa.

Tut-Tut It Looks Like Holidays

With the holidays all around, life gets a bit hectic! Cooking big meals, visiting family, wrapping gifts, you name it! Which leaves little time to get holiday cards complete. Smokey never rests though (don't mistake his 14 hours a day of naps for resting), and so ideas have been flying. He's also been busy wrapping presents, those thumbs come in handy.

We've even got an old Thanksgiving Card, that we never got around to finishing. Smokey informed me that not too many people send out cards on Thanksgiving as it was, so no one would really notice if I didn't.

 

But Thanksgiving has long since passed, its hard to imagine how time has flown by! We've been busy here in the Smokey house every day trying to stay more on top of this holiday than the last one. Especially since we've got family coming to visit (and maybe a dog, but I haven't let Smokey know that just yet). Now while coming up with an idea for a Thanksgiving card was a bit of a toughie, Christmas was much easier. This is Smokey's favorite holiday! As soon as the tree goes up, he sits under it and waits for the presents to show up so he can start up wrapping them. Digging into a great big bag of wrapping is his specialty.He also enjoys sleeping in his (rather large dog) bed in front of a nice warm fire. 

 Who ever said the holidays weren't exhausting on our pets too?

Oh Halloween

Smokey ended up taking his trip to the PetCo the other day for the costume contest. Although he was not dressed as a pumpkin, at the last minute I was unable to locate the fabric (I'm convinced he'd hidden it). So I was forced to improvise and with some help from my mom (as I'm not much of a seamstress), we made him into 'Halloween Night.'
Of course once we got there, Smokey was his charming self, everyone wanted to pet him and he didn't mind a bit. No one had a bad word to offer, just lots of oogling and awing over how cute he was with his hat on. Although he was the only cat that showed up (along with about 13 dogs and 3 guinea pigs), he didn't win (had it been audience choice, I think he would have). Although one of the guinea pigs (Jake dressed as a commando) won 3rd place.

Speaking of this spooky holiday, with its arrival, I had a chance to complete the first in my line of Smokey Creations greeting cards. Usually when I begin working on something, any project really, I'll make sketches before hand, trying out several different ideas. This card however came to me pretty quickly and there wasn't much of a before hand process.

My original idea varied slightly from the one you see below, but with a few changes, I think it has a much more appealing look. And here you can see how my process went from a sketch, to the finished card.

Original Sketch

Finished Card

What A Cat!

Went to the CVS today to get some pictures printed of Smokey to hang up at the house. Now like any good parent, I never boast about my cat, unless otherwise prompted to. After the pictures came out, the lady ringing me up just had to look at them, so I was more than happy to share. Mostly the lady was taken by his paws. Big paws for a big cat.

I guess you could say today was his 'preview' day out. Tomorrow one of the pet stores is having a Howel-o-ween costume contest for the pets. So I've decided to dress up my little fluffy and take him down. I mean, who can resist those eyes? The only downside is I haven't yet made his costume! He's going to be going as a pumpkin, which shouldn't be too hard to whip up first thing in the morning. The contest starts at 2PM, let's hope he can make it on time, otherwise I'm defaulting to plan B, he's going to be a cat.

Cat Influence

Growing up I've always had cats, I think at this point I've had at least 16 cats. A lot of people (mostly those who've never had the privilege of being owned by a cat) might think that, well a cat's a cat right? But they aren't every cat has its own and very different personality. I don't think any of my cats have ever been the same, which is great. each and every one of them has brought a new something to my life. And although at this point in my life, all but one of my cats is still around, he has proven to be the most influential not only on me, but on my art.

B&W of Smokey, published in the local paper.

Although through my time in college, my art hardly ever reflected my beloved Smokey, it was never hard to spot a doodle of him on a page of notes, in the corner of a sketch book, or find pictures of him around my apartment. Now home, and spending all my time around him, it seems he is the only thing I find myself drawing, be it small cartoon doodles, or quick realistic sketches. it would seem I've caught Smokey fever. But honestly who wouldn't? This cat is full of personality and spunk, although watching him sleep 85% of the day one might not think so.


I knew when Smokey was born he was going to be a special cat. His mother had had a previous litter of kittens (3) of which all were girls, and then she had his litter (6). Out of the 9 kittens, he was the only boy, what are the odds? On top of it, he inherited his mother's 6 toes, giving him a very distinctive look, not to mention the ability to open cabinets and the occasional door.

Smokey (very top) and his 5 sisters at about 3wks old.

Thinking back now, its hard to imagine Smokey every being so small, as it was nearly 10 years ago. How time does fly. Who would have imagined that back then he would be such an influence on my work? I'm now creating a line of "products" which will be titled Smokey Creations, all of which will bare his image. All though I expect it to be a long process, I know it will be one I shall enjoy.