Foster Kitten Friday - The Holiday Dilemma

It was exactly three years ago on this date when we were boarding the Grand Princess cruise ship to finish off our very long year of travel. Knowing we'd be arriving back home on Christmas Eve we decided to skip putting up a Christmas tree.

Two years ago there was no tree because we were finishing up yet another big trip in December. Then last Christmas? We had the Wild West Gang, and with Mama Kate and four little kitties who would have too much fun with a tree, we skipped it yet again.

So this was going to be the year of the Christmas tree.

Until my three teeny tiny sick foster kitties showed up. Unfortunately two didn't make it, but one did. And this week I almost got a number two! A potential mama cat to adopt an in-need-of-a-mama baby. She was beautiful and sweet and loving. To me, at least.

Such a beauty!

But to little Hans Solo? She hissed. And hissed. And swatted at him. And hissed again. Even with the gradual introduction techniques we found nothing but hissing and swatting. So our household went back to just the solo Hans Solo. And we had a holiday dilemma. 

Christmas tree or no Christmas tree?

Well, the space where a tree should be right now has a little baby kitten who is exploring his own two room tent. (It's really two pop up pens I've connected together.) 

Let a kitten go camping or put up a Christmas tree? 
It was an easy decision this year.

After struggling to get healthy, little Hans Solo is on his way to being a big strong boy. He's already trying to find a way to make a prison break.

So if I chew through these clips I can 
get out, right?

He runs from pen to pen, back and forth and back and forth. It's so exciting to see him get those little legs moving. When he can't run anymore, he picks a place to curl up - or spread out - and sleep.

Yes, I can sleep anywhere. No need to be jealous.

Not surprisingly he even seems to think a lap is a good place to plant himself for a little nap, too. 

Yawwnn...

It's not all sleeping and running for him, either. Playing with toys? He's working on it.

Learning to balance on my back legs is hard!

Even without a cat mama and just a human mama, he's learning to clean himself.

Remind me what I'm supposed to do with my tongue?

Clean the blanket? No?

I remember now. I'm supposed to clean myself!

From where he started to where he is now, this foster parent couldn't be more proud of him. 

I, Hans Solo, designate today as Show-Off-My-Belly Day.

I'm happy to say he's the only Christmas decoration I need.

I definitely deserve to be someone's present this year.
Tree or no tree.

Make Your Own Snowman Mug Rug with Napkin Pocket - A Christmas Sewing Project Tutorial

In today's tutorial we're making another Christmas project to brighten up your holiday home or coffee, tea, and snack time. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted snowman mug rug / snack mat / mini placemat.  The snack mat measures approximately 8 ½” x 12” and you'll even get the directions on how to make the cute little 7" x 7" reversible cloth napkin! Keep it at home to decorate your table, take it to work to make your lunchtime feel even more festive, send it in your child's lunchbox, or use it for a handmade Christmas gift. And since it's a snowman you can use it all winter long!

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front and back
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• snowman templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable snowman template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin. 

And check out my other holiday mug rugs/snack mats:

Remember to watch how we make the quilted snowman snack mat...

Make Your Own Christmas Countdown Chain - An Easy-to-Sew Advent Calendar Project

Looking for a simple DIY advent calendar for your Christmas holidays? Remember those Christmas countdown chains from when you were a kid? Those where you tore off a link each day until Christmas? Well, here's an idea for a fabric sewing project version of that chain. Fabric strips, Velcro, and your standard sewing supplies is all it takes for you to be able to use this countdown-to-Christmas fabric chain garland. A great sewing project for beginners, too!

For this project you will need:

• fabric strips
• hook and loop tape
• iron and ironing board
• sewing machine and matching thread
• scissors or rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, and link to the video tutorial to make a Christmas countdown chain. 

Looking for more fun Christmas projects?

Check out some of my other patterns and tutorials!

Or just hang out with us as we make the countdown chain:

Make an Appliquéd Red Cardinal Potholder - A Holiday Quilted Kitchen Sewing Project

Today we're making another Christmas project to brighten up your holiday kitchen. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted red cardinal potholder. Make your holiday and winter baking feel more festive by making your very own cute cardinal potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's step-by-step tutorial.

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front and back
• cotton batting or Insul-Bright
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• optional tear away stabilizer
• cardinal templates from pattern

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a potholder, trivet, or hot pad measuring approximately 9" x 9". Instructions for an optional hanging loop included.

Looking for more potholders, hot pads, and trivets? Check out some of my other project patterns available:

Otherwise, watch as we make the red cardinal potholder:

Make Your Own Bright Red Cardinal Mug Rug - An Appliquéd and Quilted Sewing Project Tutorial

I'm back today with another mug rug, snack mat, or mini placemat project for the Christmas holiday. Brighten up your holiday or winter coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or snack time with this cute bright red cardinal sewing project. You'll use your own fabric scraps to appliqué the cardinal, make a pocket for a napkin, and even learn how to make the reversible cloth napkin. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond Lite
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• cardinal templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the written version of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable cardinal template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin.  It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.

Looking for more snack mat, mug rug, or mini placemat patterns? Check out some other projects: 

Otherwise, check out our cardinal mug rug!

Make a Christmas Advent Calendar - A Cute Christmas Bunting with Pockets Sewing Project

I'm back today with another Christmas sewing project! Decorate your home for the holidays while you countdown to Christmas Day with your own handmade Christmas advent calendar. It’s a fabric bunting version with pockets for goodies and treats. You can make the garland all one length to fill a large space, or divide it half and use it to decorate a smaller space. Then stuff those generously sized 3 1/2” pockets with all kinds of fun surprises to discover as you work your way towards Christmas Day!

For this project you will need:

• main fabrics and lining fabric
• fabric scraps for the numbers
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• stick on felt numbers OR
• glue stick, scissors, printable number template, and paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond Ultra Hold No Sew

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable number template to make a hanging bunting Christmas advent calendar.

Looking for other holiday and seasonal buntings? Check out some of my other popular patterns!

Or just join us as we make the advent bunting:

Foster Kitten Friday - The Travel Kit

As I've written before, since we frequently take our trips last minute we keep a container of our must-haves ready to go. Things like medications, toiletries, first aid supplies, fabric freshener and ziplock bags are in there. When things go on sale (powder, deodorant, toothpaste, whatever) I buy several to fill up the bucket. That way when we are ready to hit the road or sail the seas we just go "shopping" in our bucket. As we haven't been traveling since COVID our bucket is full. But this week I got to go shopping in the bucket. 

For a toothbrush.

Part of being a foster parent to a newborn kitten is to be, well, a parent. You feed them, keep them warm, and clean up what comes out of their bums. But baby kittens get something else from the mama cat. Licks from mama's tongue. With my little Hans Solo being all alone without his mama, and with his siblings having not made it, we use something else to mimic the feel of a tongue on his fur.

My ready-to-travel but can't-travel-yet toothbrush from the bucket.

This week has been a week of bonding over that silly toothbrush. And bonding over food. And over helping him pee and poo (and cleaning up afterwards). It has been a week where his eyes are looking clearer and his vision is getting better. I've learned he's a ham, and I have the pictures to prove it.

Chillin' with the tongue toothbrush.

Yum, yum, yum.

Yes, I have a tongue and I will soon know how to use it.

Is this how you play hide and go seek?

Just call me Ol' Blue Eyes.
Better get a good look because they won't always be that color.

Time to eat? Yes, ma'am!

Where are you going foster mama?

It has been a fun week getting to know this little guy. Next week we may have some exciting news for him, and it doesn't include a travel toothbrush.

Make Your Own Appliquéd and Quilted Christmas Tree Mug Rug with Pocket for the Holidays

Here's another way to make your Christmas holiday coffee, tea, and snack time more fun. This time is Christmas trees mini placemat. You'll be able to make your own appliquéd and quilted Christmas trees snack mat / mug rug / coaster with a pocket for a napkin and cutlery (or a snack) with this fun project. The snack mat measures approximately 8 ½” x 12” and you'll even get the directions on how to make the cute little 7" x 7" reversible cloth napkin! Keep it at home to decorate your table, take it to work to make your lunchtime feel even more festive, send it in your child's lunchbox, or use it for a handmade Christmas gift. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• tree templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable trees template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin. 

Looking for other holiday mug rugs/snack mats? Check out these other projects!

Or just join us as we make the appliquéd Christmas trees project:

Make a Santa Potholder for Your Christmas Baking - A Cute Christmas Kitchen Sewing Project

Today we're working with a Santa Claus sewing project again. This time it's an appliquéd and quilted Santa potholder! Brighten up your kitchen and make your holiday baking feel more festive by making your very own Kris Kringle potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's tutorial.

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front and back
• cotton batting or Insul-Bright
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• santa templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable Santa template to make a potholder, trivet, or hot pad measuring approximately 9" x 9". Instructions for an optional hanging loop included.

Looking for other holiday potholders? Check out these other projects!

And watch the Santa potholder project tutorial right here: