Sewing Pattern Downloads with Directions, Photos, and Video Links

You've come to rely on Deb's Days for new sewing tutorial videos each week and now I'm excited to announce I'm adding yet another way for you to access the sewing projects. It's something you've been asking for - digital downloads of the projects.

Update: All written patterns with step-by-step directions, color photos, printable templates, and video tutorial links have been moved to my Etsy shop, DebsDaysDesigns.

Essential Supplies for Keeping Foster Kittens Warm and Comfortable - Foster Kitten Friday

After having spent several years fostering young kittens, there are some supplies I've come to rely on time and time again. From food to litter and bedding to toys, check out some of those important supplies you'll need when you welcome the little foster kittens into your home.

Today we're talking about those supplies to help keep the baby kitties warm and comfortable.

I've added links to Amazon so you can see photos and prices of the different products. I am a participant in their affiliate advertising program so if you make a purchase through my link I will earn a small commission. The purchase helps support me in purchasing replacement products for each year's foster kitties. I buy most all of my supplies from Amazon, but do get your supplies wherever is cheapest and easiest for you!

Check out the adventures of some of my most recent foster kitties here. You'll see them as they work towards growing up big and strong. And bonus - you'll find plenty of cute kitty cat photos!

Supplies for Keeping Foster Kittens Warm and Comfortable

• It isn't until about five weeks of age when baby kittens can regulate their own body temperature. Up to then, foster parents will need to provide a heat source for the babies. My preference is the Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad, a round disc you warm in the microwave. Check out my step-by-step tutorial for how to make extra covers for it right here.
• Snuggle Kitty, a stuffed animal with a pulsating heartbeat, gets placed in the same area. It comforts kitties who are missing their mama. 
• I use a couple different types of beds for the foster kittens. Some of the babes prefer to climb deep into the soft and plush cuddle cave. Other kitties like the plush open bed instead. 

Wyatt, my foster kitten born with no back feet,
 slept wherever was easier to get to.

• Pop up playpens keep kittens contained in the early stages when they need just a little space to roam. I've found connecting two playpens works even better as I can have a separate litter box room for them. There are several different types out there, but I really love my Jespet popups because they are bigger, sturdier, and easier to clean than some of the others.

It's a two room kitty cat camping tent!

• A clear playpen with connecting plastic panels is another good option. It gives the little ones space while you can see exactly what's going on. And believe me, you'll want to know.
• Blankets, blankets, blankets. You may have to wash kitty blankets every single day (sometimes more than once a day) so it's nice to have plenty of extras around  - fuzzy warm blankets, fleece blankets (I have a no-sew fleece blanket tutorial right here), and even receiving blankets. Yep, receiving blankets. There may be times you need to wrap a kitten for bottle feeding or you just might have a hisser/scratcher/lunger who needs to be wrapped to be given medication. 

We had to swaddle Dutton like a baby
to get the eye ointment in those little eyes.

We're not done with supplies yet! Join me in the upcoming weeks for:

Supplies for Keeping Baby Kittens Happy and Healthy
Supplies for Making Your Fostering Job Easier

In case you missed it, check out last week's Essential Supplies Needed for Feeding Bottle Baby Kittens

Easy Homemade Heart and Denim Bookmarks - Tutorial Tuesday

For today's Tutorial Tuesday we are going to learn how to make a super simple and easy homemade heart bookmark from scrap fabric and upcycled denim. This fast and fun DIY project with 3D hearts is a great beginning sewing project and a perfect last minute gift for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.

Looking for more sewing and crafting projects? 

Click here to see all my tutorials!

In addition to your standard sewing supplies, for this project you will need:

• Two pieces of  denim fabric 
• Two pieces of  Heat 'n Bond, a paper backed sewable adhesive
• Two pieces of  red fabric
• One piece of Heat 'n Bond
• A scrap of paper
• Pinking shears
• Scissors
• Iron
• Rotary cutter
• Cutting ruler
• Cutting mat
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread

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.

Now available as a free PDF digital download with the written directions, step-by-step photos, printable templates, and link to the tutorial video. Click to find out more!

Looking for a different bookmark? 

Check out my other bookmark projects!

Otherwise, you can watch the tutorial for making your own homemade quick and easy Valentine's Day denim and heart fabric bookmarks right here:

Sewing Projects for Beginners - Quick and Easy DIY Projects

If you're just learning how to sew here's a great way to practice your sewing skills while making your own quick and easy homemade projects. Learn how to make napkins and bookmarks and gift card holders and more!  These simple DIY project ideas include lots of straight line sewing and the tutorials have clear, step-by-step, how-to directions. Sew an easy and fun project for yourself or your home today in just minutes!

Click below to get started on your next quick and easy sewing project!

Essential Supplies for Feeding Bottle Baby Kittens - Foster Kitten Friday

After having spent several years fostering young kittens, there are some supplies I've come to rely on time and time again. From food to litter and bedding to toys, check out some of those important supplies you'll need when you welcome the little kittens into your home. 

Today we're looking specifically at feeding supplies for bottle baby kittens.

I've added links to Amazon so you can see photos and prices of the different products. I am a participant in their affiliate advertising program so if you make a purchase through my link I will earn a small commission. The purchase helps support me in purchasing replacement products for each year's foster kitties. I buy most all of my supplies from Amazon, but do get your supplies wherever is cheapest and easiest for you!

Check out the adventures of some of my most recent foster kitties here. You'll see them as they work towards growing up big and strong. And bonus - you'll find plenty of cute kitty cat photos!

Supplies for Feeding Bottle Baby Kittens

• Pet-Ag Nursing Kit 2oz Bottle is the only bottle I use for all the bottle babies. It comes with a little tiny bottle brush that makes cleaning the bottles so much easier. 
• The Miracle Nipples are perfect for smallest of the smallest bottle babies like little four ounce Cami and Sami.

• KMR - Kitten Milk Replacer - is an absolute must. It's like baby formula, but for kittens. Cows milk = bad news for baby kitten tummies.
• KMR 2nd Step is another product we use for older kittens who still need a milk replacement.

As we transition bottle babies to soft food, we make a concoction called gruel. For gruel you need:

• A blender/shaker bottle
• KMR 
• Canned cat food
• Jarred baby food (meat flavors)

Rosemary wants you to know
gruel is very messy.

I first try them on a thinner gruel before moving to a thicker version. You may need to try different ways to get the kitties interested in the gruel: 

• Sometimes you need to place it in the Pet-Ag bottle and cut a bigger hole in the nipple and feed them like they were still a bottle baby.
• Sometimes it requires eating off the foster parent's finger.
• Baby spoons can be helpful. 

Parsley likes being spoon fed.

• A very long spoon be really helpful for those kitties who are still scared of people.
• Small plates and shallow bowls are a good next step.
• Double bowls are great - but are better once when they have moved out of the gruel stage. Otherwise they wind up making quite a mess of the bowl - and themselves.

Parsley in her early
eating-gruel-from-a-bowl days.

If the kitties have successfully made their way with the gruel, they can be transitioned to straight canned cat food. If they tolerate the straight canned food, you can transition them yet again to the hard kitten food. Be sure to give their tummies plenty of time before switching over foods.

We're not done with supplies yet! Join me in the upcoming weeks for:

Supplies for Keeping Baby Kittens Warm and Comfortable

Supplies for Keeping Baby Kittens Happy and Healthy

Supplies for Making Your Fostering Job Easier