Friday, December 10, 2021

Foster Kitten Friday - Milestones

It was a little over six months ago when the Duck Tales Gang - Huey, Dewey, and Louie - had started out with a good week. They were hitting some milestones like moving into the pop ups and getting big enough for supervised play on the couch. But the fun ended when they were found to have ringworm and had to be isolated for the next several weeks. And I learned all about foster home biosecurity. 

It was also the week I was bragging about my Etsy shop taking off with me having sewn (and sold) 800 vaccination card holders. With my sales now approaching 4,000 I am reminded how much things change. And how much they remain the same.

Mr. Hans Solo/Mr. Milestone, what a guy you are becoming. For those who don't know, when he came into Simply Cats just three weeks ago he was cold, dirty, underweight, dehydrated, with low blood sugar and infected eyes. 

Poor Hans Solo 3 weeks ago.
Photo credit: Simply Cats

Two of his siblings were with me, but despite all our efforts – medications, IVs, tube feedings, glucose, and an incubator - they were so sick they didn’t make it. But by some miracle Hans Solo did.

With him being so much smaller than he should have been, the developmental milestones you would expect from a kitten were a bit off. But boy, the boy is making up for it now. This week was an exciting one for the little fella.

He learned the ways of Spiderman and climbed out of the pop up pens. 


He also learned he has one entire room of the tent devoted to a litter box. Let me tell ya, the boy knows how to use it.  (I'll spare you that picture.)

He got his first crack at supervised play on the couch. He learned how to be a mountain goat, climbing up and down the cushions.
He also practiced being a race horse, running back and forth from end to end. He then, of course, had to strut to show us what a beautiful breed he was.
He even found time to be a flamingo. Or maybe an ostrich?
Wait, this isn't sand?!
This is the week he started transitioning from formula to gruel. It's a mixture of jarred baby food, canned cat food, and kitten formula and gets him ready for real cat food. Gruel needs to be introduced slowly so his system has a chance to get used to the new stuff. But it can sometimes be confusing going back and forth between the two.
What? This was straight formula?
Look at the mess you made me make!
And now you're making me messy with gruel?
I'm so confused!
Fine, I'll use my own tongue to clean it up!
Delayed milestones? No need to worry about this dude!
See my beautiful paws? Don't you just want to take me home?
Can't have me yet. But soon, I promise.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Quick and Easy Mitered Binding - Tutorial Tuesday

For today's Tutorial Tuesday we'll be learning a simple technique for mitering corners when sewing and quilting. Sure, you can purchase a mitering tool like this one, but if you prefer the DIY method, here's the way I've been doing it when doing the fold-over binding method.

Note: For this example, 1" of my backing is showing so I'm marking 1" from the corner. If the backing is 2" I would measure 2", if 3" of the backing was showing I would measure 3" from the corner, etc.

•Measure 1” away from each corner and mark. Draw a straight line to connect the marks. Cut on the line.

•Fold the raw edge corner over the corner of the batting and front fabric. Press. 

•Fold one of the sides so the raw edge of the fabric meets the raw edge of the batting and press. 

•Fold the backing over one more time so it becomes the binding on the front. Press.

•Fold the other side in so the raw edge of the fabric meets the raw edge of the batting and press. 

•Fold the backing fabric over one more time on one side and press. Adjust your corner as needed.

That's it. Easy peasy!

Monday, December 6, 2021

Make Your Own Fabric Christmas Light Bulb Bunting - A Quick and Easy DIY Garland Project

Today we're making another garland, a Christmas light bulb one! It's another quick and easy handmade sewing project to get your home ready for the Christmas holiday. This bunting is great way to decorate your tree, mantel, wall, or anywhere else in your home you'd like to add a pop of color. You could even use the Christmas lights as handmade Christmas tree ornaments! This DIY holiday sewing project is a great one for beginners, too. 

Handmade Christmas light bulb fabric garland and bunting
For this project you will need:
• fabric for the light bulbs
• fabric for the light bulb tops
• jute or twine
• fabric clips or pins
• iron 
• always helpful for sewing: scissors, rotary cutter, cutting ruler, cutting mat 

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.

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, light bulb template, and link to the video tutorial to make a 8’-9’ long bunting with 20-24 fabric Christmas light bulbs each measuring approximately 2½" x 4".  It's an instant digital download pattern so you can start on your project right away.

Looking for a different holiday bunting? Check out some of my others!


Or just hang with us as we make the Christmas light bulb bunting:

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Make a Cute Snowman Potholder for Christmas - An Appliquéd and Quilted Kitchen Sewing Project

Make your holiday and winter baking feel more festive by making your very own cute snowman potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's step-by-step tutorial. It's a fun project for your Christmas kitchen decor, and since it's a snowman you can continue to use him for your baking and cooking throughout the winter. We're both appliquéing and quilting with this sewing project.

applique and quilted snowman potholder, hot pad, trivet

For this project you will need:
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.


The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable snowman 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 snowman potholder:

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Make a Fabric Pinwheel Christmas Tree Ornament - A No-Sew DIY Holiday Project

If you're looking for unique handmade Christmas tree ornament sewing or crafting project ideas, check out this fabric pinwheel Christmas tree ornament project and tutorial. Learn how to make your own homemade pinwheel fabric tree decoration with fusible fleece and hot glue. It's an easy (and cute) DIY no-sew Christmas tree ornament holiday project you can make in minutes!
fabric pinwheel Christmas tree ornament no-sew
For this project you will need:
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.

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, pinwheel cutting template, and link to the video tutorial to make a 6" fabric pinwheel Christmas tree ornament. It's an instant digital download pattern so you can start on your project right away.

Or just hang out with us as we make the pinwheel tree decoration:
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