IKEA STRIKES AGAIN, OR, FROM OLD TO NEW!

Momma Cat has a room in her house that used to belong to her son.  In fact, it still holds many of his belongings! But, Momma and Daddy Cat are going to turn the room into a spare room with a foldout Sofa/bed, so that it's ready for company whenever someone comes for a visit.

The first step was new window treatments.  This is what the old curtains looked like.  Momma Cat made these curtains years ago, and even though they're still good, Momma wanted something new! 

Blue/white cloud curtains

So here's where IKEA comes in!  Momma Cat saw these cat curtains at IKEA and she told Daddy Cat that she wanted to buy them to put in the spare room.  He said okay!  So, here they are!  

 

Cat curtains from IKEA

The next step is to purchase a sleeper sofa, and figure out what to put on the floor.  But for now Momma Cat is happy.  One step closer to the goal!!!

- Momma Cat

COROLLE 11 INCH DOLLS

A long time ago, when Baby Cat was just a little kitten, Momma Cat took her shopping at a great toy store called Imaginarium.  Baby Cat really loved it there because it was a special place with really nice toys, and a tiny door just for small children to walk through! 

One day Baby Cat spied this little doll, and fell in love.  Momma Cat just had to buy it for her.

Baby Cat's first Corolle doll. 

 This doll is made by the Corolle company, based in France. She stands about 11 inches tall, and her body type is that of a toddler.  These particular dolls aren't made anymore, which is too bad, because they're the perfect size for a two or three-year-old child. 

Momma Cat asked Baby Cat what she'd like to name her doll. Baby Cat (2 years old at the time) thought for about a second, then said, "Puku." So Puku it was!  

Puku has been played with, loved, and then displayed.  Baby Cat still has her, and took her with her when she moved away from home! 

 Momma Cat misses Baby Cat an awful lot, and when she moved away, it was very hard!  So when Momma Cat saw this doll on eBay, she bought it!  The little doll reminds Momma Cat of Baby Cat!  She's exactly like Puku in every way.  She doesn't have her original dress, but she does have her socks, shoes, and undies!  Which is very unusual for a used doll! She is in very good shape too.  She has only one tiny spot on her face where the color missing.  But, it's negligible.  

Momma Cat's Puku

 

Last week Momma Cat discovered this little Corolle doll on eBay.  

Another Puku to add to the family!

 

 This little doll is in beautiful shape.  She is clean, has no marks on her, she's wearing her original outfit, which is in great condition.  She is missing her shoes, socks, and underwear.  Momma Cat is already in the process of replacing these.  

Momma Cat was having a very difficult time finding clothing or patterns to fit these little dolls.  Patterns that size just aren't being made currently.  Yesterday Momma Cat happened upon this doll clothes pattern on eBay, so she bought it!

 These clothes look about the right size and age level for these little Corolle dolls.  Now Momma Cat's little dolls will get to have some new clothes!  She can't wait to see how they turn out!  Maybe the original Puku will get a new outfit too!  We'll see...........

A side note:  No matter how hard Momma Cat tries, she can't think of these dolls as anything other than Puku dolls.  Thanks Baby Cat!

- Momma Cat

EXCITING NEW STUFF FROM JOANN FABRIC AND CRAFT STORES!!

Today Momma Cat found some new, really cute things at her JoAnn Fabric and Craft store that she just HAD to share with you!

She was in the Notions Aisle, and saw some really cute hardware for making handbags.  Momma Cat makes a lot of handbags, so these really interested her.

Right there next to the cute hardware were these adorable tags.  Some are metal, some are leather, all are cute!

Dritz Metal and Leather Labels

 The leather labels are one per package.  They metal ones are two to a package.  They are meant to be used on all of your handmade items.  They can be attached with thread, floss, or rivets.  The rivets are right next to them on the Notions Wall display.  

Momma Cat bought two of this one, because she liked the printing on it the best.  Normally they cost $3.99 each. But, today there was a coupon for 50% off on everything on the Notions Wall. So, Momma Cat got hers for half price!    I know, right?!!!😁

They will look so cute on the handbags Momma Cat is making to sell!

The other exciting things Momma Cat found at JoAnn's today were these two adorable t-shirts!  There are several others that are meant for sewers, knitters, and crafters. Momma Cat loved these two the best!  

Momma Cat loves this color!

Momma will be Sew happy to wear this one!

These t-shirts are light-weight, comfortable and they're longer in the back than they are in the front (they look flattering, and they don't ride up)! In the same display with the t-shirts are leggings.  If you're the kind of girl that likes to wear leggings, you will want to get some to go with your new t-shirt!  These shirts are only $14.99, but again, Momma Cat was able to use her 50% off one regular priced item coupons from JoAnn.  So, she got two shirts for the price of one!!!😸 Yay! Momma Cat is soooo smart!!!

 Momma Cat gets coupons any way she can.  She signed up on JoAnn's mailing list, on their texting list, and on their email list.  Daddy Cat gives her coupons that he finds in the Sunday newspaper! They all help when she goes to buy her fabric and notions to make all of her projects!  You can get them too!

- Momma Cat

 

CAT PURSE

This is going to be a lengthy blog post, so grab some coffee or tea before you start to read.  You will thank Momma Cat for this, she promises!

Momma cat purchased this cute pattern from JoAnn Fabric and Crafts several months ago.  It had a cat on it! She just had to buy it!  She really wanted to make the cat purse!

Simplicity #1181, Cat, Fox, Owl, and Dog purses

A long time passed and Momma finally found the time to make her cat purse.  It's a lined bag with two zippers, and a lot of details.  So, it took Momma a few days to make it.  

Basic layout before sewing

 Momma used some velvet upholstery fabric for the body of the purse, and the details are made from marine vinyl.  

She used this wonderful tape to hold the pieces together, instead of pins.  Pins leave unsightly holes in vinyl.  So this tape works really well!  You just don't want to run your needle through it, or it gets gummy!

Perma Stick Tape holds everything in place while you sew!

Here's the Cat's face after all the pieces were sewn onto it. 

Cat's face completed

There's a little mouse detail on the zippered pocket, which is on the back side of the purse.  Here's what the back of the purse looks like with the zippered pocket sewn on.

 
The next step was to start work on the lining.  Momma Cat chose this red w/white cotton, polka dot fabric for her lining.  She wanted the inside to be bright, so that items in the purse would be easier to locate.  Each purse body piece was interfaced and lined before construction began. 

The purse lining with a pocket in the front.

Next, there was the gusset, which has a zipper in the top, and connects to the front and back of the purse.

Purse gusset with zipper.

Next, Momma Cat sewed the purse front to the gusset.
  

After that, Momma Cat sewed on the purse back. She stitched all around the purse's front and back edges to keep them crisp, and then she attached the strap.  Here's the finished purse. 

Momma Cat's finished Cat Purse!

Momma Cat took her finished purse to work today and showed her friends.  Everybody liked it!  What do you think?  Do you like it too?

Momma Cat is already planning her next cat purse.  It will be identical to this purse on the outside, but it'll have a black and white polka print inside!  Momma Cat will post it on her blog as soon as she has it finished!

- Momma Cat

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SNOW

Anyone who lives in or around the Portland area can relate to this blog post.

Remember this scene just a few short months ago?

Our neighbors backyard

Momma Cat's  backyard

 Momma Cat has lived in Portland for her whole life and she doesn't remember ever seeing snow more fantastic than what we got this winter! It was awesome! It was trecherous!  It was a schoolkids dream come true!!

Yesterday, Momma Cat went out into her backyard to see which of her plants made it through the winter, and which ones she will have to replace.  

This is just one small glimpse of her plants that she wanted to share.  

A different kind of snow

Sweet little azalea bush

 As you can see, the plants are doing fine, and so are the weeds!  The "snow" you see in these photos is just one of the many flowering trees shedding some of it's petals on the ground. It's kind of pretty, don't you think?

Now Momma's problem is finding the time, and a dry day to go out and do some necessary gardening!

- Momma Cat

COLORFUL KITCHEN/BAKING STUFF AT JOANN FABRIC AND CRAFT STORES

Look at these colorful and cute items that Momma Cat found at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts.

New Wilton display at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts

Sorry about the blurriness of this photo.  Momma Cat was in the Wilton section of her JoAnn store today and she saw this new display.  Then she started thinking how nice it would be to have a few of these items to brighten up her kitchen!  There are silicone trivets, whisks, spoons, spatulas, etc.  Most of the items come in two different sizes.  So you can pick the one that suits your needs.

It doesn't even matter if you like to bake or not. These utensils can be used for other food prep, and they won't scrape your pans!  Also, they're reasonably priced, so you can afford to buy a few at a time.  

Here's a thought, wouldn't they make great bridal shower or hostess gifts! 

It's amazing the stuff you can find at JoAnn's  when you have a little time to look around!

- Momma Cat  

NEW CHARMS, HAIR PINS, AND BROOCHES

While Momma Cat was working yesterday she came upon a new line of charms, etc. in JoAnn Fabric and Crafts jewelry section.  They are very cute, and this is just a smattering of them.  There are so many more things to choose from, you really have to go and take a look for yourself!

This first one is a little brooch.  Momma Cat thought that it would look lovely in one of her doll's hair.  But, it is the type of pin that you could wear on anything.  Isn't it just sweet?

See how tiny it is?  It's the shape of a bow, and it's got little rhinestones in it!  So pretty!

This next picture is of a pair of hairpins with little bees on them.  Momma Cat has never seen blue bees before.  Nevertheless, she really liked them, and thought she could cut them down and use them on one of her dolls too.

This next item is just a lovely little branch-like pin with some little pearls in it.  Momma thought it would also make a nice hair ornament for one of her dolls.

Momma thinks this last item is the prettiest one!  It's a hairpin that looks like a peacock feather!  It's so lovely she may have to keep it for herself!!! 
 

There are so many other charms, pendants, tassels, pins, and hairpins at JoAnn's that it's really hard to resist them!  Momma Cat had to stop at four for now.  But, as Scarlet O'Hara always said, "Tomorrow is another day".

Since jewelry and hair items for dolls are so hard to find, unless you're into plastic, these seemed like a great find!  But, if you're not into dolls, guess what, they're work for all of us big girls too! 😺