Up a Tree with Cats!

As I shared previously, we have a new little kitten in our home and 2 more joining us shortly.  Knowing how much they like to claw at things, the fact that we don't feel that it is right to declaw cats and how much we don't want to replace our furniture any time soon  (well my husband doesn't), we decided that we would get the kitties a cat condo/tree (what ever you want to call it). After looking and deciding that we didn't want to fork out $150 for one at the pet store, I started searching on the internet for ideas to build my own.  In my searches, I came across plans on https://dadand.com/diy-cat-tower/ He was able to build it for $25. That was all the motivation that I needed. I didn't have the scrap wood laying around that he had, so it did cost me a little more. Plus I modified the plan just a little which did add a little more cost. It cost me about $40.00. It was fairly easy to make as a beginner. I did have a second set of hands, thank you again Hubby, which did make things go a little easier. Plus I borrowed a Kreg jig from a friend.

My supply list:

1 - 2' x 4' x 1/2" board of MDF

1 - 2" x 4" x 8' 

2 - 50ft of 3/8" sisal rope

2 1/2 ft by 12 ft of remnant carpet

18 - 2" wood screws

6 - 1" wood screws

If you check out the plans and directions, you will notice one change just by looking at it. I wrapped the shortest and the next shortest posts in the sisal rope. I used 3/8". This meant that I needed two bundles of 50ft rope. We considered wrapping all three in the rope, but decided that we didn't want that additional cost. I didn't like the idea of the staples on the rope. I was concerned that it may injure one of the cats if their claw got caught on one of the staples. So in my original searches, I remembered reading how someone had started the rope by using a screw to hold it on to the post, then wrapped the post as tight as they could with the rope, plus they used a hammer to tap the rope closer together to make it tighter. They then ended the rope with the 1" screw as well.  So that is what I did. If I could find the website again, I would give full credit to them, but I just don't remember it and didn't "pin" or bookmark it. Sorry!

I followed dadand.com's directions for cutting the corners of the carpet. Most of my corners met up correctly, but I evidently goofed up the cut on some, because the points didn't come together as nicely so there are gaps.  I don't know if I would use that cutting guide again. I don't care for the corners being "open" (see picture below). When I make the next one, I will research other ways to finish the corners. Plus I may add another tier around 36" so there isn't a big jump from the 24" to the 48".  Just thinking of the little kittens that can't make the huge jump yet.

Mickey took to it immediately and started scratching on it. He likes it enough that he has slept on it quite a bit as well. Hopefully the other two will like it as much.

Holly

????? Gone Cat Crazy ?????

My daughters have been begging us for years, to get a dog. Don't hate me, but I'm not a dog person. So I have been very reluctant to get a dog. I know that it teaches kids lots of things, but I would be the one primarily taking care of it, so I really didn't want to cave in.  Don't get me wrong I don't hate dogs, I just don't want to own one. I had a couple of dogs when I was a young child, but then we found out that my little sister was allergic. So we had to give them away. From that point on we had cats - mainly outdoor cats.  We haven't had pets because my hubby feels that it is cruel and unnatural for animals to be kept in-doors or in small yards. Plus we liked the fact that we didn't have to worry about getting someone to watch our pets while we go out of town.  Ok I'm getting off subject here.

So any way, one evening my oldest asked if we could get a cat. My husband was out of town at the time and I know he isn't much of a cat person, so I thought I was "safe" to have her ask him. I suggested that she send him a text and ask.  She googled cats for sale and found a kitten and sent him a picture of it and ask him what he thought about the newest member of our family. This is how their text conversation went:

Hubby:     I thought you wanted a dog.

Daughter:      It's called compromise.

Hubby:     A compromise would be a chia pet.

Daughter:     Seriously, what do you think?

Hubby:     It's up to your mom.

In the mean time, all three girls were going through the cats available and found a set of kittens, a brother and sister that were available. They were adorable!!!!! So they sent a picture to Hubby and asked if mom should email the shelter to see if they are still available. His response was that he wanted to talk to me. Thus a phone call and our conversation went like this:

Hubby:     I would rather get a little dog. 

Me:     But I don't like dogs.

Hubby:     But I don't like cats.

Me:     I'm the one that's going to be taking care of it.

Hubby:     Yeah, I know. Will you hold off until I get home?

Me:     Sure. But should I go ahead and email the shelter?

Hubby:     Of course.

So without turning this post into a book, we have a new little kitten named Mickey

PLUS we have pre-adopted two female kittens. We are waiting for them to gain a little more weight so they can be spayed. We should be getting them in about a week. They were all rescued from destroy lists by the shelter that we have adopted them through. 

I've bored you with the details of how we ended up with cats, so I won't bore you with the details of why we will have THREE cats.

Needless to say, we now need cat accessories. That has put me to work!  I will show you the first project on my list really soon!

Holly

Spring Update

Now that Easter is over, I wanted to keep the Spring decor but didn't want all the Easter themed items. So here is my updated "mantle".

I updated my subway art - I used the same colors and some of the same words as my Easter subway art (here), but removed Easter specific words and added more Spring related words. I created it on Picnik.com before it closed it's virtual doors. I removed the eggs from the vase and added flowers (I purchased at Hobby Lobby for $5.49). I still want to add something to the plate, but not sure what. I want it to be able to use it for both my Easter and Spring decor.

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful things associated with Spring!


Holly