Cat Lady No. 269...RagaMuffin Time

Cat Lady Sharon is crazy for RagaMuffin cats and they are crazy about her. Sharon happily shares her life with a furry herd of these bunny-soft and sweet as sugar felines.

Ike, Petunia, Angel and kitten Glory always enjoy a group snuggle and some special "purr time" with Sharon.

RagaMuffins are a relatively new breed and are floppy, lovable, teddy-bear cats. Angel loves to demonstrate these qualities with her classic "Angel Resist-Me-If-You-Can Reclining Pose" as illustrated!

To learn more about these lovable RagaMuffins (including pictures of available kittens, plus one special available adult), please visit Sharon's website: www.luvnmuffin.com

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 268...Sweater Weather

Cat Lady Kyra and feline friend Delilah can't wait for fall weather to begin...

For Kyra, it means pulling all of her aran sweaters out of the cedar chest.

The Aran Sweater gets its name from the islands where it originated many generations ago, off the West coast of Ireland. The Islanders were fishermen and farmers and each family had their own particular pattern, a unique combination of stitches, which was closely guarded and passed down from mother to daughter, generation to generation.

Here is a sampling of Aran patterns and their meanings: Aran Patterns

As for Delilah, autumn weather means that there is a greatly increased chance that a soft, warm sweater might be forgotten in a nice warm spot where she might curl up for a long, warm nap...

Thanks for visiting!


Just one day left to enter the September Giveaway! For details, visit this post: ENTER NOW!

Cat Lady No. 267...Keeping Toasty

Feline Fanatic Jerrilee and her Himalayan Honey are looking forward to cozy autumn nights in front of the fireplace.

The chimney has been inspected and cleaned, the flue is open and there is a nice stack of dry fire wood just outside the back door. Kindling, old newspaper, and matches are at the ready.

Next, it's time for a refresher course on How To Make A Good Fire In Your Fireplace. This link has step-by-step instructions.

Now all that's left to do is to check the cupboards for hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Jerrilee's work is done. "That's easy," thinks Honey to herself. "Try growing your own winter coat..."

Thanks for visiting!

You'll find this "feline fanatic" design on a selection of t-shirts and gifts in my Cafepress shop: Himalayan Gifts and Tees

Cat Lady No. 266... Patterns

Illustration Friday
(theme:"pattern")

Various varieties of Garden Fairies can be identified by the intricate patterns in their wings. A skilled wing-reader can determine a fairy's place of birth and her special calling in the garden. An true expert might even be able to ascertain her preference in nectar--from very sweet to dry.

Garden Fairy Anika, for example was born in the Gardens of Gallamay, and her special calling is dewdrop dusting. She enjoys the company of her winged cat, Rikolo, who follows her on her rounds each dawn, ensuring that each dewdrop shines and sparkles and perfectly reflects an upside-down universe if you peek inside...


As for nectar, that small lavender triangle in the middle of the wing would indicate sweet. The sweeter, the better.

Thanks for visiting!


This brand new illustration is now available as a matted print in my Etsy Shop: Garden Fairy No. 4

Cat Lady No. 264 and Cat Lad No. 265...Classic Greek Cat Lovers

How do you say "cat lady" in Greek? Today's lesson comes from Cat Lady Victoria and her Feline Fella Dimitris. They share their home in Greece with Pavlas, Chouzouris, Telias, Ruby, and Bez.

First, a little background from Victoria:

"All my five cats are ex- stray cats, either abandoned in the streets or found in the streets in bad condition.

"My black cat, Chouzouris, was born in the island of Folegandros. I visited Folegandros on vacation in 2003 and found him crying out loud 'cause his mother was not close. He was crying for two days outside my hotel window and on the 3rd day I couldn' t resist and adopted him. I have never regretted it ever since.

"My last cat, Beize, was a stray cat that I used to feed outside of my house. I took her in to have her neutered and found out that she was deaf. I realized then that she would not be able to survive in the streets and decided to adopt her.

"One of the problems here in Greece is that there are too many stray cats (and dogs). I wanted to help all these animals and do something for them. That' s why I created Gatospito: http://www.gatospito.com and
http://www.gatospito.com/forum.htm

"Gatospito means 'Cat House' in Greek. Gatospito is an online forum and community for cat lovers in Greece. Gatospito has been online for about 2 years and comprises of 1400 members. All the members share cat stories and dare to talk about their furry companions! Also, we try to help many stray animals, by offering food and/or medical help."

Thanks, Victoria! Obviously loving and devoted cat ladies are pretty much the same wherever you might find them around the globe!

Oh and by the way, "Cat Lady" in Greece is "Κυρία των Γάτων" ===> Kyria ton Gaton!

Cat Lady No. 263...Hug a Tree Today

The air is crisp and colorful leaves are skittering everywhere.

As card-carrying tree-huggers, both Cat Lady Joanee and feline friend Tomcat Tabbee know how important their leaf-bearing friends are--for offering endless climbing opportunities, for providing homes for fascinating feathered creatures, and for their ability to keep the planet healthy.

Did you know: Protecting 1 acre of mature forest from destruction reduces the same amount of emissions that your car produces in about 30 years?

Take this eye-opening quiz to test your knowledge about woodlands and forests and their relationship to the health of our planet and our loved ones:
Forest Quiz

Then be like tomcat Tabbee and go climb a tree! Or at least hug one...

Want to be like a tree and do something nice for our planet? Choose a reusable bag instead of throwaway plastic or paper. This extra-roomy 100% cotton canvas tote bag has plenty of room to carry all of your treasures over and over again. It features extra long handles for easy over-the-shoulder carrying. I have over 100 designs to choose from at:
Susan Faye Tote Bags

• 10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
• Full side and bottom gusset
• 22" reinforced self-fabric handles
• Machine washable
• Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

Cat Lady No. 262...Happy Equinox!

Garden Fairy Zuzana and her winged cat Fafner have been very busy today celebrating the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

As part of the celebration, they get to paint as many leaves as they can with their favorite colors: gold, rust, burgundy and crimson.

Their counterparts in the Southern Hemisphere are celebrating the equinox in a different way today: they are overseeing the blossoming of Springtime.

Confused? This site will tell you everything you need to know about the equinox that is celebrated each September: THE SEPTEMBER EQUINOX EXPLAINED

Thanks for visiting!


This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...click here:
Garden Fairy No. 3

Cat Lady No. 261...Collaboration

You never know where the charming and sometimes eccentric pen and ink characters of Cat Lady and Artist-Illustrator Susan S. will show up.

Could be in her back yard. Could be somewhere around the globe.

To follow their adventures and their narratives, check out her blog: ArtSpark Theatre. There you will also find a fun illustration challenge.

Susan has provided the beginning of an illustration for you to finish.

And here is my interpretation:

"Buster, who was already vexed as he tried to come to terms with his mysterious glandular problem, tried to convince Mabel that rollerskating on the grass was simply not a good idea."

Go on, give it a try yourself. You know you want to...

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 260..."T" with the Queen

Pussycat, Pussycat, where have you been?
I've been to London to visit the Queen
Pussycat, Pussycat, what did you there?
I frightened a little mouse under her chair
Old English Nursery Rhyme

Pussycat also regularly had tea with the Queen, if Cat Lady Katy is to believe everything that her best friend Tammy Angela ever told her.

Katy adopted baby "T" from the Portage County Humane Society a little over 19 years ago during hard times. "Everyone should have such a friend," says Katy.

"Although not a lap cat she loved to waltz with me. In the beginning, my Sheltie, Molly, would race around and around us the opposite way we turned. It was fun!

"T also loved daffodils ('because they make the winter go away' she told me).

"We will waltz through eternity together!"


"Until one has loved an animal,

a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

>^..^< --Anatole France

In loving memory of Tammy Angela

Cat Lady No. 259... Talkin Like a PurrRat

Arrrr, mateys, thar be bilge rats and rapscallions afoot. Cat Lady Sasparella and Second Matey Percy PurrRat be thinkin that all ye landlubbers best be gettin some learnin in the finer art of PurrRat Talkin, fer this day be "International Talk Like A Pirate Day".

Avast and hoist your sails fer these faraway and mysterious shores where thar be lessons and tips on such things:
Talk Like a Pirate Day
Meow Like a Pirate
Pirate Translator

If ye be a crew member of Facebook, set sail for th' bottom of yer FB page where it says English (or language of choice). Click and in the new window choose "English (Pirate) beta" fer yer language of choice and see what hilarious mischief ensues!

Here's to smooth sailin fer ya, me hearties!



This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...click here:
Bewitched No. 8

Cat Lady No. 258...Coasting Along..

Cat Lady Mermaid Merriwether and her cat fish Typhoon Tiger want you to know that tomorrow, Sept 19, is International Coastal Clean-up Day.

Last year, nearly 400,000 volunteers collected more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries and 42 US states during the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup — the world's largest volunteer effort of its kind. To find out where you can participate in your area, visit the Ocean Conservancy Coastal Clean-up Webpage

If you aren't able to volunteer tomorrow, there are many other ways that you can help out, such as picking up trash along ANY waterway during the other 364 days a year! Merriweather and her ocean-mates will thank you!

Thanks for visiting!

For details on how to enter the 365 Cat Ladies September Giveaway No. 2 click on the link!

Cat Lady No. 257...September Giveaway No. 2

Cat Lady Vivian and feline friend Smiley just got a phone call from friend Nancy who is looking for a more bewitching name.

There were SO MANY great suggestions in the September Giveaway No. 1 that Nancy's head is spinning and she asked Vivian for help. Vivian suggested she take her top 10 favorites and create a poll. Nancy said a few incantations and PRESTO--the poll now appears at the top of the right hand column of 365 Cat Ladies.

Vivian and Nancy would appreciate your help. Please vote for your favorite. If you do, please leave a comment at the end of this post saying "I voted!" (we're strictly on the honor system here) and you will be entered in the 365 Cat Ladies September Giveaway No. 2.

Entries will end at 7 p.m PST on September 30. One name will be drawn at random and will win a boxed set of 10 notecards featuring their choice of one of these three designs from my Cafepress Shop. Notecards are blank inside and perfect for invitations, thank you notes, or Halloween hellos.

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you if you are a winner, such as a link to your blog or e-mail address, or contact me directly at my e-mail with your info...

Also, if you encounter trouble with the Comments feature, you may send your entry by e-mail by clicking "view my complete profile" at the end of "About Me" where you will find an e-mail link...

Thanks for participating!




This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...click here:

Bewitched No. 7

Cat Lady No. 256...Party Animal Turns Five

Skeezix the Cat was just three months old when Cat Lady Karen (aka Food Lady) brought him home as a surprise for her Feline Fella Jeff (aka Mr. Tasty Face).

Skeezix, who was almost hairless and often cold, began wearing sweaters with the help of the Food Lady. His penchant for pink and the Food Lady's love of photography soon made Skeezix a famous feline fashionista of the cat world.

Food Lady is a wildly talented writer, photographer and artist, and in no time at all her young apprentice showed great promise at the computer. Skeezix began helping the Food Lady write The Cat's Meow-- Catster's blog for cats and kittens, AND writing his very own blog: Skeezix's Scratching Post.

So it is with great love and adoration that the Food Lady and Mr. Tasty Face join with great friends like Shabby and Katie Tulip and angel Kalin in wishing Skeezix the Very Happiest of Birthdays!



Congratulations to Cat Lady Danielle,who also just happens to be Cat Lady No. 122! Her name was drawn at random and she is the winner of the September Giveaway No. 1. Thank you to everybody who participated!

Cat Lady No. 255...A Lucky Lassie

Look lively, ye feline femmes, here be the rollickin results that ye bin waitin fer!

Yes, Cat Lady Lulu and her shipmate Captain Mackerel are getting all warmed up for Talk Like A Pirate Day and Meow Like a Pirate Day on Saturday, September 19.

In the mean time, they would like to announce the winner of the 365 Cat Ladies September Giveaway No. 1.

A plethora of beguiling and bewitching names were suggested for Lulu's pal Nancy who wants to change her name. A random number generator was employed and comment no. 11 is the winner:

It's Danielle, who also just happens to be Cat Lady No. 122! Congratulations!

As Lulu might say, "Lady Fortune be smilin on yon lucky lassie for she'll be findin this fine satchel bestowed upon her by ye olde cargo carryin crew ".

Meanwhile, Cat Lady Nancy will be mulling over all of the suggestions, but is thinking there might need to be a second contest to come up with the winning name. Stay tuned...

Does your favorite feline friend enjoy wearing tricorne hats and eye patches while dreaming of bilge rats and sailing the seven seas? Then be sure to enter the "Meow Like a Pirate Contest" at The Cat's Meow Blog by Friday, Sept 18 for a chance to win great prizes!

Cat Lady No. 254...Maple Madness

Cat Lady Allison and her tabby cat mom Babs and Junior the Kitten think that there's nothing better than a beautiful maple tree, particularly this time of year.

Allison's favorite is the sugar maple, because she is nuts about real maple syrup. She thought about making her own maple syrup last spring and looked into it: Making Your Own Maple Syrup. Upon reflection, she decided she'd rather just buy it at the local country store.

She did find some delicious recipes that use maple syrup however: Maple Syrup Recipes.

Babs doesn't think much of maple syrup but is of the opinion that maple trees make for some of the best climbing around. Junior doesn't know anything about that. He just loves those fluttering leafy things that keep falling and floating and begging to be pounced on.

Thanks for visiting!


JUST ONE DAY LEFT to enter the 365 Cat Ladies September Giveaway No. 1! Click on the link to find out more before it's too late!...

Cat Lady No. 253...Fluffy Fur Factories

Cat Lady Diedre is always delighted to see the beginning of fall color, because that means sweater season has arrived and her knitting needles will be flying.

Fur will be flying too. You see, Dierdre enjoys knitting things out of cat fur.

She is particularly excited about the arrival of new Himalayan kitten Buster, who joins fluffy fur factory Theadora. Because that means by next spring, there will be TWICE as much fur to spin and knit!


Thanks for visiting!



This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop...add it to your collection by visiting Cat Mom No. 30 ACEO

Cat Lady No. 252...A Favorite Spider

Cat Lady Wendy and her sidekick Mr. Moto are no scaredy cats, especially when it comes to arachnids. In fact, Wendy thinks that her friend Nancy should change her name to Charlotte, in honor of Wendy's favorite barn spider.

Unfortunately, Nancy thinks that the name Charlotte is even less bewitching than the name Nancy. If you would like to weigh in on a new name for Nancy that is more beguiling, less acceptable, more mysterious, less predictable, more BEWITCHING, visit this link: SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY NO. 1 and leave your suggestion in the comments section.

Thanks for visiting!

Wendy and Mr Moto have just been added to Halloween t-shirts, note cards, and gifts --all just a magic click away at my Cafepress Shop

PLUS FREE worldwide shipping on EVERY item in my Etsy shop through Sun Sept 13 ! Just add the code "Weekend Deals" in Message to Seller section during checkout, and shipping fees will be promptly refunded via Paypal.

Cat Lady No. 251...Welcome O Bounteous Apples

Illustration Friday
(theme:"welcome" )

“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.” Wm. Shakespeare

As Cat Lady Bibi can tell you, if you truly want a merry feast, look no further than your apple tree. Hers is overflowing with the succulent red jewels, so it's time to roll out the welcome mat to all things apple-icious: apple cider,
apple sauce,
apple butter,
apple crisp,
apple streusel,
baked apples,
apple chutney,
apple pie,
apple tarts,
apple turnovers,
and apple fritters

But feline friend Braeburn's favorite is Bibi's Rum Raisin Apple Cake. He doesn't care for the cake itself, but he finds that after Bibi has consumed a considerable portion of the cake, his tuna portions become significantly more generous...

Enjoy!


WEEKEND DEALS ON ETSY!

FREE worldwide shipping on EVERY item in my Etsy shop Fri Sept 11 through Sun Sept 13 ! Includes original ACEO miniature watercolor paintings like this one...

Just add the code "Weekend Deals" in Message to Seller section during checkout, and shipping fees will be promptly refunded via Paypal.

Cat Lady No. 250...Something Fishy

Just ask Cat Lady Mirabelle and her trio of finicky feline gourmands: there's nothing like a great fish dinner.

But lately Mirabelle has become concerned about the state of the seafood she and the cats consume. As the Nature Conservancy recently pointed out in its Cool Green Science blog: "Our oceans contain some of Earth’s most imperiled habitats.

"Shellfish beds, coral reefs and seagrass meadows once bustling with life have been depleted, and critical fish stocks have plummeted. Less than 1 percent of our oceans are currently protected. There’s even a giant garbage patch twice the size of Texas floating in the Pacific."

It's enough to make a cat gag on her tuna souffle.

Luckily, Mirabelle found a list of 10 things she can do right now to make a difference, including:

• Reduce plastic consumption
• Choose earth-friendly cleaners and detergents
• Buy local and organic to reduce pesticides and toxins that wind up in your food and in oceans
• Choose sustainable seafood at your restaurant and market (use this handy Seafood Watch Pocket Guide)

For the complete list of tips with helpful links, visit
Marine Conservation:What You Can Do

Thanks for visiting!

WEEKEND DEALS ON ETSY! FREE worldwide shipping on EVERY item in my Etsy shop Friday Sept 11 through Sunday Sept 13 ! Includes all Cat Lady giftware, ACEO art, prints, and Custom Pet People portraits.

Just add the code "Weekend Deals" in Message to Seller section during checkout, and shipping fees will be promptly refunded via Paypal.

Cat Lady No. 249...Itty Bitty Kitties

Cat Lady Evelyn just realized it's 9:09 o'clock on 09-09-09 and she has 9 foster kittens with 9 lives each living on one of 9 planets orbiting around our sun (she still adamantly counts Pluto).

What does it all mean? While she ponders the implications, she will visit one of her favorite websites: The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee where you can find adorable photos of adorable kitties who are waiting for just the right Cat Lady to come along.

Itty Bitty Kitty Committee follows the adventures of foster kittens from the Humane Society in the Tacoma area of Washington State under the nurturing eye of Charlene Butterbean and her humans. Please support
this great enterprise if you are able to...

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 248...The Name Game

Cat Lady Zelda just got a telephone call from her best friend Nancy. Nancy couldn't wait to tell Zelda about all of the great names suggested so far in the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway No. 1 for September.

As you may recall, Nancy wants to change her name to something more beguiling, less acceptable, more mysterious, less predictable, more BEWITCHING...

"Matilda" is the favorite so far, having been mentioned twice. Nancy was leaning toward Hagatha, but Zelda pointed out that any name with "hag" in it should probably be avoided. Zelda thinks that Esmerelda is a much more beguiling moniker...

Black Cat Beauregard, however, likes the name Castaspella, suggested by Cat Lady Carm: "We all know that Cat Ladies are all under the spell of their beloved kitties"...!

Do you have a suggestion or want to give a thumbs up to a name already suggested? Just enter it in the comments section of this post: SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY No. 1 for a chance to win a bewitching tote bag! Thanks for participating!





BEWITCHING Halloween t-shirts, note cards, and gifts are magically just a click away at my Cafepress Shop

Cat Lady No. 247...Story Lady

Cat Lady Jordan is the Story Lady on Tuesdays at the Public Library, and she always likes to try out the stories first on Millicent and Poe by reading out loud to them.

Tonight's story is by their favorite children's book illustrator and author Tomie dePaola who will be celebrating his 75th birthday next week.

Jordan knows this because each month he puts a delightfully illustrated and very informative calendar on his website:
Tomie's September Calendar Page

How else would she know that Wednesday is Wonderful Weirdos Day?

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 246...September Giveaway No. 1

Cat Lady Nancy never knows where her cat Inky Dinky will pop up. Yesterday it was in the spinach souffle. Today, it's in the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway No. 1 for September.

Nancy needs your help. Nancy wants a new name. Now don't get her wrong, she's met a lot of lovely other Nancys in her lifetime. But she's always dreamed of a far more beguiling, less acceptable, more mysterious, less predictable, more BEWITCHING name.

Can you help her?

Just leave your suggestion in the comments section of this post.


You will be entered into a drawing for the dandy tote bag pictured here, purrfect for collecting or distributing sweets and treats on spooky holidays or for hauling around your special ingredients from the secret potions emporium. Giveaway ends on the evening of September 15, when one name will be drawn at random.

Please make sure that I have a way to contact you if you are a winner, such as a link to your blog or e-mail address, or contact me directly at my e-mail with your info...

Also, if you encounter trouble with the Comments feature, you may send your entry by e-mail by clicking "view my complete profile" at the end of "About Me" where you will find an e-mail link...

Thanks for participating!

You'll find this tote and more BEWITCHING Halloween t-shirts, note cards, and gifts at my Cafepress Shop:

Bewitched Cat Ladies

Cat Lady No. 245...Zucchini Anyone?

Cat Lady Jantzen recently saw a sign that said: "It's zucchini season...Do NOT make eye contact with your neighbor!"

It's been a bumper crop this summer and Jantzen needed some new ideas...She tried grinding it up and sneaking it into Pepe's and Crystal's dinner but that was a no go.

Luckily, last week she discovered the miracle of Chocolate Zucchini Cake

The shredded zucchini magically disappears into the cake, yet makes it so moist it melts in your mouth. The cakes can be frozen, or given as gifts.

And the best part is, her neighbors are no longer avoiding eye contact...

[Author's note: I have tried this recipe and it is out of this world!]

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 244...Things That Go Bump

When Cat Lady Lavancha hears something go {{BUMP}} in the night, nine times out of 10 she can blame it on Fang, her jet black feline friend.

Fang amuses himself during bouts of insomnia by testing gravity, to make sure it's still there. Objects are carefully guided to the brink of a precipice, nudged over the edge, and with any luck gravity will kick in and a {{BUMP}} will ensue. Fang finds his work particularly satisfying, and appreciates how in the morning Lavancha will carefully restore each object to its original location for the next round of testing.

The other 10 percent of the {{BUMPs}} are unaccounted for, as Fang is always snuggled beside Sally in bed when they happen. Lavancha thinks that the bats in the belfry are to blame, but she'd rather not wake up Fang to go see for sure...heaven forbid he should have another bout of insomnia...

Thanks for visiting!

Cat ladies in progress...
Here is a sneak peek at some of Lavancha's dearest friends!




Do you love things that go bump in the night ?...You'll find Lavancha and Fang on a variety of Halloween t-shirts, note cards, gifts and trick-or-treat tote bags at: Black Cat Lady No. 1

Cat Lady No. 243...School Daze

It's back to school on Tuesday for Cat Lady Donna's two young children, so with the help of Floofie, Donna is reading up on advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here are their tips about walking to school:

• Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
• Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
• If your child is young or is walking to new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely.
• Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
• In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a “walking school bus,” in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.

For more great tips about topics like backpack and bicycle safety, bullying, and homework, visit their website: AAP Back to School Tips.

Thanks for visiting!

This "Bookworms" design can be found on a variety of gifts and apparel at my Cafepress online gift shop:
Library Cat No. 12


Purrfect for back to school, this Wire-O bound, 160 page journal has your choice of papers and measures 5" x 8", a handy on-the-go size to fit in your backpack.

• Back cover made of thin black flexible textured plastic, measures 16/1000" thick
• Front cover made of 12pt glossy paper, laminated for durability
• Filled with your choice of 60lb bookweight (24 lb bond) paper -- blank, dot grid, lined college-ruled, or a task journal.