Welcome to my illustrated blog where you'll find stories and art about cat ladies, pet lovers, nature enthusiasts, my cat Buttonwillow and her friend Inka, and my creative life in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Enjoy!
March 31, 2013
March 30, 2013
What's Cookin' Part 3-- Snazzy Rat Prototypes!
They're here!
I have finished the four prototypes of my new "Snazzy Rat" catnip toys. I used cotton denim for the backs and upcycled yarn for the tails. Then I filled them with organic catnip.
Here they are with their snazzy names:
This is where YOU come in.
In order to offer my Snazzy Rats catnip toys at an affordable price, I need to buy my materials in bulk in order to get wholesale prices. So.... to raise the seed money necessary to print large runs of fabric and to purchase all of the other necessary materials in large quantities at wholesale prices, I have created a Kickstarter campaign which will launch on Tuesday, April 2.
Not familiar with Kickstarter? It's a fantastic website for creative people that enables them to raise funds for their creative projects. You can learn more here:
You can help me on Tuesday by
- Making a pledge (essentially, you will be pre-ordering Snazzy Rats catnip toys), and...
- Spreading the word on Tuesday by sharing my Kickstarter project with all of your favorite crazy cat ladies and cat guys through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc...
Thank you from me and the gang here at
World Headquarters!
March 28, 2013
What's Cookin' -- Part 2
Last week I shared the black and white drawings for my new cat toys.
Buttonwillow and Inka requested SNAZZY colors, so here is what I came up with:
How am I doing so far?" I asked my studio assistants.
"Not bad," said Buttonwillow.
"Snazzy!" said Inka. "Pssst- does anyone know what snazzy means?"
I sent the artwork to Spoonflower.com where they professionally printed my designs on one yard of durable cotton twill canvas, and here is what came back in the mail:
The anticipation is rising around here and so is the intoxicating scent of catnip as I take the bin of organic 'nip out of the closet and sit at my sewing machine.
Next: The prototypes!
 |
| artwork copyright 2013 Susan Faye. May not be reproduced without permission. Thanks! |
The next step was my favorite part:
COLOR!
Buttonwillow and Inka requested SNAZZY colors, so here is what I came up with:
 |
| artwork copyright 2013 Susan Faye. May not be reproduced without permission. Thanks! |
How am I doing so far?" I asked my studio assistants.
"Not bad," said Buttonwillow.
"Snazzy!" said Inka. "Pssst- does anyone know what snazzy means?"
I sent the artwork to Spoonflower.com where they professionally printed my designs on one yard of durable cotton twill canvas, and here is what came back in the mail:
The anticipation is rising around here and so is the intoxicating scent of catnip as I take the bin of organic 'nip out of the closet and sit at my sewing machine.
Next: The prototypes!
March 20, 2013
March 18, 2013
What's Cookin' At World Headquarters...Work in Progress
I think that by now most of you have met my studio assistant Mz. Buttonwillow and junior assistant Inka:
Recently they came to me to lodge a formal complaint. They said they were hopelessly bored with the vast collection of playthings in the employee break room. They said it was time for the staff, perhaps even the entire world, to have a new and improved cat toy.
"What kind of new cat toy?" I asked.
"Bigger," said Buttonwillow. "Fatter," said Inka.
"Shaped like a rodent," said Buttonwillow.
"A big, fat rodent." said Inka.
"What else?" I asked.
"Lots of catnip in each one, you know, the GOOD 'nip."
"And a squiggly, wiggly tail."
"And colors. SNAZZY colors!"
So I took their suggestions to the drawing board:
"How am I doing?" I asked the staff.
"We'll let you know when we see the colors," said Buttonwillow."Remember to make them SNAZZY."
"YEAH!" said Inka. "Pssst- what does snazzy mean?"
Recently they came to me to lodge a formal complaint. They said they were hopelessly bored with the vast collection of playthings in the employee break room. They said it was time for the staff, perhaps even the entire world, to have a new and improved cat toy.
"What kind of new cat toy?" I asked.
"Bigger," said Buttonwillow. "Fatter," said Inka.
"Shaped like a rodent," said Buttonwillow.
"A big, fat rodent." said Inka.
"What else?" I asked.
"Lots of catnip in each one, you know, the GOOD 'nip."
"And a squiggly, wiggly tail."
"And colors. SNAZZY colors!"
So I took their suggestions to the drawing board:
The staff agreed that it met the big, fat, and rodent requirements.
Then I did some serious doodling
"How am I doing?" I asked the staff.
"We'll let you know when we see the colors," said Buttonwillow."Remember to make them SNAZZY."
"YEAH!" said Inka. "Pssst- what does snazzy mean?"
to be continued...
March 17, 2013
Quilting Cats and Bunnies
Calling all crafty cat ladies and bunny babes! I've recently added a few more fabric craft square/ quilt blocks to my collection including this guy, in both a large and small size:
And...I'm very excited to have received my first snapshots of a work-in-progress by Cat Lady Rosie! Aren't these beautiful? I love the colors she has chosen!
...and I can't wait to see them all put together into a quilt! Stay tuned... she will be sending more updates.
The animal rescue that Rosie works with is called Charm City Animal Rescue (www.charmcityanimalrescue.com). Currently, she is fostering a gray and white long haired kitty named Avalon..."He is such a diva!!" she says.
Many cat ladies have written to say that they are using the squares to make quilts that they will donate to fundraising raffles or auctions for pet causes. Isn't that a great idea? Other ideas for the fabric squares include: appliques, patches, pockets, a baby or child's quilt, an herbal dream pillow, a cat bed, or a wall hanging. Any other bright ideas? Share them in the comments section...
If you are working on a project using my fabric squares, please send pics-- I'd love to share your crafty creations!!
Here are the new bunny squares in the 4" size; they will soon be available in the 6" size.
Click here to see all of the quilt blocks currently available:
Susan Faye Fabric Craft Squares/ Quilt Blocks
Happy Crafting and Quilting!
 |
| https://www.etsy.com/listing/126515333/garden-cat-fabric-craft-panel-small |
And...I'm very excited to have received my first snapshots of a work-in-progress by Cat Lady Rosie! Aren't these beautiful? I love the colors she has chosen!
...and I can't wait to see them all put together into a quilt! Stay tuned... she will be sending more updates.
The animal rescue that Rosie works with is called Charm City Animal Rescue (www.charmcityanimalrescue.com). Currently, she is fostering a gray and white long haired kitty named Avalon..."He is such a diva!!" she says.
Many cat ladies have written to say that they are using the squares to make quilts that they will donate to fundraising raffles or auctions for pet causes. Isn't that a great idea? Other ideas for the fabric squares include: appliques, patches, pockets, a baby or child's quilt, an herbal dream pillow, a cat bed, or a wall hanging. Any other bright ideas? Share them in the comments section...
If you are working on a project using my fabric squares, please send pics-- I'd love to share your crafty creations!!
Here are the new bunny squares in the 4" size; they will soon be available in the 6" size.
 |
| https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanFayePetProjects?section_id=12322403 |
Click here to see all of the quilt blocks currently available:
Susan Faye Fabric Craft Squares/ Quilt Blocks
Happy Crafting and Quilting!
March 12, 2013
Signs of Spring...
Robins
Crocus
Baseball Practice
And Bunnies!
 |
| New Bunny Sachets available at https://www.etsy.com/shop/SusanFayePetProjects: |
I am swimming in the sweet scent of lavender because I just finished sewing up a batch of new bunny sachet-ornaments for Spring! They come with your choice of a white rabbit, a brown cottontail, or a black and white Dutch bunny.
They are 3-1/2" square and may be used as a spring ornament, to freshen a drawer, as a tie-on to decorate a gift or Easter basket, or you may tuck it into your pillow at night to promote sweet dreams!
"According to folk wisdom, lavender's aroma aids sleep and relaxation, repels insects, and will freshen your linens and dainties in a closet or drawer."
Would you rather make your own sachet/ ornaments? You are in luck! I'm also selling fabric squares in my Etsy shop for crafters and quilters. Right now I have the 4" blocks, but I will soon be adding some 6" blocks too!
March 2, 2013
The Best Little Heating Vent in Yamhill County
There may be signs of spring outside,
but it's best not to stray too far from the heating vent inside, like
this choice one by the front window...
 |
Buttonwillow warms her tootsies while keeping an eye on baseball practice across the street. |
 |
| A proper girl always crosses her legs... |
 |
...Buttonwillow attempts to achieve the highest ratio of heat per square inch. |
Hope you enjoy a warm and cozy weekend!