Cat Lady and Feline Fella Nos.357 and 358...Fantastic Furkids

Cat Lady Sharon and Feline Fella Mark have their hands full with their three furry "children"...

Sharon reports: "Black cat Jazz is mellow, a perfect lap cat, a total cuddle bug, purrs louder than any cat I know. Sometimes, so loud that it keep us up at night while we're trying to sleep. .. He's definitely Mark's cat... as soon as my husband comes home from work, sits down on the couch, Jazz is like a magnet to Mark. Jazz kisses and rubs his cheeks on Mark's chest for hours. He loves having his tailed pulled and his fur brushed for hours."

Smooky is the other big boy and "loves to eat and meows as soon as I wake up each morning. He'll sit at the edge of my bed anticipating eye contact.... As soon as he see the whites of my eyes, he'll start meowing relentlessly... Almost every night when I go to bed, Smooky will go to his toy box in the living room and put a play mouse or a yarn ball in his mouth and meow all the way down the hallway to my bedroom and then drop the toy in my room." This has been a ritual for 15 years, since he was a wee kitten!

Little girl Mittens was found in an old abandoned garage hidden behind a huge, loud generator. Sharon and Mark were able to rescue her after a week of trying to catch her. She was a month old, barely alive and covered with hundreds of fleas. After a trip to the vet and some TLC, she has grown into a "devilish, cunning, undermining, keen, loving, smart, and just a beautiful girl..." She is extra-special because she is polydactyl--with extra toes on each of her front paws!

At one time Sharon and Mark worried that their house might be haunted. Sometimes when they came home from work, their kitchen cabinets were open, and the hallway light was on. As Sharon tells it: "Well, after a year or so, as we were on the couch watching t.v. and through my peripheral vision, I saw something jump up high (about 5 feet) and turn on the hallway light." It was Mittens! "I guess having the extra toes, she's able to grab a hold of knobs without hesitation. Mystery solved... She brings us so much joy and entertainment, she lights up my world and I can't imagine my life without her. She was meant to be in our lives."

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 339...It's Giveaway Time!

Cat Lady Alena and feline friend Hibiscus would like to announce the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for December!


To enter, leave a comment in the Comments section at the bottom of this post completing this phrase:

"Peace on earth, goodwill toward____________."



You can use a name, a word or many words.
Here are some ideas to get you started:Contest will end Sunday, December 20, at 7:00 p.m. PST. There are three different prizes and one name will be drawn at random for each prize. The prizes feature my "Peaceful Planet" design from my Susan Faye Nature Cafepress Shop:

Tote Bag

Mini Poster Porcelain Ornament

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 and
Best Wishes for a Blessed Holiday Season
from 365 Cat Ladies!

Cat Lady No. 318...Crazy Cat Lady Cafe

Cat Lady Komeko is not allowed to have pets in her apartment, so in order to qualify as a crazy cat lady, she often stops by Calico, a cat cafe in Tokyo. There are 20-some resident cats plus a fantastic array of cat toys and perches at the cafe, and patrons can sip tea while interacting with the fabulous felines.

Can't make it to Tokyo? You can visit with the cats in a virtual sort of way by going to the Calico Cat Cafe website, where you can enjoy videos of some of the purring, mewing charmers!

Enjoy!


Have you entered the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for November?

The giveaway ends at 7 p.m. PST on November 22 when one name will be drawn at random from all those who have left a comment at that post. Winner will receive their choice of one of these jumbo Cat Lady tote bags from my Cafepress online shop.

Cat Lady No. 317...In Training

Cat Lady Joni is a crazy-cat-lady-in-training-- she just adopted her very first cat, Precious, and is already both enchanted and enslaved by her new furry friend.

Joni has been carefully studying the comments in the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for November, and was particularly interested in Cat Lady Karen's CCL qualifications:

[editor's note: Karen forgot to mention a rather important one--she is author of The Cat's Meow, which is Catster.com's official cats and kittens blog]
-I lie about how many cats I have and never include Garage Cat in the tally.
-I'm crazy.
-I'm rarely more than an arm's length from a purring ball of fur.
-I do not go to animal shelters because I would come home with another half dozen cats.
-I don't go on vacation because my Siamese suffers from severe separation anxiety.
-All of my cats (except the aforementioned Garage Cat) have their own blogs.
-I dress up my cats in cute outfits and photograph them.
-No kids. And I was a spinster for 46 years.
-I have conversations with my cats.

Joni is looking forward to shopping for an all-new winter wardrobe for Precious and helping her pick out a name for her new blog. Joni is not so crazy about the spinster idea, but if that's what it takes to find someone called "Mr. Tasty Face", it might be worth the wait...

Thanks for visiting!

Give the gift of original art without breaking the bank! This ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale in my Etsy shop:
Cat in a Box Miniature Watercolor

Cat Lady No.198...Cat Tales

Cat Lady Carmelita and her feline friend Blanca are enjoying The Blue Fairy Book, a collection of fairy tales that were collected by Scotsman Andrew Lang in the late 1800s.

Tonight's reading is a favorite of the household, which you can read in its entirety here: The White Cat

Thanks for visiting!

What is your cat's favorite pastime or game? Read the funny entries at the end of the July Giveaway post...and be sure to add yours if you haven't already! You'll be entered to win one of three prizes.

Cat Lady No.192...Say Cheese!

Cat Lady Hitomi and Cat Mom Lily cannot believe how fast kitten Mitty is growing!

Hitomi has the camera out and is hoping to catch a cute snapshot of Lily and Mitty with their canine companion Rufus because it is "Cats and Dogs Week" over at The Cat's Meow blog, where photos of cats and dogs sharing quality time together will be featured throughout the week.

Got a cute cat/dog photo of your own? Send it to The Cat's Meow and if it scores big on the melt-your-heart meter, it will be posted for others to enjoy. (Please, only send personal photos to which you own the rights.)

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 184...Garden Friendly

Green Thumb Cat Lady Nikki and Garden Cat PeeChee enjoy bees, birds and butterflies, so they are careful to keep their garden safe from pesticides.

According to the ASPCA Guide to Pet-Safe Gardening, "The most dangerous forms of pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with methomyl, systemic insecticides with the ingredients disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poisons. Always store pesticides in inaccessible areas—and read the manufacturer's label carefully for proper usage and storage."

Better yet, don't use these types of pesticides at all! According to The Organic Gardening Guru: "Less than 1% of the world's insects are considered pests. The other 99% play a pivotal role in our food chain and many are indispensable." He recommends Planet Natural products for earth-friendly pest control.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Pet-Friendly Gardening!

The original artwork for "Garden Cat No. 6" is for sale and has just been listed today in my Etsy online shop: Garden Cat ACEO


This brand new design can also be found on a variety of gifts and apparel for your favorite Garden Goddess, including garden totes, journals and aprons, at my Cafepress online gift shop:

Garden Cat Gifts and T-Shirts

This Garden Cat Journal is just the purr-fect thing for keeping track of all your Late Bloomers!

Cat Lady No. 158...Gemini Tales

Cat Lady and Astronomer Fiona has her hands full of Calicos: Cat Mom Callie and her darling twins!

It just so happens that Fiona is a twin too--she and her sister were born under the sign of Gemini . In honor of Callie's twins, tonight's bedtime story will be about those famous twins Castor and Polydeuces, whose stars shine brightly in the night sky.

Here is their story:
Gemini Tales


Thanks for visiting!

Purrfect for jotting down your own mythology:
This Wire-O bound, 160 page blank book 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.

I have dozens of journal designs to choose from at
Susan Faye Blank Books

Cat Lady No. 156...Tropical Birthday Wishes

Cat Lady Lucinda and feline friend Tig are ready to blow out the candles on Tig's birthday cake. This terrific tabby shares her birthday with painter Paul Gauguin, which may explain her passion for exotic tropical fish and post-impressionist artwork.

Tig's favorite painting by Gauguin is Mimi And Her Cat, a little study painted with gouache on cardboard in 1890.

As for her birthday wish, Tig is hoping for a 50 gallon salt-water aquarium, but may have to settle for a 3-pack of brightly colored catnip mice.

Thanks for visiting!


Ready to celebrate? Whether it's a birthday, holiday or other special occasion, you'll find Cat Lady cards, invitations, party favors, hostess aprons and more at my Cafepress shop:
Party Animals

Cat Lady No. 155...A Day to Draw

Cat Lady Drianna is an aspiring artist and can't wait to participate in Drawing Day 2009.

Drawing Day is a worldwide drawing event encouraging everyone to drop everything and draw for the sake of art. Help us create 1 million drawings online this day.

There are dozens of ways to participate and share your art with the world today: How to Participate

Drianna plans to share her latest drawing of Dexter, her favorite subject. Dexter is pleased.

Enjoy a day of creative self-expression!

Cat Lady No. 148...Last Chance for TWO Giveaways...

Cat Lady Danica has TWICE the fun with feline friends Jezebel and Geronimo, and wants to remind you that you have TWO chances to win giveaways in May...but time is running out!

The 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for May ends tomorrow, so enter today! Just go to the link and leave a comment at the end of the post about your favorite teacher.

365 Cat Ladies May Giveaway

On May 31st, a name will be drawn at random and the winner will receive this roomy tote bag to carry all of your favorite books!

There is also a May Giveaway at Susan Faye's Picture Show which ends tomorrow.
Visit the link below to find out how you can win this set of magnets.

BIRD BRAINS GIVEAWAY

Thanks for visiting!

Either of these prizes would make a great thank-you gift for your favorite teacher...For more gift ideas please visit my online shops:

www.SusanFaye.etsy.com

www.cafepress/Susan Faye
www.cafepress/SusanFayeNature

Cat Lady No. 133...Fish Food

Cat Purrson Mizuki and her feline friend Yamato are particularly fond of sharing sushi for dinner.

After dining, they often enjoy an evening of origami, the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes representing objects.

Yamato's favorite part is to sit on top of the paper, while Mizuki creases and folds the beautifully patterned squares.

Here are instructions for one of their favorites:

ORIGAMI GOLDFISH

Enjoy!

A Cat Lady Apron is the Purrfect accessory for all of your paper craft projects. There are dozens of Cat Lady Apron designs to choose from at my Cafepress Shop

Cat Lady No. 114...Bookworm Birthdays

Librarian and Cat Lady Kari enjoys reading aloud to the neighorhood kids at Storytime Hour with the help of Library Cat Skittles...

Today is a special story day because it is Skittles' birthday, and Kari is reading Happy Birthday To You by Dr. Seuss. The book tells about a fantastic land called Katroo, where the Birthday Bird throws everyone an amazing party on their special day. The book itself is having its 50th birthday this year!

After Kari finishes reading the story, Skittles and the kids will visit Seussville on the library computers --an interactive site with lots of fun and games and interesting stories about Dr. Seuss. There is even a Storybook Maker that helps you write your own illustrated storybook with the help of Horton (of Hears a Who fame).

Skittles is fairly certain that if she daintily walks across each and every keyboard, she will get to be the star of at least one storybook. It is her birthday, after all...

Thanks for visiting!

Create your very own Storybook:
This Wire-O bound, 160 page blank book has your choice of papers and measures 5" x 8", a handy on-the-go size to fit in your backpack. Get creative and let the muse flow.

• 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.

I have dozens of journal designs to choose from at
Susan Faye Blank Books

Cat Lady No. 89...New Haircut

Cat Lady Louella wonders if Tabby Ted likes her new haircut. Tabby Ted wonders if Louella will scratch his chin soon. Both Louella and Ted are wondering if you've entered the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for March yet.

Hurry. It's not too late! The giveaway ends tomorrow, and the beautiful and talented Enzie Shahmiri will draw a name at random and some lucky Cat Lady will win the original ACEO watercolor painting pictured below. It could be you! Just click on the link above to visit Enzie's blog and get the complete details.

Thanks for visiting!




As it turns out, Tabby Ted DOES like Louella's new haircut. Do you? Louella and Tabby Ted can be found on a variety of t-shirts, totes, notecards, and other gifts at my CafePress Shop www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye

Cat Lady No. 68...Garden Dreaming

It's time to start thinking about the vegetable garden and Cat Lady Adora is enjoying an quiet morning looking through seed catalogs with Cat Mom Bathsheba and her kitten Billy Boy!

Just yesterday Adora was very excited to find asparagus starts at the local garden nursery. Having never grown asparagus before, she went straight home, and with Billy Boy on her shoulder and Bathsheba on her lap, she sat at the computer and did some research.

She was surprised to learn that it takes 3 years for the plants to establish themselves, but once they do, they can last up to 12 to 15 years!

She discovered a wonderful gardening website called WATCH YOUR GARDEN GROW by the University of Illinois Extension; and they had lots of useful information about growing, storing and cooking asparagus:
GROW YOUR OWN ASPARAGUS

Today, Adora is focusing on ordering seeds for her herb garden, and is making sure that catnip is on the list, much to the delight of Bathsheba and Billy Boy.

Thanks for visiting!

Would you like a Custom Cat Lady Portrait? ...A one-of-a-kind and very affordable gift for any cat lover...For pricing and options, please visit my Etsy online gallery by clicking here: CUSTOM CAT LADIES

Cat Lady No. 67...Favorite Stories

Preschool Teacher Noreen enjoys sharing a good story with fellow book lover Frosty...

Their favorite book creator is Tomie DePaola who has illustrated hundreds of books and has written quite a few too.

Tomorrow Noreen will read his book Strega Nona to her class. Tomie has print-out coloring pages on his website, so a special treat will be for the kids to color the Strega Nona Page.

Frosty hopes Noreen will break out the 64-color box of crayons for the occasion...

Thanks for visiting!


A classroom essential for Noreen: a Cat Lady Apron from my CafePress Shop! Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom compartment pouches for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed. There are over 100 designs to choose from... click here: Cat Lady Aprons

Cat Lady No. 54...In Stitches

Cat Lady Anna Lee keeps her feline friend Rex in stitches...literally. His current wardrobe includes 12 knitted sweaters in every color of the rainbow, three hats with pom-pom tassels, one set of booties and a striped scarf.

He has four different snuggly knitted blankets on top of a soft knitted pillow on his cat bed. Rex 's secret wish is that Anna Lee will soon find a knitting pattern for a toy mouse filled with catnip. Well, look no further, Anna Lee and Rex. Here is a link to a fun pattern for a knitted mouse toy! KNIT A MOUSE TOY

Enjoy!

Do you knit on the go? This extra-roomy 100% cotton canvas tote bag has plenty of room to carry all of your knitting projects and supplies. 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"

Enter to win a free tote bag!! Details are in this post: CONTEST TIME!

Cat Lady No. 53...Contest Time!

Cat Lady Keilana and island friend Malu enjoy a gentle ocean breeze at twilight while practicing their latest waltz moves. They are the newest members of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of Waltzing with Cats (SPAWSCats)

Today they are most excited to learn about a contest that you too can enter! The prize is a Susan Faye Cat Waltzing Tote Bag, valued at $15.99, from my CafePress Shop .

This extra-roomy 100% cotton canvas tote bag has plenty of room to carry your dancing slippers, how-to-waltz videos, and so much more. It features extra long handles for easy over-the-shoulder carrying.

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

Here's how to enter: In the comments link below this post please complete the following statement: My cat's favorite dance is_______and here is why:________.

You may also enter this contest at my Squidoo page www.squidoo.com/catwaltzing.

The contest ends on Saturday, February 28 at midnight PST and the winner will be announced on Sunday, March 1st. My panel of esteemed judges will select the winner based on best choreography, originality, and sparkliest costume--no, wait--we'll just pick the one that makes us smile the most.

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 48...Garden Goddess

Cat Lady and Garden Goddess Sumi never gardens without her favorite pink hat and her faithful feline friend Suguru, who simply adores tulips.

Here are some tips for growing tulips from Gardener's Paradise:

If you are planting other bedding plants amongst tulips; it is a good idea to plant them before the bulbs, so as not to damage the bulbs with the trowel later.

Over crowded bulbs can also cause problems in your garden. If this occurs, dig up your tulips just before all the foliage has completely died down and divide by pulling smaller new bulbs from the base of the old bulb and replant them.

After flowering, it is ok to deadhead your tulips but always allow the leaves to die off naturally. If you are concerned about the appearance of the fading greens, try braiding the leaves.

Tulips make excellent cut flowers and usually last about a week in a vase. Don't forget to add a little sugar to your water to prolong the life of your bouquet.

Visit their website for more tips: www.gardeningtips.org/Tulip.shtml

Thanks for visiting!

Another gardening essential for Sumi: a Cat Lady Apron from my CafePress Shop! Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom compartment pouches for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed. There are over 100 designs to choose from... click here:
Cat Lady Aprons

Cat Lady No. 42...Secret Admirer

Cat Lady Jimena just received a Valentine from a secret admirer. Feline Friend Fernanda knows it's from the cute bicycle repair man down the street, but she's going to keep it a secret for now, and let Jimena guess who it's from.

Fernanda knows that once Jimena falls in love, there will be big changes in store: time spent whiling away the hours with a raggedy catnip mouse awaiting Jimena's return from that long bicycle ride, tummy growling for tuna awaiting Jimena's return from some giggle-filled evening at a seafood restaurant, and (it's almost too horrible to even consider) what if he has the audacity to be allergic to felines! She shudders at the thought...

So she will bask in Jimena's adoration just a few days more if possible and purr just a bit longer and louder to make sure that Jimena knows who the real sweetheart is.


Need to keep track of your secret admirers?
This blank book or journal is the perfect solution! Jimena and Fernanda can be found on a variety of Valentine cards, note cards, postcards, t-shirts and other gifts at: www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye.

Thanks for visiting!