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November 25, 2022 by Bubbly1 Leave a Comment

Cat Thanksgiving Aftermath

Mizar sacked out on my bed for the first time in weeks

Fleas be Gone

Mizar came to me as a stray a few months ago. As a foster parent, I got rescue backing for him, who had him microchipped, examined, and flea treated. He was already spayed. Well, Mizar brought fleas with him, anyways.

We, Mizar, Dubhe, and Cassiopeia, have been battling fleas for months. I have used Capstar, Frontline Plus and Revolution, to little avail. I sprinkled Diatomaceous Earth down on all the carpeting and laundered every fabric thing not in closets. No luck. Sadly, a little over a month ago, I bathed Cassiopeia to rid her of fleas, The water was red with flea dirt or blood. She became very weak afterwards and died three days later at 19 years, 7 months. She was the last of my original four furry children. I called them my Boogie Children and they have also been called my Constellation Companions, because their names were Andromeda, Virgo, Pegasus and Cassiopeia.

Cassiopeia enjoying a catio several years ago.

As a last resort, I realized it was time to flea bomb my home. Obviously, the cats can’t be there when this is done. I was invited for Thanksgiving by a self-described Crazy Cat Lady. Thanksgiving morning, I packed the cats into their pet carriers with their food, dishes, and litter box, and committed the ultimate kitty torture by taking them for a car ride.

The drive was nearly two hours because of traffic. They, then, spent the day in the lady’s bedroom and, several hours later, we reverse the Ultimate Kitty Torture process, and I took them home.

Mizar’s History

Despite being a stray or a “community cat” as they are starting to be called, Mizar is incredibly friendly and sweet. Once he acclimated, he usually slept on my bed. He eventually moved to the pet beds I’ve placed about and, much to my deep dismay, started sleeping on the kitchen floor a few weeks ago. I even tried putting a pet bed under him on the floor, and he was having none of it.

To my great pleasure, fleas eliminated, Mizar immediately took to my bed. This is the first time in a few months that I’ve seen him sacked out in my bed. It warms my heart to know my boy is able to be all comfy, cozy kitty again.

Although he is technically a foster, I will likely keep him. Dubhe came to me as a foster nearly two years ago, three weeks after my Jase disappeared, Dubhe had a playmate until April, then she, Auriga, got adopted. Dubhe needed a playmate and tried playing with Cassiopeia, which I discouraged because of Cassi’s age and fragility. Alas, Mizar was trapped, found to be homeless, and made the perfect companion for Dubhe.

I’d intended for my next cats to be named Orion, Sagittarius and possibly a Cygnus. It is said that the best cats are the ones who choose their owners. I guess I’ve been chosen by Dubhe and Mizar.

Dubhe doing what cats do: hanging out in a box!!
The Ursa Major brothers Mizar and Dubhe.

Thanks for joining!!! Please join our mailing list for more cat stories.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Andromeda, Cassiopeia, cats, Constellation, Dubhe, fleas, Mizar, Orion, Pegasus, Virgo

November 17, 2022 by Bubbly1 Leave a Comment

Fabric Withdrawals

Yes, we certainly can’t have housecleaning take precedence over sewing!! Circumstances this fall preclude my annual sewing ritual, and it really has me out of sorts!!! Nonetheless, I haven’t gotten so desperate that I’ve resorted to housecleaning. Maybe I should go fondle same fabric at a quilt shop, just to appease myself!!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

October 11, 2022 by Bubbly1 Leave a Comment

Craft Room Reality

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February 3, 2020 by Bubbly1 Leave a Comment

Stabilizer scraps make handy pet bed stuffing

 

 

Stabilizer and Warm and Natural Batting Scraps made into pet bed filler video

Filed Under: Uncategorized

February 3, 2020 by Bubbly1 Leave a Comment

Sewing Revival amidst Closing Fabric Stores

While I have long been a committed sewist, my time for it dropped dramatically when I went back to school in the early 2000’s. I had only visited Yardage Town a couple times, usually for ribbon, and never bought any apparel fabrics there.

Two weeks ago, learning that Yardage Town was closing, a friend and I visited the Vista location. I can’t tell you how much I wish I had a reason to make a special occasion dress. Their fabrics are BEAUTIFUL. Yardage Town has a considerable selection. And, just like the article says, the chain stores do not carry most of what Yardage Town offers.

In the 80’s, being a student at Purdue University, I frequented Neuwelt’s fabric store in Lafayette, Indiana. I bought some of the fabric for my wedding gown there the last time I visited in 1992. Sadly, Neuwelt’s closed not long thereafter.

Moving as I had to Orange County, Californ, I found and developed a very serious love affair for Left Bank Fabrics in Newport Beach. My retirement fund and bank account would look SO much better if I’d never discovered that place. Gorgeous French brocades running $300/ yard, beautiful Italian wool suit fabrics at $125/ yard. I never bought as much there as I wanted to, but I did buy some. I still have some of my gorgeous Left Bank Fabrics fabric that I have not yet sewn up. When I went back to school, my wardrobe needs changed, and I found no need for the silk jacquard prints I still have. Not wanting to waste the fabric, it still hangs in my craft room closet, some 25+ years after I bought it. Since I am no longer in college, I am hoping occasions will arise that justify me making a dress or blouse from that fabric. Sadly, Left Bank Fabrics closed over 20 years ago. Its been a bike shop for a long time.

I bought most of my wedding gown fabric and laces from House of Fabrics. They, too, closed, and most locations became a Joann’s. While I love Joann’s, they no longer carry the fabrics I made my wedding gown of. Just Saturday, I was lamenting this with a friend of mine. We decided a trip to LA’s garment district is in order. I guess the good part of all these fancy apparel fabric stores closing is that my bank account will no longer suffer. With none of the gorgeous fabrics nearby, I won’t be tempted to buy and “age” my fabric, as I have in the past.

I am told that M&L fabrics in Santa Ana, a place I now recall visiting over two decades ago, still has a fantastic selection. I guess a road trip to OC is in order as well.

Happy sewing!!!!!!

Filed Under: Sewing, Uncategorized Tagged With: Garment District, House of Fabrics, Indiana, Joann's, Lafayette, Left Bank Fabrics, Los Angeles, M&L Fabrics, Neuwelt's, Purdue University, Santa Ana, Vista, wedding gown, Yardage Town

November 23, 2019 by Bubbly1 Leave a Comment

How to keep a Cat off your Sewing Project

Snuggle Sack progress

I moved into this home several months ago. When I did, several UFO’s got moved with me. A UFO is an UnFinished Object. Since I now how a sewing room in my new home, I am making a concerted effort to eliminate my UFO’s. One such UFO is a Snuggle Sack. A Snuggle Sack is a proprietary pattern I’ve developed over several years that consists of fleece, flannel, and Thinsulate. I usually machine embroider the inside, with motifs representing hobbies and accomplishments of the recipient.

I am cutting out lining pieces today while watching the Notre Dame vs. Boston College football game. There is little in the universe I enjoy more than sewing while watching football. There is freshly pressed black flannel spread out on my project table. I am trying to cut it to make the lining. Mr. Problem Child cat keeps jumping into the middle of it.

Orange tabby cat Jase sitting on Sandy Eulitt's lap in her sewing room
Jase, the Wonder Kitty, wondering what he can get into next.

After several unsuccessful attempts at getting and keeping him off my fabric, I surmised an easier solution might be available. I grabbed the Football Field fleece throw just completed Friday night, and folded it on the ground. Then, I placed him upon it, waiting for a reaction. Two hours later, he hasn’t budged from this spot. I guess its all about learning to speak cat.

Jase, the male orange tabby cat, lounging out on a Football field fleece throw
Jase has me extraordinarily well trained to cater to his every need

Shockingly, I was able to get my fabric cut out, now that he was not jumping into the middle of the project table.

Filed Under: Cats, Machines, Serging, Sewing, Uncategorized Tagged With: Boston College, cat, college football, fleece, Jase, joann's, machine embroidery, Notre Dame, orange tabby, snuggle sack

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