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ScrapHappy: A Bit of This and That

I have an assortment of scrappy projects this month.

First up, three cat beds for a rescue organization called NARF. I made a pattern from a grocery bag the last time I made them so I would remember the size of the cat’s temporary enclosure. The first cat beds were too large. When the cats are adopted, the little bed goes home with them.

The purple Minka fabric posed some challenges since the scraps were mostly triangle-shaped. I ended up piecing scraps to make one side of the bed.

The tie-dyed material has been around for years. My friend Laura used to host tie-dye parties in her driveway. This purple tie-dyed muslin came from an afternoon of playing with purple dye.

The final cat bed is a repurposed toss pillow cover. I turned it from a square to a rectangle. I used padding from my former patio cushions for all three cat beds.

My second scrappy make is this palm leaf cover to place under the acrylic top on my garden bench. I cut one long, narrow piece in half, then stitched together lengthwise. After hemming all four sides, it fits within a 1/4 inch. It really pops.

My final scrappy make is a soft shawl for the Teddy Bear. It’s a no-sew accessory to celebrate my permanent retirement from ever sewing slippery, shedding fabric again. Please quote me! I made the bear years ago for my younger son. Now it belongs to Tessa (our cat).

There you have it! Three cat beds, a garden bench topper, and a well-accessorized plush bear, all made from scraps.

Thanks as always, Kate. Please follow the links below if you would like to see what the other makers are up to.


Kate, Gun,Eva, Sue,Lynda,
Birthe,Turid,Susan,Cathy, Tracy,
Jan, Moira,Sandra, Chris,
Claire, Jean, Jon,Dawn, Gwen,
Sunny,Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera,Edith
Ann,Dawn 2,Carol,Preeti,
Debbierose, Nóilin, Viv, Karrin,
Amo,Alissa, Lynn,Tierney and Hannah

Nike Animal Rescue Foundation

Nike Animal Rescue Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to providing assistance to cats and dogs in need. All the cats and dogs available for adoption can be viewed on the site. We hold adoption fairs in the South Bay several times a month where you can see all the pets in person. You can read more about their volunteer efforts here.

36 thoughts on “ScrapHappy: A Bit of This and That”

  5. What beautiful beds for the cats!! You are right the palm leaf piece really pops there. Love that Tessa has adopted the bear.

    I am just getting ready to try my hand at slippery fabrics. I bought bright yellow minky to make a blanket for my grandson. Wish me luck.

    Just finishing up a bag for my mom’s birthday that I made from a kit. It came out really cute.

    Thank you for sharing your lovely projects.

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    • I love that Tessa loves the bear, too. It’s warm and soft and just her size.

      Oh, no! Not the dreaded slippery fabric!? I do wish you luck. It’s so soft and warm and I know it will be perfect for your grandson. Please let me know how it turns out. There are so many fun sewing projects. I’m enjoying dipping my toe in after a long absence. I used to sew all the time. xo

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  7. Look at you go, creating fabulously useful articles from stuff that was just hanging out in the house. This is why I struggle to throw anything away. I’m donating to a cat shelter today (I got a duplicate order from Chewy due to misadventure) and I’ve thought of making them cat beds, but they seem to be drowning in them. I’ll stick to PICC line covers I guess. Anyway, love your makes. :-)

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    • PICC line covers are great. It’s fun to use your talent and leftovers to make a difference in the life of someone (cat or human) in need. You might like to join us once a month as time permits for these scrappy projects. I like the challenge, and it’s fun to see what they others come up with. Reach out to Kate if you’re interested. It’s not a commitment, either. You can do one a year, one each month, or skip it entirely. Thank you for your kind words.

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  8. How sweet that the adopted kitties get to take their bed with them. I’ve actually just bought some bits of new cotton with a project in mind. I seem to start a lot more projects than I make time for. So we’ll see how long it takes, LOL. I love sewing once I get going, I just need to put away a ton of stuff to initiate a project. Where do you do your sewing? In your office or kitchen? xK

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  14. I need to get a handle on myself about reading a blog and not staying put to write the comment. I’m with you on not sewing on certain fabrics anymore. The bear is adorable in his ribbon. Lucky Tessa gets a new cat bed out of pretty scrap fabric and a bear but she deserves it. The palm leaf fabric is perfect for the garden bench. More stuff on your “Done” list.

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    • You made me smile, MH. I do the same thing. I read from my phone in random places, but I prefer to reply from my laptop where I can type faster on the keyboard (and I can see better, too.)

      There are so many nice fabrics that are easy to sew, and at this stage, nothing I need or want with slippery Minka. I sure got mileage out of it though including Sharon’s shrug, a reversible bed for her kitty Queen B, and now this bed for the cat rescue. And yes, more stuff on my done list. I’ve been getting a lot done, now that birthday and graduation season have come and gone. Unfortunately our first heat wave arrived on Friday, so my time in the garden will now be curtailed. How are you coping with the heat? Are you getting any of the smoke? What a difficult time. Sending you a big hug, Marlene.

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      • I put Minky on the back of a quilt for T.S. several years ago and it was very kind to me. It’s on the back of the cancer quilt too but I didn’t have to sew it. :) We used to make lots of beds for the Humane Society when I lived up here years ago in the quilt guild but nothing so nice as Minky. I’ve been thinking about Sharon a lot lately. We are getting 90’s for the next 12 days and I stay cool. Walk just before the sun really comes up and have fans moving the air in this little shoebox along with AC. It cuts the cost. So far, no smoke. I check AQ every morning. I have no real complaints. All in all, I’m very grateful for everything. On to the next project. :) Love and hugs. News soon I hope. Happy 4th to you all.

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        • I should have guessed that you also made beds for cats. I have a soft bedsheet that I used to make one of my many swing covers in the day, (oy), so I plan on making more with that. I still have some padding as well.

          I’m glad you have AC and fans. I agree that movement is key. I’m happy to hear that you are smoke-free for now. I can’t believe it’s just now July. Hugs to you, MH

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