other – HEART in CRAFTS

Kitties are the best. Kitty litters are the worst. But fortunately, lots of great hidden litter boxes have hit the market in the past few years. Some are actually affordable and some are what I would consider aspirational 😉 Here are some of my finds. And if you’re interested in making your own hideaway litter box, check out this Kitty Hack post.

hidden cat litter box — Way Basics Eco Friendly Cat Litter Box

And this photo shows what’s going on behind the scenes:

The Way Basics Eco Friendly Cat Litter Box is currently listed under $100 and comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s made from zBoard, a patented sustainable material that the manufacturer is billing as a better, eco-friendly, non-toxic alternative to particle board and MDF. Interesting. At time of this post, the list price is $89.99.

Sweet and simple. Besides looking good and having a minimal footprint, this hidden litter box from Philociety seems like it’s made to last. It’s constructed from thick solid natural wood. The manufacturer says the wood is treated with an odor and moisture resistant paint inside and out to minimize traditional litter box smell. And where does the cat enter to use the litter? There is a side opening, as shown in this product photo.

side entry to the Philociety Solid Natural Wood Cat Litter Box

hidden cat litter box side table from Black Velvet Pets

Made by a husband and wife team in Estonia, this hidden litter box side table is constructed from humidity-proof birch plywood and finished with high-quality oil wax. This option is a bit pricier than the other roundup items, but I love that it’s made by a small independent business with adorable Facebook pics like this one:)

This photo cracks me up! The cat in this photo looks like he’s not quite finished with the restroom… Anyhow, the current list price on Amazon is $108.99, which is steep for a litter box but not so bad if you think of it as a side table with a hidden bonus feature 😉

And lastly, for those with a more generous budget, there is the Modular Cabinet Set from Modernist Cat.

hidden cat litter box from Modernist Cat

This stylish hidden litter box was inspired by the design and function of classic mid 20th century storage credenzas. The entrance shape (rectangle or circle) and side (left or right) are customizable as are the door colors.

hidden litter box

While you’re here, you may also want to check out my post on cozy cat caves!

-needle felting-, other

Celebrating International Women’s Day

March 10March 12 heartincrafts

needle felted cat

I made this kitty for International Women’s Day on March 8th. She was a bit of a needle felting challenge– I’m not great with “sculpting” facial expressions, and I really wanted her to look strong and#BeBoldForChange. I’m really happy with how she turned out! She sits right next to my computer, so we basically hang out all day long.

I also celebrated the day by attending a rally in Washington Square Park with a friend and our babies. They were so zonked by all of the excitement and passed out on the train ride home. I snapped this beauty shot 🙂

Wolfie & Dudley

And I recommend taking a minute to check out the Guardian’s International Women’s Day around the world – in pictures that shows celebrations, events and rallies around the world.

-kitty cats-, -needle felting-, other

Cozy Cat Cave Collection

January 5July 19 heartincrafts

Have you seen the latest in cat habitats? These comfy wool hideaways are made using a wet felting technique that relies on soap, water and agitation to bind the wool fibers together. Not only do cats (and tiny pups) love them but owners also love them because they actually look good! So many pet products have such bad design but not these felt cocoons. Another plus is that wool has natural antibacterial properties, so it doesn’t get stinky. Check out these amazing cat caves.

Cat bed - cat cave - cat house — by AgnesFelt

You can also make a felt cat cave at home. Here and here are two great tutorials.

other

a seahorse compilation

May 24July 14 heartincrafts

Did you know that the female seahorse lays the eggs but the male seahorse carries the unborn youngins in his pouch? Seahorses also like to swim in pairs with their tails linked together. Pretty cool. Here is a roundup in homage to this incredible creature.

Make a paper seahorse wall sculpture with a printable PDF pattern.

Or crochet your very own seahorse!

I like this nautical-themed mini dish set.

seahorse Ceramic Platter Set — ceramic platter set from Creative Co-op

And here’s the same seahorse design on a canister. Simple but lovely.

Or get this fantastical pillow from Roostery that’s filled with mermaids sleeping on the moon and riding seahorses.

mermaid seahorse fabric pillow cushion — throw pillow with mermaid/seahorse design made from Spoonflower fabrics

They have lots of color options…

Or adorn yourself with a seahorse pendant necklace cast from an actual dried seahorse.

brass cast seahorse necklace — brass seahorse pendant necklace from monteazul

Can you find the seahorse in this art print from society6?

society6 art print — Rainy Days by Judith Clay

I stumbled upon this French site that has many old engravings, often in large format and in color. I really like botanical illustrations. Most botanical illustrations are all over Pinterest, but this old image is new to me. The description reads: “Fish color drawing after ‘Universal Dictionary of Natural History’ Atlas Zoology Volume 2 reptiles and fish by C. d’Orbigny – Paris.”

Mix the old with the new with this custom vintage iPhone.

Check out this seahorse crest!

seahorse crest from Fairbairn’s Book of Crests

other

Presenting the Hedgehog

June 18July 14 heartincrafts

Hedgehog print by Katie Vernon — Hedgehog prints by Katie Vernon

Who isn’t a sucker for hedgehogs? Or at least baby hedgehogs.

This hedgehog pencil holder is a pretty cute way to keep track of art supplies.

I like the idea of finding a hedgehog figurine in my morning coffee…

hedgehog figurine coffee cup — ceramic hedgehog coffee mug

These hand-sewn hedgehog zipper pouches from a maker in New Hampshire come in four different sizes. The coin purse size is particularly adorable.

Or if you want to infuse some humor into your zipper pouch…

You can fold your very own hedgehog!

origami hedgehog designed by Sergey Yartsev

Or plop this little one on your desk to keep you company while you work.

needle felted hedgehog from Wild Whimsy Woolies

I love this bagpipe playing, rooster riding hedgehog illustration from Hans My Hedgehog, an Etsy store named after the Grimm’s fairytale about a hedgehog boy who grows up to become king of the forest.

Giclee print hedgehog — 8×10 Giclee print of Brothers Grimm Fairytale Hans My Hedgehog, Black and White version by

And some hedgehog baby gear:

MilkBarn Hedgehog Baby Blanket — Milkbarn Hedgehog Baby Blanket

Category: other

kitty litters for small spaces – the hidden litter box roundup

Celebrating International Women’s Day

Cozy Cat Cave Collection

a seahorse compilation

Presenting the Hedgehog